USA TODAYMarc Short, Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff and closest aide, on Saturday became the latest high-profile figure in the Trump administration .Although a veteran conservative insider, Short has not sought the spotlight in recent years. Short began quarantining Saturday and assisting in the contact tracing process, according to Pence spokesman Devin O'Malley. "In a town of big egos and self-promotion, Marc Short stands out by trying to stand back," , known for , says.Short previously led President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda as the White House director of legislative...…USA TODAYMarc Short, Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff and closest aide, on Saturday became the latest high-profile figure in the Trump administration .Although a veteran conservative insider, Short has not sought the spotlight in recent years. Short began quarantining Saturday and assisting in the contact tracing process, according to Pence spokesman Devin O'Malley. "In a town of big egos and self-promotion, Marc Short stands out by trying to stand back," , known for , says.Short previously led President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda as the White House director of legislative...WW…

USA TODAYMost registered voters said that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden performed better than President Donald Trump during the second presidential debate, according to a  released Friday.  Fifty-four percent of voters who watched the Thursday debate said Biden performed the best, while 39% said that Trump did. Eight percent of voters who watched weren’t sure or had no opinion on who did best.  Both candidates' performances improved with voters since the first presidential debate. In a , only 50% of voters said Biden performed better while 34% of voters said that of...…USA TODAYMost registered voters said that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden performed better than President Donald Trump during the second presidential debate, according to a  released Friday.  Fifty-four percent of voters who watched the Thursday debate said Biden performed the best, while 39% said that Trump did. Eight percent of voters who watched weren’t sure or had no opinion on who did best.  Both candidates' performances improved with voters since the first presidential debate. In a , only 50% of voters said Biden performed better while 34% of voters said that of...WW…

USA TODAYThe nation's patchwork of differing COVID-19 mandates and the inconsistent use of masks to prevent virus spread could lead to the cumulative loss of more than half a million lives by the end of February, scientists say.Researchers from the University of Washington's School of Medicine predicted that current state strategies surrounding social distancing, phased reopenings and mask mandates could lead to 511,373 deaths by Feb. 28, 2021, according to a study published Friday in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine.However, scientists also predicted nearly 130,000 lives could be...…USA TODAYThe nation's patchwork of differing COVID-19 mandates and the inconsistent use of masks to prevent virus spread could lead to the cumulative loss of more than half a million lives by the end of February, scientists say.Researchers from the University of Washington's School of Medicine predicted that current state strategies surrounding social distancing, phased reopenings and mask mandates could lead to 511,373 deaths by Feb. 28, 2021, according to a study published Friday in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine.However, scientists also predicted nearly 130,000 lives could be...WW…

One of Fulton County's two mobile voting stations sits in the parking lot of Morningside Baptist Church on Monday morning, Oct. 12, 2020 for the first day of early voting. Election officials are increasingly worried about voter intimidation on Election Day. (Ben Gray/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)With just 10 days left until Election Day, more than have cast their ballots nationwide. Early voting has vastly expanded this year due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, allowing registered voters in all 50 states to cast their ballots both in-person and by mail. Some states are also...…One of Fulton County's two mobile voting stations sits in the parking lot of Morningside Baptist Church on Monday morning, Oct. 12, 2020 for the first day of early voting. Election officials are increasingly worried about voter intimidation on Election Day. (Ben Gray/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)With just 10 days left until Election Day, more than have cast their ballots nationwide. Early voting has vastly expanded this year due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, allowing registered voters in all 50 states to cast their ballots both in-person and by mail. Some states are also...WW…

USA TODAYOnline searches for the word "coyote" on Thursday evening after the final presidential debate. Why?When pressed on immigration after it was that 545 children had been separated from their parents at the U.S. border with Mexico, President Donald Trump had a response that left some social media users confused. "Children are brought here by coyotes and lots of bad people, cartels, and they're brought here and it’s easy to use them to get into our country," Trump . Shortly after, a  of screenshotted tweets from Twitter-verifiedaccounts that questioned Trump's "coyote" comment was  to...…USA TODAYOnline searches for the word "coyote" on Thursday evening after the final presidential debate. Why?When pressed on immigration after it was that 545 children had been separated from their parents at the U.S. border with Mexico, President Donald Trump had a response that left some social media users confused. "Children are brought here by coyotes and lots of bad people, cartels, and they're brought here and it’s easy to use them to get into our country," Trump . Shortly after, a  of screenshotted tweets from Twitter-verifiedaccounts that questioned Trump's "coyote" comment was  to...WW…

USA TODAYA new poll finds that half of President Donald Trump's supporters believe in QAnon,  that has been repeatedly disproven and deemed by the FBI as an extremist threat, even if they do not know it by name.The Yahoo! News poll conducted by YouGov  after last week's town hall with President Trump, where he said he was unaware of the group despite retweeting its supporters on his Twitter account and previously saying its supporters "like me very much" and "love our country."The core of QAnon is the false theory that Trump was elected as a "savior figure" to root out a secret...…USA TODAYA new poll finds that half of President Donald Trump's supporters believe in QAnon,  that has been repeatedly disproven and deemed by the FBI as an extremist threat, even if they do not know it by name.The Yahoo! News poll conducted by YouGov  after last week's town hall with President Trump, where he said he was unaware of the group despite retweeting its supporters on his Twitter account and previously saying its supporters "like me very much" and "love our country."The core of QAnon is the false theory that Trump was elected as a "savior figure" to root out a secret...WW…

While Russell Wilson garners most of the attention, Derrick Henry feels Ryan Tannehill should be in the MVP conversation after leading the Titans to a roaring 5-0 start.SportsPulse, USA TODAYStep aside, kicking nets; Odell Beckham Jr. has a new adversary. He just doesn't appear concerned about it. The Cleveland Browns wide receiver told reporters Wednesday he doesn't believe he can contract COVID-19, which has killed more than 210,000 Americans. The 27-year-old"Not in an arrogant way," Beckham said. "I don't think COVID can get to me. I don't think it's going to enter this body. I don't...…While Russell Wilson garners most of the attention, Derrick Henry feels Ryan Tannehill should be in the MVP conversation after leading the Titans to a roaring 5-0 start.SportsPulse, USA TODAYStep aside, kicking nets; Odell Beckham Jr. has a new adversary. He just doesn't appear concerned about it. The Cleveland Browns wide receiver told reporters Wednesday he doesn't believe he can contract COVID-19, which has killed more than 210,000 Americans. The 27-year-old"Not in an arrogant way," Beckham said. "I don't think COVID can get to me. I don't think it's going to enter this body. I don't...WW…

Haley SamselReport for AmericaFORT WORTH, Texas. — The vast majority of rigs that dotted the landscape here more than a decade ago are long gone, along with the economic boom that natural gas drilling brought to North Texas.But a regional resurgence in hydraulic fracturing this summer dredged up tensions between anti-fracking activists and local government leaders.Over the summer, French energy giant Total submitted at least 26 new gas well permit requests in Fort Worth-area cities, leading to renewed calls for action from local activists concerned about the environmental impact of...…Haley SamselReport for AmericaFORT WORTH, Texas. — The vast majority of rigs that dotted the landscape here more than a decade ago are long gone, along with the economic boom that natural gas drilling brought to North Texas.But a regional resurgence in hydraulic fracturing this summer dredged up tensions between anti-fracking activists and local government leaders.Over the summer, French energy giant Total submitted at least 26 new gas well permit requests in Fort Worth-area cities, leading to renewed calls for action from local activists concerned about the environmental impact of...WW…

USA TODAYDirector of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said late Wednesday that voter registration information had been obtained by Iran and Russia in an attempt to undermine confidence in the 2020 election.Ratcliffe said Iran sought to sow unrest in the U.S. in an attempt to damage the candidacy of President Donald Trump.He also said that Russia has obtained voter information just as the Kremlin had done in when it interfered in the 2016 election.Ratcliffe, who appeared with FBI Director Christopher Wray, said that Iran had sent false information to voters, including spoof emails...…USA TODAYDirector of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said late Wednesday that voter registration information had been obtained by Iran and Russia in an attempt to undermine confidence in the 2020 election.Ratcliffe said Iran sought to sow unrest in the U.S. in an attempt to damage the candidacy of President Donald Trump.He also said that Russia has obtained voter information just as the Kremlin had done in when it interfered in the 2016 election.Ratcliffe, who appeared with FBI Director Christopher Wray, said that Iran had sent false information to voters, including spoof emails...WW…

SportsPulse: With a shortened season and an unconventional playoff structure, should the Rays or Dodgers get an asterisk in the record books if they win the World Series?SportsPulse, USA TODAYSteve Cohen certainly has the money to purchase the New York Mets, and appears to have the support of Major League Baseball owners, but there’s still a large hurdle potentially blocking his path.It’s New York City.While MLB owners are scheduled to vote Nov. 17 on whether to approve Cohen at their owners’ meetings in Dallas, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio could torpedo Cohen’s plans before it even...…SportsPulse: With a shortened season and an unconventional playoff structure, should the Rays or Dodgers get an asterisk in the record books if they win the World Series?SportsPulse, USA TODAYSteve Cohen certainly has the money to purchase the New York Mets, and appears to have the support of Major League Baseball owners, but there’s still a large hurdle potentially blocking his path.It’s New York City.While MLB owners are scheduled to vote Nov. 17 on whether to approve Cohen at their owners’ meetings in Dallas, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio could torpedo Cohen’s plans before it even...WW…

Today, writer E. Jean Carroll goes to court in a unique case: she accused the sitting president of defamation. But when she came forward in 2019 to say in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s, her story started with a familiar detail."The moment the dressing-room door is closed, he lunges at me, pushes me against the wall, hitting my head quite badly, and puts his mouth against my lips," in June 2019. Former model Amy Dorris, the latest to come forward just last month to allege that Trump had sexually assaulted her in 1997 at the US Open tennis tournament, said it began in a...…Today, writer E. Jean Carroll goes to court in a unique case: she accused the sitting president of defamation. But when she came forward in 2019 to say in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s, her story started with a familiar detail."The moment the dressing-room door is closed, he lunges at me, pushes me against the wall, hitting my head quite badly, and puts his mouth against my lips," in June 2019. Former model Amy Dorris, the latest to come forward just last month to allege that Trump had sexually assaulted her in 1997 at the US Open tennis tournament, said it began in a...WW…

USA TODAYWASHINGTON – In Harris County, Texas, home to the nation's fourth-largest city, Houston, a record 128,000 people voted in person the first day of early voting last week. Then 115,000 the second day. And 105,000 the next.It's hardly slowed down since.Through the first eight days of early voting in Texas, 801,000 people voted in Harris County, eclipsing 93% of the county's 2016 early voting total, with 10 more days of early voting left.Houston's extraordinary turnout, which includes in-person and mail-voting, has helped make Texas – which historically votes at among the lowest rates...…USA TODAYWASHINGTON – In Harris County, Texas, home to the nation's fourth-largest city, Houston, a record 128,000 people voted in person the first day of early voting last week. Then 115,000 the second day. And 105,000 the next.It's hardly slowed down since.Through the first eight days of early voting in Texas, 801,000 people voted in Harris County, eclipsing 93% of the county's 2016 early voting total, with 10 more days of early voting left.Houston's extraordinary turnout, which includes in-person and mail-voting, has helped make Texas – which historically votes at among the lowest rates...WW…

USA TODAYVice President will collect some much-needed campaign dollars from his home state during a trip to Indiana Thursday that is sandwiched between multiple rallies in battleground states.His private meeting with donors in a state Trump previously carried by 19 points and a public rally at a Fort Wayne airport come 12 days before the election. National polls and those in competitive states near Indiana show Trump behind.“We’ve got a lot of supporters here, obviously, for Mike,” said Bill Bean, a GOP donor and developer in Fort Wayne, Ind. “Hopefully we’ll help put him over the top.”Bean...…USA TODAYVice President will collect some much-needed campaign dollars from his home state during a trip to Indiana Thursday that is sandwiched between multiple rallies in battleground states.His private meeting with donors in a state Trump previously carried by 19 points and a public rally at a Fort Wayne airport come 12 days before the election. National polls and those in competitive states near Indiana show Trump behind.“We’ve got a lot of supporters here, obviously, for Mike,” said Bill Bean, a GOP donor and developer in Fort Wayne, Ind. “Hopefully we’ll help put him over the top.”Bean...WW…

Vance Joseph has quietly put together one of the league’s best defenses through six weeks. The Arizona Cardinals were ranked among the top teams in many defensive categories coming into Week 6 – as highlighted in this from Cards Wire – and after their performance Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, some of those numbers are sure to improve.Studying what they have done on that side of the football through their first six games, I noticed something interesting from their past few contests. In long yardage situations, the Cardinals rolled out a 0-6-5 defensive package. No down linemen,...…Vance Joseph has quietly put together one of the league’s best defenses through six weeks. The Arizona Cardinals were ranked among the top teams in many defensive categories coming into Week 6 – as highlighted in this from Cards Wire – and after their performance Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, some of those numbers are sure to improve.Studying what they have done on that side of the football through their first six games, I noticed something interesting from their past few contests. In long yardage situations, the Cardinals rolled out a 0-6-5 defensive package. No down linemen,...WW…

USA TODAYAmazon will let corporate employees work from home through June 2021 amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.“We continue to prioritize the health of our employees and follow local government guidance," said Amazon in an email to USA TODAY. "Employees with work that can effectively be done from home can continue to do that work from home through June 30, 2021."The decision was first reported by .The Seattle tech giant is not alone in the work-from-home move. Earlier this month, Microsoft unveiled plans to where most roles to remain remote less than 50% of the time with manager...…USA TODAYAmazon will let corporate employees work from home through June 2021 amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.“We continue to prioritize the health of our employees and follow local government guidance," said Amazon in an email to USA TODAY. "Employees with work that can effectively be done from home can continue to do that work from home through June 30, 2021."The decision was first reported by .The Seattle tech giant is not alone in the work-from-home move. Earlier this month, Microsoft unveiled plans to where most roles to remain remote less than 50% of the time with manager...WW…

USA TODAY may be 's ballot opponent, but in the days before the election, the president increasingly is ramping up his campaign against the news media. "60 Minutes" and its correspondent, , are the latest targets of presidential ire, as Trump walked out early from a Tuesday interview and followed up with tweets trying to shame a maskless Stahl, and then threatened to post his video of the interview ahead of the CBS news magazine's broadcast Sunday (7:30 EDT/7 PDT). Since taking office, Trump has continually run against the media, deriding it as a monolithic "enemy of the people" to the...…USA TODAY may be 's ballot opponent, but in the days before the election, the president increasingly is ramping up his campaign against the news media. "60 Minutes" and its correspondent, , are the latest targets of presidential ire, as Trump walked out early from a Tuesday interview and followed up with tweets trying to shame a maskless Stahl, and then threatened to post his video of the interview ahead of the CBS news magazine's broadcast Sunday (7:30 EDT/7 PDT). Since taking office, Trump has continually run against the media, deriding it as a monolithic "enemy of the people" to the...WW…

An official mail-in ballot drop box is posted outside of a library ahead of Election Day on October 5, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. One of these boxes was set on fire in an incident officials are investigating as arson.A ballot drop box in a majority-Latino town in California was set on fire Sunday night, which may have destroyed up to 100 ballots two weeks before the Nov. 3 election.Los Angeles County officials are investigating the fire, which took place in Baldwin Park — a suburb nearly 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles with a nearly three-quarters Latino populationn.“The arson...…An official mail-in ballot drop box is posted outside of a library ahead of Election Day on October 5, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. One of these boxes was set on fire in an incident officials are investigating as arson.A ballot drop box in a majority-Latino town in California was set on fire Sunday night, which may have destroyed up to 100 ballots two weeks before the Nov. 3 election.Los Angeles County officials are investigating the fire, which took place in Baldwin Park — a suburb nearly 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles with a nearly three-quarters Latino populationn.“The arson...WW…

USA TODAYMillions of Americans are delaying dental appointments over concerns about coronavirus infection, and that's likely to trigger increased fees for patients, job cuts for workers and fewer family practices.When the pandemic began this spring, essentially all dentists temporarily shut down for all but emergency appointments, putting hundreds of thousands of Americans out of work. While 99% of dentists have reopened, the number of patients visiting offices remains about 20% below usual levels, according to the American Dental Association.And dentists don't expect it to improve much...…USA TODAYMillions of Americans are delaying dental appointments over concerns about coronavirus infection, and that's likely to trigger increased fees for patients, job cuts for workers and fewer family practices.When the pandemic began this spring, essentially all dentists temporarily shut down for all but emergency appointments, putting hundreds of thousands of Americans out of work. While 99% of dentists have reopened, the number of patients visiting offices remains about 20% below usual levels, according to the American Dental Association.And dentists don't expect it to improve much...WW…

Louisville Courier JournalLOUISVILLE, Ky. – The never deliberated whether homicide or other charges were justified against the police officers in the Breonna Taylor case because they were never given the chance, an anonymous juror said in a statement Tuesday."The grand jury was not presented any charges other that the three Wanton Endangerment charges against Detective Brett Hankison," the grand juror said. "The grand jury did not have homicide offenses explained to them. The grand jury never heard anything about those laws."Questions were asked about additional charges and the grand jury...…Louisville Courier JournalLOUISVILLE, Ky. – The never deliberated whether homicide or other charges were justified against the police officers in the Breonna Taylor case because they were never given the chance, an anonymous juror said in a statement Tuesday."The grand jury was not presented any charges other that the three Wanton Endangerment charges against Detective Brett Hankison," the grand juror said. "The grand jury did not have homicide offenses explained to them. The grand jury never heard anything about those laws."Questions were asked about additional charges and the grand jury...WW…

USA TODAYWASHINGTON – President Donald Trump cut short a contentious interview with "60 Minutes" on Tuesday, and threatened to protest by posting a tape of the session before the program's scheduled broadcast on Sunday."This will be done so that everybody can get a glimpse of what a FAKE and BIASED interview is all about," Trump said in a series of tweets that also attacked .Trump, who has often criticized coverage of "60 Minutes," did not provide any examples of bias.Trump abruptly ended the session – he didn't do the traditional "walk-and-talk" with Stahl, and said the "60 Minutes" crew...…USA TODAYWASHINGTON – President Donald Trump cut short a contentious interview with "60 Minutes" on Tuesday, and threatened to protest by posting a tape of the session before the program's scheduled broadcast on Sunday."This will be done so that everybody can get a glimpse of what a FAKE and BIASED interview is all about," Trump said in a series of tweets that also attacked .Trump, who has often criticized coverage of "60 Minutes," did not provide any examples of bias.Trump abruptly ended the session – he didn't do the traditional "walk-and-talk" with Stahl, and said the "60 Minutes" crew...WW…

USA TODAY on Tuesday said God told him who will prevail in the Nov. 3 presidential election: President Donald Trump.“First of all, I want to say without question, Trump is going to win the election,’’ Robertson told viewers during a segment on “The 700 Club.’’The 90-year-old founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, who has been a supporter and defender of the president, also made dire predictions about the end of the world. “What I think very frankly is the only thing that will fulfill the word of Jesus … is some kind of asteroid strike on the globe,’’ he said. “It’s sudden...…USA TODAY on Tuesday said God told him who will prevail in the Nov. 3 presidential election: President Donald Trump.“First of all, I want to say without question, Trump is going to win the election,’’ Robertson told viewers during a segment on “The 700 Club.’’The 90-year-old founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, who has been a supporter and defender of the president, also made dire predictions about the end of the world. “What I think very frankly is the only thing that will fulfill the word of Jesus … is some kind of asteroid strike on the globe,’’ he said. “It’s sudden...WW…

USA TODAYThe famed LGBTQ neighborhood "Boystown" in Chicago is changing its nickname after an online petition claimed it wasn't inclusive of women, gender nonbinary individuals and people of color.The Northalsted Business Alliance announced last week that it would no longer use "Boystown" in marketing after an activist wrote that the neighborhood's street signs were a reminder that it is "for the boys." It will now be advertised as Northalsted, with the slogan "Chicago’s Proudest Neighborhood.""The Castro, Greenwich Village, West Hollywood, and many more. LGBTQ neighborhoods exist for all...…USA TODAYThe famed LGBTQ neighborhood "Boystown" in Chicago is changing its nickname after an online petition claimed it wasn't inclusive of women, gender nonbinary individuals and people of color.The Northalsted Business Alliance announced last week that it would no longer use "Boystown" in marketing after an activist wrote that the neighborhood's street signs were a reminder that it is "for the boys." It will now be advertised as Northalsted, with the slogan "Chicago’s Proudest Neighborhood.""The Castro, Greenwich Village, West Hollywood, and many more. LGBTQ neighborhoods exist for all...WW…

USA TODAYDirector of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Monday that recently published emails purporting to document the business dealings of Hunter Biden are not connected to a Russian disinformation effort, even as federal authorities continued to review whether the material was part of such a campaign.Ratcliffe, in an interview with Fox Business, did not elaborate on the basis of his conclusion, though he acknowledged knowing "little" about the material published by the New York Post.The FBI, according to a person familiar with the matter, has been investigating at least in part...…USA TODAYDirector of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Monday that recently published emails purporting to document the business dealings of Hunter Biden are not connected to a Russian disinformation effort, even as federal authorities continued to review whether the material was part of such a campaign.Ratcliffe, in an interview with Fox Business, did not elaborate on the basis of his conclusion, though he acknowledged knowing "little" about the material published by the New York Post.The FBI, according to a person familiar with the matter, has been investigating at least in part...WW…

Lack of government support and information has caused COVID-19 cases to rise in Asian American communities in San Francisco. More VideosWatch Next  …Lack of government support and information has caused COVID-19 cases to rise in Asian American communities in San Francisco. More VideosWatch Next  WW…

For decades, it has become a regular occurrence at sporting events to have military jets fly over a stadium at the conclusion of the national anthem. You’ll see it at the Super Bowl. You’ll see it when . It’s that common.And when you get past how this tradition is another instance of the blatant militarization of American sports, it’s really tough to ignore how wasteful flyovers are.Fox broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman couldn’t help but mock the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for having a military flyover with four A-10 aircraft ahead of Sunday’s game against the Packers at a mostly empty...…For decades, it has become a regular occurrence at sporting events to have military jets fly over a stadium at the conclusion of the national anthem. You’ll see it at the Super Bowl. You’ll see it when . It’s that common.And when you get past how this tradition is another instance of the blatant militarization of American sports, it’s really tough to ignore how wasteful flyovers are.Fox broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman couldn’t help but mock the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for having a military flyover with four A-10 aircraft ahead of Sunday’s game against the Packers at a mostly empty...WW…