Ingested Articles

On Eve Of Openers, Manfred Hopes Full Capacity By Midsummer

MLB moving All-Star Game in response to voting restrictions

Major League Baseball has moved the All-Star Game from Atlanta’s Truist Park, a response to Georgia enacting a new law last month restricting voting rights. MLB had awarded the game to Atlanta on May 29, 2019, and the game was scheduled for July 13 as part of baseball’s midsummer break that includes the Futures Game on July 11 and Home Run Derby the following night. But Commissioner Rob Manfred made the decision to move the All-Star events and the amateur draft, which had been scheduled to be held in Atlanta for the first time.

Ap Sources: Ncaa Has Not Tested For Drugs At Championships

AP Sources: NCAA has not tested for drugs at championships

The Associated Press has learned that the NCAA has not tested players for performance-enhancing drugs at March Madness and other recent college championships. Three people with direct knowledge of NCAA testing protocols tell AP that testing has not resumed since the coronavirus pandemic shut down college sports a year ago. Although athletes may have been tested on campus, the NCAA has not ramped up its usual testing program at national championships such as the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. The women's Final Four semifinals games are Friday, with the men playing Saturday.   The people who spoke to AP about testing all confirmed the same thing: No samples from the organization’s signature events have been sent to the labs that analyze NCAA tests. 

Houston Tops Oregon State, Reaches 1st Final Four Since ’84

Texas two-step: Baylor, Houston reunite in the Final Four

Somebody will be doing a joyful Texas two-step after Baylor and Houston meet Saturday night in the Final Four. It could be Bears coach Scott Drew, who built his now-mighty program from the ashes of one of the worst scandals in sports history. Or it could be Cougars counterpart Kelvin Sampson, who’s spent more than a decade trying to outrun the “cheater” label hung from his neck during his days at Oklahoma and Indiana. Either way, the first Final Four involving two programs from the football-mad Lone Star State will produce a hoops finalist that stands on the brink of a its first national championship.

2 Members Of Salt Lake City’s ‘real Housewives’ Arrested

'Real Housewives' star pleads not guilty to fraud charges

A Utah woman with a star role in “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” reality show has pleaded not guilty to ripping off people in a telemarketing scheme. At a virtual hearing Friday, a judge also imposed tighter bail conditions for Jennifer Shah after a prosecutor suggested Shah was still hiding illicit proceeds from the alleged fraud and is a flight risk. Shah's lawyer called the new conditions excessive. They argued she's too famous to get away with trying to duck the case. A trial date was set for Oct. 18 in Manhattan.

An Advanced Stats Look At This Year’s Final Four Teams

An advanced-stats look at this year's Final Four teams

The participants in this year’s Final Four took different roads to get to this point, and they also have different statistical profiles. The advanced stats suggest Gonzaga is impressive inside the arc on offense, but may struggle to defend the rim. Baylor has problems with defensive rebounding, and its next opponent, Houston, is impressive on the offensive boards. UCLA got to this point by winning the turnover battle — and by having its last two opponents shoot poorly from the free throw line.

Migrant Arrivals To Europe Lower But Deaths Remain High

Protests grow in Italy over the wiretapping of journalists

ROME (AP) — Italian journalists and lawmakers on Friday protested the wiretapping of reporters’ phone calls during investigations into Libya-based migrant trafficking and humanitarian rescue groups. Italian daily Domani reported that among the conversations intercepted by investigators a few years…

Many Still Hesitate To Get Vaccine, But Reluctance Is Easing

Many still hesitate to get vaccine, but reluctance is easing

The race is on to vaccinate as many Americans as possible against COVID-19, but a significant number of people in the U.S. are still reluctant to get the shots, even in places where they are plentiful. That's according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll reports that 25% of Americans say they probably or definitely will not get vaccinated. The holdouts are leery about possible side effects. They tend to be Republican, and they are usually younger and less susceptible to becoming critically ill or dying if they catch COVID-19.

Big Effort Aims To Elect Candidates With Science Backgrounds

Big effort aims to elect candidates with science backgrounds

A group working to elect candidates with science, technology, engineering and math backgrounds plans to spend $50 million in the 2022 midterm elections. The 314 Action nonprofit advocacy group is focusing on several Senate races that it wants Democrats to win in order to maintain their majority in Congress. President Donald Trump was a catalyst for the organization's recruiting efforts in the 2018 midterms and 2020 election. Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper and others urge candidates with science backgrounds to focus on issues that will resonate with voters and not just make Trump central to their campaigns.

Iraq Judge Who Presided Over Saddam’s Trial Dies Of Covid 19

Iraq judge who presided over Saddam's trial dies of COVID-19

BAGHDAD (AP) — A retired Iraqi judge who presided over the trial of Iraq's late dictator Saddam Hussein has died after battling COVID-19, the country's top judicial body said Friday. According to Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa,…

Western Rivers Face Pinch As Another Dry Year Takes Shape

Western rivers face pinch as another dry year takes shape

As several states in the American West face intense drought, water managers say it's shaping up to be a very difficult year for New Mexico farmers because of limited irrigation supplies. Officials with major irrigation districts along the Rio Grande say snowpack and precipitation are below average, spring runoff is trailing and there's no extra water in the state's reservoirs. It's no different elsewhere in the West. The district that provides water to Indigenous communities and farmers on part of the Rio Grande says it hasn't been in a position like this since the 1950s. In southern New Mexico, growers are being told to prepare for a short irrigation season.

Michigan Board Censures Gop Regent For ‘witches’ Comment

Michigan board censures GOP regent for 'witches' comment

The University of Michigan’s board has censured a Republican regent who called Michigan's female Democratic leaders “witches” whom the GOP would prepare for a “burning at the stake” in the 2022 election. Ron Weiser said Friday that he takes “full responsibility” for his comments but won't quit despite the board’s call for his resignation. Weiser is chair of the state Republican Party. He sparked outrage when he referred to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson as “witches” multiple times. Also, he joked about “assassination” when pressed about Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump.

Us Agency Opens 2 Safety Probes Of Volkswagen, Audi Vehicles

US agency opens 2 safety probes of Volkswagen, Audi vehicles

The U.S. government’s road safety agency has opened two investigations into problems with Volkswagen vehicles, including one that alleges serious gasoline leaks under the hood. Details of the probes covering nearly 215,000 vehicles were posted Friday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. The largest covers more than 191,000 VW Atlas SUVs from 2018 through 2020. The agency says it has three complaints and 11 field reports of leaks near the fuel injectors in 3.6-liter engines. No fires have been reported. The other probe covers just over 23,000 Audi A8, S6, S7, S8 and RS7 vehicles from 2013 through 2016. The agency says it has 58 complaints and three field reports about 4-liter twin-turbocharged engines stalling without warning in highway or city traffic.

5 Nats Player To Miss Opening Day After 1 Tests Positive

COVID outbreak hits Nationals; 3-game series vs. Mets off

The Washington Nationals say their season-opening three-game series against the New York Mets has been postponed after the 2019 World Series champions had a coronavirus outbreak. Four players on the Nationals have tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. Five other players and one staff member are under quarantine after contact tracing determined they might have been exposed, too. The Mets-Nationals series was supposed to include games Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at Nationals Park. Washington GM Mike Rizzo says his team is planning to begin its season at home Monday against the NL East rival Atlanta Braves.

Prosecutors Struggle With Consistent Story In Jan. 6 Cases

Car rams Capitol barricade, injuring 2 cops; suspect shot

A car has rammed a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol, injuring two Capitol Police officers and leading to a suspect being shot. That's according to two law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday on condition of anonymity as the event was unfolding. Capitol Police say the incident happened at a checkpoint near the Capitol. It comes as the Washington region remains on edge months after a mob of armed insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden’s presidential win. The Capitol complex was placed on lockdown after the shooting and staff were told they could not enter or exit buildings

Italy: Officer Held For Spying Says He Had No Sensitive Info

Italy: Officer held for spying says he had no sensitive info

ROME (AP) — An Italian Navy captain accused of passing classified documents to Russia says he didn’t have access to any information that would have compromised the security or strategic operations of Italy or NATO, his lawyer said Friday. Attorney…

Census Data Delay Scrambles Plans For State Redistricting

Lawsuits over execution of 2020 census near conclusions

Two legal challenges to the Trump administration’s execution of the 2020 census neared conclusions this week in the face of changes brought by President Joe Biden’s administration since he took office. A group of Latino and Asian American advocates had sued the Trump administration in federal court in Maryland. On Wednesday, they asked to have their lawsuit dismissed. In a separate federal lawsuit in San Jose, California, a coalition of civil rights groups and local governments had sued the Trump administration over efforts to end the nation’s head count early. They said this week that they are making “significant progress” toward resolving the case.

Biden Affirms Support For Ukraine In First Call To Leader

Biden affirms support for Ukraine in first call to leader

President Joe Biden underscored U.S. support for Ukraine on Friday in his first call to that country's leader following reports of Russian troop movements on its eastern border. Biden in his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy affirmed “unwavering support…

Mobley Bros. Lead No. 6 Seed Usc To 85 51 Rout Of Kansas

Kansas gives Bill Self contract to keep him until retirement

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self has agreed to a new contract that will keep him with the Jayhawks until he retires. The five-year contract automatically adds one additional year after the conclusion of each season. That effectively makes it a lifetime contract. The deal guarantees him $5.41 million per year with a base salary of $225,000, professional services contract of $2.75 million and an annual $2.435 million retention bonus. The deal was struck even as the school awaits the decision from an independent panel investigating five serious infractions charges alleged by the NCAA

North Dakota Tourist Town Evacuated Because Of Wildfire

Wildfire evacuees return to North Dakota tourist town

Residents of a small western North Dakota tourist town forced to evacuate as a large wildfire approached have been able to return to their homes. The city of Medora, with its population of about 100, was evacuated Thursday as firefighters worked to stop the blaze from spreading. Authorities on Friday reduced the estimated size of the fire from about 15 square miles to about 4 1/2 square miles. There were no reports of injuries or damaged structures in the community, which is on the doorstep of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. North Dakota has seen a growing number of wildfires with extreme drought conditions across the state.

Explainer: What We Know About Astrazeneca Blood Clot Reports

Dutch halt AstraZeneca coronavirus shots in under-60s

The Dutch government says it is temporarily halting AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccinations for people under the age of 60. The move Friday follows reports of very small number of people suffering unusual blood clots after receiving the shot. The Dutch decision comes three days after authorities in Germany also stopped using the AstraZeneca’s vaccine in the under-60s. Germany also cited  fresh concerns over unusual blood clots in a tiny number of those who received the shots. A Dutch organization that monitors vaccine side effects says it has received five reports of blood clots with low blood plate counts following AstraZeneca vaccinations. All the cases occurred between seven and 10 days after the vaccinations and all the people affected were women aged between 25 and 65 years.

Tar Heels Turn Attention To Hiring Williams’ Successor

Tar Heels turn attention to hiring Williams' successor

North Carolina now faces the challenge of finding Roy Williams’ successor. The Hall of Fame coach is retiring from the Tar Heels’ storied men’s basketball program. That opens the job for the first time in nearly two decades. UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham says Williams will input in the process to hire a new coach. Cunningham called the opening “the best job in college basketball" but there is no exact timetable for hiring a new coach. Williams won three national championships in 18 seasons with the Tar Heels. That followed a 15-year run at Kansas.

Tesla 1q Sales Of 185k More Than Double Last Year’s Numbers

Tesla 1Q sales of 185K more than double last year's numbers

Tesla delivered nearly 185,000 electric vehicles in the first quarter despite a shortage of computer chips that has hit the global auto industry. The number was more than double the deliveries for the same period last year. And it beat Wall Street estimates of 168,000 for January through March. The company says the Model Y small SUV in China has been well received. Tesla listed no quarterly production figures for its older models, the S sedan and X SUV, but it delivered just over 2,000 of them. It says new equipment has been installed at the Fremont, California, factory and production of new versions is in the early stages.