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How companies rip off poor employees — and get away with it

U.S. companies that cheat their workers out of pay are unlikely to be fined or punished even after they're caught. An analysis of Labor Department data found that in 2019, 8,500 employers were cited for taking about $287 million from workers. Companies that hire child care workers, gas station clerks, restaurant servers and security guards are among the businesses most likely to get caught. The analysis found, however, that the government rarely penalizes repeat offenders and often lets companies pay workers back less than they owe.

Curry's 41 points push Warriors past Pelicans 123-108

The Golden State Warriors took a big step toward locking up a postseason berth with a 123-108 victory over the desperate New Orleans Pelicans. Stephen Curry scored 41 points, and Draymond Green had 10 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds for the Warriors. Golden State moved four games ahead of 11th-place New Orleans with seven games remaining for one of the final Western Conference play-in spots. But these teams meet twice more. Zion Williamson scored 32 points and Brandon Ingram added 19 for New Orleans. The Pelicans missed 20 of 25 3-point shots.

Wage theft: His paycheck bounced. It got worse from there.

The 45-year-old electrician was yanking old wires from the walls of a middle school in suburban Birmingham, Alabama, when he found out his paycheck had bounced. He had been working 10 hours a day, six days a week on the school renovation project. That call was the beginning of the electrician's thus far unsuccessful quest to get an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. A Center for Public Integrity analysis of Labor Department data shows that companies that rely on low-wage workers are most likely to get caught cheating their employees.

'Horrible' weeks ahead as India's virus catastrophe worsens

A top expert is warning that the coming weeks in India will be “horrible,” as COVID-19 infections and deaths mount with alarming speed and there is no end in sight to the crisis. The country of nearly 1.4 billion has witnessed scenes of people dying outside overwhelmed hospitals and funeral pyres lighting up the night sky. India’s official count of coronavirus cases surpassed 20 million, nearly doubling in the past three months, while deaths officially exceed 220,000. But the true figures are believed to be far higher, the undercount an apparent symptom of the troubles in the health care system.

China: US should push North Korea diplomacy, not pressure

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — China’s U.N. ambassador expressed hope Monday that President Joe Biden’s policy toward North Korea will give more importance to diplomacy and dialogue instead of “extreme pressure” to try to stop Pyongyang's nuclear program and denuclearize the…

Westbrook has 21 boards, 24 assists; Wizards blast Pacers

Russell Westbrook had the third game in NBA history with 20-plus rebounds and 20-plus assists, and the surging Washington Wizards moved closer to Indiana in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. The Wizards outgunned the Pacers 154-141. Westbrook finished with 14 points, a career-high 21 rebounds and a career-high-tying 24 assists. He has 32 triple-doubles this season and is three short of Oscar Robertson's NBA record of 181. Rui Hachimura scored 27 points and Bradley Beal had 26 as Washington scored a season high and moved within one-half game of Indiana for ninth place in the East.

Marine inspector general suspended amid tank sinking probe

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (AP) — The Marine Corps inspector general, Major General Robert Castellvi, has been suspended amid the ongoing probes into last summer's fatal sinking of a seafaring tank off the Southern California coast, a newspaper reported Monday. Nine…

LEADING OFF: Minor league opening day, Dodgers' May needs TJ

From the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to the Tri-City Dust Devils, minor league teams are set to host opening day across the country following more than a year of uncertainty and empty ballparks. Much has changed since the end of the 2019 campaign. The pandemic wiped out the entire 2020 season, Major League Baseball eliminated 40 affiliates, and Commissioner Rob Manfred instituted experimental rules changes that will differ by level in an effort to speed up play and improve player safety. Meanwhile, Dodgers pitcher Dustin May needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

Dodger downer: Pitcher Dustin May to have Tommy John surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May will have Tommy John surgery next week, sidelining one of baseball’s top young pitchers for the rest of the season. May threw just 27 pitches before leaving Saturday’s 11-inning loss to Milwaukee. After his final pitch, May reacted with obvious pain, took a few steps and called for attention. The team says he will have ligament reconstruction surgery on May 11 in Los Angeles.

US appeals court considers Idaho transgender athletes ban

A U.S. appeals court gave little indication of how it might rule concerning the constitutionality of the first law in the nation banning transgender women and girls from playing on women’s sports team. The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard virtual arguments Monday in the case that could have far-ranging consequences as more states follow conservative Idaho’s lead. Idaho passed its law last year, and more than 20 states have considered such proposals this year. Bans have been enacted in several states. The judges focused at one point on whether the case was still relevant because one of the plaintiffs had dropped out of Boise State University.

White Sox's Robert could miss rest of year with hip injury

White Sox center fielder Luis Robert could miss the remainder of the season because of a torn right hip flexor, another major blow for a team eyeing a deep playoff run. General manager Rick Hahn said a scan confirmed the injury. There will be more consultations with specialists in the next few days before they determine whether Robert needs surgery. Either way, Hahn said Robert won’t resume baseball activities for three to four months. It’s not clear if he will play again this year. The White Sox were already without slugging outfielder Eloy Jiménez, who is expected to miss most of the season after rupturing his left pectoral tendon in spring training.

Elegant dancer, passionate educator Jacques d’Amboise dies

Jacques d’Amboise, whose unique combination of classical elegance and all-American verve made him one of the premier male dancers at New York City Ballet, has died at 86. D'Amboise spent the last four and a half decades providing free dance classes to countless youngsters in New York and across the country through his National Dance Institute. Institute Director Ellen Weinstein says the dancer and teacher died on Sunday at his home from complications of a stroke. He was surrounded by his family. D'Amboise danced for 35 years at New York City Ballet, joining at 15 and leaving at almost 50, and founded his institute while still a dancer there. 

Prosecutors: Suspects tailed Lady Gaga's dog walker

Prosecutors say three men drove around the Hollywood area in late February, looking for expensive French bulldogs to steal. Their night would end in gunfire, and the violent theft of Lady Gaga’s beloved pets. The robbery motivated the owners of French bulldogs to be wary during walks, with few clues made public about the case or the circumstances surrounding the dogs’ disappearance. The Associated Press on Monday obtained details from the felony complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Detectives say the motive was the dogs’ value, and they don't believe the thieves knew the animals belonged to Lady Gaga. Five people are charged, and all have pleaded not guilty.

Chauvin juror defends participation in Washington protest

One of the jurors who convicted Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd is defending his participation in a protest last summer in Washington, D.C., following online speculation about his motives for serving on the jury and whether it might be grounds for appeal. A photo, posted on social media, shows Brandon Mitchell attending the Aug. 28 event to commemorate the 1963 March on Washington. Floyd’s brother and sister addressed the crowd. Mitchell told the Star Tribune that he was honest during jury selection. Legal experts say Chauvin's defense could cite Mitchell's attendance at the event as basis for an appeal.

AP FACT CHECK: Biden overstates how many Americans immunized

An AP Fact Check finds that President Joe Biden was off on his vaccination numbers when he addressed the subject Monday. In remarks in Portsmouth, Virginia, Biden said he promised to get 100 million Americans vaccinated in his first 100 days and actually got 230 million vaccinated in that time. That's not true. Biden confused the number of shots administered with the number of people vaccinated. The latest federal numbers show that close to 148 million people in the U.S. have received at least one dose and close to 106 million have been fully vaccinated.

Magic coach Clifford clears protocols, to return Wednesday

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford has cleared NBA health and safety protocols for COVID-19 and will return to the bench Wednesday night against Boston. The Magic said Monday that Clifford would not coach that night’s game at Detroit. Clifford has missed the past five games because of COVID-19 protocols. He tested positive for the virus last month while in between two vaccination shots. Assistant Tyrone Corbin has served as acting coach.

Marlins rookie pitcher Campbell gets 80-game drug suspension

Miami Marlins rookie right-hander Paul Campbell has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in violation of Major League Baseball’s drug program. The suspension involving the performance-enhancing drug was effective immediately. Campbell, a Rule 5 acquisition in December, said he never knowingly ingested the substance, or had even heard of it. The 25-year-old Campbell made his major league debut this season and is 0-2 with an 8.74 ERA in five games and 11 1/3 innings. He made one start for Miami. Marlins general manager Kim Ng said the organization was disappointed by the news of Campbell’s suspension. 

New kids' TV show emerges from the Mister Rogers universe

NEW YORK (AP) — Mister Rogers’ neighborhood is expanding. In rare welcome news of sprawl, PBS Kids is releasing a new puppet-led series called “Donkey Hodie,” inspired from characters in the original Fred Rogers TV show. “Every part of it…

Florida governor signs law preempting local COVID edicts

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has moved to suspend all remaining COVID-19 restrictions imposed by communities across his state. On Monday, he signed into law freshly passed legislation giving him sweeping powers to invalidate local emergency measures put in place during the pandemic — including mask mandates, limitations on business operations and the shuttering of schools. The law goes into effect July 1. The Republican governor also issued an executive order to enact some provisions of the new law more quickly. Some mayors are decrying the law as a power grab. The law codifies much of the actions DeSantis had already taken, including a ban on so-called “vaccine passports."

Judge orders Kevin Spacey accuser to reveal his identity

A judge says a man cannot anonymously accuse actor Kevin Spacey of sexually abusing him at age 14 after meeting him in Spacey's suburban New York acting class. U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan issued the decision Monday in a lawsuit in which the man wished to be identified only as “C.D.” Kaplan said C.D.'s privacy interest does not outweigh the presumption of open judicial proceedings and the prejudice to Spacey that would occur if he could proceed anonymously. Kaplan noted that C.D. for decades has spoken to an unknown number of people about his claims against Spacey.

Chicago schools chief plans to leave post later this year

The leader of Chicago Public Schools is leaving the post later this year and is saying it's time for “the next chapter.” The CEO of the nation's third-largest school district, Janice Jackson, took the job in 2018 after serving in the position temporarily twice after scandals of two predecessors. She said Monday that she will not renew her contract when it expires June 30. Jackson grew up in Chicago and has long worked for the district, serving as a teacher, principal and in district leadership. Her departure comes after a tumultuous few years in the district, including a 2019 teachers strike and bitter fights with the union over reopening plans during the pandemic. 

Review: 'Human Factor' gets personal about Mideast peace

Ready for a documentary about three decades of agonizing fits and starts of the Mideast peace process, from the perspective of U.S. negotiators? You’re probably thinking that doesn’t sound too enticing right about now. But there’s a reason “The Human…

Lower-round QBs face long odds to make it in NFL

History dictates that it’s likely at least a couple of the five first-round quarterbacks won’t fulfill the hopes of the teams that drafted them. The odds facing the five QBs picked later in the draft are much longer with only three of the 26 QB picked in rounds two through four in the past eight drafts turning into successful NFL starters so far. The days of first-round snubs going onto superstar careers such as Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Drew Brees, or becoming solid long-term starters such as Matt Hasselbeck, Trent Green and Mark Brunell are much rarer these days.

Insider Q&A: Ex-biodefense chief on stopping the next COVID

WASHINGTON (AP) — When COVID-19 hit the U.S. early last year, public health scientist Rick Bright had an up-close view of what worked and what didn't. As head of the federal government’s biodefense agency Bright was responsible for securing tests,…