newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Inside Rysheed Jordan’s fight for basketball redemption after prison

Attempted murder is just one of many serious criminal charges ...

Rysheed Jordan’s mind would go racing. He couldn’t help it. He was in prison, locked up. There was so much time to think, and he always seemed to wind up in the same place.
How did I get here?
How did the top high school player in Pennsylvania, “The Prince of North Philly,” as he was known, wind up behind bars after being charged with attempted murder? How did everything go so wrong? How did such a bright future — some felt an NBA future — become a cautionary tale?
“It didn’t feel real,” he said recently in a sit-down interview with The Post. “Sitting behind bars, your dreams are just crushed. You’re thinking to yourself, ‘Wow, I’m a waste of talent.’”
It’s been four months since Jordan was released from prison, but that depressing feeling still pushes him, along with the memory of his beloved mother, Amina Robinson, and desire to make a better life for his large family. He’s trying to remake his shattered life, playing with the semi-professional Camden Monarchs of the ABA before the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic in the hope of jump-starting his career. He has given several motivational talks to high school and middle-school students about his regrets, imploring young people from his hometown of Philadelphia not to make the same mistakes he made.
Jordan, now 25, said prison changed him. He matured and grew up. Those closest to him echo that sentiment.
“I think he’s onto something, and I’m hoping and praying for him,” said Kamal Yard, one of Jordan’s mentors and his longtime AAU coach. “He has a plan and it seems like he wants to execute it.”
At the time of Jordan’s commitment to St. John’s in April 2013, he was considered an elite prospect, a five-star recruit ranked No. 17 in his class by ESPN. The 6-foot-4 uber-athletic point guard initially committed to UCLA, but when coach Ben Howland was fired, he wound up choosing the Johnnies over hometown Temple. Jordan took the road less traveled in high school, staying at Robert Vaux, a small public high school in Philly’s North Central neighborhood, when so many inner-city stars would leave for posh prep schools. He led Vaux to the 2012-13 Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Athletics Association (PIAA) Class A state championship, the school’s first such title, and was the PIAA Player of the Year after averaging 24.8 points, 6.1 rebounds 4.3 assists and 3.3 steals per game.
“In high school, this was a kid I saw get 50, 60 points in a game, torch the nets from all angles,” Steve Lavin, St. John’s coach at the time, said during his sophomore year in Queens. “He’s someone that can score in a variety of ways.”
He was heralded by some as the best St. John’s recruit since Felipe Lopez and was voted the Big East preseason Rookie of the Year, expected to help take the program to a new level. Lavin said his talent entering college reminded him of former NBA star Baron Davis, who played for him at UCLA, in the way he could impact both ends of the floor. But in two seasons, Jordan never quite put it all together, averaging 12 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 42.7 percent from the field.
There were off-the-court issues, such as a homophobic tweet, a suspension for violating team rules and a leave of absence during his sophomore year. Lavin shielded him from the media. He talked just once, during the 2015 NCAA Tournament, as mandated by the NCAA.
The summer before his freshman year, while Jordan was in France with St. John’s for a preseason tour, one of his close friends, Aaron McDaniels, was killed by a police officer in a car chase in Philadelphia. Two weeks later, his mother was hospitalized, and he returned home.
That same season, Jordan’s aunt, Niaja Kane, was murdered while he was playing in a game at Villanova. He was frequently going home to Philadelphia, doing his best to take care of his ill mother and his large family while keeping up with his responsibilities at St. John’s.
“There were times he would have uneven performances and a lot of that had to do with the shouldering of trying to be the leader of his family,” Lavin said in a phone interview. “He performed remarkably well for us when you consider the number of challenges that were in play with his life during that period.”
Jordan was admittedly “all over the place” his two years in Queens. He said his head wasn’t on straight. During his interview with The Post, he owned failing to live up to the sky-high expectations. Looking back, Jordan doesn’t regret going to St. John’s, even if it allowed him to fall into bad habits by being so close to home. He remains close with several members of his former team and the coaching staff, speaking to or text-messaging with many of them daily. Lavin visited him while he was behind bars and remains a part of his life, several years after coaching him.
“He never left my side. That shows a lot about him,” Jordan said. “What Coach said when he first recruited me was that they’re a family. He really meant that.”
Still, Jordan admits, maybe his life would have been different if he stuck with UCLA, if his home wasn’t only a few hours away.
“If I was out in Cali, chances are I would [have] been what I was supposed to be,” he said.
Life began to take a wrong turn following his sophomore year. Lavin was let go, replaced by Chris Mullin. Jordan initially thought it was best to move on. But three weeks later, he had a change of heart. By that time, he had fallen behind academically. He skipped finals and also missed the cutoff date to enter the NBA draft.
He wound up getting selected fifth overall in the NBA D-League (now G-League) draft by the Delaware 87ers, but only played in 11 games before getting released. He admits he was hanging around with the wrong people, putting himself in bad situations. On June 1, 2016, Jordan was arrested for the first time in his life. A May 27 stickup gone wrong outside the Athletic Recreation Center in Philadelphia led to a man being shot twice in the arm. Jordan was seen on video surveillance running toward the scene of the crime and admitted to the police it was him on the tape. According to police reports, Jordan and two others attempted to rob two victims who were there to buy marijuana, and shots were fired. He faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Instead, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, robbery and possession of a firearm for a reduced sentence and served 3 ¹/₂ years at State Correctional Institution at Laurel Highlands in Somerset, Pa.
“I just pleaded guilty, because who knows how long it would take?” he said. “I probably would still be in jail fighting the case. I know I needed to be home.”
Jordan insisted he merely ran into a few friends and wound up in the wrong place at the wrong time, that it happened in a flash. Still, he wouldn’t give up any of his friends. He did the time without breaking.
“It’s the way I was brought up,” he said. “You stand on your own 10 toes.”
Since getting out, Jordan had made some needed changes. He was spending most of his time with family and a few friends with their heads on straight before the coronavirus pandemic has limited social interaction. He was working out twice a day and speaking to kids about the wrong choices he made. His cousin, Porsha Moore, said he has left behind the entourage that would lead to trouble. He doesn’t just talk about doing the right thing. So far, he is acting on it. When they talk, Lavin believes Jordan understands there is a long road ahead, telling him he can only go one day at a time and is focused on making the right decisions.
“He’s determined to right his wrong,” Moore said.
It began as soon as he was released. Jordan spent his second free day at Mathematics, Civics, and Sciences Charter School. He offered his story, described how his life had gone wrong. At these talks, he doesn’t bring prepared notes. He prefers to speak from the heart, hoping it will impact another life, help someone else avoid the missteps that have befallen him. He has discussed his own regret, about being a follower, not valuing what was important.
“Each one I almost cried literally,” said the Rev. Stan Laws, the Monarchs coach who along with team owner Giovanni Thompson has helped Jordan set up speaking engagements. “It’s just heart-wrenching to hear his story.”
“It almost functions as a therapy session for him,” Yard, Jordan’s AAU coach, said.
Prison was difficult on its own. It grew increasingly harder on July 15, 2019, the day his mother passed away from heart problems. The two talked every day when he was away in prison, and she routinely made the long trek to visit him. He thought it was a nightmare, unable to be by her side for her last breaths. Jordan didn’t attend the funeral, preferring to stay locked up because of the grief. When he started suiting up with the Monarchs, he wrote the day of her death, 7-15-19, on his sneakers. Her memory, what she wanted him to accomplish — make a career out of his passion and support his six younger siblings — remains with him.
“Every day I wake up, that’s my motivation,” he said.
Joining the Monarchs was the first step, at the suggestion of Laws. The two have known each other since Jordan was in middle school and Laws had kept in contact when he was behind bars.
Thompson was in favor of bringing him in. She bought the team to offer young men like Jordan second chances. He instantly became the team’s best player, averaged 33.0 points, 11.3 assists, 8.9 rebounds and 5.6 steals in five games, and helped boost ticket sales. He made $150-$200 per game and earned additional money for the amount of tickets he personally sold. Before the season was cut short, his travel restrictions were lifted locally, allowing him to go to road games, and a few teams overseas had expressed interest. That could be the next step, as long as Jordan can continue to prove he’s rehabilitated, to play overseas or in the G-League.
“There’s no way in the world I should be coaching this young man,” Laws said.
To Jordan, it was a perfect starting point. Friends and family members could see him play, as he worked himself into shape, and most importantly, he would be on a basketball court again. The first game was emotional. He had nerves. It had been almost four years since his last organized game.
“I really couldn’t believe it,” he said.
The major question is how long will this last. Has Jordan matured? Can he stay on the right path? Even Yard admitted he’s still in the honeymoon phase, when freedom is new, and everyone is happy to have him back.
Bad habits can be easy to fall back into. The challenge, Jordan acknowledged, is keeping the right company. That means his family. That means Yard. That means Laws and Thompson. That means relying on Lavin and his St. John’s family.
“Surround yourself with positive people, people who want the best for you,” Jordan said.
His self-confidence remains high. He talks in certainties, not possibilities. He still plans on reaching the NBA one day. Making a better life for his family. Being someone who kids growing up in Philadelphia can look up to one day.
“I wouldn’t let myself get back to [where I was], because I know what it’s going to lead me back to,” he said. “I stay away.”
He’ll come home and see his brothers watching his old highlight clips sometimes. Jordan will watch with them on occasion. It doesn’t make him sad. It serves as further fuel. There will be new highlights to come. The way he sees it, it’s all part of his story that has yet to be fully written.
“I was up at one point,” he said, “I fell and I’m still fighting to get back to where I was.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--DC mayor threatens jail time for leaving home during coronavirus

The annual flowering of cherry trees is bringing joy — ...

WASHINGTON — Mayor Muriel Bowser is threatening residents of Washington, DC, with 90 days in jail and a $5,000 fine if they leave their homes during the coronavirus outbreak.
The threat of jail is alarming residents and civil libertarians who point out that at least five inmates tested positive for COVID-19 in the city’s 1,700-inmate jail near Capitol Hill.
“Our message remains the same: stay home,” Bowser, a Democrat, said in a statement Monday. The stay-home order has exceptions for grocery shopping and work deemed essential. Outdoor recreation such as running is allowed, but cannot involve people outside of a household.
The order is similar to dictates in neighboring Maryland and Virginia, but shocked residents of Washington, where there are just 401 of the nation’s 160,000 confirmed cases.
“This is insane. Criminal penalties?” tweeted Mercedes Schlapp, President Trump’s former White House director of strategic communications and an adviser to his re-election campaign.
Monica Hopkins, executive director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia, told The Post “we would be deeply concerned” if anyone actually was arrested for violating the order.
“When we saw this order, we thought, ‘You want to send them where?'” Hopkins said. “People being arrested for that causes all sorts of problems that are antithetical to the goals of lessening the virus.”
The ACLU of DC filed a lawsuit Monday seeking the appointment of an expert to help depopulate the city’s only jail of elderly, health-compromised and non-violent inmates. Many inmates are awaiting trial.
The labor union representing DC jail officers — a part of the Fraternal Order of Police — voted “no confidence” this month against Department of Corrections leaders over safety conditions to prevent spread of the virus.
Because DC courts are operating in a limited capacity due to the virus, it’s unclear when arrested people would be able to be released, Hopkins said.
“What we would hope for is voluntary compliance with the stay-at-home order and discretion on the part of officers to break those sort of things up and send people home,” Hopkins said.
DC’s Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately provide answers to The Post about enforcement, including whether residents would be issued warnings for a first offense. The city has a 6,500-person homeless population.
Trump said at a Monday evening press conference at the White House that federal officials are allowing local autonomy.
“We’re letting the governors do in their state pretty much what they want, with our supervision, and they consult with us in all cases,” Trump said.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--NYC sees a coronavirus death every 2.9 minutes in horrific six-hour stretch

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The coronavirus death toll in New York City surged to 914 on Monday afternoon , accelerated by six hellish hours that saw the tally spike by 124 — or one death every 2.9 minutes .
As of a 10:30 a.m. update from City Hall , the five boroughs had seen 36,221 confirmed cases of the contagion , with 790 confirmed fatalities .
But by 4:30 p.m. , the number of cases had ticked up to 38,087 — while the deaths exploded to 914 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more than 38,000 cases , 7,741 patients , or about 20 percent , are hospitalized , the statistics show .
Queens remains the hardest hit borough by a sizable margin , with 12,756 cases , or just over a third .
Brooklyn ( with 10,171 cases ; 27-percent ) comes in second , followed by The Bronx ( 6,925 ; 18-percent ) , Manhattan ( 6,060 ; 16-percent ) and Staten Island ( 2,140 ; six-percent ) .
Monday ’ s horrifying leap followed a similar period on Sunday in which 98 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing earlier Monday , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo reported that the Empire State as a whole had been hit by 66,497 diagnoses , with 1,218 deaths .

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The coronavirus death toll in New York City surged to 914 on Monday afternoon, accelerated by six hellish hours that saw the tally spike by 124 — or one death every 2.9 minutes.
As of a 10:30 a.m. update from City Hall, the five boroughs had seen 36,221 confirmed cases of the contagion, with 790 confirmed fatalities.
But by 4:30 p.m., the number of cases had ticked up to 38,087 — while the deaths exploded to 914, according to City Hall.
Of the more than 38,000 cases, 7,741 patients, or about 20 percent, are hospitalized, the statistics show.
Queens remains the hardest-hit borough by a sizable margin, with 12,756 cases, or just over a third.
Brooklyn (with 10,171 cases, 27 percent) comes in second, followed by The Bronx (6,925, 18 percent), Manhattan (6,060, 16 percent) and Staten Island (2,140, 6 percent).
Monday’s horrifying leap followed a similar period on Sunday in which 98 deaths were logged.
Related Video Disturbing footage shows dead bodies loaded onto truck outside Brooklyn hospital
During a press briefing earlier Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported that the Empire State as a whole had been hit by 66,497 diagnoses, with 1,218 deaths.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Coronavirus shuts down mail service for some Greenwich Village residents

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Neither snow nor rain , sure — but even the US Postal Service is having trouble persevering when it comes to the coronavirus .
Some Manhattan residents served by a Greenwich Village post office told The Post on Monday that they haven ’ t received their mail — including medicine and checks — for the past week thanks to the contagion taking out much of the center ’ s staff .
“ I went over on Friday , I walked over there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ’ said Leila Mustachi , who lives about a mile from the post office at 201 Varick St. “ They said a third of their work force is out — a lot are out sick — and they couldn ’ t tell us anything , ’ ’ she lamented .
“ They said the mail was sitting around in bins and it hasn ’ t been sorted , just laying around , and they don ’ t know when it will be ready.
” She and other older residents fretted about being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive and pay by mail .
Lou Bullock , an 87-year-old local veteran , said , “ I normally get my medicines and my vitamin supplements .
“ I haven ’ t gotten anything ’ ’ since last week , he said .
Resident Marlene Nadler added , “ It ’ s a really bad situation .
People are not getting checks or medicine that goes by mail.
” She said that when she recently called the post office , they said only nine out of 61 employees are working because of illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family members , such as their children .
A worker at the office told The Post on Monday , “ We try to deliver mail every day .
We welcome people to come pick it up .
“ We don ’ t have the manpower right now .
It ’ s a national emergency.
” By early afternoon , there was a line of 12 to 15 customers trying to pick up their mail .
“ I said , ‘ Well , it can ’ t be five days in a row that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m expecting a check , so I came down here to find out what was wrong , and they said , ‘ Get in line , ’ so that ’ s what I ’ m doing , ” said Melinda Bruno , 65 .
Evelyn Polesny , 48 , said , “ I didn ’ t realize we were going to have to stand there in that enclosed space with no air ventilation for 15 minutes .
… I feel like it turned out to be a very unsafe situation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said of the postal workers , “ I understand .
They ’ re humans , too .
“ Everybody ’ s scared .
… It ’ s frustrating I had to come here , but people are sick , so I get it.
” Some residents are pleading with their local pols , including US Rep. Jerry Nadler and state Sen. Brad Hoylman , to help alleviate the mail-delivery hold-ups .
“ It ’ s a tough situation , ” Hoylman told The Post .
“ We understand postal workers are on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be resolved , because what ’ s worrisome is the very people the federal government is telling to stay home are many of the individuals who depend on the mail in this kind of crisis for their financial and medical well-being.
” A rep for Nader said USPS officials acknowledged there is a “ severe staffing shortage ” at the West Village office and promised to send workers over from less busy sites to try to get the mail back flowing .
A USPS spokesman told The Post in a statement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its available resources to meet the local workload on a day-to-day basis .
“ We thank our customers for their patience , and our employees for their efforts , in these unprecedented days .
”

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Neither snow nor rain, sure — but even the US Postal Service is having trouble persevering when it comes to the coronavirus.
Some Manhattan residents served by a Greenwich Village post office told The Post on Monday that they haven’t received their mail — including medicine and checks — for the past week thanks to the contagion taking out much of the center’s staff.
“I went over on Friday, I walked over there, I’m 86 years old,’’ said Leila Mustachi, who lives about a mile from the post office at 201 Varick St.
“They said a third of their work force is out — a lot are out sick — and they couldn’t tell us anything,’’ she lamented. “They said the mail was sitting around in bins and it hasn’t been sorted, just laying around, and they don’t know when it will be ready.”
She and other older residents fretted about being late on their bills, which they receive and pay by mail.
Lou Bullock, an 87-year-old local veteran, said, “I normally get my medicines and my vitamin supplements.
“I haven’t gotten anything’’ since last week, he said.
Resident Marlene Nadler added, “It’s a really bad situation. People are not getting checks or medicine that goes by mail.”
She said that when she recently called the post office, they said only nine out of 61 employees are working because of illness or they have to take care of family members, such as their children.
A worker at the office told The Post on Monday, “We try to deliver mail every day. We welcome people to come pick it up.
“We don’t have the manpower right now. It’s a national emergency.”
By early afternoon, there was a line of 12 to 15 customers trying to pick up their mail.
“I said, ‘Well, it can’t be five days in a row that nobody is sending me junk mail.’ I’m expecting a check, so I came down here to find out what was wrong, and they said, ‘Get in line,’ so that’s what I’m doing,” said Melinda Bruno, 65.
Evelyn Polesny, 48, said, “I didn’t realize we were going to have to stand there in that enclosed space with no air ventilation for 15 minutes. … I feel like it turned out to be a very unsafe situation.”
But local businessman Arthur Curcuru, 38, said of the postal workers, “I understand. They’re humans, too.
“Everybody’s scared. … It’s frustrating I had to come here, but people are sick, so I get it.”
Some residents are pleading with their local pols, including US Rep. Jerry Nadler and state Sen. Brad Hoylman, to help alleviate the mail-delivery hold-ups.
“It’s a tough situation,” Hoylman told The Post. “We understand postal workers are on the front lines, but this needs to be resolved, because what’s worrisome is the very people the federal government is telling to stay home are many of the individuals who depend on the mail in this kind of crisis for their financial and medical well-being.”
A rep for Nadler said USPS officials acknowledged there is a “severe staffing shortage” at the West Village office and promised to send workers over from less busy sites to try to get the mail back flowing.
A USPS spokesman told The Post in a statement, “The Postal Service continues to flex its available resources to meet the local workload on a day-to-day basis.
“We thank our customers for their patience, and our employees for their efforts, in these unprecedented days.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Presley Gerber steps out with new girlfriend Sydney Brooke

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 ) Presley Gerber debuted his new girlfriend , model Sydney Brooke , as they were put to work on the Gerber family business amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Presley , the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber , beamed as he stepped out with Brooke outside his dad ’ s popular restaurant Café Habana in Malibu on Saturday .
The male model — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Misunderstood ’ tattooed on his face — painted signs to let customers know that the cafe was still open for take out .
A source told Page Six : “ Cafe Habana decided to stay open in this time to serve the community and help our employees .
Giving back is the right thing to do.
” Rande is also the co-owner of billion-dollar tequila brand Casamigos , which also has its HQ in Malibu .
Presley posted a photo of him and Brooke on Instagram , writing : “ We work @ @ @ @ @

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Presley Gerber debuted his new girlfriend, model Sydney Brooke, as they were put to work on the Gerber family business amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Presley, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, beamed as he stepped out with Brooke outside his dad’s popular restaurant Café Habana in Malibu on Saturday.
The male model — who hit the headlines after recently having ‘Misunderstood’ tattooed on his face — painted signs to let customers know that the cafe was still open for take out.
A source told Page Six: “Cafe Habana decided to stay open in this time to serve the community and help our employees. Giving back is the right thing to do.”
Rande is also the co-owner of billion-dollar tequila brand Casamigos, which also has its HQ in Malibu.
Presley posted a photo of him and Brooke on Instagram, writing: “We work together … literally.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Babbel discounts subscriptions up to 50% off language app

NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links .
Babbel is making @ @ @ @ @ new language with its latest flash sale .
The popular language-learning platform is taking up @ @ @ @ @ subscriptions .
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newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Kaapo Kakko’s stubbornness is blocking potential Rangers greatness

VANCOUVER , British Columbia — Strangely enough , of all the cities ...

Part 9 in a series analyzing the New York Rangers
All apples are fruit, but that does not mean that all fruit are apples. I learned that many, many years ago taking a Logic course. Happily I am able to apply that education here when I tell you that all great hockey players have a stubborn streak, but that does not mean that all players with a stubborn streak are great.
Introducing, Kaapo Kakko.
So much of the conversation about the 2019 second-overall pick in the draft focused on his spot in the lineup, his linemates, his minutes and whether he should have been shoehorned into a top-six role, ready or not. There was also much talk about the difficulties confronting a teenager from Finland attempting to make the transition not only to the NHL, but to a foreign country with a foreign language.
No doubt these external factors proved meaningful through Kakko’s rookie season, but No. 24’s obstinance became a self-made obstacle that he was unable to overcome on a consistent basis. Kakko dominated in Finland by holding onto the puck as long as possible. He would take the puck to the net, he would circle the net, he would beat a couple of men on one side, dangle a bit, then beat the same two guys again en route to a highlight-reel goal.
He was very much an individualistic — as opposed to, selfish — player, able to go one-on-one with results that were overwhelmingly positive. That was a function of the league and of the big ice, though Kakko did dominate on the small ice of the 2018-19 World Juniors in Buffalo, albeit against teenagers. The NHL is not a league of teenagers.
The more Kakko tried to play it his way, the more his tendency to double down. He would hold onto the puck too long in slowing it down. He’d make his patented move to the net, beat one man, maybe even a second, but then would lose the puck to a third opponent, or maybe the initial defender who had circled back. Kakko believed he could make the league bend to him. One day, maybe. Last year, not.
When Kakko played with pace and moved the puck quickly, he was a much more effective offensive player. Indeed, the rookie seemed to get it late in the season in becoming a more dynamic and diversified player. There is no shame in adapting.
The Rangers have had 15 Finnish-born players throughout their history, but Kakko was the lone Finn on the squad this season. I was always surprised the team didn’t add another one to the roster in order to aid Kakko’s transition to his new life. But no.
By the way, Kakko ranks fifth in both goals and points on the all-time list of Finnish-born Rangers with 10 goals and 23 points. Reijo Ruotsalainen tops the chart with 99 goals and 316 points with Mikko Leinonen (31-77-108), Esa Tikkanen (25-42-67) and Raimo Helminen (12-24-36) next in line. Next year: the Helminen Watch.
Mike Bossy was not a Finn and did not play for the Rangers. But he was as stubborn a rookie as I have covered. He could afford to be. He scored 53 goals.
Kakko did pick it up the two or so weeks leading into the March 12 coronavirus-induced shutdown. He had more jump in his step and played more of a give-and-go, dart-to-open-spaces game. He was more effective. And David Quinn gave some thought to moving Kakko into a top-six role in the absence of the injured Chris Kreider.
But there was no improvement at the other end of the ice, where Kakko’s struggles were measurably worse. Not sure if a lack of awareness or of attention was the primary issue, but the winger was on for 40 goals-against at five-on-five, second most to Pavel Buchnevich’s 44 among New York forwards. Problem is that Buchnevich played 170 more minutes than Kakko. Beyond that, Buchnevich was on for 54 Rangers goals, a plus-10 while Kakko was on for 16 goals for and was a minus-24.
You may not think plus-minus matters. Let me tell you, minus-24 playing for a team that was plus-seven at full strength, it matters. Kakko’s GF percentage of 28.57 was the worst in the NHL among the 215 forwards with at least 750 minutes at five-on-five. The three next worst were all Red Wings.
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Listen, Kakko wants to be great. No, he expects to be great. He spent the year beating himself up because he could not attain that standard. It was painful for everyone. But there is time for Kakko to grow and there may be a top-six opening for him to grab if Jesper Fast departs.
Kakko has the tools. Everyone in the hockey world was not wrong about him last year. He is talented and driven.
And stubborn.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Udemy discounts courses up to 95% off for flash sale

NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links .
Do you want @ @ @ @ @ knowledge or finally accomplish that goal of learning web development ?
Then you ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ Udemy ’ s latest flash sale , which is packed with over 100,000 online courses @ @ @ @ @ , you can get up to 95 % off popular classes like project management , @ @ @ @ @ .
The classes are priced as low as $ 10.99 .
And you will have @ @ @ @ @ your purchase on the Udemy website and app .
So give a look through all @ @ @ @ @ to offer and get ready to learn some amazing new skills .

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.
Do you want to sharpen your Microsoft Office knowledge or finally accomplish that goal of learning web development?
Then you’ll be excited to browse through Udemy’s latest flash sale, which is packed with over 100,000 online courses.
During the two-day sale, you can get up to 95% off popular classes like project management, coding, and even drawing.
The classes are priced as low as $10.99.
And you will have lifetime access to the courses your purchase on the Udemy website and app.
So give a look through all the online courses Udemy has to offer and get ready to learn some amazing new skills.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Software developer for Brooklyn DA’s office arrested after caught waving gun

A software developer employed by the Brooklyn District Attorney ’ s Office was arrested Monday morning after he was caught @ @ @ @ @ , law enforcement sources said .
Matthew Barton was busted after midnight when police officers @ @ @ @ @ precinct happened to come across him wielding the weapon , sources said .
Barton , @ @ @ @ @ NYPD body camera footage for the DA ’ s office , the sources said .
@ @ @ @ @ , according to sources .

A software developer employed by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office was arrested Monday morning after he was caught by cops waving a gun, law enforcement sources said.
Matthew Barton was busted after midnight when police officers from Brooklyn’s 88 precinct happened to come across him wielding the weapon, sources said.
Barton, a Missouri native, reviews NYPD body camera footage for the DA’s office, the sources said.
Charges against him are pending, according to sources.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Listen to Episode 4 of ‘Amazin But True’: Who Replaces Syndergaard? feat. Jim Breuer

It ’ s time for a brand-new episode of the “ Amazin ’ But True ” podcast with former Met Nelson Figueroa and me .
We open the show reacting to the big news that Noah Syndergaard will miss the 2020 season after needing Tommy John surgery and won ’ t be back until sometime during the 2021 season .
How will Syndergaard ’ s injury impact the Mets ?
Does he throw too hard and work out too hard before the season ?
What will the starting rotation look like without him ?
Figgie and I also share our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tradition my dad and I have of going to the Mets home opener together — this would have been our 18th straight .
Figgie looks back to memorable openers in his big-league career , including when he got cheered and Aaron Heilman got booed right after him at Shea .
NY Post baseball columnist Ken Davidoff drops by to talk about Syndergaard ’ s injury , who will replace him , his Opening Day memory and how the shortened baseball season could work out .
Comedian and rabid Mets fan Jim Breuer then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of ground , talking about what he ’ s doing now , playing wiffleball in his backyard , how he became a Mets fan , his favorite Opening Day memory coming in 2015 , his Mets game-reaction videos taking off , playing at fantasy camp and what he thinks of the current team .
We also play a little Mets trivia with him .
He was stumped .
Subscribe to “ Amazin ’ But True ” on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts .
New episodes drop Mondays @ @

It’s time for a brand-new episode of the “Amazin’ But True” podcast with former Met Nelson Figueroa and me. We open the show reacting to the big news that Noah Syndergaard will miss the 2020 season after needing Tommy John surgery and won’t be back until sometime during the 2021 season.
How will Syndergaard’s injury impact the Mets? Does he throw too hard and work out too hard before the season? What will the starting rotation look like without him? Figgie and I also share our Opening Day memories. I share the tradition my dad and I have of going to the Mets home opener together — this would have been our 18th straight. Figgie looks back to memorable openers in his big-league career, including when he got cheered and Aaron Heilman got booed right after him at Shea.
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NY Post baseball columnist Ken Davidoff drops by to talk about Syndergaard’s injury, who will replace him, his Opening Day memory and how the shortened baseball season could work out.
Comedian and rabid Mets fan Jim Breuer then joins the pod. Breuer covers a lot of ground, talking about what he’s doing now, playing wiffleball in his backyard, how he became a Mets fan, his favorite Opening Day memory coming in 2015, his Mets game-reaction videos taking off, playing at fantasy camp and what he thinks of the current team. We also play a little Mets trivia with him. He was stumped.
Catch up on all episodes of “Amazin’ But True,” a New York Mets podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Accused meth dealer cuts off ankle monitor after he’s spared jail over coronavirus

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An accused meth dealer who became a poster boy for dodging jail because of the coronavirus epidemic has been locked up — after cutting off his ankle monitor within a day of catching the break , The Post has learned .
Rasedur Raihan lucked out on March 12 when a federal judge found it was a “ relatively easy call ” not to send him to Brooklyn ’ s Metropolitan Detention Center for a house arrest violation he committed while awaiting trial on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied a prosecutor ’ s request to jail Raihan , saying that packing a nonviolent drug offender into MDC would present a “ risk to the community.
” In the weeks since , Orenstein ’ s ruling became widely cited in defense attorneys ’ requests to let their clients await trial in home confinement while the COVID-19 outbreak rages on .
But a law enforcement source told The Post that , just hours after Raihan left Brooklyn federal court , he cut off his ankle monitor .
The next day , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge — Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom , who ordered Raihan to be detained .
The US Attorney ’ s Office in Brooklyn declined to comment on the case .
Raihan ’ s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

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An accused meth dealer who became a poster boy for dodging jail because of the coronavirus epidemic has been locked up — after cutting off his ankle monitor within a day of catching the break, The Post has learned.
Rasedur Raihan lucked out on March 12 when a federal judge found it was a “relatively easy call” not to send him to Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center for a house arrest violation he committed while awaiting trial on drug charges.
Magistrate Judge James Orenstein denied a prosecutor’s request to jail Raihan, saying that packing a nonviolent drug offender into MDC would present a “risk to the community.”
In the weeks since, Orenstein’s ruling became widely cited in defense attorneys’ requests to let their clients await trial in home confinement while the COVID-19 outbreak rages on.
But a law enforcement source told The Post that, just hours after Raihan left Brooklyn federal court, he cut off his ankle monitor.
The next day, he was back in court but before a new judge — Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom, who ordered Raihan to be detained.
The US Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn declined to comment on the case. Raihan’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Coronavirus disrupting Blake Martinez’s transition to Giants

The next time will be the first time for Blake Martinez , making this the most challenging time to be an NFL free agent heading to a new team .
The new Giants inside linebacker has never set foot inside the team facility and there is a good chance he will not see his new headquarters until late this summer .
Staying home and working remotely is the new normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Social distancing and learning all there is to know when changing teams — from the playbook to the personalities of your new teammates to where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are diametrically opposed practices that Martinez , after four years with the Packers , must navigate during this most unusual Giants indoctrination .
“ It will be a decent disadvantage for me , ’ ’ Martinez said Monday .
“ Because I think you grow a lot even just working out as a team , running as a team , you grow that camaraderie of like , ‘ OK , this guy next to me is working his butt off to get better and it ’ s helping the team.
’ That will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ’ Perhaps Martinez can overcome some of this by leaning on one of his great strengths .
He said he has experience learning remotely based on how information was disseminated while he played at Stanford .
Maybe his smarts can make up for the lack of physical interaction that is going to define the NFL landscape this spring and likely into training camps .
“ It will be a big advantage to guys able to pick up things quickly , take good notes , understand what the coach is telling him without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those things , ’ ’ Martinez said .
Martinez signed a three-year , $ 30 million deal from the weight room he and his father , Marc — the owner of a construction company — recently completed at the family home in Tucson , Ariz .
This is a stroke of good fortune for Martinez , given that players around the league are having to scramble to find places to work out .
Martinez helped his father lay the foundation for the athletic complex , which includes a living area , full weight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was weirdly at a perfect time just because we have to be quarantined , so I ’ m basically quarantined in a weight room , ’ ’ Martinez said .
Martinez did not miss a game or a start the past three years for the Packers .
He had a few other options in free agency but said coming to the Giants was “ kinda a no-brainer for me.
’ ’ He holds Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham in high regard from the 2018 season spent together in Green Bay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a young team , allowing the core to build together .
There was a brief phone conversation with his new head coach , Joe Judge , and discussions with Graham , inside linebacker coach Kevin Sherrer and other Giants personnel .
The team sent him a Microsoft tablet containing all the Giants ’ games from last season .
Even in a normal offseason , Martinez would not be allowed to receive any material for the 2020 season until the Giants start their offseason program .
That would have been April 6 but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far as social gatherings , with all team facilities shut down .
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag “ Kind of in limbo right now , ’ ’ Martinez said .
“ Just working out .
Kind of waiting for the next steps within the virus protocol of what we ’ re allowed to do.
’ ’ Martinez has not shared a meeting room or a field with any of the Giants linebackers , other than Kyler Fackrell , another former Packers player signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets to look his new teammates in the eyes will be via a computer screen .
He has no idea when he will actually get to meet them in person .
“ It will be weird not to be able to sit in the same room and get to know each other that way , ’ ’ Martinez said .
“ I think the coaches are setting up a good regimen to allow us to thrive in that kind of environment.
’ ’ Soon enough , Martinez figures he will “ meet ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Use interesting ways to have fun and interact without having to be with each other , ’ ’ he said .
“ Whether it ’ s playing video games or chatting on a Zoom call or a Skype call , getting to know each other and kind of bond that way so when we do step in the facility the first time it ’ s not something that ’ s like , ‘ Oh hey , I ’ m Blake , ’ or whatever it ends up being .
’ ’

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The next time will be the first time for Blake Martinez, making this the most challenging time to be an NFL free agent heading to a new team.
The new Giants inside linebacker has never set foot inside the team facility, and there is a good chance he will not see his new headquarters until late this summer. Staying home and working remotely is the new normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing and learning all there is to know when changing teams — from the playbook to the personalities of your new teammates to where the heck the cafeteria is located — are diametrically opposed practices that Martinez, after four years with the Packers, must navigate during this most unusual Giants indoctrination.
“It will be a decent disadvantage for me,’’ Martinez said Monday. “Because I think you grow a lot even just working out as a team, running as a team, you grow that camaraderie of like, ‘OK, this guy next to me is working his butt off to get better and it’s helping the team.’ That will be a big disadvantage, just relationship-wise.’’
Perhaps Martinez, 26, can overcome some of this by leaning on one of his great strengths. He said he has experience learning remotely based on how information was disseminated while he played at Stanford. Maybe his smarts can make up for the lack of physical interaction that is going to define the NFL landscape this spring and likely into training camps.
“It will be a big advantage to guys able to pick up things quickly, take good notes, understand what the coach is telling him without having being able to take reps in those things,’’ Martinez said.
Martinez signed a three-year, $30 million deal from the weight room he and his father, Marc — the owner of a construction company — recently completed at the family home in Tucson, Ariz. This is a stroke of good fortune for Martinez, given that players around the league are having to scramble to find places to work out. Martinez helped his father lay the foundation for the athletic complex, which includes a living area, full weight room, turf field and basketball court.
“It was weirdly at a perfect time just because we have to be quarantined, so I’m basically quarantined in a weight room,’’ Martinez said.
Martinez did not miss a game or a start the past three years for the Packers. He had a few other options in free agency, but said coming to the Giants was “kinda a no-brainer for me.’’ He holds Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham in high regard from the 2018 season spent together in Green Bay, and he likes that the Giants are a young team, allowing the core to build together.
There was a brief phone conversation with his new head coach, Joe Judge, and discussions with Graham, inside linebacker coach Kevin Sherrer and other Giants personnel. The team sent him a Microsoft tablet containing all the Giants’ games from last season. Even in a normal offseason, Martinez would not be allowed to receive any material for the 2020 season until the Giants start their offseason program. That would have been April 6, but the entire league is on hiatus, as far as social gatherings, with all team facilities shut down.
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
“Kind of in limbo right now,’’ Martinez said. “Just working out. Kind of waiting for the next steps within the virus protocol of what we’re allowed to do.’’
Martinez has not shared a meeting room or a field with any of the Giants linebackers, other than Kyler Fackrell, another former Packers player signed this month. The first time he gets to look his new teammates in the eyes will be via a computer screen. He has no idea when he will actually get to meet them in person.
“It will be weird not to be able to sit in the same room and get to know each other that way,’’ Martinez said. “I think the coaches are setting up a good regimen to allow us to thrive in that kind of environment.’’
Soon enough, Martinez figures he will “meet’’ the other linebackers via cyberspace.
“Use interesting ways to have fun and interact without having to be with each other,’’ he said. “Whether it’s playing video games or chatting on a Zoom call or a Skype call, getting to know each other and kind of bond that way so when we do step in the facility the first time it’s not something that’s like, ‘Oh hey, I’m Blake,’ or whatever it ends up being.’’


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--St. Patrick’s Cardinal Dolan now calling parishioners personally

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 ) New York — always , forever , no matter what — the greatest city on Earth .
Greatest talents , greatest population , greatest attractions .
Plus , The Hand That Feeds Us Is Divine gave us the planet ’ s greatest cardinal .
Timothy Cardinal Dolan — who usually works St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral — is also temporarily unemployed .
His workplace is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saints are showing up .
However , since we can ’ t go to him , he ’ s getting to us .
His Eminence is working the phones .
Himself is personally ringing the flock .
Finding his own numbers , making his own calls .
And the familiar voice : “ This is Cardinal Dolan.
” Plain and as simple as your electrologist on the line confirming an appointment .
“ People are now in need .
I want to be in touch with everyone , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s why I was put here .
And it ’ s what I ’ m trying to do.
” Like lying around Central Park in July , Jimmy Fallon built a backyard tent for homebound “ Tonight Show ” …Elton John owns a dozen homes .
He ’ s stuck in one with no piano … Mo Rocca rediscovering jigsaw puzzles … Big sales loss ?
Perfume .
Could be everything about this stinks .
Iceland .
We only have 300,000 people .
Nobody ’ s ever that close .
Ireland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a row .
No problem .
Rome ’ s Hassler hotel ( where Audrey Hepburn and Tom Cruise stayed — not with each other ) has a Michelin-starred recipe for shrimp pasta — 300 grams of gobetti shrimp , 400 grams of cardoncelli mushrooms .
Lotsa luck finding it at Gristedes .
Berlin ’ s Adlon invited medical personnel to overnight free once the crisis eases .
And the Orania emptied its kitchens , leaving food out for the needy .
Heckfield Place in Hampshire , England ( where Harry and Meghan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corona Basher cocktail and spritzes of Clove Campari Spray that possibly smell better than those semi-royals .
Right now hotel guests are maybe no-nos .
Animals are yes-yes .
Ashford Castle has Ireland ’ s oldest falconry school .
Two dozen birds still nosh filet mignon morsels .
Dingle the owl continues his daily mice snacks .
With Crovan and Garvin , not sure — but being giant wolfhounds doesn ’ t figure they ’ re going hungry .
Pennsylvania ’ s Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is shut to guests , but their lion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Icelandic sheep all book for lunch .
Dr. Ramon Tallaj , founder of SOMOS Community Care , has deployed 2,400 doctors to NYC ’ s front lines to assist EMS workers , nurses , MDs , the military and health-care providers .
Not charging .
Pro bono .
Dr. Tallaj ’ s own $ 175K went for gowns , masks , equipment and meals .
Celebs who know him , like Eva Longoria , Marc Anthony , Benicio Del Toro , are lauding him .
We should , too .
Southampton ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pause .
A couple brought their own silverware , wine , water , glasses and gloves for waiters .
“ Then would not pay full price for dinner because they brought everything , ” said Hampton Sheet ’ s Joan Jedell .
“ The lady said because of the crisis it should be free of charge .
So they asked her to pay their rent because that , too , is now a crisis .
“ To his face this lady then told Zach Erdem to go work somewhere else because ‘ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolated , reading a book about Bambi , this guy said : “ She ’ d do anything for a buck.
” Only in New York , kids , only in New York .

New York — always, forever, no matter what — the greatest city on Earth. Greatest talents, greatest population, greatest attractions. Plus, The Hand That Feeds Us Is Divine gave us the planet’s greatest cardinal.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan — who usually works St. Patrick’s Cathedral — is also temporarily unemployed. His workplace is empty. Forget sinners, not even saints are showing up. However, since we can’t go to him, he’s getting to us. His Eminence is working the phones.
Himself is personally ringing the flock. Finding his own numbers, making his own calls. And the familiar voice: “This is Cardinal Dolan.” Plain and as simple as your electrologist on the line confirming an appointment.
“People are now in need. I want to be in touch with everyone,” he said. “That’s our mission. That’s why I was put here. And it’s what I’m trying to do.”
Homebodies
Like lying around Central Park in July, Jimmy Fallon built a backyard tent for homebound “Tonight Show” …Elton John owns a dozen homes. He’s stuck in one with no piano … Mo Rocca rediscovering jigsaw puzzles … Big sales loss? Perfume. Could be everything about this stinks.
Telling overseas tales & tails
Global reactions to the 6-feet-apart rule.
Iceland. We only have 300,000 people. Nobody’s ever that close.
Ireland. That’s 18 glasses of Guinness in a row. No problem.
Rome’s Hassler hotel (where Audrey Hepburn and Tom Cruise stayed — not with each other) has a Michelin-starred recipe for shrimp pasta — 300 grams of gobetti shrimp, 400 grams of cardoncelli mushrooms. Lotsa luck finding it at Gristedes.
Berlin’s Adlon invited medical personnel to overnight free once the crisis eases. And the Orania emptied its kitchens, leaving food out for the needy.
Heckfield Place in Hampshire, England (where Harry and Meghan once played potsy), has a Corona Basher cocktail and spritzes of Clove Campari Spray that possibly smell better than those semi-royals.
Right now hotel guests are maybe no-nos. Animals are yes-yes. Ashford Castle has Ireland’s oldest falconry school. Two dozen birds still nosh filet mignon morsels. Dingle the owl continues his daily mice snacks. With Crovan and Garvin, not sure — but being giant wolfhounds doesn’t figure they’re going hungry.
Pennsylvania’s Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is shut to guests, but their lion, tiger, white Bengal tiger and Icelandic sheep all book for lunch.
Dr. Awesome
Dr. Ramon Tallaj, founder of SOMOS Community Care, has deployed 2,400 doctors to NYC’s front lines to assist EMS workers, nurses, MDs, the military and health-care providers. Not charging. Pro bono. Dr. Tallaj’s own $175K went for gowns, masks, equipment and meals. Celebs who know him, like Eva Longoria, Marc Anthony, Benicio Del Toro, are lauding him. We should, too.
Eats out East
Southampton’s 75 Main restaurant, before the big pause. A couple brought their own silverware, wine, water, glasses and gloves for waiters. “Then would not pay full price for dinner because they brought everything,” said Hampton Sheet’s Joan Jedell. “The lady said because of the crisis it should be free of charge. So they asked her to pay their rent because that, too, is now a crisis.
“To his face this lady then told Zach Erdem to go work somewhere else because ‘We know the owner well.’
“ZACH IS THE OWNER!”
Home, isolated, reading a book about Bambi, this guy said: “She’d do anything for a buck.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell tells Americans to read Bible at corona briefing

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WASHINGTON — MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell went wildly off-script during a White House coronavirus task force briefing from the Rose Garden — calling on Americans to read the Bible and find God during quarantine .
The mustachioed friend of President Trump was invited to speak at Monday ’ s briefing to announce he had joined the effort to produce critically needed face masks , churning out up to 50,000 masks a day by this Friday at one of his converted pillow factories .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lindell , who is known for the ubiquitous cable ads for his pillows , asked Trump if he could deliver some “ off the cuff ” remarks which turned out to be a religious sermon .
“ God gave us grace on Nov. 8 , 2016 to change the course we were on , ” Lindell said , referring to the day Trump won office .
“ God had been taken out of our schools and lives , a nation had turned its back on God .
“ I encourage you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in the word , read our Bibles and spend time with our families , ” he added before touting low unemployment and a roaring economy under Trump .
“ With our great president , vice president , the administration and all the great people in this country praying daily , we will get through this and get back to a place that ’ s stronger and safer than ever , ” he finished .
A stunned Trump then thanked Lindell before ushering him off the Rose Garden stage .
“ I did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
He ’ s a friend of mine and I appreciate that , ” Trump said .

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WASHINGTON — MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell went wildly off-script during a White House coronavirus task force briefing from the Rose Garden — calling on Americans to read the Bible and find God during quarantine.
The mustachioed friend of President Trump was invited to speak at Monday’s briefing to announce he had joined the effort to produce critically needed face masks, churning out up to 50,000 masks a day by this Friday at one of his converted pillow factories.
But at the end of his remarks, Lindell, who is known for the ubiquitous cable ads for his pillows, asked Trump if he could deliver some “off the cuff” remarks which turned out to be a religious sermon.
“God gave us grace on Nov. 8, 2016 to change the course we were on,” Lindell said, referring to the day Trump won office. “God had been taken out of our schools and lives, a nation had turned its back on God.
“I encourage you to use this time at home to get back in the word, read our Bibles and spend time with our families,” he added before touting low unemployment and a roaring economy under Trump.
“With our great president, vice president, the administration and all the great people in this country praying daily, we will get through this and get back to a place that’s stronger and safer than ever,” he finished.
A stunned Trump then thanked Lindell before ushering him off the Rose Garden stage.
“I did not know he was going to do that. He’s a friend of mine and I appreciate that,” Trump said.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--‘Torn from the Headlines’ unravels haunting ‘Baby Hope’ mystery

Roman Reigns talked for the first time about not appearing ...

Everyone in the city had seen her face — yet for more than two decades, no one knew her name.
The anonymous child, dubbed “Baby Hope” by NYPD detectives, became the subject of a haunting police sketch after her emaciated, naked and battered body was found stuffed in a dirty cooler along with soda cans off the Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan in the summer of 1991.
The case shook Gotham to its core and remained unsolved till a stunning breakthrough 22 years later — a fascinating story that is now the subject of the latest installment of the true-crime TV series “TORN FROM THE HEADLINES: NEW YORK POST REPORTS,” which airs at 10 p.m. ET on Monday on the Investigation Discovery channel.
When the child’s body was discovered, even the most hardened city cops couldn’t help being touched by the atrocity of it all. Police Department detectives arranged a proper burial for the murder victim in a Bronx cemetery, erecting a head stone with “Baby Hope’’ etched on it. One of their wives bought a white dress for the little girl to wear in her coffin.
But the years frustratingly came and went without a break in the case.
Then in October 2013, as The Post exclusively reported, a tipster had seen a flier about the case that the cops had re-released on the anniversary of the discovery of Baby Hope’s body — and came forward to say she heard the girl’s sister talk about the child.
“Baby Hope” would soon have a name: Anjelica Castillo.
Anjelica’s sister, now in her 20s, told cops she remembered traveling to Mexico with her father years ago, while her mother and Angelica stayed behind.
Detectives tracked down Angelica’s mom to Washington Heights, where they used a ruse to get her to lick an envelope to get a sample of her DNA to test it against Angelica’s.
It was a match.
The mom claimed to investigators that her then-4-year-old daughter disappeared with her husband in 1991 and that she didn’t go to cops because her spouse was abusive.
But investigators learned that the little girl had been dumped on Queens relatives — including her cousin, Conrado Juarez, a sick 52-year-old Greenwich Village restaurant dishwasher who eventually confessed to trying to rape the little girl and then smothering her when she attempted to scream. Juarez said he stuffed the child’s body in the cooler and tossed it off the side of the highway.
Another of Anjelica’s sisters later told The Post that the sketch of her tragic sibling was the spitting image of herself as a child.
“I wish I would have gotten the chance to meet her,’’ said the sister, Laurencita “Lorena” Ramirez, 27.
In an emotional ceremony at St. Raymond’s Cemetery in The Bronx in November 2013, an inscription was etched under “Baby Hope’’ on the child’s headstone: “Identified in 2013 as Anjelica Castillo.’’
But the solving of the case didn’t bring much joy to former lead Detective Jerry Giorgio, who had retired before it was closed.
“She was better off dead, I’m sorry to say,’’ he told The Post, noting the tortured life that Angelica had lived in her four short years on Earth.
Juarez ended up becoming sick and dying in jail in November 2018 while awaiting trial, a police source told The Post at the time.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Roman Reigns addresses pulling out of WWE’s WrestleMania 36

Roman Reigns has pulled out of WrestleMania .
The WWE superstar ...

Roman Reigns talked for the first time about not appearing at WrestleMania 36 and hinted it could be because of concerns over more than his own personal health.
The 34-year-old Reigns, whose real name is Joe Anoa’I, has battled leukemia and is immunocompromised, putting him at greater risk if he contracts COVID-19. It was reported last week that he pulled out of WWE’s biggest show and will not wrestle Bill Goldberg for Universal Championship because of coronavirus health concerns. He expanded on that in a video posted to his Instagram account on Monday.
“All you know is what you think. ‘Oh, well his health’ and this and that, but … you don’t know what else is going on in my life,” Reigns said. “You don’t know if I have newborns. You don’t know if I have family in my household, older family. So yeah, like the old saying, man … go and flip that cover open and read a few pages, get into a few chapters before you really start running your mouth. And just take this time to better yourself, be present and make the most out of this.”
Reigns announced in February 2019 that he was in remission.
WWE is broadcasting WrestleMania 36, originally slated for Raymond James Stadium, over April 4-5 and holding matches at multiple closed-set locations – including its Performance Center in Orlando, Fla. – with only essential personnel to adhere to the CDC’s coronavirus guidelines. The majority of the WrestleMania 36 matches have been taped as WWE put an advance recording schedule into place before Orlando issued a stay-at-home order in response to coronavirus that will close all non-essential businesses in the city for two weeks, according to Variety. Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will host WrestleMania 36.
Reigns was part of the “Friday Night SmackDown” without fans two weeks ago, but has not appeared on WWE television since. Him not being at WrestleMania 36 has not yet been addressed in storyline and no replacement has been announced, but one is expected.
“For all my fans, I’m sorry I didn’t get to compete this year and put on a show and entertain … but sometimes things are more important and I had to make a choice for me and my family,” Reigns said in the video. “No matter what, you already know the deal, man. I made the town, you know what I mean? I made it to Orlando. And I had to make a decision for me.”
Triple H, WWE’s executive vice president, global talent strategy and development, addressed Reigns pulling out WrestleMania 36 in an interview on SportsCenter on Sunday, but did not want to get into details. He noted that WWE is taking “as much safety precaution as we can.”
“All of our talent are in this in a voluntary capacity,” Triple H said. “So right at the get go, if they don’t want to be a part of this, if they feel there’s a risk — for whatever reason, be it themselves or somebody around them — they don’t have to be here and there will… nothing is held against them for that. Same with our crew and everybody else. But we don’t want to take chances on that, and with Roman having a pre-existing condition that would make him more susceptible to something, it’s understandable.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Lawyers file suit for release of over 530 ‘vulnerable’ prisoners from Brooklyn jail

An inmate jailed in New York City ’ s Metropolitan Detention Center ...

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Public defenders have filed a lawsuit to demand the immediate release of nearly 540 “medically vulnerable” prisoners from Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center to prevent them from falling victim to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawyers for MDC inmates allege that the facility’s warden has identified 537 prisoners out of the roughly 1,700 housed there as having an elevated risk of catching the bug.
The attorneys are “deeply concerned that our clients will be exposed, sickened, or potentially face serious illness or death because of MDC’s inadequate and slow response to this public health crisis, and its lack of medical facilities,” Deidre von Dornum of the Federal Defenders of New York wrote in court papers.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of four MDC inmates, the prisoners are not being given hand sanitizer, must use toilet paper to blow their noses and are given only one small bar of soap each week.
MDC staff has left the task of sanitizing common areas but are not being provided with cleaning supplies, the suit charges.
Meanwhile, new prisoners are still being brought to the MDC in Sunset Park and are screened by taking their temperatures and asked if they have recently traveled abroad.
The Federal Defenders claim in the lawsuit that MDC have struggled with past crises — they cite the extended lockdown at the facility in winter 2019 following a blackout that left inmates without heat.
There have been eight confirmed coronavirus cases among federal inmates in New York, the US Bureau of Prisons reported on Monday on its website.
One of those cases turned up in MDC and three inmates at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Correctional Center tested positive.
The inmates’ attorneys allege in the lawsuit that four MDC staff members have also come down with coronavirus.
The bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--Uncle Joe Biden’s big coronavirus headache and other commentary

Joe Biden is “ struggling to adapt ” to the pandemic ’ s effect on the presidential race , Douglas Schoen observes at The Hill .
Biden ’ s “ greatest strength , ” after all , lies in connecting with voters by “ traveling all around the country , speaking to voters at rallies and of course shaking hands , ” which he can ’ t do during the outbreak , while his “ only messages to supporters ” have been “ low-quality videos from his house in Delaware.
” Meanwhile , President Trump ’ s approval ratings “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenger Bernie Sanders still “ plans to stay in the race ” and Biden ’ s campaign has “ a deficit of important fundraising.
” Unless the ex-veep can “ come out as a forceful voice of reason and competence ” in the coming weeks , his path to the White House will be “ far from certain.
” The “ stalled economy we ’ ve inflicted on ourselves in our frantic efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic ” may “ lead to civil disorder , ” warns J.D .
Tuccille in Reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commerce , after all , lets us “ meet demand for food , clothing , shelter , ” “ keep people alive ” and , in this case , “ distribute the medicine and medical supplies we need to battle COVID-19.
” Thus , Gov .
Cuomo ’ s seemingly “ fine and noble ” claim to prize public health over the economy actually shows “ disdain for the activities that make fighting the pandemic possible — and that keep social unrest at bay.
” Unlike Cuomo , “ public-health professionals ” are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When “ forecasters expect the US unemployment rate in the months to come to surpass that seen during the depths of the Great Depression , ” at least they ’ re being realistic .
Former Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn , who died Saturday at age 72 , “ battled the prostate cancer that felled him the same way he battled big spenders and spineless politicians in Washington , ” mourns National Review ’ s John Fund : “ with cheerful , unrelenting persistence.
” Coburn spent six years in the House of Representatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve no more than three terms , ” and “ returned to Washington as a senator in 2004 , ” quickly becoming “ notorious for calling out senators for their secrecy.
” Despite his “ unyielding conservatism , ” he worked across the political aisle in his “ relentless crusade ” for transparency and “ against pork-barrel spending.
” While many Americans think politicians in the mold of Jimmy Stewart ’ s “ brave senator ” in “ Mr .
Smith Goes to Washington ” never existed , Fund says , “ Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
RIP .
Jay Electronica ’ s “ A Written Testimony ” is “ the most brilliant and aggravating ” album of 2020 , writes Tablet ’ s Armin Rosen , thanks to its inclusion of the words of “ notorious anti-Semite ” Louis Farrakhan .
On the album , the Nation of Islam leader is heard asking , “ Who are the real children of Israel ?
” and answering that it ’ s “ the black people of America.
” Jay ’ s own lyrics , too , make clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as in the line , “ [ Prayers ] up for the honorable Louis Farrakhan.
” It ’ s tragic , because Jay ’ s “ skills are basically limitless .
He is the total artist , a multilingual lyrical athlete ” and “ a vocal dynamo.
” Still , no one is “ under any obligation to tolerate Jay Elec.
” Boosting Farrakhan not long after a “ deadly string of attacks on Jews ” would require “ substantial apology and reflection ” to rectify .
From the right : Remember the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taught us anything , ” muses The Spectator USA ’ s Freddy Gray , it ’ s that caring for the home front “ is one of the most important things human beings can do.
” So why do we try to “ knock such traditional notions ” as being a mother “ out of little girls ’ brains ” ?
In reality , we “ need mothers now more than ever.
” Gray thanks his own wife , Taffeta , who has “ risen magnificently to the challenge posed by the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children .
Some may claim he is “ gender-stereotyping here , ” but the truth is that women have always been “ good with the children , ” able to be “ patient or loving or kind.
” Once the crisis is past , “ perhaps we should applaud mothers every day .
”

Campaign desk: Uncle Joe’s Big Corona Headache
Joe Biden is “struggling to adapt” to the pandemic’s effect on the presidential race, Douglas Schoen observes at The Hill. Biden’s “greatest strength,” after all, lies in connecting with voters by “traveling all around the country, speaking to voters at rallies and of course shaking hands,” which he can’t do during the outbreak, while his “only messages to supporters” have been “low-quality videos from his house in Delaware.” Meanwhile, President Trump’s approval ratings “have actually been rising,” primary challenger Bernie Sanders still “plans to stay in the race” and Biden’s campaign has “a deficit of important fundraising.” Unless the ex-veep can “come out as a forceful voice of reason and competence” in the coming weeks, his path to the White House will be “far from certain.”
Libertarian: Beware Social Unrest
The “stalled economy we’ve inflicted on ourselves in our frantic efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic” may “lead to civil disorder,” warns J.D. Tuccille in Reason. That’s no surprise: Commerce, after all, lets us “meet demand for food, clothing, shelter,” “keep people alive” and, in this case, “distribute the medicine and medical supplies we need to battle COVID-19.” Thus, Gov. Cuomo’s seemingly “fine and noble” claim to prize public health over the economy actually shows “disdain for the activities that make fighting the pandemic possible — and that keep social unrest at bay.” Unlike Cuomo, “public-health professionals” are taking “economic collapse” seriously. When “forecasters expect the US unemployment rate in the months to come to surpass that seen during the depths of the Great Depression,” at least they’re being realistic.
Conservative: Mr. Coburn Went to Washington
Former Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, who died Saturday at age 72, “battled the prostate cancer that felled him the same way he battled big spenders and spineless politicians in Washington,” mourns National Review’s John Fund: “with cheerful, unrelenting persistence.” Coburn spent six years in the House of Representatives, “fulfilling a campaign promise to serve no more than three terms,” and “returned to Washington as a senator in 2004,” quickly becoming “notorious for calling out senators for their secrecy.” Despite his “unyielding conservatism,” he worked across the political aisle in his “relentless crusade” for transparency and “against pork-barrel spending.” While many Americans think politicians in the mold of Jimmy Stewart’s “brave senator” in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” never existed, Fund says, “Tom Coburn was living proof” that they do. RIP.
Hate watch: Jay Elec’s Ugly Ode to Farrakhan
Jay Electronica’s “A Written Testimony” is “the most brilliant and aggravating” album of 2020, writes Tablet’s Armin Rosen, thanks to its inclusion of the words of “notorious anti-Semite” Louis Farrakhan. On the album, the Nation of Islam leader is heard asking, “Who are the real children of Israel?” and answering that it’s “the black people of America.” Jay’s own lyrics, too, make clear his “Farrakhan admiration” — such as in the line, “[Prayers] up for the honorable Louis Farrakhan.” It’s tragic, because Jay’s “skills are basically limitless. He is the total artist, a multilingual lyrical athlete” and “a vocal dynamo.” Still, no one is “under any obligation to tolerate Jay Elec.” Boosting Farrakhan not long after a “deadly string of attacks on Jews” would require “substantial apology and reflection” to rectify.
From the right: Remember the Moms
“If this health crisis has taught us anything,” muses The Spectator USA’s Freddy Gray, it’s that caring for the home front “is one of the most important things human beings can do.” So why do we try to “knock such traditional notions” as being a mother “out of little girls’ brains”? In reality, we “need mothers now more than ever.” Gray thanks his own wife, Taffeta, who has “risen magnificently to the challenge posed by the coronavirus,” teaching and nursing their three children. Some may claim he is “gender-stereotyping here,” but the truth is that women have always been “good with the children,” able to be “patient or loving or kind.” Once the crisis is past, “perhaps we should applaud mothers every day.”
— Compiled by Karl Salzmann & Adam Brodsky


newyorkpost--2020-03-30--FDA urged to let women get abortion drugs by mail during coronavirus crisis

The FDA is being urged to let women receive abortion-inducing drugs through the mail amid the coronavirus rather than have to leave their homes to get them .
“ While any woman who wants to go into a doctor ’ s office or into a clinic today and get an abortion should continue to be able to do so , control over one ’ s reproductive freedom should not be limited to those able to leave their homes as we battle the coronavirus , ” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement Monday — echoing a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law-enforcement officials to the FDA urging an easing-up of restrictions .
No woman should be “ forced to risk her life while exercising her constitutional right to an abortion , ” James said — as states around the country , including New York , are in various degrees of lockdown amid the deadly pandemic .
The AGs wrote a letter to the federal Department of Health & Human Services chief Alex Azar , as well as FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn , demanding a loosening of what they call “ onerous and medically unnecessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to the abortion drug known as RU-486 .
The prescription drug , called Mifpristone , involves women taking two medicines to bring about an abortion .
But to obtain it , women currently must get it at a doctor ’ s office , clinic or hospital while also signing a “ patient agreement ” saying they have been warned of risks associated with it .
The AGs said in their letter that women shouldn ’ t have to leave home amid the virus to get the drugs .
Using “ telehealth ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prescription process with a health professional by phone or computer and then being mailed the drugs — should be enough , they said .
The authorities said time is of the essence , particularly considering that politicians in some states , including Texas and Ohio , are now claiming that abortions fall under “ nonessential ” healthcare and would take a back seat to other medical issues .
The FDA , which is an agency of HHS , did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post .

The FDA is being urged to let women receive abortion-inducing drugs through the mail amid the coronavirus rather than have to leave their homes to get them.
“While any woman who wants to go into a doctor’s office or into a clinic today and get an abortion should continue to be able to do so, control over one’s reproductive freedom should not be limited to those able to leave their homes as we battle the coronavirus,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement Monday — echoing a letter sent by her and 20 other top law-enforcement officials to the FDA urging an easing-up of restrictions.
No woman should be “forced to risk her life while exercising her constitutional right to an abortion,” James said — as states around the country, including New York, are in various degrees of lockdown amid the deadly pandemic.
The AGs wrote a letter to the federal Department of Health & Human Services chief Alex Azar, as well as FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, demanding a loosening of what they call “onerous and medically unnecessary” current restrictions on women’s access to the abortion drug known as RU-486.
The prescription drug, called Mifpristone, involves women taking two medicines to bring about an abortion.
But to obtain it, women currently must get it at a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital while also signing a “patient agreement” saying they have been warned of risks associated with it.
The AGs said in their letter that women shouldn’t have to leave home amid the virus to get the drugs. Using “telehealth” — or going through the approval and prescription process with a health professional by phone or computer and then being mailed the drugs — should be enough, they said.
The authorities said time is of the essence, particularly considering that politicians in some states, including Texas and Ohio, are now claiming that abortions fall under “nonessential” healthcare and would take a back seat to other medical issues.
The FDA, which is an agency of HHS, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post.


newyorkpost--2020-03-31--Netflix’s ‘Tiger King’ prompts sheriff to seek leads in cold case

If you ’ re looking for a new show to take your ...

A Florida sheriff is scratching for new leads in a 23-year-old missing person case — thanks to the popular Netflix series “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.”
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister turned to the show in a search for clues into what happened to Jack “Don” Lewis, who disappeared in 1997, with some viewers of the true crime drama wondering if he was murdered, according to NBC News.
The show centers around the life of Joseph Exotic, an imprisoned Oklahoma zookeeper who planned a murder-for-hire plot against Lewis’ wife, Carole Baskin, an animal rights activist and owner of Tampa’s Big Cat Rescue.
Baskin — who ran the wildlife sanctuary with Lewis before he vanished — plays a major role as Exotic’s nemesis in the seven-part series, which offers several theories about the case, including that she fed her hubby to the tigers.
Among the other theories was that the multimillionaire was shoved off a plane over the Gulf of Mexico or that he ended up in Costa Rica, where Baskin has said he was going to transport vehicles with her help.
His van was found at a private airport in Pasco County, but he has left no trace of his whereabouts.
“Since @netflix and #Covid19 #Quarantine has made #TigerKing all the rage, I figured it was a good time to ask for new leads,” Chronister said in a tweet.
Baskin, who has since remarried, has denied rumors of her involvement in Lewis’ disappearance and has never been charged.
“Don was not easy to live with and like most couples, we had our moments,” she wrote in a blog. “But I never threatened him and I certainly had nothing to do with his disappearance.”
Related Video Shaquille O’Neal addressed his appearance on Netflix’s “Tiger King”
Baskin and her current husband, Howard, also said the producers tricked them into believing the series would be about stopping the abuse of big cats.
“As far as I can tell, their only goal was to make something as inflammatory and salacious as possible so that Netflix would pay them millions for it,” Howard said in a video posted on Big Cat Rescue’s Facebook page, according to ABC Action News.


newyorkpost--2020-03-31--Man found his own Mt. Rushmore on this mountain

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This guy definitely “peaked.” Watch the amazing moment a man in Switzerland found what appeared to be his face on the side of a mountain. “We passed by the mountain, and I just noticed that it looked like a face,” said Nico Meier, 38, after lining up his profile to match his snowy doppelgänger.
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newyorkpost--2020-03-31--Why Pharrell is tone-deaf

Why Pharrell is tone-deaf

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Multimillionaire Pharrell Williams gets slammed for asking people to donate to hospitals .
Drake ’ s all in his feelings about his family , and shares the first photos of his son .
And Mark Wahlberg and Mario Lopez are bro-ing out at the gym while we ’ re quarantined with our Goya-can weights .
Pharrell Williams blasted for asking fans to donate to hospitals Pharrell Williams was hit with a backlash after asking his fans to donate to hospitals amid the coronavirus pandemic this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ followers , “ Hospitals are running low on masks , gowns , and other critical items .
We need to replenish their supplies .
Take action , make a donation , and ask others to join the fight .
We ’ re in this together .
Let ’ s protect the responders on the frontlines.
” But fans clapped back with responses pointing out his wealth — said to be as high as $ 150 million — amid increasing unemployment .
“ Imagine asking the people who most likely are being laid off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could just get your fellow celebs to raise money , ” said one Twitter user .
Another wrote , “ So lem me get this straight .
You are asking the millions of Americans who may not have a job right now to donate ?
!
You ’ re asking people who have an avg HOUSEHOLD income of less than $ 55,000 to donate ?
” Noting that his enormous Beverly Hills house is up for sale for $ 17 million , another wrote , “ You literally live in a community college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eats and you ’ re asking US TO DONATE !
?
!
?
” Drake shares photos of son Adonis for first time : ‘ Miss my beautiful family ’ Drake has shared photos of his son Adonis for the first time .
The 33-year-old rapper posted the pictures of his blond-haired , blue-eyed son on Instagram early Monday alongside a lengthy caption telling followers to “ connect ” to their “ inner light.
” It was first reported in 2018 that Drake had secretly fathered a child with ex-porn star Sophie Brussaux @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you right now is to connect to your own inner light .
This will create the biggest opening of all , ” Drake wrote in his new Instagram post .
“ Trust that you have all of the power within to make this happen , and in order to do that connect to the people and things that bring you a lot of joy .
Drake also included photos of his own parents and a photo of himself with Adonis and Adonis ’ mother .
“ When the mind starts to move into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right away to something bright .
It doesn ’ t matter what has happened in the past or what is happening around us now , ” Drake continued , perhaps alluding to the fact that he first concealed the fact that he had a son , “ you can always make the choice to break free of the wheel of suffering and panic and open up to your own light.
” The “ God ’ s Plan ” performer encouraged everyone to be conscious of “ fears coming in from others ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re ever feeling alone .
“ I love and miss my beautiful family and friends and I can ’ t wait for the joyful day when we are all able to reunite , ” Drake , who previously tested negative for coronavirus , ended his essay .
“ Until then please keep your lights on.
” Mark Wahlberg and Mario Lopez joined the long list of celebrities who have spoken out in recent weeks , urging fans to stay at home and self-isolate as a means to stop the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” actor and “ Access Hollywood ” host were quickly accused of hypocrisy after they each posted clips from a joint workout at a gym in Los Angeles while thousands of their viewers remained under quarantine at home .
In a video posted to Instagram on Thursday , Lopez filmed himself and Wahlberg inside an F45 training facility while touting the workout as one anyone can do in their apartments or backyards without equipment .
“ Everyone ’ s pretty much been cooped up in their home for the last couple of weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since we don ’ t know when this is going to end , we need to stay active , not just for your physical health but for your mental health , ” Lopez said in the video .
“ That gazelle right there ?
My boy , Mark , we ’ re staying six feet away .
This place we ’ re at right now we have completely to ourselves .
It is sanitized , disinfected , we did a heck of a workout F45 style .
Homie brought me the batting gloves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” 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 .

Multimillionaire Pharrell Williams gets slammed for asking people to donate to hospitals.
Drake’s all in his feelings about his family, and shares the first photos of his son. And Mark Wahlberg and Mario Lopez are bro-ing out at the gym while we’re quarantined with our Goya-can weights.
Here’s a closer look at today’s stories:
Pharrell Williams blasted for asking fans to donate to hospitals
Pharrell Williams was hit with a backlash after asking his fans to donate to hospitals amid the coronavirus pandemic this week.
He told his more than 12 million followers, “Hospitals are running low on masks, gowns, and other critical items. We need to replenish their supplies. Take action, make a donation, and ask others to join the fight. We’re in this together. Let’s protect the responders on the frontlines.”
But fans clapped back with responses pointing out his wealth — said to be as high as $150 million — amid increasing unemployment.
“Imagine asking the people who most likely are being laid off right now, to donate while you could just get your fellow celebs to raise money,” said one Twitter user.
Another wrote, “So lemme get this straight. You are asking the millions of Americans who may not have a job right now to donate?! You’re asking people who have an avg HOUSEHOLD income of less than $55,000 to donate?”
Noting that his enormous Beverly Hills house is up for sale for $17 million, another wrote, “You literally live in a community college spending Kelis Milkshake royalty checks on Uber eats and you’re asking US TO DONATE!?!?”
Drake shares photos of son Adonis for first time: ‘Miss my beautiful family’
Drake has shared photos of his son Adonis for the first time.
The 33-year-old rapper posted the pictures of his blond-haired, blue-eyed son on Instagram early Monday alongside a lengthy caption telling followers to “connect” to their “inner light.” It was first reported in 2018 that Drake had secretly fathered a child with ex-porn star Sophie Brussaux.
“What is most important for you right now is to connect to your own inner light. This will create the biggest opening of all,” Drake wrote in his new Instagram post. “Trust that you have all of the power within to make this happen, and in order to do that connect to the people and things that bring you a lot of joy.
Drake also included photos of his own parents and a photo of himself with Adonis and Adonis’ mother.
“When the mind starts to move into overthinking or fear, shift your attention right away to something bright. It doesn’t matter what has happened in the past or what is happening around us now,” Drake continued, perhaps alluding to the fact that he first concealed the fact that he had a son, “you can always make the choice to break free of the wheel of suffering and panic and open up to your own light.”
The “God’s Plan” performer encouraged everyone to be conscious of “fears coming in from others” and remember to ask for support if they’re ever feeling alone.
“I love and miss my beautiful family and friends and I can’t wait for the joyful day when we are all able to reunite,” Drake, who previously tested negative for coronavirus, ended his essay. “Until then please keep your lights on.”
Mark Wahlberg, Mario Lopez slammed for joint workout after urging coronavirus isolation
Mark Wahlberg and Mario Lopez joined the long list of celebrities who have spoken out in recent weeks, urging fans to stay at home and self-isolate as a means to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
But the “Spenser Confidential” actor and “Access Hollywood” host were quickly accused of hypocrisy after they each posted clips from a joint workout at a gym in Los Angeles while thousands of their viewers remained under quarantine at home.
In a video posted to Instagram on Thursday, Lopez filmed himself and Wahlberg inside an F45 training facility while touting the workout as one anyone can do in their apartments or backyards without equipment.
“Everyone’s pretty much been cooped up in their home for the last couple of weeks. I think now more than ever since we don’t know when this is going to end, we need to stay active, not just for your physical health but for your mental health,” Lopez said in the video.
“That gazelle right there? My boy, Mark, we’re staying six feet away. This place we’re at right now we have completely to ourselves. It is sanitized, disinfected, we did a heck of a workout F45 style. Homie brought me the batting gloves. We’re good to go.”
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--2020-03-31--Rash of coronavirus deaths, infections at Massachusetts facility for vets

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
A coronavirus outbreak at a Massachusetts health care facility that houses veterans has claimed the lives of five residents and six more are suspected of dying from the illness .
A total 11 other veterans residing at the Holyoke Soldiers ’ Home have tested positive for the virus , according to MassLive.com .
Twenty-five other veterans are awaiting their COVID-19 test results , and five staffers have already tested positive , the report said .
The rash of infections at the state-run facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid administrative leave Monday .
“ It is imperative that the Holyoke Soldiers ’ Home provides a safe environment for the veteran residents , and the dedicated staff who serve them , ” said Dan Tsai , deputy secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services .
A team of medical experts was dispatched to the grounds to assist in the crisis and state officials have requested help from the National Guard , according to the news site .
The main building at the Holyoke Soldiers ’ Home houses 247 veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms , according to MassLive.com .
It ’ s unclear how many veterans were living there at the onset of the outbreak .
The facility has isolated residents who are believed to be infected .
Workers possibly exposed were told to remain home , the report said .
As of Monday , Massachusetts has seen 5,752 cases of the coronavirus and 56 deaths from the illness , according to the state health department .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
A coronavirus outbreak at a Massachusetts health care facility that houses veterans has claimed the lives of five residents and six more are suspected of dying from the illness.
A total 11 other veterans residing at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home have tested positive for the virus, according to MassLive.com.
Twenty-five other veterans are awaiting their COVID-19 test results, and five staffers have already tested positive, the report said.
The rash of infections at the state-run facility led to the superintendent being placed on paid administrative leave Monday.
“It is imperative that the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home provides a safe environment for the veteran residents, and the dedicated staff who serve them,” said Dan Tsai, deputy secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services.
A team of medical experts was dispatched to the grounds to assist in the crisis and state officials have requested help from the National Guard, according to the news site.
The main building at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home houses 247 veterans. A separate dorm building has 30 rooms, according to MassLive.com. It’s unclear how many veterans were living there at the onset of the outbreak.
The facility has isolated residents who are believed to be infected. Workers possibly exposed were told to remain home, the report said.
As of Monday, Massachusetts has seen 5,752 cases of the coronavirus and 56 deaths from the illness, according to the state health department.


newyorkpost--2020-03-31--Man ‘teaching his dog to drive’ leads cops on high speed chase

A Washington state motorist led police on a chase Sunday — and when he was finally stopped , he said @ @ @ @ @ how to drive .
Cops found the pup in the driver ’ s seat when @ @ @ @ @ man , who allegedly was speeding at 100 mph from Marysville to Arlington and crashed @ @ @ @ @ way .

He’s blaming man’s best friend.
A Washington state motorist led police on a chase Sunday — and when he was finally stopped, he said he was teaching his dog how to drive.
Cops found the pup in the driver’s seat when they pulled over the 51-year-old man, who allegedly was speeding at 100 mph from Marysville to Arlington and crashed into several cars along the way.
Wires