THE MASTERS MILITARY FACES No blooms, no fans, Iraq War soldier Nickel Creek reflects no roars make this set to receive on trio of influential year like no other Medal of Honor Americana albums Back page Page 3 Page 18

Trump emerges from the White House to mark Veterans Day » Page 9

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Volume 79, No. 149 ©SS 2020 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas

VIRUS OUTBREAK

No signs of slowing

Kim Tapia holds US hits record number of hospitalizations, surpasses 1M new confirmed cases this month her granddaughter Amariah Lucero, BY MIKE STOBBE signs of slowing. comes to improved medical tools and knowl- 3, as she’s tested Associated Press The new wave appears bigger and more edge, said William Hanage, a Harvard Univer- at the Utah widespread than the surges that happened in sity infectious-disease researcher. National Guard’s NEW YORK — The U.S. hit a record num- the spring and summer — and threatens to be Newly confirmed infections in the U.S. were mobile testing site ber of coronavirus hospitalizations Tuesday worse. But experts say there are also reasons running at all-time highs of well over 100,000 for COVID-19 on and surpassed 1 million new confirmed cases to think the nation is better able to deal with per day, pushing the total to more than 10 mil- Tuesday in Salt in just the first 10 days of November amid a the virus this time around. lion and eclipsing 1 million since Halloween. Lake City. nationwide surge of infections that shows no “We’re definitely in a better place” when it SEE CASES ON PAGE 8 RICK BOWMER/AP

Trio of Trump loyalists get top Pentagon jobs after Esper’s firing

BY LOLITA C. BALDOR he made, including about Islam. do in the months before President-elect undersecretary for policy, resigned Tues- Associated Press The abrupt changes sent reverberations Joe Biden takes office and whether there day morning and he was quickly replaced through the Pentagon as nervous civilian will be a greater effort to politicize the his- by Anthony Tata, a retired Army one-star WASHINGTON — A day after President and military personnel waited for the next torically apolitical military. While radical general. A short time later, Joseph Kernan, Donald Trump fired Defense Secretary shoe to drop. And they fueled worries of a policy shifts seem unlikely before the Jan. a retired Navy vice admiral, stepped down Mark Esper, three staunch loyalists to the wider effort to drum out anyone consid- 20 inauguration, the changes could further as undersecretary for intelligence, hasten- president were named to top defense jobs. ered not loyal enough to Trump. damage prospects for a smooth transition ing what had been an already planned post- Among them was a former Fox News com- The unease was palpable inside the already hampered by Trump’s refusal to election departure. Kernan was replaced mentator who failed to get through Senate building throughout the day over concerns concede his election loss. confirmation because of offensive remarks about what the Trump administration may James Anderson, who had been acting SEE PENTAGON ON PAGE 6 PAGE 2 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 BUSINESS/WEATHER EXCHANGE RATES Bankruptcy court approves sale of J.C. Penney Military rates Switzerland (Franc) ...... 0.9184 Euro costs (Nov. 12) ...... $1.15 Thailand (Baht) ...... 30.40 Dollar buys (Nov. 12) ...... €0.8255 Turkey (Lira) ...... 7.8964 British pound (Nov. 12) ...... $1.36 (Military exchange rates are those Associated Press acquired by Brookfield Asset as they offer low prices and one- Japanese yen (Nov. 12) ...... 101.00 available to customers at military banking South Korean won (Nov. 12) ...... 1,089.00 facilities in the country of issuance Management Inc. and Simon stop shopping. Commercial rates NEW YORK — J.C. Penney is for Japan, South Korea, Germany, the Property Group through a com- J.C. Penney filed for Chap- Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0.3771 Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For on course to emerge from bank- British pound ...... $1.3211 nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., ruptcy by Thanksgiving, after a bination of cash and new term ter 11 bankruptcy protection in Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.3059 purchasing British pounds in Germany), loan debt. The approval followed May, becoming one of the larg- China (Yuan) ...... 6.6315 check with your local military banking U.S. bankruptcy court approved Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.3347 facility. Commercial rates are interbank the sale of the ailing 118-year-old a lengthy court hearing Monday. est retailers to do so during the Egypt (Pound)...... 15.6503 rates provided for reference when buying Still, the retailer faces an up- pandemic amid a wave of store Euro ...... $1.1753/0.8509 currency. All figures are foreign currencies retailer to its two largest land- Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7540 to one dollar, except for the British pound, hill battle to attract shoppers this closures forced by the spread of Hungary (Forint) ...... 302.43 which is represented in dollars-to-pound, lords and its primary lenders. and the euro, which is dollars-to-euro.) holiday season as they stay away COVID-19 infections in the U.S. Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.3783 The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Japan (Yen)...... 105.52 the Southern District of Texas ap- from the malls and stores for The Plano, Texas, chain will Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0.3061 INTEREST RATES proved a purchase agreement, an- safety reasons and shop online shed nearly a third of its stores in Norway (Krone) ...... 9.0887 Philippines (Peso) ...... 48.50 Prime rate ...... 3.25 nounced earlier this fall, that has more. Meanwhile, Amazon and the next two years as it restruc- Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.82 Discount rate ...... 0.25 big discounters like Walmart and tures, leaving just 600 locations Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7505 Federal funds market rate ...... 0.09 substantially all of J.C. Penney’s Singapore (Dollar)...... 1.3508 3-month bill ...... 0.10 retail and operating assets being Target are only getting stronger open. South Korea (Won) ...... 1,114.83 30-year bond ...... 1.76 WEATHER OUTLOOK THURSDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY IN EUROPE FRIDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 54/37 Kabul 67/48 Seoul 66/40 Baghdad 78/56 Kandahar 80/53 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 66/39 64/52 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 53/48 43/38 64/48 Iwakuni 66/46 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan Sasebo City 87/77 Brussels 45/39 Guam 81/69 55/43 Ramstein 70/55 86/80 Lajes, 56/42 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 93/63 80/53 64/57 58/42 48/35 Aviano/ Vicenza 56/40

Naples 67/56 Okinawa Morón 79/70 71/50 Sigonella Rota 71/50 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 87/77 72/55 65/54 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

T O D A Y IN STRIPES American Roundup ..... 14 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 18 Opinion ...... 15 Sports ...... 20-24 Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 3 MILITARY Senate clears path for Medal of Honor Iraq War soldier Cashe repeatedly entered burning vehicle to save 7

BY DAN LAMOTHE to recognizing this unbelievably heroic Division when the armored Bradley Fight- The Washington Post soldier, who died saving his men, with our ing Vehicle he was in rolled over an impro- nation’s highest award for combat valor vised explosive device on Oct. 17, 2005. He WASHINGTON — The Senate passed — which he earned beyond a shadow of a was slightly injured by the explosion and legislation on Tuesday that clears the way doubt.” drenched in fuel, and realized the vehicle’s for President Donald Trump to award the Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., said in the fuel cell had erupted and the vehicle had nation’s highest award for valor in combat same statement that Cashe’s bravery has burst into flames. to Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe, who inspired many people, and the passage of Cashe made numerous trips into the ve- repeatedly entered a burning vehicle in the legislation will allow him to be properly hicle to recover fellow soldiers, suffering Iraq to save six fellow soldiers and an in- recognized. burns in the process. He died about three terpreter from harm and died a few weeks “I’m incredibly proud to see both sides of weeks later on Nov. 5 at Brooke Army later. the aisle, in the House and the Senate, come Medical Center in San Antonio, which is The legislation, passed by unanimous together to honor Cashe’s legacy and award known for its unit treating burns suffered U.S. Army consent, waives the legal requirement that him the Medal of Honor,” Waltz said. in combat. the Medal of Honor be awarded within five The passage of the Senate version of Cashe was initially approved for the Sil- Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe, in an years of a service member’s acts of valor. the bill dragged out this fall, first amid a ver Star, the nation’s third-highest award undated photo. Cashe has long been considered one of the coronavirus outbreak that infected several for valor in combat. His commanding offi- war’s great American heroes and would be Republican senators and then in the confir- cer, then-Lt. Col. Gary Brito, later said that recently that she did not believe discrimi- the first African American to receive the mation battle of Judge Amy Coney Barrett he did not initially have a full understand- nation had a role in the Army’s failure to award for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. to the Supreme Court. The Republican-led ing for what Cashe did and has sought an award the Medal of Honor sooner. She cited Then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper sup- Senate approved her nomination 52-48 last upgrade for years. Brito is now a three-star a conversation that she had with Brito, who ported the move in a letter to Congress in month, and then broke for the election. general and the Army’s deputy chief of also is Black, in 2007. August after years of deliberations within The approval of the Cashe legislation in staff for personnel. Brito, she said, told her that no one in the the Army. both chambers leaves Trump’s approval “Without regard for his personal safety, 3rd Infantry Division had received any- The Senate bill was introduced on a bi- as the only hurdle to Cashe receiving the Sergeant First Class Cashe rushed to the thing higher than the Silver Star and that partisan basis following the approval of award. The president has not commented back of the vehicle, reaching into the hot he knew from the information he had at the similar legislation in the House last week. on the case, but Cashe is often cited within flames and started pulling out his soldiers,” time that Cashe merited one. In both cases, lawmakers said they wanted conservative circles as worthy of the award. the Silver Star citation said. “The flames “What I feel is that the information did to move quickly. A senior White House official, speaking on gripped his fuel soaked uniform. Flames not get back in time,” she said. “I am so grateful the Senate passed our the condition of anonymity to discuss the quickly spread all over his body.” White added that she “won’t allow any- bill to pave the way for the president to open case, said before the legislation’s pas- Cashe continued to assist others, even body to make it a race thing.” award Alwyn Cashe the Medal of Honor,” sage in the Senate that Trump would be after he was on fire, the citation said. He “He did what he did not because he was Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., who co- supportive. suffered burns over 72% of his body. Black, but because he was a soldier and be- sponsored similar legislation in the House, Cashe, 35, of Oviedo, Fla., was deployed Cashe’s sister, Kasinal Cashe White, cause he loved his men,” she said. “And I said in a statement. “We are now very close to Samarra, Iraq, with the 3rd Infantry said in a phone conference with reporters believe they loved him in return.” Fort Hood gate to be named for late Spc. Guillen

BY ROSE L. THAYER but she wants justice. Stars and Stripes “I want a real change,” she said. “My daughter had to die for there to be real FORT HOOD, Texas — Fort Hood will change. Because of her death everything rename a gate near the east entrance of the is coming out now about everything that’s Army base in honor of Spc. Vanessa Guil- happened.” len, a move that shows commanders are During the search for Guillen, her fami- taking ownership of the soldier’s death on ly said the soldier faced sexual harassment the base, said Natalie Khawam, an attor- on base, but she was too afraid to report it ney for the Guillen family. to her chain of command. After Robinson “Ownership is the first way to cure was identified as her killer, the family said something,” Khawam said Tuesday eve- he was her harasser. Base officials have ning during a news conference. said they did not find evidence to confirm Along with Guillen’s parents, her sister this allegation. and an Army friend, Khawam said the Guillen’s story inspired thousands of group met with base leadership, toured veterans to come forward with their own several sites and visited the location of stories of sexual assault and harassment the future Guillen Gate. Located on Fort on social media. In response, the Army ini- Hood Street north of Rancier Avenue, the tiated investigations into Guillen’s chain of site will have an off-post parking area to command and the decisions made during allow public access of a small memorial for Guillen. the search for her, as well as into the com- “They could have said we don’t want to mand climate and culture of the base and be known for this bloodstain, but rather its implementation of the Army’s sexual as- it’s the opposite. They put it visibly right sault and harassment prevention program. in front of the gate of the base, so every Those investigations are complete and day they have to remember Vanessa. They the results are expected to be released in have to remember what happened here, so the coming weeks. In just one investiga- tion, more than 180 people were inter- it never happens again,” Khawam said. /Stars and Stripes Guillen was a 20-year-old Houston na- ROSE L. THAYER viewed, Khawam said. tive who was reported missing April 22. Natalie Khawam, attorney for the family of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, speaks Tuesday Congress also has begun investigating Her body was found more than two months evening outside the main entrance to Fort Hood, Texas. Along with Guillen’s parents, the handling of Guillen’s death along with later buried and concealed in concrete her sister and an Army friend, Khawam met with base leadership, toured several sites several of the other nearly 30 soldiers to along the Leon River in Bell County. and visited the location of the future Guillen Gate, named in honor of the slain soldier. die while assigned to Fort Hood this year. Spc. Aaron Robinson, a fellow soldier in “Vanessa’s life was a catalyst for us to her unit, is believed to have killed her with Lt. Gen. Pat White said meeting with the in a prepared statement. “The gate we des- implement action to improve trust, dis- a hammer in an arms room at Fort Hood family and getting their input for the gate ignated leads to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment cipline, and teamwork across our forma- and then buried her remains with the help was important as plans come to fruition area where Vanessa served. The gate is ac- tions,” White said. “In recent weeks, we of his civilian girlfriend, who is awaiting a during the next few months. cessed by thousands of soldiers, civilians, began a ‘People First’ initiative that en- federal trial for tampering with evidence. “We invited Spc. Vanessa Guillen’s fam- and families every day.” sures soldiers, families, and civilians are Robinson shot himself dead when con- ily to visit Fort Hood as we take an impor- Gloria Guillen, the soldier’s mother, ad- always at the core of what we do.” fronted by police after Guillen’s body was tant step together to memorialize Vanessa’s dressed the media gathered outside the [email protected] found June 30. life and service to our nation,” White said gate in Spanish. She said the gate is pretty, Twitter: @Rose_Lori PAGE 4 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 MILITARY Pentagon refutes reports of training on Taiwan

BY SETH ROBSON Supple, in a statement emailed to Stars U.S. actions are guided by the Taiwan systems to Taiwan and warned the move Stars and Stripes and Stripes via Indo-Pacific Command on Relations Act and based on an assessment could cause “serious consequences” to al- Wednesday, called the reports about U.S. of Taiwan’s defense needs, as has been the ready frayed Sino-American relations. TOKYO — The Defense Department on Marines on Taiwan “inaccurate.” case for more than 40 years, Supple wrote The Pentagon spokesman, in his state- Wednesday shot down recent media re- “The United States remains committed in the statement. ment Tuesday, said China has engaged in ports saying special operations Marines to our One-China Policy,” he said, referring “The United States will continue to make a string of destabilizing activities aimed at were working with forces on Taiwan this to a policy acknowledging that Beijing be- available to Taiwan such defense articles both Taiwan and the broader region that week. increase the risk of miscalculation. Taiwanese and Japanese news outlets, lieves it has sovereignty over Taiwan. The and defense services in such quantity as which cited Taiwan’s defense ministry and sides split during a civil war in 1949 and may be necessary to enable Taiwan to “We urge Beijing to cease its military, naval command, said the Marine Raiders China considers the island a breakaway maintain sufficient self-defense capabili- diplomatic, and economic pressure target- were at Tsoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung province that should be brought under its ties,” he said. ed at Taiwan and to engage in meaningful on Monday, training Taiwan marines in as- control by force if necessary. U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan have in- dialogue with Taiwan,” Supple wrote. “Any sault boat and speedboat infiltration tech- Though Washington has no formal rela- creased in recent years, as China builds resolution of cross-Strait differences must niques. If true, it would have been the first tions with Taiwan’s government, which is up its military and remains dedicated to a be peaceful and based on the will of the public acknowledgement of such training elected democratically, U.S. law requires goal of annexing the island. people on both sides.” by either side since the 1970s. the government to ensure Taiwan can de- Beijing spoke out last month against [email protected] However, Pentagon spokesman John fend itself. a U.S. plan to sell $1.8 billion in weapons Twitter: @SethRobson1 Report details failures that led to deadly F-16 crash at Shaw

BY COREY DICKSTEIN tions about emergency situations. Had the Stars and Stripes supervisor contacted Lockheed, the com- pany could have warned the checklist that WASHINGTON — Pilot mistakes, an the officials had been using was only de- ejection-seat failure and poor leadership signed to work if the landing gear did not decisions are to blame for the June crash of deploy and did not apply to “a damaged or an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Shaw Air Force hanging” gear. During the probe, Lock- Base, S.C., investigators concluded in a re- heed flight engineers told investigators that port released Monday. there were no standard operations for deal- Air Force 1st Lt. David Schmitz, 32, ing with the type of damage that Schmitz was killed at about 11 p.m. June 30 in the faced. They said had the supervisor of fly- fighter jet crash as he attempted to land at ing contacted the hotline, Lockheed would Shaw during a nighttime training flight. have urged a controlled ejection, instead of The investigators found Schmitz was upset a cable landing, which had been successful after having failed his first-ever attempt at in two similar past incidents. air-to-air refueling and misread a lighting Ultimately, Schmitz was forced to eject system leading him toward Shaw’s runway, after the aircraft’s tailhook made contact starting a chain of events that would lead with the cable, but did not hook it, accord- him to attempt to eject from the aircraft. ing to the report. The jet continued down Schmitz, assigned to Shaw’s 77th Fighter the runway about 1,100 feet and the left Squadron, was one of four pilots participat- wing struck the ground just before Schmitz ing in the nighttime qualification opera- activated his ejection seat. The plane con- tion, which called for the jets to refuel from tinued down the runway, flipping “nose- a KC-135 Stratotanker before conducting over-tail” as it veered left off the runway a simulated attack against enemy air de- coming to a rest upside down. The $25 mil- fenses. But, low on fuel after he was unable lion aircraft was destroyed, Air Force of- to connect with the air tanker about two ficials said. hours into the mission, Schmitz was forced Schmitz’s ejection seat failed to deploy to return to Shaw, according to the report a parachute. He hit the ground still in his that was finalized last month and made seat, dying instantly. public Monday. Investigators found a digital system that As his aircraft neared the base, Schmitz’s David Schmitz, controls the sequence of events after the misreading of the approach lighting sys- left, then a pilot initiates an ejection failed to trigger tem guiding him to the runway brought the staff sergeant, several devices that should automatically jet in too low. The aircraft struck an an- poses in 2014 deploy to stabilize the seat and launch the tenna some 1,000 feet short of the runway at Joint Base parachute. “severely damaging the left main landing Lewis-McChord, The Air Force’s lead investigator, Maj. gear,” which was the primary cause of the Wash. Schmitz Gen. Randal Efferson, wrote in the report crash, according to the report. But there was killed after that the issue was likely caused by a “lack were other critical failures, investigators he ejected while of available parts” to address a “known said. attempting to land problem” with the ejection seat, which the Among them was a failure of Schmitz’s an F-16 Fighting Air Force initially sought to fix in 2017. leaders to ensure he had conducted air- Falcon like the At the time of his death, Air Force offi- to-air refueling during the day before at- one pictured cials said Schmitz was realizing his dream tempting it at night, which is Air Force above, at Shaw by recently becoming a fighter pilot. He policy, according to Gen. Mark Kelly, the Air Force Base, earned his pilot licenses at 17 years old commander of Air Combat Command. S.C., in June. before enlisting in the Air Force, Col. Law- “That didn’t occur for this officer, and U.S. Air Force photos rence Sullivan, commander of the 20th when we have oversight breakdowns or Fighter Wing, said at the time. failures of critical egress systems, it is He served as a loadmaster on a C-17 imperative that we fully understand what Globemaster II transport and cargo air- transpired, meticulously evaluate risk, and craft before attending officer candidate ensure timely and effective mitigations are school and earning a commission. in place to reduce or eliminate future mis- Schmitz went on to earn the Top Gun haps,” Kelly said in a statement in which in the jet, investigators said. Schmitz con- pilot that he might ultimately need to eject Award in his Introduction to the Fighter he called the incident “a tragic reminder of sulted with an official in the control tower, “if conditions are not favorable.” They de- Fundamentals course, leading his class in the inherent risks of fighter aviation.” the supervisor of flying, and the lead pilot cided Schmitz would attempt an arrested air-to-air combat. Investigators found he Investigators said the pilot’s leadership on the training operation, who accompa- landing, in which the pilot would slow his was “lauded for his work ethic” in training was unaware of that policy. nied Schmitz back to Shaw and observed landing by hooking a cable at the front of and was graded a “slightly above average” After damaging his left landing gear, the damage from his own F-16. the runway. flyer in more recent mission qualification Schmitz’s jet briefly touched down on the Those officials determined Schmitz Investigators found the flying supervi- training. He was nearing 100 hours pilot- ground in front of the runway before he should follow checklist guidelines for land- sor failed to contact the plane’s manufac- ing an F-16 at the time of his death. abandoned the landing attempt to try again. ing the plane with the left gear “unsafe turer Lockheed Martin, which staffs a 24/7 [email protected] He had about 30 minutes of fuel remaining [or] up.” The flying supervisor warned the technical assistance hotline to field ques- Twitter: @CDicksteinDC Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 5 MILITARY Soldier admitted to sergeant he Marines seek strangled woman BY ROSE L. THAYER gag order in Stars and Stripes AUSTIN, Texas — A Fort Hood soldier charged with murder in the death of a Texas woman con- fessed to his sergeant that he strangled her, accord- ing to a court document released Tuesday. Spc. Cory Latrell Grafton, 20, was arrested at Fort corporal’s case Hood on Nov. 2 after the Texas Rangers and Killeen Police Department received lab results confirming Tanya Cheatham BY KATHERINE HAFNER press and causing extrajudicial his DNA was found last year on Chelsea Cheatham, statements and factual assertions a 32-year-old mother from Kyle, Texas, according to The (Norfolk, Va.) Virginian-Pilot Chelsea Cheatham, 32, died June 3, 2019, at a to be further promulgated.” police. He is accused of killing motel in Killeen, Texas. Fort Hood soldier Spc. The Marine Corps is seeking a The alleged sexual assault Cheatham at a Days Inn motel Cory Latrell Grafton, 20, was charged in her death. gag order in the criminal case of “referenced in the headline and in Killeen on June 3, 2019. He a Virginia Beach corporal whose was placed in Bell County Jail ed a written statement to police about Grafton’s con- supporters say her actions stem throughout the article,” they with a bond set at $1 million, ac- fession, according to the court document. from trauma related to a sexual added, “has no relation to the vic- cording to online jail records. “I did it,” the sergeant said Grafton told him. assault at the hands of a fellow tim of the charged domestic vio- Police called in Grafton for “Yeah, yeah, I know you tried to commit suicide,” Marine. lence offenses.” an interview on Oct. 20 after the sergeant said he responded. The Corps is aiming to bar Cpl. A Marine Corps spokesman using phone records to iden- “No. No, I did it,” Grafton said. Thae Ohu’s attorneys or any other said in an email Tuesday that tify him as a possible suspect, Grafton then confirmed to the sergeant that he witnesses from speaking with the “due to regulations governing according to an affidavit for meant the death of Cheatham. He told the sergeant press. what information can be released the soldier’s arrest. During the that “he was hanging out with her and that she said Ohu, 27, regarding matters pending at Grafton interview, police collected his some stupid s--- to him and that he said some stu- an adminis- court-martial, we are not allowed DNA, which was later used to pid s--- back to her and that at that point in time his trative spe- to discuss the substance of any link him to evidence found at the crime scene. hands were around her throat.” cialist with upcoming motions.” Grafton spoke to his sergeant after the interview Prior to the release of the affidavit, Cheatham’s the Marine with police and denied his involvement in Cheath- sister, Tanya Cheatham, said the family did not know Corps In- Ohu’s attorney is Eric Montalvo am’s death, according to the court document. The many details about Cheatham’s death, including telligence of the Washington-based Federal next night, he was hospitalized for an apparent near how she died or how she knew Grafton. The family Schools Practice Group. He previously overdose on over-the-counter pain relievers and was also unaware prior to Grafton’s arrest that the aboard served in the Marine Corps for alcohol. Texas Rangers had chosen to join the investigation Dam Neck over two decades, including as a While in the hospital, Grafton called and spoke a and use grant money to expedite the DNA testing. Naval Base, prosecutor. second time with the sergeant and this time told him Ohu [email protected] is being “The default position in the law that he killed Cheatham. The sergeant then provid- Twitter: @Rose_Lori charged with attempted murder, is that the courtroom is an open aggravated assault on an inti- forum,” Montalvo told The Pilot mate partner and a host of other on Tuesday when asked about charges after prosecutors say she the gag order motion. “There are attacked her then-boyfriend in mechanisms to close it when ap- Ind. mom sentenced for supporting ISIS April. She’s been held at the Navy Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake propriate ... but a standing order BY CHAD GARLAND Kong in March 2015, Elhassani Demers said. “We will not stop.” since June. for no publicity or commentary Stars and Stripes acquired rifle scopes, image- Thousands of ISIS fighters and Meanwhile, Ohu’s family has to be made does not seem like it stabilized binoculars and other their families are held in deten- publicly pleaded for her to be re- should apply in this case.” An American woman who tactical gear. Shortly thereafter, tion centers and displacement leased into mental health treat- He added that through Ohu’s helped her husband and brother- she and her family, including camps in Syria, including a large ment. They say the April incident Article 32 hearing in July — at- in-law join Islamic State in Syria her 7-year-old son and 2-year-old was the result of a psychological tended by a Pilot reporter — the by smuggling cash and gold over- number of foreign volunteers. daughter, left for Syria by way of Some 27 American citizens break and that she’s suffered government has been the source seas has been sentenced to 6 ½ Istanbul, Turkey, the Justice De- have been returned to the U.S. from severe PTSD and other is- of much of the publicized infor- years in prison after pleading partment said. from SDF custody, the Justice De- sues following a sexual assault by mation in the case, “so I’m not un- guilty to financing terrorism. The family lived for over two another Marine in Japan in 2015. partment said last month, shortly derstanding the position they’re Samantha Elhassani, 35, for- years in Raqqa, considered the The proposed gag order, which after repatriating the last four of now taking.” merly of Elkhart, Ind., was also capital of ISIS’s self-proclaimed was filed Monday and will like- sentenced to three years of super- caliphate, 10 detainees charged with crimes Last month, he told The Pilot ly be argued before a judge on that of all the cases he’s taken, vised release Monday at the U.S. where El- related to support of ISIS. Thursday at Quantico, centers on Ohu ranks among the top five in District Court for the Northern hassani had Aside from Elhassani, two oth- The Virginian-Pilot’s reporting District of Indiana, the Justice two more ers have been convicted — a Vir- on the case, which has also been terms of the severity of her men- Department said in a statement. children, ginia man sentenced to 20 years published in other news outlets tal health condition. She faced a maximum sentence she told the of prison in 2017 and a Texas man such as Stars and Stripes. “I’m very concerned about her of 10 years in jail, $250,000 fine news pro- who pleaded guilty in September The stories have been shared welfare,” Montalvo said. “I think and lifetime supervised release. gram Front- to supporting ISIS. online and in advocacy circles as her mental health issues are much Elhassani, also known as Sa- line and the Of the remaining 17 repatriat- more involved and impactful to mantha Sally, is the only Ameri- emblematic of broader issues with BBC in a ed Americans, 15 are still minors how the military treats sexual as- the case than has been previously can woman repatriated from March 2018 and the other two were minors sault victims. A Facebook page considered. I’m going to work to Syria to face charges for support- interview. Elhassani called Justice For Thae Ohu has make sure they’re brought to full ing ISIS, DOJ said last month. One of her when they traveled with their more than 7,000 followers and an In a plea agreement last No- children had appeared in an ISIS families to join ISIS, Voice of view for this to be accounted for.” vember, Elhassani said that on propaganda video threatening to America reported on Monday. online fundraiser set up for her The victim in the case, Ohu’s two trips to Hong Kong in 2014 attack the West, BBC reported. Elhassani had told Frontline legal and medical fees has raised ex-boyfriend Michael Hinesley, and 2015, she took with her over Her husband was killed in an and the BBC that she had been more than $15,000. who’s also a Marine, previously $30,000 in cash that she did not airstrike while fighting for ISIS, tricked into going to Syria by The government’s attorneys asked officials not to pursue the declare on customs forms and as the U.S.-backed and Kurdish- her husband, Moroccan national argue in their motion that state- charges, telling them he believed gold that she melted down to look led Syrian Democratic Forces Moussa Elhassani. ments made to The Pilot about everything that happened could like jewelry. sought to oust the jihadi group But Keenan, the FBI agent, Ohu’s mental health and previous be tied to her service-related sexual assault allegation are out- Elhassani had “turned her from its strongholds. She and her said in the DOJ statement that trauma. side the scope of her current legal back on her country to support a children fled and were taken into she knew what she was doing and He has declined interview re- terrorist organization” and smug- SDF custody before being handed woes. why. quests from the Pilot but said in gled the assets into Hong Kong over to U.S. law enforcement au- “These issues have been or will knowing they were to be used in thorities in July 2018. “She was an active participant likely be litigated either through an email last month that though support of ISIS, Assistant Attor- “We repatriated Elhassani in this heinous activity and is motions, during trial or during he’s no longer Ohu’s boyfriend, ney General for National Secu- from Syria because every nation now facing the consequences,” he sentencing,” they wrote. “It is “I am still and will always be her rity John C. Demers said in the is responsible for holding its citi- said. inappropriate for counsel, wit- advocate.” statement. zens accountable and addressing [email protected] nesses, or parties to this case to Ohu’s general court-martial is On a third and final trip to Hong the future threat they may pose,” Twitter: @chadgarland continue communicating with the scheduled to begin in March. PAGE 6 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 MILITARY Pentagon: Not clear how much impact the changes could have on department

FROM FRONT PAGE sia. He moved to the National Se- by Ezra Cohen-Watnick, who be- curity Council in February 2019, comes acting undersecretary for and earlier this year, he traveled intelligence. to Syria for rare high-level talks The departures came on Chris- aimed at securing the release of topher Miller’s second day on the two Americans who have been job as defense chief. Miller also missing for years, including jour- brought in his own chief of staff, nalist Austin Tice. Cohen-Watnick was a protege Kash Patel, to replace Jen Stew- CHARLES DHARAPAK/AP of Trump’s initial national secu- art, who had worked in that job rity adviser, Michael Flynn, but Defense officials say Anthony Tata, a Trump loyalist and former Fox News commentator, was moved for Esper. Patel and Cohen-Wat- was replaced in the summer of into the Pentagon’s top policy job just a few months after he failed to get through Senate confirmation nick are both considered staunch- 2017 by Flynn’s successor, H.R. because of offensive remarks he made, including about Islam. ly loyal to Trump and previously McMaster, as part of a string of worked at the National Security shakeups at the White House and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including U.S. withholding aid to Ukraine, ing, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., Council. National Security Council. the chairman, Army Gen. Mark the issue that led to the president’s and chairman of the House Armed Patel was among the small While the personnel changes Milley. All of those military lead- impeachment. Services Committee, said Trump group of aides who traveled with added to the tumult in the wake ers remain in place. Tata will be “performing the must not prioritize loyalty over Trump extensively during the of Esper’s departure, it’s not clear Earlier this year, Trump ap- duties of” the undersecretary competence and install someone final stretch of the campaign. He how much impact they could have pointed Tata to the post, but the job, rather than holding the “act- in a job if the “appointee cannot also is a former prosecutor in the on the massive Pentagon bureau- Senate canceled a hearing on ing” title. Officials who carry the national security division of the gain the support of the Senate, as cr ac y. T he depa r t ment i s a nchor ed the nomination when it became “acting” title have more authority is clearly the case with Tata.” Department of Justice and for- by the tenet of civilian control of clear that it would be difficult than those who are “performing Defense officials said Miller, mer staff member on the House the military, and much of the day- if not impossible to get him con- the duties of” the job. who previously was director of Intelligence Committee. In that to-day activities are conducted by firmed. Trump then appointed According to reports, Tata post- post, he was a top aide to Rep. career policy experts and military Tata to serve in the job of deputy ed tweets in 2018 calling Islam the the National Counterterrorism Devin Nunes, R-Calif., leading leaders in the U.S. and around the undersecretary. “most oppressive violent religion Center, continues meeting with the investigation into Russian in- globe who adhere to a strict chain There has been continuing I know of,” and he called former staff and becoming familiar with terference in the 2016 election. of command. tumult in the Pentagon’s policy President Barack Obama a “ter- the Pentagon and its wide range Patel was linked in media ac- Also, many of Trump’s policies shop. John Rood was forced to re- rorist leader” and referred to him of complex and critical national counts to efforts to discredit the and defense priorities have al- sign as undersecretary for policy as Muslim. The tweets were later security issues and mission. investigation into ties between ready been put in motion by Esper in February after he drew White taken down. Anderson’s departure was first the Trump campaign and Rus- and his predecessors, guided by House ire for warning against the At the time of the Senate hear- reported by Politico. Newman’s Own grants Army museum debuts on go to nonprofits helping Veterans Day military families, vets Associated Press FORT BELVOIR, Va. — A sword from the defense of Fort BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY receives $50,000 and five others McHenry in the War of 1812. A Stars and Stripes receive $30,000 each, for a total of $200,000 to support veteran stopped wristwatch recovered WASHINGTON — For more groups. from the wrecked E-Ring of the than a decade, the GI Go Fund has The top honor of $50,000 was Pentagon on the Sept. 11 attacks. helped veterans find their next job awarded to GI Go Fund’s Veter- The Sherman tank that first broke or supported their entrepreneur- ans Center for Job Training and through enemy lines at the Battle GI Go Fund ial spirit. On Wednesday it was Entrepreneurship. The nonprof- of the Bulge in World War II. Those are just a few of the ar- awarded a $50,000 grant from its that each received $30,000 are The GI Go Fund works to provide job training and incubator space tifacts that tell the 245-year story the 2020 Newman’s Own Award Warrior Wellness Solutions, Vet- for veterans in person and remotely. Shown here is the Jackson of the nation’s largest and old- to continue its work — especially erans Community Project, Second Drysdale Veterans Center in Newark, N.J. essential as the pandemic impacts Chance Cars Inc., Military Spouse est military branch at the new National Museum of the United the job market. Advocacy Network and the Invic- in honor of their friend 1st Lt. Seth neurs that are in there,” he said. “For GI Go Fund to be one of the tus Games Foundation. Dvorin, who died in an explosion Their resources are also avail- States Army. groups that’s received it is a com- The Fisher House Foundation, in Iraq in 2004. The nonprofit has able online for service members, Planning for the museum has plete honor to us. ... And it’s some- which provides free housing for evolved from taking veterans to veterans and spouses. During the been in the works for more than thing that we’re very, very proud families of service members and sports games to working with the coronavirus pandemic, the group a decade, and construction began of,” said Jack Fanous, a co-founder veterans receiving treatment at city of Newark, N.J., to opening a has seen a 500% increase in veter- in 2017. Early plans called for an of GI Go Fund, before the official military and Veterans Affairs job training center and entrepre- ans’ requests, Fanous said. opening in late 2019, but delays announcement Wednesday. medical centers, sees its partner- neurial incubator space in 2018 “We spent the last seven years pushed it back to 2020, and then The Newman’s Own Award is ship with the award as an exten- for veterans in the New York and developing online tools, online the pandemic hit. Those delays, given annually in honor of actor sion of its own mission, according New Jersey region. workforce development so that we though, provided an opportunity Paul Newman, a Navy veteran to Ken Fisher, chairman and CEO The center connects veterans can be prepared for the modern for a debut that coincides with who served in the Pacific in World of the foundation. with job training, employers, law- veteran workforce. And [the pan- Veterans Day. War II. He later created Newman’s “We’re really helping founda- yers and accountants to help them demic] obviously accelerated that Paul Morando, chief of exhib- Own, a food line that directs its tions achieve missions that might navigate the workforce or start a exceptionally,” he said. its at the museum, said the goal profits toward charities. Newman go unseen from bigger founda- business. When the pandemic hit, The award money will go to- is to tell the stories of soldiers died in 2008. tions with wider missions. And so many of those veterans pivoted to ward providing more job training who served, and tell some of the Newman’s Own has awarded it’s important because ultimately help produce personal protective and resources for veterans and stories that may not be as well more than $2.1 million to 185 non- they’re all going to benefit either equipment for New York City, Jack supporting technology innovations known to the general public. profits since it began in 1999. This the military or veterans or their Fanous said. to improve how veterans enter the The museum is located on a year more than 330 entries were family,” Fisher said. “It really is a testament to the workforce, especially remotely. publicly accessible part of Fort submitted for the award and six Also partnering on the award veteran spirit and I really would “That’s really what we want to Belvoir in northern Virginia, judges evaluated each organiza- is Military Times, a news love for people to take even a deep- do ... make sure that we’re bring- about 20 miles south of the na- tion’s “creativity, innovation and organization. er dive. It’s fantastic GI Go gets an ing in innovation to the veteran tion’s capital. impact to the respective com- Brothers Jack and James award for this, but truthfully the space,” he said. The museum was built with munities,” according to the news Fanous started GI Go Fund in awards should be handed out in [email protected] private funds raised by the Army release. The top organization 2006 with co-founder Alex Manis droves to the veteran entrepre- Twitter: @caitlinmkenney Historical Foundation. Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK ROUNDUP Texas becomes 1st state with over 1M cases of COVID-19

Associated Press by converting acute care beds to ICU beds to deal with an expect- AUSTIN, Texas — Texas has ed rise in cases during the fall become the first U.S. state with and winter, Baker said at a press more than 1 million confirmed conference. COVID-19 cases as the nation When and where field hospitals continues to face a surge of in- might be set up depends on space fections, according to data from and need, Baker said. More de- Johns Hopkins University early tails about field hospitals will be Wednesday. coming later this week, he said. The nation’s second-most popu- Massachusetts residents had lous state has recorded 1,010,364 done a good job controlling the coronavirus cases with 19,337 virus after an initial spike in the deaths since the pandemic began spring, but are getting careless in early March, according to and allowing the virus to get a the count on the Johns Hopkins toehold again, leading to a second website. surge, he said. Texas recorded 10,865 cases on Statistics released by the state Tuesday, setting a new daily re- on Tuesday showed nearly 620 cord that surpassed an old mark individuals with confirmed cases set July 15 by 74 cases, state of- of COVID-19 were hospitalized, ficials said. According to state with 150 in intensive care units. figures on Tuesday, an estimated 132,146 cases are active, the most RICK BOWMER /AP since Aug. 17, and 6,170 COVID- Maryland Jon O’Brien is tested at the Utah National Guard’s mobile COVID-19 testing site Tuesday in Salt Lake 19 cases are hospitalized, the ANNAPOLIS — Maryland will City. most since Aug. 18. reduce indoor operations for bars There were 94 new deaths and restaurants from 75% to 50% state’s prevention measures. additional restrictions don’t need set new records for infections and Tuesday, according to the Texas in response to rising coronavirus Sisolak said he was confident to be imposed heading into the deaths. Department of State Health cases and more hospitalizations, that, if residents adopt a “Stay- holidays. The governor announced he Services. Gov. Larry Hogan announced At-Home 2.0 mentality,” they can State health officer Kathy Lofy, was advising people to stay in Tuesday. The new limits were to prevent Nevada’s public health joined by state and county health their houses and businesses to take effect Wednesday at 5 p.m. A labama response and infrastructure from officials, said cases have been allow people to work remotely, re- State health officials have also MONTGOMERY — The num- reaching a breaking point. steadily increasing since Sep- quire masks and limit the number issued a public health advisory The governor acknowledged tember, but the most dramatic ber of people in Alabama hospi- effective immediately to strongly of people in stores and offices. He tals with COVID-19 — as well as that his earlier pleas to wear increases have occurred over the said projections show that if noth- discourage indoor gatherings of masks, social distance and limit past two weeks. She said cases the number of daily deaths from 25 people or more at family gath- ing changes, deaths could double the disease — are rising as health potential exposure to the virus are rising among all age groups, to 5,000 by January. erings or house parties. Contact had been disregarded by large indicating that transmission is officials expressed concern about tracing data have shown an in- Evers has been imploring peo- swaths of the population and be- widespread. the trajectory of the pandemic crease in cases resulting from ple to stay home and wear masks come ensnared in partisanship, Lofy said she was particular- headed into both the flu and holi- such gatherings. for months during twice-weekly but said he remains hopeful that ly concerned about a potential day season. In addition, health officials afternoon news conferences to residents will commit to preven- surge in hospitalizations which State Health Officer Scott Har- issued an emergency order ex- little avail. This time, his office tion measures — for at least two would put a strain on hospitals. ris said the Alabama numbers panding hospital surge capacity. streamed his remarks live on weeks. She said if the current trajectory have been going in the wrong di- It provides flexibility to shift pa- his Facebook page and YouTube of cases does not change, “we’ll rection for about a month. tients to alternate care sites and channel at 6 p.m. South Dakota need to take actions that will hurt “I think there are a number of add capacity, if the need arises. Republicans and their conser- our economy, and no one wants to reasons,” Harris said. “It may be The announcement came after SIOUX FALLS — Sioux Falls’ vative allies have worked to block do that again.” that the best explanation is that the state reported that 54 more mayor cast the tie-breaking vote every Evers initiative to stop the The state set a daily record for all across society people are get- people were hospitalized with that defeated a proposed mask virus. The governor issued a stay- new coronavirus cases on Sat- ting back to sort of normal activ- COVID-19 compared with the mandate in the state’s largest city at-home order in March, but the urday, with 1,777 new cases an- ity. People aren’t maybe being as previous day. The total number Tuesday night. Wisconsin Supreme Court struck nounced. As of Tuesday, more concerned with social distancing of people hospitalized with the After more than two hours of the mandate down in May follow- than 120,000 cases have been or mask wearing as they were a disease increased to a total of 761, public comment, Mayor Paul ing a challenge from Republican few months ago.” the highest since June. TenHaken rejected the mandate confirmed statewide and there have been 2,482 deaths. lawmakers. A state appeals court Alabama ranked 27th in the after the City Council tied 4-4 on last month blocked Evers’ order nation for new cases per capita Nevada the ordinance. Wisconsin limiting gatherings in bars, res- over the last two weeks, accord- The mandate would have re- taurants and other places. And ing to researchers at Johns Hop- CARSON CITY — Although quired face coverings to be worn the state Supreme Court is sched- kins University. The seven-day the coronavirus is spreading MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers by people in most indoor public uled to hear arguments Monday rolling average of daily deaths in at record rates in Nevada, the renewed his pleas Tuesday for places where 6-foot social dis- on the latest legal challenge to Alabama has risen over the past state will not need to tighten people to stay home to avoid the tancing was not achievable. Vio- coronavirus in an unusual prime- Evers’ statewide mask mandate, two weeks from 11 deaths per day restrictions if individuals com- lations carried a $50 fine. time speech hours after the state which remains in effect. on Oct. 26 to 15.86 deaths per day mit to preven tive measures like “I believe the small uptick we’ll on Nov. 9. mask-wearing and working from see in compliance is not worth home, Gov. Steve Sisolak said on the community division that this Massachusetts Tuesday. will create,” TenHaken said as he For the third time in three ended debate. BOSTON — An increase in the weeks, the governor referred number of COVID-19 cases could to “alarming trends” and said Washington force Massachusetts to once again Nevada was almost at the point open field hospitals to care for a where stricter measures would be OLYMPIA — Health offi- possible overflow of patients as necessary. But unlike in the past, cials in Washington on Tuesday hospital intensive care units fill when he has hesitated to commit warned of a continued spike in up, Gov. Charlie Baker warned to benchmarks or timelines, he coronavirus cases across the Tuesday. provided a deadline: If Nevada state, and pleaded with the public Hospitals are also prepared doesn’t show signs that it’s con- to take the pandemic more seri- to make an additional 400 beds taining the virus in two weeks, ously, wear facial coverings and available for COVID-19 patients he will be forced to tighten the limit their social interactions so PAGE 8 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 VIRUS OUTBREAK Military keeps 2-week quarantine in Germany

BY KARIN ZEITVOGEL five days, meaning “on day six the country and the rest of Eu- Stars and Stripes or later,” the memorandum says. rope in September. Personnel and their families re- Eighteen new cases per 100,000 KAISERSLAUTERN, Germa- turning from unofficial travel or inhabitants were recorded in ny — Germany has cut the time leave will only have the option of Germany over the week end- travelers from countries with being tested after 10 days in quar- ing Tuesday, compared with high rates of coronavirus have antine, it said. 37 per 100,000 last week, when to spend in quarantine, includ- Germany is one of several the lockdown began, and 99 per ing those from the U.S., which countries in Europe, including 100,000 in the final week of Oc- on Wednesday exceeded 10 mil- Estonia, Italy and the Nether- tober, Die Zeit newspaper wrote, lion cases, a fifth of infections lands, that have reduced quaran- saying Germany was “flattening worldwide. tine durations from two weeks to the curve.” Germany’s public But while the American mili- 10 days. health agency, the Robert Koch tary community in Germany The U.S. Centers for Disease Institute, declined to comment on won’t be seeing shorter times in Control and Prevention “has not the analysis, which was based on quarantine, some service mem- changed its recommendation or RKI data. bers and their families will be In contrast, the U.S. recorded able to test out in less than a week, guidance on a 14-day quarantine for those exposed to confirmed more than 100,000 new cases of officials said. the virus every day for the past Stuttgart-based U.S. Army Eu- cases of COVID-19 or who have recently traveled to places with week and on Wednesday exceed- rope said it was “continuing with MATTHIAS SCHRADER/AP ed 10 million total cases. our previous guidance of a 14-day widespread transmission of the Most Americans are still quarantine after a visit or per- People pass a closed restaurant Wednesday in Munich, Germany . virus that causes COVID-19,” barred from entering Germany, manent change of station from a Germany is one of several countries in Europe that have reduced CDC spokeswoman Belsie Gon- although exceptions are made for high-risk area, regardless of test- quarantine durations as the spread of coronavirus continues. zalez told Stars and Stripes by residents, including service mem- ing negative for COVID,” even email. bers, births, weddings, funerals as several German government Officials at U.S. Army Garrison those over the age of 18 can test The quarantine changes in Ger- or family emergencies. ministries’ websites said that Wiesbaden confirmed in a virtual out after five days, said a memo- many — and the military sticking The authorities are expected to quarantine had been shortened town hall meeting Tuesday that randum released last month, to the existing guidelines — came from 14 days to 10 as of Monday. the quarantine period would re- which 86th Air Lift Wing spokes- as a partial lockdown, which has lift entry restrictions on at least “This can be further shortened main at 14 days, in spite of the man Killian Bluemlein said was seen restaurants and bars close one group of Americans in time if a coronavirus test administered German changes. still in force. except for takeout, and bans on for the Christmas holidays. five days after arrival, at the Personnel making PCS moves Those returning to Air Force large gatherings and hotel stays Stars and Stripes reporters Marcus earliest, is negative,” said Doris to Ramstein Air Base from a units in the Kaiserslautern area for leisure purposes, appeared Kloeckner, Jennifer H. Svan and John Vandiver contributed to this report. Berve-Schucht, a spokeswoman high-risk area are also required from temporary duty travel can to be slowing the spread of the [email protected] for the health ministry. to quarantine for 14 days, but also test out of quarantine after virus, which began to resurge in Twitter: @StripesZeit Cases: Governors make desperate pleas for people to take the fight more seriously

FROM FRONT PAGE While deaths are still well surgence in places like Mas- There are now 61,964 people hos- below the U.S. peak of about ‘ There really is COVID fatigue that is sachusetts, which has seen a pitalized, according to the COVID 2,200 per day back in April, some blending into COVID annoyance. dramatic rise in cases since Tracking Project. researchers estimate the nation’s ’ Labor Day, blamed largely on Several states posted records overall toll will hit about 400,000 Dr. William Schaffner young people socializing. Tuesday, including over 12,600 by Feb. 1, up from about 240,000 infectious-disease expert, Vanderbilt University Republican Gov. Charlie new cases in Illinois, 10,800 in now. Baker is warning that the health Texas and 7,000 in Wisconsin. But there is also some good care system could become over- Deaths — a lagging indicator, news. whelmed this winter, and he since it takes time for people to Doctors now better know how to Prevention to provide clear, ex- that have been through corona- recently ordered restaurants to get sick and die — are climbing treat severe cases, meaning high- pert advice. virus surges before, “you see stop table service, required many again, reaching an average of er percentages of the COVID-19 “We are already seeing encour- people breaking out of it” and let- businesses to close by 9:30 p.m., more than 930 a day. patients who go into intensive aging signs from President-elect ting their guard down, Schaffner and instructed residents to stay Hospitals are getting slammed. care units are coming out alive. Biden with regard to his handling said. home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. And unlike the earlier outbreaks, Patients have the benefit of new of COVID-19,” said Dr. Kelly “There really is COVID fatigue Brooke Nichols, a professor and this one is not confined to a re- treatments, namely remdesivir, Henning, a veteran epidemiolo- that is blending into COVID an- infectious-disease mathemati- gion or two. the steroid dexamethasone and gist who heads the Bloomberg noyance,” he said. cal modeler at Boston University “The virus is spreading in an antibody drug that won emer- Philanthropies’ public health The short-term outlook is grim, School of Public Health, said the a largely uncontrolled fashion gency-use approval from the programs. with colder weather and Thanks- governor’s actions don’t go far across the vast majority of the Food and Drug Administration “I am relieved to see he’s al- giving, Christmas and New Year’s enough. country,” said Dr. William Schaff- on Monday. Also, testing is more ready put some of the smartest ahead. Generations of family “Right now because of the expo- ner, an infectious-disease expert widely available. scientific minds on his new coro- members gathering indoors for nential growth, throw the kitchen at Vanderbilt University. In addition, a vaccine appears navirus task force and that they meals for extended periods “is sink at this, and then you can do it Governors made increasingly to be on the horizon, perhaps are acting urgently to try and not a recipe for anything good,” for not as long,” Nichols said. desperate pleas for people to take around the end of the year, with get the pandemic under control Hanage said. Meanwhile, political leaders in the fight against the virus more Pfizer this week reporting early as quickly as possible,” Henning Other factors could contribute a number of newer coronavirus seriously. results showing that its experi- said. to the spread of the virus in the hot spots are doing less. In hard- In an unusual prime-time mental shots are a surprising While the first surge in the coming weeks: Last weekend saw hit South Dakota, Gov. Kristi speech hours after Wisconsin set 90% effective at preventing the Northeast caught many Ameri- street celebrations and protests Noem has made it clear she will new records for infections and disease. cans unprepared and cut an es- over the election. On Saturday not institute a mask requirement deaths, Democratic Gov. Tony And there’s a change pending pecially deadly swath through night, an upset victory by Notre and has voiced doubt in health ex- Evers announced that he was in the White House, with Presi- nursing homes, the second crest Dame’s football team sent thou- perts who say face coverings pre- advising people to stay in their dent-elect Joe Biden vowing to along the Southern and West- sands of students swarming onto vent infections from spreading. houses and businesses to allow rely on a highly respected set of ern rim was attributed mostly to the field, many without masks. Even higher case and death people to work remotely, require medical advisers and carry out heedless behavior, particularly Meanwhile, the next two rates have been seen in North Da- masks and limit the number of a detailed coronavirus plan that among young adults on Memo- months will see a lame-duck Con- kota, where many people have re- people in stores and offices. experts say includes the kind of rial Day and July Fourth, and hot gress and a president who might fused to wear masks. Gov. Doug Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a measures that will be necessary weather that sent people indoors, be even less inclined than before Burgum has pleaded with people Democrat, ordered bars and res- to bring the surge under control. where the virus spreads more to enact disease-control mea- to do so, and praised local towns taurants to close at 10 p.m., and Biden pledged during the easily. The fall surge similarly sures. Those voted out of office or and cities that have mandated Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Re- campaign to be guided by sci- has been blamed largely on cold no longer worried about reelec- masks. But he has avoided re- publican, said she will require ence, make testing free and weather driving people inside and tion for at least two more years, quiring masks himself. masks at indoor gatherings of 25 widely available, hire thousands disdain for masks and social dis- “are not going to be motivated to Both Noem and Burgum are or more people, inching toward of health workers to undertake tancing, stoked by President Don- do a fantastic job,” Hanage said. Republicans and have taken po- more stringent measures after contact-tracing, and instruct the ald Trump and other politicians. Experts are increasingly sitions in line with those of the months of holding out. Centers for Disease Control and Even in parts of the country alarmed about the virus’ re- president. Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 9 NATION Trump emerges from White House for Veterans Day

Associated Press the race has stalled the transition process as the head of the Gen- WASHINGTON — President eral Services Administration, a Donald Trump visited the Tomb Trump appointee, has held off on of the Unknown Soldier at Ar- certifying Biden as the winner of lington National Cemetery on the election. Wednesday, emerging in public The certification — known as for the first time since his failed ascertainment — frees up money reelection bid to take part in the for the transition and clears the annual presidential rite. way for Biden’s team to begin Trump, who honored veter- putting in place the transition ans in a ceremony that was held process at agencies. during a steady rain, has spent “I just think it’s an embarrass- the last several days holed up at ment, quite frankly,” Biden said the White House tweeting angry, on Tuesday of Trump’s refusal to baseless claims of voter fraud acknowledge the election results. after his election loss. The president-elect and his wife, He’s made no public comments Jill Biden, marked Veterans Day since President-elect Joe Biden with a visit to the Korean War surpassed the 270 electoral votes Memorial in Philadelphia. on Saturday needed to win the From his Twitter account on presidency. Tuesday, Trump again raised un- Although his official schedule supported claims of “massive bal- has been devoid of public events, lot counting abuse” and predicted Trump has made several per- he would ultimately win the race sonnel moves — firing Defense he has already lost. Trump’s Secretary Mark Esper and in- tweets were swiftly flagged by the stalling three staunch loyalists in social media network as disputed PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP top defense jobs. Trump’s pick to claims about election fraud. President Donald Trump participates in a Veterans Day wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the serve as acting defense secretary, With the exception of weekend Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Wednesday. Christopher Miller, was among visits to his private golf club in the Pentagon brass that joined northern Virginia, Trump has re- They signaled they are willing Trump was also joined at Ar- the Federal Aviation Administra- the president for the solemn Vet- mained at the White House since erans Day ceremony. Election Day and last appeared to let Trump spin out his elec- lington National Cemetery by tion, but will instead be in Wash- Meanwhile, his legal team has before cameras to deliver a state- tion lawsuits and unsubstantiated first lady Melania Trump as well ington on Wednesday. Pence’s filed a barrage of lawsuits alleging ment six days ago. claims of voter fraud for the next Vice President Mike Pence and office didn’t immediately com- voting fraud in the battleground His allies on Capitol Hill, led several weeks, until the states his wife, Karen Pence. ment on the status of his trip. states that went for Biden. by Senate Majority Leader Mitch certify the elections by early De- Pence had been scheduled to Pence has vacationed on the The president’s resistance to McConnell, have encouraged the cember and the Electoral College travel to Sanibel, Fl a., Tuesday island along Florida’s Gulf Coast acknowledging the outcome of president’s baseless accusations. meets Dec. 14. through Saturday, according to several times previously. Biden vows to ‘get right to work’ despite further resistance from Trump

Associated Press ing that Republicans on Capitol Hill would eventually accept the WILMINGTON, Del. — Vow- reality of Biden’s victory. The Re- ing “to get right to work,” Presi- publican resistance, Biden said, dent-elect Joe Biden shrugged off “does not change the dynamic at President Donald Trump’s fierce all in what we’re able to do.” refusal to accept the election out- Additional intelligence brief- come as “inconsequential,” even ings “would be useful,” Biden as Democrats elsewhere warned added, but “we don’t see anything that the Republican president’s slowing us down.” actions were dangerous. The measured comments come Raising unsupported claims of as Biden prepares to confront du- ALEX BRANDON/AP voter fraud, Trump has blocked eling national crises that actively the incoming president from re- President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden attend a service at the Philadelphia Korean War threaten the health, safety and Memorial at Penn’s Landing on Veterans Day, Wednesday, in Philadelphia. ceiving intelligence briefings economic security of millions of and withheld federal funding in- Americans irrespective of the po- tion went well, and international Angela Merkel and British Prime rity briefings, transition funding tended to help facilitate the trans- litical debate. Coronavirus infec- observers confirmed there were Minister Boris Johnson, among or the ability to communicate fer of power. Trump’s resistance, tions, hospitalizations and deaths no serious irregularities. six world leaders overall, con- with agencies to begin coordinat- backed by senior Republicans are surging, the economy faces The issues Trump’s campaign gratulated Biden on his election. ing the transfer of power. in Washington and across the the prospect of long-term damage and its allies have pointed to are “I look forward to strengthen- “Administrator Murphy’s re- country, could also prevent back- and the nation’s political and cul- typical in every election: prob- ing the partnership between our fusal to ascertain President-elect ground investigations and securi- tural divides may be worsening. lems with signatures, secrecy countries and to working with him Biden’s victory in the 2020 elec- ty clearances for prospective staff Biden is betting that his low-key envelopes and postal marks on on our shared priorities — from tion puts American lives at risk,” and access to federal agencies to approach and bipartisan outreach mail-in ballots, as well as the po- tackling climate change, to pro- said Rep. Don Beyer, a Virginia discuss transition planning. — a sharp reversal from the cur- tential for a small number of bal- moting democracy and building Democrat who led the Obama As some Democrats and former rent president’s style — will help lots miscast or lost. With Biden back better from the pandemic,” administration’s transition at the Republican officials warned of se- him govern effectively on Day leading Trump by wide margins Johnson wrote on Twitter. “Build Commerce Department. rious consequences, Biden sought One. But just a little over two in key battleground states, none back better” is a slogan that Biden Former Republican officials to lower the national temperature months before Biden will be in- of those issues would have any and the British government have agreed. Tuesday as he addressed report- augurated, Trump and his allies impact on the outcome of the in common. “Our adversaries aren’t waiting ers from a makeshift transition seemed determined to make his election. Biden’s team is calling on the for the transition to take place,” headquarters near his home in transition as difficult as possible. America’s allies have also General Services Administra- said former Rep. Mike Rogers, R- downtown Wilmington. There is no evidence to back up begun to acknowledge what tion, led by a Trump-appointed Mich., insisting that Biden begin Biden described Trump’s posi- claims of widespread fraud in the Trump would not. administrator, Emily Murphy, to receiving the president’s daily tion as little more than an “em- 2020 election. In fact, election of- French President Emmanuel formally recognize Biden’s victo- briefing immediately. “This isn’t barrassing” mark on the outgoing ficials from both political parties Macron met with Biden via video- ry. Until that happens, Biden will about politics; this is about na- president’s legacy, while predict- have stated publicly that the elec- conference. German Chancellor not receive comprehensive secu- tional security.” PAGE 10 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 NATION Dems clinch House control, majority is likely to decrease

BY ALAN FRAM sible that in the new Congress Associated Press that convenes in January, they’ll have the smallest majority since WASHINGTON — Democrats Republicans had just 221 seats clinched two more years of con- two decades ago. trolling the House but with a po- Democrats secured the major- tentially razor-thin majority, a ity after The Associated Press bittersweet finale to last week’s declared three winners late Tues- elections that has left them di- day: incumbents Kim Schrier in vided and with scant margin for Washington, Tom O’Halleran in error for advancing their agenda. Arizona and Jimmy Gomez in The party on Tuesday nailed California. down at least 218 seats, accord- A tight majority could cause ELAINE THOMPSON/AP ing to The Associated Press, headaches for Pelosi, empower- Sven Spichiger, Washington state Department of Agriculture managing entomologist, displays a canister and could win a few others when ing any determined group of law- of Asian giant hornets vacuumed from a nest in a tree behind him in Blaine, Wash. more votes are counted. While makers to pressure her on what that assures command of the 435- bills should be considered or look member chamber, blindsided like. But a slender margin can Democrats were all but certain also help unify a party because Destruction of murder hornets to see their current 232-seat ma- its members know they must stick jority shrink after an unforeseen together to achieve anything. surge of Republican voters trans- Democrats believed they’d pick nest doesn’t end looming threat formed expected gains of perhaps up seats, especially in suburbs, 15 seats into losses potentially ap- because of a decisive fundraising proaching that amount. edge, President Donald Trump’s BY NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS world’s largest hornet at 2 inches after larvae. They were nearly all “We have the gavel, we have unpopularity and exasperation Associated Press long, and a predator of other in- queens. the gavel,” said House Speak-  over the pandemic. Many Repub- sects, including the honey bees 112 workers, which included er Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who licans and independent polls sup- SPOKANE, Wash. — When that pollinate many of the crops 85 workers previously vacuumed seems all but certain to continue ported that expectation. scientists in Washington state de- in Washington’s multibillion-dol- out of the nest. in that role. While she bemoaned But with some races still un- stroyed the first nest of so-called lar agriculture industry.  76 queens, nearly all of them Democrats’ losses in districts called, Democrats haven’t defeat- murder hornets found in the Unit- Despite their nickname and the new virgin queens. New queens ed States , they discovered about where GOP votes proved “almost ed a single GOP incumbent and hype that has stirred fears in an emerge from the nest, mate and insurmountable,” she told report- 500 live specimens in various already bleak year, the hornets then leave to find a place to spend failed to capture open GOP-held ers last week, “We’ve lost some stages of development, officials kill at most a few dozen people a winter and later start a new seats in Texas, Missouri and Indi- battles but we’ve won the war.” said Tuesday. year in Asian countries, and ex- colony. ana they thought they’d win. By retaining the House, Demo- Among them were nearly 200 perts have said it’s probably far Most of the specimens were still Instead, they’ve lost at least queens that had the potential to less. By comparison, hornets, alive when the nest was opened, crats will control the chamber for seven incumbents: six freshmen start their own nests, said Sven- wasps and bees typically found according to the Washington four consecutive years for only from states including Florida, Erik Spichiger, an entomolo- in the U.S. kill an average of 62 State Department of Agriculture, the second time since 1995, when Oklahoma and South Carolina gist leading the fight to kill the people a year, according to the which plans to continue trapping Republicans ended 40 years of plus 30-year veteran Rep. Collin hornets. Centers for Disease Control and the hornets for at least three more Democratic dominance. Peterson from rural Minnesota. “We got there just in the nick of Prevention. years to determine whether the Yet though Joe Biden won the And while they successfully de- time,” he said. The first murder hornets nest area is free of them. presidential election, there was a fended most of their 29 districts Still, that didn’t end the threat — found in a tree and destroyed in The first Asian giant hornet strong chance Republicans would that Trump carried in his 2016 from the giant insects that can late October in Whatcom County was found in the state a year ago keep Senate control. That would victory, they saw stronger than deliver painful though rarely along the Canadian border — was and the first was trapped in July. force Democrats to scale back expected performances by deadly stings to people and wipe about the size of a basketball. It Several more were later caught their dreams of sweeping health GOP candidates all around the out entire hives of honey bees. was located after state scientists in Whatcom County. Murder hor- care, infrastructure and other country. Scientists think other nests trapped several hornets and at- nets have also been found in Brit- initiatives, instead needing com- So far, Democrats’ only pickups already exist and say it’s impos- tached radio trackers to some of ish Columbia, Canada. promises with the GOP. were three open seats from which sible to know if any queens es- them using dental floss. Spichiger said it is impossible Democrats went into Election Republicans retired. Two were in caped before the first nest was Inside, researchers found: to determine how the hornets got Day with a 232-197 House ad- North Carolina, where court-or- destroyed.  190 total larvae that devel- to the area, but the goal is to wipe vantage, plus an independent and dered remapping made the dis- Asian giant hornets, an invasive oped from eggs. them out before they get estab- five open seats. With some races tricts strongly Democratic, and pest not native to the U.S., are the  108 pupae, the next stage lished and spread. remaining undecided, it was pos- one was outside Atlanta. Apple unveils first Macs that are built to run more like iPhones

Associated Press features based on the new chips, their design. supposed to be available in stores Apple’s Mac sales surged 17% although analysts expect more The transition to the new in- next week, with prices starting at during the first nine months of SAN RAMON, Calif. — Apple cross-pollination. house chips could also create almost $700 for the Mac Mini to 2020 compared to 2019. The com- is rolling out new Mac comput- ers powered by the same kind of The new Mac lineup unveiled stumbling blocks for Apple and $1,200 for the 13-inch MacBook pa ny ’s i Phone r evenue fel l 9 % over chips that run iPhones and iPads, Tuesday will be in stores five other software makers aiming to Pro. the same span as people contin- a move aimed at making it easier months after Apple announced adapt existing Mac software so it The new Macs are debuting ued to hold on to their older mod- for its most popular products to it would abandon its longtime will also run smoothly on the new amid high demand for laptop els for longer periods or bought work together. partner Intel in favor of using its models. computers as consumers, com- devices powered by Google’s An- For instance, Macs using the own processors for Mac comput- Initially, Apple will only be put- panies, schools and government droid software instead. new chips will be able to run ers. Apple said its new Mac chips ting its chips in smaller computers agencies continue to adjust to a Apple still gets four times more the same apps designed for the make faster processing speeds, — the 13-inch MacBook Air and work-at-home shift triggered by revenue from iPhones than it does iPhone’s mobile operating sys- sleeker designs and longer run- 13-inch MacBook Pro, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if from Macs. Sales of Macs also lag tem, although it appears some de- ning times on a single battery the Mac Mini desktop. The com- a vaccine eases the threat posed far behind those of PCs made by velopers aren’t immediately keen charge all possible. pany expects it will take another by the novel coronavirus, people Lenovo, HP and Dell that run on making those apps available For instance, some Macs have two years before all its Macs are are still expected to be working Microsoft’s Windows software for Macs. Apple didn’t demon- eliminated a cooling fan inside running on the in-house chips. more frequently from home than and primarily use chips made by strate any other interoperability the machines, helping slim down All three new computers are they previously did. Intel and AMD. Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 11 NATION Eta gets hurricane strength back as Fla. readies for hit BY FREIDA FRISARO Wednesday. Associated Press Forecasts have called for more rain from the storm system over FORT LAUDERDALE — Eta parts of already drenched South regained hurricane strength Florida. Wednesday morning as Florida “Never seen this, never, not braced for a second hit from the this deep,” said Anthony Lyas, storm. who has lived in his now-water- The storm’s maximum sus- logged Fort Lauderdale neighbor- tained winds increased to around hood since 1996. He described 75 mph off Florida’s southwest hearing water and debris slam- coast. ming against his shuttered home Forecasters at the National overnight as the storm crossed Hurricane Center in Miami is- Florida. sued a hurricane watch for a 120- The storm first hit Nicaragua mile stretch that includes Tampa as a Category 4 hurricane and and St. Petersburg. The storm killed nearly 70 people from Mex- has been in the Gulf of Mexico ico to Panama before moving into since crossing over South Florida the Gulf of Mexico early Monday, on Sunday. near where the Everglades meet The latest hurricane watch ex- the sea, with maximum sustained LYNNE SLADKY/AP tends from Anna Maria Island, winds of 50 mph. which is south of St. Petersburg, “It was far worse than we Residents clear debris from a flooded street in the Driftwood Acres Mobile Home Park in the shadow of to Yankeetown. could’ve ever imagined, and we the Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Eta on Tuesday in Davie, Fla. Eta was about 130 miles west- were prepared,” said Arbie Walk- southwest of Fort Myers early er, a 27-year-old student whose est COVID-19 testing sites, at the middle of the chain of small 29th storm — Theta. Wednesday and moving at 15 Fort Lauderdale apartment was Miami-Dade County’s Hard Rock islands that form the Keys, but The U.S. National Hurricane mph . filled with 5 or 6 inches of water. Stadium, officials said. Through- the heavily populated areas of Center in Miami said Theta broke The hurricane center said There was nowhere for the out the pandemic, it has been Miami-Dade and Broward Coun- the record of 28 named storms “life-threatening storm surge” water to go across much of South among the busiest places to get ties bore the brunt of the fury. in 2005. Theta was centered is possible early Thursday, and Florida, which had already expe- a coronavirus diagnosis. The site It was the 28th named storm of Wednesday morning about 740 forecasters advised residents to rienced nearly 14 inches of rain in was expected to be closed until an especially busy Atlantic hur- miles southwest of the Azores, heed warnings from local offi- October. Wednesday or Thursday. ricane season, tying the 2005 re- bearing top sustained winds of 65 cials. Tropical storm-force winds As much as 16 inches of rain Eta hit land late Sunday as it cord for named storms. And late mph as that system moved east- are expected in the area by late damaged one of the state’s larg- blew over Lower Matecumbe, in Monday, it was followed by the northeast at 8 mph.

Police: Woman Mother of teen charged in Wis. hit 74-year-old shooting tries to deflect blame woman in face

Associated Press she said. “The police should have of that money. with sandwich been involved with these people President Donald Trump has ANTIOCH, Ill. — The mother Associated Press that lost their businesses. They suggested the shootings may of an Illinois 17-year-old charged should have stepped up.” have been justified because it ap- in the fatal shooting of two men LONG NECK, Del. — A Dela- She stressed that she under- peared Kyle Rittenhouse was try- during a protest in Wisconsin ware woman has been accused said neither her son nor the pro- stands the pressure the police are ing to fend off violent attackers. of shoving an egg salad sandwich testers should have been on the under and said Wisconsin Gov. Rittenhouse and Pierce said the on a 74-year-old woman’s face street that night and put much of Tony Evers, a Democrat, should teenager went to Kenosha to help and going after the woman with the blame for what happened on have deployed reinforcements. remove graffiti from a school. It a hammer. police and the governor. A Kenosha County court com- was after they arrived that they Regina Love, of Long Neck, was missioner determined that Kyle offered to help protect a car deal- Kyle Rittenhouse, of Antioch, Wendy Rittenhouse arrested Saturday after troop- Ill., is also charged in the wound- Rittenhouse would be a flight ership that had come under attack ers were called to a house in the risk if he was released from jail by looters the night before. city about a physical altercation, ing of a third person Aug. 25 in used in the shootings. and ordered his bail to remain at Videos show armed civil- Kenosha, Wis. , during the dem- Dominic Black, an 18-year-old Delaware State Police said in a $2 million. ians arriving in Kenosha after a onstration to protest the police friend of Rittenhouse, told au- statement. Wendy Rittenhouse, a single local militia group, the Kenosha shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black thorities that he purchased the Love was at the home with the man. mother of three, dismissed any Guard, put out a call to arms on weapon at a hardware store in victim, an acquaintance of Love’s, “It’s a tragedy what happened suggestion that her son could flee, Facebook. Police didn’t stop them Wisconsin. On Monday, a court and a 72-year-old woman when a to Mr. Blake. It is,” Wendy Rit- saying: “I have $1.20 in my bank as they walked down the street commissioner set Black’s bail at verbal argument ensued. tenhouse told the Chicago Tri- account. You think I can get on a and, in one video, officers handed $2,500 on felony charges that he Police said Love shoved the bune. “But my son and everybody plane?” them bottles of water. supplied a dangerous weapon to a sandwich on the victim when else should not have been in But the Rittenhouse case has In another video, Kyle Rit- minor, causing death. the argument escalated and then Kenosha.” attracted significant conserva- tenhouse, armed with an assault According to police reports, grabbed the victim and threat- Rittenhouse said her son felt tive financial support. rifle, explained to a reporter that Black told investigators that ened to harm her. That’s when he needed to protect businesses Her attorney, John Pierce, said he was protecting a business Wendy Rittenhouse had been she also took out the hammer. in Kenosha from the looting that a legal defense fund has raised from looting. His mother told the planning to apply for a firearm Love, 55, was charged with ag- erupted after Blake was shot nearly $2 million, and that Rit- Tribune he doesn’t belong to the owner’s identification card in Il- gravated menacing, terroristic seven times in the back two nights tenhouse has received a total of Kenosha Guard or any militia linois so they could legally keep threatening and offensive touch- earlier. Blake’s family says he is $100,000 for personal expenses group, and prosecutors have also the weapon in Antioch. ing. She has been released on her paralyzed from the waist down. from an organization that sup- not suggested any connection be- Wendy Rittenhouse told the own recognizance. “The police should have helped ports gun rights and another that tween her son and militias. newspaper that she sees nothing It was not immediately clear the businesses out instead of hav- backs domestic militias. Pierce She declined to discuss how her wrong with teenagers possessing if she had an attorney who could ing a 17-year-old kid helping him,” told the newspaper he has control son acquired the weapon that he firearms. comment on her behalf. PAGE 12 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 WORLD France: Several people wounded in explosion at a Saudi cemetery

Associated Press wounded. The policeman had Wednesday marked the 102nd been accompanying a consulate anniversary of the armistice PARIS — Three people were employee attending the ceremo- ending World War I and is com- wounded Wednesday when an ny. The ministry said the wound- memorated in several European improvised explosive device ed policeman was in good health countries. targeted a ceremony of French, American, British, Italian and and had been hospitalized but his Nadia Chaaya, an official who Greek officials commemorating life was not in danger. represents French citizens living the end of World War I at a cem- Saudi state television also in Saudi Arabia, was at the cere- etery in the Saudi city of Jiddah, broadcast from outside the cem- mony when it came under attack. DMITRI LOVETSKY/AP according to official statements. etery and said the security situa- She told The Associated Press tion had stabilized. there were about 20 people of dif- A woman sits as police guard during a protest against an agreement The ceremony was held at a cemetery for non-Muslim dead, Wednesday’s attack follows on ferent nationalities in attendance, to halt fighting over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in Yerevan, the heels of a stabbing Oct. 29 making it difficult to say whether Armenia, on Wednesday . French Foreign Ministry officials said. that lightly wounded a guard at French diplomats were specifi- “Such attacks on innocent the French Consulate in the same cally targeted. Thousands protest truce people are shameful and en- city. The stabbing was carried out She earlier told the French net- tirely without justification,” said by a Saudi man, who was arrest- work BFM about the moment she with Azerbaijan in Armenia a joint statement issued by the ed. His motives remain unclear. heard an explosion as the consul embassies of the five countries France has suffered two deadly general was near the end of his in attendance. The group also attacks by foreign-born Muslims speech. Associated Press baijan and Russia. Some of the acknowledged the work of Saudi in the past month. A teacher was “At that moment we didn’t real- protesters in Yerevan clashed first responders at the scene. beheaded outside Paris for show- ly understand, but we felt that we YEREVAN, Armenia — Thou- with police, and scores were Hours after the attack, Saudi ing caricatures of the Prophet were the target because directly sands of people gathered in the Muhammad to his class for a we saw the smoke and we were of capital of Armenia on Wednesday detained. state-media quoted a local of- debate on free expression, and course in panic mode,” she said. to protest the country’s agree- The truce between the two ficial acknowledging the attack three people were later killed in Jiddah, the Red Sea port city, ment with Azerbaijan to halt ex-Soviet nations, brokered by and saying a Greek Consulate a church in the southern city of saw its Ottoman troops surrender weeks of fighting over Nagorno- Moscow and announced early employee and Saudi security Karabakh. The deal calls for the Tuesday, came after advances by man were lightly wounded in the Nice. to the local troops backed by the deployment of nearly 2,000 Rus- Azerbaijani forces that the Ar- incident. The British government The depictions of the prophet British in 1916 amid the war. That sian peacekeepers and territorial menia-backed leader of Nagorno- said one U.K. national suffered sparked protests and calls for boy- sparked the start of the Kingdom concessions. Karabakh said made it impossible minor injuries. cotts of French products among of Hejaz, which later became Participants at the rally, which for his side to carry on. The Saudi official said an in- some Muslims in the Middle East part of Saudi Arabia’s founding Armenia’s opposition parties pro- The agreement was celebrated vestigation was underway. and South Asia. France has urged in 1932. moted, demanded the resignation in Azerbaijan, but it angered Ar- Greece’s Foreign Ministry its citizens in Saudi Arabia and Jiddah’s Non-Muslim Cemetery of the country’s prime minister, menians, who immediately took condemned the attack and said a other Muslim-majority countries sits nears the city’s docks, hidden who signed the peace agreement to the streets demanding that the Greek policeman serving in the to be “on maximum alert” amid behind trees alongside a major along with the presidents of Azer- pact be invalidated. Greek Consulate in Jeddah was the heightened tensions. thoroughfare in the city. Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 13 WORLD Sudan braces for up to 200,000 fleeing Ethiopia fighting

Associated Press civilians under growing strain. trucks are stranded at its borders, 2 million people in Tigray have a Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed an- NAIROBI, Kenya — Up to Already at least 6,000 people the United Nations humanitarian “very, very difficult time,” he said nounced a military offensive in 200,000 refugees could pour into have crossed the border, includ- chief in the country told The As- late Tuesday, including hundreds response to an alleged attack by Sudan while fleeing the deadly ing some wounded in the fighting, sociated Press in an interview. of thousands of displaced people. regional forces. He insists there conflict in Ethiopia’s northern and the flow is growing quickly. “We want to have humanitarian Communications remain al- will be no negotiations with a re- Tigray region, officials said Inside the Tigray region, long access as soon as possible,” Sajjad most completely severed with the gional government he considers Wednesday, while the first details lines have appeared outside Mohammad Sajid said. “Fuel and Tigray region a week after Ethio- illegal until its “clique” is arrest- are emerging of largely cut-off bread shops, and supply-laden food are needed urgently.” Up to pia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning ed and its arsenal is destroyed. Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers to resign Prince Khalifa, Bahrain’s Associated Press lator said could sound the “death civil liberties but over which knell” for democracy there. China’s government has increas- prime minister, dies at 84 HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s The resignation of the 15 re- ingly tightened its control. A new pro-democracy lawmakers an- maining pro-democracy law- national security law imposed by Associated Press request for nounced Wednesday they would comment. makers will ratchet up tensions Beijing this year has alarmed the DUBAI, United Arab Emir- resign en masse after four of over the future of Hong Kong, a international community. Prince ates — Bahrain’s Prince Khalifa them were ousted from the semi- former British colony that has The mass departure will also Khalifa’s bin Salman Al Khalifa, one of the autonomous Chinese territory’s long been a regional financial leave Hong Kong’s Legislature power and Legislature in a move one legis- hub and bastion of Western-style with only pro-Beijing lawmakers. world’s longest-serving prime wealth could ministers who led his island na- be seen ev- tion’s government for decades and erywhere in survived the 2011 Arab Spring this small Pope vows to end abuse after McCarrick report protests that demanded his ouster nation off over corruption allegations, died the coast of Prince Khalifa on Wednesday. He was 84. Saudi Ara- Associated Press a day after the Vatican released a ment of the church to eradicate Bahrain’s state-run news agen- bia, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th ROME — Pope Francis pledged detailed report into the decades- this evil,” Francis said as he con- cy announced his death, saying he Fleet. Though less powerful and Wednesday to rid the Catholic long church cover-up of his sexu- cluded his weekly general audi- had been receiving treatment at frailer in recent years, his machi- Church of sexual abuse and of- al misconduct. ence. He then paused silently for the Mayo Clinic in the U.S., with- nations still drew attention in the fered prayers to victims of ex- “I renew my closeness to vic- nearly a minute, apparently in out elaborating. The Mayo Clinic kingdom as a new generation now Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, tims of any abuse and commit- prayer. did not immediately respond to a jostles for power. PAGE 14 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Group aims to reduce feral rabbit population

HILO — A Hawaii island HI group has launched an ef- fort to reduce the number of feral rabbits, which the campaigners say are wreaking havoc on yards and burrowing under homes. The Big Island Invasive Species Committee has asked for reports from residents who have seen the wild bunnies, The Hawaii Tri- bune-Herald reported. The organization does not know exactly where the rabbits came from but said they are probably escaped pets or escaped from breeding hutches. Hawaii has strict laws regard- ing rabbit containment because they can be a menace to farmers and gardeners. The committee received a $6,600 grant from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to work with landowners to control the rabbit population. Feds: Officer served as lookout for cocaine ring

NEW YORK — Federal NY authorities arrested a New York City police officer on charges he served as a lookout for drug traffickers who smuggled hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into the United States. Officer Amaury Abreu, 34, of Hauppauge, is accused of explain- ing law enforcement methods to the drug ring and performing warrant checks on its members. REBECCA BLACKWELL/AP Federal prosecutors said he also distributed cocaine and trav- eled to the Dominican Republic in January and February to meet New sculpture on campus with leaders of the trafficking group. People look at a newly-installed sculpture titled “Brick House” by artist Simone Leigh on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus in Philadelphia . Abreu, who has been with Leigh’s 16-foot-tall, 5,900-pound bronze bust of a Black woman was installed at the entrance to the heart of the university’s campus. the NYPD for nine years, was charged with conspiring to im- her a complimentary bite. THE CENSUS corresponding reports of missing port and distribute cocaine and Kimberly Ragsdale, 47, of Dal- people. released on $1 million bond. las, was charged with imperson- The approximate amount of marijuana The life raft was spotted one ating a public officer following sales in Illinois in October, the Illinois De- mile offshore of Buxton . A Coast Deer hunter gets bang repeated attempts to get free partment of Financial and Professional Reg- Guard aircrew had deployed a for buck with gator haul meals at a Chick-Fil-A, according $100M ulation reported. There was a record $75 swimmer to observe the raft more to a Rockmart Police arrest re- million in recreational pot sales last month, closely. It was a six-man orange port obtained by news outlets. life raft with a sea anchor inside MINNEAPOLIS — A up nearly $8 million from the previous month. Sales of medical marijuana totaled Employees at the restaurant another $33 million, according to officials. Cannabis industry analyst Andy Seeger and no visible marine growth or MN Minnesota man who told investigators that Ragsdale markings. was tracking a large buck on the said October’s sale figures do not rise to the market’s potential. He said Illinois showed up at the location mul- opening weekend of deer hunting should be on pace to sell around $1.2 billion in weed this year. tiple times during the week and season wound up finding another Guard breaks ground on posed as a federal agent and also prize for his collection when he mountain warfare facility threatened to take employees into came across a 3-foot alligator. the scene found a gun on the man, “As a past observer who lived custody if they didn’t comply, the Cory Klocek was hunting on who police say is a convicted felon on the summit for four years, I JERICHO — The Ver- farmland in East Bethel, about 40 police report said. and barred from having a gun. can tell you Marty was a special VT mont National Guard miles north of Minneapolis, when It added that the woman contin- Police said a subsequent search companion, entertainer and so in- broke ground on a new $27 mil- he took down with a shotgun what ued the farce as police arrived to of the vehicle then turned up an credibly loved by observers and lion facility for its U.S. Army he described on Facebook as a arrest her in the restaurant park- improvised explosive device. state park staff and will be sadly Mountain Warfare School. “beautiful 10-point buck,” the ing lot , reportedly claiming to of- Police said the man was arrest- missed.” The school in Jericho has Minneapolis Star Tribune re- ficers that she was an FBI agent ed on suspicion of being a felon in The Mount Washington Ob- trained military and other per- ported. Right about that time he and that her credentials were possession of a firearm, posses- servatory staff have had a cat at sonnel around the world in came around a pond and spotted electronic. sion of a destructive device, pos- the 6,288-foot summit, called the techniques of high-altitude and the alligator. session of a controlled substance “home of the world’s worst weath- mountain operations and combat. Klocek, 35, contacted a local Police: Explosive found and driving with a suspended er,“ since 1932. While much of the training is conservation officer with the in car following crash license. done outdoors, there is also class- state Department of Natural Re- Search prompted by work and other indoor training sources and got the go-ahead to LINCOLN — A man Observatory mascot dies empty life raft ended and the current facility no longer shoot the alligator as well. NE was arrested in Lincoln after 12 years on duty meets the program’s needs, said after officials first found a gun, BUXTON — The U.S. Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, adju- Cops: Woman posing as then a homemade explosive in his NORTH CONWAY NC Coast Guard suspend- tant general of the Vermont Na- agent sought free food car following a crash, police said. NH — A cat who patrolled ed its search for people after an tional Guard,. The crash happened when the the Northeast’s highest peak for a empty raft was spotted off the The new 82,668-square-foot ROCKMART — Po- 35-year-old man suffered a medi- dozen years as its weather obser- shore of North Carolina’s Outer facility will have a drill hall with GA lice jailed a woman in cal episode, according to police, vatory’s mascot died. Banks. a four-story climbing wall, class- Georgia accused of pretending and crashed his vehicle into a Marty, a black Maine coon cat, Officer Tara Molle said the rooms and other spaces, a dining to be an FBI agent to score a free light pole near the Nebraska Wes- succumbed to “an unforeseen ill- raft appeared to be brand new facility and more. The facility is fast-food meal, saying she alleg- leyan University campus, televi- ness,“ Mount Washington Sum- and that there were not indica- expected to be completed in the edly threatened to arrest restau- sion station KOLN reported. mit Operations Manager Rebecca tions that it had been occupied. spring of 2022. rant workers if they didn’t serve Rescue crews who arrived on Scholand said in a news release . The Coast Guard also found no From wire reports Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 15 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Trump isn’t finished with the intelligence community Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander

Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY DAVID IGNATIUS Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell At the Pentagon, Trump replaced Esper Washington Post Writers Group Tuesday. She sees him regularly as a mem- with acting Defense Secretary Christopher EDITORIAL ber of the so-called “Gang of Eight” senior Miller, a former NSC official who had been WASHINGTON congressional leaders. But Tuesday’s visit nominated in March to run the National Terry Leonard, Editor resident Donald Trump’s senior was another sign of GOP support. Counterterrorism Center. The job was [email protected] military and intelligence officials Haspel’s most unlikely defender has vacant because Trump had fired Russell Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor have been warning him strongly been Attorney General William Barr, who Travers, the previous acting NCTC chief, [email protected] Pagainst declassifying information opposed a pre-election push to declassify who had worked closely with former acting about Russia that his advisers say would the sensitive material, according to three Director of National Intelligence Joseph Managing Editor for Content Tina Croley, compromise sensitive collection methods current and former officials. At a show- Maguire, who was bounced in February. [email protected] and anger key allies. down meeting at the White House, Barr Maguire’s supposed crime was that he had Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation An intense battle over this issue has pushed back against revealing the secret allowed intelligence officials to brief Con- [email protected] raged within the administration in the information. gress on Russian efforts to support Trump days before and after the Nov. 3 presiden- Gen. Paul Nakasone, who heads Cyber in the 2020 election. Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital tial election. Trump and his allies want the [email protected] Command and the National Security Agen- At NSA, the Trump team just installed information public because they believe it cy, has also argued vehemently against as general counsel Michael Ellis, a for- would rebut claims that Russian President disclosure, according to a senior defense mer chief counsel to Rep. Devin Nunes, BUREAU STAFF Vladimir Putin supported Trump in 2016. official and the senior Senate source. Like R-Calif., a former chairman of the House That may sound like ancient history, but for Haspel, Nakasone took the unusual step of Intelligence Committee and a locus of Europe/Mideast Trump it remains ground zero — the mo- Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief directly opposing White House efforts to pro-Trump arguments that the Russia in- [email protected] ment when his political problems began. release the intelligence, because he feared vestigation was poisoned fruit. As the spy +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 CIA Director Gina Haspel last month the damage disclosure would cause. agency’s chief legal officer, Ellis could be argued strongly at a White House meeting The issue may have played a role in an ally in a Ratcliffe-led campaign to de- Pacific against disclosing the information, because Trump’s surprise decision Monday to fire classify intelligence that would otherwise Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief [email protected] she believed that doing so would violate Defense Secretary Mark Esper. According be tightly held because it might reveal +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 her pledge to protect sources and methods, to the senior defense official, Esper wrote sources and methods. a senior Senate source said. This official a letter last month to John Ratcliffe, the Senate Republicans, who might stop Washington said that a bipartisan group of Republican director of national intelligence, strongly the post-election revenge campaign, face Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief and Democratic senators has been trying endorsing Nakasone’s position and “urging a growing tension between Trump’s de- [email protected] to protect Haspel, though some fear that (+1)(202)886-0033 that the information not be released due to mands and the country’s interests. The Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News Trump may yet oust her. the harm it would do to national security, senior Senate source described it this way: [email protected] Rumors have been flying this week about including specific harm to the military,” “How much do you stay quiet during the Haspel’s tenure, but a source familiar with the senior defense official said. tantrum period? What damage will it do to CIRCULATION her standing as CIA director said Tues- Trump’s ceaseless attempts to argue national security? That’s a real-time dis- day that national security adviser Robert that the Russia investigation was a “hoax” cussion that’s going on.” Mideast O’Brien and White House chief of staff Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager — and to force the intelligence community Trump will depart the White House Jan. [email protected] Mark Meadows had both “assured her that to declassify information he believes would 20, barring an unlikely legal miracle. The [email protected] she’s good,” meaning that she wouldn’t be support this view — may animate some of question is how much damage he will do to DSN (314)583-9111 removed. Haspel also met personally with his otherwise inexplicable moves. national security before he leaves. Europe Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager [email protected] [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Vote breakdown could bolster Biden’s centrist instincts Pacific BY CARL P. L EUBSDORF cap of being the first new Democratic backers and foes, like former Gov. John Mari Mori, [email protected] The Dallas Morning News president since 1884 with a majority in just Kasich, of Ohio, who backed Biden, and +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 one chamber of Congress. Sen. Mitt Romney, of Utah, who didn’t. uring the dayslong count that cli- But in the past 18 months, Biden showed Meanwhile, progressive Democrats, led CONTACT US maxed with Joe Biden becoming he was unexpectedly deft at negotiating by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, of New president-elect, some pundits treacherous political terrain, surviving York, are staking claim to responsibility Washington noted that, for a politician who a complicated nominating process with for Biden’s majorities in major metropoli- tel: (+1)202.886.0003 D sought the White House for nearly four rivals on both his left and right, the de- tan areas. Two of her fellow Squad cohorts, 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 decades, four days might seem like a short termined opposition of a well-funded and Reps. Ilhan Omar, of Minneapolis, and Reader letters added time to wait. organized opponent, barely concealed in- Rashida Tlaib, of Detroit, made extensive [email protected] In fact, in the nation’s 232-year history, ternal party frictions and a unique general efforts in their majority minority districts no serious aspirant had run for presi- election where a pandemic limited tradi- to turn out their supporters for Biden. Additional contacts dent so many times over so long a period tional campaigning. Biden does owe a lot to minority vot- stripes.com/contactus — three times in 32 years — before ulti- In celebrating his triumph, Biden made ers, and especially four prominent black mately succeeding. clear that, like most winning candidates, supporters: Barack Obama, who helped OMBUDSMAN By winning, Biden separated himself he sees the result as “a mandate” for the spur African American voting in Atlanta, Ernie Gates from candidates with multiple failed bids steps he outlined in the campaign: to limit Detroit and Philadelphia; Stacey Abrams, — like Henry Clay, William Jennings the COVID-19 pandemic and restore eco- whose intensive registration efforts appar- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow Bryan and Bob Dole. He joined Ronald nomic growth. ently turned Georgia blue; Rep. James Cly- of news and information, reporting any attempts by the Reagan (also successful on his third try), But more than any specific issue, he burn, whose support played a major role in military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s Bill Clinton and Franklin D. Roosevelt in sought to set a tone that contrasted sharply Biden’s crucial South Carolina primary independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- unseating an elected president over the with the past four years. “It is time to put victory; and running mate Kamala Harris, ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman past century. away the harsh rhetoric, to lower the tem- who will become the first Black and Asian welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted But there is one big difference. Biden perature, to see each other again, to listen American vice president. by email at [email protected], or by phone at 202.886.0003. brings a degree of experience unequalled to each other again,” Biden said. On the other hand, the president-elect by any of the other three, none of whom “Let’s give each other a chance,” Biden did slightly less well in some major urban won any federal elective office before the told the nation, a plea to both the more fer- areas than Hillary Clinton in 2016. His Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- presidency. Since his first Senate victory at vent of his own supporters and his oppo- stronger performances in the suburbs were days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday age 29, the 77-year-old president-elect has nents. “They want us to cooperate.” the reason Democrats regained Michigan, through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and spent a mind-boggling 44 years in national Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals To succeed, he’ll need to maintain inter- postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send office, 36 in the Senate and eight as vice nal Democratic unity and attract enough Amid these conflicting pressures, the address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, president. Republican support — or even acquies- split general election verdict could bol- APO AP 96301-5002. Before his eight years as President ster Biden’s own more centrist instincts. This newspaper is authorized by the Department of cence — to provide the specifics supple- Defense for members of the military services overseas. Barack Obama’s vice president, he chaired menting that welcome change in tone. As As in the Democratic primaries, there is However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, Senate committees dealing with foreign is becoming more the rule than the excep- a strong case he would not have won if he and are not to be considered as the official views of, or policy and the judiciary. He truly is — as had moved further left. endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, tion for presidents, he’ll likely do adminis- Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- the ads for the elder George Bush pro- tratively some of what he will be unable to The venerable Jim Hightower, the for- nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote claimed a generation ago — “a president legislatively. mer Texas agriculture commissioner and locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. we won’t have to train.” Already, there are signs of the problems for decades a leading progressive voice in The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense That experience is one of the biggest as- he’ll face from both sides. the state, used to say, “There’s nothing in or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. sets Biden will bring to the White House, Many Republicans are making the case the middle of the road but a yellow stripe Products or services advertised shall be made available for along with his own centrist political in- that GOP success in cutting the Demo- and dead armadillos.” But for President- purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical stincts and a history of coalition building. crats’ House majority and likely maintain- elect Joe Biden, that’s the place that got handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor He’ll need them all to cope with the un- ing their own Senate margin was a signal him to the White House, and it’s the place of the purchaser, user or patron. usually dire circumstances he will inherit: against such progressive-pushed policies where his experience can help him to © Stars and Stripes 2020 a nation beset by a once-in-a-century pan- as the Green New Deal and “Medicare for succeed. demic, a resulting crippled economy, bitter All,” neither of which Biden backed. Those Carl P. Leubsdorf is a former Washington bureau stripes.com partisan gridlock and the political handi- making that point included both Trump chief of The Dallas Morning News. PAGE 16 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 17 PAGE 18 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 FACES

Veterans Nickel Creek, from left: Chris Thile, Sara Watkins fundraiser and Sean Watkins. Red Light Management to go virtual

From wire reports This year’s Stand Up for He- roes fundraiser is going virtual for the first time, and The Boss will once again be there. So will a real prince. Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Tiffany Haddish and Brad Paisley have signed up — as has Prince Harry, the Duke of Sus- sex, for the first time. The fundraiser, which benefits injured veterans and their fami- lies, also will feature comedians and musicians including Nate Bargatze, Ronny Chieng, Mickey Guyton, Patti Scialfa, Iliza Sh- lesinger, Jeannie Gaffigan and Ray Romano. It will air on ABC News Live, TikTok, Facebook Watch, Ched- dar, Twitch and Armed Forces Network on Nov. 18. Jon Stewart ‘A band, by accident’ will again be host. Stewart and Springsteen have been longtime backers of the annual effort. Stand Up for Heroes was first Nickel Creek reflects on trio of influential Americana albums held in 2007 and is produced by the New York Comedy Festival and the Bob Woodruff Founda- tion. Woodruff was nearly killed BY GEORGE VARGA 12. Sara was 8. So was ily Hour, collaborating with everyone from during a 2006 attack in Iraq while The San Diego Union-Tribune Chris, whose dad, Scott, Jackson Browne and Fiona Apple to Ben- embedded with U.S. troops for played bass in the group mont Tench of Tom Petty & The Heart- ABC News. n 1999, a year before Nickel Creek’s for more than a decade. breakers. They also recorded and toured as national debut album began earning “Nickel Creek was this Mutual Admiration Society, a band that in- Benefit to honor nurses worldwide acclaim, each member of the thing that just happened cluded Toad The Wet Sprocket’s Glen Phil- Igroundbreaking Americana trio from and started by accident,” lips and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, who on Thanksgiving San Diego, Calif., was eager to scale new Chris recalled. “We were produced Sara’s self-titled 2009 solo debut. Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion and heights ... in the halls of academia. offered (the opportunity) She made two more solo albums, toured Gloria Estefan will be among the Not knowing stardom would soon come to be a ‘kids band’ at a as a member of The Decemberists and co- entertainers honoring nurses in their way — including a 2003 Grammy bluegrass festival, and founded the Grammy-winning I’m With Her, a star-studded virtual concert Award, million-selling albums and perfor- then we kept doing it. It which teams Sara with Aoife O’Donovan and on Thanksgiving. Nurse Heroes mances at such top festivals as Coachella and wasn’t: ‘Let’s be a band!’ Sarah Jarosz. Sean has made five solo al- announced Tuesday that the con- Lollapalooza — mandolinist-singer Chris Because we already were bums and two with Fiction Family, the group cert called Nurse Heroes Live Thile, violinist-singer Sara Watkins and gui- a band, by accident.” he co-leads with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot. will stream on the organization’s tarist-singer Sean Watkins were pursuing Nickel Creek’s pre- Their time apart enabled Sara, Sean and YouTube and Facebook along higher learning. cocious debut, 1993’s Chris to explore new musical vistas and to with LiveXLive on Nov. 26 at 7 Sara, then 18, was a business major at “Little Cowpoke,” was re-team with a new sense of purpose . p.m. EST. The benefit will pro- Palomar College. Her brother, Sean, 22, was made for the aptly named Nickel Creek reunited to make the absorb- vide money for a variety of pro- studying music at MiraCosta College. Chris, Choo Choo Records. The ing 2014 album “A Dotted Line.” The ensuing grams. Other performers include 18, was a music major at Murray State. Their group’s second album, tour yielded the just-released, digital-only Josh Groban, Black Eyed Peas, soon-to-soar careers ensured their student 1997’s “Here to There,” album “Live from the Fox Theater,” which Pitbull, The Wailers, Carole King, tenures were brief. led to a deal with pres- was recorded in Oakland, Calif. Maluma and Andrea Bocelli. During a phone interview to discuss the tigious bluegrass label “There is a thing that happens when the vinyl-only, remastered reissues on Craft Re- From top: Sugar Hill . The band three of us are together,” Chris said, “that we Other news cordings of the three albums Nickel Creek “Nickel Creek,” eagerly responded when don’t experience in any other way.” made between 2000 and 2005, the musicians “This Side” and the label proposed hav- In November 2017, the band performed on Britney Spears fears her fa- recalled their brief time furthering their ed- “Why Should the ing the album produced a radio broadcast of “A Prairie Home Com- ther and will not resume her ca- ucations — and what compelled them to drop Fire Die?” have by Alison Krauss. panion,” which Chris began hosting in 2016. reer so long as he has power over out. During their truncated college enroll- been remastered “Alison was like Elvis The show, whose name was changed to “Live it, her attorney said in court Tues- ments, Nickel Creek performed a concert at and resissued to us!” Chris said. “In from Here” in December 2017, was canceled day. Los Angeles Superior Court a rural Pennsylvania venue whose name they on vinyl by Craft bluegrass, there was no this year because of the coronavirus pan- Judge Brenda Penny declined to do not recall. All three cite that gig as instru- Recordings. one bigger than her, in demic. Nickel Creek’s most recent concerts suspend James Spears from his mental in their decision to leave school. terms of stature. When took place last year . central role in the court conser- “It was the first time where 100 or 200 she said she wanted to produce us, that was That Nickel Creek is still a going concern vatorship that has controlled his people came, just to see us, and there weren’t a real wake-up call to me. It was the first is a source of pride and happy surprise for its daughter’s life and career for 12 any other bands on the bill,” Chris said. hint.” members. So is the re-release of their 2000, years as Britney Spears’ attorney Nickel Creek’s self-titled national debut Singer/violinist Krauss was a teen when 2002 and 2005 albums, which have long been Samuel D. Ingham III requested. album was released by Sugar Hill Records she earned her first Grammy in 1990. She out of print on vinyl. The judge said she would consid- on March 21, 2000, and went on to sell more now has 27 , making her the top female winner “Being in Nickel Creek just felt like part er future petitions for his suspen- than a million copies. That was an astounding in Grammy history. As the laser-focused, no- of growing up to us,” Sara said. “I remember sion or outright removal, which feat for the bluegrass-rooted group, whose nonsense producer of 2000’s “Nickel Creek” people would ask: ‘Do you have a five-year Ingham plans to file. members combined instrumental virtuosity and the trio’s even more accomplished 2002 plan, or a 10-year plan?’ And we were like: President-elect Joe Biden’s and inviting vocals with a distinctive song- follow-up, “This Side,” she helped the trio up ‘A plan? What are you talking about? We just victory at the polls also made for writing approach and a keen appreciation for its game considerably. record and tour.’ ” a ratings win for “Saturday Night alt-rock, jazz, pop and more. The trio’s broad After its 2007 tour, Nickel Creek began “Yeah,” Chris said: “Were planning on Live.” The sketch comedy show’s artistic scope also enabled Nickel Creek to what became a seven-year hiatus. Chris, a playing a festival this month!” most recent episode, hosted by mix in its genre-blurring original songs with 2012 MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant “Right,” Sean said. “I’m playing my guitar Dave Chappelle with musical distinctive versions of favorites by everyone recipient, launched his Grammy-winning and you give me money!” guest Foo Fighters, which was from Bob Dylan and Radiohead to Britney group Punch Brothers. He recorded five solo Sara laughed with delight. the first after Election Day and Spears and indie-rock darlings Pavement. and duo albums and “The Goat Sessions,” “We are playing on ‘Saturday Night Live’!” aired just hours after the results Sara and Sean had befriended Chris at which teamed him with legendary classical- she said. were announced, was the most- weekly jam sessions at That Pizza Place in music cellist Yo-Yo Ma, contrabassist Edgar Chris laughed even harder. watched “SNL” since Eddie Mur- Carlsbad, Calif. They made their debut as Meyer and violinist Stuart Duncan. “We still haven’t played,” he noted, “on phy’s Dec. 21, 2019. Nickel Creek at the venue in 1989. Sean was Sara and Sean started the Watkins Fam- ‘Saturday Night Live.’ ” Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 19 PAGE 20 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 SCOREBOARD/MLB

Sports Pro football Tennis NFL Linz Open on AFN AMERICAN CONFERENCE Tuesday East At Intersport Arena Linz W L T Pct PF PA Linz, Austria Buffalo 7 2 0 .778 242 233 Purse: $225,500 Miami 5 3 0 .625 222 161 Surface: Hardcourt indoor Go to the American Forces New England 3 5 0 .375 166 194 Women’s Singles Network website for the most N.Y. Jets 0 9 0 .000 121 268 Round of 32 South Arantxa Rus, Netherlands, def. Tamara up-to-date TV schedules. Tennessee 6 2 0 .750 232 201 Zidansek, Slovenia, 6-4, 6-4. Indianapolis 5 3 0 .625 208 160 Jana Fett, Croatia, def. Tereza Martin- myafn.net Houston 2 6 0 .250 193 242 cova, Czech Republic, 6-2, 3-1, ret. Jacksonville 1 7 0 .125 179 247 Camila Giorgi, Italy, def. Sara Sorribes North Tormo, Spain, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Pittsburgh 8 0 0 1.000 235 161 Sorana Cirstea, Romania, def. Julia College football Baltimore 6 2 0 .750 227 142 Grabher, Austria, 2-3, ret. Cleveland 5 3 0 .625 206 237 Barbora Krejcikova, Czech Republic, Cincinnati 2 5 1 .313 194 214 def. Harmony Tan, France, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. West Stefanie Voegele, Switzerland, def. Schedule Kansas City 8 1 0 .889 286 183 Viktoria Kuzmova, Slovakia, 7-6 (3), 6-3. Thursday’s game Las Vegas 5 3 0 .625 218 229 Vera Zvonareva, Russia, def. Marta FAR WEST Denver 3 5 0 .375 174 217 Kostyuk, Ukraine, 6-4, 6-2. L.A. Chargers 2 6 0 .250 205 216 Aryna Sabalenka (1), Belarus, def. Jas- Colorado St. (1-1) at Boise St. (2-1) NATIONAL CONFERENCE Friday’s games mine Paolini, Italy, 6-4, 6-4. East Women’s Doubles SOUTH W L T Pct PF PA FAU (3-1) at FIU (0-3) Round of 16 /AP Philadelphia 3 4 1 .438 186 205 Renata Voracova, Czech Republic, and OCTAVIO JONES, TAMPA BAY TIMES MIDWEST Washington 2 6 0 .250 153 188 Jil Teichmann, Switzerland, def. Xenia Iowa (1-2) at Minnesota (1-2) Dallas 2 7 0 .222 204 290 Knoll, Switzerland, and Barbara Haas, Kevin Cash guided the Tampa Bay Rays to the World Series this East Carolina (1-5) at Cincinnati (6-0) N.Y. Giants 2 7 0 .222 168 219 Austria, 6-0, ret. Saturday’s games South Rosalie van Der Hoek, Netherlands, season and was voted American League Manager of the Year. EAST New Orleans 6 2 0 .750 244 200 and Greet Minnen, Belgium, def. Em- TCU (3-3) at West Virginia (4-3) Tampa Bay 6 3 0 .667 250 203 ily Webley-Smith, Britain, and Reka Luca Illinois (0-3) at Rutgers (1-2) Atlanta 3 6 0 .333 243 251 Jani, Hungary, 6-2, 6-0. Middle Tennessee (2-5) at Marshall (6-0) Carolina 3 6 0 .333 210 226 Lucie Hradecka and Katerina Sinia- Notre Dame (7-0) at Boston College (5-3) North kova (1), Czech Republic, def. Natela Ohio St. (3-0) at Maryland (2-1) Green Bay 6 2 0 .750 253 204 Dzalamidze, Russia, and Eden Silva, Brit- Memphis (4-2) at Navy (3-4), ppd. Chicago 5 4 0 .556 178 190 ain, 6-1, 6-3. SOUTH Detroit 3 5 0 .375 197 240 Cash, Mattingly win Minnesota 3 5 0 .375 217 234 Wake Forest (4-2) at North Carolina (5-2) West Sofia Open Army (6-1) at Tulane (4-4) Seattle 6 2 0 .750 274 243 W. Carolina at Liberty (7-0) Arizona 5 3 0 .625 234 180 Tuesday Vanderbilt (0-5) at Kentucky (2-4) L.A. Rams 5 3 0 .625 193 152 At Arena Armeec Sofia Gardner-Webb at Charlotte (2-3) San Francisco 4 5 0 .444 225 207 Sofia, Bulgaria Miami (6-1) at Virginia Tech (4-3) Sunday, Nov. 8 Purse: $325,615 Coastal Carolina (7-0) at Troy (4-3) Atlanta 34, Denver 27 Surface: Hardcourt indoor Manager of the Year Duke (2-6) at Virginia (2-4), ppd. Baltimore 24, Indianapolis 10 Men’s Singles South Alabama (3-4) at Louisiana-La- Buffalo 44, Seattle 34 Round of 32 fayette (6-1) Houston 27, Jacksonville 25 Gilles Simon, France, def. Andrej Mar- Kansas City 33, Carolina 31 tin, Slovakia, 6-2, 6-2. BY JAY COHEN Georgia St. (3-3) at Appalachian St. (5-1) Richard Gasquet, France, def. Roberto North Texas (2-3) at UAB (4-3) Minnesota 34, Detroit 20 Voting N.Y. Giants 23, Washington 20 Carballes Baena, Spain, 6-3, 6-4. Associated Press Louisville (2-5) at Virginia (2-4) Jannik Sinner, Italy, def. Marton Fucso- Rice (1-1) at Louisiana Tech (4-3) Tennessee 24, Chicago 17 Las Vegas 31, L.A. Chargers 26 vics, Hungary, 6-2, 6-4. By the time Kevin Cash pulled Southern Miss. (2-5) at W. Kentucky (2-6) Miami 34, Arizona 31 Round of 16 Texas A&M (5-1) at Tennessee (2-4), Pittsburgh 24, Dallas 19 Radu Albot, Moldova, def. Denis Tampa Bay ace Blake Snell from AL Manager of the Year ppd. New Orleans 38, Tampa Bay 3 Shapovalov (1), Canada, 6-2, 6-4. Texas State (1-8) at Georgia Southern Open: Cincinnati, Cleveland, L.A. Vasek Pospisil, Canada, def. Jan-Len- the last game of the World Series, As selected by the Baseball Writers’ (5-2) Rams, Philadelphia nard Struff (4), Germany, 6-3, 6-4. he had already been voted Man- Association of America: Auburn (4-2) at Mississippi St. (2-4), ppd. Monday, Nov. 9 Men’s Doubles (Tabulated on a 5-3-1 basis) Alabama (6-0) at LSU (2-3), ppd. New England 30, N.Y. Jets 27 Round of 16 ager of the Year in the American Manager, Team 1st 2nd 3rd Tot Pittsburgh (4-4) at Georgia Tech (2-5) Thursday’s game Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Pakistan, League. Kevin Cash, Rays 22 5 1 126 Arkansas (3-3) at Florida (4-1) Indianapolis at Tennessee and Nikola Cacic, Serbia, def. Frederik Rick Renteria, White Sox 5 9 9 61 South Carolina (2-4) at Mississippi (2-4) Sunday’s games Nielsen, Denmark, and Tim Puetz, Ger- Even if he ended up losing the Charlie Montoyo, Blue Jays 2 10 7 47 Temple (1-4) at UCF (4-2) Houston at Cleveland many, 3-6, 6-2, 11-9. biggest prize. Bob Melvin, Athletics 1 3 8 22 Florida St. (2-5) at NC State (4-3) Jacksonville at Green Bay Marin Cilic, Croatia, and Tomislav A.J. Hinch, Astros 1 1 4 12 MIDWEST Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants Brkic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, def. Luke It was a Sunshine State sweep Rocco Baldelli, Twins — 3 4 13 Penn St. (0-3) at Nebraska (0-2) Tampa Bay at Carolina Saville and Max Purcell (3), Australia, 7-6 Dusty Baker, Astros — — 1 1 Washington at Detroit (4), 6-2. for skippers Tuesday night, with Indiana (3-0) at Michigan St. (1-2) Jurgen Melzer, Austria, and Edouard Georgia (4-2) at Missouri (2-3) Buffalo at Arizona Miami’s Don Denver at Las Vegas Roger-Vasselin (1), France, def. Viktor NL Manager of the Year Wisconsin (1-0) at Michigan (1-2) L.A. Chargers at Miami Troicki, Serbia, and Dimitar Kuzmanov, Mattingly Northwestern (3-0) at Purdue (2-0) Cincinnati at Pittsburgh Bulgaria, 6-2, 6-4. As selected by the Baseball Writers’ SOUTHWEST San Francisco at New Orleans Matwe Middelkoop, Netherlands, and winning NL Association of America: UTEP (3-3) at UTSA (4-4) Seattle at L.A. Rams Marcelo Arevalo-Gonzalez, El Salvador, Manager of (Tabulated on a 5-3-1 basis) South Florida (1-6) at Houston (2-3) Baltimore at New England def. Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen (4), Manager, Team 1st 2nd 3rd Tot Louisiana-Monroe (0-8) at Arkansas Open: Kansas City, N.Y. Jets, Atlanta, Belgium, 6-3, 6-4. the Year and Don Mattingly, Marlins 20 8 — 124 St. (3-5) Dallas Fabrice Martin, France, and Hugo Nys, Jayce Tingler, Padres 6 13 2 71 E. Kentucky (2-5) at Cent. Arkansas (4-4) Monday’s game Monaco, def. Jonathan Erlich, Israel, and Cash receiv- David Ross, Cubs 1 2 14 45 Baylor (1-4) at Texas Tech (2-5) Minnesota at Chicago Andrei Vasilevski, Belarus, 6-4, 6-3. ing the AL Brian Snitker, Braves 1 2 5 16 Arizona Christian at Abilene Christian Dave Roberts, Dodgers 1 2 2 13 (1-4) award. Mike Shildt, Cardinals — 3 1 10 Pittsburg State at Stephen F. Austin (5-3) Long re- Craig Counsell, Brewers 1 — 1 6 SMU (7-1) at Tulsa (3-1) Deals Gabe Kapler, Giants — — 3 3 FAR WEST garded as David Bell, Reds — — 2 2 Fresno St. (2-1) at Utah St. (0-3) one of base- Southern Cal (1-0) at Arizona Tuesday’s transactions KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Activated OL Colorado (1-0) at Stanford (0-1) Martinas Rankin from the reserve/PUP ball’s bright- list. Waived DE Demone Harris. Activat- Mattingly Hawaii (2-1) at San Diego St. (2-1) BASEBALL Major League Baseball ed DT Braxton Hoyett from the practice est young before the beginning of the play- Nevada (3-0) vs. New Mexico (0-2) at MLBPA — Named Tatia Mays-Russell squad COVID-list. minds, Cash Las Vegas chief financial officer, Michael J. ONeill INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Promoted WR offs. Rick Renteria, let go by the Oregon (1-0) at Washington St. (1-0) chief human resources officer and Silvia DeMichael Harris to the active roster. guided the thrifty Rays to an AL- Chicago White Sox after the team California at Arizona St. (0-1) Alvarez associate director, international Waived DE Ron’Dell Carter. Signed RB best 40-20 record during the pan- Utah at UCLA (0-1) and domestic communications. Darius Jackson to the practice squad. made the postseason for the first UNLV (0-3) at San Jose St. (3-0) National League JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Signed K demic-shortened season. But he time since 2008, finished second Oregon St. (0-1) at Washington PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Named John Chase McLaughlin to the active roster. Baker director of coaching and player Placed K Chase McLaughlin on the ex- was roundly criticized for pulling in the AL, followed by Toronto’s development. empt/commissioner permission list. a dominant Snell in the sixth in- FOOTBALL LAS VEGAS RAIDERS — Signed WR Rico Charlie Montoyo. Pro soccer National Football League Gafford to the practice squad. ning of the decisive Game 6 of the Mattingly led the Marlins to ATLANTA FALCONS — Promoted LB LOS ANGELES RAMS — Waived OLB Fall Classic against the champion Edmond Robinson to the active roster. Natrez Patrick. Released C Cohl Cabral their first playoff appearance MLS playoffs Waived DE Takkarist McKinley. from the practice squad. Los Angeles Dodgers. since 2003 despite dealing with a BALTIMORE RAVENS — Signed CB Tra- MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Activated LB Play-in mon Williams. Placed DB Khalil Dorsey Todd Davis from the reserve/COVID-19 “Have I reflected on it? There’s COVID-19 outbreak that paused Eastern Conference on injured reserve. Signed OT R.J. Prince list. Waived LB Ben Gedeon. Placed CB not a day that goes by that I don’t their season and ravaged the Friday, Nov. 20 and DB Nate Brooks to the practice Holton Hill and LS Austin Cutting on the (9) Montreal at (8) New England squad. reserve/COVID-19 list. reflect on it,” Cash said. “Being roster. (10) Inter Miami CF at (7) Nashville SC CAROLINA PANTHERS — Designated NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Claimed in this position we owe it to our- The Marlins’ 31-29 record was First Round S Juston Burris to return from injured TE Jordan Thomas off waivers from Ari- reserve. Activated RB Reggie Bonnafon zona. Placed TE Dalton Keene on injured selves and more importantly our Eastern Conference from the practice squad injured reserve. Mattingly’s first winning season Saturday, Nov. 21 reserve. Signed TEs Dylan Cantrell and players to continue to reflect on Signed DT Woodrow Hamilton to the David Wells to the practice squad. Re- in his fifth year with the club. Orlando City vs. New York City FC practice squad. Released K Taylor Berto- Columbus vs. New York leased LB Cassh Maluia. Released DL those decisions.” The former New York Yankees let and DT Mike Panasiuk. Ryan Glasgow from the practice squad. Tuesday, Nov. 24 CHICAGO BEARS — Signed DT Anthony After Snell exited, the Dodg- first baseman and captain had Toronto FC vs. higher-seeded play-in Rush to the active roster. Signed QB Kyle NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Released winner QB Tommy Stevens from the practice ers rallied against Nick Anderson a winning record in each of his Sloter and OL Eric Kush to the practice squad. Philadelphia vs. lower-seeded play-in squad. Released OL Aaron Neary. and went on to a 3-1 victory. Cash five seasons as manager of the winner CINCINNATI BENGALS — Designated NEW YORK GIANTS — Activated G Will Western Conference DE Sam Hubbard to return from injured Henandez from the reserve/COVID-19 said he has had multiple conver- Dodgers. Saturday, Nov. 22 reserve. list. Activated WR Dante Pettis from the sations with many people within Sporting Kansas City vs. San Jose CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed CB exempt list. Waived CB Corey Ballentine. Mattingly, the first Manager of Minnesota United vs. Colorado Stephen Denmark and C Javon Patterson NEW YORK JETS — Waived QB Mike the game since the loss and has the Year for the Marlins since Joe Portland vs. FC Dallas to the practice squad. Released C Evan White. Tuesday, Nov. 24 Brown and CB Prince Smith. Placed WR PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Placed QB received a lot of positive support. Girardi in 2006, was the AL MVP Ryan Switzer on practice squad injured Ben Roethlisberger, RB Jaylen Samuels, Seattle vs. Los Angeles FC LB Vince Williams and OL Jerald Hawkins “Yes, I would do it the same in 1985. He became the fifth per- Conference Semifinals reserve. DALLAS COWBOYS — Activated CB on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Signed RB way all over again. I would plead son to win both MVP and Man- Eastern Conference Trey Edmunds to the active roster. Sunday, Nov. 29 Chidobe Awuzie from injured reserve. DENVER BRONCOS — Placed TE Al- TENNESSEE TITANS — Signed K Gior- for a different outcome, that’s for ager of the Year. Game 1: Teams TBD gio Tavecchio, OL Daniel Munyer and DL Game 2: Teams TBD bert Okwuegbunam on injured reserve. sure,” Cash said with a chuckle. “They’re just different. The Claimed CB De’Vante Bausby off waivers Miles Brown to the practice squad. Western Conference from Arizona. HOCKEY “That decision was not reflec- first one feels personal and this Tuesday, Dec. 1 DETROIT LIONS — Activated DB Jalen National Hockey League tive of my confidence in Blake. It one feels more like a team thing,” Teams TBD Elliott from the practice squad/COVID-19 NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Named Brian Wednesday, Dec. 2 list. Released TE Khari Lee. Eklund goaltending coach of Bingham- was very reflective of my confi- Mattingly said, “and that’s why Teams TBD GREEN BAY PACKERS — Activated QB ton (AHL). Conference Championships Jordan Love from reserve/COVID-19 list. SOCCER dence in Nick, and that’s (what) I I’m proud of it because we’ve Sunday, Dec. 6 HOUSTON TEXANS — Activated LB Major League Soccer felt was, at the moment, the best struggled for a couple years and Game 1: Teams TBD Dylan Cole, LB Whitney Mercilus and OT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC — Announced Game 2: Teams TBD Max Scharping for the reserve/COVID- Xavier Arreaga (Ecuador), Raul Ruidaz chance for us to win the game.” for us to move forward is impor- MLS Cup 19 list. Signed LB Curtis Bolton and DE (Peru) and Gustav Svensson (Sweden) Voting by the Baseball Writers’ tant, and I think this is a sign that Saturday, Dec. 12 Kendall Futrell to the practice squad. Re- have been called-up for international Teams TBD leased WR Devin Smith. duty on their respective national teams. Association of America concluded we’re heading in that direction.” Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 21 NFL Weekly statistics

AFC individual leaders NFC individual leaders Seeing what Brown can do Week 9 Week 9 Quarterbacks Quarterbacks Att Com Yds TD Int Att Com Yds TD Int Mahomes, KC 329 220 2687 25 1 Ryan, Atl 351 236 2746 15 5 Titans receiver’s work at being a physical presence has paid off Allen, Buf 315 217 2587 19 5 Wilson, Sea 297 211 2541 28 8 Watson, Hou 271 185 2376 17 5 Bridgewater, Car 306 220 2416 11 6 Burrow, Cin 330 221 2272 11 5 Brady, TB 346 226 2398 20 7 BY TERESA M. WALKER Herbert, LAC 269 181 2146 17 5 Rodgers, GB 280 189 2253 24 2 Rivers, Ind 274 186 2087 10 7 Goff, LAR 284 186 2145 13 6 Associated Press Carr, Las 258 180 2002 16 2 K.Murray, Ari 279 190 2130 16 7 Tannehill, Ten 254 167 1981 19 3 Stafford, Det 278 174 2127 14 7 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A.J. Roethlisberger, Pit288 196 1934 18 4 Brees, NO 285 211 2120 17 3 Minshew, Jac 267 176 1855 13 5 Wentz, Phi 305 178 1883 12 12 Brown makes it clear. He sees Rushers Rushers himself as a very physical wide Att Yds Avg LG TD Att Yds Avg LG TD receiver for the Tennessee Henry, Ten 182 843 4.6 94t 8 Cook, Min 144 858 6.0 70t 12 Jacobs, Las 161 588 3.7 16 6 Gurley, Atl 159 584 3.7 35t 9 Titans. Edwards-Hlre, KC 126 586 4.7 31 2 Elliott, Dal 150 572 3.8 24 5 “I don’t worry about getting J.Robinson, Jac 132 580 4.4 39 5 K.Murray, Ari 76 543 7.1 48 8 hit,” Brown said. “I try to do the Hunt, Cle 115 529 4.6 33 3 Jones, TB 120 538 4.5 37 4 Conner, Pit 119 520 4.4 59 5 Drake, Ari 119 512 4.3 69t 4 hitting.” Jackson, Bal 79 469 5.9 50t 3 Montgomery, Chi 131 472 3.6 38 1 Midway through his second Mixon, Cin 119 428 3.6 34t 3 Kamara, NO 96 471 4.9 49 5 Taylor, Ind 106 416 3.9 21 4 Henderson, LAR 95 458 4.8 40 3 NFL season, it’s fair to say Brown Da.Johnson, Hou 103 408 4.0 29 3 Jones, GB 90 447 5.0 75t 5 is making a mark. After leading Receivers Receivers all rookies with 1,051 yards re- No Yds Avg LG TD No Yds Avg LG TD Diggs, Buf 63 813 12.9 49 3 Metcalf, Sea 43 788 18.3 62 8 ceiving, he’s joined Hall of Fame Kelce, KC 58 769 13.3 45 6 Anderson, Car 60 751 12.5 75t 1 receiver Randy Moss as the only Allen, LAC 62 651 10.5 28 4 Hopkins, Ari 60 734 12.2 60 3 receivers since 1970 to pile up Hill, KC 44 650 14.8 54t 9 Robinson, Chi 57 712 12.5 42 3 Fuller, Hou 36 590 16.4 77t 6 McLaurin, Was 50 692 13.8 68t 3 at least 75 catches with 12 TDs Boyd, Cin 54 584 10.8 25 3 D.Adams, GB 53 675 12.7 49 8 while averaging at least 18 yards Beasley, Buf 44 533 12.1 29 2 Ridley, Atl 43 657 15.3 63 6 Cooper, Dal 59 655 11.1 58 2 per reception. Cooks, Hou 37 510 13.8 57t 3 WADE PAYNE/AP Higgins, Cin 33 488 14.8 67 3 Moore, Car 35 640 18.3 74t 3 Moss had 82 catches for 1,556 Jeudy, Den 30 484 16.1 48t 2 J.Jones, Atl 43 638 14.8 44 3 Punters yards with a 19-yard receiving Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown, right, fights for extra yardage Punters average and 20 TDs in his first against Bears strong safety Tashaun Gipson on Sunday in Nashville, No Yds Lg Avg No Yds Lg Avg Fox, Det 29 1530 67 52.8 Kern, Ten 20 965 66 48.3 20 games, while Brown had 75 Tenn. Brown is averaging 18.4 yards a catch in his career. Dickson, Sea 30 1514 67 50.5 Martin, Den 31 1476 69 47.6 Johnston, Phi 34 1713 66 50.4 catches, 1,383 yards and 12 TDs Bailey, NE 20 951 64 47.6 Way, Was 36 1741 61 48.4 Sanchez, Ind 23 1093 60 47.5 averaging 18.4 yards per catch. pand his role,” Smith said. “And Wishnowsky, SF 29 1388 60 47.9 Huber, Cin 29 1378 70 47.5 “My confidence is still grow- as his route tree grows, I don’t Hekker, LAR 32 1519 63 47.5 Anger, Hou 30 1425 67 47.5 O’Donnell, Chi 43 2016 64 46.9 ing,” Brown said. “I like to tell like to put a cap on something ... Townsend, KC 27 1273 67 47.1 J.Scott, GB 22 1011 62 46.0 Long, LAC 30 1394 63 46.5 myself I haven’t done anything We’re just trying to focus every Colquitt, Min 25 1110 57 44.4 Cooke, Jac 25 1141 63 45.6 Pinion, TB 35 1541 59 44.0 yet, never too high, never too week just to get better offensively, Mann, NYJ 46 2075 60 45.1 Punt returners low. I’m still working every day, and he does a great job individu- Punt returners No Yds Avg Long TD always trying to improve some- ally working on his craft.” No Yds Avg Long TD Harris, NO 14 207 14.8 42 0 McCloud, Pit 10 150 15.0 57 0 Lamb, Dal 14 95 6.8 27 0 thing to my game. I am nowhere Indianapolis Colts (5-3) If Brown catches a TD pass Grant, Mia 17 237 13.9 88t 1 Mickens, TB 15 99 6.6 14 0 I want to be, but I feel like I am Thursday night against India- Roberts, Buf 14 181 12.9 38 0 at Tennessee Titans (6-2) Ward, Phi 11 72 6.5 22 0 getting there.” napolis (5-3), he would be the Erickson, Cin 10 93 9.3 22 0 S.Sims, Was 11 68 6.2 19 0 AFN-Sports Hines, Ind 17 151 8.9 21 0 Webster, LAR 10 56 5.6 15 0 A second-round pick out of franchise’s first player with such Proche, Bal 18 159 8.8 17 0 Kickoff returners Mississippi in 2019, the Starkville 2:20 a.m. Friday CET Raymond, Ten 16 141 8.8 40 0 a streak since Bill Groman set the No Yds Avg LG TD native currently has a TD catch Carter, Hou 10 87 8.7 19 0 Patterson, Chi 24 652 27.2 47 0 10:20 a.m. Friday JKT record with an eight-game streak Kickoff returners Agnew, Det 11 294 26.7 35 0 in five straight games. That’s the in 1961 when this team was in the No Yds Avg LG TD Harris, NO 11 273 24.8 35 0 second-longest streak in the NFL AFL as the Houston Oilers. Duvernay, Bal 10 318 31.8 93t 1 Mickens, TB 12 289 24.1 34 0 Rodgers, Ind 15 470 31.3 101t 1 Cooper, Car 18 430 23.9 38 0 right now after he had four catch- Rookie of the Year. Despite miss- With two more TD catches, Roberts, Buf 16 479 29.9 60 0 Osborn, Min 13 289 22.2 38 0 es last week for 101 yards and a ing two games with an injured Brown would be the fourth player McCloud, Pit 12 314 26.2 49 0 Pollard, Dal 21 466 22.2 67 0 touchdown. in team history with at least eight B.Wilson, Cin 15 370 24.7 49 0 Scoring knee, he’s leading the Titans with Olszewski, NE 16 385 24.1 33 0 Touchdowns Brown showed off his hands in 31 catches for 347 yards and six TD catches in back-to-back sea- Reed, LAC 12 279 23.3 46 0 TD Rush Rec Ret Pts a win over Chicago by grabbing TDs. sons joining Groman (1960-61), Scoring Cook, Min 13 12 1 0 78 a high pass and running for 38 Charlie Hennigan (1961-64) and Touchdowns Gurley, Atl 9 9 0 0 54 Only Odell Beckham Jr. (eight) TD Rush Rec Ret Pts yards, even stopping to let a pair Drew Hill (1988-89). D.Adams, GB 8 0 8 0 48 and Victor Cruz (six) have had Hill, KC 10 1 9 0 60 Kamara, NO 8 5 3 0 48 of defenders go past him to pick Ryan Tannehill says he sees Henry, Ten 8 8 0 0 48 Metcalf, Sea 8 0 8 0 48 more 100-yard receiving games up a few more yards at the end. Brown growing into a more com- Newton, NE 8 8 0 0 48 K.Murray, Ari 8 8 0 0 48 with at least one TD catch within Claypool, Pit 7 2 5 0 42 Evans, TB 7 0 7 0 42 He later fought off a defender for plete receiver with the Titans Hunt, Cle 7 3 4 0 42 Jones, GB 7 5 2 0 42 a perfectly thrown ball, ran and their first 20 games since 1970. asking him to do more this season J.Robinson, Jac 7 5 2 0 42 Lockett, Sea 7 0 7 0 42 Brown is tied with T.Y. Hilton of 5 tied 6 0 6 0 36 Thielen, Min 7 0 7 0 42 dove for the goal line, stretching than last year. Kicking Kicking out to get the ball over the goal the Colts, Martavis Bryant, Julio “He’s taken that on his shoul- PAT FG LG Pts PAT FG LG Pts line for a 40-yard TD. Jones, Anquan Boldin, Marcus ders and done well with it,” Tan- Bass, Buf 26-27 16-22 53 74 Koo, Atl 18-21 21-22 54 81 Bullock, Cin 20-20 18-20 55 74 Lutz, NO 28-28 16-17 53 76 “I know A.J. has high expecta- Robinson and Moss with five each nehill said. “We’re happy with Carlson, Las 23-24 17-19 54 74 Slye, Car 19-21 19-24 48 76 tions for himself, and so do we,” in that span. the growth that he’s shown and Butker, KC 27-33 15-17 58 72 Succop, TB 26-27 16-18 50 74 Titans offensive coordinator Sanders, Mia 21-21 17-17 56 72 Gano, NYG 13-13 19-20 55 70 Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. just want to continue pushing him Tucker, Bal 26-26 15-16 55 71 Zuerlein, Dal 15-17 17-20 59 66 “He’s got good play strength, re- Arthur Smith said Tuesday that to make more and more plays Blankenship, Ind 19-21 17-19 44 70 Prater, Det 21-21 14-20 51 63 ally good hands.” Brown has a great mindset and for us because obviously he’s McManus, Den 16-17 16-17 56 64 Santos, Chi 17-17 15-17 55 62 Badgley, LAC 19-21 14-19 53 61 Crosby, GB 28-29 11-11 53 61 Brown finished third in the vot- works at improving. very talented and made big plays Fairbairn, Hou 19-20 14-16 54 61 Gonzalez, Ari 27-28 11-15 56 60 ing last year for the AP Offensive “We’re constantly trying to ex- already.” PAGE 22 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Thursday, November 12, 2020 COLLEGE FOOTBALL/SPORTS BRIEFS COVID-19 concerns mean 4 games are postponed by SEC Navy’s game at Memphis was also postponed

BY RALPH D. RUSSO positive tests, coach Gus Malzahn Associated Press said. He didn’t give a specific number or say which positions No. 12 Georgia at Missouri had been hardest hit. became the fourth Southeastern Auburn, which is coming off Conference game scheduled for an open date, is next scheduled to Saturday to be postponed because host Tennessee on Nov. 21. of COVID-19. It was also confirmed Tuesday The conference announced that Arkansas coach Sam Pitt- Wednesday the game cannot be played because of positive man will miss the Razorbacks’ DAVID RICHARD/AP COVID-19 tests and individuals game at No. 6 Florida on Saturday in quarantine after contact trac- after having two positive COVID- Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield was activated by the team from the COVID-19 list, ing within the Missouri program. 19 tests. Pittman first tested posi- clearing him to practice this week and likely play Sunday against the Houston Texans. Earlier this week, No. 24 Au- tive Sunday and has reported no burn at Mississippi State; No. symptoms. SEC protocols require 1 Alabama at LSU; and No. 5 him to isolate for at least 10 days. Briefl y Texas A&M at Tennessee were Defensive coordinator Barry all forced to reschedule. Georgia Odom will serve as head coach and Missouri share no open dates against Florida. the rest of the way, but could be In the American Athletic Con- Browns clear Mayfield to practice made up on Dec. 19, which is the ference, Navy’s game at Memphis day of the SEC title game. on Saturday was postponed be- Associated Press remain in the NFL’s intensive The conference has said it is cause of positive COVID-19 tests NHL may realign teams, protocol for COVID-19 and considering using Dec. 19 as a at the Naval Academy. CLEVELAND — The Browns would be without “a few” assis- reduce 2021 schedule make-up date for teams that are activated quarterback Baker Alabama-LSU is typically one tant coaches during Wednesday’s not involved in the league cham- Mayfield from the COVID-19 list, AIGLE, Switzerland — The of the most anticipated games of practice, which was limited to a pionship game, but that has not clearing him to practice and play NHL could go with a temporary the college football season. Last walk-through . been finalized. this week against Houston. realignment of its teams for next year, the Tigers broke an eight- Williams, who was hurt in the That brings the total to six Mayfield had to isolate for season during the COVID-19 game long losing streak in the game, has 18 catches for 288 games across major college foot- several days after he had close series and won a thriller in Tus- yards and a team-high four TD pandemic. ball that have been postponed so contact with a staff member who caloosa, Alabama, that propelled receptions. The league also is contemplat- far this week. Memphis at Navy tested positive for the corona- them to an SEC championship  NFL owners approved a ing a reduced schedule and tem- out of the American Athletic Con- and national title. virus. The staffer has not been porary hubs. NHL Commissioner ference and Louisiana-Monroe proposal that will reward organi- The matchup has lost its luster identified. Gary Bettman said realignment at Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Cleveland placed Mayfield on zations with draft picks for devel- this season, with LSU stumbling could help with ongoing travel were also postponed Tuesday. the reserve/COVID-19 list on oping minority coaches and front to a 2-3 record and Alabama restrictions for Canada and man- Overall, 54 games involving Sunday when the team was on office executives who become favored by more than three head coaches, general manag- dated quarantines for visiting cer- FBS teams have been canceled or its bye week. He was not allowed tain states in the United States. postponed since Aug. 26. touchdowns. to be at the facility Monday and ers or team presidents for other The NHL is targeting a Jan. 1 “While it is unfortunate to have This year’s game was scheduled participated in team meetings clubs. start for next season, but details multiple postponements in the to kick off at 6 p.m. EST and be virtually. Also, the league’s owners unan- are still being worked out in talks same week, we began the sea- broadcast by CBS, following the Mayfield has thrown 15 touch- imously approved a contingency son with the understanding in- network’s coverage of the Mas- down passes and seven intercep- plan to expand the playoff field between the league and NHL terruptions to the schedule were ters. The pandemic forced the tions this season. to 16 teams if meaningful games Players’ Association. possible and we have remained golf major to be postponed from In other NFL news: are canceled due to COVID-19. focused throughout the season on April. Now CBS will not carry an  Panthers running back The voting was held during a Source: Angels narrow the health of everyone around our SEC game this weekend. Christian McCaffrey will not play virtual meeting with NFL Com- GM search to 5 men programs,” SEC Commissioner Alabama’s next game is Nov. 21 Sunday against the Tampa Bay missioner Roger Goodell and Greg Sankey said in a statement. at home against Kentucky. Buccaneers and will be getting league executives. ANAHEIM, Calif. — A person “We must remain vigilant, within It’s the second week in a row a second medical opinion on his with knowledge of the decision our programs and in our com- that Navy had a game postponed injured right shoulder. Garza leads preseason says the Los Angeles Angels have munities, to prevent the spread because of positive coronavirus A person familiar with the situ- All-America Team narrowed down a field of five can- of the virus and to manage ac- tests at the Academy and the ation spoke to The Associated didates to be their next general tivities that contribute to these subsequent quarantine of stu- Press on Wednesday on condition Iowa’s Luke Garza was the lone manager. interruptions.” dent-athletes. The Midshipmen of anonymity because the team unanimous selection on The Asso- The finalists to replace Billy Texas A&M said it has three were scheduled to host Tulsa last has not released the details sur- ciated Press preseason All-Amer- Eppler include Seattle Mariners active COVID-19 cases, including weekend before that game was rounding the injury McCaffrey ica team, one of many awards the assistant general manager Justin two people who traveled with the called off. sustained in the fourth quarter talented big man has received Hollander, Chicago Cubs senior team to South Carolina last week. Navy has not been on the field of a 33-31 loss to the Kansas City prior to his senior season. vice president of player person- “I couldn’t be more excited “The nature of away game trav- since Nov. 2 and has not had a Chiefs on Sunday. nel Jason McLeod, and Arizona  about this year and coming back,” el (flights, meals, lodging, locker regular practice since Oct. 29. Miami Dolphins receiver Diamondbacks assistant general room, etc.) naturally leads to an Garza said. “Going through the The American has not an- Preston Williams will be placed managers Amiel Sawdaye and increase in the number of stu- on injured reserve with a foot in- process, I learned a lot, but at the nounced potential makeup dates Jared Porter. The fifth candidate dent-athletes, coaches and staff jury, meaning he’ll be sidelined end of the day, going through this for Saturday’s game or the Tulsa- wasn’t disclosed by the source. who meet the criteria for manda- for three games and perhaps team’s potential, I felt like this tory quarantine based on contact Navy game. Memphis and Navy longer. was something I couldn’t turn tracing guidelines,” Texas A&M do not share a common open date Coach Brian Flores announced down and not be a part of.” Survey: Virus cuts have athletic director Ross Bjork said. through the rest of the season. the roster move Wednesday, Garza was joined on the team hurt women’s soccer Auburn paused team activities The AAC did announce that a and he declined to say whether by Baylor senior Jared Butler, on Tuesday after nine players previously rescheduled game be- Williams is expected to return Oklahoma State freshman Cade Women’s professional soccer and three staff members tested tween No. 7 Cincinnati and Tulsa this season. Flores said the in- Cunningham and Illinois junior players have seen wages cut or positive for COVID-19. will be played Friday, Dec. 4, in- jury is more serious than first Ayo Dosunmu. Seniors Corey suspended amid the coronavirus Auburn also has “a handful stead of Saturday, Dec. 5. thought, and additional tests were Kispert of Gonzaga and Arizona pandemic in 47% of the nations of close contact” cases having AP Sports Writer David Ginsburg in planned. State’s Remy Martin tied for the surveyed by international play- to quarantine, in addition to the Baltimore contributed to this report. Flores also said the Dolphins final spot. ers’ union FIFPro. Thursday, November 12, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 23 THE MASTERS Can Rahm Woods hopes magic join 3 other champions returns at Augusta from Spain?

Defending champ had extra time with jacket BY JIMMY GOLEN Associated Press BY PAUL NEWBERRY ting longer. It gets a little bit more difficult Associated Press as I’ve gotten older and I don’t quite hit it AUGUSTA, Ga. — Seve Ballesteros. Jose as far. When I first came here, it was a lot Maria Olazabal. Sergio Garcia. AUGUSTA, Ga. of drivers and a lot of wedges. Now it’s a lit- Jon Rahm would love to add his name to iger Woods has gotten to spend tle bit different and a little bit longer clubs the list. some extra time with his green into the holes, but still understanding how “There’s such Spanish history of cham- jacket. to play it definitely helps.” pions here, with three great champions T Maybe that’s just what he needs It certainly helped the last time he was and three idols of mine,” Rahm said Tues- to rekindle a spark in his magnificent game, here. Having battled through debilitat- day before a practice round at the Masters. to prove again that he’s not all washed up. “Five green jackets go ing injuries that threatened to cut short /AP Nineteen months removed from that his career, Woods pulled off an electrify- MATT SLOCUM out to Spain. Hopeful- magical Sunday at Augusta National — ing comeback in the final round to cap- Tiger Woods walks in the rain along ly, I can be the sixth.” and a quarter century since he first played ture his fifth Masters title and 15th major the fourth fairway during Wednesday’s A two-time winner the Masters as an amateur — Woods looks championship. practice round at Augusta National. this year who rose to very much like an aging golfer whose best The magnitude of the achievement still No. 1 in the world for days are behind him. resonates. Usually a rite of spring, the Masters the first time in his But this hallowed course has always “I thought that it was one of the greatest was pushed back all the way to November, career, Rahm’s lack been the place where he shines the bright- feats in the history of sports,” three-time where it will be played on an eerie, largely of a major victory re- est, no matter the personal tribulations, no Masters champion Phil Mickelson said. empty course — patrons are not allowed mains the biggest hole matter the injuries, no matter the inevita- “It was an incredible comeback know- — with the leaves falling rather than the in his résumé. ble march of time. ing many of the challenges he has gone azaleas blooming. He has come close Rahm Will the 44-year-old be able to muster through over the last few years prior to the “It’s not how I wanted to retain the jacket at Augusta National, those mystical forces one more time? win, and the physical and mental fortitude for this long,” Woods said. “Obviously this posting top 10s in his last two trips here, “Do I expect to contend? Yes, I do,” that it takes to come out on top in a major has been an unprecedented circumstance including a fourth-place finish in 2018. Woods said Tuesday, not hesitating in the championship.” we’re all dealing with. It’s been incredible And so far, he’s having quite a week. least. “This is a golf course in which having That was way back in April 2019, nearly to have the jacket and to have it around the In practice Monday, Rahm made a hole- an understanding how to play and where a full year before the coronavirus pandem- house and to share it with people, but to in-one on the fourth hole with a 5-iron. And to miss it and how to hit the shots around ic struck and the sports world was thrown have it this long, it’s not the way I wanted to then on Tuesday, during the traditional at- here, it helps. The golf course keeps get- upside down. have it. I wanted to earn it back in April.” tempt to skip a ball over the pond in front of the 16th green, Rahm hit 4-iron that bounced four times on the water, clipped Other: the embankment and rolled around the Golfers relieved tournament wasn’t canceled back of the green and into the hole. “The craziest thing. The second hole-in- FROM BACK PAGE one of the week,” he said. “It could go two playing for a green jacket.” An Augusta National Golf ways, right? Something special going on, or Not even that much was certain when Course member watches I’m just running out of luck already. So I the COVID-19 pandemic began shutting golfers at the driving don’t know. down sports around the world a week be- range Wednesday. “I knew it would be a special week given fore the first day of spring. The Masters MATT SLOCUM / AP it’s my birthday today, so I’m hoping it’s the was postponed — a relief to those who ini- beginning of a lot of good things to come.” tially feared cancellation — and then re- Rahm, who turned 26 on Tuesday, said scheduled for Nov. 12-15, the final major of he hasn’t lost the thrill of playing at Au- an unforgettable year. gusta National. When the pandemic did not loosen its “I always get the same feel as I did the grip, the club had no choice but to close the first time when I go down Magnolia Lane,” door to its patrons. No need for those green he said. “Each day: Yesterday, today, to- “Golf Traffic” signs posted about the city, morrow, and every day this week, I’m still or people lining the streets of Washington going to have those butterflies in my stom- Road looking for tickets. ach because it’s such an iconic place for There won’t be a Par 3 Contest, with play- golfers.” ers dressing their children in white cover- Rahm arrives at Augusta after a break- alls. The first-time players might not know through year in which he won the Memo- any better. For the veterans, it might not rial and the BMW Championship — his be much different from their scouting trips first season with multiple PGA Tour victo- to Augusta National. They will know what they’re missing, the sights and sounds. ries — to finish fourth in the FedEx Cup “You walk through the gates at Augus- standings. He has 11 wins worldwide since ta, there’s that energy, that anticipation,” he turned pro in 2016 and joins Justin said McIlroy, making his 10th appearance Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin at the only major keeping him from the contestants, his inspiration — with hopes PGA Championship or U.S. Open, and only Johnson as the only players with at least career Grand Slam. “There’s still a golf of dismantling Augusta National the way recently have a very limited number of fans one PGA Tour win in each of the past four course there. There’s still a golf tourna- Woods did when he hit pitching wedge into been allowed in Bermuda and Houston. seasons. ment to be won, and you’ve got to make the a par 5 on his way to a 12-shot victory in But nowhere else than Augusta National Rahm finished second in his last event, most of it. 1997. will the quiet be so difficult to ignore. the Zozo Championship at Sherwood. “But they’re playing,” he said. “And “If he can get a 48-inch driver in play, “It echoes there. It travels. You can fig- “I can’t lie, I’m feeling pretty confident,” that’s the most important part.” he’ll shoot 20 under or better. It’s going ure out who’s doing what, and the roars for he said. “I think the best way I can explain Bryson DeChambeau has been the talk of to be a slaughter,” said World Long Drive certain people are louder than others,” de- it (is) I’m simply happy, outside the golf golf since golf returned. He added some 40 champion Kyle Berkshire, who provides fending champion Tiger Woods said. “It’s course, I’m happy, within the limits of now pounds of muscle and mass, all designed to feedback to DeChambeau. “He might as unlike any other place in the world.” this pandemic, and I’m also happy on the enable him to swing faster and harder and well be the only one on the course.” Still, they’re playing. It’s the Masters. golf course. ... Hopefully something spe- hit drives farther than anyone imagined. It DeChambeau won’t be the only one on Woods is chasing another green jacket. cial happens this weekend.” carried him to a six-shot victory in the U.S. the course. It will just feel that way. Five players already have taken their turn If so, he would carry on a tradition that Open with a game that defied convention. Players are allowed to bring one signifi- at No. 1 this year. It should be quite a show, began with Ballesteros’ victory in 1980 (he And that was just the start. cant other and a coach. Augusta National just like always, right up until the point also won in ’83), and continued with Olaza- DeChambeau took a month off ahead members can attend. That’s it. CBS signs off from Augusta National on bal (1994, ’99) and Garcia (2017). Garcia of the Masters to work on a 48-inch driv- By now, the players should be used to the Sunday afternoon so it can broadcast an withdrew from this year’s tournament er — the size used by World Long Drive silence. Spectators were not allowed at the NFL game. after testing positive for COVID-19. S TARS AND STRIPES Thursday, November 12, 2020 F3HIJKLM Postponed Alabama-LSU among 6 halted SPORTS by COVID-19 » College football, Page 22

THE MASTERS

Golfers play on the 12th green amid falling leaves Tuesday during a practice round for the Masters in Augusta, Ga.

PHOTOS BY MATT SLOCUM / AP Really like no other Augusta won’t have blooms, fans or roars

BY DOUG FERGUSON spring, give way to the orange and gold hues It won’t be the same. Associated Press of autumn. The course might look famil- What makes this Masters unlike any other iar with its emerald green fairways, blazing is the calendar. Golf’s annual rite of spring othing about this Masters will look white sand in the bunkers, towering Georgia is now two weeks before Thanksgiving. And familiar until the champion slips his pines and the still water of Rae’s Creek. without its patrons, the cathedral of golf will arms through a green jacket. It just won’t sound the same, not without never be quieter. N The purple, pink and white blooms thousands upon thousands of spectators fram- “It’s going to be eerie. It’s going to be dif- of azaleas and dogwoods, which provide such ing each hole and sending those piercing roars ferent,” Rory McIlroy said. “But at least we’re a magnificent accent to Augusta National in from all corners of the course. SEE OTHER ON PAGE 23

‘ It’s going to be different. But at least we’re playing for a green jacket. ’ Roy McIlroy Northern Ireland golfer on playing the Masters in November this year, instead of April, and without fans ringing the fairways and greens

Cash, Mattingly win Manager of the Year » MLB, Page 20