VIDEO GAMES MILITARY NHL Resident Evil Marine major Predators’ goalie Village is a charged in Jan. 6 Saros key part of visceral delight riot at Capitol return to playoffs Page 13 Page 3 Page 24

Afghan police say Kabul mosque bombing kills worshippers ›› Page 5

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Volume 80 Edition 20A ©SS 2021 CONTINGENCY EDITION SATURDAY,MAY 15, 2021 Free to Deployed Areas

VIRUS OUTBREAK Mask moves Face coverings no longer mandatory for fully vaccinated personnel at DOD facilities

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS Spc. Christie Stars and Stripes Ann Belfort stands in WASHINGTON — Personnel fully vacci- formation during nated against the coronavirus are no longer a change of command required to wear masks indoors or outdoors at ceremony at the Defense Department facilities, Deputy De- Armed Forces fense Secretary Kathleen Hicks announced Reserve Center late Thursday. in Londonderry, Face masks have been mandatory for ev- N.H., in August. eryone since April 5, 2020, on all Defense De- RELATED RAY BOYINGTON partment property, installations and facilities U.S. Army Reserve when social distancing was not possible, Biden touts which was in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines at the time. progress on virus The decision to reverse that guidance for some was made following new guidelines is- after new guidance sued Thursday afternoon by the CDC that said Page 6 those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or physically distance in any setting, according to the Hicks memo to the department. The change applies to individuals who are at least two weeks beyond their final vaccine dose. Those who are unvaccinated “should continue to follow applicable DOD mask guid-

SEE MASKS ON PAGE 6

Deaths rise as Palestinians flee from heavy Israeli fire in Gaza BY FARES AKRAM house and heavily damaging other hundreds of rockets into Israel. six, according to Palestinian In Gaza, the toll from the fight- AND JOESPH KRAUSS neighborhoods in what it said was The Gaza violence increasingly health officials, while a seventh ing rose to 122 killed, including 31 Associated Press an operation to clear militant tun- spilled over into turmoil else- Palestinian was killed as he tried children and 20 women, with 900 GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — nels. where. to stab an Israeli soldier. wounded, according to the Health Thousands of Palestinians As international efforts at a Across the West Bank, Palesti- Within Israel, communal vio- Ministry. The Hamas and Islamic grabbed children and belongings cease-fire stepped up, Israel ap- nians held their most widespread lence erupted for a fourth night. Jihad militant groups have con- and fled their homes Friday as Is- peared to be looking to inflict in- protests since 2017, with hundreds Jewish and Arab mobs clashed in firmed 20 deaths in their ranks, rael barraged the northern Gaza tensified damage on the Islamic in at least nine towns burning tires the flashpoint town of Lod, even though Israel says that number is Strip with tank fire and airstrikes, militant group Hamas, which con- and throwing stones at Israeli after additional security forces killing a family of six in their trols the Gaza Strip and has fired troops. Soldiers opening fire killed were deployed. SEE GAZA ON PAGE 10 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER Honda returns to quarterly profit amid pandemic EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1126.76 Associated Press Annual sales slipped nearly 12% world. Switzerland (Franc) 0.9017 Euro costs (May 17) $1.18 Thailand (Baht) 31.35 TOKYO — Honda swung into the to $121 billion, but cost cuts helped “There is still a lot of uncertainty Dollar buys (May 17) 0.8034 Turkey (NewLira) 8.4221 British pound (May 17) $1.37 black in January-March, recording support its bottom line. The results ahead because of the COVID-19 Japanese yen (May 17) 106.00 (Military exchange rates are those available a $2 billion profit despite the linger- were better than Honda’s internal surge,” Honda’s chief operating of- South Korean won (May 17) 1101.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ ing impact of the pandemic. forecasts. ficer, Seiji Kuraishi, told reporters. many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) 0.3767 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ The results, released Friday, The company said its vehicle He acknowledged some Honda Britain (Pound) 1.4105 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2091 your local military banking facility. Commercial marked a reversal from the approxi- sales rose in Asia in the last quarter production is being affected by the China(Yuan) 6.4362 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.1257 mately $270 million in red ink Hon- but fell in the U.S. and Europe. Mo- semiconductor shortage. Egypt (Pound) 15.6607 when buying currency. All figures are foreign da Motor Co. racked up in the same torcycle sales also recovered in As vaccination efforts progress, Euro 0.8238 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7662 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ quarter last year. Quarterly sales Asia. global auto markets are expected to Hungary (Forint) 292.87 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2773 rose nearly 5% to $33 billion. The maker of the CR-V sport util- recover, Kuraishi said. Japan (Yen) 109.30 INTEREST RATES Tokyo-based Honda’s profit for ity vehicle, Gold Wing motorcycle Honda forecast a profit of $5.4 bil- Kuwait(Dinar) 0.3011 Norway (Krone) 8.2397 Prime rate 3.25 the fiscal year that ended in March and Asimo robot said it’s adjusting to lion for the fiscal year through Philippines (Peso) 47.73 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.73 Federal funds market rate 0.09 totaled $6 billion, up 44% from the the semiconductor shortage, which March 2022, a decline of 10% on- Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7504 3­month bill 0.02 previous fiscal year. is hurting automakers around the year. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3318 30­year bond 2.39 WEATHER OUTLOOK SATURDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST SATURDAY IN EUROPE SUNDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 63/52

Kabul Seoul 74/50 67/64 Baghdad 105/74 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 68/65 69/58 90/57 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 61/48 65/62 54/44 Iwakuni Kuwait City Bahrain 66/62 Brussels Zagan Sasebo 103/83 90/85 Ramstein 61/46 73/70 Guam 57/48 52/39 84/81 Riyadh Lajes, Azores Stuttgart 104/75 Doha Pápa 108/80 64/61 56/46 Aviano/ 65/51 Vicenza 57/52

Naples 65/57 Okinawa Morón 77/74 90/57 Sigonella Rota 72/53 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 76/53 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 100/82 70/62 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Comics/Crossword ...... 17 Health & Fitness ...... 15 Movies ...... 12 Opinion ...... 16 Sports ...... 19-24 Video Games ...... 13 Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Marine major charged in riot at Capitol

BY COREY DICKSTEIN side the Capitol during the siege, Stars and Stripes according to the federal charging An active-duty Marine Corps documents. He was first identified major was arrested Thursday in by a former coworker who saw Virginia on charges including as- photos of unidentified suspects in saulting a police officer and ob- the siege on the FBI’s website and structing justice for his role in the reported March 16 that Warnagi- Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol by a ris was likely the man seen in the mob of former President Donald photographs. Trump’s supporters, according to Federal prosecutors charged the Department of Justice. him Thursday with assaulting, re- Federal charging documents sisting or impeding certain offi- state Maj. Christopher Warnagi- cers, obstruction of law enforce- ris, 40, of Woodbridge, Va., pushed ment during civil disorder, ob- his way through a line of police of- struction of justice, unlawfully en- ficers to enter the Capitol building tering a restricted building, and during the violent attack that oc- violent entry and disorderly con- curred as lawmakers gathered to duct on U.S. Capitol grounds. War- officially certify President Joe Bi- nagiris was released from law en- den’s election victory. The docu- forcement custody Thursday af- ments state Warnagiris was cap- ternoon after making a brief initial tured on security footage pushing appearance in court in Virginia, into the East Rotunda doors and Justice Department officials said. pulling others into the building He did not enter a plea Thursday. from behind him. Warnagiris is a field artillery of- JULIO CORTEZ/AP “When a U.S. Capitol Police offi- ficer stationed at Marine Corps Supporters of then­President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in cer tried to pull the doors shut, Base Quantico, Va., where he is as- Washington on Jan. 6. Warnagiris refused and continued signed to the service’s Training pushing it open,” according to the and Education Command, accord- spokesman at the Pentagon, wrote Pentagon wrestles with how to charged with participating in the documents. “Warnagiris can be ing to service records provided by in an email that the Corps does not keep individuals with extremist riot. seen pushing the officer in an ef- the Marine Corps. tolerate extremism within its views or ties out of their ranks. Two Army reservists, a mem- fort to maintain his position in the Warnagiris commissioned into ranks. Marine officials this week The services recently completed a ber of the Virginia Army National open door.” the Marines in 2002 and has told lawmakers that they had ex- military-wide stand-down or- Guard, and a member of the Wis- Photos show Warnagiris appar- served multiple combat deploy- pelled at least 16 Marines in recent dered in January by Austin to dis- consin Army National Guard were ently using his body to block offi- ments to Iraq and Afghanistan, his years from the Corps for extre- cuss extremism. previously charged, according to cers attempting to stop the crowd records show. mist actions. Austin in April tasked a panel the Justice Department. Dozens behind the Marine from entering The Marine Corps confirmed “The Marine Corps is clear on with exploring new ways to ad- of military veterans also have the building. One of the officers, in they were aware of Warnagiris’ this: There is no place for racial dress the issue, charging the panel been charged in the riot. an interview later, said Warnagi- arrest but declined further com- hatred or extremism in the Ma- with a number of tasks that in- The Justice Department said ris pushed him in an attempt to ment on his case. The Pentagon’s rine Corps,” he wrote. “Our clude setting a definition for what Thursday that it has arrested keep the doors open, the docu- top spokesman John Kirby said strength is derived from the indi- actions constitute extremism. some 440 people on charges relat- ments state. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin vidual excellence of every Marine Warnagiris is at least the fifth ed to the Jan. 6 attack. More than Warnagiris was identified by was aware of the arrest, but he al- regardless of background. Bigotry service member charged in con- 125 of those people have been multiple individuals who have so declined further comment, call- and racial extremism run con- nection with the Jan. 6 siege of the charged with assaulting or imped- worked with him via security foot- ing it “a law enforcement matter.” trary to our core values.” Capitol. He is the first known ac- ing law enforcement, the Justice age and other imagery taken in- Maj. J. A. Hernandez, a Marine Warnagiris’ arrest comes as the tive-duty service member Department said. Bill introduced to overhaul military’s assault policies BY NIKKI WENTLING Guillen Act, to stand with victims, survivors took office this year, he created an inde- harassment and move decisions about pros- Stars and Stripes and families that combat sexual assault in pendent panel to study the Pentagon’s sex- ecuting sex-related cases outside the chain WASHINGTON — Lawmakers intro- the military,” Pelosi said during a news con- ual assault prevention programs. The panel of command. It would also reform the Ar- duced legislation Thursday that would ference. “We will not stop until we pass the recommended that decisions to prosecute my’s Sexual Harassment Assault Response change the reporting process for sexual ha- bill and until we finally and fully end this service members for sexual assault be Prevention program by establishing civil- rassment and assault in the military, and al- epidemic in the military, in the workplace, made by independent authorities, not com- ian leaders and creating full-time positions low service members who are victims to in all places.” manders — a change that lawmakers have for victim advocates and sexual assault re- seek monetary damages from the Defense Reports of sexual assaults in the military been trying to implement. sponse coordinators. Department. have steadily increased over the past 15 After a separate review that looked spe- In addition, it establishes a process in The bill’s proponents said it would “revo- years, including an 18% jump in 2018 and a cifically into Fort Hood, the Army an- which service members can file claims for lutionize” the way the military handles re- 3% increase in 2019. The Associated Press nounced earlier this month it would split negligence against the Defense Depart- ports of sexual harassment and assault. It reported that sexual assault reports in- control of its criminal investigative agency ment and seek monetary damages in in- comes in response to the brutal killing last creased by 1% last year. Outrage over sex- from a general officer to a civilian director stances of sexual assault and harassment. year of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who was sex- related offenses in the military reached an and add more civilian agents to its work- Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, intro- ually harassed before her murder. apex last year after Guillen’s murder. force. duced the companion bill in the Senate on The legislation, titled the I Am Vanessa Guillen, 20, was killed by a fellow soldier The steps taken by the Defense Depart- Wednesday. Speier said the lawmakers are Guillen Act, was introduced in the House April 22, 2020, at Fort Hood in Texas. Be- ment have not been good enough, lawmak- working with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D- and Senate on Wednesday with more than fore her murder, she was sexually harassed ers said Wednesday. N.Y., who is behind a similar bill that would 150 lawmakers signing on in support. Rep. by another soldier. According to an Army “Major transformational change is need- remove decisions about whether to prose- Jackie Speier, who is leading the House ef- report released last month, Guillen report- ed, not only in the military justice system, cute sexual assault and several other seri- fort, said she planned to get the measure in- ed being sexually harassed by a supervisor but in the culture and command climate of ous crimes from the hands of military com- to the National Defense Authorization Act in her unit, but leaders failed to take appro- the military,” Speier said. “Vanessa’s griz- manders. this year. The NDAA sets the Defense De- priation action. zly murder awakened Congress. The clock Gillibrand recently said her bill had partment’s annual budget and includes a Guillen’s murder drew attention to the has run out on DOD half measures. We enough support to pass through the Senate slew of policies for the Pentagon. House rates of sex-related offenses in the military must act to take sexual violence cases out of after years of pushback. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., vowed to and prompted the Defense Department to the chain of command.” help get the measure to the House floor. initiate several internal reviews. The I Am Vanessa Guillen Act would cre- [email protected] “I’m proud to support the I Am Vanessa When Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ate a stand-alone military offense for sexual Twitter: @nikkiwentling PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 MILITARY Army nominee eyes sexual assault prevention

BY SARAH CAMMARATA she said. Stars and Stripes While the hearing took place, a bill spear- WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s headed by Gillibrand that would overhaul nominee to be Army secretary said Thurs- how sexual assault cases are prosecuted in day that she would focus on sexual assault the military passed a key threshold in the prevention to combat sexual assault in the Senate, according to the senator’s office. military’s largest branch by prioritizing The Military Justice Improvement and hands-on training and a positive command Increasing Prevention Act would remove climate. prosecution authority from the chain of “We need to put quite a bit of focus on command for sexual-assault crimes and prevention. Prevention programs, but also other felonies, and now the bill has 61 cos- really pushing a positive command climate ponsors needed for passage, Gillibrand’s down to the lowest possible level,” Chris- office said. tine Wormuth told members of the Senate The senators include 41 Democrats, 2 In- Armed Services Committee at her confir- dependents, 18 Republicans, and the major- mation hearing. ity of the Senate Armed Services Commit- Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., tee members, according to the statement. said when he and ranking committee Re- On that reform, Wormuth said she publican Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma traveled “look[s] forward to getting the results of the to Fort Hood, Texas, they discovered the independent commission that [Defense Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Re- Secretary Lloyd Austin] directed. I would sponse and Prevention program, or SHARP ANDREW HARNIK/AP be very interested to see what recommen- program, was “basically nonexistent below Nominee to be Secretary of the Army, Christine Elizabeth Wormuth, smiles as former dations they make.” the brigade level” and called it a “check- Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, left, introduces her during a Senate Armed Services An independent commission created by the-box” program. Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday. Austin in February was tasked with consid- “I would rather prevent the crime, than ering all options to combat sexual assault in bring the accused to justice,” Reed said. military and their families were particular- told senators Thursday, especially because the military. Wormuth said she shared the senator’s ly impressive,” Hagel said in his opening the majority of victims of sexual assault in The Associated Press reported last view. remarks. the Army are within that age group. month that the commission recommended While the Army has made strides to im- Wormuth would begin her tenure at a Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., asked to Austin that the decision to prosecute ser- prove prevention efforts, “I would want to time when the Army is at the forefront of the nominee how she will improve com- vice members for sexual assault be made look at what more could be done,” she said. the conversation on how the military can mand climate in the wake of an independ- outside of the chain of command. For Wormuth, prevention training goes improve its culture of retaliation and fear of ent review of Fort Hood that found a perva- Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., pointed beyond “PowerPoint slides.” She said she reporting crimes of sexual assault and ha- sive climate of abuse and sexual harass- out she asked the Government Account- wants to get people involved in hands-on rassment. ment. ability Office, an independent watchdog, af- training through scenarios as well as by- An Army report released last month Wormuth said after reading the review ter Guillen’s death to review the Army’s stander training, which would allow sol- found Spc. Vanessa Guillen faced sexual “cover to cover … I was extremely angry SHARP program. diers to recognize when to step in during a harassment from a supervisor in the and frustrated. I think the commission's re- Duckworth asked Wormuth if she pledg- potential problem. months before her disappearance and port makes plain that the Army has real is- es to incorporate the results of that review, Wormuth would be the first female Army death at Fort Hood last year. Guillen’s fam- sues when it comes to this topic and I think which should be released later this year. secretary in the service’s history, if con- ily has said she was too afraid to bring the there's quite a bit of work to be done.” “I would be very interested if confirmed firmed. Under former defense secretaries harassment to her leadership. Speaking at The report made 70 recommendations, at looking at the results of their review of Ash Carter and Chuck Hagel, who intro- an event at Fort Bliss, Texas, in March, act- which Wormuth committed to fully imple- the SHARP program and seeing how we duced Wormuth at the hearing, the nomi- ing Army Secretary John Whitley said ment across the Army, where applicable, can strengthen it, in addition to what the Ar- nee worked as the undersecretary of de- about 6,500 sexual assaults occurred in the and not just to Fort Hood. my has already undertaken in terms of a re- fense for policy from 2014 to 2016. Army last year but just more than half were “The Army has started to take some steps design, as a result of the Independent Re- “Her extensive efforts working on sui- reported. that I think will improve the command cli- view Commission,” she said. cide prevention, sexual assault, harass- Ensuring that junior enlisted soldiers be- mate, such as sending those cohesion as- ment and support to military families and tween 17 and 24 feel safe, protected and are sessment teams out to other installations… [email protected] veterans, and all quality-of-life issues to our looking out for each other is key, Wormuth but, I think there’s more work to be done,” @sarahjcamm Nominee voices concern over military housing issues BY SARAH CAMMARATA sue — was also identified as a fac- es challenges for readiness and and a lot of very close cooperation cyber-focused personnel. Stars and Stripes tor that is causing service mem- also for retention,” Wormuth said. with the companies that are hand- Wormuth said she will be trans- WASHINGTON — Substan- bers to leave the armed forces. The Army undertook a reorga- ling the privatized housing,” Wor- parent with Gillibrand when it dard military housing and the ser- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D- nization to tackle the “very signif- muth said. comes to sharing information and vice’s fitness test are readiness Mass., said military families have icant problems that it was having The nominee committed to hold data on the ACFT, which was ad- and retention issues that Presi- shared “countless” stories with in housing,” primarily by making landlords accountable to ensure justed this year to account for dent Joe Biden’s nominee to be her in the last few years about the two commands — the Army Mate- they build and maintain quality male and female “biological dif- Army secretary wants to make a deplorable housing conditions, in- riel Command and the Installa- housing for service members. ferences.” priority. cluding reports of “substandard, tion Management Command — Still, Warren railed against the The implications of the test on “I intend to prioritize the whole rotting houses, filled with lead responsible for overseeing the is- companies that the Defense De- the ability to retain women is a range of people issues. To ensure paint and black mold.” sue, she said. partment has hired to manage the concern for Wormuth. our soldiers and civilians have the In what the senator described Three-star officers and Instal- properties. “We want to make sure that best quality of life possible, I will as a widespread issue, Warren lation Management Command al- “They’ve escaped accountabil- we’re not indirectly penalizing strive to continue improving our said “my office is still hearing so meet with representatives ity by doctoring the numbers of anyone,” she said. Army housing, health care, child from military spouses that the from private housing companies sweeping complaints under the The Army’s recent move to al- care and spouse employment op- problem isn’t getting any better. on a weekly basis to discuss the rug and raked in millions of dol- low women to do a plank, rather portunity,” Christine Wormuth And that landlords are not follow- houses developed at particular in- lars, taxpayer dollars, in the proc- than a leg tuck as an event in the said Thursday at her confirma- ing the rules that are supposed to stallations. Installations have also ess,” the senator said. fitness test is a good example of tion hearing in front of Senate protect tenants.” been holding quarterly town halls Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., adapting it in a helpful way, Wor- Armed Services Committee Warren asked Wormuth if she with soldiers and their families to voiced concern over retention is- muth said. The leg tuck, in which members. agrees “substandard, military voice concerns. sues posed by the Army Combat soldiers hang from a pull-up bar Ongoing problems with housing housing presents a serious chal- “These have been good steps Fitness Test — specifically for and tuck their knees up to their for military families — and the lenge to military readiness.” forward… I would want to contin- women who serve in roles such as chins, has proved especially chal- lack of progress to address the is- “Yes, I do senator. I think it pos- ue to have that very regular focus military lawyers and medical and lenging for many soldiers. Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 WAR/MILITARY Kabul mosque targeted in deadly bombing BY TAMEEM AKHGAR sponsibility for the bombing, but the public is rarely informed of ed. pause was for the Islamic festival Associated Press initial police investigations sug- the results of investigations into It appeared the explosive de- Eid-al-Fitr, which follows the KABUL, Afghanistan — A gest the imam may have been the the many attacks in the capital. vice had been hidden inside the fasting month of Ramadan. bomb ripped through a mosque in target, Faramarz said. A worshipper at the mosque, pulpit at the front of the mosque, Until now many of the attacks in northern Kabul during Friday Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Muhibullah Sahebzada, said he he added. the capital have been claimed by prayers and killed 12 worship- Mujahid denied any connection to had just stepped into the building An image circulating on social the local Islamic State affiliate. pers, Afghan police said. the mosque attack, condemning it when the explosion went off. media showed three bodies lying The most recent attack last Spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz and accusing Afghanistan’s intel- Stunned, he heard the sound of on the floor of the mosque, which week killed over 90 people, many said the mosque’s imam, Mofti ligence agency of being behind screams, including those of chil- showed minor damage. of them pupils leaving a girls’ Naiman, was among the dead. An- the explosion. Both the Taliban dren, as smoke filled the mosque. The explosion came on the sec- school when a powerful car bomb other 15 people were wounded. and government routinely blame Sahebzada said he saw several ond day of a three-day ceasefire exploded. The Taliban denied in- The bomb exploded as prayers each other for attacks. Seldom are bodies on the floor, and at least announced by the warring Tali- volvement and condemned the at- had begun. No one claimed re- the culprits ever identified, and one child was among the wound- ban and Afghan government. The tack. Families sue Wash. base housing company over poor living conditions BY ROSE L. THAYER bestos and mold, and the pest and Stars and Stripes rodent infestations that were exa- AUSTIN, Texas — Fifteen mili- cerbated by slow or delayed main- tary families have filed a lawsuit tenance. against the private company that In that time, Congress has creat- manages housing at Joint Base Le- ed new reforms on housing, such as wis-McChord, Wash., claiming wa- a tenant bill of rights, and the De- ter leaks and mold growth in their fense Department has pledged homes were allowed to thrive be- more oversight over the companies cause of inadequate maintenance that manage base housing. Leader- ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AP and left them with medical prob- ship of the private companies also Adm. Alexander Moiseyev, the commander of Russia’s Northern Fleet, speaks to journalists on board the lems and damaged property. went before Congress beginning in Peter the Great missile cruiser, at its Arctic base of Severomorsk, Russia, Thursday. A total of 51 plaintiffs consisting February 2019 and said they would of military members, their spouses do better. and children filed the lawsuit May 6 The families included in the Le- in Pierce County against Lewis wis-McChord lawsuit lived in base Russian admiral frets over NATO McChord Communities LLC and housing between April 2016 and Ja- its parent company Lincoln Mili- nuary 2020, according to court doc- drills, says they are ‘provocative’ tary Housing, as well as 50 people uments. The families said misman- and organizations listed under the aged water intrusion into their Associated Press the Norwegian Sea have reached clear-capable strategic bombers. names John or Jane Doe because homes led to mold growth that SEVEROMORSK, Russia — A levels unseen since World War “Such actions are provocative their names are not known to the caused symptoms including watery top Russian admiral complained II. and have a negative impact on re- plaintiffs, according to the court eyes, blurred vision, fatigue, nasal Thursday about increased NATO Speaking to reporters onboard gional security,” Moiseyev said. documents. congestion, body aches, headaches, military activities near the coun- the Northern Fleet’s flagship, the He voiced particular concern The John or Jane Doe defendants static shock, extreme thirst and try’s borders, describing them as Peter the Great missile cruiser, about the U.S. military assets on are described as those people, com- cough. a threat to regional security. at its Arctic base of Severomorsk, the territory of NATO ally Nor- panies and employees who have These symptoms are consistent Adm. Alexander Moiseyev, the Moiseyev charged that NATO way that borders Russia, charg- performed work at the homes. with hazardous exposure to micro- commander of Russia’s Northern drills have edged closer to Rus- ing that it has led to an “increase Lincoln officials responded in a bial and mycological contamina- Fleet, said that NATO navy ships’ sian borders, and noted increas- of the conflict potential in the statement that they are aware of the tion and water and moisture intru- presence in the Barents Sea and ingly frequent flights by U.S. nu- Arctic.” lawsuit and are “fully committed to sion caused by “not only a combina- ensuring our residents live in a safe tion of known design defects and and healthy environment every construction deficiencies but also day.” defendants’ improper, substan- Dead whales found under Aussie warship in San Diego The Joint Base Lewis-McChord dard and incomplete maintenance, The San Diego Union-Tribune fin whales inadvertently and un- the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class Garrison Public Affairs Office said management, investigation, and re- SAN DIEGO — An Australian de- knowingly, and the dead whale re- destroyers. officials there are also aware of the sponse to the defective and deterio- stroyer pulled into San Diego Bay mains wrapped around the bow, It is the ship’s first deployment af- litigation and will monitor it closely. rated building components in the last Saturday with an unexpected held in place by pressure as the boat ter being commissioned last May. The lawsuit is one of more than a subject property units,” according cargo: two dead fin whales lodged moves forward. Specifically, the Sydney is conduct- dozen filed in local and federal to the court documents. against the ship’s hull. “Often times, (mariners) don’t ing Combat System Sea Qualifica- courtrooms in the last five years. Lincoln addressed these claims And their size is no trivial matter. know until they come in and stop,” tion Trials on its Aegis Weapons Lincoln also has ongoing litigation in a statement that said the compa- The largest carcass belonged to a said Justin Viezbicke, coordinator System, which will allow the ship to with military families related to ny uses “industry-leading water in- female adult measuring 65 feet long, of NOAA’s California Marine Mam- integrate with allied forces in future housing at Naval Base San Diego, trusion and mold management according to the National Oceanic mal Stranding Network. “That’s missions, according to a news re- Camp Pendleton and Twentynine practices and protocols.” and Atmospheric Administration. when the whale falls off and floats lease from the U.S. 3rd Fleet. Palms in California. Other bases Plaintiffs are asking for compen- The other was much smaller at 25 out.” It is unknown where the ship may where families have filed lawsuits sation for an amount to be proven at feet long, likely a calf. That’s apparently what happened have struck the whales. include MacDill Air Force Base, trial that includes past and future The whales were discovered as Saturday, although the Australian “The U.S. Navy and the Royal Fla., Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg, medical expenses, pain and suffer- the ship, HMAS Sydney, berthed at Navy released few details Wednes- Australian Navy are cooperating N.C., Fort Hood and Joint Base San ing, loss of enjoyment in life, past Naval Base San Diego, the Austra- day. with the NOAA Fisheries and other Antonio in Texas, and Fort Meade, and future wage loss and calculated lian Royal Navy said in a statement. The Sydney, a Hobart-class guid- agencies to review the incident,” Md. interest. They also requested reim- Experts say the physics of the sit- ed missile destroyer, has been in Australia’s Department of Defence Most of the lawsuits have been bursement of attorney fees. A trial uation are somewhat common — Southern California-area waters said in a statement. “The Navy takes filed within the last two years, after is scheduled for May 2022. even if the presence of more than since April conducting joint exercis- marine mammal safety seriously media reports of dangerous condi- one whale makes this scenario rare. es with the U.S. Navy. At 481 feet and is disheartened this incident oc- tions families face in military hous- [email protected] Large vessels frequently strike long, the ship is slightly smaller than curred.” ing, including exposure to lead, as- Twitter: @Rose_Lori PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK Biden on CDC update: ‘Great day for America’

BY ZEKE MILLER Walensky and Biden said peo- AND MICHAEL BALSAMO ple who are not fully vaccinated Associated Press should continue to wear masks in- WASHINGTON — In a major doors. step toward returning to pre-pan- “We’ve gotten this far — please demic life, the Centers for Dis- protect yourself until you get to ease Control and Prevention has the finish line,” Biden said, noting eased mask-wearing guidance for that most Americans under 65 are fully vaccinated people, allowing not yet fully vaccinated. He said them to stop wearing masks out- the government was not going to doors in crowds and in most in- enforce the mask wearing guid- door settings. ance on those not yet fully vacci- “Today is a great day for Amer- nated. ica,” President Joe Biden said “We’re not going to go out and Thursday during a Rose Garden arrest people,” added Biden, who address heralding the new guid- said he believes the American ance, an event where he and his people want to take care of their staff went without masks. Hours neighbors. “If you haven’t been earlier in the Oval Office, where vaccinated, wear your mask for Biden was meeting with vaccinat- your own protection and the pro- ed Republican lawmakers, he led tection of the people who also the group in removing their have not been vaccinated yet.” masks when the guidance was an- That ambiguity over who is and nounced. isn’t vaccinated led Lawrence “If you are fully vaccinated, you Gostin, a public health law expert no longer need to wear a mask,” at Georgetown University, to de- he said, summarizing the new clare the CDC guidance “confus- guidance and encouraging more ing and contradictory.” Americans to roll up their sleeves. “The public will not feel com- “Get vaccinated — or wear a fortable in a crowded indoor mask until you do.” space if they are unsure if the The guidance still calls for maskless person standing next to wearing masks in crowded indoor them is or is not vaccinated,” he settings like buses, planes, hospi- EVAN VUCCI/AP said. tals, prisons and homeless shel- Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden smile and walk off after speaking about updated The announcement came as ters, but it will help clear the way guidance on mask mandates, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Thursday, in Washington. many states and communities for reopening workplaces, schools have already been lifting mask and other venues — even remov- The CDC and the Biden admin- change is thanks to the millions of there is no surefire way for busi- mandates amid improving virus ing the need for social distancing istration have faced pressure to people who have gotten vaccinat- nesses or others to distinguish be- numbers and as more Americans for those who are fully vaccinat- ease restrictions on fully vacci- ed and is based on the latest sci- tween those who are fully vacci- have been shedding face cover- ed. nated people — those who are two ence about how well those shots nated and those who are not. ings after getting shots. “We have all longed for this mo- weeks past their last required CO- are working. “Millions of Americans are do- To date more than 154 million ment — when we can get back to VID-19 vaccine dose — in part to “Anyone who is fully vaccinat- ing the right thing and getting Americans, nearly 47% of the some sense of normalcy,” Ro- highlight the benefits of getting ed can participate in indoor and vaccinated, but essential workers population, have received at least chelle Walensky, director of the the shots. The country’s aggres- outdoor activities — large or are still forced to play mask police one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, CDC, said at an earlier White sive vaccination campaign has small — without wearing a mask for shoppers who are unvaccinat- and nearly 119 million are fully House briefing. paid off: U.S. virus cases are at or physically distancing,” Walen- ed and refuse to follow local CO- vaccinated. The rate of new vacci- In light of the CDC guidance, their lowest rate since September, sky said. “If you are fully vacci- VID safety measures,” said Marc nations has slowed in recent the Pentagon announced on Fri- deaths are at their lowest point nated, you can start doing the Perrone, president of the United weeks, but with the authorization day that fully vaccinated Defense since last April and the test posi- things that you had stopped doing Food and Commercial Workers Wednesday of the Pfizer shot for Department personnel no longer tivity rate is at the lowest point because of the pandemic.” International Union. “Are they children ages 12 to 15, a new burst need to wear masks indoors or since the pandemic began. The new guidance is likely to now supposed to become the vac- of doses is expected in the coming outdoors at Defense facilities. Walensky said the long-awaited open the door to confusion, since cination police?” days. Masks: Commanders, supervisors must still respect medical privacy FROM PAGE 1 About 614,330 active-duty, Reserve and National ance, including continuing to wear masks indoors,” Guard service members and 258,476 DOD civilian Hicks wrote in the memo. employees were fully vaccinated as of Wednesday, “All DoD personnel should continue to comply according to the latest data from the Pentagon. An- with CDC guidance regarding areas where masks other 257,666 service members and 90,575 civilian should be worn, including in airports,” according to personnel were partially vaccinated as of the same the memo. date. At the Pentagon on Friday morning, service The Pentagon has not issued any requirements or members and civilian employees began removing incentives for Defense Department personnel to re- their masks in public for the first time in more than ceive the vaccine. The shot remains optional for a year. DOD personnel as the department continues to be However, commanders and supervisors can under emergency-use authorization by the Federal make exceptions to the directive “as necessary to Drug Administration. ensure a safe workplace,” Hicks wrote. More so, “We still believe that the right focus is to provide they must still respect employees’ medical privacy the best information available and this will help our when implementing changes. troops to make informed decisions,” Austin told re- “Commanders and supervisors should not ask porters at the Pentagon on May 6. “I think armed about an employee’s vaccination status or use infor- with the right information, accurate information, K. KASSENS/U.S. Army mation about an employee’s vaccination status to troops will make good choices.” Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare make decisions about how and when employees will Center and School stand in formation after donning their green berets report to a workplace instead of teleworking,” [email protected] for the first time during a Regimental First Formation at Fort Bragg, Hicks also wrote in the memo. Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos N.C., Oct. 8, Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 NATION Gas shortage intensifies in nation’s capital Associated Press Biden also said that his adminis- Gas shortages at the pumps tration “will pursue a measure to have spread from the South, all disrupt their ability to operate. but emptying stations in Washing- And our Justice Department has ton, D.C., following a ransomware launched a new task force dedicat- cyberattack that forced a shut- ed to prosecuting ransomware down of the nation’s largest gaso- hackers to the full extent of the TRAVIS LONG, THE (RALEIGH, N.C.) NEWS & OBSERVER/AP line pipeline. Though the pipeline law.” Vehicles wait in lines at the Costco in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday. operator paid a ransom, restoring The tracking service GasBud- service was taking time. dy.com on Friday showed that “It’s like a frenzy,” Barry Rieg- heard of racetracks that canceled keswoman Courtney Marsh. Fire- As Georgia-based Colonial 88% of gas stations were out of fuel er, who owns a gas station in this weekend’s races because fighters doused the blaze and Pipeline reported making “sub- in the nation’s capital, about half Burke, Va., told WJLA-TV. crews might not be able to get found the melted gas containers. stantial progress” in restoring full In North Carolina, at least five there due to gas shortages. One man was injured, but refused were out in Virginia and 42% of service, two people briefed on the school systems canceled in-per- Many authorities are warning of medical treatment, she said. Maryland stations were dry. matter confirmed that the compa- son learning on Friday as the gaso- the dangers of hoarding gas. A cyberattack by hackers who Nearly 70% of stations were with- ny had paid the criminals a ran- line supply crisis continued. Wake In South Carolina, a woman was lock up computer systems and de- out gas in North Carolina, and som of about $5 million in crypto- County, with the largest school severely burned after flipping a mand a ransom to release them hit about half were tapped out in Ge- currency for the software decryp- system in North Carolina, emailed car that a deputy tried to pull over the pipeline on May 7. The hack- tion key required to unscramble orgia and South Carolina. parents citing “the impact of the for a suspected stolen license plate ers didn’t take control of the pipe- their data network. The people Colonial said Thursday that op- gas shortage on staffing availabil- Thursday night. The fire touched line’s operations, but Colonial shut spoke on condition they not be fur- erations had restarted and gaso- ity and student transportation.” off multiple explosions due to fuel it down to prevent the malware ther identified because they were line deliveries were being made in Businesses were also feeling the “that she was hoarding in the from impacting its industrial con- not authorized to divulge the in- all of its markets, but it would take sting. trunk of the vehicle,” a Pickens trol systems. formation. Bloomberg first re- “several days” to return to nor- At Dixie Speedway in Wood- County sheriff’s statement said. Biden said U.S. officials do not ported the payment. mal, and some areas may experi- stock, Georgia, maintenance and In Florida, a 2004 Hummer was believe the Russian government President Joe Biden, when ence “intermittent service inter- safety vehicles have to be filled up, destroyed by fire Wednesday was involved, but said “we do have asked by a reporter on Thursday if ruptions during this start-up peri- but “all the gas stations close to shortly after the driver had filled strong reason to believe that the he had been briefed about the ran- od.” use — within a mile of us — are out up four 5-gallon (18-liter) gas con- criminals who did the attack are som payment, said “I have no A gas station owner in Virginia of gas,” said Mia Green, the tainers in Homosassa, according living in Russia. That’s where it comment on that.” said panic buying is the problem. track’s general manager. She’s to Citrus County Fire Rescue spo- came from.” House GOP elects Trump defender Stefanik to No. 3 post Associated Press his continued sway within the par- ing. WASHINGTON — Republicans ty. She has defiantly said she will vaulted Rep. Elise Stefanik into “Voters determine the leader of continue lambasting Trump, who the ranks of House leadership Fri- the Republican Party, and Presi- remains potent within the GOP, day, electing an ardent Donald dent Trump is the leader that they and would work to defeat him Trump defender in hopes of calm- look to,” she told reporters after should he mount a 2024 bid to re- ing their searing civil war over the the vote. She added, “He is an im- turn to the White House. deposed Rep. Liz Cheney’s unre- portant voice in the Republican Stefanik got an early start lining mitting combat with the former Party and we look forward to up votes to succeed Cheney, a de- president. working with him.” cisive factor in leadership races. Stefanik, R-N.Y., a moderate Stefanik thanked her colleagues She’s also backed by Trump and turned Trump loyalist who’s given after her election, citing the Revo- House Minority Leader Kevin voice to many of his false claims lutionary War battlefield at Sara- McCarthy, R-Calif., plus two of the about election fraud, was elected toga, New York, near her home. House’s most influential conser- as expected to the No. 3 post that Describing themes similar to vatives: No. 2 House GOP leader Cheney, R-Wyo., held for over two those Republicans often empha- Steve Scalise of Louisiana and years. size, Stefanik said Americans Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Backed by Trump and the there fought for “liberty, freedom Cheney, a daughter of former House’s top two Republicans, Ste- and a limited government,” ac- Vice President Dick Cheney and fanik defeated challenger Rep. cording to a person who provided an ambitious GOP force in her Chip Roy, R-Texas, by 134-46 in a the comments on condition of ano- own right, was among 10 House secret ballot vote conducted be- ALEX BRANDON/AP nymity. Republicans who voted this year hind closed doors. A member of Newly­elected House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Trump issued a statement con- to impeach Trump for inciting the the conservative House Freedom Stefanik, R­N.Y., speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill, on Friday. gratulating Stefanik, adding, “The Capitol riot. Since then, she’s bat- Caucus, Roy was a prohibitive House GOP is united and the tled Trump often and many Re- long shot whose candidacy ing a Trump loyalist — and one of over Trump’s taut hold on the par- Make America Great Again move- publicans ultimately turned seemed a signal to GOP leaders the party’s relative handful of ty and Cheney’s rancorous ouster, ment is Strong!” against her, arguing that the dis- that hard-right Republicans ex- women in Congress — in a visible and Cheney has said she will re- Republicans booted Cheney out pute was a damaging distraction. pect a robust voice moving for- role. main a vocal foe of Trump. of leadership this week for repeat- Stefanik has told colleagues ward. But GOP schisms are unlikely At a time when Cheney and oth- edly rebuking Trump for encou- she’d serve in the leadership job Stefanik, 36, gives Republicans to vanish quickly. Many hard- er anti-Trump Republicans are raging supporters who attacked only through next year, according a chance to try changing the sub- right conservatives have misgiv- trying to pull the party away from the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and for to a GOP lawmaker and an aide ject from the acrimonious fight ings about Stefanik’s centrist vot- him, Stefanik reaffirmed her view his lie that his 2020 reelection was who spoke on condition of ano- over the defiant Cheney by install- ing record, tensions remain raw of his importance, underscoring stolen from him by fraudulent vot- nymity last week. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 NATION US restaurants, stores rapidly raising pay Associated Press contribute to higher inflation if In April, even as overall hiring it is giving its 18,000 employees a 4.2% in April compared with a year WASHINGTON — U.S. restau- companies raise prices to cover slowed, a category that includes $2-an-hour raise and an additional earlier, the biggest gain in 13 years. rants and stores are rapidly raising the additional labor costs. Some restaurants, hotels and entertain- $1 an hour for the summer. But the rise was driven largely by pay in an urgent effort to attract businesses, however, could absorb ment venues hired more new Across the restaurant industry, soaring used car prices and more more applicants and keep up with the costs or invest over time in au- workers than it did the previous the pay gains have largely return- expensive airline tickets, not high- a flood of customers as the pan- tomation to offset higher wages. month, a sign the extra pay is work- ed overall wages to the same er labor costs. demic eases. States and cities are easing busi- ing. growth trend they were on before In a sign that companies in gen- McDonald’s, Sheetz and Chipot- ness restrictions as COVID-19 McDonald’s on Thursday said it the pandemic, Bivens said. He ex- eral are struggling to add workers, le are just some of the latest com- deaths and cases plummet, and in will raise pay for workers in its 650 pects the increases to climb above the number of available jobs in the panies to follow Amazon, Walmart places like Florida, Nevada, and company-owned stores to an aver- that trend in the coming months. U.S. shot to 8.2 million at the end of and Costco in boosting wages, in Texas, restaurant traffic is above age of $15 an hour by 2024. Entry- Consumer prices rose 0.3% at March. Yet employers added just some cases to $15 an hour or high- or near pre-pandemic levels, ac- level employees will make $11 an restaurants in April, far less than 266,000 jobs in April, far fewer er. cording to OpenTable, a software hour. The company is urging its their labor costs that month. That than the previous month. The pay gains are, of course, a provider to the industry. 14,000 franchised restaurants to suggests many restaurants are ac- Some of the unemployed are re- boon to these employees. Restau- Many companies say they are make the same changes. cepting smaller profits rather than luctant to return to work for fear of rants, bars, hotels and stores re- struggling to find workers. Also on Thursday, Amazon said passing on the costs to customers, contracting COVID-19, while main the lowest-paying industries, “Customers are coming back it will pay new hires $17 an hour, as Bivens said. Restaurant prices many women have left the work- and many of their workers ran the faster than restaurants can staff it seeks to add 75,000 new workers. have risen 3.8% in the past year, force to take care of children who risk of contracting COVID-19 on up,” said Josh Bivens, research di- The online giant said it is offering a which is above pre-pandemic lev- are still in online school. Because the job over the past year while rector at the left-leaning Econom- $100 bonus for new hires who have els. of an extra $300 in unemployment white-collar employees were able ic Policy Institute. “By raising pay, been vaccinated. Worries about higher inflation aid, some of the jobless are receiv- to work from home. they are able to get more workers And Sheetz, a mid-Atlantic con- have dominated financial markets ing more in benefits than they Still, the pay increases could in the door.” venience store chain, said Monday after consumer prices jumped earned at their old jobs. ‘Amazing’: Pilots and passenger uninjured after midair collision Associated Press Experts say the positive outcome DENVER — The pilot of an air- of the collision was a combination of plane that collided with another luck and advanced life-saving tech- midair near Denver requested an nology. emergency landing for engine fail- “It’s very rare for me to be able to ure, not knowing that his plane was say ‘midair’ and ‘no fatalities’ in the nearly ripped in half, according to same sentence,” said Joseph Lo- air traffic control audio. Miracu- Russo, a Broomfield, Colorado- lously, both planes landed and no based aviation attorney and com- one was hurt, officials said. mercially rated pilot. The planes were getting ready to The damage to the Metroliner's land at a small regional airport in a rear fuselage was in the “perfect lo- Denver suburb Wednesday when cation,” said Anthony Brickhouse, they collided, according to the Na- an associate professor of aerospace tional Transportation Safety Board and occupational safety at the Day- and South Metro Fire Rescue. tona Beach, Florida campus of Em- The pilot who requested the bry-Riddle Aeronautical Universi- AP emergency landing was the only ty. A Key Lime Air Metroliner that landed safely at Centennial Airport is seen after a mid­air collision near person aboard a twin-engine Fair- “If it was the flight deck: Bad out- Denver on Wednesday. child Metroliner that landed at Cen- come. The wings: Bad outcome. tennial Airport despite major dam- The tail: Bad outcome. It happened signed to slow the craft’s descent af- by North Carolina-based BRS Cherry Creek State Park, Arapahoe age to its tail section. The plane is in the perfect place for the pilot to ter a collision. Aerospace, has saved “at least a County sheriff’s Deputy John Bart- owned by a Colorado-based Key make it down,” he said. The pilot-deployed parachute couple of hundred lives” since its mann said. Lime Air, which operates cargo air- The second plane, a single-en- “did exactly what it is supposed to inception. “Every one of these pilots needs craft. gine 2016 Cirrus SR22, was rented do” which is to “allow the aircraft to The Cirrus plane had a pilot and to go buy a lottery ticket right now,” “Looks like the right engine by Independence Aviation, the crash in a controlled manner,” one passenger on board when the Bartmann said. “I don’t remember failed, so I’m gonna continue my company said in a statement. Its pi- Brickhouse said. pilot deployed a red-and-white par- anything like this — especially ev- landing here,” the pilot said in an lot successfully deployed the Cirrus Brickhouse estimates that the achute and drifted down to a safe erybody walking away. I mean audio clip with air traffic control. Airframe Parachute System de- parachute system, manufactured landing in a field near homes in that’s the amazing part of this.” Lawyer says ‘Tiger King’ star Jeff Lowe is willing to give up big cats

Associated Press der regarding the big cats, attor- vember, accused the Lowes of re- The judge in March found that tral characters in the Netflix se- MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Netflix’s ney Daniel Card said the Lowes curring inhumane treatment and the Lowes had violated his order, ries that became a pop culture “Tiger King” star Jeff Lowe and “want out completely.” improper handling of animals and on Wednesday fined them phenomenon last year. The series his wife are willing to give up Jeff Lowe took over the Grea- protected by the Endangered $1,000 per day until they get in focused on Joe Exotic, a pseudo- their big cats to resolve a Justice ter Wynnewood Exotic Animal Species Act. U.S. District Judge compliance, according to The Ok- nym for Joseph Maldonado-Pas- Department civil complaint Park from founder Joe Exotic in John F. Heil III in January issued lahoman. sage. He is serving 22 years in against them over the animals’ 2016. Lowe and his wife displayed an order that, among other “They don’t want to fight this federal prison for violating feder- care, their attorney told a federal big cats there until shutting down things, required the couple to anymore. They don’t want to do al wildlife laws and for his role in judge. the park in August. They then prevent breeding; to relinquish it,” Card told Heil. “They want to a failed murder-for-hire plot tar- At a hearing Wednesday where moved to a new facility in Thack- all of their lion and tiger cubs to give the tigers to a … sanctuary of geting his chief rival, Carole Bas- the judge found the couple in con- erville. the federal government; and not their choice and be done with it.” kin, who runs a rescue sanctuary tempt for violating a previous or- The civil complaint, filed in No- to exhibit any of their big cats. Jeff Lowe was one of the cen- for big cats in Florida. Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Biden, GOP plan more talks on infrastructure

Associated Press bill, which might in some ways WASHINGTON — After meet- be a more politically viable route ing at the White House, Presi- in a Congress held by the presi- dent Joe Biden and a group of dent’s party with only the slim- Republican senators agreed to mest of majorities. talk again early next week as ne- One strategy that appears to gotiations intensified over a po- be coming into focus would be STEW MILNE/AP tentially bipartisan infrastruc- for Biden to negotiate a more Fishermen cast on the rocky shore at the Beavertail Lighthouse, the third­oldest lighthouse in America, at ture package that could become limited, traditional infrastruc- the tip of Beavertail State Park, on Narragansett Bay, in Jamestown, R.I., on July 7, 2006. one piece of the administration’s ture bill of roads, highways, ambitious $4 trillion public in- bridges and broadband as a bi- vestment plan. partisan effort. Then, Demo- The GOP senators exited the crats could try to muscle through GSA offers 4 lighthouses as free more than 90-minute meeting the remainder of Biden’s priori- Thursday “encouraged” about ties on climate investments and their discussions with the presi- the so-called human infrastruc- office space to certain groups dent and prepared to build on the ture of child care, education and Associated Press they withdrew from the new Paul Hughes said in a state- $568 billion proposal they had hospitals on their own. PROVIDENCE, R.I. — nation — is up for grabs. ment. put forward last month as an al- “I’m willing to negotiate,” Bi- Dreading your eventual re- So are Watch Hill Light in Beavertail Light has been ternative to his sweeping Amer- den said earlier at the White turn to the office? The federal Westerly, R.I., not far from listed in the National Register ican jobs and families plans. House. But the president has in- government is making avail- Taylor Swift’s beachside man- of Historic Places since 1977. “The president asked us to dicated that he’s not about to able — for free — some water- sion; Cleveland Harbor West The 64-foot granite lighthouse come back and rework an offer wait indefinitely for a compro- front workspaces with killer Pierhead Light in Ohio; and faces south where Narragan- so that he could then react to mise that may or may not come, views that are sure to entice. Duluth Harbor North Pier- sett Bay and Rhode Island that,” said Sen. Shelley Moore and reiterated his view Thurs- But there’s a catch. head Light in Minnesota. Sound meet, offering drop- Capito of West Virginia, who is day that “doing nothing is not an The General Services Ad- Conditionally, that is: The dead-gorgeous ocean vistas. leading the group. option.” ministration says the U.S. government says it’ll make the All that remains of the origi- “We’re very encouraged,” she The White House said the Coast Guard has decided it no historic lighthouses and their nal lighthouse is its founda- told reporters outside the White president stressed that inaction longer needs four of the na- outbuildings available free of tion; it was constructed in House. “The attitude the presi- was a “red line for him.” He set a tion’s most picturesque light- charge to federal, state and lo- 1749 and burned down by dent had in the Oval Office with Memorial Day deadline for pro- houses, and it’s inviting cer- cal agencies; nonprofit orga- British soldiers leaving the us was very supportive and de- gress on a bipartisan deal. tain types of organizations to nizations; educational and Newport area in 1779. The sirous of striking a deal.” Those gathered included some take them over at no cost. community development current lighthouse was built Biden also emerged upbeat. “I of the top ranking Republicans The GSA, which has been agencies; or groups devoted to in 1856 along with six addi- am very optimistic that we can — Sens. John Barrasso of Wyom- getting rid of its large invento- parks, recreation, culture, or tional structures totaling 5,171 reach a reasonable agreement — ing, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Mike ry of obsolete lighthouses, historic preservation. square feet. and even if we don’t, it’s been a Crapo of Idaho, Pat Toomey of said Thursday that Beavertail Beavertail Light “has been Hughes said the government good faith effort,” Biden said in Pennsylvania and Roger Wicker Lighthouse in Jamestown, determined to be excess to the is asking interested groups to the Rose Garden. of Mississippi. Joining Biden R.I., — America’s third-oldest needs of the United States formally express their inter- Biden is intent on at least try- were Vice President Kamala lighthouse, and a beacon that Coast Guard,” which is part of est in the next 60 days, and ing to strike a deal with Repub- Harris, Transportation Secreta- defeated British forces the Department of Homeland the National Park Service will licans rather than simply going it ry Pete Buttigieg and Commerce torched out of spite in 1779 as Security, GSA spokesperson review the applications. alone with a Democrats-only Secretary Gina Raimondo. California tree trimmer charged in deadly throat-slashings Associated Press The charges included special sen- trimming service in Butte and Te- ing Sandra George, 82, and Vicky fices, which filed the charges in LOS ANGELES — When Ryan tencing allegations that Blinston hama counties, north of Sacra- Cline, 57, both of Oroville. He also Butte County Superior Court. Scott Blinston was arrested last used a deadly weapon, attacked mento, last May and June when is charged with torching Cline’s There are car thefts and prop- year, authorities say he was try- an elderly victim and committed he returned to clients’ homes and car. erty crimes, and perhaps a half- ing to smash in a door with a multiple killings. slashed the resi- Cline, a former waitress, had dozen killings a year, Ramsey hatchet to finish killing a man Blinston had been in jail since dents’ throats, been living in her car outside a said, but in 44 years on the job, he whose throat he had slashed. his arrest last year for another at- according to home in downtown Oroville had never seen anything like the That man would have become tack, to which he had pleaded not prosecutors. where Blinston had friends and throat-slashings. the fourth victim of Blinston, ac- guilty. Loreen Sev- they apparently had talked, Ram- The motive for the attacks cording to officials who call the Blinston didn’t enter a plea to ers, 88, of Los sey said. She was last seen with wasn’t yet clear. Northern California tree trimmer the new charges during arraign- Molinos died him in June before she disap- Blinston had a history of meth- a serial killer. Officials say before ment Thursday. He was ordered and her hus- peared. amphetamine use, and had spent a SWAT team arrived to arrest held without bail pending a May band, Homer “Blood and DNA evidence on two terms in state prison for driv- Blinston him, he had left a bloody trail in an 19 court hearing. Some victims’ Severs, 91, sur- and in Blinston’s car was forensi- ing a stolen car, possessing stolen area where violence is usually relatives were in court for the vived but died that December of cally matched back to Cline,” items and fleeing the California about drugs, gangs and domestic hearing, Butte County District At- an unrelated illness, authorities whose body was discovered about Highway Patrol. He’d been out of disputes. torney Michael L. Ramsey said. said. two weeks later by a fisherman in jail for several years. Blinston, 37, of the small city of Blinston could face life in pris- Blinston broke in the door of the Feather River near Belden, It wasn’t clear if there might be Oroville in Butte County, was on without possibility of parole if their home to attack them, prose- according to a joint statement other victims. charged on Wednesday with mur- convicted. cutors said. from the Butte County and Teha- “We hope to God there isn’t but der, attempted murder and arson. Blinston was working for a tree- Blinston also is accused of kill- ma County district attorney’s of- we can’t be sure,” Ramsey said. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 MIDEAST Gaza: Officials hurry to begin cease-fire talks

FROM PAGE 1 nymity because he was not autho- much higher. Seven people have rized to talk to reporters. been killed in Israel, including a 6- Prime Minister Benjamin Neta- year-old boy and a soldier. nyahu vowed Hamas would “pay a Israel called up 9,000 reservists very heavy price” for its rocket at- Thursday to join its troops massed tacks. at the Gaza border, and an army U.S. President Joe Biden said he spokesman spoke of a possible spoke with Netanyahu about ground assault into the densely calming the fighting but also populated territory, though he backed the Israeli leader by say- gave no timetable. A day later, ing “there has not been a signifi- there was no sign of an incursion. cant overreaction.” But before dawn Friday, tanks He said the goal now is to “get to deployed on the border and war- a point where there is a significant planes carried out an intense bar- reduction in attacks, particularly rage on the northern end of the rocket attacks.” He called the ef- Gaza Strip. fort “a work in progress.” Houda Ouda said she and her The fighting has, for the mo- extended family ran frantically in- ment, disrupted efforts by Neta- to their home in the town of Beit nyahu’s political opponents to Hanoun, seeking safety as the form a new government coalition, earth shook for two and half hours prolonging his effort to stay in of- in the darkness. fice after inconclusive elections. “We even did not dare to look PHOTOS BY ARIEL SCHALIT/AP His rivals have three weeks to from the window to know what is A man inspects the damaged wall of a residential building that was hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Stripagree on a coalition but need the being hit,” she said. When day- in Ashkelon, Israel, on Friday. support of an Arab party, whose light came, she saw the swath of leader has said he cannot nego- destruction: streets cratered, some targeting the seaside me- tiate while Israel is fighting in Ga- buildings crushed or with facades tropolis of Tel Aviv, although za. blown off, an olive tree burned more than a quarter of them have Israel has come under heavy in- bare, dust covering everything. fallen short inside Gaza and most ternational criticism for civilian Rafat Tanani, his pregnant wife of the rest have been intercepted casualties during three previous and four children, aged 7 and un- by missile defense systems. wars in Gaza, home to more than 2 der, were killed after an Israeli Still, the rockets have brought million Palestinians. It says Ha- warplane reduced their four-story life in parts of southern Israel to a mas is responsible for endanger- apartment building to rubble in standstill and caused disruptions ing civilians by placing military the neighboring town of Beit La- at airports. infrastructure in civilian areas hia, residents said. Four strikes hit A spokesman for Hamas’ mili- and launching rockets from them. the building at 11 p.m., just before tary wing said the group was not The fighting broke out late Mon- the family went to sleep, Rafat’s afraid of a ground invasion, which day when Hamas fired a long- brother Fadi said. The building’s would be a chance “to increase range rocket at Jerusalem in sup- owner and his wife also were our catch” of Israeli soldiers. port of Palestinian protests there killed. The strikes came after Egyptian against the policing of a flashpoint “It was a massacre,” said Sadal- An Israeli artillery unit fires toward targets in Gaza Strip, at the Israeli mediators rushed to Israel for holy site and efforts by Jewish set- lah Tanani, another relative. “My Gaza border, on Thursday. cease-fire talks that showed no tlers to evict dozens of Palestinian feelings are indescribable.” signs of progress. Egypt, Qatar families from their homes. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an za, that wasn’t feasible this time.” them, given movement restric- and the U.N. were leading truce The violent clashes between Israeli military spokesman, said When the sun rose, residents tions on its staff amid the fighting efforts. Arabs and Jews in Jerusalem and the operation involved tank fire streamed out of the area in pickup and COVID-19 worries. An Egyptian intelligence offi- other mixed cities across Israel and airstrikes, aimed at destroy- trucks, on donkeys and on foot, Mohammed Ghabayen, who cial with knowledge of the talks has added a layer of volatility to ing a tunnel network beneath Ga- taking pillows, blankets, pots and took refuge in a school with his said Israel rejected an Egyptian the conflict not seen in more than za City that the military refers to pans and bread. “We were terri- family, said his children had eaten proposal for a yearlong truce with two decades. as “the Metro,” used by militants fied for our children, who were nothing since the day before, and Hamas and other Gaza militants, The violence continued over- to evade surveillance and air- screaming and shaking,” said He- they had no mattresses to sleep on. which would have started at mid- night. A Jewish man was shot and strikes. daia Maarouf, who fled with her “And this is in the shadow of the night Thursday had Israel agreed. seriously wounded in Lod, the ep- “As always, the aim is to strike extended family of 19 people, in- coronavirus crisis,” he said. “We He said Hamas had accepted the icenter of the troubles, and Israeli military targets and to minimize cluding 13 children. don’t know whether to take pre- proposal. media said a second Jewish man collateral damage and civilian ca- Adnan Abu Hasna, a spokes- cautions for the coronavirus or the The official said Israel wants to was shot. In the Tel Aviv neigh- sualties,” he said. “Unlike our ve- man for UNRWA, said thousands rockets or what to do exactly. delay a cease-fire to give time to borhood of Jaffa, an Israeli soldier ry elaborate efforts to clear civil- broke into 16 schools run by the re- Hamas showed no signs of destroy more of Hamas’ and Is- was attacked by a group of Arabs ian areas before we strike high- lief agency, which he said was backing down. So far, it has fired lamic Jihad’s military capabili- and hospitalized in serious condi- rise or large buildings inside Ga- scrambling to find a way to shelter some 1,800 rockets toward Israel, ties. He spoke on condition of ano- tion. About 120 DOD personnel evacuated from Israel

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS and Israeli troops, Kirby told re- Air Base aboard a C-17 Globemas- Palestinian Islamic political par- Israel has “a right to defend them- Stars and Stripes porters at the Pentagon. ter III, Kirby said. ty. selves and their citizens,” Kirby WASHINGTON — About 120 “This particular planning con- The withdrawal came as Israeli About 69 Palestinians and seven said. Defense Department personnel ference was already scheduled to forces stepped up their offensive Israelis have died in the recent vi- “The scale and the scope of the were evacuated from Israel on wrap up this week, but we did ac- in Gaza, killing about 10 senior olence, which began Monday after attacks on Israel are extensive,” Thursday as violence continues celerate the departure of these in- Hamas military officials and de- Hamas launched rockets at Israel. he said. “We have an ironclad between the Israeli military and dividuals in full coordination with stroying Hamas housing facilities Since then, Palestinian militants commitment to our bilateral rela- Hamas, chief Pentagon spokes- our Israeli counterparts,” he said. in airstrikes Wednesday as Gaza have fired about 1,500 rockets tionship with Israel and to helping man John Kirby said. The personnel, who came from militants bombarded Israel with while Israel has attacked more them in their self-defense.” The personnel were in Israel for commands “throughout the de- rocket fire, The Associated Press than 350 targets in Gaza, accord- a routine planning conference for partment,” are now in Germany reported Thursday. ing to the AP. [email protected] a future exercise between U.S. after they were taken to Ramstein Hamas is the armed wing of the The U.S., meanwhile, maintains Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Teen hospitalized after being impaled by javelin TOMS RIVER — A teen- NJ ager was taken to a hos- pital after he was impaled by a ja- velin at a track-and-field event in New Jersey, police said Police were called to Donovan Catholic High School in Toms Riv- er late Tuesday afternoon where officers found the javelin impaled in the 16-year-old Pine Beach resi- dent’s right thigh. There was no sign of bleeding and the boy was able to talk with medical responders, police said. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The extent of his injuries was not known. It was not clear if the boy is a student at the school or if he was particiating in the event. Police: Robbery suspect, 11, was driving stolen car SAN LEANDRO — An CA 11-year-old and a 17- year-old were arrested Wednes- day on suspicion of robbing an 80- year-old California man, and po- lice said the 11-year-old was driv- ing a stolen car. The robbery victim, an Asian man, was walking in a residential area of San Leandro when he was PETER PEREIRA, THE STANDARD­TIMES/AP attacked and robbed by the two ju- veniles, KRON-TV reported. Police tracked down the sus- Home base pects and said the 11-year-old was Workmen lift an entire house, which was built on the ground, to place on the newly finished elevated foundation Wednesday in Westport, Mass. behind the wheel of a vehicle sto- len during a carjacking in Oakland in the leg, the 25-year-old father THE CENSUS a relative and that he would take on Monday. suffered a minor head injury and care of her and her finances. the boy was injured by the recoil of The number of tabs of LSD discovered during a traffic stop in He was able to convince her to Vulture invasion besets the weapon when a single shot was 897 Harvard, Ill. The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald reported sign over her power of attorney neighborhood residents fired, Sagadahoc County Sheriff that Alek A. Montemayor, 27, of Harvard, was arrested after Harvard police and name him in a trust and in her Joel Merry said. All three went to responding to a report of an impaired driver spotted the vehicle he was driving will, eventually draining her bank TAMPA — Residents of the hospital. swerve across the center line of a roadway at speeds of 80 mph. Montemayor accounts, taking out a $500,000 FL a Florida neighborhood “This situation, while disturb- was initially cited for driving on the wrong side of the road, operating an unin- line of credit in her name and ac- say they are beset by an invasion ing, could have had an even more sured vehicle, speeding and driving on a revoked license. Officers searching his cumulating large charges on her vehicle discovered 897 individual perforated tabs of LSD, 30 grams of marijua- of turkey vultures that are damag- tragic ending. We are thankful credit cards, according to the U.S. na and a bag containing $13,950 in cash. ing homes and causing major that the injuries were not more se- Justice Department. messes. rious,” Merry said. Resident Judy Oliveri told The parents were in bed when Leader reported. The car eventu- yard, that they take it seriously be- Arrests after man’s WFLA-TV that her neighborhood the 9mm semiautomatic handgun ally stopped when it crashed into a cause it is possible,” he said. $500K watch is stolen in the Tampa suburb of Westchase discharged, and the father dialed nearby pickup. The victim has not is overrun with the large black 911 shortly before 8 a.m., the sher- been identified. Couple charged with BEVERLY HILLS — birds, and they’ve been multiply- iff said. stealing from widow, 85 CA Three men were ar- ing since they showed up three The incident remains under in- Officials: Big cat seen on rested in the brazen armed rob- years ago. vestigation by the sheriff’s depart- door camera is cougar FRANKLIN — A Ten- bery of a man’s $500,000 watch “We could have 20 to 25 vul- ment and the district attorney, TN nessee exterminator while he was dining outdoors in tures on our roofs. They land on Merry said. WICHITA — A door- who posed as the relative of an 85- Beverly Hills, authorities said our screens, their under-feathers KS bell camera captured year-old widow with dementia has Wednesday. are all over the roof, their drop- Man struck and killed video of a mountain lion trotting been charged with defrauding the The suspects wore hoods and pings are all over the place,” Ol- by his own vehicle along a residential back alley in woman out of nearly $1.7 million, one of them put a gun to the head iveri said. Wichita earlier this week, Kansas according to a criminal complaint of the watch’s owner as he sat at Il Other homeowners say it’s pos- SIOUX FALLS — A wildlife officials confirmed. unsealed Wednesday. Pastaio restaurant on March 4, ac- sible the vultures were dislocated SD Sioux Falls man has Kansas Department of Wildlife Karl Hampton, 63, and his wife, cording to police. A woman was from their previous habitat by on- died after he was hit by his own Research Biologist Matt Peek said Deborah Hampton, 59, were ar- shot in the leg during a struggle going development in the area. car, according to police. it’s the first confirmed cougar rested at their Franklin home on over the watch and the gun. She Residents say the U.S. Depart- The 41-year-old man was driv- sighting in Wichita, KAKE federal fraud and money launder- was not seriously hurt. ment of Agriculture has promised ing his car in eastern Sioux Falls reported. ing charges, according to a The three suspects arrested to remove the vultures, but no and struck the back of a Jeep Che- The video was captured on Cris statement from Mary Jane Stew- Tuesday are members of a South timetable has been set. rokee on Tuesday afternoon. Boyle’s doorbell camera, showing art, the Acting U.S. Attorney for Los Angeles street gang, investi- The SUV was stopped in traffic the large cat padding along the al- the Middle District of Tennessee. gators said. Police: 2-year-old shoots, at an intersection and waiting to leyway in the Riverside neighbor- The complaint alleged Karl Malik Lamont Powell, 20, Khai wounds parents at home make a left turn when it was hood. The wildcat can even be Hampton met the 85-year-old vic- McGhee, 18, and Marquise Antho- struck by the car, according to po- heard growling as it passes by tim while he was working as an ex- ny Gardon, 30, each face federal WEST BATH — A 2- lice spokesman Sam Clemens. Boyle’s house. terminator for a pest control com- charges including conspiracy to ME year-old boy in Maine As the man stepped out of his Wildlife officials have notified pany where he provided services commit robbery. shot and wounded his parents car, it started to go in reverse and Wichita police of the sighting, for her home from 2016-2019. Two other suspects remain at Wednesday after discovering a the victim got caught under the ve- Peek said. Prosecutors accused Karl large, the Los Angeles Times re- handgun on a nightstand, police hicle as it began making circles. “So that if somebody does call Hampton of deceiving the woman, ported. said. The car then ran over the man, fa- up and say, you know, there’s a who was suffering from cognitive The 22-year-old mother was hit tally injuring him, the Argus mountain lion in the tree in my decline, into believing that he was From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 MOVIES Experience is the best teacher Oyelowo fulfills directing passion in ‘Water Man’

BY JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. Associated Press hile starring in films like “Selma” and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” actor David WOyelowo discovered a new passion: directing. Oyelowo was inspired to step behind the camera after learning nuances of the craft from respected directors like Ava Du- Vernay and Will Gluck. His desire to act and direct in the same movie grew even more after seeing successful efforts from his friends Nate Parker in “The Birth of a Nation” and Joel Edgerton in “The Gift,” as well as Mel Gibson, who won an Oscar for best director for “Braveheart.” For years, Oyelowo picked their brains to feel confident enough to make a leap of his own. The actor’s directorial debut, “The Water Man,” arrived in theaters May 7. The film was produced by Harpo Films with Oprah Winfrey serving as executive RLJE FILMS/AP producer. Actor­director David Oyelowo, left, speaks with actors Amiah Miller and Lonnie Chavis, right, on the set of “The Water Man.” Oyelowo said he learned about having a grasp on the movie’s theme from Du- Vernay. He credits Gluck with teaching said she learned that her father was diag- him the importance of a director capturing “I’ve sort of had my own film school nosed with pancreatic cancer shortly after all of the elements in a film: wardrobe, through working with several she landed the role of Mary, who is bat- photography, editing — as well as each tling leukemia in the film. actor’s performance. great directors. (Directing) came “I had to self motivate a strength that “I’ve sort of had my own film school just wasn’t there,” said Dawson. As her through working with several great direc- as a byproduct of my acting father was starting chemotherapy treat- tors,” said Oyelowo, who stars in the film ments, she sent him a photo of her balding with Rosario Dawson. “(Directing) came career. I wanted to direct character in solidarity. as a byproduct of my acting career. I Dawson said Oyelowo — whose late wanted to direct because I’ve been around because I’ve been around some father battled cancer — helped her along some of the best people in the world.” the way. She said Oyelowo made things “The Water Man” tells a story about a of the best people in the world.” easier for herself and the crew, calling hopeful boy named Gunner who is looking David Oyelowo him a consummate actor and storyteller. to save his severely ill mother, played by “He was clear about his vision and Dawson. The boy and his friend venture tone,” she said. “We didn’t have a into a remote forest to search for a myth- whole lot of time in the world, but ical figure, who Gunner believes carries relationship between her son and hus- it still felt like we did. He really the secret to everlasting life. band.” allowed us to play and find our Oyelowo said he was drawn to the script Chavis said Oyelowo helped him moments, find our pauses and because the story reminded him of his pull into the emotional state of our bursts of energy. He’s such favorite fantasy films like the ’80s classics Gunner. an actor’s actor.” “The Goonies” and “Gremlins.” “There was a scene where I Oyelowo said he wants to “Those films have some heavier themes had to climb this big log, and I direct more projects, if he can where kids are still involved,” said Oyelo- was really afraid of heights juggle that with his busy acting wo, who plays Gunner’s father, Amos. at the time,” Chavis re- career. He likes mixing reality “This film has that sort of a young person membered. “So Mr. David and fantasy, but he’s also pas- in jeopardy theme, which I loved growing pulled me aside and he sionate about telling African up.” gave me a personal stories. Oyelowo said the film’s driving force is story about his life ... “I think there are just some Gunner, played by 13-year-old Lonnie something to tap into incredible stories that are not Chavis, who stars on the NBC hit drama my own life. He was sequels or remakes,” Oyelowo series “This Is Us.” doing all this for the said. “In some ways, they’ve “It’s the power of sacrificial love,” Oye- love and the passion slept on Africa as a producer of lowo said. “You have this kid who is pre- that he had for the great stories and great content. pared to risk everything to save his moth- film.” I really want to be a part of see- er. You have this father who is prepared to After reading the ing those kind of stories in a glob- save his son. You see a family who is im- script, Dawson said al presence.” perfect, but they have a love that I think is she related to Gunner’s pretty much perfect. They define sacri- character, who has to ficial love. She’s ill, but she doesn’t think face his parent’s mortal- TAYLOR JEWELL, INVISION//AP about herself. She’s thinking about the ity just like her. The actor Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 VIDEO GAMES

Fearsome 9­foot vampire Lady Dimitrescu awaits players in a giant castle full of spooky creatures as part of Resident Evil VIII: Village. Capcom photos

Hit them where they live Resident Evil VIII: Village rekindles illogical, weird magic of series

BY GENE PARK Ethan must topple to rescue his daughter. Yes, it’s anoth- The Washington Post er horror game about the travails and emotions of being a esident Evil is about the balance of fear and dad. The premise is stale, so it’s good that the four “chil- power. It’s a staple of the series. At the begin- dren” of the chief antagonist, Mother Miranda, try to ning of each game, the player is meant to feel breathe life (or death?) into it. Not all of them do. A third Roverwhelmed and confused. By the end, they villain’s section of the horror theme park is a swampy can fight back against these emotions — usually with a trial-and-error drudge, and his fight fails to excite. Village is full of gory sights, sounds and experiences. rocket launcher. Dimitrescu is charismatic to the detriment of your Resident Evil VIII: Village continues this tradition, other foes. She is imperious and poised, and you’ll find it hapless, entangled victim. By the end of the game, Ethan dropping faceless protagonist Ethan Winters — also the impossible to unglue your eyes from the screen any time Winters is no longer the serious and scared hero of Bioha- star of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard — in the middle of a she appears, or even as she stalks you throughout her zard. He’s the tragic superhero protagonist of a Zack wildly unfamiliar situation. But if you loved the under- castle. No one, not even the mysterious Mother Miranda, Snyder film, a singular, narrow vision of emotion maxi- stated horror of Ethan’s adventure in the seventh game, commands as much attention, and it’s hard not to notice mized to mythology. It’s here where Resident Evil returns you’ll only get a bit of that here. In once she exits the stage. to its classic escalation of stakes and action. Unlike the fact, you’ll likely leave disappoint- Fortunately, the horror showcase that follows is imme- lonely Biohazard, Village ends with a muddy conspiracy ed. But if you’re like me and your diately terrifying. Anyone concerned that Dimitrescu’s and muddier motivations, and at a scale we haven’t seen favorite title is Resident Evil 4, this flamboyance might subdue the game’s fear factor need since the loud, ridiculous Resident Evil 6 of 2012. will delight. not worry. The next monster is a constant startling pres- This is why your enjoyment of Village depends on what Built like a Disneyland of horror ence, with a face so unsettling it had the polar opposite you want out of Resident Evil. I love when Village leans tropes and gore, the eponymous effect of Dimitrescu: I kept having to look away. into camp and slapstick goth violence. I love when it mag- village funnels you toward gory Village gives players plenty of opportunity to explore. ically, without logic, gives me the tools I need to fight sights and sounds, with Ethan cir- It’s very much a lighter Metroid experience, where ac- against the madness. cling a drain of carnage. Resident complishing certain tasks gives you the key to explore A mercantile system also returns in the very large body Evil games are almost literally more areas and find more secrets. The actual village hub of the Duke, who lords over the proceedings with a visceral experiences, holding up guts and gross things up has a few locked doors and treasure chests with ample watchful eye. The Duke is absolutely related to the fa- to the camera to intimidate, bewilder and occasionally rewards and story nuggets about what exactly is going on. mous “What’re ya buying” anonymous merchant of RE4, even charm. The good news: Village is a visually stunning It’s surface-level stuff, and hardly any of it is coherent or whose identity has confounded fans and lore theorists. ride. Later in the game, when the action ramps up, I compelling, but this is Resident Evil, not The Last of Us. But the Duke gives a few more clues about the nature of couldn’t help but compare it to 2019’s Call of Duty: Mod- Make no mistake: the environment isn’t interactive, it’s these retailers, and about the whole series in general. ern Warfare, with its arresting visual and audio fidelity. mostly there to set a majestic mood while leaving just After buying one of the many upgrades for your weapons (Just swap the guns and militants for werewolves and enough visual cues to push you forward. This game is far (which persist in future playthroughs), the Duke will biomechanical freaks). from clever, and the puzzles are about as hard as they cheerfully tell you to “have a wonderful adventure.” Village quickly moves along narrative beats familiar to were in the recent remakes. But the backdrop for these The Resident Evil series is eternally challenged by Resident Evil 4 veterans, including oddball villains like simplistic puzzles almost never gets old to tour. Outside of balancing its aggressive violence, the grim beauty of its the now-infamous Lady Dimitrescu, the 9-foot-tall vam- the village and the castle, the story takes you to the ex- environments, and the whimsy of its typecast, entirely pire that dominated the game’s marketing. She and the pected tropes of past Resident Evil titles, but plays with moronic characters. Village almost walks that line — until other lords of the village conjure gleeful energy through- your expectations enough to keep it engaging and surpris- it can’t help itself, and runs amok with its own imagina- out the game, fabulous and fearsome. It’s the kind of gory ing. tion. Many fans, myself included, will welcome it. glamour the series sometimes loves to dress itself in. As audience surrogate and everyman, Ethan Winters is Platforms: PC, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Now we turn to some bad news: Dimitrescu is far from not an interesting or wise character. But Village eventu- Xbox Series X/S the game’s focus. Rather, she’s just one of four villains ally turns him into a sympathetic one, painting him as a Online: residentevil.com/village PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 TELEVISION Flipping the script on ‘fat’ Over its 3 seasons, mission of Bryant’s ‘Shrill’: Redefine how a TV hero should look BY GEOFF EDGERS The Washington Post here was talk, at one point, of calling Aidy Bryant’s show “fat b—.” T “As you can imagine,” the “Saturday Night Live” star said recently during a lunchtime interview in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York, “the studio and network were like, ‘Uh, no.’” In the end, Hulu and the producers set- tled on “Shrill,” a title that has served Bryant well in her first starring role. On May 7, the actress and comedian marked the start of the show’s third and final season Hulu and an eight-episode goodbye to Annie Julia Sweeney (left) plays Vera, mother to Aidy Bryant’s Annie (right), in “Shrill.” Easton, the aspiring journalist who has, over time, found her outdoor voice, morph- mother, Vera. The show is also packed with “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m going to that’s the reason I’m there at the doctor’s ing from sheepish, insecure and single to scene-stealers, including John Cameron do,” she says, turning away to go back to office,” she says. “And there’s an assump- confronter of hapless boyfriends, bad boss- Mitchell, who plays the narcissistic editor of her friends. tion that if you’re fat, you’ve given up on es and internet trolls. the alternative weekly, and Lolly Adefope, Rushfield, who worked as a writer on yourself. And it’s like, I exercise all the “Shrill” has been a revelation both for her best friend and roommate. “Parks and Recreation” before “Shrill,” time. I don’t eat doughnuts for breakfast, Bryant’s performance, which has shown a The show’s center, though, is clearly said that the breakup moment didn’t come lunch and dinner.” dramatic range to match her sketch-tested Bryant. On “SNL,” she’s shown her versatil- naturally for Bryant. She suspects she’s In those little moments, “Shrill” shares comedy chops, and for its mission. That ity, whether playing Sen. Ted Cruz, Lil’ almost too nice to immediately snap into something with “Insecure” and how Issa begins with the f-word: fat. It’s a term not Baby Aidy in music video spoofs, or sev- dumping mode. Rae’s HBO show deals with race. The office usually passed around in polite society. enth-grade travel expert Carrie Krum “We would do the scene, and I would talk politics, dating drama and friendships could When Alexandra Rushfield, one of the (“The best thing about Columbus ... is my to the director, and the director would just theoretically exist on any show. But “In- show’s producers, went to pitch “Shrill” to cousin’s neighbors are boys!”). “Shrill” be like, ‘Meaner, meaner,’” Rushfield says. secure’s” Blackness is what allows it to potential networks three years ago, “I finds her operating in a different kind of “And it was hard for her to get there, but capture the micro jabs of racism that per- would say ‘fat,’ and I could see people creative space, where her spontaneous and she definitely did. And it might have been vade so much of daily life. In “Shrill,” long cringe.” natural sense of humor, often translated better because it was hard to get there.” stretches have nothing to do with weight But being fat is part of what the series is through sarcastic eye rolls and self-depre- Bryant does not mind the word “fat.” In until a moment — the checkup, a T-shirt about. “Shrill” is based on Lindy West’s cating asides, is more sustained. fact, she prefers it to the many euphemisms giveaway, mother Vera’s awkward attempt memoir, sparked by her viral 2011 column, As the show has progressed, Annie has (“sturdy,” “big-boned,” “chubby”) used to to keep a waiter from delivering a bread- “Hello, I Am Fat,” in Seattle’s alternative grown into its title, becoming stronger, supposedly soften the impact of the word. basket — provides a reminder. newspaper, the Stranger. West’s story res- more confident and assertive. A turning During the Season 3 opener, Annie goes One of “Shrill’s” trademarks is also how onated with Bryant. In an industry that point came at the end of Season 2, when she for a routine physical, and her regular doc- the show does not use “fat.” There is a clear usually mocks or sidelines anyone who dumped her boyfriend, Ryan, after he tor is away. The sub, who has never met effort made to not link the chaos that sur- doesn’t fit the on-screen norm, she would spread word of a tryst they had in the news- her, casually mentions that she should rounds Annie’s life to her weight. It’s about employ Annie to deliver a radical message: paper’s server room. It was a tough mo- consider gastric bypass surgery. being young and searching for her place in that our ideas of beauty and self-confidence ment, as Ryan, the sometimes adorable, Bryant based the scene on a real experi- the world. It’s not about finding an easy have been hollowed out by decades of Shal- more often aggravating man-child, had ence when she had to see a doctor as part of punchline. There are no “fat Monicas” or low Hals and that our hero can be a hilari- been trying to be a good boyfriend. But the standard insurance process before Klumps-esque dinner table scenes. ous, blue-eyed, full-figured — “fat,” as Annie needed more. filming 2016’s “The Big Sick.” During an “Where you find the laughs is a choice, Bryant would put it bluntly — woman in a “I want an adult,” she tells him in the examination, the doctor raved about gastric and I think she knows how she can get bathing suit. emotional parting scene. “I want a real bypass, telling her that “people do it all the laughs without being in some way hurtful,” “It is a descriptor and, like, I am fat,” says partner.” time.” says “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels, who is Bryant, 33. “To me, it’s like taking the pow- “So you’re going to date other guys?” he “Their assumption is that I have that as a an executive producer on “Shrill.” er out of it. It doesn’t have to be so loaded. asks. goal, and just by looking at me, they assume Will “Shrill” leave a lasting impact on It’s just true, and sitting with that, it makes how fat people are treated in comedy? Mi- it easier for me. It just feels a little less chaels was reminded of several popular, old frightening.” “It is a descriptor and, like, I am fat. To me, “SNL” bits, including John Belushi gnawing For Bryant, “Shrill” has been immersive, on a chicken breast while playing Elizabeth as she has also served as one of three, it’s like taking the power out of it. It doesn’t Taylor and Chris Farley’s shirtless Chip- hands-on producers alongside Rushfield pendales dance. The late Farley’s sad de- and West. That’s meant watching each cut, have to be so loaded. It’s just true, and scription of his style was often “fatty falls overseeing the music and recruiting some down.” of the actors. Luka Jones, who plays the sitting with that, it makes it easier for me. It “How things change is really who’s doing aforementioned boyfriend, was part of the talking,” Michaels says. “If it’s someone Bryant’s 2016 short (co-written with Chris just feels a little less frightening.” they trust as much as they trust Aidy, I Kelly), “Darby Forever.” Julia Sweeney, think they’re much more willing to take whom Bryant grew up admiring on old Aidy Bryant what she says seriously. And that’s a good “SNL” clips, plays her passive-aggressive Star of “Shrill” use of a comedy platform.” Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 HEALTH & FITNESS

BY LISA GUTIERREZ to restaurants, they’re going to all The Kansas City Star these places; they’re putting them- fter a relatively quiet selves at risk,” she said. winter at Pediatric “If they end up catching strep, Partners in Overland which is what parents are always APark, Kan., the sick kids hopeful for because you can treat it, have come roaring back this spring. or you’re exposed to COVID ... it They’re coughing. They have means you’re letting your guard fevers. Their throats hurt. Could down. Lots and lots of kids are they have COVID-19? getting sick, and sometimes it’s Pediatrician Kristen Stuppy says hard to tell. It could be allergies if she doesn’t know: Many parents it’s just the sniffles and it’s pollen are refusing to have their sick season and everything else. But, it children tested for the virus. could also be, especially if they “We’ve had parents tell us, for have the fever and they feel sick, instance, ‘No we have a big tourna- more likely some sort of an in- ment this weekend; I don’t want to fection.” have to deal with COVID,’” Stuppy She said undiagnosed coro- told The Star. “And they’re forget- navirus “increases all of our risks ting the fact that it’s still going to be because if these kids truly have COVID even if you don’t know that COVID and they’re going back out it’s COVID. So from a public health to school, they’re going to their perspective, it scares me.” sports, they’re going to friends’ So many parents have been houses to play in the basement turning down her advice to have without their masks on, they’re their kids tested for COVID-19 that increasing the risks to the commu- her practice posted an alert on its nity.” Facebook page exhorting parents “Because we know with COVID to stay vigilant. iStock you have to stay home longer than a “Sadly, many parents are now Parents’ and kids’ schedules are getting busier, but with the increase in activity comes increased pressuretypical cold because there’s not that declining COVID tests,” Stuppy to ignore any symptoms that might indicate exposure to COVID­19. herd immunity that we have with wrote. “I do not know why we’re other viruses,” Stuppy said. “If seeing this — and each parent may you’re treating it like another virus have a different reason, but without and just continuing your life, then testing, we do not know accurate you’re putting everybody else at local rates and COVID will be more risk, especially those who have not likely to spread ... which means Diagnosing ignorance been vaccinated, which includes your family is probably interacting the other kids that they’re playing with these kids at the store, sport- with.” ing events, and school.” Doctors are concerned about the public health implications of Med school 101: It’s always better The American Academy of Pedi- to know what the illness is than not atrics recommends that children parents declining to have their sick children tested for COVID-19 know, Schaffner said. and teens who have COVID-19 virus remains in the community testing, but I have quite a few that including fatigue, headache, nasal “Because you can’t predict if symptoms should be tested imme- and prevent it from spreading by come in on day 4-5 of symptoms, congestion, diarrhea and poor your particular patient is going to diately — “especially important if having people isolate. having been in school/daycare up appetite or poor feeding. However, have complications down the they have in-person school, sports “I definitely see over the last until that point.” like adults, children can be asymp- road,” he said. “And if you didn’t do or jobs, so that anyone who may month more and more people “This is why the pandemic will tomatic. the test and you don’t know that have been exposed can be alerted,” refusing tests,” Stuppy said. never end.” “While children infected with your child does or does not have the pediatrics group says. If they “Whereas at the beginning they “Parents are concerned that if SARS-CoV-2 are less likely to de- COVID, that will put you off on a have COVID-19, they need to iso- were upset that we couldn’t offer a another child, or their child, is velop severe illness compared with different trail trying to deal with late for 10 days, at least. test. I think the tide has definitely diagnosed with COVID, that will adults, children are still at risk of whatever complication might come Stuppy thinks some parents changed.” put kids into quarantine: It will developing severe illness and com- up. So having the information is in aren’t willing to take the safety It’s not clear how common it is upset their school schedule, their plications,” the CDC says. your child’s best medical interest.” precautions that come with a diag- for parents to refuse the test for recreational schedule; the parents “For many kids it seems like it’s a Stuppy believes people in gener- nosis. their children, say representatives may have to adjust their work mild disease and I think they’re al are just tired of COVID-19 and “What it should change is the of pediatric associations in Kansas schedule,” said Dr. William banking on that,” Stuppy said of “want it to go away. And ignorance behavior the family has as far as and Missouri. Schaffner, a professor of preven- parents. “But they’re forgetting is bliss,” she said. staying home, being safe inside the But Stuppy has tried to gauge the tive medicine in the health policy that some kids get really sick. She also thinks some families home, wearing masks and things situation among her fellow pediat- department at the Vanderbilt Uni- There are long-term complications feel secure because parents and like that,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of ricians on Twitter. versity School of Medicine in Nash- that even if they weren’t hospital- grandparents have been vaccinat- parents I’m doing telemedicine “Is anyone else finding a signif- ville. “So they’re saying ‘Well, he’s ized they can suffer from prolonged ed. visits with and they’re sitting on the icant number of parents refusing going to get over it anyway. Let’s issues. And we don’t know the late “So they feel like with kids, CO- couch next to their kid who has a COVID-19 testing when their kids just not make the diagnosis, and we effects. VID has not been an issue. They’re fever, cough, sore throat, has been have symptoms? I’m seeing it more don’t have to go through all that “We want to feel like, ‘Oh, most of not concerned if the kid has CO- exposed to COVID, whatever the and more. So frustrating!” she hullabaloo.’ the people are fine.’ So a lot of ‘os- VID,” she said. “But the reality is risk factors are. They know this kid tweeted. “That’s beyond unfortunate. trich head in the sand’ kind of stuff kids can get sick, and we have no likely has COVID and they’re sit- Some of the responses she got: That’s selfish. And it’s not in the going on.” idea which kids for certain are ting there holding the kid on their “Yes including a parent who is a public interest; it’s in your own That more kids are getting sick going to be one of those 80% who lap, no mask on. I think the reality is pediatrician. I just can’t anymore.” narrow interest. It’s not in your right now is a sign to Stuppy that don’t need hospitalization, who not hitting families.” “Not necessarily refusing but I child’s best interest.” parents are “dropping their guard” don’t need anything, and we don’t Public health officials have said will (note) that I do a lot more ex- The most common symptoms of and “not staying away from others know the late effects. for weeks that overall interest in plaining now about why we still COVID-19 in children are cough unmasked.” “And I still think we can’t dis- COVID-19 testing is down, which is have to test than I did 6 months and/or fever, according to the Cen- “Kids all the time, they’re going count that this virus is going to do problematic because it makes it ago.” ters of Disease Control and Preven- to birthday parties in those indoor things in the future. We just don’t difficult to know how much of the “Haven’t had many declining tion. But there can be other signs, bounce house places. They’re going know.” “We’ve had parents tell us, for instance, ‘No we have a big tournament this weekend; I don’t want to have to deal with COVID. And they’re forgetting the fact that it’s still going to be COVID even if you don’t know that it’s COVID.” Kristen Stuppy pediatrician at Pediatric Partners in Overland Park, Kan. PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander The Israeli-Palestinian vicious cycle gets worse BY DAVID IGNATIUS Without political leadership, Israelis and Current Israeli leaders don’t seem to want Washington Post Writers Group Palestinians take desperate steps. Arabs liv- adeal any more than the Palestinians do. Dip- EDITORIAL WASHINGTON ing in Israel have attacked their neighbors lomats tell me the Trump administration was Terry Leonard, Editor s the volleys of rockets and bombs this week — and faced similar vigilante repri- ready to bless Israeli annexation of the West [email protected] shattered Israel and the Palesti- sals. Tzipi Livni, a former Cabinet minister Bank if Israel granted political and legal nians once more this week, I found who struggled for peace as hard as any Israeli rights to their Palestinian neighbors. Prime Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor myself turning to books on my I know, captured the despair in a comment to Minister Benjamin Netanyahu evidently [email protected] A shelf in which combatants described their The New York Times: “I don’t want to use the wasn’t ready to pay that price. Nor was he Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content yearning for peace, decade after decade, words ‘civil war.’ But this is something new, willing to accept a deal created by the Obama [email protected] even as the death spiral continued. this is unbearable, this is horrific, and I’m ve- administration in 2014 that included a com- Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation One book framed the dreadful feeling of ry worried.” prehensive Israeli security plan developed [email protected] “no exit” that Israelis and Palestinians both Once upon a time, Americans would have by Gen. John Allen. must feel now as they are swept up yet again urged a recommitment to the perennial U.S.- Netanyahu didn’t take either exit path. He Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital by the cycle of violence. It’s a 1988 memoir by led “peace process.” But that diplomatic wouldn’t make the agonizing political deci- [email protected] Israeli novelist David Grossman called “The pressure valve doesn’t exist anymore. It’s a sions that might have imploded his governing Yellow Wind,” in which he describes what he casualty not just of the Trump administra- coalition. So the stalemate continued. BUREAU STAFF learned after spending three months with tion’s disdain for a “two-state solution,” but of What does leadership look like in this diplo- West Bank Palestinians and Israeli settlers. the lack of commitment from the Israelis and matic wasteland? Another of the books on my Europe/Mideast Permanent war had degraded both sides. Palestinians themselves. Creation of a Pales- shelf is Itamar Rabinovich’s biography of Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] “I have a bad feeling,” Grossman wrote. “I tinian state that would resolve this conflict Yitzhak Rabin, the soldier-politician who as +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 am afraid that the current situation will con- seems like a vestige of another era. prime minister dared to attempt a real peace Pacific tinue exactly as it is for another ten or twenty The Trump administration tested two al- deal with the Palestinians in the 1993 Oslo Ac- Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief years. There is one excellent guarantee of ternatives to the traditional haggling over a cords. [email protected] that — human idiocy and the desire not to see two-state approach. One was pushing Arab “In the current reality, there are only two +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 the approaching danger.” It is now 30 years states to normalize relations with Israel, in the options: either a serious effort will be made to Washington later, and Grossman is still right. hope this would undercut the veto power of make peace with security … or that we will Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief What feels different this time is the fragility Palestinian militants. A second alternative forever live by the sword,” Rabin told the [email protected] of Israeli and Palestinian politics. The Israeli was to emphasize Palestinian economic and Knesset in 1992 when he became prime min- (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News military is as powerful as ever, as Thursday’s social development as an alternative to the ister. A year later, Rabin warily shook PLO [email protected] news of an Israeli military assult on Gaza political rights of statehood. leader Yasser Arafat’s hand at the White made clear. The Abraham Accords were good for the House. And two years after that, he was assas- CIRCULATION But the country’s political fabric has frayed Middle East. But as a solution to the Palesti- sinated by a right-wing extremist. during recent years of electoral impasse and nian problem, they failed utterly. The Palesti- Watching the missiles and bombs fall in Is- Mideast interim government. The Palestinian politi- nians might have lost disastrously at the bar- rael and Gaza once more is heartbreaking, Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager [email protected] cal mess is even worse: The Palestinian Au- gaining table, often through their own mis- but outsiders can’t fix this problem. The only [email protected] thority is corrupt and feeble; power flows ev- takes, but they weren’t going to ratify defeat way out is Israeli and Palestinian leaders DSN (314)583-9111 er more to Hamas militants whose military and give up their sole remaining asset, which who, like Rabin, have the guts to try the seem- Europe strategy is to terrorize Israeli civilians. was their defiant sense of dignity. ingly impossible. Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager [email protected] [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 CDC should’ve also required proof of vaccination Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] BY LEANA S. WEN nated, but perhaps not. What if you’re vacci- revered institution. +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 Special to The Washington Post nated but not fully protected because you’re To be sure, the CDC is still saying that masks or months, I have been criticizing immunocompromised? You can no longer are needed in certain settings including air- CONTACT US the Centers for Disease Control and count on CDC rules to help you keep safe. planes, hospitals and nursing homes. Individ- Washington Prevention for being too cautious What if you don’t have child care, so you had to ual businesses are still able to make their own tel: (+1)202.886.0003 Fwith its guidance for what fully vac- bring your kids? They didn’t choose to remain requirements. However, businesses often de- 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 cinated people can do. I saw little incentive for unvaccinated — the shots aren’t available for pend on the CDC to back up their policies. Reader letters people to be vaccinated against COVID-19 if them. Surely, it’s not fair to put them at risk. Many were already under pressure to drop [email protected] they had to keep wearing masks, avoiding Here’s another example. As employers are mask mandates. Now, who will stop a mask- gatherings and refraining from nonessential formulating return-to-work policies, many less person from walking into an establish- Additional contacts travel. On Thursday, the CDC abruptly re- employees are expressing that they are nerv- ment, self-identifying as being vaccinated, stripes.com/contactus versed course, announcing that fully vaccinat- ous about coming back in person. What reas- acting as they choose and citing the CDC as the OMBUDSMAN ed people can essentially resume all aspects of sures them is if the workplace continues to reason they can potentially endanger others? pre-pandemic life. abide by mitigation measures such as mask- The CDC has gone from one extreme to the Ernie Gates This announcement would be very wel- ing and distancing, or, in its place, the employ- other, from over-caution to throwing caution The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow come if not for one big problem: There is no er requires vaccination. Imagine, if you will, to the wind. Its new guidance could have been of news and information, reporting any attempts by the concurrent requirement for proof of vaccina- now being scheduled to come into an office exactly what we needed to encourage vaccina- military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns tion. Without it, the CDC announcement could where vaccination isn’t checked and masking tion, but it skipped a key step. It should be re- and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for end up increasing confusion, removing incen- is, therefore, optional. vised to say that fully vaccinated people fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by tives for those yet to be inoculated and delay- And what about the broad danger of en- should have no restrictions on their public ac- email at [email protected], or by phone at ing the eventual goal of herd immunity that abling and encouraging people who never tivities if vaccination status can be verified. 202.886.0003. would get society truly back to normal. wanted to wear masks and refuse to be vacci- That means stores, theaters and restaurants Don’t get me wrong, I agree with CDC Di- nated? They could spread the virus among can be at full capacity, without masks, if they Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday rector Rochelle Walensky that there is exten- themselves, freed from inhibition. check vaccination status. The CDC should al- through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals sive and growing evidence that those who are By resorting to the honor code, the CDC is so set a level of community vaccination, at postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send vaccinated are very well protected from be- removing a critical incentive to vaccination. which point they can do away with this step — address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the coming ill and spreading the coronavirus to Many who were on the fence might have been for example, if 70% of a community is vacci- Department of Defense for members of the military services others. In fact, the most recent data from the motivated to get the shot because they could go nated, everyone can take off their masks, vac- overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views CDC reports only 9,245 infections in 95 million back to activities they were missing, without a cinated or not. of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- fully vaccinated people, an infection rate of mask. Now, if no one is checking, and they can We’ve come a long way in the pandemic, but per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to less than 0.01%. As I’ve written before, if do everything anyway, why bother? not as far as the CDC has suddenly taken us. remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. you’ve reached the two-week threshold after As one senior local health official in Mary- The vaccinated may be well-protected, but The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or inoculation, you should feel free to be rid of re- land told me, “This announcement at this let’s not forget our obligation to those who do Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. strictions for yourself. stage makes zero sense. We’re dropping off a not yet have immunity — and our commit- Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, The problem is this: You know what you’re cliff with demand already on vaccinations. ment to end this pandemic once and for all. religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical doing, but you have no way to be confident of This will further remove individual incentive handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. trusting everyone else. Let’s say you go the to get a shot.” He likened the CDC’s decision- Washington Post contributing columnist Leana S. Wen is a visiting grocery store. It’s crowded and few people making to “throwing darts at random” — professor at George Washington University Milken Institute © Stars and Stripes 2021 School of Public Health and author of the forthcoming book there are masked. Perhaps everyone is vacci- that’s how much trust he now has in this once- “Lifelines: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for the Public’s Health.” stripes.com Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 56 Beauty parlors 23 Rink surface 1 “Presumed 57 Bygone 24 “Big Blue” Innocent” anesthetic 25 “Give — author Scott break!” DOWN 26 Test type

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 6 “Orange Is the New Black” 1 Implement 28 Impediment setting 2 Grecian vessels 30 Right angle 12 To a greater 3 Summary 31 Zodiac extent 4 Buckeyes’ sch. animal 13 Save 5 Soccer prize 33 Hit CBS 14 Agree (with) 6 High school series 15 Mobster’s code dance 34 GPS suggestion of silence 7 Staff anew 39 Resurrected 16 “Casablanca” 8 British verb 41 Hide ending 42 Regrettably Non Sequitur role 17 — bean 9 Classic word 43 “Mona —” 19 Nile viper game with tiles 45 Legendary loch 20 Profs’ degrees 10 Failed at-bats 47 Tennis great 22 Pen tip 11 Tide type Arthur 24 Little rascal 12 Roman 1101 48 Ogler’s look 27 Canyon sound 18 “Moby-Dick” 49 Mag. staff 51 Altar affirmative 29 Driver with narrator 53 Dig in a handle 21 Sneaky chuckle 32 Shade provider Answer to Previous Puzzle

Candorville at the shore 35 Church service 36 Bygone days 37 Stately tree 38 Knightly address 40 Summers in Paris 42 TV alien 44 “To Live and Die —” 46 Yarn Carpe Diem 50 Be a go-between 52 Stopped 54 Stage comments 55 Mascara targets Beetle Bailey Bizarro PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 SCOREBOARD/SPORTS BRIEFS

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRO SOCCER GOLF AUTO RACING BRIEFLY NCAA FCS Playoffs MLS AT&T Byron Nelson Drydene 400 lineup First Round EASTERN CONFERENCE PGA Tour NASCAR Cup Series Saturday, April 24 Thursday Race Sunday Texas Motor Speedway’s South Dakota St. 31, Holy Cross 3 WLTPts GF GA At TPC Craig Ranch At Dover International Speedway S. Illinois 34, Weber St. 31 McKinney, Texas Dover, Del. Delaware 19, Sacred Heart 10 Montreal 2 1 2 8 8 6 Purse: $8.1 million Lap length: 1.00 miles Gossage stepping down Jacksonville St. 49, Davidson 14 New England 2 1 2 8 6 6 Yardage: 7,468; Par: 72 (Car number in parentheses) Eddie Gossage, an old-school James Madison 31, VMI 24 First Round NYCFC 2 1 1 7 9 3 1. (19) Martin Truex Jr, Toyota, .000 mph. North Dakota 44, Missouri St. 10 J.J. Spaun 32-31—63 -9 2. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, .000. promoter mentored by NASCAR’s North Dakota St. 42, E. Washington 20 New York 2 2 0 6 7 5 Jordan Spieth 31-32—63 -9 3. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet, .000. Sam Houston 21, Monmouth 15 4. (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, .000. pioneers, will retire after 25 years Quarterfinals D.C. United 2 3 0 6 5 9 Rafa Cabrera Bello 34-30—64 -8 Orlando City 1 0 3 6 5 2 Aaron Wise 32-32—64 -8 5. (4) Kevin Harvick, Ford, .000. as president of Texas Motor Sunday, May 2 6. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, .000. Delaware 20, Jacksonville St. 14 Nashville 1 0 3 6 6 4 Doc Redman 32-32—64 -8 7. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford, .000. Speedway following next month’s Sam Houston 24, North Dakota St. 20 Atlanta 1 1 2 5 5 4 Joseph Bramlett 32-32—64 -8 8. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, .000. NASCAR All-Star Race. James Madison 34, North Dakota 21 Ben Martin 32-33—65 -7 9. (22) Joey Logano, Ford, .000. South Dakota St. 31, S. Illinois 26 Columbus 1 1 2 5 3 3 Semifinals Seamus Power 34-31—65 -7 10. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford, .000. Gossage has spent 32 years Philadelphia 1 2 2 5 4 5 11. (20) Christopher Bell, Toyota, .000. Saturday, May 8 Charl Schwartzel 34-31—65 -7 Inter Miami CF 1 2 2 5 5 7 12. (8) Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet, .000. working for Speedway Motor- South Dakota St. 33, Delaware 3 Luke Donald 32-33—65 -7 13. (6) Ryan Newman, Ford, .000. Sam Houston 38, James Madison 35 Toronto FC 1 2 1 4 6 8 Sergio Garcia 32-33—65 -7 sports and learned the art of sell- Championship 14. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, .000. Chicago 0 4 1 1 3 10 Sam Burns 34-31—65 -7 15. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford, .000. ing tickets, packing grandstands Sunday, May 16 16. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, .000. At Frisco, Texas Cincinnati 0 2 1 1 2 10 Mark Hubbard 33-32—65 -7 and turning races into spectacles Jhonattan Vegas 32-33—65 -7 17. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford, .000. South Dakota St. (8-1) vs. Sam Houston WESTERN CONFERENCE 18. (21) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, .000. (9-0) Alex Noren 33-32—65 -7 from company founder Bruton WLTPts GF GA 19. (42) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, .000. K.H. Lee 31-34—65 -7 20. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Chevrolet, Smith and longtime executive TENNIS Charles Howell III 34-31—65 -7 Seattle 4 0 1 13 11 2 .000. Michael Gligic 33-32—65 -7 21. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford, .000. Humpy Wheeler. San Jose 3 2 0 9 10 6 Italian Open Marc Leishman 33-33—66 -6 22. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, .000. The 1,500-acre complex in- LA Galaxy 3 1 0 9 8 8 23. (43) Erik Jones, Chevrolet, .000. Thursday Sebastián Muñoz 32-34—66 -6 Houston 2 1 2 8 6 5 24. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, .000. cludes a 1.5-mile superspeedway, At Foro Italico Brandt Snedeker 31-35—66 -6 25. (37) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet, .000. Rome Vancouver 2 2 1 7 5 4 Padraig Harrington 34-32—66 -6 26. (7) Corey Lajoie, Chevrolet, .000. 194 luxury suites, 76 condomini- Purse: Euro 2,082,960 Colorado 2 1 1 7 5 5 Adam Schenk 34-32—66 -6 27. (38) Anthony Alfredo, Ford, .000. ums, a nine-story Speedway Club, Surface: Red clay Sporting KC 2 2 1 7 6 7 Roger Sloan 34-32—66 -6 28. (1) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, .000. Men’s Singles 29. (77) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, .000. office space and the 11,000-seat Round of 16 Real Salt Lake 2 1 0 6 6 4 Jonas Blixt 33-33—66 -6 Bo Hoag 32-34—66 -6 30. (41) Cole Custer, Ford, .000. Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def. Alejan- Austin FC 2 2 0 6 5 5 31. (78) BJ McLeod, Ford, .000. dro Davidovich Fokina, Spain, 6-2, 6-1. Scott Brown 32-34—66 -6 FC Dallas 1 1 2 5 6 5 32. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford, .000. Track. Reilly Opelka, United States, def. Aslan Wyndham Clark 34-32—66 -6 33. (15) James Davison, Chevrolet, .000. Karatsev, Russia, 7-6 (6), 6-4. LAFC 1 1 2 5 5 4 Si Woo Kim 34-32—66 -6 34. (51) Cody Ware, Chevrolet, .000. Petition wants Tokyo Women’s Singles Portland 1 3 0 3 4 8 Ted Potter, Jr. 32-34—66 -6 35. (00) Quin Houff, Chevrolet, .000. Round of 16 Minnesota 1 4 0 3 4 10 Rhein Gibson 33-33—66 -6 36. (53) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, .000. Jessica Pegula, United States, def. Eka- 37. (52) Josh Bilicki, Ford, .000. Olympics canceled terina Alexandrova, Russia, 6-2, 6-4. Note: Three points for victory, one point Kris Ventura 36-30—66 -6 Coco Gauff, United States, def. Aryna Sa- for tie. Dylan Meyer 33-33—66 -6 Drydene 200 lineup TOKYO — An online petition balenka (7), Belarus, 7-5, 6-3. Thursday’s game Sean O’Hair 35-32—67 -5 NASCAR Xfinity Series with more than 350,000 signatures Men’s Doubles Scott Harrington 34-33—67 -5 Race Saturday Round of 16 D.C. United 1, Chicago 0 Chesson Hadley 35-32—67 -5 At Dover International Speedway calling for the Tokyo Games to be Jean-Julien Rojer and Wesley Koolhof Saturday’s games Rory Sabbatini 32-35—67 -5 Dover, Del. (7), Netherlands, def. Gonzalo Escobar, Toronto FC at New York City FC canceled was submitted Friday to Satoshi Kodaira 34-33—67 -5 Lap length: 1.00 miles Ecuador, and Ariel Behar, Uruguay, 4-6, Austin FC at LA Galaxy (Car number in parentheses) local organizers, the International 6-3, 10-8. Montreal at Atlanta Ryan Palmer 34-33—67 -5 Women’s Doubles 1. (18) Daniel Hemric, Toyota, .000 mph. New York at Philadelphia Carlos Ortiz 33-34—67 -5 2. (7) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, .000. Olympic Committee and others. Round of 16 FC Dallas at Minnesota Keith Mitchell 35-32—67 -5 Sharon Fichman, Canada, and Giuliana 3. (9) Noah Gragson, Chevrolet, .000. The Olympics are scheduled to Houston at Colorado Scott Stallings 35-32—67 -5 4. (19) Brandon Jones, Toyota, .000. Olmos, Mexico, def. Hsieh Su-wei, Taiwan, Nashville at Real Salt Lake open in just 10 weeks on July 23 in and Elise Mertens, Belgium, 1-6, 6-4, 10-4. Portland at San Jose Shawn Stefani 32-35—67 -5 5. (20) Harrison Burton, Toyota, .000. 6. (8) Josh Berry, Chevrolet, .000. the midst of a pandemic with To- DEALS 7. (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, .000. 8. (51) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, .000. kyo and other areas under a state 9. (11) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, .000. of emergency. Cases continue to Thursday’s transactions Jeffries. Mike Hughes from Minnesota in exchange 10. (02) Brett Moffitt, Chevrolet, .000. MILWAUKEE BUCKS — Signed G Elijah for a 2022 sixth-round draft pick. Signed LB 11. (1) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, .000. rise in Japan, where less than 2% BASEBALL Bryant to a remainder-of-the-season con- Zayne Anderson, QB Shane Buechele, S 12. (39) Ryan Sieg, Ford, .000. Major League Baseball tract. Devon Key, CB Dicaprio Bootle, CB Marlon 13. (10) Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, .000. of the population has been fully American League WNBA Character, LB Riley Cole, DE Malik Herring 14. (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota, .000. BOSTON RED SOX — Activated RHP Nick ATLANTA DREAM — Waived F Mikayla and DB Jaylon McClain-Sapp. 15. (2) Myatt Snider, Chevrolet, .000. vaccinated. Pivetta from COVID-19 IL. Optioned RHP Cowling. MIAMI DOLPHINS — Signed T Larnel Co- 16. (22) Austin Cindric, Ford, .000. The petition campaign — called Eduard Bazardo to Worcester (Triple-A CHICAGO SKY — Waived F Natasha leman, RB Gerrid Doaks, CB Jaytlin Askew, 17. (44) Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, East). Mack, G Alexis Prince, F Kobi Thornton and DT Jerome Johnson, G Robert Jones and FB .000. “Stop Tokyo Olympics” — was KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Reassigned G Lexi Brown. Carl Tucker. 18. (36) Alex Labbe, Chevrolet, .000. RHP Jesse Hahn for rehab to Omaha (Tri- LOS ANGELES SPARKS — Waived F Kris- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Signed S 19. (68) Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, .000. drafted by well-known lawyer ple-A East). Reassigned SS Adalberto tine Anigwe. Joshuah Bledsoe. 20. (98) Riley Herbst, Ford, .000. Kenji Utsunomiya, who has also Mondesi for rehab to Northwest Arkansas MINNESOTA LYNX — Waived G Linnae NEW YORK GIANTS — Signed OLB Azeez 21. (61) David Starr, Toyota, .000. (Double-A Central). Harper, G Selena Lott and G Mikayla Pivec. Ojulari, RB Gary Brightwell, CB Rodarius 22. (66) Timmy Hill, Ford, .000. run for governor of Tokyo. He said LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Released 1B/ NEW YORK LIBERTY — Waived F Asia Williams, OL Brett Heggie, OL Jake Burton 23. (4) Ryan Vargas, Chevrolet, .000. DH Albert Pujols. Taylor and G Jasmine Bailey. and DE Raymond Johnson III. Waived DE 24. (99) BJ McLeod, Toyota, .000. the response was surprising but MINNESOTA TWINS — Signed 2B Daniel SEATTLE STORM — Waived F Kitija Lak- Breeland Speaks. 25. (15) Colby Howard, Chevrolet, .000. acknowledged that this was too lit- Descalso to a minor league contract. sa, F N’dea Jones and G Haley Gorecki. NEW YORK JETS — Claimed RB Austin 26. (74) Bayley Currey, Chevrolet, .000. NEW YORK YANKEES — Recalled 3B Mi- WASHINGTON MYSTICS — Acquired G Walter from San Francisco. Waived RB tle, and probably too late. Pete Guerriero. 27. (17) Cody Ware, Chevrolet, .000. guel Andujar from Scranton/Wilkes- Sydney Wiese from Los Angeles for a 2022 28. (0) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Chevrolet, .000. Barre. Placed SS Gleyber Torres on the 10- second-round pick. Waived G Alecia (Sug) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Signed OL Alf- In other Olympic news: Sutton. redo Gutierrez, LB Justin Hilliard, TE Josh 29. (92) Josh Williams, Chevrolet, .000. day IL. 30. (26) John H. Nemechek, Toyota, .000. ■ A boycott of next year’s Beij- SEATTLE MARINERS — Selected the con- FOOTBALL Pederson, LB Elijah Sullivan and WR Austin National Football League Watkins Jr. 31. (23) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, .000. tracts of OF Jarred Kelenic and RHPs Lo- 32. (47) Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, ing Olympics will not solve any ge- ARIZONA CARDINALS — Signed TE Cary SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Signed S Joshua gan Gilbert and Paul Sewald from Tacoma .000. (Triple-A West). Optioned LHP Aaron Angeline, CB Lorenzo Burns, TE Bruno La- Moon, DT Walter Palmore, DE Marcus opolitical issues with China and belle and DL Cam Murray. Webb and S LaDarius Wiley to training 33. (78) Jesse Little, Toyota, .000. Fletcher, RHP Wyatt Mills and OF Taylor 34. (48) Jade Buford, Chevrolet, .000. will only serve to place athletes Trammell to Tacoma. Transferred LHP ATLANTA FALCONS — Claimed C Sam camp contracts. Jones off waivers from Indianapolis. TENNESSEE TITANS — Signed CB Caleb 35. (90) Kyle Sieg, Chevrolet, .000. Nick Margevicius and RHP Ljay Newsome Farley to a four-year contract. Agreed to 36. (07) Joe Graf Jr, Chevrolet, .000. training for the games under a to the 60-day IL. Signed LHP David Huff to a BALTIMORE RAVENS — Signed QB Kenji Bahar, FB/TE Ben Mason, CB Shaun Wade, terms with OL Cole Banwart, FB Tory Car- 37. (6) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, .000. “cloud of uncertainty,” the head of minor league contract. Designated OF Bra- ter, TE Miller Forristall, K Blake Haubeil, OL 38. (13) Matt Jaskol, Ford, .000. den Bishop for assignment. OLB Daelin Hayes, Ts Adrian Ealy and Fos- National League ter Sarell, DT Xavier Kelly, RB Nate McCra- Chandon Herring, DL Naquan Jones, TE Bri- 39. (5) Matt Mills, Chevrolet, .000. the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic ry, TE Tony Poljan, WR Donte Sylencieux, ley Moore, OLB Justus Reed, RB Mekhi Sar- 40. (52) Gray Gaulding, Chevrolet, .000. COLORADO ROCKIES — Optioned RHP gent and P James Smith. Committee wrote to Congress on Justin Lawrence to Albuquerque (Triple-A LB Barrington Wade and S Ar’Darius Washington to contracts. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Signed CB PRO BASKETBALL Thursday. West). Chris Wilcox and LBs KJ Britt and Grant MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Activated RHP BUFFALO BILLS — Signed CB Rachad Wildgoose, DE Boogie Basham, WR Mar- Stuard. CEO Sarah Hirshland sent the Corbin Burnes from the IL. Activated RHP WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM — WNBA Josh Lindblom and C Omar Narvaez from quez Stevenson and OLs Jack Anderson and Tommy Doyle to four-year contracts. Signed CB Benjamine St-Juste to a four- two-page letter that put a more of- the 10-day IL. Optioned C Luke Maile and year contract. EASTERN CONFERENCE RHP Patrick Weigel to Nashville (Triple-A Signed OL Steven Gonzalez and LB Mike ficial imprint on the long-held Bell to one-year contracts. Signed TE Quin- HOCKEY WLPct GB East). Outrighted RHP Zack Godley to National Hockey League USOPC stance that Olympic boy- Nashville. Assigned SS Daniel Robertson tin Morris, S Tariq Thompson, OL Syrus Tuitele, WR Tre Walker and CBs Olaijah MONTREAL CANADIENS — Reassigned D Chicago 0 0 .000 — to Nashville. Griffin and Nick McCloud to contracts. Xavier Ouellet, G Cayden Primeau, LWs Mi- cotts harm athletes and do little to PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Placed C J.T. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Signed DT Davi- chael Pezzeta and Joel Teasdale, RW Jesse Washington 0 0 .000 — impact problems in host coun- Realmuto on the COVID-19 IL. Recalled C yon Nixon, CB Keith Taylor, G Deonte Ylonen and Cs Alex Belzile and Joseph Atlanta 0 0 .000 — Rafael Marchan from Lehigh Valley (Tri- Brown, WR Shi Smith and LS Thomas Blandisi to Laval (AHL). Indiana 0 0 .000 — tries. ple-A East). Fletcher to contracts. OTTAWA SENATORS — Reassigned Cs PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Optioned RHP CHICAGO BEARS — Signed DT Nate Ar- Jean-Christophe Beaudin and Clark Bish- New York 0 0 .000 — Her letter specifically ad- Geoff Hartlieb to Indianapolis (Triple-A chibong, G Gage Cervenka, DB Rojester- op, G Filip Gustavsson, RW Parker Kelly Connecticut 0 0 .000 — East). Placed INF/OF Phillip Evans on the man Farris, TE Scooter Harrington, K Brian and Ds Lassi Thomson, Olle Alsing and Jo- dressed those who believe a boy- 10-day IL. Designated RHP Sean Poppen Johnson, LB Caleb Johnson, DE Sam Kam- nathan Aspirot to Belleville (AHL). WESTERN CONFERENCE cott of the Winter Games next for assignment. Optioned 1B Todd Frazier ara, RB C.J. Marable, WR Khalil McClain, G SAN JOSE SHARKS — Reassigned LWs to Indianapolis. Selected the contract of Dareuan Parker, LB Michael Pinckney, DB Lean Bergmann and Ivan Chekhovich, Gs WLPct GB February would serve as an effec- INF Will Craig from Indianapolis. Dionte Ruffin, DE Thomas Schaffer, LB Josef Korenar and Alexei Melnichuk, D SAN DIEGO PADRES — Optioned LHP Nick Charles Snowden and T Gunnar Vogel. Brinson Pasichnuk and C Alexander True Las Vegas 0 0 .000 — tive diplomatic tool to protest Chi- Ramirez to El Paso (Triple-West). Placed CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed LB Tony to San Jose (AHL). Phoenix 0 0 .000 — LHP Drew Pomeranz on the 10-day IL retro- na’s alleged abuses toward Uygh- Fields II, S Richard LeCounte III and RB De- TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Recalled RW Dallas 0 0 .000 — active to May 10. metric Felton. Taylor Raddysh, LW Boris Katchouk, G urs, Tibetans and Hong Kong resi- SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Placed LHP DALLAS COWBOYS — Signed DB Israel Spencer Martin and Ds Andreas Borgman Seattle 0 0 .000 — Jose Alvarez on the 10-day IL, retroactive Mukuamu and C/G Matt Farniok. and Cal Foote from Syracuse (AHL). Reas- Minnesota 0 0 .000 — dents. to May 10. Activated OF LaMonte Wade Jr. signed C Gage Goncalves to Syracuse DENVER BRONCOS — Waived WR Dae- Los Angeles 0 0 .000 — She said that while the USOPC from the 10-day IL and rehab assignment. Sean Hamilton. Signed RT Bobby Massie, (AHL). ST LOUIS CARDINALS — Assigned RHP WR Seth Williams and CB Kary Vincent Jr. SOCCER Friday’s games is also troubled by actions in China Daniel Ponce to Memphis (Triple-A East). Major League Soccer Signed OT Cameron Fleming to a one-year Indiana at New York NEW YORK METS — Reassigned OF Bran- contract. FC CINCINNATI — Signed D Geoff Cam- that “undermine the core values don Nimmo to Syracuse (Triple-A East). GREEN BAY PACKERS — Signed OL Cole eron through 2022 with one additional op- Connecticut at Atlanta BASKETBALL Van Lanen and QB Blake Bortles to con- tion year. Phoenix at Minnesota of the Olympic movement ... an National Basketball Association tracts. COLORADO RAPIDS — Loaned F Dantou- Dallas at Los Angeles athlete boycott of the Olympic and BROOKLYN NETS — Signed G Mike James HOUSTON TEXANS — Signed TE Brevin ma Toure to Colorado (USL Champion- Saturday’s games to a remainder-of-the-season contract. Jordan and DT Roy Lopez. ship). Chicago at Washington Paralympic Games is not the solu- GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS — Re-signed INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Signed K Eddy NEW YORK CITY FC — Signed F Valentin Las Vegas at Seattle F Juan Toscano-Anderson to a remainder- Pineiro to a one-year contract. Castellanos to a five-year contract. tion to geopolitical issues.” of-the-season contract. Signed F Jordan JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Signed DB PORTLAND TIMBERS — Signed G Logan Sunday’s games Bell to a two-way contract. D.J. Daniel. Ketterer on loan from El Paso (USL Cham- New York at Indiana HOUSTON ROCKETS — Waived G DaQuan KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Acquired CB pionship). Phoenix at Connecticut Associated Press PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 COLLEGE FOOTBALL/PREAKNESS New commissioner for Pac-12 favors expanding playoff BY RALPH D. RUSSO scheduled to present a report on ex- Associated Press pansion to the full management Incoming Pac-12 Commissioner committee. George Kliavkoff introduced him- When Kliavkoff officially suc- self to the world of college sports by ceeds Larry Scott and takes over as taking one particularly notable po- Pac-12 commissioner on July 1 he sition. also gets a seat on the CFP manage- The College Football Playoff ment committee with the rest of the needs to be expanded beyond its FBS conference leaders. current four-team format, he said. His last day in his current job as “I was not expecting to make president of sports and entertain- news,” Kliavkoff told AP in a phone ment for MGM Resorts in Las Ve- interview after gas is June 4. his introductory Kliavkoff said he was hoping to new conference take a little down time between the Thursday. end of his tenure at MGM and the “But if you’ve beginning of his time with the been paying at- Pac-12. JULIO CORTEZ/AP tention the last “But I will be in constant commu- Preakness entrant Midnight Bourbon works out during a training session Wednesday ahead of the couple of weeks nication with Larry (Scott) about Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. to the moves that how we represent the Pac-12 in the Kliavkoff have been made transition period to make sure that both in announcements related to our thoughts on the expansion are the contemplation of the expansion well understood,” Kliavkoff said, of college football playoffs and also adding with a bit of a laugh: “Chica- some of the NIL legislation and tim- go is lovely in June.” A couple of challengers ing ... I thought on both of those it The Pac-12 has sent a team to the was important to get our positions playoff just twice since it started in at least publicly announced even if 2014, and the conference has been they are not solidified in detail,” he shutout since 2016. said. With every season the Pac-12 is loom for Medina Spirit Acouple of weeks ago, CFP exec- left out of the CFP, elite high school utive director Bill Hancock re- players see the conference as less- BY STEPHEN WHYNO Preakness Odds vealed in a Friday news release that than compared with the other Pow- Associated Press The field for Saturday's 146th Preakness Stakes, with post position, horse's name, jock- was both surprisingly forthcoming er Five leagues. BALTIMORE — Midnight ey's name and odds: and typically coy that the playoff No better example of the Pac-12’s Bourbon hopes to take a path to the PP Horse Jockey Odds management committee was ready tarnished reputation will be found winner’s circle at the Preakness 1. Ram Ricardo Santana Jr. 30-1 to give serious consideration to this season than at Alabama and that has successfully been run be- 2. Keepmeinmind David Cohen 15-1 3. Medina Spirit John Velazquez 9-5 changing the format. Clemson, where the superpower fore — 30 years ago. 4. Crowded Trade Javier Castellano 10-1 There was no commitment to football programs are each expect- Hansel was the horse hyped to 5. Midnight Bourbon Irad Ortiz Jr. 5-1 anything beyond a thorough con- ed to start a former five-star high win the Kentucky Derby three 6. Rombauer Flavien Prat 12-1 versation, but the mere mention school quarterback from southern decades ago but struggled in the 7. France Go de Ina Joel Rosario 20-1 that a subcommittee of conference California, the heart of Pac-12 terri- first leg of the Triple Crown. He 8. Unbridled Honor Luis Saez 15-1 9. Risk Taking Jose Ortiz 15-1 commissioners and Notre Dame’s tory. was an afterthought going into the 10. Concert Tour Mike Smith 5-2 athletic director had been studying Scott became a public advocate Preakness before winning it. Trainers (by post position): 1, D. Wayne Lukas. 2, Robertino Diodoro. 3, Bob Baffert. 4, more than 63 possible playoff per- for playoff expansion last year, Hansel’s jockey Jerry Bailey Chad Brown. 5, Steve Asmussen. 6, Michael McCarthy. 7, Hideyuki Mori. 8, Todd Pletcher. 9, Chad Brown. 10, Bob Baffert. mutations, ranging from six teams pushing for change to the format in sees similar potential in Midnight Owners (by post position): 1, Christina Baker, William Mack. 2, Cypress Creek Equine, to 16, caused a stir. apandemic season that had no non- Bourbon. Arnold Bennewith, Spendthrift Farm. 3, Zedan Racing Stables. 4, Klaravich Stables. 5, Winchell Thoroughbreds. 6, John and Diane Fradkin. 7, Yuji Inaida. 8, Whisper Hill Farm. 9, On June 17 at the Big Ten offices conference play between Power “He had been so consistent — he Klaravich Stables. 10, Gary and Mary West. Weights: 126 each. Distance: 1 3-16 miles. Purse: $1,000,000. First place: $600,000. Sec- in Chicago, the subcommittee is Five teams. had never been out of the top ond place: $200,000. Third place: $110,000. Fourth place: $60,000. Fifth: $30,000. Post time: three,” Bailey, now an NBC Sports 6:50 p.m. EDT. analyst, said of Midnight Bourbon. “He’s the most likely of those type of horses that have always been who he is physically,” trainer before, but this one is more compli- consistent and wasn’t there in the Steve Asmussen said. “He’s very cated because they have the same Derby and now everybody’s writ- strong physically and his energy running style and could wear each ing him off.” level’s been very high since the other down. While Derby winner Medina Derby, so I do think that it’s helpful “The only thing I’d worry about Spirit will likely be the Preakness with him.” is if they get in each other’s way in a favorite if drug tests clear him to Jockey Mike Smith, who jump- race,” assistant trainer Jimmy run, fellow Bob Baffert-trained ed ship to Concert Tour, said Mid- Barnes said. “You’ve got to give Concert Tour and typically front- night Bourbon stumbled out of the them all a fair shot, and the best running Midnight Bourbon are the starting gate in the Derby. A clean- horse will win.” top challengers in Saturday’s race. er start would allow the colt to bet- A speed duel on the lead could Midnight Bourbon was installed ter run the race he’s accustomed to set up well for Chad Brown’s two on the morning line as the third be- from closer to the lead. entries, 10-1 Crowded Trade or tting choice at 5-1 behind 9-5 favor- If Medina Spirit isn’t scratched 15-1 Risk Taking, Michael McCar- ite Medina Spirit and 5-2 Concert for a problem stemming from ad- thy’s 12-1 Rombauer or Robertino Tour. The oddsmakers certainly ditional tests agreed to by Baffert’s Diodoro’s 15-1 Keepmeinmind, RALPH FRESO/AP think Midnight Bourbon stands a camp and Maryland racing offi- who finished seventh in the Derby. The Pac­12 logo displayed on the field at Sun Devil Stadium in good chance of handling the 10- cials, he’s expected to be on the “On paper I think there’s defi- Tempe, Ariz. The Pac­12 hired sports entertainment executive horse field in the Preakness better lead again with stablemate Con- nitely enough pace, and the small- George Kliavkoff to be the conference's next commissioner on than he did 19 in the Derby, when cert Tour. Bailey pointed out train- er field helps,” Diodoro said. Thursday, replacing Larry Scott with a person with a similar resume he finished sixth. ers have run multiple horses with “We’re going to stay on the rail as short on college sports experience. “I’m very confident because of different owners in the Preakness long as we can this time.” Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NBA

Scoreboard ROUNDUP

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division WLPct GB Booker’s free throws lift Suns over Blazers x-Philadelphia 47 23 .671 — Associated Press x-Brooklyn 46 24 .657 1 x-New York 39 31 .557 8 PHOENIX — Devin Booker made two free Boston 35 35 .500 12 throws with 2.4 seconds remaining to give the Toronto 27 43 .386 20 Phoenix Suns a 118-117 victory over the Por- Southeast Division tland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. WLPct GB Phoenix moved within a game of Utah for the x-Atlanta 40 31 .563 — No. 1 seed in the NBA and Western Conference x-Miami 39 31 .557 ½ Charlotte 33 37 .471 6½ with two games to play. Washington 32 38 .457 7½ Booker’s foul shots were set up when Por- Orlando 21 49 .300 18½ tland’s Robert Covington was fouled and mis- Central Division sed both free throws with 4.4 seconds left, giv- WLPct GB ing the Suns one last chance. Booker was fouled y-Milwaukee 45 25 .643 — by Norman Powell as he went up for a jumper. Indiana 33 37 .471 12 Portland’s C.J. McCollum missed a three- Chicago 30 40 .429 15 point shot at the buzzer — after an apparent Cleveland 22 48 .314 23 Detroit 20 50 .286 25 over-and-back violation — to end it. Western Conference Chris Paul led Phoenix with 26 points on 11- for-14 shooting. Mikal Bridges had 21 points Southwest Division and 11 rebounds, and Booker had 18 points but WLPct GB shot just 5-for-17 from the field. Dallas 41 29 .586 — Damian Lillard scored a game-high 41 points Memphis 37 33 .529 4 San Antonio 33 37 .471 8 on 16-for-23 shooting for Portland, which had New Orleans 31 39 .443 10 its five-game winning streak stopped. McCol- Houston 16 54 .229 25 lum had 27 points. /AP Northwest Division Heat 106, 76ers 94: Jimmy Butler scored MATT YORK WLPct GB 21 points, Bam Adebayo had 18 points and 12 re- Suns guard Devin Booker (1) makes the game­winning free throw against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday in Phoenix. The Suns won 118­117. y-Utah 50 20 .714 — bounds and Miami beat visiting Philadelphia to x-Denver 46 24 .657 4 hold onto the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Confer- Portland 41 30 .577 9½ ence. and nine assists for the Knicks. They are a half- made five three-pointers and had 19 points and Minnesota 22 48 .314 28 Oklahoma City 21 49 .300 29 Tobias Harris scored 21 points, Shake Milton game behind Atlanta as they battle the Hawks Los Angeles handed host Charlotte its fourth Pacific Division added 12 and Danny Green had 11 for Philadel- and Miami for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Con- loss in five games. WLPct GB phia, which could have wrapped up the East’s ference. Kawhi Leonard added 16 points and nine re- No. 1 seed with a win. Joel Embiid, who was Bucks 142, Pacers 133: At Indianapolis, bounds for the Clippers. They are third in the x-Phoenix 49 21 .700 — x-L.A. Clippers 47 23 .671 2 dealing with the flu earlier in the week, man- Giannis Antetokounmpo had 40 points, 15 re- Western Conferece, a game ahead of Denver. L.A. Lakers 40 30 .571 9 aged only six points on 3-for-9 shooting. bounds and six assists and visiting Milwaukee Nuggets 114, Timberwolves 103: Nikola Golden State 37 33 .529 12 Miami is 39-31, tied with No. 4 Atlanta and No. wore down short-handed Indiana. Jokic scored 16 of his 31 points in the first quar- Sacramento 31 39 .443 18 6 New York. The Hawks hold a tiebreaker over The Bucks moved within a game of the ter in visiting Denver's victory over Minnesota. x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division the Heat; the Heat hold a tiebreaker over the Brooklyn Nets for the Eastern Conference’s No. Bulls 114, Raptors 102: Zach LaVine scored Thursday’s games Knicks. 2 playoff seed. 24 points, Lauri Markkanen added 20 and host L.A. Clippers 113, Charlotte 90 Milwaukee 142, Indiana 133 Knicks 102, Spurs 98:Alec Burks scored a Hawks 116, Magic 93: Bogdan Bogdanov- Chicago beat short-handed Toronto. Atlanta 116, Orlando 93 New York 102, San Antonio 98 season-high 30 points in his return from a three- ich scored 27 points, Trae Young added 18 and The Bulls pulled within two games of idle Miami 106, Philadelphia 94 game absence and host New York kept up its Atlanta beat visiting Orlando for its third Washington with two remaining for 10th place Chicago 114, Toronto 102 Denver 114, Minnesota 103 chase of home-court advantage in the playoffs straight victory. in the Eastern Conference and the final play-in Memphis 116, Sacramento 110 Phoenix 118, Portland 117 by rallying to beat San Antonio. Atlanta has the NBA’s longest active home spot. Friday’s games The Spurs secured the final spot in the West- winning streak at 10 games and has won 18 of its Grizzlies 116, Kings 110: Dillon Brooks Cleveland at Washington ern Conference play-in tournament later when last 20 at State Farm Arena. scored 30 points and Memphis beat visiting Denver at Detroit Orlando at Philadelphia Sacramento lost at Memphis. Clippers 113, Hornets 90:Paul George had Sacramento to eliminate the Kings for Western Utah at Oklahoma City L.A. Clippers at Houston Julius Randle had 25 points, nine rebounds 20 points and 10 rebounds, Reggie Jackson Conference play-in contention. Sacramento at Memphis Toronto at Dallas New Orleans at Golden State Saturday’s games Source: T-wolves sale to Lore, A-Rod up for approval Charlotte at New York Chicago at Brooklyn L.A. Lakers at Indiana Associated Press Boston at Minnesota sons until a handover in 2023. The league seasons, with the New York Phoenix at San Antonio MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Minnesota Lynx WNBA team is Yankees, Seattle Mariners and Miami at Milwaukee Sunday’s games Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor included in the sale. Texas Rangers. His last season on Boston at New York has reached agreement on his $1.5 “They’ve asked that I would be the field was 2016, marking the Charlotte at Washington Indiana at Toronto billion sale of the club to e-com- there for any decisions that would end of a marvelous career that was Phoenix at San Antonio merce mogul Marc Lore and for- need to be made. I would enjoy tainted by performance-enhanc- Memphis at Golden State Cleveland at Brooklyn mer baseball star Alex Rodriguez, that. I love teaching people. These ing drug use he later admitted to. Houston at Atlanta Orlando at Philadelphia a person with knowledge of the ne- are a couple of very bright guys, Rodriguez was suspended for the Miami at Detroit Rodriguez Lore Dallas at Minnesota gotiation told The Associated and I think it could be helpful to entire 2014 season for violating Denver at Portland Press on Thursday. Any sale of an NBA club must the club and I think I could be MLB policy. L.A. Clippers at Oklahoma City L.A. Lakers at New Orleans The person spoke to the AP on ultimately be approved by the helpful to them so that they feel Lore said in an interview with Milwaukee at Chicago Utah at Sacramento condition of anonymity because league’s Board of Governors. The confident once they take over Bloomberg this week that he and Leaders league approval was still pending Timberwolves would then be- 100%,” Taylor said an interview Rodriguez have launched a ven- and neither side had publicly an- come the second NBA franchise last month. ture capital firm. The pair first ap- Scoring nounced an agreement. sold this season. Gail Miller and Lore became Walmart’s e-com- proached Taylor about a purchase GFG FT PTS AVG The deal, Taylor previously her family struck an agreement in merce chief in 2016, when the re- last month and met with him and Curry, GS 62 642 357 1969 31.8 said, has been contingent on Lore October to sell the Utah Jazz to tail giant bought his Jet.com star- his wife at their winter home in Beal, WAS 59 662 402 1853 31.4 and Rodriguez keeping the team Ryan Smith, a deal that was final- tup in an attempt to boost online Naples, Fla. Rebounds in Minnesota. The two sides en- ized after Board of Governors’ ap- business. Lore notified Walmart Taylor has engaged in sale talks GOFF DEF TOT AVG tered an exclusive negotiating proval in December. on Jan. 31 of his intent to leave the with numerous suitors over the Capela, ATL 63 297 606 903 14.3 window on April 10. Lore and Ro- The 80-year-old Taylor, a life- company. The 49-year-old Lore years but taken a deliberate ap- Gobert, UTA 69 230 696 926 13.4 driguez are 50-50 partners. They long Minnesotan who bought the will continue to serve in a consult- proach to finding a buyer he’s Assists tried to buy the New York Mets Wolves in 1994 for $88 million to ing role as a strategic adviser comfortable with. He said previ- GAST AVG last year but were beaten out for save them from moving to New through September. ously that his initial meeting with Westbrook, WAS 63 736 11.7 the Major League Baseball club by Orleans, has said he will continue The 45-year-old Rodriguez hit Lore and Rodriguez went “terrif- Young, ATL 62 585 9.4 hedge fund manager Steve Cohen. to run the club for two more sea- 696 home runs over 22 major ically well.” PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 NHL

ROUNDUP Scoreboard

East Division GP WLOT Pts GF GA Avalanche beat Kings, clinch No. 1 seed y­Pittsburgh 56 37 16 3 77 196 156 x-Washington 56 36 15 5 77 191 163 x­Boston 56 33 16 7 73 168 136 Associated Press x-N.Y. Islanders 56 32 17 7 71 156 128 DENVER — Tyson Jost scored two of Col- N.Y. Rangers 56 27 23 6 60 177 157 Philadelphia 56 25 23 8 58 163 201 orado’s five second-period goals and the Ava- New Jersey 56 19 30 7 45 145 194 lanche clinched the West Division and the top Buffalo 56 15 34 7 37 138 199 overall seed in the NHL playoffs with a 5-1 Central Division victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Thurs- GP WLOT Pts GF GA day night. y­Carolina 56 36 12 8 80 179 136 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Joonas Don- x­Florida 56 37 14 5 79 189 153 skoi and Andre Burakovsky also scored in the x­Tampa Bay 56 36 17 3 75 181 147 pivotal period. Backup Jonas Johansson x­Nashville 56 31 23 2 64 156 154 made 21 saves to help the Avalanche finish 7-1 Dallas 56 23 19 14 60 158 154 Chicago 56 24 25 7 55 161 186 against the Kings this season. Detroit 56 19 27 10 48 127 171 Colorado and Vegas both finished with 82 Columbus 56 18 26 12 48 137 187 points, but the Avs earned the division crown West Division and the Presidents’ Trophy — awarded to the GP WLOT Pts GF GA team with the best regular-season mark — on x­Colorado 56 39 13 4 82 197 133 regulation wins. The Avalanche won the x­Vegas 56 40 14 2 82 191 124 Presidents’ Trophy for the first time since x­Minnesota 56 35 16 5 75 181 160 2000-01, when they went on to hoist the Stan- x­St. Louis 56 27 20 9 63 169 170 ley Cup. Arizona 56 24 26 6 54 153 176 Los Angeles 56 21 28 7 49 143 170 Colorado begins a first-round series Mon- San Jose 56 21 28 7 49 151 199 day against St. Louis. Anaheim 56 17 30 9 43 126 179 Sean Walker scored for the Kings. North Division Blues 7, Wild 3: David Perron, Brayden GP WLOT Pts GF GA Schenn, and Jordan Kyrou each scored twice JACK DEMPSEY/AP y­Toronto 55 35 13 7 77 185 144 and St. Louis scored seven straight goals to Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher (37) looks for the puck as Los Angeles Kings left x­Edmonton 55 35 18 2 72 182 150 erase a first-period deficit and beat visiting wing Brendan Lemieux closes in during the third period of Thursday’s game in Denver. x­Winnipeg 55 29 23 3 61 166 152 Minnesota. x­Montreal 56 24 21 11 59 159 168 Zach Sanford also scored and Jordan Bin- Matthew Tkachuk each had a goal and an as- times while the postseason gets underway. Calgary 53 24 26 3 51 142 150 Ottawa 56 23 28 5 51 157 190 nington made 16 saves. The Blues are locked sist in host Calgary’s victory over Vancouver. They are making up games lost when the cor- Vancouver 52 21 28 3 45 136 173 into fourth place in the West Division. Rasmus Andersson and Andrew Mangia- onavirus swept through the Canucks and sus- x­clinched playoff spot y­clinched division Nico Sturm, Marcus Foligno, and Ryan Su- pane also scored, Jacob Markstrom made 24 pended their season for three weeks. Wednesday’s games ter scored and Kappo Kahkonen stopped 20 saves and Johnny Gaudreau had two assists. The Canucks will play at Edmonton on Sat- Edmonton 4, Montreal 3, OT Ottawa 4, Toronto 3, OT shots for Minnesota, locked into third place in Matthew Highmore scored for Vancouver. urday, then close the season against the St. Louis 4, Minnesota 0 the West. Eliminated from playoff contention, Cal- Flames with games in Vancouver on Sunday Colorado 6, Los Angeles 0 Vegas 6, San Jose 0 Flames 4, Canucks 1: Elias Lindholm and gary and Vancouver will meet three more and Tuesday and Calgary on Wednesday. Thursday’s games St. Louis 7, Minnesota 3 Calgary 4, Vancouver 1 Colorado 5, Los Angeles 1 Friday’s game Sizzling: Saros not only player surging into postseason Toronto at Winnipeg Saturday’s game Vancouver at Edmonton FROM PAGE 24 Canes’ Aho Sunday’s game Saros did give up seven goals in Carolina center Sebastian Aho Calgary at Vancouver back-to-back losses to Carolina in ranked second only to McDavid Playoffs FIRST ROUND mid-April before holding the Hur- and Brad Marchand for most Best­of­seven ricanes to just one goal May 8 as points since April 6 with 24. He al- x­if necessary Saturday’s game Nashville clinched the Central Di- so had a nine-game point streak Game 1: Boston at Washington AFN­At­ vision’s No. 4 seed. that ended May 4, and now he goes lantic, 1:15 a.m. Sunday CET; 8:15 a.m. JKT into the postseason without a point  The top-seeded Hurricanes Sunday’s games host Nashville on Monday night in in three straight games. Game 1: N.Y. Islanders at Pittsburgh Game 1: Tampa Bay at Florida Game 1, and defenseman Dougie Hot teams Monday’s games Hamilton said he’s heard how well Game 2: Boston at Washington Saros has played down the stretch. Since acquir- Game 1: Nashville at Carolina ing Taylor Hall Tuesday’s games “Everyone has good goalies at Game 2: N.Y. Islanders at Pittsburgh this point,” Hamilton said. “To at the trade Game 2: Tampa Bay at Florida deadline, the Wednesday’s games win games, you need good goal- Game 3: Washington at Boston tending. So we’re going to have to Boston Bruins Game 2: Nashville at Carolina have been the Game 1: Winnipeg at Edmonton find ways to make it hard for him Thursday’s games NHL’s hottest and see if we can do that and chal- Game 3: Florida at Tampa Bay team, going 12- Game 3: Pittsburgh at N.Y. Islanders lenge him, and hopefully we can Game 1: Montreal at Toronto 4-1. They’re 15- get some by him.” Hall Friday’s games 6-2 over their Game 4: Washington at Boston Saros has plenty of company Game 3: Carolina at Nashville last 23 games. streaking into the NHL postsea- Game 2: Winnipeg at Edmonton Pittsburgh has won eight of its Saturday, May 22 son: Game 4: Florida at Tampa Bay last 10 going into its first-round se- Game 4: Pittsburgh at N.Y. Islanders RYAN REMIORZ/AP ries with the New York Islanders. Game 2: Montreal at Toronto Connor McDavid Sunday, May 23 The Oilers’ Connor McDavid is likely on his way to NHL MVP honors And Presidents’ Trophy winner Game 4: Carolina at Nashville The Edmonton captain is in a after posting a league­high 104 points in 54 games this season. Colorado now has home-ice ad- x­Game 5: Boston at Washington Game 3: Edmonton at Winnipeg class by himself with a league- vantage through the playoffs. The Monday, May 24 high 104 points in 55 games as the point streak with five goals and Avalanche have won nine straight x­Game 5: Tampa Bay at Florida High-scoring rookie x­Game 5: N.Y. Islanders at Pittsburgh likely Hart Trophy winner as the five assists snapped in a loss to St. at home and are 16-0-1 over their Game 3: Toronto at Montreal NHL’s MVP. The Oilers will be Kirill Kaprizov not only is the Louis on Wednesday night. He al- last 17 games, matching the fran- Game 4: Edmonton at Winnipeg Tuesday, May 25 playing Winnipeg in their first- top scoring rookie in the NHL, he’s so just posted a four-game, multi- chise record for longest home x­Game 5: Nashville at Carolina round series, the team McDavid x­Game 6: Washington at Boston also Minnesota’s hottest player as point streak that’s the longest by a point streak set in 2002-03. Game 4: Toronto at Montreal had the most points against this the Wild look to win their first rookie in franchise history. He has Toronto, which opens against Wednesday, May 26 season with 22 in nine games playoff series since 2015. 16 points (11 goals, 5 assists) in his Montreal on Thursday, has won x­Game 6: Florida at Tampa Bay x­Game 6: Pittsburgh at N.Y. Islanders played. He had a career-best six-game last 13 games. four straight at home. x­Game 5: Winnipeg at Edmonton Saturday, May 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 MLB Scoreboard Plesac American League East Division WLPct GB loses Boston 23 16 .590 _ Toronto 20 16 .556 1½ New York 20 17 .541 2 Tampa Bay 20 19 .513 3 no-hitter Baltimore 16 21 .432 6 Central Division WLPct GB in eighth Chicago 22 13 .629 _ Cleveland 21 14 .600 1 BY TIM BOOTH Kansas City 16 20 .444 6½ Associated Press Detroit 13 24 .351 10 Minnesota 12 23 .343 10 SEATTLE — Zach Plesac’s day West Division started with a frantic search for a WLPct GB pair of cleats after learning he’d left Oakland 23 16 .590 _ his normal road spikes behind in Houston 21 17 .553 1½ Cleveland. Seattle 18 20 .474 4½ After a replacement pair was Texas 18 21 .462 5 found, Plesac came within six outs Los Angeles 16 20 .444 5½ of ending the longest no-hitter National League drought in the East Division majors. WLPct GB “I felt the ener- New York 18 13 .581 _ MORRY GASH/AP gy of it happen- Philadelphia 20 18 .526 1½ St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws during the first inning of Thursday's game against ing,” Plesac said. Atlanta 17 20 .459 4 the Brewers in Milwaukee. Flaherty became the major leagues' first seven­game winner. “You could feel it Miami 17 20 .459 4 Washington 14 19 .424 5 in the air, really.” Central Division ROUNDUP Plesac took his no-hit bid into the WLPct GB Plesac eighth inning, St. Louis 23 15 .605 _ Milwaukee 20 18 .526 3 nearly throwing Cleveland’s first Cincinnati 17 18 .486 4½ no-no in 40 years, and the Indians Chicago 17 19 .472 5 held on for a 4-2 win over the Seat- Pittsburgh 15 22 .405 7½ Flaherty outduels Burnes tle Mariners on Thursday night. West Division The anticipated debuts of Seattle WLPct GB prospects Jarred Kelenic and Lo- San Francisco 23 14 .622 _ gan Gilbert were overshadowed by San Diego 21 17 .553 2½ a masterful pitching performance Los Angeles 20 17 .541 3 as Cards blank Brewers Arizona 17 21 .447 6½ from Plesac. Colorado 14 24 .368 9½ Associated Press April 26, Burnes (2-3) struck out that bounced away, and Straw His attempt at Cleveland’s first Thursday’s games MILWAUKEE — St. Louis Car- nine among his first 14 outs before raced home from third. no-hitter since 1981 ended when Detroit 4, Kansas City 3 dinals ace Jack Flaherty put his walking Tommy Edman with two White Sox 4, Twins 2: Tim An- J.P. Crawford led off the eighth Chicago White Sox 4, Minnesota 2 Boston 8, Oakland 1 frustrating history at Milwaukee’s outs in the fifth. derson and Jake Lamb homered, with a line-drive single that just Tampa Bay 9, N.Y. Yankees 1 Houston 4, Texas 3, 11 innings American Family Field behind After starting Edman with a cur- Billy Hamilton made a leaping cleared the glove of leaping short- Cleveland 4, Seattle 2 him. veball for a called strike, Burnes catch at the wall to end a bases- stop Amed Rosario. It came on a Toronto 8, Atlanta 4 Washington 5, Philadelphia 1 These days, Flaherty is finding a threw a changeup and three loaded threat and host Chicago beat changeup that had baffled Seattle’s St. Louis 2, Milwaukee 0 San Francisco 3, Pittsburgh 1 way to win just about anywhere. straight cutters, the last a 3-1 pitch Minnesota for its sixth straight win. hitters for most of the night. Colorado 13, Cincinnati 8 Flaherty became the major that sailed high. Nationals 5, Phillies 1:Josh Bell This one stayed up in the zone Miami 5, Arizona 1 Friday’s games leagues’ first seven-game winner “To go that long without one is and Kyle Schwarber hit two-run and ended Plesac’s shot at history. Kansas City at Chicago White Sox this year with a 2-0 victory over Mil- pretty special,” Burnes said. “Now I homers in the first inning, Patrick “I made a couple good pitches to N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore L.A. Angels at Boston waukee on Thursday as the Brew- guess I’ve got to start over.” Corbin (2-3) continued his resur- J.P., and then my change, it was Kansas City at Chicago White Sox ers’ Corbin Burnes extended his According to the Elias Sports Bu- gence with seven solid innings and working for me all night so I felt Oakland at Minnesota Texas at Houston streak to 58 consecutive strikeouts reau, Burnes’ 58 strikeouts without host Washington beat Philadelphia comfortable throwing it,” Plesac Cleveland at Seattle San Francisco at Pittsburgh before his first walk. a walk were the most by a major to end a four-game slide. said. “But I just kind of spun Chicago Cubs at Detroit Flaherty had been 0-3 with a 7.07 league pitcher within the same sea- Giants 3, Pirates 1: Anthony through instead of getting through N.Y. Mets at Tampa Bay Philadelphia at Toronto ERA at the ballpark. son since at least 1893, when the DeSclafani (3-1) allowed one hit and it kind of stayed over the plate, Atlanta at Milwaukee Cincinnati at Colorado “You’ve got to find a way to push mound moved to its current dis- over five scoreless innings and Ste- allowed him to get the bat on it.” Washington at Arizona Miami at L.A. Dodgers that to the side and focus on staying tance from the plate of 60 feet, 6 ven Duggar hit his first home run in Plesac (3-3) lost the shutout mo- St. Louis at San Diego present,” Flaherty said. “All those inches. nearly two years to lead visiting San ments later when Dylan Moore hit Saturday’s games things happened in the past.” Rays 9, Yankees 0: Rich Hill Francisco past Pittsburgh. a two-run homer. Oakland (Irvin 3­4) at Minnesota (Ber­ ríos 3­2) Flaherty (7-0) allowed four hits, (2-1) joined Cy Young and Nolan Red Sox 8, Athletics 1:Xander Moore’s homer was his fourth of L.A. Angels (Bundy 0­4) at Boston (Pérez 0­2) struck out six and walked two to Ryan as the only pitchers to strike Bogaerts and Bobby Dalbec each the season and one of the few hard- N.Y. Yankees (Germán 2­2) at Baltimore help the Cardinals win a three- out nine against New York at age 41 hit a two-run home run, and host hit balls all night against Plesac. (López 1­3) Kansas City (Minor 2­2) at Chicago game series that featured dominant or older, and host Tampa Bay Boston avoided a sweep against While he wasn’t overpowering, the White Sox (Rodón 5­0) Texas (Dunning 2­2) at Houston (Garcia starting pitching. Nolan Arenado’s avoided getting swept in a three- Oakland. right-hander managed to induce 0­3) first-inning RBI single that put St. game series. Tigers 4, Royals 3:Michael Ful- weak contact for most of the first Cleveland (McKenzie 1­1) at Seattle (Sheffield 2­3) Louis ahead for good marked the Blue Jays 8, Braves 4: Bo Bi- mer shut down a ninth-inning rally seven innings. N.Y. Mets (Lucchesi 1­2) at Tampa Bay (McClanahan 0­0) only time in this series that either chette hit a go-ahead, two-run dou- for his second save, and host Detroit He escaped the eighth after a li- Chicago Cubs (Williams 2­2) at Detroit team scored before the sixth inning. ble in the ninth inning and visiting extended Kansas City’s losing neout from Evan White and Kelen- (Ureña 1­4) San Francisco (Cueto 2­1) at Pittsburgh Heading into Thursday’s game, Toronto rallied yet again to beat At- streak to 11 games. ic’s deep flyout to left-center. Ple- (Keller 2­4) Atlanta (Anderson 2­1) at Milwaukee Flaherty had enjoyed the most run lanta and sweep all six games be- Rockies 13, Reds 8: Josh sac finished with two strikeouts (Anderson 2­2) support of any big league pitcher. tween the teams this season. Fuentes homered for the second and three walks on 96 pitches. Philadelphia (Nola 3­2) at Toronto (TBD) Cincinnati (Mahle 2­1) at Colorado (TBD) “It’s two really, really good pitch- Astros 4, Rangers 3 (11):Myles straight game to back seven shutout Cleveland’s last no-hitter was Washington (Ross 2­2) at Arizona (Weaver 2­3) ers in this league going at each oth- Straw scored on a wild pitch in the innings from Chi Chi Gonzalez Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981 St. Louis (Wainwright 2­3) at San Diego (Paddack 1­3) er,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt 11th inning to give host Houston a (2-1), and host Colorado held on against Toronto. The Indians have Miami (TBD) at L.A. Dodgers (Bauer 3­2) said. “Jack’s not going to back down win over Texas. against Cincinnati. been no-hit twice already this sea- MLB calendar from anybody. He embraces the After the Rangers loaded the Marlins 5, Diamondbacks 1: son, by Chicago White Sox left- July 11-13 — Amateur draft. competition and went out and did bases with an intentional walk to Trevor Rogers (5-2) pitched six hander Carlos Rodón on April 14 July 13 — All­Star Game, Atlanta. July 25 — Hall of Fame induction, Coo­ his part and made some big pitch- Alex Bregman that brought up strong innings and Jesús Aguilar and Cincinnati lefty Wade Miley a perstown, N.Y. es.” Chas McCormick, reliever Brett had three more hits to lead visiting week ago. Plesac started both those Aug. 12 — New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox at Dyersville, Iowa. In his first appearance since Martin (0-1) uncorked a 1-2 pitch Miami over Arizona. games. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Saturday, May 15, 2021 Challengers to the crown SPORTS Midnight Bourbon, Concert Tour pose threat to Medina Spirit ›› Preakness, Page 20

NHL Sizzling Saros Nashville goalie’s outstanding play has Predators in postseason for seventh consecutive year

BY TERESA M. WALKER Associated Press INSIDE NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Goalie Juuse Saros is the big- gest reason the Nashville Predators went from a potential Avalanche top Kings, secure top seed in playoffs Page 22 NHL draft lottery team to their seventh straight playoff appearance. How long they stick around will depend on how well Saros keeps playing in net. For the season among NHL goaltenders playing at least lies with a .942 even-strength save percentage. “You want to just play better for him because he’s been 25 games, Saros tied for second in save percentage (.927), Nashville coach John Hynes credits Saros with learn- playing so good,” Predators forward Tanner Jeannot said tied for fifth with his three shutouts and fourth with a 2.28 ing from 2018 Vezina Trophy winner Pekka Rinne on how of Saros. “It gives you confidence to know he’s going to goals-against average and sixth in wins. He led NHL goa- to handle the mental preparation of being the No. 1 goalie. make that save when you need it.” The 5-foot-11 Saros, who’s 6 inches shorter than Rinne, The 26-year-old Finn has put together a season worthy also has grown into understanding how he needs to play in of Vezina Trophy consideration and maybe even a few net. Hart Trophy votes. Saros, who posted a career-high 21 “He is a very smart goalie,” Hynes said. “I think he victories, was at his best since returning in the middle of reads plays very well, he’s positionally sound. You can March from an upper-body injury. He led the NHL over see the way that he can find, at his size, through traffic and his last 23 games with a .945 save percentage and tips and screens, he does a good job of tracking the puck posted all three of his shutouts since and that’s something that’s been really important to him.” March 23, second-most in the league in that span. SEE SIZZLING ON PAGE 22

Predators goaltender Juuse Saros posted a career­high 21 victories to put himself in Vezina Trophy consideration, but more importantly, he helped put Nashville back in the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season.

MARK HUMPHREY/AP

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