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(The Hill) — More than 20 states across the U.S. are under heat advisories as of Saturday.
From the California coast to the Midwest to the Southeast and the North- and Mid-Atlantic, 110 million Americans are facing scorching temperatures that could even get up to triple digits, according to ABC News.
Earlier in the week, the National Weather Service warned of “continued excessive summer heat” across the country in a forecast discussion. In the Washington, D.C. region, daily highs sat around 96 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NWS. In New York City, temperatures topped out at 90 degrees.
“Triple-digit heat continues across the southern half of the Plains to the eastern Gulf Coast while cool and unsettled weather continues across the northern Plains toward the Midwest,” the NWS said in their latest forecast discussion on upcoming weather between Monday and Tuesday.
The NWS said cooler temperatures will arrive in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Sunday. However, they said these cooler temperatures will be preceded by thunderstorms as a result of the cold front creeping south.
“However, prior to the arrival of the cool air, the cold front will trigger strong to severe thunderstorms along with locally heavy downpours which may be accompanied with gusty winds and/or squalls as they move through the aforementioned areas from west to east through tonight,” the NWS aid in the forecast discussion. | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/u-s-world/more-than-20-states-in-us-still-suffering-from-excessive-heat/ | 2023-07-29T23:03:54 | 0 | https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/u-s-world/more-than-20-states-in-us-still-suffering-from-excessive-heat/ |
Robert Chambers, NYC’s ‘Preppy Killer,’ is released after 15 years in prison on drug charges
NEW YORK (AP) — Robert Chambers, better known to some as the “Preppy Killer,” was released after spending 15 years in prison for drug and assault charges, according to state records.
Chambers spent a similar amount of time in prison after pleading guilty to strangling Jennifer Levin in New York City’s Central Park during the summer of 1986.
Chambers entered the plea to killing 18-year-old Levin as part of a deal when a jury could not reach a decision after nine days of deliberations.
He was released in 2003 for that crime but again ran afoul of the law soon after.
He was again arrested in 2007 for selling drugs out of his apartment. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison but was released Tuesday — four years early — from the Shawangunk Correctional Facility in New York, according to online inmate records maintained by the New York Department of Corrections.
Chambers, now 56, will remain under supervision for up to five years, records show.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/robert-chambers-nycs-preppy-killer-is-released-after-15-years-prison-drug-charges/ | 2023-07-29T23:03:56 | 1 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/robert-chambers-nycs-preppy-killer-is-released-after-15-years-prison-drug-charges/ |
Sabally record first triple-double in franchise history as Wings beat Mystics 90=62
Satou Sabally had 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists — the first triple-double in franchise history — and the Dallas Wings beat the short-handed Washington Mystics 90-62
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Satou Sabally had 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists — the first triple-double in franchise history — and the Dallas Wings beat the short-handed Washington Mystics 90-62 Friday night.
Arike Ogunbowale and Teaira McCowan each scored 18 points for Dallas (14-10) and Natasha Howard added 14 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Awak Kuier scored 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting and Maddy Siegrist scored 10.
McCowan scored 10 points as Dallas jumped to 14-7 lead midway through the first quarter before Washington's Shatori Walker-Kimbrough answered with a layup. The Mystics then went scoreless for more than four minutes before Myisha Hines-Allen hit a 3-pointer with three seconds left in the first quarter to make it 24-12.
The Mystics trimmed their deficit to seven points when Cyesha Goree hit a jumper with 3:25 left in the third quarter but Dallas scored the next 12 points — capped when Ogunbowale hit a 3-pointer less than two minutes later — and Washington got no closer.
Walker-Kimbrough led the Mystics with 14 points. Brittney Sykes scored 12 with five steals and Natasha Cloud added 11 points.
Regular starters Elena Delle Donne (ankle), Ariel Atkins (ankle) and Shakira Austin (hip) as well as reserve Kristi Toliver (plantar fasciitis) did not play for the Mystics.
Washington (13-11) has lost four of its last five games.
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AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/sabally-record-first-triple-double-franchise-history-wings-beat-mystics-9062/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:03 | 0 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/sabally-record-first-triple-double-franchise-history-wings-beat-mystics-9062/ |
GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — A North Carolina man’s long-lost 1967 Mustang coupe was found after being stolen 21 years ago.
Detectives in Guilford County, and the owner of the car, were also surprised to find the vehicle was still in decent shape.
“Twenty-one years. That is unbelievable,” David Tucker said.
The blue Mustang was Tucker’s dream car. He and his son even formed a bond during the boy’s childhood, riding together in the coupe.
“Riding in it with my son … he was in a car seat in the back,” Tucker said. “He finally got out of the car seat and was able to sit up front with me. Just riding around with him, and seeing the look on his face. That’s the best.”
In 2002, Tucker decided to sell the car. He left it sitting at a friend’s house in Oak Ridge, where it might have more visibility for potential buyers.
But somebody decided to just take it.
“I can’t even describe the sadness,” Tucker said. “That was like my baby, you know? A member of the family just got gone. I never thought I would see it again.”
For years, Tucker worked along with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office to try to find it.
He checked in on his VIN number every year.
“The VIN number had been changed on it,” said Detective Sergeant Ryan Seals with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. “The initial VIN number … came back to a vehicle that had already been scrapped.”
But a few weeks back, deputies said that VIN number eventually led to a crack in the case: The car was found states away in Florida — and only a little worse for wear.
In addition to a little bit of damage on the inside and outside, the car, too, had been painted white.
“It’s nowhere near what it used to be. It’s going to take some work,” Tucker said.
Tucker is currently trying to figure out how to get the car back to North Carolina.
“It means a lot, there was a lot of memories.” he said. “That was my dream car, and my son loved it. We rode in and all the time. So I’m just anxious to get it back and maybe get it back to where it was when it got stolen.”
Tucker is also working with DMV to get his title back. He says it could still take several weeks or even months to get his car back to North Carolina. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/dream-car-mans-stolen-mustang-found-21-years-later/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:05 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/dream-car-mans-stolen-mustang-found-21-years-later/ |
San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers meet in game 2 of series
The San Diego Padres lead 1-0 in a three-game series with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (60-44, first in the AL West) vs. San Diego Padres (50-54, fourth in the NL West)
San Diego; Saturday, 8:40 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Rangers: Martin Perez (8-3, 4.91 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 68 strikeouts); Padres: Yu Darvish (7-7, 4.80 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 108 strikeouts)
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -169, Rangers +143; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres play the Texas Rangers with a 1-0 series lead.
San Diego is 27-25 at home and 50-54 overall. The Padres are 26-10 in games when they did not give up a home run.
Texas has a 26-24 record on the road and a 60-44 record overall. Rangers pitchers have a collective 4.23 ERA, which ranks ninth in the AL.
The teams square off Saturday for the second time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Juan Soto has 24 doubles and 20 home runs for the Padres. Gary Sanchez is 8-for-32 with two doubles, three home runs and eight RBI over the last 10 games.
Nate Lowe has 27 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs and 57 RBI for the Rangers. Marcus Semien is 13-for-40 with three home runs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Padres: 6-4, .246 batting average, 2.86 ERA, outscored opponents by 21 runs
Rangers: 5-5, .260 batting average, 6.51 ERA, outscored by eight runs
INJURIES: Padres: Alek Jacob: 15-Day IL (july), Reiss Knehr: 60-Day IL (elbow), Adrian Morejon: 15-Day IL (knee), Michael Wacha: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Drew Carlton: 15-Day IL (elbow), Preston Tucker: 10-Day IL (foot), Drew Pomeranz: 60-Day IL (elbow/flexor), Eguy Rosario: 60-Day IL (ankle)
Rangers: Jonah Heim: 10-Day IL (wrist), Corey Seager: 10-Day IL (thumb), Jacob deGrom: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jake Odorizzi: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Brett Martin: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/san-diego-padres-texas-rangers-meet-game-2-series/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:09 | 1 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/san-diego-padres-texas-rangers-meet-game-2-series/ |
(WFRV) – It may have many names, but depending on where you live, it only has one. “Cornhole” or “Bags” has been in the middle of discussions when it comes to what the popular bag toss game is called.
The American Cornhole Association (ACA) wanted to settle the debate about what the popular game is called. In addition to having it on its website, the ACA also posted on its Facebook page.
The Facebook post had nearly 600 engagements, and the results painted an interesting picture. A map with the results showed how different parts of the country have different names for the game.
Nearly 79% of the answers were “cornhole,” while just over 21% were “bags.” There was also a percentage for “bean bag toss.” Most of the answers for “bags” came from the Midwest.
But outside of the Midwest, answers were dominated by “cornhole.”
Regardless of what the game is called, most people play by the same rules.
On the American Cornhole Association’s website, it says that it was established in 2003 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was reportedly the first organized corn toss organization in the United States. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/is-it-bags-or-cornhole-official-governing-body-tries-to-settle-the-debate/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:11 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/is-it-bags-or-cornhole-official-governing-body-tries-to-settle-the-debate/ |
Stellar Bancorp: Q2 Earnings Snapshot
HOUSTON (AP) — HOUSTON (AP) — Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (STEL) on Friday reported second-quarter profit of $35.2 million.
The bank, based in Houston, said it had earnings of 66 cents per share.
The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 69 cents per share.
The bank holding company posted revenue of $152.4 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $113.8 million, which also fell short of Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $117 million.
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This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on STEL at https://www.zacks.com/ap/STEL | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/stellar-bancorp-q2-earnings-snapshot/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:15 | 0 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/stellar-bancorp-q2-earnings-snapshot/ |
(The Hill) – A majority of Americans believe former President Trump has done “something illegal” or “unethical,” according to a new poll.
The NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist National Poll released Friday, found that 51% of Americans believe the former president has done “something illegal,” 27% said he’s done something “unethical,” but “not illegal,” and 19% said he’s done “nothing wrong.”
The results of the new poll come just one day after the Department of Justice (DOJ) levied new charges against Trump in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case for attempting to delete surveillance footage. The superseding indictment brings the total number of counts facing the former president in the classified documents case to 40.
The poll, however, was conducted before the new charges against Trump were announced.
The survey also found that the percentage of Democrats who think Trump has done “something illegal” has increased — up from 78% in June to 84%. The number of independents that believe the same also increased from 50% to 52% in the same period, according to the poll.
The number of Republicans that believe Trump’s actions are “illegal,” however, has remained steady at around 13%. But, as the poll notes, there was a dip the number of Republicans that believe Trump has done “nothing wrong” — going from 50% to 41% since June.
DOJ special counsel Jack Smith has been investigating Trump and his allies’ efforts to upend the 2020 election. The former president also faces another indictment from New York district attorney Alvin Bragg for 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection to a 2016 hush money payment.
The survey of 1,285 respondents was conducted from July 25-27, with a margin of error of 3.6 percentage points. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/majority-of-americans-believe-trump-has-done-something-illegal-poll/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:17 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/majority-of-americans-believe-trump-has-done-something-illegal-poll/ |
Travis Scott drops ‘Utopia,’ his first album since the Astroworld festival tragedy
Rapper Travis Scott released his first album in five years on Friday, the 19 track “Utopia.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Rapper Travis Scott has released “Utopia,” his first album in five years and his first major release since 10 people died at his 2021 Astroworld music festival.
The star-studded 19-track "Utopia" features Beyoncé, SZA, Drake, Sampha, Young Thug, Playboi Carti, Daft Punk's Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Future, Bon Iver, James Blake, Kid Cudi, 21 Savage, and many more.
The LP, Scott's fourth full-length, was originally announced back in 2020 and follows 2018's "Astroworld." In November 2019, 10 people died as a result of compression asphyxia during a massive crowd surge during Scott's Astroworld festival. A grand jury declined to file charges against Scott earlier this year.
Also Friday, Houston police released files that showed that some workers were concerned about the crowd conditions at the show. The 1,300-page report also included a summary of an interview with Scott in which he said he did not hear calls from the crowd to stop the show.
The first track from the album, the popetón -adjacent "K-pop", was released on July 21 and features the Weeknd and Bad Bunny. The release spans genres — an eclectic mix of autotune ambient ballads ("My Eyes"), ferocious bars ("Looove"), futuristic trap ("Lost Forever," Telekinesis"), and beyond.
In addition to the album, Scott hosted a one-night-only release of his feature film, "Circus Maximus" at select theaters on Thursday night.
“Utopia” was originally scheduled to be celebrated with a livestreamed concert at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, but was canceled due to “complex production issues,” Live Nation said in a statement. | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/travis-scott-drops-utopia-his-first-album-since-astroworld-festival-tragedy/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:22 | 1 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/travis-scott-drops-utopia-his-first-album-since-astroworld-festival-tragedy/ |
(KTLA) — An invasive fly species has prompted the quarantine of an upscale Southern California neighborhood, the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
The Tau fruit fly is native to Asia and is a “serious pest for agriculture and natural resources,” according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The flies can be typically found on a variety of fruits and vegetables along with a “select range of native plants in California,” officials said.
After the detection of more than 20 Tau flies in the Stevenson Ranch area of the Santa Clarita Valley, a quarantine was placed on residents.
The quarantine area spans about 79 square miles, bordered on the north by Castaic Junction, on the south by Oat Mountain, on the west by Del Valle, and on the east by Honby Avenue.
Stevenson Ranch is an upscale neighborhood with a median home price of $1.15 million dollars according to Redfin.
Officials believe the fly was introduced to Los Angeles County by travelers who brought uninspected produce into the state. Agriculture officials note this is a common way for invasive species to arrive.
To prevent the species’ further spread, quarantined residents are asked not to move any fruits or vegetables away from their property. The produce they own may be safely consumed or processed, but must remain at the property.
If residents choose not to consume their produce, they must be disposed of by “double-bagging in plastic and placing the bags in a bin specifically for garbage,” officials said.
CDFA is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the L.A. County Agricultural Commissioner to “utilize a multi-tiered approach to eliminate the Tau fruit fly and prevent its spread to new areas.”
On properties within 200 meters of fly detections, crews will cut host fruit and vegetables to inspect for present fly larvae. Those properties will also be treated with a “naturally derived organic-approved material known as Spinosad, which will help remove any live adult fruit flies and reduce the density of the population,” said CDFA.
Fly traps that incorporate a pheromone along with a small amount of pesticide will also be placed throughout the treatment zones. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/california-neighborhood-under-quarantine-due-to-invasive-fly-species/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:23 | 0 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/california-neighborhood-under-quarantine-due-to-invasive-fly-species/ |
Worker warned organizer ‘Someone’s going to end up dead’ before crowd surge at ‘21 Travis Scott show
The findings of a police investigation into the deadly 2021 Astroland festival in Houston shows that some people expressed safety concerns before rapper Travis Scott took the stage
HOUSTON (AP) — Just moments before rap superstar Travis Scott took the stage at the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival, a contract worker had been so worried about what might happen after seeing people getting crushed that he texted an event organizer saying, “Someone’s going to end up dead,” according to a police report released Friday.
The texts by security contract worker Reece Wheeler were some of many examples in the nearly 1,300-page report in which festival workers highlighted problems and warned of possible deadly consequences. The report includes transcripts of concertgoers' 911 calls and summaries of police interviews, including one with Scott conducted just days after the event.
The crowd surge at the Nov. 5, 2021, outdoor festival in Houston killed 10 attendees who ranged in age from 9 to 27. The official cause of death was compression asphyxia, which an expert likened to being crushed by a car. About 50,000 people attended the festival.
“Pull tons over the rail unconscious. There’s panic in people eyes. This could get worse quickly,” Reece Wheeler texted Shawna Boardman, one of the private security directors, at 9 p.m. Wheeler then texted, “I know they’ll try to fight through it but I would want it on the record that I didn’t advise this to continue. Someone’s going to end up dead.”
Scott’s concert began at 9:02 p.m. In their review of video from the concert's livestream, police investigators said that at 9:13 p.m., they heard the faint sound of someone saying, “Stop the show.” The same request could also be heard at 9:16 p.m. and 9:22 p.m.
In an Aug. 19, 2022, police interview, Boardman’s attorneys told investigators that Boardman “saw things were not as bad as Reece Wheeler stated” and decided not to pass along Wheeler’s concerns to anyone else.
A grand jury declined to indict anyone who was investigated over the event, including Scott, Boardman and four other people.
During a police interview conducted two days after the concert, Scott told investigators that although he did see one person near the stage getting medical attention, overall the crowd seemed to be enjoying the show and he did not see any signs of serious problems.
“We asked if he at any point heard the crowd telling him to stop the show. He stated that if he had heard something like that he would have done something,” police said in their summary of Scott's interview.
Hip-hop artist Drake, who performed with Scott at the concert, told police that it was difficult to see from the stage what was going on in the crowd and that he didn’t hear concertgoers’ pleas to stop the show.
Drake found out about the tragedy later that night from his manager, while learning more on social media, police said in their summary.
Marty Wallgren, who worked for a security consulting firm hired by the festival, told police that when he went backstage and tried to tell representatives for Scott and Drake that the concert needed to end because people had been hurt and might have died, he was told “Drake still has three more songs,” according to an interview summary.
Daniel Johary, a college student who got trapped in the crush of concertgoers and later used his skills working as an EMT in Israel to help an injured woman, told investigators hundreds of people had chanted for Scott to stop the music and that the chants could be heard “from everywhere.”
“He stated staff members in the area gave thumbs-up and did not care,” according to the police report.
Richard Rickeada, a retired Houston police officer who was working for a private security company at the festival, told investigators that from 8 a.m. the day of the concert, things were “pretty much in chaos,” according to a police summary of his interview. His concerns and questions about whether the concert should be held were “met with a lot of shrugged shoulders,” he said.
About 23 minutes into the concert, cameraman Gregory Hoffman radioed into the show’s production trailer to warn that “people were dying.” Hoffman was operating a large crane that held a television camera before it was overrun with concertgoers who needed medical help, police said.
The production team radioed Hoffman to ask when they could get the crane back in operation.
Salvatore Livia, who was hired to direct the live show, told police that following Hoffman’s dire warning, people in the production trailer understood that something was not right, but “they were disconnected to the reality of (what) was happening out there,” according to a police summary of Livia’s interview.
Concertgoer Christopher Gates, then 22, told police that by the second or third song in Scott's performance, he came across about five people on the ground who he believed were already dead.
Their bodies were “lifeless, pale, and their lips were blue/purple,” according to the police report. Random people in the crowd – not medics – provided CPR.
The police report was released about a month after the grand jury in Houston declined to indict Scott on any criminal charges in connection with the deadly concert. Police Chief Troy Finner had said the report was being made public so that people could “read the entire investigation” and come to their own conclusions about the case. During a news conference after the grand jury’s decision, Finner declined to say what the overall conclusion of his agency’s investigation was or whether police should have stopped the concert sooner.
The report's release also came the same day that Scott released his new album, "Utopia."
More than 500 lawsuits were filed over the deaths and injuries at the concert, including many against concert promoter Live Nation and Scott. Some have since been settled.
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Finley reported from Norfolk, Virginia.
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Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
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Find more AP coverage of the Astroworld festival: https://apnews.com/hub/astroworld-festival-deaths | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/worker-warned-organizer-someones-going-end-up-dead-before-crowd-surge-21-travis-scott-show/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:28 | 0 | https://www.ktre.com/2023/07/29/worker-warned-organizer-someones-going-end-up-dead-before-crowd-surge-21-travis-scott-show/ |
(The Hill) — More than 20 states across the U.S. are under heat advisories as of Saturday.
From the California coast to the Midwest to the Southeast and the North- and Mid-Atlantic, 110 million Americans are facing scorching temperatures that could even get up to triple digits, according to ABC News.
Earlier in the week, the National Weather Service warned of “continued excessive summer heat” across the country in a forecast discussion. In the Washington, D.C. region, daily highs sat around 96 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NWS. In New York City, temperatures topped out at 90 degrees.
“Triple-digit heat continues across the southern half of the Plains to the eastern Gulf Coast while cool and unsettled weather continues across the northern Plains toward the Midwest,” the NWS said in their latest forecast discussion on upcoming weather between Monday and Tuesday.
The NWS said cooler temperatures will arrive in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Sunday. However, they said these cooler temperatures will be preceded by thunderstorms as a result of the cold front creeping south.
“However, prior to the arrival of the cool air, the cold front will trigger strong to severe thunderstorms along with locally heavy downpours which may be accompanied with gusty winds and/or squalls as they move through the aforementioned areas from west to east through tonight,” the NWS aid in the forecast discussion. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/more-than-20-states-in-us-still-suffering-from-excessive-heat/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:29 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/national-news/more-than-20-states-in-us-still-suffering-from-excessive-heat/ |
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Hamburg European Open
Alexander Zverev will take on Laslo Djere in the Hamburg European Open final on Sunday, July 30.
With -450 odds, Zverev is favored over Djere in this tournament final against the underdog, who is +310.
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Match Information
- Tournament: The Hamburg European Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: MatchMaker Sports Gmbh
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Court Surface: Clay
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Alexander Zverev has an 81.8% chance to win.
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Zverev beat Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4.
- Djere eliminated Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Zverev has played 26 games per match (22.6 in best-of-three matches) in his 42 matches over the past year (across all court types).
- On clay, Zverev has played 22 matches over the past 12 months, totaling 24.1 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) while winning 54.8% of games.
- In his 58 matches in the past 12 months across all court types, Djere is averaging 25.3 games per match (23.5 in best-of-three matches) while winning 50.3% of those games.
- Djere has averaged 22 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.5 games per set through 22 matches on clay courts in the past 12 months.
- In head-to-head matches, Zverev has two wins, while Djere has zero. In their last match on June 4, 2021, Zverev was victorious 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
- In terms of sets, Zverev has won five versus Djere (100.0%), while Djere has captured zero.
- Zverev and Djere have competed in 47 total games, and Zverev has won more often, capturing 31 of them.
- Djere and Zverev have matched up two times, and they have averaged 23.5 games and 2.5 sets per match.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktre.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:35 | 1 | https://www.ktre.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ |
(NEXSTAR) — Yet another new, unsafe trend is catching attention.
This time, some TikTok users are encouraging viewers to add borax to their water, claiming the common cleaning product can help reduce inflammation and joint pain, or even “detoxify” the body. As you may have guessed, health officials are warning of the consequences the trend could have on your health.
Borax, or sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is a chemical compound commonly available in the form of a white crystalline powder. It’s been utilized in a variety of ways since the Middle Ages, and today is often used a laundry detergent, kitchen/bathroom cleaner, and even a bug and weed killer.
Boric acid has also been found to have bacteriostatic properties, meaning it can prevent the growth of bacteria, Dr. S. Ruddy Rose, director of VCU Health’s Virginia Poison Center, told Nexstar.
Despite its endless safe uses, however, borax is not approved for ingestion by humans.
Ingesting borax can cause people to become quite sick, according to Dr. Rose, leading to convulsions, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, heat burns, and even kidney damage.
“This happens pretty quickly,” he adds.
Even the company behind 20 Mule Team Borax, a popular borax product, has warned against participating in the TikTok trend.
“20 Mule Team Borax has many uses but ingesting is not one of them,” the company warned on July 25.
“Do not bathe in, apply to skin, or ingest Borax, including drinking it diluted in water,” the company continued. “It is not intended for use as a personal care product or dietary supplement.”
Should your child fall victim to the trend, Dr. Rose said you can follow up with the child’s pediatrician, as long as they don’t have any symptoms. But if your child is vomiting, has abdominal pain, or experiences a seizure or other serious symptoms, it’s best to seek emergency medical attention.
Several videos recommending borax have been removed from TikTok, according to NBC News.
Social-media users, meanwhile, should always be cautious about taking medical advice from influencers or TikTok personalities.
“Just beware of these types of activities,” Dr. Rose said. “The people promoting it may not be doing it for the right reason.”
Borax uses
There are plenty of non-dangerous ways to use borax that you may not be aware of.
- It can unclog drains. As recommended by Southern Living, 1/2 cup of borax and two cups of boiling water down a clogged drain should clear it right out. Let the solution sit for 15 mins before flushing with warm water.
- It’s a pest deterrent/killer. Borax is a desiccant, which means it sucks up moisture. In this way, borax can be useful to sprinkle in places where bugs might ordinarily populate. The powder will keep the area dry and make it less optimal for insects to make home. Meanwhile, if bugs are already in your home, it’s not too late. The Spruce explains that insects, like cockroaches and ants, become “dried out” from the inside and die after eating the powder.
- It can help grow your fruit trees. Bob Vila recommends adding borax to the soil around your tree to help keep the plant’s pH levels desirable for growth.
- It’s in ingredient in “slime.” If your kids love making and playing with slime, Taste of Home has a recipe for using borax to make the stretchy, gooey stuff. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/why-are-people-drinking-borax-cleaning-powder-on-tiktok/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:35 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/why-are-people-drinking-borax-cleaning-powder-on-tiktok/ |
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Jimmy Graham offered a few reasons why — at age 36 and without having played football last year — he could become a playmaker again for the New Orleans Saints.
“I’m feeling better than ever. I’m still 6-(foot)-7 and I like the red zone,” the veteran tight end said Saturday in his first public comments since rejoining his first NFL team Tuesday. “I definitely came into this with a chip on my shoulder and with something to prove.”
Estimating he weighed as much as 285 pounds in his previous stint with the Saints, when he worked out like “a meathead,” Graham said he has been cycling “hundreds of miles a week” and has changed his workout and eating habits to suit to his age.
“I know I’m definitely in shape,” said Graham, now listed at 265 pounds. “That’s not a problem at all.”
Graham, who has caught at least eight touchdown passes in six of his 12 NFL seasons, was a favorite target of former star quarterback Drew Brees and among the most popular players in New Orleans before the club surprisingly traded him to Seattle in 2015.
Many fans were upset, including general manager Micky Loomis’ own daughter. So, too, was Graham.
“For me, it was pretty shocking,” Graham said. “I thought I would never leave this place. … I woke up to the part of the business that hurt.”
Alluding to a difficult childhood in which he sometimes lived in an orphanage, Graham added, “at first it was very difficult because of my connection with Drew as an ‘older brother’ and all the people in this building.”
“It was family, you know?” Graham continued. “So, for me, a guy who didn’t have a lot of family, it was definitely a difficult time.”
Graham played three seasons with the Seahawks — where he had a major knee injury 2015, but also his last 10-TD season in 2017 — before spending two seasons each at Green Bay and Chicago. He said he spent several of those seasons avoiding interviews because he “didn’t really have a lot to say that was positive.”
In recent years, Graham said, he longed for another chance to play in New Orleans.
“I’ve been trying to come home for a long time,” Graham said, adding that by last season, he didn’t want to play anywhere else. He said several teams reached out to him in 2022, but he told his agent, Jimmy Sexton, “that if I don’t retire as a Saint that I wasn’t going to play again.”
Sitting out last season was “extremely weird, especially after you spend a whole offseason preparing (to play), working out and making sure you’re in shape,” he said. “I think everything happens for a reason and I think it’ll be to my benefit.”
The Saints used a third-round pick to draft Graham in 2010, despite the fact that he’d played just one season of football at Miami after spending four seasons as a basketball power forward for the Hurricanes.
In just his second NFL season, Graham caught 99 passes for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns and was selected to his first of five Pro Bowls. He had another banner season in 2013, with 1,215 yards and a career-high 16 TDs receiving.
Around that time, current Saints tight end Foster Moreau was playing for Jesuit High School in New Orleans and had a signed No. 80 Graham Saints jersey in a shadow box in his room.
“Jimmy was a dog, and he still is. Honestly, he runs great,” Moreau said. “So, it’s just such a funny situation. You walk into the locker room and, ‘Oh my God! Jimmy Graham right there.’”
Graham’s production plummeted in his final season with the Bears in 2021, when he caught 14 passes for 167 yards and three TDs in 15 games.
And while the Saints cannot be sure how well he’ll play this season, they expressed confidence he’ll be a leader in the locker room. Graham sounded ready to embrace that role, noting that he, along with 13th-year defensive end Cameron Jordan, are the only players on the roster who’d once been teammates with most of the stars of the Saints’ 2009 championship team.
“I understand what that culture was like and what that looks like, the sacrifice that it takes and the brotherhood – that bond – that needs to be molded,” Graham said. | https://www.myarklamiss.com/sports/jimmy-graham-is-grateful-to-be-back-with-the-saints-and-confident-he-can-still-play/ | 2023-07-29T23:04:41 | 1 | https://www.myarklamiss.com/sports/jimmy-graham-is-grateful-to-be-back-with-the-saints-and-confident-he-can-still-play/ |
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Hamburg European Open
Alexander Zverev will take on Laslo Djere in the Hamburg European Open final on Sunday, July 30.
With -450 odds, Zverev is favored over Djere in this tournament final against the underdog, who is +310.
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Match Information
- Tournament: The Hamburg European Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: MatchMaker Sports Gmbh
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Court Surface: Clay
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Alexander Zverev has an 81.8% chance to win.
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Zverev beat Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4.
- Djere eliminated Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Zverev has played 26 games per match (22.6 in best-of-three matches) in his 42 matches over the past year (across all court types).
- On clay, Zverev has played 22 matches over the past 12 months, totaling 24.1 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) while winning 54.8% of games.
- In his 58 matches in the past 12 months across all court types, Djere is averaging 25.3 games per match (23.5 in best-of-three matches) while winning 50.3% of those games.
- Djere has averaged 22 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.5 games per set through 22 matches on clay courts in the past 12 months.
- In head-to-head matches, Zverev has two wins, while Djere has zero. In their last match on June 4, 2021, Zverev was victorious 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
- In terms of sets, Zverev has won five versus Djere (100.0%), while Djere has captured zero.
- Zverev and Djere have competed in 47 total games, and Zverev has won more often, capturing 31 of them.
- Djere and Zverev have matched up two times, and they have averaged 23.5 games and 2.5 sets per match.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ | 2023-07-29T23:05:28 | 0 | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ |
(KTLA) — An invasive fly species has prompted the quarantine of an upscale Southern California neighborhood, the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
The Tau fruit fly is native to Asia and is a “serious pest for agriculture and natural resources,” according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The flies can be typically found on a variety of fruits and vegetables along with a “select range of native plants in California,” officials said.
After the detection of more than 20 Tau flies in the Stevenson Ranch area of the Santa Clarita Valley, a quarantine was placed on residents.
The quarantine area spans about 79 square miles, bordered on the north by Castaic Junction, on the south by Oat Mountain, on the west by Del Valle, and on the east by Honby Avenue.
Stevenson Ranch is an upscale neighborhood with a median home price of $1.15 million dollars according to Redfin.
Officials believe the fly was introduced to Los Angeles County by travelers who brought uninspected produce into the state. Agriculture officials note this is a common way for invasive species to arrive.
To prevent the species’ further spread, quarantined residents are asked not to move any fruits or vegetables away from their property. The produce they own may be safely consumed or processed, but must remain at the property.
If residents choose not to consume their produce, they must be disposed of by “double-bagging in plastic and placing the bags in a bin specifically for garbage,” officials said.
CDFA is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the L.A. County Agricultural Commissioner to “utilize a multi-tiered approach to eliminate the Tau fruit fly and prevent its spread to new areas.”
On properties within 200 meters of fly detections, crews will cut host fruit and vegetables to inspect for present fly larvae. Those properties will also be treated with a “naturally derived organic-approved material known as Spinosad, which will help remove any live adult fruit flies and reduce the density of the population,” said CDFA.
Fly traps that incorporate a pheromone along with a small amount of pesticide will also be placed throughout the treatment zones. | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/california-neighborhood-under-quarantine-due-to-invasive-fly-species/ | 2023-07-29T23:06:15 | 0 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/california-neighborhood-under-quarantine-due-to-invasive-fly-species/ |
(WFRV) – It may have many names, but depending on where you live, it only has one. “Cornhole” or “Bags” has been in the middle of discussions when it comes to what the popular bag toss game is called.
The American Cornhole Association (ACA) wanted to settle the debate about what the popular game is called. In addition to having it on its website, the ACA also posted on its Facebook page.
The Facebook post had nearly 600 engagements, and the results painted an interesting picture. A map with the results showed how different parts of the country have different names for the game.
Nearly 79% of the answers were “cornhole,” while just over 21% were “bags.” There was also a percentage for “bean bag toss.” Most of the answers for “bags” came from the Midwest.
But outside of the Midwest, answers were dominated by “cornhole.”
Regardless of what the game is called, most people play by the same rules.
On the American Cornhole Association’s website, it says that it was established in 2003 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was reportedly the first organized corn toss organization in the United States. | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/is-it-bags-or-cornhole-official-governing-body-tries-to-settle-the-debate/ | 2023-07-29T23:06:21 | 1 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/is-it-bags-or-cornhole-official-governing-body-tries-to-settle-the-debate/ |
(The Hill) — More than 20 states across the U.S. are under heat advisories as of Saturday.
From the California coast to the Midwest to the Southeast and the North- and Mid-Atlantic, 110 million Americans are facing scorching temperatures that could even get up to triple digits, according to ABC News.
Earlier in the week, the National Weather Service warned of “continued excessive summer heat” across the country in a forecast discussion. In the Washington, D.C. region, daily highs sat around 96 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NWS. In New York City, temperatures topped out at 90 degrees.
“Triple-digit heat continues across the southern half of the Plains to the eastern Gulf Coast while cool and unsettled weather continues across the northern Plains toward the Midwest,” the NWS said in their latest forecast discussion on upcoming weather between Monday and Tuesday.
The NWS said cooler temperatures will arrive in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Sunday. However, they said these cooler temperatures will be preceded by thunderstorms as a result of the cold front creeping south.
“However, prior to the arrival of the cool air, the cold front will trigger strong to severe thunderstorms along with locally heavy downpours which may be accompanied with gusty winds and/or squalls as they move through the aforementioned areas from west to east through tonight,” the NWS aid in the forecast discussion. | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/more-than-20-states-in-us-still-suffering-from-excessive-heat/ | 2023-07-29T23:06:27 | 1 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/more-than-20-states-in-us-still-suffering-from-excessive-heat/ |
10 people died at the Astroworld music festival two years ago. What happens now?
Jul 29, 2023, 11:09 AM
(Jamaal Ellis/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)
Nearly two years after 10 people were crushed to death during the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival, no charges have been filed — even though some people, including event workers, expressed safety concerns.
Pinpointing “who exactly caused those deaths is not an easy question to answer,” said Sandra Guerra Thompson, a criminal law professor at the University of Houston Law Center.
“It’s a very difficult thing to say, unless you have some kind of clear evidence that somebody in charge, whose job it was to ensure safety and who should have known better, failed to take action,” she said.
A nearly rapper Travis Scott went onstage.
In the report, investigators wrote that Scott said he did see one person near the stage getting medical attention, but said that overall, the crowd seemed to enjoy the show. He said he did not see any signs of serious problems, nor did he hear anyone tell him to stop the show.
Hip-hop artist Drake, who also performed, told police it was difficult to see from the stage what was going on in the crowd and that he didn’t hear anyone call for the show to stop.
Despite no charges being filed, more than 500 lawsuits have been filed over the deaths and injuries at the concert, including many against concert promoter Live Nation and Scott. Some of those suits have since been settled.
Those who were killed ranged in age from 9 to 27, and all 10 people died due to compression asphyxia, according to medical examiners.
In June, a Texas grand jury declined to indict six people in the case, including Scott. Prosecutors said, then, that the circumstances of the deaths limited what charges they were able to present, eliminating potential counts such as murder, manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
Thompson said the sheer number of people involved in putting on the event, the large scale of it, and the high bar for proving criminal negligence or recklessness are challenges for prosecutors in cases like this.
“It goes back to, who knows what’s going on, is that being communicated?” she said. “Were they being told that people have died, and they still wanted the concert to go on? Or, were they being told that ‘Hey, some people are getting hurt, which might not be that unusual at an event like that?”
Assistant Harris County District Attorney Alycia Harvey said after the grand jury declined to issue indictments that prosecutors were left with only possible counts of endangering a child in connection with the deaths of the two youngest concertgoers, ages 9 and 14.
Scott’s lawyer, Kent Schaffer, has said that the performer was not responsible for the tragedy.
“He never encouraged people to do anything that resulted in other people being hurt,” Schaffer said.
Scott has previously said he was unaware of the deaths until after the show. He has since created what he called Project HEAL, a $5 million initiative that includes funding for an effort to address safety challenges for festivals and large-scale events.
The police report said Scott told investigators that around the time Drake came onstage he was told to end the show after the performance, but that no one told him of an emergency.
Following the tragedy, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott formed a task force to study concert safety, and to recommend crowd control and security measures during mass gathering.
The task force in April 2022 reported that people without tickets entered the outdoor festival area hours before the performances began, overwhelming staff and leading to a variety of injuries. It also concluded that the process for issuing permits for mass gatherings is inconsistent statewide.
The task force recommended creating a command center that is authorized to pause or cancel a show in response to safety concerns.
“Sometimes, sadly, industries learn safety practices following disasters,” said Thompson, the law professor. “The standards for live concerts like this, I would imagine, are going to change.”
_____
Miller reported from Oklahoma City, Willingham reported from Charleston, West Virginia. | https://mynorthwest.com/3914765/10-people-died-at-the-astroworld-music-festival-two-years-ago-what-happens-now/ | 2023-07-29T23:06:31 | 1 | https://mynorthwest.com/3914765/10-people-died-at-the-astroworld-music-festival-two-years-ago-what-happens-now/ |
BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — The annual Capital A’Fair has been announced, and it promises to bring with it new vendors, activities, and demonstrations for the whole family to enjoy.
The 49th annual Capital A’Fair will take place on August 5th and 6th, on the ND State Capitol grounds. This summer event features 90 artists from across the country, as well as 15 food vendors, and a variety of vocal, instrumental, and dance performances.
During both days of the event, craft demonstrations will take place, including spinning, weaving, wood turning/carving, lein air painting, quilting, and porcelain painting. Local chalk artists will also decorate the sidewalks of the capital building with art, and there will be a public chalk area available. Other features also include inflatables, yard games, and a sensory station. Attendees can also view Pioneer automobiles on Saturday, and Mustangs and Fords on Sunday.
In addition to the traditional activities, there are plenty of new ones to catch the eye of visitors. Some of these extra added acts include a yoga class, yard games, painting props, a scavenger hunt, and demonstrations of both pottery and screen-printing. The event will also feature appearances and meet and greets with Miss Capital A’Fair herself (Hope Burdolski), as well as the Bismarck Larks’ mascots Clark and Merrifeather Lewis.
The event is free to attend, and is open from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. In order to view a full schedule of activities, as well as an event program guide, click this link. | https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/49th-annual-capital-afair-in-bismarck-announced/ | 2023-07-29T23:06:33 | 0 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/49th-annual-capital-afair-in-bismarck-announced/ |
BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — On the last gaming column, KX showed you Legends. The Magic set featured some of the game’s most expensive cards, and one that made a tremendous impact on the entire franchise that continues to last to this day. However, many of the sets released during this time period do not have the same lasting effects — including The Dark, the subject of this week’s price guide.
At the climax of the Brothers’ War between artificers Mishra and Urza (as described in Antiquities and later the full Brother’s War set in 2022), Urza utilized the power of the Golgothian Sylex to create a massive burst of pure energy. This not only succeeded in killing Mishra and protecting the plane of Dominaria from the first Phyrexians, but also obliterated the island of Argoth and destroyed the tectonic plate underneath it. The debris from this explosion was lofted into the air, eventually blotting out the sun and creating a time period known as The Dark. This set chronicles Dominaria during this cold and terrifying time, and the different groups that rose to power as a result.
While Legends is commonly regarded as one of MTG’s most iconic sets (both for its incredibly valuable cards and the legendary EDH format its’ signature Elder Dragons spawned), The Dark is a set that marks one of the game’s first major declines in overall value thanks to the vastly decreased power level of the cards within and the introduction of reprints. The pack does feature some cards that would later go on to be popular in their own right (including Maze of Ith, Elves of Deep Shadow, Tormod’s Crypt, and Fellwar Stone), but it is also known for featuring many truly terrible entries (Leviathan, Deep Water, Fasting, etc.) — as well as what is often considered to be the single worst Land in Magic history. This, of course, doesn’t mean that there are no expensive cards to be found in the set… and in this column, we’ll be discussing five of them. Like other cost columns, we will be using average prices taken from Magic pricing site MTGGoldfish to determine the picks for this pack.
#5: Ball Lightning
Some of the earliest expensive cards in MTG history, including many of those that are present on previous most expensive lists, are part of what is known as the ‘Reserved List’ — a set of cards that will never again be reprinted in order to ensure they retain their value on the secondary market. The Dark is the first set where multiple cards in the top five are not part of the Reserved List, and as a result, the prices of later reprinted versions of the same cards have dropped dramatically in price. Ball Lightning is perhaps one of the best examples of this, as both an expensive card and one that has drastically fallen in price in the years since its initial release.
Ball Lightning is a rather odd card in that players will generally only have one shot to properly use it — and even then, there’s no saying that it won’t be blocked or destroyed, especially because of its low Toughness and vulnerability. Still, there are plenty of ways to recycle the card (such as Feldon of the Third Path), as well as strategies to get the most out of Ball Lightning before its death — including multiplying the damage it does through City on Fire or Jeska, Thrice Reborn, killing it before end-of-turn to draw cards with Greater Good or Skullclamp, or literally throwing it at opponents with the likes of Fling, Thud, and Brion Stoutarm. In this day and age, it is even possible to kill an opponent in one turn with Ball Lighting, albeit through a strategy that is unlikely to occur: play the card, give it the Infect ability with Glistening Oil or Tainted Strike, attack to give an opponent six Poison Counters, and then cast Fling to give them another six (a player automatically loses if they have ten Poison Counters at any time). However, the card is also overshadowed by other similar ‘one-hit-wonders’ with similar effects — the most notable of which are Lightning Skelemental (which makes opponents discard when it hits), Impetuous Devils (which forces a player to block it), and Spark Trooper (which heals the player as well).
Of all of the expensive cards we’ve seen so far on these lists, Ball Lightning is the one that has seen the largest decline over time — in part due to a tremendous number of reprints, and the fact that there are other more effective options in this same niche. A modern copy of the card will typically cost a dollar or two, as opposed to the high cost of this original variant.
#4: Preacher
Taking control of an opponent’s cards is an ability that is tremendously powerful in Magic — and one that is not evenly distributed among every color. Blue and Red are the colors of Mana that take the most advantage of this effect, and indeed those which boast some of the most infamous examples of it (including Expropriate and Insurrection, which can oftentimes end games on their own). In contrast, White has very few instances of cards that take control, primarily because it does not appear to fit as well into the color’s themes of unity and protection — which makes early cards like Preacher much more intriguing.
The ability to take control of an opposing creature is one that is almost always useful, but it loses some of its luster when you either have to keep Preacher tapped to do so or lose control of it after one turn. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make the most of this effect. The most obvious of these is to use cards like Victimize, Village Rites, and Sadistic Hypnotist to attack with and then sacrifice the controlled creature for your benefit — but there’s nothing saying you can’t just use Preacher to hold a key creature of your opponents hostage to take advantage of their own effects, either, and on the off-chance you grab a card that can benefit your own side of the table, it might be worth holding onto for a while before getting rid of it (one way or another).
The only major downside to this card is that, as opposed to many of the previously-mentioned control-oriented creatures, your opponent gets to choose what Preacher takes, which means that it will almost never manage to steal anything of use against decks that focus on large numbers of smaller creatures. Still, Preacher does hold up as one of the more interesting offerings from The Dark, and one that could actually have relevance in the modern game — even if it does come off as relatively middling when compared to more popular snatching cards.
Preacher is one of the rare cards from The Dark that was part of the Reserved List, meaning that its price, while not as high as some other cards on the list, is relatively large, and will stay that way for years to come. This is actually rather disappointing, as with reprints, it could have a place in some decks — especially alongside cards like Agent of Treachery that benefit the player for taking what doesn’t belong to them.
#3: Goblin Wizard
Of all the different types and tribes of Magic: The Gathering, there are few that rival Goblins in terms of both size and versatility. There are over 440 cards in the game that relate to Goblins –many of which range in power from mediocre to infamously effective — and the many Goblin Commanders available (including Krenko, Mob Boss, Zada, Hedron Grinder, Daretti, Scrap Savant, and Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker) all have their own play styles and ways of seizing victory from an opponent. With such an expansive and varied roster of creatures, it certainly makes sense that some, like Goblin Wizard, would stand out as particularly valuable.
Goblin Wizard has a rather high Mana cost as far as Goblins are considered (many Goblin decks prefer their minions to be under 3 Mana), but does boast two powerful effects. The ability to tap itself to immediately drop a Goblin from your hand on the field can be useful in decks that actively try to run more high-cost members of the tribe such as Battle Squadron or Muxus, Goblin Grandee, and protection from White can be used to render certain important creatures immune to popular board wipes like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict. Despite this, though, Wizard tends to find itself in a peculiar spot where very few Goblin-based strategies are interested in adding him to their ranks. Cheaper swarm-based strategies typically find him too expensive and vulnerable to fit into the horde, while often costing more Mana and money than the Goblin player would want to cheat out using its effect. On the opposite side, more competitive and pricey Goblin decks (which are focused on stringing together infinite combinations in the first few turns of the game) find Wizard too slow and situational. The final nail in Wizard’s coffin is the existence of Moggcatcher — a card which, while not actually a Goblin, is more widely available, and has the ability to bring any Goblins directly from the deck to the field instead of relying solely on the player’s hand (which in accordance with Mono-Red’s all-or-nothing playstyle, is generally not very large).
Goblin Wizard does serve a useful purpose, but much like other useful cards from early Magic, it struggles to fit into many strategies, even those that it is meant to support. It still remains a valuable find, however, and stands out amongst other entries from The Dark as a card that can still have a place among one of the game’s most popular tribes. If you must invest in an expensive Goblin, however, our columnist (a Goblin player himself, of the Mob Boss variety) recommends opting for the ever-useful Dockside Extortionist instead.
#2: City of Shadows
The Dark gave birth to a tremendous rise in anti-magic groups throughout Dominaria — many of which blamed magic and its practitioners as a whole for the Sylex Blast. As a result of this persecution, many practicing wizards were forced to flee to smaller hideaways to maintain their ways of life. And yet again, the theory that no review of the most expensive cards in early MTG is complete without a land rings true when we come to the depiction of one of these safe havens (not Safe Haven, though — it wasn’t expensive enough to be in the top five).
City of Shadows seems like a slow way to gain Mana, and a relatively costly one at that — killing creatures one after the other to slowly add on to the amount of power that the card can provide is not ideal for many decks. Not only does the card need to sacrifice at least one creature to be of any use, but players cannot power it up and tap it for Mana on the same turn, and the sacrificed creatures are exiled rather than being placed in the Graveyard (which prevents it from synergizing with cards like Reassembling Skeleton or Gravecrawler). In the over two million Commander decks listed on EDHRec, City sees play in just over 1,100 — a far cry from most Lands with such a tremendous price (Ancient Tomb, another $60-$70 Land that produces Colorless Mana, is in over 300,000), . Although there are ways to take advantage of the effect, including using it in a Token deck that can create many bodies to kill for the effect or a Proliferate deck that can increase the counters on it without constant sacrifice, there are better options for this same sort of ability — players who want to create huge swarths of Mana using one Land and a lot of creatures will often be better off using Cryptolith Rite or Growing Rites of Itlmoc, and if Colorless Mana in particular is needed, Ashnod’s Altar both provides more Mana per body than City of Shadows and sends creatures to the Graveyard for potential recycling.
While this Land does remain one of the highest-cost cards from The Dark, it is worth noting that this is not due to any newly-discovered combination or Reports from the MTG sales market note that its price is only as costly as it is now due to a sudden price surge in 2020. With how unpopular and ineffective the card is, it’s reasonable to assume that this buyout is the only reason it has a place on this list. To be frank, our columnist finds this placing quite disappointing, and wishes that the spot could have instead been given to one of the other Lands in the set — either Maze of Ith for its lasting relevance, or Sorrow’s Path because he believes that would be hilarious.
#1: Blood Moon
There are plenty of cards from these early days of Magic that still remain pricey, but are still essential parts of many strategies — and a majority of that is due to the availability of reprints. While you’d be hard-pressed to find a deck that includes the likes of The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale, for instance, other slightly expensive cards from Legends that have since seen reprints (including Mana Drain, Sylvan Library, and Land Tax) are seen as beloved additions to any deck using their colors, and are all available for under $40 each. This is the case with The Dark’s costliest card, as well — but with the lasting power of the card, it’s no wonder that Blood Moon was the big-ticket item from its initial set.
When trying to understand Blood Moon’s infamy and relevance, it’s important to note the difference between ‘Lands’ and ‘Basic Lands’. In short, there are a total of eleven Basic Lands in MTG (one for each color of Mana, five ‘Snow-Covered’ variants, and Wastes), all of which have the simple effect of tapping for one Mana of their respective color. Anything that is not one of these is considered a Nonbasic Land. In many decks that use multiple colors of Mana at once, many Nonbasic Lands are often used that can provide the player a choice between colors (with the Original Dual Lands, Fetch Lands, and Shock Lands being some of the best examples), and there are plenty that can have devastating or incredibly beneficial effects (including former column entries Library of Alexandria, Tabernacle, and Bazaar of Baghdad).
Blood Moon shuts down all of these, as it transforms every Nonbasic Land into a Basic Mountain — negating any abilities they may have, and only allowing them to provide one Red mana. This not only serves to negate some of the powerful effects that Nonbasic Lands can have, such as stopping massive Mana gain from Gaea’s Cradle or Cabal Coffers or denying access to destroyed cards via Academy Ruins and Hall of Heliod’s Generosity, but can also cut off a player’s access to certain types of Mana if used against someone who relies on Dual Lands to get the right colors. The fact that it does nothing to Red decks means that it often finds its way into those that utilize the color (especially Mono-Red strategies), and to this day, it remains one of the most powerful and flexible parts of Red’s often-lacking ability to directly stifle opponents’ plays.
Unlike many of the other most valuable cards we’ve discussed so far, Blood Moon has seen plenty of reprints due to its popularity in recent years. While this original printing from The Dark is rather costly, players can now obtain copies of the card for under $15.
If you’re slightly perplexed by the major price drop from Legends to The Dark, then brace yourself for next week — in which we’ll be delving into one of the most infamously inexpensive and unimpressive packs in MTG history. Until then, let us know what you think of The Dark’s most valuable cards on our Facebook pages! | https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/gaming-the-five-most-expensive-cards-from-the-dark/ | 2023-07-29T23:06:39 | 1 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/gaming-the-five-most-expensive-cards-from-the-dark/ |
Gaming: The five most expensive cards from The Dark 49th annual Capital A’Fair in Bismarck announced Study: Do Americans support age limits on the presidency? Jamestown walkaway apprehended in South Dakota Video
49th annual Capital A’Fair in Bismarck announced Study: Do Americans support age limits on the presidency? Jamestown walkaway apprehended in South Dakota Video
Study: Do Americans support age limits on the presidency? Jamestown walkaway apprehended in South Dakota Video
Baseball: Class A state tournament begins Friday Video Baseball: Three team eliminated as championship nears … Video Baseball: Bismarck and Williston keep their seasons … Video Baseball: Class B Tournament continues in Carrington Video
Baseball: Three team eliminated as championship nears … Video Baseball: Bismarck and Williston keep their seasons … Video Baseball: Class B Tournament continues in Carrington Video
Baseball: Bismarck and Williston keep their seasons … Video Baseball: Class B Tournament continues in Carrington Video
by: Carolyn Gurske Posted: Jul 29, 2023 / 03:25 PM CDT Updated: Jul 29, 2023 / 03:25 PM CDT Severe weather chances today in the late afternoon into the evening. Learn more in your #OneMinuteForecast
Best five-year anniversary gifts for her Tradition dictates that the five-year wedding anniversary gift is wood, but you don’t have to stick to that. Read on for the best anniversary gifts for her.
Best art supplies for kids If you’re thinking of investing in the best art supplies for kids, you might be wondering where to begin. Start with foundational supplies.
Best ways to crate train a dog with separation anxiety If your dog is anxious every time you leave the house, it’s time to learn the basic steps of crate training. Here’s how to do it. | https://www.kxnet.com/weather/carolyns-saturday-afternoon-oneminuteforecast-7-29/ | 2023-07-29T23:06:45 | 1 | https://www.kxnet.com/weather/carolyns-saturday-afternoon-oneminuteforecast-7-29/ |
‘This is tragic’: Mayor Harrell speaks after 5 people shot in parking lot of South Seattle Safeway
Jul 29, 2023, 11:21 AM
(Photo from KIRO 7)
Seattle police are responding to the scene of a mass shooting in South Seattle, according to the Seattle Police Department.
At about 9 p.m., officers responded to a shooting with multiple victims at a Safeway in the 9200 block of Rainier Avenue South.
According to Seattle Police Adrian Diaz, the shoot began in the parking lot at the King Donuts.
KIRO 7 was told by Seattle Police that five people were shot.
Of the five victims, two are in critical condition, three are stable. Four victims were taken to Harborview Medical Center and one victim was treated at the scene and released. Of the four victims, three are male and one is female. All in their 20s.
“Dozens and dozens were fired,” according to Chief Diaz. Police do not know if anyone was targeted, but are still investigating.
If you have information about this incident, contact the Seattle Police Department.
An officer on scene tells me at least five people have been shot and all five have been taken to the hospital. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/Q49OOJwVHc
— Bridget Chavez (@BridgetChavezTV) July 29, 2023
Video from the scene shows at least 50 evidence tags on the ground over bullet casings.
Officers have warned people to stay out of the area as they investigate the scene.
Police are investigating a shooting in the 9200 block of Rainier Avenue S. Please stay out of the area. More information to follow.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 29, 2023
This is breaking news. | https://mynorthwest.com/3914766/this-is-tragic-mayor-harrell-speaks-after-5-people-shot-in-parking-lot-of-south-seattle-safeway/ | 2023-07-29T23:06:47 | 1 | https://mynorthwest.com/3914766/this-is-tragic-mayor-harrell-speaks-after-5-people-shot-in-parking-lot-of-south-seattle-safeway/ |
*Updated at 5:50 p.m.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Multiple fire departments and law enforcement agencies are on the scene of a large grass fire near Hatton Road, southeast of Wichita Falls.
According to preliminary reports, Wichita Falls Fire Department, Wichita West VFD, and the Texas Forrest Service and aircraft support are battling the blaze. Wichita Falls Police, Wichita County Deputies along with various other law enforcement agencies have closed off roadways near the fire.
Shortly after 2 p.m., firefighters responded to the area for two large grass fires. Preliminary reports also indicated possible evacuations of nearby businesses and homes.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service website, the fire is 20% contained and has burned approximately 350 acres.
Responding departments:
- Clay County Emergency Department
- Wichita West Volunteer Fire Department
- Wichita East Volunteer Fire Department
- Wichita County Sheriff’s Office
- Wichita Falls Police Department
- Burkburnett Fire Department
Stick with Texoma’s Homepage for the latest information. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/local-news/multiple-agencies-respond-to-grass-fire-near-wichita-falls/ | 2023-07-29T23:06:56 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/local-news/multiple-agencies-respond-to-grass-fire-near-wichita-falls/ |
(KTLA) — An invasive fly species has prompted the quarantine of an upscale Southern California neighborhood, the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
The Tau fruit fly is native to Asia and is a “serious pest for agriculture and natural resources,” according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The flies can be typically found on a variety of fruits and vegetables along with a “select range of native plants in California,” officials said.
After the detection of more than 20 Tau flies in the Stevenson Ranch area of the Santa Clarita Valley, a quarantine was placed on residents.
The quarantine area spans about 79 square miles, bordered on the north by Castaic Junction, on the south by Oat Mountain, on the west by Del Valle, and on the east by Honby Avenue.
Stevenson Ranch is an upscale neighborhood with a median home price of $1.15 million dollars according to Redfin.
Officials believe the fly was introduced to Los Angeles County by travelers who brought uninspected produce into the state. Agriculture officials note this is a common way for invasive species to arrive.
To prevent the species’ further spread, quarantined residents are asked not to move any fruits or vegetables away from their property. The produce they own may be safely consumed or processed, but must remain at the property.
If residents choose not to consume their produce, they must be disposed of by “double-bagging in plastic and placing the bags in a bin specifically for garbage,” officials said.
CDFA is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the L.A. County Agricultural Commissioner to “utilize a multi-tiered approach to eliminate the Tau fruit fly and prevent its spread to new areas.”
On properties within 200 meters of fly detections, crews will cut host fruit and vegetables to inspect for present fly larvae. Those properties will also be treated with a “naturally derived organic-approved material known as Spinosad, which will help remove any live adult fruit flies and reduce the density of the population,” said CDFA.
Fly traps that incorporate a pheromone along with a small amount of pesticide will also be placed throughout the treatment zones. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/california-neighborhood-under-quarantine-due-to-invasive-fly-species/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:02 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/california-neighborhood-under-quarantine-due-to-invasive-fly-species/ |
Medal of Honor recipient watches as warship bearing his name is christened in Maine
Jul 29, 2023, 10:31 AM
(AP Photo/David Sharp)
BATH, Maine (AP) — Marine 1st Lt. Harvey “Barney” Barnum jumped to the ground when he came under fire during an ambush in Vietnam that killed his radio operator and commander.
Collecting himself, Barnum realized he was now the highest-ranking officer of a rifle company he’d just joined. He called in artillery and, amid gunfire, dragged the commander to safety, where he died in Barnum’s arms. Then he proceeded to mount a counterattack, oversee evacuation of the wounded and lead the unit’s eventual break out to rejoin the battalion.
The Medal of Honor recipient, now 83, watched Saturday as his wife smashed a bottle of sparkling wine against the bow to christen the future U.S. Navy destroyer that’ll bear the name Harvey C. Barnum Jr.
He said he was speechless when he learned that a warship would bear his name. “As anybody that knows Barney Barnum knows, I’ve never been speechless,” he joked before the event.
The ceremony on Saturday at Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron Works was a tribute to the Vietnam War hero who during his first firefight was foisted into leadership of Marines who didn’t yet know his name because he’d just joined them a couple of days earlier.
Dignitaries included Maine’s governor and senators, as well as Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, who praised Barnum’s humility and generosity, in addition to being a war hero who inspired fellow Marines.
Gen. Eric Smith, the acting Marine Corps commandant whose nomination to lead the Marine Corps is being blocked by a Republican senator, called Barnum “an icon, a legend, a Marine.”
In an interview, Barnum said the combat was harrowing on that day, Dec. 18, 1965, during Operation Harvest Moon. His unit was outnumbered, caught off guard and separated from the larger battalion outside the village of Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province.
The ship’s namesake said he was scared like everybody else but he tried not to show it. The other Marines were looking to him, an artillery spotter, after their commander died, he said.
To launch a counterattack, he brandished a .45-caliber handgun and told the others to follow him. They did.
“It’s a tough business. But when it gets tough, the tough get going and that’s what Marines do,” he said. “We came together as a team. And, you know, there’s no fury unleashed that’s greater than that of a bunch of Marines that know that their buddies have been shot.”
Barnum later became the first Medal of Honor recipient in the Vietnam conflict to return for another tour. He retired from the Marine Corps as a colonel after nearly three decades of service and served the secretary of defense as principal director of drug enforcement policy, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for reserve affairs, and acting assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs.
Barnum, of Reston, Virginia, was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, and studied at Saint Anslem College, a Benedictine college in Goffstown, New Hampshire. The school’s abbot, Mark Cooper, delivered the invocation on Saturday.
The event was a family affair for Barnum, who now lives in Virginia.
His wife, Martha Hill, served as the ship’s sponsor. At the event Saturday, she was in a wheelchair; Barnum has been her care provider since she had a stroke more than five years ago. Her daughter; two granddaughters, one of whom sang “God Bless America;” and an 11-year-old great-granddaughter were also participants at the event Saturday. Other family and friends were present.
Displacing 9,500 tons, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is built to simultaneously wage war against submarines, aircraft and missiles, and other warships. The newest versions are being equipped for ballistic missile defense.
The 510-foot (155 meters) guided-missile destroyer was in dry dock for the ceremony as work continues to prepare the ship for delivery to the Navy.
___
Follow David Sharp on Twitter @David_Sharp_AP | https://mynorthwest.com/3914768/medal-of-honor-recipient-watches-as-warship-bearing-his-name-is-christened-in-maine/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:02 | 0 | https://mynorthwest.com/3914768/medal-of-honor-recipient-watches-as-warship-bearing-his-name-is-christened-in-maine/ |
GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — A North Carolina man’s long-lost 1967 Mustang coupe was found after being stolen 21 years ago.
Detectives in Guilford County, and the owner of the car, were also surprised to find the vehicle was still in decent shape.
“Twenty-one years. That is unbelievable,” David Tucker said.
The blue Mustang was Tucker’s dream car. He and his son even formed a bond during the boy’s childhood, riding together in the coupe.
“Riding in it with my son … he was in a car seat in the back,” Tucker said. “He finally got out of the car seat and was able to sit up front with me. Just riding around with him, and seeing the look on his face. That’s the best.”
In 2002, Tucker decided to sell the car. He left it sitting at a friend’s house in Oak Ridge, where it might have more visibility for potential buyers.
But somebody decided to just take it.
“I can’t even describe the sadness,” Tucker said. “That was like my baby, you know? A member of the family just got gone. I never thought I would see it again.”
For years, Tucker worked along with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office to try to find it.
He checked in on his VIN number every year.
“The VIN number had been changed on it,” said Detective Sergeant Ryan Seals with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. “The initial VIN number … came back to a vehicle that had already been scrapped.”
But a few weeks back, deputies said that VIN number eventually led to a crack in the case: The car was found states away in Florida — and only a little worse for wear.
In addition to a little bit of damage on the inside and outside, the car, too, had been painted white.
“It’s nowhere near what it used to be. It’s going to take some work,” Tucker said.
Tucker is currently trying to figure out how to get the car back to North Carolina.
“It means a lot, there was a lot of memories.” he said. “That was my dream car, and my son loved it. We rode in and all the time. So I’m just anxious to get it back and maybe get it back to where it was when it got stolen.”
Tucker is also working with DMV to get his title back. He says it could still take several weeks or even months to get his car back to North Carolina. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/dream-car-mans-stolen-mustang-found-21-years-later/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:08 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/dream-car-mans-stolen-mustang-found-21-years-later/ |
Man accused of trafficking fentanyl, MDPV
A 52-year-old Port St. Lucie man is facing charges of trafficking fentanyl and the stimulant MDPV, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said.
John Lester Cowart was arrested after a traffic stop on Okeechobee Road in Fort Pierce.
Deputies say Cowart, the driver, had 31 grams of fentanyl and 58 grams of methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in his possession.
He was taken to the St. Lucie County Jail in Fort Pierce and held in lieu of $70,250 bond. He is facing charges of drug trafficking in fentanyl (4 grams or more), phenethylamines (10 grams or more) as well as a citation of driving with a suspended license.
"With recent seizures of fentanyl, 31 grams of fentanyl does not seem like much; however, 31 grams of fentanyl is 31,000 milligrams and dependent on body size and tolerance to the drug, only 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal," Sheriff Ken Mascara said in a Facebook post Friday "This seizure prevented up to 15,500 deaths in our community. We remain steadfast in pursuing the dealers who are dealing death to our loved ones and community."
Earlier this month, the sheriff's office announced the arrests of seven people in connection with a "large-scale" drug bust, which they believe is the largest in their four-county area.
It included 2.75 pounds of fentanyl, the equivalent of 600,000 lethal doses, with an estimated street value of more than $350,000, 11.25 pounds of cocaine ad 10 pound of "magic mushrooms" with a street value of about $300,000
"The amount of fentanyl seized during this investigation could have killed every person in St. Lucie County, Martin County and Indian River County," Mascara said.
Police in Port St. Lucie announced earlier in the day that 10,000 fentanyl pills were confiscated in a separate bust, which they called the largest seizure in the city's history.
He was arrested at around 12:20 p.m. for trafficking fentanyl and MDPV, and driving on a suspended license.
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He was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail at 4:10 p.m. His total bond amount is $70,250.
Scripps Only Content 2023 | https://www.wflx.com/2023/07/29/man-accused-trafficking-fentanyl-mdpv/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:13 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2023/07/29/man-accused-trafficking-fentanyl-mdpv/ |
(WFRV) – It may have many names, but depending on where you live, it only has one. “Cornhole” or “Bags” has been in the middle of discussions when it comes to what the popular bag toss game is called.
The American Cornhole Association (ACA) wanted to settle the debate about what the popular game is called. In addition to having it on its website, the ACA also posted on its Facebook page.
The Facebook post had nearly 600 engagements, and the results painted an interesting picture. A map with the results showed how different parts of the country have different names for the game.
Nearly 79% of the answers were “cornhole,” while just over 21% were “bags.” There was also a percentage for “bean bag toss.” Most of the answers for “bags” came from the Midwest.
But outside of the Midwest, answers were dominated by “cornhole.”
Regardless of what the game is called, most people play by the same rules.
On the American Cornhole Association’s website, it says that it was established in 2003 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was reportedly the first organized corn toss organization in the United States. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/is-it-bags-or-cornhole-official-governing-body-tries-to-settle-the-debate/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:15 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/is-it-bags-or-cornhole-official-governing-body-tries-to-settle-the-debate/ |
A small plane towing a banner lands in the ocean off a crowded New Hampshire beach; pilot unhurt
Jul 29, 2023, 10:47 AM
HAMPTON BEACH, N.H. (AP) — A small plane towing a banner landed in the ocean off a crowded New Hampshire beach on Saturday, and lifeguards rescued the pilot, who was unhurt, authorities said.
The single-engine Piper PA-18 plane landed about noon off Hampton Beach, witnesses said. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the pilot was the only person on board.
Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno told WMUR-TV that the pilot was rescued by lifeguards, and wasn’t hurt.
The plane has since been pulled to shore and was sitting on the beach.
The FAA said it would investigate the cause of the incident, along with the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Hampton Police Department and the New Hampshire Beach Patrol did not immediately respond to messages for comment. | https://mynorthwest.com/3914772/a-small-plane-towing-a-banner-lands-in-the-ocean-off-a-crowded-new-hampshire-beach-pilot-unhurt/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:17 | 0 | https://mynorthwest.com/3914772/a-small-plane-towing-a-banner-lands-in-the-ocean-off-a-crowded-new-hampshire-beach-pilot-unhurt/ |
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, Chief Imam at the Islamic Centre of Ireland. He was a friend and spiritual advisor to Sinead O'Connor who died earlier this week.
Copyright 2023 NPR
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, Chief Imam at the Islamic Centre of Ireland. He was a friend and spiritual advisor to Sinead O'Connor who died earlier this week.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.wvia.org/2023-07-29/how-sinead-oconnor-found-peace-in-islam-after-a-lifelong-struggle-with-religion | 2023-07-29T23:07:20 | 0 | https://www.wvia.org/2023-07-29/how-sinead-oconnor-found-peace-in-islam-after-a-lifelong-struggle-with-religion |
(The Hill) – A majority of Americans believe former President Trump has done “something illegal” or “unethical,” according to a new poll.
The NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist National Poll released Friday, found that 51% of Americans believe the former president has done “something illegal,” 27% said he’s done something “unethical,” but “not illegal,” and 19% said he’s done “nothing wrong.”
The results of the new poll come just one day after the Department of Justice (DOJ) levied new charges against Trump in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case for attempting to delete surveillance footage. The superseding indictment brings the total number of counts facing the former president in the classified documents case to 40.
The poll, however, was conducted before the new charges against Trump were announced.
The survey also found that the percentage of Democrats who think Trump has done “something illegal” has increased — up from 78% in June to 84%. The number of independents that believe the same also increased from 50% to 52% in the same period, according to the poll.
The number of Republicans that believe Trump’s actions are “illegal,” however, has remained steady at around 13%. But, as the poll notes, there was a dip the number of Republicans that believe Trump has done “nothing wrong” — going from 50% to 41% since June.
DOJ special counsel Jack Smith has been investigating Trump and his allies’ efforts to upend the 2020 election. The former president also faces another indictment from New York district attorney Alvin Bragg for 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection to a 2016 hush money payment.
The survey of 1,285 respondents was conducted from July 25-27, with a margin of error of 3.6 percentage points. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/majority-of-americans-believe-trump-has-done-something-illegal-poll/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:21 | 1 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/majority-of-americans-believe-trump-has-done-something-illegal-poll/ |
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Hamburg European Open
Alexander Zverev will take on Laslo Djere in the Hamburg European Open final on Sunday, July 30.
With -450 odds, Zverev is favored over Djere in this tournament final against the underdog, who is +310.
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Match Information
- Tournament: The Hamburg European Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: MatchMaker Sports Gmbh
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Court Surface: Clay
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Alexander Zverev has an 81.8% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Zverev beat Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4.
- Djere eliminated Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Zverev has played 26 games per match (22.6 in best-of-three matches) in his 42 matches over the past year (across all court types).
- On clay, Zverev has played 22 matches over the past 12 months, totaling 24.1 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) while winning 54.8% of games.
- In his 58 matches in the past 12 months across all court types, Djere is averaging 25.3 games per match (23.5 in best-of-three matches) while winning 50.3% of those games.
- Djere has averaged 22 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.5 games per set through 22 matches on clay courts in the past 12 months.
- In head-to-head matches, Zverev has two wins, while Djere has zero. In their last match on June 4, 2021, Zverev was victorious 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
- In terms of sets, Zverev has won five versus Djere (100.0%), while Djere has captured zero.
- Zverev and Djere have competed in 47 total games, and Zverev has won more often, capturing 31 of them.
- Djere and Zverev have matched up two times, and they have averaged 23.5 games and 2.5 sets per match.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:26 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ |
(The Hill) — More than 20 states across the U.S. are under heat advisories as of Saturday.
From the California coast to the Midwest to the Southeast and the North- and Mid-Atlantic, 110 million Americans are facing scorching temperatures that could even get up to triple digits, according to ABC News.
Earlier in the week, the National Weather Service warned of “continued excessive summer heat” across the country in a forecast discussion. In the Washington, D.C. region, daily highs sat around 96 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NWS. In New York City, temperatures topped out at 90 degrees.
“Triple-digit heat continues across the southern half of the Plains to the eastern Gulf Coast while cool and unsettled weather continues across the northern Plains toward the Midwest,” the NWS said in their latest forecast discussion on upcoming weather between Monday and Tuesday.
The NWS said cooler temperatures will arrive in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Sunday. However, they said these cooler temperatures will be preceded by thunderstorms as a result of the cold front creeping south.
“However, prior to the arrival of the cool air, the cold front will trigger strong to severe thunderstorms along with locally heavy downpours which may be accompanied with gusty winds and/or squalls as they move through the aforementioned areas from west to east through tonight,” the NWS aid in the forecast discussion. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/more-than-20-states-in-us-still-suffering-from-excessive-heat/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:27 | 1 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/more-than-20-states-in-us-still-suffering-from-excessive-heat/ |
Another week, another labor action across America.
In June, workers went on strike at at least 120 Starbucks locations, the company said.
Earlier this month, thousands of hotel workers across southern California walked off the job.
And this week, the writers strike in Hollywood reached its third month. Actors joined them on July 13.
Major strike activity increased by almost fifty percent in 2022, according to the U.S. Labor Department. And the Economic Policy Institute says over 120,000 workers were involved in major work stoppages last year.
What caused the resurgence of the U.S. labor movement?
For one thing, the pandemic accelerated union organizing, reporter Alex Press told "The Response" podcast recently. "We've seen this kind of brief, this sort of early stage uptick in union organizing in this country, very explicitly rooted in our response to a pandemic that was raising the stakes of once again to life or death sort of situations for a lot of frontline workers," she said.
Low unemployment has also given workers more leverage to organize and even strike, says Joseph Brock, president of Reliant Labor Consultants.
"That tight labor market, kind of brought on by COVID, has been a boon for unions," said Brock.
A demographic shift toward workers with more labor-friendly views may also be a factor. "There's a whole generation of younger workers that are discovering unionization as the most reliable way to get better pay and working conditions," Rutgers professor Susan Schurman told Money.com.
Workers cite low pay, bad working conditions, and poor job security as reasons to strike.
But a Milken Institute expert told Yahoo Financethat the Hollywood strike alone could cause $4 billion in losses to the U.S. economy.
"It's not just impacting these industries in California. But it's really doing so in New York, it's doing it in Atlanta. It's doing it in Albuquerque, it's doing it in Pittsburgh. It's doing it in all sorts of places where filming actually takes place," said Kevin Klowden.
What's the outlook for the future?
Unions once played a central role in America's economic, political, and cultural life. But Anthony Carnevale of Georgetown University says unions today face an uphill battle to regain that influence. "They lost their power largely because of globalization, technology, and the decline of manufacturing," he says.
Take the Amazon labor union, as it's called, which won an election with more than 8,000 workers in a Staten Island warehouse last year, a milestone hailed by the press, but the group has not yet reached a collective bargaining agreement.
"The bigger problem for unions will continue to be the attainment of that first collective bargaining agreement," says Brock.
And in terms of politics over the short term, Unions pose both political opportunities and challenges.
Balancing workers needs and growing the economy is proving tough for a president who has aligned himself closely with organized labor.
"Folks, I promised you that I'd be the most pro-union president in American history because I know this: in a crisis, America always counts on you," President Joe Biden told the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in a speech last year.
That alignment won him votes from union workers. But now, those close ties could harm a president who has always tried to connect with American workers.
Meanwhile, those marching on the picket line carry on.
SEE MORE: AI fears are fueling the labor strikes in Hollywood
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | https://www.kivitv.com/why-are-us-labor-strikes-increasing-and-what-s-the-future-outlook | 2023-07-29T23:07:29 | 1 | https://www.kivitv.com/why-are-us-labor-strikes-increasing-and-what-s-the-future-outlook |
India cuts rice exports, triggering panic-buying of food staple by some Indian expats in the US
Jul 29, 2023, 1:06 PM
(AP Photo/Bobby Caina Calvan)
NEW YORK (AP) — Chatter on one of Prabha Rao’s WhatsApp groups exploded last week when India announced that it was severely curtailing some rice exports to the rest of the world, triggering worry among the Indian diaspora in the United States that access to a food staple from home might soon be cut off.
As in any crisis situation — think bottled water and toilet paper— some rushed to supermarkets to stock up, stacking carts with bags and bags of rice. In some places, lines formed outside some stores as panic buying ensued.
But Rao, who lives near Syracuse, New York, was reassured when the proprietor of her Indian market sent out an email to customers to let them know there was no need to worry: There was an ample supply of rice.
At least for now.
An earlier than expected El Niño brought drier, warmer weather in some parts of Asia and is expected to harm rice production. But in some parts of India, where the monsoon season was especially brutal, flooding destroyed some crops, adding to production woes and rising prices.
Hoping to stave off inflationary pressures on a diet staple, the Indian government earlier this month imposed export bans on non-Basmati white rice varieties, prompting hoarding in some parts of the world.
The move was taken “to ensure adequate availability” and “to allay the rise in prices in the domestic market,” India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution announced July 20. Over the past year, prices have increased by more than 11%, and by 3% over the past month, the government said.
Non-Basmati white rice constitutes about a fourth of the rice exported by India.
“On WhatsApp, I got a lot of messages saying that rice was not going to be available. I think there was a lot of confusion in the beginning because, as you know, rice is very important for us,” Rao said.
“When we first heard the news, there was just mild confusion and people started panic buying because they thought that it may not be available,” she said.
There are scores of different varieties of rice, with people having their preference depending on taste and texture. India’s export ban does not apply to Basmati rice, a long-grain variety that is more aromatic.
The ban applies to short-grain rice that is starchier and has a relatively neutral flavor — which Rao says is preferable in some dishes or favored in specific regions of India, especially in southern areas of the country.
At Little India, a grocery store in New York City’s Curry Hill neighborhood in Manhattan, there was no shortage of Basmati rice and other varieties.
That wasn’t the case at other Indian groceries.
On its Facebook page, India Bazaar, an Indian grocery chain in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, told customers not to panic. “We are working hard to meet all our shoppers’ demands,” the post said.
Customers cleared shelves and waited in long lines to stockpile bags of rice, reported NBC Dallas affiliate KXAS.
“They really wanted to purchase ten, 12, 15 bags,” India Bazaar’s president, Anand Pabari, told the station. “It was a really crazy situation.”
India’s move came days after Russia backed out of a deal to allow Ukrainian wheat safe passage through the Black Sea, prompting warnings that the action could lead to surging prices.
Some economists say the ban might further hurt food supplies around the world, and some governments have urged the Indian government to reconsider the export ban.
At least in the United States, the supply of imported rice from India may not yet be a problem — despite the panic buying — but a long-term ban would certainly deplete that stock.
Roa says she and others will just have to adapt by purchasing rice grown in the United States or imported from other countries.
“I might have to substitute Basmati rice,” she said, “but it doesn’t taste that good, especially with South Indian dishes.”
A U.S. resident for three decades, Rao said she is accustomed to improvising.
“When we first came here, there was not even that much rice from India,” she said. “So I’ve learned to substitute, and I’m fine with the other brands that we get.” | https://mynorthwest.com/3914779/india-cuts-rice-exports-triggering-panic-buying-of-food-staple-by-some-indian-expats-in-the-us/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:33 | 0 | https://mynorthwest.com/3914779/india-cuts-rice-exports-triggering-panic-buying-of-food-staple-by-some-indian-expats-in-the-us/ |
(NerdWallet) – Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer in the U.S. — but it’s hardly the end of airport crowds. In fact, given record-breaking crowds already this year, there’s a good chance this Labor Day weekend could be busier than any prior Labor Day weekend.
Already this summer, U.S. airports have set fresh passenger records. June 30, the Friday before July 4, marked a new record high of passengers on a single day when more than 2.884 million people passed through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.
That figure topped the previous record of 2.882 million people from the Sunday after 2019’s Thanksgiving, according to a NerdWallet analysis of TSA data showing the number of passengers screened at U.S. TSA checkpoints over the last four years.
Roughly 12% more people passed through U.S. airports in June 2023 versus June 2022, which is perhaps unsurprising given the lingering effects of the pandemic through 2022.
The more impressive feat, though, is that 2023’s crowds have exceeded 2019 levels. TSA screened 0.6% more passengers in June 2023 versus June 2019, proving that summer is back and bigger than ever.
Expect Labor Day 2023 crowds to be no different, but some days around the long weekend are significantly busier than others.
The best and worst days to fly Labor Day weekend
TSA checkpoint data suggests most people use Labor Day — which is observed on the first Monday of September — as a long weekend. They depart on Friday, bask in two full days of vacation and return home on Monday.
To avoid crowds, and likely save money, book Labor Day travel on days that aren’t the start and end of the weekend. Based on an average of the past four years, here were the most to least crowded days for the week surrounding Labor Day, ranked:
- Friday before Labor Day (most crowded).
- Thursday before.
- Labor Day Monday.
- Sunday after.
- Friday after.
- Monday after.
- Monday before.
- Thursday after.
- Tuesday after.
- Wednesday before.
- Sunday before.
- Saturday before.
- Wednesday after.
- Tuesday before.
- Saturday after (least crowded).
When broken out by pre- and post-Labor Day travel, here are the three least crowded days to travel ranked from least to most crowded:
Pre-holiday:
- Tuesday before (overall least crowded day pre-holiday).
- Saturday before.
- Sunday before.
Post-holiday:
- Saturday after (overall least crowded day post-holiday).
- Wednesday after.
- Tuesday after.
During the seven days after and before Labor Day (including the holiday itself), the Friday before Labor Day has been the single busiest day to fly over each of the past four years.
As far as the period starting on Labor Day itself and spanning the subsequent seven days, Labor Day Monday has been the busiest day to fly over the past three years. If Labor Day Monday is excluded from the rankings, the Sunday after has been the busiest over the past three years. In 2019, the trends were flipped: the Sunday after was the busiest, and the holiday itself was the second busiest.
The smarter, cheaper Labor Day weekend itinerary
If you work a standard Monday-Friday workweek and have the holiday off, leaving Friday after work and returning on Labor Day seems logical. But following the same itinerary as everyone else means you’ll likely pay — both in airfares and navigating airport crowds. For lighter crowds (and perhaps better deals), try these travel days instead:
Fly on the Tuesday or Wednesday before: Let Labor Day weekend become closer to a week by jetting off earlier than the folks leaving Thursday or Friday, assuming you have enough vacation days to use (or can work remotely). You’ll have more time away from home and be more relaxed without the big airport crowds.
Travel on Saturday: Crowds are light on Saturdays before and after the holiday. So, rather than rushing out of work on Friday afternoon to catch a flight, opt for the morning flight the next day.
That Saturday morning flight might also reduce your risk of delays, too. According to travel booking site Hopper’s Flight Disruption Outlook for Spring 2023, flights departing after 9 a.m. are twice as likely to be delayed than departures scheduled from 5-8 a.m.
Fly home the Sunday before: While most folks fly home on Labor Day Monday, you might get a head start by flying home on Sunday. Sure, you’ll have one less vacation day than folks following your same itinerary departing Monday, but that’s not a bad thing. By returning Sunday night, you’ll have a whole day to refresh and prepare for the week ahead by doing laundry, meal prepping or catching up on potential jetlag. Sometimes the nicest way to relax is by taking a vacation from your vacation. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/the-busiest-days-to-fly-around-labor-day-2023/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:33 | 1 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/the-busiest-days-to-fly-around-labor-day-2023/ |
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday signed a law moving the official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25 from Jan. 7, the day when the Russian Orthodox Church observes it.
The explanatory note attached to the law said its goal is to “abandon the Russian heritage,” including that of “imposing the celebration of Christmas” on Jan. 7, and cited Ukrainians’ “relentless, successful struggle for their identity” and “the desire of all Ukrainians to live their lives with their own traditions, holidays,” fueled by Russia’s 17-month-old aggression against the country.
Last year, some Ukrainians already observed Christmas on Dec. 25, in a gesture that represented separation from Russia, its culture and religious traditions.
The law also moves the Day of Ukrainian Statehood to July 15 from July 28, and the Day of Defenders of Ukraine to Oct. 1 from Oct. 14.
The Russian Orthodox Church, which claims sovereignty over Orthodoxy in Ukraine, and some other Eastern Orthodox churches continue to use the ancient Julian calendar. Christmas falls 13 days later on that calendar, or Jan. 7, than it does on the Gregorian calendar used by most church and secular groups.
The Catholic Church first adopted the modern, more astronomically precise Gregorian calendar in the 16th century. Protestants and some Orthodox churches have since aligned their own calendars for the purpose of calculating Christmas and Easter.
Ukraine’s religious landscape has fractured for years. There are two branches of Orthodox Christianity in the country, one aligned with the Russian church, even as it enjoys broad autonomy, the other completely independent of it. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the branch that is separate from the Russian church, announced earlier this year that it was switching to the Revised Julian calendar, which marks Christmas on Dec. 25.
Its leadership last year allowed believers to celebrate the holiday on Dec. 25.
Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reported on Saturday that the rival Orthodox Church, which is aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church, vowed to continue observing Christmas on Jan. 7.
Zelenskyy on Saturday traveled to the war-torn Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, which Russia has illegally annexed, but only partially occupies, and met with members of the country’s Special Operation Forces. Zelenskyy noted in an online statement that Saturday marks their official day of recognition and also the anniversary of the deadly attack on the Olenivka prison in the Russian-held part of the region in which dozens of prisoners of war were killed.
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of the attack, with both sides saying that the assault was premeditated in a bid to cover up atrocities. A United Nations fact-finding mission requested by Russia and Ukraine was sent to investigate the killings, but the team was disbanded in January 2023 due to security concerns.
Zelenskyy described the attack as one of Russia’s “most vile and cruel crimes” in a video statement Saturday. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/ukraine-moves-date-of-christmas-day-to-distance-itself-from-russian-tradition/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:40 | 0 | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/national-news/ukraine-moves-date-of-christmas-day-to-distance-itself-from-russian-tradition/ |
How to maximize your summer meteor gazing By Nell Greenfieldboyce Published July 29, 2023 at 5:40 PM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 2:43 It's the time of year when many people look to the skies in search of shooting stars. We learn a few tricks to get the best view of incoming meteors. Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.wvia.org/2023-07-29/how-to-maximize-your-summer-meteor-gazing | 2023-07-29T23:07:43 | 1 | https://www.wvia.org/2023-07-29/how-to-maximize-your-summer-meteor-gazing |
Marine staff sergeant found not guilty in 2021 death of recruit at South Carolina’s Parris Island
Jul 29, 2023, 1:33 PM
A staff sergeant who oversaw Marine training at South Carolina’s Parris Island has been cleared of criminal responsibility in the death of a 19-year-old recruit in 2021.
A military jury on Friday found Staff Sgt. Steven Smiley not guilty of negligent homicide and four other counts in the death of Pfc. Dalton Beals, The Hilton Head Island Packet reported.
The defense argued with the help of medical experts that an existing heart condition contributed to Beals’ death. The prosecution had asserted Beals was suffering from heat stroke after Smiley pushed him too hard.
The jury did, however, find Smiley guilty of violating an order that forbids drill instructors from calling recruits names. Smiley called recruits “pig” and “war pigs” and “sweet bacon” during training. The jury was still deliberating on a sentence Friday night, the Island Packet reported.
Beals died on June 4, 2021, during a strenuous exercise known as “The Crucible” that caps a 13-week training course at Parris Island, one of two Marine training depots in the country.
Beals graduated in 2020 from Pennsville Memorial High School in Pennsville, New Jersey, the school noted in a Facebook post.
Several days before Beals began The Crucible, his mother posted on Facebook about the details of the grueling exercise, which she called “the final leg of my baby’s journey to becoming a Marine!” The 54-hour effort, during which recruits are allowed limited food and sleep, includes 48 miles (77 kilometers) of hiking, loaded with heavy gear.
As Smiley’s verdict was read Friday, his wife wept from her seat behind him in the front row of the courtroom, the Island Packet reported. The recruit’s mother, Stacie Beveridge Beals, told the newspaper she was not ready to comment.
Smiley became emotional as he read a statement to Beals’ family: “I’m sorry what happened to your son,” he said, adding that if something similar happened to his family, he “wouldn’t know what to do.”
Smiley, who joined the Marines in 2009 and has now completed his enlistment, said he plans to move to Wisconsin and be a firefighter and emergency first responder.
There have been a number of recruit deaths over the years at Parris Island, which has been training Marines since 1915 on the island off South Carolina’s coast. At least four Marine recruits have died in recent years with 10 total deaths since 2000, the Island Packet reported.
In 2018, a judge dismissed a lawsuit from the family of Raheel Siddiqui, a 20-year-old recruit from Michigan who killed himself in 2016 after a confrontation with a Parris Island drill instructor.
Siddiqui’s family disputed his suicide, saying he was targeted because of his Islamic faith. Several Marines were ultimately convicted for abuse, following evidence that drill instructors beat, choked and kicked recruits. | https://mynorthwest.com/3914780/marine-staff-sergeant-found-not-guilty-in-2021-death-of-recruit-at-south-carolinas-parris-island/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:48 | 0 | https://mynorthwest.com/3914780/marine-staff-sergeant-found-not-guilty-in-2021-death-of-recruit-at-south-carolinas-parris-island/ |
An NPR investigation into Pentagon documents finds flaws in the U.S. claim that civilians were spared in the 2019 operation against the leader of ISIS.
Copyright 2023 NPR
An NPR investigation into Pentagon documents finds flaws in the U.S. claim that civilians were spared in the 2019 operation against the leader of ISIS.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.wvia.org/2023-07-29/pentagon-files-reveal-flaws-in-u-s-claims-about-syrian-casualties-in-baghdadi-raid | 2023-07-29T23:07:49 | 0 | https://www.wvia.org/2023-07-29/pentagon-files-reveal-flaws-in-u-s-claims-about-syrian-casualties-in-baghdadi-raid |
Russia has entered a dangerous new phase of its war against Ukraine since it exited the Black Sea grain deal earlier this month, weaponizing global food exports, stepping up attacks on Ukrainian ports and cities and increasing the risk of spillover into NATO countries.
Russia’s escalation is unlikely to deter the U.S. and allies from following through on delivering F-16 fighter jets and long-range missiles to Ukraine in the coming months, which Moscow has repeatedly warned against.
But it comes as Ukraine is struggling to make major gains in its grinding counteroffensive, and Russia’s strategy appears aimed at straining U.S. and European partners who have provided billions in assistance to Ukraine over the course of 16 months.
“Certainly, it’s an escalation,” said Thomas Graham, a distinguished fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations and who served as a senior director for Russia on the National Security Council under former President George W. Bush.
“Russia, I think, is clearly making an effort to continue to deepen the damage to the Ukrainian economy,” he added. “It has implications for Ukraine’s ability to continue the war effort, it raises concerns about attacks on NATO territory … so it’s a reason to be concerned.”
Since pulling out of the Black Sea grain deal July 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin has targeted attacks on Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa, damaging the seaport and grain storage facilities and hitting residential and historical buildings, including an Orthodox cathedral.
The grain deal, negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey, allowed for the export of Ukrainian grain through a Russian blockade on the Black Sea, clearing the way for 33 million metric tons of foodstuffs to move across the world, largely to developing countries, since it took effect in July 2022.
But now, Putin is warning he views commercial ships in the Black Sea as legitimate military targets. The U.S. and the United Kingdom are warning Russia is plotting “false flag operations,” covertly mining the sea with the purpose of blaming Ukraine for any explosions.
NATO and member countries bordering Ukraine are on high alert.
“Russia bears full responsibility for its dangerous and escalatory actions in the Black Sea region,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday during a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.
“Russia’s actions also pose substantial risks to the stability of the Black Sea region, which is of strategic importance to NATO,” he added. “Allies are stepping up support to Ukraine and increasing our vigilance. We remain ready to defend every inch of Allied territory from any aggression.”
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday condemned a Russian attack on a civilian port on the Danube River in Ukraine near his country, tweeting that the “escalation pose[s] serious risks to the security in the Black Sea.”
And Putin last week delivered a threat to NATO member Poland, accusing Warsaw of having designs on Belarus and saying an attack against Minsk would trigger a response from Moscow.
Poland is dispatching an additional 1,000 troops to its borders with Belarus, concerned over Wagner mercenary forces exiled to the country after retreating from a short-lived rebellion against Moscow in June.
Mary Beth Long, who served as assistant secretary of Defense during the George W. Bush administration, said Russia is seeking to maximize pressure on Kyiv and its allies in the lead-up to a slowdown of military operations by the winter.
“You can’t escalate your way in or out of this, I think both sides know that. But there’s more consequences to Ukraine because Russia is bigger, Russia is willing to strike civilians and its infrastructure, and it has shown that it can successfully do so,” she said.
“There’s no real consequences to Russia, from Ukraine or NATO, there’s no penalty to be paid for that, so that clears the way for him [Putin] to continue to not only strike against critical infrastructure and these nodes but to expand it.”
Long warned that Russia views the month of August as the best opportunity to inflict the most damage without a coherent response from the West, as American lawmakers are absent from Capitol Hill, European capitals are similarly quiet and NATO has no major meetings.
“I think Russia’s made the assessment that it has freedom of movement, in the next couple of months in particular,” she said. “It is doing everything it can to set the playing field before winter and it will continue to do so.”
While Russia is ramping up military tensions in the Black Sea, experts said its withdrawal from the grain deal is focused on the economic realm: sanctions relief and increasing trade.
“Russia really wants to make a deal,” said Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the International Security Program of the Center for Security and International Security (CSIS).
“The difficult trade-offs for the U.S. and the West are not going to be the military equipment ones, but the ones about economics and sanctions. Are we willing to ease those restrictions in the interests of opening up grain shipments?” he asked.
Putin has long criticized the deal as failing to meet his demands for the export of Russian grains and fertilizer and has given little to no signal that he’s open to rejoining the agreement.
During a meeting with African leaders in St. Petersburg on Thursday, the Russian president committed to delivering nearly 300,000 tons of grain to six African countries “free of charge.”
The Russian president is also calling for sanctions relief on Russia’s agricultural bank, Rosselkhozbank, wanting it reconnected to the SWIFT international payment network.
Absent Moscow’s cooperation, the options for shipping grain out of Ukraine are not attractive.
While Ukraine is shipping grain and foodstuffs by rail and road, that amount is hundreds of thousands of tons less than can be moved through the Black Sea.
The U.K. Ministry of Defense tweeted Wednesday that Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is altering its position in preparation to enforce a blockade against Ukraine, warning the “potential for the intensity and scope of violence in the area to increase.”
Still, Cancian from the CSIS was optimistic that a solution surrounding grain exports from Ukraine would be reached in a relatively short time frame.
“They’re likely to make a deal in a week or so,” he said. “This is, I think, unlikely to sort of linger for weeks or months.” | https://www.cbs42.com/news/international/russia-takes-a-dangerous-turn-in-its-war-on-ukraine/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:50 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/international/russia-takes-a-dangerous-turn-in-its-war-on-ukraine/ |
Hot conditions have stuck with us throughout our Saturday with a few of us peaking into the triple digits. Heat index values reached around 108 degrees for a lot of us as well. Luckily, as the sun goes down, the temperatures will do the same. We will see them drop into the mid 70s providing brief relief before those hot conditions return tomorrow. A few showers will also pop up into the evening with a few having momentary heavy rainfall. Rain chances lessen as we head overnight.
Sunday sees a similar temperature forecast to what we had for Saturday. The high temperatures will reach into the upper 90s with heat index values reaching around 105-108. A heat advisory is in effect from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday as a result of these hot conditions. On top of the heat, a cold front moving in from our north will provide a line of showers and thunderstorms in our area. A few of these storms will pack a punch with heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts being the main threats. These storms will clear out by early afternoon giving us a bit drier weather to end the day.
There will be a bit of a temperature drop off to start our work week. These temperatures will drop into the mid 90s. The air will still be muggy so it will only be slightly less miserable. Outside of a few isolated showers and thunderstorms throughout the week, we are looking mostly dry until next weekend. This will allow those temperatures to pick back up through the week. | https://www.wtva.com/news/top-stories/another-hot-day-for-sunday/article_a39ff780-2e5d-11ee-bb08-d77a8a6f58ab.html | 2023-07-29T23:07:50 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/top-stories/another-hot-day-for-sunday/article_a39ff780-2e5d-11ee-bb08-d77a8a6f58ab.html |
'The Deepest Breath' director on her new documentary about free diving Published July 29, 2023 at 5:40 PM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 7:57 NPR's Scott Detrow talks to film director Laura McGann about her new documentary on free diving, The Deepest Breath. Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.wvia.org/2023-07-29/the-deepest-breath-director-on-her-new-documentary-about-free-diving | 2023-07-29T23:07:52 | 0 | https://www.wvia.org/2023-07-29/the-deepest-breath-director-on-her-new-documentary-about-free-diving |
(KTLA) — An invasive fly species has prompted the quarantine of an upscale Southern California neighborhood, the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
The Tau fruit fly is native to Asia and is a “serious pest for agriculture and natural resources,” according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The flies can be typically found on a variety of fruits and vegetables along with a “select range of native plants in California,” officials said.
After the detection of more than 20 Tau flies in the Stevenson Ranch area of the Santa Clarita Valley, a quarantine was placed on residents.
The quarantine area spans about 79 square miles, bordered on the north by Castaic Junction, on the south by Oat Mountain, on the west by Del Valle, and on the east by Honby Avenue.
Stevenson Ranch is an upscale neighborhood with a median home price of $1.15 million dollars according to Redfin.
Officials believe the fly was introduced to Los Angeles County by travelers who brought uninspected produce into the state. Agriculture officials note this is a common way for invasive species to arrive.
To prevent the species’ further spread, quarantined residents are asked not to move any fruits or vegetables away from their property. The produce they own may be safely consumed or processed, but must remain at the property.
If residents choose not to consume their produce, they must be disposed of by “double-bagging in plastic and placing the bags in a bin specifically for garbage,” officials said.
CDFA is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the L.A. County Agricultural Commissioner to “utilize a multi-tiered approach to eliminate the Tau fruit fly and prevent its spread to new areas.”
On properties within 200 meters of fly detections, crews will cut host fruit and vegetables to inspect for present fly larvae. Those properties will also be treated with a “naturally derived organic-approved material known as Spinosad, which will help remove any live adult fruit flies and reduce the density of the population,” said CDFA.
Fly traps that incorporate a pheromone along with a small amount of pesticide will also be placed throughout the treatment zones. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/california-neighborhood-under-quarantine-due-to-invasive-fly-species/ | 2023-07-29T23:07:56 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/california-neighborhood-under-quarantine-due-to-invasive-fly-species/ |
Former President Trump faces three new charges in the case that accuses him of hoarding classified documents, as a grand jury continues to investigate his role in trying to overturn the 2020 election.
Copyright 2023 NPR
Former President Trump faces three new charges in the case that accuses him of hoarding classified documents, as a grand jury continues to investigate his role in trying to overturn the 2020 election.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.wvia.org/news/politics/2023-07-29/trump-faces-new-charges-in-classified-documents-case | 2023-07-29T23:07:58 | 1 | https://www.wvia.org/news/politics/2023-07-29/trump-faces-new-charges-in-classified-documents-case |
(The Hill) — More than 20 states across the U.S. are under heat advisories as of Saturday.
From the California coast to the Midwest to the Southeast and the North- and Mid-Atlantic, 110 million Americans are facing scorching temperatures that could even get up to triple digits, according to ABC News.
Earlier in the week, the National Weather Service warned of “continued excessive summer heat” across the country in a forecast discussion. In the Washington, D.C. region, daily highs sat around 96 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NWS. In New York City, temperatures topped out at 90 degrees.
“Triple-digit heat continues across the southern half of the Plains to the eastern Gulf Coast while cool and unsettled weather continues across the northern Plains toward the Midwest,” the NWS said in their latest forecast discussion on upcoming weather between Monday and Tuesday.
The NWS said cooler temperatures will arrive in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Sunday. However, they said these cooler temperatures will be preceded by thunderstorms as a result of the cold front creeping south.
“However, prior to the arrival of the cool air, the cold front will trigger strong to severe thunderstorms along with locally heavy downpours which may be accompanied with gusty winds and/or squalls as they move through the aforementioned areas from west to east through tonight,” the NWS aid in the forecast discussion. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/more-than-20-states-in-us-still-suffering-from-excessive-heat/ | 2023-07-29T23:08:02 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/more-than-20-states-in-us-still-suffering-from-excessive-heat/ |
CHILTON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — A 30-year-old Jemison man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 31 Saturday morning.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Joseph K. Baker was fatally injured when the Nissan Pathfinder he was driving left the roadway and struck a utility pole. Baker was not wearing a seat belt when the crash occured. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash happened around 5 a.m. about three miles north of Jemison. Troppers with the ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division are investigating the crash. | https://www.cbs42.com/traffic/jemison-man-killed-in-chilton-county-crash/ | 2023-07-29T23:08:08 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/traffic/jemison-man-killed-in-chilton-county-crash/ |
Max Scherzer is on his way out from the New York Mets barring a massive reversal, less than 24 hours after he said he was reconsidering his future with the team.
The Mets have agreed to a trade with the Texas Rangers that will send the three-time Cy Young winner to the AL West, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman and The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The deal required Scherzer's approval due to his no-trade clause, which he will waive according to SNY's Andy Martino, but there are still reportedly some financial hurdles to clear before the deal goes through, as well as the usual medical approvals.
Scherzer is currently in the second season of a three-year, $130 million contract he signed with the Mets after the 2021 season. That deal held a full no-trade clause, giving Scherzer final say on where he was headed if the Mets wanted to deal him. He also has an opt-out after this season, making this trade a potential two-month rental.
The Mets, currently 49-54 and 6.5 games back from a wild-card spot, had already signaled they would be selling at the trade deadline when they sent closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins on Thursday in exchange for a pair of prospects, infielder Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernandez. That was the deal that incensed Scherzer enough to tell reporters he wanted a conversation with the Mets' front office after Friday's game.
"I've got to have a conversation with the front office … about everything," Scherzer said. "That's the most I'm going to say. You have to talk to the brass. You have to understand what they see, what they're going to do. That's the best I can tell you.
"I told you I wasn't going to comment on this until [owner] Steve [Cohen decided] to sell. We traded Robertson. Now we need to have a conversation. I haven't had that conversation yet, and I will."
We now have a pretty good idea of how that conversation went.
With Robertson traded and Scherzer on the way out, the Mets have little reason to hold onto their other movable assets, most notably starting pitcher Justin Verlander. They will be a team to watch in the few days remaining before the trade deadline on Tuesday.
Rangers making an aggressive move with Max Scherzer, but is it a wise one?
Rangers GM Chris Young is not shy about his affection for proven, elite pitching. This deal would again slot Scherzer into an ambitious rotation that had planned to rely on Jacob deGrom.
The big question on the Rangers side is whether the future Hall of Famer, who turned 39 Thursday, is still the impact addition he was as recently as 2021. By top-level measures, he’s in the midst of his worst season since 2011, sporting a 103 ERA+ (which means he has only been 3% better than league average based on the park-adjusted metrics).
His strikeout rate has also ticked down, but the most worrisome sign is a ballooning vulnerability to home runs. Homers used to be one of the only ways to score on Scherzer, but this season he has allowed a whopping 1.92 per nine innings, third-worst among qualified starters. Notably, the starter with the worst HR/9 — the veteran Lance Lynn — was also just traded.
In particular, Scherzer’s struggles and inconsistencies in the middle innings have raised eyebrows in the first year with the pitch timer. On a Mets team that has struggled to fill innings, Scherzer has nonetheless gone a better-than-average 5.7 innings per start. A deeper team might envision boosting his numbers simply by cutting his workload.
This marks Scherzer’s second high-stakes midseason move in three years. When the Washington Nationals tore down their World Series-winning core in 2019, Scherzer accepted a deal to the Dodgers, then proceeded to go 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA over the rest of the season before struggling with fatigue at a decisive juncture in the postseason.
The Rangers would likely need to find a way to maximize him with restraint that has never before been required for the famously competitive hurler. But they are a team whose trade deadline could make a huge difference. They are just two games up on the Houston Astros for the AL West crown, which would guarantee the winner a bye into the ALDS. With deGrom out and new ace Nathan Eovaldi carrying a heavy workload, more reliable pitching might be needed to hold off the Astros.
Rumors had swirled around both he and Justin Verlander over the past week as the Mets’ chances at contention dwindled and GM Billy Eppler began selling, most notably sending closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins Thursday night.
Scherzer appeared to bristle at the direction Friday in postgame comments, even as the Mets sat six-and-a-half games back of a postseason spot.
As other potential sellers such as the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres have held off on moves, the Mets have decisively jumped into sell mode to capitalize on a thin market for pitching help. Outfielders Mark Canha and Tommy Pham are also candidates to join new teams. | https://www.star945.com/news/national/mlb-trade-deadline/YSM7E5IDXMIMFCPBQ66VAYAFRY/ | 2023-07-29T23:08:13 | 1 | https://www.star945.com/news/national/mlb-trade-deadline/YSM7E5IDXMIMFCPBQ66VAYAFRY/ |
TONIGHT: A few clouds linger through the evening after afternoon storms fizzle out. Still warm and muggy, with lows in the mid 70s.
SUNDAY: Another hot and humid day. Highs reach the 90s before lunchtime, and reach the upper 90s by mid afternoon. The heat index climbs as high as 107°.
MONDAY/TUESDAY: Drier air moves in to kick off the week. That won’t help much with high temperatures. We will still reach the mid to upper 90s both Monday and Tuesday. The drier air will drop our rain chances to near zero and bring the heat index closer to 100° to kick off the week.
WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY: Temperatures remain in the mid 90s through the second half of the work week. Humidity increases mid-week, increasing both our heat index and rain chances as we head into Thursday, Friday, and the start of next weekend. | https://www.cbs42.com/weather-birmingham-forecast/summer-heat-and-isolated-storms-continue/ | 2023-07-29T23:08:14 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/weather-birmingham-forecast/summer-heat-and-isolated-storms-continue/ |
Saturday's superfight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the undisputed welterweight title between IBF-WBA-WBC champion Errol Spence Jr. and WBO champion Terence Crawford is the biggest, most competitive matchup that boxing has seen in years. The two undefeated champions have a combined record of 67-0 with 52 knockouts.
Crawford will have the opportunity to cement his legacy as the greatest welterweight and, perhaps, the greatest boxer of his generation. Spence can prove that he's no underdog.
It's a massive fight in terms of its significance in the ring, and it has a chance to do extraordinarily well financially.
Crawford is the favorite at BetMGM and has been since the fight was first made. There has been a lot of line movement, but Crawford is a -150 favorite Friday, with Spence at +125. The over-under is 11 full rounds, though over is the favorite at -225. Will go 12 full is -200. Crawford by decision is +180 and by KO is +275. Spence by decision is +250 and by KO is +500.
Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole is ringside in Las Vegas so follow below for live updates of of the action from the entire main card.
Crawford-Spence live updates, highlights and analysis
Crawford-Spence main card, odds (Start time 8 p.m. ET, Showtime PPV)
• Welterweight: Terence Crawford (-150) vs. Errol Spence Jr. (+125)• Lightweight: Isaac Cruz (-800) vs. Giovanni Cabrera (+500)• Bantamweight: Nonito Donaire (-145) vs. Alexandro Santiago (+120)• Welterweight: Yoenis Tellez (-11) vs. Sergio Garcia (120) | https://www.star945.com/news/national/terence-crawford/43CHTJ2DFDGJC4GEGKT47G3EUA/ | 2023-07-29T23:08:19 | 0 | https://www.star945.com/news/national/terence-crawford/43CHTJ2DFDGJC4GEGKT47G3EUA/ |
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — An inmate who escaped from a minimum security transitional housing unit in New Hampshire was fatally shot by a Florida police officer after he threatened two women with a knife, authorities said.
Darien Young, 29, was killed by a Miami Beach police officer at a Victoria’s Secret store at 901 Lincoln Road, WPLG-TV reported. According to the television station, Young had been suspected of shoplifting when he took a woman and her daughter hostage at about 5:30 p.m. EDT.
Young was taken to an area hospital where he died, WTVJ reported. The two women were not injured, according to the television station.
#NHDOC announces the death of a resident placed on escape status, Darien Young. On 7/27/23 he was identified as a suspect stealing at a store in Miami Beach. When police arrived he was threatening two individuals at knife point. An officer discharged his firearm, striking Young. pic.twitter.com/Bx9FEX5pVl
— NHDOC (@NHDOC) July 28, 2023
According to a news release from the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, Young had escaped from the Calumet Transitional Housing Unit in Manchester on July 21.
Young had been imprisoned in New Hampshire after being convicted for receiving stolen property, burglary, falsifying physical evidence and drug charges, the agency said. He was eligible for “minimum parole” beginning on Monday, prison officials said.
Young had a maximum release date of Jan. 31, 2028, according to New Hampshire officials.
“I was able to hear the gunshots. I heard the sound. I thought I was mesmerized a little bit,” Shanell Santiago, who works near the lingerie store, told WTVJ. “I was like, ‘Maybe it’s in my head right now’. I didn’t have music on. So it was clear as day.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting, and the officer who fired the fatal shot is on administrative leave, which is standard procedure, WPLG reported.
“Our agents and analysts will establish a timeline, interview officers and witnesses, and review any video, including surveillance video, body-worn camera footage, and cell phone video,” the FDLE said in a statement. “FDLE’s investigation is limited to the shooting itself.” | https://www.star945.com/news/trending/escaped-new-hampshire-inmate-fatally-shot-by-miami-beach-police-hostage-situation/YHEYE4ERDJGV7H5W5T2OCRLIHE/ | 2023-07-29T23:08:27 | 0 | https://www.star945.com/news/trending/escaped-new-hampshire-inmate-fatally-shot-by-miami-beach-police-hostage-situation/YHEYE4ERDJGV7H5W5T2OCRLIHE/ |
PHOENIX — WNBA star Brittney Griner will not be traveling with the Phoenix Mercury on a two-game road trip in order to focus on her mental health, the team said Saturday.
Griner, 32, is playing in her first season since being detained in a Russian jail for 10 months last year.
“The Mercury fully support Brittney (Griner) and we will continue to work together on a timeline for her return,” the team’s statement read.
The Mercury did not elaborate.
Griner has played in 20 of the Mercury’s 23 games this season, ESPN reported. She is averaging 18.2 points, Sports Illustrated reported. She also is averaging 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 2.0 assists, according to the magazine.
Mercury center Brittney Griner will not travel with the team on its upcoming two-game road trip to Chicago and Indiana (July 30-August 1) to focus on her mental health. The Mercury fully support Brittney and we will continue to work together on a timeline for her return.
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 29, 2023
The Mercury (6-17) will open a two-game road trip Sunday with a matchup against the Chicago Sky and face the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, Sports Illustrated reported.
Griner was facing years in a penal colony in Russia after she was there playing basketball during the WNBA offseason. Officials found cannabis oil in her luggage in February 2022.
She was imprisoned on drug charges and was convicted in court, but returned to the U.S. on Dec. 9, 2022, as part of a prisoner swap with Moscow that saw arms dealer Viktor Bout sent to Russia.
Bout, who was once known as the “Merchant of Death,” was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2012 on charges that he planned to illegally sell weapons, according to The Associated Press.
In June 2023, Griner and her Mercury teammates were confronted by a “provocateur” YouTube personality at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
The Mercury said they will work with Griner on a timeline for her return, The Arizona Republic reported. | https://www.star945.com/news/trending/wnba-star-brittney-griner-skipping-road-trip-focus-mental-health-team-says/ESGXG2XFNVBZZI4AP5SEUJYKII/ | 2023-07-29T23:08:34 | 1 | https://www.star945.com/news/trending/wnba-star-brittney-griner-skipping-road-trip-focus-mental-health-team-says/ESGXG2XFNVBZZI4AP5SEUJYKII/ |
August gardening calendar: What to plant in Brevard this month | Sally Scalera
With the hot temperatures hanging around through August, it is still a good idea to divide your projects and work outside in the early morning and/or evening hours. If you want to grow some vegetables this fall, now is the time to prepare for it. Here are some ideas of things to do this month.
Tend your vegetable garden. Remove all spent vegetable plants by cutting them off at ground level. This will protect the soil from disturbance and leave the root system in the ground for the soil microbes to feed on. If needed, add some worm castings over the entire garden area to enrich and cover the soil. When planting, inoculate the hole with earthworm castings and a granular mycorrhizal mixture. For bean and pea plants, inoculate them with the correct nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Vegetables to plant. This month vegetables that can be planted include beans, carrots, eggplant, endive/escarole, okra, bunching onions (green and shallots), peppers, Southern peas, squash and tomatoes.
Vegetables to sow. The vegetable seeds that can be sown now for planting in September are arugula, beans, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, eggplant, endive/escarole, kale, lettuce, mustard, peppers, spinach, squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips and cucumbers. After September, the next month for planting cucumbers is January.
Feed your lawn. To help the lawn tolerate the weather extremes of flood and drought, spray it weekly (or as often as possible) with liquid seaweed or kelp. Both seaweed and kelp supply trace elements and growth hormones, which research has shown help plants handle environmental stresses. For the lawn, apply the liquid seaweed using a hose-end sprayer. For edible (and ornamental plants experiencing insect pest and/or disease problems), a hand pump-up sprayer works well to apply a fine mist to both sides of the foliage. To benefit the lawn and the entire yard, inoculate the lawn with beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizae. As the soil microbial populations grow, they will find the roots of the other plants growing throughout the landscape. For more information, email the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County Master Gardeners at if-svc-BrevardMG1@ifas.ufl.edu.
Don't mow too short. A common practice that can be harmful to both St. Augustine and Bahia is to mow the grass too short. The recommended height to mow both St. Augustine and Bahia is at a height of 3 to 4 inches. That does not mean mowing the grass when it is three to four inches tall, but having the grass blades measure 3 to 4 inches after mowing. Taller blades are much better for the turf, so four inches is a great height to aim for so there is more foliage to carry on photosynthesis.
Plant a hedge. If you want to add a hedge to your yard, consider planting one of our keystone species to support migratory birds. Hedges that are 3 to 8 feet tall provide cover and nesting locations, and they can be pruned by hand (once a year) if you prefer a more natural look than a formal look (pruned two to three times a year). Here are some native keystone shrubs to consider for creating a new hedge, including highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum; Walter’s viburnum, Viburnum obovatum; false willow, Baccharis halimifolia; and false indigo, Amorpha fruticosa, which is a legume that can fix atmospheric nitrogen, eliminating the need for nitrogen fertilizer to be applied, and foliage can be cut and used as a mulch around other plants to provide them with nitrogen.
Support native bees. In addition to supporting migratory birds, it would also be great to support our native solitary bees, which are needed to ensure our native flowering plants continue producing seeds. Choose a variety of flowers so nectar and pollen will be available throughout the year, and plant them together in clumps or drifts. Leave the soil bare throughout the center so the ground-dwelling bees can dig their burrows and raise their young. Place mulch around the outer edge of the plant bed to help suppress weeds and give the area a neat appearance. The best flowers to plant include goldenrod, Solidago spp. (five native species); sunflower, Helianthus spp. (three native species); false goldenaster, Heterotheca subaxillaris; goldenaster, Chrysopsis spp. (six native species); tickseed, Coreopsis spp. (two native species); silkgrass, Pityopsis graminifolia; coneflower, Rudbeckia hirta; and old field aster, Symphyotrichum spp. (three native species).
Flowers for a sunny spot. For flowers to plant in a sunny spot, consider coleus, impatiens, marigolds, celosia, Melampodium, gazania, gaillardia, cosmos, purslane, sunflower and salvia.
Herbs for August. Some herbs that can be planted now are anise hyssop, African blue basil, culinary bay (Laurus nobilis), borage, chives (onion or garlic), dill, fennel, ginger, lemon balm, lemon verbena, Mexican tarragon (we can’t grow French tarragon), mints (large variety of scents and flavors to choose from), oregano, parsley, pineapple sage, sage, salad burnet, sweet basil (many cultivars to choose from), sweet marjoram, rosemary and thyme.
Sun-loving bulbs. Bulbs, for sunny areas that can be planted now include caladiums (some cultivars), African iris (Morea spp.), Aztec lily (Sprekelia formosissima), snowflake (Leucojum spp.), spider lily (Hymenocallis sp.) and Watsonia.
Shade-loving bulbs. Bulbs for partially shady areas include our native rain lily (Zephyranthes spp.), amaryllis, white butterfly ginger (Hedychium coronarium), caladiums (many cultivars), calla (Zantedeschia spp.), Narcissus and shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet).
Add color to a shady spot. Colorful plants for a shady spot include impatiens, crossandra, coleus and angelwing begonias.
Fresh produce available now. Check out some of the fresh produce and delicious edibles that will be available at our Brevard County Farmers Market in August, including fresh herbs, microgreens, shoots, wheatgrass and microgreen growing kits. Vegetables that will be available are tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash and potatoes. In addition, there will be fresh bread, hummus, honey, mushrooms, seasoning blends, beef jerky, fresh salsas, candied jalapenos, sweet relish, cupcakes and other sweets, homemade jams, apple butter and jellies, and a variety of homemade nut butters.
If you enjoy pork, there will also be locally raised pork available. For pasta lovers, there will be freshly made pasta, sauces, cheese and other delicious Italian items available.
On the second Thursday of every month, Deep Roots Meat comes with their Florida-grown, grass-fed Angus beef straight from their farm.
The Brevard County Farmers Market is from 3-6 p.m. every Thursday at the Wickham Park Pavilion. You can use your SNAP/EBT benefits at the market. Simply swipe your EBT card at the SNAP/EBT booth and receive tokens that can be exchanged for SNAP-eligible items. To learn more about this program, visit feedingflorida.org/food-access/fresh-access-bucks/how-fab-works. To stay current with the most current information, follow the Brevard County Farmers Market Facebook page at facebook.com/brevardcountyfarmersmarket.
Sally Scalera is an urban horticulture agent and master gardener coordinator for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences. Email her at sasc@ufl.edu.
More by Sally Scalera
Bring summer color inside by growing cut flowers in your garden
Releasing these wasps in your yard can save your citrus trees
Here's how to find and treat Lychee Erinose Mites on your lychee trees | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/life/2023/07/29/august-gardening-calendar-for-brevard-what-to-do-outside-this-month/70456513007/ | 2023-07-29T23:09:49 | 1 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/life/2023/07/29/august-gardening-calendar-for-brevard-what-to-do-outside-this-month/70456513007/ |
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Hamburg European Open
Alexander Zverev will take on Laslo Djere in the Hamburg European Open final on Sunday, July 30.
With -450 odds, Zverev is favored over Djere in this tournament final against the underdog, who is +310.
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Match Information
- Tournament: The Hamburg European Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: MatchMaker Sports Gmbh
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Court Surface: Clay
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Alexander Zverev has an 81.8% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Zverev beat Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4.
- Djere eliminated Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Zverev has played 26 games per match (22.6 in best-of-three matches) in his 42 matches over the past year (across all court types).
- On clay, Zverev has played 22 matches over the past 12 months, totaling 24.1 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) while winning 54.8% of games.
- In his 58 matches in the past 12 months across all court types, Djere is averaging 25.3 games per match (23.5 in best-of-three matches) while winning 50.3% of those games.
- Djere has averaged 22 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.5 games per set through 22 matches on clay courts in the past 12 months.
- In head-to-head matches, Zverev has two wins, while Djere has zero. In their last match on June 4, 2021, Zverev was victorious 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
- In terms of sets, Zverev has won five versus Djere (100.0%), while Djere has captured zero.
- Zverev and Djere have competed in 47 total games, and Zverev has won more often, capturing 31 of them.
- Djere and Zverev have matched up two times, and they have averaged 23.5 games and 2.5 sets per match.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbay.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ | 2023-07-29T23:09:49 | 0 | https://www.wbay.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ |
De’Anda, Juanita A., 90, social worker, July 13, Carrillos.
Farmer, Gayle, 61, homemaker, July 9, Angel Valley.
Forte, Gloria M., 97, teacher, June 29, Sensible Cremation.
Gonzalez, Raul Zepeda, 33, driver, July 9, Carrillos.
Martin, Eric D., 76, undercover investigator, July 5, Sensible Cremation.
Martinez, Celia V., 95, homemaker, July 16, Carrillos.
Quezada, Tomasa R., 95, homemaker, July 13, Carrillos.
Robles, Cruz, 91, secretary, July 13, Carrillos.
Sanchez, Petra Z., 78, homemaker, July 15, Carrillos.
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Serda, Conrad N., 77, truck driver, July 13, Carrillos.
Teran, Solia E., 83, homemaker, June 30, Carrillos.
Valdenegro, Federico Thomas, 74, hospital corpsman, July 15, Carrillos.
Wilson, William B., 56, service technician, July 8, Carrillos. | https://tucson.com/news/local/deaths-in-southern-arizona/article_c4ed8abc-2d61-11ee-84f5-c321e9ac7ae8.html | 2023-07-29T23:11:17 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/deaths-in-southern-arizona/article_c4ed8abc-2d61-11ee-84f5-c321e9ac7ae8.html |
Authorities in South Dakota have apprehended a Bismarck man who they say walked away from a minimum-security substance abuse treatment facility in Jamestown nearly two weeks ago.
Nathan Lang, 39, was being held at the James River Minimum Unit after having his probation revoked on convictions in Burleigh and Morton counties on charges of theft and contributing to the delinquency/deprivation of a minor.
He escaped the night of July 18 and was presumed dangerous. He was believed to be driving a stolen pickup truck with attached trailer.
The Corson County Sheriff's Office in South Dakota received a tip from a citizen regarding Lang’s whereabouts around 9 p.m. Friday, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol. Authorities located him in an abandoned farmyard on State Line Road, 5 miles east of South Dakota Highway 63.
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Officers gave chase, and a pursuit continued into a nearby hayfield. Lang ultimately stopped his vehicle and was arrested without incident.
His girlfriend, Yorishia Hoon, and a 2-year-old child also were in the pickup. The stolen trailer was not attached at the time of the pursuit. Both the truck and trailer have been recovered, according to the Patrol.
Both Lang and Hoon were arrested on charges of burglary, theft, possession of stolen property, trespassing, eluding and child neglect.
The child was placed in the care of Child Protective Services. The Patrol did not identify the child. | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-regional/crime-courts/bismarck-man-who-escaped-in-jamestown-caught-in-south-dakota/article_b1a7e7dc-2e4b-11ee-aae5-3fc87d7e793a.html | 2023-07-29T23:11:17 | 1 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-regional/crime-courts/bismarck-man-who-escaped-in-jamestown-caught-in-south-dakota/article_b1a7e7dc-2e4b-11ee-aae5-3fc87d7e793a.html |
Three years after Phoenix and Tucson experienced some of their hottest months on record, the saguaro, symbol of the Sonoran Desert, is still feeling the impacts, biologists say, with elevated saguaro mortality rates observed in parts of Central and Southern Arizona.
This summer's round of record-breaking heat, as bad or worse than that of three summers ago, has triggered more anecdotal accounts and unofficial reports of damaged and collapsed saguaros in the Phoenix area to the Desert Botanical Garden there.
So far, there have been no reports in Southern Arizona of dying or damaged saguaros specifically attributed to the current heatwave, where temperatures are also setting records but are far less oppressive than those in Phoenix.
But Ben Wilder, director of a group of Sonoran Desert researchers, said he has noticed elevated numbers of older saguaros that have died since summer 2020 in desert lands lying west of Tucson.
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In the Phoenix area, where official temperatures soared over 110 degrees 53 times in summer 2020, the more than 1,000 saguaros living on the Desert Botanical Garden's 146 acres have been dying at "significantly" higher rates since then than before, said Kimberlie McCue, the gardens' chief science officer. Those saguaros range from an inch to almost 30 feet tall.
Every year, the garden's scientists take inventory of its saguaros, visiting every one on the property. They rate the cactuses' conditions ranging from excellent to good to fair to poor. Since 2020, their mortality rate is "definitely elevated above what it was prior to 2020, significantly higher," McCue said.
This summer, the garden has received some reports from people living across the Phoenix valley of saguaros collapsing, losing arms and leaning over, McCue said. One saguaro at the garden itself had an arm fall off just last week.
But no other damage to saguaro cacti has been noted there, she said. Outside the botanical garden, "how many? At this point, I don't know," said McCue of reports of damaged or dying saguaros in the Phoenix area.
Extreme heat, drought effects
Tania Hernandez, a research scientist for the botanical garden, has been conducting a saguaro census in the community for the past two years. in it, she engages people in the urban area to record observations on conditions of saguaros, and to supply the gardens with photos of saguaros and notes on their condition.
And now, Hernandez and her team of scientists have been contacting these people and saying, 'Hey, can we come out and take samples of your saguaros?' She's going out and taking tissue samples with these people's permission," McCue said.
"We have seen them suffering the effects of extreme heat and drought," Hernandez said in a video about the saguaros recorded for the Reuters news service.
"And some people report that saguaros are losing their arms, they are changing their shapes, they are leaning. We don't know that this is related to extreme heat and drought and to climate change, but we suspect that is the case," Hernandez said.
During summer 2020, "there were saguaros collapsing across the Phoenix valley. We were getting calls just about every single day," McCue told the Star Thursday.
"'My saguaro. My neighbor's saguaro,'" McCue said repeated callers were telling botanical gardens' employees. "We were getting videos from people's cameras. i remember watching a video ... a saguaro was standing there, completely collapsed," said McCue, adding that she couldn't provide any statistics on how many collapsed saguaros were seen in 2020.
In her 13 years working at the garden, and according to what people who have worked there much longer than that have told her, "we've never experienced something like this," McCue said.
Bill Peachey, who monitors a plot of saguaros southeast of Tucson, said he suspects that most of the recent saguaro deaths reported in the Phoenix area will have come from people who had them transplanted to their yards for landscaping purposes.
Ailing columnar cacti
In Southern Arizona, Wilder, director of a group of Sonoran Desert researchers, said the elevated saguaro mortality he's noticed since summer 2020 has mainly been seen on the Desert Research Laboratory grounds on Tumamoc Hill and on Pima County-owned lands within Tucson Mountain Park. Wilder was director of the desert lab for six years until April 2022.
He and other scientists had similar anecdotal observations of unusually large numbers of ailing columnar cacti in parts of southern Baja California following the summer 2020 period of extreme heat and drought. Saguaros don't live in Baja, but he particularly noticed unusually high damage to organ pipe cacti, along with sourpitaya, cardon and senita, Wilder said.
"We were seeing the dying back of stems, if not whole plants, in Baja, particularly of organ pipe," Wilder said.
Overall, "our ability to track change in real time, ecologically speaking, it's been frustratingly limited," he said, due to a lack of data on dead or damaged saguaros in many areas of the Sonoran Desert. "It's frustratingly limited. It's kind of shocking how few sites we have where we have data.
"It makes sites like the Desert Botanical Garden, Tumamoc Hill and Saguaro National Park so valuable — we're seeing a real need for increased monitoring," Wilder said.
Unlike reports from the Phoenix area, Wilder said he hasn't noticed any unusually large amounts of dead or damaged saguaros in the desert around Tucson. Its temperatures, while at record or near-record levels, haven't come close to those in the Phoenix area.
Likewise, at Saguaro National Park-East and West, biologists "are not seeing evidence that arms are falling off and saguaros are dying, specifically due to the heat" this summer, said longtime Saguaro Park biologist Don Swann. "That doesn't mean it's not happening. It's that I haven't heard any cases of it or seen any evidence of it."
As for whether longer-term damage to saguaros has occurred in the park since the overheated, exceptionally dry summer of 2020, "I can't answer that question with data," Swann said. The park has not collected data on saguaros' conditions since a saguaro census was last collected there in 2020, Swann said.
Higher nighttime temps a factor
Saguaros have a well-deserved reputation of being able to survive and even thrive in extreme weather conditions, including heat and drought, though cold has been their best known nemesis, many scientists have said.
But this summer's extreme heat in Phoenix is testing that assumption, Reuters first reported in the last week.
McCue of the botanical garden confirmed that.
Typically, "plants can hold on for the dry season, waiting for the wet season to arrive," Hernandez said on the Reuters video. "But they can just hold on so long, right? And if the rain doesn't arrive on time, the plants start suffering internal damage."
One way saguaros adapt to a hot, dry environment is that "they do what's necessary for photosynthesis at night," McCue said.
When it's cooler at night, they open their pores to conduct the essential gas exchange "they need to take in carbon dioxide," McCue said. "During photosynthesis, the carbon dioxide, along with energy from the sun, is converted into a type of food energy for the plant. Plants make their own food."
But when plants' pores open as part of photosynthesis, "they're not just taking in CO2, their water is going out," McCue said. "When they open pores at night, cacti lose less water. Ostensibly, it’s cooler, normally."
However, there is a physiological limit to how much heat that cactus can tolerate, and botanical garden researchers are studying "what are the absolute upper limits in terms of temperature at which these plants can function," she said.
"We've never experienced a summer like this summer. Those low temperatures have stayed so high for so many nights in a row," she said.
With 18 straight days as of Thursday in which Phoenix's low temperature didn't fall below 90, "we've gotta start to be concerned.
"If that continues night after night after night, which is exactly what has been happening, it's pushing these plants toward their physiological limit, their ability to function, like humans. When they (humans) experience heat stroke, and have an internal body temperature of 104-105-106, physiologically, their organs no longer can function," McCue said.
'An evolving story'
The botanical garden's plant physiologist made the point on Thursday that "we may not see full effects of the conditions we are experiencing right now for many months or years. It’s an evolving story," McCue said.
Indeed, the saguaros showing damage this summer may be feeling the effects of the summer 2020 period of extreme heat and drought, she said.
Every time "a saguaro goes down in the garden, whether it's winter or summer, I go into the database and look at what was the assessed conditions of the saguaros in the census," she said. "With two exceptions, every one has been rated in poor condition since 2020."
These are plants that have been stressed due to heat and lack of water, she said. That also makes these plants more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections and to insect pests.
"It's just like a human being, if you are already stressed out, your immune system is compromised. It’s the same thing for plants. It's easier for them to get sick," she said. "A really healthy saguaro can fend off infection. One that’s already stressed, there's a higher probability it can't."
Many of the saguaros on the garden that fall over, when they hit the ground, they break apart because they're so heavy, McCue added.
"That is when you find out they were rotting from the inside out. It’s not the heat that directly killed the saguaro. The heat stressed the saguaro. It made them more susceptible to infection, and when the infection takes hold, it rots from the inside out and it succumbs.
"It’s not a straight line. There’s more to it than just heat or drought," McCue said.
Skepticism
Peachey, a Tucson geologist who has monitored saguaros for more than 25 years, is more than a little skeptical of others' assertions that heat is the primary factor that's killing off saguaros.
"If it was heat killing everything, it would be killing the small saguaros, but you don't hear about small saguaros dying. It’s killing the ones that are already damaged and close to death. It’s only the old ones — the ones that have been transplanted or weak and don’t get enough water," said Peachey.
Peachey since 1996 has monitored a two-acre patch of saguaros living near Colossal Cave southeast of Tucson. This year, it holds 141 reproducing saguaros.
"Without roots they can’t get enough liquid. The ones that are leaning will go over anyway. The little one has hundreds of times less mass. This is a natural culling process."
Peachey did add, however, that heat driven by climate change could have been "the last blow."
Peachey has had a paper published on the blooming of saguaros in the American Journal of Botany. Last month he published an article explaining the methodology for monitoring and measuring the leaning of saguaros for a newsletter published by the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society.
He was also the primary investigator of a major "blowdown" of saguaros by wind in the Avra Valley back in 2011. In that event, several thousand saguaros blew down in what Peachey calls "the biggest microburst damage ever recorded," covering an area of almost six square miles.
"Here’s what going on," Peachey told the Star Thursday. "Saguaros don’t normally die suddenly unless they’re wind thrown. They’re hit by lightning or they get the rot. The plant will fluff totally, suddenly, if it gets infected. When it gets hot metabolism, rates go up.
"Bacterial growth takes off under hot conditions. It rots the interior, massive storage structure, and the plant can’t stop it. The plants can suddenly develop lesions. Big pieces of it will start falling off and all that."
He suspects that most of the recent saguaro deaths reported in the Phoenix area will have come from people who had them transplanted to their yards for landscaping purposes.
"When you cut the roots to transplant them, the big roots they cut off never grow back. They grow small roots behind them. It will take decades to replace roots that are lost," he said. "If you put them in a landscaping situation, if there's moisture nearby, the cactus will do just fine. But it's lost its major support in nature."
At the Desert Botanical Garden, a "good portion" of its saguaros were either planted there after being transplanted or are offspring of transplants, McCue said.
"Some of them it was decades ago, before my time," that they were transplanted, McCue said. "At this point in time these have been saguaros that have been pretty well established. We’re talking decades and decades.
"I would absolutely take the point" that their transplanted status could be a factor in saguaros' decline if they'd been put into the ground at the garden "a year or two or three ago. That's not the case," said McCue, to emphasize her view that transplanting isn't to blame.
Peachey, however, said there's photographic proof of "dozens and dozens of transplanted saguaros" that have fallen over the Tucson area, including some that were there a long time.
Once transplanted, their water gathering capacity is cut down also, Peachey said. "The main thing is they don’t have proper support, so they are subject to being windthrown."
Contact Tony Davis at 520-349-0350 or tdavis@tucson.com. Follow Davis on Twitter@tonydavis987. | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/arizona-environment-heat-saguaros/article_e7d0f476-2cf6-11ee-a53a-576d67ebb1f5.html | 2023-07-29T23:11:23 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/arizona-environment-heat-saguaros/article_e7d0f476-2cf6-11ee-a53a-576d67ebb1f5.html |
About a month ago, Sam Mills, the head coach of the Marana Little League junior softball All-Star team, handed out postcards to all 12 members of his squad. They featured images from the state of Washington, site of the Junior League Softball World Series.
He asked his players to write messages to themselves as if they already had won the West Region tournament — about plays and memories they had made, about how excited they were to be in Kirkland for the World Series.
“Put it up in your bathroom,” Mills told the girls. “Look at it every day. Touch it every day.”
The gesture helped instill an unwavering sense of belief in Marana’s players.
“They just embraced that,” Mills said. “ ‘We are gonna make it.’ ”
Then they went out and did it.
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Marana won the West Region tournament with a pair of victories Wednesday night at Arthur Pack Regional Park, punching its ticket to the World Series. Pool play begins Sunday, with the championship set for Saturday, Aug. 5. Almost every game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Marana’s traveling party of 16 — 12 players, three coaches and one “team advocate,” aka Team Mom — landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Thursday afternoon. They can now send those postcards home from their dream destination.
“I can’t believe that 24 hours ago we were yet to play that second game, and here we are already checked in in Seattle and part of the experience,” Mills said from his hotel room in Kirkland on Thursday night. “It’s a surreal-type moment.”
His team never stopped believing in itself. On the second day of the West Region tournament, Marana lost 10-5 to Magnolia Little League of Seattle. One more defeat, and Marana would be out.
“As you looked in the faces of all the girls, every single one of them was like, ‘We got this,’ ” Mills said. “It was just a belief. As a coach, you can sense that and feel it.”
Marana, the tournament host, proceeded to win five consecutive elimination games, including a 2-1 nail-biter over Alaska and two victories in the championship round over the Magnolia squad that had defeated Marana on Day 2.
“The buildup to those championship games, something that the team had worked so hard in preparation for, the goal of winning and advancing to the Little League World Series, the dream those girls had becoming a reality — it was just an incredible moment to share with those young ladies, to see the smiles on their faces,” Mills said. “It was pretty awesome.”
Mission accomplished
Although Tucson has a tradition of excellence in youth baseball and softball, it’s rare for a team from the area to advance to an international Little League World Series.
Starting with Tucson Cactus in 1973, Southern Arizona has had five World Series champions and three runners-up. Mills’ team is the first from Marana Little League, in baseball or softball, to make a World Series and the first from District 5 (which covers the northern half of Tucson) since Pusch Ridge’s junior softball team won it all in 2008.
“It’s definitely a significant accomplishment,” said Carl Thompson, the administrator for District 5 and chairman of Arizona State Little League. “We’ve had a very good year for Southern Arizona. It is a rare occurrence for a Tucson team to get that far.”
Two Tucson baseball teams, Randolph (juniors) and Canyon View (12U), are playing in West Region tournaments this upcoming week.
While Marana’s run to the World Series was uncommon, it was no accident.
Marana participated in the West Region tournament last year with mostly the same team — 10 of 12 players returned this year — and won a pair of games before being eliminated. Not bad for a squad consisting primarily of 13-year-olds.
At that point, Mills huddled with assistant coach Chris Beck to discuss the next steps. They zeroed in on one question: “What do we need to do to get better?”
Many of the girls had played together since 2019, but the coaches believed they needed more reps against quality opponents. So they decided to form a club team.
“We went out and performed well in the club world and came back to Little League to give it that one last run,” Mills said. “Our goal (was) to get to the World Series. That was part of the process.”
The West Region tournament came down to a rematch vs. Seattle Magnolia. After Marana won the first game 16-5, weather caused a delay of more than two hours. Marana’s players stayed loose by doing their best “Footloose.” They danced.
“It’s a fun group,” Mills said. “There’s a loose and a fun feel, which comes through that friendship that they have off the field. That’s huge. I see some teams that are (like) a business.”
Hectic but worth it
Mills manages the land department for the Tucson branch of D.R. Horton. He and wife Julie, a musician, have five children, including four girls. Malia, the middle child, is a pitcher and outfielder for the Marana All-Stars.
Chris Beck’s wife, Jackie, is serving as the Team Mom this week. Their daughter Cadence is one of Marana’s top pitchers and sluggers. Her sister, Brooke, is also on the squad.
The other assistant coach, Jason Angell, is the father of Addie. The other members of the team are Adelaide Bradshaw, Bella Brooks-Rojel, Aubriana Gray, Kyla Layton, Addy Lee, Mariah Moreno, Bella Sayre and Emma Winter.
All the families were thrown for a loop when Little League International sent an email at 1:30 a.m. Thursday, informing the team that it was booked on a flight for Seattle at noon that day. Even Thompson, the veteran district administrator, was under the impression that the team would be leaving Friday.
“How many of my parents are awake right now?” Mills wondered when he saw the email. “And what are they gonna do when I send out a mass text?”
A mad scramble ensued to get the girls ready and make sure all their documentation was in order. Sleep was scarce.
“Who needs sleep?” Mills said with a laugh.
He got assistance from Marana Little League president Todd McGee, who helped with communication, paperwork and whatever else the team needed.
“It was super hectic, but I definitely wouldn’t change it for anything,” McGee said. “To be able to do this on behalf of the girls and their parents, it’s the whole reason we volunteer.”
The 10 squads participating in the World Series received their uniforms, took team photos and had meetings Friday. Saturday’s festivities included opening ceremonies, a skills contest and a barbecue dinner.
Marana, which is in Pool B, faces Latin America in its first game at 9 a.m. Sunday. Every team is guaranteed at least five games, with the top four teams in each pool advancing to single-elimination championship play.
No matter where they finish, the Marana girls are scheduled to fly home on Sunday, Aug. 6. School starts the next day at Marana High School.
Imagine starting your high school career as a World Series champion.
“That is the game plan,” Mills said. “We’re here. Why not win it, right?” | https://tucson.com/sports/high-school/softball/marana-all-stars-make-junior-league-softball-world-series/article_89602bb2-2d98-11ee-bd8a-e710e47bfc25.html | 2023-07-29T23:11:29 | 1 | https://tucson.com/sports/high-school/softball/marana-all-stars-make-junior-league-softball-world-series/article_89602bb2-2d98-11ee-bd8a-e710e47bfc25.html |
He's Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook, CEO of Meta and now, a Swiftie.
The social media mogul and his family recently attended to Taylor Swift's Eras tour concert at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. July 28. Mark, who shares daughters Maxima "Max" Chan Zuckerberg, 7, August Chan Zuckerberg, 5, and Aurelia Chan Zuckerberg, 4 months, with wife Priscilla Chan, posted photos from the outing on Instagram, one of his parent company Meta's social media platforms.
The 39-year-old captioned the post, "Life of a girl dad."
In the pics, Mark and Priscilla are seen sporting rhinestone stickers decorated in the shape of hearts around one of their eyes, while he also wore several colorful, beaded friendship bracelets often seen on Swift fans during the tour. Four girls, including two who appear to be the couple's eldest daughters, are shown standing in a balcony in a luxury suite.
Before the show, Mark also shared a photo of himself looking at his phone on his Instagram Stories, writing, "Checking 13 emails on the way to the concert."
After the concert, Priscilla wrote on Facebook, "The best part about last night was overhearing Max tell her friends, 'We are going to remember this for the rest of our lives!'"
The happy mom added, "Me too Max, me too. Thank you Taylor Swift for making our dreams come true."
Swift began her latest concert in March and is set to perform another show in Santa Clara July 29 before heading to Los Angeles for six shows at SoFi Stadium. See photos of celebs who have attended concerts on the Eras tour below: | https://www.eonline.com/news/1381704/mark-zuckerberg-is-all-smiles-as-he-takes-daughters-to-taylor-swift-s-eras-tour-concert?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories | 2023-07-29T23:11:42 | 0 | https://www.eonline.com/news/1381704/mark-zuckerberg-is-all-smiles-as-he-takes-daughters-to-taylor-swift-s-eras-tour-concert?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories |
Tom Murphy Player Prop Bets: Mariners vs. Diamondbacks - July 29
Published: Jul. 29, 2023 at 4:24 PM MDT|Updated: 47 minutes ago
The Seattle Mariners, including Tom Murphy (batting .290 in his past 10 games, with three doubles, two home runs and four RBI), take on starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, Saturday at 8:10 PM ET.
He racked up two hits (going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI) in his last game against the Diamondbacks.
Tom Murphy Game Info & Props vs. the Diamondbacks
- Game Day: Saturday, July 29, 2023
- Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
- Stadium: Chase Field
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Diamondbacks Starter: Brandon Pfaadt
- TV Channel: ARID
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -182)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +400)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +180)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: +140)
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Explore More About This Game
Tom Murphy At The Plate
- Murphy is batting .283 with 12 doubles, seven home runs and eight walks.
- Murphy has recorded a hit in 23 of 39 games this season (59.0%), including 10 multi-hit games (25.6%).
- He has hit a home run in 17.9% of his games in 2023 (seven of 39), and 5.3% of his trips to the dish.
- Murphy has picked up an RBI in nine games this season (23.1%), with more than one RBI in four of those games (10.3%).
- In 13 games this year (33.3%), he has scored, including multiple runs twice.
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Tom Murphy Home/Away Batting Splits
Diamondbacks Pitching Rankings
- The Diamondbacks pitching staff ranks 23rd in MLB with a collective 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
- The Diamondbacks' 4.70 team ERA ranks 26th among all league pitching staffs.
- Diamondbacks pitchers combine to rank 22nd in baseball in home runs allowed (128 total, 1.2 per game).
- Pfaadt (0-4 with an 8.81 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings pitched) gets the start for the Diamondbacks, his eighth of the season.
- In his most recent time out on Saturday, July 22, the righty tossed six innings against the Cincinnati Reds, giving up three earned runs while surrendering four hits.
- In seven games this season, the 24-year-old has an 8.81 ERA and 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings, while allowing a batting average of .316 to opposing hitters.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kmvt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/29/tom-murphy-mlb-player-prop-bets/ | 2023-07-29T23:11:42 | 1 | https://www.kmvt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/29/tom-murphy-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., who has for months been saying in public what many in his party only whisper in private — that the 80-year-old President Joe Biden should not seek reelection because of his age — said he was considering challenging Biden in next year’s primary.
Phillips, 54, is in his third term in Congress representing a district that includes the suburbs west of Minneapolis. In a text message, he confirmed his interest in running but declined a request to be interviewed. He said he had “been overwhelmed with outreach and encouragement” and needed to assess his next steps.
Phillips would be an extreme long shot if he were to challenge Biden. Polls show that Democrats, who were once wary about Biden seeking reelection, have coalesced behind him. The party’s major donor class is backing the president, who raised $72 million with the Democratic National Committee and his joint fundraising committee during the three-month reporting period that ended June 30.
Phillips had $277,000 in his congressional fundraising account at the end of June.
An heir to a Minnesota liquor fortune who showcased himself driving a gelato truck in his first House campaign, Phillips has been known in Congress for embracing the moderate suburban politics that were at the core of the general election coalition that propelled Biden’s 2020 victory. He was first elected in 2018, when he and dozens of fellow Democrats flipped Republican-held districts as suburban voters turned against then-President Donald Trump.
In Congress, Phillips has received attention for his outspoken calls for aging members of the Democratic Party to step aside. He said last year that Biden should not seek reelection, and he has called for the resignation of Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, whose health has visibly deteriorated in recent months.
The Biden campaign and the DNC have so far declined to comment about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson, who began their own primary campaigns against Biden this year. Officials from both the DNC and the Biden campaign declined to speak about Phillips. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/rep-dean-phillips-says-he-is-considering-a-run-against-biden/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2023-07-29T23:11:42 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/rep-dean-phillips-says-he-is-considering-a-run-against-biden/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Hamburg European Open
Alexander Zverev will take on Laslo Djere in the Hamburg European Open final on Sunday, July 30.
With -450 odds, Zverev is favored over Djere in this tournament final against the underdog, who is +310.
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Match Information
- Tournament: The Hamburg European Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: MatchMaker Sports Gmbh
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Court Surface: Clay
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Alexander Zverev has an 81.8% chance to win.
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Zverev beat Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4.
- Djere eliminated Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Zverev has played 26 games per match (22.6 in best-of-three matches) in his 42 matches over the past year (across all court types).
- On clay, Zverev has played 22 matches over the past 12 months, totaling 24.1 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) while winning 54.8% of games.
- In his 58 matches in the past 12 months across all court types, Djere is averaging 25.3 games per match (23.5 in best-of-three matches) while winning 50.3% of those games.
- Djere has averaged 22 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.5 games per set through 22 matches on clay courts in the past 12 months.
- In head-to-head matches, Zverev has two wins, while Djere has zero. In their last match on June 4, 2021, Zverev was victorious 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
- In terms of sets, Zverev has won five versus Djere (100.0%), while Djere has captured zero.
- Zverev and Djere have competed in 47 total games, and Zverev has won more often, capturing 31 of them.
- Djere and Zverev have matched up two times, and they have averaged 23.5 games and 2.5 sets per match.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wsaz.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ | 2023-07-29T23:11:42 | 1 | https://www.wsaz.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ |
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Hamburg European Open
Alexander Zverev will take on Laslo Djere in the Hamburg European Open final on Sunday, July 30.
With -450 odds, Zverev is favored over Djere in this tournament final against the underdog, who is +310.
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Match Information
- Tournament: The Hamburg European Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: MatchMaker Sports Gmbh
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Court Surface: Clay
Watch live tennis and many more sports and shows without cable on all your devices with a seven-day free trial to Fubo!
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Alexander Zverev has an 81.8% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Zverev beat Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4.
- Djere eliminated Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Zverev has played 26 games per match (22.6 in best-of-three matches) in his 42 matches over the past year (across all court types).
- On clay, Zverev has played 22 matches over the past 12 months, totaling 24.1 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) while winning 54.8% of games.
- In his 58 matches in the past 12 months across all court types, Djere is averaging 25.3 games per match (23.5 in best-of-three matches) while winning 50.3% of those games.
- Djere has averaged 22 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.5 games per set through 22 matches on clay courts in the past 12 months.
- In head-to-head matches, Zverev has two wins, while Djere has zero. In their last match on June 4, 2021, Zverev was victorious 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
- In terms of sets, Zverev has won five versus Djere (100.0%), while Djere has captured zero.
- Zverev and Djere have competed in 47 total games, and Zverev has won more often, capturing 31 of them.
- Djere and Zverev have matched up two times, and they have averaged 23.5 games and 2.5 sets per match.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kmvt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ | 2023-07-29T23:11:49 | 0 | https://www.kmvt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ |
DES MOINES, Iowa — When former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida shared the same stage at an Iowa Republican Party dinner Friday, their appearances seemed to capture the basic dynamics of the 2024 presidential primary.
Trump played headliner. DeSantis was reduced to an opening act.
Even as Trump has been hit with two criminal indictments, with more possibly coming, he has only consolidated support in recent months, flashing the same resilience in Iowa that he has nationally.
Trump’s rivals have long circled Iowa as the early state where Trump, who finished a disappointing second in the 2016 Iowa caucuses, might be most vulnerable in 2024. But although some influential leaders have signaled their eagerness for an alternative, Trump arrived Friday for one of his episodic visits as the undisputed front-runner, as Republicans look past his political and legal liabilities.
His mere appearance generated some of the evening’s loudest applause. Like the 12 other candidates who spoke, he entered to snippets of “Only in America” by Brooks & Dunn. The lyrics that blared as he took the stage were:
One could end up going to prison. One just might be president.
DeSantis arrived in Des Moines, Iowa, after a two-day bus tour that was aimed at stabilizing his campaign amid two successive rounds of staff cutbacks and demonstrating his investment in the state, which comes first on the nominating calendar. There were public displays of humility — small-town stops, shopping for snacks at a gas station (he bought a protein bar), taking questions from voters and reporters — that were previously missing from the governor’s once higher-flying campaign.
“Six months ago, you would have said there were two tiers: Trump and DeSantis, and then everyone else,” said Craig Robinson, an Iowa Republican strategist. Now, he said, “you have Donald Trump in a tier by himself, and you have everyone else trying to be the alternative to Trump.”
While DeSantis is stuck trying to reset his campaign, former Vice President Mike Pence is facing the possibility of not even qualifying for the first debate next month. The rest of the field is straining for voters to pay any attention at all.
Trump has certainly provided openings for his rivals in Iowa. Against his own team’s wishes, he criticized the popular Republican governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, this month. (He did not mention her Friday.) And in a state that has often rewarded frequent visits, Trump has campaigned only sporadically.
On Friday, however, Trump did stay for an hour after his speech to shake hands and take pictures with supporters. DeSantis mingled with a crowd down the hall with a Coors Light in hand.
Trump’s growing strength in national polling — he has surged above 50% in many surveys — has reinforced an emerging dynamic in which he is being treated as the de facto incumbent, both by party insiders with years of reluctantly falling into line under their belt and by risk-averse donors, according to interviews with numerous Republican strategists and officials.
The first primary debate, scheduled for late August, is widely viewed as the critical next date for DeSantis or anyone else to upend the current dynamic, even if Trump does not attend.
For now, outside groups looking to slow down Trump have focused on Iowa. The new political action committee Win It Back, which is tied to the Club for Growth, has run negative television ads worth $3.5 million this month in Iowa and South Carolina.
The ads reveal much about the state of the race. Each features testimonials from Republican voters describing both their affection for the former president and their interest in moving on.
“I love what he did,” the narrator in one ad says. “He definitely was the right man in 2016,” the narrator in another says, before pivoting, “It’s just time for new blood.”
Trump’s enduring popularity with the Republican base has meant that even his competitors often sandwich the gentlest of criticism with praise. Few of his rivals mentioned his name Friday, while Trump repeatedly used a derisive nickname for DeSantis. “I wouldn’t take a chance on that one,” he said.
One rival who addressed Trump directly was Will Hurd, a former Texas congressman running a long-shot campaign. He declared that Trump was running for president again to avoid prison. He was booed as he exited the stage.
DeSantis has generally avoided direct criticism of Trump.
He did not say the former president’s name Friday, and when he was asked about the criminal charges facing Trump in an interview with CBS News on Thursday, DeSantis answered with only a vague generality: “I think voters have to make this decision on that.”
Some prominent Trump critics have questioned such a delicate approach, especially as his criminal problems have mounted.
“If you’re down 20 points in the polls to anybody, you’ve got to be able to hit them,” said Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, who decided against a 2024 run for president but attended the dinner in Iowa.
Trump has been indicted by the Manhattan, New York, district attorney and a Justice Department special counsel already this year, and he may face another special counsel indictment for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. A separate investigation into efforts to interfere with the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia could result in yet another charge.
Many Republicans who are leery of entering another turbulent cycle with Trump atop the ticket remain intrigued by the Florida governor but not yet sold.
“I think people are just waiting for DeSantis to close the deal for them,” said David Kerr, a DeSantis supporter who attended an event in Osceola with the governor at a distillery this week.
DeSantis has committed to visiting all 99 of Iowa’s counties (he is at 17, according to a campaign aide), an arduous task for a candidate who is trying to compete across all the early states and must travel the country to fundraise for a campaign supported heavily by big-money bundlers.
“This caucus demands that you earn it,” DeSantis said Friday. Trump has mostly focused on visiting more populous areas rather than every county.
For DeSantis, the goal is to come in first — or a strong enough second to prove that Trump can be defeated and narrow the contest to a two-person race. But some of DeSantis’ allies worry that the heavy emphasis on Iowa could prove a self-inflicted knockout punch — that after investing so much, his campaign will have a less-than-compelling case to carry on if he falters badly in the opening state.
Amy Sinclair, the president of the Iowa state Senate, who has endorsed DeSantis, acknowledged, “It’s a tough uphill battle to fight against a machine like Donald Trump.”
But she said Trump’s swipe at Reynolds had damaged him. “He’s not doing himself any favors if he wants to win Iowa behaving that way,” she said. “You don’t insult our family.” | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/trump-and-desantis-collide-for-first-time-in-iowa-as-fortunes-diverge/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2023-07-29T23:11:49 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/trump-and-desantis-collide-for-first-time-in-iowa-as-fortunes-diverge/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
New Canaan, a wealthy town in Connecticut, is a town of lawns.
Lawns, green and rolling. Lawns, trim and bug-free, lined with sculpted shrubs. Lawns, like so many lawns across suburban America, sprayed with pesticides each spring, mowed each week of summer and raked free of leaves each fall.
But Bill and Mary-Ellen McDonald have taken a different approach. They have lived in their yellow house here for more than 50 years. Over time, they started letting wildflowers grow. Bunnies appeared. Birds came back. Soon, they realized they were creating a sanctuary.
A sanctuary, specifically, for fireflies.
“These fireflies are here, and really only here,” Bill McDonald, 75, said on a recent Friday evening, the sky fading to lilac. “This is an island in the sea of lawn chemicals.”
Over the past few decades, anecdotal reports suggest that firefly populations have been declining across the country. Although the data is sparse, experts say multiple species are at risk of extinction from threats such as habitat loss and light pollution, which interrupts their mating signals.
Suburban sprawl is destroying their habitat: The insects spend most of their lives in the soil, which is threatened by development. And pesticides are killing them off.
“Fireflies are like most other wildlife: They need things a little wild,” said Candace Fallon, a conservation biologist and one of the creators of the Firefly Atlas from the Xerces Society, an international invertebrate conservation group.
For ecologists, fireflies are good ambassadors for broader environmental causes such as the dark sky movement, a campaign to reduce light pollution, and “no-mow May,” an anti-lawn credo. The insects are enchanting, even nostalgic. They flash like morse code messages from childhood, the Tinkerbells of the longest days of summer.
“I think of them sort of as the gateway bug,” said Sara Lewis, a leading firefly expert at Tufts University. “They’re a way of getting people who may not otherwise be that interested.”
Some people have created public spaces for the insects, which Lewis said inspired “firefly tourism.” Parts of Asia have large firefly populations. Many fireflies also live in the Great Smoky Mountains, in Tennessee. The Pennsylvania Firefly Festival is another destination.
But few people have created firefly oases on their own properties. Fewer still open up their homes to host firefly viewing parties, as the McDonalds have done every summer for the past 30 years.
Dozens of people gather over several evenings during peak season — from June to mid-July. Mary-Ellen McDonald, 74, makes ice cream sundaes with homemade fudge sauce by the half-gallon. Her husband uncorks Champagne.
“Some people used to bring their children,” he said. “Now, they bring their grandchildren.”
They let the children catch fireflies, and even let them take their new friends home in jars for just one night. The next day, they return to release them, often with hand-drawn firefly drawings in tow.
Bill McDonald’s interest in fireflies started when he was young. In recent years, he helped create a public firefly sanctuary, which is part of the New Canaan Land Trust. (It has gotten so popular that it now requires nightly reservations during peak firefly season.)
But even as Bill McDonald, a retired investment banker, has invested time and significant financial resources in creating havens for the fireflies, few of his neighbors have done the same.
Yellow pesticide signs peek out of front lawns, warning dogs to keep off the grass. A buzz-cut of grass rolls to the property line, its edges razored by landscape crews. Floodlights abound.
“Some people are basically lawn people,” Bill McDonald said. “Do they care about the fireflies? The answer is ‘no.’ It’s just not on their radar. It’s just not part of the culture.”
That’s the point of the parties, which are a hyperlocal type of environmental activism. One night with the fireflies; maybe one lawn without chemicals.
Perhaps, people will even be encouraged to “rewild” their lawns altogether. The growing movement aims to restore damaged landscapes to a more natural state, often with native plants. That, in turn, could make for better firefly habitats.
The demonstration worked for Michele Murray Sloan, a real estate agent who has lived in New Canaan all her life. She said she first visited the McDonalds’ home a few years ago and noticed the difference.
“The house next door had a sign that said ‘pesticides.’ There were no fireflies,” she remembered. “We were like: ‘Whoa, it’s almost like there’s this invisible gate right there that the fireflies know not to go past.’”
Sloan stopped using pesticides after that.
“Every single year, it feels like we have more fireflies,” she said of her own home, adding, “It makes you aware that even just on your own property, not using pesticides makes a difference.”
As the sky slipped from lilac to indigo and the trees became blurs, Bill McDonald pointed out the different species. (He can tell them apart just by their light patterns, their flight paths.)
There goes a Comet. Oh, look, a Femme Fatale. (You can see her — there. She’s flying horizontally.) By the trees, those are Heebie Jeebies. That one’s a Big Dipper. See it? Right there. See the way it blinks?
Chris Schipper, chair of the New Canaan Conservation Commission and a former president of the land trust, was there that evening. He caught a firefly, cradling it gently.
Then, he opened his hands. It jackknifed its wings open and flew away.
“To see several thousand fireflies, lighting up the sky, right in your backyard?” he said. “I think it slows you down and makes you think: ‘Maybe a perfect lawn isn’t as magnificent as something like this.’”
As the humans on the porch drained their Champagne flutes, the unwitting insect activists bobbed in the air. They blinked — on-on-off; on-on-off-on-on-off — trying to find a mate before their own little lights sputtered out for good. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/a-summer-spectacle-where-fireflies-are-the-guiding-light/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2023-07-29T23:11:55 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/a-summer-spectacle-where-fireflies-are-the-guiding-light/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
The planned execution of a 45-year-old Missouri man with schizophrenia is back on after an appellate court reversed course Saturday.
Johnny Johnson is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Tuesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre for killing 6-year-old Casey Williamson after trying to sexually assault her in 2002.
With questions swirling about his mental competency, the execution was halted last Tuesday by a divided three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court. But after the Missouri Attorney General’s Office asked that the full court reconsider, that decision was reversed in a 7-3 ruling.
The case will likely end up before the U.S. Supreme Court before the scheduled execution date.
Attorneys for Johnson have claimed his schizophrenia prevents him from understanding the link between his crime and the punishment. They have also said Johnson has delusions about the devil using his death to bring about the end of the world.
The Missouri Supreme Court in June declined to halt the execution based on the mental health claim. The attorney general’s office challenged the credibility of psychiatric evaluations of Johnson and contended that medical records indicate he is able to manage his mental illness through medication.
Johnson lured the girl to an abandoned glass factory, even carrying her on his shoulders on the walk to the dilapidated site. When he tried to sexually assault her, Casey screamed and tried to break free. He killed her with bricks and rocks, then washed off in the Meramec River. Johnson confessed to the crimes.
Casey’s disappearance set off a frantic search involving first responders and volunteers. Her body was found in a pit less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from her home, buried beneath rocks and debris.
The execution would be the fourth in Missouri this year. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/appellate-court-rules-that-missouri-man-with-schizophrenia-can-be-executed-after-all/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2023-07-29T23:12:01 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/appellate-court-rules-that-missouri-man-with-schizophrenia-can-be-executed-after-all/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Come to Portland, his sister said. It’s green and beautiful, and there are plenty of jobs.
In 2018, Anthony Saldana took his sister’s advice. He left Las Vegas, where he was working in a casino, and moved to a Portland suburb.
He rented an apartment and got a job at Home Depot. Saldana, though, never quite found his footing. By early 2021, he was living in a tent on the edge of a highway in Portland.
He would not let his sister, Kaythryn Richardson, visit him and shared only a few details with her about his life on the streets.
This city of 635,000, home to the world’s largest bookstore and majestic views of snowcapped Mount Hood, has long grappled with homelessness. But during the pandemic, this perennial problem turned into an especially desperate and sometimes deadly crisis.
In 2022, Portland experienced a spate of homicides and other violence involving homeless victims that rattled many in the community: a 42-year-old homeless woman shot in the face by two teenagers who were hunting rats with a pellet gun; a 26-year-old homeless woman stabbed in the chest outside her tent; another homeless woman, 31, fatally shot at close range by a stranger.
The search for answers points in many directions: to city and county officials who allowed tents on the streets because the government had little to offer in the way of housing, to Oregon voters who backed decriminalizing hard drugs and to the unrest that rocked Portland in 2020 and left raw scars.
But what has turbocharged the city’s troubles in recent years is fentanyl, a deadly synthetic drug, which has transformed long-standing problems into a profound test of the Portland ethos.
Legions of volunteers routinely hand out sandwiches, wound kits and clementines around the encampments. Those volunteers include people like Jakob Hollenbeck, 23, who last year befriended a group camped out across the street from his house in Portland’s upscale Pearl District.
One of the tent dwellers was Saldana.
Hollenbeck, a recent college graduate, tried to help Saldana, 54, get back on his feet by giving him food, money and camping supplies.
And as he learned the roots of Saldana’s struggles, Hollenbeck became even more determined to help him.
“We are failing our unhoused neighbors every day,” Hollenbeck said. “And it’s something we can fix.”
Josh Alpert had a similar can-do attitude when he moved to Portland in the 1990s.
Alpert found an intense sense of community and “pride of place” among the many other transplants he met there.
This vibrant civic life played out while the city’s economy was growing and tourists were flocking to landmarks like Powell’s City of Books, the nation’s largest free-standing bookstore.
“Everything just seemed to work,” said Alpert, who worked for then-Mayor Charlie Hales, from 2013 to 2016, including as his chief of staff.
Then came the tents.
At first, many were concentrated downtown. Some of the early tent dwellers arrived with the Occupy movement in 2011, which involved camping in public spaces across the United States to protest income inequality.
“Occupy sent the message to the houseless that it’s OK to come out of the corners and be visible,” Alpert said.
The protests ended, but Alpert said many of the Occupy activists stayed in tents “because they had nowhere to go.”
As the city’s point person on homelessness, Alpert supported new approaches to the housing shortage like the creation of temporary “villages” that could be run by homeless people themselves.
“There was such a vital energy in the houseless community back then,” said Vahid Brown, who has worked with the homeless population for many years and was involved in the “village movement.”
Today, there are an estimated 6,300 homeless people in Multnomah County, which includes Portland. Only a relatively small number of them are still living in the homeless-run villages.
Alpert, who left government in 2016, says he has been blamed for allowing the tents to spread early on. “I wrestle even still with whether it was fair or unfair criticism,” he said.
When Saldana arrived in the city in 2018, he first rented his own place and then bunked with his sister and her partner, Phillip.
But Saldana just could not make it work. As the pandemic wore into 2021, Saldana left his sister’s house and started sleeping outside.
He returned regularly for “Anthony Day” — Richardson’s day off from her job at a local grocery store. She served him meat lover’s pizza, while he did his laundry and took a shower.
In the morning, Saldana headed back to his tent.
He would say goodbye and leave. No hugs or even a fist bump. His sister said Saldana did not like to be touched.
Saldana was 4 when he went to live with a relative in California, who abused him until he was a teenager, his sister said.
Saldana was eventually diagnosed with depression, which he often tried to treat with alcohol and meth. While he was working for Home Depot, his sister said, the company gave him time off from work to attend a month of rehabilitation.
Richardson said her brother was not easy to be around when he was high and paranoid. But they all looked forward to Anthony Day.
“Thanks for dinner, it was awesome,” Saldana messaged after a visit in September. “Have a wonderful day. Love you sis.”
“You’re welcome,” Richardson wrote back. “Stay safe. Love you.”
Summer 2020, after the killing of George Floyd, was a tumultuous time in many American cities, but particularly in Portland.
Protesters clashed with police in the downtown streets from May through that fall, resulting in more than 1,000 arrests.
In November 2020, amid the national reckoning over policing and criminal justice, Oregon voters approved a ballot measure that lowered the penalties for possessing small amounts of drugs like meth and opioids.
When police in Oregon see someone using these drugs, they can hand out a $100 ticket and a card listing a hotline for addiction treatment.
Known as Measure 110, the law was meant to focus the government’s efforts on treating addiction, not on arresting users.
At the same time, it allocated millions of dollars in additional funding for addiction services across Oregon. But the new money was slow to roll out.
Sgt. Jerry Cioeta, of the Portland Police Bureau, says he believes Measure 110 is fueling more drug use by sending the false message that “all drugs are legal.”
Fentanyl was not a major focus of the discussions around decriminalization because it was not as widely used as it is now.
In 2020, the year voters approved the measure, 69 people in Multnomah County fatally overdosed from synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl, according to the county health department.
Last year, such overdoses killed 209 people in the county, and the drug is smoked openly on Portland’s downtown streets.
Fifty times more powerful than heroin, fentanyl sets off a high that “human brains have never seen before,” said Dr. Andy Mendenhall, who runs Central City Concern, one of Portland’s largest nonprofit providers of mental health and homeless services.
“It makes it harder for folks to stay in recovery,” he said at a locally televised forum about addiction.
Amid an outcry over Measure 110, the Oregon House recently passed a bill that would create stiffer consequences for possession of certain amounts of fentanyl.
When Hollenbeck graduated from the University of Oregon last year and moved to the Pearl District, he was keenly aware of Portland’s troubles.
Hollenbeck was not afraid of the crime or homelessness, but he was upset with how the city was dealing with these issues.
Under Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, the city had been steadily stepping up the removal of tents and trying to move people into shelters.
But many of the people being displaced simply packed up their belongings and moved their tents to another patch of sidewalk.
Recognizing that many people struggling with addiction and mental illness do not want to live in a shelter, the Wheeler administration is developing several large encampment sites that will house people in “pods,” small basic structures with heating and air-conditioning units.
Hollenbeck, who is a believer in progressive approaches, said the city could truly solve the problem only by providing more affordable housing and mental health services. In the meantime, he said, citizens needed to step in to help their neighbors.
Hollenbeck raised $3,000 on GoFundMe to buy his neighbors camping supplies, and he borrowed his parents’ car to help Saldana relocate after his tent was taken down.
When Hollenbeck, a paralegal, learned that Saldana had been hit by a car, he helped prepare a lawsuit against the company that had insured the car involved in the accident.
Before leaving for a trip in early March, Hollenbeck checked in on Saldana.
You need anything, Anthony?
When there was no answer from inside the tent, Hollenbeck figured his neighbor was sleeping.
Two weeks later, when Hollenbeck returned, there was still no sign of Saldana.
“Haven’t seen you around lately — hope you are good,” Hollenbeck wrote in an email to Saldana on April 13.
Five days later, police received a call about a body found by a worker preparing to remove Saldana’s tent.
According to a police report, the body had been “unnoticed for several weeks,” and investigators struggled to identify him through fingerprints. Eventually, police determined it was Saldana.
He died from a fentanyl overdose, his sister said.
Not long after his friend’s death, Hollenbeck got word that the insurance company was offering to compensate Saldana for the injuries he sustained when he was hit by the car.
He would have received $16,600, enough to cover many months of rent.
“The conditions that we have created as a society didn’t let me get that money to him in time,” Hollenbeck said. “That is something that haunts me.” | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/fighting-for-anthony-the-struggle-to-save-portland/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2023-07-29T23:12:08 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/fighting-for-anthony-the-struggle-to-save-portland/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
Hoke House saved? Veterans group says it will move historic building to new site
The historic Hoke House in Spring Grove will be moved to a new location to house a community center for veterans and their families, as well as the public, according to a news release from Just for Today Recovery and Veterans Support Services (JFT).
The news release said Rutter's has agreed to donate the house to JFT, and the organization will be responsible for moving the house to a site donated by a member of the Hoke family.
According to a comment by JFT on a Retro York Facebook group post, the building will be moved to "Old Hanover Road. About a mile west of the Middle School."
The Hoke House, built in 1750 and used for various purposes over the years, including a tavern and library, has been under a threat of demolition under Rutter's plans to expand its convenience store next door. The company obtained a demolition permit from the borough in February. Rutter’s, which acquired the site in 2006, submitted plans for the site in April that call for construction of a 6,915-square-foot convenience store, adding four gas pumps to its current location by the traffic circle on the east side of the borough and 49 parking spaces to accommodate customers.
More:Demolition permit for historic Hoke House in Spring Grove to be issued
Historians and community members mobilized to save the house, urging Rutter's to reconsider its site plans and searching for a potential site to move the building.
"With the support of several prominent residents in the borough, York County Commissioners, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the non-profit organization, JFT, has been identified as an ideal candidate for this project," said the news release.
More on the Hoke House:Site to be underground fuel storage tanks for Rutter's, plan shows
JFT is a community organization that offers support services and resources to veterans and their families.
The news release said the organization hopes to preserve as much of the original structure as possible in the relocation.
The Georgian-style stone house is known as the “eastern gateway to the Borough of Spring Grove,” according to the website for the Friends of the Hoke House. The house, named for the family that farmed the surrounding fields, predates the borough by 132 years. George Washington, according to a history compiled by the Friends of Hoke House, might have stopped there for a drink while traveling from Taneytown, Maryland, to York.
JFT said it plans to use the center as "a gathering place for events, a resting place to pass time, and a source for information sharing and community building." The group also said it plans to use the relocated house as part of an agricultural program for veterans.
Representatives from Rutter's and JFT could not be immediately reached for comment.
Reaction to the news release on JFT's Facebook page was overwhelmingly positive, and Anne M. Hoke wrote, "Thank you! ... Please take good care of my ancestor's homestead." | https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2023/07/29/hoke-house-saved-jft-says-it-will-move-historic-building-spring-grove/70491511007/ | 2023-07-29T23:12:10 | 0 | https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2023/07/29/hoke-house-saved-jft-says-it-will-move-historic-building-spring-grove/70491511007/ |
Another week, another labor action across America.
In June, workers went on strike at at least 120 Starbucks locations, the company said.
Earlier this month, thousands of hotel workers across southern California walked off the job.
And this week, the writers strike in Hollywood reached its third month. Actors joined them on July 13.
Major strike activity increased by almost fifty percent in 2022, according to the U.S. Labor Department. And the Economic Policy Institute says over 120,000 workers were involved in major work stoppages last year.
What caused the resurgence of the U.S. labor movement?
For one thing, the pandemic accelerated union organizing, reporter Alex Press told "The Response" podcast recently. "We've seen this kind of brief, this sort of early stage uptick in union organizing in this country, very explicitly rooted in our response to a pandemic that was raising the stakes of once again to life or death sort of situations for a lot of frontline workers," she said.
Low unemployment has also given workers more leverage to organize and even strike, says Joseph Brock, president of Reliant Labor Consultants.
"That tight labor market, kind of brought on by COVID, has been a boon for unions," said Brock.
A demographic shift toward workers with more labor-friendly views may also be a factor. "There's a whole generation of younger workers that are discovering unionization as the most reliable way to get better pay and working conditions," Rutgers professor Susan Schurman told Money.com.
Workers cite low pay, bad working conditions, and poor job security as reasons to strike.
But a Milken Institute expert told Yahoo Financethat the Hollywood strike alone could cause $4 billion in losses to the U.S. economy.
"It's not just impacting these industries in California. But it's really doing so in New York, it's doing it in Atlanta. It's doing it in Albuquerque, it's doing it in Pittsburgh. It's doing it in all sorts of places where filming actually takes place," said Kevin Klowden.
What's the outlook for the future?
Unions once played a central role in America's economic, political, and cultural life. But Anthony Carnevale of Georgetown University says unions today face an uphill battle to regain that influence. "They lost their power largely because of globalization, technology, and the decline of manufacturing," he says.
Take the Amazon labor union, as it's called, which won an election with more than 8,000 workers in a Staten Island warehouse last year, a milestone hailed by the press, but the group has not yet reached a collective bargaining agreement.
"The bigger problem for unions will continue to be the attainment of that first collective bargaining agreement," says Brock.
And in terms of politics over the short term, Unions pose both political opportunities and challenges.
Balancing workers needs and growing the economy is proving tough for a president who has aligned himself closely with organized labor.
"Folks, I promised you that I'd be the most pro-union president in American history because I know this: in a crisis, America always counts on you," President Joe Biden told the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in a speech last year.
That alignment won him votes from union workers. But now, those close ties could harm a president who has always tried to connect with American workers.
Meanwhile, those marching on the picket line carry on.
SEE MORE: AI fears are fueling the labor strikes in Hollywood
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | https://www.lex18.com/why-are-us-labor-strikes-increasing-and-what-s-the-future-outlook | 2023-07-29T23:12:11 | 1 | https://www.lex18.com/why-are-us-labor-strikes-increasing-and-what-s-the-future-outlook |
How to maximize your summer meteor gazing By Nell Greenfieldboyce Published July 29, 2023 at 4:40 PM CDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 2:43 It's the time of year when many people look to the skies in search of shooting stars. We learn a few tricks to get the best view of incoming meteors. Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2023-07-29/how-to-maximize-your-summer-meteor-gazing | 2023-07-29T23:12:11 | 1 | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2023-07-29/how-to-maximize-your-summer-meteor-gazing |
NEW YORK (AP) — Robert Chambers, better known to some as the “Preppy Killer,” was released after spending 15 years in prison for drug and assault charges, according to state records.
Chambers spent a similar amount of time in prison after pleading guilty to strangling Jennifer Levin in New York City’s Central Park during the summer of 1986.
Chambers entered the plea to killing 18-year-old Levin as part of a deal when a jury could not reach a decision after nine days of deliberations.
He was released in 2003 for that crime but again ran afoul of the law soon after.
He was again arrested in 2007 for selling drugs out of his apartment. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison but was released Tuesday — four years early — from the Shawangunk Correctional Facility in New York, according to online inmate records maintained by the New York Department of Corrections.
Chambers, now 56, will remain under supervision for up to five years, records show. | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/robert-chambers-nycs-preppy-killer-is-released-after-15-years-in-prison-on-drug-charges/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2023-07-29T23:12:14 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/robert-chambers-nycs-preppy-killer-is-released-after-15-years-in-prison-on-drug-charges/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
'The Deepest Breath' director on her new documentary about free diving Published July 29, 2023 at 4:40 PM CDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 7:57 NPR's Scott Detrow talks to film director Laura McGann about her new documentary on free diving, The Deepest Breath. Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2023-07-29/the-deepest-breath-director-on-her-new-documentary-about-free-diving | 2023-07-29T23:12:18 | 1 | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2023-07-29/the-deepest-breath-director-on-her-new-documentary-about-free-diving |
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Another scorching summer day is not letting Alex Sankin stop him or his two children from venturing out into the city.
“You have to take them outside even in this weather because otherwise they will be cooped up all day,” said Sankin.
They are among several families at the Riverside Park playground finding shade under a canopy of trees and enjoying the cold spray of the sprinklers.
“Actually, I have water right there that I brought for them. The trees help. Shorts and a T-shirt and we almost have to leave because it is hot,” he said.
Too much time under the sun was a no-go at the Landmark Festival in Harlem. Organizers were glad to host the hip-hop music exhibit in a space with air conditioning and a barbecue area, with plenty of refreshments.
The first version of the event was hosted in the winter.
“The first show was January, so it was completely different, but it was packed,” said Landmark Festival organizer Kate Storch.
The turnout for the first day of the summer edition was also a success. As visitors enjoy music and a trip down memory lane, learning about the genre’s origins ahead of its 50th anniversary next month.
“We don’t make the same mistakes and we can get back to what this is about the music breaking and drawing on the wall,” said pioneer music producer Large Professor.
There is also some live graffiti action here, a labor of love to create this retro design during such extreme conditions.
“Today is brutal, even simple things like if you leave the paint the sun you can burn your hands,” said graffiti artist DJ JS1 also known as Jerms. “I’m just dripping water all day but it’s for the landmark festival we are used to it we love it.” | https://pix11.com/news/local-news/amid-heatwave-new-yorkers-enjoy-fun-in-the-sun/ | 2023-07-29T23:12:19 | 1 | https://pix11.com/news/local-news/amid-heatwave-new-yorkers-enjoy-fun-in-the-sun/ |
PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Mercury say All-Star center Brittney Griner will not travel for the team’s next two games so she can focus on her mental health.
The 6-foot-9 center — who became an international story during her 10-month detainment in Russia last year — is averaging 18.2 points and 6.7 rebounds over 20 games this season.
“The Mercury fully support Brittney and we will continue to work together on a timeline for her return,” the team said in a statement on Saturday.
Griner’s impressive individual season hasn’t translated to success for the Mercury, who have a 6-17 record and fired Vanessa Nygaard earlier in the season.
The Mercury’s tough season and coaching change are among the multiple challenges Griner has faced in her return to the WNBA following her ordeal in Russia on drug-related charges that caused her to miss the entire 2022 season.
Griner and her teammates were confronted by what the WNBA called a “provocateur” at the Dallas airport in June and she’s also dealt with a hip injury that caused her to miss a handful of games.
Griner will miss road games against Chicago on Sunday and Indiana on Tuesday.
___
Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/brittney-griner-wont-travel-for-next-2-games-to-focus-on-her-mental-health-team-says/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2023-07-29T23:12:21 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/brittney-griner-wont-travel-for-next-2-games-to-focus-on-her-mental-health-team-says/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
PHOENIX – As much as they try, they can’t escape it. It’s everywhere. It’s on the social media they scroll through on their phones. It’s on at least one if not all the televisions in every clubhouse they enter.
“Change the channel, who has the damn remote?” was heard a few days ago in Minnesota.
“You come into the clubhouse and rather see ‘The Office’ or ‘Parks and Rec,’ but it’s on MLB Network every day,” Cal Raleigh said. “You know something’s going to happen. We don’t know what. It is out of our control. We want to be in this thing. We don’t want to be giving anybody away. We want to be adding, not subtracting.”
There’s either anticipation or anxiety that permeates from a team in the days leading up to the Major League Baseball trade deadline. For teams pushing for the postseason, the excitement of who might be added is palpable. For teams with no postseason hopes, there’s the uncertainty of not knowing, which teammate might be moving somewhere new or being the one that’s moved.
“It’s probably the most uncomfortable week of the year for me — the week leading up to the trading deadline,” Servais said. “You want to be in a position where it does matter your team. We are in a position where it does matter. You want to add and figure out ways that we can get better. I’ve been in those discussions and in those meetings, so I know how hard it is to make trades, especially when you don’t have a lot of sellers. It’s extremely hard to make trades. There are just less players that are accessible out there.”
A year ago, there was obvious anticipation. The Mariners, on the strength of a 22-3 run going into the All-Star break, including a 14-game winning streak, were going to add to the team in an effort to end a 21-year postseason drought.
This season, there’s apprehension. The Mariners know they have been maddeningly inconsistent this season. Their 53-50 record is a product of going 15-8 in July. But even with the recent success, they came into Saturday 4.5 games out of the third wild-card spot with four teams ahead of them.
Servais referenced the two common labels for teams at the deadlines, buyers or sellers.
But can a team be both? Well, Jerry Dipoto, Mariners president of baseball operations, believes it’s possible. And it seems like his path in the days ahead, trying to capitalize on a seller’s market while also making the Mariners better, though not necessarily for the immediate future.
For several players still on the team, this deadline is starting to feel a little bit like the 2021 season. On the night of July 26, they rallied from an early seven-run deficit against the hated Houston Astros, highlighted by Dylan Moore’s eighth-inning grand slam, in an emotional 11-8 win. They’d won four straight games to improved to 55-46 and moved to within a game of the second wild-card spot.
The next day Seattle traded popular closer Kendall Graveman, who was going to be a free agent after the season, along with reliever Rafael Montero, who had been recently designated for assignment, to the Astros in exchange for infielder Abraham Toro and reliever Joe Smith.
Dipoto said at the time: “We have been pretty open in sharing the idea that we’re trying to both address present and future.”
It was a move that left several players questioning the overall intentions of the organization and that many believed cost them a postseason berth.
Could it happen again this season? Absolutely.
Players know that this team isn’t in the same position as last year. They hope their recent run of good baseball will convince Dipoto to keep the group together.
Closer Paul Sewald, who could be the next Graveman, called it “baseball limbo” and said, “We did this to ourselves with how we played in the first 100 games. We should understand by now that it’s a business.”
Until then they have to deal with the speculation they can’t escape.
As part of that speculation, here’s a look at the trade value of certain Mariners players and the likelihood they are traded at the deadline.
Thanks for calling, but you wasted your time
- Julio Rodriguez
- Cal Raleigh
- George Kirby
- J.P. Crawford
Teams are built by being strong up the middle. These four have proven to be foundational pieces for their production, leadership or some combination of both. Crawford has been the Mariners’ best overall player this season and has taken ownership of the team in a way that players Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager and Mitch Haniger have in the past. Raleigh hasn’t produced as much at the plate as had hoped. But finding a quality catcher with leadership skills and his power is almost impossible.
In his second big-league season, Kirby has only scratched the surface of what he could be at the MLB level. He also has the attitude, swagger and fiercely competitive nature to be a projected ace.
Rodriguez has suffered through some sophomore slumps, but these last few games have shown how impactful he is for the team’s offense.
Don’t be surprised, if they are moved
- Paul Sewald, RHP
- Teoscar Hernandez, OF
- Tom Murphy, C
When the Astros re-acquired Graveman from the White Sox Friday, giving up their top catching prospect Korey Lee, it only solidified the expectation of Sewald being traded in the coming days. Graveman, 32, has made 45 appearances, posting a 3-4 record with eight saves and a 3.48 ERA. In 44 innings pitched, he’s struck out 42 batters and walked 20. He’s owed what’s left on his $8 million salary this season and is owed $8 million for 2024.
Sewald, 33, has made 45 appearances, posting a 3-1 record with 21 saves and a 2.93 ERA. In 43 innings pitched, he’s struck out 60 batters with 14 walks. In his second year of arbitration eligibility, he’s making $4.1 million this season and likely won’t make more than $7.5 million in 2024.
Last year, there were 10 catchers with MLB service time moved at the trade deadline. Contending teams love to add catching depth, particularly catchers that can hit. Murphy, who will be a free agent after this season, has a .345/.391/.741 slash line with five doubles, six homers and 12 RBI since June 1. His 209 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), an all-encompassing stat to measure offensive production with 100 being league average, leads all catcher in MLB. The next closest is Willson Contreras at 167.
Murphy got emotional at the thought of being moved at the deadline. The organization acquired him, helped him become established in the MLB and didn’t jettison him when he battled injuries. He wants to remain with the organization beyond this season.
Hernandez was acquired with the knowledge that he was going to be a free agent after the season. He hasn’t done enough at the plate for the Mariners to want to engage in extension talks. But his power potential and past numbers will draw interests from teams like the Yankees and Twins, who need outfield help.
Found money is easily spent, er, traded
- Gabe Speier, LHP
- Tayler Saucedo, LHP
- Justin Topa, RHP
All three relievers are having solid seasons in the Mariners bullpen after being under-the-radar acquisitions in the offseason. Topa was acquired in a trade with the Brewers for minor leaguer Joseph Hernandez, while Saucedo and Speier were waiver claims. They represent the type of discount depth with club control that contending teams like to add as peripheral moves.
It’ll cost you
- Bryce Miller, RHP
- Bryan Woo, RHP
The Mariners’ two rookie pitchers have exceeded expectations after being forced into the starting rotation. Both pitchers have concerns about overall usage for the season, so their value to a contending team isn’t quite as high if they can’t pitch in the postseason. But for teams like the Cardinals, who are trying to address needs for next season, they are definitely trade targets. For the Mariners to give up a talented rookie pitcher with five more years of club control, they would need something of equal value to make that deal.
It’ll cost you … a lot
- Logan Gilbert, RHP
Multiple reports had the Cardinals engaging the Mariners about a potential trade for Gilbert. And if the Mariners are willing to do more than listen on offers, other teams are going to jump into the fray. Gilbert represents a pitcher who can impact the postseason this year and fill needs for seasons to come. He’s got four more years of club control — all arbitration-eligible.
It’s a weird thought, but …
- Luis Castillo, RHP
- Ty France, 1B
- Eugenio Suarez, 3B
- Matt Brash, RHP
Castillo probably belongs on the untouchable list. But despite his obvious talent and ability to dominate, as evidenced by the postseason, he also hasn’t been the workhorse ace that some fans envisioned.
DFA’d, not dealt
- AJ Pollock, OF
- Kolten Wong, IF
If they were to add, what prospects might be packaged …
- Emerson Hancock, RHP
- Harry Ford, C
- Cole Young, IF
- Gabriel Gonzalez, OF
- Walter Ford RHP
- Lazaro Montes, 1B/OF
- Prelander Berroa, RHP
This story will be updated. | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/analysis-evaluating-mariners-players-trade-value-as-mlb-trade-deadline-nears/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 2023-07-29T23:12:22 | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/analysis-evaluating-mariners-players-trade-value-as-mlb-trade-deadline-nears/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
Former President Trump faces three new charges in the case that accuses him of hoarding classified documents, as a grand jury continues to investigate his role in trying to overturn the 2020 election.
Copyright 2023 NPR
Former President Trump faces three new charges in the case that accuses him of hoarding classified documents, as a grand jury continues to investigate his role in trying to overturn the 2020 election.
Copyright 2023 NPR | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2023-07-29/trump-faces-new-charges-in-classified-documents-case | 2023-07-29T23:12:24 | 1 | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/2023-07-29/trump-faces-new-charges-in-classified-documents-case |
A flash flood warning has extended until 8:45 p.m. Saturday for the Boston area as heavy rain moves through the state, according to the National Weather Service.
The warning was originally set to expire at 6:45 p.m. Flooded roads had already been reported by late afternoon in parts of Boston, Newton, Quincy, and Wellesley, according to the weather service’s website.
Torrential rain in the area will cause rapid flooding of roads, underpasses, & other poor drainage areas.
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 29, 2023
Never drive through water that covers the road! https://t.co/7Fl6jN1sI4
Storm timing:
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 29, 2023
Hit/miss storms before a line of storms crosses SNE late this afternoon & early tonight.
Hazards include:
- Localized damaging winds up to 60 mph
- Frequent lightning
- Rapid flooding from torrential rain
Have ways to receive warnings!#ctwx #mawx #riwx pic.twitter.com/FSW8zFEKjN
“The potential is there for it to turn into flash flooding with streams, creeks, and more serious urban flooding with this renewed rainfall,” Glenn Field, a meteorologist at the weather service in Norton said shortly after 5 p.m. “That’s the problem with one storm after another in certain areas that they can create the flood trap.”
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Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm watch for most of the state is in effect until 9 p.m. The storm, which is moving across the state, is due in the Boston area between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., he said.
this might be the hardest it’s rained at polar park all year pic.twitter.com/Nao0136hbY
— Ashley Green (@agreenphotog) July 29, 2023
The storms are expected to be more localized than the one that tore through the state on Thursday, Field said.
“There have been storms kind of all over the place, but the real line is just entering northwest Mass. right now,” Field said. “The storm that’s going through northern Berkshire right now is pretty severe.”
He added that, “in general,” the storms are not as severe as the ones that hit earlier in the week.
Comm Ave has a lake now @universalhub pic.twitter.com/HMzRkVYFno
— Danielle Johns (@danijohns91) July 29, 2023
The storm will come through the eastern part of the area after sunset, but by that point it will have lost “a little bit of its umph,” Field said. Still, he added, the storm will still be dangerous and there will be a lot of lightning.
“The good news is...there’s a cold front that is going to bring all of this heat and humidity to an end,” Field said.
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The weather is expected to cool off significantly from Sunday through Wednesday, Field said. Sunday is expected to be mostly sunny, with temperatures in the upper 70s.
Monday’s forecast as sunny with the temperature at 80 degrees, Field said. Similar forecasts are set for pretty much the entire week.
“Sunny skies pretty much right through most of Thursday,” Field said.
Adam Sennott can be reached at adam.sennott@globe.com. Breanne Kovatch can be reached at breanne.kovatch@globe.com. Follow her @breannekovatch. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/29/metro/ahead-thunderstorms-flash-flood-warning-boston-area/ | 2023-07-29T23:12:48 | 1 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/29/metro/ahead-thunderstorms-flash-flood-warning-boston-area/ |
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Hamburg European Open
Alexander Zverev will take on Laslo Djere in the Hamburg European Open final on Sunday, July 30.
With -450 odds, Zverev is favored over Djere in this tournament final against the underdog, who is +310.
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Match Information
- Tournament: The Hamburg European Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: MatchMaker Sports Gmbh
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Court Surface: Clay
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Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Alexander Zverev has an 81.8% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Zverev beat Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4.
- Djere eliminated Zhizhen Zhang 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Zverev has played 26 games per match (22.6 in best-of-three matches) in his 42 matches over the past year (across all court types).
- On clay, Zverev has played 22 matches over the past 12 months, totaling 24.1 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) while winning 54.8% of games.
- In his 58 matches in the past 12 months across all court types, Djere is averaging 25.3 games per match (23.5 in best-of-three matches) while winning 50.3% of those games.
- Djere has averaged 22 games per match (21.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.5 games per set through 22 matches on clay courts in the past 12 months.
- In head-to-head matches, Zverev has two wins, while Djere has zero. In their last match on June 4, 2021, Zverev was victorious 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
- In terms of sets, Zverev has won five versus Djere (100.0%), while Djere has captured zero.
- Zverev and Djere have competed in 47 total games, and Zverev has won more often, capturing 31 of them.
- Djere and Zverev have matched up two times, and they have averaged 23.5 games and 2.5 sets per match.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kold.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ | 2023-07-29T23:12:54 | 0 | https://www.kold.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexander-zverev-vs-laslo-djere-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-hamburg-european-open/ |
A Boston police officer was taken to the hospital after they were involved in a crash on Route 1A in East Boston early Saturday evening, a department spokesman said.
The crash occurred at Curtis Street and McCLellan Highway (Route 1A) at 5:58 p.m., said Officer Michael Torigian, a department spokesman
The officer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, he said.
No further information was available.
This story will be updated if more information becomes available.
Adam Sennott can be reached at adam.sennott@globe.com. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/29/metro/boston-police-officer-injured-cruiser-crash-route-1a/ | 2023-07-29T23:12:55 | 1 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/29/metro/boston-police-officer-injured-cruiser-crash-route-1a/ |
Vice President Kamala Harris, who was in Boston to address the annual NAACP national convention, surprised a town hall-style meeting Saturday afternoon at Roxbury Community College.
The unannounced visit came at the end of an event organized by the Congressional Black Caucus Institute and included Representatives Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, and Steven Horsford of Nevada. Horsford is the leader of the Congressional Black Caucus.
“There is so much at stake in our country,” Harris told the crowd of about 100 people, who gave her a standing ovation. “And the future of America has always relied on the folks who are in this room and others like this around our country who are the conscience of our country.”
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She is the first woman, Black person, and South Asian person to be elected vice president.
Harris spoke for about 12 minutes, touching upon US Supreme Court decisions that overturned Roe v. Wade, ended affirmative action in college admissions, and threw out President Biden’s plan for student debt relief.
“When we look at the issues we are facing today, a truth among many is that we are looking at a full-on attack on the hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights that have been achieved by the people in this room and so many who were here before us and upon whose shoulders we stand,” she said.
Harris also addressed comments from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, who has defended his state’s public school history curriculum from accusations of racism by claiming that some Black people benefited from slavery.
(DeSantis was in Massachusetts on Saturday for a fund-raiser at a private home in Cotuit that drew protesters, the Cape Cod Times reported.)
Without naming DeSantis, Harris said the country faces “extremist so-called leaders” who are “denying America’s clear history on the issue of slavery, who would dare to say that enslaved people benefited from being enslaved.”
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“They insult us while they try to gaslight us and we’re not having it,” she said.
The US is contending with some “bold-faced hypocrisy” that must be defeated, Harris said.
“We work to make sure that they don’t win with that foolishness,” she said.
Harris urged the crowd to focus on the 2024 election and register people to vote. She said Biden’s victory with her in 2020 paved the way for the administration to cap the out-of-pocket price of insulin at $35 monthly, limit out-of-pocket prescription expenses to $2,000 annually for Medicare Part D recipients, and the acceleration of plans to replace lead service lines.
Democracy is possessed with “an incredible strength,” Harris said, but is also “very fragile.”
“It’s only as strong as our willingness to fight for it so that is our charge and our duty,” Harris said. “And when I look around this room, I know what we are up to it.”
Before Harris arrived, the crowd heard from five members of the Congressional Black Caucus in a conversation moderated by the Rev. Dr. Willie Bodrick II of Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury.
Pressley said the greatest threat to democracy is white supremacy. She recalled watching Black custodians clean the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 after it was attacked by a mob that was loyal to former president Donald J. Trump.
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“Black folks have always been the patriots,” she said. “Black people both literally and metaphorically have been cleaning up the mess left behind by white supremacy for centuries.”
Clyburn said the Jan. 6 attack didn’t take place in a vacuum. He said there have been challenges to advancements for Black people in America since the 1954 landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education in which justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional.
“This has been in the works,” said Clyburn. “We have now gone from a 9 to 0 decision in favor of democracy to a 6 to 3 decision against democracy,” an apparent reference to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to end affirmative action in college admissions.
“And they do not plan to stop there. Their goal is to continue. So what does that say to us?” Clyburn asked. “That says we must be vigilant.”
He urged the audience to not fall for the “okey-doke,” meaning a trick game or scam. Harris used the same term when she addressed the gathering.
Clyburn said to brace for the presidential campaign ahead of next year’s election to produce more misinformation than what was unleashed in 2020.
“They are planning to permeate our communities with as much misinformation as they possibly can,” he said.
A part of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of the housing crisis in Massachusetts and its impact on Black people.
Nicole Obi, president and chief executive of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, and Anne Rousseau, chief financial officer at Metro Housing Boston, gave an overview of the challenges Black people face in finding affordable homes to rent or buy.
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When it comes to housing, Obi said Massachusetts is more segregated now than it was 30 years ago.
“We simply cannot maintain our status as a highly competitive state if we don’t address the state’s housing shortage,” she said. “We can’t effectively build and maintain wealth if we don’t give all of our citizens the opportunity for adequate and affordable housing.”
Laura Crimaldi can be reached at laura.crimaldi@globe.com. Follow her @lauracrimaldi. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/29/metro/vice-president-kamala-harris-makes-surprise-visit-roxbury-community-college/ | 2023-07-29T23:13:01 | 1 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/29/metro/vice-president-kamala-harris-makes-surprise-visit-roxbury-community-college/ |
The Mets have an agreement in place to trade ace Max Scherzer to the Rangers, according to multiple reports.
Scherzer has agreed to waive his no-trade clause, according to SNY, although there are still financial issues to work through before the trade is completed, as well as a physical for Scherzer, who has had side and back issues this season.
The 39-year-old Scherzer (9-4) has a 4.01 ERA in 19 starts this season, striking out 121 batters in 107⅔ innings for the Mets, who signed the three-time Cy Young winner to a three-year, $130 million deal in November 2021. He hasn’t finished a season with an ERA above 4.00 since 2011.
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The eight-time All-Star and 2019 World Series champion posted a 2.29 ERA with 173 strikeouts in 145⅓ innings in 2022, his first year in New York. He finished third in Cy Young voting as recently as 2021, when he was traded from the Nationals to the Dodgers midseason.
Luisangel Acuna, the younger brother of the Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. and a top prospect, was not in the lineup for the Frisco RoughRiders and SNY reported his absence was due to the Scherzer trade.
The Rangers, who entered Saturday 60-44, have a two-game lead in the National League West and are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Angels’ Ward takes pitch to head
Angels outfielder Taylor Ward was hit in the head by a pitch from Blue Jays righthander Alek Manoah in the fifth inning of a 6-1 loss in Toronto.
Batting with the bases loaded in the Angels’ 6-1 loss, Ward was hit by a 2-0 pitch clocked at 91 miles per hour. The ball appeared to strike Ward next to his next left eye, knocking off his batting helmet.
Scary moment as Taylor Ward takes an Alek Manoah pitch up high. pic.twitter.com/4BJZ77GCgA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 29, 2023
Plate umpire Andy Fletcher motioned to the Angels’ dugout for the trainer as Ward went down with blood running down his face.
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Manoah put his hands on his head as he stood on the mound. It was the second hit batter of the game for Manoah, who hit Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani on the left foot in the first.
Angels trainers rushed to the plate and held a towel to Ward’s face. After a couple of minutes, Ward got to his feet and left the field on a cart. His left eye appeared to be swollen shut.
Alejandro Kirk hit a leadoff homer against former Blue Jays lefthander Aaron Loup in the seventh inning, then hit a two-run shot off right-hander Jaime Barria in the eighth. It was Kirk’s first multihomer game of the season and the fourth of his career.
Toronto won for the 14th time in 20 games and moved to a season-best 13 games above .500 at 59-46. The Blue Jays are 25-11 when they hit two or more home runs.
Shohei Ohtani started for the Angels after leaving Friday’s game in the ninth because of cramps in both legs. Ohtani was hit on the left foot by a pitch in the first inning, doubled in the third, and was intentionally walked in both the fifth and sixth innings.
Nevin draws one-game suspension
Angels manager Phil Nevin was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount by MLB for a postgame outburst at an umpire following a loss to the Blue Jays on Friday.
Bench coach Ray Montgomery managed the Angels during the second game of the three-game series as Nevin served his suspension.
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Nevin was seen holding up a tablet computer and yelling at plate umpire Mike Estabrook as the crew left the field after a 4-1 loss Friday night.
The umpires access their locker room through the tunnel at the end of the visitor’s dugout on the first base side of Rogers Centre. A Toronto police officer accompanied the umpire crew as it descended the dugout steps. Montgomery had to restrain Nevin as the umpires passed through the end of the dugout.
Nevin was angry about the game-ending called third strike against pinch hitter Michael Stefanic.
“I just explained to him that I thought the pitch to Stefanic was outside,” Nevin later told reporters.
Blue Jays closer Romano to IL
The Blue Jays put closer Jordan Romano on the 15-day injured list because of a sore lower back, one day after the righthander left with two outs in the ninth inning.
A two-time All-Star, Romano is 4-5 with a 2.79 ERA and 28 saves in 31 chances. Entering play Saturday, Romano was tied with Baltimore’s Felix Bautista and Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase for the AL lead.
The Blue Jays recalled righthander Nate Pearson from Triple A Buffalo. Pearson is 5-2 with a 4.75 ERA in 29 games.
Santana makes first start for Brewers
Veteran slugger Carlos Santana debuted with the Brewers, hitting third and playing first base against the Braves. The Brewers acquired the 37-year-old first baseman in a Thursday trade that sent minor league infielder Jhonny Severino to the Pirates. To make room for Santana, the Brewers sent reserve infielder Jahmai Jones to Triple A Nashville . . . The Cubs activated third baseman Nick Madrigal from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Miles Mastrobuoni to Triple A Iowa.
Advertisement | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/29/sports/mets-nearing-deal-send-ace-max-scherzer-rangers/ | 2023-07-29T23:13:07 | 1 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/29/sports/mets-nearing-deal-send-ace-max-scherzer-rangers/ |
SAN FRANCISCO — Until this season, Justin Turner had not started four games at second base since 2014, his first year with the Dodgers.
He was 29 then. Now he’s 38, the point in a long career when a ballplayer often becomes a designated hitter and plays an occasional game at first base.
That was what the Red Sox expected when they signed Turner. But there he was on Friday night, ranging to his right like vintage Roberto Alomar to backhand a ground ball up the middle and keep it from going into center field to save a run in the seventh inning.
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But that wasn’t the extent of his web gem. Turner managed to flip the ball with his glove to shortstop Yu Chang for a force at second base before falling face first in the dirt.
“We all started yelling in the dugout,” infield coach Carlos Febles said after the Sox beat the San Francisco Giants, 3-2. “That was exciting. It helped us win the game.”
For a creaky old DH, Turner was moving pretty fast.
“It was just kind of in the moment. I’m glad it wasn’t too low and I didn’t have to bend over too far,” he said. “Some people think I can’t get down there anymore. It ended up being a pretty big play.”
JT 🤯 pic.twitter.com/pu5rQ41blG
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 29, 2023
Turner has played 43 innings across parts of nine games at second base. Those four starts have allowed manager Alex Cora to use Masataka Yoshida as the DH and keep Jarren Duran and Adam Duvall in the lineup.
That’s the team’s best offensive lineup. The Sox are 3-1 in those games and have averaged 5.0 runs, so the alignment has worked.
“We know that his range is limited,” Cora said. “But what he touches, most of the time he turns into outs. He plays hard and is in tune with the game.
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“We understand where we’re at. We do our best to have our best offensive lineup on a nightly basis. Whatever we can get from him on the field, it’s a plus.”
To be sure, it’s not perfect. There is a distinct risk of injury playing Turner in the field. But Cora is trying to maximize the roster.
“We know if he can get to the ball, he can make a play,” Febles said. “I think he’s having a great time here. He’s taking accountability on defense and we appreciate that. He’s been fantastic.”
Turner was drafted and developed by the Reds as a second baseman. Then he became a utility player before his career took off as a third baseman with the Dodgers.
Before Major League Baseball put in rules to control infield shifts, Turner often played on the other side of second base when the Dodgers shifted. So to some degree it’s familiar ground.
“It’s good to get back over there,” Turner said. “I’ve played second base pretty much my whole life until I got to LA”
Turner has given the Sox 315 innings in the field between first, second, and third. Advanced metrics show him above average at first, below average at third, and slightly below average at second.
Cora has used him as a defensive replacement at first base for Triston Casas.
“He gives us options,” Febles said. “Whatever we’ve asked, he’s done it. He’s been a great addition.”
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Turner’s highlight play was greeted by boos from the fans at Oracle Park, who still see him as Dodger. The Giants-Dodgers hatred doesn’t quite match that of the Red Sox-Yankees, but it’s pretty close.
“I’d be more concerned if they didn’t boo me here,” Turner said.
Turner was the DH for Saturday’s game against the Giants. But he is staying ready for when he’ll be needed again at second base.
“Taking ground balls and making sure I have my footwork around the bag,” he said. “Knowing that it’s most likely not going to be an everyday thing, I make sure I get my work and be prepared as possible. Just have fun and play the game.”
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him @PeteAbe. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/29/sports/red-sox-justin-turner-is-proving-hes-still-second-baseman-heart/ | 2023-07-29T23:13:13 | 0 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/29/sports/red-sox-justin-turner-is-proving-hes-still-second-baseman-heart/ |
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To learn more about adoption from foster care visit www.mareinc.org . Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) can give you guidance and information on the adoption process. Reach out today to find out all the ways you can help children and teens in foster care. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/30/metro/skylher-enjoys-sports-outdoor-activities/ | 2023-07-29T23:13:19 | 1 | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/30/metro/skylher-enjoys-sports-outdoor-activities/ |
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Despite the persistent heat, thousands of fans were tailgating early for the Luke Combs concert at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday.
Many arrived at noon to drink, eat, play games, and listen to music.
With temperatures in Philadelphia in the 90s, most fans came well-prepared.
People stayed hydrated with water, used portable fans, and even inflatable pools to stay cool.
Many are hoping that Saturday night's performance doesn't turn out like Friday's when the concert was put on hold for hours due to the rain.
There is an AccuWeather Alert on Saturday night until 9 p.m. for severe thunderstorms in the Philadelphia area.
Either way, fans say nothing will rain on their parade.
"We'll hang out, we'll ride it out. We're here for the party," said Emily Annand from Maryland.
"We're all prepared. Everyone went out, got ponchos, we're prepared to shelter in place if we need to," said Gregg Vaitkevicius from Delaware. "We're good to go."
And even if there is rain, fans told Action News they're not going anywhere.
"I'm sticking it out," said Sienna Schantz from Pennsylvania. "He's (Luke Combs) my ride or die. So I'm sticking it out."
The concert began at 5:45 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. | https://6abc.com/luke-combs-lincoln-financial-field-philadelphia-concert-hot-weather/13570046/ | 2023-07-29T23:14:57 | 0 | https://6abc.com/luke-combs-lincoln-financial-field-philadelphia-concert-hot-weather/13570046/ |
Even after Edwin Diaz went down for the season back in March, it was inconceivable the Mets, with their record highest payroll in history, would wind up sellers at the trading deadline. Yet here they are, raising the white flag over Flushing, beginning with the trading of David Robertson to the Marlins for a couple of low-level teenage “futures,” and all but admitting they’ve been a $345 million catastrophe.
And somewhere Steve Cohen is asking: “How did it come to this?” And, perhaps more importantly: “Where do we go from here?”
How it came to this is mostly unexplainable. You could make the case that GM Billy Eppler perhaps didn’t do a great job of roster construction, but how does Jeff McNeil hit nearly 80 points below his league-leading .326 batting average last year? Or Pete Alonso’s slash line of .271/.352/.518 in 2022, shrink to .217/.315/.497? Or Francisco Lindor fall off from a .270 batting average and .788 OPS last year to .228/.760 while on pace for 30-40 fewer RBI?
It was nobody’s fault that Jose Quintana, counted on to fill one of the rotation vacancies from the free agent departures of Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker, missed the first 3 ½ months of the season with a freak injury, but without him the Nos. 4 and 5 spots after Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Kodai Senga have been an unenviable crapshoot all season long for Buck Showalter. Most egregious, however, was Eppler’s failure to secure any hard-throwing strikeout arms behind Robertson, as the Mets pen appeared too often to be an endless parade of Triple-A “tin cans”.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about this Mets pratfall — other than payroll doesn’t equivocate to pennants (see: Yankees) — it’s that they are nowhere near the same class as the Braves, who have superior players, on both sides of the ball, at catcher, first base, second base, third base, right field and maybe even center field where Michael Harris II, an elite defender, is developing fast into a solid hitter. And while we might give the edge at shortstop to the Mets, it’s based purely on Lindor’s reputation. The fact of the matter is the Braves’ Orlando Arcia has had an All-Star season.
There’s not a whole lot Eppler can do about the Mets’ offense as a whole other than hope Alonso, McNeil and Lindor will revert to ‘22 form and that Starling Marte, at 35 next year, isn’t nearing the end of the line (as it’s looked) and has some comeback in him. They lack power in the outfield which could be partially rectified by moving Brett Baty off third base where he’s been a defensive liability. That would also open up a spot for Ronny Mauricio, whose time appears to be at hand.
But if Cohen ever expects to realize the fruits of his spending, Eppler is going to need to make major additions to the pitching staff — starting with re-signing Robertson (who loved pitching for Showalter) after the season. That would certainly help ease the angst of Met fans unwilling to wait ‘til 2025 or later to see the two prospects, 18-year-old middle infielder Marco Vargas, or 19-year-old switch-hitting catcher Ronald Hernandez, he got back from the Marlins. To close the gap on the Braves, the Mets are going to have to do it with pitching, and with the understanding there may not be a whole lot left in the tank with Scherzer and Verlander.
Word is, because of Eppler, they may have a leg up on the competition for 25-year-old Orix Buffaloes righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto acknowledged as the best pitcher in Japan the last few seasons, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. But they’re going to need at least one more starter and it would be nice if one could emerge from the system from among Blake Tidwell, Mike Vasil, Christian Scott or Dominic Hamel. And the bullpen, even with Diaz’s return and a re-signing of Robertson, needs a near-total overhaul.
Cohen may find this hard to believe but the reason his Mets are sellers at the trading deadline this year is because they’re not a very good team, offensively, defensively and pitching-wise.
* * *
IT’S A MADD, MADD WORLD
There was quite a hue and cry among the nation’s baseball media last week when the Angels declared Shohei Ohtani was not being traded — and then went out and dealt two of their top three prospects to the White Sox for rental righty Lucas Giolito.
“How could they hold onto him?” howled the masses, to which I would say: “How could they not?” Even if all the naysayers prove to be right and the Angels don’t make the playoffs, you have to give them credit for trying, and even if Ohtani does move on as a free agent, how do you trade a player – no matter what the circumstances – who is having the most incredible season in baseball history?
Angel fans all feel blessed (as do we all) to be able to witness Ohtani’s daily pitching and hitting feats — like last Thursday’s doubleheader against the Tigers when Ohtani notched his first career shutout in the opener — a one-hitter — and came back in the nightcap to hit his 37th and 38th homers as the Angels’ DH. Ohtani, who says the secret of his success is sleeping 12 hours a day, went into the weekend leading the majors in homers, triples (7), total bases (258), OPS (1.070) plus fewest hits allowed per nine innings (5.9) and opponents batting average (.185).
According to the Elias Bureau, only two players in history, Jim Rice in 1978 and Willie Mays in 1955, have ever led the league in both homers and triples in the same season. The American League MVP ought to be unanimous, no matter where the Angels finish up. We’ve never seen anything like this before and doubtless never will.
() | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/bill-madden-mets-historically-expensive-disaster-in-mostly-unexplainable/ | 2023-07-29T23:14:58 | 0 | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/bill-madden-mets-historically-expensive-disaster-in-mostly-unexplainable/ |
This Chicago Cubs roller-coaster ride has been one for the books.
Whether it turns into a classic or gets thrown into the used-books bin remains to be seen.
The trade deadline is quickly approaching, the heat index is rising and the Cubs suddenly have performed like the team they were at the start of the season, making believers out of longtime skeptics and forcing the front office to either commit to this group or fast-forward to the future.
Does President Jed Hoyer believe in this team enough to stand pat or even add on? Or will his business sensibilities override his penchant for dreaming big?
Like the “Save Ferris” campaign in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” Cubs players have engaged in a sort of guerilla campaign to “Save Belli” and “Save Stro,” hoping to keep Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman in the mix for a playoff push. If it works and they’re both still here Wednesday, the pressure will be on the players to avoid backsliding, as they’ve done before this season after prolonged stretches of playing well.
Hoyer must choose between his head and his heart. You have to believe he would want to keep both in a perfect world and roll the dice down the stretch. But he can’t dismiss what has happened in the first four months, even if it’s hard to make heads or tails of this team.
When the Cubs went on a 10-3 run in early April, culminating with a three-game sweep of the A’s in Oakland, you might have thought they clinched the pennant, at least if you were listening to Marquee Sports Network analyst Rick Sutcliffe.
But it turned out to be another case of someone with a big microphone wearing Cubs-colored glasses. After slumping in late April, all of May and into early June, the Cubs found themselves 10 games under .500 following a sweep by the Los Angeles Angels on June 8.
Just when it seemed safe to count them out and look toward 2024, the Cubs won 11 of 13 to get back within one game of .500, only to lose six of seven, including a devastating defeat July 3 in Milwaukee. Dansby Swanson said afterward it was time to “man up,” and the Cubs did just that the next night in a comeback win against the Brewers to stay on the edge of contention.
They won 13 of their next 19 and a season-high six straight entering Friday’s game against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, becoming the third team in franchise history to get back to the .500 mark after being 10 games under.
They extended their streak to seven straight wins with a 3-2 win Friday night after outfielder Mike Tauchman robbed a home run to end the game and moved the Cubs above .500 for 1st time since May 6.
So who are these guys? With two months left, are the Cubs back to being a contender or just teasing their fans again?
“On this day, whatever today is, I don’t think .500 matters a whole lot to us,” manager David Ross said Friday. “We’re playing really good baseball . Part of your record is what you’ve done in the past. We’ve had a really rough May and some high moments and some low moments. It has gotten us to this point. However we got here, we’re here, and we’re playing good baseball. That’s my main concern.”
The Cubs’ 26-15 record since June 9 was tied for third best in the majors. They are 3 1/24 four games out of a wild-card spot and 4 1/2 behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers.
It’s perhaps their best stretch since early April, and as Ross pointed out, they’ve been doing it in a much different manner.
“I thought our pitching really stood out early on,” he said. “I feel like the offense is standing out right now, and different players are doing it. Timely hitting. We’re still getting guys on and able to bust games open a little bit. Hopefully this transitions into a back half of everybody kind of clicking on all cylinders.”
Being .500 is nothing to shout about. But it has been a while since one of Chicago’s five oldest professional sports teams had a winning record in the second half of their season. That team would be the 2021-22 Bulls, who finished 10 games over.
Normally a team with a .500 record at this point would be unapologetic sellers ready to play out the string. But these are strange times, and if Bellinger can continue to carry them the final two months, anything could happen.
In late May, when the Cubs were only 4 1/2 out despite being five games below .500, Ross cracked: “Thank goodness for the (crappy) play of everybody in the division I guess, right?”
The National League Central isn’t quite as crummy as it looked back then, though the Cubs are still the only team with a positive run differential. The Reds on Friday were 27-14 since June 9, and the Brewers have traditionally hung in down the stretch, even after dumping players at the trade deadline, such as closer Josh Hader last year.
With so much uncertainty before Tuesday’s trade deadline, it’s almost impossible to speculate about where the Cubs will be a little more than one month from now when the races heat up in September.
We’ve seen them at their best and their worst, sometimes in the same week.
Maybe it’d be less stressful to just let it play out without any expectations. Stop worrying about tomorrow and just enjoy the ride.
But what fun would that be?
() | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/column-how-will-this-roller-coaster-season-end-for-the-chicago-cubs-its-anyones-guess/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:04 | 0 | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/column-how-will-this-roller-coaster-season-end-for-the-chicago-cubs-its-anyones-guess/ |
In its fifth year as a regular PGA Tour stop, the 3M Open at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine has never had a wire-to-wire winner. Last year, Tony Finau entered the final round five shots off the lead before winning by three at 17-under par.
Lee Hodges will try to become the first first-round leader to hold on for a 3M Open victory with the defending champion Finau lurking in familiar position.
Hodges shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday to finish the third round at 20-under par, the lowest score in tournament history after three rounds.
“It’s going to be hard tomorrow,” Hodges said after his round Saturday. “(J.T. Poston’s) going to play great, Tony Finau, unbelievable golfers behind me. Not like I can go shoot even par tomorrow, I’m going to have to keep making birdies. Yeah, I’m just going to stay aggressive like I have been.”
Hodges will start Sunday five shots clear of Poston, who will play with Hodges in Sunday’s final pairing. Finau is third at 14-under, and Aaron Baddeley is fourth at 13-under after shooting a 6-under 65 on Saturday.
For Finau, it marked his 17th round in the 60s at the 3M Open, five more than any other player in the tournament’s five years. Last year, he trailed by five shots with 11 holes to play and won. He closed Saturday’s round with four birdies over his final nine holes.
“Obviously last year was pretty crazy, just in a few holes how things can change,” Finau said. “There’s a lot of water in play on the last few holes. I don’t know that really any lead, you know, more than four or five is safe.
“I find myself again in a similar position as last year. It was just nice to make a run on the back nine today just to give myself a chance.”
Starting the day with a four-shot lead, Hodges was hardly ever challenged – by his competitors or the Blaine course. After going bogey free over the first two rounds, Hodges bogied his second hole on Saturday before settling in. He posted another bogey on No. 9 but made five birdies over his final nine holes to maintain control.
In his second year on the PGA Tour, Hodges has never won a tournament.
The week was an important one for Hodges, as well. He started the week 74th in the FedEx Cup standings with one event remaining before the playoffs. The top 70 in the standings qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Hodges has spoken all week about having nothing to lose in his attempt to qualify for the playoffs and being outside the qualifying line entering the week. It has played a part in his approach all week.
“I honestly don’t think I’ll be that nervous tonight,” Hodges said. “I’ll hang out with my wife. We’ll go do something fun. I mean, yeah, it’s just golf at the end of the day. I’m lucky to be here.”
Poston’s consistency has him within striking distance. He shot 5-under 66 each of the first three days of the tournament.
“I really hit the ball good today and feel like I had a lot of control of my golf ball, which is always nice,” Poston said. “Another bogey-free round, so again, it’s just been really solid. For tomorrow, I’ll try and do the same thing and hopefully get more putts to drop, because I think I’m going to need a low one.” | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/everybodys-chasing-lee-hodges-at-3m-open/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:10 | 1 | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/everybodys-chasing-lee-hodges-at-3m-open/ |
BALTIMORE – Aaron Judge returned and Gerrit Cole shoved, but that didn’t stop the first-place Orioles from beating the last-place Yankees on Friday night after rain delayed the start of a critical series for the Bombers.
Baltimore won, 1-0, after Anthony Santander clubbed a walk-off home run in the ninth inning. Tommy Kahnle, who has struggled in recent weeks, surrendered the dagger on a 2-0 count.
“Tough, tough loss, obviously,” said Aaron Boone, whose Yankees are now 3.5 games away from the American League’s third and final wild card spot with the trade deadline approaching.
The Orioles’ tight win spoiled Aaron Judge’s return from a torn ligament in his right big toe. Having last played on June 3, Judge said he felt jumpy early on at the plate, but he settled in for three walks after lining out in his first at-bat. The DH and No. 2 hitter also said that he felt good physically.
“Shout out to all the guys down in Tampa,” Judge said, a nod to the simulated games he played in Florida earlier this week. “They got me ready with a couple good at-bats. There’s some good arms down there, and they really got me locked in. But for me, I just tried to go out there and just do my job. I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself. Just get on-base as best I can, especially for [Anthony] Rizzo and [Giancarlo] Stanton behind me, and see what happens.”
While the Yankees squared some balls up, not much transpired for the offense – a common occurrence when Judge was on the shelf.
O’s rookie Grayson Rodriguez recorded the longest – and arguably best – start of his young career, blanking the Yankees for 6.1 innings while limiting them to three hits. The 23-year-old cracked 100 miles per hour four times and still had high-90s heat in his final frames.
“Obviously, that’s a big arm, and he’s coming off a good start his last time,” Boone said. “He had enough of a presence with his breaking ball and his changeup to still allow his fastball to really work, which he had going tonight. We had a couple chances against him. But obviously, we got to find a way to do more.”
A prized pitching prospect before the season, Rodriguez has now recorded two strong starts in a row, as Boone noted. However, he entered the game with a 6.91 ERA, continuing a trend of the Yankees disappointing against starters with inflated marks.
The Yankees recorded just one more hit after Rodriguez departed, and they left six runners on base.
With no run support provided, Gerrit Cole kept the Yankees in the game with seven dominant innings. He, too, did not allow a run while limiting the opposition to three hits. He also struck out five and didn’t walk any Orioles.
“Really good mix,” Cole said of his outing. “Really good execution and good use of the off-speed and good locations. [Catcher] Ben [Rortvedt] was picking good spots.”
Cameras caught Cole shaking Rortvedt off repeatedly at one point toward the end of his night, but the pitcher chalked that up to a tense game and working through things with a young backstop who hasn’t caught the starter much.
The Yankees will now try to even the series on Saturday when Clarke Schmidt starts against Tyler Wells. It remains to be seen if Judge will play a second consecutive day, as Boone had already said the slugger should expect an off day this weekend before inclement weather prolonged Friday’s day at the office.
“I’m looking forward to kind of sitting down with him here a little bit and just seeing how it all went and see how he’s feeling right now,” Boone said. “And obviously check in tomorrow.”
Judge, meanwhile, would love to make up for lost time.
“I’m trying to play every one, so I gotta talk to him after we talk here,” he said. “I had a lot of missed time. So I gotta get back out there.
“Boonie might have some other ideas, but we’ll talk about it.”
() | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/gerrit-cole-dominates-but-yankees-lose-to-orioles-1-0-in-aaron-judges-return/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:16 | 0 | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/gerrit-cole-dominates-but-yankees-lose-to-orioles-1-0-in-aaron-judges-return/ |
Tesla is ramping up efforts to open showrooms on tribal lands where it can sell directly to consumers, circumventing laws in states that bar vehicle manufacturers from also being retailers in favor of the dealership model.
Mohegan Sun, a casino and entertainment complex in Connecticut owned by the federally recognized Mohegan Tribe, announced this week that the California-based electric automaker will open a showroom with a sales and delivery center this fall on its sovereign property where the state’s law doesn’t apply.
The news comes after another new Tesla showroom was announced in June, set to open in 2025 on lands of the Oneida Indian Nation in upstate New York.
“I think it was a move that made complete sense,” said Lori Brown, executive director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, which has lobbied for years to change Connecticut’s law.
“It is just surprising that it took this long, because Tesla had really tried, along with Lucid and Rivian,” she said, referring to two other electric carmakers. “Anything that puts more electric vehicles on the road is a good thing for the public.”
Brown noted that lawmakers with car dealerships that are active in their districts, no matter their political affiliation, have traditionally opposed bills allowing direct-to-consumer sales.
The Connecticut Automotive Retail Association, which has opposed such bills for years, says there needs to be a balance between respecting tribal sovereignty and “maintaining a level playing field” for all car dealerships in the state.
“We respect the Mohegan Tribe’s sovereignty and the unique circumstance in which they operate their businesses on Tribal land but we strongly believe that this does not change the discussion about Tesla and other EV manufacturers with direct-to-consumer sales, and we continue to oppose that model,” Hayden Reynolds, the association’s chairperson, said in a statement. “Connecticut’s dealer franchise laws benefit consumers and provide a competitive marketplace.”
Over the years in numerous states, Tesla has sought and been denied dealership licenses, pushed for law changes and challenged decisions in courts. The company scored a victory earlier this year when Delaware’s Supreme Court overturned a ruling upholding a decision by state officials to prohibit Tesla from selling its cars to directly customers.
At least 16 states have effectively changed their laws to allow Tesla and other direct-to-consumer manufacturers to sell there, said Jeff Aiosa, executive director of the Connecticut dealers association. He doesn’t foresee Connecticut changing its law, noting that 32 “original equipment manufacturers,” a list that includes major car companies like Toyota and Ford, currently abide by it.
“It’s not fair to have an unlevel playing field when all the other manufacturers abide by the state franchise laws and Tesla wants this exception to go around the law,” he said. “I would suggest their pivoting to the sovereign nation is representative of them not wanting to abide by the law.”
Tesla opened its first store as well as a repair shop on Native American land in 2021 in New Mexico. The facility, built in Nambé Pueblo, north of Santa Fe, marked the first time the company partnered with a tribe to get around state laws, though the idea had been in the works for years.
Brian Dear, president of the Tesla Owners Club of New Mexico, predicted at the time that states that are home to tribal nations and also have laws banning direct car sales by manufacturers would likely follow New Mexico’s lead.
“I don’t believe at all that this will be the last,” he said.
Tesla’s facility at Mohegan Sun, dubbed the Tesla Sales & Delivery Center, will be located at a shopping and dining pavilion within the sprawling casino complex. Customers will be able to test drive models around the resort. and gamblers will be able to use their loyalty rewards toward Tesla purchases.
Tesla also plans to exhibit its solar and storage products at the location. | https://www.kxnet.com/news/business-beat/ap-business/ap-automaker-tesla-is-opening-more-showrooms-on-tribal-lands-to-avoid-state-laws-barring-direct-sales/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:18 | 0 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/business-beat/ap-business/ap-automaker-tesla-is-opening-more-showrooms-on-tribal-lands-to-avoid-state-laws-barring-direct-sales/ |
The Mets’ tear-down is underway, with the team agreeing to trade veteran ace Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, according to multiple reports.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner has agreed to waive his no-trade clause, but the deal remains incomplete as the teams work through the finances, SNY reported.
Scherzer, 39, is in the second season of a three-year, $130 million contract. The final year of the deal is a player option worth $43.3 million.
The right-hander is 9-4 this season but has pitched to a 4.01 ERA, his worst mark in more than a decade.
The agreement between the Mets and the Rangers came a day after Scherzer said he wanted to speak with the Mets’ front office about its intentions before the Aug. 1 trade deadline. The Mets traded closer David Robertson to the Marlins on Thursday.
“Probably got to have a conversation with the front office,” Scherzer said Friday after holding the Nationals to one run over seven innings in a win. “I mean, you’re trading our closer away. I’m sure a bunch of people are gonna have to have conversations with the front office.”
Scherzer would help bolster a Rangers rotation that is missing former Mets ace Jacob deGrom, who recently underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after signing a five-year contract with Texas in the offseason.
The Rangers currently lead the AL West. Their pitching coach is Mike Maddux, who held the same role with the Nationals in 2016 and 2017, when Scherzer won back-to-back Cy Young Awards there.
The Nationals traded Scherzer to the Dodgers before the 2021 trade deadline. Scherzer said that situation was different than this year’s with the Mets, who are in fourth place in the NL East and outside of the playoff picture despite the biggest payroll in MLB history.
“When I was in Washington, I was going to be a free agent,” Scherzer said Friday. “Our season was going south and I wanted to get traded to a playoff contender. That was the calculus with me with the Nationals. This time around, I’m not going to be a free agent. I have another year here. We did great things last year. We won 101 ballgames last year. Unfortunately, this year it’s not.”
About an hour before news of the trade emerged, Mets manager Buck Showalter said he didn’t have an issue with Scherzer’s comments.
“I’m sure that’s how he feels,” Showalter said Saturday. “Max has made it very clear why he gets up in the morning. He wants it to be here. That’s the way he’s always felt. He likes it here.”
Co-ace Justin Verlander, who signed a two-year, $86.6 million deal with the Mets in the offseason, has also been the subject of trade rumors.
() | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/mets-agree-to-trade-3-time-cy-young-award-winner-max-scherzer-to-rangers-reports/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:22 | 0 | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/mets-agree-to-trade-3-time-cy-young-award-winner-max-scherzer-to-rangers-reports/ |
30 days over 110 F in Phoenix. But expected monsoon rains could cool historically hot Southwest
PHOENIX (AP) — A historic heat wave that has gripped the U.S. Southwest throughout July, blasting residents and baking surfaces like brick, is beginning to abate with the late arrival of monsoon rains.
Forecasters expect that by Monday, people in metro Phoenix will begin to see high temperatures fall under 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) for the first time in a month.
But not on Saturday. The high temperature in the desert city with more than 1.6 million residents climbed past 110 F for the 30th straight day, the National Weather Service said. The previous record stretch of 110 F or above was for 18 days in 1974.
There are increased chances on Sunday of cooling monsoon thunderstorms. Though wet weather can also bring damaging winds, blowing dust and the chance of flash flooding, the weather service warned. Sudden rains running off hard-baked surfaces can quickly fill normally dry washes.
Already this week, the overnight low at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport fell under 90 F (32.2 C) for the first time in 16 days, finally giving residents some respite from the stifling heat once the sun goes down.
Temperatures also were expected to ease in Las Vegas, Albuquerque and even in Death Valley, California, where the weather service said the expected high of 122 F (50 C) on Saturday is forecast to lower to 113 F (45 C) by Tuesday — along with a slight chance of rain.
Also in California, triple-digit heat was expected in parts of the San Joaquin Valley from Saturday through Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford, California.
Gusty, late-afternoon winds were expected Saturday and Sunday in Santa Barbara County, posing an elevated risk of fire weather, the weather service in Los Angeles said. Hot, dry weather was also expected across nearby valleys, lower mountains and desert areas.
In Riverside County, a firefighter was injured as crews battled a wildfire that charred 3.2 square miles (8.3 square kilometers) in the community of Aguanga, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northeast of San Diego, authorities said Saturday. The so-called Bonny Fire was about 5% contained, authorities said.
A downward trend in Southwest heat started Wednesday night, when Phoenix saw its first major monsoon storm since the traditional June 15 start of the thunderstorm season. While more than half of the greater Phoenix area saw no rainfall from that storm, some eastern suburbs were pummeled by high winds, swirling dust and localized downfalls of up to 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of precipitation.
Storms gradually increasing in strength are expected over the weekend.
Scientists calculate that July will prove to be the hottest globally on record and perhaps the warmest human civilization has seen. The extreme heat is now hitting the eastern part of the U.S, as soaring temperatures moved from the Midwest into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where some places are seeing their warmest days so far this year.
The new heat records being set this summer are just some of the extreme weather being seen around the U.S. this month, such as flash floods in Pennsylvania and parts of the Northeast.
“Anyone can be at risk outside in this record heat,” the fire department in Goodyear, a Phoenix suburb, warned residents on social media while offering ideas to stay safe.
For many people such as older adults, those with health issues and those without access to air conditioning, the heat can be dangerous or even deadly.
Maricopa County, the most populous in Arizona and home to Phoenix, reported this week that its public health department had confirmed 25 heat-associated deaths this year as of July 21, with 249 more under investigation.
Results from toxicological tests that can takes weeks or months after an autopsy is conducted could eventually result in many deaths listed as under investigation as heat associated being changed to confirmed.
Maricopa County confirmed 425 heat-associated deaths last year, and more than half of them occurred in July.
Elsewhere in Arizona next week, the agricultural desert community of Yuma is expecting highs ranging from 104 to 112 (40 C to 44.4 C) and Tucson is looking at highs ranging from 99 to 111 (37.2 C to 43.9 C).
The highs in Las Vegas are forecast to slip as low as 94 (34.4 C) next Tuesday after a long spell of highs above 110 (43.3 C). Death Valley, which hit 128 (53.3 C) in mid-July, will cool as well, though only to a still blistering hot 116 (46.7 C).
In New Mexico, the highs in Albuquerque next week are expected to be in the mid to high 90s (around 35 C), with party cloudy skies.
____
Associated Press writers Ken Ritter in Las Vegas and Amy Taxin in Santa Ana, California, contributed to this report.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.kob.com/news/us-and-world-news/30-days-over-110-f-in-phoenix-but-expected-monsoon-rains-could-cool-historically-hot-southwest/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:22 | 0 | https://www.kob.com/news/us-and-world-news/30-days-over-110-f-in-phoenix-but-expected-monsoon-rains-could-cool-historically-hot-southwest/ |
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron held discussions with his Sri Lankan counterpart Saturday on an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region in the first-ever visit by a French leader to the Indian Ocean island nation.
As the fourth-largest creditor to Sri Lanka, France had pledged cooperation in debt restructuring to help the island nation recover from its economic crisis.
Macron arrived in Sri Lanka Friday night, following his trip to the South Pacific region, to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, Sri Lanka’s president’s office said.
Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe praised France’s significant role in global affairs, particularly in areas such as climate mitigation, global debt restructuring, and matters related to the Indo-Pacific region, the statement said.
“Sri Lanka and France are two Indian Ocean nations that share the same goal: an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific. In Colombo we confirmed it: strengthened by 75 years of diplomatic relations, we can open a new era of our partnership,” Macron said in a Twitter message after the meeting. | https://www.kxnet.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-french-president-macron-visits-his-counterpart-in-sri-lanka/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:26 | 0 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-french-president-macron-visits-his-counterpart-in-sri-lanka/ |
BALTIMORE — Aaron Judge returned to the Yankees’ lineup as a DH on Friday. On Saturday, he returned to the field.
Aaron Boone used the reigning MVP as his right fielder and No. 2 hitter on Saturday with the Yankees looking for a bounce-back win over the Orioles at Camden Yards. Judge played the field for the first time since his efforts on a June 3 catch at Dodger Stadium resulted in a torn ligament in his right big toe.
Boone said he checked on Judge after the slugger went 0-for-1 with three walks in his return to action on Friday. Judge felt good to go, and team trainer Mike Schuk felt comfortable with Judge playing two days in a row.
With that said, Judge is expected to get a day off on Sunday.
“Maybe. Probably, but we’ll see,” Boone said when asked if that was the plan. “We’ll get through today and see where we’re at.”
After Friday’s game, Judge said that he wasn’t looking for a day off in Baltimore, but he and the Yankees know they need to be careful.
“I’m trying to play every one, so I gotta talk to [Boone] after we talk here,” Judge said said. “I had a lot of missed time. So I gotta get back out there.
“Boonie might have some other ideas, but we’ll talk about it.”
Speaking of being careful, Boone was asked about the possibility of Judge diving in the field and knowing when to take his foot off the gas. While Judge’s injury occurred on an all-out defensive play — a cement step at Dodger Stadium didn’t help — the manager said the outfielder has “curtailed some of that” over the last two years.
“He’s played a little smarter,” Boone said. “Doesn’t mean he’s not going to play hard and try and make plays, but I think there’s certain things that he doesn’t feel great about doing yet. So he’s naturally going to avoid certain things.”
Boone added that there could be situations where a pinch-runner comes in for Judge as his toe continues to heal.
NASTY NESTOR
Nestor Cortes (rotator cuff) totaled four innings, two hits, zero runs, one walk, five strikeouts and 49 pitches in his rehab start for Double-A Somerset on Friday. He then made his way to Baltimore and arrived at Camden Yards in the middle of the Yankees’ rain-delayed game.
Boone said that Cortes felt good after the outing. The skipper watched the entire performance on Saturday morning.
“Everything looked good,” Boone said. “The breaking ball. He actually had a good changeup going. I talked to him about that today. But his fastball, the life was there. Command of the cutter. He was sharp.”
Cortes is expected to make one more rehab start before rejoining the Yankees. He’ll throw about 60 pitches his next time out.
LOAISIGA’S REHAB
Jonathan Loáisiga (bone spur) is going to start a rehab assignment on Sunday in Tampa, per Boone. He’ll “probably” need to make at least three or four rehab appearances before returning to the Yankees’ bullpen.
() | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/yankees-notebook-aaron-judge-returns-to-right-field-before-probable-off-day/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:28 | 1 | https://www.twincities.com/2023/07/29/yankees-notebook-aaron-judge-returns-to-right-field-before-probable-off-day/ |
Appellate court rules that Missouri man with schizophrenia can be executed after all
The planned execution of a 45-year-old Missouri man with schizophrenia is back on after an appellate court reversed course Saturday.
Johnny Johnson is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Tuesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre for killing 6-year-old Casey Williamson after trying to sexually assault her in 2002.
With questions swirling about his mental competency, the execution was halted last Tuesday by a divided three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court. But after the Missouri Attorney General’s Office asked that the full court reconsider, that decision was reversed in a 7-3 ruling.
The case will likely end up before the U.S. Supreme Court before the scheduled execution date.
Attorneys for Johnson have claimed his schizophrenia prevents him from understanding the link between his crime and the punishment. They have also said Johnson has delusions about the devil using his death to bring about the end of the world.
The Missouri Supreme Court in June declined to halt the execution based on the mental health claim. The attorney general’s office challenged the credibility of psychiatric evaluations of Johnson and contended that medical records indicate he is able to manage his mental illness through medication.
Johnson lured the girl to an abandoned glass factory, even carrying her on his shoulders on the walk to the dilapidated site. When he tried to sexually assault her, Casey screamed and tried to break free. He killed her with bricks and rocks, then washed off in the Meramec River. Johnson confessed to the crimes.
Casey’s disappearance set off a frantic search involving first responders and volunteers. Her body was found in a pit less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from her home, buried beneath rocks and debris.
The execution would be the fourth in Missouri this year.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.kob.com/news/us-and-world-news/appellate-court-rules-that-missouri-man-with-schizophrenia-can-be-executed-after-all/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:28 | 1 | https://www.kob.com/news/us-and-world-news/appellate-court-rules-that-missouri-man-with-schizophrenia-can-be-executed-after-all/ |
Robert Chambers, NYC’s ‘Preppy Killer,’ is released after 15 years in prison on drug charges
NEW YORK (AP) — Robert Chambers, better known to some as the “Preppy Killer,” was released after spending 15 years in prison for drug and assault charges, according to state records.
Chambers spent a similar amount of time in prison after pleading guilty to strangling Jennifer Levin in New York City’s Central Park during the summer of 1986.
Chambers entered the plea to killing 18-year-old Levin as part of a deal when a jury could not reach a decision after nine days of deliberations.
He was released in 2003 for that crime but again ran afoul of the law soon after.
He was again arrested in 2007 for selling drugs out of his apartment. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison but was released Tuesday — four years early — from the Shawangunk Correctional Facility in New York, according to online inmate records maintained by the New York Department of Corrections.
Chambers, now 56, will remain under supervision for up to five years, records show.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.kob.com/news/us-and-world-news/robert-chambers-nycs-preppy-killer-is-released-after-15-years-in-prison-on-drug-charges/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:34 | 1 | https://www.kob.com/news/us-and-world-news/robert-chambers-nycs-preppy-killer-is-released-after-15-years-in-prison-on-drug-charges/ |
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Typhoon Doksuri weakened into a tropical storm late Friday night after bringing heavy winds and rain that left more than a million people without power in southern China.
After making landfall Friday morning in southern Fujian province, where at least 400,000 people were evacuated, the storm flooded streets and toppled electric transmission towers in the province. Over a million households were left without power, according to the state-backed Xiamen Evening News.
The typhoon was downgraded to a tropical storm at 11 p.m. Friday night, China’s state-owned broadcaster CCTV announced.
Businesses and summer school classes had been ordered suspended and the public was urged to stay indoors. In the city of Quanzhou by China’s southern coast, authorities reported some 50 individuals sustained minor injuries. Residents shared photos on social media showing downed trees with roots fully out of the ground Saturday morning.
The tropical storm is expected to move its way farther inland in China, bringing heavy rains to the capital, Beijing.
Earlier in the week, the storm grazed past Taiwan’s main island after hitting the Philippines ‘ main island of Luzon, where it produced landslides, flooding and downed trees. The storm displaced thousands and caused 41 deaths — including 27 killed in the capsizing of a passenger ship. About 20 others remained missing, including four coast guard personnel whose boat overturned while on a rescue mission in hard-hit Cagayan province, officials said Saturday, adding that they were monitoring another approaching storm. | https://www.kxnet.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-typhoon-doksuri-is-downgraded-to-tropical-storm-status-as-it-leaves-southern-china/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:33 | 0 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-typhoon-doksuri-is-downgraded-to-tropical-storm-status-as-it-leaves-southern-china/ |
Party on the Plaza is back!
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -An event with food, music, and games, took place Saturday evening in the Haymarket Plaza.
Party on The Plaza is an event put on by the City of Eau Claire, and it occurs once a month during the summer.
There are a multitude of things to check out at the event, including live, diverse music, arts and crafts vendors, and food!
Communications and Promotions Coordinator for the City of Eau Claire, Dustin Olson, shared details about why they put on the event.
“We just, we wanted to get some more people out to Haymarket Plaza. We wanted to add to the music mix that we offer downtown. So, we reached out to some diverse bands. And just try to provide a, a free fun night out for folks,” Olson said.
Olson also said that a few hundred people usually join the party each month, and that there is one more party left on August 26th.
Copyright 2023 WEAU. All rights reserved. | https://www.weau.com/2023/07/29/party-plaza-is-back/ | 2023-07-29T23:15:38 | 1 | https://www.weau.com/2023/07/29/party-plaza-is-back/ |
Storms dropped additional moderate to heavy rain across a good portion of mid-Michigan late Friday into Saturday morning.
There were some tree damage and power lines down from 60 mph wind gusts from a severe storm in both Tuscola and Lapeer counties Friday evening.
The storms ended Saturday morning, leaving us with some afternoon sunshine and dropping humidity levels behind a cold front, as our wind turned to the north.
Overnight will be very pleasant with partly cloudy conditions and lows in the upper 50s to around 60 degrees.
We'll see a mix of sun & clouds Sunday with highs in the mid to upper 70s.
The last day of July will be another fantastic day as temperatures return to the upper 70s with partly cloudy skies.
August starts off dry with temperatures rising from the upper 70s to low 80s from Tuesday through Thursday.
The storms ended Saturday morning, leaving us with some afternoon sunshine and dropping humidity levels behind a cold front, as our wind turned to the north.
Overnight will be very pleasant with partly cloudy conditions and lows in the upper 50s to around 60 degrees.
We'll see a mix of sun & clouds Sunday with highs in the mid to upper 70s.
The last day of July will be another fantastic day as temperatures return to the upper 70s with partly cloudy skies.
August starts off dry with temperatures rising from the upper 70s to low 80s from Tuesday through Thursday. | https://www.abc12.com/weather/cooler-and-more-pleasant-weather-lasts-well-into-next-week/article_512056e2-2e55-11ee-92e8-afe8fadd3266.html | 2023-07-29T23:15:38 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/weather/cooler-and-more-pleasant-weather-lasts-well-into-next-week/article_512056e2-2e55-11ee-92e8-afe8fadd3266.html |