Today’s News Rundown

This is brief rundown of the news so you don’t have to watch cable news. It’s just the facts with maybe a little snark.

This is day 22 of the Squatter- in-Chief’s refusal to admit he lost to President-Elect Joe Biden. There are 52 days left of his occupation of the White House. The Squatter did a phone interview, his first since losing the election, with Fox Business News Maria Bartiromo. As per usual it was filled with fact free accusations and lies with Ms. Bartiromo nodding in agreement at times contributing to his delusions.

The Wisconsin recount is done confirming what we already knew President-Elect Joe Biden won. Mr. Biden’s lead expanded by 87 votes. Each new vote in Biden’s lead cost the Trump campaign around $34,000.

The Pres.-Elect sprained his ankle playing with his dog, Major. Out an abundance of caution, he will see an orthopedist to make sure nothing is broken. This week Mr. Biden will name his economic team, with three women in top roles to help build recovery.

As the rate of CoVid-19 infections surpassed 13 million with a rate of about 4 million a month, Dr. Anthony Fauci warned that it will get much worse before it gets better. He agreed that schools should be open but bars, restaurants and gyms should be closed. New York city will reopen it elementary schools on Monday much to the relief of harried parents with young children.

In the sports world, the Denver Broncos will play the New Orleans Saints without a quarterback. All four QB’s are infected with the virus and in quarantine.

The Saints and the New England Patriots were both fined for violating CoVid-19 rules.

At the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, driver Romain Grosjean walked away unscathed from the flaming wreck of his car after it crashed, at 137 mph, into trackside barriers, his car splitting in two. He did suffer some burns to his hands and is the hospital for observation. The fact that he was not killed or seriously injured is a testament to the safety rules of the sport. Oh, yes, Lewis Hamilton won, of course.

Boxer Mike Tyson comeback fight with Roy Jones Jr. ends in a draw. The 8 rounds were two minutes instead of three, they used 12 ounce gloves with no protection and the judging was done with a remote scoring system. The fight was sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission.

As we bid farewell to the record breaking hurricane season, the east coast is bracing for snow, heavy rain in first major storm system of the fall.

Above-average temperatures will surge northward from the Gulf of Mexico in advance of the weather maker. The system’s unstable air will lead to the threat of damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and heavy rain. Rainfall amounts will add up to 3 inches for many, with isolated higher totals, which could lead to flash flooding in areas.

The system will further strengthen on its trek up the eastern seaboard on Monday, spreading the threat for severe storms into the Mid-Atlantic and heavy rain into the Northeast.

“It will even produce snow for parts of the US as we start the new work week. We expect widespread 2 to 4 inches of snow for the Great Lakes, with 8 inches possible near Lake Eerie. Light snow and flurries are in the cards down the Appalachians and into parts of the Southeast, too. It won’t be confined to just the Great Lakes,” said (CNN Meteorologist Haley) Brink.

I got the text alert this AM to batten down the hatches for gusty winds and thunderstorms. Expect power outages and downed wires and trees. Do Not Touch Downed Wires

It’s still clear here in NYC tonight with sky lit by the full Beaver moon. There is a lunar eclipse, too that may or may not be visible at the time it occurs.

ake a break from online holiday shopping this weekend to enjoy the full moon and a penumbral lunar eclipse.
Both events will be visible early Monday morning.
Lunar eclipses can only occur during a full moon, but a penumbral lunar eclipse is different from a total lunar eclipse.
A penumbral eclipse occurs when the moon moves into Earth’s penumbra, or outer shadow. This causes the moon to look darker than normal.

During a total lunar eclipse, the change is more dramatic because the entire moon appears to be a deep red color. [..]

This is the last penumbral eclipse of the year and will be visible to those in North and South America, Australia and parts of Asia. Check Time and Date to see when it will occur in your area.

The mysterious Utah Monolith has disappeared as mysteriously as it appeared.

A tall, silver, shining metal monolith discovered in the desert in southeastern Utah — which prompted theories of alien placement and drew determined hikers to its secret location — has now disappeared, the state’s Bureau of Land Management said Saturday.

The monolith was removed by an “unknown party” sometime Friday night, the agency said in a Facebook post.

“We have received credible reports that the illegally installed structure, referred to as the ‘monolith,’ has been removed” from BLM public lands, the post said.

“The BLM did not remove the structure, which is considered private property.”

Somebody has an expensive sense of humor.

David Prowse, the original actor who portrayed Darth Vader, dark lord of the Sith, in the original Star Wars trilogy, died after a short illness. He was 85. May the force be with him, always.