newyorkpost--2020-09-10--The NFL’s 50 most fascinating people in a season unlike any other

Don ’ t pat the NFL on the back for its COVID-19 ...

There was no worry about COVID-19 on Feb. 2 when a packed crowd at Hard Rock Stadium watched Patrick Mahomes rally the Chiefs past the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.
No one in the stands wore masks and there was no talk of social distancing and the schools and restaurants and gyms and bars were open, and we turned our lonely sports eyes to spring training and to March Madness.
We didn’t expect March Madness would be the beginning of a pandemic that turned our world — turned the whole damn world — upside down.
We didn’t expect Breonna Taylor.
We didn’t expect George Floyd.
We didn’t expect Jacob Blake.
We didn’t expect the deadly twin viruses of COVID-19 and racism to frighten many of us and awaken some of us to Black Lives Matter.
And now, somehow and some way, against all odds, following a virtual offseason, following the cancellation of preseason games, the NFL on Thursday night (Texans at Chiefs) is prepared to give us a season.
A season like no other.
For however long it will last.
So we give you Serby’s annual 50 Most Fascinating People:
1. SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVISTS (2019 rank: NR)
Commissioner Roger Goodell has vowed to be all-in, and the wheels of substantive activism are finally in motion inside all 32 NFL organizations. The movement will be ever-present and omnipresent from Week 1 to Super Bowl LV … and beyond. The protests and push for further awareness and awakening will manifest themselves in various forms.
2. INFECTION CONTROL OFFICERS (NR)
The merciless, murderous virus has so far been contained by the NFL’s vigilance, but it will remain a threat to all 32 teams, especially when they begin to travel, especially when autumn arrives, and no one will be immune from the COVID-19 reserve list. Can the NFL really give us a season?
3. THE FANS (NR): Some stadiums will house some fans, others won’t. Wear a mask and don’t high-five or scream in your neighbor’s face.
4. TOM BRADY (12): Welcome to Tompa Bay. The mission: Win a seventh Super Bowl without Bill Belichick before Belichick wins a seventh Super Bowl without Brady. GOAT vs. GOAT.
5. PATRICK MAHOMES (1): The Chiefs’ defending Super Bowl MVP is armed with a historic 10-year contract worth up to $503 million because no deficit is too large for him to overcome, no throw, no-look or not, is impossible for him to make. Married to Chiefs, engaged to high school sweetheart Brittany Matthews.
6. LAMAR JACKSON (29): The 2019 regular-season MVP won’t sneak up on anyone this season. But he’s so dynamic it might not matter. Mahomes takes your breath away, but this dual threat is Most Exciting.
7. BILL BELICHICK (41): Life After Tom Brady. Life With Cam Newton. Don’t expect him to tank for Trevor Lawrence.
8. JON GRUDEN/MARK DAVIS (39/NR): The NFL’s big gamble — slot receivers and slot machines. Is there really room in the same town for Pete Rose and Gruden?
9. CAM NEWTON (NR): A big enough ego not to worry about succeeding Brady, and a $7.5 million chip on his shoulder with a monster free-agent deal waiting for him following the season.
10. BRUCE ARIANS (34): The Cool Uncle will be a breath of fresh air for Brady … and for the media. Mr. Risk-it or Biscuit has been a quote machine throughout his career. With Brady as his quarterback, everyone will pay far more attention.
11. DAK PRESCOTT (NR): He’s the quarterback of America’s Team, so all eyes are on him as he chases that elusive long-term deal amid the great expectations.
12. JOE BURROW (NR): Heisman Trophy winner. National champion at LSU. First pick of the NFL draft. And now, The Cincinnati Kid. Hope at last for the Bengals.
13. BAKER MAYFIELD (5): Cleveland got him a new head coach (Kevin Stefanski) and upgraded his offensive line, and now that he’s slimmed down, it’s about time the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft regains his swag and plays like one.
14. PHILIP RIVERS (37): Old Man Rivers chases that elusive Super Bowl ring with … the Colts.
15. ROB GRONKOWSKI (21): One of the leaders in the clubhouse for Comeback Player of Year following his temporary retirement. Bet that Gronk will be more irreverent under Arians than he ever was under Belichick.
16. ANDY REID (NR): Still beloved and universally respected after getting the Super Bowl monkey off his back — and Big Red is signed through 2025. Show Super Bowl ring, get free cheeseburger.
17. CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY (NR): Highest-paid RB ($16 million AAV) because he’s much more than just a RB (303 receptions and 15 TDs in three seasons).
18. MIKE McCARTHY (NR): We’ll see if the year away from the sideline will give him the perspective and strength it will take to be America’s Coach for Jerry Jones.
19. BEN ROETHLISBERGER (NR): Can he win his third Super Bowl for the Steelers at age 38 after missing virtually all of 2019?
20. DREW BREES (31): He apologized enough for his tone-deaf anthem remarks to appease most of his teammates as he tries one last time at age 41 to win a second Super Bowl ring.
21. ANDREW BERRY (NR): The league’s youngest (32) general manager and one of only two black GMs (Chris Grier). The Browns got it right.
22. TREVOR LAWRENCE (NR): Casts a giant Tank For Trevor shadow over the season. Especially in Jacksonville. Especially if his head coach at Clemson, Dabo Swinney, winds up there.
23. COLIN KAEPERNICK (NR): If the blackballing doesn’t end now, it never will. He’ll be front and center in the news every time a quarterback — or a protest — goes down.
24. THE BOSA BROS. (NR): Big Brother Joey just cashed in on a five-year, $135 million contract ($102 million guaranteed). Little Brother Nick’s nine sacks as a rookie are just an appetizer.
25. THE WATT BROS. (NR): Big Brother J.J. has 96 career sacks and is a five-time Pro Bowler and living Texans legend. Middle brother Derek is a fullback and tenacious blocker and Steelers teammate of Little Brother T.J., who has 34.5 sacks in three seasons.
26. DESHAUN WATSON (27): He’s been everything Swinney promised he would be, and he’ll have to carry the Texans without DeAndre Hopkins. An MVP candidate.
27. TONY ROMO (28): He’ll stay with CBS through 2022 for $16 million a year, a better analyst than quarterback, and he was a pretty good quarterback. Smooth teammate Jim Nantz might be inclined to parrot Terrell Owens: “That’s my quarterback.”
28. TROY AIKMAN (NR): A pandemic football season means more eyes glued to televisions, to Fox, to Aikman and Joe Buck.
29. SAQUON BARKLEY (19): The classy, generational More Than A RB who plays for the New York Football Giants.
30. TEDDY BRIDGEWATER (NR): Such an easy guy to root for at Carolina after he overcame that devastating knee injury and waited four years for a starting gig.
31. AARON RODGERS (13): The Pack didn’t draft him a new wide receiver when they opted for QB Jordan Love, and he’ll be 37 in December. So much for the good news: he and Danica split.
32. CHASE YOUNG (NR): NFC offensive tackles and quarterbacks had better hope he isn’t better than the Bosa Bros.
33. KYLER MURRAY (2): There are no more questions about his height, and now he gets to target Hopkins. Scare Raid.
34. JERRY JONES (10): It’s been XXV years since he won his third Super Bowl, and it’s killing him. And he’ll let everyone know how much. Where will he stand on the anthem?
35. DANIEL SNYDER (NR): He’ll be scrambling for a new team nickname and a fumigated front office for his Washington Football Team.
36. DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS (NR): Out of sight because of the pandemic, for the first time since they debuted in 1972, but not out of mind.
37. RUSSELL WILSON (NR): Ground-and-pound Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will keep it close until DangeRuss wins it in the fourth quarter.
38. AL RIVERON (4): He returns as the league’s top replay official, with help this season from Perry Fewell and Walt Anderson. Good luck to them all: They’ll need it, as always.
39. ODELL BECKHAM JR. (14): He’s healthy and blond again, and our former New York Drama King swears he has unfinished business in Cleveland. So nobody come get him.
40. SAM DARNOLD/DANIEL JONES (20/3): New York football’s Young Guns. Year 44 of Life After Joe Namath for the Jets. Year 2 of The Life After Eli Manning for the Giants. Darnold, the quarterback Dave Gettleman didn’t draft. Jones, the quarterback Gettleman did draft.
41. SARAH THOMAS (24): The first female to earn a playoff officiating assignment in 2019. Worked Vikings-49ers in January. Could a Super Bowl be next?
42. TUA TAGOVAILOA (40): His comeback from a dislocated hip and posterior wall fracture suffered last Nov. 16 against Mississippi State will see him take over from Ryan Fitzpatrick sooner rather than later.
43. ZOOM (NR): With zero locker-room access, the 32 public relations and IT departments will continue their diligent efforts to fill the void each week with player and coach interviews. If you bought the wildly bullish stock at the beginning of the pandemic, at least there’s that.
44. PRESIDENT TRUMP (NR): He’ll be looking for allies on the anthem front, and the pandemic hasn’t exactly kept him 6 feet away from Twitter. And don’t know if you’ve heard, it’s an election year.
45. GARDNER MINSHEW: (NR) Let’s enjoy Minshew Mania and The Mustache while we can.
46. AARON DONALD (33): Only the best defensive player in the league, and Ram Tough.
47. JAMAL ADAMS (NR): The President mouthed his way out of New York and will be a Seahawk For Life once he cashes in after the season. Could he help Pete Carroll overtake the 49ers?
48. MYLES GARRETT (NR): The $125 million man is encouraged not to remove any quarterback’s helmet and swing it at his exposed head.
49. TYREEK HILL (NR): The most exciting deep threat in the game, and Mahomes is his quarterback.
50. TAYSOM HILL (36): Sean Payton’s diabolical Swiss Army knife who can throw touchdown passes, catch touchdown passes and torment special teams. No relation to Tyreek.
WHO DROPPED OFF LAST YEAR’S LIST?
Eli Manning (3); Freddie Kitchens (6); Jimmy Garoppolo (7); Carson Wentz (8); Nick Foles (9); Andrew Luck (11); Le’Veon Bell (15); Kliff Kingsbury (16); Antonio Brown (17); Sean McVay (18); Dwayne Haskins (22); Vic Fangio (23); Gregg Williams (25); Jalen Ramsey (26); Ezekiel Elliott (30); Eddy Pineiro (32); Jacoby Brissett (35); Carli Lloyd (38); Tua Tagovailoa (40); Adam Gase (42); Travis Frederick (43); JuJu Smith-Schuster (44); Gil Brandt (45); Peyton Manning (46); Matthew Berry (47); Mike Pereira (48); DeMaurice Smith (49); Roger Goodell (50)


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Rico the porcupine lets his defenses down for a nose massage

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The way to this porcupine’s heart is through his nose. Rico, a 4-year-old Brazilian porcupine at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio, enjoys getting his snout gently massaged. See how the prickly animal, also known as a prehensile-tailed porcupine, interacts with a zookeeper and snacks on an apricot in this adorable video.
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newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Salon owner Erica Kious is closing her shop after Nancy Pelosi’s maskless visit

San Francisco salon owner Erica Kious said she is closing her business after the infamous visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Fox News reported .
“ I am actually done in San Francisco and closing my doors , unfortunately , ” Kious told Tucker Carlson on Wednesday night .
“ I started to just get a ton of phone calls , text messages , emails , all my Yelp reviews… saying that they hope I go under and that I fail , ” she told the host about her eSalon .
“ So just a lot of negativity towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s accusation that she set her up after releasing a video of the speaker walking around her business bare-faced , sparking charges of hypocrisy in light of the lawmaker ’ s frequent calls to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously .
The owner has said she rents out chairs to independent stylists and claimed she did not leak the video for “ political ” reasons .
Meanwhile , the single mother of two has announced that her fundraiser has reached its goal of $ 300,000 .
On Wednesday night , Kious said all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to the city , where she has lived for 15 years .
“ I ’ m actually afraid to go back… It ’ s a little scary and sad , ” she told Carlson .
“ I do have a lot of positive calls and text messages from clients .
But other than that , nothing but negativity .
”

Hair today, gone tomorrow.
San Francisco salon owner Erica Kious said she is closing her business after the infamous visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Fox News reported.
“I am actually done in San Francisco and closing my doors, unfortunately,” Kious told Tucker Carlson on Wednesday night.
“I started to just get a ton of phone calls, text messages, emails, all my Yelp reviews … saying that they hope I go under and that I fail,” she told the host about her eSalon. “So just a lot of negativity towards my business.”
Kious has denied Pelosi’s accusation that she set her up after releasing a video of the speaker walking around her business bare-faced, sparking charges of hypocrisy in light of the lawmaker’s frequent calls to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously.
The owner has said she rents out chairs to independent stylists and claimed she did not leak the video for “political” reasons.
Meanwhile, the single mother of two has announced that her fundraiser has reached its goal of $300,000.
On Wednesday night, Kious said all the negativity has made her hesitant to return to the city, where she has lived for 15 years.
“I’m actually afraid to go back … It’s a little scary and sad,” she told Carlson. “I do have a lot of positive calls and text messages from clients. But other than that, nothing but negativity.”


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--New Jersey offers bevy of options to get your NFL betting fix

LAS VEGAS — When the NFL seems wild , crazy and ...

Commercial content. 21+.
As legalized sports betting continues to expand across the United States, states that previously lagged behind are starting to gain traction — with bills being considered, and in some cases approved, for retail and mobile wagering.
Before you plan your next trip, or whether you’re wondering where your hometown state stands, here’s what to know about states that have already legalized sports betting and which ones are close.
States where sports betting is legal and bets are accepted
Arizona
Arizona’s online sports betting bill passed in April 2021, and it allowed for the mobile versions of betting along with in-stadium sportsbooks. The launch coincided with the start of the 2021 NFL season, which is a time of peak interest for sportsbooks. In March 2022, Arizona entered the top ten states for the most handle (total amount of money bet) for the first time.
Check out the best Arizona sports betting sites
Arkansas
In February 2022, the Arkansas Joint Budget Committee finalized rules for online sports gambling. This means that bettors in Arkansas can now wager on mobile apps for Southland Casino and Saracen Casino. Before mobile betting legislation was approved, Arkansas residents could only bet at those two casinos and Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. Expect larger sportsbook to enter the state in the near future.
Check out the best Arkansas Sports Betting Sites
Colorado
Colorado has become one of the major sports betting hubs since it started accepting wagers in 2020, and it became one of the first states to record more than $200 million in monthly betting handle in Sept. 2020, according to Action Network. There are also 26 different types of sports betting mobile apps.
Check out the best Colorado sports betting sites
Connecticut
In May 2021, Connecticut figured out a deal with local Native American tribes to pave the way for online sports betting in the state. As a result, FanDuel, DraftKings and PlaySugarHouse were all approved and went live in October 2021, with FanDuel partnering with the Mohegan Tribe and DraftKings partnering with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.
Check out the best Connecticut sports betting sites
Delaware
Back in 2018, Delaware was one of the first states to accept a legal single-game wager, behind Nevada. But in the three years since, the state hasn’t approved online sports betting yet, and has three in-person options in Delaware Park, Bally’s Dover, and Harrington Raceway and Casino.
Connecticut governor Ned Lamont places a bet of $20 bet for the Giants to beat Kansas City after Sports Haven opened for sports betting on Monday Oct. 25, 2021. AP
Florida
Sports betting was approved in 2021, but the state has faced lawsuits and logistical issues delaying its path to a full launch. The Hard Rock Sportsbook app went live on Nov. 1, and was the first step of an agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, but a federal judge struck down that agreement because it violated federal and state laws. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals listened to oral arguments regarding the issue in December 2022 and there has not been any sort of resolution just yet.
Find out the best Florida Sports Betting Sites
Illinois
Illinois launched sports betting at retail sportsbooks in March 2020, and the first online sports betting apps and websites came a few months later in June 2020. This followed Governor J.B. Pritzker signing legislation in June 2019 that finally brought legal sports betting to the Prairie State.
The in-person sign-up requirement was dropped on March 5, 2022, allowing players to register online or on mobile. This change has also allowed more online-only sportsbooks to offer their services to players. Betting on in-state college programs was first approved in December 2021, but you can only do so in-person.
Check out the best Illinois Sports Betting Sites
Indiana
Legalized sports betting began in Indiana in September 2019, and mobile betting went live a month later. So far, Indiana has taken in more than $7 billion in bets, which is fifth-highest of any legal state to this point. There are 13 sportsbooks in operation in the Hoosier State with FanDuel and DraftKings out in front.
Check out the best Indiana Sports Betting Sites
Iowa
Iowa’s legal sports betting began on Aug. 15, 2019. Sports betting grew even more in Jan. 2021 when an old law that required in-person registration expired — leading to a boom in mobile sports wagering since then. In fact, bet365 Sportsbook just launched in Iowa in June 2023. The state doesn’t have any professional sports teams, but it is one of the more lucrative states on a per capita basis.
Check out the best Iowa Sports Betting Sites
Kansas
Kansas legalized sports betting in 2022 and launched in-person and online betting on Sept. 1 of that year, right in time for the 2022 NFL season. It was one of the fastest legalization to launch turnarounds of any state and Kansas has approved nine licensed online sportsbooks so far.
Learn more about the best Kansas Sports Betting Sites
Louisiana
Retail sports wagering began in October 2021, then online sportsbooks launched in Louisiana in January 2022. According to SportsHandle, 56 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes approved both mobile and in-person sports betting, so those in the eight parishes — or, essentially, counties — that didn’t approve will need to travel to one that did.
Check out the best Louisiana Sports Betting Sites
Maryland
After Maryland voters approved legalized sports betting in the 2020 election, the state finally launched online sports betting in November 2023. It was a staggered launch with seven sportsbooks launching from the start. It is expected that there will be more online sportsbooks approved by the 2023 football season.
Get the latest news Maryland Sports Betting
Massachusetts
Online sports betting went live in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023 — just in time for the NCAA Tournament. In-person betting launched earlier in the year on January 31.
Find out the latest Massachusetts Sports Betting News
Michigan
Once the “Lawful Sports Betting Act” was signed, it paved the way for both mobile and in-person sports wagering in the state — starting with a pair of casinos that opened in March 2020, according to ESPN. Online betting then began in Jan. 2021, and Michigan was immediately seen as a state that could be profitable and successful as the wagering continues to gain traction.
Read about the best Michigan Sports Betting Sites
Mississippi
Though Mississippi technically has mobile sports betting, those online bets can only be placed inside casinos, which has caused the state’s wagering business to not be as successful as others. It was one of the first states to take strides for in-person sports betting, though, as sports betting went live in August 2020.
Read the latest Mississippi Sports Betting News
Montana
Only in-person wagers can be placed in Montana, but what’s unique about the operations in this state is that it was legalized and launched through its lottery. That, according to Action Network, keeps out other sportsbooks that can “jeopardize competitive prices.” Betting began in Montana in March 2020.
Nebraska
As of now, it appears Nebraska will be without mobile sports betting for now despite tangible strides toward retail sportsbooks. A bill signed in May 2021 by the governor prohibited bets on collegiate teams within the state but allowed for “all games of chance” at licensed horse tracks, those being WarHorse Casino in Lincoln and Elite Casino Resorts in Grand Island.
Nevada
In-person betting has long been a staple in Nevada, but mobile wagering in this state requires registration at one of the casinos.
New Hampshire
Betting on New Hampshire’s in-state colleges isn’t allowed, but wagering has existed in this state since Dec. 2019. DraftKings has been the lone mobile operator in the state and bettors can also go to a few retail betting locations.
New Jersey
It was the third state to take a bet, the original state to bring the case regarding sports betting to the Supreme Court, and is now home to 21 different online sportsbooks — even with in-person casinos existing. Bettors aren’t allowed to wager on in-state collegiate teams and collegiate events that take place within state lines.
Find out the best New Jersey Sports Betting Sites
New Mexico
Despite no bills being passed, in-person sportsbooks exist because of a previous agreement between Native American tribes and the state — and the Native American tribes’ recent interpretation of that agreement. Native American casinos have accepted sports bets since 2018.
Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (l.) and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara display betting tickets after placing a sport bet at the Rivers Sportsbook betting lounge at the New Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, NY in 2019. Hans Pennink
New York
New York recently approved online sports betting and it has been live in the Empire State for over a year after its official launch on Jan. 8, 2022. In-person sports betting was approved in New York back in 2013, but experienced a lull between the law’s passing until the state’s first legal sportsbook was opened in 2019.
Find out more about New York sports betting
Check out the best NY sports betting sites
Download the best NY sports betting apps
North Dakota
Like New Mexico, sports betting strides have been made through state tribes operating retail sportsbooks with permission from the government. Online sports betting hasn’t been legalized yet, but legislation has been proposed — though rejected.
Ohio
The Buckeye State is fairly new to the sports betting game since sports betting officially went live there on Jan. 1, 2023. There were 14 sportsbooks that launched on New Year’s Day. Sports betting was legalized by state government late in 2021.
Find out the latest Ohio Sports Betting News
Oregon
Similar to some other states, there’s only one option for legal mobile sports betting in Oregon, and that’s DraftKings which started in January 2022. Prior to this, Oregon bettors could only wager on the state lottery app. A few retail sportsbooks exist, and those are run at Native American casinos. Bettors cannot wager on in-state college teams.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania accepts one of the largest sports betting handles each month, including both mobile and in-person sports wagering. The state has set a limit of 14 operation licenses. Retail sports betting began in 2018 and the online launch happened one year later.
Read about the best Pennsylvania Sports Betting Sites
Rhode Island
Retail sports betting is allowed at the two casino locations in the state, starting in 2018. Since then, William Hill (Caesars) has emerged as the only mobile sports betting option in Rhode Island.
South Dakota
Retail sportsbooks in Deadwood and tribal lands began taking sports bets in September 2021 after South Dakota legalized sports betting in November 2020. Legislation for mobile betting hasn’t been successful yet.
Tennessee
All betting in Tennessee occurs online, as there are no casinos in the state and therefore no retail betting locations.
Check out the best Tennesee sports betting sites
Virginia
Virginia sports betting in began in Jan. 2021, but wagering on the state’s collegiate sports teams isn’t allowed.
Read up on the best Virginia sports betting sites
Customers watch sporting events inside FanDuel Sportsbook inside Footprint Center in Arizona. AP
Washington
In Washington, mobile sports wagering is only allowed if the bet is placed at a casino — a similar setup to Mississippi’s — and online sports betting across the state likely won’t happen in the near future, according to Action Network. In-person betting launched at those casinos in September 2021.
Read the most recent Washington Sports Betting News
Washington, D.C.
GambetDC serves as the capital’s official mobile app for wagering in the District, but you can only bet within in certain clearly defined geographical locations. For example, GamBetDC is geofenced out of federal properties inside the city. Caesars is allowed inside Capital One Arena and BetMGM has a retail sportsbook at Nationals Park. The BetMGM app is allowed within a two-block radius of Nationals Park.
Check out the best DC sports betting sites
West Virginia
Both mobile and in-person sports betting exist in West Virginia, and the state has been accepting bets since Aug. 2019. DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, and William Hill are all active in West Virginia.
Find out the best West Virginia Sports Betting Sites
Wisconsin
A deal between the state’s governor and the Oneida Nation in July 2021 allowed for the opening of retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos while not permitting mobile betting or wagers on the state’s collegiate teams. Since then, the tribe started sports betting at its Green Bay casino in November 2021.
Check out the latest Wisconsin Sports Betting News
Wyoming
Starting Sept. 1, 2021, the state started accepting mobile sports bets only and doesn’t have a casino or retail location like others do. It joined Tennessee as the only two states to have just an online option and nothing for retail with sports wagering. That could change though, because the Northern Arapaho Tribe is looking to add a retail sports betting location.
Check out the best Wyoming Sports Betting Sites
States where legal sports betting is pending in 2023
Kentucky
Sports betting appears to be headed to Kentucky after governor Andy Beshear signed HB 551 into law in March 2023. There is no timetable for when sports betting will go live in Kentucky, but it there is a possibility that it could launch by football season.
Maine
In May 2022, governor Janet Mills signed LD 585 into law, which legalized retail and online sports betting. It is unclear when sports betting will officially launch in Maine.
North Carolina
North Carolina governor Roy Cooper signed HB 347 into law in June 2023, which legalized sports betting in the Tar Heel State. Sports betting is expected to go live sometime between January and June of 2024. Before this, sports bets needed be placed in-person at two specified casinos, starting in March 2021.
Vermont
Vermont governor Phil Scott signed HB 127 into law in June 2023, which legalized sports betting in the Green Mountain State. In-state residents will be able to wager online by January 2024.
States where legal sports betting is not yet legal
Alaska
There has been no movement on sports betting in Alaska. If it ever becomes legalized there, it will likely be one of the last U.S. states to do so.
Alabama
In 2022, A bill was advanced that would have created a state-wide operation to oversee sports wagering within the state, but state legislators ended their session without voting on it. Alabama does not have a state lottery and only has three tribal casinos, so running sports betting could prove complicated.
California
Sports betting is not currently legal anywhere in the Golden State. That includes all formats across retail, online and mobile. Two ballot proposals were voted on in the 2022 election, but neither one passed.
Find out the latest California Sports Betting News
Georgia
Two sports betting bills died in the Georgia state government in 2023, so it looks like lawmakers will have to try again in 2024.
Check out the latest Georgia Sports Betting News
Hawai’i
Hawai’i does not have any kind of gambling entity, so sports betting looks to be a ways off. Rep. John Mizuno introduced a bill in January 2022, but it didn’t advance anywhere in the state government.
Idaho
Right now, the only form of gambling allowed in Idaho is horse racing, so legal sports betting seems very far away, especially since fantasy sports aren’t allowed there, either.
Minnesota
Minnesota has been close to legalizing sports betting in 2022 and 2023, but legislation did not pass either time. Maybe 2024 will be the year for sports betting in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Missouri
Bills have made it to the state legislature in each of the last four years, but nothing has been approved or signed yet. Even though there is definitely some appetite among Missourians for legal sports betting, getting a bill signed into law has proven to be extremely difficult.
Find out the latest Missouri Sports Betting News
Oklahoma
A sports betting bill was filed by State Rep. Ken Luttrell in 2023, but sports betting actually becoming legalized in Oklahoma is a longshot, according to Action Network. In the mean time, locals can access daily fantasy sites such as Sleeper Fantasy and Boom Fantasy.
South Carolina
Sports betting bills have been proposed in South Carolina in 2019 and 2022, but neither got far. It also doesn’t help that S.C. governor Henry McMaster opposes sports betting, so even if a bill did pass through legislation it would be unlikely to ever get legalized.
Texas
Texas Democrats supported sports betting bill HJR102, but it was rejected by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick in May 2023. As the Texas legislative session only occurs in odd years, the next realistic push can only happen in 2025.
Check out the latest Texas Sports Betting News
Utah
The Beehive State is not the place to go for sports betting. It is one of two states with no legal gambling and there is not much traction for sports betting.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Behind Yankees’ call to have Gary Sanchez catch Deivi Garcia

BUFFALO — For a change , it was hard to hear ...

Erik Kratz caught Deivi Garcia in his first two big-league starts when the rookie right-hander pitched well in the first one and tailed off in the second.
But instead of pairing the 40-year-old Kratz with the 21-year-old Garcia on Wednesday night against the Blue Jays at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, Aaron Boone inserted the ice-cold Gary Sanchez to work with Garcia, and Sanchez helped the neophyte right-hander get through seven innings in a 7-2 victory.
“We want Gary in there, that is the bottom line,’’ Boone said of Sanchez, who was benched Sunday and Monday due to a dead bat and returned Tuesday night, when he went 0-for-4 in a 2-1 loss. “Obviously sat him for a couple of days and didn’t get results [Tuesday night] but thought he had good at-bats.’’
Despite Sanchez entering hitting .125 and having struck out 49 times in 104 at-bats, Boone said he still believes Sanchez can play a big part down the stretch.
“We need to get Gary in a place where he can get rolling offensively. We know he has ability to impact us and even carry us at times when he gets really hot,’’ Boone said of Sanchez, who went 0-for-3, lowering his average to .121, with a walk.
Nevertheless, he did throw out Randal Grichuk attempting to advance to second in the eighth inning on a pitch in the dirt with the Yankees leading, 5-2.
Boone said he believes the Yankees could have James Paxton back from the IL before the end of the regular season. Paxton threw Wednesday.
“We are mapping out now what is the best possibility, how many innings can we get out of him by the end of the year and the playoffs,’’ Boone said of the lefty starter who has not pitched since Aug. 20 due to a flexor strain in the left forearm.
Mapping out the best plan to contribute on some level,” the manager said. “Get through today and see if getting on the mound becomes a reality. I think there is a chance he could be back for the regular season on some level.’’
The Yankees went 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position after having one hit in their previous 30 at-bats in the clutch.
Miguel Andujar’s 2020 transaction sheet reads like a yo-yo. He has been optioned to the alternate site three times and recalled the same amount.
During that time period of moving between the alternate site in Scranton and the big leagues, where he wasn’t getting regular playing time because Gio Urshela had a firm grip on third base, Andujar hit .129 (4-for-31) in 12 games from July 26 to Aug. 28. The next day he was sent to Scranton.
Since being recalled on Sept. 4, when Urshela went on the IL with a bone spur in the right elbow, Andujar has thrived at the plate. Before going hitless in five at-bats Wednesday, Andujar was 8-for-19 (.421) with a homer and three RBIs in his previous six games.
However, while regular playing time had turned his year around, until Wednesday the Yankees were 0-5 in the five games the 25-year-old right-handed hitter had started.
“The result that we want hasn’t been there as a group. I don’t play for myself, I play for my team,’’ Andujar said.
According to Boone, Giancarlo Stanton ran the bases Wednesday for a third day in a row and Aaron Judge is doing more change of direction running.
“They are definitely doing well and getting closer,’’ Boone said of his stud right-handed hitters who are on the IL.
Boone didn’t sound like a manager hesitant to use a prized starting pitcher prospect out of the pen if he can help.
“Certainly on a given day I feel he is absolutely capable,’’ Boone said of Clarke Schmidt, who has made two big relief outings after being a starter in the minor leagues. “If he comes in throwing the ball the way he is capable of, he is capable of getting big time outs against big time hitters.’’
Still, the Yankees view Schmidt as a future part of the rotation who has very limited experience out of the bullpen.
“The tricky part with him, obviously being a full-time starter, we are making sure we are mindful of that and careful how we use him, what days we can use him but he can work into that significant role and he can give us some length,’’ Boone said.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Cuomo urged to release $50 million to prevent COVID-19 election chaos

The mail-in ballots of more than 84,000 New York City ...

Watchdog groups are urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to provide $50 million in emergency funds to election board officials across the state to avoid chaos and delays in handling millions of mail-in ballots during the Nov. 3 general election taking place amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The request comes after the June 23 primary election that had New York City residents waiting six weeks for the results of certain elections. Absentee ballots accounted for an unprecedented 40 percent of the vote during the primary and tens of thousands of ballots weren’t counted or disqualified.
The governor issued an executive order making it easier for New Yorkers to vote via mail-in ballot as a health measure to reduce the number of people to the polls to help prevent COVID-19 outbreaks.
In a joint letter to Cuomo, five advocacy groups said cash-strapped boards of elections will grapple with a much larger volume of voters in November, which could add to the difficulty of administering the election.
The advocates said funds are needed to protect poll workers, pay for mail-in voting, and conduct voter outreach.
“Recent reports have underscored the pressing need for state funding for our November elections. Our organizations are acutely aware that New York has a series of brutal budget choices ahead, but funding the state’s democracy and supporting the safety and security of its elections must be prioritized ahead of the most consequential election in recent history,” said the letter signed by reps from Reinvent Albany, the NY Public Interest Research Group, Citizens Union, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters.
“The New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE) estimated last month that at least $50 million will be needed in order for the state and local boards of election to adequately prepare for the eightfold increase in voter turnout anticipated in November,” the advocates.
More than 1.8 million New Yorkers voted during the June primary. but state elections estimate 8 million people will vote in November with the presidency up for grabs – including as many as 5 million votes via mail-in ballot.
President Trump and Congress earmarked $20 million to New York’s local election agencies as part of a spring COVID-19 relief package. But the advocates said the federal funding is nearly exhausted.
The advocates said more staff will be needed for the expected deluge of mail-in or absentee ballots.
“Nearly 40% of New Yorkers voted absentee in June. This is extraordinary growth, and the state and local election boards face challenges dealing with this volume during COVID-19. Boards of election need larger facilities in which to count absentee votes in order to maintain social distancing as well as additional staff to process the ballots in a timely way,” they said.
Election officials will need to institute measures to protect the health and safety of poll workers and voters. There were 248 early voting poll sites and 3,636 election day poll sites during the June primary.
“Counties will need to adhere to the CDC-recommended mass gathering safety protocols in order to minimize health risks. Counties will need to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, hand sanitizer, and acrylic barriers and increase the cleaning of high-touch surface areas like voting privacy booths and poll site doors,” the letter said.
Election officials also must do more voter outreach during the pandemic — including informing voters that they can request absentee ballots and drop them in special ballot boxes at polling sites, or vote at polling sites during nine days of early voting to ease pressure at polling sites on Nov. 3 Election Day.
But Cuomo Division of Budget spokesman Freeman Klopott said the cash-started state can’t afford to cough up $50 million.
“The boards of elections have millions of dollars available to them from previously provided funding from the State and Federal governments and they should make use of those resources as the State is contending with a $62 billion revenue drop over four years,” Klopott said.
“In the absence of Federal funding to offset this revenue loss, the State, which funds schools, hospitals, and public safety, will have to make spending reductions, and anywhere we don’t reduce spending will mean deeper reductions elsewhere. This is another reason the Federal government must step up and provide States with necessary resources.”


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Justin Timberlake investing in group to bring MLB to Nashville

Entertainer Justin Timberlake is joining the push to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Nashville .
The Tennessee native has invested in Music City Baseball , the group behind the effort .
“ I am thrilled to be involved in the movement to bring Major League Baseball to the great state of Tennessee , ” Timberlake said in a statement .
“ I believe in Music City Baseball ’ s vision of linking baseball and music in a unique way to unite and entertain people and I am excited to help generate awareness throughout the community as we share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City.
” Timberlake , a 10-time Grammy winner , is a minority owner of the NBA ’ s Memphis Grizzlies .
The website Celebrity Net Worth estimates his net worth at $ 250 million .
Last month , former major league executive Dave Dombrowski , most recently the president of baseball operations for the Red Sox , joined on with the organization as an adviser .
Music City Baseball is led by a group that includes former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales , businessman John Loar , former pitcher and baseball executive Dave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ La Russa .
Timberlake ’ s involvement adds star power for the group , Dombrowski said , per The Tennessean .
“ For us this is huge , ” Dombrowski said .
“ I mean [ Timberlake ] is somebody that ’ s world-known , huge in the area and the region and the state .
He supports baseball and all of the other things that we stand for .
Having someone like that involved speaks a lot for his interest in making this work and also gives us support in talking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s extremely important to us.
” The group hopes to bring the team , tentatively called the Nashville Stars , to the city by 2024 , though several hurdles remain , including building a ballpark .

Entertainer Justin Timberlake is joining the push to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Nashville.
The Tennessee native has invested in Music City Baseball, the group behind the effort.
“I am thrilled to be involved in the movement to bring Major League Baseball to the great state of Tennessee,” Timberlake said in a statement. “I believe in Music City Baseball’s vision of linking baseball and music in a unique way to unite and entertain people and I am excited to help generate awareness throughout the community as we share our vision for bringing MLB to MusJuic City.”
Timberlake, a 10-time Grammy winner, is a minority owner of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. The website Celebrity Net Worth estimates his net worth at $250 million.
Last month, former major league executive Dave Dombrowski, most recently the president of baseball operations for the Red Sox, joined on with the organization as an adviser. Music City Baseball is led by a group that includes former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, businessman John Loar, former pitcher and baseball executive Dave Stewart and Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa.
Timberlake’s involvement adds star power for the group, Dombrowski said, per The Tennessean.
“For us this is huge,” Dombrowski said. “I mean [Timberlake] is somebody that’s world-known, huge in the area and the region and the state. He supports baseball and all of the other things that we stand for. Having someone like that involved speaks a lot for his interest in making this work and also gives us support in talking to other individuals of this ilk. It’s extremely important to us.”
The group hopes to bring the team, tentatively called the Nashville Stars, to the city by 2024, though several hurdles remain, including building a ballpark.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Luis Rojas considering going with four-man Mets rotation

Jacob deGrom is the pitching Mike Trout .
We are watching ...

Within this underwhelming Mets pitching rotation, less might actually be more.
Continued struggles from that unit, coupled with two days off in the next five, at least seem to have team brass considering a four-man rotation for the short term. In such a scenario, disappointing Michael Wacha would likely be thrown into the bullpen for at least one turn.
Before the Mets’ 7-6 win over the Orioles Wednesday at Citi Field, manager Luis Rojas wouldn’t rule out the idea of a four-man rotation as the Mets attempt to resurrect a season on the brink of imploding.
The Mets won’t need a fifth starter until Sept. 19 when they face the Braves.
.
“Right now we’re with five, [but] we can definitely talk about it, reassess, see if it’s something that is going to change,” Rojas said.
Wacha has been a bust this season, pitching to a 7.50 ERA in six starts after arriving as a free agent on an incentive-laden contract that guaranteed him $3 million for this year. The right-hander’s latest flop occurred on Tuesday when he allowed five runs, four of which were earned, over four innings. In his previous start he lasted only three innings against the Orioles.
Wacha’s removal from the rotation would leave Jacob deGrom, Seth Lugo, David Peterson and Rick Porcello lined up for the next four games. Rojas has already said deGrom will pitch every fifth day, regardless of rotation alignment, so that would put the ace in position to start next Wednesday in Philadelphia. Porcello, who started Wednesday, could open the series in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
It’s a rotation in which Robert Gsellman flopped and was ultimately removed before the right-hander was placed on the injured list with a fractured rib. Another starter, Steven Matz, was yanked from the rotation because of poor results before hitting the injured list with bursitis in his left shoulder. Matz threw two innings in a rehab outing in Brooklyn this week and could be close to returning in some capacity.
It’s just possible Wacha’s spot in the rotation will ultimately serve as his opportunity to start for the team again. Matz has pitched to an 8.63 ERA in six appearances this season, five of which came as a starter.
“The focus first was to see how he responds on the [rehab] outing and see how he’s throwing the ball and how he feels,” Rojas said. “Health is the first goal of his rehab assignment. The way we are going to use him we have not committed yet.”
The Mets didn’t even receive one pitch combined from Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman this season, automatically depleting a rotation that was expected to be a team strength. Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery in March and Stroman opted out from the season — after sustaining a torn calf in summer camp — citing COVID-19 concerns.
The lack of options forced Lugo into the rotation — the right-hander is finally built up after three starts since leaving the bullpen — and the rookie Peterson’s emergence has been more a necessity than a luxury. Peterson endured his first rough start of the season Monday, when he surrendered five runs over three innings against the Phillies.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Giants’ Joe Judge reveals how Mike Tomlin helped his career

They are separated by 10 years and 223 games .
What ...

You never know where a seemingly innocuous phone conversation can lead.
When Joe Judge on Wednesday said, “I have a tremendous amount of respect for him as a coach,’’ it sounded like the routine and expected praise for an opponent, in this case Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. When Judge added, “for what he’s done for me personally in my career,’’ it revealed a side to Judge’s ascension in the profession that has not previously been explored.
Judge, 38, said Tomlin, 48, provided “the opportunity as a young coach to tag along at times and impart to me some of the experiences that have helped me develop my own career.’’
The common thread is Amos Jones, in his first year as special projects and situations coach with the Giants. Judge and Jones, 60, go back to Mississippi State, where Judge as a senior in 2004 was a backup quarterback and special teams player and Jones was a special teams assistant and linebackers coach. Judge then embarked on his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater and spent two more years with Jones.
Tomlin, as it turns out, calls Jones “a longtime coaching friend of mine.’’ Tomlin and Jones worked together as assistants at the University of Cincinnati. When Tomlin took over in Pittsburgh as the head coach in 2007, he hired Jones to work with his special teams.
When Tomlin was the Vikings defensive coordinator, he would sometimes call Jones back at Mississippi State. Sometimes, Judge, as an assistant for Jones, would answer the phone.
“Amos would say ‘Grab that phone and talk to Mike for a minute,’ ’’ Judge said. “I got to meet him briefly through the phone.’’
An impression was made.
“To be honest with you, I immediately became a Steelers fan,’’ Judge, born and raised outside of Philadelphia, said, “because amongst him and some other people that have been good to me that were good enough to give the opportunity to tag along with them.’’
Judge said he was invited to visit the Steelers in Pittsburgh and there were times when Tomlin “allowed me to be a fly on the wall’’ at the NFL Scouting Combine and “sit there and have dinner on his check.’’
Tomlin downplayed his involvement with Judge’s success.
“I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a sharp guy, he’s got the courage of his convictions and I’m sure he’s committed to being him,’’ Tomlin said.
Judge makes his head coaching debut Monday night against Tomlin’s Steelers and has not forgotten those who helped him get there.
“I’m very appreciative of that,’’ Judge said. “He was always very open for a conversation, very open to share some advice when it came up. I have a lot of respect for him as a person, I have a lot of respect for him as a coach. He’s done tremendous things in his career.’’


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Islanders victimized by some questionable calls

So the first one was a fiasco for darn near ...

The Islanders found themselves on the wrong end of a missed penalty and an inaccurate call in Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.
After Alex Killorn was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a late hit from behind on Brock Nelson in the first period, the Islanders’ center was cross-checked in the back of the neck by Barclay Goodrow in the second period on his first shift after coming back from concussion protocol in the locker room. There was no call on the play.
“Obviously, we didn’t love the [first] hit on him, the refs made the right call,” Matt Martin said on a Zoom call following the 2-1 loss in Edmonton. “And yeah we didn’t like the cheap shot, cross-check to his head either. Unfortunately, it is what it is. They missed that one.
“Thankfully, Brock is OK. He’s a huge part of our team, plays in all situations, but yeah we didn’t like it, that’s for sure.”
Nelson assured that he was feeling good after going through the necessary protocols and precautions ordered by the doctors.
“Yeah it’s just one of those days, kind of felt like you were getting hit quite a bit,” he said. “But that’s part of the game.”
Coach Barry Trotz noted that the first hit Nelson took was a “dangerous play” but added the referees made the right call on Killorn. As for the second hit, Trotz felt like Nelson was targeted.
“The second one, I just thought that was a target at the head,” Trotz said. “They knew he was hurt, they targeted him a little bit. The league handles it, they look at it thoroughly.”
After acknowledging how much he’s learned from the referees and linesmen inside the NHL’s bubbles and his new-found appreciation for their job, Trotz pointed to an inaccurate icing call that led to the Lightning’s game-tying goal in the first.
Islanders defenseman Devon Toews looked to have made an ill-advised dump of the puck from the red line, but a replay showed that Lightning defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk got a stick on it. The Lightning won the ensuing faceoff and Victor Hedman put one away to tie the game 1-1.
“On their first goal, we were sure that they tipped it and it shouldn’t have been an icing call,” Trotz said. “That’s why our bench was so upset. There’s going to be things that are missed, not called. You have to play through it. That’s playoff hockey. We win the faceoff, we’re not even talking about it.”
Andrew Ladd made his 2020 playoff debut, replacing Derick Brassard on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s wing.
“I knew he was ready,” Trotz said of the 34-year-old Ladd. “The coaches said he was ready and he’s scored a lot of goals in the net front. He can help us on the power play, good wall play and all that. I just felt it was his time. I trust him. He’s got about 900 games of NHL experience and all that. That line was good today. All that being said, he prepared for this moment and I thought he acquitted himself very well.”
It was Ladd’s first game action since March 10 and his first postseason appearance since April 2016 when he was with the Chicago Blackhawks. Additionally, Leo Komarov was inserted back into the lineup for the first time since Game 6 against the Philadelphia Flyers.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Tamar Braxton’s ex David Adefeso fears ‘Get Ya Life’ will make him look bad

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Not only did Tamar Braxton ’ s ex , David Adefeso , file for a restraining order against her in LA this week , sources tell Page Six that he also wants off her new show “ Tamar Braxton : Get Ya Life.
” “ David does not want the show to air because he does not want to look bad , and have it affect his business , ” a source said .
“ There is a scene in the show where David tries to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser .
David believes that she practices voodoo , and does not believe in her method of spirituality .
There ’ s a scene where production wraps , but the audio was still on .
You can hear Tamar yell , ‘ David , stop.
’ ” The source claimed Adefeso “ does not want his business to be harmed.
” He ’ s the founder of Sootchy Inc. , the developer of a tuition-savings app .
The insider further claimed that there was an incident last month when Adefeso posted a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 , on a trip to the beach , without Braxton ’ s knowledge .
The We TV show debuted this week after being pushed from July .
Adefeso did not get back to us .

Not only did Tamar Braxton’s ex, David Adefeso, file for a restraining order against her in LA this week, sources tell Page Six that he also wants off her new show “Tamar Braxton: Get Ya Life.”
“David does not want the show to air because he does not want to look bad, and have it affect his business,” a source said.
“There is a scene in the show where David tries to get in between Tamar and … a spiritual adviser. David believes that she practices voodoo, and does not believe in her method of spirituality. There’s a scene where production wraps, but the audio was still on. You can hear Tamar yell, ‘David, stop.’ ”
The source claimed Adefeso “does not want his business to be harmed.” He’s the founder of Sootchy Inc., the developer of a tuition-savings app.
The insider further claimed that there was an incident last month when Adefeso posted a video with Braxton’s son Logan, 7, on a trip to the beach, without Braxton’s knowledge.
The We TV show debuted this week after being pushed from July. Adefeso did not get back to us.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Fox Sports rebukes Skip Bayless for ‘insensitive’ Dak Prescott rant

A day after Dak Prescott opened up about his older ...

Fox Sports couldn’t skip over this one.
On Thursday’s “Undisputed,” the talking head Skip Bayless declared he felt “no sympathy” for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott sharing his depression struggles.
It was a take that spurred plenty of blowback, even from the network itself.
“At FOX Sports, we are proud of Dak Prescott for publicly revealing his struggle with depression and mental health,” Fox Sports said in a statement. “No matter the cause of the struggle, FOX Sports believes Dak showed tremendous courage which is evident in both his leadership on the Dallas Cowboys and in his character off the field. We do not agree with Skip Bayless’ opinion on Undisputed this morning. We have addressed the significance of this matter with Skip and how his insensitive comments were received by people internally at FOX Sports and our audience.”
On Wednesday, Prescott revealed on “In Depth with Graham Bensinger” he’d struggled with anxiety, depression and sleeplessness during the coronavirus pandemic, issues intensified when his brother Jace committed suicide.
A day later, Bayless, on his daily argument-based show with co-host Shannon Sharpe, couldn’t help himself when it came to discussing Prescott’s story.
“When it comes to the quarterback of a NFL team, you know this as well as I do or better than I do, it’s the ultimate leadership position in sports, am I right about that?,” Bayless said. “You are commanding an entire NFL franchise, what’s the roster at now, 53 guys? … And they’re all looking to you to be their CEO, to be in charge of the football team. Because of all that, I don’t have sympathy for him going public with ‘I got depressed, I suffered depression early in COVID, to the point that I couldn’t even go work out.’
“Look, he’s the quarterback of America’s Team, and you know and I know, this sport that you play, it is dog-eat-dog. It is no compassion, no quarter given on the football field. If you reveal publicly any little weakness, it can affect your team’s ability to believe in you in the toughest spots, and it definitely can encourage others on the other side to come after you. You throw an interception, you’re going to hear ‘You depressed, number four?’ That sort of thing. You get sacked, ‘How’d that feel? You getting down about it?’ You just can’t go public with it, in my humble opinion.”


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--North Carolina deputy ‘medically deceased’ after being shot at the face

A North Carolina sheriff ’ s deputy was declared “ medically deceased ” after being shot in the face by a career criminal Thursday , according to reports .
Ryan Hendrix , 35 , an eight-year veteran of the Henderson County Sheriff ’ s Office , was dispatched to a Hendersonville home shortly before 3 a.m. on reports of a man breaking into a vehicle when he was shot , WYFF-TV reported .
Police said Hendrix approached Robert Ray Doss , a wanted parole violator , who was sitting in a pickup truck across the street from the home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with lawful orders to show the deputies his hands , to show his hands , ” Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin said during an emotional news briefing .
“ But in one rapid movement , he retrieved a gun , firing one round , striking a Henderson County Sheriff ’ s Office deputy in the face and critically wounding him.
” “ The other Henderson County Sheriff ’ s Office deputies — there were two there at that moment — returned fire , ultimately killing the suspect.
” Hendrix was taken to Mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 p.m. , WSPA-TV said .
“ Ryan was doing the job he was born to do and he died doing the job he loved , ” his family said in a statement .
The deputy was the father of two and was scheduled to be married next month , the outlet said .
Doss was wanted on probation and parole warrants in South Carolina .
Originally from Virginia , Griffin said Doss has prior convictions in South Carolina , Georgia , Maryland , and Virginia , including for drugs and theft .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeowner while allegedly trying to break into a car .
The homeowner yelled out to Doss , who smashed a bedroom window with a crowbar and even exchanged fire with the unnamed man before cops arrived and found Doss in his truck .

A North Carolina sheriff’s deputy was declared “medically deceased” after being shot in the face by a career criminal Thursday, according to reports.
Ryan Hendrix, 35, an eight-year veteran of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, was dispatched to a Hendersonville home shortly before 3 a.m. on reports of a man breaking into a vehicle when he was shot, WYFF-TV reported.
Police said Hendrix approached Robert Ray Doss, a wanted parole violator, who was sitting in a pickup truck across the street from the home.
“The suspect initially appeared to comply with lawful orders to show the deputies his hands, to show his hands,” Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin said during an emotional news briefing.
“But in one rapid movement, he retrieved a gun, firing one round, striking a Henderson County Sheriff’s Office deputy in the face and critically wounding him.”
“The other Henderson County Sheriff’s Office deputies — there were two there at that moment — returned fire, ultimately killing the suspect.”
Hendrix was taken to Mission Hospital, where he died just before 1 p.m., WSPA-TV said.
“Ryan was doing the job he was born to do and he died doing the job he loved,” his family said in a statement.
The deputy was the father of two and was scheduled to be married next month, the outlet said.
Doss was wanted on probation and parole warrants in South Carolina.
Originally from Virginia, Doss had prior convictions in South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland and Virginia, including for drugs and theft, Griffin said.
Police said he was confronted by a homeowner while allegedly trying to break into a car. The homeowner yelled out to Doss, who smashed a bedroom window with a crowbar and even exchanged fire with the unnamed man before cops arrived and found Doss in his truck.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Kevin Durant was quickly turned off by idea of being Knicks savior

The NBA is all about the stars — getting along ...

Kevin Durant insisted again that as his last season in Golden State wore on, he wanted no part of the Knicks’ spotlight.
Too bad former Knicks president Steve Mills didn’t anticipate that as he traded Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas in late January of the 2018-19 season to clear cap room for KD and a star partner.
“Around February [2019] I was thinking I didn’t want to be the savior of the Knicks or New York,’’ Durant said on JJ Redick’s “Old Man and the Three” podcast. “That never really moved me. I didn’t care about being on Broadway. I just want to play ball and go to the crib and chill.”
Durant wound up with Kyrie Irving and the Nets and Knicks owner James Dolan got egg on his face.
“So I felt like that’s what Brooklyn embodied,’’ Durant said. “And I wanted to live in New York. And I felt like Brooklyn is everything I’m about — chill, on the low, all-black everything, we’re quiet. Just focus on basketball. There’s no show when you come to our games. No Madison Square, no mecca. All of that s–t. We’re just going to hoop and build something new in Brooklyn.”
According to sources, Rich Kleiman, Durant’s manager/agent, was enthusiastic about Durant considering being a Knick and all the possibilities. But ultimately he didn’t convince Durant as media speculation swirled it was “a done deal.’’
“I never planned on going to the Knicks,’’ Durant said. “That was just the media putting that out there, especially when I didn’t sign a three-year deal [as a free agent in 2018],” Durant said. “Once I signed a [one-year deal], just the noise got louder about me going to the Knicks for some reason. Knicks being the savior, you know how that goes. Every time a big free agent is up, the Knicks are going to get him. So it just took off.”
Durant will see how much Brooklyn pressure he faces next season — whenever it begins — as he makes his comeback from a season off to rehab a torn Achilles.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Pete Davidson likely to return for next season of ‘Saturday Night Live’

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Pete Davidson looks set to @ @ @ @ @ Live ” despite saying it may be time for him to go .
The lanky @ @ @ @ @ , saying the cast makes fun of him when he ’ s not there , @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m f - - king dumb.
” “ SNL ” will return to @ @ @ @ @ on Oct. 3 for its first live studio show since the pandemic .
Cast members @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re told , as sources said Davidson may well return .

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Pete Davidson looks set to return to “Saturday Night Live” despite saying it may be time for him to go.
The lanky comic spoke out in February, saying the cast makes fun of him when he’s not there, adding: “They think I’m f - - king dumb.”
“SNL” will return to Studio 8H at 30 Rock on Oct. 3 for its first live studio show since the pandemic. Cast members are wrapping up their deals, we’re told, as sources said Davidson may well return.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Stephen A. Smith, ESPN going all in on tales of ‘white privilege’

Steve Nash saw the questions coming as clearly as he ...

Given that I’m assigned to cover sports as delivered by TV, two recent developments have become dominant, repetitive themes:
1) If you don’t have a bet or bets on the games, you’re out of touch with sports, especially how they plan to sustain viewership and TV billions by suckering the young and vulnerable.
How would MLB now welcome Pete Rose to the Hall of Fame? “Come on in, Pete! Gambling on baseball is good!”
2) The United States is nearly unredeemable as a racist nation and must immediately change!
As for 1), I think it’s too late. Outside of an occasional bet on a big horse race, my sports betting days ended in the 1980s with the realization that it was a waste of time, thought and money.
As for 2), I don’t know what to do or how I can change for the better. I pay my taxes, I don’t litter, I’m an embracing father and grandfather, I took 10 years to pay off my college loan, I began at the bottom and I perform charity work, including for Habitat for Humanity.
Oh, and I have never oppressed a minority.
I do not, however, suffer people who would continue to point American blacks to the rear for a living — genuine oppressors. Thus, I decry the lyrics of rap music that sexually degrades women, celebrates gun violence and, now, by tacit decree, references black men with the N-word.
I was raised — and I raised my kids — to consider that word as the worst of slurs. I don’t see an excusable context, let alone a rhythmic upside to it. And I’m flabbergasted that our sports and their networks have increasingly chosen to attach themselves to such artistry while simultaneously encouraging white viewers to take stock of themselves as racists.
And I wouldn’t exploit our national anthem or flag for any purpose.
Yet, for all that I’m condemned as a racist.
Saturday on ESPN, Serena Williams and Sloane Stephens, two black women, were engaged in a tight, entertaining match at the U.S. Open. Suddenly, ESPN did what it so often does. It decided we didn’t really care about what we’d tuned in to watch, thus it squeezed the match to a postage stamp and hacked the screen into thirds.
Why? This was the time for Chris Fowler and Chris Evert to conduct a remote interview with black comedian and actress Wanda Sykes, whose show, “Black-ish,” appears — what a coincidence! — on ESPN’s Disney sibling network, ABC. The session was long, awkward, needless, totally forced and insulting.
And, of course, it included the now-obligatory lecture on racial and social justice, as if those who chose to watch a match between two black women were predominated by white supremacists.
This week, ESPN’s Man For All Reasons, Stephen A. Smith, was again self-ensnared by his rotten guesswork.
First, he claimed that the Nets’ hiring of Steve Nash, sans NBA head coaching portfolio, was an example of “white privilege.”
That was quickly and decisively debunked even by frightened, race-pandering media. On TNT, Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson gave four examples — Derek Fisher, Jason Kidd, Isiah Thomas and Doc Rivers — to the contrary.
But the next day, Smith was left to chase his own tail and tale. He figured he could holler his way out:
“I mentioned white privilege, yesterday. I have a message to those who feel that I was wrong, that I need to apologize, that I don’t know what I’m talking about, etcetera. I don’t give a damn what y’all feel. Y’all can all kick rocks. I don’t give a damn. I’m not budging from my position one inch.
“My point about white privilege, tell me the black man that would happen for? No résumé whatsoever as a coach, at all. And you get a job of this magnitude. I’m not talking about Derek Fisher, with the sorry New York Knicks at the time. I’m not talking about Jason Kidd, his first era when they were building the Brooklyn Nets squad, I’m not talking about Doc Rivers in Orlando. I’m not talking about those opportunities.
“I’m talking about championship ready, and it would be a shock if you don’t win 50 games and you’re not contending for a crown. Black folks with no résumé getting a job like that? I have been covering the NBA for 25 years … brothers do not get those opportunities.”
In other words, he realizes he was wrong — dead wrong — but he has the privilege to be wrong, then tell everyone else to go to hell. And this purveyor of social justice and wisdom remains ESPN’s No. 1 man.
I don’t know how to peacefully protest the plight of black Americans or join the activities of Black Lives Matter con artists by destroying all achievements in sight, nor by ignoring the escalating daily slaughter of urban blacks by urban blacks, but I’m willing to learn.
Perhaps Smith, Stephen A. Smith will help me.
And for those who can still stand it, Sunday’s NFL telecasts will be packed with audio and visual reminders that white viewers, no matter their accomplishments and how they succeeded or failed, are all born and raised racists.
Kay has timeline out of whack
Yankeeography: On Tuesday during Yankees-Blue Jays on YES, Michael Kay noted a clubhouse scuffle between the Yanks’ Goose Gossage and Cliff Johnson in which Gossage hurt his thumb. That, said Kay, “opened the door for Dave Righetti to become the Yanks’ closer.”
Johnson last played for the Yankees in 1979. Righetti became the closer in 1984.
Monday’s disqualification of U.S. Open top men’s seed Novak Djokovic after, in a moment of frustration, he hit a ball — not the least bit hard — that accidentally struck a lineswoman in the throat was curious. Though rules are rules, the punishment seemed to exceed the crime.
But there was an upside: TV money wasn’t the decisive factor.
NBC still tries to sell the FedEx Cup as golf’s “Fifth Major” when it’s a pure money-grab — $15 million to the winner, and even eighth place gets $1 million.
But with no gallery to absorb the noise, Sunday’s coverage included the nostalgic musical sound of a Mister Softee truck rolling by.
When I was a kid, I’d grow excited by the sound of the ice cream truck headed down our street, and would ask my dad for 15 cents. “No,” he’d say, “they play that music when they’re out of ice cream.”
How do today’s big leaguers hit .200? The Wilson Ramos Method! Sunday, the Mets’ catcher was 1-for-5 — one home run and four strikeouts.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Endangered baby gorilla, born 6 days ago at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, has died

Tragedy cut short celebrations at a New Orleans zoo this week when a newborn gorilla , the first welcomed to the facility in more than two decades , died after six days .
“ We are heartbroken over the loss , ” Ron Forman , the president and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute , said in a statement Thursday .
The baby didn ’ t have a name yet .
It was born Sept. 4 , the first offspring of Tumani , a 13-year-old member of the zoo ’ s gorilla troop .
“ Animal care staff noticed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and weak in the arms of the mother , ” the zoo said .
Veterinarians at the facility ’ s animal hospital were unable to revive it .
A necropsy was expected to determine the cause of death , but preliminary evidence suggests Tumani might not have been producing enough milk , authorities said .
“ There are many risks involved with gorilla births and unfortunately , it is not unusual for a first-time gorilla mom to lose an offspring , ” said Dr. Robert MacLean , Audubon ’ s senior veterinarian .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mother and child were both doing well .
It was the Audubon Zoo ’ s first gorilla birth in 24 years – and officials celebrated with abundant fanfare .
Videos and photos of the duo playing and snuggling were posted on Twitter – and news outlets around the country covered the event .
The nonprofit zoo hosted a virtual “ baby shower ” for food and supplies , and touted its participation in a conservation effort focused on western lowland gorillas .
The birth also marked new optimism at the zoo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an estimated $ 21 million due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Western lowland gorillas are slightly smaller than other subspecies , according to the World Wildlife Fund .
They stand roughly 4 to 5.5 feet tall on their hind legs and weigh up to about 440 pounds .
They are on the critically endangered list and suffer in the wild from poaching and illness – including the Ebola virus , which experts say is devastating to primate populations in western Africa .
According to Dr. Kyle Burks , the zoo ’ s COO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gorillas see mortality rates of more than 40 percent during their first year of life in the wild .

Tragedy cut short celebrations at a New Orleans zoo this week when a newborn gorilla, the first welcomed to the facility in more than two decades, died after six days.
“We are heartbroken over the loss,” Ron Forman, the president and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute, said in a statement Thursday.
The baby didn’t have a name yet. It was born Sept. 4, the first offspring of Tumani, a 13-year-old member of the zoo’s gorilla troop.
“Animal care staff noticed on Wednesday evening the gorilla infant seemed lethargic and weak in the arms of the mother,” the zoo said.
Veterinarians at the facility’s animal hospital were unable to revive it. A necropsy was expected to determine the cause of death, but preliminary evidence suggests Tumani might not have been producing enough milk, authorities said.
“There are many risks involved with gorilla births and unfortunately, it is not unusual for a first-time gorilla mom to lose an offspring,” said Dr. Robert MacLean, Audubon’s senior veterinarian.
Earlier this week, officials had said the mother and child were both doing well.
It was the Audubon Zoo’s first gorilla birth in 24 years – and officials celebrated with abundant fanfare.
Videos and photos of the duo playing and snuggling were posted on Twitter – and news outlets around the country covered the event.
The nonprofit zoo hosted a virtual “baby shower” for food and supplies, and touted its participation in a conservation effort focused on western lowland gorillas.
The birth also marked new optimism at the zoo, which Forman said earlier this week lost an estimated $21 million due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Western lowland gorillas are slightly smaller than other subspecies, according to the World Wildlife Fund. They stand roughly 4 to 5.5 feet tall on their hind legs and weigh up to about 440 pounds.
They are on the critically endangered list and suffer in the wild from poaching and illness – including the Ebola virus, which experts say is devastating to primate populations in western Africa.
According to Dr. Kyle Burks, the zoo’s COO and executive vice president, western lowland gorillas see mortality rates of more than 40 percent during their first year of life in the wild.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Dolphins will stay inside for both anthems before Week 1 game vs. Patriots

The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans made headlines before ...

The Miami Dolphins will be protesting against the NFL before Sunday’s Week 1 game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass.
The Dolphins said in a team video released Thursday that they will not be on the field during the national anthem and the Black national anthem which will be played before Sunday’s games. The league had announced it will be playing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem, before every Week 1 kickoff, and that it would be played before “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Multiple Miami players in the video called out the NFL for “fluff and empty gestures,” accusing the league of not doing enough on-the-ground work and failing to come through with enough funding to fix social justice issues in the United States.
Dolphins coach Brian Flores also supported the players’ actions in the video, delivering a message while wearing a shirt with a “Vote” message and a Dolphins logo on it.
“Before the media starts wondering and guessing, we just answered all your questions,” Flores said at the end of the video. “We’ll just stay inside.”
The two anthems were played before the Chiefs-Texans game on Thursday, with Houston not coming out on the field before the game. The game, won 34-20 by the Chiefs, was played in front of a sparse crowd of roughly 17,000 fans at Arrowhead Stadium, which holds nearly 77,000 fans, because of coronavirus restrictions.
The Chiefs, one of the NFL teams playing in front of fans, was capping the crowd at 22 percent of capacity, according to NBC Sports.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Texans stay in locker room as Chiefs link arms for national anthem

The Miami Dolphins will be protesting against the NFL before ...

The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans made headlines before they kicked off the 2020 NFL season on Thursday.
The Texans elected to return to their locker room ahead of the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” — Chiefs players locked arms in the end zone during what is known as the Black National Anthem — and returned after “The Star-Spangled Banner” was played.
During the national anthem, Chiefs players stood together on the sideline, with defensive end Alex Okafor kneeling while raising his fist in the air.
Both teams lined up along the middle of the field, linking arms for what was announced as “a moment of silence dedicated to the on-going fight for equality in our country.”
Mixed reactions from fans were heard on the NBC broadcast, with boos and claps from the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium — a limited number of patrons were allowed in to keep with social distancing protocols. The Chiefs won the game 34-20.
Players from both teams had “been in talks about a joint demonstration” before the game that “makes a statement on racial injustice and shows unity,” according to NFL Network.
It is likely far from the last form of social-justice messaging from players and the NFL this season. The police-involved deaths of several Black persons in recent months have caused several players to speak out and saw many of the league’s most prominent voices, including commissioner Roger Goodell, change their stances on the subject.
Before kickoff, the Miami Dolphins announced in a video that they would be staying in the locker room for both anthems before their Sunday opener against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass.
“Before the media starts wondering and guessing, they just answered all your questions,” coach Brian Flores stated. “We’ll just stay inside.”
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick drew a heavily mixed reaction when he kneeled for social justice reform during the 2016 season. Numerous players have revealed plans to do so this season.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Joe Biden’s bald-faced lies about the economy

US employers advertised more jobs but hired fewer workers in ...

On the campaign trail this week, Joe Biden pressed on with his efforts to blame President Trump for our economic challenges and simultaneously to cast doubt on the job market’s stunning recovery. Neither attempt stands up to scrutiny.
In Michigan Wednesday, Biden claimed that “Trump’s negligence” had created the recession. This is demagoguery. Remember: A virus from China caused worldwide economic shutdowns and sent economies into a tailspin.
Worried that the cure could be worse than the disease, Trump declined to order a national shutdown. Instead, the White House Coronavirus Task Force issued voluntary, two-week guidelines designed to slow the spread and keep the vulnerable safe. Trump later extended those guidelines to six weeks and added further recommendations “essential for containing the virus.” It was good advice, but nowhere did the guidelines order that businesses shut down.
It was governors in 44 states, 20 GOPers and 24 Democrats, who shut down their economies to varying degrees, the most bipartisan state action in modern times.
We can debate the health effectiveness of the shutdowns. But the economic results were foreseeable. Everyone knew that jobs, growth and wages would decline significantly from their pre-pandemic historic highs under Trump.
Biden now wants to blame Trump for these foreseeable consequences. The strange thing is that Biden does so even as he also vows to be open to imposing a national shutdown if elected. No doubt, he would attempt to blame Trump for the more dire consequences of that shutdown, as well.
Biden complained in Michigan that we are “down 4.7 million jobs” since Trump took office. This, too, is sheer demagoguery. The pandemic still rages, as he acknowledges, and many states are still partially locked down. With all that in mind, let’s look at the progress we’re making.
In April, the Congressional Budget Office projected that third-quarter unemployment would be 16 percent. In May, Goldman Sachs forecast that the unemployment rate would be 10 percent at the end of 2020. In June, the Federal Reserve Bank predicted a year-end rate of 9.3 percent. In July, JPMorgan forecast a year-end rate of 10.9 percent. Finally, in August, economists surveyed by Bloomberg estimated that the month’s unemployment rate would be 9.8 percent.
They were all wrong — by a lot. The August unemployment rate was 8.4 percent, well below even the year-end predictions and a drop of 6.3 points from the shutdown high of 14.7 percent in April.
Perhaps all those experts were expecting the pace of the Obama-Biden recovery, which took until January 2012, or 27 months, to get the jobless rate down from its post-2008 recession peak of 10 percent to 8.3 percent. Under Trump, it took a single month for the jobless rate to drop from a comparable 10.2 percent in July to 8.4 percent in August.
As for Biden’s complaint that we are down 4.7 million jobs since Trump took office, there were as many jobs in August of this year — 141 million — as there were in March of 2015, five years and 9 months into the Obama-Biden pseudo-recovery. In fact, with 1.4 million new jobs, August was not only the fourth-best job-creation month on record going back to 1939, it was 2.5 times better than any month in the Obama-Biden administration.
Perhaps more impressively, 3.75 million people joined the ranks of the employed in August, the third-largest increase ever recorded — June and May had the first- and second-largest increases, respectively — and four times greater than any month under Obama-Biden.
Biden also mentioned 750,000 manufacturing jobs we’ve yet to recover. But bear in mind: The economy has already added 643,000 manufacturing jobs since the April shutdowns, which is exactly how many manufacturing jobs the Obama-Biden administration added during its entire 7½ years in office following the end of the recession in June 2009. Bottom line: We are on our way to witnessing the second Trump economic boom at a pace Biden can only envy.
Andy Puzder, for 16 years CEO of CKE Restaurants, is a senior fellow at the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--Dozens of Austrians received US coronavirus stimulus checks

Dozens of Austrian citizens have received $ 1,200 coronavirus stimulus checks from the US government , according to a report .
At least 100 of the checks were recently deposited at two different banks in the country , Austria ’ s public broadcaster ORF reported Monday .
One of the recipients , 73-year-old retiree Manfred Barnreiter , of Linz , was puzzled when he opened his mailbox to find a check from the US Treasury signed by President Trump — and initially believed it was a scam .
He “ thought it ’ s pretty interesting — let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told ORT , and got the money three days after cashing the check .
Barnreiter said he didn ’ t know why he qualified for the payment meant to help Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic .
But he believes it ’ s because he worked as a waiter in New Jersey for a few years in the 1960s , and as a result receives a small pension from the US .
However , he said his wife also got the stimulus check , despite her never having even traveled to the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , which is required to be eligible for the payments .
Bank managers in Austria said it ’ s likely the checks were sent overseas by mistake .
Some of the recipients had been US taxpayers at one point , including a couple of former au-pairs who previously lived in the US .

Dozens of Austrian citizens have received $1,200 coronavirus stimulus checks from the US government, according to a report.
At least 100 of the checks were recently deposited at two different banks in the country, Austria’s public broadcaster ORF reported Monday.
One of the recipients, 73-year-old retiree Manfred Barnreiter, of Linz, was puzzled when he opened his mailbox to find a check from the US Treasury signed by President Trump — and initially believed it was a scam.
He “thought it’s pretty interesting — let’s bring it to the bank,” he told ORT, and got the money three days after cashing the check.
Barnreiter said he didn’t know why he qualified for the payment meant to help Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But he believes it’s because he worked as a waiter in New Jersey for a few years in the 1960s, and as a result receives a small pension from the US.
However, he said his wife also got the stimulus check, despite her never having even traveled to the US.
Neither are US citizens or live here, which is required to be eligible for the payments.
Bank managers in Austria said it’s likely the checks were sent overseas by mistake. Some of the recipients had been US taxpayers at one point, including a couple of former au-pairs who previously lived in the US.


newyorkpost--2020-09-10--That Atlantic Trump-‘exposer’ also helped misreport America’s way into Iraq war

Jeffrey Goldberg published a bombshell story that convulsed the nation .
No , I ’ m not talking about his recent Atlantic magazine piece claiming , based on the testimony of four anonymous sources , that President Trump had grossly disrespected America ’ s dead and wounded warriors in 2018 .
I ’ m talking about Goldberg ’ s New Yorker feature claiming that “ the relationship between Saddam ’ s regime and al-Qaeda is far closer than previously thought.
” Published less than a year after 9/11 , the story fed into the fervid pro-war atmosphere that then gripped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Terror , ” the essay was based on a reporting trip to Iraq ’ s northern Kurdish zone .
It recounted , in terrifying and admirable detail , Saddam Hussein ’ s 1988 poison-gas assault against Kurdish civilians in the village of Halabja .
Along the way , Goldberg did other things , too — chief among them , speaking to alleged terrorist detainees in a prison run by a pro-regime-change Kurdish faction .
“ It appears to be well kept and humane , ” Goldberg observed .
“ The communal cells hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have kerosene heat , and even satellite television .
For two days , the intelligence agency permitted me to speak with any prisoner who agreed to be interviewed.
” Goldberg recalled feeling “ wary ” about interviewing prisoners in a Mideast prison .
Nevertheless , “ the officials did not , as far as I know , compel anyone to speak to me , and I did not get the sense that allegations made by prisoners were shaped by their captors .
The stories , which I later checked with experts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attention of America.
” The mostly unnamed prisoners , per Goldberg , informed him “ that the intelligence service of Saddam Hussein has joint control , with al-Qaeda operatives , over [ a local jihadist faction ] ; that Saddam Hussein hosted a senior leader of al-Qaeda in Baghdad in 1992 ; that a number of al-Qaeda members fleeing Afghanistan have been secretly brought into territory controlled by [ the local jihadists ] ; and that Iraqi intelligence agents smuggled conventional weapons , and possibly even chemical and biological weapons , into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these charges are true , it would mean that the relationship between Saddam ’ s regime and al-Qaeda is far closer than previously thought.
” To put it rather more crudely : Saddam is warm to and cooperates with al-Qaeda ; al-Qaeda did 9/11 ; draw your own conclusions .
A Kurdish intel chief told Goldberg that “ he hoped I would carry this information to American intelligence officials .
‘ The FBI and the CIA haven ’ t come out yet , ’ he told me.
” Goldberg went on to relay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , American and Iraqi .
Most served to make the case for the seemingly “ unlikely ” marriage between Saddam ’ s secular regime and al-Qaeda ’ s Islamist ideology .
Unnamed Kurdish intel sources , Goldberg reported , believe that “ the real leader ” of a local terror group “ is an Iraqi who goes by the name Abu Wa ’ el , and who , like the others , spent a great deal of time in bin Laden ’ s training camps .
But he is also , they say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Iraqi intelligence ] .
” And on and on .
Pretty chilling stuff .
The Bush administration made Saddam ’ s ties to al-Qaeda a key plank of its case for regime change .
The war happened .
Saddam was toppled .
But in the years that followed , the Iraq-al-Qaeda link posited by Goldberg unraveled .
A 2004 CIA assessment undercut “ the [ Bush ] White House ’ s claim that Saddam Hussein maintained ties to al-Qaeda , ” as the Knight-Ridder agency reported at the time .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two villains , the assessment found .
Two years later , a Senate Intelligence Committee report detailed CIA disclosures that further undermined Team Bush claims “ that such ties existed , ” as The New York Times reported .
The 2006 report found that “ Saddam Hussein was distrustful of al-Qaeda and viewed Islamic extremists as a threat to his regime , refusing all requests from al-Qaeda to provide material or operational support.
” Then , in 2009 , an adviser to ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair testified before Britain ’ s Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Blair had tried to steer Bush away from the Saddam-al-Qaeda trail .
“ The [ British ] prime minister ’ s response to this was that the evidence would have to be very compelling indeed to justify taking any action against Iraq.
” A year later , Jeffrey Goldberg helped make the case for what would turn out to be a catastrophic war .
And he did so by relying , in part , on the claims of unnamed officials and unnamed prisoners in Kurdish prisons .

Jeffrey Goldberg published a bombshell story that convulsed the nation. No, I’m not talking about his recent Atlantic magazine piece claiming, based on the testimony of four anonymous sources, that President Trump had grossly disrespected America’s dead and wounded warriors in 2018.
I’m talking about Goldberg’s New Yorker feature claiming that “the relationship between Saddam’s regime and al-Qaeda is far closer than previously thought.” Published less than a year after 9/11, the story fed into the fervid pro-war atmosphere that then gripped the nation.
Headlined “The Great Terror,” the essay was based on a reporting trip to Iraq’s northern Kurdish zone. It recounted, in terrifying and admirable detail, Saddam Hussein’s 1988 poison-gas assault against Kurdish civilians in the village of Halabja.
Along the way, Goldberg did other things, too — chief among them, speaking to alleged terrorist detainees in a prison run by a pro-regime-change Kurdish faction.
“It appears to be well kept and humane,” Goldberg observed. “The communal cells hold 20 or so men each, and they have kerosene heat, and even satellite television. For two days, the intelligence agency permitted me to speak with any prisoner who agreed to be interviewed.”
Goldberg recalled feeling “wary” about interviewing prisoners in a Mideast prison. Nevertheless, “the officials did not, as far as I know, compel anyone to speak to me, and I did not get the sense that allegations made by prisoners were shaped by their captors. The stories, which I later checked with experts on the region, seemed at least worth the attention of America.”
The mostly unnamed prisoners, per Goldberg, informed him “that the intelligence service of Saddam Hussein has joint control, with al-Qaeda operatives, over [a local jihadist faction]; that Saddam Hussein hosted a senior leader of al-Qaeda in Baghdad in 1992; that a number of al-Qaeda members fleeing Afghanistan have been secretly brought into territory controlled by [the local jihadists]; and that Iraqi intelligence agents smuggled conventional weapons, and possibly even chemical and biological weapons, into Afghanistan.”
Goldberg concluded: “If these charges are true, it would mean that the relationship between Saddam’s regime and al-Qaeda is far closer than previously thought.”
To put it rather more crudely: Saddam is warm to and cooperates with al-Qaeda; al-Qaeda did 9/11; draw your own conclusions.
A Kurdish intel chief told Goldberg that “he hoped I would carry this information to American intelligence officials. ‘The FBI and the CIA haven’t come out yet,’ he told me.”
Goldberg went on to relay quotes from a number of pro-regime-change figures, American and Iraqi. Most served to make the case for the seemingly “unlikely” marriage between Saddam’s secular regime and al-Qaeda’s Islamist ideology.
Unnamed Kurdish intel sources, Goldberg reported, believe that “the real leader” of a local terror group “is an Iraqi who goes by the name Abu Wa’el, and who, like the others, spent a great deal of time in bin Laden’s training camps. But he is also, they say, a high-ranking officer of the Mukhabarat [Iraqi intelligence].”
And on and on.
Pretty chilling stuff. The Bush administration made Saddam’s ties to al-Qaeda a key plank of its case for regime change. The war happened. Saddam was toppled. But in the years that followed, the Iraq-al-Qaeda link posited by Goldberg unraveled.
A 2004 CIA assessment undercut “the [Bush] White House’s claim that Saddam Hussein maintained ties to al-Qaeda,” as the Knight-Ridder agency reported at the time. There was no “collaborative relationship” between the two villains, the assessment found.
Two years later, a Senate Intelligence Committee report detailed CIA disclosures that further undermined Team Bush claims “that such ties existed,” as The New York Times reported. The 2006 report found that “Saddam Hussein was distrustful of al-Qaeda and viewed Islamic extremists as a threat to his regime, refusing all requests from al-Qaeda to provide material or operational support.”
Then, in 2009, an adviser to ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair testified before Britain’s Iraq War Inquiry that as early as 2001, Blair had tried to steer Bush away from the Saddam-al-Qaeda trail. “The [British] prime minister’s response to this was that the evidence would have to be very compelling indeed to justify taking any action against Iraq.”
A year later, Jeffrey Goldberg helped make the case for what would turn out to be a catastrophic war. And he did so by relying, in part, on the claims of unnamed officials and unnamed prisoners in Kurdish prisons.
Sohrab Ahmari is The Post’s op-ed editor. Twitter: @SohrabAhmari