MILITARY FACES COLLEGE BASKETBALL Army has plans to Actor Page Villanova coach Wright spend big, improve comes out as says playing in isolation housing in Europe transgender takes mental toll on team Page 3 Page 18 Page 24

US rewards program aims to boost sanctions on North Korea ›› Page 4

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Volume 79 Edition 164 ©SS 2020 THURSDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2020 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas

VIRUS OUTBREAK Barr says no evidence of extensive voter fraud

BY MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press WASHINGTON — Disputing President Donald Trump’s per- sistent, baseless claims, Attorney General William Barr declared the U.S. Justice Department has uncovered no evidence of widespread vot- er fraud that could change the outcome of the Barr 2020 election. Barr’s com- ments, in an interview Tuesday with the The Associated Press, contradict the concerted effort by Trump, his boss, to subvert the re- sults of last month’s voting and block President-elect Joe Biden from taking his place in the White House. Barr told the AP that U.S. attor- neys and FBI agents have been working to follow up specific com- plaints and information they’ve received, but “to date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election.” The comments, which drew im- mediate criticism from Trump at- torneys, were especially notable coming from Barr, who has been one of the president’s most ardent ROBERT F. BUKATY/AP allies. Before the election, he had A member of the National Guard assisting at a COVID-19 mobile testing location looks out of a tent used for drive-thru tests Tuesday in Auburn, repeatedly raised the notion that Maine. Amid the coronavirus resurgence, states have begun reopening field hospitals to handle an influx of sick patients that is pushing health mail-in voting could be especially care systems — and their workers — to the breaking point. vulnerable to fraud during the coronavirus pandemic as Ameri- cans feared going to polls and in- US Army Japan ‘Dark couple UK authorizes DOD announces stead chose to vote by mail. bans indoor dining of weeks’ at Pfizer vaccine for death of 12th More to Trump’s liking, Barr re- vealed in the AP interview that in around Tokyo morgues, hospitals emergency use service member October he had appointed U.S. At- Page 4 Page 6 Page 6 Page 7 torney John Durham as a special

SEE BARR ON PAGE 9 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 BUSINESS/WEATHER Walmart drops $35 minimum for online members EXCHANGE RATES

Associated Press which it hopes will compete with basic items like fresh groceries, Military rates Poland (Zloty) 3.71 Saudi Arab (Riyal) 3.7508 NEW YORK — Shoppers on Amazon’s Prime membership however, will still carry a $35 min- Euro costs (Dec. 3) $1.18 Singapore (Dollar) 1.3399 Dollar buys (Dec. 3) 0.8081 So. Korea (Won) 1,102.54 Walmart.com who pay a $98-a- program. imum and can come as soon as the British pound (Dec. 3) $1.30 Switzerland (Franc) 0.8956 year membership fee will get free Walmart+ members will re- same day. Japanese yen (Dec. 3) 102.00 Thailand (Baht) 30.23 South Korean won (Dec. 3) 1,076.00 shipping on orders of any size ceive free next-day and two-day Janey Whiteside, Walmart’s Turkey (Lira) 7.8465 Commercial rates (Military exchange rates are those avail­ starting Friday. shipping on non-perishable items chief customer officer, declined to able to customers at military banking fa­ Bahrain (Dinar) 0.3771 cilities in the country of issuance for Ja­ Walmart announced the mem- shipped by Walmart, no matter provide a membership number Britain (Pound) 1.3309 pan, South Korea, Germany, the Nether­ Canada (Dollar) 1.2934 lands and the United Kingdom. For nonlo­ bership perk on Wednesday, do- the purchase amount. The move for Walmart+, but said that re- China (Yuan) 6.5652 cal currency exchange rates (i.e., ing away with a previous require- builds on the retailer’s pledge to moving the $35 threshold was Denmark (Krone) 6.1605 purchasing British pounds in Germany), Egypt (Pound) 15.6616 check with your local military banking fa­ ment that orders amount to at continue adding benefits to its something customers had wanted Euro 0.8276 cility. Commercial rates are interbank least $35 to qualify for free ship- membership program, which also to see. Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7521 rates provided for reference when buying Hungary (Forint) 296.91 currency. All figures are foreign curren­ ping. includes unlimited free grocery “The pandemic hasn’t gone Israel (Shekel) 3.2861 cies to one dollar, except for the British Japan (Yen) 104.50 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ The perk comes two months af- deliveries and fuel discounts. away,” Whiteside told The Associ- Kuwait (Dinar) 0.3047 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­ euro.) ter Walmart launched its mem- Delivery directly from Wal- ated Press. “And we felt it was the Norway (Krone) 8.8486 Philppines (Peso) 48.00 bership service called Walmart+, mart’s brick-and-mortar stores on right time to do it.” WEATHER OUTLOOK THURSDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY IN EUROPE FRIDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 37/33

Kabul Seoul 61/30 36/25 Baghdad 68/54 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 38/26 49/41 69/35 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 32/27 41/33 42/30 Iwakuni Kuwait City 53/48 Bahrain Brussels Zagan Sasebo 70/66 77/73 Ramstein 34/26 49/46 Guam 43/40 35/31 84/80 Riyadh Lajes, 79/63 Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 63/60 36/30 80/71 Aviano/ 33/30 Vicenza 37/32

Naples 54/51 Okinawa Morón 68/65 58/44 Sigonella Rota 60/48 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 60/51 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 83/78 62/58 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 14 Crossword ...... 14 Faces ...... 18 Opinion ...... 16 Sports ...... 20-24 Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Army has big plans for housing in Europe Service to spend more questions about the quality of their accommodation and servic- than $1B through 2027 to es. The Stuttgart community, home improve troops’ dwellings to U.S. European and Africa Com- BY JOHN VANDIVER mand, is slated for more than $30 Stars and Stripes million in major housing renova- STUTTGART, Germany — The tions, primarily for enlisted fam- Army this week said it plans to ilies, Heeter said. Other improve- spend more than $1 billion over ments include $10 million for add- the next six years to improve fam- ing balconies and rolling shutters, ily housing at all its garrisons in a common feature in German Europe, where the service has housing that helps keep homes faced complaints about poor fam- cool in the summer. ily living conditions. The Army’s garrison in Vicen- “All of our efforts to improve za, home to the 173rd Airborne housing areas and their dwellings Brigade, is slated for $370 million are critical to readiness of our Sol- in construction planned for new diers and their families,” said military family homes of all ranks. Mark Heeter, Installation Man- The military housing com- agement Command-Europe plaints in Europe aren’t unique. spokesman, in a statement Tues- Last year, Army garrisons around day. the world began holding town hall Housing projects already un- meetings after investigations re- derway or in the works total $1.2 vealed poor living conditions in fa- billion through 2027, according to cilities in the U.S. and overseas. IMCOM-E. All seven Army garri- IMCOM-E said it is encourag- sons in Europe will benefit from ing residents to voice their con- the program, which involves con- cerns at meetings and participate struction on 1,300 new dwellings GUNNER SAUNDERS /U.S. Army in housing surveys to help Army and improvements at 3,500 exist- Housing on Panzer Kaserne in Stuttgart, Germany. The Army in Europe has more than $1 billion worth of officials stay on top of problems. ing units that have either been re- projects planned to improve housing at its garrisons, many of which have received poor quality marks. “Across the board, our leaders cently completed or tapped for are focused on making the hous- work, IMCOM-E said. installations worldwide. sive wait times for basic repairs. Results were especially bad for ing experience for their Soldiers IMCOM-E is touting its efforts In recent years, military fam- In Europe, an Army survey of Army-owned housing in Stuttgart, and families positive ones,” Hee- ahead of an upcoming Defense ilies, including those in Europe, residents in June rated Germany Germany, and Vicenza, Italy, ter said. Department housing survey later have sounded off on a wide range and Italy posts as “very poor” and which ranked 23rd and 24th, re- this month that aims to take the of complaints to include mold and in need of significant improve- spectively, out of 26 sites where [email protected] pulse of customer satisfaction at spotty hot water service to exces- ments. residents were asked to respond to Twitter: @john_vandiver Soldier honored for risking life to pull man from burning car BY CHAD GARLAND used his sweat-soaked T-shirt to smother Stars and Stripes the flames on the man’s body, he said. “He A soldier who pulled a driver from a was on fire, from the waist down," he said in burning vehicle and used his T-shirt to put the video. out the flames on the injured man has When that shirt caught fire, Caro-Yost earned the Army’s highest award for brav- took off his jacket and used it to help snuff ery outside combat. out the flames, and Jabin “proceeded to use Sgt. Alexander Jabin, a satellite operator/ the knife to cut the belt and burning clothes maintainer with 4th Battalion, 1st Special off the victim’s body,” Caro-Yost said. Forces Group (Airborne) on Joint Base Le- Jabin, who received second-degree wis-McChord, Wash., was presented the burns to his face, arms and hands during the Soldier’s Medal for “exceptional heroism” rescue, provided first aid and comforted the Tuesday for his lifesaving actions one night driver until paramedics arrived. in March last year. “He reminded us by his actions what a It was about 2:30 a.m. when Jabin heard a ready soldier looks like,” said Lt. Gen. Ran- “bang” and looked outside his barracks on dy George, the I Corps and base command- the base near Tacoma to see figures run- ing general, who presented him with the ning around flames, he said in an Army vid- medal. “He moved quickly to save another eo released Tuesday. As he ran out of the JOSHUA BELSER/U.S. Army person’s life and he did this at the very real building to the scene, he yelled for someone Lt. Gen. Randy A. George, commanding general, I Corps and Joint Base risk of sacrificing his own life.” to call the fire department. Lewis­McChord, Wash., presents the Soldiers Medal to Sgt. Alexander Jabin on The Army statement did not say what the “Jabin dove quickly under the fence (sur- Tuesday. Jabin was honored for rescuing a driver from a burning vehiclein March 2019. driver’s status was, and Jabin said he did rounding the Special Forces compound) not know. and ran to the car, which was on fire,” Sgt. growing hotter. called for a knife to cut the straps. Amenyo “I pray [he] made a full recovery … that Komi Amenyo, who was the duty noncom- “The fire had gotten pretty intense, so we tossed him a knife, but by then the flames he can continue his journey and make good missioned officer that night, an Army state- backed away,” Cavazos said. had completely engulfed the car and the on his second chance in life, which few ever ment said. But Jabin rushed in and tried to get the driver was on fire, Jabin said. get,” Jabin said. He could hear screaming and, as he got driver out. The driver was able to move and had The Soldier’s Medal, which was estab- closer to the burning vehicle, heard some- “I tried to rip the door open but I was only pulled his upper body out of the driver’s lished in 1926, was designed to recognize one saying “Help me! Help me!,” Jabin said able to rip off some of the car parts,” Jabin side window, but appeared to be trapped peacetime acts of valor. in the Army video. said in the statement. “It was a cold night, and contorted, and continued to scream for Jabin acknowledged that he was not Josiah Caro-Yost and Aaron Cavazos, but the fire from the collision grew more help. So Jabin rushed back over to pull him alone in rescuing the driver. who were specialists assigned to the 1st SFG and more intense, like a big bonfire.” out, calling for Cavazos and Caro-Yost to as- “In the Army, no one succeeds alone,” he at the time, were already on the scene, but He reached in and tried to unbuckle the sist him. said. the driver was stuck and the flames were seatbelt, but that failed, so he turned and After pulling the driver to safety, Jabin “I did my part alongside others.” PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 PACIFIC US Army bans all indoor dining near Tokyo BY JOSEPH DITZLER timing of Luong’s order, except to vember, except for a cluster of 72 Stars and Stripes say it aims to preserve the health infections among new arrivals an- TOKYO — Japan’s capital city and safety of the Army communi- nounced Monday. experienced another surge in cor- ty. The prefecture reported 47 new onavirus cases Wednesday, while U.S. Army Japan on Wednesday cases Wednesday, according to the U.S. military by 6 p.m. had re- reported one new coronavirus the public health official. Govern- ported only two new infections. case, an individual assigned to ment spokespeople in Japan typi- The Tokyo Metropolitan Gov- Okinawa who tested positive after cally speak on the condition of ernment reported 500 new cases, becoming ill Saturday, according anonymity as a condition of their according to public broadcaster to a news release. That person employment. NHK. That’s down from the re- went into self-isolation immedi- Tuesday evening, Misawa Air cord 570 new patients announced ately, was tested Monday and Base, 400 miles north of Tokyo, re- Nov. 27. learned the results the next day. ported one new case, a person who The daily count fell in the inter- Okinawa prefecture received a arrived on temporary duty from im to 372 on Tuesday. More than report from Naval Hospital Okina- the United States on the Patriot 440 people are becoming infected wa of one case at Torii Station, the Express, a government-chartered in the city every day, according to Army post there, a prefectural passenger service. the seven-day moving average. health official told Stars and The individual was positive on a U.S. Army Japan has banned in- KIICHIRO SATO/AP Stripes by phone Wednesday. rapid test for COVID-19, the respi- door dining at off-post eateries in People walk through Shibuya entertainment district after the Army contact tracers found and ratory disease caused by the coro- the Tokyo metro area up to 93 government requested early closing time for restaurants and bars quarantined an unspecified num- navirus, and quarantined along miles from Army headquarters at Tuesday in Tokyo. ber of other individuals, according with an unspecified number of Camp Zama, according to a post to the release. contacts, according to a base on its Facebook page Wednesday. ly encouraged to comply with this subject to administrative actions, The prefecture also received re- Facebook post. The order from Maj. Gen. Viet directive,” the order states. including the denial of base ac- ports of two new cases at the Ma- Luong, commander of U.S. Army Service members who violate cess, loss of command sponsor- rine Corps’ Camp Foster, the Japan, takes effect Thursday. Ci- the order are subject to punitive ship or an early return of depend- health official said. The Marines Stars and Stripes reporter Aya Ichihashi contrib­ uted to this report.  vilians, including Defense De- action under the Uniform Code of ents, according to the post. stopped publicly reporting their [email protected] partment employees, “are strong- Military Justice; civilians may be The order did not explain the new cases on Okinawa in early No- Twitter: @JosephDitzler Administration rewards program targets N. Korea, China BY CAROL MORELLO ment’s deputy envoy for North doubling down on its relentless tronics firm it said had supported He expressed U.S. “disappoint- The Washington Post Korea, said in a virtual speech at “maximum pressure” campaigns Venezuelan President Nicolás ment” at a military parade in WASHINGTON — The Trump the Center for Strategic and Inter- against countries it considers its Maduro’s efforts to undermine de- Pyongyang on Oct. 10 that fea- administration on Tuesday an- national Studies. chief nemeses. mocracy. tured a new intercontinental bal- nounced a $5 million reward for Wong warned that the United Although the sanctions cam- With the impending sanctions listic missile and showed off an ar- tips on sanctions-busting activ- States will impose more sanctions paigns have hampered the econo- against the North Korean regime, ray of modernized military sys- ities that allow North Korea to related to North Korea in the two mies of the targeted countries, the administration is elevating tems, from small arms to antitank continue developing nuclear months remaining before the none has succeeded in dislodging tensions with another internation- and air-defense systems. weapons and accused China of fa- Trump administration ends, in- the regimes or making them al hot spot, creating potential Repeatedly singling out China cilitating the illicit trade. cluding penalties on people and change their authoritarian behav- problems that will be waiting for in his remarks, Wong accused The leads are being solicited entities in China that facilitate il- ior, the stated aim. President-elect Joe Biden when Beijing of helping North Korea ob- through a new State Department licit trade. Tensions have ratcheted up re- he takes office next month. tain the money to continue its mil- website, dprkrewards.com. The “We’ve imposed numerous cently with Iran, which blames Is- North Korea’s economy has itary buildup and said the United targeted activities it lists include such sanctions designations in the rael and the United States for the been strangled through sanctions money laundering, the export of past,” Wong said. “And more are assassination of its foremost nu- the U.N. Security Council has put States had documented 555 inci- luxury goods to North Korea, cy- forthcoming.” clear scientist. in place since 2006. dents of ships carrying coal and beroperations and other actions Wong accused China of a “fla- China bristles every time Secre- “The biggest obstacle to an eco- other banned goods from North that support the proliferation of grant violation” of its obligation to tary of State Mike Pompeo lam- nomically strong North Korea is Korea to China. weapons of mass destruction. enforce international sanctions on bastes Beijing for the global coro- the regime’s programs to build nu- Wong said China is “seeking to “I assure you, many of the tips North Korea. navirus pandemic, which he calls clear, chemical and biological undo” U.N. sanctions that are sup- we receive through this program The rewards program under- “the virus from Wuhan.” And on weapons and the means to deliver posed to persuade North Korea to will directly implicate that trade,” scores how even in its waning Monday, the administration im- those weapons around the globe,” abandon its nuclear weapons and Alex Wong, the State Depart- days, the Trump administration is posed sanctions on a Chinese elec- Wong said. ballistic missiles. Navy Poseidon crew helps find mariners missing for 3 days near island of Saipan BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS Squadron 5 kept eyes on the mari- mariners or the vessel. Stars and Stripes ners until a U.S. Coast Guard ves- Patrol Squadron 5, the “Mad The crew of a Navy patrol air- sel and a merchant ship arrived to Foxes, deployed to Kadena Air craft flying a search-and-rescue rescue them, according to the Na- Base in Okinawa from its home mission found two missing mari- vy. base in Jacksonville, Fla., accord- ners near the island of Saipan on Mission commander Lt. Cmdr. ing to the Navy. Okinawa is about Monday, according to a Navy James Miller in the statement 1,400 miles southeast of Saipan. statement. said the crew was “happy to be a The squadron is “conducting The P-8A Poseidon patrol and part of this successful rescue ef- maritime patrol and reconnais- reconnaissance aircraft joined the fort.” sance as well as theater outreach search Friday when the mariners’ “At sea, we're all on the same operations” during their deploy- 21-foot fishing vessel was report- team, and today we came together ment to the 7th Fleet, according to ed four hours late for its sched- to bring two lost mariners home,” the statement. uled return, according to the he said. U.S. Navy statement Wednesday. The statement did not provide [email protected] The crew of a Navy P­8A Poseidon spots two mariners missing near The Poseidon crew from Patrol further information about the Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos the island of Saipan on Monday. Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY DOD official leading effort against ISIS is forced to resign

BY ROBERT BURNS included his firing of Defense Sec- Associated Press retary Mark Esper on Nov. 9. WASHINGTON — The civilian Maier’s departure was first re- official overseeing the Depart- ported by CNN. The New York ment of Defense’s campaign to de- Times was first to report that feat the Islamic State group in the Maier had been forced out. Middle East was forced to resign In its statement, the Pentagon in the latest jolt to Pentagon lead- gave no reason for Maier’s depar- ership in the waning weeks of the ture, but said the decision to dis- Trump administration. band the task force he led was a Iranian Presidency Office/AP The Pentagon said in a written recognition of the “success of the President Hassan Rouhani speaks in a Cabinet meeting in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday. statement that the acting defense military fight to destroy” the secretary, Christopher Miller, on group’s grip on territory in Iraq Monday accepted the resignation and Syria. Critics say that while of Christopher Maier, who had ISIS has lost its physical empire, it Iran’s president rejects bill provided policy oversight of the remains a threat and has been bid- military’s counter-ISIS effort ing its time in search of ways to re- since March 2017. group and re-emerge. that would boost enrichment A defense official familiar with “The Department of Defense the matter said Maier was told will continue to engage with our Associated Press but is higher than that required national Atomic Energy Agency Monday that since President Do- partners and allies to ensure the TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Presi- for civilian purposes. says that “structured program” nald Trump had long ago declared lasting defeat of ISIS and encour- dent Hassan Rouhani on Wednes- Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, ended in 2003. The U.S. govern- the ISIS militant group defeated, age the repatriation of foreign ter- day rejected a bill approved by Rouhani said his administration ment has concurred with those his office was being disbanded rorist fighters for prosecution,” parliament that would have sus- “does not agree with that and con- findings, while Israel says Iran is and he was abruptly “terminat- the Pentagon said. pended U.N. inspections and siders it harmful for the trend of still aiming to develop nuclear ed.” The official spoke on condi- Nearly 900 U.S. troops are still boosted uranium enrichment, diplomatic activities.” He implied weapons, pointing to its work on tion of anonymity to discuss an in- in Syria to work with local groups saying it was “harmful” to diplo- the lawmakers were positioning ballistic missiles and other tech- ternal personnel matter. aiming to prevent an ISIS resur- matic efforts aimed at restoring themselves ahead of elections nologies. Iran insists its nuclear Maier, a career counterterror- gence. The United States also has the 2015 nuclear deal and easing planned for June. program is entirely peaceful. ism official, was director of the about 3,000 troops in neighboring U.S. sanctions. He added that “today, we are The United States imposed Defeat-ISIS Task Force, whose re- Iraq working with local security The tug-of-war over the bill, more powerful in the nuclear field crippling sanctions on Iran after sponsibilities are to be absorbed forces toward the same goal. which gained momentum after than at any other time.” President Donald Trump unilat- by counterterrorism staffs headed The counter-ISIS campaign be- the killing of a prominent Iranian The bill is expected to have little erally withdrew from the nuclear by appointees who President Do- gan during the Obama adminis- nuclear scientist last month, re- if any impact, as Iran’s Supreme agreement in 2018. In response, nald Trump placed in senior Pen- tration and was accelerated by flects the rivalry between Rouha- Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Iran began publicly exceeding tagon positions in a shakeup that Trump in some respects. ni, a relative moderate, and hard- has the final say on all major pol- limits set by the agreement while line lawmakers who dominate icies, including those related to saying it would quickly return to parliament and favor a more con- the nuclear program. Rather, it compliance if the U.S. did the frontational approach to the West. appeared to be a show of defiance same. The bill would have suspended after Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a key Rouhani, one of the architects of Trump threatens veto U.N. inspections and required the figure in Iran’s nuclear program, the 2015 nuclear agreement with government to resume enriching was killed in an attack Iranian of- world powers, favors a return to of defense bill over uranium to 20% if European na- ficials have blamed on Israel. the deal and greater diplomatic tions fail to provide relief from Fakhrizadeh headed a program engagement with the U.S. and oth- crippling U.S. sanctions on the that Israel and the West have al- er Western nations. President- internet protections country’s oil and banking sectors. leged was a military operation elect Joe Biden has also said he is That level falls short of the thresh- looking at the feasibility of build- in favor of returning to the nuclear Associated Press National Defense Authorization old needed for nuclear weapons, ing a nuclear weapon. The Inter- deal. WASHINGTON — President Act (NDAA), I will be forced to un- Donald Trump is threatening to equivocally VETO the Bill.” veto a defense policy bill unless it Trump has been waging war ends protections for internet com- against social media companies Two service members found dead panies that shield them from be- for months, claiming they are bi- ing held liable for material posted ased against conservative voices. by their users. In October, he signed an exec- last week at Joint Base San Antonio On Twitter on Tuesday night, utive order directing executive BY ROSE L. THAYER Trump took aim at Section 230 of branch agencies to ask independ- Air Force Airman 1st Class Pe- zalez’s death. Stars and Stripes ter Gonzalez, 21, was found dead “We are deeply saddened by the the 1996 Communications Decen- ent rule-making agencies, includ- AUSTIN, Texas — A soldier and at about 5 a.m. Thursday at Lack- loss of both Brittany and Peter,” cy Act, which protects companies ing the Federal Communications an airman were found dead last land Air Force Base. Gonzalez, said Brig. Gen. Caroline Miller, that can host trillions of messages Commission and the Federal week at Joint Base San Antonio, who enlisted in the spring of 2019, the commander of the 502nd Air from being sued into oblivion by Trade Commission, to study base officials announced Tuesday, was a biomedical equipment tech- Base Wing and Joint Base San An- anyone who feels wronged by whether they can place new regu- saying the deaths are unrelated. nician assigned to the 59th Medi- tonio. “We extend our deepest something someone else has post- lations on the companies. Army Spc. Brittany Harris, 35, cal Wing. sympathies to their families and ed — whether their complaint is Since losing the presidential was found dead at about 7 a.m. Foul play is not suspected in ei- friends during this holiday sea- legitimate or not. election, Trump has flooded social Wednesday at Fort Sam Houston, ther death and both are under in- son.” Trump called Section 230 “a se- media with unsubstantiated base officials said. Harris, who vestigation, according to a news No further information about rious threat to our National Secu- claims of widespread voter fraud. joined the Army three months ago, release from the base. The Army the circumstances of either death rity & Election Integrity,” adding, Twitter has tagged many such was training to become a combat Criminal Investigation Command was released. “Therefore, if the very dangerous Trump tweets with the advisory, medic and was assigned in early is investigating Harris’ death, and

& unfair Section 230 is not com- “This claim about election fraud is November to the U.S. Army Med- the Air Force Office of Special In- [email protected] pletely terminated as part of the disputed.” ical Center of Excellence. vestigations is investigating Gon- Twitter: @Rose_Lori PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 VIRUS OUTBREAK US morgues, hospitals overflow amid surge Associated Press Thanksgiving gatherings,” said Nearly 37,000 Americans died Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior schol- of COVID-19 in November, the ar at the Johns Hopkins Center for most in any month since the dark Health Security. early days of the pandemic, en- The number of hospital beds is gulfing families in grief, filling just one concern. Many hospitals newspaper obituary pages and are scrambling to find enough testing the capacity of morgues, staff to care for patients as the vi- funeral homes and hospitals. rus surges almost everywhere at Amid the resurgence, states once, Adalja said. have begun reopening field hospi- “You can’t just say we’ll have tals to handle an influx of patients doctors and nurses from other that is pushing health care sys- states come because those other tems — and their workers — to the states are also dealing with CO- breaking point. Hospitals are VID patients,” he said. bringing in mobile morgues. And The virus is blamed for over funerals are being livestreamed 268,000 deaths and more than 13.5 or performed as drive-by affairs. million confirmed infections in Health officials fear the crisis the United States. A record 96,000 will be even worse in coming people were in the hospital with weeks, after many Americans ig- the virus in the U.S. as of Monday. nored pleas to stay home over The U.S. is seeing on average Thanksgiving and avoid people more than 160,000 new cases per who don’t live with them. day and almost 1,470 deaths — “I have no doubt that we’re go- equal to what the country was wit- ing to see a climbing death toll ... nessing in mid-May. and that’s a horrific and tragic State and local officials also are place to be,” said Josh Michaud, JEFF ROBERSON/AP responding with shutdowns, cur- associate director of global health Dr. Shane Wilson talks with a patient while performing rounds in a portion of Scotland County Hospital setfews, quarantines and mask man- policy at the Kaiser Family Foun- up to isolate and treat COVID­19 patients in Memphis, Mo., last month. dates. dation. “It’s going to be a very dark California officials said the state couple of weeks.” and killed about 160 people has chard Lay, Bellefontaine Ceme- hospitals with more than 900 beds could see a tripling of hospitaliza- November’s toll was far lower been put into use again. On Sun- tery’s vice president. combined. The state’s regular hos- tions by Christmas and is consid- than the 60,699 recorded in April day it held two bodies until funeral The Star Tribune in Minneapo- pitals reached their coronavirus ering stay-home orders for areas but perilously close to the next- home workers could arrive. lis-St. Paul saw a 40% increase in capacity on Monday. New York with the highest case rates. Los highest total of almost 42,000 in At the Bellefontaine Cemetery the number of pages dedicated to City, the epicenter of the U.S. out- Angeles County already has told May, according to data compiled in St. Louis, burials are up by paid obituaries in November, break earlier in the year, reo- its 10 million residents to stay by Johns Hopkins University. about one-third this year com- largely because of COVID-19, a pened a field hospital last week on home. Deaths had dropped to just over pared with last year, and the cre- spokesman said. By Nov. 29, the Staten Island. Wisconsin has a In Oklahoma, Republican Gov. 20,000 in June after states closed mated remains of about 20 people newspaper had 11 pages of obitu- field hospital in West Allis ready Kevin Stitt declared Thursday a many businesses and ordered are sitting in storage while their aries, compared with about half to take overflow patients. A Neva- day of prayer and fasting as the people to stay at home. families wait for a safer time to that many on a typical Sunday. da hospital has added hospital bed state’s confirmed coronavirus in- The fast-deteriorating situation hold memorial services. The dead In Worcester, Mass., the Nation- capacity in an adjacent parking fections neared 200,000. State is particularly frustrating because include a husband and wife in al Guard trucked in cots, medical garage. health authorities Tuesday re- vaccine distribution could begin their 80s who succumbed to CO- supplies, tables and other items “Hospitals all around the coun- ported a one-day high of over 1,700 within weeks, Michaud said. VID-19 five days apart. needed to operate a 250-bed field try are worried on a day-to-day ba- hospitalizations. At Mercy Hospital Springfield “You want to be safe at the gra- hospital in the event the state’s sis about their capacity ... and Stitt, who tested positive for the in Missouri, a mobile morgue that vesite so you don’t have to do an- medical centers become over- we’re not really even into winter virus in July, has donated plasma was acquired in 2011 after a torna- other graveside service” for an- whelmed. season and we haven’t seen the to help other patients recover and do ripped through nearby Joplin other family member, said Ri- Rhode Island opened two field impact of Thanksgiving travel and said he will do it again. UK authorizes Pfizer virus vaccine for emergency use Associated Press the vaccine was authorized less than a year shipping very, very quickly,” BioNTech’s LONDON — Britain authorized a CO- after COVID-19 was discovered. chief commercial officer, Sean Marett, told VID-19 vaccine for use Wednesday, green- Other countries aren’t far behind: Regu- reporters Wednesday. lighting the first shot backed up by rigorous lators in the United States, the European But doses are scarce as production ramps scientific review. The first vaccinations are Union and Canada also are vetting the Pfiz- up. BioNTech, which owns the vaccine, has expected within days — a major step to- er vaccine along with a similar shot made so far signed deals to supply 570 million ward eventually ending the pandemic. by competitor Moderna Inc. British and doses worldwide in 2021, with options to de- The go-ahead for the vaccine from Amer- Canadian regulators also are considering liver 600 million more, Marett said. It hopes ican drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s another shot made by AstraZeneca and Ox- to supply at least 1.3 billion in 2021. BioNTech comes as the virus surges again ford University. The German company has partnered in the United States and Europe, putting British Health Secretary Matt Hancock with Pfizer to deliver the vaccine world- pressure on hospitals and forcing new said the U.K. will begin receiving the first wide, except in China where local company rounds of restrictions that have devastated VIRGINIA MAYO/AP shipment of 800,000 doses of the Pfizer- Fosun Pharma will handle distribution. the global economy. Officials cautioned that Two workers wave from a window at Pfizer BioNTech vaccine “within days,” and peo- The BioNTech figures still only represent several tough months still lie ahead, even in Manufacturing in Puurs, Belgium, on ple will start getting the shots as soon as it a fraction of what will be needed as public Britain, given the scale of the operation Wednesday. arrives. Two doses three weeks apart are health officials try to vaccinate much of the needed to vaccinate large swaths of the pop- required for protection. world’s population. Experts have said that ulation. those most at risk of dying from the disease. The U.K. expects to receive “millions of several vaccines will be needed in order to The Medicines and Healthcare Products But the vaccine remains experimental doses” by the end of this year, Hancock quickly end the pandemic, which has killed Regulatory Agency, which licenses drugs in while final testing is done. said, adding that the exact number will de- more than 1.4 million people worldwide. the U.K., recommended the vaccine for “This is, without any shadow of a doubt, pend on how fast it can be manufactured In Britain, public health officials plan to emergency use after it reviewed a raft of da- an historic day,” said David Harper, senior and checked for quality. offer the vaccine first to those who are most ta, including the results of clinical trials that consulting fellow in global health at the “The doses that we have for the U.K. are at risk of dying from the disease and those showed it was 95% effective and offered sig- Chatham House think tank. “This is an un- currently being packed (by) our colleagues whose jobs put them at risk of contracting nificant protection for older people, among precedented piece of science,” given that at Pfizer’s facility in Belgium, ready for the virus and spreading it to others. Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK DOD announces 4th military death in November

BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY waiting on the official cause of If confirmed as a death from the Lawson served for over 30 years As of Monday, the military has Stars and Stripes death for Lawson, however, and virus, Lawson would be the fourth with the North Dakota, Alaska and had 79,020 cases of the virus, with WASHINGTON — The Penta- whether it was related to the coro- service member to die in Novem- Oklahoma Army National Guards, the National Guard Bureau re- gon has reported that a North Da- navirus, according to Prokopyk. ber due to the disease. August was according to Prokopyk, most re- porting 9,474 cases among its per- kota Army National Guardsman is Lawson was not on state active du- the second-deadliest month with cently as an operations sergeant sonnel, according to the latest the 12th service member to die of ty when he died. three military deaths from the vi- with the 141st Maneuver Enhan- Pentagon coronavirus case chart. the coronavirus since the start of Lawson’s case was reported to rus, the Pentagon reported. cement Brigade based in Fargo, The Army has the most cases of the pandemic, making November the Pentagon as a presumed coro- Lawson also would be the third N.D. His service included a de- any service at 28,555 as of Mon- the deadliest month from the virus navirus death, without a final con- guardsman to die of the virus in ployment to Operation Iraqi Free- day, with the Navy having the sec- for the military. firmation as of Monday, according November, and would bring the dom from 2003 to 2005 with Com- ond-highest at 16,620 cases. The Master Sgt. Robert Thomas to a defense official who spoke on total number of guardsmen to die pany B of the 141st Engineer Bat- Air Force has had 14,382 cases and Lawson, 48, died Nov. 24 at Minot condition of anonymity in order to from the illness to five since the talion of the North Dakota Guard. the Marine Corps has had 9,449 Hospital, according to William discuss the reporting. The death start of the pandemic. An Army His awards include the Bronze cases as of Monday. Prokopyk, a spokesman for the was added Monday to the total reservist from Florida, Sgt. 1st Star Medal, the Army Commenda-

North Dakota National Guard. military coronavirus deaths in the Class Calvin Ogletree III, also tion Medal and a Valorous Unit [email protected] The North Dakota Guard is still Pentagon’s case chart. died from the virus in November. award for Company B. Twitter: @caitlinmkenney More than 5,000 Veterans Affairs patients have died during pandemic

BY NIKKI WENTLING December, after Americans trav- rently sick with the virus – down does not require state-run veter- Home in Illinois, where about 200 Stars and Stripes eled and congregated for Thanks- 8% since Friday. The Minneapolis ans’ homes to inform them of cor- residents and staff have tested WASHINGTON — The corona- giving celebrations. VA hospital has the second-most onavirus deaths, though some of positive for the virus and 28 veter- virus has killed more than 5,000 As of Tuesday, the United cases with 387, and Chicago has the facilities have suffered signif- ans have died since late October. patients at the Department of Vet- States had tallied 13.6 million total the third-most, with 284. icant outbreaks. The Illinois Department of Veter- erans Affairs, with 1,000 dying coronavirus cases since the start The VA’s data on cases and Vietnam Veterans of America ans Affairs announced two inves- during November — the most cor- of the pandemic and 268,000 deaths does not include all veter- established a committee at the tigations into the home. onavirus deaths that the VA has deaths. ans in the U.S., nor does it include start of the pandemic to tally “Unfortunately, we do not know had in a single month. Active cases across the VA sys- the hundreds of deaths that have deaths at state-run veterans’ how many [deaths] have occurred The VA reported 5,021 deaths tem were down slightly Tuesday occurred at state-run veterans’ homes. As of July 17, the virus had at state veterans’ homes,” said Tuesday, up from 4,017 at the to about 14,500 after surpassing homes. killed 1,011 residents, the commit- Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., at a start of November. In addition, 12 15,000 last week. Reflecting na- Of the 5,021 total deaths report- tee reported. That number includ- hearing on the subject in August. VA employees died during No- tionwide trends, hospitals in the ed Tuesday, 1,943 of the veterans ed deaths at only 47 of 162 facil- “The department lacks a clear vember, with total employee Midwest are reporting the most died at VA hospitals, and 3,078 ities, however, and many deaths picture.” deaths up to 74. The spike comes cases. were VA patients who died else- have occurred since then. as public health experts are warn- The Cleveland VA hospital has where and their deaths were re- The latest known outbreak oc- [email protected] ing about a worsening surge in the most, with 455 veterans cur- ported to the department. The VA curred at the LaSalle Veterans Twitter: @nikkiwentling PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 VIRUS OUTBREAK ROUNDUP White House plans packed season of holiday parties From wire reports who have landed in hot water in WASHINGTON — The White recent days for failing to abide by House is forging ahead with plans their own public health recom- for more than a dozen indoor holi- mendations. day parties this month despite the Democratic Gov. Gavin News- ongoing surge in coronavirus om and San Francisco Democratic cases, ignoring warnings from the Mayor London Breed both trav- Trump administration’s own pub- eled to Napa Valley for birthday lic health professionals to limit dinners last month, the San Fran- travel and avoid congregating in cisco Chronicle reported. large group settings. In San Jose, Democratic Mayor The president and the first lady Sam Liccardo has drawn similar JACOB KEEPERMAN / AP are determined to have a final ho- scrutiny for traveling to his par- This selfie photo provided by the Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nev., shows medical director liday season in the White House, ents’ home for an outdoor Thanks- Dr. Jacob Keeperman, who snapped the photo on the opening day of the medical center's alternative care officials said, despite a pandemic giving dinner, despite urging oth- site, which is located in a parking garage. Keeperman's photo was being misrepresented online to support that has killed more than 266,000 ers not to do the same. the false narrative that the coronavirus pandemic is a scam. Americans and infected 13 million across the country. Many of the Colorado than 300 hours of overtime from medical executive, Joneigh Khal- has 42 patients and has served 198 administration’s supporters have DENVER — The ACLU of Col- Sept. 27 to Oct. 31, or about 60 dun, said Tuesday she was cau- patients since opening day in No- taken a skeptical view of the re- orado and a county sheriff’s office hours of overtime each week. tiously optimistic that more resi- vember. strictions aimed at combating the reached an agreement Tuesday to dents took steps to combat the Dr. Jacob Keeperman, medical virus and are choosing to attend, implement measures at the coun- Louisiana surging coronavirus last month, director for Renown’s Transfer officials said. ty’s jail to better protect inmates With no dance floor and strict, citing declining case rates, but and Operations Center, shared the The events, including the Con- from the coronavirus pandemic. new coronavirus guidelines, at- warned that the spread remains photo of himself inside the park- gressional Ball on Dec. 10, will Weld County Sheriff Steve tendees at the 2020 Naughty N’aw- significant and the effect of ing garage facility on Twitter with each include more than 50 guests Reams and the ACLU asked a fed- lins swingers convention swayed Thanksgiving will not be known the hope of relaying the gravity of and could risk the health of White eral judge to enter a consent de- in place at their tables and flirted for two to three weeks. the situation at the hospital. House staffers and others who cree between the two sides to offi- behind face masks from a dis- Democratic Gov. Gretchen But his tweet was quickly work at the parties. Most guests cially implement the changes and tance. Whitmer said it was too early to picked up and misrepresented on- will not be tested in advance, one provide federal oversight. After being tested for coronavi- say if her administration will ex- line. official said. The ACLU filed a lawsuit in rus and agreeing to wear masks, tend a three-week order that pre- Health experts expressed dis- April alleging that the sheriff’s of- about 250 people checked into a vents high schools from offering North Carolina may at the plans, noting that cases fice failed to meet public health or- New Orleans hotel for the swing- in-person instruction, prohibits WILSON — Nearly half of third- are not only increasing across the ders related to the pandemic and ers convention Nov. 14. dine-in service at restaurants and to 12th-grade students in a North country but in the Washington ar- did not sufficiently protect in- A little more than two weeks lat- closes various entertainment Carolina school district failed a ea specifically. They also said mates, jail staff and the public. er, 41 attendees have tested posi- businesses. The restrictions are class this school year while taking travel by many guests outside the As part of the agreement, the jail tive for the virus, according to the due to end Dec. 8. virtual classes during the corona- District of Columbia probably is required to promote social dis- event’s organizer, in an outbreak Michigan’s seven-day case av- virus pandemic, the district’s data would violate myriad state and tancing, require and distribute that led local officials to call the erage of 6,815 is down from 7,370 shows. city restrictions. masks to all people in the jail, con- convention a “superspreader two weeks ago, according to the Wilson County Schools released duct coronavirus testing pursuant event.” COVID Tracking Project. data showing that 46% of students Arizona to U.S. Centers for Disease Control Once a hot spot, Orleans Parish in those grades failed a class dur- WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo guidelines and isolate medically has reported more than 16,000 Nevada ing the first nine weeks of the Nation is reporting 104 new CO- vulnerable inmates while moni- coronavirus cases and 648 deaths A photo of a hospital’s alterna- school year, WRAL-TV reported VID-19 cases and three additional toring them regularly. since the start of the pandemic. tive care site in Reno is being mis- Tuesday. deaths. represented on social media to The first quarter of the school Tribal health officials also said Hawaii Maine fuel the false narrative that the year for students was entirely re- Tuesday night that the Navajo De- HONOLULU — Honolulu Po- PORTLAND — Maine is set to coronavirus pandemic is a hoax, mote. Elementary and middle partment of Health has identified lice Chief Susan Ballard said her receive more than $3.3 million even as cases surge in the state. school students then transitioned 75 communities with uncontrolled department takes responsibility from the Federal Emergency Renown Regional Medical Cen- into hybrid learning. spread of the coronavirus. for the actions of officers on its Management Agency to help with ter has been the target of renewed The Navajo Nation now has had now-suspended coronavirus en- the costs of personal protective conspiracy theories online sug- Oregon 16,711 total cases since the pan- forcement units who are accused equipment incurred due to the gesting that hospitals are empty SALEM — At least 20 Silverton demic began, with 656 known of abusing the department’s over- coronavirus pandemic. and the virus is not as dangerous firefighters were exposed to CO- deaths. time policy. FEMA officials said the grant is as top medical officials say it is. VID-19 while attending a training The vast reservation includes Ballard confirmed Monday in a coming to the state as reimburse- The hospital opened an alterna- session in late November. parts of Arizona, New Mexico and statement on social media that ment for items including disposa- tive care site with two floors of Two days after participating in Utah. multiple investigations are being ble non-sterile isolation gowns supplemental hospital beds inside the agency’s firefighter academy conducted about the officers ac- and disposable isolation units. The a parking structure on Nov. 12 to training Nov. 21, a person told the California cused of submitting as many as Maine Department of Health and accommodate an overflow in CO- agency they were experiencing As the Los Angeles County 300 overtime hours in one week. Human Services and Maine Cen- VID-19 cases if needed. symptoms, according to officials Board of Supervisors debated last Law enforcement officials sus- ter for Disease Control and Pre- In recent weeks, social media from the Silverton Fire District. week whether to ban outdoor din- pended the coronavirus enforce- vention distributed the items in posts have shared a variety of fal- The training event was for new ing, Democrat Sheila Kuehl was ment units on Nov. 20 after the of- response to emergency needs in sehoods about the hospital’s park- volunteer firefighters. quick to speak up in favor of re- ficials were told in an internal me- the state. ing garage site, with some posts On Nov. 30, the individual was strictions. mo that 59 officers on the task The Maine Department of Ad- saying that visitors went there and notified they tested positive for Hours later, according to force had been flagged in an audit ministrative and Financial Servic- found no patients, which they then the virus. KTTV, she was spotted dining alf- for overtime violations. es also distributed the items to es- cited as evidence that the virus is a Twenty members of the fire dis- resco at an Italian restaurant in At least 10 officers logged 200 or sential state employees. hoax. trict who attended the all-day Santa Monica, Calif. more hours of overtime during a According to Renown hospital class were notified Nov. 30 of the Kuehl is now one of at least four five-week period. Records show Michigan officials, the alternate care site in possible exposure and instructed high-profile California Democrats that two officers recorded more LANSING — Michigan's chief the parking structure currently to get tested or isolate until Dec. 5. Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION US probes possible bribery, lobbying scheme for pardons

BY ERIC TUCKER prieve of sentence.” The order was dated Aug. 28, Associated Press A Justice Department official and prosecutors had sought to WASHINGTON — The Justice said Tuesday night that no govern- keep it private because they said it Department is investigating ment official was or is a subject or identifies people not charged by a whether there was a secret target of the investigation. The of- grand jury. But on Tuesday, Ho- scheme to lobby White House offi- ficial spoke on condition of ano- well unsealed select portions of cials for a pardon as well as a relat- nymity to discuss an ongoing in- that document while redacting ed plot to offer a hefty political vestigation. from view any personally identi- contribution in exchange for President Donald Trump tweet- fiable information. clemency, according to a court ed Tuesday night: “Pardon inves- As part of the investigation, document unsealed Tuesday. tigation is Fake News!” more than 50 devices, including Most of the information in the The existence of the investiga- laptops and iPads, have been 18-page court order is redacted, tion, first reported by CNN, was seized, according to the docu- including the identity of the peo- revealed in a court order from ment. ple whom prosecutors are investi- U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, Pardons are common at the end gating and whom the proposed the chief judge of Washington's of a president's tenure and are oc- pardon might be intended for. federal court. casionally politically fraught af- But the document from August In it, she granted investigators fairs as some convicted felons look does reveal that certain individu- access to certain email communi- to leverage connections inside the als are suspected of having acted cations connected to the alleged White House to secure clemency. to secretly lobby White House of- schemes that she said was not pro- Last week, Trump announced that ficials to secure a pardon or sen- tected by attorney-client privi- he had pardoned his first national EVAN VUCCI/AP tence commutation and that, in a lege. The investigative team will security adviser, Michael Flynn, A ribbon hangs on the White House for World AIDS Day 2020 on related scheme, a substantial po- be able to use that material to con- even as a federal judge was weigh- Tuesday in Washington. A possible scheme to lobby the White House litical contribution was floated in front any subject or target of the ing a Justice Department request for a pardon, including political contributions, is being probed by the exchange for a pardon or “re- investigation, the judge wrote. to dismiss the case. Justice Department. Barr: Judges cite lack of evidence in dismissed suits Report: US FROM PAGE 1 hiring slowed counsel, giving the prosecutor the “There’s been one assertion that would be systemic authority to continue to investi- last month as gate the origins of the Trump-Rus- fraud … And the DHS and DOJ have looked into that, sia probe after Biden takes over virus surged and making it difficult to fire him. and so far, we haven’t seen anything to substantiate Biden hasn’t said what he might BY HAMZA SHABAN do with the investigation, and his that.” The Washington Post transition team didn’t comment U.S. businesses slowed hiring in Tuesday. Attorney General William Barr November, adding only 307,000 Trump has long railed against blance” of an investigation into the been repeatedly dismissed includ- Venezuela “at the direction of Hu- workers to their private payrolls the investigation into whether his president’s complaints. ing by Republican judges who go Chavez,” — the late Venezue- — missing the benchmark that 2016 campaign was coordinating Last month, Barr issued a direc- have ruled the suits lacked evi- lan president who died in 2013. Po- analysts had expected, and likely with Russia, but he and Republi- tive to U.S. attorneys across the dence. well has since been removed from heightening concerns that compa- can allies had hoped the results country allowing them to pursue But local Republicans in some the legal team after an interview nies and households will continue would be delivered before the any “substantial allegations” of battleground states have followed she gave where she threatened to to struggle without further action 2020 election and would help sway voting irregularities before the Trump in making unsupported “blow up” Georgia with a “bibli- from Congress to deliver corona- voters. 2020 presidential election was claims, prompting grave concerns cal” court filing. virus aid. So far, there has been only one certified, despite no evidence at over potential damage to Ameri- Barr didn’t name Powell specif- The figures reported Wednes- criminal case, a guilty plea from a that time of widespread fraud. can democracy. ically but said: “There’s been one day by ADP mark a disappointing former FBI lawyer to a single false That memorandum gave prose- Trump himself continues to rail assertion that would be systemic departure from the 475,000 jobs statement charge. cutors the ability to go around against the election in tweets and fraud and that would be the claim that some economists had predict- Under federal regulations, a long-standing Justice Depart- in interviews though his own ad- that machines were programmed ed. special counsel can be fired only ment policy that normally would ministration has said the 2020 essentially to skew the election re- November’s tally failed to im- by the attorney general and for prohibit such overt actions before election was the most secure ever. sults. And the DHS and DOJ have prove upon or even match the specific reasons such as miscon- the election was certified. Soon af- He recently allowed his adminis- looked into that, and so far, we gains of 405,000 jobs from Octo- duct, dereliction of duty or conflict ter it was issued, the department’s tration to begin the transition over haven’t seen anything to substan- ber, suggesting that the economic of interest. An attorney general top elections crime official an- to Biden, but he still refuses to ad- tiate that.” recovery is slowing, even as hopes must document such reasons in nounced he would step aside from mit he lost. In the campaign statement, Giu- of a viable coronavirus vaccine writing. that position because of the memo. The issues they’ve pointed to liani claimed there was “ample have lifted business prospects and Barr went to the White House The Trump campaign team led are typical in every election: Prob- evidence of illegal voting in at have begun to outline a potential on Tuesday for a previously by Giuliani has been alleging a lems with signatures, secrecy en- least six states, which they have end to the pandemic. scheduled meeting that lasted widespread conspiracy by Demo- velopes and postal marks on mail- not examined.” The decelerating gains were the about three hours. crats to dump millions of illegal in ballots, as well as the potential However, Barr said earlier that lowest payroll numbers ADP has Trump didn’t directly comment votes into the system with no evi- for a small number of ballots mis- people were confusing the use of reported since the summer. on the attorney general’s remarks dence. They have filed multiple cast or lost. the federal criminal justice sys- “While November saw employ- on the election. But his personal lawsuits in battleground states al- But they’ve gone further. Attor- tem with allegations that should ment gains, the pace continues to attorney Rudy Giuliani and his po- leging that partisan poll watchers ney Sidney Powell has spun fic- be made in civil lawsuits. He said a slow,” Ahu Yildirmaz, vice presi- litical campaign issued a scathing didn’t have a clear enough view at tional tales of election systems remedy for many complaints dent and co-head of the ADP Re- statement claiming that, “with all polling sites in some locations and flipping votes, German servers would be a top-down audit by state search Institute, said. “Job growth due respect to the Attorney Gen- therefore something illegal must storing U.S. voting information or local officials, not the U.S. Jus- remained positive across all indus- eral, there hasn’t been any sem- have happened. The claims have and election software created in tice Department. tries and sizes.” PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 NATION Huge Puerto Rico radio telescope collapses Associated Press He said that it was extremely ARECIBO, Puerto Rico — A difficult to say whether anything huge, already damaged radio tele- could have been done to prevent scope in Puerto Rico that has the damage that occurred after played a key role in astronomical the first cable snapped in August. discoveries for more than half a “The maintenance was kept up century completely collapsed on as best as we could,” he said. Tuesday. “(The National Science Founda- The telescope’s 900-ton receiv- tion) did the best that they could er platform and the Gregorian with what they have.” dome — a structure as tall as a However, observatory director four-story building that houses Francisco Córdova said that while secondary reflectors — fell onto the NSF decided it was too risky to the northern portion of the vast re- repair the damaged cables before flector dish more than 400 feet be- Tuesday’s collapse, he believes low. there had been options, such as re- The U.S. National Science lieving tension in certain cables or Foundation had earlier an- using helicopters to help redis- nounced that it would close the ra- tribute weight. dio telescope. An auxiliary cable Installing a new telescope snapped in August, causing a 100- would cost up to $350 million, foot gash on the 1,000-foot-wide money the NSF doesn’t have, Váz- dish and damaged the receiver quez said, adding it would have to platform that hung above it. Then YAMIL RODRIGUEZ/AP come from U.S. Congress. a main cable broke in early No- The collapsed radio telescope is seen in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday. “It’s a huge loss,” said Carmen vember. Pantoja, an astronomer and pro- The collapse stunned many sci- ciate at the observatory and still the air where the structure once snapped over the weekend, Ángel fessor at the University of Puerto entists who had relied on what was lives near it. “I was screaming. stood, demolishing hopes held by Vázquez, the telescope’s director Rico who used the telescope for until recently the largest radio tel- Personally, I was out of control. … some scientists that the telescope of operations, told The Associated her doctorate. “It was a chapter of escope in the world. I don’t have words to express it. could somehow be repaired. Press. my life.” “It sounded like a rumble. I It’s a very deep, terrible feeling.” The collapse at 7:56 a.m. on “It was a snowball effect,” he Scientists worldwide had been knew exactly what it was,” said Jo- Friedman ran up a small hill Tuesday wasn’t a surprise be- said. “There was no way to stop petitioning U.S. officials and oth- nathan Friedman, who worked for near his home and confirmed his cause many of the wires in the it.... It was too much for the old girl ers to reverse the NSF’s decision 26 years as a senior research asso- suspicions: A cloud of dust hung in thick cables holding the structure to take.” to close the observatory. Visitor says mystery monolith in Utah Rockefeller Center tree toppled by group who said ‘leave no trace’ turns on – with rules Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY — New Associated Press clues have surfaced in the disap- NEW YORK — Rockin’ around pearance of a gleaming monolith the Christmas tree is going to look in Utah that seemed to melt away different for visitors at Rockefell- as mysteriously as it appeared in er Center this year, starting with the red-rock desert — though it’s Wednesday’s tree lighting cere- no longer the only place where a mony. strange structure has come and What’s normally a chaotic, gone. crowded tourist hotspot during A Colorado photographer told the holiday season will instead be KSTU-TV that he saw four men a mask-mandated, time-limited, come to the remote Utah site Fri- socially distanced locale due to the day night and push over the hol- coronavirus pandemic. CRAIG RUTTLE/AP low, stainless steel object. The tree, a 75-foot Norway The 2020 Rockefeller Center “Right after it had fallen over spruce, is getting its holiday lights Christmas tree is secured on a and made a loud thud, one of them turned on in an event that will be platform at Rockefeller Center in said, ‘This is why you don’t leave TERRANCE SIEMON/AP broadcast on television but closed New York. trash in the desert,’” Ross Ber- A monolith was placed in a red­rock desert in an undisclosed location to the public. Among those sched- nards told the Salt Lake City TV in San Juan County southeastern Utah. uled for performances are Kelly tree. There will be a five-minute station. Clarkson, Dolly Parton, and limit to tree-viewing. The group broke down the Land Management, which over- steel. Earth, Wind & Fire. Of course, everyone will have to structure into pieces, loaded it in- sees the land where the object ap- For Bernards, the visitors’ In the days following the light- be wearing masks and maintain to a wheelbarrow and left. peared, didn’t immediately re- damage to the environment con- ing until the early part of January, social distance. Entrance to the “As they were loading it up and spond to messages seeking com- vinced him that the remote area those wishing to take a look at the skating rink and retail will be sep- walking away, they just said, ment on whether they are investi- was better off without the struc- tree will have to follow a host of arate. ‘Leave no trace,’” he said. gating the removal that Bernards’ ture. rules. The restricted approach is a The sheriff’s office in San Juan group photographed. “Leave the art to places where The plaza where the tree is necessary one, New York City County has said it’s not planning Visitors have left behind a mess art should be and let Mother Na- physically located will be closed to Mayor Bill de Blasio said earlier an investigation into the disap- of human waste, cars parked on ture have her space for art,” he the public; instead, there will be this week. “It will be limited, the pearance of the monolith, which vegetation and other debris, the said. specific tree-viewing zones on the number of people that can get had been placed without permis- land agency said. The mysterious Utah isn’t the only place a midtown Manhattan blocks on ei- close. This is what we got to do to sion on public land. But author- structure that evoked the movie monolith emerged. A similar met- ther side. protect everyone.” ities also said they would accept “2001: A Space Odyssey” generat- al structure was found on a hill in Visitors will join a virtual line, Workers at Rockefeller Center tips from any of the hundreds of ed international attention and northern Romania, in the city of and can get text messages to let first put up a tree in 1931. It be- visitors who trekked out to see the drew plenty of speculation about Piatra Neamt but has since disap- them know when it’s their turn. At came an annual tradition starting otherworldly gleaming object otherworldly origins, though offi- peared, according to Robert Io- that point, they will be directed to in 1933. This year’s tree came deep in the desert. cials said it was an earthly cre- sub, a journalist with the local specific pods, each of which can from Oneonta, in central New The sheriff and the Bureau of ation of riveted plates of stainless publication ziarpiatraneamt.ro. hold four people, to look at the York. Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Suspect snatches $24K from casino CHESTER — A man PA who asked to use a phone made off with approxi- mately $24,000 from a Pennsylva- nia casino, police said. The heist unfolded in the area where customers bet on horse races at Harrah's Casino in Ches- ter. According to police, the suspect asked an employee who was counting cash from a money drawer if he could use the phone. The employee turned away for a moment and the suspect grabbed the cash and took off, police said. The investigation was ongoing. Police shoot man who stole skip loader BAKERSFIELD — Po- CA lice shot and wounded a man who stole a city-owned heavy equipment machine in Southern California, authorities said. Officers responded following reports that someone had taken a skip loader near downtown Ba- kersfield, said police Sgt. Robert Pair. The man then fled from the loader to an older red Nissan pick- up and that's when two officers opened fire, Pair said. KRISTOPHER RADDER, THE BRATTLEBORO (VT.) REFORMER/AP The suspect, who was not identi- fied, was struck once and hospital- ized in critical but stable condi- Wreath wrangling tion, according to Bakersfield Members of the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Brattleboro, Vt., make wreaths for the annual Holiday Bazaar. Proceeds from the Now. bazaar, which runs Friday and Saturday, benefit the church. Police didn't immediately say what prompted the shooting or ing to deputies. His injuries were THE CENSUS attorney, Brad Kasper. whether the suspect was armed. non-life-threatening. Kaspar said the teen awoke to a The incident is under investiga- The amount, in millions of dollars, Northern Vermont University police dog attacking him and offi- tion. Boater found clinging to 3.5 received from an alumnus of Lyndon State College. The school cers threatening him with car A skip loader is used in con- capsized vessel said the gift from Mark Valade is the largest in the Vermont State College Sys- theft and firearms charges. struction to move heavy materials tem's history. Valade is the CEO of Carhartt Inc., and the great-grandson of the His mother is seeking all audio like rocks or debris. CAPE CANAVERAL — founder of Carhartt, Hamilton Carhartt, the Caledonian Record reported. Lyn- and video police records arising FL A 62-year-old boater don State College merged with Johnson State College in 2018 to create North- from the interaction with her son Deputies: Woman shot who had been missing since Fri- ern Vermont University. before determining whether to man, robbed store day was found Sunday clinging to pursue further legal action. his capsized vessel off of Florida's ticed a skittish black dog with last month. No further informa- GREENSBORO — A Atlantic coastline, the U.S. Coast white feet roaming around. One of tion about the vandalism was re- Zoo reports 2 birds NC woman accused of Guard said, them was Polly Ellison, a fellow leased. stolen, need special care stealing a car and a gun from a The agency had been searching pet owner. Law enforcement is asking the home as she was fleeing from dep- for signs of Stuart Bee and his 32- “She was in obvious fear of po- public for any information or tips FRESNO — Two birds uties was arrested after she foot boat since he was reported tential harm (and) I just couldn’t that could help them identify po- CA were stolen from a zoo robbed a convenience store and missing. turn my back on her,” Ellison said, tential suspects. in Fresno over the weekend, offi- shot a homeowner in North Caroli- A crew onboard the container explaining why she started feed- cials said. na who was chasing her away ship Angeles spotted Bee some 86 ing Gracie and kept feeding the Mom: Son wrongly A lesser sulphur-crested cocka- from his residence, authorities miles off of Cape Canaveral, the dog for months to gain the dog's attacked by police dog too and a Nicobar pigeon were tak- said. Coast Guard said in a Twitter post. trust. en from Chaffee Zoo's Australian The woman, who authorities Ellison and Katie Campbell, CEDAR RAPIDS — A Asian Aviary, The Fresno Bee re- have not identified, entered the Dog gone for 11 months who has rescued dogs before, kept IA Cedar Rapids woman fil- ported. first home while fleeing on foot is back home up the routine long enough to cap- ed an open records lawsuit against “Our bird zookeepers and en- from deputies responding to a re- ture Gracie. Then, after detecting the city's police department after tire team are deeply concerned for port of a suspicious female at a gas CHICAGO — A dog that a microchip under Gracie's skin, her 13-year-old Black son was at- the safety of both of these ani- station in Greensboro, the Guil- IL darted out of an open door she was able to track down Shade. tacked by a police dog and arrest- mals,” general zoo curator Lyn ford County Sheriff’s Office said nearly a year ago and has been liv- ed before being released without Meyers said. “We do not know the in a news release. ing on the streets ever since is fi- Pictographs vandalized, charges. condition of either bird and we Authorities said she then drove nally back home in Chicago. police seek tips TonyaMarie Adams' son went to hope to get them back quickly so to another gas station in Greens- Gracie, a 6-year-old pit bull, was a friend's house two nights after a that our veterinary team can ex- boro with the car she stole from reunited over the weekend with BEND — Pictographs derecho devastated Cedar Rapids amine them and continue the care that home, and committed armed her owner, Kelly Shade, thanks to OR west of Bend were re- in August. Because of a mix up in they require.” robbery for cigarettes. acouple of people who took time to cently vandalized and Forest Ser- communication, the teen fell Security footage shows some- After that, the woman entered gain the dog's trust, capture it and vice officials are seeking help asleep in the friend's backyard, one cutting the lock from the avi- the second home, which was return it home. from the public as authorities in- The Cedar Rapids Gazette report- ary doors, capturing the birds and across the street from the gas sta- “She got close and that tail start- vestigate. ed. putting them into a duffel bag be- tion, and stole another set of car ed wagging, and she just lost it and Deschutes National Forest spo- At the time, police were pursu- fore leaving, authorities said. The keys, the release said. That’s when I lost it,” Shade told keswoman Jean Nelson-Dean said ing four young Black suspects in a motive for the theft is unknown. the homeowner started to chase Over the summer, people in the that the vandalism to the rock art stolen vehicle investigation, who her away from his house and she Jackson Park Highlands neigh- was recently discovered and ap- were believed to be on foot in the From The Associated Press shot him in the abdomen, accord- borhood where Shade lives no- pears to have happened within the same neighborhood, said Adams' PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 WORLD UN, Ethiopia sign deal for aid access to embattled Tigray Associated Press boring Amhara and Afar regions NAIROBI, Kenya — In a break- is “strictly based on needs” and through a month after deadly con- according to the principles of hu- flict cut off Ethiopia’s Tigray re- manity, impartiality, independ- gion from the world, the United ence and neutrality. Nations on Wednesday said it and Ethiopia’s government did not the Ethiopian government have immediately comment. signed a deal to allow “unimped- For weeks, aid-laden trucks ed” humanitarian access, at least have been blocked at Tigray’s bor- for areas under federal govern- ders, and the U.N. and other hu- Chinese State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, Xinhua/AP ment control after the prime min- manitarian groups were increas- An artist’s rendering of a concept design for the Chinese Mars 2020 rover and lander. ister’s declaration of victory over ingly anxious to reach Tigray as the weekend. hunger grows and hospitals run This will allow the first food, out of basic supplies like gloves medicines and other aid into the and body bags. China strives to put robot region of 6 million people that has “We literally have staff reac- seen rising hunger during the hing out to us to say they have no fighting between the federal and food for their children,” one hu- Tigray regional governments. manitarian worker told The Asso- on Mars, human on moon Each regards the other as illegal in ciated Press. The person spoke on a power struggle that has been condition of anonymity because of Associated Press The coming decade will be efit of all mankind,” Hua said. months in the making. the sensitivity of the situation. BEIJING — China’s landing of “quite critical” in space explora- After astronaut Yang Liwei’s For weeks, the U.N. and others More than 1 million people in Ti- its third probe on the moon is part tion, said Kathleen Campbell, an 2003 flight, space officials ex- have pleaded for access amid re- gray are now thought to be dis- of an increasingly ambitious astrobiologist and geologist at The pressed hope for a crewed lunar ports of supplies running desper- placed, including over 45,000 who space program that has a robot University of Auckland. mission as early as this year. But ately low for millions of people. A have fled into a remote area of rover en route to Mars, is develop- “This is where we’re going to they said that depended on budget U.N. humanitarian spokesman, neighboring Sudan. Humanitar- ing a reusable space plane and is transform out of near Earth orbit and technology. They have Saviano Abreu, said the first mis- ians have struggled to feed them planning to put humans back on and back into what people will call pushed back that target to 2024 or sion to carry out a needs assess- as they set up a crisis response the lunar surface. ‘deep space,’ ” Campbell said. later. ment would begin Wednesday. from scratch. The Chang’e 5, the first effort to In 2003, China became the third The space agency gave no rea- “We are of course working to Communications and transport bring lunar rocks to Earth since nation to launch an astronaut into son for landing its latest probe on make sure assistance will be pro- links remain almost completely the 1970s, collected samples on orbit on its own, four decades after the Sea of Storms, far from where vided in the whole region and for severed to Tigray, and the fugitive Wednesday, the Chinese space the former Soviet Union and the American and Soviet craft tou- every single person who needs it,” leader of the defiant regional gov- agency announced. The probe U.S.. Its first temporary orbiting ched down. But the choice might he said. The U.N. and partners are ernment this week told the AP that landed Tuesday on the Sea of laboratory was launched in 2011 help to shed light on possible sites committed to engaging with “all fighting continues despite Prime Storms on the moon’s near side. and a second in 2016. Plans call for being studied for a crewed mis- parties to the conflict” to ensure Minister Abiy Ahmed's declara- Space exploration is a political a permanent space station to be sion. that aid to Tigray and the neigh- tion of victory. trophy for the ruling Communist launched after 2022. Beijing’s space plane would be Party, which wants global influen- This week’s landing is “a histor- China’s version of the American ce to match China’s economic suc- ic step in China’s cooperation with Space Shuttle and the former So- cess. the international community in viet Union’s short-lived Buran. China is a generation behind the the peaceful use of outer space,” China has also launched its own German city grieves United States and Russia, but its said a foreign ministry spokeswo- Beidou network of navigation sat- secretive, military-linked pro- man, Hua Chunying. ellites so that the Communist Par- after 5 killed in attack gram is developing rapidly. It is “China will continue to promote ty’s military wing, the People’s creating distinctive missions that, international cooperation and the Liberation Army, doesn’t need to if successful, could put Beijing on exploration and use of outer space rely on the U.S.-run GPS or a rival on a pedestrian zone the leading edge of space flight. in the spirit of working for the ben- Russian system. Associated Press makeshift memorial that was growing at the Roman gate known BERLIN — Trier residents as the Porta Nigra, near the scene 3 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists placed flowers and lit candles of the attack. Wednesday at the base of the Prosecutors investigating the southwestern German city's land- man for murder, attempted mur- jailed for protest outside police HQ mark Roman gate in tribute to the der and other charges said after five people killed and more than a the Tuesday afternoon attack that Associated Press dition law that expanded to in- demonstration outside Hong dozen others injured when a man they had no immediate indication HONG KONG — Three promi- clude demands for greater democ- Kong’s police headquarters over drove an SUV at high speed of what prompted the man to act, nent Hong Kong pro-democracy racy. the extradition bill and police use through the central pedestrian but that there were no signs of a activists were sentenced to jail Beijing responded to the pro- of force against protesters. zone. terror, political or religious mo- Wednesday for a protest outside tests by imposing a sweeping na- Chow was sentenced to 10 The man, a 51-year-old from tive. police headquarters as authorities tional security law to crack down months by the West Kowloon Ma- Trier whose name hasn't been re- He had been drinking heavily stepped up a crackdown on oppo- on dissent, which prompted more gistrates’ Courts after pleading leased, has made a statement to before the attack, authorities said. sition to tighten control by Beijing public opposition. guilty to participating and inciting authorities and was to be taken be- Among the five killed were a 45- over the territory. Wong, 24, is known abroad for other protesters. Lam pleaded fore a judge later in the day to de- year-old man and his 9 ½-week- The activists — Joshua Wong, his role as a student leader of the guilty to incitement and was sen- termine whether to keep him in old daughter. His wife and 1 ½- Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam — are 2014 “Umbrella Revolution” pro- tenced to 7 months. police custody or put him into psy- year-old son were among the in- among more than 10,000 people tests in Hong Kong. He was sen- Other democracy advocates, in- chiatric care. jured and were being treated in a who have been arrested since tenced to 13 ½ months in jail after cluding media tycoon Jimmy Lai, “The victims and their families hospital, police said. The others June 2019 on charges related to pleading guilty to organizing and have also been arrested under the need answers,” Trier Mayor Wol- killed were three women, aged 25, protests against a proposed extra- taking part in the June 21, 2019, security law. fram Leibe told reporters near the 52 and 73. Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 WORLD Business closures put 25K UK retail jobs at risk

Associated Press trators had decided to start wind- protection, late Monday. ing down operations after a poten- Both companies were set to reo- LONDON — The future of tial buyer of the company pulled pen their doors in England on around 25,000 retailing jobs in out. Wednesday when they emerge Britain hangs in the balance after The move will potentially lead from a near monthlong lockdown MATT DUNHAM / AP the failure of two long-established to 12,000 job losses if no buyer is that forced the closure of shops People wait for the Debenhams department store, which is expected companies laid bare the fragility found, as seems likely. selling items deemed to be nones- to close down, to open their doors in London on Wednesday. of much of the sector during the It was another devastating blow sential. coronavirus pandemic. to the sector, coming after Arcadia For Debenhams, the reopening ue to seek offers “for all or parts of Miss Selfridge and Topshop, could Long-suffering Debenhams, the Group, the retail empire of billio- of its 124 U.K. stores is not expect- the business.” still have a future and administra- 242-year-old department store naire Philip Green, went into ad- ed to last long even though the ad- Arcadia’s stable of brands, tors are seeking buyers for all or chain, said Tuesday that adminis- ministration, a type of bankruptcy ministrators said they will contin- which includes the likes of Burton, parts of the company. Hungarian lawmaker resigns after caught fleeing ‘sex party’ The Washington Post ber of Orbán’s Fidesz party and a Szájer didn’t mention the event event, held in violation of Belgi- Szájer was one of the architects BERLIN — A key political ally member of the European Parlia- in that initial resignation state- um’s coronavirus restrictions. of Hungary’s new constitution, of right-wing Hungarian Prime ment, confirmed in a statement ment. The Het Laatste Nieuws news- drafted starting in 2010, that drew Minister Viktor Orbán has re- Tuesday that he “was present” at a But after multiple media outlets paper reported that a crowd of 25 fierce criticism from LGBT and signed after attending what local “private party in Brussels on Fri- in Belgium and Hungary began mostly male visitors — including human rights groups at the time. media outlets described as a “sex day.” disclosing information about the multiple people claiming diplo- Human Rights Watch subse- party” in the Belgian capital of He abruptly resigned Sunday party, Szájer on Tuesday con- matic immunity — had attended quently found that provisions in it Brussels on Friday night. from his parliamentary position, firmed that he was present when the party only yards from a central “discriminate against LGBT peo- József Szájer, a founding mem- citing “a long period of reflection.” police officers disrupted the Brussels police station. ple and limit women’s rights.” PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 54 Observe 24 Apollo’s 1 Some HDTVs 55 Vortex instrument 5 — Lanka 25 Woodland grazer 8 Bridge coup DOWN 26 Melville captain

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Wry Bombeck 1 Notes after “do” 27 Hawaiian 13 Witch 2 Gator’s kin feast 14 See to 3 Mine, in Marseille 28 iTunes selection 15 Not worth 4 Shoulder bag 32 Gridiron debating 5 Bed cover gatherings 16 Big bird of 6 Zodiac animal 33 Slow tempo Australia 7 Tropical 35 Wildebeest 17 Cameo stone lizards 36 Under the 18 Frozen spike 8 Unemotional weather 20 “Carmen” solo 9 “Chocolat” 38 Heart line? Non Sequitur 22 Ambivalent actress 39 Orange variety 26 Relating to 10 Whatever 42 Dweeb Swiss peaks 11 1510, in old 43 Walked (on) 29 More, to Manuel Rome 44 Electronics giant 30 Caustic solution 19 Chaney of 45 Haw’s partner 31 Ship’s frame horror films 46 “What — you 32 That man’s 21 Hwys. doing?” 33 Suffix for million 23 Mennonite sect 48 Compass dir. 34 Motorist’s org. Answer to Previous Puzzle

Candorville 35 Gloomy guy 36 — circle 37 Investor’s strategy 40 Noisy 41 Biases 45 Barber’s concern 47 Meadow 49 Sleuth Wolfe 50 Formerly, once

Carpe Diem 51 Chang’s brother 52 1982 sci-fi film 53 Transcending (Pref.) Beetle Bailey Bizarro Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Use the pardon power responsibly Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY CHARLES LANE its capacity for softening the hard edges of made a few pardons of this kind: to Alice The Washington Post federal law enforcement, that power is Marie Johnson, an African American wom- EDITORIAL elf-serving and inappropriate as it magnificent, one of the few attributes of an who had turned her life around while Terry Leonard, Editor may have been, President Donald British monarchy that the nation’s Foun- serving a life term for cocaine-dealing, as [email protected] Trump’s pardon last week of for- ders chose to adapt, lest, as Alexander Ha- well as, posthumously, to women’s suffrage mer national security adviser Mi- milton put it, American justice “wear a leader Susan B. Anthony and boxer Jack Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor S chael Flynn, who had pleaded guilty to lying countenance too sanguinary and cruel.” Johnson, a Black athlete unjustly convicted [email protected] to the FBI early in its Russia election-inter- Trump’s dubious use of his power to par- of a morals charge in 1913 because he had a Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content ference probe, has plenty of competition for don (or commute sentences) — on behalf relationship with a white woman. [email protected] the most objectionable or controversial not only of Flynn but also of politically loyal Trump’s record is poor not just because presidential pardon ever. miscreants such as former Maricopa Coun- he has granted clemency undeservedly but Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] President Ulysses S. Grant has earned ty, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio, longtime advis- because he has used the authority so infre- praise for using troops, federal agents and er Roger Stone and conservative writer Di- quently: only 44 times as of Nov. 23, accord- Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital prosecutors to break up the Reconstruct- nesh D’Souza — doesn’t look good even in ing to the Pew Research Center. That’s less [email protected] ion-era Ku Klux Klan. Less famous is his historical perspective. And Trump still has than 0.5% of requests — fewer than any oth- subsequent decision to pardon the relative seven more weeks in office. But these ac- er president in the past 120 years. Obvious- BUREAU STAFF handful of Klansmen who actually went to tions should not turn public opinion against ly, politics influenced Trump’s pardon prison. the presidential power itself, any more than process, both in the petty sense of reward- Europe/Mideast President Gerald Ford in 1974 preemp- his predecessors’ mistakes and abuses did. ing cronies and in the larger sense of trying Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] tively pardoned his White House predeces- Presidents probably ought to use execu- to exploit Alice Marie Johnson’s pardon for +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 sor, Richard Nixon, for Watergate crimes. tive clemency much more than they do, not gain with Black voters. Pacific In 1976, many Americans were so enraged just to correct excesses in individual cases There’s no way to eliminate such crass Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief that they voted for Ford’s Democratic oppo- but to send messages about the proper goals considerations from the pardon process — [email protected] nent, Jimmy Carter, who, on his next-to-last of criminal justice and the nation’s direction even Peter Yarrow, the son-in-law of for- +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 day as president in 1981, pardoned left-wing more broadly. mer Sen. Eugene McCarthy’s brother and Washington folk singer Peter Yarrow — for a 1969 sex- Hamilton envisioned the presidential erstwhile performer at Democratic fun- Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief ual offense, when he was 31 years old, pardon as a tool to heal national conflicts, draisers, was not without connections. A [email protected] (+1)(202)886-0033 against a 14-year-old girl. Yarrow had writing that a “well timed offer of pardon to . built-in irony of the pardon power is that, of- Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News pleaded guilty and served three months of a . . insurgents or rebels may restore the tran- ten, the righteousness and necessity of us- [email protected] one-to-three-year sentence. quility of the commonwealth.” In that ing it varies inversely with the political ben- In 1999, Bill Clinton reduced the sentenc- sense, Grant’s pardons for the Ku Klux efits of doing so. CIRCULATION es of 12 Puerto Rican nationalists convicted Klan and Clinton’s clemency for the Puerto Pardoning one of society’s outsiders can Mideast of violent offenses. The House and the Sen- Rican nationalists — agree with those require overcoming what Hamilton called Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager ate responded with overwhelming biparti- moves or not — were not inconsistent with “the dread of being accused of weakness or [email protected] san votes of condemnation. On his last day the Founders’ design. connivance.” Trump’s lack of that kind of [email protected] in office, in 2001, Clinton also pardoned A similar Hamiltonian logic underlay political courage may explain his stinginess DSN (314)583-9111 Marc Rich, a wealthy fugitive tax evader Carter’s blanket pardon of Vietnam draft with clemency, except for the likes of Stone Europe whose ex-wife was a Democratic donor. evaders (as well as Ford’s previous, more and Flynn. Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager Absolute, unreviewable, vested in a sin- limited, offer) and even Barack Obama’s [email protected] gle politically motivated individual — it’s as campaign of clemency for nonviolent drug [email protected] Charles Lane is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 if the presidential pardon power were de- offenders — if you think of it as part of wind- and a frequent panelist on Fox News’s “Special Report” and Pacific signed to be misused or abused. And yet, in ing down the nation’s war on drugs. Trump “Fox News Sunday.” Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 CONTACT US When foreign policy wonks make money Washington BY DANIEL W. DREZNER tel: (+1)202.886.0003 of the White House staff. The first thing one versity center to bide their time. Before 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 The Washington Post sees on the WestExec Advisors website is that, the Eastern establishment was suffi- Reader letters s the sun sets on Donald Trump’s the motto “Bringing the Situation Room to ciently well off so that money was not a con- [email protected] presidency, an army of pundits is the Boardroom” overlaying pictures of cern. In the 21st-century ideas industry, amassing, pondering how to Flournoy and Blinken. there is simply more money to be made in Additional contacts avoid his administration’s enor- The Times’ Eric Lipton and Kenneth P. strategic consultancies like WestExec. stripes.com/contactus A mous ethical lapses going forward. My Vogel detail what they know about WestEx- The third is that it is not clear whether OMBUDSMAN Washington Post colleague Brian Klaas re- ec and their clients. According to Lipton any laws can prevent this sort of thing. As cently noted that “Trump’s presidency has and Vogel, the very existence of this firm the Times story notes, these strategic con- Ernie Gates shown that many of the norms designed to raises questions: “They bring with them sultancies are in themselves a reaction to The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow bind presidents to proper and ethical con- questions about whether they might favor ethics legislation designed to ban direct of news and information, reporting any attempts by the duct are about as robust as handcuffs made or give special access to the companies they forms of lobbying. Eliminate this option and military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns of spaghetti.” had worked with in the private sector. I guarantee you a new ecosystem of firms and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for One of the ways that eroding norms can Those questions do not go away, ethics ex- will emerge that is designed to do similar fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by be reinforced is to codify them into law. An- perts say, just because the officials cut their tasks without violating the law. email at [email protected], or by phone at 202.886.0003. other way is to resuscitate their power in ties to their firms and clients, as the Biden So, what is to be done? A Biden official succeeding administrations. transition team says its nominees will do.” told the Times that Blinken and any other Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- This brings us to the Biden administra- To address these questions, three funda- appointees “would leave the firms if they days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday tion-to-be and how to interpret questions mental realities need to be stipulated. The had not already done so, sell their owner- through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals about possible ethical issues in new appoin- first is that even though the Trump adminis- ship stakes and make ‘proper’ client disclo- postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send tees. It did not take long for those questions tration made a mockery of ethics in the ex- sures.” Divesting one’s holdings would be address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the to be raised. Over the Thanksgiving break, ecutive branch, subsequent administra- the single-most important step to assure ob- Department of Defense for members of the military services overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are The New York Times reported on the links tions should not get a pass. There is the in- servers of a commitment to acting ethically. unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views between Joe Biden’s incoming foreign pol- trinsic value of having policymakers who There is no perfect solution. Hiring con- of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official icy team and a consulting firm named West- appreciate the importance of ethics in deal- sultants raises legitimate conflict-of-inter- channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to Exec Advisors. ing with, say, Saudi Arabia’s role in Yemen est concerns, but not hiring them cuts into remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. The appearance of advertising in this publication does The firm was founded by the nominee for or Nike and Coca-Cola’s role in Xinjiang, the bench strength of both parties. It would not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or secretary of state, Antony Blinken, and pos- China. be nice to see both parties construct a set of Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Products or services advertised shall be made available for sible defense secretary nominee Michèle The second is that the career paths of for- norms regarding this kind of employment purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical Flournoy, among others. The links between eign policy wonks have fundamentally in between government service. handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of WestExec and previous government ser- shifted over the past two decades or so. It the purchaser, user or patron. vice are not subtle. WestExec is a shorten- used to be the case that when national secu- © Stars and Stripes 2020 Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the ing of the West Wing and the Eisenhower rity officials left an administration, they Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a stripes.com Executive Office Building that houses most would find a sinecure in a think tank or uni- regular contributor to PostEverything. Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 FACES Actor Page comes out as transgender

BY EMILY YAHR wait to see you return in season 3!” post about alleged abusers in Hol- trans women) have been killed this The Washington Post Netflix wrote. lywood. “What I want the most, is year. Elliot Page, the Oscar-nominat- Page, who earned Academy for this to result in healing for the The Gay & Lesbian Alliance ed actor best known for the 2008 Award and Golden Globe nomina- victims. For Hollywood to wake up Against Defamation (GLAAD) film “Juno,” came out as transgen- tions for his starring role in “Juno” and start taking some responsibil- posted a tweet noting that the actor der on Tuesday, sharing the news after breaking out in the 2005 film ity for how we all have played a role “has given us fantastic characters in a long social media post. “Hard Candy,” has been one of in this. … Don’t allow yourselves to on-screen, and has been an outspo- “Hi friends, I want to share with Hollywood’s most outspoken ad- be numb to the voices of victims ken advocate for all LGBTQ peo- you that I am trans, my pronouns vocates of LGBTQ rights in recent coming forward. Don’t stop de- ple. Elliot will now be an inspira- are he/they and my name is Elliot. I years. The actor came out as gay manding our civil rights.” tion to countless trans and non-bi- feel lucky to be writing this. To be during a Human Rights Campaign In his statement Tuesday, Page nary people. We celebrate him. All here. To have arrived at this place event in 2014, saying, “Maybe I can wrote that he had “been endlessly trans people deserve to be accept- in my life,” Page wrote. “I feel make a difference, to help others inspired by so many in the trans ed.” overwhelming gratitude for the in- have an easier and more hopeful community. Thank you for your Page concluded his statement credible people who have support- time.” courage, your generosity and by vowing to continue to work to- ed me along this journey. I can’t be- In 2017, toward the beginning of ceaselessly working to make this ward equality for transgender gin to express how remarkable it the #MeToo movement, Page world a more inclusive and com- people. “I love that I am trans. And feels to finally love who I am wrote a Facebook post about ho- passionate place. I will offer what- I love that I am queer. And the enough to pursue my authentic mophobia he faced in the enter- ever support I can and continue to more I hold myself close and fully self.” tainment industry, including di- strive for a more loving and equal embrace who I am, the more I Page, 33, currently stars in Net- JORDAN STRAUSS, INVISION/AP rector Brett Ratner outing him society.” dream, the more my heart grows flix’s hit superhero series “The Elliot Page, the Oscar­nominated with an offensive comment while He also spoke candidly of his and the more I thrive. To all trans Umbrella Academy.” Moments af- actor of “Juno,” “Inception” and they were at an event in 2005 for “X fear, and the discrimination with people who deal with harassment, ter his announcement, both the “The Umbrella Academy,” came Men: The Last Stand.” “This pub- “horrific consequences” and vio- self-loathing, abuse and the threat streaming service and the show’s out as transgender Tuesday in an lic, aggressive outing left me with lence that the transgender com- of violence every day: I see you, I Twitter account tweeted their sup- announcement greeted as a long standing feelings of shame, munity faces every day, citing sta- love you and I will do everything I port: “So proud of our superhero! watershed moment for the trans one of the most destructive results tistics that at least 40 transgender can to change the world for the bet- WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT! Can’t community in Hollywood. of homophobia,” he said in a long people (mostly Black and Latinx ter.”

Clooney, Fauci All she wants among magazine’s for Christmas ‘People of the Year’ People magazine has named George Clooney, Dr. Anthony is you ... to Fauci, Selena Gomez and Regina King as the “2020 People of the Year.” The magazine revealed its read her book list Wednesday as part of a year- end double issue, out Friday. BY CHRISTIE D’ZURILLA Clooney has received Oscar Los Angeles Times buzz for his upcoming film “The It’s the most Mariah Carey reading list ever, Midnight Sky,” but the actor was curated by Mariah Carey and including Ma- also in the spotlight for advocacy riah Carey’s new memoir, “The Meaning of work. He donated $500,000 to the Mariah Carey,” on the top of the pile. Equal Justice Initiative in wake of Did we mention Carey co-wrote a book? Be- George Floyd’s death and $1 mil- cause yeah, she did. lion for COVID-19 relief efforts in The singer posted her list — a shot of herself Italy, London and Los Angeles. leaning on a tidy tower of reading material — As the nation’s top infectious late Monday on social media. Her September disease expert, Fauci provided memoir has decent celebrity company on the steady guidance during the turbu- list in “Let Love Rule,” musician Lenny Kra- lent pandemic and has been one of vitz’s recent memoir, and “Born a Crime” by the leading sources of information TV host Trevor Noah, published in 2016. about the fight against COVID-19. Also making the grade: “Leave the World Gomez released her chart-top- Behind” by Rumaan Alam, “The Vanishing ping album “Rare” and hosted the Half” by Brit Bennett, “Such a Fun Age” by Ki- cooking show “Selena + Chef” on ley Reid, “Caste” by Isabel Wilderson and HBO Max. The pop superstar also “The Prophets” by Robert Jones Jr. Glennon APPLE TV+/AP spread her message of inclusion Doyle is tapped for her memoir, “Untamed.” Mariah Carey performs in “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special.” Carey posted her through her makeup brand Rare But before we get too snarky about the song- essential reading list, which included her own memoir, on social media Monday. Beauty, which set the goal of rais- stress peddling her own wares, let’s take a look ing $100 million in 10 years to help at what reviewers said about “The Meaning of relevant scenes, and sheds light on the real-life too, includes mention of her memoir. give people access to mental Mariah Carey”: origins of eccentricities that practically ooze She recommended “listening” to former health initiatives. Rolling Stone called the book, co-written out of her pores under glaring studio lights,” first lady Michelle Obama read “Becoming.” King, who won an Emmy in Sep- with Michaela Angela Davis, “an instant clas- reviewer Rich Juzwiak wrote. She commended Tina Fey for helping her tember, encouraged people to sic of pop diva lit.” The New York Times “Carey’s Christmas fetish, her insistence through her pregnancy with “Bossypants,” vote. The actor also called for sup- dubbed the writing “decidedly human,” but in that she’s ‘eternally 12,’ her strong preference which was released about three weeks before port of marginalized communities a good way, saying, “The memoir’s first sen- for performing in fan-generated wind tunnels twins Moroccan and Monroe were born to Ca- during the pandemic and the end tence — ‘I refuse to acknowledge time, famous- — many of her quirks are carefully sourced. If rey and ex-husband Nick Cannon in April 2011. of police brutality aganst unarmed ly so’ — is *chef’s kiss*. There are plenty of she is over the top, here’s a book-long theory of In a preview to her current list, Noah’s book Black people. Her directorial de- dahlings sprinkled throughout.” how she got there,” Juzwiak added. and “Caste” both won mention, with a note that but, “One Night in Miami,” has The Los Angeles Times also was effusive. Monday’s proclamation is not Carey’s first Wilkerson’s book had been “recommended been talked about as a possible Os- “The previously tight-lipped pop star con- “must read” list of 2020. She came up with a and sent to me by Ms. Oprah herself.” car contender. nects dots from her life to her music as she nev- shorter one for the Amazon Book Review in Because how else does a diva know what to er has before, weaving her lyrics in and out of October, in tandem with her book release. It read next, dahling? From The Associated Press Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 SCOREBOARD/NFL

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRO FOOTBALL DEALS Schedule NFL Tuesday's transactions Thursday's games AMERICAN CONFERENCE BASEBALL Major League Baseball SOUTHWEST East American League Louisiana Tech (4­3) at North Texas (3­4) BOSTON RED SOX — Agreed to terms WLTPct PF PA with LHP Eduardo Rodriguez on a one­year FAR WEST contract. Buffalo 8 3 0 .727 299 282 Air Force (2­2) at Utah St. (1­4) CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Named Miguel Miami 7 4 0 .636 284 205 Cairo bench coach; Ethan Katz pitching Friday's games New England 5 6 0 .455 229 255 coach; Curt Hasler assistant pitching SOUTH coach; Frank Menechino hitting coach; N.Y. Jets 0 11 0 .000 152 322 Howie Clark assistant hitting coach; Daryl Louisiana­Lafayette (8­1) at Appala­ South Boston first­base coach; Joe McEwing chian St. (7­2) third­base coach; Shelly Duncan analytics SOUTHWEST WLTPct PF PA coordinator. KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Signed LHP Cincinnati (8­0) at Tulsa (5­1), ppd. Tennessee 8 3 0 .727 324 285 Mike Minor to a two­year contract. Agreed FAR WEST Indianapolis 7 4 0 .636 302 253 to terms with RHP's Jesse Hahn and Jakob Boise St. (4­1) at UNLV (0­5) Junis and OF Franchy Cordero on one­year Houston 4 7 0 .364 268 297 contracts. Saturday's games Jacksonville 1 10 0 .091 227 325 OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Agreed to terms EAST with RHP Burch Smith and INF/OF Chad North Pinder on one­year contracts. Agreed to Penn St. (1­5) at Rutgers (2­4) WLTPct PF PA terms with C Francisco Pena on a minor Rice (1­2) at Marshall (7­0) league contract. Tulsa (5­1) at Navy (3­5) Pittsburgh 10 0 0 1.000 298 174 SOUTH National League Cleveland 8 3 0 .727 265 286 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Announced SCOTT EKLUND / AP Texas A&M (6­1) at Auburn (5­3) Baltimore 6 4 0 .600 268 195 the hiring of J.P Martinez as assistant W. Carolina (0­2) at North Carolina (6­3) pitching coach. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers are set to Cincinnati 2 8 1 .227 230 289 FIU (0­5) at Charlotte (2­3) WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Agreed to embark on an unusual three­week road trip after being kicked out of Memphis (6­2) at Tulane (5­5) West terms with RHP Joe Ross to a one­year Wake Forest (4­3) at Louisville (3­7), ppd. contract. their home stadium and practice facility because of strict new CO­ Miami (7­1) at Wake Forest (4­3), ppd. WLTPct PF PA Mississippi (4­4) at LSU (3­4), ppd. BASKETBALL VID­19 protocols in their home county. Houston (3­3) at Memphis (6­2), ppd. Kansas City 10 1 0 .909 348 238 National Basketball Association Missouri (4­3) at Mississippi St. (2­6), Las Vegas 6 5 0 .545 292 319 DETROIT PISTONS — Signed C/F Mason ppd. Plumlee, C Jahlil Okafor, G/F's Josh Jack­ Florida St. (2­6) at Duke (2­7), ppd. Denver 4 7 0 .364 209 298 son and Deividas Sirvydis. North Carolina (6­3) at Miami (7­1), ppd. L.A. Chargers 3 8 0 .273 277 300 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER — Waived G Louisiana­Monroe (0­9) at Troy (4­5), Josh Gray. ppd. NATIONAL CONFERENCE WASHINGTON WIZARDS — Signed F An­ Troy (4­5) at South Alabama (4­6) East thony Gill. Liberty (9­1) at Coastal Carolina (9­0) 49ers forced on Florida (7­1) at Tennessee (2­5) WLTPct PF PA FOOTBALL Boston College (6­4) at Virginia (4­4) National Football League Georgia Tech (3­5) at NC State (7­3) N.Y. Giants 4 7 0 .364 214 253 ARIZONA CARDINALS — Activated DL Vanderbilt (0­8) at Georgia (6­2) Washington 4 7 0 .364 241 243 Rashard Lawrence from injured reserve. FAU (5­1) at Georgia Southern (6­4) ATLANTA FALCONS — Placed WR Ola­ South Carolina (2­7) at Kentucky (3­6) Philadelphia 3 7 1 .318 237 277 mide Zaccheaus on injured reserve. Acti­ Clemson (8­1) at Virginia Tech (4­5) Dallas 3 8 0 .273 251 359 vated WR Laquon Treadwell from the re­ Miami (7­1) at Duke (2­7) serve/COVID­19 list and signed to the ac­ Alabama (8­0) at LSU (3­4) South 3-game road trip tive roster. MIDWEST CLEVELAND BROWNS — Activated DE WLTPct PF PA Myles Garrett from the reserve/COVID­19 BY JOSH DUBOW Arkansas (3­5) at Missouri (4­3) Tuesday. “The biggest bump was New Orleans 9 2 0 .818 326 225 list. Placed S Ronnie Harrison on injured Texas (5­3) at Kansas St. (4­5) reserve. Released CB Stephen Denmark Associated Press just the shock of finding out how Nebraska (1­4) at Purdue (2­3) Tampa Bay 7 5 0 .583 344 280 from the practice squad. Toledo (2­2) at N. Illinois (0­4) Atlanta 4 7 0 .364 295 281 DENVER BRONCOS — Activated QBs The San Francisco 49ers are set long it was a day before we Kent St. (3­1) at Miami (Ohio) (2­1) Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles to embark on an unusual three- played. That was the biggest Ohio St. (4­0) at Michigan St. (2­3) Carolina 4 8 0 .333 280 300 from the reserve/COVID­19 list. Bowling Green (0­4) at Akron (0­4) North DETROIT LIONS — Signed DT Kevin week road trip after being kicked thing. I think our guys are pretty E. Michigan (0­4) at W. Michigan (4­0) Strong to the practice squad. Syracuse (1­9) at Notre Dame (9­0) WLTPct PF PA GREEN BAY PACKERS — Signed WR Ta­ out of their stadium and practice good at once they hear the param- Buffalo (4­0) at Ohio (2­1) von Austin. Released WR Darrius Shep­ facility because of strict new CO- eters of stuff and adjusting and West Virginia (5­3) at Iowa St. (7­2) Green Bay 8 3 0 .727 349 283 herd. Maryland (2­2) at Michigan (2­4) Chicago 5 6 0 .455 216 250 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Released RB Da­ VID-19 protocols in their home just dealing with whatever, espe- Indiana (5­1) at Wisconsin (2­1) rius Jackson from the practice squad. Iowa (4­2) at Illinois (2­3) Minnesota 5 6 0 .455 292 305 MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Waived LS Aus­ county. cially this year. We’re used to get- Ball St. (3­1) at Cent. Michigan (3­1) Detroit 4 7 0 .364 252 328 tin Cutting and LB Hardy Nickerson. Re­ SOUTHWEST The Niners will fly to Arizona ting away for a week or so. But I West leased CB Marcus Sayles from the prac­ Kansas (0­8) at Texas Tech (3­6) tice squad. Placed TE Brandon Dillon on on Wednesday where they will can’t tell you how sick of each oth- the protected practice squad list. Oklahoma St. (6­2) at TCU (4­4) WLTPct PF PA practice, live and play their next er we are after a week in a hotel. ... Alabama (8­0) at Arkansas (3­5), ppd. NEW YORK GIANTS — Placed OLB Kyler Louisiana­Monroe (0­9) at Arkansas St. Seattle 8 3 0 .727 341 304 Fackrell on injured reserve. Activated OT Matt Peart, WR Dante Pettis and TE Kaden two games after Santa Clara A week’s not the daunting thing. (3­7) L.A. Rams 7 4 0 .636 263 215 Baylor (2­5) at Oklahoma (6­2) Smith from the reserve/COVID­19 list. Re­ County imposed a three-week ban It’s the month of December that Houston (3­3) at SMU (7­3) Arizona 6 5 0 .545 304 258 leased WR Derrick Dillon and TE Nate Wiet­ ing from the practice squad. Waived DB on games and practices for con- guys get a little overwhelmed FAR WEST San Francisco 5 6 0 .455 261 254 Montre Hartage and P Ryan Santoso. tact sports. with. That’s why I’m just trying to Hawaii (3­3) at San Jose St. (4­0) Wednesday's game SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Placed CBs Ja­ Stanford (1­2) at Washington (3­0) Baltimore at Pittsburgh mar Taylor and Ken Webstr on injured re­ The new rules that went into ef- get guys to not think of it that way, serve. Waived S Chris Edwards. Oregon (3­1) at California (0­3) Sunday's games Colorado (3­0) at Arizona (0­3) TENNESSEE TITANS — Signed LB Will fect Monday and will last until at even though the dates say that.” Colorado St. (1­2) at San Diego St. (3­3) Cincinnati at Miami Compton to the active roster from the Oregon St. (2­2) at Utah (0­2) Cleveland at Tennessee practice squad. least Dec. 21 were announced Sat- Shanahan said the team looked Fresno St. (3­1) at Nevada (5­1) Detroit at Chicago WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM — urday as the Niners were prepar- into the possibility of practicing in Wyoming (2­2) at New Mexico (0­5) Indianapolis at Houston Signed Ts Timon Parris and Rick Leonard UCLA (2­2) at Arizona St. (0­1) Jacksonville at Minnesota to the practice squad. ing to fly to Los Angeles for a the Bay Area outside of Santa Cla- Las Vegas at N.Y. Jets Sunday's games New Orleans at Atlanta SOCCER game against the Rams. The team ra County and flying to Arizona Major League Soccer SOUTH L.A. Rams at Arizona N.Y. Giants at Seattle LOS ANGELES FC — Exercised the con­ scrambled to make new arrange- for the games. But they couldn’t UAB (4­3) at Middle Tennessee (3­6) New England at L.A. Chargers tract options on G Pablo Sisniega, F's Dan­ ments and settled on Arizona. find a suitable location close FAR WEST Philadelphia at Green Bay ny Musovski and Carlos Vela. Declined the Denver at Kansas City contract options on G Phillip Ejimadu, D's “You always expect bumps in enough to make it worth it and Washington St. (1­1) at Southern Cal Open: Carolina, Tampa Bay Jesus Murillo and Andy Najar and F's (3­0) Adren Perez and Bradley Wright­Phillips. the road no matter what you’re opted to go on the road for three ORLANDO FC — Agreed to terms with MF doing,” coach Kyle Shanahan said weeks instead. COLLEGE BASKETBALL Mauricio Pereyra on a one­year contract extension. Stephen F. Austin 102, LeTourneau 57 TORONTO FC — Announced Greg Van­ Tuesday's men's scores ney has resigned as coach. FAR WEST National Women's Soccer League EAST Browns’ Garrett back Grand Canyon 88, MVSU 49 WASHINGTON SPIRIT — Signed M Saori Bryant 93, New Hampshire 85 North Carolina 67, Stanford 63 Takarada to a two­year contract. Hampton 82, George Washington 78 Saint Mary's (Cal.) 73, Nicholls 50 BY TOM WITHERS Morgan St. 102, Lincoln (Pa.) 94 Southern Cal 79, BYU 53 PRO SOCCER days while having symptoms. The Navy 78, Georgetown 71 UC Riverside 57, Washington 42 Associated Press Browns won both games without Providence 63, Davidson 62 MLS playoffs St. Peter's 82, Stony Brook 68 Tuesday's women's scores CLEVELAND — The Browns their best player — and one of the Villanova 87, Hartford 53 Conference Semifinals EAST Eastern Conference got back their most valuable de- league’s top defenders — and are SOUTH Sunday, Nov. 29 St. John's 85, St. Peter's 47 fensive player and lost another vi- relieved to have him back for their Alabama 86, UNLV 74 New England 3, Orlando City 1 East Carolina 91, NC Wesleyan 62 SOUTH Columbus 2, Nashville 0 tal one. playoff push. FIU 96, Cent. Michigan 76 Auburn 97, Gardner­Webb 61 Western Conference Louisville 75, W. Kentucky 54 Baylor 67, South Florida 62 Myles Garrett is ready. Ronnie While they welcome back Gar- Michigan St. 75, Duke 69 Tuesday's game Campbell 42, UNC­Greensboro 38 Seattle 1, Dallas 0 Harrison won’t be for some time. rett, the Browns said they’ll be NC A&T 70, Charleston Southern 63 Florida St. 81, Florida 75 South Alabama 86, Emmanuel 47 George Mason 77, Longwood 65 Thursday's game Cleveland’s defensive star was without Harrison, a hard-hitting VMI 84, Longwood 71 Liberty 76, Norfolk St. 53 Minnesota United at Sporting Kansas Virginia 76, St. Francis (Pa.) 51 Murray St. 84, Evansville 61 City activated from the COVID-19 list safety who had been playing well. Winthrop 75, UNC­Greensboro 67 Tennessee 67, ETSU 50 Conference Championships on Tuesday after missing two Harrison was placed on injured MIDWEST Tulane 77, South Alabama 73 Sunday's game UALR 61, Memphis 52 Eastern Conference games with the virus. Garrett, who reserve after tests showed he suf- Bradley 105, Judson 32 Virginia Tech 92, George Washington 57 New England at Columbus Creighton 94, Omaha 67 was leading the NFL in sacks fered a severe shoulder injury on MIDWEST Monday's game Dayton 66, E. Illinois 63 Western Conference when he got sick, has been cleared Sunday against Jacksonville. Har- Ill.­Chicago 66, Valparaiso 50 Akron 70, N. Kentucky 60 Seattle vs. Sporting KC­Minnesota win­ Kansas 65, Kentucky 62 SE Missouri 75, St. Louis College of Phar­ ner to return to practice this week as rison will miss at least three Nebraska 76, South Dakota 69 macy 44 Oklahoma St. 70, Marquette 62 the Browns (8-3) get ready to play games — and probably more. The Purdue 93, Oakland 50 SOUTHWEST PRO BASEBALL Texas 66, Indiana 44 Abilene Christian 95, Texas of the Per­ at Tennessee. Browns have five games left. Toledo 70, Cleveland St. 61 mian Basin 55 MLB calendar Wisconsin 82, Green Bay 42 Garrett has been out since test- Harrison got hurt while making Cent. Arkansas 74, Ark.­Pine Bluff 70 Jan. 15 — International amateur signing SOUTHWEST FAR WEST period opens. ing positive for the virus on Nov. a tackle on the Jaguars’ first offen- Abilene Christian 81, Howard Payne 51 N. Colorado 75, Denver 74 Jan. 26 — Hall of Fame voting announced. 20 after he was isolated for two sive play. Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NBA A cautious start to the season

First preseason camps of coronavirus era open amid positive tests, trepidation BY TIM REYNOLDS of getting games played, said the Associated Press effect on an NBA team losing a key The first day of NBA training player or two for even a short peri- camp is supposed to be accompa- od could essentially wreck a sea- nied by brimming optimism, a son. time for players and coaches all “In football they play once a taking those first steps toward week and they have 1,000 players, what they hope is a championship. so when you miss three or four It was tempered this year. players, you can still get away with The first preseason camps of it,” Rivers said. “If we miss three the coronavirus era opened Tues- or four players, we’re in trouble, day, with teams limited for the especially with the amount of first few days to individual ses- games. We’re playing three and sions with one coach and one play- four games a week. So, if one of our er at one basket, all of this starting guys or two of our key guys get the to happen as the pandemic contin- virus and they miss 10 days, 14 ues raging and more and more days, that can be eight games in a Americans are testing positive — 72-game season. That can knock including at least three NBA play- you out in the playoffs.” ers in recent days. The Wizards didn’t say what “I’m very concerned if we can player tested positive, though pull this off,” Philadelphia coach Brooks said the player has yet to Doc Rivers said. be around the team in Washington MARK J. TERRILL / AP He probably isn’t alone. and that “everybody else is ready Clippers coach Doc Rivers questions a call during a conference semifinal game between Los Angeles and Golden State general manager to go.” The Warriors also didn’t re- Denver in September. Rivers is now coach of the 76ers, and his first preseason camp in Philadelphia Bob Myers said two Warriors veal who had positive tests, citing opened with teams limited to individual sessions with one coach and one player at one basket. have tested positive, meaning that league rules and privacy policies. club won’t start individual work- Bamba was diagnosed with CO- the plan for throughout the sea- “But I think the understanding is, the NBA crosses every ‘t’ and dots outs until Wednesday and won’t VID-19 on June 11, played sparing- son. Protocols that the league sent to make it work, we have an even every ‘i.’ They have been great have a full-scale practice until ly in Orlando’s first two games to teams late last week suggested greater responsibility than we had communicating with all of us ... Monday. Washington coach Scott during the NBA’s restart there that, in many cases, it would take in Orlando. The league made it and I’m looking forward to hope- Brooks said the Wizards have one this summer, then required addi- at least 12 days for a player to be easy for us in Orlando, in my opin- fully getting together and starting player who tested positive. And tional testing. able to return to play after testing ion, and as we all know did a great practice soon as a group.” Orlando coach Steve Clifford said “Right now, we’re hoping that positive for the coronavirus. job. But here, a lot more of the Some teams will be able to start Magic center Mo Bamba — who he can get healthy enough to get The league had no positive tests onus is on individuals and teams.” those group practices — and 5- tested positive several months ago back on the floor,” Clifford said. once players entered the restart The NBA is working with Bio- on-5 sessions — Friday. Most oth- — is still “a ways away” from be- “He’s going to be able to do some bubble over the summer. But now Reference — a company that also er NBA clubs will be able to start ing ready to play again. of the things early in camp, but back in the real world, with travel handled testing in the bubble, at Sunday. Injuries will be a worry, “I don’t think this is unexpect- he’s going to be limited. He’s had and hotels and airplanes back in the league’s expense of about $140 as will conditioning, but the daily ed,” Myers said. “Kind of proves kind of a tough stretch here in the mix, San Antonio coach Gregg per test — for standardized testing numbers seem like they’ll that the protocols and testing are terms of how much he’s been able Popovich said the challenge will league-wide testing, and that com- overshadow everything. working. ... That’s all per NBA pro- to do. We have to be prudent and fall on individuals to do the right pany will likely have personnel “As a coach, you want to go in tocols, which I’m learning a lot make sure we’re moving along things. traveling with teams this season to with your team concerns being about.” with him in an intelligent man- “Here, people are coming in handle testing on the road. more basketball,” Rivers said. Rivers, noting how the virus is ner.” and out, it’ll be much more diffi- “I’m pretty comfortable with “And I think every coaches’ con- becoming a major issue for col- Players and coaches are being cult and the discipline will have to it,” Boston coach Brad Stevens cerns right now are probably non- lege football and the NFL in terms tested daily and that is likely to be be even greater,” Popovich said. said. “As we saw with the bubble, basketball.” Durant unsure what to expect as return draws near BY BRIAN MAHONEY He hasn’t played in one since ing to play the next day or the use a scooter. but his love for the game and the Associated Press Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, next series and it used to drive me “So I think those milestones of joy he brings in the building every NEW YORK — Kevin Durant when he went down early in the crazy,” Durant said. reaching, like learning how to day. Perhaps we have to protect used to worry about how he would second quarter of his last appear- He got over that by relying on walk, learning how to run, jump him from himself in a way be- play. ance for Golden State. Surgery his work ethic and he believes again and getting used to certain cause he brings so much joy and There hasn’t been reason for followed and then shortly after he that will help him overcome the movements again, I think that’s passion to the sport. He’s so eager concern for years. He became an decided to join the Nets along uncertainty he faces now. Nets of- underestimated.” and hungry after such a long lay- NBA MVP and a two-time cham- with friend and fellow superstar ficials have praised the way he at- Irving thought Durant was per- off in his prime.” pion, an explosive scorer who Kyrie Irving. tacked his rehab and it seems haps rushed back from his last in- Durant said he’s been doing ev- could get 25 points on a bad night With that duo plus a deep and clear that if Durant does struggle, jury, when he missed nine games ery individual drill as hard as he and 45 on a good one. talented roster, the Nets have a it won’t be because he wasn’t pre- during the 2019 postseason and can. Soon will come team work- But that was before having one chance to be one of the NBA’s top pared. then suffered the Achilles injury outs and eventually two presea- of the most serious injuries a bas- teams. But that may depend on Instead, it will be because he’s a the night he returned. This time son games to get himself ready ketball player could face. Now, 18 how quickly — or if — Durant re- 32-year-old coming off an injury Durant has had more time than for a season that opens in three months after rupturing his gains his form. from which some players much expected because of the coronavi- weeks. Achilles tendon and finally set to Few players have bettered it. younger have never fully reco- rus-interrupted NBA schedule, Only then will he start to get play for the Brooklyn Nets, Du- The 6-foot-10 forward is a four- vered. but the Nets still want to make some answers. rant once again has reason to time scoring champion who has “I’ve been through surgeries sure he isn’t overdoing it. “We’re going to see how I feel wonder if he will be one of the averaged 27 points, easing what- and injuries before, but the long- “Kevin’s done everything you going forward, but I’m excited league’s greatest players. ever fears he had earlier in his ca- est recovery I had was three could have ever asked to put him- about the first day and putting on “Who knows?” he said Tuesday. reer. months,” Durant said. “But the self in this position,” new coach my practice jersey again,” he “I’ve just got to see how I feel in a “I definitely used to have crazy first phase of the Achilles, I Steve Nash said. “He is truly a gift said. “It was a cool feeling today. real NBA game again.” anxiety wondering how I was go- couldn’t walk or run. You had to for all of us with not only his talent We’ll see how I feel tomorrow.” PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 COLLEGE FOOTBALL/COLLEGE BASKETBALL No changes in top 7 of CFP rankings

BY RALPH D. RUSSO for a New Year's Six bowl, edged Associated Press up one spot. Ohio State held on to the fourth spot in the College Football Play- Herbstreit apology off rankings on Tuesday night af- ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit caused ter having its previous game can- a commotion with some of his celed, landing behind No. 1 Alaba- analysis regarding Ohio State, Mi- ma, No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 3 chigan and teams using COVID-19 Clemson for a second straight as an excuse to not play. week. Michigan did not hold in-person The selection committee's top team activities Monday and Tues- seven teams were unchanged day after returning at least one from last week's rankings after the positive test in the program. The playoff contenders either won Wolverines (2-4) are scheduled to comfortably or didn't play be- host Maryland this week and play STEVE WOLTMANN /via AP cause of COVID-19 issues. at Ohio State on Dec. 12. This photo provided by DePaul Athletics shows DePaul's Dee Bekelja shooting against Texas A&M on Texas A&M (6-1) was in fifth “I still think Michigan waves Saturday in Chicago. It's common for players and coaches to wear masks on the sideline this season. The and Florida (7-1) sixth. the white flag, potentially avoids DePaul and Creighton women's teams are among a few squads that are wearing them while playing. Ohio State (4-0) had to cancel its playing Ohio State next week,” game at Illinois last week because Herbstreit said. of a spike in COVID-19 cases in the “Is that fair?" the former Ohio program. It was the second game State quarterback said. "Michigan DePaul, Creighton women’s of the season the Buckeyes have could opt out basically of that missed out on. One more cancella- game and could keep Ohio State tion would leave them ineligible out of six games to quality for the teams decide to play it safe for the Big Ten championship Big Ten championship. That game and unable to play more doesn’t make sense to me.” than six regular-season games. Given a chance to clarify his BY DOUG FEINBERG of them are wearing them. ver (at high altitude),” Michigan No. 7 Cincinnati (8-0) also had comment by host Rece Davis, Associated Press “Our contact tracer has told us men’s basketball senior forward its last game canceled. The Bear- Herbstreit said he was hearing It is not unusual to see players it will be impactful in terms of Isaiah Livers said after scoring cats are next scheduled to play from coaches around the country and coaches wearing masks on contact tracing and determining 22 points in an 81-71 win over Dec. 12 at Tulsa. who believed that some teams the sideline as the college basket- whether we’d have to pause if Oakland on Sunday. The College Football Playoff were opting out to avoid playing ball season gets going. someone on the other team tests Flanery did point out that has set no minimum number of games because “they don't want to The DePaul and Creighton positive,” Flanery said. “We gave masks have made communica- games played to be eligible for the get humiliated.” women’s teams have taken it a (the players) the information and tion harder for players amongst playoff. It's just going to be up to Not long after the show ended, step further: Their players are let them make the decision.” themselves on the court and with the selection committee to figure Herbstreit posted a video on Twit- wearing masks while they are on Flanery said that he isn’t sure coaches. out how many is too few. ter apologizing to Michigan. the court competing. how long his players will wear “With the testing that we’re do- “There is a discrepancy some- “The first week I complained masks this season, but “if it gives ing here, with what we’re doing times between a team that plays College Football Playoff rankings every day, but now it’s normal as us a greater opportunity to have at home where we get tested eight or nine games and a team Nov. 24 we wear them every day in prac- everyone available or more peo- three times a week ... No, I’m not that’s played three or four games Record tice,” said Deja Church, a senior ple available if we’re exposed, it’s a big advocate of wearing a mask and frankly that’s a problem (in 1. Alabama 8-0 guard for DePaul. “It’s kind of worth it.” for the games,” said Dawn Staley, ranking teams),” said selection 2. Notre Dame 9-0 normal now. I don’t like it, but But does it make breathing coach of No. 1 South Carolina. committee chairman Gary Barta, 3. Clemson 8-1 whatever keeps us and the coach- more difficult? Experts say no. “We haven’t talked about it who is Iowa's athletic director. 4. Ohio State 4-0 es and everyone safe is what mat- “It’s doing very little, if any- (wearing a mask while playing),” 5. Texas A&M 6-1 Barta said the committee dis- 6. Florida 7-1 ters most.” thing, to your physiology,” said Gonzaga senior Jill Townsend cussed ranking Texas A&M ahead 7. Cincinnati 8-0 The NCAA does not require Susan Hopkins, a professor of added. “I don’t think as a team of Ohio State, but for now the 8. Georgia 6-2 masks on the court, though it rec- medicine and radiology at the we feel the need to wear a mask Buckeyes and their potent offense 9. Iowa State 7-2 ommends them on the bench University of California San Die- out there, that we’re at risk.” 10. Miami 7-1 led by quarterback Justin Fields 11. Oklahoma 6-2 along with social distancing guid- go School of Medicine. The Blue Demons and Blue- are holding down the final playoff 12. Indiana 5-1 ance for its member schools and “All of the evidence we’ve been jays are in the minority now as spot. 13. BYU 9-0 other steps to prevent the spread able to assemble is that it’s your far as wearing masks during "When those two teams were 14. Northwestern 5-1 of COVID-19. But masks are still perception of breathing that it af- games, but that could change de- 15. Oklahoma State 6-2 put side-by-side this morning and 16. Wisconsin 2-1 very uncommon in organized fects. Some people may find that pending on the pandemic. Some last night, there just wasn’t 17. North Carolina 6-3 basketball and that is unlikely to distressing,” said Hopkins, who schools didn’t even know it was enough there to put Texas A&M 18. Coastal Carolina 9-0 change. specializes in exercise physiology an option. ahead of Ohio State,” Barta said. 19. Iowa 4-2 DePaul coach Doug Bruno said and the study of lungs under “I didn’t even really know we 20. USC 3-0 Texas A&M is coming off a 20-7 21. Marshall 7-0 he took the advice of the school’s stress. “After three months prac- could play with masks on,” N.C. victory against LSU that was 22. Washington 3-0 medical staff. His 20th-ranked ticing in it, most athletes should State sophomore Jakia Brown- played in rainy and windy condi- 23. Oregon 3-1 team has worn masks in every be used to it.” Turner said. She said she asked tions. 24. Tulsa 5-1 practice since Aug. 7 and played Some schools have worn masks an assistant coach about it. 25. Louisiana-Lafayette 8-1 Georgia was eighth and Iowa its first two games wearing them. during warmups and found them “I think it’s kind of a good idea State and Miami rounded out the The playoff semifinals match the No. 1 Creighton coach Jim Flanery to be uncomfortable. if cases keep on rising,” she said. seed vs. the No. 4 seed, and No. 2 will face top 10. Oklahoma was 11th, fol- No. 3. The semifinals will be hosted at the said he left it up to his players to “When we first got here, we lowed by Indiana and BYU. Sugar Bowl and Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2021. decide whether they wanted to tried the mask thing and good The championship game will be played on AP sports writer Larry Lage and AP freelance writers The Cougars, who are hoping Jan. 11, 2021 at Miami Gardens, Fla. wear masks in games. A majority lord, it felt like we were in Den- Tom Savage and Bob Sutton contributed. Thursday, December 3, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Toll: Players couldn’t mingle with opponents portunity to play fellow “Bubble- FROM PAGE 24 ville” residents Virginia Tech and reason without a security escort. later Hartford, when he found out They used “back-of-the-house” that games in Philadelphia with passageways and the guard would Saint Joseph’s and Temple were stop one team if there was a being canceled because of posi- chance of crossing paths with an- tive coronavirus tests on those other team on the way some- teams. where, ensuring that there was no In fact, he was working on hav- mingling. ing the Saint Joseph’s game “If I’m on the elevator by myself moved from Philadelphia to the with our security guard and the Mohegan Sun when it was can- elevator opens and another secu- celed. rity person or another team mem- “Philly’s hot, they’re getting in- ber, opponent is out there waiting, fected there,” he said. “This is re- they don’t let anybody in the eleva- ally safe, and it’s really been con- tor,” he said “They make sure you venient.” don’t’ go outside. They have secu- Wright also sees another bene- rity with you all the time.” fit. He expects the NCAA Tourna- Wright said it gave him a new ment will be held in a similar bub- DARRON CUMMINGS / AP appreciation for what NBA play- ble. His team, he said, will know Kansas’ Jalen Wilson, right, shoots as Kentucky’s Lance Ware defends during the first half of Tuesday’s ers went through for several what to expect. ‘ game in Indianapolis. Wilson scored a career­high 23 points in the Jayhawks’ 65­62 victory. months. But that doesn’t mean he or his But, it also gave him a sense of players want to make a habit of it. TOP 25 ROUNDUP security. He said he was confident “I would not push them another that because teams were tested game,” Wright said. “If we got of- when they arrived and tested ev- fered another game, I wouldn’t go. ery day and isolated on their hotel They’ve handled everything great. tower floor, that nobody on their I think they need a mental break.” Michigan State upends team or the opposing team was go- ing to get COVID-19. AP sports writer Dan Gelston contributed to this Duke in empty Cameron That’s why he jumped at the op- report.

Associated Press No. 9 Creighton 94, Omaha 67:Christian Bishop DURHAM, N.C. — Rocket Watts scored 20 points scored 18 points to lead the host Bluejays in the rout of and Julius Marble had a career-high 12 to help No. 8 the Mavericks. Michigan State beat No. 6 Duke 75-69 on Tuesday Creighton (2-0) shot 61% while bolting to a 50-26 night in the Champions Classic. halftime lead. The Spartans (3-0) trailed by 10 early in the game Denzel Mahoney, who sat out the opener because of but closed the first half with a 13-4 surge to take a 37- COVID-19 issues, finished with 17 points. 33 lead at halftime. Michigan State maintained con- No. 12 Villanova 87, Hartford 53: At Uncasville, trol in the second half, leading by as many as 16. Conn., Justin Moore led a balanced scoring attack The Blue Devils (1-1) rallied late and pulled within with 15 points and the Wildcats bounced back from five in the final minute. Duke shot just 32% from the their first loss of the season to rout the Hawks. field and allowed five Spartans to score in double fig- Eric Dixon had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Villa- ures. nova (3-1), which had six players score in double fig- Joey Hauser had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Mi- ures. chigan State. Aaron Henry had 14 points, five re- Traci Carter had 13 points and Austin Williams bounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks. Ma- added 11 points for Hartford (0-2). lik Hall added 10 points and 10 rebounds. No. 14 North Carolina 67, Stanford 63: At Ashe- Matthew Hurt had 21 points and 13 rebounds for ville, N.C., Leaky Black had a big driving basket at the Duke. Freshman Jalen Johnson was limited to 11 1:02 mark followed by a clinching free throw with 5.5 points on 4-for-11 shooting, Jaemyn Brakefield added seconds left to help the Tar Heels hold off the Cardinal 11 points and Jordan Goldwire had 10. in the semifinals of the relocated Maui Invitational. No. 4 Wisconsin 82, Green Bay 42:Micah Potter Freshman Caleb Love scored 16 points to lead scored 14 points, Tyler Wahl had 11 points and 15 re- North Carolina (3-0), . bounds, and the host Badgers breezed past the Phoe- Daejon Davis scored 18 points to lead Stanford nix in coach Will Ryan’s return to Madison. (1-1). Ryan is the son of former Wisconsin head coach Bo No. 15 Virginia 76, St. Francis (Pa.) 51:Jay Huff Ryan. Will Ryan and current Badgers coach Greg scored 13 points and the host Cavaliers rebounded Gard worked together on Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin staff from a stunning loss to San Francisco with a win over from 2002-07. the Red Flash . Aleem Ford and Nate Reuvers each scored 13 Kadin Shedrick had 12 points and eight rebounds points for the Badgers (3-0), and Brad Davison added for Virginia (2-1), which won its 24th consecutive 10 points. home opener. Sam Hauser added 11 points and Trey No. 7 Kansas 65, No. 20 Kentucky 62: At Indi- Murphy III had 10. anapolis, Jalen Wilson scored 21 of his career-high 23 No. 17 Texas 66, Indiana 44: At Asheville, N.C., points in the second half and posted his first double- Matt Coleman III scored 16 points and the Longhorns double to help the Jayhawks get past the Wildcats in beat the Hoosiers in the semifinals of the relocated the Champions Classic. Maui Invitational, reaching the tournament’s cham- JESSICA HILL / AP Wilson grabbed 10 rebounds as Kansas (2-1) won its pionship game for the first time. Arizona State’s Alonzo Verge Jr., left, shoots as Villanova’s Collin second straight. Courtney Ramey added 13 points for Texas (3-0). Gillespie defends during the first half of their game on Nov. 26 in Kentucky (1-2) was led by Brandon Boston Jr. and Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 17 points to lead Indi- Uncasville, Conn. Villanova played four games over the course of a Davion Mintz, who each scored 12. ana (2-1). week, two of which weren’t originally scheduled. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, December 3, 2020 Cautious start SPORTS NBA opens training camp amid positive tests ›› Page 21

COLLEGE BASKETBALL Bubbleville Playing in isolation takes mental toll, Wright insists

BY PAT EATON-ROBB Associated Press “Philly’s hot, UNCASVILLE, Conn. illanova stayed in they’re getting Connecticut’s “Bub- bleville” at the Mo- infected there. hegan Sun resort ca- sino for a full week, This is really Vplaying four games, including two that were not on the schedule safe, and it’s when the Wildcats arrived. Coach Jay Wright says he’s not really been worried about the physical toll that took on his 12th-ranked team. convenient.” His players, he said, were in good shape after Tuesday’s 87-53 rout Jay Wright of Hartford left them at 3-1. Villanova coach But the mental struggles, he said, were real. asked what kind of fun the players The coaches and players were had in their free time, understand- basically locked in their hotel ing they were not allowed in the rooms for seven days, coming out public areas of the resort. He only to eat, play basketball, get made it clear that this was basical- tested for the new coronavirus and ly a week-long business trip. go for one or two walks outside as a “Really, we’ve been focused on group. watching film and spending time “Everything was perfect here,” with our teammates and coaches Wright said. “The rooms, the secu- and building a bond so that when rity, the food was great. It was run we’re not playing that we under- extremely professional. But stand that we’re still a group, you’re inside from Monday (Nov. we’re still together and we’re try- 23) to Tuesday (Dec. 1). I just real- ing to become a better team,” he ly learned the mental impact that said. has on young guys, especially Nobody, Wright said, was al- when they thought they were go- lowed to leave their rooms for any ing to leave twice.” Junior Brandon Slater was SEE TOLL ON PAGE 23

PHOTOS BY JESSICA HILL / AP Above: Hartford’s Moses Flowers, left, fouls Villanova’s Justin Moore on Tuesday in Uncasville, Conn. Right: Villanova coach Jay Wright was complimentary of the bubble environment his team experienced at the Mohegan Sun casino resort for the past week.

Top 7 the same in latest CFP rankings ›› College football, Page 22