Iraqi Protesters Storm US Embassy Tics Published by the Federal News Network Stated

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Volume 78, No. 184 ©SS 2020 JANUARY 1-2, 2020 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas Military, federal civilians set for largest pay boost in years

BY SLOBODAN LEKIC Stars and Stripes January will usher in the big- gest pay raise since 2010 for U.S. service members, and also bring a long-awaited salary increase for federal civilian employees. Service members and Defense Department civilians are each slated to receive an average 3.1% bump in annual pay as part of the $737 billion military budget for 2020 — $22 billion more than last year’s defense measure. Congress passed the record- setting defense bill in December with strong bipartisan support. It includes the creation of a Space Force, one of President Donald Trump’s top priorities for the Pentagon, and provisions aimed at improving military housing conditions. The Department of Veterans Affairs will get a 9% boost in funding, its largest bud- getary increase ever. The 2020 raise is the largest for service members since a 3.4% an- nual pay hike in 2010. Since then, annual increases have ranged be- PHOTOS BY KHALID MOHAMMED/AP tween 1% and 2.6%. For federal civilian employees, Protesters burn property in front of the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on Tuesday. the 3.1% average increase will constitute the largest raise since 2008, when they received a 3.5% average pay adjustment, statis- Iraqi protesters storm US Embassy tics published by the Federal News Network stated. For much of the 2010s, federal employees received either no raise or a 1% annual hike. Militiamen breach compound shouting The White House had original- ly planned to freeze federal pay in 2020 but reversed course in Au- ‘Death to America’ in wake of airstrikes gust and allowed a 2.6% across- the-board increase. On Friday, BY QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA smoke rose over the grounds. Trump signed an executive order Associated Press An Associated Press reporter at putting into effect a measure that the scene saw flames rising from also includes locality pay averag- BAGHDAD — Dozens of Iraqi inside the compound and at least ing an extra 0.5%. Shiite militiamen and their sup- three U.S. troops on the roof of the The civilian increases state- porters shouting “Death to Amer- main embassy building. There was side should range from 2.85% to ica” broke into the U.S. Embassy a fire at the reception area near the 3.52% with locality pay factored compound in Baghdad on Tuesday, compound’s parking lot but it was in, a Federal News Network anal- smashing a main door and setting unclear what had started it. A man ysis found. The highest average fire to a reception area, angered on a loudspeaker urged the mob not increases will come in the Wash- over deadly U.S. airstrikes target- to enter the compound, saying, “The ington metro area and around ing the Iran-backed militia. U.S. message was delivered.” other large cities. guards fired tear gas and palls of SEE EMBASSY ON PAGE 6 Iraqi protesters damage property inside the U.S. Embassy. SEE PAY ON PAGE 5 PAGE 2 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 BUSINESS/WEATHER Former Nissan boss Ghosn flees to Lebanon over ‘injustice’ EXCHANGE RATES Military rates Switzerland (Franc)...... 0.9667 Euro costs (Jan. 2) ...... $1.1492 Thailand (Baht) ...... 29.77 Associated Press Dollar buys (Jan. 2) ...... €0.8702 Turkey (New Lira) ...... 5.9501 his representatives that did not who said they did not know how British pound (Jan. 2)...... $1.35 (Military exchange rates are those describe how he left Japan, where Ghosn had left. Japanese yen (Jan. 2) ...... 107.00 available to customers at military banking TOKYO — Nissan’s former South Korean won (Jan. 2) ...... 1,128.00 facilities in the country of issuance chairman, Carlos Ghosn, said he had been under surveillance. Ghosn, who is of Lebanese ori- Commercial rates for Japan, South Korea, Germany, the “I am now in Lebanon and will gin and holds French, Lebanese Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0.3770 Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For Tuesday from Lebanon that he British pound ...... $1.3215 nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., was not fleeing justice but instead no longer be held hostage by a and Brazilian passports, was ar- Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.3003 purchasing British pounds in Germany), rigged Japanese justice system rested in November 2018 and was China (Yuan) ...... 6.9636 check with your local military banking left Japan to avoid “injustice and Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.6591 facility. Commercial rates are interbank political persecution” over fi- where guilt is presumed, dis- expected to face trial in April Egypt (Pound) ...... 16.0662 rates provided for reference when buying crimination is rampant, and basic 2020. Euro ...... $1.1219/.8913 currency. All figures are foreign currencies nancial misconduct allegations Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7869 to one dollar, except for the British pound, human rights are denied, in fla- Ghosn has been charged with Hungary (Forint) ...... 294.68 which is represented in dollars-to-pound, during his tenure leading the and the euro, which is dollars-to-euro.) grant disregard of Japan’s legal under-reporting his future com- Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.4570 automaker. Japan (Yen) ...... 108.62 Ghosn had been released on obligations under international pensation and breach of trust. Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0.3032 INTEREST RATES law and treaties it is bound to up- Japan does not have an extra- Norway (Krone) ...... 8.7756 bail by a Tokyo court while await- Philippines (Peso)...... 50.72 Prime rate ...... 4.75 ing trial but was not allowed to hold,” the statement said. dition treaty with Lebanon. It is Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.79 Discount rate ...... 2.25 Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7515 Federal funds market rate ...... 1.55 travel overseas. He disclosed his Japanese media quoted pros- unclear what steps authorities Singapore (Dollar) ...... 1.3448 3-month bill ...... 1.52 location in a statement through ecutors speaking anonymously might take. South Korea (Won) ...... 1,154.33 30-year bond ...... 2.34 WEATHER OUTLOOK WEDNESDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY IN EUROPE THURSDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 32/27 Kabul 32/27 Seoul 34/27 Baghdad 62/45 Kandahar 60/35 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 35/29 49/40 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 43/36 36/33 43/32 Iwakuni 49/43 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan Sasebo City 69/66 Brussels 36/33 Guam 64/53 37/32 Ramstein 50/45 81/78 Lajes, 38/33 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 70/52 74/57 62/59 35/28 38/35 Aviano/ Vicenza 46/32

Naples 52/39 Okinawa Morón 66/63 57/42 Sigonella Rota 53/36 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 83/75 57/44 55/52 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

T O D A Y IN STRIPES American Roundup ..... 11 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 14-15 Crossword ...... 14-15 Faces ...... 12 Opinion ...... 16 Sports ...... 17-24 Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 3 MILITARY PCS tax bills for civilian employees are coming due

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS efits for DOD civilian employees. taxed when the employee submit- Stars and Stripes In September 2018, it began ted a claim for reimbursement. withholding taxes on moving-re- For those who moved in 2018, Just before the holidays, Mo lated reimbursements to employ- DFAS paid the IRS the Social Bak, an engineer for the federal ees, but a system to withhold taxes Security and Medicare taxes on government, received a letter de- on payments to vendors — such money it paid third-party ven- manding $1,600 to reimburse the as shipping or storage companies dors — such as commercial mov- Defense Department for taxes it — was not implemented until the ing companies. For 2019 moves, paid to move her for her job. following year. DFAS also paid the 22% income She’d relocated with her two That meant employees who tax on those payments. children in 2019 from Marine moved before September 2019 The DFAS debt letters are Corps Air Station Iwakuni to Yo- were still on the hook for Medi- to reimburse the agency those kota Air Base, both in Japan. The care, Social Security and fed- expenditures. bill covered taxes on the costs to eral income taxes on the money Employees who moved in 2018 ship her property about 525 miles the government paid directly to must pay the IRS directly the from one base to the other. packing, moving and shipping 22% income tax on the money “(I) honestly didn’t think it was companies. paid to outside vendors, DFAS going to be such a huge amount Those tax bills are now com- said. Those employees will re- — and this was just on a move ing due, and thousands of federal ceive corrected federal wage and CHRISTIAN LOPEZ/Stars and Stripes in-country,” Bak said. “If I was employees like Bak should expect earning forms — called W-2Cs A mover carries a family’s possessions from base housing at coming from the states it would debt letters and updated federal — amending their 2018 reported Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Nov. 13 . A change in the Tax Cuts be even more insane.” income returns in their mailboxes income to reflect both earned and Jobs Act of 2017 did away with a deduction for moving expenses. Bak, like hundreds of other fed- this month, according to DFAS. wages and expenses the govern- eral employees hired after Jan. 1, DFAS in November began no- ment paid to move them. used the word “employee” when — changed the language from 2018, was caught by a change in tifying those DOD employees defining eligibility for those pro- “employee” to “individual,” mak- the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 by email of upcoming tax bills, Reimbursement grams. That meant people techni- that did away with a deduction for DFAS said. ing incoming and outgoing em- cally between jobs — those who moving expenses, including what Since then, Stars and Stripes Affected federal employees ployees eligible for the Relocation left a civilian job, moved and the government spent to move interviewed more than a dozen can recoup the money they pay in Income Tax Allowance. started a federal job or who quit a its own employees. That money affected workers who reported taxes on their moving allowances The change is also retroactive, instead was redefined as taxable receiving tax bills between $1,500 by applying to either of two pro- federal job — were considered in- extending the program to those income. and $15,000 for moving benefits. grams: Withholding Tax Allow- eligible for reimbursement of the who moved “anytime in the past tax on their moving benefit. Now many of those employees ance or Relocation Income Tax two calendar years,” according to “In the case of retirees, it was must repay the Defense Finance Tax bill breakdown Allowance. the teacher’s union. a betrayal of promises made to Accounting Service the money A loophole that previously ex- Affected employees can file for it paid the IRS on their behalf. All moving benefits are tax- cluded new, retired or separated them years or even decades ear- tax reimbursement through the Some will also have to file amend- able now, but because withhold- employees since 2018 from re- lier, when they first joined (feder- ed returns for 2018 reflecting the ing started in September 2018, ceiving reimbursement was fixed al work),” the Federal Education RITA program after their 2019 moving benefit. the outstanding taxes are related with the 2020 National Defense Association said in a Dec. 12 or amended 2018 tax returns are The 2017 tax law change left only to money paid directly to Authorization Act. statement. submitted, according to DFAS. DFAS to implement a new system vendors. Other moving costs such Prior language in the U.S. tax But the defense authorization [email protected] to withhold taxes on moving ben- as airfare or hotels were already code enacting those programs act — signed into law Dec. 20 Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Former Marine pitches Australian-US amphibious force

BY SETH ROBSON your orbit to have them see them- suggested that doing something Stars and Stripes selves as trusted partners and similar in Australia would be a equals,” he said. simpler task. The U.S. and Australia should Darwin-based Marines could The Australian and New Zea- establish a combined amphibious travel to nearby Southeast Asia to land Army Corps , for example, force including 2,000 Marines train with locals and establish a was formed in 1914 during World and a similar number of sailors presence, Newsham said. War I. based in Darwin, Australia, to “The more you do and the more The new amphibious force build regional support for coun- places you do it, the more influ- wouldn’t require stationing an tering China’s ambitions in the ence you are going to have,” he aircraft carrier Down Under, western Pacific, according to a said. “Otherwise you are like Newsham said. Air support for former Marine colonel. the Harlem Globetrotters — you the Marines could be provided Grant Newsham, now a senior show up once in a while and go by aircraft operating from bases researcher with the Japan Forum away.” in the Northern Territory or new for Strategic Studies, Tokyo, said SETH ROBSON/Stars and Stripes Darwin is the perfect spot to F-35B stealth jets flying off the Monday that the Marine Corps, U.S. Marines secure Kings Beach near the Australian town of Bowen work on guidance from Berger decks of amphibious ships, he which rotated 2,500 Marines to send small contingents of Ma- during an amphibious exercise July 22. A former Marine colonel said. through Darwin during the sum- rines throughout the region, New- says an Australian-American amphibious force in the western Pacific James Holmes, a strategist at mer, needs to see Australia as sham said. should be considered. the Naval War College, wrote on more than just a great place to “The Marines haven’t done the Dec. 9 in National Interest maga- train. Dec. 5 by War on the Rocks, a that problem. Such a force could work to get the access to put that “I look at it as more of an oppor- policy into effect, but Darwin is a zine that concerns about China website on national security, be home-ported in Darwin along could boost Australian support tunity to influence not just in Aus- about the challenges posed by the with facilities such as American great place to build influence,” he for a permanent U.S. military tralia but right out to the heart of rise of Chinese military power in schools and shops, he said. said. presence Down Under. Southeast Asia,” Newsham said. the Pacific. The facility could serve as The port already has plenty of “Stationing military forces Darwin is a lot farther from Berger wrote that U.S. “for- a schoolhouse for amphibious room for amphibious ships but Chinese shore-based missile bat- ward bases and legacy infra- forces from other nations in the creating a purpose-built base overseas inspires trust. In turn, teries than places where the Ma- structure within the adversary’s region such as New Zealand, Sin- would make it even better, he an unbreakable bond between rines already have a permanent weapons engagement zone are gapore, Japan and South Korea. said. America and Australia could give presence in the region, such as now extremely vulnerable.” And Darwin could host an am- The U.S. and South Korea China pause the next time it con- Okinawa. Newsham said an “Australian- phibious version of the Rim of armies activated their first com- templates making mischief,” he Gen. David H. Berger, com- American Amphibious Force” the Pacific exercise that is held in bined division by adding South wrote. mandant of the Marine Corps, supported by amphibious ships Hawaii every other year, he said. Korean troops to the 2nd Infan- [email protected] wrote in a commentary published from both nations could solve “Draw foreign militaries into try Division in 2015. Newsham Twitter: @SethRobson1 PAGE 4 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 MILITARY Navy limits Tricare OKs laser guest access to some bases therapy for some after incidents Associated Press BANGOR, Wash. — The Navy is curtailing access to installa- tions around the Kitsap Peninsula GIs’ razor bumps in Washington state following two fatal shootings and a gate crash at other bases around the country in the past month. BY JENNIFER H. SVAN ing that facial hair can hinder the The Kitsap Sun reported guests Stars and Stripes effectiveness of breathing mask COLVILLE MCFEE/U.S. Air Force of base residents, workers and and respirator seals. military members must be vet- The military’s health care sys- Such problems have led the An airman has his neck and face inspected during a shaving waiver ted by security to visit the base’s tem will now pay for some ser- Army to study alternative sys- course in 2018. Tricare says service members will no longer need a vice members with severe razor waiver to get laser treatments for razor bumps at a civilian facility. locations at Bremerton, Bangor, tems and others, such as Cana- Keyport, Manchester and Naval bumps to receive laser therapy dian Defense Minister Harjit treatment at civilian facilities. cording to past studies. and hair reentry into the skin. Hospital Bremerton, according Sajjan, a Sikh former soldier who to Lonnie Collier, a spokesman. Tricare says it will foot the The Navy estimates that of The service said in October deployed to Afghanistan three Guests will also need an escort at laser bill for active-duty person- more than 337,000 sailors in its times, to develop beard-friendly, that laser hair reduction “is the all times and cannot go to on-base nel suffering from pseudofollicu- ranks, about 6,000 are treated for hooded gas masks. most reliable approach allow- facilities including exchanges, litis barbae, or PFB, once skin To qualify for laser therapy the condition annually. ing a return to Navy grooming commissaries and chapels. creams and other conservative coverage outside the military Some sailors with the condition standards.” The temporary restrictions are treatments have failed. medical network, service mem- previously received a shaving Laser therapy may take up to in response to unrelated attacks Laser therapy can be expensive bers must work in an environ- waiver, or “no-shave chit.” Under three to seven sessions to be ef- earlier this month by gunmen at but it’s considered the most effec- ment where breathing protection the new Navy policy, sailors are fective, said a study published in Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, tive treatment for severe PFB, a able to obtain only a temporary may be required and laser thera- April by the U.S. National Library Hawaii, and Naval Air Station persistent irritation most com- py isn’t available on base, accord- shaving waiver and must see a of Medicine, National Institutes Pensacola, Fla.; in a third inci- mon on the face and neck caused ing to the policy change, which is doctor every six months if the of Health. dent, a driver entered an exit from by shaving. backdated to July 17, 2019. condition continues. a base in Virginia and struck and The average cost of a laser The new Tricare policy was Razor bumps are caused when The Navy says treatment op- killed a sailor. announced in December and first curly hair curves back into the tions include the use of medicat- hair removal session in 2016 was “We take the safety of those reported by Military.com. It fol- skin after being shaved, causing ed creams to make hair easier to $306, according to the American working and living on Naval lows the Navy’s decision in Oc- inflammation. The condition, shave; shaving with gentle equip- Society of Plastic Surgeons. Base Kitsap very seriously,” said tober to end permanent shaving which can be painful, affects ment; and shaving techniques to [email protected] Capt. Richard Rhinehart, base waivers for sailors after conclud- many African Americans, ac- minimize the risk of irritation Twitter: @stripesktown commander . Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 5 MILITARY As deadline passes, Kim calls for ‘offensive’ countermeasures

BY KIM GAMEL The communist state has threat- The third-generation leader also AND YOO KYONG CHANG ened to adopt an unspecified called for measures to improve Stars and Stripes “new way” if Washington fails to the country’s economy, which has propose a more flexible approach been hard-hit by international SEOUL, South Korea — The to talks that have stalled over con- sanctions. stage was set for an increase flicting demands for sanctions in tensions as the United States South Korea said it was close- relief and more extensive steps missed North Korea’s end-of- ly watching the party meeting toward denuclearization. year deadline to break the dead- but declined to speculate on the Kim, who was also widely ex- lock in nuclear talks on Tuesday meaning behind Kim’s words, pected to make a New Year’s amid fears the communist state Lee Sang-min, a spokesman for speech on Wednesday, didn’t plans to resume long-range mis- the Unification Ministry, said. sile tests. mention nuclear weapons or specify the countermeasures that The meeting, which KCNA said North Korean leader Kim Jong was ongoing, was being closely Un called for “offensive political, should be taken in his remarks to watched for signs that Kim is diplomatic and military counter- a meeting of the central commit- measures” to protect his coun- tee of the ruling Workers’ Party. preparing to abandon diplomacy try’s security and sovereignty in But he stressed the need to de- with the United States in what a seven-hour speech on Monday, velop “the party into a militant would be a blow to a key foreign according to the state-run Kore- party full of vitality and vigor,” policy goal of President Donald an Central News Agency. KCNA reported on Tuesday. Trump’s administration. Pay: Union had complained of stagnant salaries GODFREY AMPONG/U.S. Marine Corps FROM FRONT PAGE noncompetitive salaries that lagged behind private Prior to the passage of the bill, the American Fed- sector pay. eration of Government Employees had complained More than 30% of federal workers are veterans, Big steps that its members were earning less in 2019 than at the Office of Personnel Management stated in 2017. the start of the decade because salaries had failed to Last week, the OPM published the 2020 pay tables A recruit with Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, goes keep pace with inflation. It said government agen- and a general salary calculator at www.opm.gov. down the rappel tower at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, cies were struggling to recruit employees due to [email protected] S.C., on Monday. PAGE 6 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 MIDEAST Taliban prisoners see peace deal as ticket to freedom

BY KATHY GANNON can do destabilizing things and Associated Press undercut a fledgling peace pro- cess,” warned Michael Kugel- PUL-E-CHARKHI, Afghani- man, deputy director of the Asia stan — Thousands of Taliban Program at the U.S.-based Wil- prisoners jailed in Afghanistan son Center. as insurgents see a peace deal The Associated Press in- being hammered out between the terviewed more than a dozen United States and the Taliban as Taliban prisoners inside the no- RAHMAT GUL/AP their ticket to freedom. torious Pul-e-Charkhi prison on They know a prisoner release is the eastern edge of the capital, Jailed Taliban are seen inside the Pul-e-Charkhi jail in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Dec. 14 Thousands of a key pillar of any agreement that Kabul. Several of them were nos- Taliban prisoners see a peace deal as their ticket to freedom. brings an end to Afghanistan’s talgic for the Taliban’s Afghani- 18-year war, Washington’s lon- stan, ruled by the mighty hand of by province, as well as who is and with no guards or adminis- General for Afghanistan Recon- gest military engagement. their previous leader, the reclu- sick and who has died. It all gets trators present. The prisoners struction John F. Sopko said nei- A list of about 5,000 Taliban sive Mullah Mohammed Omar, delivered to a prisoners’ com- decided among themselves who ther Afghanistan nor the U.S. is prisoners has been given to the who died several years ago. mission, devoted to their release among them would be inter- ready for the Taliban prisoners’ Americans, and their release has But they also insisted that they and headed by Mullah Nooruddin viewed, without interference — release. been written into the agreement accept it would not be the same Turabi, who during the Taliban at least none visible — from the Every past attempt at rein- under discussion, said a Taliban now and that, though they still rule served as justice minister administration. tegration has been costly and a official familiar with the on- wanted what they call Islamic and the “virtue and vice” minis- Maulvi Niaz Mohammad failure. again, off-again talks taking place rule, they no longer call for some ter in charge of religious police. emerged as the leader among A report released in Septem- in Qatar. He spoke on condition of of their strict edicts, like the ban Built in the 1970s to house 5,000 the prisoners, although no one ber — one of several “Lessons anonymity because he was not prisoners, Pul-e-Charkhi now has identified him as such. He was on education and on girls and Learned” treatises done by Sop- authorized to speak to the media. 10,500 prisoners, according to the sentenced to 15 years. During the women working. ko’s team during America’s 18- U.S. and Afghan government offi- On Sunday, the Taliban ruling warden, Akhtar Noorzoi. Taliban rule, he served with Qari year and $1 trillion involvement cials have said a prisoner release council agreed to a temporary The around 3,000 prisoners Ahmadullah, a Taliban intelli- in Afghanistan — said Afghans is part of the negotiation. cease-fire in Afghanistan, pro- classified as Taliban are in their gence commander who controlled But some analysts say freeing viding a window in which a peace own block. much of northern Afghanistan. on both sides of the conflict need prisoners could undermine peace agreement with the U.S. can be The prisoners had free rein in He said barely 1,000 of the pris- to avoid the missteps of the past. in Afghanistan. signed, Taliban officials said. a room where they could mingle, oners in the block are actually Sopko said Congress should “There’s a need for Afghan They didn’t say when it would pray and study. The room was Taliban. The rest were accused of consider funding reintegration and U.S. officials to do their due begin. lined with small desks at which being sympathizers or members only if a peace deal provides a diligence on any Taliban prison- The Taliban have well-orga- the Taliban sat on the carpeted of the group, often to settle old framework for reintegrating ex- ers they’re planning to release, in nized communication networks floor in traditional style. scores; others were criminals. combatants, there is strong moni- order to minimize the likelihood inside Afghan prisons that re- The AP interviewed the prison- Analysts and even the United toring of the process and violence that they’ll set free jihadists that cord the latest arrests, province ers in a nearby room, unshackled States’ own Special Inspector is dramatically reduced. Embassy: More troops being sent to protect compound; no evacuations planned

FROM FRONT PAGE “ensure the safety of American vent the protesters from reaching There were no reports of ca- citizens, military personnel and the embassy signaled a sharp de- sualties, but the unprecedented diplomats” and to “ensure our terioration of U.S.-Iraq relations. breach was one of the worst at- right of self-defense. We are send- A video obtained by the AP tacks on the embassy in memory. ing additional forces to support showed militiamen trashing the It followed deadly U.S. airstrikes our personnel at the Embassy.” embassy’s reception area and on Sunday that killed 25 fighters The extra force will consist of also taking away paperwork. of the Iran-backed militia in Iraq, a small additional detachment Multiple officials told the AP of Marine security guards, two that the U.S. ambassador was al- the Kataeb Hezbollah. The U.S. defense officials in Washington ready traveling outside Iraq be- military said the airstrikes were said. They would be from the fore the attack on the compound. in retaliation for last week’s kill- Marine Corps Embassy Security The U.S. airstrikes and the sub- ing of an American contractor in Group, which is trained specifi- sequent calls by the militia for a rocket attack on an Iraqi mili- cally to provide security at U.S. retaliation represent a new esca- tary base that it had blamed on diplomatic missions. The officials lation in the proxy war between the militia. spoke on condition of anonymity the U.S. and Iran playing out in President Donald Trump because they were not authorized the Middle East. blamed Iran for the embassy to be identified. U.S. Secretary of State Mike breach and called on Iraq to pro- “U.S. personnel are secure,” Pompeo said Sunday’s strikes ROBERT GAVALDON/ U.S. Marine Corps tect the diplomatic mission. added an official from the State send the message that the U.S. “Iran killed an American con- Marines prepare to deploy from Kuwait in support of a crisis Department. “There are no plans will not tolerate actions by Iran tractor, wounding many. We response mission Tuesday after Iraqis stormed the U.S. Embassy to evacuate Embassy Baghdad.” that jeopardize American lives. strongly responded, and always grounds in Baghdad. The developments represent a The U.S. military said “pre- will. Now Iran is orchestrating major downturn in Iraq-U.S. re- cision defensive strikes” were an attack on the U.S. Embassy in of yellow flags belonging to Iran- tional security team, said White lations that could further under- conducted against five sites of Iraq. They will be held fully re- backed Shiite militias fluttered House press secretary Stephanie mine U.S. influence in the region Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah sponsible. In addition, we expect atop the reception area and were Grisham. and also weaken Washington’s Brigades, in Iraq and Syria. The Iraq to use its forces to protect plastered along the embassy’s The U.S. will send more troops hand in its maximum pressure group, which is a separate force the Embassy, and so notified! ” he campaign against Iran. from the Lebanese militant group concrete wall along with anti-U.S. to protect the embassy compound tweeted from his estate in Palm Iraq has long struggled to bal- Hezbollah, operates under the Beach, Fla. graffiti. and does not plan an evacuation, ance its ties with the U.S. and Iran, umbrella of the state-sanctioned By early evening, protesters Trump, who is spending the the Pentagon and State Depart- both allies of the Iraqi govern- militias known collectively as had set up tents outside the em- holiday week at his Florida home, ment said. ment. But the government’s angry the Popular Mobilization Forces. bassy where they said they in- is in “close touch” and receiv- Defense Secretary Mark Esper reaction to the U.S. airstrikes and Many of them are supported by tended to stage a sit-in. Dozens ing regular updates from his na- said the U.S. has taken actions to its apparent decision not to pre- Iran. Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 7 NATION Anti-robocall law Omar’s small-dollar fundraising haul sparks inquiry from FEC

BY TOREY VAN OOT ported raising between July and “flags and aggregates such con- should slow flow (Minneapolis ) Star Tribune September. tributions according.” The letter, sent Nov. 26, asked “If for any reason the Com- The Federal Election Commis- Omar to either amend the filing Associated Press mittee were to identify any cleri- sion has asked for more detail to identify any donors who ex- cal or other reporting errors the NEW YORK — An anti-robo- about thousands of donors to Rep. ceeded the threshold or affirm Committee will, of course, amend calls measure signed into law Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who gave that all $833,961.64 in unitemized accordingly,” Wittenstein wrote. less than $200 each, a group of Monday by President Donald contributions came from individ- Omar’s campaign had previ- contributors who poured more Trump should help reduce the tor- uals who gave less than $200 over ously said it received contribu- than $800,000 into her reelection rent of unwanted calls promising the course of the year. Failure to tions from 55,577 donors in the bid over a three-month period. respond, the agency added, could lower interest rates or pretend- third quarter of 2019, with an ing to be the IRS, though it won’t Agency staff sent a letter to result in an audit or enforcement Omar’s campaign in late No- action. average donation of $14.55. More make all such calls disappear. than 99% of contributions re- The new law gives authorities vember seeking more informa- Omar’s campaign responded tion about the large share of cash ceived during the period were more enforcement powers and to the agency in a letter sent last from individuals giving $200 or under $200, the campaign said at could speed up measures the in- week, saying the committee is less — the maximum allowed the time of the October filing. dustry is already taking to iden- aware of the limits and “endeav- before triggering donor disclo- An FEC spokeswoman con- tify robocalls. And when phone ors to fully comply” with the law. sure requirements — in her latest The response, signed by cam- firmed receipt of the letter and companies block robocalls, they quarterly filing. Such contribu- paign treasurer Kate Wittenstein, said staff could follow up with the must do so without charging tions accounted for more than adds that contribution tracking committee if they have additional consumers. That should help 75% of the $1.1 million Omar re- software used by the committee questions or need clarification. Americans dodge many of these annoying calls. “American families deserve control over their communica- tions, and this legislation will update our laws and regulations STEVEN SENNE/AP to stiffen penalties, increase transparency and enhance gov- An anti-robocalls measure ernment collaboration to stop signed Monday by President unwanted solicitation,” White Donald Trump gives authorities House press secretary Stephanie more enforcement powers. Grisham said. The law is a “big victory,” said Scams conducted through such Consumer Reports’ Maureen calls have also defrauded people Mahoney. “The key is requiring out of millions of dollars. Many these phone companies to help people now avoid answering calls stop the calls before they reach altogether if they come from un- the consumer and do it at no ad- known numbers . ditional charge.” Another important step is get- The robocall problem has ex- ting rid of “spoofed” numbers, or ploded because cheap software when a scammer fakes Caller ID makes it easy to make mass calls. to look like it’s coming from the Americans collectively get bil- same area code or an important lions of robocalls each month. government agency like the IRS. Such calls have disrupted op- The industry is developing a sys- erations at hospitals by diverting tem to tell people when the Caller staff time to deal with calls faked ID number is real. The new law to look as though they are coming requires all phone companies to from inside the hospital. put this system in place. PAGE 8 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 NATION Trump: Dems avoiding trial to protect Bidens

BY JOHN WAGNER The Washington Post WASHINGTON — President Buttigieg: Wouldn’t want Donald Trump on Tuesday ac- cused Democrats of seeking to son on Ukrainian board avoid an impeachment trial in the Senate to protect Joe Biden and Associated Press mayor of South Bend, Ind. , said in an Associated Press his son Hunter, whose service on FORT MADISON, Iowa — the board of a Ukrainian energy interview Monday that his ad- CHERYL SENTER/AP Pete Buttigieg says he “would ministration would “do every- company while his father was Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., takes not have wanted to see” his thing we can to prevent even vice president has come under questions from the audience in Newport, N.H., on Sunday. His son serving on the board of a the appearance of a conflict. scrutiny. doctors say he has recovered from his recent heart attack and is fit Ukrainian natural gas com- That’s very important because Trump weighed in on Twitter pany while he was leading enough to continue campaigning and serve if elected. as an impasse continued over the as we see it can create a lot of anti-corruption efforts in the complications even when there timing and scope of an expect- country, an implicit criticism ed Senate trial. House Speaker is no wrongdoing.” of the controversy that has en- Still, he insisted that the Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has held snared his 2020 Democratic Doctors: Sanders is fit back the two articles of impeach- issues raised about Hunter presidential rival Joe Biden. Biden and his father by Trump ment — abuse of power and ob- Hunter Biden’s position struction of Congress — passed and his defenders are a diver- on the board of the company enough for presidency this month by the House. sionary tactic. Burisma has been a rallying She and Senate Democrats are “So, I would not have wanted point for Republicans as they BY WILL WEISSERT aged, Sanders has had no other seeking guarantees that a Senate to see that happen,“ Buttigieg try to defend President Donald AND LAURAN NEERGAARD symptoms, his blood pressure and trial will include several witness- said when asked how he would Trump against impeachment Associated Press heart rate are “in optimal ranges,” es, notably acting White House have handled a situation like charges over Trump asking and his heart is functioning nor- chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and Biden’s. “And at the same time, Bernie Sanders suffered “mod- Ukraine’s new president to mally, with the ability to exercise former national security adviser again, I think this is being used est heart muscle damage” during investigate the former vice to divert attention from what’s “well above average,” wrote his John Bolton, who declined to par- his recent heart attack but has president and his son while really at stake in the impeach- cardiologist, Dr. Martin LeWin- ticipate in the House impeach- since recovered well and is fit also withholding crucial U.S. ment process. There’s been no ter, of the University of Vermont ment proceedings. Democrats enough for the rigors of the presi- military aid. allegation, let alone finding of Medical Center. also are pushing for the release dential campaign trail and the Buttigieg, the childless any kind of wrongdoing.” The key test to show that was a of documents relevant to Trump’s White House should he win it, ac- treadmill exercise test in which conduct toward Ukraine that cording to letters released Mon- doctors watch for signs of trouble the White House has refused to day by his primary care physician during strong exertion. Sanders’ provide. par t of his duties as vice president, Schumer, D-N.Y., continued to and two cardiologists. exercise capacity this month was “The Democrats will do any- Joe Biden was heavily involved in push his party’s case for calling The 78-year-old Vermont sena- thing to avoid a trial in the Sen- U.S. policy toward Ukraine. witnesses late Monday night. tor is the oldest candidate in the “average” for a healthy man his ate in order to protect Sleepy As Trump tweeted from his “So far, neither Senator McCo- 2020 presidential race and had age without heart disease, and Joe Biden, and expose the mil- Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm nnell nor any Republican Senator vowed to release detailed medi- he was able to exercise to a level lions and millions of dollars that Beach, Florida, on New Year’s has articulated a single good rea- cal records by the end of the year, about 50% higher than men his ‘Where’s’ Hunter, & possibly Joe, Eve, it remained unclear when a son why the trial shouldn’t have His campaign did so the day be- age who do have heart disease, were paid by companies and trial might start in the Republi- the witnesses or the documents fore New Year’s Eve, and the let- University of Vermont cardiac re- countries for doing NOTHING,” can-led Senate. we requested,” he said in a tweet. ters provide the most detail it has habilitation chief Dr. Philip Ades Trump said in his tweet. “Joe Senate Majority Leader Mitch “The American people deserve to given to date showing that Sand- and exercise physiologist Patrick wants no part of this mess!” McConnell, R-Ky., is insisting that know the truth.” ers received prompt treatment to Savage wrote in a separate letter. While records suggest that senators hear opening statements Lawmakers are scheduled to reopen his clogged artery with “At this point, I see no reason Hunter Biden was paid lucra- by House impeachment manag- return to Washington next week. stents following his heart attack, he cannot continue campaigning tively for his service on the board ers and lawyers for Trump before Democrats have argued that which occurred while he cam- without limitation and, should he of the Burisma energy company, deciding whether to allow either the issue of the Bidens’ involve- paigned in Las Vegas on Oct. 1. be elected, I am confident he has no evidence has emerged of any side to call witnesses. McConnell ment in Ukraine is irrelevant to After a first heart attack, stan- the mental and physical stamina wrongdoing. There has also been has also indicated that it would the question of whether Trump dard questions include the like- to fully undertake the rigors of the no evidence that Joe Biden, now be fine with him if Pelosi never abused his power when he asked lihood of another and whether presidency,” LeWinter wrote, also a Democratic presidential candi- transmits the articles of impeach- Ukrainian President Volodymyr the heart’s muscle was damaged noting that Sanders had made an date, was paid in connection with ment and a trial is not held. Zelenskiy to launch an investiga- badly enough to trigger later heart “uneventful” recovery from his his son’s service on the board. As Senate Minority Leader Charles tion into the Bidens. failure. While his heart was dam- heart attack. Biden is asked about sharing 2020 ticket with Republican

BY HUNTER WOODALL “I refuse to accept the proposition that we’ll be in Associated Press a state of perpetual war with Republicans, because you can’t govern the country if that’s the case, ” EXETER, N.H. — Former Vice President Joe Biden entertained the idea of choosing a Republican Biden said. “We are a democracy, and our democ- as a 2020 running mate as he campaigned Monday racy depends upon consensus. We have to be able to — though he conceded he didn’t have anyone spe- pull the country together.” cific in mind. Biden is sometimes asked about possible running A voter told Biden during an event Monday af- mates by voters on the campaign trail. During his ternoon in Exeter that her son had wondered if the answer Monday he noted that it was presumptuous Democratic presidential contender would consider to talk about the idea at this point in the campaign. choosing a Republican as a running mate. If he becomes the Democratic nominee, Biden “The answer is, I would, but I can’t think of one said, he’d want to pick someone “simpatico ” with now, ” Biden said as the crowd laughed. him and his priorities, telling voters there are “a lot Biden went on to say there are “some really decent /AP CHARLES KRUPA Republicans that are out there still,” before adding of qualified women, ” and “a lot of qualified African Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden that “they’ve got to step up.” Americans. ” takes a selfie during a campaign stop in Exeter, N.H., on Monday . When At the start of Monday’s event, Biden reminded “There’s a plethora of really qualified people, ” asked, Biden said he would consider a Republican as a running mate. voters his goal is to unite the country. Biden said. Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 9 NATION Firearms instructor shot gunman at Texas church

Associated Press chaotic.” Wilson, 71, a firearms six other members of the volun- instructor who has also been a teer security team he had trained WHITE SETTLEMENT, reserve sheriff’s deputy, said: with their guns drawn. Wilson Texas — Alarms went off in “They were standing up. I had said they had their eyes on the Jack Wilson’s head the moment to wait about half a second, or a man since he arrived. During the a man wearing a fake beard, a second, to get my shot. I fired one service, White and Wilson had wig, a hat and a long coat walked round. The subject went down.” stationed themselves at the back TOM FOX, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS/AP into a Texas church for Sunday Wilson’s single shot quickly of the church, watching him. services. ended the attack that killed Wal- The Texas Department of Pub- Stephen Willeford, center, who confronted and exchanged gunfire By the time the man ap- lace, 64, and White, 67, at the lic Safety on Monday identified with the Sutherland Springs church shooter in 2017, joins church proached a communion server West Freeway Church of Christ the attacker as Keith Thomas and community members gathered outside West Freeway Church of and pulled out a shotgun, Wilson in the Fort Worth-area town of Kinnunen, 43. His motive is Christ for a candlelight vigil Monday in White Settlement, Texas. and another security volunteer White Settlement. He said the under investigation. were already reaching for their entire confrontation was over in Speaking outside the church gun as a short-barreled 12-gauge censed handgun holders to carry own guns. no more than six seconds. More Monday, Texas Attorney Gen- shotgun with a pistol grip. Shot- a weapon in places of worship un- The attacker shot the other vol- than 240 congregants were in the eral Ken Paxton said authorities guns with barrels less than 18 less the facility bans them. unteer, Richard White, and then church at the time. “can’t prevent mental illness from inches long are restricted under That law was passed in the af- the server, Anton “Tony” Wal- “The only clear shot I had was occurring, and we can’t prevent federal law and can be legally termath of the deadliest mass lace, sending congregants scram- his head because I still had people every crazy person from pulling owned in Texas only if they are shooting in Texas history, which bling for cover. The gunman was in the pews that were not all the a gun. But we can be prepared registered with the Bureau of was also at a church. In the 2017 heading toward the front of the way down as low as they could. like this church was.” Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and massacre at First Baptist Church sanctuary as Wilson searched for That was my one shot,” Wilson Britt Farmer, senior minister of Explosives. of Sutherland Springs, a man who a clear line of fire. said Monday from his home in the church, said Sunday, “We lost After the shooting, Texas offi- opened fire on a Sunday morning “I didn’t have a clear window,” nearby Granbury. two great men today, but it could cials hailed the state’s gun laws, congregation killed more than he said, referring to church mem- As Wilson approached the have been a lot worse.” including a measure enacted this two dozen people. He later killed bers who “were jumping, going fallen attacker, he noticed five or Wilson described the attacker’s year that affirmed the right of li- himself. Officials say Hanukkah attack GOP lawmakers in 2 suspect researched Hitler online states seek to prevent Associated Press red flag laws on guns MONSEY, N.Y. — A man charged with federal hate crimes Associated Press Oklahoma’s measure. Monday in a bloody attack on Seventeen states and the Dis- a Hanukkah celebration had TOPEKA, Kan. — Republicans trict of Columbia have some sort handwritten journals containing in two Midwestern states where of red flag law, with most enact- anti-Semitic references and had GOP-controlled legislatures have ing them starting in 2018, ac- recently used his phone to look up gun rights majorities are propos- cording to groups favoring them information on Hitler and the lo- ing measures aimed at prevent- and other gun control measures. cation of synagogues, authorities ing the U.S. government or other said. states from taking guns away Interest in Congress appeared to Grafton Thomas, 37, was held from residents whom the courts grow after mass shootings in Day- without bail after appearing in deem a danger to themselves. ton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas. federal court in White Plains on Neither Oklahoma nor Kansas Dahm filed his proposal in five counts of obstructing the free has red flag laws through which September, and it may have been exercise of religious beliefs by at- relatives or police can obtain a the first of its kind. In Kansas, tempting to kill with a dangerous court order to remove firearms separate but identical measures weapon. Five people were stabbed from someone’s possession. How- were introduced in December by and slashed in the Saturday at- ever, the proposals in those states members of the state House and Senate. The two states’ legisla- tack north of New York City. MARK LENNIHAN/AP also would prevent local city and A blood-stained 18-inch ma- county governments from enact- tures would consider them after chete was recovered from his car, Members of the Guardian Angels, left, a volunteer safety patrol ing such laws. They would even convening their annual sessions along with a knife smeared with organization, stand in front of the Chabad Lubavitch World go so far as to make it a felony for next year. dried blood and hair, prosecutors Headquarters on Monday in the Brooklyn borough of New York. someone to help enforce such an All three measures declare said in a criminal complaint. order. that any gun-removal order from Thomas, his ankles shackled, around religious gatherings. in Jewish Neighborhoods After Sponsors said they were in- another state or a federal court shuffled into the courtroom in a A criminal complaint said jour- Possible Anti-Semitic Attacks. spired by prospects that Congress are null and void, and no state or prison jumpsuit, telling a judge nals recovered from Thomas’ Here’s What To Know,” the com- might enact such a law or offer local agency could accept federal who asked him if his head was home in Greenwood Lake includ- plaint said. federal grants to entice states into grants that require such orders to clear that he was “not clear at all” ed comments questioning “why Sussman told reporters he vis- putting them on the books. be enforced. and needed sleep. But he added, ppl mourned for anti-Semitism ited Thomas’ home and found Supporters of red flag laws say The U.S. Constitution prevents “I am coherent.” when there is Semitic genocide” stacks of notes he described as they reduce suicides and gun vio- states from nullifying federal His court-appointed attorney, and a page with drawings of a “the ramblings of a disturbed in- lence and lessen the risk of mass laws. Susanne Brody, said Thomas has Star of David and a swastika. dividual” but nothing to point to shootings. Gun rights supporters “States generally do not have struggled with bipolar disorder A phone recovered from his an “anti-Semitic motive” or sug- contend they violate not only the the ability to tell the federal gov- and schizophrenia. Another at- car included repeated internet gest Thomas intentionally target- right to own firearms but other ernment, ‘Get out of our state and torney retained by his family, searches for “Why did Hitler hate ed the rabbi’s home. constitutional guarantees, such as stop enforcing your laws,’ ” said Michael Sussman, said Thomas the Jews” as well as “German “My impression from speaking the right to due legal process, to Kansas Attorney General Derek had been hearing voices and may Jewish Temples near me” and with him is that he needs serious confront an accuser, and against Schmidt, a Republican gun rights have stopped taking psychiatric “Prominent companies founded psychiatric evaluation,” Sussman unreasonable searches and sei- supporter who’s not taking a posi- medications recently. by Jews in America,” the com- said. “His explanations were not zures of property. tion on the measures. “But states The stabbings on the seventh plaint said. terribly coherent.” “There’s numerous violations do generally have the ability to night of Hanukkah came amid a On the day of the stabbings, the Thomas’ family said he was of the Bill of Rights taking place tell the federal government, ‘You series of violent attacks targeting phone’s browser was used to ac- raised to embrace tolerance by these red flags laws, ” said are not able to commandeer state Jews in the region that have led to cess an article titled “New York but has a long history of mental Tulsa-area Republican state Sen. resources and compel us to en- increased security, particularly City Increases Police Presence illness. Nathan Dahm, who is sponsoring force your laws.’ ” PAGE 10 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 NATION In 2019, Florida leads way in weird news

BY TAMARA LUSH A toilet exploded in Port Char- Associated Press lotte when lighting struck the home’s septic tank. No one was ST. PETERSBURG — In 2019, injured, and homeowner Mary- Florida Banana managed to lou Ward expressed relief: “I’m eclipse Florida Man. From alliga- just glad none of us were on the tor antics to naked people doing toilet.” wacky things, Florida did not dis- Folks attacked one another with appoint in the weird news depart- all manner of items, including ment this year. (but not limited to) pancake bat- (So. Many. Naked. People.) ter, Pop-Tarts, a fake Christmas In December, a Miami couple tree, swords, McDonald’s condi- spent more than $100,000 on the ment packets and roach spray. “unicorn of the art world” — a In the city of Port Richey, two banana duct-taped to a wall — mayors were arrested in the span during Art Basel. The piece was of 20 days — one on charges of widely copied and mocked on so- obstruction of justice; the other cial media, and then someone at on allegations he was practicing the art fair ripped it off the wall medicine without a license in his and ate it. home. PAUL BEDARD/AP Italian artist Maurizio Cat- Lest you think all Floridians telan sold three editions of “Co- Paul Bedard raises a 9-foot alligator over his head at a home in Parkland, Fla., in October. are strange, a few did some re- median,” each in the $120,000 to markably kind things. $150,000 range. Chicago Bears linebacker “We are acutely aware of the Khalil Mack went to his home- blatant absurdity of the fact that town of Fort Pierce and stopped ‘Comedian’ is an otherwise inex- by a Walmart store in December. pensive and perishable piece of He paid off all the layaways, to produce and a couple inches of the tune of $80,000, according to duct tape,” one couple that pur- the Chicago Tribune. chased the banana said. “Ulti- A Florida 9-year-old gave mately, we sense that Cattelan’s his third grade teacher all the banana will become an iconic feels when he offered his $15 of historical object.” birthday money as a solution to Florida is known for many the problem of teachers being things. Sunshine, beaches and underpaid. oranges. The magic of Disney /AP But it’s the weird that attracts and the glamour of South Beach. SIOBHAN MORRISSEY the most attention here. A num- /AP It’s also known for having the Gallery owner Emmanuel Perrotin poses next JESSICA ELDRIDGE ber of people were nude, or par- most bananas news in the United to Italian artist Maurizio Cattlelan’s “Comedian” Patrick Eldridge’s Smart car is seen parked in his tially nude, when they made the States. at the Art Basel exhibition in Miami Beach, Fla., kitchen in Jacksonville, Fla., in September. Eldridge news. As they often do, alligators earlier this month. The work sold for $120,000. was trying to protect the car from Hurricane Dorian. In Polk County in December, topped the list of odd stories. Per- a Florida man was “buck naked” haps the most visually interest- in a multitude of other ways. One one day, it attacked his leg. “It was stock of the year’s strange stories when he showed up to the front ing happened in October, when reptile knocked on a woman’s not a nice kinkajou. It was super in Florida is a time-honored tra- door of a home where an under- Paul Bedard, who is contracted door the night before Thanks- aggressive,” the man’s girlfriend dition. This year’s no different, cover sex sting operation was with the state’s nuisance alliga- giving in Fort Myers. In Martin told The Palm Beach Post. because the unusual is met with being conducted, sheriff’s of- tor program, responded to a call County, two men poured Coors And a Labrador retriever a chuckle and shrug precisely be- ficials said. A naked Florida of a gator in a swimming pool in beer into an alligator’s mouth. somehow got behind the wheel of cause it’s so normal. (Honestly. In man burglarized an elementary Parkland. Bedard “played” with They were arrested. a car and did doughnuts in Port 1986, the state’s official tourism school in Apopka and spread the 8-foot long reptile until it be- Alligators weren’t the only ani- St. Lucie. slogan was “Florida … The Rules feces throughout the building. came tired. Then he lifted it out mals making headlines in Florida. Some claim Florida’s weird Are Different Here”). Cops chased a lot of naked people of the water and held it over his In August, a restaurant in Stuart news surfaces because of the Consider Patrick Eldridge, of through parking lots, swamps and head for an Instagram photo. canceled its “Monkey Mondays” state’s open public records laws, Jacksonville, who parked his tiny stores, too many to list here. “I haven’t had a good-sized when a 9-month-old capuchin while others chalk it up to the fact Smart Car in his kitchen because In Miami in March, motor- gator in a swimming pool in prob- named JoJo bit a child’s finger. that it’s the third-largest state, he was worried it would blow ists captured on camera a nearly ably a year, so I was kind of look- Also in August, a Lake Worth with more than 21 million people away during Hurricane Dorian. nude man wearing hot pink socks, ing forward to this when I got the Beach man began feeding a kin- packed on a peninsula — many The owners of a Port Orange sneakers, skimpy underwear and call,” he said. The alligator was kajou (a raccoon relative with wearing scant clothing because funeral home gave away a free a pink headband, bicycling back- relocated to a wildlife park. a prehensile tail that’s native to of infernal heat most of the year. cremation as part of its grand ward down I-95. Humans tangled with gators Central and South America), but Whatever the reason, taking reopening. As one does. Forest ecologist helps refashion Barbie dolls as scientists

Associated Press dolls as a scientist-explorer in rubber boots that includes a marine biologist, astrophysi- rather than high heels. cist, photojournalist, conservationist and SALT LAKE CITY — When Nalini Nad- “Lots of girls, and some little boys, love Bar- entomologist. karni was a kid, she’d run home from school, bie,” Nadkarni said. “It’s almost aspirational; climb into one of the eight maple trees in her Sales began in the summer. As a thank-you, they want to be Barbie.” Mattel sent Nadkarni a one-of-a-kind doll with parents’ backyard and spend an afternoon That was about 15 years ago. Nadkarni said there with an apple and a book. tree-climbing gear and full dark hair woven Barbie-maker Mattel wasn’t interested in the with strands of white that made the doll re- That time in the treetops set the tone for the idea then, so she decided to redo dolls herself, rest of her life. She’s now a forest ecologist at semble the scientist. using gear she collected. She scoured thrift For Nadkarni, the company’s investment the University of Utah who’s dedicated her ca- stores and eBay for Barbie dolls and enlisted in the dolls reflects a broader cultural shift reer to studying rain forest canopies. help from volunteer seamstresses. She called toward recognizing women in science, math She’s also always looking for new ways to the creation “Treetop Barbie” and began sell- get people interested in science, from fashion ing them at cost on her website. and technology that could spark an apprecia- made with nature imagery to science lectures Last year, Mattel began working with Na- tion for science even among kids who don’t at the state prison. “I’ve tried for years and tional Geographic to create a new line of sci- end up entering the field. years to bring the science I do and understand entist Barbies. Nadkarni has a long-standing Mattel said in a statement that the purpose to people outside of academia,” she said. relationship with National Geographic, so of Barbie dolls for the last 60 years has been RICK BOWMER/AP Her childhood memories made her particu- when the non profit reached out for help, she to “inspire the limitless potential in every larly interested in reaching children. After quickly agreed. girl,” pointing out that Barbie was portrayed Nalini Nadkarni holds a Barbie her own 6-year-old daughter asked for a Bar- Nadkarni joined a team of female scientists in other science and math-based careers long created to look like her in Salt bie, Nadkarni decided to re fashion the iconic advising Mattel as it made the line of dolls before the new line. Lake City earlier this month. Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Big buoy missing for 2 years has beached

NEW SMYRNA BEACH FL — A big red navigation buoy that bounced along Atlantic waves for two years has beached in Florida, where it’s drawing attention. Crowds of spectators streamed to New Smyrna Beach for a close- up view and some pictures with the buoy navigational marker that some described as “the size of a truck,” news outlets reported. The beacon came from South Carolina and was displaced since 2017, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Dickinson, spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville. The Coast Guard plans to bring in a crane sometime this week to remove the buoy. Officials remove bear from campus stadium

KNOXVILLE — A TN 200-pound black bear showed up as a walk-on at the University of Tennessee’s base- ball stadium but ended up being sent back to its home territory. A UT police officer notified the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, saying the bear had been wandering around campus and got stuck inside Lindsey Nelson Stadium, according to a post on the agency’s official Facebook page. Sgt. Roy Smith and Wildlife Of- ERIN BORMETT, THE (SIOUX FALLS, S.D.) ARGUS LEADER/AP ficer Jeff Roberson were able to tranquilize and remove the bear with the help of UT police. Chasing snowballs The officers released the bear into the Foothills Wildlife Man- Atlas jumps for a snowball in Zach Dysart’s hand on Sunday at Spencer Park in Sioux Falls, S.D. The rain and snow Sunday brought the agement Area in Blount County. year’s precipitation total to 39.27 inches, breaking the previous record of 39.17 inches set last year. Couple returns to The woman then returned to THE CENSUS recording of her future son-in-law Dunkin’ to take vows the counter to place an order proposing to her daughter appar- after using the bathroom but was The number of mountain lion attacks on dogs in a central Idaho com- ently missed the moment. stopped by the suspect, San Joa- munity in a week. The Idaho State Journal reported a Labrador retriever She ended up recording a selfie WORCESTER — A quin County deputies said. The on her reaction to what she was MA Massachusetts couple was attacked near Hailey after its owners let the dog outside in their man allegedly demanded she re- 5 unfenced backyard. It marked the fifth case in the Wood River Valley seeing. reunited for extra-sweet wedding turn to the car and use the drive- in the span of a week, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and KOB-TV reported Susan vows at the same Dunkin’ Donuts thru where she silently signaled Griego somehow took a selfie where their young love splintered Game. The Labrador has since recovered and returned home, but at least three for help at the window, authorities other dogs have died. video of herself watching as Ben- nearly 30 years ago. said. jamin Steele Bacon proposed to Valerie Sneade and Jason Roy The woman accused the man her daughter. She did capture the were joined by family, friends of threatening to shoot her unless got stuck in a ditch. nearly three-quarters of a mile , moment Bacon popped the ques- and customers buying coffee and she drove him to see his family, Fish and Game, state police and the department said. tion to Amber Griego by the pen- pastries at a Dunkin’ Donuts in authorities said. The man was ar- local rescue crews used an ATV guin exhibit at the Albuquerque Worcester. rested for criminal threats, stolen and snowmobile to fetch the fam- Biopark. Her mother admitted Sneade and Roy mostly didn’t Another library ends property and felon in possession ily members. Authorities used a she’s probably “not very good at see each other for 25 years after fines for overdue books special ATV and winch to free the photography.” a conversation about their future of a firearm, deputies said. vehicle. at the same shop in 1992 led the CHARDON — An- young, in-love couple to step back Family follows GPS OH other Ohio library is Art helps city celebrate from their relationship. onto snowmobile trail Creamery fined for moving to a fine-free system, be- 150 years in 2020 When Roy learned Sneade was dumping milk into river coming part of a national trend of performing a Valentine’s Day- CRAWFORD’S PUR- dropping fines to eliminate barri- TUPELO — A city in themed musical revue in Worces- NH CHASE — A fam- SALEM — The Or- ers to library access. MS northeast Mississippi ter in February 2018, he showed ily was stranded for nearly seven OR egon Department of The Geauga County Public made a bold statement to celebrate up and sat in the front row. Roy hours in northern New Hamp- Environmental Quality fined a Library in northeastern Ohio its 150th anniversary. proposed that New Year’s Eve. shire after their minivan got stuck creamery for river water pollu- eliminated overdue fines begin- An art piece consisting of three on a snowmobile trail. tion caused by dumping milk, of- ning Wednesday except for tele- big red numbers — 1, 5 and 0 — W orkers help woman Two adults and five children ficials said. scopes, new video games and was installed at a park near City who mouthed ‘help me’ from Burlington, Mass., were try- The $26,574 fine was levied Blu-Ray DVDs, The News-Herald Hall in downtown Tupelo. Each is ing to get from the Bretton Woods against Organic Valley for dump- reported . 12 feet tall. Rather than amassing fines, SAN FRANCISCO ski area to a hotel when their ing by its McMinnville Creamery, Tupelo was incorporated on vehicle’s GPS directed them to a The Statesman Journal reported. borrowers will have their cards July 20, 1870. The city is planning CA — Workers at a McDon- blocked 21 days after the due ald’s in northern California helped seasonal road that is open only to The creamery discharged 87 a sesquicentennial celebration on snowmobile traffic in winter, ac- gallons of condensed skim milk date. Returning the overdue items July 20, 2020. rescue a woman who mouthed the unblocks the card. words “help me” as she pulled up cording to the New Hampshire and 384 pounds of milk solids into Tupelo Convention and Visitors to the drive-thru window. Fish and Game department. a storm drain that leads to a tribu- Bureau Director Neal McCoy said The woman initially entered The driver, Dattu Prajapati, tary of the South Yamhill River Mom takes selfie instead the big numbers will remain in the restaurant asking employees 45, ignored posted signs about on Jan. 5, the environmental qual- of recording proposal the park through December 2020 to call 911 and urging them to the road closure and continued ity department said. before moving to the permanent hide her from a reportedly violent for several miles before turn- The creamery discharged milk ALBUQUERQUE — location at the Oren Dunn City man, The San Francisco Chroni- ing around, authorities said. The into the same drain June 25, NM A future mother-in- Museum. cle reported. minivan then slid off the road and which turned the creek white for law tasked with making a phone From wire reports PAGE 12 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 FACES ‘Cats’ set to ‘Murder Mystery,’ ‘Stranger Things’ lose at least most popular on $70 million Netflix in 2019 Los Angeles Times Bloomberg Universal Pictures is brac- Netflix, touting the success of ing to lose at least $70 million its original programming, said after its critically panned movie the most popular releases on its “Cats” bombed over the holidays, streaming service in 2019 were according to a person close to the things it produced: the comedy project. movie “Murder Mystery” and “Cats” has drawn just $38.3 the third season of its 1980s sci-fi million globally so far, includ- show “Stranger Things.” ing $17.8 million in the U.S. and The company on Monday dis- Canada, according to Box Office closed lists of its top 10 programs Mojo — a disaster for a big holi- in 33 countries, offering the most day movie based on the Andrew expansive report to date of what Lloyd Webber hit musical. is being watched on the world’s The studio expects domes- most popular online TV network. tic box office sales to reach at Netflix’s “6 Underground,” least $30 million, after produc- the Michael Bay-directed action tion costs of about $100 million movie, and its monster-hunting and close to the same amount in fantasy “The Witcher” also drew marketing costs, according to large U.S. audiences. estimates from those close to the Netflix, which once filled its project who were not authorized service with shows and movies to comment. from other studios, is now relying Such losses are a painful re- more than ever on its own pro- minder of the risky film busi- gramming to keep viewers loyal. ness and further evidence of the Partners such as Walt Disney Co. challenges studios face drawing are taking back their properties in audiences to theaters, even to feed their own streaming ser- for features with such as stars vices. Disney’s platform launched as Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson More ‘Surviving’ to come in November, and ones from and Idris Elba. Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal Even though this year has and AT&T Inc.’s WarnerMedia set new records for individual are due in coming months. movies, it has also delivered This time, R. Kelly will be in jail when docuseries airs Netflix still relied on some Dis- other flops, including STX En- ney material to fill out its lineup tertainment’s “Playmobil: The in 2019. In fact, “Incredibles 2,” BY MARK KENNEDY While not a direct witness, Maynes does talk the animated movie from Dis- Movie” and Warner Bros.’ “The about being asked by Jive Records in 2002 to go Associated Press ney’s Pixar unit, was Netflix’s Goldfinch.” to Chicago and buy up all the VHS and DVDs he third-most-popular new film for However unlike other mis- Few TV documentary series can boast having could find that allegedly showed R. Kelly engag- the year. fires from 2019 such as Fox’s a more powerful real-world impact than “Surviv- ing in sexual acts with an underage girl. He said The data is both revealing and X-Men saga “Dark Phoenix” or ing R. Kelly.” he later confronted the superstar, who claimed limited. No outside party veri- Paramount’s “Terminator: Dark Though allegations of sexual abuse against mi- the man in the video was his twin brother. He has fied the lists, which Netflix based Fate,” “Cats” isn’t tied to a larger nors followed R&B superstar R. Kelly for years, no twin. franchise that would be the basis on viewership in the first 28 it was a six-part series aired by Lifetime last Jan- Maynes also offers a critical look at the music for future sequels and spinoffs. days after a show was released. uary featuring testimonials by alleged survivors industry, which he argues creates a culture that After “Cats” was released on The numbers count people who that sparked new attention from authorities. gives superstars like R. Kelly unquestioned au- Dec. 20, executives expressed watched at least two minutes of A year later, Lifetime is readying a follow-up thority. He hopes the music industry learns to hope that the movie would even- a program, and Netflix relied on series, “Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reck- reform itself and not surround its stars with en- tually reach its target audience projections to calculate the popu- oning,” with one major difference: this time, R. ablers. “R. Kelly was responsible for keeping the during the holidays. larity of shows and movies that Kelly will be behind bars when it airs. lights on at the label. There’s a particular amount “The story isn’t necessarily were just released in December. Brie Miranda Bryant, senior vice president of manipulation that goes with that territory. So over on how ‘Cats’ is going to play of unscripted development at Lifetime, said the Because Netflix has provided I think the music industry should hold some re- so little data over the years, the domestically,” said Jim Orr, pres- new series takes a wider and deeper look at some sponsibility,” he said. lists offer some rare insight into ident of domestic distribution at of the issues the first one raised. The first had 54 An estimated 26 million people saw all or some what works on the service. Universal Pictures. “This audi- interviews; the follow-up has almost 70. of the original Lifetime documentary series that Netflix’s original movies and ence group doesn’t necessarily “It’s not really about R. Kelly. It’s about sexual brought together dozens of people who accused shows dominated across every rush out on opening weekend.” violence against women in general and how we the singer of sexual misconduct and kidnapping. category in both the U.S. and A loss of $70 million for Uni- change that dialogue,” she said. The series faced backlash and finger-pointing. abroad. “Murder Mystery,” which versal would not rank among “Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning” Hollywood’s biggest write-offs, Some blamed the music industry. Some blamed stars Adam Sandler and Jennifer will premiere Jan. 2 stateside on Lifetime. The which include a $200 million hit the media and law enforcement for ignoring the Aniston, was the No. 1 program in six-hour series will run for two hours a night for taken by Disney in 2012 for the alleged conduct because the victims were black nine countries, including Austra- three consecutive nights. movie “John Carter.” women. Some blamed the parents of the alleged lia and Colombia. The new series includes interviews with two One rival executive privately victims for not doing enough. alleged survivors who haven’t spoken out public- pointed to Universal Pictures’ “It just felt like a ton of finger-pointing with- ly before and includes Tiffany Hawkins, the first release strategy, such as its out real answers. We wanted to be able to answer alleged survivor who filed sexual charges. Other choice of trailers that became a those questions as best as possible,” Bryant said. Frequent Monty Python new voices include music executive Damon laughingstock on social media. A Kelly, 52, is currently in jail, scheduled to stand collaborator Innes dies person close to the project cited Dash, Beyonce’s father Mathew Knowles, lawyer trial in Cook County in September, then in feder- Oscar-winning director Tom Gloria Allred and Illinois prosecutor Kimberly al court in Chicago in April and again in federal Comedic writer and actor Neil Hooper’s last-minute tinkering M. Foxx. court in New York in February. Innes, who created a Beatles par- with the film. One new voice is Jimmy Maynes, a veteran Kelly has denied all the allegations related to ody group called the Rutles and The studio also had to revise artist manager and former Jive Record executive sexual assault with minors, but the #MuteRKel- frequently worked with the mem- the movie to fix special effects who represents artists including Salt-N-Pepa. ly movement has damaged his financial stability. bers of Monty Python, died Sun- snafus, such as the appearance of That groundbreaking hip-hop group toured with He did himself few favors when he portrayed day night of natural causes at age Judi Dench’s hand in one scene. R. Kelly and Maynes was initially approached himself as a victim in a combative interview with 75, his agent, Nigel Morton, said. After “The Rise of Skywalker” by the documentary makers about what he wit- Gayle King in which he pounded his chest and Innes was such a frequent col- and “Little Women,” 2019 is clos- nessed on the road. yelled into the camera. laborator of the Monty Python ing the year out at $11.23 billion in “I had not physically seen R. Kelly with any Bryant said the indictments against R. Kelly troupe that he sometimes was the U.S. and Canada, down 4.4% underage children, however I did feel like there were never the goal of the series. She said some called the “seventh Python.” from last year’s record levels, ac- was a high probability that things had been going alleged survivors want restorative justice, some A musician as well as a writer, cording to Comscore. That’s de- on behind closed doors that I would not have ap- want apologies. “Justice looks like a lot of differ- he wrote songs for the popular spite massive hits from Disney, proved of,” Maynes said. ent things for a lot of people,” she said. film “Monty Python And The including “Avengers: Endgame,” Holy Grail,” appeared in “Life of the highest-grossing global title Lifetime plans a follow-up series to its 2019 six-parter on musician R. Kelly, shown leaving a Brian” and toured the U.K. and ever (not adjusting for inflation), Chicago courthouse June 6. The new series is “Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning.” Canada with the group. “Lion King” and “Frozen 2.” AMR ALFIKY/AP From The Associated Press Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 13 WORLD Fires trap 4K Australians US, German, Israeli envoys weigh in on Associated Press PERTH, Australia — Wildfires Russian WWII claims burning across Australia’s two BY MONIKA SCISLOWSKA most populous states on Tuesday tocol to carve up Poland and the trapped residents of a seaside Associated Press Baltic states between themselves. town in apocalyptic conditions, Some 6 million Poles lost their WARSAW, Poland — The U.S, lives during the whole of WWII. destroyed many properties and German and Israeli ambassadors caused at least two fatalities. Recently, Putin has argued in Warsaw weighed in Monday that collusion between Western About 12.35 million acres of against claims by Russian Presi- land have burned nationwide powers and Adolf Hitler paved dent Vladimir Putin that Poland the way for World War II. He also during the wildfire crisis, with 12 bears part of the blame for the people confirmed dead and more cast Poland as an anti-Semitic outbreak of World War II. country that welcomed Hitler’s than 1,000 homes destroyed. “Dear President Putin, Hit- plans to destroy Europe’s Jews. The annual Australian fire ler and Stalin colluded to start German Ambassador Rolf season, which peaks during the WWII. That is a fact. Poland was Nikel and Israeli Ambassador Southern Hemisphere summer, a victim of this horrible conflict,” Alexander Ben Zvi took a stand started early after an unusually Ambassador Georgette Mosbach- warm and dry winter. Record- er said on Twitter in English and Monday to blame the war’s out- break on the August 1939 Nazi- breaking heat and windy condi- AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORP., CHANNEL 9, CHANNEL 7/AP Polish. tions triggered wildfires in New The Russian Embassy coun- Soviet pact. Officials block Princes Highway as wildfires approach in South South Wales and Queensland tered with a tweet saying, “Dear Polish historian Mariusz Wolos Coast, New South Wales, Australia, on Tuesday. Wildfires are states in September. Ambassador, do you really told the Onet portal that Putin is burning across Australia’s two most populous states. In the southeastern town of think that you know about his- aiming at “creating discord be- Mallacoota in Victoria state, tory any more than you do about tween Poland and the U.S. and around 4,000 residents fled to- sea. There also were grave fears in the wildfire-ravaged southeast diplomacy? ” the international Jewish dias- ward the waterside as winds for four people missing. “We can’t town of Cobargo, while there are World War II began on Sept. 1, pora.” He said Putin is trying to pushed an emergency-level wild- confirm their whereabouts, ” An- fears for another man missing. 1939, when Nazi German troops erase Stalin’s alliance with Hitler fire toward their homes. The drews told reporters Tuesday. On Monday, a firefighter was invaded Poland. Two weeks later, from history. town was shrouded in darkness Andrews has requested assis- killed when extreme winds the Soviet Red Army also at- British historian Roger Moore- from the smoke before turning an tance from 70 firefighters from flipped his truck. Samuel Mc- tacked embattled Poland from house tweeted to say that Putin’s unnerving shade of bright red. the United States and Canada. Paul, 28, was the third volunteer the east, in what Poles still refer words “provoked a much better Victoria state Premier Daniel Police in New South Wales said firefighter in New South Wales to to as a “stab in the back.” Days popular understanding of the Andrews said there were plans Tuesday that two men, believed to have died in the past two weeks. earlier, Germany and Russia had pact’s true nefarious nature and to evacuate the trapped people by be father and son, died in a house He was an expectant father. signed a pact with a secret pro- significance.” PAGE 14 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 15 PAGE 16 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Sean Klimek, Europe commander Who will win the 2020 election? Don’t ask. Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander

Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY DOYLE MCMANUS this point in the 2008 campaign, Rudy Giu- sure path to winning primaries. Joshua M. Lashbrook, Pacific Chief of Staff Los Angeles Times liani led polls for the Republican nomina- And I got some things right on the other tion. Four years later, Newt Gingrich led big political story of the year: the impeach- WASHINGTON the GOP polls. Neither won. ment of President Donald Trump. EDITORIAL en months ago, I gave readers of In early 2019, to my conventional-wis- I wrote last February that House Speak- Terry Leonard, Editor this column an early preview of dom-addicted brain, Joe Biden appeared er Nancy Pelosi, of California, and her [email protected] the race for the Democratic presi- to be a commanding candidate if he sur- Democrats were heading in that direction. dential nomination. Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor T vived controversies over his past positions “Call this phase ‘pre-impeachment,’ ” I [email protected] Keep an eye on the new faces, I sagely on school desegregation, crime laws and wrote. “Pelosi and her committee chairs, advised: Sens. Kamala Harris, of Califor- the invasion of Iraq. But Biden’s real prob- all Democrats, are doing what they need to Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content nia; Cory Booker, of New Jersey; and Sher- lem wasn’t his historical baggage; it was do to make impeaching Trump possible.” [email protected] rod Brown, of Ohio, plus former Rep. Beto his tendency to sound like a 20th-century They were mostly just waiting for an Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation O’Rourke, of Texas. candidate lost in a 21st-century debate. impeachable offense to come along. Once [email protected] Sorry about that. Despite a fawning cover I recently wrote that Biden still tops na- it did, in the form of Trump’s self-incrimi- story in Vanity Fair, O’Rourke flamed out tional polls because so many Democrats nating telephone call with the president Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital fast. Harris staged an impressive launch, think he’s the most electable of their can- of Ukraine, readers should not have been [email protected] but then fell to earth. Brown never entered didates. But this time I hedged, noting that surprised that the Democrats moved as the race. Only Booker is still running, and the perception could change overnight quickly as they did. BUREAU STAFF his campaign is on life support. if Biden is shellacked in Iowa and New It’s easy to forecast the likely verdict of Next time I recommend a hot technology Hampshire . an impeachment trial in the Senate. With Europe/Mideast stock or a soon-to-be-famous restaurant, I didn’t see Pete Buttigieg coming. The 53 Republicans on the jury, Trump is in lit- Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief ignore the tip. 37-year-old gay mayor of a small city? In- tle danger of conviction. The tougher ques- [email protected] At the end of each year, I look back at conceivable, I thought. Iowa voters may +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 tion is what impact impeachment will have my columns to see what I got wrong — and shortly prove me wrong. on the presidential election. Trump says he Pacific what, if anything, I got right. I did see Elizabeth Warren coming. Her thinks it will help him. I wrote that it could Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief It’s a humbling exercise but a useful one. focus on plans to make the economy work help the Democrats instead. [email protected] Unlike politicians, journalists are duty- better for the middle class was effective, I David Axelrod, President Barack +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 bound to admit their errors in public — not wrote. Then Warren stumbled on health Obama’s former adviser, thinks it won’t Washington just the small ones, like misspelled names, care. When she belatedly offered a plan, it have much impact — that by November, Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief but big ones, too. You can’t learn from mis- proposed a government-run health insur- voters will have largely forgotten a trial [email protected] takes if you don’t acknowledge them. ance system, but only after a long transi- that happened in January. He’s probably (+1)(202)886-0033 And there’s one easy way to get things tion period. That seemed smart, I wrote. right. Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News wrong in a presidential campaign: by try- It’s not clear that voters agree. [email protected] Campaign reporting is at its best when ing to forecast the outcome. To be fair, I did get some things right. we investigate the candidates, their histo- CIRCULATION It’s almost impossible to resist the temp- I figured out that the controversies over ries and their proposals, and when we talk tation. Answering “beats me” never im- Biden’s verbal gaffes were a polite proxy to voters to learn what they think. We’re at Mideast presses anyone, even though it’s often the for questions about his age. He’ll be 78 on our worst when we make forecasts without Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager most accurate response. Inauguration Day; is he up to the job? warning how fallible we are. [email protected] We surround our forecasts with cave- I noted that most Democratic voters In 2020, I hope you’ll return to this col- [email protected] DSN (314)583-9111 ats — “the race is wide open,” “early polls aren’t Bernie Sanders-style socialists, and umn for the reporting, the analysis and the don’t mean much” — and give the cus- that the progressive “litmus tests” that occasional insight. Just don’t ask me who’s Europe tomers what they want: not predictions, dominated early months of the campaign going to win. Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager exactly, but our best guesses as to where — “Medicare for All,” the Green New Deal [email protected] Doyle McManus is a Washington columnist for the [email protected] the campaign is going. But primary cam- and abolishing the Immigration and Cus- Los Angeles Times and director of the journalism +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 paigns are notoriously unpredictable. At toms Enforcement agency — weren’t a program at Georgetown University. Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 Why electric cars still don’t live up to the hype CONTACT US

Washington BY CHARLES LANE lion electric vehicles on the road in the Chevy’s parent company, says it, too, is tel: (+1)202.886.0003 The Washington Post United States — less than one-half of 1% preparing a new generation of EVs. 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 of the total. Households earning $100,000 Established automakers are indeed ith a new decade starting or more per year own two-thirds of EVs, about to ramp up electric offerings, pro- Reader letters shortly, it’s time for conscien- with many of the owners benefiting from a viding Tesla with its most serious competi- [email protected] tious columnists to undergo $7,500 federal tax credit. tion yet. They are doing so, however, more Additional contacts Wtheir self-administered decen- Globally, electric-car adoption is also as a response to regulatory pressure from stripes.com/contactus nial performance reviews. modest relative to optimistic forecasts. Of governments — even after the Trump ad- I’ll start — and try to keep it focused. the 86 million cars sold in the top 54 world ministration scaled back fuel economy OMBUDSMAN For the past 10 years, I’ve waged a quix- markets in 2018, 1.26 million, or 1.5%, standards — than as a response to demon- otic counteroffensive against electric-car were EVs. That’s nowhere near then-Nis- strated customer demand, which lately has Ernie Gates boosterism, raining skepticism on the ve- san chief executive Carlos Ghosn’s 2010 favored gas-powered SUVs and pickups. hicles’ potential to cure climate change, prognostication that EVs would account The problem, as industry leaders ac- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow much less to be the clean, green wave of of news and information, reporting any attempts by the for 10% of global sales by 2020. knowledge in their quieter moments, is military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s the transportation future. More than a My biggest error, in hindsight, was to still the same: getting the total cost of own- independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns few people (my Tesla-owner friends very underestimate the financial staying power ing an EV down to that of a gas equivalent. and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman much included) have questioned this fixa- of Elon Musk’s cash-burning Tesla Mo- There’s uncertainty about key variables welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted tion, and I freely admit it’s an odd one. I tors, which I thought would exhaust inves- such as how much more battery costs will by email at [email protected], or by phone at just figured that someone in an otherwise tors’ patience long before it conquered the fall and the global supply of rare-earth 202.886.0003. credulous press had to sort through the complexities of mass-producing quality elements. cloud of wishful thinking, political rhetoric vehicles. Tesla’s Model 3 is the most popu- GM President Mark Reuss recently and sheer commercial hype surrounding wrote that EV-gas cost parity may happen Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- lar electric car on the market, with 111,000 days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday this subject, and it might as well be me. sold in the first nine months of 2019. Own- “within a decade.” Honda CEO Takahiro through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Mass adoption of electric cars, however, ers swear by it. Hachigo told Automotive News Europe, “I Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals do not believe there will be a dramatic in- postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send cannot occur unless they can do everything Tesla’s survival, though, may be the ex- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, gas-powered vehicles can do — including ception that proves the rule. (And we’ll see crease in demand for battery vehicles, and APO AP 96301-5002. the ability to go hundreds of miles before how it does now that Congress has allowed I believe this situation is true globally.” This newspaper is authorized by the Department of A mid-2018 report by JPMorgan Asset Defense for members of the military services overseas. refueling, and refueling easily — at a com- that tax credit to lapse.) Ballyhooed start- However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, parable total cost of ownership. Otherwise, ups such as Coda, TH!NK and Fisker all Management noted that the median global and are not to be considered as the official views of, or electric cars will be a niche product for went bankrupt before 2015 — Fisker after forecast by industry experts is 125 million endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- upper-income folks. And government sub- defaulting on an Energy Department loan EVs on the road worldwide by 2030, which nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote sidies for them will be a regressive trans- at an ultimate cost to taxpayers of $139 would be less than 10% of the total. “I’m locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. fer of social resources in return for little million. Chevrolet discontinued its Volt, a taking the ‘under’ rather than the ‘over,’ ” The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense climate benefit, given that the U.S. power plug-in hybrid, in 2019 after selling only the report’s author, Michael Cembalest, or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. grid the cars draw from is 64% fueled by about 150,000 since the car launched in added. Products or services advertised shall be made available for coal and gas. 2011. That same year, President Barack Me too. Let’s reconvene in 10 years to purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical Nothing happened in the past decade Obama had set a goal of having 1 million see who wins that wager, and to assess the handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor to undermine this basic critique. Gov- plug-in vehicles on the road by 2015. true costs and benefits of the bet that big of the purchaser, user or patron. ernment, both federal and state, subsi- But wait. What about recent reports that government and big business have placed © Stars and Stripes 2020 dized electric-car sales and production Volkswagen is making big new investments on the electric car. to the tune of several billion dollars, yet in electrics? Or Ford’s announcement of a Washington Post editorial writer/columnist Charles stripes.com as of March 2019, there were 1.18 mil- new all-electric Mustang crossover? GM, Lane specializes in economic and fiscal policy. Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 17 SCOREBOARD/COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Sports College basketball AP Men’s Top 25 Green Bay 73, N. Kentucky 59 on AFN Louisiana Tech 80, Southern Miss. 49 The top 25 teams in The Associated Memphis 84, Tulane 73 Press’ men’s college basketball poll, with Mississippi St. 96, Kent St. 68 first-place votes in parentheses, records NC Central 108, Mid-Atlantic Christian through Dec. 29, total points based on 63 Go to the American Forces 25 points for a first-place vote through North Carolina 70, Yale 67 one point for a 25th-place vote and last Northeastern 88, James Madison 72 Network website for the most week’s ranking: Penn 81, Howard 62 up-to-date TV schedules. Record Pts Pvs SC State 58, Jacksonville 52 1. Gonzaga (63) 13-1 1,621 1 Stetson 63, South Carolina 56 myafn.net 2. Duke (1) 11-1 1,516 4 Vanderbilt 76, Davidson 71 3. Kansas (1) 10-2 1,497 5 William & Mary 74, Elon 73 4. Oregon 11-2 1,361 6 MIDWEST 5. Ohio St. 11-2 1,277 2 Akron 85, UMass 79 6. Baylor 9-1 1,267 7 Cleveland St. 82, IUPUI 80 Deals 7. Louisville 11-2 1,196 3 Dayton 77, North Florida 59 8. Auburn 12-0 1,159 8 E. Michigan 88, Concordia (MI) 53 9. Memphis 11-1 1,055 9 Indiana St. 68, S. Illinois 56 Monday’s transactions 10. Villanova 9-2 970 10 Loyola of Chicago 66, Valparaiso 63 Miami (Ohio) 119, Wilberforce 52 BASEBALL 11. Butler 12-1 883 12 12. Michigan 10-3 880 11 Missouri 91, Chicago St. 33 American League 13. San Diego St. 13-0 780 15 Seton Hall 74, DePaul 66 CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Agreed to 14. Michigan St. 10-3 747 14 Wright St. 82, Milwaukee 70 terms with LHP Dallas Keuchel on a 15. Maryland 11-2 720 13 Youngstown St. 70, Ill.-Chicago 64 three-year contract. 16. West Virginia 11-1 719 22 SOUTHWEST TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Designated 17. Kentucky 9-3 674 19 Baylor 83, Jackson St. 57 INF Richard Urena or assignment. Agreed 18. Florida St. 11-2 531 17 Oklahoma 91, Rio Grande 72 to terms with INF Travis Shaw on a one- 19. Virginia 10-2 506 16 Prairie View 92, Huston-Tillotson 77 year contract. 20. Dayton 10-2 483 18 TCU 87, George Mason 53 National League 21. Penn St. 11-2 312 20 Texas 89, High Point 58 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Signed 22. Texas Tech 9-3 175 23 Texas A&M 58, Texas Southern 55 OF Kole Calhoun to a two-year contract. 23. Iowa 10-3 137 25 FAR WEST 24. Wichita St. 11-1 135 - Gonzaga 93, Detroit 72 BASKETBALL Harvard 84, San Francisco 81 National Basketball Association 25. Arizona 10-3 113 24 LAURENCE KESTERSON/AP Others receiving votes: Colorado 74, Idaho St. 75, E. Washington 69 NBA — Fined Golden State Warriors F Montana 52, Sacramento St. 50 Marquese Chriss $35,000 for shoving Dal- Xavier 58, DePaul 47, Washington 40, N Iowa 32, Utah St. 30, Saint Mary’s (Cal) Montana St. 63, N. Arizona 61 Villanova’s Collin Gillespie shoots while being defended by Xavier’s las Mavericks G Luka Doncic to the floor. S. Utah 83, Portland St. 81 — Transferred F 28, Marquette 27, Arkansas 19, Purdue Naji Marshall during the second half on Monday in Villanova, Pa. ATLANTA HAWKS 12, Georgetown 10, Creighton 10, Indiana Weber St. 69, Idaho 68 Charlie Brown Jr. from College Park 5, Houston 4, St. John’s 3, Virginia Tech (NBAGL). 3, ETSU 2, Seton Hall 2, BYU 2, Stanford 1, AP Women’s Top 25 FOOTBALL Yale 1, Florida 1. Top 25 roundup National Football League The top 25 teams in The Associated ARIZONA CARDINALS — Signed CBs Press’ women’s college basketball poll, Sojourn Shelton and Duke Thomas, WRs USA Today Top 25 with first-place votes in parentheses, Johnnie Dixon and A.J. Richardson, OL The top 25 teams in the USA Today records through Dec. 29, total points Sam Jones, DL Lyndon Johnson and P men’s college basketball poll, with based on 25 points for a first-place vote Ryan Winslow to reserve/futures con- first-place votes in parentheses, re- through one point for a 25th-place vote tracts. cords through Dec. 29, points based on and last week’s ranking: Record Pts Pvs Clutch Gillespie lifts CHICAGO BEARS — Signed OL Dino 25 points for a first-place vote through 1. UConn (19) 10-0 722 1 Boyd, DB Xavier Crawford, WR Reggie one point for a 25th-place vote and last week’s ranking: 2. Oregon (5) 10-1 703 2 Davis, DB Stephen Denmark, WR Thomas 3. Oregon St. (5) 12-0 680 3 Ives, OL Sam Mustipher, TE Dax Ray- Record Pts Pvs 1. Gonzaga (30) 13-1 798 1 4. South Carolina (1) 12-1 661 4 mond, LB James Vaughters and WR Alex 5. Stanford 11-1 622 5 Wesley to reserve/futures contracts. 2. Duke (1) 11-1 753 3 3. Kansas (1) 10-2 730 5 6. Baylor 9-1 614 6 CINCINNATI BENGALS — Claimed CB 7. Louisville 12-1 576 7 Villanova past Xavier 4. Baylor 9-1 639 6 Tony Brown off waivers from Green Bay. 5. Ohio State 11-2 621 2 8. Florida St. 13-0 560 8 Signed TE Moritz Boehringer and WR 6. Oregon 11-2 619 7 9. NC State 12-0 503 9 DaMarkus Lodge to reserve/future con- 7. Auburn 12-0 578 8 10. UCLA 12-0 497 10 tracts. 8. Louisville 11-2 570 4 11. Texas A&M 12-1 445 11 Associated Press a grinder. There are just so many CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed DT 9. Villanova 9-2 507 9 12. Maryland 10-2 406 12 13. Kentucky 11-1 376 13 good teams in this league. This is Brandin Bryant, CB Donnie Lewis Jr., WR 10. Butler 12-1 489 11 VILLANOVA, Pa. — Villanova J’Mon Moore, DE Trevon Young, LBs Jer- 11. Memphis 11-1 461 10 14. Indiana 11-2 344 14 going to be incredible this season. maine Grace and Montrel Meander and 12. San Diego State 13-0 382 14 15. Mississippi St. 12-2 341 15 coach Jay Wright leaned on Col- 16. DePaul 11-2 291 16 It’s a great learning experience Gs Malcolm Pridgeon and Willie Wright 13. Michigan 10-3 357 15 lin Gillespie in crunch time, and to reserve/futures contracts. 14. Kentucky 9-3 348 19 17. Gonzaga 12-1 274 17 for us.” DETROIT LIONS — Signed WR Victor 15. Maryland 11-2 341 12 18. Arizona 12-0 265 18 the sophomore guard delivered. Bolden, WR Jonathan Duhart, LS James 16. Michigan State 10-3 316 16 19. West Virginia 9-1 207 19 Marshall had 19 points to pace 17. West Virginia 11-1 311 23 20. Arkansas 12-1 162 20 Gillespie scored 16 of his game- Fisher, P Jack Fox, S A.J. Howard, WR 21. Missouri St. 9-2 116 21 Xavier (9-3). The Musketeers Tom Kennedy, T Matt Nelson, DT Olive 18. Dayton 10-2 291 18 high 24 points in the second half 19. Virginia 10-2 280 13 22. Tennessee 10-2 98 22 were just outside of the Top 25 Sagapolu, LB Christian Sam, G Casey 23. Miami 9-3 62 24 to lead No. 10 Villanova to a 68-62 Tucker and P Matt Wile to reserve/fu- 20. Florida State 11-2 244 17 this week, receiving 58 votes. 21. Penn State 11-2 125 21 24. Minnesota 11-1 50 - victory over Xavier on Monday tures contracts. 22. Texas Tech 9-3 112 22 25. Texas 8-4 46 25 No. 1 Gonzaga 93, De- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Signed TE 23. Wichita State 11-1 82 25 Others receiving votes: South Dakota night in the Big East Conference Mo Alie-Cox, K Chase McLaughlin and 24. Arizona 10-3 74 24 40, Michigan 26, Rutgers 24, Princeton 10, opener for both teams. troit Mercy 72: Filip Petrusev WR Zach Pascal to one-year contract 25. Iowa 10-3 62 26 Colorado 9, Northwestern 7, LSU 5, Kan- scored 22 points as the host Zags extensions. Signed RBs Bruce Anderson Others receiving votes: Washington 38, sas 4, Arizona St. 1, Michigan St. 1, Texas “I really liked his decision mak- III and Darius Jackson; TEs Ian Bunting, Utah State 38, Xavier 34, Northern Iowa 28, Tech 1, Nebraska 1. ing in the second half,” Wright wrapped up their nonconference Xavier Grimble and Matt Lengel; G Chaz Marquette 27, Colorado 27, Saint Mary’s season with a win. Green; DE Gerri Green; WR Malik Henry; 21, Purdue 20, Creighton 15, DePaul 14, Ar- Monday’s women’s scores said of his point guard. “He made CBs Picasso Nelson Jr., Lafayette Pitts kansas 14, Seton Hall 13, North Carolina 7, great decisions on when to take it Ryan Woolridge added 21 points and Jackson Porter; OTs Cedrick Lang, Houston 6, VCU 3, Florida 3, Liberty 2. EAST and eight assists for Gonzaga (14- Andrew Donnal and Travis Vornkahl to Binghamton 75, NJIT 40 at them, when to get someone else reserve/future contracts. AP Top 25 schedule Drexel 70, Maine 57 a shot, and when to take a three.” 1), which has won 31 consecutive MIAMI DOLPHINS — Fired offensive Fordham 63, Houston 54 home games, longest streak in the coordinator Chad OShea, offensive line Wednesday’s games Harvard 61, Rhode Island 58 Gillespie got hot after halftime No. 13 San Diego State vs. Fresno State Rider 71, Delaware St. 69 nation.. coach Dave DeGuglielmo and safeties Saint Joseph’s 49, Navy 40 and drained a key three-pointer coach Tony Oden. No. 24 Wichita State vs. East Carolina Thursday’s games Samford 65, Hofstra 45 with 4:37 remaining that gave the No. 6 Baylor 83, Jackson NEW YORK GIANTS — Fired coach Pat No. 1 Gonzaga at Portland Temple 72, La Salle 69 State 57: Jared Butler scored 18 Shurmur. No. 4 Oregon at Colorado UMass 86, Southern Conn. State 43 Wildcats a 60-49 lead and some OAKLAND RAIDERS — Signed G Richie No. 14 Michigan State vs. Illinois SOUTH needed breathing room. The points, Freddie Gillespie had an- Incognito to a two-year contract exten- No. 20 Dayton at La Salle Coll. of Charleston 73, W. Carolina 62 other double-double and the host sion. Signed DE Ade Aruna, DB Jordan Friday’s game Columbia 75, Tennessee St. 65 Musketeers had been inching Brown, DE Kendall Donnerson, OL Kyle No. 5 Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Elon 87, Furman 76 closer behind the strong interior Bears won their ninth straight Kalis, C Erik Magnuson and WR Anthony Saturday’s games Holy Cross 75, Stetson 63 Ratliff-Williams to reserve/future con- No. 1 Gonzaga vs. Pepperdine Memphis 79, Alabama A&M 71 play of Naji Marshall, who netted game. tracts. No. 2 Duke at Miami NC A&T 69, VCU 58 10 of 12 Xavier points during one Baylor (10-1) missed its first six WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Fired team No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 16 West Virginia North Carolina 70, Pittsburgh 62 shots and didn’t score until MaCio president Bruce Allen. Signed P Tress No. 4 Oregon at Utah Richmond 77, Norfolk St. 69 second-half stretch. Way to a mult-year contract extension. No. 6 Baylor vs. Texas South Florida 70, Brown 60 Teague had a three-point play but Tulane 56, Georgia Southern 40 “Just be a leader vocally and Signed T Paul Adams, DE Ryan Bee, WR No. 7 Louisville vs. No. 18 Florida State No. 8 Auburn at Mississippi State UAB 103, Tuskegee 60 leading by example on the court,” made 11 of 13 field goals during a Emanuel Hall, DE Cameron Malveaux and No. 9 Memphis vs. Georgia UCF 64, Cent. Michigan 58 WR Jordan Veasy to reserve/future con- No. 10 Villanova at Marquette MIDWEST Gillespie said. game-deciding 32-6 run. tracts. No. 11 Butler vs. Creighton Ball St. 84, Urbana 49 Jermaine Samuels added 14 No. 9 Memphis 84, Tulane 73: HOCKEY No. 13 San Diego State at Utah State Bowling Green 91, Davis & Elkins 52 National Hockey League No. 15 Maryland vs. Indiana Cincinnati 86, Coppin St. 40 points for Villanova (10-2), which Lester Quinones scored 16 points, ANAHEIM DUCKS — Recalled RW Dan- No. 17 Kentucky vs. Missouri IUPUI 78, Cleveland St. 53 Damion Baugh finished with 15 iel Sprong from San Diego (AHL). No. 19 Virginia vs. Virginia Tech Iowa St. 80, North Alabama 72 has won six in a row. The Wild- ARIZONA COYOTES — Recalled F Mi- No. 21 Penn State vs. No. 23 Iowa at Kansas 83, Wofford 64 cats hadn’t played since a 56-55 and the host Tigers weathered chael Chapu from Tucson (AHL). The Palestra Kent St. 92, Hiram 36 victory over then-No. 1 Kansas a second-half rally in the teams’ BUFFALO SABRES — Signed LW Dalton No. 22 Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State N. Kentucky 61, Milwaukee 49 Smith. No. 24 Wichita State vs. Mississippi Saint Louis 55, Indiana St. 53 on Dec. 21. American Athletic Conference DETROIT RED WINGS — Assigned G No. 25 Arizona vs. Arizona State Valparaiso 78, E. Illinois 66 The victory was more of the opener. Calvin Pickard to Grand Rapids (AHL). Sunday’s games W. Michigan 70, Loyola of Chicago 60 No. 12 Michigan at No. 14 Michigan Wichita St. 77, Grambling St. 65 same for the Wildcats, who have Precious Achiuwa finished NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Signed D Nikita State Wright St. 70, Green Bay 58 Okhotyuk to a three-year, entry-level No. 20 Dayton at Saint Joseph’s Youngstown St. 77, Ill.-Chicago 65 dominated the Big East since the with 14 points and 10 rebounds as contract. SOUTHWEST conference realignment in 2013. Memphis (12-1, 1-0 AAC) won its TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Reassigned Monday’s men’s s Baylor 94, Morehead St. 47 F Mathieu Joseph to Syracuse (AHL). cores Oklahoma St. 84, Duquesne 41 They have won five of the six reg- 10th straight. Acquired D Patrick Sieloff from the Ana- EAST Prairie View 79, Huston-Tillotson 60 ular-season titles and four of six No. 20 Dayton 77, North heim Ducks for F Chris Mueller. Albany (NY) 67, Columbia 66 Sam Houston St. 102, Wiley 52 SOCCER Buffalo 84, St. Bonaventure 79 Texas Southern 74, Texas-Arlington 63 tournament titles, including the Florida 59: Obi Toppin scored a Major League Soccer Coll. of Charleston 75, Delaware 63 Texas State 67, Alcorn St. 59 past three. career-high 31 points as the host DALLAS — Sent M Pablo Aranguiz to Drexel 71, UNC-Wilmington 66 FAR WEST Universidad de Chile (Primera Division Fordham 62, Coppin St. 56 Air Force 93, Nebraska Wesleyan 42 Wright knows another Big East Flyers used their front-line ad- Chile) on a one-year loan. Hofstra 75, Towson 67 BYU 65, Pepperdine 47 title isn’t going to be easy, espe- vantage and pulled away . INTER MIAMI — Named Diego Alonso New Hampshire 70, Dartmouth 56 Idaho 70, Weber St. 50 coach. Pittsburgh 87, Canisius 79 Idaho St. 67, E. Washington 47 cially given that Villanova starts Dayton (11-2) took advantage of Rutgers 94, Caldwell 49 Montana 64, Sacramento St. 60 ORLANDO CITY — Signed D Antonio UMBC 89, Penn State York 57 Montana St. 72, N. Arizona 64 three sophomores and a fresh- its height mismatch and used its Carlos on a one-year loan from Palmei- Villanova 68, Xavier 62 Pacific 84, San Francisco 61 man, along with a junior. quickness to force 21 turnovers ras (Serie A-Brazil). Washington Adventist University 78, S. Utah 71, Portland St. 58 COLLEGE Delaware St. 76 Saint Mary’s (Cal) 95, Santa Clara 87 “That’s what the Big East is that set up easy baskets. Day- OHIO STATE — Announced RB J.K. SOUTH San Diego 67, Loyola Marymount 59 Dobbins is leaving school early to enter Georgia 78, Austin Peay 48 UC Santa Barbara 72, Ottawa Univer- going to be like every night, home ton scored 52 of its points in the the NFL Draft. Georgia St. 83, Middle Georgia St. 53 sity Arizona 57 or away,” he said. “It’s going to be paint. PAGE 18 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 NFL Jaguars keep Marrone, Caldwell despite losses

BY MARK LONG Angeles Rams, as well as some assistants. Associated Press Coughlin had difficulty making the transi- tion from the sideline to the front office. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jackson- Coughlin’s position as executive vice ville Jaguars are retaining coach Doug Mar- president of football operations will not be rone and general manager Dave Caldwell filled. Marrone and Caldwell will report despite consecutive losing seasons. directly to Khan. Owner Shad Khan made the announce- “I want to see what we produce under ment Tuesday after “positive meetings” a new organizational structure in 2020,” with Marrone, Caldwell, their staffs and Khan said. “Goals have been established. several players. Accountability will be paramount.” “This is not the time to consider an over- Khan expressed his disappointment haul of our organization,” Khan said. with the team’s 6-10 season. Jacksonville Marrone and Caldwell have two years was 4-4 and in the hunt in the AFC South remaining on their contracts, and Khan before losing five straight and falling out of made it clear that expectations are high for playoff contention. The Jags responded by 2020. losing all five by at least 17 points. Jacksonville has two first-round draft Marrone is 23-28 in three seasons, in- picks, Nos. 9 and 20 overall, to help re- cluding 11-21 following a trip to the 2017 build a roster that lacks talent and depth. AFC title game. Marrone has expressed STEPHEN B. MORTON/AP Rookies Gardner Minshew, Josh Allen and his frustration with the roster, much of Jawaan Taylor are a few of the building which Coughlin put together, but knows Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone directs his players against the Colts during blocks in place for Marrone and Caldwell there are enough pieces in place to be more Sunday’s game in Jacksonville, Fla. Marrone will remain the team’s coach next season. moving forward. competitive. Jacksonville lost seven games But there are plenty of holes, especially if by double digits this season. strides, Caldwell and Coughlin gave him a benched in his third game back. Minshew the Jaguars part ways with several expen- The slide began in the offseason. The three-year extension worth $54 million. was one of several bright spots, going 6- sive veterans to create salary cap space. Jaguars had to cut several good players, Jacksonville released Bortles in March, 6 in 12 starts and becoming just the 14th Khan fired top executive Tom Cough- including defensive tackle Malik Jackson leaving the team with a $16.5 million dead- rookie in NFL history — and first drafted lin two weeks ago, identifying the old- and safety Tashaun Gipson, after botching money hit on the 2019 salary cap, and after the fourth round — to throw at least school coach’s overbearing ways as the the quarterback position again. Caldwell signed former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles 20 touchdowns passes. main problem. Coughlin’s heavy-handed chose Blake Bortles with the third overall to a four-year, $88 million deal. But the Jaguars have significant holes at approach upset players, with cornerback pick in the 2014 draft, and even though the Foles broke his left collarbone in the tight end, receiver, linebacker, safety and Jalen Ramsey forcing his trade to the Los quarterback showed more struggles than opener, missed eight games and was defensive tackle. Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 19 NBA/NHL Malkin’s 2 goals spark Penguins’ rout of Senators Associated Press NHL scoreboard PITTSBURGH — Evgeni Malkin’s goal in the first minute sparked the Pittsburgh Penguins Eastern Conference to a victory that ended with dis- Atlantic Division tressing thud. GP W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 40 24 7 9 57 136 102 Malkin scored twice but team- Toronto 40 21 14 5 47 142 131 mate Jake Guentzel was injured Florida 38 20 13 5 45 138 130 Tampa Bay 37 20 13 4 44 131 116 right after getting his 20th goal Montreal 39 18 15 6 42 130 128 of the season in the Penguins’ 5- Buffalo 40 17 16 7 41 117 125 Ottawa 40 16 19 5 37 111 132 2 win Monday night over the Ot- Detroit 40 9 28 3 21 87 157 Metropolitan Division tawa Senators. Washington 40 27 8 5 59 143 118 Guentzel had a three-point Pittsburgh 39 24 11 4 52 136 104 N.Y. Islanders 37 24 10 3 51 110 97 night but left after scoring 6:55 Philadelphia 39 22 12 5 49 124 113 into the third period. Guentzel, Carolina 39 23 14 2 48 133 111 N.Y. Rangers 38 19 15 4 42 124 125 who was selected to his first All- Columbus 39 17 14 8 42 101 111 Star Game on Monday, tapped New Jersey 38 13 19 6 32 99 136 MATT MARTON/AP one into a partially empty net off Western Conference Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, shoots over Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Malkin’s feed, then crashed hard Central Division Markkanen. Antetokounmpo had 23 points and 10 rebounds in the Bucks’ 123-102 win at Chicago. into the wall following contact GP W L OT Pts GF GA St. Louis 40 26 8 6 58 127 104 with Ottawa’s Thomas Chabot. Colorado 39 23 12 4 50 140 112 Guentzel immediately went to Dallas 40 22 14 4 48 107 101 NBA roundup NBA scoreboard Winnipeg 39 21 15 3 45 118 116 the dressing room after getting Minnesota 40 19 16 5 43 125 133 his 200th career point. Nashville 38 18 14 6 42 132 127 Chicago 40 17 17 6 40 113 129 “I hope he’s not out long,” Mal- Pacific Division Antetokounmpo backs Eastern Conference kin said. “It didn’t look good. But Vegas 42 21 15 6 48 129 123 Vancouver 40 21 15 4 46 132 119 Atlantic Division everyone understands it’s hockey. Arizona 41 21 16 4 46 115 107 W L Pct GB Calgary 41 20 16 5 45 111 122 Boston 22 8 .733 — It’s tough. I need to play better A Edmonton 41 20 17 4 44 118 129 Bucks’ win over Bulls Philadelphia 23 12 .657 1 next game if Jake doesn’t play.” Anaheim 39 16 18 5 37 101 119 A Toronto 22 11 .667 1 San Jose 40 17 20 3 37 109 137 Brooklyn 16 16 .500 7 Penguins coach Mike Sul- A Los Angeles 41 16 21 4 36 104 129 Associated Press New York 9 24 .273 14 livan didn’t have an update on Note: Two points for a win, one point streak snapped. The Heat entered Southeast Division for overtime loss. Top three teams in Miami 24 9 .727 — Guentzel. each division and two wild cards per with the second-best record in Orlando 14 19 .424 10 CHICAGO — Giannis Antetok- “It was really scary,” Sullivan conference advance to playoffs. the East and lost for just the third Charlotte 13 22 .371 12 Sunday’s games ounmpo had 23 points and 10 re- Washington 10 22 .313 13A time in 20 games against confer- A said. “Those are always danger- St. Louis 4, Winnipeg 1 bounds after missing two games Atlanta 7 27 .206 17 Chicago 3, Columbus 2, SO ence opponents. Central Division ous when you fall that distance New Jersey 4, Ottawa 3, OT with a sore back, and the Mil- Milwaukee 30 5 .857 — Suns 122, Trail Blazers 116: from the boards. He’s being eval- N.Y. Islanders 3, Minnesota 1 Indiana 21 12 .636 8 Boston 3, Buffalo 2 waukee Bucks pulled away in the Chicago 13 21 .382 16A uated. We’ll probably have more Devin Booker scored 33 points, A Florida 6, Montreal 5 second half for a 123-102 victory Detroit 12 22 .353 17 Tampa Bay 2, Detroit 1 Kelly Oubre Jr. had 29 and Phoe- Cleveland 10 22 .313 18A information on him (Tuesday).” over the Chicago Bulls on Mon- Dallas 4, Arizona 2 nix rallied to win at Portland. Malkin stretched his points Philadelphia 2, Anaheim 1, OT day night. Western Conference streak to six games. He has seven Vancouver 5, Calgary 2 Antetokounmpo, the NBA’s After trailing by 19, the Suns Monday’s games roared back to win their second Southwest Division goals and 24 points in his past 13 Pittsburgh 5, Ottawa 2 second-leading scorer with an W L Pct GB Tuesday’s games consecutive game and hand the Houston 22 11 .667 — contests. Patric Hornqvist and average of 30.5 points per game A Boston at New Jersey Dallas 21 11 .656 N.Y. Islanders at Washington Trail Blazers their fourth straight San Antonio 13 18 .419 8 Dominik Simon also scored the entering this one, played only 27 A Anaheim at Vegas defeat. Memphis 13 21 .382 9 Penguins, who have won three Toronto at Minnesota minutes and sat out the final 5½ New Orleans 11 23 .324 11A Jazz 104, Pistons 81: Dono- straight and 10 of 12. Tampa Bay at Buffalo because of the lopsided score. He Northwest Division Montreal at Carolina Denver 23 9 .719 — Tristan Jarry stopped 24 shots Florida at Columbus was 8-for-14 from the field with van Mitchell scored 23 points and Utah 21 12 .636 2A to win his sixth straight game. San Jose at Detroit six assists. Jordan Clarkson added 20 to lead Oklahoma City 17 15 .531 6 Winnipeg at Colorado host Utah over Detroit. Portland 14 20 .412 10 He has won eight of his last nine St. Louis at Arizona Khris Middleton scored 25 Minnesota 12 20 .375 11 Chicago at Calgary Rudy Gobert added 13 points Pacific Division starts and allowed no more than N.Y. Rangers at Edmonton points for the Bucks and Eric L.A. Lakers 26 7 .788 — and 19 rebounds for the surg- A two goals in 14 of 18 appearances Philadelphia at Los Angeles Bledsoe had 15 points in 16 min- L.A. Clippers 23 11 .676 3 Wednesday’s games ing Jazz, and Bojan Bogdanovic Phoenix 13 20 .394 13 this season. Nashville at Dallas utes after missing the previous Sacramento 12 21 .364 14 scored 17. Utah won for the eighth A Nick Paul scored twice for the Thursday’s games eight games with a fractured Golden State 9 25 .265 17 Columbus at Boston Sunday’s games Senators, who ended a five-game Edmonton at Buffalo right leg. Milwaukee improved to time in nine games. Oklahoma City 98, Toronto 97 points streak. Paul has three Tampa Bay at Montreal a league-best 30-5. Timberwolves 122, Nets 115 Memphis 117, Charlotte 104 New Jersey at N.Y. Islanders New Orleans 127, Houston 112 San Jose at Pittsburgh Zach LaVine scored 19 points (OT): Shabazz Napier scored a Denver 120, Sacramento 115 goals in his last two games. L.A. Lakers 108, Dallas 95 Florida at Ottawa season-high 24 points, Jarrett Marcus Hogberg made 28 saves Toronto at Winnipeg for the Bulls but shot just 7-for-23 Monday’s games from the field. Culver added 21 and short-hand- Atlanta 101, Orlando 93 for the Senators. Anaheim at Arizona ed Minnesota rallied past visiting Washington 123, Miami 105 “We were unable to contain N.Y. Rangers at Calgary Wizards 123, Heat 105: Jor- Minnesota 122, Brooklyn 115, OT St. Louis at Colorado Brooklyn in overtime. Milwaukee 123, Chicago 102 their top guys,” Senators coach Chicago at Vancouver dan McRae scored a season-high Philadelphia at Vegas Utah 104, Detroit 81 D.J. Smith said. “Defensively in 29 points, Garrison Mathews had The Timberwolves had lost 12 Phoenix 122, Portland 116 a career-high 28 and Ian Mahin- of 13 and were again without in- Tuesday’s games our zone and off the rush, Malkin beat Hogberg with a glove-side Boston at Charlotte just kind of ate us up tonight.” mi added a career-best 25 as de- jured Karl-Anthony Towns and ill Philadelphia at Indiana wrist shot during a 2-on-1. Guent- L.A. Clippers at Sacramento Pittsburgh has won 14 of 22 pleted Washington beat visiting Andrew Wiggins. Gorgui Dieng zel assisted, giving him points started in Towns’ place and had Cleveland at Toronto games without captain Sidney Miami. Denver at Houston in four straight. Guentzel has 12 With the Wizards (10-22) minus 11 points and 20 rebounds . Golden State at San Antonio Crosby, who has been out since Dallas at Oklahoma City goals and 29 points in his last 20 All-Star shooting guard Bradley Hawks 101, Magic 93: Bran- Wednesday’s games November because of core mus- games. Beal and five other key mem- don Goodwin scored 21 points, Orlando at Washington cle surgery. Crosby has recently Portland at New York Simon gave Pittsburgh a 2-0 bers of their rotation, they got Kevin Huerter added 19 and At- Minnesota at Milwaukee started skating. Phoenix at L.A. Lakers lead at 11:44 of the first period. huge contributions from an unex- lanta won at Orlando to end a 10- Thursday’s games In 140 career games without pected trio. McRae, a third-year game skid. Charlotte at Cleveland Crosby, Malkin has 75 goals and Simon was under pressure when Denver at Indiana he took a cross-ice pass and player, Mathews, in his 11th NBA Playing without injured guard Toronto at Miami 192 points. In 20 games without game, and Mahinmi, a 13-year Trae Young (ankle) for the second Golden State at Minnesota Crosby this season, Malkin has flipped a backhander past Hog- Utah at Chicago veteran, enjoyed nights to re- straight game, the Hawks trailed Brooklyn at Dallas 11 goals and 32 points. berg from the side of the crease. Oklahoma City at San Antonio It was his second goal in three member against the Heat (24-9), by 18 during the first half but ral- Memphis at Sacramento Malkin opened the scoring 27 which had its five-game winning lied in the third quarter. Detroit at L.A. Clippers seconds into the game when he games. PAGE 20 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Leonard led the way in the NBA with his big play

BY TIM REYNOLDS Associated Press Voting totals e was the Fun Guy. The board man who Athlete Pts got paid. He overcame Kawhi Leonard 42 Hinjury to reclaim his Lamar Jackson 19 rightful place as one of the very Patrick Mahomes 17 best basketball players on the Rafael Nadal 16 planet. He conquered the NBA Giannis Antetokounmpo 15 world for a second time, bringing Tom Brady 13 a championship to Canada. And Brooks Koepka 12 then he joined the Los Angeles Zion Williamson 9 Clippers, ready to start anew. Kyle Busch 8 “What it do, baby?” Caeleb Dressel 6 For Kawhi Leonard in 2019, Joe Burrow 6 there finally is an answer to his Lionel Messi 5 infamous question: He did every- Pieter-Steph du Toit 3 thing, without talking much. Stephen Strasburg 2 Leonard is The Associated Mike Trout 2 Press’ male athlete of the year for Novak Djokovic 2 2019, comfortably winning a vote Lewis Hamilton 1 by AP member sports editors and Rory McIlroy 1 AP beat writers. He becomes the Mohamed Salah 1 fifth NBA player to win the award, joining Larry Bird (1986), three- light or anything like that. He’s time recipient Michael Jordan just a good guy who wanted to be (1991 through 1993), three-time good.” recipient LeBron James (2013, Somewhere along the way, he 2016, 2018) and Stephen Curry became great. (2015). The award has been made Leonard was the best player FRANK GUNN, THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP annually since 1931, and Simone in last season’s playoffs, after a Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, center, celebrates his game-winning basket as time expired Biles was announced Thursday as regular season where he missed at the end of an NBA Eastern Conference semifinal basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers. the women’s recipient for 2019. 22 games mostly because of what Leonard helped the Raptors win the NBA title, his second championship. Leonard was the NBA Finals has become known as “load man- MVP for the second time, lead- agement” — the fancy term used ing Toronto to its first champion- on nights when he would sit out to ‘ It’s not about me being famous or ship — five years after he first rest. Leonard missed most of the smudged his fingerprints on both 2017-18 season with the Spurs be- wanting to have more fame than those trophies with the San Antonio cause of a complicated leg issue, Spurs. He wound up leaving the and the NBA said last month that guys. It’s about me playing basketball and Raptors in the summer for the he is still dealing with “an ongo- having fun on the floor. ing injury to the patella tendon in ’ Clippers, returning to his native Kawhi Leonard his left knee.” Southern California and turning On winning the NBA title with the Toronto Raptors, then signing with the Clippers the historically woeful franchise He was limping at times in into one of the top teams in the the playoffs, but it didn’t matter. league. He averaged 30.5 points and 9.1 “The ride was fun,” Leonard rebounds in the postseason, his Leonard performed at that became a meme and a market- said earlier this month on his re- 732 points in last year’s playoffs lofty level even while dealing ing slogan. So did his “Board turn trip to Toronto, summing up ranking as the third-most in any with a major distraction. During man gets paid” line. And after his year with the Raptors. “I had NBA playoff year. In the biggest the NBA Finals, it was revealed the Raptors won the title, Serge a great time.” times, he came up the biggest — that Leonard filed a federal law- Ibaka’s video of Leonard went By now, it’s no secret that Leon- 15 points in the fourth quarter to suit against Nike and claimed the viral — they were in the back of a ard is a man of few words. carry Toronto past Milwaukee in footwear and apparel giant was car, on the way to the parade, and He is not a man of few the series-turning Game 5 of the blocking him from using a logo Ibaka teed him up for the next accomplishments. Eastern Conference finals, and that he believes he owns. unforgettable saying. He received more than twice as 17 points in the fourth quarter of “There’s a lot of guys that are “Fun Guy, what’s up baby?” like, ‘Look, I’m going to find a many points in the balloting as any Game 4 of the NBA Finals against Ibaka asked. way to win and in a seven-game of the other 18 vote-getters. Balti- Golden State to put the Raptors The answer was classic Leon- more Ravens quarterback Lamar on the cusp of the title. series I’m going to get the best ard. Short, sweet, to the point. Jackson was second, followed by And, of course, he made The of you in the end,’ ” said Miami’s “I’m playing to have fun and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Shot: the four-bounce-off-the- Jimmy Butler, who was with try to be the best player I can be,” Patrick Mahomes, tennis star rim, at-the-buzzer jump shot from Philadelphia last season and saw Rafael Nadal and reigning NBA the corner to beat Philadelphia in up-close what makes Leonard Leonard said. “I’m happy with MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of Game 7 of the second round. tick. “But he’s definitely up there. myself and what I have done in DARREN ABATE/AP the Milwaukee Bucks. “Without a doubt,” Raptors Your respect just grows. Push, my career and I’m just going to Leonard left the Raptors in the “Kawhi’s pretty steady,” said coach Nick Nurse mused during pull, whatever he’s got to do. ... keep on from there. It’s not about summer for the Los Angeles San Antonio coach Gregg Popov- the playoff run, “the best thing He’s going to find a way.” me being famous or wanting to Clippers, returning to his native ich, Leonard’s former coach with about this thing is that somehow During the playoffs, Leonard’s have more fame than those guys. Southern California and turning the Spurs. “He’s not a big talker. I wound up on the sideline getting “I’m a fun guy” quote that he of- It’s about me playing basketball the franchise into one of the top He doesn’t try to find the lime- to watch this guy play up close.” fered on his arrival in Toronto and having fun on the floor.” teams in the league. Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 21 YEAR IN REVIEW FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Greatest gymnast – it’s a Simone thing

BY WILL GRAVES Associated Press hey’re called “Sim- one Things,” a catchall phrase for the casual Tease with which Simone Biles seems to soar through her sport and her life. The irony, of course, is that there’s nothing casual or easy about it. The greatest gymnast of all time and 2019 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year only makes it seem that way. Those jaw-dropping routines that are rewriting her sport’s code of points and redefining what can be done on the compe- tition floor? Borne from a mix of natural talent, hard work and a splash of ego. The 25 world championship medals, the most by any gymnast ever? The result of a promise the 22-year-old made to herself when she returned to competition in 2017 after taking time off follow- ing her golden run at the 2016 Olympics. The stoicism and grace she has shown in becoming an advocate for survivors — herself included — and an agent for change in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal that’s shaken USA Gymnastics to its core? The by- product of a conscious decision to embrace the immense clout she PHOTOS BY CHARLIE RIEDEL (TOP) AND MARJAN MURAT (BOTTOM)/AP carries. Above: Simone Biles practices on the vault for the senior women’s competition at the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Kansas City, “I realize now with the plat- Mo. Below: She won five gold medals at the Gymnastics World Championships this year in Stuttgart, Germany. She is the first gymnast to form I have, it will be powerful win the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award twice and the first to win it in a non-Olympic year. if I speak up and speak for what I believe in,” Biles said. “It’s an they settle on typically followed curse of making the nearly im- The moment went viral, as most honor to speak for those that are by multiple exclamation points possible look tantalizingly attain- Voting totals things surrounding her do. less fortunate. So if I can be a and a goat emoji, a nod to Biles able. When Biles learned about “I’m starting to realize it’s not voice for them in a positive man- being considered the Greatest Of the FIG’s decision, she vented on just the gymternet anymore,” ner, then of course I’m going to do All Time. Twitter, her palpable frustration Athlete Pts Biles said, using the term for her whatever I can.” Her triple-twisting double-flip highlighting the realness she’s Simone Biles 66 sport’s dedicated fans. “It’s an And it’s that mission — com- (the “triple double”) at the end of maintained even as her first name Megan Rapinoe 60 overall thing. It’s weird to get that bined with her otherworldly skill her first tumbling pass on floor has become synonymous with her Mikaela Shiffrin 26 kind of attention, but at the end and boundless charisma — that’s exercise is a wondrous blur. Her sport’s royalty. Elena Delle Donne 12 of the day, I feel gymnastics has enabled Biles to keep gymnas- double-twisting double-flip beam It can lead to a bit of a balanc- Ash Barty 6 been overlooked in non-Olympic tics in the spotlight, a rarity for a dismount (the “double double”) is ing act. In some ways, she’s still Sifan Hassan 4 years. Yeah, it puts pressure on sport that typically retreats into so tough the International Gym- the kid from Texas who just wants Sabrina Ionescu 3 me. But I’m not trying to think the background once the Olym- nastics Federation made the un- to hang out with her boyfriend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce 3 about all the attention from the pic flame goes out. She is the first usual decision to downplay its and her dog and go to the grocery Jin-Young Ko 1 outside world.” gymnast to be named AP Female value in an effort to deter other store without being bothered. In Amanda Nunes 1 Athlete of the Year twice and the The attention figures to only gymnasts from even trying it. other ways, she’s trying to be re- Simone Manuel 1 grow in the run-up to Tokyo, first to do it in a non-Olympic This is the blessing and the spectful of the world she’s built. year. where she will attempt to become Take the GOAT thing. It’s a Biles edged U.S. women’s soc- the first female gymnast in more title she embraces — Biles wore a cer star Megan Rapinoe in a vote than half a century to repeat as goat-themed leotard during train- by AP member sports editors and Olympic champion. Her smiling ing at the national championships AP beat writers. Skiing star Mi- face serves as the exclamation kaela Schiffrin placed third, with in August — but also takes with point at the end of every television WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne a grain of salt, determined to promo for the Summer Games. fourth. Biles captured the award stay grounded even as the hype Let it be known: The smile is in 2016 following a showstopping around her growse. real. That might not have always performance at the Rio de Janei- Biles has become aware over been the case, but is is now. Head- ro Olympics, where she won five the last three years that her word ing into the final months of a sin- medals in all, four of them gold. and action carries greater weight gular career, she is trying to revel She spent most of the following than she ever imagined. Her most in the journey while anxiously 12 months taking a break before impactful moment of 2019 might awaiting what’s next. Add it to the returning to the gym in the fall of not have come during a meet but list of Simone Things. 2017, saying she owed it to herself sitting for an interview on the eve “I feel like this is the beginning to mine the depth of her talent. of winning her record sixth na- of my life and I don’t want gym- Check social media following tional title, when she fought back nastics to be my whole entire life,” one of her routines and you’ll find tears while talking about how she said. “I’m definitely going to people — from LeBron James to USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olym- soak in the moment and enjoy it Michelle Obama to Chrissy Tei- pic and Paralympic Committee so 10 years from now I can look gen — struggling to distill what and the FBI failed to protect ath- back and say ‘I had the time of my they’ve witnessed into 280 char- letes during an investigation into life out there’ ... rather than ‘I was acters or fewer, with whatever Nassar’s abusive behavior. good, but I was miserable.’ ” PAGE 22 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW Karma had hand in feel-good moments

BY JIM LITKE Churchill Downs track sloppy even before Associated Press the start of the 145th Kentucky Derby in May. But the real mess materialized at the arma had a career year in 2019. end, when Maximum Security, the first She draped a green jacket on horse across the finish line, became the first Tiger Woods, handed soccer’s winner disqualified for an in-race foul. KWorld Cup to a tough-as-nails Track stewards pored over replays for U.S. Women’s National Team, shipped the 22 agonizing minutes before awarding the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy to a cool-as- win to Country House, ruling that Maxi- they-come rookie coach and players from mum Security had drifted into the path of the Great White North, righted a wrong War of Will, setting off a dustup that affect- that happened a quarter-mile from the fin- ed at least two other horses. That decision ish line at the Kentucky Derby, and turned turned the tote board upside-down and a baseball tribute to a fallen teammate into handed Bill Mott, a training legend who’d something truly unforgettable. won everything else racing has to offer, his So if sports didn’t make you smile at first Kentucky Derby. least once in the past 12 months, well, that’s “I’m glad I wasn’t in their shoes,” Mott probably on you. said. Here are the top five feel-good stories of  The sudden death of popular Los An- 2019 (and one honorable mention): geles Angels left-hander Tyler Skaggs in  Fourteen years after his last Masters early July rocked the baseball world. His win and 11 years after his last major, after death was later attributed to an overdose of /AP fighting through chronic back problems, MARK J. TERRILL opioids, sparking a rare agreement between multiple surgeries, a bout with painkillers Angels center fielder Mike Trout gestures toward a photo of Tyler Skaggs in center Major League Baseball and the players and long after just about everybody had field prior to a game against the Detroit Tigers, in Anaheim, Calif., on July 29. Skaggs union to add a treatment-based approach written him off, Woods claimed his fifth passed away on July 1. “We’re always going to be thinking about him,” Trout said. and evaluation protocol regarding opioid green jacket in April. use to the current drug-testing program. “It’s overwhelming, just because of ing the U.S. Open after three rounds, sponded by celebrating subsequent tallies But the Angels weren’t thinking long- what’s transpired,” he said afterward. “It’s Bockerstette did it again. Woodland said with snarky golf claps and tea-time toasts, term when they planned to honor Skaggs in unreal for me to experience this.” Bockerstette’s tweet the night before the remaining ruthless until the final whistle their first home game — against the Seattle His win was called the “greatest come- final round helped make a difference this in a 2-0 championship-game win over the Mariners — after more than a week away. back in sports,” and “the feel-good story of time. Netherlands. They wanted his teammates and fans to re- the century.” “Amy told me a million times when we “We’ve done exactly what we set out to member a promising young pitcher whose But it might not even have been the most were on that hole. ‘I’ve got this, I’ve got do, done exactly what we wanted to do, said personality lit up the clubhouse. karmic moment in golf in 2019. this,’ ” Woodland recalled after his win. what we feel,” said Rapinoe. “I know some- The Angels players donned jerseys with (Honorable mention) At the Phoenix “And I told myself that a million times times my voice is louder, but everybody is Skaggs’ name and his No. 45 on the back. Open in late January, PGA Tour pro Gary today, ‘I’ve got this.’ ” in this together.” His mother, Debbie, threw out the first Woodland helped Amy Bockerstette, a  The U.S. National Women’s Team  The Toronto Raptors, on the other pitch. Then the magic started. community college golfer with Down Syn- hardly needed reassuring. If anything, hand, weren’t marked for greatness until Mike Trout hit a 454-foot home run to drome, finish off one of the most heart- captain Megan Rapinoe and her team- that moment in Game 7 of a playoff series open the scoring. Pitchers Taylor Cole and warming pars golf has ever seen. At the mates were deemed too brash as they gal- against Philadelphia, when Kawhi Leon- Felix Pena combined to throw a no-hitter U.S. Open in June at Pebble Beach, he bor- livanted across France in pursuit of their ard’s buzzer-beating, fadeaway jumper — the 11th in franchise history, which was rowed her mantra — “I’ve got this” — en third World Cup — and second in a row. bounced four times on the rim before cap- the number Skaggs wore in high school. route to the biggest win of his career. Along the way, they sparred with Presi- ping a 92-90 win. After scoring seven times in the first in- Playing with Woodland in front of a big dent Trump over politics and highlighted Lucky or not, the Raptors turned that ning, the final score was 13-0, which practice-day crowd , Bockerstette sensed a gender-discrimination lawsuit against break into a title. They outlasted Milwaukee aligned with Skaggs’ 7/13 birthday. he was more nervous than she was. So be- their own federation in a fight for recogni- in the Eastern Conference final and riding After the final out, the Angels ventured fore each shot, she put Woodland at ease tion and equal pay. Leonard’s masterful performances on both out to the mound and laid their jerseys on with the words she repeats when tackling They scored 13 goals against lowly Thai- ends of the floor, ended the Golden State the bump. life’s other challenges: “I’ve got this.” land in a group-stage match and caught Warriors’ dynastic dreams in six games. “We’re always going to be thinking about Five months later, with Woodland lead- flak for celebrating too much. They re-  A drenching rainstorm turned the him.” Trout said Woods’ win at Augusta was an uplifting escape

BY EDDIE PELLS as a platform to discuss bigger is- Florida, triggering an avalanche take on the best and win. then never giving anyone a whiff Associated Press sues was hardly a one-off in 2019. of stories about infidelity that Regular tournaments are not of hope, this was a comeback. He Of the top 12 stories in the ballot- would lead to the breakup of his the majors, though, and no major started the day two shots behind. A green jacket. A heart-melting ing, only three — titles won by the marriage and play into the near- is the Masters. As AP golf writer Doug Fer- embrace. A stirring return to the Toronto Raptors, Washington Na- destruction of his career. It was on the hallowed grounds guson wrote in his wrapup of the top of golf by one of the sport’s all- tionals and University of Virginia Part 2 was the injuries. Woods of Augusta National where Woods final day: “Woods never missed a time greats. basketball team — stuck mainly to came close but did not return to his set the marker . He blew away the shot that mattered over the final In choosing Tiger Woods’ vic- what happened between the lines. dominant form after his return to field by 12 strokes in 1997 to win seven holes, taking the lead with tory at the Masters as The Asso- The rest — including the blown golf following his breakup with his the first of his five green jackets a 5-iron to the fat of the green on ciated Press sports story of the call that cost the Saints a chance wife. As time went on, his physical and 15 major titles. the par-5 15th for a two-putt bird- year, voters went with the uplift- at the Super Bowl, a California law condition deteriorated. He didn’t On that day, Woods came off ie, delivering the knockout with ing escape of a great comeback that threatens to upend the NCAA play in 2016 or 2017, and at the end the 18th green and wrapped him- an 8-iron that rode down the ridge over options that were as much and Simone Biles’ dominance at of ’17, he conceded his back was so self in a warm embrace with his by the cup and settled 2 feet away about sports as the issues that the gymnastics world champion- bad that his days of competitive father, Earl, whose death in 2006 for birdie on the par-3 16th.” enveloped them in 2019: politics, ships, set against the backdrop of golf might be behind him. left an undeniable void in the When it was over, Woods came money and the growing push for the sex-abuse crisis consuming There were four risky back player’s life. to the same spot where he’d met equal pay and equal rights for the sport in the U.S. — were long- surgeries. Woods also required a Although there had been a Earl 22 years before. He scooped women. running sagas that went beyond a good deal of inner healing after handful of close calls between his up his son, Charlie, and held him The voters, a mix of AP mem- day or event. They painted sports a mortifying DUI arrest in 2017 U.S. Open victory in 2008 and the in a long embrace, then did the ber sports editors and AP beat not as an escape from the world’s that exposed his reliance on start of 2019, it was clear that if same with his 11-year-old daugh- writers, elevated Woods’ rousing problems but merely another win- painkillers. there was a course where Woods ter, Sam, and mother, Tilda. victory at Augusta National over dow into them. Through it all, Woods some- could conjure the old magic and “For them to see what it’s like to the runner-up entry: the U.S. It’s no stretch to say that the how kept nurturing his love for end a major drought, it would be have their dad win a major cham- women’s soccer team’s victory at whole of the Woods saga — name- golf. And eventually, he found his Augusta National. pionship, I hope that’s something the World Cup. That monthlong ly, the sordid, pain-riddled, dec- game again. He climbed his way At one time, he might have over- they will never forget,” Woods competition was punctuated by adelong prelude to his victory in back to the top. He had close calls powered the course and intimi- said. star Megan Rapinoe’s push for April — also fit into that category . at two majors in 2018 — the Brit- dated the competition. In 2019, he Very few golf fans will. And in a pay equality for the women’s team His downfall began in the wee ish Open and PGA Championship simply outlasted them both. He sports year dominated by weight- and an ongoing war of words with hours the day after Thanksgiv- — and then won the season-end- avoided mistakes while everyone ier topics, Woods at the Masters President Donald Trump. ing in 2009, when he ran over a ing Tour Championship, as good else was making them. Instead stood out — a comeback story that Rapinoe’s efforts to use sports fire hydrant outside his house in a sign as any that, at 43, he could of taking a lead into the last day, left people smiling at the end. Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 23 COLLEGE FOOTBALL Scoreboard Bowl roundup

Bowl schedule Friday, Dec. 20 Cardinals Bahamas Bowl Buffalo 31, Charlotte 9 Frisco (Texas) Bowl Kent State 51, Utah State 41 Saturday, Dec. 21 rally past Celebration Bowl NC A&T 64, Alcorn State 44 New Mexico Bowl San Diego State 48, Central Michigan 11 Cure Bowl Bulldogs Liberty 23, Georgia Southern 16 Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl FAU 52, SMU 28 Associated Press Camellia Bowl Arkansas State 34, FIU 26 Las Vegas Bowl NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Micale Washington 38, Boise State 7 New Orleans Bowl Cunningham threw for 279 yards Appalachian State 31, UAB 17 and two touchdowns and ran for Monday, Dec. 23 Gasparilla Bowl 81 more, and Louisville capped UCF 48, Marshall 25 coach Scott Satterfield’s debut Tuesday, Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl season by beating Mississippi Hawaii 38, BYU 34 State in the Music City Bowl. Thursday, Dec. 26 Independence Bowl The Cardinals (8-5) rallied Louisiana Tech 14, Miami 0 from a 14-point deficit by scor- Quick Lane Bowl Pittsburgh 34, Eastern Michigan 30 ing 31 straight points to finish Friday, Dec. 27 their big turnaround from 2-10 Military Bowl North Carolina 55, Temple 13 last season. Louisville also final- Pinstripe Bowl Michigan State 27, Wake Forest 21 ly beat Mississippi State on the Texas Bowl field for the first time in six tries, Texas A&M 24, Oklahoma State 21 Holiday Bowl though the series now is tied 3-3 Iowa 49, Southern Cal 24 thanks to a pair of forfeits by the Cheez-It Bowl /AP Air Force 31, Washington State 21 LYNNE SLADKY Bulldogs in the 1970s. Saturday, Dec. 28 Mississippi State (6-7) had been Camping World Bowl Florida running back Lamical Perine, right, had 181 total offensive yards with two rushing touchdowns Orlando, Fla. trying to finish the season with a Notre Dame 33, Iowa State 9 and a touchdown catch in a 36-28 defeat of Virginia in Monday’s Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla. three-game winning streak for Cotton Bowl Classic Arlington, Texas the first time since 2013 and only Penn State 53, Memphis 39 the third time since the end of Peach Bowl Atlanta World War II. Instead, the Bull- LSU 63, Oklahoma 28 dogs go home having lost a bowl Fiesta Bowl Perine powers No. 6 Florida Glendale, Ariz. game in each of coach Joe Moor- Clemson 29, Ohio State 23 head’s two seasons. Monday, Dec. 30 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl California 35, Illinois 20: Dallas Chase Garbers threw four touch- Western Kentucky 23, Western Michi- gan 20 Senior RB has 3 TDs in Orange Bowl defeat of Virginia down passes and ran for another Music City Bowl Nashville, Tenn. score, leading the Bears over the Louisville 38, Mississippi State 28 Illini in the Redbox Bowl in Santa Redbox Bowl BY STEVEN WINE 538 yards rushing this year in the Gators exposed the weaknesses Santa Clara, Calif. Clara, Calif. California 35, Illinois 20 Associated Press Gators’ pass-oriented offense. in a Virginia defense that allowed Christopher Brown Jr. ran Orange Bowl “He’s one of the top running more than 23 points per game for 120 yards on 20 carries, and Miami Gardens, Fla. MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Florida 36, Virginia 28 backs in the SEC,” Mullen said. and gave up 62 to Clemson in an Makai Polk caught five passes for Lamical Perine scored on a 61- Tuesday, Dec. 31 “People say, ‘The stats say this, Atlantic Coast Conference title a season-high 105 yards as Cal (8- Belk Bowl yard run in the opening minute Charlotte, N.C. the stats say that.’ But every time game loss. 5) won its first bowl game since Kentucky (7-5) vs. Virginia Tech (8-4) and didn’t stop until he climbed we needed a big run this season, “Tonight we faced a team that 2015. Sun Bowl onto a platform for the postgame El Paso, Texas he came up with it.” they decided they were going to Brandon Peters passed for 273 Florida State (6-6) vs. Arizona State (7-5) ceremony to receive the Orange Perine was too quick and stop the pass and drop a lot of yards and one touchdown for Il- Liberty Bowl Bowl’s most valuable player Memphis, Tenn. speedy for the Cavaliers, as his guys into coverage,” Mullen said. linois (6-7) in his return after sit- Kansas State (8-4) vs. Navy (9-2) trophy. dash through their secondary Arizona Bowl “We were able to take what they ting out the regular-season finale Tucson, Ariz. Perine totaled 181 yards rush- on the first series showed. He were giving us.” with a concussion. Peters, who Wyoming (7-5) vs. Georgia State (7-5) ing and receiving with three Alamo Bowl also scored on a 10-yard run and The Cavaliers’ offense tried was shaken after diving out of San Antonio touchdowns Monday to help No. 6 caught a 16-yard touchdown pass valiantly to keep up. Senior Bryce bounds following a scramble late Texas (7-5) vs. Utah (11-2) Florida beat Virginia 36-28. Wednesday, Jan. 1 from Kyle Trask. Perkins threw for 323 yards and in the fourth quarter, completed Citrus Bowl The win means the Gators (11- The Cavaliers (9-5) lost their four scores in the final game of Orlando, Fla. 22 of 37 passes and added a team- Michigan (9-3) vs. Alabama (10-2) 2) will likely finish in the Top 10 in final two games but still posted his career. high 68 rushing yards. Outback Bowl consecutive seasons for the first their highest win total since 2007. Tampa, Fla. Western Kentucky 23, West- Minnesota (10-2) vs. Auburn (9-3) time since 2008-09. Second-year Trask capped a storybook ju- Closing it out ern Michigan 20: Freshman Cory Rose Bowl coach Dan Mullen credited Per- nior season by throwing for 305 Pasadena, Calif. Munson kicked a career-long 52- Oregon (11-2) vs. Wisconsin (10-3) ine and the rest of the senior class yards. He was lightly recruited Tanner Cowley’s 52-yard catch- yard field goal with no time left Sugar Bowl with leading the resurgence. and-run led to a Cavaliers touch- New Orleans and in late September became a after a rules review to give the Georgia (11-2) vs. Baylor (11-2) “They restored the Gator stan- starter for the first time since the down that cut their deficit to 27-21 Hilltoppers a victory in the First Thursday, Jan. 2 early in the fourth quarter. The Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl dards and are building what we ninth grade. Responder Bowl in Dallas. Cincinnati (10-3) vs. Boston College (6-6) want to build,” said Mullen, who “This game is huge for this Gators answered with a touch- Western Kentucky (9-4) drove Gator Bowl Jacksonville, Fla. improved to 21-5 at Florida. program,” Trask said. “We just down set up by Perine’s 23-yard 36 yards in 27 seconds before Indiana (8-4) vs. Tennessee (7-5) “My sophomore year, we were continued to grind every single run to the 1. Munson kicked his third field Friday, Jan. 3 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 4-7,” Perine said. “We came back week, and here we are winning Virginia drove 75 yards for a goal . The clock had expired on Boise and had two double-digit win sea- the Orange Bowl. It’s pretty touchdown with 38 seconds left, a desperation heave that was Ohio (6-6) vs. Nevada (7-5) Saturday, Jan. 4 sons. It’s great, man.” incredible.” but Florida recovered the ensu- knocked down , but Munson was Armed Forces Bowl Perine carried 13 times for a Florida totaled 549 yards, in- ing onside kick. given a chance on an additional Fort Worth, Texas Southern Miss (7-5) vs. Tulane (6-6) career-high 138 yards rushing at cluding a season-high 244 rush- “We were a few plays short,” play after a defensive substitution Monday, Jan. 6 Lendingtree Bowl the end of a so-so senior season. ing, and didn’t punt until midway Cavaliers coach Bronco Menden- penalty against the Broncos for Mobile, Ala. He came into the game with only through the third quarter. The hall said. having 12 players on the field. Miami (Ohio) (8-5) vs. Louisiana-La- fayette (10-3) Monday, Jan. 13 College Football Championship New Orleans Clemson (14-0) vs. LSU (14-0) Saturday, Jan. 18 East-West Shrine Classic At St. Petersburg, Fla. East vs. West NFLPA Collegiate Bowl At Pasadena, Calif. American vs. National Citrus Bowl Outback Bowl Rose Bowl Sugar Bowl NCAA FCS playoffs Michigan vs. Alabama Minnesota vs. Auburn Oregon vs. Wisconsin Georgia vs. Baylor Championship Saturday, Jan. 11 AFN-Atlantic AFN-Sports AFN-Sports AFN-Sports At Toyota Stadium Frisco, Texas 7 p.m. Wednesday CET 7 p.m. Wednesday CET 11:10 p.m. Wednesday CET 2:50 a.m. Thursday CET North Dakota State (15-0) vs. James Madison (14-1) 3 a.m. Thursday JKT 3 a.m. Thursday JKT 7:10 a.m. Thursday JKT 10:55 a.m. Thursday JKT S TARS AND STRIPES Wednesday, January 1-Thursday, January 2, 2020 F3HIJKLM

TIGER’S TALE

WOODS’ COMEBACK AT MASTERS VOTED AP SPORTS STORY OF THE YEAR | PAGE 22

Tiger Woods celebrates as he wins the Masters on April 14 in Augusta, Ga. Fourteen years after his last Masters victory and 11 years after his last major, Woods claimed his fifth green jacket. AP NBA’s Gymnast Karma Leonard is AP Biles voted had a great Male Athlete top female sports year of the Year, athlete, in 2019, Page 20 Page 21 Page 22

Senior RB Perine scores 3 TDs as Florida Jags stand pat after defeats Virginia in Orange Bowl » Page 23 going 6-10 » Page 18