mercurynews--2020-09-04--Review: A stoner frog’s journey into the racist spotlight

“ I didn ’ t even know what a meme was , ” confesses cartoonist Matt Furie in the documentary “ Feels Good Man , ” demonstrating just how ill-equipped he was to resist the dark forces that engulfed him and his creation , Pepe the Frog , during the brutal election season of 2016 .
“ I still don ’ t know if I ’ m saying it correctly.
” Most of us know what a meme is by now .
But we may not all be acquainted with the anthropomorphic amphibian know as Pepe .
And in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach “ Feels Good Man , ” directed by Furie ’ s friend and fellow cartoonist Arthur Jones , without knowing too much .
Because seeing what happened to Furie and his chill stoner frog dude — spoiler alert , he became a hate symbol of the alt right — will likely make your blood run cold .
It sure makes for a chillingly effective internet-era cautionary tale .
The story begins back in 2005 when Furie , an amiable San Francisco-based artist , decides to draw , rather crudely , a frog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Club.
” Furie had always been enchanted by frogs .
“ It ’ s been a slow drip of frogs throughout my entire life , ” he says in the film .
This particular frog had a penchant for , well , an unusual way of urinating .
Why ?
“ Feels good man , ” he would say .
Hence the catchphrase .
It was no more complicated or sophisticated than that .
But , as director Jones tells it , with the use of some clever , often beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and commentary from a host of sources ( including a “ memetist ” ) , Pepe was to embark on a strange and terrible journey .
At first , the constant appropriation of the image isn ’ t too troubling .
It starts with fitness videos .
“ I was just , haha , whatever , ” says Furie .
But then things get ugly .
The “ sad frog ” becomes a favored image among users of the anonymous message site 4chan , a culture , one commentator says , “ of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Pepe grows more popular and mainstream , with his image used by celebrities like Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj , some users get angry and seek to reclaim the frog from so-called “ normies ” ( normal people ) .
Pepe pops up as an evil perpetrator of the 9/11 attacks , or as a symbol of hatred against Black people and Jews .
He appears surrounded by swastikas , in what one expert calls “ the Nazified Pepe.
” The frog becomes “ this impossible mixture of innocence and evil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commits atrocities , notes another .
And then comes the election , and the candidacy of Donald Trump , and the use of Pepe as a symbol by young supporters .
In October 2015 , Trump himself retweets an image of him as Pepe .
In one of this jam-packed film ’ s most effective sequences , director Jones shows us the web message traffic in which an alt right supporter says he is , at that moment , attending a Hillary Clinton rally .
People urge him to shout out “ Pepe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it .
The message board goes wild .
Rachel Maddow describes the incident on MSNBC : “ To the white supremacist , anti-Semitic , neo-Nazi alt right in this country , that was a moment of triumph , ” she says .
In the fall of 2016 , the Anti-Defamation League puts Pepe on its list of hate symbols , a crushing blow for Furie .
Less than a year later , in May 2017 , the cartoonist tries to “ kill ” Pepe by literally having him die , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the genie has long been out of the bottle , and it ’ s made painfully clear here that Furie waited too long to fight .
When he learns of the existence of a children ’ s book using Pepe to push anti-Muslim themes , Furie finally enlists the pro bono services of a high-powered law firm , Wilmer Hale , to successfully halt release of the digital version .
Furie also successfully sues a number of other entities , including Infowars ’ Alex Jones for his use of Pepe in posters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Furie and Jones is fascinating . )
But the cartoonist fails to convince the ADL to remove Pepe from the hate symbol database .
Never do you feel more sorry for Furie than when he tells an official there : “ This is going to be a lifelong journey for me , because I ’ m going to be entangled with this character forever.
” Yet the film ends on the unexpectedly positive note of the repurposing of Pepe once again — this time , seemingly out of nowhere , by youthful pro-democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frog is being spray-painted on walls as a sign of hope .
“ To me he has already become my hope , ” says a young protester carrying two stuffed Pepes .
“ Also , I believe that one day his frowning face will smile.
” They are heartwarming words , but one senses the story of this frog is far from over .

By Jocelyn Noveck | Associated Press
“I didn’t even know what a meme was,” confesses cartoonist Matt Furie in the documentary “Feels Good Man,” demonstrating just how ill-equipped he was to resist the dark forces that engulfed him and his creation, Pepe the Frog, during the brutal election season of 2016. “I still don’t know if I’m saying it correctly.”
Most of us know what a meme is by now. But we may not all be acquainted with the anthropomorphic amphibian know as Pepe. And in a way, it’s better to approach “Feels Good Man,” directed by Furie’s friend and fellow cartoonist Arthur Jones, without knowing too much. Because seeing what happened to Furie and his chill stoner frog dude — spoiler alert, he became a hate symbol of the alt right — will likely make your blood run cold. It sure makes for a chillingly effective internet-era cautionary tale.
The story begins back in 2005 when Furie, an amiable San Francisco-based artist, decides to draw, rather crudely, a frog character for his comic series “Boy’s Club.” Furie had always been enchanted by frogs. “It’s been a slow drip of frogs throughout my entire life,” he says in the film.
This particular frog had a penchant for, well, an unusual way of urinating. Why? “Feels good man,” he would say. Hence the catchphrase. It was no more complicated or sophisticated than that.
But, as director Jones tells it, with the use of some clever, often beautiful animation as well as abundant archival footage and commentary from a host of sources (including a “memetist”), Pepe was to embark on a strange and terrible journey.
At first, the constant appropriation of the image isn’t too troubling. It starts with fitness videos. “I was just, haha, whatever,” says Furie. But then things get ugly.
The “sad frog” becomes a favored image among users of the anonymous message site 4chan, a culture, one commentator says, “of saying the most offensive thing.” And as Pepe grows more popular and mainstream, with his image used by celebrities like Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj, some users get angry and seek to reclaim the frog from so-called “normies” (normal people).
Pepe pops up as an evil perpetrator of the 9/11 attacks, or as a symbol of hatred against Black people and Jews. He appears surrounded by swastikas, in what one expert calls “the Nazified Pepe.” The frog becomes “this impossible mixture of innocence and evil,” smiling that familiar grin as he commits atrocities, notes another.
And then comes the election, and the candidacy of Donald Trump, and the use of Pepe as a symbol by young supporters. In October 2015, Trump himself retweets an image of him as Pepe.
In one of this jam-packed film’s most effective sequences, director Jones shows us the web message traffic in which an alt right supporter says he is, at that moment, attending a Hillary Clinton rally. People urge him to shout out “Pepe!” And then we see him do it.
The message board goes wild. Rachel Maddow describes the incident on MSNBC: “To the white supremacist, anti-Semitic, neo-Nazi alt right in this country, that was a moment of triumph,” she says.
In the fall of 2016, the Anti-Defamation League puts Pepe on its list of hate symbols, a crushing blow for Furie. Less than a year later, in May 2017, the cartoonist tries to “kill” Pepe by literally having him die, in a comic strip, and burying him.
But the genie has long been out of the bottle, and it’s made painfully clear here that Furie waited too long to fight. When he learns of the existence of a children’s book using Pepe to push anti-Muslim themes, Furie finally enlists the pro bono services of a high-powered law firm, Wilmer Hale, to successfully halt release of the digital version.
Furie also successfully sues a number of other entities, including Infowars’ Alex Jones for his use of Pepe in posters (footage of the depositions of both Furie and Jones is fascinating.)
But the cartoonist fails to convince the ADL to remove Pepe from the hate symbol database. Never do you feel more sorry for Furie than when he tells an official there: “This is going to be a lifelong journey for me, because I’m going to be entangled with this character forever.”
Yet the film ends on the unexpectedly positive note of the repurposing of Pepe once again — this time, seemingly out of nowhere, by youthful pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. Suddenly the frog is being spray-painted on walls as a sign of hope.
“To me he has already become my hope,” says a young protester carrying two stuffed Pepes. “Also, I believe that one day his frowning face will smile.” They are heartwarming words, but one senses the story of this frog is far from over.
“Feels Good Man”
3 stars out of 4
Unrated
Running time: 92 minutes


mercurynews--2020-09-04--SF Giants Gameday podcast: Looking back at Barry Bonds’ biggest home runs with Adam Copeland

There ’ s a generation of baseball fans growing up around the Bay Area who experienced the joy of three World Series titles in five years during their formative years .
Many fans fall in love with the game at an early age and for young Giants fans born in the 2000s , it ’ s hard to imagine a more rewarding viewing experience than seeing a team lift a trophy three times before they graduate high school .
In a special episode of the SF Giants Gameday podcast , beat reporter Kerry Crowley and KNBR host Adam Copeland look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with baseball and the years they spent watching Barry Bonds reach new milestones at Oracle Park .
Crowley and Copeland both grew up in San Francisco and became lifelong baseball fans at a time when Bonds was climbing up the all-time home run leaderboard .
Too young to know the science behind steroids and too mesmerized to turn away from the television when Bonds came up to the plate , Crowley and Copeland witnessed his career from the perspective of Little League players who wanted to grow up and hit homers .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duo discusses their favorite Bonds homers , the most significant home runs they witnessed in person and how they look back on Bonds ’ legacy now that they ’ ve gained new perspective on his controversial career .
SF Giants Gameday : Listen to the Bay Area News Group ’ s daily San Francisco Giants podcast , hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley .
We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Need Your Support !
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I ’ ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you ’ ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com .
Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer .
Thank you !
— Kerry Crowley

There’s a generation of baseball fans growing up around the Bay Area who experienced the joy of three World Series titles in five years during their formative years.
Many fans fall in love with the game at an early age and for young Giants fans born in the 2000s, it’s hard to imagine a more rewarding viewing experience than seeing a team lift a trophy three times before they graduate high school.
In a special episode of the SF Giants Gameday podcast, beat reporter Kerry Crowley and KNBR host Adam Copeland look back at how they fell in love with baseball and the years they spent watching Barry Bonds reach new milestones at Oracle Park.
Crowley and Copeland both grew up in San Francisco and became lifelong baseball fans at a time when Bonds was climbing up the all-time home run leaderboard. Too young to know the science behind steroids and too mesmerized to turn away from the television when Bonds came up to the plate, Crowley and Copeland witnessed his career from the perspective of Little League players who wanted to grow up and hit homers.
In this episode of the podcast, the duo discusses their favorite Bonds homers, the most significant home runs they witnessed in person and how they look back on Bonds’ legacy now that they’ve gained new perspective on his controversial career.
SF Giants Gameday: Listen to the Bay Area News Group’s daily San Francisco Giants podcast, hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley. We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season.
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley


mercurynews--2020-09-04--Raiders’ driving force Carl Nassib feels at home with his hand in the dirt

Carl Nassib likes everything about his new home in Las Vegas except for being behind the wheel .
“ I have to drive like Vin Diesel in ` Fast and Furious ’ to stay alive , ” the Raiders defensive end said Thursday via Zoom teleconference .
“ Craziest drivers I ’ ve ever seen in my life.
” If Nassib can drive like he plays football , he won ’ t lack for effort .
Nassib knows only one speed , so assume he ’ ll be cutting across lanes of traffic on two wheels if that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s that quality that drew the Raiders to Nassib during free agency , as they shelled out a reported guarantee of $ 17 million in a three-year contract worth a maximum value of $ 25 million .
Well , that plus the fact that he ’ s 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds .
Want to know why the Raiders didn ’ t pursue Yannick Ngakoue and haven ’ t made a move toward the available Jadeveon Clowney ?
Because they believe putting Nassib on the edge is the antidote to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many defensive snaps on the sideline as he does on the field .
Over the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , Nassib played in a 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker .
Sometimes he rushed while standing up .
Sometimes he put two hands on the ground and split wide .
He even chased receivers downfield on occasion and broke up the occasional pass .
Nassib ’ s leap-off-the-screen effort level made him a fan favorite , even as he realized his role with the Bucs wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m really excited to be playing the position I feel like I ’ m meant to play , being a 4-3 D-end , ” Nassib said .
“ I have my hand in the dirt I had to make a lot of adjustments going to outside linebacker.
” The signing for the Raiders was viewed in some circles as a reach .
Nassib had 12 1/2 sacks over the past two seasons in Tampa Bay , playing roughly half the snaps .
The Raiders made him their highest-paid defensive lineman at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per year .
But given the going rate for edge players , it wasn ’ t really out of line .
Nassib will be getting about half what the No .
10 player at his position receives .
Considering how hard Nassib competes , being an every down player would reduce his effectiveness rather than enhance it .
All of which makes Nassib perfect for the philosophy of new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli , who values effort and hustle above all else .
Both Nassib and second-year end Maxx Crosby are off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , a quality they believe can create a ripple effect amongst the front four .
“ I guess you could say it ’ s contagious , ” Nassib said .
“ I personally would say it ’ s a standard that ( Marinelli ) sets , and he does not waver off the standard.
” The Raiders ’ system should keep Nassib ’ s snap count about where it was with the Bucs , subbing in and out with Crosby , Clelin Ferrell and Arden Key as outside rushers , with Ferrell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins Johnathan Hankins , Maurice Hurst and Daniel Ross .
While the Raiders improved their pass rush a year ago , going from an appalling 13 sacks to 32 , the fact is their jump was from 32nd to a tie for 25th .
They ’ re still 15 to 20 sacks from being truly formidable .
This year ’ s opposition includes Patrick Mahomes ( twice ) , Drew Brees , Tom Brady , Cam Newton , Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers , all looking to prey upon a young secondary but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Raiders are hoping for a centipede effect and fresh legs to apply pressure .
“ You don ’ t want any dropoff , ” Nassib said .
“ You want to consistently get after it , consistently pressure .
I think we ’ re going to do that here.
” Nassib , 27 , has a “ prove it ” mentality borne of being an angular 6-foot-6 , 218-pound walk-on at Penn State , before ascending to a scholarship and then being honored as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best defensive end in college football .
A third-round pick by the Cleveland Browns , Nassib was inexplicably cut after two seasons , the second of which the Browns were 0-16 .
Tampa Bay claimed Nassib on waivers , and once there he formed an opinion of Jon Gruden from a distance .
• Raiders expect loud , hard-hitting safety Abram to bring physicality — but not too much “ I never had met him personally but playing in Tampa , you hear about him , ” Nassib said .
“ The whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined with Marinelli , a better scheme fit and a huge paycheck , turned out to be a winning hand .
“ The cards all matched up and I ’ m really happy to be here , ” Nassib said .
Speaking of cards , Nassib isn ’ t much for games of chance while residing in a city that is famous for them .
When it comes to money , Nassib is all about compounding interest , and he even gained a measure of fame on HBO ’ s “ Hard Knocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teammates a seminar on camera .
He ’ s attempted to educate some of his Raiders teammates as well .
“ I hate gambling , ” Nassib said .
“ I ’ ve given little spreadsheets , one-page documents , to teammates , just the basics , and I ’ ve had multiple conversations .
I love it .
I love hearing about that kind of stuff .
It ’ s not about how much you earn it ’ s about how much you save .
”

Carl Nassib likes everything about his new home in Las Vegas except for being behind the wheel.
“I have to drive like Vin Diesel in `Fast and Furious’ to stay alive,” the Raiders defensive end said recently. “Craziest drivers I’ve ever seen in my life.”
If Nassib can drive like he plays football, he should be OK. He has one speed — fast — so he can cut across lanes of traffic or get out ahead of it to reach his destination. It’s that quality that drew the Raiders to give the former Penn State walk-on a three-year contract worth up to $25 million, $17 million of it guaranteed.
Well, that plus the fact that he’s 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds.
Want to know why the Raiders didn’t seriously pursue Yannick Ngakoue or Jadeveon Clowney? Because they believe putting Nassib on the edge is the antidote to a mediocre pass rush even if he spends as many defensive snaps on the sideline as he does on the field.
Over the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nassib played in a 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker. Sometimes he rushed while standing up. Sometimes he put two hands on the ground and split wide. He even chased receivers downfield on occasion and broke up a few passes.
Hustle and effort are what ultimately made the Pennsylvania native a scholarship player at the state university, a third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns (65th overall) and a fan favorite in Tampa. And now, as a defensive end in a 4-3 alignment, he will be playing his natural position.
“I’m really excited to be playing the position I feel like I’m meant to play,” said Nassib, 27. “I have my hand in the dirt. I had to make a lot of adjustments going to outside linebacker.”
The signing for the Raiders was viewed in some circles as a reach. Nassib had 12 1/2 sacks over the past two seasons in Tampa Bay, playing roughly half the snaps. The Raiders made him their highest-paid defensive lineman at an average salary of $8.33 million per year.
But given the going rate for edge players, it wasn’t really out of line. Nassib will be getting about half what the No. 10 player at his position receives. Considering how hard Nassib competes, being an every-down player would reduce his effectiveness rather than enhance it.
All of which makes Nassib perfect for the philosophy of new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who values effort and hustle above all else. Both Nassib and second-year end Maxx Crosby are off the charts in terms of getting after it, a quality they believe can create a ripple effect among the front four.
“I guess you could say it’s contagious,” Nassib said. “I personally would say it’s a standard that (Marinelli) sets, and he does not waver off the standard.”
The Raiders’ system should keep Nassib’s snap count about where it was with the Bucs, subbing in and out with Crosby, Clelin Ferrell and Arden Key as outside rushers. Ferrell will move inside on occasion along with Maliek Collins Johnathan Hankins, Maurice Hurst and Daniel Ross.
While the Raiders improved their pass rush a year ago, going from an appalling 13 sacks to 32, the fact is their jump was from 32nd to a tie for 25th. They’re still 15-20 sacks from being truly formidable. This year’s opposition includes Patrick Mahomes (twice), Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers, all looking to prey upon a young secondary if given the time time.
Thus the Raiders are hoping for a centipede effect and fresh legs to keep the pressure on the passer.
“You don’t want any dropoff,” Nassib said. “You want to consistently get after it, consistently pressure. I think we’re going to do that here.”
A native of West Chester, Penn., Nassib arrived at Penn State as a 6-foot-6, 218-pound walk-on. He wasn’t a starter until his senior year; he ended up being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and winning the Ted Hendricks Award as the best defensive end in college football.
Cut inexplicably by the Browns after two seasons, the second of which the Browns were 0-16, Nassib was claimed on waivers by Tampa Bay. His relationship with Jon Gruden began then, from a distance.
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Two years later, Gruden and Nassib are together with the Raiders. In tandem with Marinelli, a better scheme fit and a huge paycheck, it looks like a winning hand.
“The cards all matched up and I’m really happy to be here,” Nassib said.
Even as he finds himself in a city famous for games of chance, Nassib isn’t a fan of them. When it comes to money, he’s all about growing his it through sound investments. He gained a measure of fame on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” for giving his Cleveland teammates a financial seminar on camera. He’s attempted to educate some of his Raiders teammates as well.
“I hate gambling,” Nassib said. “I’ve given little spreadsheets, one-page documents, to teammates, just the basics, and I’ve had multiple conversations.
“It’s not about how much you earn. It’s about how much you save.”


mercurynews--2020-09-04--15-year fixed mortgages drop to record lows

Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates rose slightly in the week ending Thursday , Sept. 3 , but still were at their third-lowest level in records dating back 49 years , according to Freddie Mac .
The 15-year , fixed-rate mortgage , however , fell to an all-time low in records covering the past three decades .
“ For real estate markets , low mortgage rates remain a potent fuel , driving demand and keeping purchasing activity rolling , ” George Ratiu , a senior economist at Realtor.com , told the Washington Post .
“ However , fast-shrinking inventory and aggressive price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to afford a home as we head into the cooler season.
” Freddie Mac rate news : The 30-year fixed-rate averaged 2.93 % , up two basis points from last week .
The 15- “ year fixed rate averaged 2.42 % , down 4 basis points from last week to a record low .
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 2 % decrease in loan application volume from one week earlier .
Bottom line : Assuming a borrower gets the average 30-year fixed rate on a conforming $ 510,400 loan , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than this week ’ s payment of $ 2,133 .
What I see : Locally , well-qualified borrowers can get the following fixed-rate mortgages with 1 point cost : A 30-year FHA at 2.25 % , a 15-year conventional at 2.125 % , a 30-year conventional at 2.5 % , a 30-year FHA high-balance 2.625 % , a conventional high-balance ( $ 510,401 to $ 765,600 ) at 2.625 % , and a 30-year jumbo fixed rate at 3.25 % .
Note : The 30-year FHA is limited to loans of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catcher loan of the week : A 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage at 2.25 % with two points .
Jeff Lazerson is a mortgage broker .
He can be reached at 949-334-2424 or jlazerson @ mortgagegrader.com .
His website is www.mortgagegrader.com .

Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates rose slightly in the week ending Thursday, Sept. 3, but still were at their third-lowest level in records dating back 49 years, according to Freddie Mac.
The 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage, however, fell to an all-time low in records covering the past three decades.
“For real estate markets, low mortgage rates remain a potent fuel, driving demand and keeping purchasing activity rolling,” George Ratiu, a senior economist at Realtor.com, told the Washington Post. “However, fast-shrinking inventory and aggressive price gains are combining to outrun buyers’ ability to afford a home as we head into the cooler season.”
Here’s an overview:
Freddie Mac rate news: The 30-year fixed-rate averaged 2.93%, up two basis points from last week. The 15-“year fixed rate averaged 2.42%, down 4 basis points from last week to a record low.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 2% decrease in loan application volume from one week earlier.
Bottom line: Assuming a borrower gets the average 30-year fixed rate on a conforming $510,400 loan, last year’s payment was $156 more than this week’s payment of $2,133.
What I see: Locally, well-qualified borrowers can get the following fixed-rate mortgages with 1 point cost: A 30-year FHA at 2.25%, a 15-year conventional at 2.125%, a 30-year conventional at 2.5%, a 30-year FHA high-balance 2.625%, a conventional high-balance ($510,401 to $765,600) at 2.625%, and a 30-year jumbo fixed rate at 3.25%.
Note: The 30-year FHA is limited to loans of $442,750 in the Inland Empire.
Eye catcher loan of the week: A 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage at 2.25% with two points.
Jeff Lazerson is a mortgage broker. He can be reached at 949-334-2424 or jlazerson@mortgagegrader.com. His website is www.mortgagegrader.com.


mercurynews--2020-09-05--Third sailor from capsized cattle ship rescued off Japan coast

A third man has been found floating in a life raft in the waters off Japan after a cargo ship with 43 people and almost 6,000 cows aboard went missing during Typhoon Maysak , according to the Japan Coast Guard .
The man , a 30-year-old Filipino named Jay-Nel Rosals was found on Friday afternoon 1.2 miles from Kodakara Island , the Coast Guard said .
He was taken to hospital , and is alive , walking and talking , it added .
He is only the third person to be found after the Gulf Livestock 1 transmitted a distress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 115 miles west of Amami Oshima island .
A lone Filipino sailor was rescued late Wednesday , after more than half a day in the water .
He was in good condition , the Coast Guard said .
A second crew member was found floating unconscious on Friday morning near Japan ’ s Amami Oshima island , about midway between Okinawa and Kyushu , Japan ’ s southernmost main island .
He was taken to hospital , according to a Coast Guard statement sent to CNN , but a later statement from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Just after 4 p.m. local time ( 3 a.m. ) on Friday — around the same time that Rosals was located — rescuers found an empty lifeboat further out to sea , at around four kilometers east of Kodakara Island .
Japan ’ s Coast Guard also said that they found some oil spillage around 150 kilometers from Amami Oshima Island .
The Coast Guard also found a body of a cow near Amami Oshima island on Friday .
According to the Coast Guard , the search and rescue operation is ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been found .
The area in the East China Sea was being battered by the powerful typhoon , equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of at least 130 mph , at the time the ship went missing .
The 438-foot ship , crewed by 39 Filipinos , two New Zealanders and two Australians , was sailing from Napier , New Zealand , to Tangshan , China , according to the authorities in Japan , New Zealand and Australia .
The Panamanian-flagged ship left New Zealand on August 14 with a cargo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to New Zealand ’ s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade .
A second storm in the region , Typhoon Haishen , is expected to strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane by the end of the week .
It ’ s expected to threaten Kyushu on Sunday , and potentially affect the Korean Peninsula Monday .
Japan ’ s meteorological agency is warning that the storm could be the third biggest to hit the country since records began almost 70 years ago .
A New Zealand animal rights group said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the export of live animals should not be permitted .
“ These cows should never have been at sea .
To make matters worse they ’ re likely all pregnant , ” said Marianne Macdonald , campaigns manager for animal rights group SAFE NZ .
“ This is a real crisis , and our thoughts are with the families of the 43 crew who are missing with the ship .
But questions remain , including why this trade is allowed to continue , ” Macdonald said in a statement .

By Brad Lendon and Emiko Jozuka | CNN
A third man has been found floating in a life raft in the waters off Japan after a cargo ship with 43 people and almost 6,000 cows aboard went missing during Typhoon Maysak, according to the Japan Coast Guard.
The man, a 30-year-old Filipino named Jay-Nel Rosals was found on Friday afternoon 1.2 miles from Kodakara Island, the Coast Guard said. He was taken to hospital, and is alive, walking and talking, it added.
He is only the third person to be found after the Gulf Livestock 1 transmitted a distress signal early Wednesday when it was about 115 miles west of Amami Oshima island.
A lone Filipino sailor was rescued late Wednesday, after more than half a day in the water. He was in good condition, the Coast Guard said.
A second crew member was found floating unconscious on Friday morning near Japan’s Amami Oshima island, about midway between Okinawa and Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island. He was taken to hospital, according to a Coast Guard statement sent to CNN, but a later statement from the Coast Guard said that he had died.
Just after 4 p.m. local time (3 a.m.) on Friday — around the same time that Rosals was located — rescuers found an empty lifeboat further out to sea, at around four kilometers east of Kodakara Island. Japan’s Coast Guard also said that they found some oil spillage around 150 kilometers from Amami Oshima Island.
The Coast Guard also found a body of a cow near Amami Oshima island on Friday. According to the Coast Guard, the search and rescue operation is ongoing, and no other cow carcasses have been found.
The area in the East China Sea was being battered by the powerful typhoon, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of at least 130 mph, at the time the ship went missing.
The 438-foot ship, crewed by 39 Filipinos, two New Zealanders and two Australians, was sailing from Napier, New Zealand, to Tangshan, China, according to the authorities in Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
The Panamanian-flagged ship left New Zealand on August 14 with a cargo of more than 5,800 cows, according to New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
A second storm in the region, Typhoon Haishen, is expected to strengthen to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane by the end of the week. It’s expected to threaten Kyushu on Sunday, and potentially affect the Korean Peninsula Monday.
Japan’s meteorological agency is warning that the storm could be the third biggest to hit the country since records began almost 70 years ago.
A New Zealand animal rights group said the Gulf Livestock 1 incident illustrates why the export of live animals should not be permitted.
“These cows should never have been at sea. To make matters worse they’re likely all pregnant,” said Marianne Macdonald, campaigns manager for animal rights group SAFE NZ.
“This is a real crisis, and our thoughts are with the families of the 43 crew who are missing with the ship. But questions remain, including why this trade is allowed to continue,” Macdonald said in a statement.


mercurynews--2020-09-05--Dysfunction in Contra Costa DA’s office on full display as gang prosecutor appeals reprimand; prosec

Dysfunction in Contra Costa DA’s office on full display as gang prosecutor appeals reprimand; prosecutors have it out in public forum

MARTINEZ — In a boisterous administrative hearing livestreamed on the internet Thursday , several Contra Costa County lawyers debated the importance of criminal justice reform , called each other liars , and shared accusations and embarrassing details about various members of their office as they testified about a reprimand of a prosecutor last year .
It was a remarkably public airing of the political conflicts that divided the district attorney ’ s office under DA Diana Becton , centering on deputy district attorney Chad Mahalich ’ s appeal of a reprimand he received for refusing to facilitate a plea deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sentenced as a juvenile .
Mahalich had been outraged that his office did not file a writ challenging the constitutionality of SB 1391 , a 2019 change in state law that prevents anyone younger than 16 from being tried in adult court , and publicly criticized Becton ’ s handling of the case .
In his appeal , Mahalich is arguing the reprimand letter was part of a pattern of targeted harassment and political retaliation against himself and others in the office .
However , his supervisor , Jason Peck , testified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not pursue a harsher punishment against Mahalich .
“ Would you agree that targeted political harassment is despicable and evil conduct ?
” Mahalich asked Peck , who heads the DA ’ s Community Violence Reduction Unit , at one point in the hearing .
“ Chad , you have a letter in your file .
You ’ re not targeted , ” Peck shot back .
“ The only target you have is the one you put on yourself.
” Representing himself , Mahalich cross-examined three office prosecutors Thursday : Peck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s second in command , Venus Williams .
Topics ranged from serious — Mahalich accused Williams , Becton , and Peck of failing to inform Sweitzer ’ s family that the office could have filed an appeal — to the downright petty , like an argument between Holmes and Mahalich about how much profanity attorneys in the office used .
Among Mahalich ’ s grievances was that Peck asked members of his unit to read and discuss an article about racism and white privilege in America by NBA player Kyle Korver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequality is built so deeply into so many of our most trusted institutions is wrong.
” Mahalich said Thursday that he was reprimanded one day after he complained about the meeting in which Peck brought up the article .
Mahalich read aloud an email from then-Chief Deputy Phyllis Redmond , who left her second-in-command position last year over Peck ’ s handling of a plea deal that freed a death row inmate .
Redmond ’ s email , according to Mahalich ’ s recitation , said that Peck was “ demanding ” CVRU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion piece and be prepared to discuss it.
” “ Not only is it inappropriate for a manager to send this kind of politically and racially charged material and demand discussion about it , but it is , in my opinion , a very clear attempt to target Mr. Mahalich and provoke him into some type of race-based misconduct , ” Redmond ’ s email said .
“ To set someone up to be upset and they say they make you uncomfortable is premeditated , despicable , evil conduct.
” Peck said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optional after the office ’ s union president wrote a letter warning attorneys had complained .
And he laughed out loud at the idea that he arranged the discussion to victimize Mahalich .
“ I thought this would be a good exercise for the rest of the unit to discuss racial bias , ” he said , “ it had nothing to do with targeting just you.
” Earlier in the hearing , Mahalich questioned Holmes about her recollection of the Korzer article discussion , and if she had written the word “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her meeting notes .
Holmes replied that it was possible .
“ You were hollering in my face and you were standing over me and pointing in my face , ” Holmes said .
“ And you ’ re very tall and very big in stature so I felt threatened.
” “ Oh , you felt threatened , interesting , ” Mahalich shot back , sarcastically .
“ So if no other person from the unit meeting described me as pointing my finger or standing up , they would all be lying ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lying , because you stood up , ” Holmes said .
Drama within the DA ’ s office is hardly a new phenomenon .
Becton ’ s predecessor , Mark Peterson , resigned from the office the same day he was charged with 13 felonies for stealing money from his own campaign fund .
In 2010 , one prosecutor clocked another in the head during a fistfight , and in 2017 , a fraud prosecutor rented a trailer , wrote damning accusations about Peterson in magic marker , and parked it across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mahalich is also not the only Contra Costa prosecutor who has leveled such accusations against his boss .
An administrative judge is also hearing a political retaliation complaint by longtime prosecutor Mary Knox , who alleges that she was demoted for supporting Becton ’ s 2018 opponent , Paul Graves .
Knox is one of four women in the office who filed a federal suit against Becton alleging she favored men for important promotions .
Becton is scheduled to testify and be cross-examined by Mahalich on Sept. 10 .

MARTINEZ — In a boisterous administrative hearing livestreamed on the internet Thursday, several Contra Costa County lawyers debated the importance of criminal justice reform, called each other liars, and shared accusations and embarrassing details about various members of their office as they testified about a reprimand of a prosecutor last year.
It was a remarkably public airing of the political conflicts that divided the district attorney’s office under District Attorney Diana Becton, centering on deputy DA Chad Mahalich’s appeal of a reprimand he received for refusing to facilitate a plea deal that allowed a 15-year-old murder defendant to be sentenced as a juvenile. Mahalich had been outraged that his office did not file a writ challenging the constitutionality of SB 1391, a 2019 change in state law that prevents anyone younger than 16 from being tried in adult court, and publicly criticized Becton’s handling of the case.
In his appeal, Mahalich is arguing the reprimand letter was part of a pattern of targeted harassment and political retaliation against himself and others in the office.
However, his supervisor, Jason Peck, testified Thursday that he was pleasantly surprised Becton did not pursue a harsher punishment against Mahalich.
“Would you agree that targeted political harassment is despicable and evil conduct?” Mahalich asked Peck, who heads the DA’s Community Violence Reduction Unit (CVRU), at one point in the hearing.
“Chad, you have a letter in your file. You’re not targeted,” Peck shot back. “The only target you have is the one you put on yourself.”
Representing himself, Mahalich cross-examined three office prosecutors Thursday: Peck, Nichelle Holmes, and the office’s second in command, Venus Johnson. Topics ranged from serious — Mahalich accused Johnson, Becton, and Peck of failing to inform Sweitzer’s family that the office could have filed an appeal — to downright petty — an argument between Holmes and Mahalich about how much profanity attorneys used in the office.
Among Mahalich’s grievances was that Peck asked members of his unit to read and discuss an article about racism and white privilege in America by NBA player Kyle Korver, which concluded that the “fact that inequality is built so deeply into so many of our most trusted institutions is wrong.” Mahalich said Thursday that he was reprimanded one day after he complained about the meeting in which Peck brought up the article.
Mahalich read aloud an email from then-Chief Deputy Phyllis Redmond, who left her second-in-command position last year over Peck’s handling of a plea deal that freed a death row inmate. Redmond’s email, according to Mahalich’s recitation, said that Peck was “demanding” CVRU members “read a politically and racially-charged opinion piece and be prepared to discuss it.”
“Not only is it inappropriate for a manager to send this kind of politically and racially charged material and demand discussion about it, but it is, in my opinion, a very clear attempt to target Mr. Mahalich and provoke him into some type of race-based misconduct,” Redmond’s email said. “To set someone up to be upset and then say they make you uncomfortable is premeditated, despicable, evil conduct.”
Mahalich questioned Thursday why Peck would ask staff to read a “political” article that referenced white privilege and reparations, and that was “written by an NBA player and has nothing to do with our jobs.” He added that any prosecutor who makes race-based decisions should lose his or her job, and suggested Peck arranged the discussion to appease his bosses before a promotion interview.
Peck said he had made it clear the discussion was optional after the office’s union president wrote a letter warning attorneys had complained. And he laughed out loud at the idea that he arranged the discussion to victimize Mahalich.
“I thought this would be a good exercise for the rest of the unit to discuss racial bias,” he said, “it had nothing to do with targeting just you.”
Earlier in the hearing, Mahalich questioned Holmes about her recollection of the Korver article discussion, and if she had written the word “hostile” next to his name in her meeting notes. Holmes replied that it was possible.
“You were hollering in my face and you were standing over me and pointing in my face,” Holmes said. “And you’re very tall and very big in stature so I felt threatened.”
“Oh, you felt threatened, interesting,” Mahalich shot back, sarcastically. “So if no other person from the unit meeting described me as pointing my finger or standing up, they would all be lying?”
“Absolutely, they would be lying, because you stood up,” Holmes said.
Drama within the DA’s office is hardly a new phenomenon. Becton’s predecessor, Mark Peterson, resigned from the office the same day he was charged with 13 felonies for stealing money from his own campaign fund. In 2010, one prosecutor clocked another in the head during a fistfight, and in 2017, a prosecutor rented a trailer, mounted it with a sign criticizing Peterson, and parked it across the street from the office in downtown Martinez.
Mahalich is also not the only Contra Costa prosecutor who has leveled such accusations against his boss. An administrative judge is also hearing a political retaliation complaint by longtime prosecutor Mary Knox, who alleges that she was demoted for supporting Becton’s 2018 opponent, Paul Graves. Knox is one of four women in the office who filed a federal suit against Becton alleging she favored men for important promotions.
Becton is scheduled to testify and be cross-examined by Mahalich Thursday.


mercurynews--2020-09-05--Madison Bumgarner promises to stay on even keel in his first start againt the Giants

Madison Bumgarner hinted before Major League Baseball pulled the plug on spring training he had a story to tell regarding his departure from the Giants in favor of the Arizona Diamondbacks .
When reminded of his untold tale Friday night during a Zoom teleconference , Bumgarner chuckled and stayed in character .
“ You ’ re not going to get that today , ” Bumgarner said .
Bumgarner takes the mound Saturday night at Oracle Park against the Giants after a stint on the injured list because of back spasms , having missed the first series in San Francisco between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a 9.35 earned run average It could have been a packed house awash in nostalgia at the sight of the left-hander who did more than anyone else to deliver three World Series Championships in five years .
A standing ovation for sure , with the crowd then hoping for his demise against the team he left in free agency for a five-year contract worth $ 85 million .
The coronavirus pandemic changed all that .
Instead , there will be cardboard cutouts , and there are no plans to have Bumgarner take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mountain ” ballad which used to whip the crowd into a frenzy .
The Giants , according to a team spokesman , will pay tribute via social media .
Bumgarner , 30 , is confident he can keep his emotions in check .
He said he no problem with contract negotiations with the Giants nor did he have any hard feelings toward anyone in the organization , although he didn ’ t elaborate when asked .
“ I ’ m a pretty easy going guy .
Guys have been asking me if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other side and all that , ” Bumgarner said .
“ It ’ s really not .
It ’ s nice to be back and see a lot of the guys I knew and played with and worked with .
There ’ s a lot of new faces for sure .
It ’ s pretty much completely different , it looks like .
I was excited to come back here and see the city.
” Giants manager Gabe Kapler deferred comment on facing Bumgarner until after Friday night ’ s game , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madison was a tremendous pitcher for a long time for the Giants and arguably one of the top two pitchers over the course of the last 10 years or so , ” Kapler said .
“ He ’ s certainly deserving of all the accolades.
” No Giants players were available during the pregame window for players , with a team media relations spokesman saying longtime teammates Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford declined .
Given Bumgarner ’ s layoff after a shaky start , it ’ s hard to know what to expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back stuff ’ s gone .
We got that taken care of pretty quick.
, ” Bumgarner said .
“ Then just kind of slowly building back up and making sure we ’ re ready to come back here and be ready.
” Bumgarner said he ’ ll miss having fans in the stands .
“ Obviously everybody would like for them to be here , ” Bumgarner said .
“ Not just here , all the cities .
But with the hand that we ’ re all dealt right now , unfortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I know we ’ re all excited for them to get back and for baseball to turn in to what it was instead of what it is right now.
” Whether Kapler puts longtime teammates such as Belt , Crawford or Pablo Sandoval in the lineup remains to be seen .
Bumgarner didn ’ t seemed overwhelmed by the prospect of having to face them .
“ I feel like I ’ m pretty good at pushing all that stuff aside and I think I ’ ll be able to go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other start , same as I would if it was a postseason start or whatever , ” Bumgarner said .
“ I feel like I ’ m pretty good at staying even keel when it comes to that stuff.
” Bumgarner ’ s early appearances included a decline in velocity as Bumgarner struggled to break 90 miles per hour , something he attributes at least in part to the break in spring training .
“ I think the summer played the main factor in that , ” Bumgarner said .
“ But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with what I ’ ve got and pitch and get outs .
that ’ s all you can do .
I ’ ve got to get past that and not worry about how hard I ’ m throwing because for me it ’ s always been about making pitches anyway.
” Bumgarner was an excellent pitcher in his home park , whether it was called AT & T or Oracle , going 60-40 with a 2.72 earned run average during the regular season in 918 2/3 innings .
However , if they ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oracle Park , it will be because of his dominance on the road in the postseason .
In San Francisco , Bumgarner was 3-3 with a 3.88 earned run average .
There were some memorable moments , to be sure , throwing seven shutout innings against the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the 2012 World Series against the Detroit Tigers and a complete game shutout of the Kansas City Royals in Game 5 in 2014 .
Away from home is where Bumgarner cemented his legend , going 6-0 with a save and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2/3 innings , an 0.50 earned run average .
The save , of course , was closing out the Royals over five innings for the Giants third World Series championship in five years in 2014 .
“ I spent the last 10 years here .
You don ’ t just forget about it , ” Bumgarner said .
“ I think about it , when I see the guys play , watching different ballgames or when we ’ re playing the Giants , you can ’ t help but reminisce a little bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impingement ) and left-hander Drew Smyly ( left index finger ) will throw three inning simulated games Satruday at the alternate site in Sacramento .
Samardzija has missed 23 games and Smyly 29 while on the injured list .
“ Well check in with them after and see how they ’ re doing and decide our next step then , ” Kapler said .
Outfielder Austin Slater , who has missed 10 games with a left groin strain , is making good progress , according to Kapler .
“ He ’ s getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit to bases and getting stronger each day , ” Kapler said .
“ We ’ ll keep monitoring that situation.
” • SF Giants Gameday podcast : Looking back at Barry Bonds ’ biggest home runs with Adam Copeland • Madison Bumgarner is coming back to Oracle Park .
Here ’ s what ’ s changed since he left .
• SF Giants mailbag : Who deserves the credit for the Giants ’ offensive resurgence ?
• SF Giants Gameday mailbag podcast : Examining the Giants ’ chances in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( hip ) appears on track to make his start Saturday against Bumgarner .
Cahill and several other pitchers came to the park to throw on their off day and Kapler was encouraged by what he saw from Cahill .
“ We wanted to see if he could push off , if he could land , and stay strong enough through his bullpen to give us a thumbs up and if he ’ s capable of being the guy he ’ s been for us so far , ” Kapler said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he ’ s not.
” The Giants ’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for character , community involvement , philanthropy and positive contributions , both on and off the field isn ’ t on the roster .
Outfielder Hunter Pence , released on Aug. 23 , is one of 30 Major League Baseball players to be nominated .
“ I know he ’ s honored by it and our players and our staff are certainly supportive of Hunter , he does so much in the community and so much in San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It feels like the right person was nominated .
”

Madison Bumgarner hinted before Major League Baseball pulled the plug on spring training he had a story to tell regarding his departure from the Giants in favor of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
When reminded of his untold tale Friday night during a Zoom teleconference, Bumgarner chuckled and stayed in character.
“You’re not going to get that today,” Bumgarner said.
Bumgarner takes the mound Saturday night at Oracle Park against the Giants after a stint on the injured list because of back spasms, having missed the first series in San Francisco between the two teams. He is 0-3 with a 9.35 earned run average
It could have been a packed house awash in nostalgia at the sight of the left-hander who did more than anyone else to deliver three World Series Championships in five years. A standing ovation for sure, with the crowd then hoping for his demise against the team he left in free agency for a five-year contract worth $85 million.
The coronavirus pandemic changed all that.
Instead, there will be cardboard cutouts, and there are no plans to have Bumgarner take the mound to the “Fire on the Mountain” ballad which used to whip the crowd into a frenzy. The Giants, according to a team spokesman, will pay tribute via social media.
Bumgarner, 30, is confident he can keep his emotions in check. He said he had no problem with contract negotiations with the Giants nor did he have any hard feelings toward anyone in the organization, although he didn’t elaborate when asked.
“I’m a pretty easy going guy. Guys have been asking me if it’s weird being on the other side and all that,” Bumgarner said. “It’s really not. It’s nice to be back and see a lot of the guys I knew and played with and worked with. There’s a lot of new faces for sure. It’s pretty much completely different, it looks like. I was excited to come back here and see the city.”
Giants manager Gabe Kapler deferred comment on facing Bumgarner until after Friday night’s game, although he did manage one platitude.
“Madison was a tremendous pitcher for a long time for the Giants and arguably one of the top two pitchers over the course of the last 10 years or so,” Kapler said. “He’s certainly deserving of all the accolades.”
No Giants players were available during the pregame window for players, with a team media relations spokesman saying longtime teammates Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford declined.
Given Bumgarner’s layoff after a shaky start, it’s hard to know what to expect.
“Feel pretty good. The back stuff’s gone. We got that taken care of pretty quick.,” Bumgarner said. “Then just kind of slowly building back up and making sure we’re ready to come back here and be ready.”
Bumgarner said he’ll miss having fans in the stands.
Madison Bumgarner said he has no hard feelings toward anyone in Giants organization. pic.twitter.com/bxAmSLEM6C — Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) September 5, 2020
“Obviously everybody would like for them to be here,” Bumgarner said. “Not just here, all the cities. But with the hand that we’re all dealt right now, unfortunately that’s not going to happen. I know we’re all excited for them to get back and for baseball to turn in to what it was instead of what it is right now.”
Whether Kapler puts longtime teammates such as Belt, Crawford or Pablo Sandoval in the lineup remains to be seen. Bumgarner didn’t seemed overwhelmed by the prospect of having to face them.
“I feel like I’m pretty good at pushing all that stuff aside and I think I’ll be able to go out there and just treat it like any other start, same as I would if it was a postseason start or whatever,” Bumgarner said. “I feel like I’m pretty good at staying even keel when it comes to that stuff.”
Bumgarner’s early appearances included a decline in velocity as Bumgarner struggled to break 90 miles per hour, something he attributes at least in part to the break in spring training.
“I think the summer played the main factor in that,” Bumgarner said. “But I’m going to go out there with what I’ve got and pitch and get outs. that’s all you can do. I’ve got to get past that and not worry about how hard I’m throwing because for me it’s always been about making pitches anyway.”
Bumgarner was an excellent pitcher in his home park, whether it was called AT&T or Oracle, going 60-40 with a 2.72 earned run average during the regular season in 918 2/3 innings.
However, if they ever put a statue of Bumgarner outside of Oracle Park, it will be because of his dominance on the road in the postseason. In San Francisco, Bumgarner was 3-3 with a 3.88 earned run average. There were some memorable moments, to be sure, throwing seven shutout innings against the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the 2012 World Series against the Detroit Tigers and a shutout of the Kansas City Royals in Game 5 in 2014.
Away from home is where Bumgarner cemented his legend, going 6-0 with a save and surrendering just three earned runs in 52 2/3 innings, an 0.50 earned run average . The save, of course, was closing out the Royals over five innings for the Giants third World Series championship in five years in 2014.
“I spent the last 10 years here. You don’t just forget about it,” Bumgarner said. “I think about it, when I see the guys play, watching different ballgames or when we’re playing the Giants, you can’t help but reminisce a little bit.
HEALTH UPDATES
Right-hander Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder impingement) and left-hander Drew Smyly (left index finger) will throw three inning simulated games Saturday. Samardzija has missed 23 games and Smyly 29 while on the injured list.
“Well check in with them after and see how they’re doing and decide our next step then,” Kapler said.
Outfielder Austin Slater, who has missed 10 games with a left groin strain, is making good progress, according to Kapler.
“He’s getting very, very close,and throwing a little bit to bases and getting stronger each day,” Kapler said. “We’ll keep monitoring that situation.”
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SF Giants’ call-up of Wade Meckler only the latest chapter in outfield prospect’s storybook journey San Francisco Giants | SF Giants coach Nakken is pregnant, husband announces Starting pitcher Trevor Cahill (hip) appears on track to make his start Saturday against Bumgarner. Cahill and several other pitchers came to the park to throw on their off day and Kapler was encouraged by what he saw from Cahill.
“We wanted to see if he could push off, if he could land, and stay strong enough through his bullpen to give us a thumbs up and if he’s capable of being the guy he’s been for us so far,” Kapler said. “We haven’t seen any indication that he’s not.”
PENCE NOMINATED FOR CLEMENTE AWARD
The Giants’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field isn’t on the roster.
Outfielder Hunter Pence, released on Aug. 23, is one of 30 Major League Baseball players to be nominated.
Big thank you to the @SFGiants for the honor of being nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award. Giving back doesn’t stop here! — Hunter Pence (@hunterpence) September 3, 2020
“I know he’s honored by it and our players and our staff are certainly supportive of Hunter, he does so much in the community and so much in San Francisco,” Kapler said. “It feels like the right person was nominated.”


mercurynews--2020-09-05--Review: Live-action ‘Mulan’ is gorgeous but short on magic

Out of all of Disney ’ s animated films , “ Mulan ” was the one that made the most sense as a live-action remake .
Not that there haven ’ t been good and charming live-action remakes over the past decade — Kenneth Branagh ’ s “ Cinderella ” being at the top of the pack — but with most of them no matter how expensive or carefully executed or reverent to the source material , I usually walk out wishing I ’ d just watched the animated version instead .
Part of that might be age .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience Disney ’ s animated renaissance in real time in the theaters — unaware of course that it was a renaissance , but simply that the films I got to see in the theater and then on home video were something special .
Perhaps it didn ’ t crystalize just how special they were and are until the live-action remakes became a regular part of the release calendar .
Many just weren ’ t as enchanting or effective as their predecessors .
That is mostly a compliment to the gold standard that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a live-action version to somehow be better or even equal .
Just look at the animated Hakuna Matata next to the “ real ” one .
There is a reason most of these stories were animated in the first place .
“ Mulan ” was different , though .
The animated tale is wonderful and full of fantastic songs , but it ’ s a war epic .
The story , about a young Chinese woman who steps in to serve the army in her aging and ailing father ’ s place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the format .
And make no mistake , director Niki Caro ’ s “ Mulan ” is without a doubt one of the best of the remakes .
It is stunning to look at from beginning to end .
The crisp landscapes ( shot by cinematographer Mandy Walker ) , the brightly colored and divinely intricate costumes ( from Bina Daigeler ) , the elaborate fight sequences and the actors ’ faces — especially Liu Yifei , who plays Mulan — are so beautiful that it will take your breath away .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Whale Rider ” ) had a grand and sweeping vision for “ Mulan ” and for the most part she pulls it off .
“ Mulan ” falters on the story level , however , feeling both rushed , overlong and oddly light on character development .
We barely even get to know Mulan .
She ’ s introduced as a child , wild and carefree running through her village .
But she ’ s not just free-spirited in this version : She actually has magical powers that make her a natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The film cuts abruptly from this revelation to our heroine , who is now older and messing up in front of the matchmaker .
It ’ s still a charming scene , even without Eddie Murphy ’ s Mushu .
But there ’ s the problem : Why am I even thinking about Eddie Murphy ?
Because “ Mulan ” doesn ’ t ever let you forget that it is in conversation with the animated film , devoted to hitting the familiar beats of its predecessor instead of telling its own story .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Reflection , ” which is only sung in the credits , you are torn out of Caro ’ s sumptuous spectacle and once again thinking about the 1998 version and its songs .
“ Mulan ” has so much going for it , including a roster of amazing Chinese and Chinese-American actors including Jet Li , as the Emperor , Tzi Ma , as Mulan ’ s father , Rosalind Chao as Li , Donnie Yen as Commander Tung and Jason Scott Lee as the big bad villain Bori Khan .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ villain played by Li Gong , which doesn ’ t quite work and distracts from Mulan ’ s own journey .
There is more good than bad in “ Mulan , ” and we should be so lucky to get a gorgeous and inspiring war epic that is suitable for children to watch .
“ Mulan ” might even inspire some kids to dip their toes into all that Asian cinema has to offer , which would be the best possible outcome .
But something has to give in this blind fealty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s getting in the way of greatness .
When & where : Available for streaming now on Disney+

Out of all of Disney’s animated films, “Mulan” was the one that made the most sense as a live-action remake.
Not that there haven’t been good and charming live-action remakes over the past decade — Kenneth Branagh’s “Cinderella” being at the top of the pack — but with most of them no matter how expensive or carefully executed or reverent to the source material, I usually walk out wishing I’d just watched the animated version instead.
Part of that might be age. I was in the generation that got to experience Disney’s animated renaissance in real time in the theaters — unaware of course that it was a renaissance, but simply that the films I got to see in the theater and then on home video were something special.
Perhaps it didn’t crystalize just how special they were and are until the live-action remakes became a regular part of the release calendar. Many just weren’t as enchanting or effective as their predecessors. That is mostly a compliment to the gold standard that is the animation. It would be shocking for a live-action version to somehow be better or even equal. Just look at the animated Hakuna Matata next to the “real” one. There is a reason most of these stories were animated in the first place.
“Mulan” was different, though. The animated tale is wonderful and full of fantastic songs, but it’s a war epic. The story, about a young Chinese woman who steps in to serve the army in her aging and ailing father’s place, is naturally and fundamentally suited for the format.
And make no mistake, director Niki Caro’s “Mulan” is without a doubt one of the best of the remakes. It is stunning to look at from beginning to end. The crisp landscapes (shot by cinematographer Mandy Walker), the brightly colored and divinely intricate costumes (from Bina Daigeler), the elaborate fight sequences and the actors’ faces — especially Liu Yifei, who plays Mulan — are so beautiful that it will take your breath away.
It’s abundantly evident that Caro (“Whale Rider”) had a grand and sweeping vision for “Mulan” and for the most part she pulls it off.
“Mulan” falters on the story level, however, feeling both rushed, overlong and oddly light on character development. We barely even get to know Mulan. She’s introduced as a child, wild and carefree running through her village. But she’s not just free-spirited in this version: She actually has magical powers that make her a natural acrobat and, later, warrior. The film cuts abruptly from this revelation to our heroine, who is now older and messing up in front of the matchmaker. It’s still a charming scene, even without Eddie Murphy’s Mushu.
But there’s the problem: Why am I even thinking about Eddie Murphy? Because “Mulan” doesn’t ever let you forget that it is in conversation with the animated film, devoted to hitting the familiar beats of its predecessor instead of telling its own story. Every time you hear the notes from “Reflection,” which is only sung in the credits, you are torn out of Caro’s sumptuous spectacle and once again thinking about the 1998 version and its songs.
“Mulan” has so much going for it, including a roster of amazing Chinese and Chinese-American actors including Jet Li, as the Emperor, Tzi Ma, as Mulan’s father, Rosalind Chao as Li, Donnie Yen as Commander Tung and Jason Scott Lee as the big bad villain Bori Khan. It also decides to introduce a female witch villain played by Li Gong, which doesn’t quite work and distracts from Mulan’s own journey.
There is more good than bad in “Mulan,” and we should be so lucky to get a gorgeous and inspiring war epic that is suitable for children to watch. “Mulan” might even inspire some kids to dip their toes into all that Asian cinema has to offer, which would be the best possible outcome. But something has to give in this blind fealty to the animated films, because it’s getting in the way of greatness.
Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr
‘MULAN’
2½ stars out of 4
Rating: PG-13 (sequences of violence)
Cast: Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Gong Li, Jet Li
Director: Niki Caro
Running time: one hour, 55 minutes
When & where: Available for streaming now on Disney+


mercurynews--2020-09-05--Senior Living: Why Black aging matters, too

People who fit this description are more likely to die from COVID-19 than any other group in the country .
They are perishing quietly , out of sight , in homes and apartment buildings , senior housing complexes , nursing homes and hospitals , disproportionately poor , frail and ill , after enduring a lifetime of racism and its attendant adverse health effects .
Yet , older Black Americans have received little attention as protesters proclaim that Black Lives Matter and experts churn out studies about the coronavirus .
“ People are talking about the race disparity in COVID deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age disparity , but they ’ re not talking about how race and age disparities interact : They ’ re not talking about older Black adults , ” said Robert Joseph Taylor , director of the Program for Research on Black Americans at the University of Michigan ’ s Institute for Social Research .
A KHN analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores the extent of their vulnerability .
It found that African Americans ages 65 to 74 died of COVID-19 five times as often as whites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate for Black people was 3½ times greater .
Among those 85 and older , Black people died twice as often .
In all three age groups , death rates for Hispanics were higher than for whites but lower than for Black people .
The data comes from the week that ended Feb. 1 through Aug. 8 .
Although breakdowns by race and age were not consistently reported , it is the best information available .
Social and economic disadvantage , reinforced by racism , plays a significant part in unequal outcomes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ poorer access to health care and receive services of lower quality than does the general population .
Starting in middle age , the toll becomes evident : more chronic medical conditions , which worsen over time , and earlier deaths .
Several conditions — diabetes , chronic kidney disease , obesity , heart failure and pulmonary hypertension , among others — put older Black adults at heightened risk of becoming seriously ill and dying from COVID-19 .
Yet many vulnerable Black seniors are deeply distrustful of government and health care institutions , complicating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact .
The infamous Tuskegee syphilis study — in which African American participants in Alabama were not treated for their disease — remains a shocking , indelible example of racist medical experimentation .
Just as important , the lifelong experience of racism in health care settings — symptoms discounted , needed treatments not given — leaves psychic scars .
In Los Angeles , Karen Lincoln directs Advocates for African American Elders and is an associate professor of social work at the University of Southern California .
“ Health literacy is a big issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how people were educated when they were young , ” she said .
“ My maternal grandmother , she had a third-grade education .
My grandfather , he made it to the fifth grade .
For many people , understanding the information that ’ s put out , especially when it changes so often and people don ’ t really understand why , is a challenge.
” What this population needs , Lincoln suggested , is “ help from people who they can relate to ” — ideally , a cadre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicion running high , older Black adults are keeping to themselves and avoiding health care providers .
Other factors contribute to the heightened risk for older Black aduts during the pandemic .
They have fewer financial resources to draw upon and fewer community assets ( such as grocery stores , pharmacies , transportation , community organizations that provide aging services ) to rely on in times of adversity .
And housing circumstances can contribute to the risk of infection .
In recent years , the American Psychological Association has called attention to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans — yet another source of vulnerability .
This toxic stress , revived each time racism becomes manifest , has deleterious consequences to physical and mental health .
Even racist acts committed against others can be a significant stressor .
This year , for some elders , violence against Black people and COVID-19 ’ s heavy toll on African-American communities have been painful triggers .
During ordinary times , families and churches are essential supports , providing practical assistance and emotional nurturing .
But during the pandemic , many older Black adults have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elders feeling connected to other people are also weakening .
“ What is especially difficult for elders is the disruption of extended support networks , such as neighbors or the people they see at church , ” said Taylor , of the University of Michigan .
“ Those are the ‘ Hey , how are you doing ?
How are your kids ?
Anything you need ?
’ interactions .
That type of caring is very comforting and it ’ s now missing.
” In Atlanta , Celestine Bray Bottoms , 83 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affordable senior housing community , is relying on her faith to pull her through what has been a very difficult time .
Bottoms was hospitalized with chest pains this month — a problem that persists .
She receives dialysis three times a week and has survived leukemia .
“ I don ’ t like the way the world is going .
Right now , it ’ s awful , ” she said .
“ But every morning when I wake up , the first thing I do is thank the Lord for another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I feel blessed because I ’ m still alive .
And I ’ m doing everything I can not to get this virus because I want to be here a while longer.
” Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues .
It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation , which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

Old. Chronically ill. Black.
People who fit this description are more likely to die from COVID-19 than any other group in the country.
They are perishing quietly, out of sight, in homes and apartment buildings, senior housing complexes, nursing homes and hospitals, disproportionately poor, frail and ill, after enduring a lifetime of racism and its attendant adverse health effects.
Yet, older Black Americans have received little attention as protesters proclaim that Black Lives Matter and experts churn out studies about the coronavirus.
“People are talking about the race disparity in COVID deaths, they’re talking about the age disparity, but they’re not talking about how race and age disparities interact: They’re not talking about older Black adults,” said Robert Joseph Taylor, director of the Program for Research on Black Americans at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research.
A KHN analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores the extent of their vulnerability. It found that African Americans ages 65 to 74 died of COVID-19 five times as often as whites. In the 75-to-84 group, the death rate for Black people was 3½ times greater. Among those 85 and older, Black people died twice as often. In all three age groups, death rates for Hispanics were higher than for whites but lower than for Black people.
(The gap between Black people and whites narrows over time because advanced age, itself, becomes an increasingly important, shared risk. Altogether, 80% of COVID-19 deaths are among people 65 and older.)
The data comes from the week that ended Feb. 1 through Aug. 8. Although breakdowns by race and age were not consistently reported, it is the best information available.
Mistrustful of Outsiders
Social and economic disadvantage, reinforced by racism, plays a significant part in unequal outcomes. Throughout their lives, Black people have poorer access to health care and receive services of lower quality than does the general population. Starting in middle age, the toll becomes evident: more chronic medical conditions, which worsen over time, and earlier deaths.
Several conditions — diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, among others — put older Black adults at heightened risk of becoming seriously ill and dying from COVID-19.
Yet many vulnerable Black seniors are deeply distrustful of government and health care institutions, complicating efforts to mitigate the pandemic’s impact.
The infamous Tuskegee syphilis study — in which African American participants in Alabama were not treated for their disease — remains a shocking, indelible example of racist medical experimentation. Just as important, the lifelong experience of racism in health care settings — symptoms discounted, needed treatments not given — leaves psychic scars.
In Los Angeles, Karen Lincoln directs Advocates for African American Elders and is an associate professor of social work at the University of Southern California.
“Health literacy is a big issue in the older African American population because of how people were educated when they were young,” she said. “My maternal grandmother, she had a third-grade education. My grandfather, he made it to the fifth grade. For many people, understanding the information that’s put out, especially when it changes so often and people don’t really understand why, is a challenge.”
What this population needs, Lincoln suggested, is “help from people who they can relate to” — ideally, a cadre of African American community health workers.
With suspicion running high, older Black adults are keeping to themselves and avoiding health care providers.
Other factors contribute to the heightened risk for older Black aduts during the pandemic. They have fewer financial resources to draw upon and fewer community assets (such as grocery stores, pharmacies, transportation, community organizations that provide aging services) to rely on in times of adversity. And housing circumstances can contribute to the risk of infection.
‘Striving Yet Never Arriving’
In recent years, the American Psychological Association has called attention to the impact of racism-related stress in older African Americans — yet another source of vulnerability.
This toxic stress, revived each time racism becomes manifest, has deleterious consequences to physical and mental health. Even racist acts committed against others can be a significant stressor.
This year, for some elders, violence against Black people and COVID-19’s heavy toll on African-American communities have been painful triggers.
During ordinary times, families and churches are essential supports, providing practical assistance and emotional nurturing. But during the pandemic, many older Black adults have been isolated.
Social networks that keep elders feeling connected to other people are also weakening.
“What is especially difficult for elders is the disruption of extended support networks, such as neighbors or the people they see at church,” said Taylor, of the University of Michigan. “Those are the ‘Hey, how are you doing? How are your kids? Anything you need?’ interactions. That type of caring is very comforting and it’s now missing.”
In Atlanta, Celestine Bray Bottoms, 83, who lives on her own in an affordable senior housing community, is relying on her faith to pull her through what has been a very difficult time. Bottoms was hospitalized with chest pains this month — a problem that persists. She receives dialysis three times a week and has survived leukemia.
“I don’t like the way the world is going. Right now, it’s awful,” she said. “But every morning when I wake up, the first thing I do is thank the Lord for another day. I have a strong faith and I feel blessed because I’m still alive. And I’m doing everything I can not to get this virus because I want to be here a while longer.”
KHN data editor Elizabeth Lucas contributed to this story.
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


mercurynews--2020-09-05--Feds file gun case against San Francisco man acquitted of 2014 murder charge

SAN FRANCISCO — Federal prosecutors have filed felony gun charges against a city resident who was acquitted of murder in 2014 , based upon a legal theory of self-defense , court records show .
Darius York , who is also identified as “ Darious York ” in court records , faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm .
The charging documents allege that San Francisco officers overheard York talking about a gun , then saw him pull one from his pants as he ran from them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plainclothes officers were on the sidewalk of 3rd Street between La Salle and McKinnon Avenues when they overheard York talking to another person .
The officers saw cash in York ’ s hand and heard the words , “ gun ” and “ I want to buy , ” the complaint alleges .
York allegedly ran off when the officers tried to detain him , pulled a gun from his waist , and then ran into a parked car , allowing police to detain him .
The charging records allege York has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2016 , York was acquitted of murdering 18-year-old Daniel Beltran at the Henry Hotel in July 2014 .
His attorney argued that York shot and killed Beltran to defend a friend during an altercation between two groups of people .
York ’ s co-defendant , Joseph Gale Young , also was acquitted of murder charges .
But earlier this year , Young was tried and convicted of murdering Anthony Sing , 19 , in an Antioch shooting described by police as a gang retaliation for Singh murdering one of Young ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @

SAN FRANCISCO — Federal prosecutors have filed felony gun charges against a city resident who was acquitted of murder in 2014, based upon a legal theory of self-defense, court records show.
Darius York, who is also identified as “Darious York” in court records, faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charging documents allege that San Francisco officers overheard York talking about a gun, then saw him pull one from his pants as he ran from them.
The criminal complaint alleges that the plainclothes officers were on the sidewalk of 3rd Street between La Salle and McKinnon Avenues when they overheard York talking to another person. The officers saw cash in York’s hand and heard the words, “gun” and “I want to buy,” the complaint alleges.
York allegedly ran off when the officers tried to detain him, pulled a gun from his waist, and then ran into a parked car, allowing police to detain him. The charging records allege York has been arrested 60 times throughout his life.
In 2016, York was acquitted of murdering 18-year-old Daniel Beltran at the Henry Hotel in July 2014. His attorney argued that York shot and killed Beltran to defend a friend during an altercation between two groups of people.
York’s co-defendant, Joseph Gale Young, also was acquitted of murder charges. But earlier this year, Young was tried and convicted of murdering Anthony Sing, 19, in an Antioch shooting described by police as a gang retaliation for Singh murdering one of Young’s friends. He is awaiting sentencing.


mercurynews--2020-09-05--Mississippi man will not face a seventh murder trial

By Emily Wagster Pettus and Jeff Amy | Associated Press JACKSON , Miss .
— A Mississippi man freed last year after 22 years in prison will not be tried a seventh time in a quadruple murder case , a judge ruled Friday after prosecutors told him they no longer had any credible witnesses .
Curtis Flowers was convicted multiple times in a bloody slaying and robbery at a small-town furniture store in 1996 .
The U.S. Supreme Court threw out the most recent conviction in June 2019 , citing racial bias in jury selection .
“ Today , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left me locked in a box for nearly twenty three years , ” Flowers said in a statement released by his lawyer .
“ I ’ ve been asked if I ever thought this day would come .
I have been blessed with a family that never gave up on me and with them by my side , I knew it would.
” Montgomery County Circuit Judge Joseph Loper signed the order Friday after the state attorney general ’ s office , which had taken over the case , admitted the evidence was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ As the evidence stands today , there is no key prosecution witness … who is alive and available and has not had multiple , conflicting statements in the record , ” Assistant Attorney General Mary Helen Wall wrote in a filing presented to Loper on Friday .
Four people were shot to death on July 16 , 1996 , in the Tardy Furniture store in Winona .
They were owner Bertha Tardy , 59 , and three employees : 45-year-old Carmen Rigby , 42-year-old Robert Golden and 16-year-old Derrick “ Bobo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victims have maintained their belief that Flowers is the killer .
Flowers was convicted four times in the slayings : twice for individual slayings and twice for all four killings .
Two other trials involving all four deaths ended in mistrials .
Each of Flowers ’ convictions was overturned .
In June 2019 , the U.S. Supreme Court tossed out the conviction and death sentence from Flowers ’ sixth trial , which took place in 2010 .
Justices said prosecutors showed an unconstitutional pattern of excluding African American jurors in the trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Supreme Court ruling came after American Public Media ’ s “ In the Dark ” investigated the case .
Crucially , the podcast recorded jailhouse informant Odell Hallmon in 2017 and 2018 recanting his testimony that Flowers had confessed to him .
Hallmon ’ s story of the confession had been key evidence in later trials , but he told the podcast on a contraband cellphone from behind bars that his story was “ a bunch of fantasies , a bunch of lying.
” “ The only witness who offered direct evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitting he was lying when he said Mr .
Flowers made a jailhouse confession to the murders , ” Wall wrote Friday .
The podcast also presented an analysis finding a long history of racial bias in jury selection by Montgomery County District Attorney Doug Evans , and found evidence suggesting another man may have committed the crimes .
Evans stepped aside from the case after State Attorney General Lynn Fitch took office in January .
“ This prosecution was flawed from the beginning and was tainted throughout by racial discrimination , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi Center for Justice .
“ It should never have occurred and lasted far too long , but we are glad it is finally over.
” After the Supreme Court ruling , Flowers was moved off death row at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman and taken to a regional jail in the central Mississippi town of Louisville .
He remained in custody because the original murder indictment was still active .
At the request of Flowers ’ attorneys , Loper set bond at $ 250,000 , with Flowers released in December after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The judge ruled Friday that all but $ 10 of the $ 25,000 should be returned to Matthew Popoli , who donated the money to support Flowers .
Popoli had remained anonymous until Friday .
Winona sits near the crossroads of Interstate 55 , the major north-south artery in Mississippi , and U.S. Highway 82 , which runs east to west .
It about a half-hour ’ s drive from the flatlands of the Mississippi Delta .
Among its 4,300 residents , about 48 % are Black and 44 % are white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 % live in poverty .

By Emily Wagster Pettus and Jeff Amy | Associated Press
JACKSON, Miss. — A Mississippi man freed last year after 22 years in prison will not be tried a seventh time in a quadruple murder case, a judge ruled Friday after prosecutors told him they no longer had any credible witnesses.
Curtis Flowers was convicted multiple times in a bloody slaying and robbery at a small-town furniture store in 1996. The U.S. Supreme Court threw out the most recent conviction in June 2019, citing racial bias in jury selection.
“Today, I am finally free from the injustice that left me locked in a box for nearly twenty three years,” Flowers said in a statement released by his lawyer. “I’ve been asked if I ever thought this day would come. I have been blessed with a family that never gave up on me and with them by my side, I knew it would.”
Montgomery County Circuit Judge Joseph Loper signed the order Friday after the state attorney general’s office, which had taken over the case, admitted the evidence was too weak to proceed with another trial.
“As the evidence stands today, there is no key prosecution witness … who is alive and available and has not had multiple, conflicting statements in the record,” Assistant Attorney General Mary Helen Wall wrote in a filing presented to Loper on Friday.
Four people were shot to death on July 16, 1996, in the Tardy Furniture store in Winona. They were owner Bertha Tardy, 59, and three employees: 45-year-old Carmen Rigby, 42-year-old Robert Golden and 16-year-old Derrick “Bobo” Stewart. Relatives of some of the victims have maintained their belief that Flowers is the killer.
Flowers was convicted four times in the slayings: twice for individual slayings and twice for all four killings. Two other trials involving all four deaths ended in mistrials.
Each of Flowers’ convictions was overturned. In June 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court tossed out the conviction and death sentence from Flowers’ sixth trial, which took place in 2010. Justices said prosecutors showed an unconstitutional pattern of excluding African American jurors in the trials of Flowers, who is Black.
The Supreme Court ruling came after American Public Media’s “In the Dark” investigated the case. Crucially, the podcast recorded jailhouse informant Odell Hallmon in 2017 and 2018 recanting his testimony that Flowers had confessed to him. Hallmon’s story of the confession had been key evidence in later trials, but he told the podcast on a contraband cellphone from behind bars that his story was “a bunch of fantasies, a bunch of lying.”
“The only witness who offered direct evidence of guilt recanted his prior testimony, admitting he was lying when he said Mr. Flowers made a jailhouse confession to the murders,” Wall wrote Friday.
The podcast also presented an analysis finding a long history of racial bias in jury selection by Montgomery County District Attorney Doug Evans, and found evidence suggesting another man may have committed the crimes. Evans stepped aside from the case after State Attorney General Lynn Fitch took office in January.
“This prosecution was flawed from the beginning and was tainted throughout by racial discrimination,” said defense lawyer Rob McDuff of the Mississippi Center for Justice. “It should never have occurred and lasted far too long, but we are glad it is finally over.”
After the Supreme Court ruling, Flowers was moved off death row at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman and taken to a regional jail in the central Mississippi town of Louisville. He remained in custody because the original murder indictment was still active.
At the request of Flowers’ attorneys, Loper set bond at $250,000, with Flowers released in December after 10% of that amount was posted. The judge ruled Friday that all but $10 of the $25,000 should be returned to Matthew Popoli, who donated the money to support Flowers. Popoli had remained anonymous until Friday.
Winona sits near the crossroads of Interstate 55, the major north-south artery in Mississippi, and U.S. Highway 82, which runs east to west. It about a half-hour’s drive from the flatlands of the Mississippi Delta. Among its 4,300 residents, about 48% are Black and 44% are white. Census Bureau figures show that about 30% live in poverty.


mercurynews--2020-09-05--Marcus Semien could miss series against San Diego Padres, Bob Melvin says

Oakland A ’ s shortstop Marcus Semien wasn ’ t in the lineup for Friday ’ s series opener against the San Diego Padres , and manager Bob Melvin isn ’ t expecting him for the series .
The ironman shortstop isn ’ t one to miss games — before Saturday , he hadn ’ t missed a start in 276 straight games , but a left side injury kept him out of the second game of the doubleheader against the Astros .
The A ’ s haven ’ t played a game since due to Daniel Mengden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s just not something I ’ m used to , ” Semien said .
“ As I get older and mature , I understand that you need to get something right .
To know there ’ s a bigger picture at the end of the season and not just today ’ s game.
” Semien had felt a similar side pain at some point during the previous two seasons , but he couldn ’ t ignore the pain he felt taking hacks in the cage between the doubleheader games .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my last at bat , I didn ’ t feel too hot , ” Semien , 29 , said .
“ I ’ m the type of guy that tries to grind through things .
In the past , things have just gone away .
This was more intense.
” Semien had an MRI and CT scan done while his team played their last game in Houston , and the results didn ’ t show any further or serious injury .
“ It sucks , ” he said .
“ These are important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the most important thing is getting back healthy for the end of the season.
” Friday , Semien took swings off a tee in the cage .
Since the A ’ s were cleared from quarantine on Tuesday and allowed to practice Wednesday , Semien did sprints and took ground balls .
He hasn ’ t taken batting practice , but he ’ s preparing , mentally , as if he ’ s available off the bench .
Semien isn ’ t wired to miss games , but he feels a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He avoids an IL stint , but the timetable for his return is murky .
Though , Melvin was encouraged by some of the activities he ’ s done since the A ’ s have been allowed back onto the field .
“ I haven ’ t even heard that ( he ’ d taken swings off a tee ) yet , ” Melvin said .
“ So , if that ’ s the case , that ’ s a good thing .
If he ’ s not playing , it means it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
But it looks like we ’ re gaining some ground .
I really don ’ t know.
” Vimael Machin played shortstop for Friday ’ s game against the Padres against right-handed pitcher Zach Davies .
Chad Pinder , who returned from paternity leave , is expected to play shortstop against left-handed pitchers while Semien recovers .

Oakland A’s shortstop Marcus Semien wasn’t in the lineup for Friday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres, and manager Bob Melvin isn’t expecting him for the series.
The ironman shortstop isn’t one to miss games — before Saturday, he hadn’t missed a start in 276 straight games, but a left side injury kept him out of the second game of the doubleheader against the Astros. The A’s haven’t played a game since due to Daniel Mengden’s positive coronavirus test result Sunday.
“It’s just not something I’m used to,” Semien said. “As I get older and mature, I understand that you need to get something right. To know there’s a bigger picture at the end of the season and not just today’s game.”
Semien had felt a similar side pain at some point during the previous two seasons, but he couldn’t ignore the pain he felt taking hacks in the cage between the doubleheader games.
“When I faced (Lance) McCullers my last at bat, I didn’t feel too hot,” Semien, 29, said. “I’m the type of guy that tries to grind through things. In the past, things have just gone away. This was more intense.”
Semien had an MRI and CT scan done while his team played their last game in Houston, and the results didn’t show any further or serious injury.
“It sucks,” he said. “These are important games I want to be part of. But the most important thing is getting back healthy for the end of the season.”
Friday, Semien took swings off a tee in the cage. Since the A’s were cleared from quarantine on Tuesday and allowed to practice Wednesday, Semien did sprints and took ground balls. He hasn’t taken batting practice, but he’s preparing, mentally, as if he’s available off the bench.
Semien isn’t wired to miss games, but he feels a responsibility to take his recovery slow. He avoids an IL stint, but the timetable for his return is murky. Though, Melvin was encouraged by some of the activities he’s done since the A’s have been allowed back onto the field.
“I haven’t even heard that (he’d taken swings off a tee) yet,” Melvin said. “So, if that’s the case, that’s a good thing. If he’s not playing, it means it’s a pretty significant thing with him. But it looks like we’re gaining some ground. I really don’t know.”
Vimael Machin played shortstop for Friday’s game against the Padres against right-handed pitcher Zach Davies. Chad Pinder, who returned from paternity leave, is expected to play shortstop against left-handed pitchers while Semien recovers.