newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Phil Mickelson storms to second-round lead at Travelers

CROMWELL , Conn. — Another PGA Tour player in the Travelers ...

CROMWELL, Conn. — Sure, there are 36 holes still to play.
Sure, there’s a star-studded leaderboard to overcome in the next two days.
Sure, he’s won just two tournaments in the past seven years.
And sure, he’s 50 freaking years old.
But the Travelers Championship is Phil Mickelson’s to win.
Mickelson, who turned 50 on Tuesday last week, takes a one-shot lead into Saturday’s third round at TPC River Highlands after shooting a 7-under 63 on Friday to get to 13-under par.
Right behind Mickelson are 23-year-old Will Gordon, who’s playing in his eighth career PGA Tour event and posted an 8-under 62 on Friday, and Mackenzie Hughes, who followed his 10-under 60 in the first round with a more modest 68 on Friday. Both are 12-under.
Rory McIlroy — who was grouped with Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau for the first two rounds — Xander Schauffele, Marc Leishman, Brendan Steele, Brendan Todd and Brian Stuard are all 9-under. Ten players are four shots back at 8-under — including DeChambeau, Zach Johnson, 2014 Travelers winner Kevin Streelman and Viktor Hovland.
But the day — and the tournament through 36 holes — belonged to Mickelson, who’s trying to accomplish something pretty rare and special: winning a PGA Tour event after turning 50.
Since 2003, just three players have accomplished the feat — most recently Davis Love III, who won the 2015 Wyndham Championship at age 51, Fred Funk at the 2007 Mayakoba Classic and Craig Stadler at the 2003 B.C. Open.
“It’s special to win anytime, regardless of age,’’ Mickelson said after his round. “But it would be a great accomplishment. It was a fun day. I had a great session with [swing coach] Andrew Getson earlier this week, and we keyed in on something that just kind of calmed me down and felt like I could strike it a little bit better.
“It’s only two rounds, but it’s been very positive.’’
“This is refreshing for him, playing this way and seeing some putts go in,’’ Getson told The Post.
Hitting fairways, too. As the golf world knows, that’s not usually a strong point for Mickelson. Yet he missed just three fairways Friday and hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation.
Mickelson got hot on the back nine with three consecutive birdies — the first of which came on the par-5 13th, where he left his 19-foot eagle putt nearly seven feet short but made the birdie putt.
That buoyed him on the next hole, as Mickelson piped his drive further down the fairway than either McIlroy or DeChambeau and buried a 32-footer for birdie. His birdie on 15 tied him for the lead and a birdie on 18, where he stuffed his approach shot to inside three feet, gave it to him outright.
Mickelson called a six-foot putt for birdie on 13 a key to his round.
“It was a huge putt for me because I hit a perfect 3-wood on a difficult tee shot for me — I’ve got water right, out-of-bounds left, and it’s a slice wind,’’ he said. “Then I hit a beautiful little running 4-iron right on the edge of the green where I wanted, but I hit a bad first putt.
“When you play the hole the way you want to and you walk out of that par-5 with a par, it’s very discouraging. But I made a difficult breaking six-footer and it just kept my momentum going. Sometimes a little thing like that can really keep the round going or take away. That was a really big putt for me.’’
Something else Mickelson has done the past two days: not try to chase the gargantuan length off the tee of the bulked-up DeChambeau and McIlroy, two of the longest hitters in the game. Mickelson, by his own admission, has been smitten with length over the course of his career.
“I tried in L.A. to match it with Brooks [Koepka] and Bubba [Watson] — those guys are long,’’ Mickelson recalled of the Genesis Open in February. “I was trying to swing hard, and I ended up missing the cut. I learned from that. I said, ‘OK, I’m going to play this golf course [TPC River Highlands] a certain way.’ ’’
Through two days, he’s played it better than anyone else.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Trump signs order promising ‘long prison terms’ for defacing monuments

“ MANY people in custody , with many others being sought for ...

President Trump on Friday signed an executive order that he says will toughen enforcement of penalties for those who vandalize monuments.
“I just had the privilege of signing a very strong Executive Order protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues – and combatting recent Criminal Violence,” Trump tweeted. “Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our Great Country!”
The order mandates that the Attorney General’s office directly prosecute anyone who “destroys, damages, vandalizes, or desecrates a monument, memorial, or statue within the United States or otherwise vandalizes government property.”
The order also extends to “religious property,” specifying statues of Jesus and any “other religious figure or religious art works.”
“Anarchists and left-wing extremists have sought to advance a fringe ideology that paints the United States of America as fundamentally unjust and have sought to impose that ideology on Americans through violence and mob intimidation,” the order reads.
Law enforcement agencies could also face financial retribution for not protecting the works.
The Trump administration can “withhold Federal support from State and local law enforcement agencies that have failed to protect public monuments, memorials, and statues from destruction or vandalism,” the order states.
Trump spent much of this week warning anti-police brutality activists and other protesters not to deface or topple monuments, saying they risk 10 years in prison under the Veterans’ Memorial Preservation Act.
On Friday, Trump tweeted the photos of 15 people who participated in a failed attempt Monday to topple a statue of President Andrew Jackson facing the White House.
“10 year prison sentences!” he wrote, circulating an FBI “wanted” poster of suspects.
Protests against the killing last month of George Floyd by Minnesota police increasingly have targeted statues in cities across the country.
A bust of President George Washington recently was toppled on a college campus near the White House. Activists last week toppled DC’s only statute of a Confederate leader, Albert Pike, near the city police headquarters a mile east of the White House.
Authorities foiled the planned toppling of a statue of President Abraham Lincoln on Capitol Hill. Protesters say the statue depicts a freed slave as subservient to Lincoln.
The incidents angered Trump, who tweeted that DC police were “not doing their job” when they allowed Pike’s statue to be torn down. He called the assault on Jackson’s statue, which was lassoed with ropes, a “sneak attack.” National Guard troops were activated this week to protect DC monuments.
Trump said Wednesday that the FBI is investigating “hundreds” of incidents of monument defacement across the country.
An increasingly diverse set of statues has been targeted by protests that began in late May over Floyd’s death.
This week, the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan decided to remove a statue of President Theodore Roosevelt. In Wisconsin, a crowd on Tuesday night toppled, decapitated and threw into a lake a statue of abolitionist Hans Christian Heg, who led an anti-slave catcher militia and died fighting for the Union in 1863.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Mitch McConnell slams ‘total hypocrite’ Chuck Schumer for blocking police bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Friday slammed Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as a “ total hypocrite ” for preventing a vote on a Republican police reform bill .
Schumer ( D-NY ) led Democrats on Wednesday to block the bill responding to the killing of George Floyd by Minnesota police .
Schumer said it didn ’ t go far enough and House Democrats passed a broader bill on Thursday .
McConnell alleged in a Fox News Radio interview that Schumer had an eye on the election and tried to “ airbrush ” bill author Sen. Tim Scott ( R-SC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of three black senators , the other two being Democrats .
“ It was an inconvenient truth for Chuck Schumer that Tim Scott was the author of the bill , ” McConnell ( R-Ky. ) said .
“ And so he tried to just sort of airbrush him out of it .
He referred to it several times as the McConnell bill .
It was the Scott bill that they refused to allow to come up — someone experienced exactly the kind of police selective enforcement that we all witnessed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd.
” Democrats blocked the Republican bill to “ portray us as insensitive , ” McConnell said .
“ [ Schumer ] is not interested in making a law , he ’ s interested in making a point .
He ’ s trying to queue this up for the fall election in order to portray us as uninterested in responding to the legitimate concerns the American people have in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor , ” McConnell said .
“ They didn ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they want to portray us as insensitive and not responsive to the whole effort of police reform.
” Schumer said in a statement responding to McConnell that , “ The Republican policing reform bill failed because it wasn ’ t a serious enough effort at reform .
The legislation itself was so threadbare , so weak , and so narrow it could hardly be considered a constructive starting point .
That ’ s why more than 138 civil rights organizations — who want nothing more than to see progress on these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican bill.
” Democratic Sens .
Doug Jones of Alabama and Joe Manchin of West Virginia and independent Sen. Angus King of Maine , who caucuses with Democrats , voted to allow debate on the Republican bill .
But the effort came four votes short of 60 senators needed to proceed .
On Thursday , three House Republicans — Reps. Fred Upton of Michigan , Will Hurd of Texas and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania — voted for the Democratic package .
Republican lawmakers and White House officials say the less-drastic GOP proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic proposal overreaches and has no chance at becoming law .
The Democratic bill would restrict chokeholds and ban federal agents from conducting no-knock drug raids .
It would curtail transfers of military equipment to police , create an officer misconduct registry , end qualified immunity from lawsuits and lower the threshold to federally prosecute officers if they show “ reckless disregard ” for someone ’ s life .
The Senate Republican bill would incentivize departments to restrict chokeholds , purchase and use body-worn cameras and keep information on use-of-force incidents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a federal crime , create a commission to study conditions of black men and boys and fund black police officer recruitment .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Friday slammed Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as a “total hypocrite” for preventing a vote on a Republican police reform bill.
Schumer (D-NY) led Democrats on Wednesday to block the bill responding to the killing of George Floyd by Minnesota police. Schumer said it didn’t go far enough and House Democrats passed a broader bill on Thursday.
McConnell alleged in a Fox News Radio interview that Schumer had an eye on the election and tried to “airbrush” bill author Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) out of the debate. Scott is one of three black senators, the other two being Democrats.
“It was an inconvenient truth for Chuck Schumer that Tim Scott was the author of the bill,” McConnell (R-Ky.) said. “And so he tried to just sort of airbrush him out of it. He referred to it several times as the McConnell bill. It was the Scott bill that they refused to allow to come up — someone experienced exactly the kind of police selective enforcement that we all witnessed in the most severe form with the murder of George Floyd.”
Democrats blocked the Republican bill to “portray us as insensitive,” McConnell said.
“[Schumer] is not interested in making a law, he’s interested in making a point. He’s trying to queue this up for the fall election in order to portray us as uninterested in responding to the legitimate concerns the American people have in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor,” McConnell said. “They didn’t want an outcome, they want an issue, and they want to portray us as insensitive and not responsive to the whole effort of police reform.”
Schumer said in a statement responding to McConnell that, “The Republican policing reform bill failed because it wasn’t a serious enough effort at reform. The legislation itself was so threadbare, so weak, and so narrow it could hardly be considered a constructive starting point. That’s why more than 138 civil rights organizations — who want nothing more than to see progress on these issues — strongly urged Senators to oppose the Republican bill.”
Democratic Sens. Doug Jones of Alabama and Joe Manchin of West Virginia and independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, voted to allow debate on the Republican bill. But the effort came four votes short of 60 senators needed to proceed.
On Thursday, three House Republicans — Reps. Fred Upton of Michigan, Will Hurd of Texas and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania — voted for the Democratic package.
Republican lawmakers and White House officials say the less-drastic GOP proposal contains widely supported reforms, and that the Democratic proposal overreaches and has no chance at becoming law.
The Democratic bill would restrict chokeholds and ban federal agents from conducting no-knock drug raids. It would curtail transfers of military equipment to police, create an officer misconduct registry, end qualified immunity from lawsuits and lower the threshold to federally prosecute officers if they show “reckless disregard” for someone’s life.
The Senate Republican bill would incentivize departments to restrict chokeholds, purchase and use body-worn cameras and keep information on use-of-force incidents and no-knock raids. It would make lynching a federal crime, create a commission to study conditions of black men and boys and fund black police officer recruitment.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--LGBTQ DJs share their favorite Pride anthems in mega playlist

Gay pride will be a virtual rainbow this weekend .

Since the first Pride parades in the ’70s, music has always played a special part in bringing the LGBTQ community together to celebrate being out and proud.
From Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love,” Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” in the ’70s to Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and Scissor Sisters’ “Let’s Have a Kiki” in the 21st century, music has helped LGBTQ people to both survive and thrive.
On this Pride weekend without the parade and all of the parties, The Post asked six LGBTQ DJs — representing each color of the rainbow flag — to keep the music playing by sharing their picks for the songs that have provided the soundtrack of queer freedom, fierceness and fabulosity.
1. DJ Lina Bradford
The New York nightlife legend, trans activist and former dancing DJ queen of Fire Island spins her signature mix of disco and house classics — and whatever else she pleases — in her IG Live sets on Fridays and Saturdays.
Clivillés and Cole, “A Deeper Love”
That song always hits a chord. At the time that it came out [in 1991], it was really one of those bringing-together moments. As the house music turns you out on the dance floor, there’s a message to it.
George Michael, “Freedom! ’90”
That was during the supermodel moment, and it made you feel like you could do runway till the end of the day. Junior [Vasquez] would pop that song on at Sound Factory at 9 or 10 o’clock in the morning, the flashlights were on, and you just felt brand-new!
Ultra Naté, “Free”
She worked the hamstrings of everyone when this song came out [in 1997]. It just told you that, “Guess what? We got this.” It showed how much we had progressed in the community. That song was speaking to the times. We were out more in the media. We were also showing the government and all of the powers that be that, “We’re not taking it anymore.”
There’s just so many significant turn-out moments in that song, and the fact that Miss Ross is singing it is everything. How it’s done and how it’s sold to you has everything to do with how it takes you there . . . I love seeing that all these youngsters are really living for disco. Any disco song is that moment of rainbows and Skittles.
2. Tracy Young
This veteran DJ — a onetime New Yorker now living in Miami — has worked behind the boards as well as behind the decks. In fact, she became the first woman to win the Grammy for Best Remixed Recording in January.
Madonna, “I Rise”
Both the original and the remix — it’s the one I won the Grammy for. That was Madonna’s LGBTQ anthem last year. She wrote it for Stonewall 50 and WorldPride last year. I’ve worked with Madonna for 25 years, and I credit her a lot for what she’s done for the gay community.
Cyndi Lauper, “True Colors”
I did a new version of this a couple years ago that hasn’t been released. I’m gonna be playing it during my virtual Pride set [Saturday and Sunday on SiriusXM’s Utopia, Channel 341]. I always appreciate a song in its original form, but I added some tempo so we could dance to it.
RuPaul, “Supermodel (You Better Work)”
I’m still playing this! He was signed to a label as an openly gay drag queen [in 1991], and that’s such a huge part of our history — and what Pride truly is about. This coined the saying “You better work,” so I had to mention my boy Ru. Ru was the original bitch.
Judy Garland, “Over the Rainbow”
Judy Garland was such a gay icon. Some of these younger kids, they may not know her. But you gotta give Judy Garland some props. I play versions of “Over the Rainbow” during Pride, but it’s not Judy’s voice. It’s a beautiful, beautiful song.
3. Justin Dawson
Brooklyn’s DJ Dawson didn’t let the quarantine keep him from clubbing in the virtual space, regularly throwing down beats for charity on Instagram Live. And he’ll keep the party pumping this weekend at Furball (Saturday on Twitch/Zoom) and a sunset Pride set (Sunday on IG).
CeCe Peniston, “Finally”
For me, it represents Pride because she’s kind of describing a dream man, who happens to look exactly like me — a man with “brown cocoa skin and curly black hair.” That really spoke to me, having that representation. And having everybody on the dance floor singing those lyrics at the top of their lungs, it means something.
It’s about a friend that Janet lost to AIDS. A whole generation was impacted by that. And when I think about Pride, it’s also about remembering those who fought before us and died for us . . . And right now, this song has significant meaning because we have been quarantined, and we can’t wait to be together again on that dance floor, whenever that can happen.
David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland, “When Love Takes Over”
Lyrically, I feel like “When Love Takes Over” is what Pride is all about. The fight for acceptance and equality is really rooted in finding love for each other . . . when love takes over.
Kings of Tomorrow featuring Julie McKnight, “Finally”
It kind of speaks to the timelessness that we experience on the dance floor. Time kind of loses its significance. With Pride, we come together to reflect on the past and to work toward the future, but also to celebrate the moment.
4. Nita Aviance
Since moving to New York in the late ’90s and joining the House of Aviance, this DJ — who released a remix of XiViX’s “Urgent” this week — has turned many an underground party into a kiki, both working solo and as one half of the Carry Nation.
Kevin Aviance, “C - - ty”
I’m gonna give it to my [House of Aviance] sister right there, honey! That is the one. She brings all the girls to the floor. She gives you all the feelings. She’s just about owning it, right? We’re all familiar with the bitch tracks, but there’s something so powerfully aggressive about the rhythm to this. It’s like battle armor.
Two Tons O’ Fun, “Just Us”
It’s always been a classic for the dance community, but I think especially for the queer community . . . When the world is so crazy outside, we still have this really special bond as queer people. It’s just so beautiful, so much love. It’s togetherness, honey!
Alison Limerick, “Where Love Lives”
For me, “where love lives” is the dance floor with our queer community. When we are in so much pain, this is the place that we go to find our like-minded people and celebrate ourselves, the power that we have in our community.
Sylvester, “Over and Over”
These queer people in the past really have paved the way for us to be where we are today. Sylvester was such an out and proud figure for the queer community from very early on, never hiding. And visibility is so key. It’s so important to be out and proud.
5. Bill Coleman
This Brooklyn DJ and owner of Peace Bisquit Productions & Management has worked with everyone from Deee-Lite to Lady Gaga, and spun everywhere from an HK lounge to a BK roller-skating rink.
Grace Jones, “Pull Up to the Bumper”
Pride is about empowerment, but it’s also about sexiness. That song represents an iconic artist who has always been a supporter of LGBTQ lives. She represents a freedom and a power — she’s 72, and she could still lay us all out!
Erasure, “A Little Respect”
This song epitomizes my coming-out college years. That’s what I wanted — a little respect — as a black queer person with an alternative bent, running around in the suburbs. [Lead singer] Andy Bell was so fierce and so out at a time when it wasn’t always commercially viable to be so.
The Ones, “Flawless”
This is bittersweet, of course. Joel Schumacher, who did the movie [“Flawless”] that this song was written for, just passed. And we lost Nashom [Wooden, of the Ones] this year to COVID. The Ones represented the downtown, East Village club scene, and this song became iconic . . . Anybody can be flawless. It’s about an attitude — bringing it and working it.
Carly Rae Jepsen, “Run Away With Me”
That totally is an anthem. 100 percent. It always makes the room go off whenever I play it. Carly Rae really speaks to the younger queer crowd that I DJ for regularly. They love her. They’re, like, disciples. And it makes me happy that they live for her.
6. Eddie Martinez
Now living in Los Angeles, Brooklyn-born Martinez was set to bring home his mix of happy and hard house at the big Sunday Pride Island party — playing original productions such as “One Love” — before the coronavirus spoiled all of the festivities.
Peter Rauhofer & Victor Calderone, “Do It Properly”
It’s just so crowd-pleasing . . . such a feel-good vibe. I mean, it’s telling you what to do: Do it properly. There’s no other way. I’ve always loved Peter Rauhofer’s work. I remember [him DJing] the Roxy closing party. It was the end of an era.
Junior Vasquez & Razor N Guido Present Vernessa Mitchell, “This Joy”
It’s all about joy and happiness, and it always gets the energy through the roof. It’s just about celebrating . . . stomping, jumping up and down, hands up in the air, everyone singing along. It’s always a special moment that takes me to church.
Deborah Cox, “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” (Hex Hector’s Club Mix)
She is Gay Pride in itself. She is the queen of Gay Pride. Ever since I can remember, she’s been one of the powerhouse voices that everyone knows. “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” has drama — and gays like drama.
Veronica, “Someone to Hold” (Johnny Vicious Hard Mix)
It’s kind of a tie between that and [Veronica’s] “Let Me Go . . . Release Me.” They’re both New York City Pride anthems. Screaming vocals, high energy. She’s a legend in the gay community . . . with that diva emotion.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--NYPD chief blames surge in shootings on ‘lawlessness’ created by recent reforms

Bullets are whizzing around New York this month at a ...

Recent police reform has caused a state of “lawlessness” in New York City — resulting in the surge in gun violence, a top NYPD official said in a recent interview.
Chief of Crime Control Strategies Michael LiPetri blamed the troubling spike in shootings on parolees who are committing crimes with impunity.
“We tie it to street lawlessness right now,” LiPetri told Fox News. “The small amount of individuals that are out there causing mayhem, they feel empowered. We see an increase in dice games on the street. We’re seeing an increase in house parties then getting violent. So the individuals that are causing these quality-of-life conditions are the very people that are then part of the violence after the fact.”
The percentage of parolees involved in shooting incidents or murders is at a 15-year high, according to LiPetri, whose unit has been tracking the parolee population in relation to violent crimes since 2005.
He attributed that statistic to recent bail reform, the release of inmates due to the coronavirus and the fact that courts have been closed during the pandemic, allowing gun possession defendants roam free.
“The NYPD was for certain reforms, we were,” LiPetri said. “It’s just that we really didn’t have a voice when these reforms were drafted. And then when it comes to us having a voice with some of the Rikers releases, our voices were ignored for the most part.”
He railed, “There is a victim behind the next crime. And I don’t hear a lot of talk about the victims. And quite frankly, there’s not a lot of talk about anything that’s going on right now in the city of New York except against the police.”
The Fox News article was tweeted by both the 60th Precinct and 77th Precinct on Friday at the behest of someone at One Police Plaza, sources told The Post.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo passed a series of police reform bills into law this month, including repealing the state’s “50-a” rule, allowing for public access to disciplinary records.
The city council has also passed legislation that criminalizes the use of police chokeholds and requires the NYPD to standardize police discipline and release the guidelines for punishment to the public.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Clemson football hits 37 total coronavirus cases after new tests

The closer we get to training camp , the worse the numbers are becoming for Clemson .
One of the @ @ @ @ @ football programs announced Friday it had 14 more positive tests for the novel coronavirus this @ @ @ @ @ Tigers ’ total to 37 players – nearly a third of their roster — and @ @ @ @ @ student-athletes and staff members .
Clemson said it only has 19 active cases of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ completed a 10-day isolation period and those individuals have been cleared to resume workouts .
@ @ @ @ @ and half of the positive cases , the school said , have been asymptomatic .
@ @ @ @ @ had to self-quarantine for at least 14 days .
Many programs are dealing with similar @ @ @ @ @ schools to hold voluntary workouts at the start of the month .
Houston and Kansas @ @ @ @ @ but many others have pressed on like Clemson .
Some schools , however , aren @ @ @ @ @ .
Official practices are scheduled to begin Aug. 7

The closer we get to training camp, the worse the numbers are becoming for Clemson.
One of the nation’s premier college football programs announced Friday it had 14 more positive tests for the novel coronavirus this week. It brings the Tigers’ total to 37 players – nearly a third of their roster — and 47 positive tests altogether of student-athletes and staff members.
Clemson said it only has 19 active cases of COVID-19 after 28 previous positive cases completed a 10-day isolation period and those individuals have been cleared to resume workouts. There have been no hospitalizations and half of the positive cases, the school said, have been asymptomatic. Anyone in contact with them had to self-quarantine for at least 14 days.
Many programs are dealing with similar issues after the NCAA allowed schools to hold voluntary workouts at the start of the month. Houston and Kansas State paused those workouts, but many others have pressed on like Clemson. Some schools, however, aren’t releasing testing data.
Official practices are scheduled to begin Aug. 7


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--‘The Simpsons’ Will No Longer Have White Actors Play Non-White Characters

After years of controversy over its Apu character , The Simpsons is officially putting an end to white actors playing non-white roles , Fox announced today .
“ Moving forward , The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters , ” the network said in a statement , per journalist Dave Itzkoff .
The announcement comes months after The Simpsons star Hank Azaria said in January that he would stop playing Apu Nahasapeemapetilon , a character long-criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of South Asians and Indian-Americans .
“ All we know there is I won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s someway to transition it or something , ” Azaria said at the time .
“ What they ’ re going to do with the character is their call .
It ’ s up to them and they haven ’ t sorted it out yet .
All we ’ ve agreed on is I won ’ t do the voice anymore.
” The Simpsons currently features another non-white character , Dr. Julius M. Hibbert , who is voiced by Harry Shearer .
Shearer also voices Mr. Burns , Waylon Smithers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lovejoy and Kent Brockman .
The announcement from The Simpsons comes shortly after Family Guy actor Mike Henry quit his role as Cleveland earlier today after playing the Black character since 1999 .
“ I love this character , but persons of color should play characters of color , ” he said on Twitter .
Also this week , Jenny Slate announced she was leaving her role as Missy on Netflix ’ s Big Mouth , and Kristen Bell said she was stepping away from Molly , her Central Park role .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respective animated series .
“ Black characters on an animated show should be played by Black people , ” Slate said in a statement June 24 .
“ In me playing ‘ Missy ’ I was engaging in an act of erasure of Black people .
Ending my portrayal of ‘ Missy ’ is one step in a life-long process of uncovering the racism in my actions.
” Where to watch The Simpsons

After years of controversy over its Apu character, The Simpsons is officially putting an end to white actors playing non-white roles, Fox announced today.
“Moving forward, The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters,” the network said in a statement, per journalist Dave Itzkoff.
The announcement comes months after The Simpsons star Hank Azaria said in January that he would stop playing Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, a character long-criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of South Asians and Indian-Americans.
“All we know there is I won’t be doing the voice anymore, unless there’s someway to transition it or something,” Azaria said at the time. “What they’re going to do with the character is their call. It’s up to them and they haven’t sorted it out yet. All we’ve agreed on is I won’t do the voice anymore.”
The Simpsons currently features another non-white character, Dr. Julius M. Hibbert, who is voiced by Harry Shearer. Shearer also voices Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy and Kent Brockman.
The announcement from The Simpsons comes shortly after Family Guy actor Mike Henry quit his role as Cleveland earlier today after playing the Black character since 1999.
“I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color,” he said on Twitter.
Also this week, Jenny Slate announced she was leaving her role as Missy on Netflix’s Big Mouth, and Kristen Bell said she was stepping away from Molly, her Central Park role. Both white actresses voiced mixed-race characters on their respective animated series.
“Black characters on an animated show should be played by Black people,” Slate said in a statement June 24. “In me playing ‘Missy’ I was engaging in an act of erasure of Black people. Ending my portrayal of ‘Missy’ is one step in a life-long process of uncovering the racism in my actions.”
Where to watch The Simpsons


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--American jailed in Spain was unwitting drug mule, US says

Victor Stemberger wasn ’ t about to ignore the emails inviting him into a multimillion-dollar business opportunity , so he pitched himself as perfect for the job .
In a way he was — but for all the wrong reasons .
The 76-year-old Virginia man , whose family says he has cognitive issues , accepted the offer and boasted of his credentials as “ an experienced businessman who does what he says he will do , and executes flawlessly , according to plan.
” He apparently did follow the plan , but the execution wasn ’ t flawless .
Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one year after flying into the country with 2.4 kilograms ( more than 5 pounds ) of cocaine expertly sewn into bubble jackets in a bag .
His family says he knew nothing about the drugs .
Though Spanish authorities are dubious , the U.S. Justice Department has advised Spain that it believes Stemberger was duped into acting as a drug mule for a West Africa criminal network and has asked the country for evidence it ’ s gathered , according to correspondence obtained by The Associated Press .
Federal officials have for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans or those with diminished mental capacity — Stemberger had a significant brain injury nearly 15 years ago — into becoming drug couriers .
The scams convince them that they ’ ll receive payouts if they travel or take some other requested action .
The Department of Homeland Security in 2016 said immigration and border authorities had intercepted more than 140 unwitting couriers , some as old as 87 , and that over 30 were believed to still be jailed .
“ One of the common characteristics that we find in these scams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone , has lost a spouse and is lonely , ” said Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine , who chairs the Senate Committee on Aging and helped secure the release of a Maine man jailed in Spain under similar circumstances as Stemberger .
Stemberger , who marks his one-year anniversary in Spanish detention on July 5 , faces a trial next month in Madrid .
His son says the only explanation for his father ’ s actions is that “ these perpetrators really connected with our dad under the veil of what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ With his diminished mental state , he became the perfect victim of a crime syndicate just like this , ” Vic Stemberger said .
A spokesman for the Madrid judiciary , who agreed to discuss the case only on condition of anonymity , said Stemberger told authorities he had planned to deliver the jackets to United Nations officials in Asia and he didn ’ t know they contained drugs .
Officials did not consider the narrative plausible and sought to have him jailed before trial rather than let him return to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are seeking a prison sentence for Stemberger , whose Spanish lawyer , Juan Ospina , said he plans to argue that there was no way Stemberger could have noticed the extra weight of the drugs because they were cleverly distributed among the jackets .
“ It ’ s a pity that it ’ s always the mules that are being snatched , the lowest in the scale of a criminal organization .
They are the easiest , weakest target , but there is rarely a police investigation , deep and rigorous , targeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecutors from the Southern District of New York are investigating whether his contacts were part of a West Africa network of money launderers , fraudsters and drug traffickers under scrutiny for scheming the elderly and feeble , according to a Justice Department document sent to Spain last October that seeks permission to interview Stemberger and copies of investigative documents .
The case began in March 2018 with an email from someone purporting to be a financial consultant with Nigeria ’ s foreign ministry , inviting Stemberger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business opportunity that carried the prospect of a lucrative payout .
The job entailed traveling abroad to deliver gifts and documents to officials , with a goal of recovering funds that were misallocated .
A flurry of emails and phone calls continued over the next year and a half .
Stemberger concealed details from his family .
He even traveled to Argentina and Hong Kong when his wife thought he was in Chicago .
“ He certainly knew that talking to these folks internationally could be possibly something that our family would question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We just never had an opportunity to intervene.
” Emails reviewed by AP show Stemberger at times sought reassurance the project was legitimate but also portrayed himself as game for it , saying he could travel provided his expenses were covered “ and we have a clear plan in place before I depart.
” A Justice Department attorney told Spanish authorities the emails show Stemberger concerned about being defrauded , undergoing uncomfortable travel conditions and having to pay for travel .
But , wrote attorney Jason Carter , “ There are no communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would assist in trafficking controlled substances.
” Retired DEA agent Robert Zachariasiewicz , whose investigative firm has worked with the family on the case , said the 161 pages of emails he ’ s reviewed make clear that “ he ’ s completely unwitting.
” “ It was very hard to read , quite honestly , because it tells a sad tale in and of itself , ” he added .
A Vietnam veteran with two master ’ s degrees , Stemberger specialized in corporate executive coaching and prided himself on being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he hasn ’ t been the same since a 2006 brain aneurysm left him with impairments in judgment and critical thinking .
Last July , he traveled to Brazil on a trip that was to take him to Spain and on to Asia .
His contacts told him officials would be visiting his Sao Paolo hotel room to help transfer gifts into luggage .
Stemberger reassured his son over email the work was legitimate : “ Gifts referred to in the message are standard protocol for dealing with government officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contraband — be sure of that.
” He was arrested the next day after arriving in Madrid .
As his family works to prove his innocence , even Stemberger , who passed his 50th wedding anniversary in jail , has come around to the idea that he was roped into a scam , his son said .
The younger Stemberger said he understands how extraordinary the saga may sound , joking that if every drug dealer used his father ’ s defense , no one would be in jail .
But , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There was never any attempt to commit a crime , ” he said .

Victor Stemberger wasn’t about to ignore the emails inviting him into a multimillion-dollar business opportunity, so he pitched himself as perfect for the job. In a way he was — but for all the wrong reasons.
The 76-year-old Virginia man, whose family says he has cognitive issues, accepted the offer and boasted of his credentials as “an experienced businessman who does what he says he will do, and executes flawlessly, according to plan.”
He apparently did follow the plan, but the execution wasn’t flawless.
Today Stemberger sits in a Spanish jail, one year after flying into the country with 2.4 kilograms (more than 5 pounds) of cocaine expertly sewn into bubble jackets in a bag. His family says he knew nothing about the drugs. Though Spanish authorities are dubious, the U.S. Justice Department has advised Spain that it believes Stemberger was duped into acting as a drug mule for a West Africa criminal network and has asked the country for evidence it’s gathered, according to correspondence obtained by The Associated Press.
Federal officials have for years warned about scams that lure elderly Americans or those with diminished mental capacity — Stemberger had a significant brain injury nearly 15 years ago — into becoming drug couriers. The scams convince them that they’ll receive payouts if they travel or take some other requested action. The Department of Homeland Security in 2016 said immigration and border authorities had intercepted more than 140 unwitting couriers, some as old as 87, and that over 30 were believed to still be jailed.
“One of the common characteristics that we find in these scams is that oftentimes the senior is living alone, has lost a spouse and is lonely,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who chairs the Senate Committee on Aging and helped secure the release of a Maine man jailed in Spain under similar circumstances as Stemberger.
Stemberger, who marks his one-year anniversary in Spanish detention on July 5, faces a trial next month in Madrid. His son says the only explanation for his father’s actions is that “these perpetrators really connected with our dad under the veil of what he thought was a legitimate business opportunity.”
“With his diminished mental state, he became the perfect victim of a crime syndicate just like this,” Vic Stemberger said.
A spokesman for the Madrid judiciary, who agreed to discuss the case only on condition of anonymity, said Stemberger told authorities he had planned to deliver the jackets to United Nations officials in Asia and he didn’t know they contained drugs. Officials did not consider the narrative plausible and sought to have him jailed before trial rather than let him return to the U.S., the spokesman said.
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence for Stemberger, whose Spanish lawyer, Juan Ospina, said he plans to argue that there was no way Stemberger could have noticed the extra weight of the drugs because they were cleverly distributed among the jackets.
“It’s a pity that it’s always the mules that are being snatched, the lowest in the scale of a criminal organization. They are the easiest, weakest target, but there is rarely a police investigation, deep and rigorous, targeting the original sin,” Ospina said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecutors from the Southern District of New York are investigating whether his contacts were part of a West Africa network of money launderers, fraudsters and drug traffickers under scrutiny for scheming the elderly and feeble, according to a Justice Department document sent to Spain last October that seeks permission to interview Stemberger and copies of investigative documents.
The case began in March 2018 with an email from someone purporting to be a financial consultant with Nigeria’s foreign ministry, inviting Stemberger, of Centreville, Virginia, into a business opportunity that carried the prospect of a lucrative payout. The job entailed traveling abroad to deliver gifts and documents to officials, with a goal of recovering funds that were misallocated.
A flurry of emails and phone calls continued over the next year and a half. Stemberger concealed details from his family. He even traveled to Argentina and Hong Kong when his wife thought he was in Chicago.
“He certainly knew that talking to these folks internationally could be possibly something that our family would question,” said Vic Stemberger. “We just never had an opportunity to intervene.”
Emails reviewed by AP show Stemberger at times sought reassurance the project was legitimate but also portrayed himself as game for it, saying he could travel provided his expenses were covered “and we have a clear plan in place before I depart.”
A Justice Department attorney told Spanish authorities the emails show Stemberger concerned about being defrauded, undergoing uncomfortable travel conditions and having to pay for travel. But, wrote attorney Jason Carter, “There are no communications reflecting that Stemberger believed or suspected that he would assist in trafficking controlled substances.”
Retired DEA agent Robert Zachariasiewicz, whose investigative firm has worked with the family on the case, said the 161 pages of emails he’s reviewed make clear that “he’s completely unwitting.”
“It was very hard to read, quite honestly, because it tells a sad tale in and of itself,” he added.
A Vietnam veteran with two master’s degrees, Stemberger specialized in corporate executive coaching and prided himself on being a savvy businessman, his son said. But he hasn’t been the same since a 2006 brain aneurysm left him with impairments in judgment and critical thinking.
Last July, he traveled to Brazil on a trip that was to take him to Spain and on to Asia. His contacts told him officials would be visiting his Sao Paolo hotel room to help transfer gifts into luggage.
Stemberger reassured his son over email the work was legitimate: “Gifts referred to in the message are standard protocol for dealing with government officials in this part of the world. No contraband — be sure of that.”
He was arrested the next day after arriving in Madrid.
As his family works to prove his innocence, even Stemberger, who passed his 50th wedding anniversary in jail, has come around to the idea that he was roped into a scam, his son said.
The younger Stemberger said he understands how extraordinary the saga may sound, joking that if every drug dealer used his father’s defense, no one would be in jail.
But, he said, his father was unquestionably duped.
“There was never any attempt to commit a crime,” he said.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Curtis Martin: Giants should ‘take care’ of Saquon Barkley

The “ Pay Saquon Barkley ” bandwagon has a new passenger in Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin .
“ When you have a threat like that , he ’ s just a move or a broken tackle away from a big play every time he touches the ball , ” Martin told The Post .
“ He ’ s probably one of the most dangerous guys in the NFL with the ball in his hand .
“ You just have to keep guys like that around.
” Barring something unforeseen , Barkley will be in line to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the 2021 season .
“ When you take care of guys who deserve it , I think it sets a precedent .
It can set the standard and people come to understand like , ‘ OK , if you want to make the money , this is what you have to do , you have to perform this way , you have to be committed , you have to be dedicated , you have to work hard , ’ ” Martin said .
“ I just think it sends the right message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not even in his prime yet .
“ You definitely want to take care of guys like that.
” The cautionary tale is the Rams cutting running back Todd Gurley after handing him a four-year , $ 60 million extension ( $ 45 million guaranteed ) before his fourth season .
Gurley , who has had left knee issues , signed a one-year , $ 5.5 million contract with the Falcons .
“ You ’ re not going to get it right all the time , ” Martin said .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a track record , and at the end of the day , I think as a GM , as an owner , if you don ’ t pay this guy , someone ’ s going to pay Saquon .
Saquon ’ s different.
” Ezekiel Elliott is a $ 15 million-per-year running back .
Christian McCaffrey is a $ 16 million-per-year running back .
Barkley will be next .
“ When it ’ s time for him to get paid , ” Martin said , “ he ’ s going to get @ @ @

The “Pay Saquon Barkley” bandwagon has a new passenger in Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin.
“When you have a threat like that, he’s just a move or a broken tackle away from a big play every time he touches the ball,” Martin told The Post. “He’s probably one of the most dangerous guys in the NFL with the ball in his hand.
“You just have to keep guys like that around.”
Barring something unforeseen, Barkley will be in line to become the NFL’s highest-paid running back before the 2021 season.
“When you take care of guys who deserve it, I think it sets a precedent. It can set the standard and people come to understand like, ‘OK, if you want to make the money, this is what you have to do, you have to perform this way, you have to be committed, you have to be dedicated, you have to work hard,’ ” Martin said. “I just think it sends the right message, especially for a guy who’s not even in his prime yet.
“You definitely want to take care of guys like that.”
The cautionary tale is the Rams cutting running back Todd Gurley after handing him a four-year, $60 million extension ($45 million guaranteed) before his fourth season. Gurley, who has had left knee issues, signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Falcons.
“You’re not going to get it right all the time,” Martin said. “But only thing you can do is go on a track record, and at the end of the day, I think as a GM, as an owner, if you don’t pay this guy, someone’s going to pay Saquon. Saquon’s different.”
Ezekiel Elliott is a $15 million-per-year running back. Christian McCaffrey is a $16 million-per-year running back. Barkley will be next.
“When it’s time for him to get paid,” Martin said, “he’s going to get paid.”


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Anti-mask group issues ‘exemption’ card while California ponders citations

There ’ s no such thing as a Department of Justice-approved face mask exemption card , the federal government says .
Such cards include the Justice Department seal , and cite the Americans with Disabilities Act , but are not in fact approved by the department , the feds said in a recent statement .
The cards are being distributed by an anti-mask group called the Freedom to Breathe Agency , Today.com reported Friday .
The agency has been issuing cards that claim to “ exempt ” the cardholder from having to wear a mask wherever they go , citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am exempt from any ordinance requiring face mask usage in public .
Wearing a face mask poses a mental and/or physical risk to me .
Under the Americans with Disability Act ( ADA ) , I am not required to disclose my condition to you.
” reads one version of the card .
Founder of TFBA , Lenka Koloma , said that cards never stated that they were issued by the ADA or Department of Justice and that they were to make people “ aware of their rights , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying many of the bogus cards include the department ’ s seal .
“ The Department urges the public not to rely on the information contained in these postings and to visit ADA.gov for ADA information issued by the Department.
” the statement said .
In response to the rising COVID-19 cases , Los Angeles county has started considering issuing citations for “ Reckless Endangerment ” to those people who refuse to wear a mask in public .
“ I truly can ’ t fathom the people who are politicizing mask-wearing — literally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will ( mean ) life and death , ” said Councilman Paul Koretz on Friday .
California Governor Gavin Newsom also announced Friday that he would leave it to county officials but was “ committed to intervening.
” is the county couldn ’ t establish proper prevention measures .
By Saturday morning , Los Angeles County led the nation in number of confirmed cases , with 91,577 reported .

There’s no such thing as a Department of Justice-approved face mask exemption card, the federal government says.
Such cards include the Justice Department seal, and cite the Americans with Disabilities Act, but are not in fact approved by the department, the feds said in a recent statement.
The cards are being distributed by an anti-mask group called the Freedom to Breathe Agency, Today.com reported Friday.
The agency has been issuing cards that claim to “exempt” the cardholder from having to wear a mask wherever they go, citing the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“I am exempt from any ordinance requiring face mask usage in public. Wearing a face mask poses a mental and/or physical risk to me. Under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), I am not required to disclose my condition to you.” reads one version of the card.
Founder of TFBA, Lenka Koloma, said that cards never stated that they were issued by the ADA or Department of Justice and that they were to make people “aware of their rights,” she said.
But the DOJ issued a statement saying many of the bogus cards include the department’s seal.
“The Department urges the public not to rely on the information contained in these postings and to visit ADA.gov for ADA information issued by the Department.” the statement said.
In response to the rising COVID-19 cases, Los Angeles county has started considering issuing citations for “Reckless Endangerment” to those people who refuse to wear a mask in public.
“I truly can’t fathom the people who are politicizing mask-wearing — literally for some people, a choice that will (mean) life and death,” said Councilman Paul Koretz on Friday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also announced Friday that he would leave it to county officials but was “committed to intervening.” is the county couldn’t establish proper prevention measures.
By Saturday morning, Los Angeles County led the nation in number of confirmed cases, with 91,577 reported.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Maurice Clarett, now a UConn consultant, turning life around after time in prison

Just discussing what November may be like , you could hear ...

Tyler Polley knew of Maurice Clarett the football player. So did most of his UConn teammates.
What they didn’t know was his story — from college football superstar to NFL flameout to felon to what he has since become, a motivational speaker who founded a behavioral health agency named The Red Zone.
That first speech, a year later, still resonates because it was so revelatory.
“When he told his story, I was just in shock how he bounced back,” the senior said in a phone interview. “He pretty much lost everything. It’s inspiring.”
It was supposed to be a one-off meeting with the men’s basketball team at Connecticut, one of several guest speakers coach Dan Hurley has talk to his players during the summer. Instead, Clarett became part of the program at Hurley’s request. His official title is consultant. But after talking to Clarett, it sounds like he’s more of a therapist. Before the novel coronavirus pandemic hit, the 36-year-old Clarett spent up to three days every month with the team. Even when he isn’t around, he communicates with the players, frequently connecting with them over the phone.
“My thing isn’t to talk to them,” he said. “My thing is to listen to them.”
Most experts predicted NFL stardom for Clarett after he led Ohio State to a BCS national championship as a true freshman in 2002. It didn’t work out as planned. In 2003, he was suspended for receiving improper benefits, and eventually was dismissed from the Big Ten school. He challenged the NFL draft eligibility rules and lost, was drafted by the Broncos in the third round in 2005, but never appeared in a game.
His life went off the rails from there, sinking into alcoholism and a life of crime. He served 3 ¹/₂ years in prison for armed robbery before remaking his life with a drastic 180-degree turn. In 2016, he founded the Red Zone, which provides counseling for both children and adults in Youngstown, Ohio, and is looking to build a facility for college athletes dealing with substance abuse, mental health problems or other issues.
“Just a great resource for the guys,” Hurley said. “He’s awesome.”
It may seem like an odd fit, a football player from Ohio helping a college basketball team from Connecticut, but to Clarett it was a no-brainer. He connected with Hurley through a common friend of UConn assistant coach Kimani Young after Hurley heard him on a podcast and thought he would be a strong choice to speak to his players.
Clarett had spoken to plenty of teams before, but he has never been offered a regular gig, an opportunity he believes to really make a difference and create relationships. He gets plenty out of his trips to Storrs, Conn.
“It’s meaningful work,” he said. “You can’t beat meaningful work. If you’re not making a difference in somebody’s life, you’re really not living.”
One of the players Clarett has worked with is James Bouknight, the impressive rising sophomore and All-ACC freshman selection. The Brooklyn native was in a car crash in which he was charged with driving without a license, driving too fast for conditions, evading responsibility and interfering with police and was suspended for three games as a result. Clarett helped him get past that mistake, imploring him to own it while not let it define him. Errors happen. Moving past them is more important. He’s offered similar lessons to other players. He’s walked in their shoes and saw it all collapse. His goal is to make sure they don’t repeat his errors and not take college for granted.
“One little mistake it can all go downhill,” Polley said.
“I’ve built a trust I think with the guys. We’ve been able to get together and work one-on-one and have started to explore what does life look like outside of basketball, what encourages and motivates them,” Clarett said. “At the state that America is in right now, I’m pretty sure a lot of what I said to these guys resonates. Life is a lot bigger than basketball. It’s a lot bigger than going out there and getting in shape, running and dunking and jumping. It’s about the impact you have on people. The impact you have on the world.”
Clarett played basketball in high school and told Hurley he still can play. The UConn coach joked that he would be an old-school undersized power forward. He has yet to play with any of the current UConn players, though. He has more important work to do with them.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Starbucks barista gets more than $57,000  in donations after ‘Karen’ shames him

Donations have topped $ 57,000 for Lenin Gutierrez , a barista who stood up to a woman when she refused to wear a face mask at the San Diego Starbucks where he works .
Califonia law requires anyone who goes out in public to wear a face covering , even if they go to a restaurant or cafe .
But when Gutierrez refused to serve customer Amber Lynn Gilles , she posted a photo of him on Facebook along with a snarky message , reports People.com .
“ Meet lenen [ sic ] from Starbucks who refused to serve me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask … Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption , ” she posted .
A GoFundMe “ tip jar ” popped up within hours , commending Gutierrez for standing his ground .
“ Raising money for Lenin for his honorable effort standing his ground when faced with a Karen in the wild , ” reads the Fund ’ s description .
Gutierrez , who is an aspiring dancer , had been working as a dance instructor before the coronavirus hit .
“ I can fuel my passions even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my heart , thank you so much for it .
It ’ s just amazing to see that I can actually make these dreams of pursuing more into dance a thing now .
Thank you so much for it.
” Gutierrez said in a Facebook video .

Donations have topped $57,000 for Lenin Gutierrez, a barista who stood up to a woman when she refused to wear a face mask at the San Diego Starbucks where he works.
Califonia law requires anyone who goes out in public to wear a face covering, even if they go to a restaurant or cafe.
But when Gutierrez refused to serve customer Amber Lynn Gilles, she posted a photo of him on Facebook along with a snarky message, reports People.com.
“Meet lenen [sic] from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause I’m not wearing a mask … Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption,” she posted.
Her Facebook post backfired.
A GoFundMe “tip jar” popped up within hours, commending Gutierrez for standing his ground.
“Raising money for Lenin for his honorable effort standing his ground when faced with a Karen in the wild,” reads the Fund’s description.
Gutierrez, who is an aspiring dancer, had been working as a dance instructor before the coronavirus hit.
“I can fuel my passions even better now. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for it. It’s just amazing to see that I can actually make these dreams of pursuing more into dance a thing now. Thank you so much for it.” Gutierrez said in a Facebook video.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Liz Cheney tweets photo of former VP in face mask: ‘real men wear masks’

Former Vice President Dick Cheney is accessorizing his cowboy hats with coronavirus face masks — and joining the taunting hashtag # realmenwearmasks .
“ Dick Cheney says WEAR A MASK , ” she wrote in the caption .
The high-ranking House Republican was seemingly joining in on the online jab at President Trump and fellow GOP members who shun masks .
The president has refused to wear a face mask in public , against the advice of his health experts .
The VP-PSA came as the United States experiences a massive upswing in new coronavirus cases .
On Thursday the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases when at least 40,173 people tested positive for the virus and another more than 2,400 died .
And by Saturday morning , The United States recorded the largest single-day increase in new coronavirus cases Friday , as the nationwide death toll exceeded 125,000 , according to Johns Hopkins University .
There were just under 2.5 million confirmed cases in the US by Saturday morning .
New York State continues to lead the nation in number of deaths , at 31,342 early Saturday — but more than 70,000 have recovered in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety measures , like mandatory face coverings .
Others , like Florida and Texas , begin rolling back their reopenings even as their respective governors , Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott resist mask requirements .

Former Vice President Dick Cheney is accessorizing his cowboy hats with coronavirus face masks — and joining the taunting hashtag #realmenwearmasks.
Cheney’s daughter, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, tweeted a photo of her father Friday donning a standard-issue paper face covering.
“Dick Cheney says WEAR A MASK,” she wrote in the caption.
The high-ranking House Republican was seemingly joining in on the online jab at President Trump and fellow GOP members who shun masks.
The president has refused to wear a face mask in public, against the advice of his health experts.
The VP-PSA came as the United States experiences a massive upswing in new coronavirus cases.
On Thursday the US broke its single-day record for COVID-19 cases when at least 40,173 people tested positive for the virus and another more than 2,400 died.
And by Saturday morning,
The United States recorded the largest single-day increase in new coronavirus cases Friday, as the nationwide death toll exceeded 125,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.
There were just under 2.5 million confirmed cases in the US by Saturday morning.
New York State continues to lead the nation in number of deaths, at 31,342 early Saturday — but more than 70,000 have recovered in the state.
Several states have begun implementing new safety measures, like mandatory face coverings.
Others, like Florida and Texas, begin rolling back their reopenings even as their respective governors, Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott resist mask requirements.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--NYPD searching for Brooklyn perv who flashed little girls

Police are asking for the public ’ s help finding this suspected serial flasher in Brooklyn — who they believe @ @ @ @ @ six little girls since September 2019 .
The perv has preyed on girls around Windsor @ @ @ @ @ flashing them as he ’ s walking by or as they ’ re looking through @ @ @ @ @ said .
In one instance , on May 31 , the suspect stood outside of @ @ @ @ @ and flashed a woman and her young kids as they looked out the window of @ @ @ @ @ and 22nd Street in South Slope .
Most recently , on Wednesday , police believe @ @ @ @ @ to 11 and 13-year-old girls at 9:30 a.m. as they were walking their dog near @ @ @ @ @ .
Police have released photos of the man wearing dark jean shorts , a red @ @ @ @ @ with a backward cap .

Police are asking for the public’s help finding this suspected serial flasher in Brooklyn — who they believe exposed himself to at least six little girls since September 2019.
The perv has preyed on girls around Windsor Terrace and South Slope, flashing them as he’s walking by or as they’re looking through a home window, cops said.
In one instance, on May 31, the suspect stood outside of a window at 8:40 p.m. and flashed a woman and her young kids as they looked out the window of their home near Sixth Avenue and 22nd Street in South Slope.
Most recently, on Wednesday, police believe the same man exposed himself to 11 and 13-year-old girls at 9:30 a.m. as they were walking their dog near 7th Avenue and 18th Street.
Police have released photos of the man wearing dark jean shorts, a red shirt and a black vest with a backward cap.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Jets coaches raving about Frank Gore’s leadership, work ethic

Jamal Adams may no longer want to be on the ...

Jets offensive coaches sound giddy about the addition of veteran running back Frank Gore.
The team signed the 37-year-old to a one-year, $1.05 million deal in May. Head coach Adam Gase and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, who both coached Gore in 2018 with the Dolphins, gushed about Gore on Friday.
“Oh my gosh, I could go on this one for a long time,” Loggains said when asked about Gore. “When you really get to be around him for a year and watch him work and watch the intensity that he prepares with every day. This guy has the ultimate chip on his shoulder. He still feels like the guy that’s trying to survive and make it one more year.”
Gore has played for 15 seasons and is No. 3 on the all-time rushing list. The Jets hope he can team with Le’Veon Bell to give them a better running game than last season when they had the 31st-ranked rushing offense in the league.
“The leadership he brings is one of those things you need to see it because it’s unique,” Gase said. “The impact he has on guys is phenomenal. When guys see him practice and play in games, especially practice, I think guys are shocked at how he practices, how hard he goes, the volume that he always wanted to take when he was out there. He’s a unique guy to have in the locker room. You don’t get many opportunities to get a guy who is going to be a future Hall of Famer. His ability to not only help us on the field but help us in the building is something that you just get excited for as a coach.”
Gase reiterated what linebacker C.J. Mosley said recently about the Jets discussing as a team in training camp how they would handle any social justice protests such as kneeling during the national anthem this season.
“This is something that we’ll discuss as a team when we actually get a chance to get back together,” Gase said. “Where I was for three years before [the Dolphins] we had multiple guys that did kneel and my philosophy has always been I’m here to support the players. The organization is going to support the players.”
Gase did not say whether he will kneel alongside players.
Gase praised how the Jets handled their virtual offseason program this spring.
“I was really impressed with how our players handled it. They did a great job,” he said. “Participation was outstanding. … It just shows great dedication by this group of guys.”


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--NYC shooting victim may have saved boyfriend’s life by shoving him out of the way of bullets

The woman who was fatally shot in Flatiron early Friday morning may have saved her boyfriend ’ s life by pushing him out of a bullet ’ s path , the bereft beau said .
Erica Lopez , 19 , who was killed just outside of Madison Square Park , tried to shove her boyfriend , Andres Arias , 21 , to safety when the gunman opened fire on the two around 12:30 a.m. , Arias told the Daily Mail .
Arias managed to suffer only a minor wound during the shooting .
“ Erica pushed me out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her chest and grazed me through the left side of my ribs , ” he told the tabloid .
The gunfire rattled an otherwise quiet , posh neighborhood and happened as the two sweethearts celebrated the birthday of Arias ’ cousin ’ s boyfriend at 230 Fifth Rooftop , a rooftop bar nearby , the Mail reported .
Arias , Lopez and others in the birthday group of some 10 people had struck up a friendly conversation with another group of six men and women at the bar , he said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the women they had just met groped Lopez and another woman in the party .
“ She was drunk .
My girlfriend told me she was touching their butts , without their consent , ” Arias told the outlet .
The two groups started arguing after Arias confronted them — that ’ s when he and Lopez reportedly decided to leave .
The two were talking about the encounter as they were walking on West 26th Street when they realized they were being followed by the group in two vehicles .
They began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the two vehicles hopped out and opened fire on them .
Arias , who was taken to Bellevue Hospital with Lopez and is now recovering at home , told the Mail he broke down at the facility when he heard Lopez had passed .
“ I told the nurses to leave the room , then I started screaming and crying , ” Arias said .

The woman who was fatally shot in Flatiron early Friday morning may have saved her boyfriend’s life by pushing him out of a bullet’s path, the bereft beau said.
Erica Lopez, 19, who was killed just outside of Madison Square Park, tried to shove her boyfriend, Andres Arias, 21, to safety when the gunman opened fire on the two around 12:30 a.m., Arias told the Daily Mail.
Arias managed to suffer only a minor wound during the shooting.
“Erica pushed me out of the way, and one bullet went through her chest and grazed me through the left side of my ribs,” he told the tabloid.
The gunfire rattled an otherwise quiet, posh neighborhood and happened as the two sweethearts celebrated the birthday of Arias’ cousin’s boyfriend at 230 Fifth Rooftop, a rooftop bar nearby, the Mail reported.
Arias, Lopez and others in the birthday group of some 10 people had struck up a friendly conversation with another group of six men and women at the bar, he said.
The pleasant encounter turned sour when one of the women they had just met groped Lopez and another woman in the party.
“She was drunk. My girlfriend told me she was touching their butts, without their consent,” Arias told the outlet.
The two groups started arguing after Arias confronted them — that’s when he and Lopez reportedly decided to leave.
The two were talking about the encounter as they were walking on West 26th Street when they realized they were being followed by the group in two vehicles.
They began arguing again until a man in one of the two vehicles hopped out and opened fire on them.
Arias, who was taken to Bellevue Hospital with Lopez and is now recovering at home, told the Mail he broke down at the facility when he heard Lopez had passed.
“I told the nurses to leave the room, then I started screaming and crying,” Arias said.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Dan Hurley ‘pumped’ UConn is back in the Big East

Just discussing what November may be like , you could hear the excitement in Dan Hurley ’ s voice .
The potential he sees .
The possibilities that exist .
The promise that UConn returning to the Big East provides .
It ’ s no wonder at the end of every Zoom meeting with his team , he asks his players if they ’ re ready for the powerhouse league .
Even during the summer , with the novel coronavirus pandemic delaying summer workouts , the buzz is back in Storrs , Conn. , and for good reason .
UConn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wayward seasons in the American Athletic Conference , and it will do so with the kind of talented roster the program was known for before leaving the league .
“ People can ’ t wait for the season to start , ” Hurley said .
“ Connecticut basketball is the professional sports team of the state .
… Really it ’ s like the perfect storm for us .
We ’ re making great progress , and we ’ re back in a league our fans can identify with and be excited about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no fans allowed at the games , then they may break down the doors.
” The Huskies closed the season winning 9 of 11 games to finish 19-12 in the virus-shortened season — their most wins since the 2015-16 campaign — and return two of their top three scorers in All-AAC freshman selection James Bouknight and Polley .
They add sit-out transfer R.J. Cole of Howard , a lead guard who averaged 21.4 points and 6.4 assists in 2018-19 , and the Big East ’ s second-ranked recruiting class featuring four-star recruits Adam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expected January return of impressive forward Akok Akok , who is progressing well from a ruptured left Achilles tendon , and the roster is dripping with pro potential .
“ We ’ re positioned well to look more like UConn should look next year , ” said Hurley , the former Wagner and Rhode Island coach .
It should be noted that though the basketball program seems to be headed in a positive direction .
The school will be eliminating men ’ s cross country , men ’ s swimming and driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s rowing teams due to budget cuts related to the virus following the 2020-21 academic year .
There will also be a 15 percent cut in the athletic department budget and the reduction of select scholarships , president Thomas Katsouleas announced .
About the only thing that has gone wrong for UConn ’ s basketball team this offseason is the virus , which everyone is dealing with .
It has forced Hurley and his staff to coach from afar , meeting with the team up to three times per week on Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hurley is having his players watch film of their new conference opponents and study scouting reports .
They are also getting a mental workout , required to read “ Why the Best Are the Best , ” by former NBA and college coach Kevin Eastman , watch documentaries and listen to podcasts about racial inequality , and hear from guest speakers like Caron Butler .
“ We ’ re doing things that teams aren ’ t with these meetings , ” Polley said .
“ I think we ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a leg up on the competition.
” The return to the Big East , announced last June , has already paid dividends in recruiting circles .
Jackson and Sanogo may not be Huskies otherwise .
But now comes the hard part , winning at this level .
UConn failed to finish higher than fifth in the AAC the past six years , but it is in a much better place entering Hurley ’ s third season .
The past two years gave him and his staff the chance to create their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Huskies aren ’ t planning to tiptoe into their new stomping grounds , the league he called “ maybe the best ” in the nation .
“ We hope , ” Hurley said , “ to make it even better .
”

Just discussing what November may be like, you could hear the excitement in Dan Hurley’s voice.
The potential he sees. The possibilities that exist. The promise that UConn returning to the Big East provides. It’s no wonder at the end of every Zoom meeting with his team, he asks his players if they’re ready for the powerhouse league.
“He’s pumped,” rising senior Tyler Polley told The Post in a phone interview.
Even during the summer, with the novel coronavirus pandemic delaying summer workouts, the buzz is back in Storrs, Conn., and for good reason. UConn is rejoining the Big East after seven wayward seasons in the American Athletic Conference, and it will do so with the kind of talented roster the program was known for before leaving the league.
“People can’t wait for the season to start,” Hurley said. “Connecticut basketball is the professional sports team of the state. … Really it’s like the perfect storm for us. We’re making great progress, and we’re back in a league our fans can identify with and be excited about the matchups. If there’s no fans allowed at the games, then they may break down the doors.”
The Huskies closed the season winning 9 of 11 games to finish 19-12 in the virus-shortened season — their most wins since the 2015-16 campaign — and return two of their top three scorers in All-AAC freshman selection James Bouknight and Polley. They add sit-out transfer R.J. Cole of Howard, a lead guard who averaged 21.4 points and 6.4 assists in 2018-19, and the Big East’s second-ranked recruiting class featuring four-star recruits Adam Sanogo and Andre Jackson. Throw in the expected January return of impressive forward Akok Akok, who is progressing well from a ruptured left Achilles tendon, and the roster is dripping with pro potential.
“We’re positioned well to look more like UConn should look next year,” said Hurley, the former Wagner and Rhode Island coach.
It should be noted that though the basketball program seems to be headed in a positive direction. The school will be eliminating men’s cross country, men’s swimming and driving, men’s tennis and women’s rowing teams due to budget cuts related to the virus following the 2020-21 academic year. There will also be a 15 percent cut in the athletic department budget and the reduction of select scholarships, president Thomas Katsouleas announced.
About the only thing that has gone wrong for UConn’s basketball team this offseason is the virus, which everyone is dealing with. It has forced Hurley and his staff to coach from afar, meeting with the team up to three times per week on Zoom.
To prepare for the Big East, Hurley is having his players watch film of their new conference opponents and study scouting reports. They are also getting a mental workout, required to read “Why the Best Are the Best,” by former NBA and college coach Kevin Eastman, watch documentaries and listen to podcasts about racial inequality, and hear from guest speakers like Caron Butler.
“We’re doing things that teams aren’t with these meetings,” Polley said. “I think we’re going to be ready. We’re trying to get a leg up on the competition.”
The return to the Big East, announced last June, has already paid dividends in recruiting circles. Jackson and Sanogo may not be Huskies otherwise. But now comes the hard part, winning at this level. UConn failed to finish higher than fifth in the AAC the past six years, but it is in a much better place entering Hurley’s third season. The past two years gave him and his staff the chance to create their own culture and upgrade the talent base. The Huskies aren’t planning to tiptoe into their new stomping grounds, the league he called “maybe the best” in the nation.
“We hope,” Hurley said, “to make it even better.”


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Matt Wallace plays round alone after his two partners withdraw due to coronavirus concerns

CROMWELL , Conn. — All along , it was going to be ...

CROMWELL, Conn. — Another PGA Tour player in the Travelers Championship field tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
Denny McCarthy, after feeling symptomatic Thursday night, tested positive Friday morning. Bud Cauley, one of McCarthy’s playing partners on Thursday, tested negative, but told Tour officials he was feeling some symptoms and withdrew as a precaution.
For Matt Wallace, who played with McCarthy and Cauley on Thursday, Friday was a harrowing day.
Wallace tested negative and continued play, shooting 72 on Friday while playing alone and missing the cut at 2-over.
“It hasn’t been the best day,’’ Wallace said. “I got tested this morning, [and it] was kind of a scary sort of hour or so to be here on-site, unknown if I had it or not. I mean, there’s much worse things than missing the cut, isn’t there, at the moment?’’
Asked why he didn’t withdraw like Cauley did, even though he didn’t test positive, Wallace said, “Because [Cauley] said that he didn’t feel well. I can understand why he wouldn’t play. I’m playing with a chance to change my career if I win, so why wouldn’t I play? It’s black and white for me. I tested negative and I can go play.’’
Wallace took a shot at the PGA Tour for not altering the pairings so he didn’t have to play by himself, saying he was “a bit frustrated’’ by that.
“I don’t know what the PGA Tour might think, but would [Dustin Johnson] play on his own? Would Rory [McIlroy] play on his own?’’ Wallace said. “I probably doubt it. They could have dropped one of the players back from in front or maybe from behind to go ahead and play with me. I just don’t think it was a great move to leave someone out on their own in the middle of the pack.’’
McCarthy, who shot a 3-under 67 in Thursday’s opening round, said, “On [Thursday] night, I woke up in the middle of the night with additional aches and soreness and sensed something was off. I felt like the only thing to do was get tested at that point before I went to the course.”
McCarthy is the third PGA Tour player to test positive in the three weeks since the Tour’s restart. Nick Watney withdrew after feeling symptomatic entering the second round of the RBC Heritage Championship last week, tested positive and withdrew. And Cameron Champ tested positive before the Travelers began this week and withdrew Tuesday.
The Travelers also lost Brooks Koepka and his brother, Chase, when Brooks’ caddie, Ricky Elliott, tested positive before the tournament began. Graeme McDowell, whose caddie, Ken Comboy, tested positive, also withdrew out of precaution. And Webb Simpson, citing a family member of his testing positive, also withdrew.
It had to come to an end at some point. Collin Morikawa’s impressive streak of consecutive cuts made to start his PGA Tour career ended on Friday at 22, which was three short of Tiger Woods’ record of 25.
Morikawa, who lost to Daniel Berger in a playoff at the Charles Schwab Challenge three weeks ago, on Friday followed his opening-round 72 with a 71 to finish 3-over to miss his first cut as a pro.
“It was bound to happen at some point,’’ Morikawa said. “Now I guess we’re going to stop talking about [the streak] and I can go and just go on to next week. I had a tough week last week [a tie for 64th at the RBC Heritage] and coming into this week everything felt good.
“I just couldn’t get the ball in the hole. I missed the cut as an [amateur] at the Safeway Open in 2016, and I learned more in those two days than I did in a lot of my events so far as a pro. I’m going to learn a lot from this week and just move forward.’’
The 23-year-old Morikawa said he’s not playing next week in Detroit but plans to play the two events at Muirfield Village, the second of which is the Memorial.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Trump campaign staff required to get coronavirus tests after eight sickened at Tulsa rally

President Trump campaign staffers who attended Saturday ’ s Tulsa rally are reportedly being required to get tested for the @ @ @ @ @ to be tested over the weekend before they can be allowed to return to work @ @ @ @ @ an email obtained by ABC News on Friday .
The email outlined that staffers who @ @ @ @ @ required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test this weekend.
” The campaign is setting up @ @ @ @ @ site ” for its workers to be testing on Sunday , according to the email @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for the virus and dozens more have been working while in self-quarantine since @ @ @ @ @ pressed on with the rally despite the ongoing pandemic and against the wishes of local @ @ @ @ @ out masks to attendees for free , but many in the crowd of more than @ @ @ @ @ — as has the president himself .
Attendees were required to sign a promise not @ @ @ @ @ the virus .

President Trump campaign staffers who attended Saturday’s Tulsa rally are reportedly being required to get tested for the coronavirus.
Staff were directed to be tested over the weekend before they can be allowed to return to work on Monday, according to an email obtained by ABC News on Friday.
The email outlined that staffers who were in Tulsa “are required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test this weekend.”
The campaign is setting up a “remote COVID-19 testing site” for its workers to be testing on Sunday, according to the email.
Eight staffers have already tested positive for the virus and dozens more have been working while in self-quarantine since returning from Oklahoma.
Trump pressed on with the rally despite the ongoing pandemic and against the wishes of local officials.
The campaign gave out masks to attendees for free, but many in the crowd of more than 6,000 declined to wear them — as has the president himself.
Attendees were required to sign a promise not to sue if they catch the virus.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Will Gordon latest rising PGA Tour player making most of Travelers appearance

CROMWELL , Conn. — Sure , there are 36 holes still to ...

CROMWELL, Conn. — The Travelers Championship has become known for a number of things during the course of its 68-year history as one of the signature events on the PGA Tour.
In recent years, it has been the tournament that follows the U.S. Open on the calendar.
Since the unfortunate move of the beloved Hartford Whalers to North Carolina in 1997 — an event that still stings sports fans in the Nutmeg State to this day — the Travelers has become Connecticut’s most prominent sports franchise and annually serves as the state’s biggest sporting event.
The Travelers, too, has developed a reputation as the premier pay-it-forward event in professional golf, each year giving out sponsor exemptions to young up-and-coming players.
The tournament has become a proving ground for scores of players who have gone on to prove themselves as some of the best in the game.
The list of the tournament’s invitees — before any of them made a name for themselves — is an impressive one, highlighted by the likes of current stars Jon Rahm (No. 2 in the world), Justin Thomas (No. 3), Webb Simpson (No. 5) and Patrick Cantlay (No. 7).
The tournament last year invited Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa and Matthew Wolff — all minutes out of college — into the field. All three already are PGA Tour winners and figure to be the core of the sport for the next decade.
Because of the Travelers’ unique history in paying it forward, it should come as little surprise that, through the first two rounds at TPC River Highlands, Will Gordon — one of those youngsters who was given a spot in the field this week despite having no playing status — is a mere shot out of the lead.
Gordon stormed to an 8-under 62 on Friday to get to 12-under and sits just one shot behind leader Phil Mickelson, who has 44 career wins to Gordon’s 22 career rounds on the PGA Tour.
Who is Will Gordon?
Full disclosure: I had to look him up when I saw his name begin to shoot up the leaderboard.
He’s a 23-year-old who was the 2019 SEC Player of the Year while playing at Vanderbilt before turning pro last year. This week is his eighth PGA Tour event.
He’s a member of the Mackenzie Tour, a minor-league mini-tour that had its entire schedule canceled by the COVID-19 crisis. With no status on the PGA Tour or Korn Ferry Tour, Gordon’s tournament play is at the mercy of getting sponsor exemptions or surviving Monday qualifiers.
“Nathan Grube and Andy Bessette have had a long history of giving young guys opportunities,’’ Gordon said of the tournament director and VP and chief administrative officer for Travelers. “For those guys to take a chance on me and believe in me means the world. Last summer when I was up in Canada [playing the Mackenzie Tour], there were guys down here my age getting starts, and they were able to take advantage.
“I was really excited and thankful to have the opportunity this year and looking forward to taking advantage.’’
So far, so good.
Since the 1996 Travelers and including this week, 77 of the 98 sponsor invites have been given to players with fewer than 15 PGA Tour starts, and 32 of those 77 were given either their very first Tour start or their first start as a professional.
“You can’t measure yourself when you’re playing in college or amateur golf,” Rahm said. “It’s just kind of eye-opening to see at what level you’re at. Experience is something you can never take back; it’s invaluable.
“Not many sports can do that. It’s not like you can go into a professional football game and just play for a half and learn how things are going.’’
Thomas said the experience that 2013 Travelers invite gave him as an amateur accelerated his process in turning pro.
“I became more comfortable, and it’s because of playing in [the Travelers] that I turned pro when I did,’’ Thomas said. “If I wouldn’t have had [that experience], I wouldn’t have known how comfortable I felt in the professional setting and then I probably wouldn’t have turned pro as early as I did.’’
Cantlay called the opportunities Travelers has given to young players “an investment in those guys, to get those guys to come on property and show them how good Travelers is at putting on a tournament.’’
“Then,’’ Cantlay went on, “hopefully they come back year after year.’’
That’s called full circle. Travelers pays it forward and the players pay it back.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--College of New Jersey cancels five sports due to coronavirus concerns

The closer we get to training camp , the worse the ...

The College of New Jersey joined Morehouse College and Bowdoin College on Friday in canceling certain fall sports.
The Division III school’s president made the announcement that, because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, all-high contact sports (football, soccer, field hockey, basketball, wrestling, rugby, dance and cheerleading) will be canceled. That’s not just the teams that represent the school. It also includes club and intramural teams. Individual workouts will be allowed.
“We know how important activities beyond the classroom are to the TCNJ educational experience and how central any particular activity may be to student retention and success,” president Kathryn A. Foster wrote. “Student activities enliven the campus and bring great joy to community members and visitors. Regrettably, but necessarily, and in alignment with our rationale and actions in instruction, residential education, and other operations, I have decided that for health and safety reasons we will restrict the menu of in-person student activities this fall to low human density and low in-person contact or proximity activities only.”
Division III Bowdoin College in Maine has already canceled all fall sports while Division II Morehouse College in Atlanta has canceled football and cross country. No Division I school has yet to make a plunge into eliminating fall sports.


newyorkpost--2020-06-27--Kansas State athletes threaten boycott over student’s George Floyd tweet

Athletes at Kansas State are threatening to boycott playing and other athletic department events if the school does not take action after a student ’ s George Floyd-related tweet .
Jaden McNeil , the leader of the school ’ s American First Student organization on Thursday congratulated Floyd in a tweet “ on being drug free for an entire month !
” Floyd , a black man , was killed at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25 .
While others on social media deemed McNeil ’ s tweet nothing more than “ a joke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not laughing .
Freshman cornerback Tee Denson tweeted that he refuses to play for a program that “ tolerates ignorance such as this.
” Defensive back Tyrone Lewis Jr. wrote on Twitter that McNeil ’ s tweet was unacceptable and “ Something has to change !
!
” Christianna Carr , a member of the women ’ s basketball team , posted a statement on Friday that said collectively “ as Black student athletes we will NO LONGER accept these types of actions ” and stated that if they do not see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in any donor or recruitment events.
” The statement also was tweeted by senior defensive back Jonathan Alexander .
The statement asks the university for a policy against racism that “ will expel any student that openly displays racism on all platforms ” and for “ strong consequences ” for McNeil .
The school has responded to the athletes ’ complaints .
University President Richard Myers tweeted a statement on Kansas State ’ s official Twitter account Friday .
“ The insensitive comments posted by one K-State student hurts our entire community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the values of our university , ” Myers said .
“ We condemn racism and bigotry in all its forms .
We are launching an immediate review of the university ’ s options .
Black Lives Matter at Kansas State University and we will continue to fight for social justice.
” Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman and athletic director Gene Taylor both tweeted their support for the athletes .
“ Recent tweets from a K-State student downplaying the Black Lives Matter effort and the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflective of who we are as a University or our Athletic Department , ” Taylor wrote .

Athletes at Kansas State are threatening to boycott playing and other athletic department events if the school does not take action after a student’s George Floyd-related tweet.
Jaden McNeil, the leader of the school’s American First Student organization on Thursday congratulated Floyd in a tweet “on being drug free for an entire month!” Floyd, a black man, was killed at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25. While others on social media deemed McNeil’s tweet nothing more than “a joke,” many of the K-State athletes were not laughing.
Freshman cornerback Tee Denson tweeted that he refuses to play for a program that “tolerates ignorance such as this.” Defensive back Tyrone Lewis Jr. wrote on Twitter that McNeil’s tweet was unacceptable and “Something has to change!!”
Christianna Carr, a member of the women’s basketball team, posted a statement on Friday that said collectively “as Black student athletes we will NO LONGER accept these types of actions” and stated that if they do not see change “we will not play or participate in any donor or recruitment events.” The statement also was tweeted by senior defensive back Jonathan Alexander.
The statement asks the university for a policy against racism that “will expel any student that openly displays racism on all platforms” and for “strong consequences” for McNeil.
The school has responded to the athletes’ complaints. University President Richard Myers tweeted a statement on Kansas State’s official Twitter account Friday.
“The insensitive comments posted by one K-State student hurts our entire community. These divisive statements do not represent for the values of our university,” Myers said. “We condemn racism and bigotry in all its forms. We are launching an immediate review of the university’s options. Black Lives Matter at Kansas State University and we will continue to fight for social justice.”
Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman and athletic director Gene Taylor both tweeted their support for the athletes.
“Recent tweets from a K-State student downplaying the Black Lives Matter effort and the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd are disgusting and totally inappropriate and not reflective of who we are as a University or our Athletic Department,” Taylor wrote.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--FDNY confiscates nearly $3K in illegal fireworks

Florida has joined Texas in banning drinking in bars , while ...

New York fire marshals confiscated some $2,700 in fireworks from a single illegal Manhattan vendor on Friday night, making a dent in a black-market trade that has been keeping city dwellers up at night.
The explosives were grabbed when marshals arrested Zhang Kaixiong, 23, officials said, charging him with reckless endangerment and the unlawful dealing of fireworks.
Photos of the confiscated fireworks showed them in packaging with names including “Ultimate 4th Shell Show” and “Barely Legal … Lock and Load.”
Fireworks are illegal in the city due to their dangerousness — including to pets.