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AFGHANISTAN As deadline nears, US may face disorderly withdrawal BY J.P. LAWRENCE Stars and Stripes KABUL, Afghanistan — Time is running out for Washington to choose whether to keep to a deal with the Taliban and pull out of Afghanistan by May 1, a defense official and several security anal- ysts said. The deadline to leave Afghanis- tan set out in a U.S.-Taliban agreement last year means U.S. troops must begin their with- drawal by the beginning of April, or risk a chaotic and dangerous exit from America’s longest war, said Jonathan Schroden, special operations program director at HART VAN DENBURG/AP the Center for Naval Analyses. People are led out of a King Soopers grocery store after a shooting in the store on Monday in Boulder, Colo. It will take at least three to six weeks to turn over or close the dozen or so bases in the country, pack and ship tons of equipment, and transport tens of thousands of troops and contractors, Schroden 10 killed in Colorado shooting said. A rushed withdrawal, or ret- rograde, may resemble an evac- Suspect in hospital after opening fire in supermarket; uation, evoking images of U.S. helicopters hastily escaping Sai- 2nd mass shooting in the US in less than one week gon at the end of the Vietnam War. BY PATTY NIEBERG pect was being treated at a hospi- “If we haven’t already passed AND THOMAS PIEPERT tal and was expected to be booked the line for responsibly closing Associated Press into the county jail later in the day. the bases the U.S. is on, we’re BOULDER, Colo. — A gunman Investigators have not estab- probably going to pass it in the opened fire inside a crowded su- lished a motive, but authorities be- next week or so,” Schroden said permarket on Monday killing 10 lieve he was the only shooter, Monday. “If we are still aiming people, including a police officer, Boulder County District Attorney for May 1, we’re either past or ve- and sent terrorized shoppers and Michael Dougherty said. ry near the point where it will no employees scrambling for cover. A law enforcement official longer be a methodical, orderly, The suspect was identified as a 21- briefed on the shooting told The by-the-book retrograde.” year-old man who was wounded in Associated Press that the gunman The deadline is the result of a a shootout with police. used an AR-15 rifle, a lightweight deal signed in February 2020, Authorities said Ahmad Al Ali- semi-automatic rifle. Officials which traded a complete troop wi Alissa was from the Denver were trying to trace the gun. The withdrawal for concessions from suburb of Arvada and that he en- official was not authorized to JOE MAHONEY/AP the Taliban. These included a Ta- gaged in a shootout with police in- Police work on the scene outside of a King Soopers grocery store side the Boulder store. The sus- SEE SHOOTING ON PAGE 9 where a shooting took place Monday. SEE DEADLINE ON PAGE 4 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER Existing US home sales fell in Feb., prices rose EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1,130.58 Associated Press held up home sales last spring. from a year earlier. Switzerland (Franc) 0.9323 Euro costs (March 24) $1.16 Thailand (Baht) 30.98 Sales of previously occupied Severe winter weather across The red-hot housing market Dollar buys (March 24) 0.8624 Turkey (NewLira) 7.9041 British pound (March 24) $1.34 U.S. homes slowed last month as much of the U.S. was likely a fac- has left the number of available Japanese yen (March 24) 106.00 (Military exchange rates are those available rising prices and a dearth of tor in the slowdown, which properties for sale at record South Korean won (March 24) 1,100.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ homes for sale kept some would- marked the first monthly sales lows, which has contributed to many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) 0.3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ be buyers on the sidelines. decline in sales in two months. sharp increases in home prices. Britain (Pound) 1.3776 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2565 your local military banking facility. Commercial The National Association of On a regional basis, sales de- Economists expect sales to re- China(Yuan) 6.5117 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.2631 Realtors said Monday that exist- clined in the Northeast, Midwest main strong this year, given Egypt (Pound) 15.7588 when buying currency. All figures are foreign ing homes sales in February fell and South, but rose in the West. more millennials are looking to Euro 0.8422 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7667 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ 6.6% from January to a season- Even so, home prices continued become homeowners and many Hungary (Forint) 308.45 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2919 ally-adjusted rate of 6.22 million to climb, driven by sales of high- Americans with the freedom to Japan (Yen) 108.63 INTEREST RATES annualized units. Sales were up er-end homes. work remotely through the pan- Kuwait(Dinar) 0.3022 Norway (Krone) 8.746 Prime rate 3.25 9.1% from February last year, The report showed that the demic are increasingly moving Philippines (Peso) 48.65 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.25 Poland (Zloty) 3.89 Federal funds market rate 0.07 before the pandemic upended U.S. median home price was to other states and buying Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7503 3­month bill 0.01 the economy and temporarily $313,000 in February, up 15.8% homes. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3430 30­year bond 2.45 WEATHER OUTLOOK WEDNESDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY IN EUROPE THURSDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 51/42

Kabul Seoul 53/41 58/41 Baghdad 81/70 Drawsko Osan Tokyo Kandahar Mildenhall/ 59/40 59/44 Pomorskie Busan 73/46 Lakenheath 48/38 52/39 61/47 Iwakuni Kuwait City 54/51 Bahrain Zagan Sasebo Guam 99/70 79/69 Brussels Ramstein 45/37 55/38 53/32 62/53 82/79 Riyadh Lajes, Stuttgart 98/72 Doha Azores Pápa 58/55 54/30 93/66 Aviano/ 47/35 Vicenza 54/32

Naples 55/39 Okinawa Morón 72/69 73/44 Sigonella Rota 53/35 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 63/53 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 87/67 52/49 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 14 Opinion ...... 15 Sports ...... 18-24 Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY US pushes to revitalize ties with NATO

In Brussels this week, allies are Dispute persists with expected to develop plans to adapt NATO over the next dec- key ally Germany ade, with a focus on dealing with a rising China and an assertive over new gas pipeline Russia. The aim is to ready the BY JOHN VANDIVER new strategy for heads of state to Stars and Stripes approve during a summit later STUTTGART, Germany — this year. Germany’s plan to open a new gas NATO also is working on plans pipeline with Russia poses a to better factor the effects of cli- threat to European security, mate change into allied military America’s top diplomat warned planning, Stoltenberg said. Tuesday, highlighting a key point Allies on Tuesday and Wednes- of contention with allies even as day were expected to endorse a Washington aims to revitalize ties report that would have members with NATO that were strained look for ways to reduce emissions during the Trump administra- during military operations, while tion. also assessing the effects of cli- U.S. Secretary of State Antony mate change on military infras- Blinken said he expected to bring tructure. up Berlin’s subsea Nord Stream 2 “Climate change is a crisis mul- pipeline project with Moscow tiplier,” Stoltenberg said. “Cli- during high-level talks at NATO mate change is making the world headquarters in Brussels, where a more dangerous place. And the 30 member states are meeting therefore it matters for NATO.” for two days of discussions. The mission in Afghanistan and President Joe Biden “believes the feasibility of pulling allied the pipeline is a bad idea. Bad for forces out of that country by May Europe, bad for the United 1 was also on the agenda. No final States,” Blinken said during brief NATO decisions on the way forward opening remarks in Brussels. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, and NATO Secretary­General Jens Stoltenberg talk at the were expected to materialize dur- “Ultimately, it’s in contradiction alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday. Blinken is in Brussels for two days of talks with alliance ing conference in Brussels. to the European Union’s own en- foreign ministers. “Last week, President Biden ergy security goals. It has the po- noted that it would be tough to tential to undermine the interests But the dispute with Germany Still, allies in Brussels this NATO Secretary-General Jens meet the May 1 deadline for a full of Ukraine, Poland, a number of also complicates Biden’s push to week are talking up how the arriv- Stoltenberg said Tuesday. withdrawal, but whatever the other close partners or allies.” establish a more unified front al of Biden bodes well for NATO, With Biden in the White House, United States ends up doing will Opposition to the nearly com- among NATO allies. Blinken said which former President Donald “we have now a unique opportu- be informed by the thinking of our plete Nord Stream 2 project, a if the project comes to fruition, Trump often complained was nity to start a new chapter in the NATO allies, which I’ll take back pipeline that runs 760 miles from Washington would be required by more beneficial to Europe than to trans-Atlantic relationship,” Stol- with me after these conversations Russia to Germany under the Bal- U.S. law to impose sanctions on the United States. tenberg said. “And I strongly wel- and consultations,” Blinken said. tic Sea, puts the Biden adminis- companies involved in the energy “There is no way to hide over come the Biden administration’s tration in line with the Trump ad- venture, which would likely affect the last few years we have had dif- message on rebuilding alliances [email protected] ministration’s previous position. numerous German businesses. ficult discussions in our alliance,” and strengthening NATO.” Twitter: @john_vandiver NATO prepares ‘virus-free’ zone for summit in June BY LORNE COOK ance’s headquarters against COVID-19. the time leaders from Europe and North ity of blood clots — fears the government Associated Press They plan to administer around 3,500 America gather in about three months. A rejects — and the vaccine doesn’t appear to BRUSSELS — Since the coronavirus AstraZeneca vaccines. Belgian official at NATO declined to com- be in short supply. started spreading through Europe over a Before the foreign minsters’ meeting he ment. According to the European Centre for year ago, NATO’s headquarters in Brus- will chair, NATO Secretary-General Jens NATO did say that “we continue to coor- Disease Prevention and Control, Poland sels has been off-limits to the media and Stoltenberg praised Poland as “a highly dinate closely with the Belgian authorities” has received around 1.24 million doses of others, but the military alliance now aims valued ally” that is helping “to support NA- and that it will help arrange vaccinations the AstraZeneca vaccine and administered to get ahead of Belgium’s vaccine program TO, to manage the consequences of the for contractors, personnel from partner just over 640,000 doses, leaving around and have its staff guaranteed to be “virus- pandemic.” countries and the families of NATO staff 600,000 doses in storage. free” for a summit in June. “This is a joint fight, and we are stronger through a Belgian vaccination center. Since the coronavirus began spreading, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken together. And of course, the vaccines will In Warsaw, the Polish government offi- NATO’s sprawling headquarters complex and his NATO counterparts were meeting help and support our work here at the cial in charge of the national vaccination has been off-limits to reporters, but some Tuesday in person at the 30-country orga- headquarters of NATO,” Stoltenberg said. program, Michal Dworczyk, said that as an were being allowed back in for Tuesday’s nization’s headquarters to prepare the Asked for details, NATO said the offer is ally, Poland was prepared “not only to take meeting, provided they could show a re- summit of national leaders, including Pres- available to all headquarters staff, includ- but also to give,” and that the vaccines will cent negative virus test result. ident Joe Biden. It’s the first face-to-face ing people working at the 30 national dele- help ensure health safety at the NATO In downtown Brussels, journalists can meeting of ministers at NATO since 2019. gations. It didn’t reply to questions as to summit. freely enter the European Parliament The European Union, in contrast, called why a vaccination campaign is needed and Dworczyk insisted that the program will building with their media credentials after off an in-person summit in Brussels as vi- why people working at NATO should have not hurt government efforts to fight the passing through a temperature scanner. rus cases spike and will now meet this priority for shots. coronavirus, despite some worry in Poland Donald Trump was the first U.S. presi- week by videoconference. Belgium’s Belgium is currently vaccinating people that the vaccine rollout is moving too slow- dent to meet with his NATO counterparts health authorities have said the country over 65 and those with medical conditions ly. He said the 3,500 doses make up less at the new headquarters, in May 2017. The stands “at the foot of a third wave” of in- that might endanger their lives should they than 1% of the shipments the country is due move from the old headquarters wasn’t fections unless restrictions are strictly re- catch the virus. The disease has killed to receive this week and that the medical complete, and the leaders had the building spected. more than 22,000 people in the country. personnel involved won’t be taken from mostly to themselves. The plan for Biden’s Across town at NATO on Thursday, Around 7% of the population has been hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. inaugural gathering is to have more staff around 20 Polish medical personnel will vaccinated, and the government’s program Many people in Poland didn’t show up on hand, aiming to ensure that the environ- begin inoculating some of the estimated is not running fast enough to ensure that for AstraZeneca appointments last week ment for the summit is as safe as it can be in 4,000 people who work at the military alli- everyone at NATO would be inoculated by because of the concern about the possibil- terms of the coronavirus. PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 WAR/MILITARY 15th MEU leader fired after accident probe BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY assault amphibious The vehicle was found four days later al- Following Bronzi’s firing, Rudder ap- Stars and Stripes vehicle accident that most a mile from shore after it had sunk 385 pointed Col. Fridrik Fridriksson in com- WASHINGTON — The commander of occurred July 30 off feet, according to the Marine Corps. Eight mand of the Camp Pendleton-based 15th the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit has the coast of San Clem- Marines and a Navy Corpsman from Bravo MEU, which is deployed to the U.S. Central been fired following an investigation into an ente Island in Califor- Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, Command area, according to the statement. assault amphibious vehicle accident in July nia. Assault amphib- were killed in the accident. They were: Bronzi is now assigned to I Marine Expedi- that killed nine people, the Marine Corps ious vehicles, which Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 18, of Corona, Cal- tionary Force, the command above 15th announced Tuesday. are used for landing on if.; Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of MEU, said Capt. Andrew Wood, a Marine Col. Christopher J. Bronzi was relieved Bronzi beaches, weigh about Montebello, Calif.; Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Corps spokesman. Tuesday of his command by Lt. Gen. Steven 26 tons and can carry Oak Creek, Wis.; Petty Officer 3rd Class The families of those killed in the acci- Rudder, the commander of U.S. Marine up to 21 people. Fifteen Marines and a sailor Christopher Gnem, 22, a Navy hospital dent are being notified this week about the Forces Pacific, “due to a loss of trust and were being transported in one of the vehi- corpsman from Stockton, Calif.; Pfc. Jack- results of the command’s investigation, confidence in his ability to command,” ac- cles back to their ship after training with the Ryan Ostrovsky, 20, of Bend, Ore.; Cpl. Wood said. Once the families have been giv- cording to a Marine Corps statement. Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group Wesley A. Rodd, 22, of Harris, Texas; Lance en the report’s findings, it will be made Bronzi took command of the unit in No- when they noticed the vehicle was taking on Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 18, of Portland, available to the public. vember 2019. water, Lt. Gen. Joseph Osterman, the com- Ore.; Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of River-

His firing comes after the completion of a mander of I Marine Expeditionary Force, side, Calif., and Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Pe- [email protected] command investigation into the cause of the said at the time. rez, 19, of New Braunfels, Texas. Twitter: @caitlinmkenney Deadline: Decision needs to come soon for orderly withdrawal

FROM PAGE 1 alongside at least 18,000 contrac- lots of times it is the most cost-ef- liban pledge to enter peace nego- tors, remain in the country. About fective and efficient way.” tiations with the Kabul govern- 7,000 NATO and coalition sol- An extension could allow more ment and to prevent al-Qaida and diers, who depend on the U.S. for time for an organized drawdown, other terrorist groups from using logistics, may also need to exit. said Ryan Baker, a defense ana- Afghan territory as a safe haven. Moving tons of gear out of the lyst that studies military logistics. President Joe Biden’s adminis- landlocked country may be even “The complexity of large-scale tration is now reviewing whether more challenging, said Army vet- drawdowns means that speed is the Taliban have held up their end eran Adam Cote. expensive,” Baker said. “Extend- of the bargain. The Taliban has Cote led a company of engi- ing the drawdown deadline by a threatened to respond with force neers who demolished bases as few months can make it less cost- if the U.S. remains in the country. part of a large-scale withdrawal ly.” A decision on whether to leave from Afghanistan in 2014. That It makes sense that the Biden may be coming soon, close ob- retrograde, perhaps the largest in administration is taking its time to servers of the peace process have modern history, cost the Penta- review its options, said Jason said. Biden may keep the Taliban gon about $6 billion. Campbell, a researcher with deal, or he could follow the sug- COREY VANDIVER /U.S. Army Weapons, ammunition and sen- Rand Corp. in Washington. gestion of the congressionally ap- A vehicle is loaded on a flatbed trailer at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, sitive gear must be carefully ac- “This isn’t a matter of plus or pointed Afghan Study Group to in July 2020. U.S. troops must either begin a withdrawal soon to counted for, to prevent them from minus a few troops, this is the fi- extend or abandon the May 1 meet a May 1 deadline, or must extend their timeline to avoid a falling into enemy hands. Heavy nal pullout,” said Campbell, coun- deadline. disorderly exit, defense officials and analysts said. equipment such as vehicles and try director for Afghanistan at the Leaving by May 1 will be generators may be given to the Office of the Secretary of Defense “tough” for the U.S. to achieve, “hasty or disorderly withdrawal” cause they were not authorized to Afghan military or simply de- from 2016 to 2018. “If we’re mov- Biden said in an interview last that puts allied forces or NATO’s speak on the matter. stroyed. ing forward with this, we need to week, adding that it wouldn’t take reputation at risk. “The corresponding timeline is “My guess is that a lot of mate- make dang sure we’re looking at “a lot longer” if the timeline for The military has several op- rapidly running out for these op- riel will be destroyed,” Cote said every angle … it deserves a full withdrawal were extended. tions for a rapid withdrawal by tions,” the official said Monday. in an email. “It sounds like an review.” Defense Secretary Lloyd Aus- May 1 but only if that decision is “Once we start talking about early enormous waste — and it is — but

tin visited Kabul this week and made soon, a defense official said April, it’s a different ballgame.” when you weigh the options of air- [email protected] has said the U.S. will not conduct a on condition of anonymity be- Some 2,500 to 3,500 U.S. troops, lifting or ground transport, I think Twitter: @jplawrence3  Top Republican on armed services panel supports extending deadline

BY SARAH CAMMARATA rorists being bred over there and removal, which was agreed to in talks with the Taliban. conflicted on whether to keep Stars and Stripes trying to go attack us,” Rogers February 2020 as part of a peace “I don’t know where the ad- troops there. WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike said at a media briefing with Ge- deal with the Taliban. ministration is going to come “I really don’t see a viable Rogers of Alabama, the top Re- orge Washington University’s On Sunday, Defense Secreta- down on this, and frankly they long-term strategy for the Unit- publican on the House Armed Defense Writers Group. ry Lloyd Austin led his first visit said they didn’t know either …to ed States in Afghanistan and I Services Committee, said Mon- Rogers also said the cost of to Afghanistan as the Pentagon their credit, they acknowledged strongly support withdrawing day that he supports keeping keeping troops in Afghanistan is leader and called for a “respon- the Taliban hadn’t held up their troops,” said Rep. James Comer U.S. forces in Afghanistan be- “nothing” compared to what the sible end” to the nearly two-dec- end of the bargain so far,” Rog- of Kentucky, the ranking Repub- yond the May 1 withdrawal U.S. government spent on recon- adelong war. ers said. lican on the House Oversight deadline to help stabilize the struction efforts in the first few Austin has been leading a gov- Rogers weighed in on the de- and Reform Committee. country as the White House years. ernment-wide review of the U.S. bate about a week after lawmak- However, Rep. Jackie Speier, weighs whether to keep troops “It would be different if we military posture in Afghanistan. ers on the House Oversight and D-Calif., said she wants U.S. on the ground there. had 25,000 troops over there, but He said Sunday that he will leave Reform Committee voiced their troops to leave Afghanistan, but The roughly 2,500 troops in we’re [at] 2,500. That’s an ex- the specific end date for the thoughts during a hearing about without “ears on the ground” to Afghanistan are “not in the fight. pense I’m willing to pay to keep withdrawal up to Biden. the troop withdrawal from Af- conduct oversight, terrorist They’re over there in train-and- stability in that country,” said Rogers said Monday that the ghanistan. groups will be able to grow and assist mode. And I’m fine with Rogers. House Armed Services Commit- Most of them agreed on a long- the U.S. will be “at grave risk.” them being there for an extend- The comments come as Presi- tee received a classified briefing term goal of pulling all U.S. civil-

ed period of time if that means dent Joe Biden’s administration on Afghanistan about a week ago ian and military personnel from [email protected] we don’t need to worry about ter- faces a May 1 deadline for their and the administration is still in Afghanistan, but some remained Twitter: @sarahjcamm Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 WAR ON TERRORISM Rivals seeking to gain as Biden mulls Syria stance

Associated Press vened to prevent the collapse of position: U.S. sanctions on Syria’s The Biden administration is Syrian President Bashar Assad, Russia-supported regime were mulling over America’s role in Sy- who has wielded chemical at- blocking international efforts to ria’s ongoing conflict as the U.S. tacks, barrel bombs and starva- rebuild Syria. Sheikh Abdullah tries to break away from Middle tion to crush what had started out bin Zayed Al Nahyan said it is East wars, but Vladimir Putin’s as a peaceful uprising. The con- time to welcome Syria back into top diplomat already has been bu- flict just entered its 11th year. the fold of Arab nations. sy on the ground, trying to win Dealing with Syria’s war will In other words, Russia’s mess- GHAITH ALSAYED/AP support for a Syria approach that test the Biden administration’s age is “the Syria war is over, As- Thousands of anti­Syrian government protesters shout slogans and could establish Russia as a broker determination to focus on Asia sad has won, Assad will be in pow- wave revolutionary flags earlier this month. of security and power in the re- and not the Middle East. If the er as long as he is breathing ox- gion. United States diminishes its pres- ygen,” said Frederic Hof, who Hof and James F. Jeffrey, a ca- viewing whether it should consid- The new U.S. administration ence, Russia and other hostile served as a U.S. Syria adviser and reer diplomat under Republican er Syria as one of America’s most has yet to say how it plans to han- U.S. rivals are poised to step in envoy in the Obama administra- and Democratic administrations important national security prob- dle Syria, which is now fragment- and boost their regional stature tion. who served as President Donald lems. ed among a half-dozen militaries and resources. Hof said there was an unstated Trump’s Syria envoy, argue for It’s shown no sign yet of doing — including U.S. troops — owing Hence Russian Foreign Minis- part of the message: Russia plans the United States to remain a sig- so. Notably, where President Joe to a war that has killed and has ter Sergey Lavrov’s Middle East to be on hand as “Syria is built nificant presence in the country, Biden has spelled out some other displaced millions. The conflict tour this month. from the ashes,” benefiting from citing Russia’s ambitions. Middle East problems as priori- includes al-Qaida affiliates, Is- Lavrov stood by as the foreign any international reconstruction “If this is the security future of ties — including Yemen’s war and lamic State forces and other jiha- minister of a Gulf state generally resources coming in, and posi- the Middle East, we’re all in trou- Iran’s nuclear program, for which dist groups eager to use Syria as a friendly to Washington, the Unit- tioning itself as the broker to man- ble,” Jeffrey warns. “That’s what Biden appointed envoys — he and base. ed Arab Emirates, delivered a age the security threats that Syria Putin and Lavrov are pushing.” his officials have said and done lit- Russia and Iran have inter- message in line with Moscow’s poses to the region. The Biden administration is re- tle publicly on Syria. Tensions mount between Afghan government, warlord Associated Press over by a military vehicle. He said KABUL, Afghanistan — Ten- security officers forced him to de- sions are mounting between Af- lete the videos off his phone. ghanistan’s government and a At 10:30 that night, Joyenda powerful local warlord, with dead- learned that his son was among the ly clashes erupting in a rural prov- dead. The 18-year-old, who had ince between his fighters and gov- just graduated from high school, ernment troops. The fear is that the was shot from behind, Joyenda violence could be a harbinger of said. more chaos as U.S. troops head to- The deaths have left families ward the exits. reeling, even months later. Her The government has launched eyes full of tears, Musouma Rahi- an assault in central Maidan War- mi said her brother, Baqer, a farm- dak province, vowing to punish the er with eight children, was among warlord, Abdul Ghani Alipoor, af- the dead. One witness told her he ter the defense minister accused was run over by a security vehicle his fighters of shooting down a mil- after being shot. itary helicopter last week, killing “We don’t have enough income nine personnel. for our own family, we can’t sup- It’s the latest in a long history of port my brother’s family,” said Ra- frictions with Alipoor that are in- himi, who has five children and creasingly turning bloody. In Janu- works as a bank guard in Kabul. “I ary, security forces killed at least 11 RAHMAT GUL/AP don’t know what will happen to civilians when they opened fire on Mohammed Ibrahim poses with a photo of his son Mohammad Baqir Nabizada,at his home in Kabul, them.” protesters, including many Alipoor Afghanistan, last month. Nabizada was killed by police during a protest against the central government's The shooting deepened longtime supporters, in the province’s Beh- recent appointment of new local officials in Wardak province on Jan. 29. resentments between Alipoor and sud district. his supporters and Kabul. The In- Alipoor holds widespread loyal- 1 deadline remains unclear. It is Many Hazaras, who face attacks new local officials, seen in the dis- terior Ministry initially claimed ty among ethnic Hazaras, a mainly trying to push the government and by Sunni militants and discrimina- trict as a challenge to Alipoor. that Alipoor’s fighters opened fire Shiite community who are a minor- the Taliban into a peace deal to en- tion by the government, see Ali- Mohammad Baqir Joyenda, a lo- from among the protesters, ity in Afghanistan but make up sure the country does not collapse poor as a hero, defending them cal elder, said he and a group of prompting security forces to re- most of the population in Maidan into greater violence or an outright against the Taliban and keeping lo- other elders from the district went turn fire. But details of the govern- Wardak. Alipoor is one of the many Taliban takeover after the U.S. cal institutions running. to meet the provincial police chief ment investigation have not been warlords backed by heavily armed pullout. “The government is incompe- to try to reverse the appointments. released, other than noting that all militias who hold local power That is proving difficult enough tent, so people depend on Alipoor Meanwhile, protesters had been the casualties were civilians. across Afghanistan. The govern- amid continued Taliban offen- and support him,” said Mo- gathering outside. After the meet- Authorities have said Alipoor — ment is allied with some them, but sives. Many fear the warlords hammed Jan, whose brother was ing, as the elders stepped out of the known among his supporters as others, like Alipoor, are in frequent could also lash out if they see their among those killed in the Jan. 29 building, special forces started Commander Shamsheer, “Com- confrontation with Kabul, resisting many, often conflicting interests shooting of protesters in Behsud. shooting at the protesters, Joyenda mander Sword” in the Dari lan- its control. being harmed in the peace process. “Alipoor serves his people. If our said. guage — faces trial on a number of These warlords are a potential But if Kabul considers warlords government would serve the peo- “We could see shooting, could charges, including past clashes wild card as Afghanistan enters a as agents of turmoil, their support- ple, everyone would support it and hear people shouting,” he said. He with security forces. Attempts to new phase after decades of war. ers see them as their only protec- there wouldn’t be any need for an said he took video of a wounded arrest him in 2018 prompted clash- The United States has committed tion and support in the face of a no- Alipoor.” man shouting for help who was es that left seven civilians and four to removing the last of its troops — toriously corrupt government and The Jan. 29 protest was sparked then shot again by security forces, police dead as well as large pro- though whether it will meet a May violent insurgents. by the appointment by Kabul of and of another wounded man run tests by Hazaras in Kabul. PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 MILITARY Blaze guts home at Yokota base

BY SETH ROBSON Stars and Stripes YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Neighbors are supporting a sol- dier’s family who lost all their pos- sessions, including a pet cat, in a Tuesday morning fire at the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo. The family of five was asleep on the top floor of their two-story gar- den apartment on Yokota’s east side when they were woken by a fire alarm shortly after 6 a.m., said Army spouse Lydia Christy, 26, of Indianapolis. Her husband, Staff Sgt. Jacob SETH ROBSON/Stars and Stripes LYDIA CHRISTY/Lydia Christy Christy, who works for USFJ, saw Christy poses with items donated A military family was checked for smoke inhalation after a fire destroyed their home at Yokota Air Base, flames coming from the down- by neighbors just hours after a Japan, on Tuesday. stairs living room and fought the fire gutted her family’s home at blaze with a fire extinguisher, she Yokota Air Base. ily’s possessions were destroyed Airlift Wing, 1st Lt. Stuart Thrift, by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Many people said. in the blaze. declined to provide further de- also pledged to provide the family However, the fire grew more in- Christy said. Among the things they lost were tails, including a description of the with meals through the Meal tense, even after he had used up That afternoon the family’s photographs and items belonging damage or the fire’s origin. Train website. the extinguisher. apartment, at one end of a four- to her late grandfather, she said. It may have been caused by a Community support has been “We had to get out onto the roof unit block, was a blackened A post on Yokota’s official Face- space heater, Christy said. “overwhelmingly amazing,” Ly- with the dog,” she said. wreck. Adjacent units appeared book page said the fire was report- Meanwhile, members of the Yo- dia Christy said. The couple and their three boys undamaged. ed at about 6:20 a.m. kota community posted Facebook The family arrived at Yokota — Alex, 6, Mason, 5, and Emmett, Christy was at a neighbor’s “Firefighters and first respon- messages of support and requests 2 ½ years ago and have made 2 — found themselves waiting to house where household items do- ders quickly arrived on scene. The for donations of meals, clothes, friends there, she said. be rescued by firefighters, who ar- nated by neighbors were piled up fire was extinguished at 6:30 a.m., diapers, blankets. “It’s a pretty tight community,” rived with a ladder. near the front door. and there is no further risk to oth- A GoFundMe page for the fam- she said of the east side housing The family was checked for “[Base officials] are finding us a er housing residents,” the mess- ily, which notes they also lost their area. “It’s like a small town. Ev- smoke inhalation at an off-base new house to live in,” she said, age said. beloved cat Watson in the blaze, erybody is a friend or familiar hospital, but all are fine, Lydia adding that almost all of the fam- A spokesman for Yokota’s 374th had garnered $5,300 in donations face.” Germany imposes another lockdown as numbers tick up BY MARCUS KLOECKNER plement the new rules before they update re- update their coronavirus rules until state of- Jeremy Cliffe, international editor of the AND KARIN ZEITVOGEL strictions that apply to service members and ficials have made their own announcements. New Statesman, a political and cultural mag- Stars and Stripes their families. Markus Soeder, the minister-president of azine. KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Mea- That might not involve many changes, said Bavaria, which is home to U.S. Army Garri- With many Germans getting paid at the sures announced in Germany on Tuesday Stefan Alford, spokesman for U.S. Army son Bavaria, said the Easter lockdown had end of the month, shutting supermarkets aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavi- Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, which includes been imposed because German officials from April 1–5, with one day open for shop- rus have left some, including members of the military communities in Kaiserslautern, feared that, without restrictions, “infections ping in the middle of the closure, makes it U.S. military community, wondering what Baumholder and Landstuhl. would hit a high point” over the holiday peri- “hard not to fear that 3 April in German su- the new restrictions will change and when “It’s just an extension of the current lock- od. permarkets will be one giant super-spreader the cycle of lockdowns will end. down we’re already in,” he said. “We’re go- Supermarkets in Bavaria will be able to event,” Cliffe said on Twitter. State and federal government officials ing to continue all of the mitigations current- open on the Saturday before Easter, but only The measures also include a requirement agreed after a 15-hour virtual meeting that ly in place. We’ll review and readdress any to sell groceries and not clothing, toys or oth- for all travelers entering Germany to pro- ran until the early hours of Tuesday to ex- changes based on host nation guidance.” er household articles they often carry, Soed- duce a negative coronavirus test, and a plea tend restrictions that were set to end March Officials at Ramstein Air Base, also in er told reporters Tuesday. to religious communities to hold virtual Pas- 28 until April 18, and to shutter nearly all Rheinland-Pfalz, where the incidence rate of Shops would be shut on Good Friday, East- sover and Easter celebrations. shops for five days over Easter. 82 new cases per 100,000 residents in the past er Sunday and Monday anyway, so the new

But U.S. military officials said they will week was well below the national average of rule only added a day to the time businesses Stars and Stripes reporter Jennifer Svan contributed to this wait until state lawmakers decide how to im- 108 per 100,000, said they also would wait to would be closed, and could backfire, said report. 6 new coronavirus cases reported on US bases in Japan BY JOSEPH DITZLER ing down with symptoms of CO- Okinawa, according to a base no new patients Tuesday. New COVID-19 cases Monday, ac- Stars and Stripes VID-19, the coronavirus respi- Facebook post. Four became ill case counts Monday and Tues- cording to the Korea Disease TOKYO — Two U.S. military ratory disease, since Friday, ac- with COVID-19 symptoms and day declined slightly but held to Control and Prevention Agency. bases in Japan announced six cording to a base Facebook post. isolated themselves, and the weeklong trends in both coun- Seoul accounted for 97 new pa- new coronavirus cases as of 6 Public health authorities are fifth turned up positive on a pre- tries. tients and Gyeonggi province, p.m. Tuesday, while installa- tracing that person’s contacts. travel test required before de- Japan reported 1,143 new cor- home to Osan Air Base and tions in South Korea had no new Yokosuka, home of the U.S. parting Japan for the United onavirus patients Monday, Camp Humphreys, accounted patients to report. 7th Fleet, has two patients in its States. An unspecified number down from a four-day run in the for 120. Yokosuka Naval Base, 35 care. of close contacts were quaran- 1,400s, according to the World miles south of Tokyo, had one Another five people tested tined. Health Organization. Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang person test positive after com- positive at Kadena Air Base on U.S. Forces Korea reported South Korea reported 331 new contributed to this report. Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK

US monitor: AstraZeneca Miami Beach leaders at breaking vaccine trial results may point as spring revelers rampage have included outdated info Associated Press itors found no serious side ef- BY KELLI KENNEDY WASHINGTON — Results fects, including no increased risk AND CODY JACKSON from a U.S. trial of AstraZeneca’s of rare blood clots like those iden- Associated Press COVID-19 vaccine may have in- tified in Europe, a scare that led MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Flor- cluded “outdated information,” numerous countries to briefly ida’s famed South Beach is desper- and that could mean the company suspend vaccinations last week. ately seeking a new image. provided an incomplete view of But just hours after those en- With more than 1,000 arrests and efficacy data, American federal couraging results were reported, nearly 100 gun seizures already health officials said early Tues- the U.S. National Institute of Al- during this year’s spring break sea- day. lergy and Infectious Diseases is- son, officials are thinking it may fi- AstraZeneca said in a state- sued an unusual statement. nally be time to cleanse the hip ment that the data it released The agency said the Data and neighborhood of its law-breaking, Monday included cases up to Safety Monitoring Board “ex- party-all-night vibe. Feb. 17, as the study rules spec- pressed concern that AstraZene- The move comes after years of ified, and that it was continuing to ca may have included outdated increasingly stringent measures — analyze cases that have occurred information from that trial, banning alcohol from beaches, can- since then. The company said which may have provided an in- celing concerts and food festivals — that a preliminary analysis of da- complete view of the efficacy da- have failed to stop the city from be- ta that has continued to roll in ta.” ing overrun with out-of-control was consistent with what it had “We urge the company to work parties and anything-goes antics. DANIEL A. VARELA, MIAMI HERALD/AP already reported. It promised an with the DSMB to review the effi- This weekend alone, spring Crowds defiantly gather in the street as a speaker blasts music an update within 48 hours. cacy data and ensure the most ac- breakers and pandemic-weary hour past curfew in Miami Beach, Fla., on Sunday. An 8 p.m. city AstraZeneca reported Monday curate, up-to-date efficacy data tourists drawn by Florida’s loose vi- curfew has been extended. that its COVID-19 vaccine pro- be made public as quickly as pos- rus-control rules gathered by the vided strong protection among sible,” the statement added. thousands along famed Ocean Some tourists are angry about Arriola, who suggested hosting adults of all ages in a long-antici- In previous vaccine trials, as is Drive, at times breaking into street the curfew, which they say has put a more family-oriented and busi- pated U.S. study, a finding that the situation here, cases have fights, destroying restaurant prop- damper on long-sought vacations ness-friendly events. some experts hoped would help continued to accrue, even as erty and causing several dangerous for which they paid good money. New Orleans successfully avoid- rebuild public confidence in the companies began to release their stampedes. The situation got so out Meanwhile, some officials say they ed the mayhem that erupted in Mia- shot around the world and move data. But the AstraZeneca cir- of hand that Miami Beach Police should have enacted more strin- mi. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Ed- it a step closer to clearance in the cumstance is unusual in drawing brought in SWAT teams to disperse gent measures sooner — as was wards, a Democrat, had already put U.S. the concern of the data monitor- pepper bullets and called in law en- done in New Orleans prior to Mardi a statewide mask mandate in place In the study of more than ing board. forcement officers from at least Gras last month — instead of reac- as well as occupancy limits on bars, 30,000 people, the company re- The Food and Drug Adminis- four other agencies. Ultimately, the ting in the middle of the chaos. restaurants and other businesses. ported that the vaccine was found tration reviews the most up-to- city decided to order an emergency But Arriola and other commis- Miami Beach took less proactive to be 79% effective at preventing date trial findings when it assess- 8p.m. curfew that will likely extend sioners argued the city may need an measures under Republican Gov. symptomatic cases of COVID-19 es the vaccines. well into April after the spring entirely different approach. Ron DeSantis, who has refused to — including in older adults. The company has said it aims break season is over. They note that over the past few implement a mask-wearing rule There were no severe illnesses or to file an application with the “We definitely want people to seasons, the city has been steadily and has insisted on letting business- hospitalizations among vaccinat- FDA in the coming weeks, and come and have fun,” Miami Beach upping the ante with new rules and es stay open. Instead, city officials ed volunteers, compared with the government’s outside advis- Commissioner Ricky Arriola said regulations, such as banning scoot- this year sent text messages that five such cases in participants ers will then publicly debate the Monday. “It’s a nightlife city. We er rentals after 7 p.m., restricting warned tourists to “Vacation Re- who received dummy shots — a evidence. want people of all races, genders, alcohol sales after 8 p.m. and crack- sponsibly or Be Arrested” and small number, but consistent Authorization and guidelines sexual orientation. But we can’t tol- ing down on loud music — to no spelled out a list of rules. The city with findings from Britain and for use of the vaccine in the Unit- erate people thinking they can avail. canceled concerts and food festiv- other countries that the vaccine ed States will be determined by come here and act out a scene from “Every year we come up with als, trying to avoid crowds, but that protects against the worst of the the FDA and Centers for Disease ‘Fast and the Furious,’ speeding new restrictions and they have no left the people who showed up any- disease. Control and Prevention after down the streets and shooting guns impact, so at what point are we go- way to congregate aimlessly in im- AstraZeneca also said the thorough review of the data by in- in the air.” ing to try something new?” asked promptu street parties. study’s independent safety mon- dependent advisory committees. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 NATION Migrant photos highlight Biden’s border secrecy

Associated Press the administration accountable.” WASHINGTON — President The Associated Press has re- Joe Biden’s administration has quested access to border facilities tried for weeks to keep the public for more than a month. Reporters from seeing images like those re- first asked Health and Human leased Monday of immigrant chil- Services on Feb. 4 to allow entry dren in U.S. custody at the border into a surge facility re-opened at sleeping on mats under foil blan- Carrizo Springs, Texas, holding kets, separated in groups by plas- hundreds of teenagers. And they tic partitions. have asked Homeland Security of- Administration officials have ficials for access at least seven steadfastly refused to call the de- times to Border Patrol facilities, tention of more than 15,000 chil- with no response. The AP has also dren in U.S. custody, or the condi- petitioned Psaki to open border fa- tions they’re living under, a crisis. cilities. But they have stymied most ef- Border agencies under Trump forts by outsiders to decide for allowed limited media tours of themselves. both Homeland Security and Officials barred nonprofit law- Health and Human Services facil- yers who conduct oversight from ities. Several of those visits re- entering a Border Patrol tent vealed troubling conditions in- where thousands of children and side, including the detention of teenagers are detained. And fed- large numbers of children as eral agencies have refused or ig- young as 5 separated from their nored dozens of requests from the OFFICE OF REP. HENRY CUELLAR, D­TEXAS/AP parents. media for access to detention Detainees in a Customs and Border Protection temporary overflow facility in Donna, Texas, on Saturday. Under Biden, the agencies also sites. Such access was granted have denied full access to non- several times by the administra- Democrat from the border city of The White House has prided it- without adequate food, water or profit lawyers who conduct over- tion of former President Donald Laredo. self on its methodical rollout of soap. sight of facilities where children Trump, whose restrictive immi- Cuellar said he released the policy during its first 50-plus days, Biden has kept in place a are detained. Those oversight vis- gration approach Biden vowed to photos in part because the admin- but West Wing aides privately ac- Trump-era public health order its occur under a federal court set- reverse. istration has refused media access knowledge they were caught off and expelled thousands of immi- tlement. The new president faces grow- to the Donna tent. He said he also guard by the surge of migrants at grant adults and families, but he When lawyers this month visit- ing criticism for the apparent se- wanted to draw attention to the ex- the border and the resulting declined to expel immigrant chil- ed the Border Patrol facility at crecy at the border, including treme challenges that border media furor. dren without a parent after a fed- Donna, where thousands of chil- from fellow Democrats. agents face in watching so many Republican lawmakers largely eral appeals court in January dren are now detained, agents re- Biden’s national security advis- children, sometimes for a week or sat out the debate over the admin- cleared the way for him to do so. fused to let them inside and the er, Jake Sullivan, said Monday longer despite the Border Patrol’s istration’s $1.9 trillion COVID re- He also moved to speed up the re- Justice Department said they “the administration has a commit- three-day limit on detaining mi- lief bill. While none of them voted unification of hundreds of sepa- were not entitled to gain access. ment to transparency to make nors. for the package, their opposition rated immigrant families. The lawyers were forced to inter- sure that the news media gets the “We ought to take care of those was muted and they instead fo- “What Trump did was horri- view children outside. The Justice chance to report on every aspect kids like they’re our own kids,” cused on culture war issues, like ble,” Cuellar said. “These pictures Department declined to comment. of what’s happening at the bor- Cuellar said. the debate over racial stereotypes show you that even under our best The newly published photos re- der.” Thomas Saenz, president of the in some Dr. Seuss books, rather intentions, and the Biden adminis- leased by Cuellar’s office show White House press secretary Mexican American Legal Defense than a bill that was broadly pop- tration has the best intentions, it’s groups of children crowded to- Jen Psaki added that the White and Educational Fund, said the ular with GOP voters. still very difficult.” gether inside the partitions. Some House was working with home- United States should allow media But the GOP has grabbed on to Cuellar said the White House appear to be watching television land security officials and the access to border facilities while the border situation with both needs to work more with Mexico while others are lying on floor Health and Human Services De- respecting the privacy of immi- hands, reviving the issue that was and Central America to prevent mats, some side by side. Children partment to “finalize details” and grants detained inside. He noted key to propelling Trump to the top people from leaving their home are shown wearing surgical that she hoped to have an update the risk of sharing without permis- of the Republican field in 2016. In countries. The White House said masks but are close to each other. in the “coming days.” sion images of children who have 2018, the Trump administration Monday that key officials would The Donna facility consists of Axios on Monday first publish- already faced trauma. detained hundreds of children in go this week to Mexico and Guate- large interconnected tents. Over- ed a series of photos taken inside “We ought to be aware of these many of the same facilities being mala. head photos taken by AP show en- the largest Border Patrol deten- conditions,” Saenz said. “People used now after separating them Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecti- closed outdoor areas where chil- tion center, a sprawling tent facil- have to see them so that they can from their parents. The following cut Democrat who visited a facil- dren can go. But lawyers who have ity in the South Texas city of Don- assess the inhumanity and hope- year, hundreds of families and ity in El Paso, Texas, last week, interviewed children detained at na. The photos were released by fully embark on more humane children detained at one West told NPR, “We want to make sure Donna say some can go days with- Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Texas policies.” Texas border station went days that the press has access to hold out being allowed outside. Biden eyes $3T package for infrastructure, schools, families Associated Press the $1.9 trillion virus rescue plan have signaled a willingness to go it administration and its allies in clude investments in workers with WASHINGTON — Fresh off signed into law earlier this month, alone if they are blocked by Re- Congress. The focus on infrastruc- free community college, universal passage of the COVID-19 relief the new package would also in- publicans. ture shifts attention back toward pre-kindergarten and paid family bill, President Joe Biden is assem- clude family-friendly policies, this “We need to get it done,” said priorities that are potentially leave. bling the next big White House time focusing on education and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D- more popular with Americans and No part of the proposal has been priority — a sweeping $3 trillion paid family leave. Conn., ahead of the virtual meet- potentially bipartisan. finalized and the eventual details package of investments on infras- The White House plans are still ing with Biden at the senators’ an- An infrastructure package of any spending could change. tructure and domestic needs. preliminary, with a combined $3 nual retreat Monday evening. would include roughly $1 trillion The overall price tag first re- Biden huddled privately late trillion in spending proposed to Biden’s outreach to Senate for roads, bridges, rail lines, elec- ported Monday by The New York Monday with Senate Democrats boost the economy and improve Democrats comes as the White trical vehicle charging stations Times has been circulating on as Congress has already begun quality of life, according to a per- House is under fire for its hand- and the cellular network, among Capitol Hill for weeks, since the laying the groundwork with legis- son familiar with the options who ling of the U.S.-Mexico border. other items. The goal would be to start of the Biden presidency. lation for developing roads, hospi- insisted on anonymity to discuss Migrant crossings are skyrocket- facilitate the shift to cleaner ener- With the House and Senate under tals and green energy systems as private conversations. ing, with images of cramped hold- gy while improving economic Democratic control, the proposals part of Biden’s “Build Back Bet- While the goal is a bipartisan ing facilities posing a humanitar- competitiveness. are expected to draw support ter” campaign promise. Much like package, Democrats in Congress ian and political dilemma for the A second component would in- from all corners of Congress. Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Shooting: Lawmakers pledge gun reform in wake of attack

FROM PAGE 1 Dozens of police and emergen- speak publicly and spoke to AP on cy vehicles, lights flashing, escort- condition of anonymity. ed an ambulance carrying the Officials also identified the nine slain officer from the shooting other victims after previously scene after nightfall. Some resi- naming the officer. The dead dents stood along the route, their ranged in age from 20 to 65. arms raised in salute. Hundreds of police officers The attack in Boulder, about 25 from throughout the Denver area miles northwest of Denver and responded to the attack, converg- home to the University of Colora- ing on a King Soopers supermar- do, stunned a state that has seen ket in a busy shopping plaza in several mass shootings, including southern Boulder. the 1999 Columbine High School SWAT officers carrying ballis- massacre and the 2012 Aurora mo- tic shields slowly approached the vie theater shooting. store as others escorted fright- Monday’s attack was the sev- ened people away from the build- enth mass killing this year in the ing, which had some of its win- United States, following the dows shattered. Customers and March 16 shooting that left eight employees fled through a back people dead at three Atlanta-area loading dock to safety. Others took massage businesses, according to refuge in nearby shops. a database compiled by The Asso- Officers had escorted a shirtless ciated Press, USA Today and DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/AP man in handcuffs with blood run- Northeastern University. A small memorial stands along a makeshift fence put up around the parking lot outside a King Soopers ning down his leg from the store It follows a lull in mass killings grocery store where a mass shooting took place Tuesday in Boulder, Colo. during the siege. Authorities during the coronavirus pandemic would not say if he was the sus- in 2020, which had the smallest no excuse. I think the American bought strawberries inside the su- that “the full weight of federal law pect. number of such attacks in eight people are tired of excuses.” permarket when they heard gun- enforcement” would support the “This is a tragedy and a night- years, according to the database, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the fire. Moonshadow told The Den- investigation. He said investiga- mare for Boulder County,” which tracks mass killings de- U.S. House stands with gun vio- ver Post they ducked and “just tors from the Bureau of Alcohol, Dougherty said. “These were peo- fined as four or more dead, not in- lence victims who say “enough is ran.” Outside, Edwards said, ar- Tobacco, Firearms and Explo- ple going about their day, doing cluding the shooter. enough.” riving police pulled up next to a sives were at the crime scene, their shopping. I promise the vic- Rep. Joe Neguse, a Democrat “Action is needed now to pre- body in the parking lot. along with FBI agents. tims and the people of the state of whose district includes Boulder, vent this scourge from continuing “I knew we couldn’t do anything White House press secretary Colorado that we will secure jus- said Tuesday on “CBS This Morn- to ravage our communities,” she for the guy,” he said. “We had to Jen Psaki tweeted that President tice.” ing” that “enough is enough” said in a statement Tuesday in go.” Joe Biden had been briefed on the Boulder Police Chief Maris He- when it comes to political impass- which she cited House passage of Video posted on YouTube shooting. rold identified the slain officer as es that keep gun control laws from two background checks bills. showed one person on the floor in- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Eric Talley, 51, who had been with passing Congress. Those bills are now pending be- side the store and two more out- in a statement that the state had the force since 2010. He was the “The time for inaction is over. It fore the Senate. side on the ground. What sounds seen “the face of evil. I am griev- first to arrive after responding to a does not have to be this way. There “While we await further infor- like two gunshots are heard at the ing with my community and all call about shots fired and someone are commonsense gun legislation mation on the details of this hei- beginning of the video. Coloradans.” carrying a rifle, she said. reform proposals that have been nous crime, we continue to stand Investigators had just started The King Soopers chain said in “He was by all accounts one of debated in Congress for far too with victims, families and young sorting through the crime scene a statement that it was offering the outstanding officers of the long,” Neguse said. “The gun lob- people across the country saying, and conducting witness inter- prayers and support “to our asso- Boulder Police Department, and by and so many others have stop- ‘Enough is enough.’” views, Dougherty said. ciates, customers, and the first re- his life was cut too short,” Dough- ped the ability to make meaning- Sarah Moonshadow and her Matthew Kirsch, the acting U.S. sponders who so bravely respon- erty said. ful reforms in the past, but that’s son, Nicolas Edwards, had just attorney for Colorado, pledged ded to this tragic situation.” Jury set for ex-cop’s trial in George Floyd death; starts March 29 Associated Press day if the 14 others still are able to ject. He said he has a healthy re- have said the bystander video — “emotional behavior,” such as MINNEAPOLIS — A jury has serve. spect for police and views Black already seen by almost everyone calling out to his mother, won’t be been seated for the trial of a for- Derek Chauvin is charged with Lives Matter somewhat favorably. on the jury — is compelling foot- admitted. mer Minneapolis police officer in murder and manslaughter in the He said some of the frustrations age but that a conviction is not a Of the first 14 jurors seated, George Floyd’s death, with open- May 25 death of Floyd. The Black boiled over, however, and may slam-dunk for prosecutors. eight are white, four are Black and ing statements set for March 29 in man was declared dead after have been a factor in violent un- The defense had made clear two are multiracial, according to a case that led to weeks of protests Chauvin, who is white, pressed his rest in Minneapolis. that they will make an issue of the court. Nine are women and and a national soul-searching knee against his neck for about He also said he understands Floyd swallowing drugs before his five are men, and they range in about racial justice. nine minutes while he was hand- that professional athletes who arrest, seeking to convince the ju- age from their 20s to their 60s. The The final juror was chosen cuffed and pleading that he kneel during the national anthem ry that he was at least partially re- race and age of the 15th juror were Tuesday, wrapping up a process couldn’t breathe. The widely seen are trying to start a dialogue on sponsible for his death. Nelson not immediately released by the that took more than two weeks and video set off street protests in Min- race, but “I would prefer if some- won a partial victory during jury court. was complicated by worldwide at- neapolis, some violent, that spread one would express their beliefs in selection when Cahill, reconsider- The judge said he would keep tention to Floyd’s death, even be- across the United States and the a different manner.” ing an early ruling, said he would the jury pool in place until opening fore the city of Minneapolis an- world. Several other potential jurors allow some evidence from Floyd’s statements begin in the event that nounced a $27 million settlement The final juror chosen is a mar- were dismissed earlier in the day, 2019 arrest in Minneapolis in more alternates need to be chosen. to his family early in the process. ried accountant who said he ini- including a former truck driver which he also swallowed drugs. In Chauvin’s trial is being conducted Attorneys and the judge worked tially formed a somewhat negative who called a movement to defund the 2019 case, paramedics were amid the pandemic, with height- through more than 100 people, dis- opinion of Chauvin, saying it the police “lunacy” and said he called to the scene and noted ened risk for jurors to fall ill de- missing most because they ac- seemed like the length of his re- would likely believe police offi- Floyd’s dangerously high blood spite social distancing, mask- knowledged strong views about an straint on Floyd was longer than cers over citizens. Others dismis- pressure. wearing and plastic shields in the encounter that was captured on necessary. But he said he would sed included a woman who said Cahill said he would allow med- courtroom. bystander video. be able to put that aside and weigh she feared for her safety if chosen ical evidence of Floyd’s physical It’s unclear which jurors will be The panel now includes 15 ju- the case based on the evidence. for the panel and a man who said reactions, such as his dangerously the alternates. Legal experts said rors. Twelve will deliberate, with He said Floyd’s death sparked he couldn’t be impartial. high blood pressure when he was it’s almost always the last people two alternates; Cahill has said he discussions about racism at work, With the jury seated, both sides examined by a paramedic in 2019, chosen, but the court said that will excuse the extra juror when and he decided to educate himself now gear up for opening state- and a short clip of an officer’s body wouldn’t necessarily be the case opening statements begin on Mon- by reading a book about the sub- ments on Monday. Legal experts camera video. He said Floyd’s for Chauvin’s jury. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 NATION Ill. city 1st in US to offer Black residents reparations

Associated Press EVANSTON, Ill. — Evanston on Monday became said. the first U.S. city to make reparations available to its Alderman Cicely Fleming, the lone vote against Black residents for past discrimination and the lin- the plan, said she supports reparations, but what the gering effects of slavery. City Council was debating is a housing plan that is The Chicago suburb’s City Council voted 8-1 to being called reparations. She said the people should distribute $400,000 to eligible Black households. dictate the terms of how their grievances are re- Each qualifying household would receive $25,000 paired. Fleming described the program as paternal- for home repairs or down payments on property. istic, and it assumes Black people can’t manage The program is being funded through donations their own money. JULIE SMITH, THE JEFFERSON CITY (MO.) NEWS­TRIBUNE/ AP and revenue from a 3% tax on the sale of recre- Hundreds of communities and organizations Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, the former Navy SEAL officer ational marijuana. The city has pledged to distribute across the country are considering providing repa- who rose quickly to become Missouri governor before scandal forced $10 million over 10 years. rations to Black people. They range from the state of him out of office, will run for the Senate seat being vacated by fellow Qualifying residents must either have lived in or California to cities like Amherst, Mass.; Providence, Republican Roy Blunt. been a direct descendant of a Black person who R.I.; Asheville, N.C., and Iowa City, Iowa; religious lived in Evanston between 1919 to 1969 and who denominations like the Episcopal Church; and suffered discrimination in housing because of city prominent colleges like Georgetown University in Missouri governor who ordinances, policies or practices. Washington. Alderman Rue Simmons, who proposed the pro- The efforts, some of which have been underway gram that was adopted in 2019, said pro-reparations for years, have gained momentum in the wake of the resigned amid scandal groups have offered pro-bono legal assistance if the death of George Floyd in police custody last May in program is challenged in court. Minneapolis. President Joe Biden has even ex- “This is set aside for an injured community that pressed support for creating a federal commission announces Senate run happens to be Black, that was injured by the city of to study Black reparations, a proposal that’s lan- Associated Press for Greitens. Evanston for anti-Black housing policies,” Simmons guished for decades in Congress. O’FALLON, Mo. — Eric Grei- Greitens was a political out- tens, the former Navy SEAL offi- sider when he ran for governor in cer who rose quickly to become 2016, but his resume was impres- Missouri governor before scandal sive. In addition to his role in the forced him out of office just a year elite military outfit, he was a best- New report finds extremist groups and a half into his tenure, an- selling author, a Rhodes scholar nounced Monday that he will run and had started a successful char- thrive on Facebook despite bans for the Senate seat being vacated ity for veterans. by fellow Republican Roy Blunt. It all began to fall apart in Janu- Associated Press spiracy, which claims that Do- stanch the flow of harmful mate- The announcement by Grei- ary 2018 when a St. Louis TV sta- A new outside report found that nald Trump is waging a secret rial, citing its bans of “nearly 900 tens, 46, came 14 days after Blunt tion aired a report about an extra- Facebook has allowed groups — battle against the “deep state” militarized social movements” said he would not seek a third marital affair with his hairdress- many tied to QAnon, boogaloo and a sect of powerful Satan-wor- and the removal of tens of thou- term in 2022. er in 2015, before he was elected. and militia movements — to glo- shipping pedophiles who dom- sands of QAnon pages, groups, But Greitens had been laying A month later, a grand jury in- rify violence during the 2020 inate Hollywood, big business, and accounts. It added that it is the groundwork for a return to dicted Greitens for invasion of election and in the weeks leading the media and government. The always improving its efforts politics even before Blunt’s an- privacy, accusing him of taking a up to the deadly riots at the U.S. rest are various anti-government against misinformation. nouncement, with increasingly compromising photo of the wom- Capitol in January. militias. All have been largely On Thursday, Facebook CEO frequent appearances on conser- an and threatening to use it as Avaaz, a nonprofit advocacy banned from Facebook since Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter CEO vative radio and television ap- blackmail if she ever spoke of the group that says it seeks to protect 2020. Jack Dorsey and Alphabet CEO pealing to supporters of former encounter. democracies from misinforma- But despite what Avaaz called Sundar Pichai are slated to testify President Donald Trump, who Greitens admitted to the affair tion, identified 267 pages and “clear violations” of Facebook’s before Congress about extre- carried Missouri with 57% of the (he and his wife, Sheena, di- groups on Facebook that it says policies, it found that 119 of these mism and misinformation on vote in 2020. vorced last year) but denied spread violence-glorifying mate- pages and groups were still active their platforms. A number of other Republican criminal wrongdoing and ac- rial in the heat of the 2020 elec- on the platform as of March 18 Facebook has tightened its candidates initially showed inter- cused St. Louis Circuit Attorney tion to a combined following of 32 and had just under 27 million fol- rules against violence, hate and est in replacing Blunt in heavily Kim Gardner, a Democrat, of a million users. lowers. misinformation in the past year. Republican Missouri, but the politically motivated prosecution. More than two-thirds of the Facebook acknowledged that In October, it banned QAnon GOP field is narrowing. Another scandal followed in groups and pages had names that its policy enforcement “isn’t per- groups across its platform. Be- Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and early April when Gardner charged aligned with several domestic ex- fect,” but said the report distorts fore that, it would remove them favorite Secretary of State Jay Greitens with another felony, ac- tremist movements, the report its work against violent extre- only if they expressly supported Ashcroft have both said they cusing him of illegally using the found. The first, boogaloo, pro- mism and misinformation. violence. It has also banned ex- won’t run, leaving Republican At- donor list for his charity, motes a second U.S. civil war and The company said in a state- tremist and militia movements torney General Eric Schmitt and Greitens successfully sought the breakdown of modern socie- ment that it has done more than and boogaloo groups with varying several of Missouri’s U.S. repre- reinstatement to the Navy, though ty. The second is the QAnon con- any other internet company to degrees of success. sentatives as potential opponents not as a SEAL officer, in 2019. Report: California’s Zogg wildfire sparked when tree hit a power line

Associated Press fornia Department of Forestry tacting electrical distribution the Shasta County District At- homes, over two weeks. LOS ANGELES — A North- and Fire Protection seized lines owned and operated by torney’s Office, Cal Fire said. PG&E, the nation’s largest ern California wildfire that equipment belonging to PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric locat- The blaze erupted Sept. 27, utility, emerged from bank- killed four people and de- in the weeks after the Zogg Fire ed north of the community of 2020, in Shasta County during ruptcy stemming from finan- stroyed more than 200 build- tore through rural communities Igo,” the agency said in a short high winds and quickly grew, cial fallout from several devas- ings last year was sparked in Shasta and Tehama counties news release. killing four people in Igo, pop- tating wildfires caused by its when tree branches came into last September and October. PG&E officials didn’t imme- ulation 600. It later spread to utility equipment that killed contact with Pacific Gas & “After a meticulous and thor- diately respond to a request for neighboring Tehama County. more than 100 people and de- Electric power lines, officials ough investigation, Cal Fire has comment late Monday. The fire scorched more than 88 stroyed more than 27,000 said Monday. determined that the Zogg Fire The Zogg Fire investigative square miles and destroyed 204 homes and other buildings in Investigators with the Cali- was caused by a pine tree con- report has been forwarded to buildings, about half of them 2017 and 2018. Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Man hurt after falling off horse while fleeing police THE CENSUS LYNCHBURG — A The approximate VA wanted man who fled 40 number of false killer from police on a horse was seri- whales spotted along the California ously injured when he fell off the coast, an uncommon sighting for the horse and was hit by a police vehi- tropical species usually found in warmer waters. The sighting was the cle, Virginia authorities said. first time they had been found along Officials said police responded the Orange County coastline since to an intersection in downtown 2019, when they showed up four Lynchburg regarding a report of a times that year, the Orange County wanted individual who was riding Register reported. The false killer a horse. whales, like actual killer whales, are a Officers told the man he had a dolphin species. They are typically warrant for violating a protective found in tropical and subtropical oceans in deep offshore waters, ac- order, but he would not comply cording to the National Oceanic At- with their order and fled on his mospheric Administration. horse, riding into oncoming traf- fic. The man fell off his horse while stalled so a large American flag officers were still attempting to can continue flying above a bridge stop him. that spans the Mississippi River. As officers approached him, one The Vicksburg Post reported of them accidentally struck the that the flagpole replacement will man with a vehicle as he was lying happen March 30 or 31 on the rail- in the road. road bridge that connects Vicks- burg, Miss., to Delta, La. ‘Dating scammer’ faces The railroad bridge runs paral- lel to a newer bridge. more time after escape The superintendent of the old CAMDEN — A New Jer- bridge, Herman Smith, said the NJ sey man who has twice flagpole has been in place since at served prison terms for using dat- least 1994. ing services to defraud women is facing more time after a recent es- Suspected drug dealer cape from custody. delivered drugs by drone Patrick Giblin made an initial court appearance by videoconfer- SIMI VALLEY — Po- ence in federal court in Camden. CA lice in Southern Cali- The 56-year-old had been a fugi- fornia are investigating whether a tive since last July until his cap- suspected drug dealer used a ture in Atlantic City. drone to deliver heroin to custom- According to a criminal com- ers. plaint, Giblin had been approved John Piani was arrested in Simi to travel from federal prison in Le- Valley as narcotics detectives wisburg, Pa., to a halfway house in were investigating possible heroin Newark where he would finish and methamphetamine sales in serving his latest prison term. the city northwest of Los Angeles. At the time of the arrest, Piani According to the complaint, RUSS DILLINGHAM, (LEWISTON, MAINE) SUN JOURNAL /AP prison personnel accompanied was operating a drone, police said. Giblin to the Harrisburg airport When detectives recovered the re- and watched him get on the plane. Drawn to something new mote-controlled aerial device, He never showed up in Newark, they found suspected heroin at- however, and was declared a fugi- Conner Dulac, right, and his big brother Kaiden, of Auburn, Maine, try a new type of fishing Sunday at the tached to it, the Ventura County tive. North Dam Picnic Area on Lake Auburn. They traded in their fishing poles for magnets on a rope and foundStar reported. lots of fishing lures, bottle caps, a knife and a rusty golf club.

University suspends cheer year’s team. came enraged. Kernel.” Hiker rescued after team over hazing claims The passenger said the defend- pinned between rocks ant removed his mask and began Man charged with 4 kids could face charges THE FORKS — An in- EDMOND — The Uni- assaulting 2 on flight spittle-laced screaming into his in dental office burglary OK versity of Central Ok- face, then punched him several ME jured hiker had to be rescued after falling and becom- lahoma has suspended its cheer CHARLESTON — A times, Hamski said. BARRYTON — Four team for the rest of the school year ing pinned between some large SC man has been arrested Several passengers intervened MI children — ages 8 to 14 amid reports of hazing on the rocks in The Forks, the Maine De- and charged with assaulting two and restrained Yurkovich, one — could face charges after suppli- squad, the school said. partment of Inland Fisheries & passengers on a flight from New sustaining a broken nose, Hamski es and petty cash were stolen from In addition to the suspension, Wildlife said. Jersey to Florida. said. a mid-Michigan dental office. the team won’t be allowed to par- Clayford Cabilas, 30, of Bangor, Authorities said United Flight The office in Barryton was bur- ticipate in any national competi- 728 took off from Newark Liberty and a friend had just finished a Pet mayor helps raise glarized, the Mecosta County tion for two years, University International Airport bound for hike on Mosquito Mountain Trail, money for dog park sheriff’s office said. President Patti Neuhold-Raviku- Miami. when they climbed up some large The suspects entered through a mar said in a statement. About 50 minutes into the flight, FAIR HAVEN — The rocks to take a photo, the depart- window, authorities said. Neuhold-Ravikumar said she one passenger said, John Yurkov- VT re-elected pet mayor of ment said in a statement. couldn’t go into detail about the ich went to the rear of the aircraft Fair Haven has met his goal of The four juveniles were identi- Cabilas lost his balance and fell hazing because of student privacy and acted erratically upon return money raised for a new dog park. fied and later admitted to being in- between the rocks and a rock had laws, but that hazing has no place yelling and demanding water be- Murfee, a Cavalier King Char- volved in the break-in and theft. shifted and pinned his arm and at the university and won’t be tol- fore taking a pill, authorities said. les spaniel, gained $5,000 in dona- They also were found with the leg, officials said. erated. According to the criminal com- tions, and a Castleton couple dental supplies, the sheriff’s office Crews used the jaws of life and Individual team members who plaint filed by FBI Special Agent matched that amount, WCAX-TV said airbags to move and secure the participated in the hazing may Joseph Hamski of Charleston, to reported. rock and to free Cabilas, who suf- face removal from the squad and which city the flight was diverted, The $10,000 will go toward the Old Glory to get new fered a fractured arm and leg, a suspension from the university, the passenger said Yurkovich Fur Haven Dog Park. flagpole over bridge head injury and was becoming hy- she said. Those cleared would un- backed into him, and when he Murfee was re-elected to a sec- pothermic. dergo a membership review and tried to keep Yurkovich from fall- ond term in March, in a tight race VICKSBURG — A may be allowed to try out for next ing onto him, the other man be- with a chicken named “Colonel MS new pole will be in- From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 VETERANS States helping vets outed for being gay attain key benefits BY SARAH CAMMARATA [Supportive Services for Veteran Stars and Stripes Families] funding, or access to WASHINGTON — While gay health care, that’s huge,” she said. service members can now serve openly in the military, veterans Lifelong effects kicked out for only their sexual Service members separated orientation under past policies without an honorable discharge still face hurdles to access benefits can face difficulty getting a job, go- due to “less than honorable” dis- ing back to school or obtaining a charges. home loan. Some states Under a “general with honor- are pushing to able” discharge, one of the most enact laws this common administrative discharg- year to provide es, a veteran is eligible for all ben- immediate re- efits, except for the GI Bill. A course for these notch below that is an “other than veterans, rather honorable” discharge, the most than waiting for harsh administrative discharge, Lara federal laws to which disqualifies you from all change. benefits. A bill in New Jersey is expected “An other than honorable is ter- to be signed into law as soon as rible. That means you can’t get next week. It would give veterans regular VA benefits and other kicked out of the military solely benefits — housing benefits, un- due to sexual orientation access to employment benefits are all Dave Lara state benefits. It would also direct pegged to having at least a gener- Dave Lara, left, with fellow sailors in Subic Bay, Philippines, in 1966. the state-run Department of Mili- al,” said Rochelle Bobroff, direc- tary and Veterans Affairs to tor of the pro bono program at on my discharge,” he said. his room for five hours from relief. gate the historic and ongoing ef- streamline the upgrade process at Lawyers Serving Warriors, a pro- Now that it’s legal to serve open- He had that harsh discharge “al- fects of discriminatory military the federal level. ject of the National Veterans Legal ly in the military, he can request to ways on me, always telling me that policies on LGBTQ service mem- “Under the Trump administra- Services Program that gives vet- strip the “homosexual conduct” I was no value.’’ bers and veterans. tion, nothing’s happened … in fact, erans free legal help with different label from his DD-214, something Lara urged other veterans to Takano, the first openly gay per- we went backwards in the last four disability claims. he didn’t know was possible until find support through the complex son of Asian descent in Congress, years on many equal rights is- Mike Mudd, an Air Force veter- his interview with Stars and process. said in a statement to Stars and sues,” New Jersey State Sen. Vin an, was given an “other than hon- Stripes. “You cannot do it alone,” he Stripes in mid-March that the Gopal said in an interview mid- orable” discharge in June 1989 af- It took decades after leaving the said. commission would provide a road March. That’s why he, along with ter his roommate outed him as military for Navy veteran Dave Jennifer Dane, executive direc- map for Congress to “rectify injus- lawmakers in Colorado and Con- gay. Lara to find out he could upgrade tor of the Modern Military Associ- tices.” necticut, are pushing for changes. Mudd, 53, had served for less his DD-214, thanks to a veterans’ ation of America, said her organi- “The full extent of the harm More than 100,000 service than two years when he was told to advocacy group. zation has seen more veterans re- caused by anti-LGBTQ military members were expelled from the pack up and leave Homestead Air Lara received a general under ach out for help with discharge up- policies is still not known,” Takano military between World War II Base near Miami. He was handed honorable conditions after a ser- grades, especially amid the said. and the 2011 repeal of “don’t ask, $91 for a bus ticket home to Louis- vice member outed him in 1969. coronavirus pandemic. “No veteran should face bar- don’t tell,” the policy that barred ville, Ky. The discharge form characterized When COVID-19 hit, “I had so riers to care or benefits they’ve gays and lesbians from serving The thriving gay community in him as “unfit for any kind of mil- many veterans come to me to say, earned — that’s why we must look openly in the military, because of Miami, where he had been sent af- itary service duty, ever,” Lara, ‘I want to use my VA health care back to document how veterans their actual or perceived sexual ter basic training, helped him real- now 73, said. “And that hurt, be- because I’ve lost my health care,’” were denied benefits, remediate orientation, according to a 2020 re- ize that he was gay, and he came cause I was in combat, because I she said. that disparity and ensure we equi- port from Harvard Law School. out during his time there. But that had to save many lives.” Yet upgrading a discharge can tably disburse future benefits to A “less than honorable” dis- came at a high price. After being homeless and bat- take from six months to three or all who have served,” he said. charge can bar gay service mem- “Because of that one thing that tling symptoms of PTSD, includ- four years. The pandemic has Takano also urged the Senate to bers from state and federal bene- you can’t control, now you aren’t ing suicidal thoughts, he struggled caused even longer delays, veter- make this issue a priority: “The fits. qualified. It just destroys you,” to find employment. Lara eventu- ans’ advocates say. longer we wait to rectify this injus- Complicated forms, processing said Mudd, now a realtor in Ken- ally found success in the telecom- On the other hand, Bobroff said tice, the longer LGBTQ veterans delays and bureaucratic red tape tucky, after working for 25 years munications industry and retired some veterans are reluctant to will have to wait for their earned make it challenging for veterans to as a paramedic. in 2003, but his discharge status jump into the process and engage benefits.” get an upgrade to their discharge His discharge prevented him continued to take a toll on his men- with lawyers. They also might not Air Force veteran Mudd and status under the Department of from tapping into any VA benefits. tal health. want to focus on a traumatic expe- some advocates argue that current Defense and Department of Vet- Mudd was also denied a VA home “The self esteem that I strug- rience in their life. legislation does not go far enough. erans Affairs. Upgrading a dis- loan since he was under the two- gled with was 80% because I al- “You have to engage with the Mudd wants the government to charge status can take years. year service mark to be eligible. ways had that discharge. And that military, and these veterans may automatically change the status of New York, Rhode Island and In 2004, he petitioned for a hear- haunted me my whole life until I not want to do so because it was all gay veterans discharged due to Nevada have all enacted legisla- ing to upgrade his discharge. After got it fixed five years ago,” said La- such a painful and unpleasant pe- sexual orientation to honorable, tion in recent years that restored about a year, he got it changed on a ra, who lives in Los Angeles. riod of their life the way they were and to remove the petition proc- state military benefits. new document, but the discharge With the help of a local veterans’ treated,” she said. ess. Better outreach and resources Hanna Tripp, policy adviser for characterization, or reason why he service organization and a pro bo- would also help. Minority Veterans of America, ap- was discharged, remained “homo- no lawyer, his DD-214 was reis- ‘Rectify this injustice’ “Just go back and do the right plauded state efforts. sexual conduct” on his original sued and he received an honorable Rep. Mark Takano, chairman of thing and treat people fair,” he “Removing the barriers for DD-214 form. discharge. The process took about the House Committee on Veter- said. these people to get benefits that “It was a relief to get my honor- four years. ans’ Affairs, introduced legisla- they might need, especially emer- able discharge, but it still hangs on When he received the upgrade tion early this month that would [email protected] gency benefits like housing, like me because the reason why is still in 2019, he said he cried alone in establish a commission to investi- Twitter: @sarahjcamm Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 WORLD US backs Philippines in standoff Associated Press U.S. Embassy in Manila said in a The Philippines has filed a diplo- MANILA — The United States statement. matic protest over the Chinese pres- said Tuesday that it’s backing the Philippine Defense Secretary ence, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Philippines in a new standoff with Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday de- Locsin Jr. said. Beijing in the disputed South China manded about 200 Chinese vessels Beijing denied the vessels were Sea, where Manila has asked a Chi- he said were militia boats leave the maritime militias. “Any speculation nese fishing flotilla to leave a reef. Whitsun Reef, a shallow coral re- in such helps nothing but causes un- China ignored the call, insisting it gion about 175 nautical mileswest of necessary irritation,” the Chinese owns the offshore territory. Bataraza town in the western Philip- Embassy said in a statement on The U.S. Embassy shared the Phi- pine province of Palawan. Monday. “It is hoped that the situa- lippines’ concerns and accused Chi- Philippine officials said the reef, tion could be handled in an objective na of using “maritime militia to in- which they call Julian Felipe, is well and rational manner.” timidate, provoke, and threaten oth- within the country’s internationally The U.S. Embassy, however, said er nations, which undermines peace recognized exclusive economic “Chinese boats have been mooring and security in the region.” zone, over which the Philippines in this area for many months in ever “We stand with the Philippines, “enjoys the exclusive right to exploit increasing numbers, regardless of our oldest treaty ally in Asia,” the or conserve any resources.” the weather.” China summons diplomats over sanctions RICK RYCROFT/AP Associated Press Chinese Foreign Ministry spo- countries over human rights. Water still rising in Australia BEIJING — China on Tuesday kesperson Hua Chunying on At a news conference in the said it summoned foreign diplo- Tuesday called the new sanctions southern Chinese city of Nanning, Paul Zammit carries his pet emu, Gookie, after rescuing her Tuesday mats in protest after the United a “slander and an affront to the China’s Wang Yi and Russia’s Ser- from floodwater in Windsor, northwest of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Heavy rainfall was easing on Australia's east coast, but States, the European Union, Cana- reputation and dignity of the Chi- gei Lavrov rejected outside cri- floodwaters are expected to linger for days. Some parts of New South da and Britain jointly imposed nese people.” tiques of their authoritarian politi- Wales state recorded two­thirds of their annual rainfall in less than a sanctions on senior Chinese offi- That came hours after the Chi- cal systems and said they were week. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the rain emergency was cials over alleged human rights nese and Russian foreign minis- working to further global progress expected to ease by late Wednesday, but the “floodwaters remain abuses in China’s far western Xin- ters denounced new wave criti- on issues from climate change to persistent for some time.” jiang region. cism and sanctions against both the coronavirus pandemic. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 FACES New this week: Tina Turner documentary, ‘City on a Hill’ Associated Press winner. The 13-song “My Savior” Here’s a collection curated by includes “Great Is Thy Faithful- The Associated Press’ entertain- ness” with CeCe Winans and ment journalists of what’s arriving “Nothing But The Blood of Jesus” on TV, streaming services and with Bear Rinehart. “The songs on music platforms this week. this album are literally songs that I’ve heard from birth,” Under- Movies wood shared in a trailer for the al- bum. Also on the album are har- ■ Most of last week’s Oscar monica legend Buddy Greene, nominees are already streaming guitarist Mac McAnally, piano or available on-demand. Florian virtuoso Gordon Mote and fre- Zeller’s “The Father” is among the quent Underwood collaborator most recent arrivals; it becomes Brett James. available on premium on-demand ■ Evanescence is gearing up to Friday. Based on Zeller’s own release the band’s first full-length much-traveled play, “The Father” album of original music in a dec- largely takes the perspective of its DAVE HOGAN, GETTY IMAGES/HBO ade, “The Bitter Truth.” It con- main character, 80-year-old An- “Tina,” coming to HBO and HBO tains the band’s signature stew of thony (Anthony Hopkins), who’s Max, examines the life of singer metal-inspired sounds and strong in the grip of dementia. Zeller’s di- Tina Turner, pictured here during rock elements, especially in the fi- rectorial debut was nominated for a performance at London’s ery, independence-minded new best picture, best actor (Hopkins) Wembley Stadium in 1990. single “Better Without You.” On and best supporting actress (Oli- “Far From Heaven,” singer Amy via Colman, who plays Anthony’s vival all the more powerful. Lee sings about questioning her daughter), as well as nods for pro- ■ Another Oscar nominee faith after suffering much person- duction design, editing and adapt- achieved a rare distinction. The al loss. The band worked on the al- ed screenplay. My review called it piercing Romanian documentary bum during the pandemic, with a clever, not profound film, but “Collective” was nominated for the U.S.-based members traveling praised the lead performance: “To best documentary and best inter- via tour bus to Nashville to record SHOWTIME see Hopkins play all these ever- national film — something only alongside Lee. “The Bitter Truth” From left: Aldis Hodge as assistant D.A. Decourcy Ward and Kevin fluctuating turns of mood is rivet- one previous film ( “Honeyland,” is slated for a March 26 release. Bacon as FBI agent Jackie Rohr in Showtime’s “City on a Hill.” ing. He has grasped, at least for a in 2020) — had ever managed to — AP Entertainment Writer proud man like Anthony, how ■ do. Alexander Nanau’s film, Mark Kennedy evoke Clement Hurd’s illustra- A drug violence-riddled fed- one’s ego keeps fighting a battle it which arrives Thursday on Hulu, tions for the 1942 book. eral housing project in Boston is at doesn’t know is already lost.” Television ■ was one of the very best of 2020. It Emilio Estevez returns as the center of season two of Show- ■ In Dan Lindsay and T.J. Mar- ■ trails the unlikely investigative “The Runaway Bunny” gets youth hockey coach Gordon Bom- time’s “City on a Hill,” debuting tin’s revealing documentary “Ti- journalists that doggedly reported star treatment in an animated spe- bay in “The Mighty Ducks: Game Sunday night. Kevin Bacon’s FBI na,” Tina Turner surveys her tu- on the fallout of a horrifying and cial based on Margaret Wise Changers,” a Disney+ series fol- agent Jackie Rohr is trying to sal- multuous and extraordinary life. deadly fire in a Bucharest night- Brown’s classic book about a bun- low-up to the 1990s movie fran- vage his career by trading on the The film, which debuts Saturday city’s flawed criminal justice sys- club. “As a journalism drama,” I ny eager to leave home. Besides chise. Gordon has a new chal- on HBO and HBO Max, includes Tracee Ellis Ross’ performance of lenge: help 12-year-old Evan (Bra- tem, with Aldis Hodge’s assistant earlier reviewed, “it’s as absorb- intimate interviews with the 81- an original lullaby by Brown, the dy Morrow) and his mom, played D.A. Decourcy Ward his formida- ing as ‘Spotlight’ and more sober year-old “Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll,” HBO Max show out Thursday in- by Lauren Graham (“Gilmore ble opponent. Their hostility is than ‘All the President’s Men.’” along with previously unseen foot- corporates songs by Mariah Carey Girls,” “Parenthood”), create a destined to ensnare the office of The film is also available on-de- age, audio tapes and personal pho- (a remake of “Always Be My Ba- new team after Evan gets dropped federal and county prosecutors in mand and for digital rental. tos. Turner’s life has been much by”), Roseanne Cash (“You Are by the Ducks, who have morphed what’s described as “all-out war.” — AP Film Writer Jake Coyle chronicled — including the 1986 My Sunshine”) and Ziggy Marley into a team of winners who lack Tom Fontana (“Homicide: Life on autobiography “I, Tina” and its (“What a Wonderful World”), boundaries. Estevez, who had the Street”) is the executive pro- 1993 movie adaptation “What’s Music among others artists. From pro- largely traded acting for direct- ducer in charge of the drama, back Love Got to Do With It.” But time ■ Carrie Underwood’s upcom- ducer-director Amy Schatz (the ing, promises the series debuting with eight episodes. has only made Turner’s swings ing album features gospel hymns “Classical Baby” series), the spe- Friday captures the films’ “mag- — AP Television Writer between success, trauma and sur- important to the “American Idol” cial uses hand-drawn animation to ic” but offers more than nostalgia. Lynn Elber Jamie Foxx to play Mike Tyson in boxer’s take on his life Associated Press athlete. A release date wasn’t announced. ruled an accident, the report says. Mike Tyson is getting in the TV drama Tyson took to social media at the time to Brown Jr.’s mother was Kim Ward, with ring against himself. slam the production, calling it “cultural whom Brown had been in a long relation- On the heels of Hulu’s announcement misappropriation” and saying he wasn’t be- ship. The elder Brown sprang to fame with that it would produce a Tyson miniseries ing compensated for his story. New Edition in the early 1980s, and was one without his involvement, the boxing great of the biggest solo stars in music during the said he’s producing a limited series starring Autopsy: Bobby Brown’s son late ’80s and ’90s. Jamie Foxx. Filmmaker Martin Scorsese Foxx Tyson and Foxx also are among the producers. died from drugs, alcohol Other news “I have been looking to tell my story for for the project, citing the Legends Only Bobby Brown Jr., the son of singer Bobby ■ The replacement for Rush Limbaugh quite some time,” Tyson said in a statement League he launched last November with his Brown, died from the combined effects of is ... Rush Limbaugh, at least in part. Pre- Monday. He said he looks forward to cre- exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr. The alcohol, cocaine and the opioid fentanyl, ac- miere Networks, the company that syndi- ating a series that “not only captures my pay-per-view event included other bouts cording to an autopsy report. cated Limbaugh’s afternoon program to professional and personal journey but also and music acts. Brown Jr. was found dead in his Los An- some 600 radio stations across the country, inspires and entertains.” Last month, Hulu said it had ordered the geles home at age 28 on Nov. 18. At the time, said Monday that it would continue airing a The announcement did not include when eight-episode series “Iron Mike,” saying it authorities said only that they believed no series of guest hosts that play archival audio and on what outlet it will be shown. would explore the “the wild, tragic and con- foul play was involved. He had a history of footage of the late personality. Limbaugh Tyson called this the “perfect moment” troversial life and career” of a polarizing drug and alcohol use and his death was died of cancer on Feb. 17. Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Schools finally have road map to fully reopen BY JOSEPH G. ALLEN were in place. But in the Feb. 12 guidance, can be open regardless of community AND HELEN JENKINS the CDC held firm on six feet in schools, even spread. That’s a big change that matches the EDITORIAL Special to The Washington Post though the practical implication was that science. Terry Leonard, Editor or an entire year, parents, teachers kids would never fully go back to in-person The report also includes a section on ven- [email protected] and superintendents have waited learning due to space restrictions. tilation, with the guidance in line with what for evidence-based guidance from The Feb. 12 report had other relatively mi- we have been saying for months: Schools Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor the federal government on how nor issues, too: Ventilation wasn’t highlight- should be bringing in more outside air and [email protected] F schools could navigate the pandemic. It has ed enough. All sports, including outdoors, upgrading their filters. The report also drop- Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content finally arrived. The updated guidance for were banned for schools at the “red” level, ped the recommendation to use plexiglass [email protected] schools that the Centers for Disease Control which doesn’t make sense. Physical barriers barriers, which can actually impede airflow. Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation and Prevention released riday gives schools and “sneeze guards” were recommended, Cleaning is still overemphasized, unfortu- [email protected] the road map they need to fully reopen. even though they are useless in the face of nately. The journey to this revised document has aerosol transmission. It also emphasized in- The CDC also corrected its guidance on Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital been long and bumpy. When the CDC first tensive cleaning, which we also now know is sports, too. It now says outdoor sports are [email protected] issued its guidance for schools to reopen on a waste of effort and resources. fine, though it still recommends maintaining Feb. 12, it had all sorts of problems. The new guidance addresses all of this. six-feet distancing, which we think is not BUREAU STAFF As we laid out at the time, the report had The biggest change is the adoption of three necessary during outdoor youth sports when two major flaws. The first was that it relied feet of distancing for students as sufficient athletes wear masks. Still, it’s a move in the Europe/Mideast on overly strict community spread metrics. when all other prevention strategies are in right direction. We should be actively encou- Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] At the time of its release, 90% of the country’s place, including universal masking, hand- raging all outdoor sports. +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 school districts were in communities with washing and enhanced ventilation. The CDC Finally, the agency kept the critical sec- Pacific the highest level of spread (denoted by the also added some other good caveats: When tions on equity, testing and contact tracing, Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief color red), and the CDC essentially said mid- community spread is high and cohorting not which were quite good in the first version. [email protected] dle and high schools in those districts should possible, the CDC urges that middle- and There’s no sugarcoating it: The first report +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 stay remote while elementary schools high-schoolers revert to six feet. It also em- on schools from CDC was off. That was is- Washington should remain in hybrid mode. This was de- phasizes times when masks cannot be worn sued in the third week of the Biden adminis- Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief spite many studies showing within-school and therefore the six-foot rule is needed, tration. To its credit, the administration [email protected] transmission could be controlled with good such as during lunch. (One of the best strate- didn’t waste time or double down in a defen- (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News mitigation in place, regardless of communi- gies we’ve seen for managing lunchtime is to sive crouch. They listened to scientists and [email protected] ty spread. To get to the “blue” level, the low- have only half the school use the lunchroom updated the guidance. est of the CDC’s four-color system, commu- each day, while the other students eat in The road map is clear for how to get kids CIRCULATION nities would have to reach 1 case per 100,000 their classes. Teachers can put on a movie to back in class. To any school that’s closed and per day. That won’t happen this calendar reduce talking, which keeps emissions low. meets these measures, it’s time to open. To Mideast year. In fact, we might never hit that level of And, of course, open the windows!) any school that opened without any of these Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager [email protected] spread with this virus. Ever. The CDC also provided important tweaks controls in place, they must be implemented [email protected] The second big issue was the continued re- on its community spread metrics. Now, it immediately. There can be no more delay. DSN (314)583-9111 liance on six feet of distancing for students. says that higher community spread could Europe By last fall, there was evidence that three lead to in-school transmission, “if layered Joseph G. Allen is an associate professor and director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager feet of distancing was sufficient to keep risk prevention strategies are not in use.” In oth- School of Public Health. Helen Jenkins is an associate professor [email protected] low in schools, when other control measures er words, if schools have good controls, they of biostatistics at Boston University School of Public Health. [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] While the world still struggles, US can power ahead +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 BY NOAH SMITH demic trend by the end of the year. That’s their dollars at restaurants instead of just on CONTACT US Bloomberg Opinion even better than China, at least in the relative Amazon.com, U.S. manufacturers will be Washington he U.S. is set to recover from the sense. looking for customers for their goods, and the tel: (+1)202.886.0003 pandemic-induced recession fas- In some ways, the status of the U.S. will rest of the world, even while weighed down 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 ter than other rich countries hinder its recovery. A healthy Europe and by coronavirus, could provide those markets. Reader letters Tthanks to its successful vaccination Japan is generally good, as these countries The U.S. has a limited window to make the [email protected] effort and copious relief spending. Though it buy American exports and send tourists to most of the situation, and it should be pro- might seem like weakness in the rest of the spend their money in the U.S. For at least a moting exports vigorously over the next Additional contacts world will create a drag on U.S. growth, it ac- good part of this year, much of that revenue year. Explicit export subsidies are banned stripes.com/contactus tually provides an opportunity to increase will remain off the table. under World Trade Organization rules. But OMBUDSMAN exports. It’s not all downside, though. A quick U.S. there are many ways in which implicit export In late 2020, what had been a rapid U.S. re- recovery also means a strong rebound in do- subsidies can substitute for explicit ones, in- Ernie Gates covery slowed as a huge new wave of CO- mestic manufacturing, both from revived lo- cluding tax breaks, cheap trade financing, The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow VID-19 infections drove Americans back into cal demand and from the fact that vaccinated assistance with marketing, subsidized train- of news and information, reporting any attempts by the their homes. Since then the U.S. has done workers will be able to go back to work with ing for workers and extension services. military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns surprisingly well at putting shots into arms, fewer costly safety precautions. And that will The effort would also dovetail nicely with and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for and new data suggests vaccines will be pretty put the U.S. in a good position to supply the Biden’s plan for reshoring American indus- fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by effective even against the resistant strains rest of the rich world with goods. Even try and consolidating supply chains in the email at [email protected], or by phone at now emerging around the world. When CO- though demand inside those countries is still U.S. Helping manufacturers export and ca- 202.886.0003. VID no longer dominates the stage, Ameri- suppressed by the pandemic, local supplies joling foreign-invested companies to return can consumers will rush out to eat and shop will also be suppressed, offering an opportu- home can provide valuable lessons in which Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday and frolic, and the economy will be turbo- nity for American exporters to step in. policies work and which don’t. Those lessons through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals charged. To top it off, the U.S. has been ex- The reason I know this could work is that can then be applied in the longer struggle to postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send tremely generous with COVID relief spend- it’s exactly what China has been doing with keep the U.S. economically relevant in an age address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the ing, especially after the recent passage of the U.S. During 2020, as China succeeded in when global economic activity is shifting to Department of Defense for members of the military services President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion addition. suppressing the virus while infections grew Asia. overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views Other rich countries, however, remain in the U.S., the trade imbalance between the So the U.S. should take full advantage of of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- mired in the economic doldrums. Agonizing- countries soared. Stuck in their homes, this brief interregnum. Its stellar vaccine ef- per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to ly slow vaccine rollouts in the European American consumers shifted from buying fort and stimulus have allowed it to jump remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. Union and Japan, coupled with a deeper ini- services to buying manufactured goods, and ahead; now the country should use that time The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or tial impact of the pandemic in Europe, mean China was willing and able to supply those wisely to improve its competitive position for Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. that the U.S. will return to its pre-pandemic goods. the longer term. Just as when the rest of the Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, growth trajectory well before its developed- Some of that imbalance may now abate as world was rebuilding from World War II, this religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical world peers. In fact, according to the Orga- the U.S. shifts back toward demanding ser- is the chance for the U.S. to power ahead. handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. nisation for Economic Co-operation and De- vices and China is slowed by austerity and a

© Stars and Stripes 2021 velopment, the U.S. is now the only major weaker-than-expected vaccination effort. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Noah Smith was an assistant economy projected to exceed its pre-pan- When American consumers start spending professor of finance at Stony Brook University. stripes.com PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS DOWN 21 Poison — 1 Halloween 1 Soaks up the sun 22 — Klub greeting 2 — -Free (contact (“Cabaret” 4 Owns lens solution) venue) Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 7 “Li’l Abner” 3 Alfresco 23 Lays down creator 4 Cads the lawn 8 Inventor Nikola 5 Easy — (simple) 24 Dorm room 10 Rush 6 Pole, e.g. furniture 11 Fix a road 7 “Misery” star 25 Pensioned 13 Bringing home James (Abbr.) the bacon 8 Hiker’s path 26 Sentry 16 Clip- — 9 Emulate Earhart 28 Salon sounds (some ties) 10 Med. plan option 29 “Encore!” Non Sequitur 17 Ouzo flavor 12 Finished 30 Springsteen’s 18 Oklahoma city 14 Bitty biter “Born —” 19 Test tube 15 Cooking fuel 31 Sport shirt brand 20 GPS suggestions 19 Sportscaster 32 Calligrapher’s 21 Avoid Scully instrument 23 Trusty horse 20 Stimpy’s pal 34 Currier’s partner 25 Botch up 35 Pearl Harbor site Answer to Previous Puzzle 26 Prom dress Candorville 27 911 responder 28 Riyadh resident 30 Gratuity 33 Grabbing some z’s 36 Ritzy spread 37 Tycoon 38 Lukewarm 39 Barak of Israel Carpe Diem 40 Tax form ID 41 Press for payment Beetle Bailey Bizarro Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 SCOREBOARD/NFL

COLLEGE BASKETBALL DEALS COLLEGE HOCKEY FREE AGENCY ROUNDUP Men’s NIT Monday’s transactions NCAA Division I Tournament At Frisco, Texas BASEBALL BRIDGEPORT REGIONAL Quarterfinals Major League Baseball At Bridgeport, Conn. Thursday, March 25 American League First Round Colorado State vs. NC State CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Optioned OF Friday, March 26 Boise State vs. Memphis Luis Gonzalez and RHP Reynaldo Lopez to Wisconsin (20­9­1) vs. Bemidji St. (15­ Mississippi State vs. Richmond alternate training site. Reassigned RHPs 9­3) W. Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech Tayron Guerrero, Alex McRae and Connor UMass (16­5­4) vs. Lake Superior St. (19­ Pats, Bucs making Semifinals Sadzeck and INF Marco Hernandez to mi­ 6­3) Saturday, March 27 nor league camp. Championship Colorado State­NC State winner vs. KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Reassigned Saturday, March 27 Boise State­Memphis winner RHP Jackson Kowar, LHP Daniel Lynch, INF Wisconsin­Bemidji St. winner vs. Mississippi St.­Richmond winner vs. W. Bobby Witt Jr. and OF Kyle Isbel to minor UMass­Lake Superior St. winner Kentucky­La. Tech winner league camp. FARGO REGIONAL Championship SEATTLE MARINERS— Optioned RHP Yo­ han Ramirez and INF Donovan Walton to At Fargo, N.D. the biggest waves Sunday, March 28 alternate training site. Re­assigned RHPs First Round Semifinal winners JT Chargois, Logan Gilbert, Taylor Guerrie­ Friday, March 26 BY ARNIE STAPLETON receiver Chris Godwin, and keep- ri, Vinny Nittoll and Jimmy Yacabonis to Minn. Duluth (14­10­2) vs. Michigan (15­ College Basketball Invitational minor league camp. Re­assigned LHP Roe­ 10­1) Associated Press ing all these stars in the fold might Quarterfinals nis Elias to minor league rehab. Released North Dakota (21­5­1) vs. American In­ Bill Belichick never was one to very well keep Brady & Co. atop Monday, March 22 RHP Gerson Bautista. ternational (15­3­0) Championship Stetson 53, Bowling Green 52 National League spend wildly in free agency. the NFL in 2021 no matter how Coastal Carolina 93, Bryant 82 COLORADO ROCKIES — Optioned LHP Saturday, March 27 Pepperdine 80, Longwood 66 Phillip Diehl and RHP Antonio Santos to Al­ Minn. Duluth­Michigan winner vs. North Watching Tom Brady win another much his former team spends to Bellarmine 77, Army 67 buquerque (Triple­A West). Reassigned Dakota­AIC winner Super Bowl in another city sure play catch-up. Semifinals LHPs Brian Gonzalez and Ryan Rolison, OF ALBANY REGIONAL Tuesday, March 23 Jameson Hannah and RHP Chad Smith to At Albany, N.Y. minor league camp. changed that. Stetson vs. Coastal Carolina First Round PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Optioned OF Saturday, March 27 The New England Patriots Paton’s place Pepperdine vs. Bellarmine Jared Olivia and RHP Edgar Santana. Reas­ Championship Boston College (17­5­1) vs. Notre Dame signed INF Kevin Kramer and RHP Shea (14­13­2) doled out $175 million in guaran- While the old-timers in New En- Wednesday, March 24 Spitzbarth. Semifinal winners BASKETBALL St. Cloud St. (17­10­0) vs. Boston U. (10­ tees in the first 48 hours of free gland restocked their roster, new- 4­1) NCAA Men’s Division II National Basketball Association Championship agency following comer GM George Paton got off to CLEVELAND CAVALIERS — Released G Sunday, March 28 Tournament Quinn Cook as a free agent. a 7-9 stumble in a fast start in his quest to rebuild FOOTBALL Boston College­Notre Dame winner vs. Quarterfinals National Football League St. Cloud St.­Boston U. winner 2020 that ended the Denver Broncos, which will go At Evansville, Ind. LOVELAND REGIONAL ARIZONA CARDINALS— Agreed to terms First Round their two-decade a long way in showing his worthi- Wednesday, March 24 with OLs Max Garcia and Brian Winters on Lincoln Memorial vs. Colorado Mines one­year contracts pending the passing of At Loveland, Colo. dominance of ness as John Elway’s front office West Texas A&M vs. Daemen a physical. Re­signed P Andy Lee to a one­ First Round NW Missouri St. vs. West Liberty year contract. Saturday, March 27 the AFC. successor. Flagler vs. Truman CINCINNATI BENGALS — Re­signed P Ke­ Minnesota St. (20­4­1) vs. Quinnipiac Semifinals vin Huber to a one­year contract. (17­7­4) The jaw-drop- After serving a lifetime as Vik- At Evansville, Ind. CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed CB Troy Minnesota (23­6­0) vs. Omaha (14­10­1) ping spending ings executive Rick Spielman’s Thursday, March 25 Hill. Championship Sunday, March 28 spree netted right-hand man, Paton has quick- TBD LAS VEGAS RAIDERS — Signed C Andre Belichick Championship James to a multi­year contract extension. Minnesota St.­Quinnipiac winner vs. tight ends Jonnu ly made his mark as the main man Evansville, Ind. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Retired S Minnesota­Omaha winner Saturday, March 27 Patrick Chung. Resigned C David Andrews. FROZEN FOUR Smith and Hunter Henry and re- in Denver. PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Signed WR Semifinal winners At Pittsburgh Tyler Simmons to a one­year contract. National Semifinals ceivers Nelson Agholor and Ken- In addition to keeping Von Mill- NAIA Division I Men’s Tournament SAN DIEGO CHARGERS — Re­signed TE Thursday, April 8 drick Bourne for an offense that er, Justin Simmons and Shelby Stephen Anderson. Fargo Regional Champion vs. Bridgeport Semifinals TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Re­signed Regional Champion went from proficient to pitiful Harris, Paton filled his biggest de- Monday, March 22 TE Rob Gronkowski. TENNESSEE TITANS — Agreed to terms Albany Regional Champion vs. Loveland Shawnee St. 82, St. Francis 77 Regional Champion without Brady under center. fensive pothole by signing free Lewis­Clark St. 83, SW Assemblies 56 with CB Kevin Johnson, LB Ola Adeniyi and T Ty Sambrailo. National Championship Championship Saturday, April 10 The Pats also traded for a left agent cornerbacks Ronald Darby Tuesday, March 23 WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM — Named Dave Baldwin chief ticketing offi­ Semifinal winners tackle and got Kyle Van Noy back and Kyle Fuller. Shawnee St. vs. Lewis­Clark St. cer. HOCKEY PRO BASEBALL in what amounted to a stunning “Well, George became my best Women’s NIT National Hockey League about-face for a franchise whose friend this week,” Harris cracked Semifinals ARIZONA COYOTES — Recalled RW Hud­ Spring training At Collierville, Tenn. son Fasching from minor league taxi fans relished poking fun at the big after signing a three-year, $27 mil- Friday, March 26 squad. Designated C Michael Chaput and Monday’s games G Ivan Prosvetov for assignment taxi spenders trying, usually in vain, to lion contract a year after he had to Rice vs. Delaware Pittsburgh 6, Baltimore 5 Mississippi vs. N. Iowa squad. Reassigned G David Tendeck to mi­ catch up as the Patriots piled on settle for a one-year, $2.5 million nors Tuscon (AHL). Boston 10, Tampa Bay 4 Championship Minnesota 4, Atlanta 2 Sunday, March 28 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS — Recalled the points and parades. deal. LW Mikhail Grigorenko from minor league Houston 5, N.Y. Mets 4 Semifinal winners taxi squad. Miami 7, St. Louis 2 After watching Brady, at 43, The haul helped fans start to get DALLAS STARS— Designated LW Tanner San Diego 9, Kansas City 9 NCAA Women’s Div. II Kero and C Justin Dowling for assignment Chicago White Sox 7, San Francisco 2 throw TD passes like he was 23 over Paton’s decision to let home- Tournament taxi squad. Milwaukee 6, Cleveland 3 again, then nonchalantly toss his town hero Phillip Lindsay leave. NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Designated D Arizona 4, Oakland 4 Quarterfinals Alexandre Carrier and C Rem Pitlick for as­ L.A. Angels 15, Chicago Cubs 7 seventh Lombardi Trophy over Some other teams that made an At Columbus, Ohio signmnet taxi squad. Colorado 5, Texas 4 Tuesday, March 23 OTTAWA SENATORS — Recalled G Filip Philadelphia 4, N.Y. Yankees 0 the Hillsborough River waters early splash are the New York Gi- Drury vs. Charleston, W.Va. Gustavsson from minor league taxi squad. Toronto 4, Detroit 3 during the Buccaneers’ celebra- ants, Washington and Cleveland, Lander vs. Azusa Pacific VANCOUVER CANUCKS— Claimed C Tra­ Seattle 7, L.A. Dodgers 3 Lubbock Christian vs. Daemen vis Boyd off waivers. Tuesday’s games tion of their dismantling of Patrick which grabbed two of the Los An- Belmont Abbey vs. Central Miss. SOCCER Semifinals Major League Soccer Washington vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla. Mahomes and the Chiefs, Belich- geles Rams’ secondary stalwarts Wednesday, March 24 COLORADO RAPIDS — Traded a 2021 in­ Tampa Bay vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, ick — and his boss, Robert Kraft — in safety John Johnson and cor- TBD ternational roster slot to Atlanta United FC Fla. Championship in exchange for $225,000 in 2022 general al­ Minnesota vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, had seen enough. nerback Troy Hill. Friday, March 26 location money. Fla. Semifinal winners FC CINCINNATI — Reassigned MF Allan Boston vs. Atlanta at North Port, Fla. Following the signing, re-sign- Cruz and D Ronald Matarrita to Costa Rica N.Y. Yankees vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla. Spendthrifts NAIA Division I Women’s national team. Miami vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie, Fla. ing or acquisition of nearly two NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION — Signed D L.A. Angels vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz. dozen players last week, Belichick While the Patriots and Broncos Tournament Jon Bell and MF Lucas Maciel Felix to one­ Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs at year contracts with additional club op­ Semifinals Mesa, Ariz. issued the following statement: had plenty of cap room available, tions. Colorado vs. Oakland at Mesa, Ariz. Monday, March 22 NEW YORK CITY FC — Signed D Chris San Francisco vs. Cleveland at “We are excited about the addi- most teams had their belts squeez- Thomas More 65, Morningside 62 Gloster on a two­year contract with an op­ Goodyear, Ariz. tions to our roster so far this year. ing them pretty tight with the Westmont 74, Indiana Wesleyan 65 tion to extend for two additional seasons. Cincinnati vs. San Diego at Peoria, Ariz. Championship ORLANDO CITY SC — Signed F Wilfredo L.A. Dodgers vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix Whether by trade, free agency or $182.5 million salary cap, an 8% Tuesday, March 23 Rivera to a three­year contract with club Toronto vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, Thomas More vs. Westmont options in 2024 and 2025. Fla. re-signings, the group brings a reduction from 2020 because of Seattle vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, Ariz. AP SPORTLIGHT good mix of offense, defense and the pandemic. Wednesday’s games special teams. It was great to see And some teams just didn’t N.Y. Mets vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla. March 24 ny” Archibald becomes the first player in Minnesota vs. Tampa Bay at Port Char­ them in the building, including make the splash their fanbases ex- 1936 — Detroit’s Mud Bruneteau ends NBA history to lead the NBA in both scor­ lotte, Fla. ing (34.0 ppg.) and assists (11.4 apg.) in the Philadelphia vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla. some familiar faces, and we are all pected in free agency. the longest game in NHL history with a same season. goal after 116 minutes and 30 seconds (six Atlanta vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla. looking forward to continue build- ■ Panthers general manager 1975 — Muhammad Ali knocks out Chuck Toronto vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla. overtimes) to edge the Montreal Maroons Wepner in the 15th round to retain the 1­0 in the semifinals of the Stanley Cup Oakland vs. Chicago White Sox at Glen­ ing toward the upcoming season.” Scott Fitterer got off to an under- world heavyweight title in Cleveland. dale, Ariz. playoffs. 1975 — Princeton becomes the first Ivy 1941 — Long Island University wins the Colorado vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix whelming start by signing guard League school to win the NIT title with an Kansas City vs. L.A. Angels at Tempe, NIT championship with a 56­42 victory 80­69 win over Providence. Mickey Steuer­ Brady’s bunch Pat Elflein and tackle Cam Erving over Ohio. Ariz. er leads the Tigers with 26 points and Todd Baltimore vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla. 1945 — NYU battles back from a ten­ van Bloomesteyn adds 23. The Buccaneers, who won the before luring wide receiver David point deficit with two minutes to go to Houston vs. Washington at West Palm 1979 — Indiana State, led by Larry Bird, Beach, Fla. Super Bowl with every one of their Moore from Seattle and reuniting send the NCAA Tournament national advances to the NCAA Championship semifinal game into overtime. NYU wins game by squeezing past DePaul 76­74. Bird Texas vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz. 31 points coming from players coach Matt Rhule with former 70­65. At the time, a team got one free has 35 points, 16 rebounds and 9 assists. Cleveland vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, throw when fouled near end of game, but 1980 — Louisville beats UCLA 59­54 to Ariz. who hadn’t been on the team in Temple linebacker Haason Red- could elect instead to inbound the ball. win the NCAA basketball title. Chicago Cubs vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz. Ohio State is fouled three times, opts to 1991 — Dean Smith becomes the first San Diego vs. San Francisco at Scotts­ 2019, are big winners this offsea- dick. shoot the foul shot and misses each time. coach to win regional titles in four differ­ dale, Ariz. son, too. ■ The Bears had hoped to solve 1952 — Chicago’s Bill Mosienko scores ent decades when North Carolina beats MLB calendar three third­period goals in 21 seconds to Temple 75­72 in the East Regional of the First, Brady signed an exten- their decadeslong quarterback lead the Black Hawks to a 7­6 comeback NCAA tournament. March 27 — Last day to offer a retention win over the New York Rangers. 1992 — Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux be­ bonus to an eligible player attending sion, freeing up $19 million in sala- quandary by persuading the Sea- 1962 — Paul Hogue scores 22 points and comes the 36th player in NHL history with spring training with a minor league con­ ry cap space that allowed the Buc- hawks to part with disgruntled grabs 19 rebounds and Tom Thacker adds 1,000 points, getting an assist in the sec­ tract. 21 to lead Cincinnati to a 71­59 victory over ond period of the Penguins’ 4­3 loss to the March 30 — Last day to place a player on caneers to re-sign linebacker La- star Russell Wilson. When that Ohio State for its second NCAA basketball Detroit Red Wings. waivers for 45 days termination pay. championship. 1996 — Vancouver loses its 18th consec­ April 1 — Opening day, active rosters re­ vonte David, tight end Rob Gron- didn’t happen, the Bears had to 1970 — Jerry West of the Los Angeles utive game, 90­85 to Cleveland. The Griz­ duced to 26 players. Lakers wins his only NBA scoring title, ac­ zlies, with losing streaks of 18 and 19 July 11­13 — Amateur draft. kowski and linebacker Shaq part ways with Fuller, who landed cumulating 2,309 points in 74 games for a games in 1995­96, are the first team in NBA July 13 — All­Star Game, Atlanta. Barrett (four years, $72 million). in Denver, to clear cap room for 31.2 ppg. average. history to have two losing streaks of 18 or July 25 — Hall of Fame induction, Coo­ 1973 — Kansas City­Omaha’s Nate “Ti­ more games in the same season. perstown, N.Y. The Bucs also franchised wide new QB Andy Dalton. Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 NBA Elgin Baylor, Lakers great and aerialist pioneer, dies at 86

BY GREG BEACHAM Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Elgin Baylor changed the very direction of bas- ketball when he joined the NBA and brought his vertical feats of athletic brilliance to a largely hori- zontal game. He filled scoresheets and sparked young imaginations with his trailblazing aerial style, and every high-flying player of the past 60 years has followed his path. Although the Lakers’ first su- perstar in Los Angeles never won BOB LEVEY / AP a championship ring, Baylor still Rockets guard John Wall, driving on Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, had his first triple­double since 2016. looms high above the franchise and the game he loved. Scoreboard The Hall of Fame forward died ROUNDUP Monday of natural causes in Los ANONYMOUS / AP Angeles with wife Elaine and The Los Angeles Lakers’ Elgin Eastern Conference daughter Krystal by his side, the Baylor drives against the Boston team said. He was 86. Celtics during the 1962 NBA Atlantic Division An 11-time All-Star who soared championship game in Boston. Wall’s triple-double WLPct GB through the 1960s with a high- Baylor, the Lakers’ 11­time NBA Philadelphia 30 13 .698 — scoring artistry that became the All­Star, died Monday at 86. Brooklyn 29 14 .674 1 model for the modern basketball New York 21 22 .488 9 Boston 21 22 .488 9 player, Baylor played a major role Baylor had an uncanny ability to helps Rockets end Toronto 17 26 .395 13 in revolutionizing basketball from hang in mid-air indefinitely, in- Southeast Division a ground-bound sport into an ae- venting shots and improvising de- WLPct GB rial show. ception along his flight path. Years Miami 22 21 .512 — “Elgin was THE superstar of his before Julius Erving and Michael skid at 20 games Atlanta 22 21 .512 — era — his many accolades speak to Jordan became international he- Charlotte 21 21 .500 ½ that,” Lakers owner Jeanie Buss roes with their similarly acrobatic Associated Press Raptors their ninth straight loss, Washington 15 26 .366 6 said in a statement. games, Baylor created the blue- Orlando 14 28 .333 7½ HOUSTON — Stephen Silas which now represents the NBA’s With a silky-smooth jumper and print for the modern superstar. walked off the court at halftime be- longest active losing streak. Central Division fluid athleticism, Baylor spent Baylor was the first NBA player lieving he’d seen a sign. Clippers 119, Hawks 110: Ka- WLPct GB parts of 14 seasons with the Lakers to score 70 points in a game, and he Danuel House Jr. swished a 51- whi Leonard scored 25 points, and Milwaukee 28 14 .667 — in Minneapolis and Los Angeles, still holds the single-game NBA Fi- footer at the buzzer, sending the host Los Angeles rallied from a 22- Chicago 19 23 .452 9 teaming with Jerry West in one of nals scoring record with 61 against Indiana 19 23 .452 9 Houston Rockets to the locker point deficit in the second half to Cleveland 16 27 .372 12½ the most potent tandems in basket- Boston in 1962. He averaged 27.4 room on a high after 20 straight snap Atlanta’s eight-game winning Detroit 12 30 .286 16 ball history. points and 13.5 rebounds over his games of nothing but lows. streak. Western Conference Baylor’s second career as a per- career, and he even averaged a ca- “I was like, ‘Whoa, maybe this is Bucks 140, Pacers 113: Jrue sonnel executive for 22 ½ years reer-best 38 points during a season the night,’ ” the Rockets coach said. Holiday had 28 points and 14 as- Southwest Division with the woebegone Los Angeles in which he only played on week- “It felt like something special had sists, and host Milwaukee posted WLPct GB Clippers was far less successful, end passes while on active duty as happened. For us, something spe- its seventh straight win despite San Antonio 22 18 .550 — but he remained a beloved figure an Army reservist. cial happening is a win after so playing without Giannis Anteto- Dallas 22 19 .537 ½ in Los Angeles and beyond. Baylor “I spent a lot of time with him many losses in a row.” koumpo because of a sprained left Memphis 20 20 .500 2 strengthened his ties again to the over the years,” Charles Barkley New Orleans 18 24 .429 5 Houston went on to snap its 20- knee. Houston 12 30 .286 11 Lakers over the past decade, and said during CBS’ coverage of the Hornets 100, Spurs 97: NCAA Tournament. “To me, he’s game losing streak Monday night, Gordon Northwest Division the team honored him with a stat- as John Wall had his first triple- Hayward scored 27 points, Terry ue outside Staples Center in 2018. probably the most underrated WLPct GB double in five years in a 117-99 vic- Rozier added 24 and Charlotte got “Elgin Baylor set the course for great basketball player of all time. tory over the Toronto Raptors. a win at San Antonio in its first Utah 31 11 .738 — the modern NBA as one of the He always carried himself with Denver 25 17 .595 6 The skid was tied for the ninth- game since losing LaMelo Ball to Portland 25 17 .595 6 league’s first superstar players,” great dignity and respect.” worst in NBA history and the long- injury. Oklahoma City 19 24 .442 12½ NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Baylor played high above most est since Philadelphia’s record-set- Grizzlies 132, Celtics 126 (OT): Minnesota 10 33 .233 21½ said. “In addition to his legendary of his contemporaries, but never ting, 28-game losing streak across Ja Morant had 29 points and nine Pacific Division playing career, Elgin was a man of won a championship or led the the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. assists, and host Memphis won for WLPct GB principle. He was a leading activ- NBA in scoring largely because he Wall had 19 points, 10 assists and the third time in four games. Phoenix 28 13 .683 — ist during the height of the civil played at the same time as centers 11 rebounds, his first triple-double Jazz 120, Bulls 95: Donovan L.A. Lakers 28 15 .651 1 rights movement in the 1950s and Bill Russell, who won all the rings, since March 17, 2016. Mitchell scored 30 points, sending L.A. Clippers 28 16 .636 1½ 1960s and an influential voice and Wilt Chamberlain, who Golden State 22 21 .512 7 “It’s like indescribable for a win Utah to the road win. Sacramento 18 25 .419 11 among his fellow players.” claimed all the scoring titles. Knee in March of this crazy season, but Thunder 112, Timberwolves Monday’s games The 6-foot-5 Baylor played in an injuries hampered the second half I’m just so proud of the guys,” Silas 103: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Sacramento 119, Cleveland 105 era before significant television of Baylor’s career, although he re- said. “When you’re going through it scored 31 points, and Oklahoma Oklahoma City 112, Minnesota 103 coverage of basketball, and con- mained a regular All-Star. Charlotte 100, San Antonio 97 and fighting so hard and seeing the City relied on strong three-point Utah 120, Chicago 95 foundingly little of his play was ev- Baylor’s Lakers lost six times in Milwaukee 140, Indiana 113 disappointment in the players’ shooting in the road win. Houston 117, Toronto 99 er captured on film. His athletic the NBA Finals to the Boston Cel- Memphis 132, Boston 126, OT faces after loss after loss after loss, Kings 119, Cavaliers 105: L.A. Clippers 119, Atlanta 110 brilliance is best remembered by tics and another time to the New and to go into the locker room after De’Aaron Fox scored 30 points, Ty- Tuesday’s games those who saw it in person. No one York Knicks. Los Angeles won the today’s game and everybody is so rese Haliburton had a career-high Denver at Orlando had a better view than West, who 1971-72 title, but only after Baylor L.A. Lakers at New Orleans happy and joyous is just super cool 28 and Sacramento completed its Washington at New York once called him “one of the most retired nine games into the season, and great.” longest road trip of the season with Phoenix at Miami spectacular shooters the world has dissatisfied with his standard of Brooklyn at Portland The Rockets also handed the a victory at Cleveland. Philadelphia at Golden State ever seen.” play due to his ailing knees. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 SPORTS BRIEFS/NHL

BRIEFLY NHL scoreboard

Watson accusers now East Division number 14 women GP WLOT Pts GF GA N.Y. Islanders 33 21 8 4 46 98 73 A 14th woman has filed a lawsuit Washington 31 20 7 4 44 106 92 accusing Houston Texans quarter- Pittsburgh 32 19 11 2 40 100 88 back Deshaun Watson of sexual as- Boston 28 16 8 4 36 77 66 Philadelphia 30 15 11 4 34 94 107 sault and harassment. N.Y. Rangers 31 14 13 4 32 94 82 The claims in the latest suit, which New Jersey 29 11 14 4 26 71 90 was filed late Monday night in a Buffalo 30 6 20 4 16 64 106 Harris County state district court, Central Division are similar to those in the earlier GP WLOT Pts GF GA cases in which the women accuse Tampa Bay 31 23 6 2 48 115 73 Watson of exposing himself, touch- Carolina 31 21 7 3 45 104 78 ing them with his penis or kissing Florida 31 20 7 4 44 105 88 them against their will while he got a Chicago 32 14 13 5 33 95 106 Columbus 33 13 13 7 33 86 106 massage. The most recent lawsuit Nashville 32 14 17 1 29 77 103 was filed by a woman who alleges Dallas 28 10 10 8 28 80 75 Watson assaulted her in July 2020 in Detroit 32 10 18 4 24 71 104 Beverly Hills, Calif. Six others law- West Division suits were filed earlier Monday GP WLOT Pts GF GA while the others were filed last Vegas 30 22 7 1 45 100 67 week. Colorado 30 20 8 2 42 102 66 Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, Minnesota 30 19 10 1 39 89 76 has called the allegations “merit- St. Louis 32 16 11 5 37 97 104 BRUCE BENNETT / AP less,” while the NFL player has Los Angeles 31 13 12 6 32 89 86 The New York Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad, left, misses a third­period scoring opportunity against Buffalo Arizona 32 13 14 5 31 78 97 broadly denied he acted inappropri- San Jose 30 12 14 4 28 85 104 Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski, second from left, during the Rangers’ 5­3 win Monday in New York. ately. Anaheim 33 9 18 6 24 72 112 In other NFL news: North Division ■ NHL ROUNDUP The Tennessee Titans have GP WLOT Pts GF GA agreed to terms on a one-year deal Toronto 32 20 10 2 42 107 83 with wide receiver Josh Reynolds. Edmonton 34 21 13 0 42 116 97 The Titans announced the deal Winnipeg 32 19 11 2 40 104 91 Tuesday. Tennessee lost starting Montreal 31 14 8 9 37 100 87 Vancouver 36 16 17 3 35 99 115 Rangers, Kreider give Sabres wide receiver Corey Davis in free Calgary 33 15 15 3 33 88 99 agency to the New York Jets last Ottawa 34 11 20 3 25 89 131 week. ■ Sunday’s games Cornerback Kevin King is New Jersey 2, Pittsburgh 1, OT staying with the Green Bay Packers Tampa Bay 5, Florida 3 record 14th consecutive loss Nashville 4, Dallas 3, SO Associated Press after agreeing to a one-year deal Los Angeles 3, Vegas 1 Senators to their first win in three for a rookie to eight straight victo- worth $6 million. Monday’s games NEW YORK — Chris Kreider games and fourth in six games this ries. Oliver Wahlstrom also King’s agent, Chad Speck, con- Carolina 3, Columbus 0 scored twice, including the tie- season against the Flames. Ryan scored for the East Division-lead- Ottawa 2, Calgary 1 firmed the agreement on Tuesday. N.Y. Rangers 5, Buffalo 3 breaking goal in the third period, Dzingel also scored for Ottawa. ing Islanders. New York has won N.Y. Islanders 2, Philadelphia 1, OT and the New York Rangers beat Johnny Gaudreau scored for 11 of 13. ESPN and NFL Network first re- Minnesota 2, Anaheim 1 ported the deal. Winnipeg 4, Vancouver 0 Buffalo 5-3 on Monday night for Calgary, which fell to 4-3-0 under Wild 2, Ducks 1: Ryan Suter Vegas 5, St. Louis 1 The move enables the Packers to Colorado 5, Arizona 1 the Sabres’ franchise record-tying head coach Darryl Sutter. Jacob and Nick Bjugstad scored, Cam San Jose 2, Los Angeles 1 keep both their starting cornerbacks Edmonton at Montreal, ppd 14th straight loss. Markstrom had 21 saves. Talbot made 24 saves and Minne- from last season with Pro Bowl se- Tuesday’s games Kaapo Kakko also scored twice Sharks 2, Kings 1: Ryan Dona- sota beat Anaheim for a franchise lection Jaire Alexander entrenched N.Y. Islanders at Boston, ppd and Adam Fox had a goal and two to scored the tiebreaking goal record ninth straight home win. New Jersey at Philadelphia assists as the Rangers won for the early in the third period, Martin Bjugstad scored his fifth goal of at the other spot. Detroit at Nashville Florida at Chicago fourth time in six games (4-1-1) by Jones delivered one of his best the season 3:42 into the third peri- Tampa Bay at Dallas Minnesota basketball hires Colorado at Arizona beating the Sabres for the 10th performances in net all season od to break a 1-all tie. Wednesday’s games time in the last 13 meetings. Arte- and host San Jose beat Los An- Avalanche 5, Coyotes 1:Mikko Johnson as coach Calgary at Ottawa mi Panarin had three assists and geles. Rantanen scored his 18th goal of Anaheim at Minnesota Minnesota hired Ben Johnson as Edmonton at Montreal Ryan Strome added two. Logan Couture also scored and the season and Colorado won its its new men’s basketball coach Buffalo at Pittsburgh Keith Kinkaid, starting a second Jones made 41 saves as the Sharks seventh game in a row by winning Los Angeles at San Jose Monday, giving the former Gophers Winnipeg at Vancouver consecutive game, stopped 16 snapped a season-high four-game at Arizona. player and assistant a five-year con- Thursday’s games shots to improve to 3-1-1 this sea- losing streak. Philipp Grubauer, playing in his tract — and favoring relationships Buffalo at Pittsburgh son. Matt Roy scored his first goal of 200th NHL game, stopped 24 shots Carolina at Columbus over experience in the latest attempt N.Y. Islanders at Boston “It’s a resilient group here,” Fox the season and Jonathan Quick for the Avalanche. Grubauer set a N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia to lift a long-middling program up to New Jersey at Washington said. “Early in the year it was made 21 saves for the Kings. career high with his 19th victory of Toronto at Ottawa the top of the Big Ten. Detroit at Nashville tough not winning games that we Hurricanes 3, Blue Jackets 0: the season. Johnson will replace Richard Piti- Florida at Chicago were going into the third with a Martin Necas scored in his 100th Golden Knights 5, Blues 1: St. Louis at Minnesota no, who was fired after eight seasons Tampa Bay at Dallas lead. Against Washington (on Sat- NHL game, Alex Nedeljkovic Keegan Kolesar scored his first Vegas at Colorado and then took the job at New Mexico. Leaders urday) and this game we lost the earned his second career shutout NHL goal, Robin Lehner made 15 In other college basketball news: lead but got it right back and didn’t and Carolina won at Columbus to saves and host Vegas beat St. Through Monday ■ Former NBA player and col- Game-winning goals really falter.” snap a three-game losing streak. Louis. lege assistant Kim English was Name GP GW Rasmus Asplund, Dylan Cozens Brady Skjei added his first goal Mark Stone scored twice and hired to coach George Mason’s Auston Matthews, TOR 29 7 and Jeff Skinner scored for Buffa- of the season and Jesper Fast also Jonathan Marchessault and Wil- men’s basketball team Tuesday, a Leon Draisaitl, EDM 34 6 lo, which fell to 0-12-2 to match the scored to help the Hurricanes im- liam Karlsson added goals for the week after the school fired Dave Connor McDavid, EDM 34 6 NHL’s longest skid since the prove to 1-0-2 in a four-game se- Golden Knights, who improved to Paulsen. Mark Stone, VGS 28 6 Sabres went 0-14-0 midway ries between the teams. 4-0-0 on the second of back-to- Alex Ovechkin, WSH 27 5 English has been an assistant to Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG 31 4 through the 2014-15 season. Nedeljkovic, an Ohio native, back games. Rick Barnes at Tennessee. English Robby Fabbri, DET 23 4 Senators 2, Flames 1: Chris stopped 19 shots for his second Jets 4, Canucks 0:Adam Low- went to college at Missouri, was Jake Guentzel, PIT 32 4 Tierney scored the tiebreaking shutout this season and beat the ry had two goals, Connor Helle- drafted in the second round by the Gabriel Landeskog, COL 27 4 goal late in the third period and Blue Jackets for the third time. buyck stopped 22 shots for his first J.T. Miller, VAN 32 4 Detroit Pistons in 2012 and played Nino Niederreiter, CAR 30 4 Filip Gustavsson stopped 35 shots Islanders 2, Flyers 1 (OT):An- shutout of the season and Winni- for them before heading overseas to Max Pacioretty, VGS 28 4 in his first NHL start, leading host thony Beauvillier scored on a peg won at Vancouver. play basketball. He briefly returned Ondrej Palat, TBL 31 4 Ottawa past Calgary. wraparound 3:41 into overtime to Blake Wheeler opened the scor- to the NBA with the Chicago Bulls in Mikko Rantanen, COL 29 4 Tierney scored his fourth of the give the Islanders to a victory at ing for the Jets midway through Frank Vatrano, FLA 31 4 2014. Sidney Crosby, PIT 31 3 season, and first in 30 games, at Philadelphia. the first period and Paul Stastny Trent Frederic, BOS 28 3 17:24 of the third. That was enough Ilya Sorokin made 36 saves and closed the game with a goal late in Associated Press William Karlsson, VGS 29 3 for Gustavsson, who helped the increased his club-record streak the third. Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NCAA WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT Trio of atypical upsets highlight second day

BY PETE IOCABELLI Associated Press After an opening day of top seeds holding serve, the women’s NCAA Tournament became a lit- tle less predictable Monday as double-digit seeds BYU, Belmont and Wright State advanced. No. 11 Brigham Young got things started with a 69-66 victory over sixth-seeded Rutgers for the tournament’s first upset. Wright State, seeded 13th, followed a STEPHEN SPILLMAN / AP short time later by eliminating No. Wright State’s Emani Jefferson goes to the basket past Arkansas 4 seed Arkansas 66-62. defenders during their first­round NCAA women’s tournament game. Belmont, a 12th seed, won its No. 13 Wright State was the lowest seed to win on Monday. first NCAA game, beating fifth- seeded Gonzaga 64-59. All three teams shook things up Scoreboard after the favorites went a perfect 16-0 to begin the Texas-based ALAMO REGION Maryland-Alabama winner vs. Texas- tournament on Sunday. First Round UCLA winner Sunday, March 21 RIVER WALK REGION The biggest stunner may have Stanford 87, Utah Valley 44 First Round been BYU, one of the last teams — Oklahoma St. 84, Wake Forest 61 Sunday, March 21 Monday, March 22 UConn 102, High Point 59 if not the last — to get an at-large Syracuse 72, S. Dakota St. 55 bid into the field of 64. And it was Missouri St. 70, UC Davis 51 Iowa 87, Cent. Michigan 72 Wright St. 66, Arkansas 62 Kentucky 71, Idaho St. 63 matched up against Rutgers, led Oregon 67, South Dakota 47 Michigan 87, Florida Gulf Coast 66 Georgia 67, Drexel 53 Tennessee 87, Middle Tennessee 62 by Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Northwestern 62, UCF 51 Virginia Tech 70, Marquette 63 CHUCK BURTON / AP Louisville 74, Marist 43 Baylor 101, Jackson St. 52 Stringer, who has led the Scarlet Second Round Second Round Knights to 17 NCAA appearances Destinee Wells, right, celebrates with Cam Browning, after Belmont’s Tuesday, March 23 Tuesday, March 23 in 26 seasons. win over Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament Stanford vs. Oklahoma St. UConn vs. Syracuse Wednesday, March 24 Kentucky vs. Iowa Yet, Paisley Johnson Harding on Monday. Belmont, a No. 12 seed, earned its first NCAA victory. Wright St. vs. Missouri St. Baylor vs. Virginia Tech scored 28 points and the Cougars Georgia vs. Oregon Tennessee vs. Michigan Louisville vs. Northwestern Regional Semifinals kept their poise down the stretch to win an NCAA Tournament lor this season on the way to the Regional Semifinals Saturday, March 27 to reach the second round in con- game since 1990. NCAAs. Saturday, March 27 UConn-Syracuse winner vs. Kentucky- secutive tournaments. BYU will Belmont guard Destinee Wells Yet, the Raiders were not intim- Stanford-Oklahoma St. winner vs. Mis- Iowa winner souri St.-Wright St. winner Baylor-Virginia Tech winner vs. Tennes- face third-seeded Arizona State scored 25 points to lead her team idated. Louisville-Northwestern winner vs. Ge- see-Michigan winner orgia-Oregon winner MERCADO REGION for a spot in the Sweet 16. into a second-round matchup with Wright State took an early lead First Round HEMISFAIR REGION Sunday, March 21 “Coming into the NCAA Tour- No. 4 seed Indiana. and then rallied after Arkansas First Round Sunday, March 21 NC State 79, NC A&T 58 nament, we just wanted to prove “I came here to win champion- went in front in the final minutes. South Florida 57, Washington St. 53 South Carolina 79, Mercer 53 ourselves, and to everyone, to the ships and to make history, and we Angel Baker’s three-pointer with Oregon St. 83, Florida St. 59 Monday, March 22 Georgia Tech 54, Stephen F. Austin 52, OT Belmont 64, Gonzaga 59 nation, that we were going to fight did that today,” Wells said. “I’m 29.1 seconds gave the Raiders the West Virginia 77, Lehigh 53 Indiana 63, VCU 32 and not let down and that we de- glad to see it’s paying off, all the lead for good as a 13th seed won a Monday, March 22 BYU 69, Rutgers 66 Arizona 79, Stony Brook 44 served to be in the NCAA Tourna- hard work we put in over the sea- tournament game for the first UCLA 69, Wyoming 48 Iowa St. 79, Michigan St. 75 Texas 81, Bradley 62 Texas A&M 84, Troy 80 ment,” WCC player of the year son. We’ve been through a lot.” time since 2012. Alabama 80, North Carolina 71 Maryland 98, Mount St. Mary's 45 Second Round Shaylee Gonzales said. Wright State, the Horizon It was also Wright State’s first Tuesday, March 23 Second Round The Cougars were beaten in the League Tournament champions, NCAA win in three trips to the Tuesday, March 23 NC State vs. South Florida Wednesday, March 24 WCC title game on a last-second figured to have little chance tournament. The Raiders will play South Carolina vs. Oregon St. West Virginia vs. Georgia Tech Indiana vs. Belmont shot by Gonzaga. The Zags, against offensive juggernaut Ar- No. 4 seed Missouri State in the Arizona vs. BYU Wednesday, March 24 Texas A&M vs. Iowa St. though, lost to Belmont, which had kansas, which averaged 83 points next round after the biggest upset Texas vs. UCLA Regional Semifinals been 0-5 in its NCAA Tournament a game to lead the Southeastern of the first two days of the tourna- Maryland vs. Alabama Saturday, March 27 Regional Semifinals NC State-South Florida winner vs. Indi- history. Conference. The Razorbacks also ment. Saturday, March 27 ana-Belmont winner The Bruins were the first Ohio had dynamic star Chelsea Dungee “We stepped up to the chal- South Carolina-Oregon St. winner vs. Texas A&M-Iowa St. winner vs. Arizona- West Virginia-Georgia Tech winner BYU winner Valley Conference women’s team and had defeated UConn and Bay- lenge,” Baker said. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 NCAA TOURNAMENT

ROUNDUP Gonzaga rolls past Oklahoma Timme, Zags win 32nd straight Associated Press line. Corey Kispert and Jalen INDIANAPOLIS — Gonzaga Suggs added 16 points each for continued to roll behind a career- Gonzaga. high 30 points and 13 rebounds Creighton 72, Ohio 58:Marcus from Drew Timme as the top- Zegarowski scored 20 points to seeded Bulldogs beat No. 8 seed help the Bluejays beat the Bob- Oklahoma 87-71 on Monday in the cats, securing the program’s first second round of the NCAA Tour- trip to the round of 16 in 47 years. nament. Damien Jefferson added 15 AJ MAST / AP Gonzaga (28-0) won its 32nd points for fifth-seeded Creighton Gonzaga forward Drew Timme, left, shoots under Oklahoma guard Elijah Harkless during their straight game dating to last sea- (22-8). The Bluejays had a cold second­round game of the NCAA Tournament on Monday at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. son, passing its first real test of the opening few minutes before the of- NCAAs in the Bulldogs’ quest to be fense — and Zegarowski in partic- second round without playing a for the third straight NCAA Tour- year coach Mick Cronin. the first undefeated champion ular — got rolling with a strong game. Virginia Commonwealth’s nament. Reserve Mahki Morris led the since Indiana 45 years ago. performance that built a double- multiple positive COVID-19 tests Polite had never scored more Wildcats (24-5) with 22 points. The Bulldogs easily dispatched digit lead by halftime against an took care of that, leaving the than 15 points in a game, but the ju- Alabama 96, Maryland 77:Ja- Norfolk State in the first round, upstart trying to spring a second Ducks with a nine-day break since nior made 8 of 12 shots, including 4 den Shackelford and the Crimson but the Sooners were the first pow- straight tournament upset. losing in the Pac-12 Tournament of 7 three-pointers. Florida State Tide stuck with what got them to er conference opponent for Gon- Dwight Wilson III scored 12 title game. (18-6) will next face Michigan, the NCAAs, torching the Terra- zaga since it embarrassed Virgin- points to lead Ohio (17-8), the Mid- Iowa (22-9) fell one game short which knocked out the Seminoles pins with three-point shooting in a ia in late December. American Conference champion. of the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the 2018 Elite Eight. second-round rout. It didn’t matter all that much. The 13th-seeded Bobcats opened under Fran McCaffrey. Luka Gar- D’Shawn Schwartz scored 13 Shackelford scored 21 points Oklahoma became the 25th the tournament by bouncing 2019 za played like a two-time All- points for fifth-seeded Colorado and made five of Alabama’s 16 straight team the Bulldogs beat by champion Virginia on Saturday American, capping his stellar col- (23-9), which shot 36% overall. three-pointers as second-seeded double digits — although the Soon- night. lege career with 36 points and nine UCLA 67, Abilene Christian 47: Alabama advanced to its first ers fought valiantly to keep it from Oregon 95, Iowa 80: Chris rebounds. Joe Wieskamp added 17 Johnny Juzang scored 17 points Sweet 16 since 2004. Nate Oats, the becoming a blowout. Duarte scored 23 points and the points. and the 11th-seeded Bruins care- second-year coach who made Buf- The Zags advanced to their sixth Ducks showed no signs of rust af- fully brushed off the pesky Wild- falo a must-watch team before straight Sweet 16 and will next ter a long layoff, beating the No. 2- East Regional cats to become the fifth team to go moving up the Southeastern Con- face Creighton in the West Region. seeded Hawkeyes to reach the Florida State 71, Colorado 53: from the First Four to the Sweet ference, will bring his high-ener- Austin Reaves scored 27 points Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the Anthony Polite scored a career- 16. gy style to a regional semifinal for for Oklahoma (16-11). past five NCAA Tournaments. high 22 points and the fourth- UCLA (20-9) will meet high- the first time. Timme, sporting a handlebar Seventh-seeded Oregon (21-6) seeded Seminoles pulled away in scoring Alabama in its first re- Aaron Wiggins scored 27 points mustache, was 9-for-12 shooting was put in an unprecedented spot, the second half to beat the Buffa- gional semifinal appearance since and Eric Ayala had 13 for the Ter- and 12-for-14 at the free-throw advancing to the West Region’s loes and advance to the Sweet 16 2017 — and its first with second- rapins (17-14). Madness: Accurate seedings were difficult due to pandemic

FROM PAGE 24 guest handicap golf tournaments. son as it began, then progressed LSU, 86-78, in the day’s only really Oregon gambled by playing up- and seem even more comfortable close game. tempo out of the gate and focusing in the midst of all the craziness Seedings can seem off in any its defense on every Hawkeye but swirling around the tournament. year, but never moreso than in this Luka Garza, everybody’s player of Much of the credit deservedly one. The pandemic wreaked ha- the year. Garza wound up with 36 belongs to coach Mark Few, who voc on nearly every team, but hit points in the final game of a storied has won just about everything but some harder than others, and at college career, but it was clear by the national championship that different times. halftime even he couldn’t beat the would validate all those other Kansas, for example, had one Ducks by himself. achievements. The Bulldogs play star, David McCormack, who “It hit me all at once that this is Creighton next, in their sixth cleared the COVID-19 protocol the last time I’ll put on this jersey,” straight Sweet 16 appearance, on a just hours before its first-round Garza said, fighting back tears. “I roll of 32 straight wins dating to game, and another, Jalen Wilson, feel bad I wasn’t able to lead this last season, but Few won’t let his just a day before he came off the team where it needs to go. … It’s players get caught up looking too bench against USC. Widely con- something that’s going to haunt far ahead. sidered the toughest league this me forever.” “We’ve been celebrating every past season, the Big Ten Confer- For all the chaos unleashed in one of these wins. We celebrated ence got nine invites and is down CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP the first two rounds, Gonzaga still the other night. We celebrated this to Michigan. West Coast teams, of- Florida State center Balsa Koprivica, left, gets a hug from teammate looks like the class of the field. The one,” he said after beating Oklaho- ten overlooked and rarely over- Scottie Barnes after a dunk during Monday’s second­round game Bulldogs are balanced, deep, ca- ma. rated, may have finally benefitted against Colorado in the NCAA Tournament. pable of playing fast or slow and “If we’re lucky enough to get an- from being underrated this time have two of the best players in the other one, we’re going to celebrate around. that made it to the Sweet 16 — USC supposed to be in disarray. Sud- game, Jalen Suggs and Corey like crazy for that one. This tour- Unbeaten Gonzaga was a lock to (a No. 6), Oregon (7), UCLA (11) denly, though, they look like ring- Kispert. Most important, perhaps, nament,” he concluded after the be the tourney’s top seed, but the and Oregon State (12), all Pac-12 ers descending on the local coun- they were among the best at hand- win against Oklahoma, “needs to rest of the Left Coast contingent Conference members — were try club for those annual member- ling the disruptions of a rocky sea- be celebrated.” Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 NCAA TOURNAMENT

Scoreboard

NCAA Tournament Oh, brothers: USC stuns Kansas Indianapolis EAST REGIONAL Second Round Mobleys combine for 27 Monday, March 22 At Lucas Oil Stadium Unity Michigan 86, LSU 78 points, 21 rebounds in At Indiana Farmers Coliseum Florida St. 71 Colorado 53 At Bankers Life Fieldhouse rout of No. 3 Jayhawks UCLA 67, Abilene Christian 47 Alabama 96, Maryland 77 Regional Semifinals BY DAVE SKRETTA Sunday, March 28 Associated Press At Bankers Life Fieldhouse Michigan vs. Florida St. INDIANAPOLIS — Southern At Hinkle Fieldhouse Alabama vs. UCLA California coach Andy Enfield is Regional Championship taking another program to the Monday, March 29 Semifinal winners Sweet 16. SOUTH REGIONAL Second Round The only surprise about this Sunday, March 21 one? How handily his Trojans At Hinkle Fieldhouse Baylor 76, Wisconsin 63 took apart No. 3 seed Kansas. At Bankers Life Fieldhouse Villanova 84, North Texas 61 Isaiah Mobley hit four three- At Hinkle Fieldhouse pointers and scored 17 points, All- Arkansas 68, Texas Tech 66 At Indiana Farmers Coliseum American little brother Evan Oral Roberts 81, Florida 78 Regional Semifinals added 10 points and 13 rebounds, Saturday, March 27 and sixth-seeded USC rolled to an At Hinkle Fieldhouse Baylor vs. Villanova 85-51 victory Monday night in- At Bankers Life Fieldhouse side Hinkle Fieldhouse — more Arkansas vs. Oral Roberts Regional Championship than doubling the worst margin of Monday, March 29 Semifinal winners defeat for the Jayhawks in 49 MIDWEST REGIONAL trips to the NCAA Tournament. Second Round Sunday, March 21 “This game meant a lot to our At Bankers Life Fieldhouse Loyola Chicago 71, Illinois 58 program and our fans. USC bas- At Hinkle Fieldhouse ketball is on the rise,” said En- Indianapolis Oregon St. 80, Oklahoma St. 70 field, who coached No. 15 seed PAUL SANCYA / AP At Bankers Life Fieldhouse Syracuse 75, West Virginia 72 Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet 16 USC forward Isaiah Mobley drives on Kansas forward David McCormack. Mobley had 10 points and 13 At Lucas Oil Stadium Unity in 2013 and now has the Trojans rebounds in the Trojans’ 85­51 win Monday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis. Houston 63, Rutgers 60 Regional Semifinals there for the first time in 14 years. Saturday, March 27 At Bankers Life Fieldhouse They will face seventh-seeded game by more than 16 points. looks. And after Christian Braun Loyola Chicago vs. Oregon St. Oregon in a Pac-12 showdown “Beating a “That’s about as poor as we can finally hit a three-pointer, the At Hinkle Fieldhouse Sunday night. play,” Kansas coach Bill Self said, Jayhawks missed three more. Houston vs. Syracuse Regional Championship “Over the last 80 years, it’s program like “and I’m sure Andy would say Throw in a couple of turnovers, Monday, March 29 Semifinal winners been like a rollercoaster,” En- that was certainly one of their and they were headed for a point WEST REGIONAL field said, “a lot of great players, Kansas is a great better moments, better games. It total straight out of the 1940s. Second Round Monday, March 22 great coaches, great teams, but was a bad combination all the way At the other end, USC looked At Hinkle Fieldhouse step.” Gonzaga 87, Oklahoma 71 we’re trying to build a program around for us.” like it was in a pregame layup line Creighton 72, Ohio 58 and sustain success, and beating One of college basketball’s tra- the way Kansas kept breaking Southern Cal 85, Kansas 51 At Bankers Life Fieldhouse a program like Kansas is a great Andy Enfield dition-rich programs, the Jay- down on D. Oregon 95, Iowa 80 Regional Semifinals step.” USC basketball coach hawks had played nearly 3,200 On a sequence that perfectly Sunday, March 28 Isaiah White contributed 13 games without ever setting foot summed up the first half, Braun At Hinkle Fieldhouse Gonzaga vs. Creighton points, Tahj Eaddy had 12 and sheet or not, and that’s why we on the floor of Hinkle Fieldhouse — an 81% free-throw shooter — At Bankers Life Fieldhouse Southern Cal vs. Oregon Chevez Goodwin 10 for the red- won by the margin we did,” — the iconic hoops cathedral missed two, and Isaiah Mobley Regional Championship hot Trojans (24-7), who went 11- Isaiah Mobley said. “When we’re made famous by the Hollywood followed with a deep three-point- Monday, March 29 Semifinal winners for-18 from the three-point arc, confident, I believe in our team, film “Hoosiers.” er as the shot clock expired. As FINAL FOUR At Lucas Oil Stadium shot 57% from the field overall that we can go up against any- The way they played Monday the teams headed the other way National Semifinals and nearly doubled up Kansas on body.” night, they won’t be eager to re- again, Self crossed his legs and Saturday, April 3 TBD the glass. Marcus Garrett had 15 points turn. reclined in his folding chair — the National Championship Monday, April 5 “Everyone contributed tonight, for the Jayhawks (21-9), who had Kansas missed its first eight very picture of frustration and re- Semifinal winners whether it showed up on the stat never lost an NCAA tourney shots, most of them wide-open signation. Big Ten sole survivor: Michigan topples LSU

BY EDDIE PELLS ma, leaving Michigan as the only their fourth straight Sweet 16, Associated Press remaining team of the nation- where they’ll play No. 4 Florida INDIANAPOLIS — What the leading nine Big Ten teams who State next weekend. They’ll repre- Big Ten needed was someone, came to Indy. sent the only chance left for a con- anyone, to start playing like it And though they can’t undo ference that has lost everyone, came from the Big Ten. what’s happened to the rest of the from No. 1 seed (Illinois), to No. 2 Thanks to Michigan, the confer- conference, that Big Ten season- Ohio State, all the way down to ence is still part of March Mad- ing came in handy in this one — a 11th-seeded Michigan State, a pe- ness. game the Wolverines (22-4) rennial power that went out in the Longer, taller and deeper than trailed in by nine early and had to play-in round. LSU, the top-seeded Wolverines fight to stay in range. This game had massive momen- slowly wore down the Tigers. “That’s the test of the Big Ten, tum swings: an 8-0 run early for They got 21 points each from Eli honestly,” Brooks said. “We get LSU; a 10-0 streak for Michigan; Brooks and Chaundee Brown Jr., tested every night.” another 5-0 run for the Tigers. in a roller-coaster 86-78 victory In a game full of big runs, Michi- “They’re a tremendous, tre- that salvaged some hope for the gan used the biggest — 14-1 over mendous team,” LSU coach Will hurting conference at the NCAA the decisive stretch midway Wade said. “Coach Howard and Tournament. through the second half — to pull their staff, their offensive execu- By the time coach Juwan Ho- away and save face for a confer- tion, the way they moved, the way ward and Co. had returned to the ence that has otherwise tanked they guard, they’re a very, very DARRON CUMMINGS / AP hotel after their second-round these four days in Indianapolis. good team. They’re going to be an Michigan guard Franz Wagner, left, drives to the basket over LSU game, Maryland had lost to Alaba- The Wolverines moved on to extremely tough out for anybody.” forward Darius Days in Michigan’s 86­78 win Monday in Indianapolis. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Wednesday, March 24, 2021 Legend lost SPORTS Lakers great Baylor dies at 86 ›› NBA, Page 19

Alabama’s Jahvon Quinerly celebrates the Crimson Tide’s 96­77 victory over Maryland on Monday during the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis.

MARK HUMPHREY / AP Madness, indeed NCAA Tournament has lived up to the hype

BY JIM LITKE bounced by No. 2 Alabama 96-77, and fifth- Associated Press UPSETS GALORE seeded Colorado, sent packing 71-53 by No. onsidering how everything else The second round of the NCAA Tournament 4 Florida State. has gone this past year, March ended with 12 upsets — a record for the open- Ditto for the five other teams that lost was bound to be mad. So far, it ing 48 games and just one shy of the mark for Monday — by the lopsided average of 18 Chasn’t disappointed. the entire tournament. points. The last perfect NCAA Tournament SOURCE: Associated Press Sixth-seeded USC beat No. 3 Kansas by bracket was busted before the first round 34, but failed to meet the NCAA definition of was over. The second round just wrapped big man Drew Timme, whose team is the an upset: “defined as a win by a team seeded with an even dozen upsets already in the tournament’s overall top seed. “Because all five spots lower than their opponent.” No. 7 books — a record for the opening 48 games it takes is one good game and you can be Oregon’s win over second-seeded Iowa and just one shy of the mark for the entire out.” qualified, even though it was by “only” 15. DARRON CUMMINGS / AP tournament — with all kinds of possibilities Oklahoma, in fact, played a very good No. 1 seed Michigan finally wriggled free of Iowa’s Luka Garza reacts Monday as he is still out there. game against Timme’s Bulldogs and still taken out of the game during the “You gotta bring that fire,” said Gonzaga got crushed, 87-71. So did No. 10 Maryland, SEE MADNESS ON PAGE 22 Hawkeyes’ second­round loss to Oregon.

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