newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Miz Cracker puts the sizzle in summer

Miz Cracker puts the sizzle in summer

• With July fourth weekend around the corner , Maggie and Ian dive into their favorite celebrities who remind them of summer .
• Former “ RuPaul ’ s Drag Race ” contestant Miz Cracker comes on the show to talk about drag as activism , Ru ’ s legendary voice and the new “ All Stars ” season .
• And the Page Six Vault is back for a special summer edition .
Here ’ s a closer look at some of today ’ s stories : We Hear checked in with “ RuPaul ’ s Drag Race ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been spending her time in quarantine reconnecting with drag – and also arts and crafts .
What have you been up to during quarantine ?
For a long time , I was building a little model houses out of popsicle sticks and hot glue .
Then I started realizing that was a little too like the movie “ Hereditary ” for me .
I actually found a way to reconnect with drag because I ’ ve been running all over the world touring with my show “ American Woman.
” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was sort of punching the clock and just doing drag automatically .
And now that everything ’ s slowed down .
I ’ ve gotten a chance to love it and appreciate it again and actually do it for its own sake .
And I do want to say that any power , any platform I get from All Stars , I want to use to support the change that Black Lives Matter is trying to make .
And so this is a sweet moment , but it ’ s a bittersweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s like not about achievement .
It ’ s about hopefulness for what ’ s coming .
You have a history of activism yourself , right ?
The thing that I think of most is when I was just starting drag , my drag mother , Bob the Drag Queen , told me that every time she got on a subway car , every single head turned to her because she was in drag .
And she was like , “ well , if I ’ m going to have everyone ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to say something important.
” And she always taught me that that kind of activism was as much a part of drag as lashes and heels , if not more .
What are some things you think we can expect from this season of “ RuPaul ’ s Drag Race All Stars ” ?
Well , not to give too much away because I know I ’ m supposed to be on my best behavior , but I think this is a season of high emotions , feelings , drama , intrigue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I feel like the judges introduced a lot of twists and everything to keep things interesting .
But that was not necessary .
There ’ s not but one twist provided by the judges because we .
Were .
Wild .
So just buckle up and expect something really crazy because this is not season 12 .
OK ?
We are not “ best friends ” race .
This is a whole different- we are “ RuPaul ’ s ‘ at-arm ’ s-length ’ Race ” at best .
It will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Page Six vault Pam Anderson is a timeless summer fixture , in our eyes .
Back in August 2009 , the “ Baywatch ” star was seen out in LA with her ex-hubby , Tommy Lee : Catch up on all episodes of “ We Hear ” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts .
New episodes come out every Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday .

In this episode:
With July fourth weekend around the corner, Maggie and Ian dive into their favorite celebrities who remind them of summer.
Former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Miz Cracker comes on the show to talk about drag as activism, Ru’s legendary voice and the new “All Stars” season.
And the Page Six Vault is back for a special summer edition.
Here’s a closer look at some of today’s stories:
Miz Cracker is on fire
We Hear checked in with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Miz Cracker, who admitted she’s been spending her time in quarantine reconnecting with drag – and also arts and crafts.
What have you been up to during quarantine?
For a long time, I was building a little model houses out of popsicle sticks and hot glue. Then I started realizing that was a little too like the movie “Hereditary” for me. I actually found a way to reconnect with drag because I’ve been running all over the world touring with my show “American Woman.” And I just got in this mode where I was sort of punching the clock and just doing drag automatically. And now that everything’s slowed down. I’ve gotten a chance to love it and appreciate it again and actually do it for its own sake. And I do want to say that any power, any platform I get from All Stars, I want to use to support the change that Black Lives Matter is trying to make. And so this is a sweet moment, but it’s a bittersweet moment, too. And it’s like not about achievement. It’s about hopefulness for what’s coming.
You have a history of activism yourself, right?
The thing that I think of most is when I was just starting drag, my drag mother, Bob the Drag Queen, told me that every time she got on a subway car, every single head turned to her because she was in drag. And she was like, “well, if I’m going to have everyone’s attention, I may as well use it to say something important.” And she always taught me that that kind of activism was as much a part of drag as lashes and heels, if not more.
What are some things you think we can expect from this season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars”?
Well, not to give too much away because I know I’m supposed to be on my best behavior, but I think this is a season of high emotions, feelings, drama, intrigue. Like in other All Stars season, I feel like the judges introduced a lot of twists and everything to keep things interesting. But that was not necessary. There’s not but one twist provided by the judges because we. Were. Wild. So just buckle up and expect something really crazy because this is not season 12. OK? We are not “best friends” race. This is a whole different- we are “RuPaul’s ‘at-arm’s-length’ Race” at best. It will be really interesting to watch.
From the Page Six vault
Pam Anderson is a timeless summer fixture, in our eyes. Back in August 2009, the “Baywatch” star was seen out in LA with her ex-hubby, Tommy Lee:
Pamela Anderson divorced Tommy Lee, but the busty babe still supports the father of her children. Anderson showed up Thursday night at Motley Crue’s gig at the Forum in Los Angeles wearing “skintight jeans, pink stilettos and huge sunglasses,” our spy said. “Pam was drinking beer and going wild.” Lee appreciated the effort and started screaming into the crowd for Anderson. But he couldn’t persuade her to go the band’s after-party, so he consoled himself with several strippers.
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Texas bar owners stage ‘Bar Lives Matter’ protest against governor

Bar owners in Texas staged a protest in reaction to the state ’ s order to shut them down for a second time due to the coronavirus , reports said .
Tee Allen Parker , owner of the Machine Shed Bar and Grille , named Tuesday ’ s event “ Bar Lives Matter ” in an apparent reference to the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality .
Parker , whose establishment is in Kilgore , Texas , roughly two hours south of Dallas , is already suing Texas Gov .
Greg Abbot over the bar closures — which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of his peers into bankruptcy , according to CBS Austin .
“ This one individual is picking and choosing winners and losers , ” Jared Woodfill , an attorney for Parker , told the outlet .
“ Gov .
Abbott has chosen to sentence bar owners to bankruptcy.
” As a part of its most recent coronavirus order , Texas did not close down or limit capacity at other businesses — like hair salons , tattoo parlors , and nail studios .
The order did require restaurants to operate at 50 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell me that my tiny little bar is the problem .
He ’ s the problem , ” Parker previously told the Washington Post .
“ He ’ s targeting us , and it ’ s discrimination.
” Parker also organized a ‘ Bar Lives Matter ’ protest last week at the Machine Shed , and is planning to host another at the state Capitol on Sunday .
Texas has seen a record number of cases since the state ’ s reopening earlier this year .
The state currently has 160,000 confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @

Bar owners in Texas staged a protest in reaction to the state’s order to shut them down for a second time due to the coronavirus, reports said.
Tee Allen Parker, owner of the Machine Shed Bar and Grille, named Tuesday’s event “Bar Lives Matter” in an apparent reference to the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality.
Parker, whose establishment is in Kilgore, Texas, roughly two hours south of Dallas, is already suing Texas Gov. Greg Abbot over the bar closures — which he claims are devastating his livelihood and forcing many of his peers into bankruptcy, according to CBS Austin.
“This one individual is picking and choosing winners and losers,” Jared Woodfill, an attorney for Parker, told the outlet. “Gov. Abbott has chosen to sentence bar owners to bankruptcy.”
As a part of its most recent coronavirus order, Texas did not close down or limit capacity at other businesses — like hair salons, tattoo parlors, and nail studios. The order did require restaurants to operate at 50 percent capacity.
“You can’t tell me that my tiny little bar is the problem. He’s the problem,” Parker previously told the Washington Post. “He’s targeting us, and it’s discrimination.”
Parker also organized a “Bar Lives Matter” protest last week at the Machine Shed, and is planning to host another at the state Capitol on Sunday.
Texas has seen a record number of cases since the state’s reopening earlier this year. The state currently has 160,000 confirmed cases and 2,424 deaths from COVID-19.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard not sure NBA players will follow bubble protocols

There are all sorts of frustrations that are expected to ...

One star doesn’t think his fellow NBA players will follow all the rules and protocols in the bubble when the league restarts on July 30 at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.
“My confidence ain’t great,” Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard said with a laugh in an ESPN.com report on Wednesday. “My confidence ain’t great because you’re telling me you’re gonna have 22 teams full of players following all the rules?
“When we have 100 percent freedom, everybody don’t follow all the rules. I don’t have much confidence. But hopefully it’ll be handled to a point where we’re not putting everybody at risk or in a dangerous position.”
There are 22 teams playing in the restart — which includes the Nets, but not the Knicks — who will arrive in Orlando starting Tuesday and will be tested. Then they will isolate for up to 48 hours, and then will be tested again. Those players, considering they pass their tests, will be in a bubble environment with outside world interaction being basically eliminated. Close family members will get to join the bubble after the first round of the playoffs.
Though coronavirus cases are rising in Florida, Lillard said he still believes the bubble will be safer, but is not foolproof.
“The fact that we’re going to be in a bubble, it kind of knocks it down and limits the chance of us being exposed to everybody else outside the bubble in Orlando,” Lillard said. “I think it is a safer situation. But I don’t think it’s possible for them to protect us 100 percent. I think everybody’s going there understanding that.”
The NBA’s bubble plan came in the form of a 113-page document given to the teams outlining all the rules and protocols. If a player leaves campus and breaks the bubble, he will be quarantined for at least 10 days and will have to undergo deep-nasal testing. Players also can’t go into each other’s rooms but can socialize with golf, video games or one-on-one ping pong, according to the website.
Lillard said he has a simple plan for dealing with bubble life — basketball and chill.
“I know there’re going to activities for us and all that stuff, but I mean, I’m gonna be chilling,” he said. “I feel like there’s still a possibility for something to spread within that bubble, just with so many people doing so many different things that we’ve got to follow to be safe, even though we’re not exposed to the public.
“So for me, it’s going to be: What time is practice, what time can I get in the weight room, what time can I get some shots up, what’s the plan for game day. And then I’m gonna be in the room. I’m gonna have my PS3, my PS4, I’m gonna have my studio equipment, my mic, my laptop, I’m gonna have all my books. That’s it, man. I’m gonna be in the room, chilling.”
Recently, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith made it clear that he didn’t think the NBA players would follow the protocol rules because they wouldn’t want to miss out on sex for an extended period of time.
“Do we really think the ‘recreational activities’ that these guys are accustomed to are going to be compromised for three months?” Smith said on “First Take” recently. “I mean, somebody’s gotta say it.
“You really, really think somebody’s gonna be without their wives or their woman? The guys that are married without their wives, the guys that ain’t married without their woman. You really, really think they’re honoring a bubble for three months?”


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Music teacher in semen-tainted flute incident to plead guilty

A California music teacher accused of giving elementary school students woodwind instruments with his semen inside has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to state and federal charges .
John Edward Zeretzke , 61 , will make the plea in relation to one federal count of production of child pornography and several state charges of lewd acts with a minor under 14 , The Mercury News reported .
Zeretzke is the founder of Flutes Across the World , a nonprofit organization that teaches students how to make their own flutes .
The musician , who lives in Ventura County , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minors dating back to 2015 .
In one instance in November 2015 , according to court records , Zeretzke sent a 15-year-old girl he met on Facebook over 40 explicit photos of himself .
In August 2017 , Zeretzke then traveled to the Philippines — where Flutes Across the World has held a music mission — to have sex with a minor , court papers allege .
Zeretzke in March 2019 was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly giving flutes filled with his own semen to five girls from two separate elementary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the report said , citing court papers obtained by the Southern California News Group .
A public defender representing Zeretzke declined a request for comment from The Mercury News .

A California music teacher accused of giving elementary school students woodwind instruments with his semen inside has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to state and federal charges.
John Edward Zeretzke, 61, will make the plea in relation to one federal count of production of child pornography and several state charges of lewd acts with a minor under 14, the Mercury News reported.
Zeretzke is the founder of Flutes Across the World, a nonprofit organization that teaches students how to make their own flutes.
The musician, who lives in Ventura County, has agreed to plead guilty to accusations involving minors dating back to 2015.
In one instance in November 2015, according to court records, Zeretzke sent a 15-year-old girl he met on Facebook over 40 explicit photos of himself.
In August 2017, Zeretzke traveled to the Philippines — where Flutes Across the World has held a music mission — to have sex with a minor, court papers allege.
Zeretzke in March 2019 was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly giving flutes filled with his own semen to five girls from two separate elementary schools in Orange and Los Angeles counties, the report said, citing court papers obtained by the Southern California News Group.
A public defender representing Zeretzke declined a request for comment from the Mercury News.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Mavericks re-sign Trey Burke after Willie Cauley-Stein opts out of resumed season

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks signed guard Trey Burke on Wednesday after center Willie Cauley-Stein decided not to rejoin the team for the planned resumption of the season .
Burke spent part of the 2018-19 season with the Mavericks after coming over in the blockbuster trade that also brought Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks .
The 27-year-old Burke played 25 games this season with Philadelphia before he was waived in February , about a month before the NBA shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Cauley-Stein , acquired in a deal with Golden State before the trading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing because of the impending birth of his daughter this month .
President of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said the Mavericks chose a guard over an interior player because of a need for backups behind All-Star Luka Doncic and shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. Jalen Brunson , one of the backups to Doncic , won ’ t play if the season resumes because of shoulder surgery .
Burke has career averages of 10.5 points and 3.5 assists in 386 games over seven seasons .
He has played for Utah and Washington in addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Mavericks are supposed to resume the season July 31 against Houston in Orlando , Florida .

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks signed guard Trey Burke on Wednesday after center Willie Cauley-Stein decided not to rejoin the team for the planned resumption of the season.
Burke spent part of the 2018-19 season with the Mavericks after coming over in the blockbuster trade that also brought Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks.
The 27-year-old Burke played 25 games this season with Philadelphia before he was waived in February, about a month before the NBA shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cauley-Stein, acquired in a deal with Golden State before the trading deadline this year, opted out of playing because of the impending birth of his daughter this month.
President of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said the Mavericks chose a guard over an interior player because of a need for backups behind All-Star Luka Doncic and shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr.
Jalen Brunson, one of the backups to Doncic, won’t play if the season resumes because of shoulder surgery.
Burke has career averages of 10.5 points and 3.5 assists in 386 games over seven seasons. He has played for Utah and Washington in addition to the Knicks, Mavericks and 76ers.
The Mavericks are supposed to resume the season July 31 against Houston in Orlando, Florida.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--I miss lockdown because my neighborhood is crowded again

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
Model Helen Harley Harasti moved to Times Square right before the coronavirus pandemic hit New York City , excited to be yards away from world-class Broadway shows .
“ It was an amazing deal .
It seemed like a dream come true , ” says the 25-year-old Oklahoma native , whose West 48th Street pad was also convenient for casting calls and photo shoots .
“ And then everything shut down.
” Living in close proximity to overtouristed Big Apple sights means traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of having to dodge guileless out-of-towners just to access your front door .
But in mid-March , when the virus started to peak , the Big Apple ’ s hot spots turned cold , and the crowds disappeared , leaving bizarrely empty stretches of sidewalk near 42nd Street , the Empire State Building and other bucket-list locations .
Now , as New York stirs back to life in Phase 2 of reopening , some neighbors to the city ’ s must-see landmarks are mourning the small silver linings of lockdown .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the intimacy , the chance connections that can occur when just two , not dozens , New Yorkers are within earshot of each other .
The early days of the stay-at-home order felt “ apocalyptic , ” Harasti says .
In the desertion , however , she found unlikely solace : A stranger called out kudos as she worked out by climbing scaffolding near her apartment .
“ There was one other person in the whole place , ” she recalls .
“ It was cool to connect like that in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think I would normally be doing pull-ups in Times Square.
” Across the East River , the treads of tourists typically wear down the cobblestone streets of Dumbo all year round , with shutterbugs flocking to Washington Street for that perfect shot of the Manhattan Bridge framed by former warehouses .
“ Before the shutdown , we would spot no less than four photo shoots at any given time of day around the neighborhood , ” says Dumbo resident Melissa Rosenfield , a thirtysomething “ director of vibe ” consultant .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is terrified of walking on Washington Street just based on the sheer number of people.
” Coronavirus did what grumbling and cursing could never do — it cleared the streets .
It was reminiscent of the neighborhood a decade ago , Rosenfield says , before it became pricey and residential .
“ I loved the old Dumbo , so it was nice to have that back for a bit , ” she adds .
She seized the opportunity to snap a few photos with her 9-month-old , Sidney , at the eerily peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emptying out of the streets also gave pockets of the city a small-town vibe .
In Dumbo , the pandemic also facilitated a newfound camaraderie within the community , with residents swapping freshly baked goods , shopping local and collaborating on grocery runs .
“ A lot of the parents were sharing things like diapers and bottles and supplies for the newer parents that were giving birth during the pandemic , ” says Rosenfield .
In Midtown , food writer Benjamin Setiawan was initially jarred by the wealth of sidewalk real estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Building and Macy ’ s .
“ Usually it ’ s like tourists 24/7 , whether people are trying to do the whole ‘ Sleepless in Seattle ’ thing , take photos or go shopping , ” the 39-year-old says .
“ And now there ’ s the opposite .
There ’ s hardly any people.
” Nighttime is especially desolate , so Setiawan tries not to stay out too late .
Daytime , however , has afforded explorations that might not have been possible without the time and space the virus has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Setiawan visited Union Square Greenmarket for the first time during the shutdown .
“ It was one of the few places that I could actually grocery shop outdoors , and gave me a sense of normalcy , ” says Setiawan , who shops there at least once a week via walks down a bare main drag .
“ It was nice just to walk in the middle of Broadway and be able to socially distance from people.
” As the crowds waned , the need for community heightened .
And a volunteer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brings groceries and prescriptions to homebound neighbors for whom going outside is a risk .
“ It ’ s nice to do something beyond the four walls of my apartment , ” he says , “ and know that we are a city that takes care of each other.
” Drag queen Linda Simpson ( above ) , who lives across from the former Copacabana on West 47th Street , mostly enjoyed her area ’ s reprieve from tourists .
“ It was time for all of us to take a break from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says Simpson , who concedes that the reduced footprint has meant less litter and the chance to discover new restaurants and stores on strangely serene strolls that visitors had previously obscured .
“ It was sort of a cleansing period.
” At the same time , the adjustment has been gut-wrenching , and she will welcome the return of gaffe-prone out-of-towners .
“ As much as I complain about how tacky and annoying Times Square can be , ” Simpson says , “ I miss seeing people from all over the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Model Helen Harley Harasti moved to Times Square right before the coronavirus pandemic hit New York City, excited to be yards away from world-class Broadway shows. “It was an amazing deal. It seemed like a dream come true,” says the 25-year-old Oklahoma native, whose West 48th Street pad was also convenient for casting calls and photo shoots. “And then everything shut down.”
Living in close proximity to overtouristed Big Apple sights means traffic, noise, pollution — the hassle of having to dodge guileless out-of-towners just to access your front door.
But in mid-March, when the virus started to peak, the Big Apple’s hot spots turned cold, and the crowds disappeared, leaving bizarrely empty stretches of sidewalk near 42nd Street, the Empire State Building and other bucket-list locations. Now, as New York stirs back to life in Phase 2 of reopening, some neighbors to the city’s must-see landmarks are mourning the small silver linings of lockdown.
There was a lot to like: the quiet, the intimacy, the chance connections that can occur when just two, not dozens, New Yorkers are within earshot of each other.
The early days of the stay-at-home order felt “apocalyptic,” Harasti says. In the desertion, however, she found unlikely solace: A stranger called out kudos as she worked out by climbing scaffolding near her apartment. “There was one other person in the whole place,” she recalls.
“It was cool to connect like that in some moment — because I don’t think I would normally be doing pull-ups in Times Square.”
Across the East River, the treads of tourists typically wear down the cobblestone streets of Dumbo all year round, with shutterbugs flocking to Washington Street for that perfect shot of the Manhattan Bridge framed by former warehouses.
“Before the shutdown, we would spot no less than four photo shoots at any given time of day around the neighborhood,” says Dumbo resident Melissa Rosenfield, a thirtysomething “director of vibe” consultant. “We have a 6-pound dog, and she is terrified of walking on Washington Street just based on the sheer number of people.”
Coronavirus did what grumbling and cursing could never do — it cleared the streets.
It was reminiscent of the neighborhood a decade ago, Rosenfield says, before it became pricey and residential. “I loved the old Dumbo, so it was nice to have that back for a bit,” she adds.
She seized the opportunity to snap a few photos with her 9-month-old, Sidney, at the eerily peaceful scenic intersection.
In a way, the emptying out of the streets also gave pockets of the city a small-town vibe.
In Dumbo, the pandemic also facilitated a newfound camaraderie within the community, with residents swapping freshly baked goods, shopping local and collaborating on grocery runs.
“A lot of the parents were sharing things like diapers and bottles and supplies for the newer parents that were giving birth during the pandemic,” says Rosenfield.
In Midtown, food writer Benjamin Setiawan was initially jarred by the wealth of sidewalk real estate surrounding his home near the Empire State Building and Macy’s. “Usually it’s like tourists 24/7, whether people are trying to do the whole ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ thing, take photos or go shopping,” the 39-year-old says. “And now there’s the opposite. There’s hardly any people.”
Nighttime is especially desolate, so Setiawan tries not to stay out too late. Daytime, however, has afforded explorations that might not have been possible without the time and space the virus has afforded.
Despite his culinary background, Setiawan visited Union Square Greenmarket for the first time during the shutdown. “It was one of the few places that I could actually grocery shop outdoors, and gave me a sense of normalcy,” says Setiawan, who shops there at least once a week via walks down a bare main drag. “It was nice just to walk in the middle of Broadway and be able to socially distance from people.”
As the crowds waned, the need for community heightened. And a volunteer for new nonprofit Invisible Hands Deliver, Setiawan brings groceries and prescriptions to homebound neighbors for whom going outside is a risk. “It’s nice to do something beyond the four walls of my apartment,” he says, “and know that we are a city that takes care of each other.”
Drag queen Linda Simpson (above), who lives across from the former Copacabana on West 47th Street, mostly enjoyed her area’s reprieve from tourists.
“It was time for all of us to take a break from our schedules and re-evaluate our lives,” says Simpson, who concedes that the reduced footprint has meant less litter and the chance to discover new restaurants and stores on strangely serene strolls that visitors had previously obscured. “It was sort of a cleansing period.”
At the same time, the adjustment has been gut-wrenching, and she will welcome the return of gaffe-prone out-of-towners.
“As much as I complain about how tacky and annoying Times Square can be,” Simpson says, “I miss seeing people from all over the world come to gawk at the sights.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Groom with coronavirus may have infected 113 people at his own wedding

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An Indian man who traveled home for his wedding last month may have infected 113 people at the ceremony , a report said .
The 31-year-old man — who died two days after the wedding — traveled to Paliganj from New Delhi for the June 15 celebration attended by more 350 friends and family , according to The Indian Express .
The groom had pleaded with his family to stop the wedding because he was sick — but he was denied .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 14 and wanted the wedding deferred , family heads from both sides advised against it , citing huge financial losses if the arrangements had to be canceled , ” a relative told the outlet .
Two days after the wedding , the man ’ s condition became serious and he was rushed to the hospital but died on the way .
The family cremated his body , the report said .
A relative said they were less concerned about the virus because “ rural areas are almost COVID-free.
” Local authorities are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading any further .
All close relatives who attended the wedding were tested .
The bride was not among those who tested positive .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
An Indian man who traveled home for his wedding last month may have infected 113 people at the ceremony, a report said.
The 31-year-old man — who died two days after the wedding — traveled to Paliganj from New Delhi for the June 15 celebration attended by more 350 friends and family, according to The Indian Express.
The groom had pleaded with his family to stop the wedding because he was sick — but he was denied.
“Even though he was feeling unwell by June 14 and wanted the wedding deferred, family heads from both sides advised against it, citing huge financial losses if the arrangements had to be canceled,” a relative told the outlet.
Two days after the wedding, the man’s condition became serious and he was rushed to the hospital but died on the way. The family cremated his body, the report said.
A relative said they were less concerned about the virus because “rural areas are almost COVID-free.”
Local authorities are now attempting to prevent the infection from spreading any further.
All close relatives who attended the wedding were tested. The bride was not among those who tested positive.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Alabama students attend ‘COVID-19 parties,’ gamble on who gets sick first

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Students in Tuscaloosa , Alabama are reportedly throwing “ COVID parties ” with their friends and gambling on who will get sick first , according to local officials .
City Council member Sonya McKinstry testified on Wednesday that a series of previously reported parties were all part of a morbid game that included intentionally inviting COVID-positive students in an attempt to intentionally contract the deadly virus .
“ They put money in a pot and they try to get COVID .
Whoever gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes no sense , ” she said .
City council members did not mention the University of Alabama by name , but the school is the largest college in the city and the flagship school of the state ’ s university system .
Tuscaloosa City Fire Chief Randy Smith briefed the council on these parties earlier this week , saying that authorities thought students ’ intentional gambling on virus transmission “ was kind of a rumor at first , ” but added , “ We did some additional research … .
not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirm it but the state confirmed they also had the same information.
” Despite the news , McKinstry insists the city is taking the public health threat of coronavirus seriously .
“ We ’ re trying to break up any parties that we know of , ” she told ABC News .
There have been at least 37,536 recorded coronavirus infections and 926 fatalities in Alabama .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Students in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, are reportedly throwing “COVID parties” with their friends and gambling on who will get sick first, according to local officials.
City council member Sonya McKinstry testified Wednesday that a series of previously reported parties were all part of a morbid game that included intentionally inviting COVID-positive students in an attempt to intentionally contract the deadly virus.
“They put money in a pot and they try to get COVID. Whoever gets COVID first gets the pot. It makes no sense,” she said.
City council members did not mention the University of Alabama by name, but the school is the largest college in the city and the flagship school of the state’s university system.
Tuscaloosa City Fire Chief Randy Smith briefed the council on these parties earlier this week, saying that authorities thought students’ intentional gambling on virus transmission “was kind of a rumor at first,” but added, “We did some additional research … not only did the doctors’ offices help confirm it but the state confirmed they also had the same information.”
Despite the news, McKinstry insists the city is taking the public health threat of coronavirus seriously.
“We’re trying to break up any parties that we know of,” she told ABC News.
There have been at least 37,536 recorded coronavirus infections and 926 fatalities in Alabama.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Giants hire Hannah Burnett as team’s first full-time female scout

He heard it from both of them .
From Chris Snee ...

Hannah Burnett is scouting a trailblazing path.
The 25-year-old Long Island native was hired Thursday as the first female full-time scout in the 95-year history of the Giants. She will handle the Midlands area.
“I try not to think about that,” Burnett told Giants.com. “I completely understand and am aware that this is an awesome opportunity, and it’s important for females in the league. But I’ve said this from the get-go: I just want to go in there like everyone else goes in there and go about my business like a pro. Everything will work itself out if I go about my business the right way.”
Burnett interviewed via Zoom with top-level executives, including general manager Dave Gettleman and director of college scouting Chris Pettit, over the course of two days. She was a three-sport standout at Huntington High School and all-conference in lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts.
“To be able to be part of a team again that’s working toward one common goal is what I’ve been doing my whole life,” she said. “It’s helped me transition into the NFL.”
After graduation with a degree in sports management, Burnett spent four months as a player personnel assistant in the NFL office and most recently worked in scouting for the Falcons — liaising between players, agents and colleges while watching tape and attending pro days, bowl games and the combine.
Burnett was not available for comment beyond her remarks in a press release.
“The only thing I care about is for us to win the Super Bowl,” Burnett said. “Our main goal as a team is to win a Super Bowl. That’s my goal. That’s everybody’s goal.”
The Giants announced a series of other moves, including Ty Siam’s promotion to director of football data and innovation. Siam, who earned Gettleman’s frequent praise during this unusual pandemic-restricted offseason and was at the GM’s house during the draft, is one of the top analytics minds in the organization.
In another analytics move, the Giants hired football data analyst Courtney Kennedy, 23, after she spent last season as an intern.
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Dr. Lani Lawrence filled a newly created position as director of wellness and clinical services as well as overseeing player engagement and development. Longtime employee Ed Triggs was promoted to director of football operations, Marquis Pendleton became an area scout, and Blaise Bell replaced Pendleton as the team’s BLESTO (national scouting service shared by all 32 teams) scout.
Craig Fitzgerald is the director of strength and performance, assisted by Sam Coad. Nick Williams will serve as an offensive assistant on the coaching staff.
“This has been a difficult several months for everybody, not just for those of us in sport,” Gettleman told Giants.com. “As unusual as these times have been, we need to continue to be progressive so the New York Giants can ultimately be what we and our fans envision.
“We are very excited about what we have been able to accomplish. With these changes and additions, we continue to position ourselves for the future.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--LA real estate developer latest bidder for the Mets

Alex Rodriguez and his advisers were upset when they learned ...

A new bidder has emerged for the very-much-for-sale New York Mets.
Kurt Rappaport, a 49-year-old Los Angeles realtor turned real estate developer, is leading a group that hopes to purchase the money-losing Amazin’s.
Sources close to Rappaport confirmed to The Post that his group is in direct contact with the Mets’ bankers, Allen & Co. Multiple people familiar with the bid say that Rappaport, who won the Dave Winfield humanitarian award at a Major League Baseball event in 2018, is a baseball fan with heavy-hitter connections and could table a sizable bid.
Rappaport made his fortune as Hollywood’s realtor to the stars, cutting deals for Malibu and Beverly Hills mansions on behalf of celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres and Ryan Seacrest. In 2008, Rappaport sold his own Beverly Hills pad to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes for $32.5 million. His net worth is thought to be in the neighborhood of $350 million.
The Rappaport bid brings the total of active bidders confirmed by The Post to four, alongside private equity billionaires Josh Harris and David Blitzer, celebrity power couple Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez and British billionaire brothers Simon and David Reuben.
According to some reports, the Wilpons claim to have six bidders, a claim that is increasingly being questioned by people inside the bidding process, who also point out that the Wilpons are increasingly motivated sellers and have made it clear that they need a deal done by the end of 2020.
“If there are six active groups, I am dying to know who some of them are,” one insider said. “Maybe I’m counting wrong, but it looks like we’re a few short.”
One person who is not actively bidding on the team right now is Steve Cohen.
Sources close to the hedge-fund billionaire confirm to The Post that Cohen, who saw his own $2.6 billion purchase fall apart at the last minute back in February, does not plan to submit a bid in the coming days and that Allen & Co. has assured some of the current bidders that Cohen is not involved in the process.
That said, Cohen is still said to be watching the situation with interest, both as an 8 percent minority owner of the team and as someone harboring a love for the Mets and animosity toward the Wilpons after their deal turned into a debacle.
It is not out of the realm of possibility that Cohen offers a bid, should the Wilpons fail to get their asking price.
“Steve Cohen still wants the Mets,” one source said. “And he usually gets what he wants.”
Insiders tell The Post that, despite some reports, the Wilpons are unlikely to see bids of $2 billion or more.
As The Post has reported, Harris and Blitzer are holding fast to their offer of $1.4 billion, and sources familiar with Rappaport’s bid were skeptical that he values the money-losing team at $2 billion, especially considering what COVID-19 and its aftermath will do to pro sports’ financial picture. The Reubens reportedly see the Mets as a real estate investment with a toxic-asset baseball team attached.
Reports that Rodriguez and Lopez’s group is ready to meet the $2 billion valuation were also met with some incredulity from insiders.
“If they bid $2 billion, they win,” one banker said. “I’d be shocked if anyone offers $2 billion.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Sharon Osbourne backs campaign to rename ‘creepy’ John Wayne’s airport

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Sharon Osbourne has backed a campaign to rename Orange County ’ s John Wayne Airport over the actor ’ s “ racist ” remarks .
The Talk star , 67 , called the Oscar-winning legend a “ bad man ” after a 1971 interview with Playboy Magazine was unearthed in which he said he “ believed in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily Star : “ It just gives me the creeps .
There has always been this reputation of him of really hating blacks , Jews , anybody that wasn ’ t white .
“ When the airport came , I was like : ‘ Why would you give this man this honour of having an airport named after somebody like that , who is just a bad man , a really ugly man ?
’ “ We can not celebrate these people that we once thought were heroes.
” However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 58 , has strongly refuted any claims his dad was a racist .
A resolution passed on Friday asking that the county ’ s board of supervisors restore the name to the Orange County Airport .
In a statement made to Fox News , Ethan said : “ Let me make one thing — John Wayne was not a racist .
I know that term is casually tossed around these days , but I take it very seriously .
I also understand how we got to this point .
He continued : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words spoken by John Wayne in an interview 50 years ago have caused pain and anger , ” referencing Wayne ’ s Playboy interview .
“ They pained him as , well , as he realized his true feelings were wrongly conveyed.
” In the interview , Wayne is quoted as saying , “ I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility .
I don ’ t believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people.
” Ethan , the president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are papers in Wayne ’ s archives that show “ he did not support white supremacy in any way and believed that responsible people should gain power without the use of violence.
” He continued : “ Those who knew him , knew he judged everyone as an individual and believed everyone deserved an equal opportunity .
“ He called out bigotry when he saw it .
He hired and worked with people of all races , creeds , and sexual orientations .
“ John Wayne stood for the very best for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t discriminate against anyone seeking the American Dream.
” Wayne passed away at age 72 from cancer in 1979 , and Ethan , his youngest son , said it would be unfair for his father to be judged on a single interview .
County officials voted to change the name of the airport when Wayne died — but a push to change its name back has a long history .
The issue has come up periodically down the years , and a statue of Wayne also appears outside the airport .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities are moving to remove statues of those who legacies are tied to racist actions , sparked by the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis .
Ethan said : “ The current focus on social justice is absolutely valid and necessary .
But attempts by some to use it for political advantage distract from real opportunities for reform .
“ One thing we know — if John Wayne were here today , he would be in the forefront demanding fairness and justice for all people.
” “ He would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , because that was the right thing to do .
He would stand for everyone ’ s right to protest and work toward change.
” He concluded his statement : “ My father believed that we can learn from yesterday , but not by erasing the past .
His name , no matter where it is , will always embody these values , and our family knows the positive impact that he made on the world will never be diminished .
”

Sharon Osbourne has backed a campaign to rename Orange County’s John Wayne Airport over the actor’s “racist” remarks.
The Talk star, 67, called the Oscar-winning legend a “bad man” after a 1971 interview with Playboy Magazine was unearthed in which he said he “believed in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility.”
She told the Daily Star: “It just gives me the creeps. There has always been this reputation of him of really hating blacks, Jews, anybody that wasn’t white.
“When the airport came, I was like: ‘Why would you give this man this honour of having an airport named after somebody like that, who is just a bad man, a really ugly man?’
“We cannot celebrate these people that we once thought were heroes.”
However, the True Grit actor’s son Ethan, 58, has strongly refuted any claims his dad was a racist.
A resolution passed on Friday asking that the county’s board of supervisors restore the name to the Orange County Airport.
In a statement made to Fox News, Ethan said: “Let me make one thing — John Wayne was not a racist. I know that term is casually tossed around these days, but I take it very seriously. I also understand how we got to this point.
He continued: “There is no question that the words spoken by John Wayne in an interview 50 years ago have caused pain and anger,” referencing Wayne’s Playboy interview.
“They pained him as, well, as he realized his true feelings were wrongly conveyed.”
In the interview, Wayne is quoted as saying, “I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. I don’t believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people.”
Ethan, the president of John Wayne Enterprises, added that there are papers in Wayne’s archives that show “he did not support white supremacy in any way and believed that responsible people should gain power without the use of violence.”
He continued: “Those who knew him, knew he judged everyone as an individual and believed everyone deserved an equal opportunity.
“He called out bigotry when he saw it. He hired and worked with people of all races, creeds, and sexual orientations.
“John Wayne stood for the very best for all of us — a society that doesn’t discriminate against anyone seeking the American Dream.”
Wayne passed away at age 72 from cancer in 1979, and Ethan, his youngest son, said it would be unfair for his father to be judged on a single interview.
County officials voted to change the name of the airport when Wayne died — but a push to change its name back has a long history.
The issue has come up periodically down the years, and a statue of Wayne also appears outside the airport.
The latest push comes at a time when communities are moving to remove statues of those who legacies are tied to racist actions, sparked by the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis.
Ethan said: “The current focus on social justice is absolutely valid and necessary. But attempts by some to use it for political advantage distract from real opportunities for reform.
“One thing we know — if John Wayne were here today, he would be in the forefront demanding fairness and justice for all people.”
“He would have pulled those officers off of George Floyd, because that was the right thing to do. He would stand for everyone’s right to protest and work toward change.”
He concluded his statement: “My father believed that we can learn from yesterday, but not by erasing the past. His name, no matter where it is, will always embody these values, and our family knows the positive impact that he made on the world will never be diminished.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Felony charges dropped against doomsday mom Lori Vallow

Two of the felony charges against doomsday-obsessed mom Lori Vallow were dismissed Thursday , according to a report .
Vallow , who is being held in Idaho on $ 1 million bail , still faces misdemeanor charges of resisting and obstructing an officer , solicitation of a crime , and contempt of court , East Idaho News reported .
She was also hit with new felony charges Monday for allegedly concealing , altering , and destroying evidence in the case .
Thursday ’ s dismissal of the felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of children comes three weeks after investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Vallow , 7 , and his 16-year-old sister , Tylee Ryan , buried on property belonging to Vallow ’ s husband , Chad Daybell .
Daybell , 51 , pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of concealment of evidence last month .
The couple , part of the doomsday cult Preparing a People , are accused of lying to police and refusing to cooperate with authorities following the disappearance of the two children in September .
Vallow was arrested in Hawaii in February and taken back to Rexburg , Idaho , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet a January deadline to return the children safely , and was hit with the felony desertion charges .
Those charges were the ones dropped Thursday , East Idaho News said .

Two of the felony charges against doomsday-obsessed mom Lori Vallow were dismissed Thursday, according to a report.
Vallow, who is being held in Idaho on $1 million bail, still faces misdemeanor charges of resisting and obstructing an officer, solicitation of a crime, and contempt of court, East Idaho News reported.
She was also hit with new felony charges Monday for allegedly concealing, altering, and destroying evidence in the case.
Thursday’s dismissal of the felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of children comes three weeks after investigators discovered the remains of Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and his 17-year-old sister, Tylee Ryan, buried on property belonging to Vallow’s husband, Chad Daybell.
Daybell, 51, pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of concealment of evidence last month.
The couple, part of the doomsday cult Preparing a People, are accused of lying to police and refusing to cooperate with authorities following the disappearance of the two children in September.
Vallow was arrested in Hawaii in February and taken back to Rexburg, Idaho, to face charges after she failed to meet a January deadline to return the children safely, and was hit with the felony desertion charges.
Those charges were the ones dropped Thursday, East Idaho News said.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Houston hospitals forced to transfer patients out of city as COVID-19 cases soar

Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott has ordered bars in the state ...

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Houston has become so overwhelmed by new coronavirus cases that its hospitals are reportedly shipping patients to facilities outside the city.
With infections soaring across the state, Harris Health Systems, the operators of Houston’s Ben Taub and LBJ hospitals, have had to transfer 33 of its patients to a network of other care centers over the course of 24 hours Tuesday, ABC News reports.
The transfers include COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. And at least another 15 patients were slated to be transferred Wednesday, with patients according to the outlet.
“We’re running out of ICU beds,” Bryan McLeod, a spokesman for Harris Health Systems, told ABC News.
Texas has the third-most coronavirus cases in the country as officials there grapple with a dramatic spike in infections and hospitalizations that began in mid-June, after the state started reopening May 1.
The state documented more than 9,300 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, a new record, after setting new daily highs nearly every day since June 16.
More people are also getting severely ill, too, with 7,382 coronavirus-related hospitalizations reported statewide — more than quadruple the number hospitalized at the end of May.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott had pushed an aggressive reopening and insisted on carrying ahead with those plans last month as cases started to climb.
Abbott had at first resisted a face mask requirement and had blocked cities from issuing their own mandates when he began reopening the state, arguing that government couldn’t force people to wear masks.
But the governor reversed course Thursday, signing an executive order mandating face coverings must be worn in public settings across most of the state.
“We are now at a point where the virus is spreading so fast, there is little margin for error,” Abbott said.
The order requires “all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions.”
Violators of the order can be fined up to $250. Exceptions are made for those with medical conditions or disabilities; people who are exercising outdoors, or anyone participating in a religious service or voting in an election.
Abbott, who has faced harsh criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over his handling of the virus, last week ordered bars to close again and limited indoor dining to half-capacity of establishments.
“We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another — and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces,” Abbott said.
If residents follow the rules, “more extreme measures may be avoided,” he added.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--NBA players won’t have these social messages on their jerseys

NBA players could have social justice statements on their jerseys ...

There are none so blind as those who refuse to see.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has given players the green light to wear “social messages” on their uniforms when the league resumes. “Black Lives Matter” will be painted on the courts, as if NBA fans have been identified as in need of such a reminder as they’re very likely to be racist oppressors.
But there are options. Reader Bob Wilson suggests the players could wear jerseys reading, “Free Hong Kong,” but that would only upset the NBA, and its players who can’t afford to mess with the sneaker and apparel money as stitched and glued by shack-dwelling slave-wagers in Red China.
“Free the Slaves in Nigeria and the Congo” would be a good. Both African countries still enslave blacks, but the BLM movement and its affiliates aren’t interested. They’re working on freeing American slaves, though that freedom was won in a war that cost 650,000 mostly white lives 157 years ago.
OK. Then how about this: “Stop the Slaughter! — B.H.”
B.H. would be Brandon Hendricks, the 17-year-old Monroe High grad who planned to attend college on a basketball scholarship. He died late Sunday night, gunned down in The Bronx, for decades the borough where kids are shot and stabbed as a matter of no surprise.
And cops have been deemed unconditionally unwelcomed. It’s Nazi Germany. Anyone even suspected of helping solve a murder puts themselves and their families in peril of mortal retaliation.
Only now it’s much worse. Last week 86 people were shot in NYC. It’s open season, as black-on-black crime has exploded.
And what has Mayor Bill de Blasio done about it? He has cut $1 billion from the police budget.
Hendricks’ mother, Eve, through her grief, cut through all the political pandering and radical BLM canards, statue trashing, looting and vandalism to focus on life and death:
“We always talked about gun violence, especially in our community. And as much as we talk about black power and unity, but it’s like we’re killing each other and there is no one to step forward and say, ‘This is it.’ It just has to end one way or another.”
But such an indisputable truth is never spoken — not by the Rev. Al Sharpton, LeBron James, Silver, de Blasio, BLM, Nike, Colin Kaepernick, Jay-Z, Roger Goodell. Where are all the protestors, those who demand justice?
That’s what reasonable, right-minded Americans of every race simply can’t understand. So much young black blood runs through the streets of every American city, and has for generations, but there’s no demand to treat it, let alone eliminate it. To ask why is to beg for the usual, easy charge that you’re a racist. Run for your life!
Knock down a statue, dismiss Woodrow Wilson from Princeton, allow NBA players to wear uniforms with social messages. What’s it worth? Nothing. Such cosmetics have no intrinsic value. They don’t save one life of a kid in Harlem, Bed-Stuy or Newark.
Nigel Thompson was Brandon Hendricks’ basketball coach and geometry teacher: “All his mom kept saying to me is, ‘We need to get him out of this neighborhood, we need to get him off to college’. … He really was a wonderful kid.”
Yeah, was, plenty more past-tense kids to come. “Stop the Slaughter! — B.H,” — as worn by the Knicks and/or Nets — would better serve keepin’-it-real reality. But the slaughter proceeds. Not all black lives matter; every year thousands don’t matter a bit.
Only TV likes ‘flex’
Only sports commissioners speak more baloney than TV execs.
In announcing that Fox is dropping golf’s U.S. Open — to be picked up by NBC — sports CEO Eric Shanks said, “While we are proud of the success we’ve built for golf fans over the years, this is a win for golf fans everywhere, a win for the USGA, Fox and NBC.”
That brought to mind former NBC Sports boss Dick Ebersol. In late 2007, the Patriots were undefeated and scheduled to play a 1 p.m. game in Buffalo. Ebersol had the game “flexed” to an 8:15 Sunday night start, an absolute pain in the fanny for ticket holders.
But Ebersol, accomplished self-serving teller of myths, said the move was a gift from NBC to the great fans in Buffalo:
“The third and magical factor in it all is the enthusiasm that Buffalo has shown toward the Bills throughout my long association with the AFC, when we had it before.”
Among those who didn’t see this “gift” as one was the local Orchard Park police chief, Samuel M. McCune who now had to deal with diminished road conditions and drunks drinking in the warmth.
Said McCune, “Can we ask NBC if we can decline the privilege?”
Can’t shame the shameless: MLB’s Extra Innings package via DirecTV is now being sold — as “Great news!” — at half-off on a baseball season reduced by nearly two-thirds. Rob Manfred loves ya, baby.
Once in a while, reader John O’Connell gives ESPN a shot. This week he was in time to hear Stephen A. Smith lead a long and spirited debate on whether the Washington Wizards — a “hot” topic because the NBA and ESPN are business partners — deserve a playoff spot. He’ll try again, perhaps, in a few months.
Since-cut Cardinals receiver Jermiah Braswell, after driving his car into a lake Saturday, was arrested for DUI by police — we kid you not — in Put-in-Bay, Ohio.
Boomer suggests dangerous virus gameplan
This week, WFAN’s Weekday Boomer Esiason strongly suggested football players at Clemson, Alabama and LSU are intentionally infecting themselves with COVID-19 — a deadly serious disease — in order to get it over with to be ready for their opening games.
Who would supervise such a plan? If enacted under coaching and/or medical supervision, those coaches and doctors would be arrested, perhaps for attempted murder or second-degree murder.
But if you don’t know what the heck Esiason was talking about, you and he have that in common.
Matt Barnes, among the most antisocial, vulgar acts in NBA history — a reason he was expendable; he played for 10 teams — and now the co-star of a Showtime show that allows him his freedom of vulgar expression — part of the come-on — recently spoke with Bleacher Report about racism.
Barnes said his father told him to fight anyone who called him the N-word. He said he fought so many people his mother had to get a job in his school to keep him out of trouble.
Fascinating.
In 2013 Barnes tweeted: “I love my teammates like family, but I’m DONE standing up for these n—as!” He did not hyphenate the N-word.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Knicks pass on NBA minicamp call to interview coaching candidates

The Knicks have 11 known candidates for their head coaching ...

The Knicks were the only one of eight teams to miss an NBA conference call Thursday that proposed bringing the non-Orlando clubs to a Chicago bubble in September for voluntary minicamps/scrimmages.
According to a source, the Knicks were preoccupied with coaching interviews Thursday. The source said the call was for the league’s general managers, and Scott Perry was committed to pre-scheduled video interviews.
ESPN subsequently reported Jason Kidd and Will Hardy were interviewed. They are two of 11 Knicks coaching candidates, with a decision expected later this month.
The Knicks’ absence from the call should not be considered opposition to the entire Chicago project, according to the source. However, it’s unclear why the Knicks did not ask for another operative to monitor what was a preliminary call.
The Knicks would like some form of organized training activities this summer to make up for missing out on the Orlando restart, but going to Chicago is not their top choice.
The Post reported Monday the NBA won’t permit any mandatory organized team activities for the “Delete Eight’’ at their own facilities because of health concerns. Having a Chicago bubble would be a compromise.
The Knicks, however, are not into playing games as their roster is flush with veterans who are going to be free agents and probably would not participate.
The Knicks’ interest in OTAs stems from having their new coach work with the young players on the roster and other players they hope to retain such as Reggie Bullock and perhaps Taj Gibson, especially if Tom Thibodeau is hired.
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The franchise’s first preference is being able to open training camp earlier than the other 22 teams in the restart so their draftees and any new free-agent signings can be part of it. Training camp for next season is expected in early-to-mid November.
If the Knicks are forced to field a team in Chicago, it will be voluntary for their players.
The Knicks would like to see newly signed guards Jared Harper and Theo Pinson in practice settings. However, risking their bedrock pieces such as RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson in intrasquad scrimmages holds no appeal to them.
ESPN reported other teams also prefer staying home for OTAs, but the league won’t allow that. The NBA staged the call to see if the clubs would be willing to send players to a Chicago bubble with safety protocols as stringent as those in Orlando.
A source said the plan is still weeks away from any sort of approval and several more discussions will take place.
Players union president Michele Roberts stated last week that team workouts for the eight non-playoff teams must be done with the same careful consideration to safety as in the Orlando bubble.
“Candidly, while I appreciate that there will be a bit of a layoff, I think there are some things these teams can do to get the guys that are not playing some [benefit] by their not being involved in Orlando,’’ Roberts said. “But unless we could replicate in every way the protocol that’s been established for Orlando, I’d be — I’m being tame now — suspicious.”
ESPN first reported the Chicago bubble plan, noting the 30 teams would split the cost, which figures to be expensive. Already the Orlando bubble is costing the NBA $150 million across three months.
Commissioner Adam Silver said recently the Orlando restart is not saving the league as much revenue as people think because of the heavy expenses of maintaining a bubble with daily COVID-19 testing.
MSG Network will stage “Patrick Ewing Week’’ starting Monday, even showing some of Ewing’s top games from Georgetown.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Trump calls family of teen killed in lawless Seattle ‘CHOP’ zone

President Trump offered a phone call of support to the family of Horace Lorenzo Anderson Jr. , a teen killed in Seattle ’ s “ CHOP ” zone , the mourning relatives told Fox News Thursday .
Anderson was fatally shot in the early hours of June 20 at the edge of the roughly six-block autonomous zone known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest .
Trump phoned the family for a seven-minute call after watching Anderson ’ s father , also named Horace Lorenzo , during an emotional appearance on “ Hannity ” Wednesday night , his friend and family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We just talked to the president of the United States , ” Taylor said .
“ How are you going to top that ?
” Taylor said the president offered condolences and kind words for the family .
“ He said he watched ‘ Hannity ’ last night , and told Horace , ‘ Your son is looking down on you and watching over you , ’ ” Taylor recounted .
“ He was incredibly gracious , and it gave Horace some extra help as he buried his son.
” Anderson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he heard from Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan , who had called the family on Wednesday before Trump dialed in on his own .
The family is still waiting on details around the teen ’ s death .
The tragedy was followed by a second fatal shooting near the zone on June 29 — when Antonio Mays Jr. , 16 , was gunned down .
Two more victims were injured in the shootings , as well .
The gunfire finally moved Durkan on Wednesday to order police to disband the cop-free space that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in protest of the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd .
“ Enough is enough , ” Durkan said Wednesday .
“ The CHOP has become lawless and brutal .
Four shootings — two fatal — robberies , assaults , violence and countless property crimes have occurred in this several block area .
”

President Trump offered a phone call of support to the family of Horace Lorenzo Anderson Jr., a teen killed in Seattle’s “CHOP” zone, the mourning relatives told Fox News Thursday.
Anderson was fatally shot in the early hours of June 20 at the edge of the roughly six-block autonomous zone known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest.
Trump phoned the family for a seven-minute call after watching Anderson’s father, also named Horace Lorenzo, during an emotional appearance on “Hannity” Wednesday night, his friend and family spokesman Andre Taylor, told Fox News.
“We just talked to the president of the United States,” Taylor said. “How are you going to top that?”
Taylor said the president offered condolences and kind words for the family.
“He said he watched ‘Hannity’ last night, and told Horace, ‘Your son is looking down on you and watching over you,’” Taylor recounted. “He was incredibly gracious, and it gave Horace some extra help as he buried his son.”
Anderson Sr. said 10 days had gone by before he heard from Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, who had called the family on Wednesday before Trump dialed in on his own. The family is still waiting on details around the teen’s death.
The tragedy was followed by a second fatal shooting near the zone on June 29 — when Antonio Mays Jr., 16, was gunned down. Two more victims were injured in the shootings, as well.
The gunfire finally moved Durkan on Wednesday to order police to disband the cop-free space that had formed more than two weeks ago in protest of the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd.
“Enough is enough,” Durkan said Wednesday. “The CHOP has become lawless and brutal. Four shootings — two fatal — robberies, assaults, violence and countless property crimes have occurred in this several block area. ”


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Bill de Blasio just protected transit for NYC’s well-off — at the poor’s expense

A pair of small choices in Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s new budget tells a lot about his true priorities — or , at least , his refusal to let facts stand in his way .
The mayor managed to cut $ 65 million in funding for the Fair Fares program , which lets low-income New Yorkers get 50 percent discounts on MetroCards .
That helped him protect his beloved East River ferry system — which serves mainly higher-income folks .
A survey of over 5,000 ferry riders , done last year by the city ’ s Economic Development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly white , wealthy and come from waterfront neighborhoods .
Just 36 percent are people of color , while 65 percent make over $ 75,000 per year , the survey found .
It showed that most use the service for leisure trips , not to commute .
Over the objections of city Comptroller Scott Stringer , de Blasio this year dumped $ 62 million on eight new ferry boats — that is , just about what he ’ s now cut from Fair Fares .
In all , the waterborne white elephant gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The mayor insists the ferry system is all about “ equity ” and “ access ” — but that ’ s entirely in his imagination , even more so than the rest of his “ progressive ” agenda .

A pair of small choices in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s new budget tells a lot about his true priorities — or, at least, his refusal to let facts stand in his way.
The mayor managed to cut $65 million in funding for the Fair Fares program, which lets low-income New Yorkers get 50 percent discounts on MetroCards. That helped him protect his beloved East River ferry system — which serves mainly higher-income folks.
A survey of over 5,000 ferry riders, done last year by the city’s Economic Development Corp., found that they’re mostly white, wealthy and come from waterfront neighborhoods. Just 36 percent are people of color, while 65 percent make over $75,000 per year, the survey found. It showed that most use the service for leisure trips, not to commute.
Over the objections of city Comptroller Scott Stringer, de Blasio this year dumped $62 million on eight new ferry boats — that is, just about what he’s now cut from Fair Fares. In all, the waterborne white elephant gets $637 million in the new budget.
The mayor insists the ferry system is all about “equity” and “access” — but that’s entirely in his imagination, even more so than the rest of his “progressive” agenda.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--4th of July heatwave set to hammer US may bring ‘ring of fire’ effect

A Fourth of July weekend heatwave will put the ‘ fire ’ in ‘ fireworks ’ for much of the @ @ @ @ @ Thursday — with the potential for a “ ring of fire ” effect to bring @ @ @ @ @ Midwest .
“ The first half of July looks to have well-above-normal temperatures , at @ @ @ @ @ around the Fourth of July or slightly before , ” Jon Gottschalck , chief of @ @ @ @ @ the National Weather Service ’ s Climate Prediction Center , told NBC News .
The @ @ @ @ @ a “ ring of fire ” pattern , in which storms circulating the edges of @ @ @ @ @ thunderstorms , particularly over the northern Plains , Gottschalk told the network .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ going to be somewhat persistent through the first two weeks of July , and potentially @ @ @ @ @ .
The stifling swelter comes as cases of the coronavirus — which attacks the respiratory @ @ @ @ @ the US , and continues a run of record temperatures around the globe .

A Fourth of July weekend heatwave will put the ‘fire’ in ‘fireworks’ for much of the US, a report said Thursday — with the potential for a “ring of fire” effect to bring storms to parts of the Midwest.
“The first half of July looks to have well-above-normal temperatures, at pretty high probabilities, beginning around the Fourth of July or slightly before,” Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Operational Prediction Branch at the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, told NBC News.
The blast of heat could create a “ring of fire” pattern, in which storms circulating the edges of the heat dome spawn powerful thunderstorms, particularly over the northern Plains, Gottschalk told the network.
“Our models indicate that this is going to be somewhat persistent through the first two weeks of July, and potentially longer,” he said.
The stifling swelter comes as cases of the coronavirus — which attacks the respiratory system — are surging across the US, and continues a run of record temperatures around the globe.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Mike Pence says RNC will have ‘sophisticated’ coronavirus plan

The Republican National Committee said Thursday that Jacksonville , Florida will ...

Vice President Mike Pence says the Republican National Convention in Florida next month will have “very sophisticated plans” to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
Pence, visiting Florida on Thursday, spoke as the state reported a surge in new cases — topping 10,000 daily diagnoses for the first time.
“We are excited about coming to Jacksonville,” Pence said at an event with Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. “I was in a meeting not long ago when I heard about some very sophisticated plans to make sure it’s a safe and healthy environment.”
Pence leads the White House coronavirus task force and was responding to a question about whether elderly people should avoid the gathering.
The RNC is scheduled to begin on Aug. 24. President Trump ordered the event be moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, after local Democratic officials there indicated they did not want a traditional nominating event.
Pence did not elaborate on the plans for the RNC. When cases surged in March, the White House performed mandatory temperature checks and later tested visitors and journalists who come near Trump or Pence. The temperature checks recently ended.
The vice president’s trip to Florida comes amid a national spike in COVID-19 cases driven by new infections across the South, Arizona and California. In response to the spike, Republican officials increasingly have encouraged mask wearing.
It’s unclear if the RNC will require masks. Many Republican House members still refuse to wear masks, and masks distributed by the Trump campaign at a recent rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, largely were not worn.
Pence stressed that many weeks remain before the RNC.
“Our job right now is to do everything in our power to support the efforts of your governor and the people of Florida to bring these numbers down,” Pence said.
“And we believe we can. And it is July the second, two days before the Fourth of July. We have, we believe, an opportunity in front of us now beginning right now for every one of us to take personal responsibility for the role that we’re playing here.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--PIX11 anchor Tamsen Fadal engaged to Debmar-Mercury’s Ira Bernstein

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) We ’ re told Bernstein popped the @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He got down on one bended knee and proposed at sunset after asking @ @ @ @ @ .
He also asked permission from her 9-year-old nephew , Sebastian , ” a source @ @ @ @ @ at a 2017 conference in Miami and have been dating for two and a half @ @ @ @ @ the second marriage for both .
Fadal is working on a follow-up to her 2015 @ @ @ @ @ Single , ” about divorce and starting over at 50 .

PIX11 news anchor Tamsen Fadal and Debmar-Mercury co-president Ira Bernstein are engaged.
We’re told Bernstein popped the question last week in Southampton. “He got down on one bended knee and proposed at sunset after asking her father’s permission. He also asked permission from her 9-year-old nephew, Sebastian,” a source said.
The couple met at a 2017 conference in Miami and have been dating for two and a half years. This will be the second marriage for both.
Fadal is working on a follow-up to her 2015 book, “The New Single,” about divorce and starting over at 50.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Why Nets forward Joe Harris risking free agency payday to play in NBA restart

The Nets ’ chances of missing the playoffs have increased as ...

Joe Harris is an unrestricted free agent with no player option. For the Nets forward, taking part in the NBA restart is walking a tightrope toward the biggest payday of his career without a safety net.
Contracting COVID-19 or any major injury during the NBA’s restart could jeopardize that contract. But that jeopardy won’t give him a second thought about going to Orlando. If he’s cleared, he’s competing.
“It’s obviously stuff that you have to think about and discuss. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t like it was a difficult decision for me. I’m healthy. I’m going to play and finish out the season,” Harris said on a Thursday Zoom call.
“It’s obviously a different circumstance given everything that’s going on and the time off that we’ve had. But the way that I look at it is like, ‘All right, we have eight games left. This is the equivalent of Game 74 in the regular season.’ I wouldn’t take the last eight games off of the season just to get ready for free agency.”
Even with the pandemic suppressing the market, Harris’ next contract is expected to far eclipse the two-year, $16 million deal he’s finishing up. Washington’s Davis Bertans — another free-agent deadeye shooter — opted out of the restart over similar concerns. But despite discussions with agent Mark Bartelstein, Harris never considered going that route.
“Yes, for me, my situation was pretty simple,” Harris said. “Obviously you talk with your agent about it a little, but at the end of the day I didn’t really even think twice about it, so it wasn’t like I was really having discussions a lot. As long as I was healthy and feeling comfortable with the situation I’m going to go down and play.”
With Florida setting a COVID-19 mark with 10,100 new infections Thursday, there is reason for concern. But the worst part of the pandemic for Harris came at the start of the outbreak, for familial reasons.
“My mom [Alice] had been staying with me because she was diagnosed with cancer earlier in November, so she was doing a lot of her treatments here with Weill Cornell,” said Harris. “I was obviously worried to be around her when we’d initially come back from California just given the uncertainties around corona and how it affects people with compromised immune systems.
“For me, that would definitely be the worst period. Thankfully she is doing well from a health standpoint right now, but that was my biggest concern, and the worst period for me was just having to worry about all that initially.”
Harris is also thankful he stayed in Brooklyn throughout, with the COVID-19 cases falling sharply after April’s peak. A month later, Barclays Center became the epicenter for Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of George Floyd’s killing.
Since then, Harris has found himself engaging as a white ally on a diverse team. He discussed just that with Garrett Temple, both in private and on the Nets’ website multiple times in the past two weeks.
“Just being around somebody like Garrett where he’s just such a good communicator in general — but especially in regards to a lot of these social issues — he has a strong stance with how he feels,” Harris said. “He’s going to take the time to educate someone like myself that will never obviously be able to understand, but is wanting to educate and learn and trying to be better.
“Just the fact that we’ve had a lot of different discussions, you put yourself in vulnerable uncomfortable positions where we’re having these sort of similar discussions that we have in the locker room on an Instagram Live platform, just doing different things where we hope we can influence people and enact some sort of change and help create a level of education and understanding for different groups of people.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Bill de Blasio’s blatant anti-religious discrimination

Two Catholic priests and a trio of Orthodox Jews are ...

About a month after Mayor Bill de Blasio personally led a police raid on a Hasidic rabbi’s funeral in Brooklyn, which he portrayed as an intolerable threat in the era of COVID-19, New York’s mayor visited the same borough to address a tightly packed crowd of protesters who had gathered in response to George Floyd’s death. Far from ordering them to disperse in the name of public health, the unmasked mayor enthusiastically expressed solidarity with the demonstrators.
The contrast between de Blasio’s anger at Jewish mourners and his solicitude toward political protesters figures prominently in last Friday’s decision by a federal judge who deemed New York’s pandemic-inspired restrictions on religious gatherings unconstitutional. The ruling, which said COVID-19 control measures violate the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom when they draw arbitrary distinctions between religious and secular conduct, is a warning to politicians across the country as they loosen the sweeping restrictions they imposed in the name of flattening the curve.
“Something absolutely unacceptable happened in Williamsburg tonite,” de Blasio tweeted the day of the funeral raid. “When I heard, I went there myself to ensure the crowd was dispersed. And what I saw WILL NOT be tolerated so long as we are fighting the Coronavirus.”
De Blasio added: “My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed. I have instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups. This is about stopping this disease and saving lives. Period.”
But that period turned out to be a comma, followed by an exception for large outdoor gatherings promoting a cause that appealed to the mayor’s progressive instincts. As US District Judge Gary Sharpe noted when he issued an injunction against New York’s limits on religious services, both de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo actively encouraged the recent protests against police brutality.
Sharpe agreed with the plaintiffs — two Roman Catholic priests from upstate New York and three Orthodox Jews from Brooklyn — that de Blasio and Cuomo had created a de facto distinction between religious and political gatherings. He also noted explicit restrictions on religious activities that did not apply to secular activities posing similar risks of virus transmission.
The rules limited attendance at indoor church and synagogue services to 25 percent of capacity while allowing various businesses, including stores, offices, salons and restaurants, to operate at 50 percent of capacity and imposing no limit on special educational services. The state “specifically authorized outdoor, in-person graduation ceremonies of no more than 150 people” while imposing a 25-person limit on outdoor religious gatherings, including masses, funerals and weddings.
The Supreme Court has said neutral, generally applicable laws that happen to restrict religious activities are consistent with the First Amendment. But it also has said laws that impose special burdens on religious activities are subject to strict scrutiny, meaning they are unconstitutional unless they are narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest.
Sharpe concluded that New York’s rules were not generally applicable and could not pass the strict-scrutiny test. While that analysis seems straightforward, federal appeals courts have split on the question of whether state restrictions on religious services are neutral and generally applicable.
Last month, when the Supreme Court declined to issue an injunction against California’s restrictions, Chief Justice John Roberts dismissed the idea that the state was discriminating against houses of worship by applying special rules to them — a position that mystified the four dissenters. When churches, synagogues, mosques and temples are prepared to follow the same social distancing and hygiene rules that apply to other settings where people gather for extended periods of time, they thought, there is no rational basis for treating them differently.
Courts are understandably reluctant to second-guess state and local decisions about how best to deal with a contagious and potentially deadly disease. But this is one of the areas where the Constitution requires a less deferential approach.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Brooklyn US attorney leaving for top role at Justice Department

Brooklyn US Attorney Richard Donoghue is leaving his post at the Eastern District of New York for a high-level position at the Justice Department , his office said Thursday .
Donoghue will serve as top deputy to Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen .
Since taking up the job in 2018 , Donoghue ’ s team oversaw several convictions in trials that garnered global attention — including the prosecution of drug lord Joaquín “ El Chapo ” Guzman and Nxivm sex-cult founder Keith Raniere .
Donoghue informed his staff of his departure Thursday morning , Politico first reported .
A replacement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the top assistant attorney in the office , would be first in line to serve as acting US attorney .
Under his new DOJ title — principal associate deputy attorney general — Donoghue is expected to work with the country ’ s 93 US attorneys and bridge communication from central Justice Department offices in Washington , D.C. A U.S. Army veteran and graduate of St. John ’ s University School of Law , Donoghue joined the Eastern District in 2000 , working first as an assistant US attorney for a decade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its criminal division .
His departure comes shortly after his counterpart in Manhattan , Geoffrey Berman , was ousted .

Brooklyn US Attorney Richard Donoghue is leaving his post at the Eastern District of New York for a high-level position at the Justice Department, his office said Thursday.
Donoghue will serve as top deputy to Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen.
Since taking up the job in 2018, Donoghue’s team oversaw several convictions in trials that garnered global attention — including the prosecution of drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman and Nxivm sex-cult founder Keith Raniere.
Donoghue informed his staff of his departure Thursday morning, Politico first reported.
A replacement was not immediately announced. Mark Lesko, the top assistant attorney in the office, would be first in line to serve as acting US attorney.
Under his new DOJ title — principal associate deputy attorney general — Donoghue is expected to work with the country’s 93 US attorneys and bridge communication from central Justice Department offices in Washington, D.C.
A U.S. Army veteran and graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, Donoghue joined the Eastern District in 2000, working first as an assistant US attorney for a decade, and at one point serving as chief of its criminal division.
His departure comes shortly after his counterpart in Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman, was ousted.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--Zion Williamson looks ripped ahead of Pelicans’ NBA 2020 restart

Zion Williamson is doing all he can to ensure we see the best of him when the NBA restarts its season .
The Pelicans posted a picture of a slimmed-down and ripped version of their rookie big man to Twitter on Monday as New Orleans prepares to reopen its season against the Jazz on July 30 .
The former Duke star ’ s conditioning and overall fitness had come into question during the NBA summer league and again at the start of the season after working his way back from a knee injury .
Williamson , who is listed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have taken getting into shape – with the help of a family member – seriously after the league shut down in March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ It was very tough [ to stay in shape ] , because even now you still don ’ t know what ’ s fully going on with that situation , ” Williamson said during a Zoom call on Thursday .
“ But me and my stepdad just found different ways to stay in condition , on-court , off-court , just wherever we could find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court with his stepdad every day and laughed when asked where he was working out .
Williamson , who turns 20 on Monday , could not do so at the Pelicans facility at the time because of NBA guidelines .
“ I can ’ t tell you all my secrets , man , ” said Williamson , who was averaging 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds over 19 games .
His improved physique certainly impressed his teammates , as well as his game .
“ I think body-wise , he looks amazing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He looks good .
His shot looks better than it has in a while .
He ’ s been putting the work in , and that ’ s great to see.
” The Pelicans go to the NBA restart in Orlando with the chance to challenge the Grizzlies or the No .
8 seed in the West along with Portland , Sacramento and San Antonio .

Zion Williamson is doing all he can to ensure we see the best of him when the NBA restarts its season.
The Pelicans posted a picture of a slimmed-down and ripped version of their rookie big man to Twitter on Monday as New Orleans prepares to reopen its season against the Jazz on July 30. The former Duke star’s conditioning and overall fitness had come into question during the NBA summer league and again at the start of the season after working his way back from a knee injury. Williamson, who is listed at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, appears to have taken getting into shape – with the help of a family member – seriously after the league shut down in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It was very tough [to stay in shape], because even now you still don’t know what’s fully going on with that situation,” Williamson said during a Zoom call on Thursday. “But me and my stepdad just found different ways to stay in condition, on-court, off-court, just wherever we could find it.”
He said he was on the court with his stepdad every day and laughed when asked where he was working out. Williamson, who turns 20 on Monday, could not do so at the Pelicans facility at the time because of NBA guidelines.
“I can’t tell you all my secrets, man,” said Williamson, who was averaging 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds over 19 games.
His improved physique certainly impressed his teammates, as well as his game.
“I think body-wise, he looks amazing,” forward Josh Hart said. “He looks good. His shot looks better than it has in a while. He’s been putting the work in, and that’s great to see.”
The Pelicans go to the NBA restart in Orlando with the chance to challenge the Grizzlies or the No. 8 seed in the West along with Portland, Sacramento and San Antonio.


newyorkpost--2020-07-02--The New York Times’ outrageous, arrogant hypocrisy on who gets to be ‘anonymous’

How exactly does The New York Times decide who gets to remain anonymous ?
Our question is prompted by its move to reveal the full name of an anodyne blogger — threatening serious disruption of his life — apparently just because it can .
The blog is The Slate Star Codex , written by a Bay Area psychiatrist who shares only his first and middle names , Scott Alexander .
For years , he ’ s written on a smattering of topics , from psychiatry and pharmacology to tribalism in the era of social media and Marxism ’ s failings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on proved prescient about the course of the coronavirus , which is what prompted a Times reporter to come calling — and announce that the story would reveal his full name , because that ’ s the paper ’ s rule .
Which prompted Alexander to kill the whole thing , taking down all past posts because , as a practicing psychiatrist , he can ’ t have patients reviewing those writings .
The only post still up is “ NYT Is Threatening My Safety By Revealing My Real Name , So I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The paper recently reported on a personality from the socialist podcast Chapo Trap House while using only his pseudonym , Virgil Texas , and even granted anonymity to one of the ’ casters ’ girlfriends .
Heck , it ’ s run anonymous opinion pieces , such as the self-declared senior Trump official who claimed he/she and several like-minded colleagues were trying to thwart the president ’ s agenda .
The paper ’ s rationale : The writer ’ s job “ would be jeopardized.
” Alexander shares that fear , that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a liability than an asset and let me go , which would leave hundreds of patients in a dangerous situation as we tried to transition their care.
” Not to mention , “ I ’ ve received various death threats .
I had someone on an anti-psychiatry subreddit put out a bounty for any information that could take me down.
” The Times ’ standard , Alexander tells us , means “ the only people who can [ safely ] express opinions or participate in civil society are people getting paid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” — or those allowed anonymity by the pros .
We hear this case is the subject of a hot internal Times debate .
Let ’ s hope the forces of supreme arrogance lose out .

How exactly does The New York Times decide who gets to remain anonymous? Our question is prompted by its move to reveal the full name of an anodyne blogger — threatening serious disruption of his life — apparently just because it can.
The blog is The Slate Star Codex, written by a Bay Area psychiatrist who shares only his first and middle names, Scott Alexander. For years, he’s written on a smattering of topics, from psychiatry and pharmacology to tribalism in the era of social media and Marxism’s failings as a science.
His posts early on proved prescient about the course of the coronavirus, which is what prompted a Times reporter to come calling — and announce that the story would reveal his full name, because that’s the paper’s rule.
Which prompted Alexander to kill the whole thing, taking down all past posts because, as a practicing psychiatrist, he can’t have patients reviewing those writings. The only post still up is “NYT Is Threatening My Safety By Revealing My Real Name, So I Am Deleting The Blog.”
Hmm. The paper recently reported on a personality from the socialist podcast Chapo Trap House while using only his pseudonym, Virgil Texas, and even granted anonymity to one of the ’casters’ girlfriends.
Heck, it’s run anonymous opinion pieces, such as the self-declared senior Trump official who claimed he/she and several like-minded colleagues were trying to thwart the president’s agenda. The paper’s rationale: The writer’s job “would be jeopardized.”
Alexander shares that fear, that “my clinic would decide I am more of a liability than an asset and let me go, which would leave hundreds of patients in a dangerous situation as we tried to transition their care.” Not to mention, “I’ve received various death threats. I had someone on an anti-psychiatry subreddit put out a bounty for any information that could take me down.”
The Times’ standard, Alexander tells us, means “the only people who can [safely] express opinions or participate in civil society are people getting paid to do that, i.e., professional journalists” — or those
allowed anonymity by the pros.
We hear this case is the subject of a hot internal Times debate. Let’s hope the forces of supreme arrogance lose out.