Caitlin Clark’s rookie season got here to an finish Wednesday at Mohegan Solar Enviornment because the Connecticut Solar proved an excessive amount of for the Indiana Fever. The presumptive Rookie of the Yr dropped 25 factors in what proved to be the ultimate recreation of her first skilled season.
The Iowa legend was chosen first total by Indiana within the 2024 WNBA Draft following the Hawkeyes’ run to the nationwide championship. After a 1-8 begin to the season, the Fever — and Clark — settled into their id. Clark and veteran Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell made a case for greatest WNBA backcourt popping out of the Olympic break as Indiana went 8-2 of their first 10 video games again.
Like different prime draft picks in years’ previous, Clark has been on a wild curler coaster since her NCAA profession resulted in April. Together with the rigor on the court docket, Clark additionally shouldered the ups and downs of being arguably probably the most recognizable identify in ladies’s basketball.
“The adversity that these guys went via, simply the the expectations that had been insane for us to begin this season, and what folks thought we must be doing, and … the skin noise that these guys needed to needed to endure from recreation one until now, so hurtful,” Fever coach Christie Sides stated postgame. “They dealt with it and stored exhibiting up and stored coming in our locker room and stored discovering methods to get higher, and we freaking landed within the playoffs.”
By all of it, Clark’s recreation spoke for itself, and as she grew to become extra snug as a facilitator, the Fever discovered their stride.
Heading into the 2024 WNBA playoffs, Clark averaged simply over 19 factors and eight assists per recreation for the Fever. She tallied the first-ever rookie triple double and surpassed Ticha Penicheiro to turn out to be the all-time rookie assists chief in her WNBA debut season.
Clark is anticipated to be named the 2024 Rookie of the Yr, and she or he might doubtlessly turn out to be the sixth participant to win unanimously — the newest being her teammate Aliyah Boston final yr. As for the offseason, Clark hasn’t given it an excessive amount of thought, although Ryan Ruocco revealed on the ESPN broadcast Wednesday she “nearly positively is not going to play basketball this offseason.”
“I used to be centered on beating the Connecticut Solar. I have not thought too far down the road. I do not know what I will do tomorrow. I do not know what I will do the following day,” Clark joked.
Regardless of not having concrete plans, the rookie guard seems ahead to taking a second to mirror on not simply her rookie yr, but additionally her senior season at Iowa.
“I really feel like I did not even have time to actually mirror on my school profession, as a result of it ended so quick, after which I got here right here and was making an attempt to present every part I might to this crew,” Clark stated. “I really feel like taking a while to myself and actually having fun with that and reflecting again … It will positively be most likely a bit bizarre for me over the course the primary couple weeks. After which I am certain I will get bored and choose up a basketball once more.”
With the 87-81 loss, the Fever are eradicated from their first playoff look since 2016. With the win, the Solar advance to their sixth consecutive WNBA semifinals. Connecticut entered the WNBA playoffs because the No. 3 seed and can face both the Mercury or the Lynx within the semis.
A disclosure: I’m unsure how a lot essential distance I can have from the Netflix comedy “No one Desires This,” because the whole present appears to have been filmed inside 5 miles of my home. The feather-light romance, starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody as an oversharing podcaster and the delicate rabbi who sweeps her off her ft, was impressed by the lifetime of creator Erin Foster, former star of “Barely Well-known” and present co-host of “The World’s First Podcast” together with her sister Sara. However it’s additionally a throwback to a TV micro-trend that peaked a couple of decade in the past: low-stakes collection that chronicle the emotional and romantic lives of self-involved “inventive” varieties in a small handful of neighborhoods within the northeast nook of Los Angeles. (The mere presence of Bell and Brody evokes millennial touchstones like “Gossip Lady” and “The O.C.,” although these parallels are extra superficial than stylistic.)
But “No one Desires This” is to “Clear,” “You’re the Worst” and their ilk what the so-called “indie sleaze” revival is to The Strokes and LCD Soundsystem: a faint echo that’s content material to echo the aesthetics of its affect with out a lot in the way in which of substance. (Deliver within the heavyweights of TV-as-extended-rom-com, like “Disaster” and “Fleabag,” and the comparability is much more unflattering.) I think this shall be extra of a boon than an obstacle to its success. Netflix has made megahits of reveals as shiny and frictionless as “No one Desires This” prior to now; after downing 10 episodes in two sittings, I entered a thought-free mind-set I’ve come to think about as “Emily in Paris” Syndrome. The sugar excessive nonetheless wears off. Regardless of the title, loads of individuals will wish to watch “No one Desires This.” I simply doubt they’ll have lasting recollections of it.
Not that there’s a lot to recollect, by way of both battle or depth of character. Joanne (Bell) chronicles her chaotic courting life together with her sister, Morgan (“Succession’s” Justine Lupe), on their indeterminately profitable chat present. (As a former Spotify worker, I’ve some severe qualms with how this present portrays the audio trade.) But when she meets Noah (Brody) at a cocktail party, the obstacles of their path appear virtually to take away themselves. Conveniently, Noah has simply ended a severe relationship, although he appears to have few hangups about diving headfirst into his subsequent one.
The excellent news is that the sine qua non of “No one Desires This” is firmly in place. Bell and Brody have straightforward, heat, infectious chemistry, lapsing into informal and convincing banter from the second they lock eyes. Actually, their rapport is likely to be too straightforward. Noah is humorous, form, commitment-friendly, rich by means of his household and extra easygoing than his vocation may recommend. Probably the most severe fault Joanne can discover in him is that he’s too wanting to impress her mother and father. The want success is nice, however a barrier to fleshing Noah out past the fantasy, not to mention depicting his relationship with Joanne as a pairing of two equally complicated people.
In principle, the first roadblock to the couple’s fortunately ever after is that Noah is Jewish and Joanne isn’t. This supposed stress, nonetheless it manifests, strains credulity. When performed for laughs, it’s unbelievable that an grownup Angeleno has by no means heard the phrases “shalom” or “Shabbat.” When mined for drama, Noah’s spirituality isn’t taken significantly sufficient to function its personal heart of gravity. And when refracted by means of Noah’s mom (Tovah Feldsuh), sister-in-law (Jackie Tohn) and ex (Emily Arlook), “No one Desires This” paints Jewish girls with a discomfitingly broad brush, casting them as clannish harpies who virtually begin spitting when a shiksa enters the premises. The Haim-heavy soundtrack suggests all this performs out within the twenty first century, however typically I needed to verify.
“No one Desires This” fares higher when it units the bar decrease. The present is a sitcom at coronary heart, and is loads proficient at, effectively, situational comedy. Noah and Joanne run right into a congregant at a intercourse store! Noah’s brother Sasha (Timothy Simons) has to assist his teen daughter with a boy downside while stoned! These eventualities seem and dissipate inside 25 minutes, the higher to press ahead in a binge unencumbered by weightier feelings.
However “No one Desires This” appears ideologically against cultivating deeper connections to and amongst its protagonists. Lupe is a gifted comic, but Morgan stays little greater than Joanne’s quippy sounding board. Apparently, she’s divorced, but it surely’s by no means defined why her marriage ended or what impact it had on her. It’s briefly teased that Noah might have points standing as much as his overbearing mom on Joanne’s behalf; earlier than they’ll develop into a recurring downside, they’re swiftly overcome. Initially, the late-in-life popping out of Joanne and Morgan’s father (Michael Hitchcock) is deployed as a gag. Solely towards the top of the season will we study useful familial context for Joanne’s romantic dysfunction — and even then, it’s an exposition dump from one other character.
Charisma and nostalgia are highly effective lures, they usually’ll take “No one Desires This” far. Frankly, there’s so little to the collection’ nominal stabs at interfaith tradition conflict that one wonders why it bothers with them in any respect. If “No one Desires This” can’t make Joanne and Noah a lived-in partnership, it a minimum of provides us Bell, Brody and a pleasant-enough time.
All 10 episodes of “No one Desires This” are actually streaming on Netflix.
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams is going through federal fees of bribery, fraud and soliciting a political contribution from a international nationwide, based on an indictment that was unsealed on Thursday — a historic circumstance that comes after a monthslong investigation.
Early Thursday, federal brokers descended upon the mayor’s official residence, Gracie Mansion, member station Gothamist reported, citing regulation enforcement.
After the indictment was unsealed, Adams maintained his innocence, saying at an outside information convention that his authorized workforce would “peruse the complete doc.”
“If it is marketing campaign violations, I do know I do not violate the marketing campaign [laws],” Adams mentioned. “If it is international donors, I do know I do not take cash from international donors.”
Because the mayor and his supporters turned to go away the occasion, loud chants of “Resign!” broke out.
Here is the indictment that was unsealed on Thursday:
For almost a decade of Adams’ political profession — first as a borough president after which as mayor, the indictment alleges — he “sought and accepted improper priceless advantages, resembling luxurious worldwide journey, together with from rich international businesspeople and a minimum of one Turkish [government] official in search of to achieve affect over him.”
“By smuggling their contributions to ADAMS via U.S.-based straw donors, ADAMS’s abroad contributors defeated federal legal guidelines that serve to forestall international affect on U.S. elections,” the indictment alleges.
Adams is accused of utilizing New York Metropolis’s public matching-funds system to compound his positive factors, with the indictment alleging that due to bogus claims, Adams’ “2021 mayoral marketing campaign obtained greater than $10,000,000 in public funds.”
The federal fees signify an emphatic turnabout within the profession of Adams, a former New York Police Division officer and state senator who went on to turn out to be Brooklyn’s borough president earlier than profitable the mayoral race in 2021.
Costs define luxurious journey — and payback
The grand jury indictment accuses Adams of accepting quite a few high-end journey perks, alleging {that a} senior official in Turkey’s diplomatic institution who facilitated straw donations to Adams additionally organized for the mayor and others to fly free of charge or at discounted charges on Turkey’s nationwide airline.
Their locations ranged from France, China, Sri Lanka and India to Hungary and Turkey, the doc states. On these journeys, the indictment alleges, Adams and his social gathering would “obtain, amongst different issues, free rooms at opulent resorts, free meals at high-end eating places, and free luxurious leisure whereas in Turkey.”
In return, the indictment says, Adams granted the Turkish official’s request in September 2021 that he put strain on the New York Metropolis Fireplace Division to make sure Turkey’s new consular constructing, a 36-story skyscraper, would open in time for a go to by Turkey’s president — regardless of not present process a hearth inspection.
“On the time, the constructing would have failed an FDNY inspection,” the indictment states, including {that a} fireplace official was instructed he would lose his job if he did not agree to permit the constructing to open.
Together with the Turkish official, the indictment alleges that different international nationals gave Adams profitable journey advantages and/or organized unlawful marketing campaign contributions, together with a Turkish entrepreneur recognized solely because the “Promoter,” a businesswoman who owns the posh St. Regis Istanbul resort and an airline supervisor who often upgraded Adams’ flights to enterprise class.
When Adams received the 2021 mayoral race, the “Promoter” and a rich Turkish businessman allegedly celebrated in textual content messages and spoke about utilizing his new place to their benefit, based on textual content messages reproduced within the indictment. The “Promoter” predicted Adams would quickly be the president of the U.S., the court docket doc states.
What sort of punishment may Adams face?
Adams, 64, is charged with 5 felony counts — however essentially the most severe cost is for wire fraud, which carries a most sentence of 20 years in jail if he is convicted.
The only rely of soliciting and accepting a bribe carries a most sentence of 10 years in jail. One other sole rely, for conspiracy, carries a most five-year sentence. Every of two counts for soliciting marketing campaign contributions from international nationals additionally carries a sentence of 5 years.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Choose Dale E. Ho, the previous director of the American Civil Liberties Union Voting Rights Challenge, who was confirmed to the federal bench final yr.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP through Getty Photos / AFP
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AFP
“I am stepping up, not stepping down,” New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams mentioned on Thursday, rejecting calls to resign as he stood exterior Gracie Mansion after being indicted on federal felony fees. Federal brokers had raided the mayor’s official residence earlier within the day.
What if Adams resigns?
Underneath New York Metropolis’s order of succession, the following particular person in line to turn out to be mayor could be town’s public advocate, Jumaane D. Williams, 48, a former Metropolis Council member who represented a Brooklyn district. Subsequent after Williams could be town’s comptroller, Brad Lander, a progressive Democrat who mentioned in July that he would problem Adams within the 2025 election.
When Adams was requested at a information convention this week whether or not he would resign, he was unfazed: “I am stepping up, not stepping down. I’ve a metropolis to run.”
It isn’t sure how a lot warning the mayor might need had about being indicted. In that very same information convention, he mentioned, “I am enthusiastic about what the long run and what tomorrow holds for us.”
Indictment follows exits of prime officers
Adams’ administration has seen three high-profile resignations in latest days:
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned every week after federal authorities seized his cellphone throughout an investigation.
Lisa Zornberg, the chief counsel and authorized adviser to the mayor, resigned days later.
Kristen Kaufman, the deputy commissioner of public-private partnerships and financial improvement, additionally stepped down.
Rumblings of hassle started final fall
Federal brokers performed raids concentrating on a number of folks in Adams’ inside circle final November, as Gothamist and WNYC reporter Elizabeth Kim instructed NPR final week.
Adams’ prime fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, was one of many folks raided — a stunning however not surprising improvement: Different mayors’ fundraising operations have additionally been investigated over time.
“However what was uncommon and actually raised folks’s eyebrows was when federal brokers additionally seized the mayor’s telephones,” Kim mentioned. “That is when the political observers began considering that that is moderately severe, as a result of that was just about unprecedented in New York.”
The most important questions concerning the investigation into the mayor, Kim mentioned, centered on the inquiry’s focus and the way it would possibly intersect with different investigations.
“We do know that a part of the main focus has been on unlawful donations from Turkish officers,” Kim mentioned. “Then there’s one other investigation into one in every of Mayor Adams’ fundraisers who actually targeted on the Chinese language group.”
NPR and member station reporters are studying via court docket data to assemble the total context of the accusations towards Adams and can proceed to replace this story.
The charming, advanced, and completely solid sitcom No person Desires This proves that mainstream comedy doesn’t must be soulless and simplistic to succeed. A genuinely bold tweaking of the rom-com components spun off from creator Erin Foster’s podcast, No person Desires This takes two performers with earlier observe information for making viewers need to fall in love with their characters, performs to their strengths, and – most significantly – offers them one thing substantial to do. Sharply written, intelligently paced, and placing a pleasant steadiness between sentimental, sarcastic, and foolish, No person Desires This reinvigorates a style that has been quietly wheezing away unnoticed for fairly a while.
Joanne (Kristen Bell) hosts a profitable intercourse and relationships podcast together with her sister, Morgan (Justine Lupe). Their enterprise takes off and begins to realize extra traction with streaming companies, thanks in no small half to Morgan’s promiscuity and Joanne’s aversion to dedication. Noah (Adam Brody) is a rabbi in line for a significant promotion, however his romantic life is in shambles. He has simply damaged up with a clingy, overzealous lady (Emily Arlook) that his doting, traditionalist mom (Tova Feldshuh) and forthright sister-in-law (Jackie Tohn) suppose is ideal for him. Agnostic Joanne meets Noah at a celebration thrown by a mutual acquaintance (Sherry Cola), and the chemistry between them is rapid and palpable. Regardless of their apparent variations and backgrounds, Joanne and Noah begin laying the muse for a loving relationship, a lot to the chagrin of his household, who suppose he’s throwing his livelihood and religion within the gutter for a shiksa.
The tone of No person Desires This is replete with laid again So-Cal vibes, however whereas it goes down straightforward, the collection is something however breezy. Foster’s staff of writers and administrators know the components for such a present properly, however every episode comprises a delightful and considerate variety of layers. There’s all the time a “state of affairs” that every instalment of No person Desires This revolves round, however they’re all the time in service of strengthening the characters and their relationships. Though some characters float out and in of the dialog, the present ensures the viewer will get to know all of them in wealthy element, making a number of the extra bittersweet and emotionally difficult developments down the highway hit all of the more durable.
All the characters in No person Desires This have robust opinions and mindsets; by no means scared to say what’s really on their thoughts. As a substitute of constructing the comedy round folks preserving secrets and techniques from their companions, lots of the awkwardness in No person Desires This performs out within the open. The present wears its coronary heart on its sleeve in any respect turns, however there stays a level of unpredictability as a result of the overarching idea is fraught with risk and consequence. It may not be as pointed and downtrodden as this yr’s different noteworthy challenge revolving round a lovesick rabbi (Nathan Silver’s good movie Between the Temples), however No person Desires This exudes confidence and readability of thought.
Episodes about accepting a companion’s off-putting quirks and tics, tenets of spiritual religion, shifting on from exes, pleasant relationships between married folks and single folks, and coping with eccentric households (not simply Noah’s, but in addition Joanne’s new-agey and floundering mom and not too long ago out of the closet father, performed by Stephanie Faracy and Michael Hitchcock, respectively) have a lived in high quality that’s by no means pressured or inorganic, regardless of their apparent adherence to a longtime comedic and dramatic components. The popular culture and classy references are saved to a tasteful minimal, and the characters are allowed to converse like witty, clever human beings relatively than static banter machines. The writers for No person Desires This deserve a large quantity of credit score for taking such an idea, shaping it for a large viewers, and creating one thing that’s genuinely price their time and emotional funding.
Casting Brody and Bell within the leads is one other reward that retains on giving again to the viewers, and No person Desires This is definite to reignite lots of early-2000s crushes from Seth Cohen and Veronica Mars stans. Each have razor sharp comedic instincts and exude confidence, however by no means to a degree the place both of them feels untouchable or closed off. The chemistry between them is boundless, each as romantic companions and comedic foils as a result of they’ll dish out loving jabs at one another as a lot as they’ll take them, and neither is afraid of displaying deep currents of vulnerability. Noah and Joanne have the capability for brutal honesty, and the reluctance inside their relationship is made very comprehensible and relatable by the performances of the present’s leads. He’s not able to confront all of the questions that can be raised as soon as it comes out that he’s relationship a gentile, and he or she understands getting into that the connection dynamics can be messy due to his religion and household, and messy is the very last thing she needs after a lifetime of failed partnerships. Brody and Bell make the viewer really feel each little bit of their pleasure, ache, and confusion, making them effortlessly straightforward to root for.
They’re additionally backed up by a supporting solid that has been given lots of substance for their very own characters. Timothy Simons generates lots of laughs as Noah’s loyal and caring, however usually aloof brother, exhibiting nice chemistry and stress with Lupe (with whom his character begins an unlikely friendship) and convincingly difficult martial dynamics with Tohn. For her half, Tohn performs one of many present’s extra brazenly villainous roles with an growing quantity of coronary heart and conviction. Tohn’s Esther hangs over Noah and his brother like a rain cloud, fast to level out their faults, however she’s additionally a loving mom and constant pal to her brother-in-law’s ex, which makes her tough to detest. Paul Ben-Victor will get some good moments as Noah’s easy-going father, and Feldshuh creates a commanding presence as his religious, usually underhanded, guilt tripping mom. No person Desires This is a present with no unhealthy or small elements, and the solid assembled matches collectively like completely aligned puzzle items.
Whereas it’s ostensibly a romantic comedy made to be a straightforward watch, No person Desires This can also be a narrative about how tough private development could be, and the way the possibilities to evolve as an grownup change into more and more fleeting as one grows older. The present works properly even when the romantic angle is taken out of the equation, and that’s the signal of one thing really particular. It’s not excellent, with some bits of cringe comedy touchdown awkwardly and a bit extra apparent product placement than advisable (from the likes of Apple, Spotify, and Uber, particularly), however Foster’s collection is stable within the ways in which matter most. Early on, viewers will have the ability to clue in that issues gained’t be completely wrapped up by the top of No person Desires This, with loads of seeds being sown for future seasons. However that’s a constructive and never a unfavourable. If they’ll maintain producing episodes and seasons of the present which can be this achieved, considerate, and hilarious, this staff can ought to go on making No person Desires This so long as they’ll or need to. That’s one of the best praise anybody may give to a sitcom.
No person Desires This streams on Netflix beginning Thursday, September 26, 2024.
NEW YORK — New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a grand jury on federal prison fees, in line with two individuals acquainted with the matter.
The indictment detailing the fees in opposition to Adams, a Democrat, was nonetheless sealed late Wednesday, in line with the individuals, who spoke with The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to debate the matter publicly.
The U.S. legal professional’s workplace in Manhattan declined to remark. The indictment was first reported by The New York Occasions.
“I at all times knew that If I stood my floor for New Yorkers that I might be a goal — and a goal I turned,” Adams stated in a press release that implied he hadn’t been knowledgeable of the indictment. “If I’m charged, I’m harmless and I’ll combat this with each ounce of my power and spirit.”
It was not instantly clear when the fees can be made public or when Adams might need to seem in courtroom.
The indictment marks a shocking fall for Adams, a former police captain who gained election practically three years in the past to turn into the second Black mayor of the nation’s largest metropolis on a platform that promised a law-and-order strategy to lowering crime.
For a lot of the final yr, Adams has confronted rising authorized peril, with a number of federal investigations into high advisers producing a drumbeat of subpoenas, searches and high-level departures that has thrust Metropolis Corridor into disaster.
He had repeatedly stated he wasn’t conscious of any wrongdoing and vowed as lately as Wednesday afternoon to remain in workplace.
Adams is the primary mayor in New York Metropolis historical past to be indicted whereas in workplace. If he have been to resign, he would get replaced by town’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, who would then schedule a particular election.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has the facility to take away Adams from workplace. Hochul’s workplace didn’t instantly return a request for remark Wednesday evening.
Hours earlier than the fees have been introduced, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez referred to as on Adams to resign, the primary nationally distinguished Democrat to take action. She cited the federal prison investigations into the mayor’s administration and a string of surprising departures of high metropolis officers.
“I don’t see how Mayor Adams can proceed governing New York Metropolis,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on the social platform X.
Adams reacted with scorn, dismissing Ocasio-Cortez as self-righteous.
The federal investigations into Adams administration first emerged publicly on Nov. 2, 2023, when FBI brokers performed an early morning raid on the Brooklyn dwelling of Adams’ chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs.
On the time, Adams insisted he adopted the regulation and stated he can be “shocked” if anybody on his marketing campaign had acted illegally. “I can’t let you know how a lot I begin the day with telling my crew we have got to comply with the regulation,” he informed reporters on the time.
Days later, FBI brokers seized the mayor’s telephones and iPad as he was leaving an occasion in Manhattan. The interplay was disclosed a number of days later by the mayor’s legal professional.
Then on Sept. 4, federal investigators seized digital units from town’s police commissioner, faculties chancellor, deputy mayor of public security, first deputy mayor and different trusted confidantes of Adams each out and in of Metropolis Corridor.
Federal prosecutors declined to debate the investigations however individuals acquainted with components of the circumstances described a number of, separate inquiries involving senior Adams aides, relations of these aides, marketing campaign fundraising and potential affect peddling of the police and hearth departments.
Per week after the searches, Police Commissioner Edward Caban introduced his resignation, telling officers that he did not need the investigations “to create a distraction.” About two weeks later, Colleges Chancellor David Banks introduced that he would retire on the finish of the yr.
Adams himself insisted he would preserve doing town’s enterprise and permit the investigations to run their course.
Over the summer season, federal prosecutors subpoenaed Adams, his marketing campaign arm and Metropolis Corridor, requesting details about the mayor’s schedule, his abroad journey and potential connections to the Turkish authorities.
Adams spent 22 years in New York Metropolis’s police division earlier than going into politics, first as a state senator after which as Brooklyn borough president, a largely ceremonial place.
He was elected mayor in 2021, defeating a various subject of Democrats within the main after which simply beating Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, a Republican, within the common election.
After greater than two years in workplace, Adams’ reputation has declined. Whereas town has seen a rise in jobs and a drop in sure classes of crime, the administration has been preoccupied with efforts to search out housing for tens of hundreds of worldwide migrants who overwhelmed town’s homeless shelters.
There has additionally been a gentle drip of accusations and a swirl of suspicion round individuals near the mayor.
The Manhattan District Lawyer introduced fees in opposition to six individuals – together with a former police captain lengthy shut with Adams – over an alleged scheme to funnel tens of hundreds of {dollars} to the mayor’s marketing campaign by manipulating the general public matching funds applications within the hopes of receiving preferential remedy from town. Adams was not accused of wrongdoing in that case.
Adams’ former high building-safety official, Eric Ulrich, was charged final yr with accepting $150,000 in bribes and improper presents in alternate for political favors, together with offering entry to the mayor. Ulrich pleaded not responsible and is combating the fees.
In February, federal investigators searched two properties owned by one in all Adams’ shut aides, Winnie Greco, who had raised hundreds of {dollars} in marketing campaign donations from town’s Chinese language American communities and later turned his director of Asian affairs. Greco hasn’t commented publicly on the FBI searches of her properties and continues to work for town.
When brokers seized digital units from Caban, the previous police commissioner, in early September, in addition they visited his twin brother, James Caban, a former police officer who runs a nightlife consulting enterprise.
Brokers additionally took units from the faculties chancellor; his brother Philip Banks, previously a high NYPD chief who’s now deputy mayor for public security; their brother Terence Banks, who ran a consulting agency that promised to attach companies to authorities stakeholders; and from First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who’s David Banks’ home accomplice. All denied any wrongdoing.
Whereas these investigations swirled, federal authorities additionally searched the houses of newly named interim police commissioner, Thomas Donlan, and seized supplies unrelated to his police work. Donlon confirmed the search and stated it concerned supplies that had been in his possession for 20 years. He didn’t deal with what the investigation was about, however an individual acquainted with the investigation stated it needed to do with labeled paperwork courting from the years when Donlon labored for the FBI. The individual spoke with The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to talk publicly about that investigation.
Final up for our greatest and worst collection is trades. When you observe the Calgary Flames, you’ll know they’ve had their justifiable share of blockbuster trades through the years. Most of these turned out not so nice; nonetheless, there have been a number of large wins scattered all through the years.
For this, we’ll be taking a look at each the rapid and long-term influence of the trades to find out what is nice and what’s dangerous. There have been a ton of choices to select from right here, however I attempted to slim it right down to the 2 finest and the 2 worst. Proper off the highest, I’ll point out that the Brett Hull commerce doesn’t present up. The Flames might have given away one of many NHL’s best-ever objective scorers, however they gained a Stanley Cup quickly after, with the incoming Rob Ramage enjoying a giant function of their playoff run. Banners hold eternally, and the St. Louis Blues by no means gained one with Hull.
The Flames’ worst trades
Doug Gilmour to Toronto (January 1992)
Flames obtain: F Gary Leeman, F Alex Godynyuk, F Craig Berube, D Michel Petit, G Jeff Reese
Maple Leafs obtain: F Doug Gilmour, F Kent Manderville, D Ric Nattress, D Jamie Macoun, G Rick Wamsley
You knew it’d be right here. The apparent selection for the worst commerce in franchise historical past, this one was a catastrophe from day one. Resulting from a falling Canadian Greenback and a disgruntled star in Doug Gilmour, the Flames have been backed right into a nook in the course of the 1991–92 season. With Gilmour trying to receives a commission and the Flames trying to do the other, Gilmour was shipped to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a boatload of property. On the time, this was the most important deal in NHL historical past, with 10 gamers switching groups.
As talked about above, this commerce seemed like a catastrophe from day one. The Flames not solely gave up the clear finest participant within the commerce in Gilmour, however additionally they shipped out some invaluable property in veteran Jamie Macoun and prime prospect Kent Manderville for a bunch of spare elements. The best-scoring participant coming again to Calgary was Gary Leeman, who had simply 20 factors on the yr on the time of the commerce. The trail to successful this deal was just about utterly blocked from day one, outdoors of a miracle occurring.
As anticipated, a then 28-year-old Gilmour—who was very a lot nonetheless in his prime—would turn out to be a franchise icon in Toronto and among the finest gamers in your complete NHL over the following couple of years. He’d put up a number of 100+ level seasons as a Maple Leaf in addition to two playoff runs with over 25 factors. In Calgary, all 5 gamers who got here again within the deal would not be in Calgary by the summer season of 1994, simply two years after the deal. It is a commerce that was doomed from day one and by no means had an opportunity of being profitable for the Flames.
Marc Savard to Atlanta (November 2002)
Flames obtain: F Ruslan Zainullin
Thrashers obtain: F Marc Savard
The commerce is one-for-one. A decade after the Gilmour debacle, the Flames would make one more disastrous commerce involving a gifted centre heading out the door. For some added context on what led as much as this commerce, Marc Savard was feuding with then Flames head coach Greg Gilbert concerning his function on the group. Resulting from some accidents and Gilbert’s mistrust of Savard, Savard’s ice time plummeted regardless of being the group’s finest centre by a large margin.
Earlier than the commerce and his feud with Gilbert, Savard had already posted seasons of 53 and 65 factors in Calgary earlier than his twenty fourth birthday. When he was wholesome, Savard seemed like a possible future number-one centre for the Flames and an incredible match alongside sniper Jarome Iginla. For no matter motive, Gilbert didn’t agree, and Savard slowly noticed his function on the group diminish in the course of the 2001–02 season and particularly at the beginning of the 2002–03 season. Early into the season, the Flames would ship Savard packing—reportedly at Gilbert’s request—to the Atlanta Thrashers in change for obscure Russian prospect Ruslan Zainullin. To make issues even worse, Common Supervisor Craig Button would then fireplace head coach Gilbert simply two weeks after buying and selling Savard anyway.
Savard would go on to grow to be one of many league’s premier playmaking centres over the following few years, posting 501 factors in 488 video games earlier than concussions ended his profession early in 2011. Zainullin, in the meantime? Nicely, he would by no means even come over to North America and didn’t log a single sport in Calgary. Even on the time of the deal, Zainullin’s career-high in Russia was simply 4 factors. I’m undecided what Craig Button noticed in Zainullin, however no matter it was, it blew up in his face.
The Flames’ finest trades
The Flames purchase Doug Gilmour (September 1988)
Flames obtain: F Doug Gilmour, F Mark Hunter, F Steve Bozek, D Mike Darkish
Blues obtain: F Mike Bullard, F Craig Coxe, D Tim Corkery
4 years earlier than executing arguably the worst commerce in franchise historical past by buying and selling Gilmour away, the Flames executed arguably the very best commerce in franchise historical past by bringing Gilmour to Calgary. At a time during which the Flames have been firing on all cylinders and trying to recover from the hump with a juggernaut roster, then basic supervisor Cliff Fletcher went all-in and purchased a then 25-year-old Doug Gilmour. Gilmour was simply two years faraway from a 105-point season on the time of the commerce and was simply getting into his prime. He was precisely the piece the group wanted to take the following step.
Gilmour would match like a glove in Calgary, giving the group one other lethal possibility down the center of the ice for the 1988–89 season. In his first season in Calgary, Gilmour would put up 85 factors in 72 video games to complete third in group scoring and 22 factors in 22 playoff video games. He’d be an important a part of their 1989 Cup-winning playoff run and one of many principal causes they have been capable of go all the way in which that yr.
On prime of Gilmour’s success in Calgary, one other large victory with this deal is the very fact the Flames gave up just about nothing of worth the opposite method. The primary piece going to St. Louis was Mike Bullard, who was coming off a big 103-point season with the Flames. Regardless of his earlier success, he’d play simply 20 video games in St. Louis and put up 16 factors earlier than being traded. The Flames additionally obtained Mark Hunter within the deal, who grew to become a bodily presence for the group of their Cup run. This deal was an enormous win on all fronts.
The Flames purchase Miikka Kiprusoff (November 2003)
Darryl Sutter might have been on the unsuitable finish of many of the trades he made, however he did have the uncommon hit. Within the case of his 2003 commerce that introduced in goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, he hit an absolute homerun and pulled off among the finest trades in franchise historical past. With out this commerce, the Flames’ 2004 Cup run by no means occurs.
In want of some assist in internet, Sutter dialed up his former group—the San Jose Sharks—and pulled off a deal for then 27-year-old Miikka Kiprusoff. On the time, Kiprusoff had simply 48 video games of NHL expertise, with some relatively middling outcomes. He was very a lot an unknown between the pipes and had by no means actually proven he might be an NHL starter, not to mention a perennial Vezina candidate. For no matter motive, Sutter noticed one thing in Kiprusoff that nearly nobody else did.
Kiprusoff’s rise to stardom in Calgary was just about rapid. In his first season as a Flame, he’d put up 24 wins in 38 begins, together with a ridiculous .933 save proportion. That very same season, he’d go on a historic run within the playoffs, single-handedly carrying the Flames to inside one objective of a Stanley Cup title. He’d finish the playoff with 26 video games performed, 15 wins, an insane 1.85 GAA, and 5 shutouts.
Over the course of the following 9 years, Kiprusoff would turn out to be the spine of the Calgary Flames and finish his profession as the very best goaltender in franchise historical past. Even with the Sharks touchdown eventual defensive mainstay Marc-Edouard Vlasic with the choose obtained for Kiprusoff, this commerce was nonetheless a large success for Calgary and adjusted the course of Flames historical past.
Some hits and a few misses
By way of blockbuster trades, the Flames have, most of the time, come out on the unsuitable finish of offers. The franchise has a long gone of giving freely star expertise for pennies, giving up too early on younger expertise, and easily making dangerous selections on the commerce market. With that mentioned, there have additionally been some gigantic wins on the commerce market as properly, which, as seen above, have shifted the course of the Flames’ historical past. When you’ve watched any preseason hockey up to now, Craig Conroy is properly on his option to becoming a member of the very best checklist together with his Elias Lindholm return.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris reached the top of soccer’s mountaintop by serving to France win the 2018 World Cup.
On Wednesday evening, they mentioned they celebrated simply the identical after serving to Los Angeles Soccer Membership take residence the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas Metropolis in additional time.
Giroud and Lloris have been simply as shocked to be feeling the identical emotion, however including one other trophy can do this.
“It’s totally different when you must play in a remaining. You simply go for it. I’m actually happy with the crew,” mentioned Giroud, who opened the scoring within the second half.
It’s the twelfth main trophy for Giroud, who turns 38 on Monday. Lloris joined LAFC this 12 months, changing into the primary World Cup winner to play for the membership.
Omar Campos and Kei Kamara scored in additional time to present LAFC its fourth trophy since beginning play in 2018. The membership captured Main League Soccer’s Supporters Defend as the highest membership within the common season in 2019 and ’22, and beat the Philadelphia Union on penalty kicks to win the MLS Cup in 2022.
LAFC’s first look within the Open Cup championship snapped a run of 4 straight title matches throughout numerous competitions with out a victory. It was the 109th Open Cup, America’s oldest nationwide soccer competitors.
“A trophy is a trophy. It means rather a lot for the membership and we celebrated with the followers as a result of they deserved it as effectively,” mentioned Lloris, who made 4 saves. “It helps offers us a lift for the top of the season.”
By advancing to the finals of the Leagues Cup and U.S. Open Cup, LAFC is on tempo to play 46 matches within the common season. It performed 53 final 12 months, together with advancing to the ultimate of the CONCACAF Champions League and MLS Cup.
With Wednesday’s win, LAFC is 48-25-21 in all competitions over the previous two seasons.
“We’re joyful to win. We have been due,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo mentioned. “The boys made it tough on themselves. They understood the job and bought it completed.”
Erik Thommy scored for Sporting KC, which had received its 4 earlier Open Cup finals, the final in 2017.
Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia made three saves that helped maintain the sport scoreless within the first half.
“I’m happy with the crew,” coach Peter Vermes mentioned. “The three-1 rating doesn’t mirror what occurred. Possibly enjoying at residence labored of their favor.”
Giroud broke via for LAFC within the 53rd minute, catching Melia out of the objective and beating two defenders.
It was Giroud’s second objective in 10 matches for LAFC. His different objective got here within the Leagues Cup remaining loss to Columbus.
Thommy tied it up within the sixtieth with a blast contained in the close to put up off a cross from Dániel Sallói.
Campos, a second-half substitute, scored within the 102nd from atop the field for his first objective with LAFC.
Kamara, the second-leading goal-scorer in MLS historical past, added an insurance coverage objective on a header within the 109th.
It’s the second time Kamara has received the U.S. Open Cup. Mockingly, the opposite time was in 2012 with Sporting KC.
The 40-year outdated striker has a singular perspective in relation to profitable this competitors.
“It is superb. For me the Open Cup, we take a look at the large leagues however it’s the FA Cup of our America,” he mentioned. “You get to play in these loopy video games in opposition to groups that may by no means get the prospect to play in opposition to prime MLS groups until it’s the preseason.”
LAFC is fourth within the Western Convention going into the house stretch of the MLS common season. Sporting KC is not going to qualify for the postseason.
“We do not need to cease with this trophy,” Giroud mentioned. “We all know we need to end the season sturdy, qualify for the playoffs and go so far as we will.”
AP sports activities author Anne Peterson in Portland, Oregon, contributed to this story.
AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer
Copyright 2024 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials is probably not revealed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.
Louisiana Republican Congressman Clay Higgins has deleted a tweet about Haitians after coming beneath intense criticism from his colleagues within the Home accusing him of being racist.
Higgins, of Lafayette, posted the next tweet on X Wednesday afternoon: “Lol. These Haitians are wild. Consuming pets, vudu, nastiest nation within the western hemisphere, cults, slapstick gansters … however damned if they do not really feel all subtle now, submitting costs in opposition to our President and VP. All these thugs higher get their thoughts proper and their a– out of our nation earlier than Jan. 20.”
The put up was in response to the information {that a} Haitian nonprofit group was searching for a legal cost in opposition to former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance for his or her repeated baseless claims about migrants in Springfield, Ohio, consuming pets. The assertion, which the Republican presidential candidate and his operating mate have repeatedly introduced up with out proof, has led to bomb threats and college evacuations within the small metropolis of about 60,000.
Republican Home Speaker Mike Johnson of Shreveport instructed Punchbowl Information reporter Jake Sherman that Higgins was confronted in regards to the tweet on the Home ground and “regretted” that he despatched it.
“He was approached on the ground by colleagues who mentioned that was offensive,” Johnson instructed Punchbowl Information. “He went to the again — I simply talked to him about it — he mentioned he went to the again and he prayed about it, and he regretted it, and he pulled the put up down. That is what you need the gentleman to do. I am certain he most likely regrets the language he used. However , we transfer ahead. We imagine in redemption round right here.”
However Higgins later instructed CNN: “It’s all true. I can put up one other controversial put up tomorrow if you’d like me to. I imply, we do have freedom of speech. I’ll say what I would like.”
Higgins additionally instructed reporters the put up “was meant for Haitian gangs.”
“The unintended influence expressed sincerely and graciously (by a colleague) touched me as a gentleman so I stepped again from that …,” Higgins mentioned to a bunch of reporters. Higgins famous he is taken down two posts in eight years: “That is not a foul report round right here.”
USA Right this moment Community is searching for remark from Higgins.
Louisiana Democratic Congressman Troy Carter mentioned he was “appalled by the racist and reprehensible remarks made by Rep. Clay Higgins in regards to the Haitian folks.”
“All of us owe one another higher than this, however as elected officers we should always maintain ourselves to a good increased commonplace,” Carter mentioned in a press release. “We’ve a solemn duty to symbolize and respect all races of individuals. Hate-filled rhetoric like this isn’t simply offensive — it’s harmful. It incites division, perpetuates dangerous stereotypes, and undermines the core values of our democracy.”
Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries of New York additionally issued a press release: “The disgusting assertion by Clay Higgins in regards to the Haitian neighborhood is vile, racist and beneath the dignity of the Home of Representatives. Clay Higgins is an election-denying, conspiracy-peddling racial arsonist who’s a shame to the Folks’s Home. That is who they’ve change into.”
Florida Democratic Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost additionally tweeted: “One of the crucial racist and bigoted posts I’ve seen from a fellow member of Congress. And from his official authorities account at that. Disgusting.”
USA Right this moment’s Eric Lagatta contributed to this report.
Extra:Speaker Mike Johnson remembers Johnny Money Shreveport connection throughout Arkansas statue dedication
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Community of Louisiana. Comply with him on Twitter @GregHilburn1
LOS ANGELES, CA. (Sept. 25, 2024) – On a Hollywood night time, south of the Hollywood Hills, in entrance of a sellout crowd of greater than 22,000 roaring followers, Los Angeles Soccer Membership and Sporting Kansas Metropolis wrote a Hollywood ending to the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as LAFC claimed its first Open Cup title with a 3-1 victory.
A championship environment emanated from BMO Stadium with followers of each groups in full voice and members of the good LA Kickers – legends of Open Cup yesteryear – wanting on as the 2 MLS combatants went toe to toe from the opening whistle.
Each groups carved out possibilities over the primary 20 minutes with Sporting KC twice testing Hugo Lloris within the LAFC purpose. Half an hour in introduced a pair of harmful moments from LAFC’s dynamic duo of Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz. A sensible save from Tim Melia within the KC purpose on Olivier Giroud within the forty first minute saved issues knotted at zeros as halftime approached however put the scent of purpose in legendary French striker’s nostrils.
Eight minutes after the break and Giroud had his purpose by way of a tap-in from a Bogusz after LAFC stole the ball in midfield and Sergi Palencia performed Bogusz in behind the SKC protection. It was a primary Open Cup purpose for Giroud in his inaugural match within the competitors.
LAFC’s benefit was short-lived because the four-time Open Cup champions, who had gained every of their earlier Finals appearances, struck again. This time, it was LAFC that turned the ball over 35 yards from purpose and a fast swap put Dániel Sallói into the left aspect of the field. His in the reduction of cross was met by Erik Thommy, who one-timed a laser previous Hugo Lloris on the close to submit to stage issues.
LAFC started tilting the sphere within the latter phases of the second half however was unable to seek out the killer contact regardless of making a handful of harmful conditions via Bogusz and Bouanga.
In the end, a victor couldn’t be determined in regulation and an additional half hour of play was wanted to separate the combatants.
The essential break-through got here within the 102nd minute when referee Armando Villarreal performed benefit for LAFC after a foul on Bouanga close to the highest of the field. The ball wound its method to Omar Campos, who dipped previous a pair of SKC defenders earlier than guiding a low drive via the penalty space and into the decrease proper nook for the match winner.
Kei Kamara — who considers Los Angeles his residence after arriving there as a younger refugee from war-torn Sierra Leone — capped off proceedings with a towering header within the 109th minute to cement the ultimate 3-1 scoreline. It was a classic strike from the ahead towards his former membership the place he had made his title.
– LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP match report-
Match: Los Angeles FC vs. Sporting Kansas Metropolis Date: September 25, 2024 Competitors: Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Remaining Venue: BMO Stadium; Los Angeles, Calif. Attendance: 22,214 (sellout) Kickoff: 7:50 p.m. PT Climate: 65 levels, clear
Officers: Referee: Armando Villareal Assistant Referee 1: Justin Howard Assistant Referee 2: Jeffrey Greeson 4th Official: Victor Rivas fifth Official: Mike Nickerson VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero Assistant VAR: Michael Kampmeinert
Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins on Thursday retracted feedback he made about Haitian immigrants in a now-deleted social media submit.
“You by no means wish to deliberately damage somebody’s emotions, and that submit was supposed for Haitian gangs, you perceive?” Higgins, a Republican, informed reporters. “The unintended influence that was expressed very sincerely from one among my colleagues very graciously, that touched me as a gentleman.”
NPR contacted Higgins’ workplace for remark however has not acquired a response.
Higgins has acquired backlash in current days for amplifying false claims about Haitians consuming pets and calling them “thugs” in response to a report by the Related Press. The information group reported that the Haitian Bridge Alliance, a nonprofit group supporting Haitians, is looking for prison prices towards former President Donald Trump and his operating mate, JD Vance,
“Lol. These Haitians are wild. Consuming pets, vudu, nastiest nation within the western hemisphere, cults, slapstick gangsters… however damned in the event that they don’t really feel all subtle now, submitting prices towards our President and VP,” Higgins wrote on his official account on X. “All these thugs higher get their thoughts proper and their asses out of our nation earlier than January twentieth.”
Requested about his feedback on CNN later Wednesday, Higgins defended the tweet.
“It’s all true,” Higgins stated, in line with the information group. “I can put up one other controversial submit tomorrow if you need me to. I imply, we do have freedom of speech. I’ll say what I would like.”
The Congressional Black Caucus on Wednesday condemned his feedback and launched a decision to censure Higgins.
“Referring to Haiti because the “nastiest nation within the western hemisphere” and denigrating Haitians with vile and demeaning phrases goes towards a foundational precept about our nation: that America is a nation of immigrants the place all are welcome,” the caucus stated in a press release. “Each member of Congress have to be clear that we have to remove hate in all its varieties. It’s time to flip the web page on this sample of denigrating and villainizing immigrants for political acquire.”
Home Speaker Mike Johnson informed reporters throughout a press convention on Wednesday that Higgins was approached by congressional members concerning the submit and took it down, saying the lawmaker “regretted” what he posted.
“Clay Higgins is an expensive good friend of mine and a colleague from Louisiana and a really frank and outspoken particular person. He’s additionally a really principled man. I feel – I didn’t even see it – however he tweeted one thing as we speak about Haitians. And he was approached on the ground by colleagues who stated that was offensive,” Johnson informed reporters. “I simply talked to him about it, he stated he went to the again and he prayed about it and he regretted it. And he pulled the submit down. That’s what you need a gentleman to do. I’m positive he most likely regrets a few of the language he used. However you already know, we transfer ahead. We imagine in redemption round right here.”
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