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Unorthodox offseason means unusual, unpredictable NFL draft

This year's NFL draft is like none other because teams weren't able to meet face-to-face with the pool of prospects outside the lucky few who got to play in the Senior Bowl after a season that was marked by opt-outs and cancellations. NFL teams don't have full medical reports on the class and the pool of candidates is about one-third the size it is in a normal year. Draft analysts say that will make for a puzzling first few rounds and a wild weekend at the bottom half of the draft.

Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz dies at 59

PARIS (AP) — Israeli designer Alber Elbaz, best known for spending 14 years at the helm of France's Lanvin fashion house, has died at 59, the luxury conglomerate Richemont said Sunday. A spokesperson for Richemont told CNN that Elbaz died…

Minority legislators sense moment to pass 'bold' legislation

In state legislatures across the country, lawmakers of color are seizing on the nation’s reckoning with racial injustice. They're insisting equity be considered in a wide range of legislation, from marijuana legalization to antidiscrimination protections related to people’s hairstyles. And in many states, they have gained the numbers and political clout to move ambitious legislation forward. In Connecticut, there are more racial minorities in legislative leadership positions than anytime in recent memory. The chairman of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus says his group's mantra this year is no bill will pass if it’s not equitable to communities of color.

'Mortal Kombat,' 'Demon Slayer' lead improving box office

The weekend at movie theaters featured something not seen for a while: a genuine box-office battle. Warner Bros.' “Mortal Kombat” reboot and the Japanese anime film “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” both vied for the top spot at the North American box office, with “Mortal Kombat” narrowly edging “Demon Slayer.” The R-rated “Mortal Kombat” earned an estimated $22.5 million, according to studio estimates, while Funimation’s “Demon Slayer” grossed $19.5 million. According to data firm Comscore, the two releases fueled the best weekend for movie theaters during the pandemic, with an estimate $54.2 million in ticket sales overall.

MRI on Brewers star Christian Yelich shows no major issues

The Milwaukee Brewers are moving along with their plan for Christian Yelich after an MRI on the slugger’s strained lower back showed no major issues. Yelich hasn’t played since April 11. He was eligible to come off the injured list this weekend, but the 2018 NL MVP was sent back to Milwaukee because manager Craig Counsell said the outfielder had hit a “plateau” in his recovery. Counsell says the team "basically just ruled out anything significant structurally that would show up on the MRI.”

Louisville looks to rebound with Kentucky Derby back in May

The Kentucky Derby is back on the first Saturday in May, slowly bringing with it the sights, sounds and rituals familiar to Louisville. And local officials and business owners are hopeful that translates into better cash flow after the coronavirus pandemic upended the Derby’s schedule last year. Some Derby activities have returned, and attendance capacity at Churchill Downs could approach 60% in certain areas. This year’s economic impact on the region is estimated at $34.6 million, less than a tenth of the normal revenue that the event generates. But the Derby buzz is once again humming around Louisville.

5 held as France investigates deadly police station attack

French authorities are questioning a fifth person in an anti-terrorism investigation seeking to identify potential accomplices and motives after a police official was fatally stabbed at a police station outside Paris. French police killed the 37-year-old Tunisian attacker shortly after the Friday slaying of an unarmed administrative employee at the entrance of her police station in the town of Rambouillet. Police have detained a cousin of the attacker and are also questioning the attacker's father, another cousin and a couple who provided him with an address for mail. This week, France's interior minister plans to present a new counterterrorism and intelligence bill.

Drone operators challenge surveyors' turf in mapping dispute

Here's another industry being disrupted by technology: Licensed surveyors are objecting to maps that combine drone images with property lines. Michael Jones is suing North Carolina's Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. The board has threatened him with criminal prosecution for unlicensed surveying. The libertarian Institute of Justice law firm says it's a nationwide freedom of speech issue. The challenge goes both ways: Surveyors need Federal Aviation Administration approval to professionally fly drones, and drone operators need state licenses to produce legal surveys. Some experts say they should work together to create maps that do a better job of showing where to build fences. 

More action, less talk, distinguish Biden's 100-day sprint

More action, less talk and something for the history books. That's been the story of President Joe Biden's first 100 days. Legislatively, President Donald Trump had little to show for his 100-day debut. There's no question Biden has been faster out of the gate with consequential actions, achieved without the drama of his predecessor. Most notably he's won a sweeping pandemic relief package that not only sent hefty checks to most Americans but set the stage for a big reduction in child poverty and boosted the affordability of the Obama-era health law. But it's not all been smooth. Biden has struggled to change course on Trump-era immigration practices, earning rebukes from some Democrats.

French protesters demand trial for Jewish woman's killer

Crowds have gathered in Paris and other French cities to denounce a ruling by France’s highest court that the killer of Jewish woman was not criminally responsible and therefore could not go on trial. The decision sparked outrage among the French and international Jewish community. Sarah Halimi, 65, died in 2017 after being pushed out of the window of her Paris apartment by her neighbor Kobili Traoré, who allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is great” in Arabic). Traoré admitted pushing her. The ruling from the Court of Cassation said there was enough evidence to show the act had antisemitic motives but that Traoré had been “delirious” at the time. He is now in a secure psychiatric hospital.

Magic coach Steve Clifford tests positive, will miss games

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford has tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss multiple games while going through the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin will take over during Clifford's absence. Clifford originally tested positive Thursday night. He returned two negative tests Friday, giving hope that the first positive was a false result, then learned Saturday afternoon that a test he took that morning came back positive. Subsequent testing led to the determination that he must enter the protocols and miss games.

Rescue groups decry loss of migrant lives in Mediterranean

ROME (AP) — Rescue groups and the Vatican are decrying the latest deaths of migrants who put to sea in traffickers’ unseaworthy boats, amid laments that central Mediterranean nations are choosing not to dispatch vessels to save them. Aid group…

Despite racial reckoning, state efforts stall on reparations

Decades-long debates over whether to offer reparations to the descendants of slaves in the U.S. finally seemed to be gaining momentum after last summer's protests over racial inequities. While some cities are moving ahead, the efforts have largely stalled in the states. That's raising questions about whether they can win enough support to succeed on a wide scale. California is the only state to approve a commission to study reparations statewide and how they might work. Some lawmakers say it's an indication that most states have yet to come to terms with the extent of systemic racism in the U.S.

Analyst: Rocket engine test likely caused blast in Israel

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A mysterious blast heard in central Israel appears to have come during a rocket engine test conducted at a secretive military base associated with the country's missile program, according to an analyst and satellite…

Indonesia says 53 crew of lost sub are dead, wreckage found

Indonesia’s military has officially said all 53 crew members from a submarine that sank and broke apart last week are dead. Searchers have located the vessel's wreckage on the sea floor, at a depth of 838 meters, or 2,750 feet. That’s much deeper than the submarine's collapse depth, at which point water pressure would be greater than the hull could withstand. Sunday's grim announcement comes a day after Indonesia said the submarine was considered sunk, not merely missing, but did not explicitly say whether the crew was dead. The vessel went missing off the resort island of Bali on Wednesday.

Kansas agency's lost $72K: 4 years of probing, few answers

More than $72,000 in seized cash went missing from a central Kansas sheriff's department sometime after a drug bust on Interstate 70 in January 2017. The state Bureau of Investigation says it still has open cases involving employees of the Dickinson County Sheriff's Department in Abilene, though investigations of the former sheriff and the missing money are closed. The ex-sheriff lost his August 2020 primary race to a former long-term employee and two top KBI officials said in a court document that the agency's investigations were hindered by a “fear of retribution.” And there's still no explanation of what happened to the missing money. 

For 3 ex-cops, will blaming Chauvin for Floyd's death work?

With Derek Chauvin convicted of murder in George Floyd’s death, activists and the Floyd family are turning their attention to this summer's trial for the other three officers involved in his May 2020 arrest. They go on trial in August. All three have already sought to shift responsibility to Chauvin. Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter. Legal experts say they're sure to be watching what kind of prison time Chauvin gets. They’ll also be mindful that it took jurors less than 24 hours to find Chauvin guilty, which could ratchet up pressure for a plea deal.

FDA to scrutinize unproven cancer drugs after 10-year gap

U.S. regulators are convening a meeting to consider clawing back approvals from several cancer drugs that have failed to show they extend or improve life. Each year the U.S. approves dozens of new uses for cancer drugs based on early signs that they can shrink or slow tumor growth. But sometimes those promising results don't translate into longer life for cancer patients. On Tuesday, the FDA starts a three-day meeting on the issue. It's the first such meeting in a decade. The agency has only once used its power to revoke a cancer drug's early approval.

Sen. Johnson may offer insight into GOP's 2022 positioning

Sen. Ron Johnson is in an uncomfortable class of his own. The Wisconsin Republican is the only senator in his party facing reelection next year in a state that backed Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential race. But Johnson isn't moderating his politics to accommodate potentially shifting voter attitudes. Instead, he's focusing even more intently on cultural issues that appeal to his party's overwhelmingly white base. The tactics offer a window into how Republicans may approach the midterms elections, with a focus on turning out the base and steadfastly dismissing any criticism, especially when it comes to issues of race.

LEADING OFF: A's go for 14th in row, Tatis on HR tear vs LA

Oakland tries for its 14th consecutive victory when the Athletics play Baltimore at Camden Yards. It's the longest winning streak in the majors since Cleveland set an American League record with 22 straight wins in 2017. The A's, who lost their first six games this season, have outscored opponents 83-36 during the streak. Meanwhile, young Padres slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. is coming off consecutive multi-homer games at Dodger Stadium against a pair of Cy Young Award winners, and Houston second baseman José Altuve says he tested positive for COVID-19 but hasn’t felt ill and hopes to return to the lineup soon. 

Dodgers rally past Padres 5-4 despite 2 more homers by Tatis

Corey Seager’s two-run single in the sixth inning provided the go-ahead runs and the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame another two-homer night by Fernando Tatis Jr. to defeat the San Diego Padres 5-4. The Padres took a 3-2 lead after Tatis led off the sixth with a shot to center field off Trevor Bauer, ending a run of 11 straight batters set down by the right-hander. Tatis is the first opposing player to have multi-homer games on consecutive nights at Dodger Stadium since San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds in 2002. 

Doncic, Mavs stun Lakers with rally in Davis' 2nd game back

Luka Doncic had 18 points and 13 assists and the Dallas Mavericks overcame a 17-point deficit for a 108-93 win over Los Angeles in Lakers star Anthony Davis’ second game back from a long injury absence. Dwight Powell scored 12 of his season-high 25 points in the fourth quarter for Dallas. The Mavericks outscored the Lakers 62-35 in the second half. Davis scored 17 points on another sluggish shooting night. The Mavericks swept a two-game home set against the defending NBA champs.

A's extend win streak to 13 with 7-2 victory over Orioles

Jed Lowrie hit a three-run homer and the Oakland Athletics won their 13th straight game, building a big lead early and beating the Baltimore Orioles 7-2 on a rainy night. This is the third-longest winning streak in Oakland history. The A’s won 14 straight in 1988 and set a then-American League record with 20 consecutive victories in 2002. Cleveland topped the mark with 22 wins in a row in 2017. Oakland’s string is the longest in the majors since that Indians run. The Athletics, who lost their first six games this season, have outscored opponents 83-36 during the winning streak.