MLB MILITARY FACES Mariners’ Kikuchi Pentagon report Gen X inspires faces his most cites threat of Gen Z in Poehler’s pivotal season yet extremism in ranks new film ‘Moxie’ Page 24 Page 3 Page 14

Air Force approves shorts for maintainers on hot days ›› Page 5

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Volume 79 Edition 227 ©SS 2021 THURSDAY,MARCH 4, 2021 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas

IRAQ US civilian contractor dies in attack on air base

BY CHAD GARLAND Stars and Stripes An American contractor died Wednesday after a barrage of at least 10 rockets rained down on an air base housing U.S. and coalition forces in western Iraq, the Penta- gon said. The contractor “suffered a car- diac episode while sheltering and sadly passed away shortly after” the attack, Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. There were no immedi- ate reports of injuries to U.S. ser- vice members, he said. Iraqi security forces and coali- tion officials were on the scene in- vestigating, a military official told Stars and Stripes. The launch pad used to fire the missiles was found about 5 miles from the base, The Associated Press reported, citing an unnamed official. Images shared on social media showed a burned-out truck with a ALEXANDER BURNETT/U.S. Air Force raised flatbed that had concealed Paratroopers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division sleep while flying in a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III bound rocket tubes. It’s typical of launch- for Fort Polk, La., last month. ers used in previous attacks, which are often triggered by electrical timers. No one has claimed responsibil- ity for the attack “and we do not Nodding off gets the nod have a complete picture of the ex- tent of the damage,” Kirby said, adding that counter-rocket air de- fense systems “engaged in defense Sleep deprivation hurts military readiness despite anti-sleep culture, Pentagon report says of our forces.” The attack occurred at the same BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS Deprivation on Readiness of fense for Manpower and Reserve cognitive tasks, communicate ef- base where Iran a year ago Stars and Stripes Members in the Armed Forces,” Affairs Virginia Penrod after a fectively, quickly make appro- launched a missile attack that mil- leep deprivation hinders published Feb. 26, said sleep dep- comprehensive review of rele- priate decisions, maintain vigi- itary officials said left more than military readiness, yet ser- rivation “may be the most impor- vant scientific studies, several of lance and sustain a level of alert- 110 personnel with traumatic brain Svice members are twice as tant biological factor that deter- which indicated that 64% of ser- ness required to carry out as- injuries, and drew Washington and likely as civilians to experience mines service member health vice members lack enough sleep signed duties,” according to the Tehran closer to a larger conflict at it, according to a recent Defense and combat readiness.” compared to 28-37% of civilians. report. Department report. The report was compiled by Sleep deprivation causes “re- SEE ATTACK ON PAGE 6 The “Study on Effects of Sleep Acting Assistant Secretary of De- duced ability to execute complex SEE REPORT ON PAGE 6 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER US infrastructure gets C- from engineers

Associated Press In its “Infrastructure Report “America’s infrastructure is not During Donald Trump’s four ica’s infrastructure — reflecting a AUSTIN, Texas — America’s Card” released Wednesday, the functioning as it should, and fam- years in the White House, his ad- “mediocre” condition with “sig- infrastructure has scored near- group called for “big and bold” re- ilies are losing thousands of dol- ministration often held “Infras- nificant deficiencies” — is a slight failing grades for its deteriorating lief, estimating it would cost $5.9 lars a year in disposable income as tructure Week” events and touted improvement from its D+ grade roads, public transit and storm trillion over the next decade to a result of cities having to fix pot- transportation improvements. in 2017. The group cited in part ef- water systems due to years of in- bring roads, bridges and airports holes, people getting stuck in traf- But it was not able to push Con- forts by other governments and action from the federal govern- to a safe and sustainable level. fic or due to repairs when a water gress to pass any broad plan to up- private companies, which have ment, the American Society of That’s about $2.6 trillion more line breaks or the energy grid goes date the nation’s roads and turned to new technology to pin- Civil Engineers reported. Its over- than what government and the down,” said Greg DiLoreto, one of bridges, rails and airports. point water main leaks and prior- all grade: a mediocre C-. private sector already spend. the group’s past presidents. The overall C- grade on Amer- itize fixes.

WEATHER OUTLOOK THURSDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY IN EUROPE FRIDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 50/39

Kabul Seoul 57/37 54/33 Baghdad 75/56 Drawsko Osan Tokyo Kandahar Mildenhall/ 55/34 52/42 Pomorskie Busan 74/44 Lakenheath 37/33 42/37 57/50 Iwakuni Kuwait City 56/51 Bahrain Brussels Zagan Sasebo 71/60 69/65 Ramstein 45/39 60/53 Guam 47/43 49/28 84/80 Riyadh Lajes, 84/57 Doha Azores Stuttgart 61/57 54/39 Pápa 79/62 Aviano/ 54/35 Vicenza 47/34

Naples 58/44 Okinawa Morón 68/64 63/48 Sigonella Rota 58/44 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 62/53 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 83/73 58/54 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 13 Classified ...... 12 Comics ...... 18 Crossword ...... 18 Faces ...... 14 Opinion ...... 16 Sports ...... 19-24 Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Pentagon report cites extremist ties in military BY ROBERT BURNS stands for American Identity AND LOLITA C. BALDOR Movement. The group spread Associated Press propaganda through an oper- WASHINGTON — Domestic ation it called “Project Siege” extremist groups pose a serious and as of March 2019 had about threat to the military by seek- 500 members. ing to recruit service members The group’s founder was a into their ranks and, in some former Marine sergeant and a cases, joining the military to ac- former leader was an Army vet- quire combat experience, ac- eran. Several other members of cording to a Pentagon report the military and the Reserves released Tuesday. were identified as being associ- LISA FERDINANDO/Office of the Secretary of Defense The report, prepared last ated with the group, and the re- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin participates in a Black History Month virtual engagement from the year at the request of Congress, port noted that some were ei- Pentagon last week with Department of Defense Education Activity high school students. Austin sent a did not assess whether the ther demoted or discharged. memo Monday calling on DOD employees to reaffirm values and ethical conduct. problem of extremism in the The report described a social military is growing, but it cited media post, reported by a ser- a number of examples of ser- vice member, who claimed to vice members with extremist “see plenty of our kind” in com- Austin calls on DOD workforce to affiliations. It said the number bat arms. of current and former military The message recommended reaffirm values, ethical conduct members who ascribe to white ways to identify fellow group supremacist ideology is un- members, saying “simply wear BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY related to the culture and charac- “And it means rededicating our- known. a shirt with some obscure fas- Stars and Stripes ter among the force. Last week, selves, constantly, to the privilege “Military members are high- cist logo.” WASHINGTON — Defense the Pentagon created the 90-day of being public servants,” he ly prized by these groups as The military has long been Secretary Lloyd Austin has called independent review commission wrote. “I share President [Joe] Bi- they bring legitimacy to their aware of small numbers of on the Defense Department work- on sexual assault in the military. den’s commitment to restoring causes and enhance their abil- white supremacists and other force to reaffirm their values and On Tuesday, members of the com- and maintaining public trust in ity to carry out attacks,” the re- extremists in its ranks, but the ethical conduct, according to a mission to review defense infras- government.” port said. “In addition to poten- problem burst into public memorandum released Tuesday. tructure named after Confeder- The defense secretary listed tial violence, white supremacy awareness after the Jan. 6 in- In the two-page document dated ates were sworn in. Austin also or- four expectations for the depart- and white nationalism pose a surrection at the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Austin tells personnel dered on Feb. 3 that all military ment’s personnel: completing the threat to the good order and dis- where an outsized number of that they represent the core values units conduct a stand down within annual ethics training by the end cipline within the military.” military veterans and some of the United States including hon- 60 days to address extremism of the fiscal year; ensuring that fi- For example, the report current military members were esty, integrity, character and self- within the ranks. nancial and operational process- noted that a Marine was dis- present. lessness A request for information to the es; reporting and data are accu- charged in 2018 for having ties It quickly fell to a new Penta- “I know you treasure these val- Pentagon on why Austin wrote the rate and secure; prevention of to a neo-Nazi group called gon chief, Lloyd Austin, to de- ues just as much as I do,” Austin letter to the workforce went unan- fraud, waste, and abuse, and to Atomwaffen Division, and it termine the scale of the prob- wrote. “And I know I can count on swered Tuesday. make “ethical decision-making an said the group’s co-founder lem and try to fix it. you to conduct yourselves always In the memo, Austin described integral part of our daily conver- served in the Army National On Feb. 5, Austin directed all in a manner that leaves no doubt of ethical conduct as demonstrating sations, meetings, and engage- Guard in Florida. commanders and supervisors your fidelity.” the core values through actions ments.” Another Marine was deter- at every level of the military to The memo comes during a time such as being good stewards of mined to be the founder of a dif- conduct a one-day “stand when the Defense Department is taxpayer funding and gaining [email protected] ferent white supremacist down” by early April to discuss reviewing and examining issues their trust and confidence. Twitter: @caitlinmkenney group, called AIM, which extremism in the ranks. Bergdahl appeals court-martial over Trump, McCain comments Associated Press Sen. John McCain and his military maintained he The prisoner swap was criti- Army to charge him, calling Berg- BOISE, Idaho — A former sol- judge violated his Fifth Amend- was trying to get cized by Republicans, and Donald dahl a “deserter” and threatening dier who was court-martialed af- ment right to a fair trial. outside his post Trump made it a talking point dur- to hold a hearing in the Senate ter he left his post in Afghanistan “The scandalous meddling in a so he could re- ing his presidential campaign. Armed Services Committee if and was captured by the Taliban is specific case by leaders of the po- port what he saw He repeatedly called Bergdahl a Bergdahl went unpunished. asking a federal judge to overturn litical branches — one of whom as poor leader- “dirty, rotten traitor” during cam- Bergdahl also contends his his military conviction, saying his was Commander in Chief of the ship within his paign rallies and other events, say- judge at the court-martial, Judge trial was unduly influenced when armed forces — would never be unit, but he was ing the soldier should be executed Jeffrey Nance, failed to disclose former President Donald Trump tolerated if the proceeding had Bergdahl abducted by the or left to die in the desert. At times that he was applying for a lucrative repeatedly made disparaging been a criminal prosecution in this Taliban and held Trump pretended to shoot an federal job as an immigration at- comments about him and called or any other federal district court captive for nearly five years. imaginary gun when referring to torney during the case. for his execution. and should not be tolerated in a Other U.S. troops took part in a Bergdahl. At the end of his court-martial, Bowe Bergdahl filed the com- court-martial,” Bergdahl’s attor- lengthy search for Bergdahl, and McCain also criticized the pris- Bergdahl was dishonorably dis- plaint in federal court in Washing- neys wrote in the court filing. several sustained serious wounds oner exchange deal, saying he ap- charged, demoted to private and ton, D.C., last month, asking a Bergdahl was charged with de- during the search efforts. Berg- plauded Bergdahl’s return home ordered to forfeit $10,000 in pay. judge to overturn his court-martial sertion and misbehavior before dahl was ultimately returned as but that the swap put American Bergdahl wants a federal judge conviction. the enemy after the then-23-year- part of a prisoner swap negotiated servicemen and women at risk. to overturn his conviction and sen- Bergdahl says Trump’s state- old from Hailey, Idaho, left his post by then-President Barack Obama In his appeal, Bergdahl said tence and expunge it from his re- ments and actions by the late U.S. in Afghanistan in 2009. The soldier in 2014. McCain intensely pressured the cord. PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 MILITARY High court may hear post-deployment firing case

BY TARA COPP nesses, cancers and other chronic that the state did provide Torres an McClatchy Washington Bureau illnesses. About 800,000 state em- alternate administrative position WASHINGTON — The U.S. Su- ployees across the U.S. are current but that Torres was ultimately preme Court has asked the U.S. so- or former members of the reserves placed on leave because of missed licitor general to weigh in on the or National Guard. work days. case of a Texas state trooper who The court’s action means that it “I am genuinely thankful to God was fired from his job after he may be a few months before it is for the [Supreme Court’s] decision came home from a military de- known whether the Supreme in moving onward with the case,” ployment in Iraq too ill to patrol, in Court will hear the case, Tutt said. LeRoy Torres emailed McClatchy a lawsuit that could determine The solicitor general will now in a statement. Torres had sued the whether federal protections for work with attorneys for Torres and state under the 1994 Uniformed service members apply to state the Texas attorney general’s office Services Employment and Reem- employees. to gather information on the case, ployment Rights Act (USERRA) The orders to the solicitor gener- and then provide its review to the which prohibits federal and pri- al, which posted on the Supreme Supreme Court, which often relies vate sector employers from retal- Court’s website Monday morning, on that counsel to decide whether iating against or firing National “means they [justices] believe the the case should be heard, Tutt said. Guard members and reservists case has national importance that When Torres returned home who take leave from their jobs due affects the interest of the United from Iraq, his respiratory condi- to military duty. States,” said Andrew Tutt, an at- tion had prevented him from serv- His claim was quickly denied by torney with Arnold & Porter, ROSE L. THAYER/Stars and Stripes ing on the road as a state trooper, a lower court, which said the which was one of the firms pet- LeRoy and Rosie Torres run the nonprofit Burn Pits 360, which offers the Texas attorney general’s office state’s Department of Public Safe- itioning the Supreme Court to hear help to people with toxic exposure­related issues. The Supreme had said in its filing to the Supreme ty cannot be sued by Torres or any the case. Court may hear the case LeRoy Torres brought against his former Court. Torres now requires sup- other state employee under Texas’ The case of LeRoy Torres v. The employer after his health problems following a deployment to Iraq. plemental oxygen and said he re- claim of sovereign immunity. Texas Department of Public Safe- quested, but was not provided, an Sovereign immunity invokes a ty involves a 14-year Texas state inhaling toxic air from the base’s 200,000 other service members alternative desk job, and was provision under the Constitution trooper who deployed to Balad, massive open-air trash burning who served near burn pits during forced to resign in 2012. that empowers states to only face Iraq, in 2007 as an Army reservist. pits. war operations in the Middle East The Texas attorney general’s of- state or federal lawsuits in their Torres says he spent a year there He was among more than and have reported respiratory ill- fice had argued in its court filings courts if they consent to it. AFN reaps negative feedback for ‘Best of Rush’ program BY ERICA EARL “I don’t want the troops ex- based on ratings. Tier in a Facebook message to ful things I’ve ever done,” accord- Stars and Stripes posed to this horrible content any- “AFN programs according to Stars and Stripes said he encour- ing to The New York Times. Not everyone is happy that more,” Paul Robinson, a retired United States popularity, not aged fighting “cancel culture” Smith said AFN welcomes feed- American Forces Network is air- IT manager with the Defense viewpoint or content,” the broad- and that the program is “a First back from its audience and can be ing a compilation of late conserva- Media Activity, caster said in the comments sec- Amendment right.” contacted through its website, tive radio host Rush Limbaugh’s said in a com- tion of its original post Sunday and Some comments also noted that myafn.net. programming in the wake of his ment Feb. 25. in an email to Stars and Stripes on this radio special is coming in the In Central Europe, the full death Feb. 17 from lung cancer. In a conversa- Tuesday. middle of a military-wide stand three-hour “Best of Rush” show “Best of Rush” on AFN is pro- tion Monday “During the 25-plus years Rush down to address extremism in the will air on AFN 360’s PowerTalk vided by Premiere Networks, a with Stars and Limbaugh’s radio program has ranks. Secretary of Defense Lloyd at 7 p.m. Mondays as well as 7 a.m. subsidiary of iHeartMedia, for an Stripes via Face- aired on the American Forces Austin ordered every command and 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. The indefinite period in the same slot book Messenger, Network, we have received a va- in the Department of Defense to first hour of the show airs on AFN Limbaugh’s show occupied while Robinson said riety of feedback, both pro and take a one-day break from normal 360’s The Voice at 6 p.m. Monday- Limbaugh he was living, according to a Feb. re-running Lim- con,” AFN spokesman George operations to lead a discussion on Friday. 23 news release. baugh’s shows has no place in the Smith wrote in the email. “The lat- extremism. The order was signed In Japan and Korea, the show The government broadcast ser- current climate. est reactions are consistent with Feb. 5 and must be completed by airs at 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday- vice has been airing Limbaugh’s “It is certainly tone-deaf and the past. The comments from Mr. April 6. Saturday on Power Talk. AFN airs program since the 1990s, but the not in step with leadership,” he Limbaugh reflect his opinions Controversial moments on Lim- the first hour of the show Tues- announcement of the “Best of said. “I do not advocate propagan- alone, and not AFN.” baugh’s show include suggesting day-Saturday at 2 a.m. on The Rush” show on AFN’s Facebook da in any way, but simply remov- Some commenters stood up for female service members be Voice. page received mostly negative ing such programming would re- Limbaugh, who in February 2020 grouped together so their “men- PowerTalk and The Voice are feedback from commenters. inforce the message from all lead- was awarded the Presidential strual cycles sync” and they can two of the 10 talk, sports and mu- Though many cheered Lim- ership levels that extreme views Medal of Freedom by then-Presi- be “ready to be banshees,” calling sic services streaming on AFN baugh as a voice of the people, are not tolerated. It is not OK, for dent Donald Trump during a State a woman who accused Duke Uni- 360 Internet radio. Listeners may others disdained him as divisive example, to objectify women in of the Union address. versity lacrosse players of raping tune in by downloading the free and accused him of bigotry, sex- the workplace, nor to bully others, “If people want to hear it, let her a “ho” and playing celebrato- AFN360 app at the Apple App ism and racism. Of 180 comments but this is exactly what Lim- them hear it,” David Tier, formal- ry sound effects while reading the Store or the Google Play Store for on the growing thread Tuesday, baugh’s program is all about.” ly assigned to the George C. Mar- names of people who died of an Apple or Android device. the majority questioned or ex- AFN responded in the com- shall European Center for Securi- AIDS. pressed disapproval of AFN’s de- ments on Sunday, saying it is air- ty Studies in Germany, said in the Limbaugh later called the AIDS [email protected] cision to air the program. ing the “Best of Rush” program comment thread Feb. 26. segment one of the “most regret- Twitter: @ThisEarlGirl Seabee killed, 5 other service members hurt in stateside convoy crash

Associated Press The convoy was heading south into its cab, killing the driver, the hospitalized with minor injuries, friends and coworkers during this OCEANSIDE, Calif. — A Navy on Interstate 5 near Marine Corps Highway Patrol said. according to the news station. difficult time,” Navy Region sailor was killed and five other Base Camp Pendleton in San Die- A 26-year-old service member The Orange County Register Southwest said in a statement. service members were injured go County when the pileup hap- died at the scene, Fox 5 San Diego identified the dead and injured as The Highway Patrol and mili- when five military trucks were in- pened shortly before 7 a.m., the reported. Another sailor in his Seabees from the Naval Mobile tary officials are investigating. volved in a chain-reaction crash California Highway Patrol said. early 20s was rushed to a hospital Construction Battalion. The identity of the sailor who Tuesday morning on a Southern The collision occurred as the with severe injuries and four other “We mourn the loss of our ship- died will be released after family California highway, authorities convoy began to slow, causing one service members, two women and mate. Our thoughts and prayers notification, the Navy statement said. of the truck trailers to be pushed two men in their early 20s, were are with the sailor’s family, said. Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Air Force to allow shorts for maintainers

BY SETH ROBSON lunch bags in black, brown, gray and Stars and Stripes navy blue. Air Force wrench turners will be The Air Force also said its mem- allowed to wear shorts to beat the bers will be authorized to wear cold heat at work under to an impending weather accessories without wearing rule change. authorized outer garments. For ex- Starting March 15, commanders ample, a fleece cap and/or gloves can authorize maintainers to wear may be worn without an outer gar- navy-blue shorts instead of Airman ment. Battle Uniform or Operational Cam- Wear or use of an earpiece, any ouflage Pattern trousers in mainte- Bluetooth wireless technology or nance areas when temperatures are headphones while in uniform, in- forecast to meet or exceed 80 degrees doors or outdoors, is authorized for Fahrenheit, according to an Air official duties or may be authorized Force statement Tuesday. by commanders, the statement said “Authorized areas will include the And tactical caps will be allowed flight line, hangars and dock areas for wear with the camouflage uni- outside of climate-controlled areas,” form once the acquisition process is the statement said. complete for the new uniform item, If a commander OKs shorts, they’ll which is expected to take a year. be worn with a coyote brown T-shirt “These options came directly from and uniform green or coyote brown feedback from the field through the socks with boots. virtual uniform board and feedback Some stateside installations such from commands in the field,” Lt. Gen. as Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, Brian Kelly, Air Force deputy chief Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and of staff for manpower, personnel and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida services, said in the statement. “We rolled out shorts for maintainers two RHETT ISBELL/U.S. Air Force appreciated the feedback we re- summers ago. Kadena Air Base on Airman 1st Class Richard Flagg checks out an F­15C Eagle at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, in January 2020. ceived from Airmen and the opportu- Okinawa has allowed members of the nity to hear their concerns and ideas. 18th Maintenance Group to wear ing alongside [Australians and New brown socks issued by the Defense available for airmen next year. Not all of the ideas fit within our stan- them since early last year. Zealand] forces because they got to Logistics Agency, the service mem- New guidance for eyeglasses and dards or culture, but many do and Four out of five maintainers will wear shorts,” he said in a Facebook bers may wear conservative, solid sunglasses will allow more color op- provided us an opportunity to pro- opt for shorts on hot days once they message Wednesday. black, white, navy blue, gray, desert tions for frames to include black, vide options for our Airmen.” have the option, predicted Tech. Sgt. Airmen and Space Force guardi- sand or tan socks with their physical brown, white, navy blue, gray or Other ideas from the uniform Jerry Sysourath, a C-130 maintainer ans will also have more options for training gear. And the socks may transparent material, or gold or sil- board are still under consideration, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, sock colors, glasses frames and bags have small trademark logos, the ver wire. the statement added. Ariz. carried in uniform, according to the statement said. Additional options for bags and bag

“Throughout my career on deploy- Air Force statement. The Air Force is also redesigning colors will be authorized for troops in [email protected] ments I was always jealous of work- In addition to the green and coyote its PT gear and expects to have it uniform to include messenger and Twitter: @SethRobson1 Air Force’s new PT uniform was designed to rival commercial gear

BY WYATT OLSON “In the past, there was one uni- important common access card. Stars and Stripes form for all athletic pursuits, The fabric also features an anti- The Air Force has finalized the whether you were running, play- microbial technology that helps design for its first new physical ing basketball or lifting weights,” with moisture and odor control, training uniform in 16 years, an Col. Paul Burger, a test participa- the Air Force said. ensemble that features a quick- nt and an official with the Air The two types of shorts include drying fabric and two variations Force Marathon, said in the news a shorter running style and an all- of shorts that will become avail- release. purpose lengthier version. able next year. “The approach the Air Force “The runner’s short is a light- The design comes after numer- has now taken, is to develop a uni- weight stretch-woven fabric with ous tests and feedback from 150 form that is earmarked for run- mesh side panels to improve air- airmen who donned prototypes ners or running and one that is flow and improved stretch liner for real-life workouts, the service better designed for some of those for modesty,” the Air Force said. said in a news release Tuesday. other athletic activities,” said The longer shorts are an un- Preparations are underway to Burger, who commands the 88th lined knit with a zipped hip pock- produce the new PT gear, the Air Air Base Wing Mission Support et. Force said. It is expected to be- Group at Wright-Patterson Air The T-shirt is designed to be come available to airmen in 2022, Force Base, Ohio. tucked or untucked, the Air Force with a four-year transition period The full uniform consists of a said. JIM VARHEGYI/U.S. Air Force to mandatory wear. jacket, T-shirt, pair of pants and Commenters on Air Force amn/ Airmen try out the Air Force’s new physical training uniform at “The new uniform now in- shorts. nco/snco, a Facebook page pop- Wright­Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on Feb. 25. cludes all of the great perform- The fabric used in the jacket ular with airmen, offered mixed ance features that you find in ath- and pants will largely silence the reviews of the new design Tues- letic wear today,” Tracy Roan, “notorious” swishy sound of the day. chief of the Air Force Uniform Of- current nylon material, the Air “Still no hoodies,” complained fice, said in the news release. Force said. one. “Instead we get track suits The mandate from Air Force “The jacket will be sleeker that make us look like we work for leaders for a new uniform was ex- looking, so instead of having a bul- the Mob.” plicit, Roan said. “[D]evelop a PT ky jacket, you’ll have a fit and tai- Another wrote: “As long as I uniform that people really wanted lored design,” 2nd Lt. Maverick still get to watch my spouse work- to wear and is as good as, if not Wilhite, the uniform office’s pro- out in those daisy dukes of free- better than, commercially availa- gram manager for PT gear, said dom, I’m fine with it.” ble athletic wear,” she said. in the news release.

The update is intended to oblige The jacket sports a zipper chest [email protected] a variety of athletic interests. pocket for holding keys or the all- Twitter: @WyattWOlson PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 MILITARY General: DOD hesitated on sending Guard to riot Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Defense Department took more than three Police uncover ‘possible hours to dispatch the National Guard to the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol despite a frantic request plot’ to breach Capitol for reinforcement from police, ac- Associated Press nected to a far-right conspiracy cording to testimony Wednesday WASHINGTON — Capitol theory, mainly promoted by that added to the finger-pointing Police say they have uncov- supporters of QAnon, that about the government response. ered intelligence of a “possible Trump will rise again to power Maj. Gen. William Walker, plot” by a militia group to March 4. That was the original commanding general of the Dis- breach the U.S. Capitol on presidential inauguration day trict of Columbia National Guard, Thursday, nearly two months until 1933, when it was moved told senators that the then-chief of after a mob of supporters of to Jan. 20. the Capitol Police requested mil- then-President Donald Trump The announcement comes as itary support in a 1:49 p.m. call, stormed the iconic building to the Capitol police and other law BRANDON SALAS/U.S. Marine Corps but the Defense Department’s ap- try to stop Congress from certi- enforcement agencies are tak- U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Benjamin Brady takes a nap inside an proval for that support was not re- fying now-President Joe Bi- ing heat from Congress in con- MV­22B Osprey as he waits to land for a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft layed to him until after 5 p.m., ac- den’s victory. tentious hearings this week on and Personnel mission in the Philippine Sea on Feb. 1. cording to prepared testimony. The threat appears to be con- their handling of the Jan. 6 riot. Guard troops who had been wait- ing on buses were then rushed to Report: the Capitol. expressed to officials on the call sands of National Guard troops ‘Tactical naps’ That delay stood in contrast to “that it would not be their best mil- are still patrolling the fenced-in the immediate approval for Na- itary advice to have uniformed Capitol and as multiple commit- tional Guard support granted in Guardsmen on the Capitol,” tees across Congress are launch- in certain instances are response to the civil unrest that Walker said. ing investigations into mistakes roiled American cities last spring The Senate hearing is the sec- made on Jan. 6. The probes are as an outgrowth of racial justice ond about what went wrong on largely focused on security mis- among recommendations protests, Walker said. As local of- Jan. 6, with national security offi- steps and the origins of the extre- ficials pleaded for help, Army offi- cials facing questions about mis- mism that led hundreds of Trump FROM PAGE 1 cials raised concerns about the op- sed intelligence and botched ef- supporters to break through the noise, in sleeping areas. tics of a substantial National forts to quickly gather National doors and windows of the Capitol, Sleep-deprived service mem- While military work is not al- Guard presence at the Capitol, he Guard troops that day as a violent hunt for lawmakers and tempora- bers face a significantly higher ways conducive to sleep, that’s said. mob laid siege to the U.S. Capitol. rily stop the counting of electoral accident risk in “training, oper- not the only reason service mem- “The Army senior leadership” The hearing comes as thou- votes. ational and combat environ- bers are missing important ments,” it said. snooze time, according to the Congress required the Penta- study. The armed-forces culture gon to produce the report as part devalues rest. of the 2020 National Defense Au- “Attitudes toward sleep may Attack: Strike follows a US hit thorization Act. Lawmakers’ in- range from viewing sleep as a terest in sleep-deprivation stems controlled ration to asserting that from earlier reports that showed the need for sleep is a sign of it factored into two separate colli- weakness,” the report said. on compound in Syria last week sions in 2017 between U.S. de- The report suggested the Pen- stroyers and commercial vessels tagon create policy to promote a FROM PAGE 1 Iranian proxies to try to press Washington to withdraw that killed 17 sailors. Those stud- culture of prioritizing sleep. The the time. its forces from the country, where they are helping ies found watch standers experi- change must happen from the The latest attack also came two days before Pope battle Islamic State. The U.S. decreased its troop pres- enced poor sleeping patterns and top-down, according to the re- Francis was scheduled to visit Iraq in a trip that will ence in Iraq from about 5,000 last year to 2,500 by mid- exhaustion before both acci- port, as “leadership plays a sig- include Baghdad, southern Iraq and the northern city January. dents. nificant role in whether service of Irbil. Militant groups have also vowed revenge for the Seven sailors died in June 2017 members in a given unit experi- It follows a U.S. airstrike on a compound in Syria last U.S. drone strike at Baghdad airport in January 2020 when the USS Fitzgerald collided ence partial sleep deprivation.” week, which President Joe Biden ordered in response that killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of with a Philippine container ship; According to the report, “Army to a series of rocket attacks on American and coalition Iran’s elite Quds Force and the founder of an Iraqi mi- two months later, 10 sailors died surveys indicate that only 26 per- troops in Iraq that Washington has blamed on Shiite litia. when the USS John S. McCain cent of leaders encourage service militias. After a lull, the frequency of attacks in Iraq picked ran into a Liberian merchant ves- members to get adequate sleep.” Two F-15E Strike Eagle jets destroyed several up when the Trump administration imposed sanctions sel. Both destroyers sustained But while sleep is crucial, it’s buildings at a complex along the Iraq-Syria border to pressure Tehran into renegotiating an Obama-era millions of dollars in damages. not always compatible with mis- that the U.S. believes Iran-backed paramilitary nuclear agreement that the U.S. withdrew from nearly In response, the Navy changed sion needs. In these circumstanc- groups were using for operations in the region. At least three years ago. its policy on duty schedules to ac- es, the report’s authors suggested one militia member was killed in the strike and two Adeadly rocket attack on a base housing U.S. troops commodate better circadian “tactical naps” when sleep depri- others were injured, Kirby told reporters Monday. in late December 2019 kicked off a series of escalations rhythms, but “anecdotal feed- vation is operationally neces- It was conducted the week after rockets fell on an that culminated with Trump ordering the drone strike back” indicates the policy is not sary. airfield in the Kurdish region’s capital of Irbil that that killed Soleimani. Tehran launched over a dozen always followed, Adm. William These planned naptimes killed a contractor from the Philippines and wounded ballistic missiles in retaliation on Jan. 8, 2020, mostly Moran, at the time the vice chief should last about 20 minutes and several others, including a U.S. service member and targeting al Asad. of naval operations, told Con- happen about two-thirds of the four American contractors. The Biden administration has sought to return to the gress in 2019. way through a period of sleep The airstrike was a “proportionate military re- nuclear deal and had agreed to an informal meeting The sleep deprivation report deprivation. To avoid post-nap sponse,” the Pentagon spokesman said last week. It with Iranian officials, proposed by the European sig- recommended leaders across all grogginess, researchers found was meant to send a clear message that Biden would natories to the agreement. Tehran rejected the offer branches arrange duty schedules chewing about 100 milligrams of act to defend U.S. and allied troops, he said. Sunday, after last week’s airstrike. to ensure service members re- caffeinated gum can help. Rocket attacks on U.S. military and diplomatic facil- ceive a full eight hours of unin- terrupted sleep and reduce “en- ities in Iraq and Afghanistan have been common over [email protected] [email protected] the past two decades. In Iraq, they have been used by Twitter: @chadgarland vironmental disruption,” such as Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK Base in S. Korea bans travel to neighboring city

BY JOSEPH DITZLER on Friday. AND YOO KYONG CHANG South Korea reported 426 new Stars and Stripes cases Tuesday, according to the TOKYO — An uptick in corona- daily report. EDWARD KOBOBEL/ U.S. Navy virus cases near a U.S. base in The roundup does not include Midshipmen interact after watch station training on USS Wasp’s navigation bridge in 2010. South Korea prompted the com- cities other than Seoul, which re- mander to impose a travel ban ported 116 new patients by mid- Wednesday between the base and night Tuesday. The News1 news the neighboring city. agency, however, reported that Academy wants midshipmen Dongducheon city is off-limits there were 88 new COVID-19 to anyone associated with Camp cases Tuesday in Dongducheon, a to start vaccines by end of March Casey, except for “approved mis- city of 94,000. sion essential travel,” according to In Japan, the U.S. military as of BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY considered healthier than the rest academy, as well as midshipmen a U.S. Forces Korea news release. 6 p.m. Wednesday reported three Stars and Stripes of the military force and thus from ROTC universities around Dining in off-post restaurants is new COVID-19 cases: two at Camp WASHINGTON — Midship- viewed as a lower priority for re- the country, we need to vaccinate also restricted. Foster, a Marine Corps base on men at the Naval Academy need to ceiving the vaccines, said Lt. Gen. them prior to the summer training One person at the camp tested Okinawa, and one with U.S. Army start receiving their coronavirus Richard Clark, the superintend- starting.” positive on a random, rapid Japan. vaccines by the last week of ent for the Air Force Academy in The initial group of midship- screening test, Col. Ellis R. Baker, The Army’s case is a recent ar- March in order to participate in Colorado. men who would begin their train- commander of Casey and Yong- rival who tested positive in quar- summer training with the fleet, Buck has told the Navy that he ing about May 15 need to start san Garrison, said during a Face- antine sometime between Feb. 24 the school’s superintendent said needs most of his students to be their first dose by the last week of book Live town hall Wednesday. and Wednesday, according to a Tuesday. vaccinated soon because the stu- March, according to Buck. After He said that case has yet to be con- news release from Army head- The summer training “is such dents will be sent to operational that, the rest of the students need firmed. quarters at Camp Zama. an important aspect to the devel- ships, submarines and units. De- to start their vaccinations in the Camp Casey, home to the 210th The Marines provided no fur- opment of a midshipman,” Vice pending on their academic year, first three weeks of April in order Field Artillery Brigade, is about ther information. They last report- Adm. Sean Buck said during a students spend between one to two to receive both doses and build up 25 miles north of Seoul and less ed five new infections on Monday, hearing of the House Appropri- months with Navy and Marine their immunity before they go to than 20 miles from the heavily for- but no others since Jan. 31. ations Committee’s subpanel on Corps units. The Naval Academy, their assignments. tified buffer zone that divides the The Tokyo Metropolitan Gov- defense. based in Annapolis, Md., has more Clark and Lt. Gen. Darryl Wil- peninsula. ernment reported 316 new cases The military academies are fol- than 4,500 students, according to liams, the superintendent of the The Korea Central Disease Wednesday, according to public lowing the Defense Department U.S. News and World Report. U.S. Military Academy at West Control Headquarters on Tuesday broadcaster NHK. That’s 84 more vaccination plan, which prioritiz- “Our Navy has prioritized the Point, N.Y., did not say whether reported 218 new cases of CO- than Tuesday, but below the sev- es front-line workers, essential operational forces first. They’re they were planning to vaccinate VID-19, the coronavirus respira- en-day high of 340 on Thursday. personnel and troops about to de- getting vaccinated, they have a ve- their students early. tory disease, in Gyeonggi prov- ploy for doses of the coronavirus ry safe and healthy bubble,” Buck ince, where Casey and Dongdu- [email protected] vaccine. The cadet and midship- said. “And for them to be willing to [email protected] cheon are located. The province Twitter: @JosephDitzler men populations are younger and accept our midshipmen from the Twitter: @caitlinmkenney reported 111 on Monday and 135 [email protected] Texas among states easing restrictions despite warnings Associated Press longer needed.” chelle Walensky warned on Mon- Texas on Tuesday became the A year into the crisis, politicians day. biggest state to lift its mask rule, and ordinary Americans alike Even so, many Americans are joining a rapidly growing move- have grown tired of rules meant to sick of the shutdowns that have ment by governors and other lead- stem the spread of the coronavi- damaged their livelihoods and are ers across the United States to rus, which has killed over a half- eager to socialize again. loosen COVID-19 restrictions de- million people in the U.S. Some An Indianapolis-area bar was spite pleas from health officials places are lifting infection control filled with maskless patrons over not to let their guard down yet. measures; in other places, people the weekend. The Lone Star State will also do are ignoring them. In Southern California, people away with limits on the number of Top health officials, including waited in lines that snaked diners who can be served indoors, the head of the Centers for Dis- through a parking lot on a recent said Republican Gov. Greg Ab- ease Control and Prevention, have weekday afternoon for the chance bott, who made the announcement responded by begging people re- to shop and eat at Downtown Dis- at a restaurant in Lubbock. peatedly not to risk another dead- ney, part of Disneyland. (The The governors of Michigan and ly wave of contagion just when the theme park’s rides remain Louisiana likewise eased up on nation is making progress in vac- closed.) And Florida is getting bars, restaurants and other busi- cinating people and victory over JUSTIN REX/AP ready to welcome students on nesses Tuesday, as did the mayor the outbreak is in sight. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement about rescinding executive spring break. of San Francisco. U.S. cases have plunged more orders that limit capacities for businesses and require masks is “People want to stay safe, but at “Removing statewide mandates than 70% over the past two months broadcasted on a restaurant’s TV Tuesday in Lubbock, Texas. the same time, the fatigue has hit,” does not end personal responsib- from an average of nearly 250,000 said Ryan Luke, who is organizing ility,” said Abbott, speaking from new infections a day, while aver- days and have even risen slightly, cials are increasingly worried a weekend rally in Eagle, Idaho, to a crowded dining room where age deaths per day have plummet- and the numbers are still running about virus mutations. encourage people to patronize many of those surrounding him ed about 40% since mid-January. at alarmingly high levels, with an “We stand to completely lose businesses that don’t require were not wearing masks. “It’s just But the two curves have leveled average of about 2,000 deaths and the hard-earned ground we have masks. “We just want to live a qua- that now state mandates are no off abruptly in the past several 68,000 cases per day. Health offi- gained,” CDC director Dr. Ro- si-normal life.” PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK ROUNDUP Calif. clinics: More vaccines going to rich than at-risk

Associated Press University of California, San SAN FRANCISCO — Teresa Francisco, said it seems obvious Parada is exactly the kind of per- that the best strategy to get vac- son equity-minded California offi- cines to hard-hit communities is to cials say they want to vaccinate: turn to the places where residents She’s a retired factory worker who already get care. But big-box ad- speaks little English and lives in a ministrators tend to think of com- hard-hit part of Los Angeles Coun- munity health centers as less effi- ty. cient because of their smaller size, Parada, 70, has waited weeks she said. while others her age flock to “We’re not very imaginative in Dodger Stadium or get the corona- the way we deliver vaccine effi- virus shot through large hospital ciently. Our only creative solu- MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP networks. The place where she tions are to build mass vaccination Hoa Pham, left, walks with her grandson Daniel Tran after receiving her second dose of COVID­19 vaccine normally gets medical care, Al- sites, and maybe give people pref- at the Families Together of Orange County Community Health Center, on Friday in Tustin, Calif. taMed, is just now receiving erential access to those sites,” she enough supply to vaccinate her said. for a COVID-19 safety plan. The rule assumes the first re- later this month. Full-contact sports include foot- Arkansas sponder contracted the virus Parada said TV reports show Illinois ball, rugby, wrestling, boxing, ice LITTLE ROCK — Workers at while on duty. Previously, em- people lining up to get shots, but “I CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor hockey, basketball, boxing, group Arkansas’ poultry plants and oth- ployees were required to prove see only vaccines going to An- Lori Lightfoot announced Tues- dance and cheer, water polo and er food manufacturing facilities they got sick or injured while at glos.” day that bars and restaurants will martial arts. Full-contact club are now eligible for the coronavi- work. “It’s rare that I see a Latino be allowed to open at 50% capac- sports and private leagues remain rus vaccine, Gov. Asa Hutchinson Arnold also cited the Safeguard- there for the vaccine. When will it ity, loosening restrictions put into prohibited. said Tuesday, in a move that opens ing America’s First Responders be our turn?” she said. place due to the coronavirus pan- The announcements came as up access to the vaccine for an ad- Act, signed by former President Gov. Gavin Newsom has repeat- demic as vaccinations ramp up. state health officials reported 309 ditional 49,000 people. Donald Trump in August, as an- edly called equity his “North Star” Lightfoot’s decision comes as new coronavirus cases and 10 Hutchinson made the announ- other guarantee that first respon- for vaccinating a diverse state of the city’s public health officials deaths since Monday. Nevada had cement as state health officials re- ders are protected if they contract nearly 40 million. He partnered said Illinois residents 65 or older gone the previous two days with ported the first case in Arkansas of COVID-19. with the federal government to set can start making appointments no reported deaths. someone infected with the United up mass vaccination sites in work- Thursday for the United Center Tuesday’s figures from the De- Kingdom variant of the virus. Ohio ing-class neighborhoods in Oak- vaccination site. The site on the partment of Health and Human Arkansas has already made the COLUMBUS — An outdated re- land and Los Angeles. And it’s a city’s West Side will open March 9. Services brought the number of vaccine available to people at least porting system that led to the un- big part of why he tasked insurer Leaders of Chicago’s restaurant cases statewide since last March 65 years old, teachers, health care dercount of more than 4,200 CO- Blue Shield with centralizing Cali- industry remain unhappy about to 294,289, and deaths during the workers, law enforcement, and VID-19 deaths in Ohio was retired, fornia’s patchwork vaccine sys- Lightfoot’s capacity decision. Illi- pandemic to 4,967. nursing home employees and resi- the state’s health department di- tem, asking the hospital chain nois Restaurant Association Pres- dents. rector said Tuesday. Kaiser Permanente to assist. ident Sam Toia says he wants Mississippi Hutchinson, a Republican, said The Ohio Department of Health Yet officials at community Lightfoot to increase the capacity the state later this week will re- JACKSON — Mississippi Gov. retired the manual system it used health centers that are considered for each restaurant room or desig- ceive 24,000 doses of the Johnson Tate Reeves says that as of to provide a real-time death toll the backbone of the safety net for nated area separated by a plexi- & Johnson vaccine, which re- Wednesday, he is getting rid of from the pandemic over the last the poor in the U.S., focused on glass divider from 50 people to 100 quires only one shot. most mask mandates that he had year after a breakdown in the sys- health equity, say they are not re- or 150. imposed to try to slow the spread tem led to a massive adjustment ceiving enough doses for their pa- “You cannot do catering parties Missouri of the coronavirus. The Republi- last month to the state’s docu- tients — the very at-risk residents with more than 50 people. We’re LEBANON — The family of a can is also lifting most other re- mented death toll. the state needs to vaccinate. moving into the springtime here. Lebanon police officer who died of strictions, including limits on seat- “We have been building the In California, nearly 1,400 such You’ve got a lot of communions, COVID-19 has been denied work- ing in restaurants. plane as we fly it,” Health Direc- centers offer free or low-cost ser- graduations, Bar Mitzvahs, wed- ers’ compensation, city officials “The governor’s office is getting tor Stephanie McCloud said Tues- vices to about 7 million people, dings,” Toia said. “We would real- said. day. “And unfortunately, we we- many in communities with a high- ly like to see it get bumped up to out of the business of telling peo- Officer Kendle Blackburn died ren’t given all new parts to build it er concentration of low-income 150 per room.” ple what they can and cannot do,” Dec. 28 after a long battle with the well.” families and few providers who Reeves said during a news confer- virus. A release from Gov. Mike The department switched Tues- take Medicaid, which is known in Nevada ence Tuesday. Parson’s office at the time said day to rely exclusively on a slower California as Medi-Cal. Many of LAS VEGAS — Lacrosse was It has been nearly a year since Blackburn contracted the virus but more reliable and accurate their clients speak a language oth- reclassified from a full-contact to Mississippi reported its first con- while on duty in November. system to count virus-related er than English, work long hours, minimal-contact sport in Neva- firmed case of the coronavirus. Lebanon officials were told last lack transportation and want to go da’s coronavirus playbook Tues- During that time, Reeves has set week that the city’s workers’ com- deaths, McCloud said. It had used to the medical care professionals day, as Gov. Steve Sisolak moved varying degrees of restrictions on pensation insurance provider, this slower process as a quality they trust. to let indoor and outdoor practices businesses and social gatherings. Missouri Employers Mutual, de- check to reconcile the data from Dr. Efrain Talamantes, chief and competitions resume with so- He frequently said his goal was to termined Blackburn’s COVID-19 the manual system that failed. operating officer for AltaMed cial distancing and other require- avoid stretching the health care exposure and death “is not com- The slower system is based on Health Services, said it was dis- ments. system beyond its capacity — pensable under workers’ compen- death certificates sent to the fed- heartening to watch initial doses Sisolak said he followed medi- even as he repeated that he oppos- sation,” The Springfield News- eral Centers for Disease Control go elsewhere while his patients cal advisers in also classifying ice es government having a heavy Leader reported. and Prevention’s infectious dis- continued to test positive for the hockey as a full-contact sport and hand in regulation. Police Chief Byran Arnold said eases database, which are con- virus. field hockey as a minimal-contact Until now, most of Mississippi’s the decision seems to violate an firmed as COVID-19 deaths be- “There is a clear disparity every sport. 82 counties had been under a emergency rule Parson signed in fore being added to the state’s da- single time there’s a resource The governor signed new guide- mask mandate for months. Reeves April last year that allows first re- tabase. The shift will result in only that’s limited,” he said. lines that will let adult and youth said the number of people hospi- sponders to receive workers’ com- confirmed, instead of probable, Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, tournaments begin March 15 for talized because of the virus has de- pensation if they are diagnosed deaths being listed every few days chair of the Department of Epide- Nevada Interscholastic Activities creased in recent weeks, and vac- with COVID-19 or if they are quar- instead of probable deaths listed miology and Biostatistics at the Association sports after approval cination numbers are increasing. antined because of it. daily. Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Official: Dems OK tighter income limits in relief bill

BY ALAN FRAM $200,000. Associated Press But under Wednesday’s agree- WASHINGTON — President ment, those checks would end for Joe Biden and Democrats agreed individuals making $80,000 and Wednesday to tighten the upper in- couples earning $160,000, the offi- come limits at which people could cial said. qualify for stimulus checks, a Dem- But Biden and party leaders ocratic official said, a major conces- stood firm and will retain the $400 sion to moderates as party leaders weekly emergency jobless bene- prepared to move their $1.9 trillion fits, which are paid on top of regular coronavirus relief bill through the state payments. Moderates have Senate. wanted to trim those payments to The COVID-19 relief measure $300 per week, with some saying Senate Democrats planned to un- the higher amount could discour- GREG NASH/AP veil will also retain the $400 weekly age people from returning to their Xavier Becerra appears during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his nomination to be secretary of emergency jobless benefits that jobs. Health and Human Services on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 24. were included in a House-ap- On Tuesday, Biden took to Twit- proved version of the legislation, ter to signal he wouldn’t budge the official said. The person spoke from his demand that lawmakers on the condition of anonymity to de- add a fresh $1,400 payment to the Biden health pick taking heat scribe internal Democratic conver- $600 that millions of individuals re- sations. ceived from a December relief The changes came with Republi- measure. That new installment for support of abortion rights cans, who may unanimously op- comprises nearly a quarter of the pose the legislation, lashing the bill overall bill’s cost. Associated Press tion rights. judge. as an overpriced Democratic wish “The fact is that $600 is not WASHINGTON — President “It goes to show that California Abortion opponents are hoping list that lavishes help on many who enough. The Senate needs to pass Joe Biden’s pick for health secre- abortion policies are progressive that litigation over a state law will don’t really need it. the American Rescue Plan and fin- tary is taking heat from Republi- enough that being associated with reach the Supreme Court, now In a 50-50 Senate where Demo- ish the job of delivering $2,000 in di- cans for his actions in support of them is something that anti-abor- clearly leaning to the right. It crats must remain united, party rect relief,” Biden wrote. abortion rights. They want to de- tion lawmakers want to make dis- could serve as a vehicle for over- moderates have been pushing to re- The huge relief package is a too- fine him — and the new adminis- qualifying for a Cabinet position,” turning the Roe v. Wade decision, focus the bill’s spending more big-to-fail moment for the fledging tration — as out of the main- said Mary Ziegler, a law professor which legalized abortion. Yet de- closely on those must hurt by the president, who would be politically stream. at Florida State University, who spite the surge of state activity, the pandemic and resulting economic staggered if Congress — controlled The nomination of Xavier Be- specializes in the legal history of underlying political reality is slowdown. narrowly by Democrats — failed to cerra faces a key vote Wednesday reproduction. tricky. As part of Democrats’ legislative deliver. Conquering the virus that’s in the Senate Finance committee. Nationally, the abortion issue During the 2020 election, about thrust on what is Biden’s top initial killed half a million Americans and It’s a test, too, for national groups appears in flux. Lawmakers in 19 6 in 10 voters said abortion should legislative priority, individuals flung the economy and countless opposed to abortion, trying to de- state legislatures have introduced be legal in most or all cases, ac- earning up to $75,000 — and cou- lives into tailspins is Biden’s top ini- ny a president who favors abortion almost 50 bills this year to ban cording to VoteCast, an in-depth ples up to $150,000 — would get tial priority. rights his choice to run the De- most or all abortions, according to survey of the U.S. electorate con- $1,400 checks per person. The Senate bill was expected to partment of Health and Human the nonpartisan Guttmacher Insti- ducted by NORC at The Universi- The version the House approved largely mirror the House-approved Services. tute. In South Carolina, Republi- ty of Chicago for The Associated last Saturday would gradually package, with the most glaring di- Becerra is paying a price for de- can Gov. Henry McMaster signed Press. Roughly the same percent- phase down those amounts and re- vergence the Senate’s dropping of fending, as California attorney a measure banning most abor- age of Republicans said abortion ach zero for individuals making language boosting the federal mini- general, some of the nation’s most tions, though it was almost imme- should usually be legal, the survey $100,000 and couples earning mum wage to $15 hourly. liberal laws and policies on abor- diately suspended by a federal showed. Budget nominee Tanden withdraws nomination amid opposition BY ALEXANDRA JAFFE do not want con- ing her tweets attacking mem- Biden has pledged to transcend.” with the nominee this week. Associated Press tinued consider- bers of both parties prior to her Tanden needed just 51 votes in Murkowski told reporters she WASHINGTON — President ation of my nomi- nomination. an evenly-divided Senate, with had asked Tanden, as she does all Joe Biden’s pick to head the Of- nation to be a dis- Manchin, a key moderate Vice President Kamala Harris the nominees, to understand the fice of Management and Budget, traction from swing vote in the Senate, said last acting as a tiebreaker. But with- challenges the Biden administra- Neera Tanden, has withdrawn your other prior- month in a statement announcing out Manchin’s support, the White tion’s policies are having on Alas- her nomination after she faced ities,” Tanden his opposition that “her overtly House was left scrambling to find ka, where the economy is heavily opposition from key Democratic Tanden wrote in a letter partisan statements will have a a Republican to support her. dependent on oil and gas drilling and Republican senators for her to Biden. The toxic and detrimental impact on Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and related activities. controversial tweets. president, in a statement, said he the important working relation- who was seen as the last Repub- “I have walked each and every Her withdrawal marks the first has “utmost respect for her re- ship between members of Con- lican holdout open to supporting one of them through these prior- high-profile defeat of one of Bi- cord of accomplishment, her ex- gress and the next director of the Tanden, said Tuesday night that ities, these challenges that we’re den’s nominees. Thirteen of the perience and her counsel” and Office of Management and Bud- she never told the White House facing right now as ... Alaskans, 23 Cabinet nominees requiring pledged to find her another role get.” Maine Republican Sen. Su- she was a no vote on Tanden, and and I’m saying, what can you do Senate approval have been con- in his administration. san Collins, meanwhile, cited Bi- that the administration never to help me?” Murkowski said. firmed, most with strong biparti- Tanden’s viability was in doubt den’s own standard of conduct in asked. But her support was be- “Because we’ve got an industry san support. after Democratic West Virginia opposing Tanden, declaring in a lieved to be key to Tanden’s nom- that is that is really in a fragile po- “Unfortunately, it now seems Sen. Joe Manchin and a number statement that “her past actions ination after a number of other sition right now because of the clear that there is no path for- of moderate Republicans came have demonstrated exactly the centrist Republicans came out administration executive or- ward to gain confirmation, and I out against her last month, all cit- kind of animosity that President against her, and Murkowski met ders.” PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 NATION Frustration rises as water crisis continues in Miss.

Associated Press she said. She’s concerned about JACKSON, Miss. — Frustra- her mother who has diabetes, tions are mounting in Mississip- since not having water makes it pi’s largest city, more than two difficult to take her medicine. weeks since winter storms and A key focus of city crews this freezing weather ravaged the week is filling the system’s water city’s water system — knocking tanks to an optimal level, officials out water for drinking and making said in an update late Tuesday. it impossible for many to even Workers are also continuing to fix flush their toilets. dozens of water main breaks and For more than two weeks now, leaks throughout the capital city. residents in the city of 160,000 City officials Wednesday ROGELIO V. SOLIS / AP have been warned to boil any wa- planned to continue distributing Mississippi Army National Guard Sgt. Chase Toussaint, right, and Staff Sgt. Matthew Riley fill drums with ter that does come out of kitchen water for flushing toilets at sever- water Monday at a Jackson, Miss., water distribution site. taps before using it. al pick-up points. But they have “I pray it comes back on,” Jack- given no specific timeline for cials have said. The city does not have exact num- lated to its infrastructure have son resident Nita Smith said. “I’m when the crisis will be resolved. “Our system has basically bers of people still without water, gone unaddressed for decades, not sure how much more of this we The system has not been able to crashed like a computer and now Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba the mayor said. can take.” provide a sustainable flow of wa- we’re trying to rebuild it,” Jackson has said. “We more than likely have more Smith has not had water at her ter throughout the city since the Public Works Director Charles The city’s water mains are more than a $2 billion issue with our in- house for nearly three weeks now, mid-February storms, city offi- Williams said at a recent briefing. than a century old, and needs re- frastructure,” he said. Calif. crash Ky. seeks federal kills 13 of 25 help after floods cause damage people in SUV Associated Press FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky's gov- Associated Press ernor toured parts of his state hard by heavy rains Tuesday and pledged to HOLTVILLE, Calif. — Authorities are seek federal assistance after massive investigating whether human smuggling flooding inundated several areas. was involved after a crash Tuesday involv- Gov. Andy Beshear said “parts of ci- ing an SUV packed with 25 people and a ties are underwater in eastern Ken- tractor-trailer that left 13 people dead and tucky” and Kentucky National Guard bodies strewn across a roadway near the members are assisting local and county U.S.-Mexico border. officials. The governor visited a hard- Most of the dead were Mexicans, a Mex- hit area in Calloway County in western ican official said. Kentucky on Tuesday. When police arrived, some of the passen- Aerial photos showed cars and other gers were trying to crawl out of the crum- GREGORY BULL / AP vehicles nearly under water, and dark pled 1997 Ford Expedition while others Law enforcement officers sort evidence and debris at the scene of a deadly crash in waters swirling in streets of some cities. were wandering around the fields. The Holtville, Calif., on Tuesday. Authorities say a semi­truck crashed into an SUV carrying “These weather events have been rig’s front end was pushed into the SUV’s 25 people on a Southern California highway, killing at least 13 of them. brutal on Kentucky,” Beshear said at a left side and two empty trailers were jack- news briefing Tuesday afternoon. knifed behind it. Watson said the SUV only had front seats an intersection just outside Holtville, about Floodwaters were receding in many Twelve people were found dead when — the middle and back seats had been re- 11 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. It parts of Kentucky on Tuesday, but first responders reached the two-lane high- moved. That would allow more people to fit was a sunny, clear morning and authorities problems remained. way, which winds through fields in the into the vehicle but makes it even more un- said the tractor-trailer and its two empty State officials said the Kentucky Riv- agricultural southeastern corner of Cali- safe. containers were northbound on State High- er in Breathitt County was putting pres- fornia about 125 miles east of San Diego. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the way 115. A California Highway Patrol re- sure on an earthen dam there, forcing Another person died at a hospital, Califor- SUV was carrying migrants who had cross- port said the SUV entered an intersection the county to call for about 1,000 resi- nia Highway Patrol Chief Omar Watson ed the border, ferrying farmworkers to directly in front of the big-rig, which hit the dents in Jackson to evacuate. Beshear said. fields, or was being used for some other left side of the SUV. Both vehicles came to a said the evacuations were a precaution. “It was a pretty chaotic scene,” said Wat- purpose. halt on a dirt shoulder. The state sent engineers to assess the son, who also described it as “a very sad sit- Macario Mora, a spokesman for Customs A1997 Ford Expedition can carry a max- problem and emergency officials are uation.” and Border Protection, said agents were imum payload of 2,000 pounds. If it had 25 placing sandbags to help control the Roberto Velasco, director of North not pursing the SUV at the time of the people inside, that would easily exceed the erosion, state Transportation Secretary American affairs for Mexico’s Foreign Re- crash, which was initially rumored. payload limit, which taxes the brakes and Jim Gray said. lations Department, confirmed Tuesday on The people in the vehicle ranged in age makes it tougher to steer, said Frank Bor- Nearly 50 counties and cities in Ken- his Twitter account that at least 10 of those from 15 to 53 and were a mix of males and ris, former head of the National Highway tucky have issued disaster declarations, killed have been identified as Mexicans. No females, officials said. The 28-year-old Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of according to state Emergency Manage- identities have been released. driver was from Mexicali, Mexico, just Defects Investigation. ment Director Michael Dossett. The cause of the collision was unclear, across the border, and was among those “You’re going to have extended stopping Dossett said the state has reached out authorities said, and it also was not imme- killed. The 68-year-old driver of the big rig, distances, delayed reactions to steering in- to the Federal Emergency Management diately known why so many people were who is from nearby El Centro, was hospital- puts and potential over-reaction to any type Agency and asked them to send an in- crammed into a vehicle built to hold eight ized with moderate injuries. of high-speed lane change,” said Borris, vestigator to Kentucky to view the dam- people safely. The crash occurred around 6:15 a.m. at who now runs a safety consulting business. age. Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 NATION Biden brings no relief to US-China tensions BY MATTHEW LEE western Xinjiang region constitu- methodically strengthening its ca- over adjustment and change,” said Associated Press tes a “genocide” and a flat-out re- “Outcompeting pabilities to steal intellectual prop- Zhu Feng, professor of internation- WASHINGTON — President jection of nearly all of China’s mar- erty, repress its own people, bully al relations at elite Nanjing Univer- Joe Biden took office promising to itime claims in the South China Sea. China will be key its neighbors, expand its global re- sity. move quickly to restore and repair Nor has the new administration ach, and build influence in Ameri- Biden will have to deal with a America’s relations with the rest of signaled any let-up in Trump’s tar- to our national can society.” China that is far more powerful and the world, but one major nation has iffs, restrictions on Chinese diplo- “It is hard for me to see a more influential than under past U.S. ad- yet to see any U.S. effort to improve mats, journalists and academics in security in the significant threat or challenge for ministrations, said Yu Wanli, a pro- ties: China. the U.S. or criticism of Chinese pol- the United States as far out as I can fessor of international relations at From Iran to Russia, Europe to icies toward Tibet, Taiwan and decades ahead.” see into the 21st century than that Beijing Language and Culture Uni- Latin America, Biden has sought to Hong Kong. It’s also critical of Beij- William Burns one. It is the biggest geopolitical versity. cool tensions that rose during Pres- ing’s attempts to test that we face,” he said. Apart from its support for Tai- ident Donald Trump’s four years in further its in- nominee for CIA director At least some Asia hands in the wan, the U.S. views China’s policies office. Yet, there have been no creasing global United States see Biden as moving in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and else- overtures to China. influence considers unwarranted interfe- slowly toward potential reengage- where as matters of human rights, Although the Biden administra- through telecom- rence in the areas of Taiwan, Hong ment with China in part because he whereas China sees them as ques- tion has halted the ferocious rheto- munications Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet. wants to shore up his domestic po- tions of sovereignty, Yu said. “Fric- rical attacks and near daily an- technology, so- Wang urged the U.S. to “stop sition and make clear the U.S. is not tions will still exist, and the pattern nouncements of new sanctions on cial media and smearing” the reputation of Chi- a victim of Chinese predation. will still be the same.” China that had become common- educational and na’s ruling Communist Party. “They are restraining them- Biden place under Trump, it has yet to cultural ex- But the anti-China rhetoric selves from the normal syndrome back down on any of Trump’s ac- changes. hasn’t eased. Top Biden adminis- of a new administration running in- tions against Beijing. Biden’s nominee to head the CIA, tration officials have vowed to use to problem-solving with China,” This persistent state of low-in- William Burns, was explicit about American power to contain what said Danny Russel, who was assist- tensity hostility has profound im- his concerns over many of these is- many Democrats and Republicans ant secretary of state for Asia dur- plications. China and the United sues at his confirmation hearing see as growing Chinese threats to ing the Obama administration and States are the world’s two largest last week. And, the newly con- U.S. interests and values in the is now vice president of the Asia So- economies and the two largest firmed U.S. ambassador to the Asia-Pacific and beyond. ciety Policy Institute. emitters of greenhouse gases. United Nations, Linda Thomas- They have all repeatedly re- Russel said Biden is “sending out Their power struggle complicates Greenfield, made a point of high- ferred to China as a strategic rival messages that have the effect of global efforts to deal with climate lighting her unease with the state of or foe, not a partner or potential showing he’s not soft on China, that change and recover from the dev- affairs and pledged to combat Chi- friend, and have also evinced their he’s not a patsy for China, that he astating impact of the coronavirus nese attempts to exert undue pres- belief that America must “outcom- isn’t so desperate for a break- pandemic. sure on other countries at the U.N. pete” China. through on climate change that he’s Biden’s tough stance has its roots The backdrop is clear: The Unit- “Outcompeting China will be key going to trade away our national se- in the competition for global power, ed States is convinced that it and to our national security in the dec- curity interests.” but it’s also a result of the 2020 pres- China are engaged in a duel for ades ahead,” Burns said at his con- Chinese academics see little dif- idential election campaign in global dominance. And neither is firmation hearing. “China is a for- ference in Biden’s approach. which Trump and his allies repeat- prepared to back down. midable authoritarian adversary, “Continuity takes precedent edly sought to portray him as soft China has sounded at times on China, particularly during the hopeful that Biden will reverse pandemic that originated there. what foreign ministry spokesman There’s also little appetite from Zhao Lijian said were Trump ad- lawmakers in either party to ease ministration actions that “caused pressure on China. immeasurable damage to the rela- Thus in their first month in of- tionship between the two coun- fice, Biden and Secretary of State tries.” Antony Blinken have reaffirmed Those remarks followed a many of the Trump administra- speech in which China’s top diplo- tion’s most significant steps target- mat, Wang Yi, demanded that Bi- ing China, including a determina- den’s administration lift restric- tion that its crackdown on Uyghur tions on trade and people-to-people Muslims and other minorities in contacts and cease what Beijing PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 WORLD ISIS claims Local reports: Myanmar killing of 3 women in forces kill 33 protesters Associated Press Wednesday in Yangon. The pre- YANGON, Myanmar — At vious highest total was on Sun- Afghanistan least 33 protesters were killed by day, when the U.N. Human Associated Press Myanmar security forces on Rights Office reported 18 dead KABUL, Afghanistan — Islam- Wednesday, the highest number nationwide, although other ic State has claimed responsibil- since a Feb. 1 military coup, ac- counts put it higher. Videos from ity for the killing of three women cording to a compilation of local various locations showed securi- working for a local radio and TV reports, as authorities extended ty forces on Wednesday firing station in eastern Afghanistan, their lethal crackdown. slingshots at demonstrators, the latest in a spike in targeted The data, mostly from local chasing them down and even killings across the war-torn media and Facebook postings, brutally beating an ambulance country. Dozens of people gath- AP was compiled by a data profes- crew. ered Wednesday for the funerals Relatives carry the body of one of three female media workers who sional in Yangon, the country's Demonstrators have regularly of the three media workers. were gunned down, during her funeral ceremony in Jalalabad, east of largest city. In many cases it in- flooded the streets of cities The women were gunned down Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday. cludes the victims' names, ages, across the country since the mil- on Tuesday in separate attacks, hometowns and where and how itary seized power and ousted according to the news editor of attacks. He was arrested shortly It was not the first attack they were killed. The deaths in- the elected government of leader the privately owned station and after the attacks by police in Jala- against women working at the cluded a 14-year-old boy. Aung San Suu Kyi. Their num- officials in Nangarhar province. labad, the provincial capital. Enikass Radio and TV. In De- The Associated Press was un- bers have remained high even as Afghan officials said police ar- The ISIS claim, posted late cember, ISIS claimed the killing able to independently confirm security forces have repeatedly rested the alleged killer of the Tuesday, contradicted the Af- of another female employee most of the reported deaths, but fired tear gas, rubber bullets and three, identifying him as Qari ghan government’s accusations there, Malala Maiwand. a sampling of online postings live rounds to disperse the Baser and insisting he was a Tali- against the Taliban. The mili- Afghan President Ashraf Gha- matched what is included in the crowds, and arrested protesters ban — a claim promptly denied tants said the three female jour- ni condemned Tuesday’s attack, compilation. The person who en masse. by Taliban spokesman Zabihul- nalists were targeted because saying that assaults on “innocent compiled the information asked The intensifying standoff is lah Mujahid. they worked for one of the compatriots, especially women, to remain anonymous because of unfortunately familiar in the Nangarhar police chief, Gen. “media stations loyal to the apos- are contrary to the teachings of fears of reprisals from the mil- country with a long history of Juma Gul Hemat, said Baser had tate Afghan government” in Jala- Islam, Afghan culture and the itary government. peaceful resistance to military used a pistol with a silencer in the labad. spirit of peace.” He said 18 people were killed rule — and brutal crackdowns. Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Worker charged with taking deceased’s ring ALFRED — A funeral ME home worker in Maine was charged with stealing a wedding ring from the body of a 102-year-old woman after she died in a nursing home. Stuart Weston, 51, of Sanford, stole the ring from Laura Wood, who died at Seal Rock Healthcare in Saco on Jan. 21, police said. Weston, who worked at Autumn Green Funeral Home in Alfred, was arrested on Feb. 23. The arrest came after police ob- tained video evidence that he sold the ring to Maine Gold & Silver in South Portland, the Portland Press Herald reported. The wedding ring has been re- covered. Plan would fund over $500K to rear 6 condors LOS ANGELES — Fed- CA eral wildlife authorities will take an unprecedented step in helping a wind energy company breed endangered California con- dors to replace the ones that have been killed by wind turbines. The energy company Avan- grid’s proposed mitigation project predicts that up to two adult con- dors and each of their two chicks or two eggs will die by a fatal in- jury over a 30-year period. PITTSBURGH POST­GAZETTE/AP Scott Sobiech, field supervisor for the wildlife service’s Carlsbad and Palm Springs offices, said in a Leader of the pack statement that a draft plan for Kiah Harrington­Wymer, an employee of Go Dog Go in Regent Square, walks dogs in Schenley Park, in Pittsburgh. Avangrid Renewables’ Manzana Wind Power Project includes “working with a captive breeding away from his keepers as he was THE CENSUS cal calls. Seven-digit dialing will facility to fund the breeding of ad- being hauled through Alabama on still be completed until Oct. 24 to ditional condors for release into its way to a new home. The amount paid at a yard sale for a small porcelain bowl that give people time to adjust to the the wild.” The 3½-year-old kangaroo es- $35 turned out to be worth between $300,000 and $500,000. new dialing pattern and make any The plan calls for providing over caped in Winfield, Al.com report- The white bowl adorned with cobalt blue paintings of flowers and other designs required system changes before $500,000 over three years to pro- ed. He was seen in cellphone video turned out to be a rare, 15th century Chinese artifact. The piece, one of only 10-digit dialing becomes mandato- duce six condors at the Oregon heartily hopping down a country seven such bowls known to exist in the world, will be up for auction in New York ry. Zoo’s Jonsson Center for Wildlife road. on March 17 as part of Sotheby's Auction of Important Chinese Art. But after Oct. 24, calls without 10 Conservation. That facility is one The animal was being taken digits will not be completed in the of four that raise captive-bred con- from south Mississippi to its new fell at North Carolina’s Hanging two area codes. dors to increase the size of the home in Tennessee, said Braxton Golfer searching for ball Rock State Park. The change to 10-digit calling is free-flying population, the Los An- Basinger of B & H Livestock. drowns in pond The Stokes County Fire & Res- necessary to accommodate the na- geles Times reported. Basinger stopped at his home in cue Association said the fall oc- tional “988” National Suicide Pre- Winfield and planned to keep the OLDSMAR — A 74- curred at the park’s Lower Cas- vention Lifeline, according to the Sandwich-making facility kangaroo there until he made the FL year-old man who went cades. The park is north of Win- Indiana Utility Regulatory Com- burned to ground final delivery. A worker let go of to search for his golf ball near a ston-Salem and near the Virginia mission. the kangaroo while taking it out of pond at a Florida course was found state line. MARENGO — The Pride the trailer, he said. dead of an apparent drowning, au- WNCT reported that the male Man accused of 28 IA of Iowa sandwich-making thorities said. fell up to 40 feet and then “slid” an- sexual abuse counts facility in east-central Iowa was Man reports break-in, A dive team recovered the body other 70 feet. The station reported destroyed in a fire last weekend, gets arrested of Hermilo Jazmines from the that he was hospitalized in “seri- CLAYTON — A 21- authorities said. pond at the Oldsmar country club, ous condition.” MO year-old St. Louis Officials said the facility was PHOENIX — A Phoe- according to a statement from the “Team members assisted with County man was accused of 28 closed and that no one was work- AZ nix man who called to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. splinting and packaging the pa- sexual abuse charges. ing in the building at the time of report a possible break-in at his Witnesses told authorities the tient, as well as setting up rigging The county prosecutor's office the fire, and no injuries were re- apartment wound up getting ar- golfer went off to search for his for the safety line,” the fire depart- said that a grand jury returned a ported. rested instead, according to police. ball near hole three. His golf cart ment said in a Facebook post. 28-count indictment against Do- Crews were able to salvage one They said while officers were was discovered on the path and his minic Yocco of Florissant. He was freezer, but the rest of the plant searching the home of John Har- putter was found lying near the Mandatory 10-digit dialing charged with rape, sodomy, child was destroyed, fire officials said. binson, 42, for the alleged burglar, water. set to begin molestation and sexual abuse. The Pride of Iowa makes sand- they found a large stash of drugs Investigators said they believe Authorities said the crimes in- wiches for sale in vending ma- and drug paraphernalia in plain Jazmines fell into the pond and INDIANAPOLIS — Call- volved at least 10 victims and oc- chines and at convenience stores. view. drowned. IN ers in northern Indiana’s curred between November 2016 According to court documents, 219 and 574 telephone area codes and August 2018. The youngest al- Kangaroo gets away, police reported finding 6,000 Fen- High-angle rescue will soon be required to dial with leged victim was 13. hops to freedom tanyl pills, 392 grams of metham- performed after hiker falls 10 digits, rather than seven, when Yocco was already jailed on sev- phetamine, needles, digital scales, making local phone calls. eral other charges involving al- WINFIELD — Author- a handgun and more than $4,600. DANBURY — Fire Beginning April 24, callers in leged sex crimes. AL ities were searching for They also found no signs of a NC crews preformed a the 219 or 574 area codes should a young kangaroo who slipped break-in at Harbison’s place. “high angle rescue” of a hiker who use 10 digits whenever placing lo- From The Associated Press PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 FACES Closing the generational divide Gen Z gets inspired by Gen X in Amy Poehler’s new Netflix film, ‘Moxie’

BY LINDSEY BAHR and revolutionary spirit are all Associated Press things I strive to have in my own Amy Poehler was never a Riot life.” Grrrl. She says she wasn’t cool Poehler also co-stars as Vivian’s enough to be part of the scene pop- mom. She hadn’t gone into the pro- AP ularized by bands like Bikini Kill. ject intending to play a role, as Dave Grohl’s band, Foo Fighters, But the spirit of the ’90s feminist she’d just directed herself in is among this year’s nominees for movement resonated with her. “Wine Country.” But she felt her- the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So it wasn’t a surprise that she self getting attached to the charac- Inductees for the class of 2021 found herself drawn to “Moxie,” ter and the nuanced relationship will be announced in May. Jennifer Mathieu’s book about a with her once well-behaved quiet 16-year-old who gets in- daughter who starts getting into Rock Hall plans spired by her mother’s Riot Grrrl trouble as she finds her voice. days (and a vintage leather jacket) “I do feel strongly that often live induction to create a zine rail against the mi- mothers in films get really flat- sogyny and racism in her high NETFLIX/AP tened. They become really one-di- with audience school. Her adaptation hits Netflix Amy Poehler, center, and Hadley Robinson, right, are pictured in a mensional. They kind of stop be- on Wednesday and, yes, Bikini scene from “Moxie,” which debuted Wednesday on Netflix. ing women,” Poehler said. “The Associated Press Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hanna mothers I know that are my age The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame provided much of the music. tions of young women. In 2007, she We talk about this in the film, but are really juicy, complicated, awe- said Tuesday that it plans to have a “It’s this really beautiful exam- founded a YouTube Channel dedi- sometimes when there’s some some, interesting women who live induction of its 36th class on ple of how YA can tackle these big cated to that mission. “Amy Poeh- miles behind you, you have to un- have these very complicated, in- Oct. 30 in Cleveland — before an feelings and big issues in a very ler’s Smart Girls” is still going learn things and you have to real- tricate conversations with their actual audience! human way. I loved how romantic strong, too. Recently the Disabil- ize you don’t know you and things daughters.” The induction ceremony will it was, how sweet, how funny and ity Project at the Transgender have changed,” Poehler said. The book may be categorized as take place in the Rocket Mortgage complicated it was. I also enjoyed Law Center took over the page to “Young people remind you not to “young adult,” but Poehler hopes Fieldhouse, home of the Cleveland the way in which she talked about discuss topics like decriminaliz- always accept the status quo. It’s that it’s for everyone and some- Cavaliers, and tickets will be activism and the movement and ing disability. not always comfortable, but grow- thing that parents can watch with available to the general public. finding your voice through differ- On “Moxie,” she got to reach ing is not usually a comfortable their teens. “We are optimistic and hopeful ent characters,” Poehler said. across the generational line by feeling all the time.” “The hope would be that there’d for the ceremony,” said Greg Har- “It was almost like each charac- working with a cast of young, up- Poehler brought activists and be a few generations that can re- ris, president and CEO of the Rock ter was on the spectrum of trying and-coming talents like Hadley speakers to set the tone and help late to it at the same time,” Poeh- and Roll Hall of Fame and Mu- to make real change happen. And Robinson, who plays the zine cre- on days when sensitive subjects ler said. “Women have to try to in- seum. you could use these characters to ator Vivian, and Alycia Pascual- were being discussed. And every- terrupt the system, disrupt the Inductees will be announced in talk about something bigger, be- Pena, as Lucy, the outspoken new one was excited to dive into the is- system, work within the system, May. Nominees include Jay-Z, the cause at the end of the day, you girl in school who gets bullied by sues. become the system, and then look Foo Fighters, Mary J. Blige, The don’t want your stuff to feel like the school’s star athlete, played by “I was really lucky to viscerally at the system and say, ‘Is this even Go-Go’s, Devo and Carole King. homework.” Patrick Schwarzenegger. connect with Lucy,” said Pascual- the system I want to be participa- Currently, Ohio permits crowds Poehler has long been interest- “I am so inspired by the actors. I Pena, who also stars in the “Saved ting in?’ All that stuff never ends, of up to 25% capacity at the arena ed in inspiring the next genera- like the way they look at the world. by the Bell” reboot. “Her activism no matter your age.” for Cavaliers games. The hall is hopeful that the percentage will increase by the time of the induc- tion, but promised to follow best ‘Vaccine, vaccine’: Dolly sings health practices. In other event news: ■ The Emmy Awards will be ‘Jolene’ rewrite before her shot held on Sept. 19 and air live on CBS. The network and the Televi- Associated Press Bunny Wailer, reggae luminary, sion Academy announced Tues- Dolly Parton has written hundreds of songs dies in Jamaica at age 73 day that the 73rd annual ceremo- over her decadeslong career, and it turns out ny will stream live and on demand her tune “Jolene” is the just right one for get- Bunny Wailer, a reggae luminary who was on Paramount+, the streaming ting her COVID-19 vaccine. the last surviving founding member of the leg- service that launches March 4. “I even changed one of my songs to fit the endary group The Wailers, died on Tuesday in The host, producers and location occasion. It goes, ‘Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, his native Jamaica. He was 73. for the Emmys will be announced vaccine, I’m begging of you please don’t hes- Wailer, a baritone singer whose birth name later. itate,’” the actor, singer and humanitarian sang is Neville Livingston, formed The Wailers in ■ CMA Fest in Nashville will in a social media post on Tuesday, just before 1963 with late superstars Bob Marley and Pe- be canceled for a second year in a receiving her shot. ter Tosh when they lived in a slum in the capital row because of the COVID-19 pan- The Grammy-winning legend turned 75 this of Kingston. They catapulted to international demic. The Country Music Asso- year. In 2020, she donated $1 million to Van- fame with the album “Catch a Fire,” and also ciation announced on Tuesday the derbilt University Medical Center in Nashville helped popularize Rastafarian culture among decision to cancel the June event, better-off Jamaicans starting in the 1970s. for coronavirus research. JORDAN STRAUSS, INVISION/AP which is one of the oldest country Wailer died at Andrews Memorial Hospital Parton had earlier told The Associated Press Dolly Parton posted a video on Tuesday of music festivals after starting in in the Jamaican parish of St. Andrew of com- that she was going to wait until it became more her singing just before getting her COVID­19 1972 as Fan Fair. plications from a stroke in July, manager Max- vaccine shot. Parton donated $1 million to ■ widely available because she didn’t want to San Diego Comic-Con will ine Stowe told The Associated Press. Vanderbilt University Medical Center for look like she was jumping the line. remain virtual for the July event, He was the third and last original Wailer. coronavirus research. but organizers are planning for a Parton wore a purple shirt with shoulder Marley died in 1981 of a brain tumor at 36 years smaller-scale gathering later this cutouts just for the occasion and a matching old and Tosh was fatally shot in Jamaica in contributor to offer commentary on various year. Comic-Con announced Mon- purple mask. She put on a typical show, laugh- 1987 at 42. network programs. McEnany, former Presi- day that the annual confab will be ing, cracking jokes with the doctor and making dent Donald Trump’s final press secretary, virtual for a second straight year sure her hair was looking good. Other news didn’t speak about her new role during an in- between July 23-25. The in-person “That didn’t hurt. Just stung a little bit,” she ■ As widely anticipated, Fox News said terview with Fox’s Harris Faulkner that aired experience was canceled again said afterward. Then she smiled at the camera Tuesday that it had signed former White Tuesday. Before working for Trump, McEna- due to coronavirus concerns. saying, “I did it! I did it!” House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany as a ny was a commentator at CNN. Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Biden has only one option in Afghanistan Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY DAVID VON DREHLE threatened spring offensive can be delayed fait accompli. He sketches a portrait of Af- The Washington Post long enough to withdraw remaining Western ghan President Ashraf Ghani, grouchy and riting in his last issue as editor forces. We should be generous in protecting isolated in a feckless twilight. He shows us EDITORIAL of Foreign Affairs magazine, refugees of the doomed Afghan government. the strong women who trusted the promise Terry Leonard, Editor levelheaded Gideon Rose de- But otherwise, close the book. of liberty enough to invest the past two dec- [email protected] Wfines the “genius” behind Biden can’t be blamed, nor should Trump ades in securing it. They can imagine what America’s global power as the “ability to cut be criticized, for making his embarrassing plans the Taliban has for them. Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor losses.” Even those who share Rose’s admi- bargain. This bitter harvest was sown long “It will be another civil war,” one Afghan [email protected] ration for cold pragmatism in foreign policy ago, when the Bush war council — led by general tells Filkins. “Worse than the last Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content must admit, however, that this genius is not those strutting popinjays Dick Cheney and one.” [email protected] always pleasant to behold. Donald Rumsfeld, the vice president and de- One can’t help but think of the young men Case in point: Afghanistan. Nearly 20 fense secretary, respectively — barreled in- and women who flocked to enlist in the Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] years into the U.S. effort to modernize and to two of the most notoriously complicated armed services when their country was at- liberalize that notoriously difficult land, Ta- countries on Earth, with nary a thought as to tacked on 9/11 — many of them deployed to Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital liban forces once more control the country- how lasting peace might be achieved. Afghanistan and later to Iraq. With precious [email protected] side, and they appear to be poised for a final This is not merely the assessment of some few exceptions, they have served bravely spring offensive against the parts of Afghan carping columnist. It is the view of retired Lt. and well. Thousands have given their lives; BUREAU STAFF cities that remain under government con- Gen. Douglas Lute, for many years the com- thousands more have given limbs, eyes, trol. President Joe Biden faces a choice — mander stuck with the debacle. “We were peace of mind. Children have grown up to Europe/Mideast but it’s not really a choice. He can continue devoid of a fundamental understanding of the rhythm of parents leaving home for long Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] the process begun under President Barack Afghanistan,” Lute told government inter- stretches of peril. +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 Obama, and ramped up under President Do- viewers, adding, “We didn’t know what we If only the outcomes had been equal to Pacific nald Trump, to “cut losses” and get out of Af- were doing.” their valor and their sacrifices. But as the Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief ghanistan. Or Biden can cobble together The time to win in Afghanistan and Iraq general said, we didn’t know what we were [email protected] some sort of Plan B, in which U.S. air power was at the beginning. By having no viable doing. An impulse doesn’t equal a strategy. +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 and special operations forces continue to plan for stable government in either country, Unlike the planners who sent those men Washington fight a war with no prospect of victory. the Bush team ensured eventual defeat. and women into harm’s way, our troops did Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief So much of history is a question of timing. Baseball has a rule that allows a loss to be all that could reasonably be asked of them — [email protected] (+1)(202)886-0033 Afghanistan has passed like a hot potato charged to a pitcher even after he leaves the and more. Now the only way to respect their Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News from president to president since George W. mound. Statecraft should follow that exam- service is to ask no more of them in this en- [email protected] Bush toppled the Taliban regime that gave ple and assign this L to W.’s record. deavor. The losses to be cut are not Afghan sanctuary to the al-Qaida masterminds of 9/ One of the greatest correspondents of this losses, which sadly are sure to continue once CIRCULATION 11. No one has wanted to be the guy who long, long war shares his latest dispatch from Western forces are gone. Biden must stop Mideast hands the keys back to the ousted enemy — Afghanistan in the March 8 issue of The New the loss of U.S. and coalition forces in a war Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager perchance to resume its soccer stadium Yorker. Dexter Filkins visits places along for which no plausible path to victory re- [email protected] mass executions and brutal repression of the country’s main highway, where Taliban mains. With all respect to Gideon Rose, [email protected] women. forces already operate with impunity. He in- somehow this doesn’t feel like genius. DSN (314)583-9111 Biden’s best option — his only option, real- terviews Taliban leaders — among them for- Europe ly — is to grasp the nettle, as the saying goes: mer U.S. prisoners at Guantanamo Bay — Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager complete the barely face-saving agreement who speak of their victory over the United Washington Post columnist David Von Drehle is the author of [email protected] “Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America’s Most [email protected] Trump struck with the Taliban, and hope the States and their consolidation of power as a Perilous Year” and “Triangle: The Fire That Changed America.” +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 Civics education can help mend our democracy CONTACT US BY DANIELLE ALLEN and how we could better serve all learners in being enslavement and the slow progress to- AND PAUL CARRESE these subjects. Ultimately, the Educating for ward true emancipation. Washington Special to The Washington Post American Democracy Roadmap, released Over the past year, we have once again tel: (+1)202.886.0003 ur constitutional democracy is ail- Tuesday, is an effort by a diverse and cross- watched this polarization consume efforts to 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 ing. If we didn’t know that before ideological group of scholars and educators to renew history and civic learning, with the de- Reader letters Jan. 6, the lesson was etched into create a strategy for ensuring that all the na- bates over The New York Times’ 1619 Project [email protected] Oour souls that day. And one major tion’s learners come to understand, appre- and the Trump administration’s 1776 Com- Additional contacts reason for our trouble is that for several gener- ciate — and productively use and debate — mission — each approach insisting on achiev- stripes.com/contactus ations we have failed to provide civic educa- our form of government and civic life. ing a definitive account of how to narrate the tion in our K-12 schools. The roadmap is not a national curriculum, country’s founding. OMBUDSMAN For decades, our national educational poli- nor a set of instructional standards. It recom- Yet disagreement is a feature, not a bug, of Ernie Gates cy has focused on achieving global competi- mends approaches to learning that do five crit- our constitutional democracy; the question is tiveness from a national security and econom- ical things at once: (1) inspire students to want whether we can learn to disagree productive- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of news and information, reporting any attempts by the ic standpoint. Thanks to serious and needed to become involved in their constitutional de- ly. One of the goals of the Educating for Amer- military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s investments in science, technology, engineer- mocracy; (2) tell a full narrative of America’s ican Democracy Roadmap is to teach young independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for ing and math, we spend about $50 of federal plural yet shared story; (3) explore the need people about our disagreements in ways that fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman funds per student per year on STEM. But we for compromise to make constitutional de- can help them productively engage in those welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by email at [email protected], or by phone at only spend 5 cents per year on civic education. mocracy work; (4) cultivate civic honesty and debates. 202.886.0003. We should desire to compete on the world’s patriotism that leaves space both to love and to The roadmap offers a new vision for history stage as the kind of society we are, namely, a critique this country; and (5) teach history and and civics that shifts from breadth to depth, fo- Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday constitutional democracy. We can do so only if civics both through a timeline of events and cuses on inquiry, integrates history and civics, through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and we have civic strength at home. And that re- the themes that run through those events. supports educators in dealing effectively with Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send quires civic education to support the knowl- For 30 years, efforts to renew civic learning fundamental tensions, integrates a diversity address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, edge, skills and civic virtues needed for a have foundered on rocks of polarization. One of experiences and perspectives throughout, APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services healthy republic. example. When the National Governors Asso- and cultivates civil disagreement and reflec- overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views Over nearly two years, the two of us have ciation set out to collaborate on the develop- tive patriotism. We hope that educators, poli- of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- been working with a network of more than 300 ment of the Common Core State Standards, cymakers and families will take a look and ad- per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to scholars, educators, practitioners and stu- the initial goal was to create standards for En- vocate for use of this guidance in their schools, remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. dents to develop guidance and a framework glish language arts; math and STEM; and so- districts and states. If we pull together, we can The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or for excellence in history and civics K-12, de- cial studies. Standards for the first two were rebuild a foundation for a healthy American Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. signed with our entire country in mind. Fund- achieved. But social studies was left on the cut- constitutional democracy. Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, ed by the National Endowment for the Hu- ting-room floor. The reason was the deep dis- religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of manities and the Education Department, we agreement about how to teach U.S. history — Danielle Allen is a professor and political theorist at Harvard the purchaser, user or patron. worked via task forces, convenings and con- whether to emphasize triumphs and achieve- University. Paul Carrese is the founding director of the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State © Stars and Stripes 2021 stituency focus groups to analyze what has ments or wrongs and crimes of both commis- University. They are members of the executive committee for stripes.com been happening in history and civic education sion and omission, with the leading example the Educating for American Democracy Initiative. Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 60 Bohemian West Wing” 1 “Terrif!” 61 Boring routine 23 Chart-topping 4 Declare song 8 Gush DOWN 27 Dog’s foot

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Have bills 1 Watch chain 29 Call to mind 13 Repulsive 2 Shock partner 30 Always 14 Give up 3 Sleeping area 31 Round Table 15 Former Fed on a ship titles head Ben 4 Online icon 33 “Winnie-the- 17 Opera house 5 Sportscaster Pooh” author solo Scully 35 Bread spread 18 Preschooler 6 Fraternal group 38 Dijon denial 19 Less corpulent 7 “Superman” star 40 Sheriff’s helper 21 Gung-ho 8 Surgeon’s tool 43 Pilgrimage site

Non Sequitur 24 Kreskin’s claim 9 Impudent 45 Highland hat 25 Yale grad 10 Actress Falco 46 Castle defense 26 Shred 11 Sport 47 Multitude 28 Harvest goddess 32 Poet — St. 16 Neither here 48 Gather Vincent Millay — there 49 German river 34 Mahal preceder 20 Computer key 53 Sylvester, for one 36 Jeans-maker 21 Stench 54 Outback bird Strauss 22 Alan of “The 55 Hogwash 37 Elena of the Answer to Previous Puzzle

Candorville Supreme Court 39 Bankroll 41 Sea, to Henri 42 May honoree 44 Taxi devices 46 Seattle player 50 Nonstick spray 51 Hurler Hershiser 52 Salad ingredient 56 “Walk Like —” Carpe Diem 57 Converse 58 Punk-rock subgenre 59 Ilk Beetle Bailey Bizarro Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 SCOREBOARD/SPORTS BRIEFS

COLLEGE BASKETBALL TENNIS DEALS BRIEFLY Tuesday’s men’s scores Argentina Open Blinkova (4), Russia, def. Lucie Hradecka Tuesday’s transactions and Kristyna Pliskova, Czech Republic, EAST Tuesday 5-7, 6-4, 11-9. BASEBALL NBA reveals All-Star Baylor 94, West Virginia 89, OT At Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club Major League Baseball Buffalo 80, Akron 78 Buenos Aires Lyon Open National League contest participants Georgetown 72, Xavier 66 Purse: $329,550 CHICAGO CUBS — Agreed to terms with Surface: Red clay Tuesday RHP Ryan Tepera on a one-year contract. Golden State’s Stephen Curry Pittsburgh 70, Wake Forest 57 At Palais des Sports Gerland Wagner 74, Merrimack 67 Men’s Singles Designated RHP Duane Underwood Jr. for Round of 32 Lyon, France assignment. Assigned RHP Robert Stock and Phoenix’s Devin Booker have SOUTH Lukas Klein, Slovakia, def. Andrej Mar- Purse: Euro 189,708 outright to Iowa (Triple-A East). FOOTBALL been three-point champions at Alabama 70, Auburn 58 tin, Slovakia, 6-4, 6-3. Surface: Hardcourt indoor Arkansas 101, South Carolina 73 Gianluca Mager, Italy, def. Salvatore Ca- Women’s Singles National Football League All-Star weekend before, and Georgia Tech 81, Duke 77, OT ruso, Italy, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Round of 32 HOUSTON TEXANS — Waived CB Mark they’ll try to win that trophy again LSU 83, Vanderbilt 68 Sumit Nagal, India, def. Joao Sousa, Por- Margarita Gasparyan, Russia, def. Kata- Fields II. Released CB Brandon Williams. Memphis 73, South Florida 52 tugal, 6-2, 6-0. rina Zavatska, Ukraine, 6-4, 6-1. Agreed to terms with RB David Johnson on Sunday. Mississippi 70, Kentucky 62 Jaume Munar, Spain, def. Facundo Diaz Tereza Martincova, Czech Republic, def. a one-year contract. N. Kentucky 70, Detroit 69 Acosta, Argentina, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Giulia Gatto-Monticone, Italy, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS — Signed DE Kendal The NBA revealed the 15 play- UCF 73, Tulsa 69 Francisco Cerundolo, Argentina, def. Fe- Kristina Mladenovic (4), France, def. Mi- Vickers to a one-year contract. derico Coria, Argentina, 6-4, 7-5. haela Buzarnescu, Romania, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Released TE ers Tuesday who will be taking MIDWEST Albert Ramos-Vinolas (5), Spain, def. Stefanie Voegele, Switzerland, def. Irina Kyle Rudolph. part in the other on-court events Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune, Denmark, 2-6, Bara, Romania, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (5), 6-3. NEW YORK JETS — Released DL Henry Ball St. 100, E. Michigan 65 Anderson. Cent. Michigan 81, Toledo 79 6-4, 6-3. Paula Badosa (7), Spain, def. Harmony besides the All-Star Game in At- Frances Tiafoe (8), United States, def. Tan, France, 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (5). HOCKEY Cleveland St. 108, Fort Wayne 104, 3OT National Hockey League lanta, with the overwhelming ma- Illinois 76, Michigan 53 Facundo Bagnis, Argentina, 6-1, 6-3. Caroline Garcia (3), France, def. Oceane Marquette 77, DePaul 71 Federico Delbonis, Argentina, def. Juan Dodin, France, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. NHL — Suspended F Alex Chiasson from jority of them pulling double-duty Miami (Ohio) 84, Bowling Green 79, OT Manuel Cerundolo, Argentina, 6-4, 7-6 (2). Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Belarus, def. Eu- Edmonton for one game for cross-check- Men’s Doubles genie Bouchard, Canada, 7-6 (7), 6-2. ing in a game against Toronto on March 1. Michigan St. 64, Indiana 58 Round of 16 between those competitions and Milwaukee 94, Wright St. 92, OT Women’s Doubles BOSTON BRUINS — Assigned RW Karson Thiago Monteiro, Brazil, and Andre Go- Round of 16 Kuhlman to Providence (AHL). the game itself. Oakland 87, Youngstown St. 83, OT ransson, Sweden, def. Santiago Gonzalez, Purdue 73, Wisconsin 69 Yana Sizikova and Ekaterina Alexandro- BUFFALO SABRES — Recalled D Jacob Mexico, and Marcelo Demoliner (2), Brazil, Bryson from the minor league taxi squad. Curry, Booker, the Boston duo Texas 81, Iowa St. 67 6-4, 6-2. va (4), Russia, def. Paula Kania-Chodun, Poland, and Ulrikke Eikeri, Norway, 7-6 (4), Assigned F Casey Mittelstadt to the taxi of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Ta- W. Michigan 73, N. Illinois 63 Simone Bolelli, Italy, and Maximo Gon- squad. zalez (3), Argentina, def. Thiago Agustin 3-6, 10-5. SOUTHWEST Arantxa Rus, Netherlands, and Viktoria CALGARY FLAMES — Waived C Derek tum, Chicago’s Zach LaVine and Tirante and Facundo Diaz Acosta, Argenti- Ryan. Texas Tech 69, TCU 49 na, 7-6 (5), 6-1. Kuzmova (1), Slovakia, def. Elixane Leche- mia and Amandine Hesse, France, 6-2, 6-1. COLORADO AVALANCHE — Assigned F Utah’s Donovan Mitchell — all of FAR WEST Qatar Open Alexandra Panova, Russia, and Rosalie Ty Lewis to Utah (ECHL) from Colorado them All-Stars — will be the six van Der Hoek, Netherlands, def. Katarzyna (AHL). Fresno St. 67, Boise St. 64 Tuesday DETROIT RED WINGS — Recalled C Mi- competitors in the three-point Hawaii Pacific 74, Chaminade 71 Piter, Poland, and Dalila Jakupovic, Slov- At Khalifa International Tennis and enia, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 11-9. chael Rasmussen from Grand Rapids New Mexico St. 69, Texas Rio Grande Squash Complex (AHL). Reassigned D Gustav Lindstrom to contest. Valley 51 Doha, Qatar AMRO World Tournament the minor league taxi squad and G Kaden All-Stars Luka Doncic of Dallas, Purse: $564,530 Fulcher to Grand Rapids (AHL) from the Tuesday’s women’s scores Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Tuesday taxi squad. Domantas Sabonis of Indiana, Ju- At Ahoy Rotterdam EDMONTON OILERS — Placed G Alex Sta- Women’s Singles lock on COVID-19 injured reserve. EAST Round of 32 Rotterdam, Netherlands lius Randle of New York, Nikola Purse: Euro 980,580 LOS ANGELES KINGS — Assigned G Troy Hofstra 63, Northeastern 60 Jessica Pegula, United States, def. Wang Grosenick, C Rasmius Kupari, Lias Anders- Vucevic of Orlando and Chris Paul Rutgers 74, Penn St. 56 Qiang, China, 6-3, 6-1. Surface: Hardcourt indoor son and Austin Strand to Ontario (AHL). Temple 89, Memphis 66 Laura Siegemund, Germany, def. Elena Men’s Singles Recalled G Matthew Villalta from Ontario of Phoenix will be five of the six Rybakina, Kazakhstan, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5). Round of 32 (AHL). entrants in the skills competition. SOUTH Ons Jabeur, Tunisia, def. Anna Blinkova, Alex de Minaur, Australia, def. John Mill- MINNESOTA WILD — Signed F Juan Agu- Campbell 65, UNC-Asheville 34 Russia, 6-2, 6-2. man, Australia, 6-1, 6-4. delo to a one-year contract. They’ll be joined by Portland’s Presbyterian 61, Winthrop 41 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Russia, def. Andrey Rublev (4), Russia, def. Marcos MONTREAL CANADIENS — Recalled C Robert Covington, the only cur- South Florida 65, UCF 62 Kristyna Pliskova, Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-3. Giron, United States, 7-6 (1), 6-3. Cameron Hillis from Laval (AHL) loan. Tulane 77, East Carolina 60 Madison Keys, United States, def. Belin- Hubert Hurkacz, Poland, def. Adrian NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Placed D rent NBA player who is a graduate da Bencic (6), Switzerland, 6-4, 6-1. Mannarino, France, 6-3, 7-6 (6). Ryan Ellis on injured reserve. MIDWEST Misaki Doi, Japan, def. Zheng Saisai, Chi- Karen Khachanov, Russia, def. Stan NEW YORK ISLANDERS — Recalled RW of a historically Black college and na, 6-4, 6-3. Wawrinka (8), Switzerland, 6-4, 7-5. Oliver Wahlstrom from the minor league Cleveland St. 69, Green Bay 63 Women’s Doubles university. IUPUI 86, Oakland 64 Jeremy Chardy, France, def. Ugo Hum- taxi squad. Milwaukee 77, Youngstown St. 68 Round of 16 bert, France, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4). NEW YORK RANGERS — Recalled RW Ty Covington went to Tennessee Wright St. 74, N. Kentucky 56 Monica Niculescu, Romania, and Jelena Stefanos Tsitsipas (2), Greece, def. Egor Ronning from Hartford (AHL) from the taxi Ostapenko, Latvia, def. Shuko Aoyama Gerasimov, Belarus, 7-6 (4), 7-5. squad. State. HBCUs will be a major part SOUTHWEST and Ena Shibahara (3), Japan, 6-4, 6-2. Borna Coric, Croatia, def. Botic van de OTTAWA SENATORS — Recalled G Filip Zandschulp, Netherlands, 6-4, 7-6 (4). of All-Star night, and the league Cincinnati 65, Houston 57 Nicole Melichar, United States, and Gustavsson from Belleville (AHL) loan. Re- Demi Schuurs (2), Netherlands, def. Darija Men’s Doubles called LW Michael Haley and D Erik Brann- Utah Valley 60, Tarleton St. 58 Round of 16 has previously announced that Wichita St. 85, Tulsa 77, OT Jurak, Croatia, and Alexa Guarachi Mathi- strom from the minor league taxi squad. son, Chile, 6-2, 6-3. Lukasz Kubot, Poland, and Wesley Kool- PHILADELPIA FLYERS — Recalled C Con- scholarship funds that will sup- Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jessica hof (3), Netherlands, def. Kei Nishikori and nor Bunnaman from the minor league taxi COLLEGE FOOTBALL Pegula, United States, def. Akgul Aman- Ben Mclachlan, Japan, 7-5, 3-6, 10-6. squad. port Black students will receive an muradova, Uzbekistan, and En Shuo Liang, Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic (2), Croa- PITTSBURGH PENGUINS — Recalled RW Thursday’s game Taiwan, 6-1, 6-3. tia, def. Robin Haase and Matwe Middel- Josh Currie from the minor league taxi influx of at least $2.5 million from Elena Vesnina, Russia, and Laura Siege- koop, Netherlands, 6-2, 7-6 (3). squad. the events in Atlanta. MIDWEST mund, Germany, def. Victoria Azarenka, Pierre-Hugues Herbert, France, and Jan- SAN JOSE SHARKS — Recalled D Nick De- Belarus, and Elina Svitolina, Ukraine, 4-6, Lennard Struff, Germany, def. Hubert Hur- Simone and Nicolas Meloche, RW Sefan The only event that won’t in- South Dakota (1-0) at North Dakota (2-0) 7-5, 10-8. kacz, Poland, and Felix Auger-Aliassime, Noesen, C Joel Kellman, G Josef Korenar Kiki Bertens and Lesley Pattinama Kerk- Canada, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 10-8. and Alexei Melnichuk from San Jose (AHL) clude any All-Stars is the dunk Friday’s game hove, Netherlands, def. Anastasia Pavlyu- Horia Tecau, Romania, and Kevin Kra- loans. Assigned C Noah Gregor to San Jose contest, which will feature first- chenkova, Russia, and Cagla Buyukakcay, wietz, Germany, def. Jean-Julien Rojer, (AHL). EAST Turkey, 6-2, 6-3. Netherlands, and Marcelo Melo (4), Brazil, SOCCER time participants Anfernee Si- Major League Soccer Albany (NY) at New Hampshire Gabriela Dabrowski, Canada, and Anna 6-3, 3-6, 11-9. PHILADELPHIA UNION — Named Frank mons of Portland, Cassius Stanley PRO BASEBALL Leicht assistant coach, Yaseen Khan as- Saturday’s games sistant athletic trainer/strength and con- of Indiana and Obi Toppin of New ditioning coach, Marlon LeBlanc head York. EAST Spring training Atlanta 6, Minnesota 0 coach of Union II and Garrison Draper vice N.Y. Yankees 4, Baltimore 2 Maine at Delaware president of player health and perform- The dunk contest will be two AMERICAN LEAGUE St. Louis 0, Miami 0 ance. Villanova at Stony Brook Toronto 4, Philadelphia 2 National Women’s Soccer League rounds and judged by five former SC State at Howard (0-1) WLPct. N.Y. Mets 2, Houston 0 ORLANDO PRIDE — Signed F Abi Kim to a champions: Hall of Famer Domin- SOUTH Chicago Cubs 3, Kansas City 2 two-year contract through the 2022 sea- Toronto 2 0 1.000 Texas 5, Chicago White Sox 5 son. ique Wilkins, Dee Brown, Jason ETSU (1-0) at Wofford (1-1), ppd. Cleveland 6, Seattle 1 VMI (1-0) at W. Carolina (0-5) Cleveland 2 1 .667 COLLEGE Oakland 2, Milwaukee 1 POST UNIVERSITY — Named Tim Binkos- Richardson, Josh Smith and Spud Chattanooga (1-1) at The Citadel (0-5) Detroit 2 1 .667 San Diego 7, Arizona 2 Samford (1-1) at Furman (1-1) ki baseball’s assistant coach. Webb. It will be held at halftime of Kansas City 2 1 .667 Cincinnati 7, L.A. Angels 5 TENNESSEE UNIVERSITY — Named Kur Presbyterian at Gardner-Webb (1-0) L.A. Dodgers 1, San Francisco 1 William & Mary at Richmond Minnesota 2 1 .667 Schmidt football’s director of competition the All-Star Game, while the skills Wednesday’s games development. Jackson St. (1-0) at Grambling St. New York 2 1 .667 competition and three-point con- James Madison (2-0) at Elon (1-1) N.Y. Mets vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla. Ark.-Pine Bluff at Southern U. (1-0) Oakland 2 1 .667 Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay at Port Char- AP SPORTLIGHT test will occur pregame. Nicholls (2-0) at Northwestern St. Los Angeles 1 1 .500 lotte, Fla. Boston vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla. McNeese St. (1-1) at SE Louisiana (0-1) Seattle 1 1 .500 March 4 Alabama A&M at MVSU, ppd. Philadelphia vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla. Boston 1 2 .333 Baltimore vs. Atlanta at North Port, Fla. 1960 — Phil Latrielle of Middlebury Nationals: Lester to have MIDWEST Houston 1 2 .333 Miami vs. Washington at West Palm scores an NCAA-record 10 goals in a 13-2 S. Illinois (2-1) at Youngstown St. (0-2) Beach, Fla. victory over Colgate. Latrielle, a three time thyroid gland removed W. Illinois (0-1) at S. Dakota St. (1-1) Tampa Bay 1 2 .333 Seattle vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz. All-American, would score a record 250 N. Dakota St. (2-1) at Missouri St. (1-3) Chicago 0 1 .000 Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City at goals in the 85 games of his college hockey Washington Nationals left- Surprise, Ariz. Illinois St. (0-1) at N. Iowa (1-1) Texas 0 1 .000 career. Arizona vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz. 1962 — Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadel- hander Jon Lester will have sur- SOUTHWEST Baltimore 0 2 .000 Milwaukee vs. San Diego at Peoria, Ariz. phia Warriors registers his fifth straight gery to have a thyroid gland re- Mississippi College at Tarleton St. (1-2) Oakland vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, 50-point game with 58 against the New Incarnate Word (1-0) at Lamar (0-1) NATIONAL LEAGUE Ariz. York Knicks and sets a season scoring re- moved, manager Dave Martinez Texas Southern at Prairie View Texas vs. L.A. Angels at Tempe, Ariz. cord with 3,921 points. WLPct. Toronto vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla. 1968 — Joe Frazier wins the vacant New said Wednesday. FAR WEST Cincinnati vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, York world heavyweight title with an 11th- Chicago 2 0 1.000 Lester will leave spring training Weber St. (1-0) at Cal Poly, ppd. Ariz. round TKO of Buster Mathis at Madison Idaho St. (0-1) at S. Utah (0-1) Los Angeles 2 0 1.000 Thursday’s games Square Garden. in West Palm Beach, Fla., and fly UC Davis at Idaho (1-0) Miami 2 0 1.000 Boston vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla. 1981 — Guy LaFleur of the Montreal Can- adiens scores his 1,000th point with a goal to New York for the procedure. N. Arizona (1-0) at E. Washington (0-1) Atlanta 2 1 .667 Toronto vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla. Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, in a 9-3 rout over the Winnipeg Jets. Martinez said the 37-year-old Sunday’s games Milwaukee 2 1 .667 Fla. 1990 — Hank Gathers, one of two Divi- Colorado 1 1 .500 Atlanta vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla. sion I players to lead the nation in scoring starting pitcher is expected to be and rebounding in the same season, dies EAST New York 1 1 .500 N.Y. Yankees vs. Philadelphia at Clear- water, Fla. after collapsing during Loyola Mary- back at camp in about five to seven Wagner at Merrimack College, ppd. Pittsburgh 1 1 .500 Washington vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lu- mount’s West Coast Conference tourna- days. Sacred Heart at Duquesne Cincinnati 1 2 .333 cie, Fla. ment game against Portland. He was 23. Bryant at LIU San Diego vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz. 2001 — Anni Friesinger of Germany sets In 2006, Lester’s rookie season San Diego 1 2 .333 a world record in the women’s 1,500-meter SOUTH Chicago White Sox vs. San Francisco at San Francisco 0 1 .000 Scottsdale, Ariz. speedskating event at Calgary’s Olympic with the Boston Red Sox ended E. Illinois (0-1) at UT Martin (0-1) Washington 0 1 .000 Colorado vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz. oval. Friesinger posts a time of 1:54.38, early because he was diagnosed Jacksonville St. (4-1) at Tennessee St. Cleveland vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix well under the previous mark of 1:55.50 set (0-1) Philadelphia 0 2 .000 L.A. Angels vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, here in 1999 by Annamarie Thomas of the with a form of lymphoma. He had Arizona 0 3 .000 Ariz. Netherlands. MIDWEST 2012 — Deron Williams scores a fran- chemotherapy and returned the St. Louis 0 0 .000 St. Louis vs. Houston at West Palm Murray St. (1-0) at SE Missouri (1-1) Beach, Fla. chise-record 57 points to lead the New Jer- Kansas City vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, sey Nets to a 104-101 victory over the Char- next season. FAR WEST Tuesday’s games Ariz. lotte Bobcats. Williams breaks the fran- Dixie State (1-0) vs. New Mexico St. (0-1) Detroit 6, Pittsburgh 1 Chicago Cubs vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glen- chise’s previous mark of 52 points, shared at El Paso, Texas Boston 9, Tampa Bay 3 dale, Ariz. by Mike Newlin and Ray Williams. Associated Press PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 NBA

Scoreboard Suns overcome Booker’s ejection Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Phoenix wins 15th game WLPct GB in past 18 by dominating Philadelphia 23 12 .657 — Brooklyn 23 13 .639 ½ Lakers down the stretch Boston 18 17 .514 5 Toronto 17 17 .500 5½ BY GREG BEACHAM New York 18 18 .500 5½ Associated Press Southeast Division LOS ANGELES — Dario Šari WLPct GB scored 10 of his 21 points in the Miami 17 18 .486 — fourth quarter, Mikal Bridges Charlotte 16 18 .471 ½ added 19 and the Phoenix Suns Atlanta 15 20 .429 2 overcame Devin Booker’s ejection Washington 13 20 .394 3 Orlando 13 22 .371 4 for a 114-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Central Division Booker scored 17 points before WLPct GB getting ejected for arguing with Milwaukee 21 14 .600 — 7:10 left in the third quarter, but Indiana 15 18 .455 5 Chicago 15 18 .455 5 the Suns (23-11) still took charge Cleveland 14 21 .400 7 down the stretch and cruised to Detroit 9 25 .265 11½ their 15th victory in 18 games. Western Conference Phoenix also moved past the de- fending NBA champions (24-12) Southwest Division into second place in the Western WLPct GB Conference by winning percent- San Antonio 18 13 .581 — age after completing an unbeaten Memphis 16 15 .516 2 three-game road trip. Dallas 17 16 .515 2 New Orleans 15 19 .441 4½ “You gain confidence when a Houston 11 22 .333 8 guy like Book doesn’t play or gets Northwest Division tossed, and you’re able to pull a MARK J. TERRILL / AP WLPct GB game out on the road at the end of Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, center, passes the ball as Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley, left, a trip,” Suns coach Monty Wil- and guard Alex Caruso defend during the Suns’ 114­104 win Tuesday in Los Angeles. Utah 27 8 .771 — Portland 19 14 .576 7 liams said. “That’s a recipe for Denver 20 15 .571 7 mailing it in ... but that was a big- id succession, resulting in the All- best player goes out, and we just Davis, Kyle Kuzma and Marc Ga- Oklahoma City 14 20 .412 12½ time character win. We got better. Star’s second ejection in just over kept staying the course and fight- sol. Minnesota 7 28 .200 20 I think we played good tonight, but five weeks. ing all the way to the end.” Kuzma was a late scratch with a Pacific Division we probably got more confidence “We weren’t nervous,” Bridges LeBron James scored 38 points bruised right heel, while Gasol WLPct GB that we can pull a game out with- said of Booker’s sudden depar- for Los Angeles, which has lost missed his first game under the Phoenix 23 11 .676 — out Devin or Chris (Paul) saving ture. “We knew we had to go out five of seven with mounting injury NBA’s health and safety protocols. L.A. Lakers 24 12 .667 — the day.” there and do what we do. We had problems. Dennis Schröder added The Lakers dropped to 3-6 since L.A. Clippers 24 13 .649 ½ Booker was whistled for two to lock in for the rest of the game 17 points, but the Lakers couldn’t Davis was injured during a loss to Golden State 19 16 .543 4½ Sacramento 13 21 .382 10 technical fouls in remarkably rap- and do it for our teammates. ... Our keep up without regulars Anthony Denver on Valentine’s Day. Tuesday’s games Memphis 125, Washington 111 Atlanta 94, Miami 80 Boston 117, L.A. Clippers 112 ROUNDUP San Antonio 119, New York 93 Denver 128, Milwaukee 97 Phoenix 114, L.A. Lakers 104 Detroit at Toronto, ppd Wednesday’s games Detroit at Toronto Celtics roll past Leonard-less Clippers Indiana at Cleveland Utah at Philadelphia Brooklyn at Houston Associated Press this season, including two for a mouth lacera- Atlanta at Orlando Charlotte at Minnesota tion, two while in the health and safety proto- Chicago at New Orleans Oklahoma City at Dallas BOSTON — The Celtics have had trouble at cols and three for a bruised leg. Golden State at Portland times this season holding on to leads late in His absence comes with the Clippers on the L.A. Lakers at Sacramento games. tail end of a five-game road trip, which con- Thursday’s games L.A. Clippers at Washington Boston benefited from the surprise absence cludes Thursday at Washington. He was com- Toronto at Boston of one of the league’s top stars to avoid that and ing off a game in which he played 37 minutes in Detroit at New York Denver at Indiana post its first winning streak in a month. a loss at Milwaukee on Sunday. Milwaukee at Memphis Miami at New Orleans Kemba Walker had 25 points and six assists, Jackson said with Leonard out, the Celtics Oklahoma City at San Antonio Golden State at Phoenix and the Celtics took advantage of a late scratch used their length to their advantage. Sacramento at Portland of All-Star Kawhi Leonard and held off the Los “They were comfortable switching and also Friday’s games Angeles Clippers 117-112 on Tuesday night. comfortable playing one-on-one defense,” No games scheduled. Jaylen Brown finished with 18 points. Jayson Jackson said. “A lot of teams right now have Leaders Tatum and Payton Pritchard each added 14 as been hurting us with the switching.” Through Monday Boston posted three straight victories for the Hawks 94, Heat 80: Trae Young scored 18 Scoring first time since January. ELISE AMENDOLA / AP points, including 13 straight for his team in the GFG FT PTS AVG “I’m just playing the right way. Taking what- Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker, left, fourth quarter, and visiting Atlanta snapped Beal, WAS 30 351 223 997 33.2 ever the defense gives me. The shots are just passes the ball between LA Clippers forward Miami’s six-game winning streak. Embiid, PHI 29 271 288 865 29.8 falling. That’s it,” Walker said. “At the end of Nicolas Batum (33) and center Ivica Zubac, Nuggets 128, Bucks 97: Nikola Jokic had Lillard, POR 32 296 220 947 29.6 Curry, GS 34 330 180 1004 29.5 the day, the overall goal is to win. We’ve been right, in the Celtics’ win Tuesday in Boston. 37 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his Rebounds doing that.” ninth triple-double of the season and 50th of his Coach Brad Stevens said he’s proud of how starting lineup and finished with 25 points and career, and Denver won at Milwaukee to snap GOFF DEF TOT AVG his team has responded after a stretch that saw seven assists. the Bucks’ five-game winning streak. Capela, ATL 31 152 284 436 14.1 Drummond, CLE 25 101 236 337 13.5 them lose nine of 14. Leonard was listed as a starter before the Grizzlies 125, Wizards 111: Ja Morant had Gobert, UTA 35 115 348 463 13.2 “They’ve stayed together when they could game, but never took the floor during war- 35 points and 10 assists, De’Anthony Melton Antetokounmpo, MIL 33 62 327 389 11.8 have been pulled apart by the noise,” he said. mups. The team announced late in the first and Dillon Brooks each added 20 points, and Assists The Clippers, who have lost five of eight, quarter that he had been ruled out. visiting Memphis routed Washington. GAST AVG played without Leonard after he was ruled out Coach Tyronn Lue said he didn’t know Leo- Spurs 119, Knicks 83: Trey Lyles scored a Harden, BKN 30 331 11.0 shortly before the game due to back spasms. nard’s status for Thursday’s game against the season-high 18 points, Dejounte Murray added Westbrook, WAS 25 239 9.6 Paul George led Los Angeles with 32 points. Wizards. 17 and host San Antonio used a balanced effort Young, ATL 32 303 9.5 Reggie Jackson took Leonard’s place in the Leonard has missed seven previous games to end New York’s three-game winning streak. Doncic, DAL 32 287 9.0 Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NHL

Scoreboard ROUNDUP

East Division GP WLOT Pts GF GA Washington 21 12 5 4 28 73 69 Pens welcome back fans with win N.Y. Islanders 22 12 6 4 28 58 50 Boston 19 12 5 2 26 59 50 Philadelphia 19 11 5 3 25 63 59 Pittsburgh 21 12 8 1 25 65 67 With state coronavirus N.Y. Rangers 20 8 9 3 19 53 54 New Jersey 18 7 9 2 16 46 54 restrictions easing, Buffalo 20 6 11 3 15 46 60 Central Division team defeats Flyers 5-2 GP WLOT Pts GF GA Associated Press Tampa Bay 20 15 4 1 31 71 39 Carolina 22 15 6 1 31 76 60 PITTSBURGH — The arena Florida 21 13 4 4 30 67 60 wasn’t completely full for Pitts- Chicago 23 12 7 4 28 73 68 burgh’s game against visiting Phi- Columbus 24 9 10 5 23 66 78 ladelphia, yet it felt that way to Nashville 22 10 12 0 20 51 68 Detroit 25 7 15 3 17 52 82 Penguins forward Kasperi Kapa- Dallas 17 6 7 4 16 46 47 nen. West Division Kapanen scored two goals and GP WLOT Pts GF GA the Penguins defeated the Flyers Vegas 18 13 4 1 27 56 40 5-2 on Tuesday night. St. Louis 22 12 8 2 26 72 71 Pittsburgh won in front of their Minnesota 19 12 6 1 25 61 49 fans for the first time in almost a Colorado 19 11 7 1 23 57 48 year, as state coronavirus restric- Los Angeles 20 9 7 4 22 60 56 Arizona 21 9 9 3 21 56 64 tions were eased at the beginning San Jose 19 8 9 2 18 59 73 of the month and spectators were Anaheim 22 6 11 5 17 46 66 allowed into the building. Pen- North Division guins’ players raised their sticks GP WLOT Pts GF GA and saluted the fans in attendance Toronto 23 17 4 2 36 81 55 following the win. Winnipeg 22 14 7 1 29 74 59 “It was unbelievable,” Kapanen Edmonton 24 14 10 0 28 79 72 said. “It’s been a while since we Montreal 21 10 6 5 25 68 61 played in front of fans. Even Calgary 23 10 11 2 22 59 70 KEITH SRAKOCIC / AP Vancouver 26 9 15 2 20 74 90 though there were only 2,800, it Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart stops a shot by Pittsburgh Penguins right winger Kasperi Kapa­ Ottawa 25 8 16 1 17 67 95 felt like there was 20,000. It feels nen during the third period of the Penguins’ 5­2 win Tuesday in Pittsburgh. Monday’s games like things are kind of going back Ottawa 5, Calgary 1 to normal, so it was fun to see.” Carolina 3, Florida 2, OT to the bench for an extra attacker health department to open PPG Blue Jackets 4, Red Wings 1: Bryan Rust scored his seventh, St. Louis 5, Anaheim 4 with just under four minutes re- Paints Arena to 15% capacity, or Joonas Korpisalo made 19 saves Vancouver 4, Winnipeg 0 and Cody Ceci and Mike Mathe- Toronto 3, Edmonton 0 maining, when Matheson gained 2,800 fans on Tuesday. The Flyers and Columbus scored three sec- Vegas 5, Minnesota 4, OT son added goals for Pittsburgh, San Jose 6, Colorado 2 control of the puck just outside his will welcome fans back to the ond-period goals in beating De- which has won five of its last sev- Tuesday’s games own blue line and shot past a Wells Fargo Center on Sunday troit for the Blue Jackets’ first en. Ceci’s goal came just 1:08 after N.Y. Rangers 3, Buffalo 2 sprawling Hart for the final goal. against Washington. game in front of home fans in more Columbus 4, Detroit 1 Philadelphia’s Joel Farabee’s sec- Montreal 3, Ottawa 1 Following a scoreless first peri- Tuesday’s game was the first at than a year. N.Y. Islanders 2, New Jersey 1 ond goal made it a 3-2 game. Tris- Pittsburgh 5, Philadelphia 2 od, Farabee and Kapanen scored PPG Paints Arena with fans since Rangers 3, Sabres 2: Pavel Winnipeg 5, Vancouver 2 tan Jarry stopped 40 shots. 1:07 apart to open the second peri- the Penguins hosted the Carolina Buchnevich had a goal and an as- Carolina 4, Nashville 2 The Penguins, who are tied for Tampa Bay 2, Dallas 0 od. Farabee finished a give-and- Hurricanes on March 8, 2020. sist, Igor Shesterkin stopped 22 the most home wins since the be- Wednesday’s games go from Sean Couturier following Fans sat in pockets of no more shots and host New York beat Buf- Washington at Boston ginning of the 2019-20 season, re- a Pittsburgh turnover at center than four, spaced throughout the falo. Toronto at Edmonton bounded from one of their worst St. Louis at Anaheim ice. Kapanen tied the game on an lower bowl and half of the upper Islanders 2, Devils 1: Semyon Arizona at Los Angeles performances of the season, a Minnesota at Vegas unassisted breakaway. section of the arena. Varlamov made 28 saves and Colorado at San Jose shutout loss to the New York Islan- Couturier established a career- The early arriving crowd gave came within 14 seconds of his Thursday’s games ders on Sunday. high seven-game point streak with an ovation to Evgeni Malkin, as he fourth shutout, and New York beat Buffalo at N.Y. Islanders Farabee scored twice for the his assist on Farabee’s goal. left the ice last during pre-game the slumping Devils in New Jer- Detroit at Carolina N.Y. Rangers at New Jersey Flyers, who had a three-game Kapanen scored his second goal warmups and jeered the cross- sey’s first home game with fans in Philadelphia at Pittsburgh Winnipeg at Montreal winning streak halted. Carter of the game on the power play at state rival Flyers before puck almost a year. Florida at Nashville Hart made 22 saves for Philadel- 8:41 of the second and Rust gave drop. Hurricanes 4, Predators 2:Se- Tampa Bay at Chicago Columbus at Dallas phia. the Penguins a 3-1 lead at 10:45 of Lightning 2, Stars 0: Andrei bastian Aho scored twice to lead Ottawa at Calgary Toronto at Vancouver “I thought mentally we were the period. Rust finished Kris Le- Vasilevskiy stopped 28 shots for Carolina to a win at Nashville. Friday’s games there,” Farabee said. “I just think tang’s point shot from the top of his third consecutive shutout, ex- Jets 5, Canucks 2: Kyle Connor Washington at Boston the execution was a bit off all over the crease. tending his scoreless streak to 200 and Blake Wheeler each had a Tampa Bay at Chicago Anaheim at Colorado the ice, so we’ve got to regroup.” The team received approval minutes, and Stanley Cup cham- goal and two assists to lead host Minnesota at Arizona As evidence: Hart was heading from Gov. Tom Wolf and the state pion Tampa Bay won at Dallas. Winnipeg. St. Louis at Los Angeles Vegas at San Jose Saturday’s games Washington at Boston Tampa Bay at Chicago St. Louis at Los Angeles Canadiens beat Senators to give coach 1st NHL win Anaheim at Colorado Minnesota at Arizona Vegas at San Jose sistant, who grew up in nearby Joliette, Que- 55 minutes of great hockey. We had a five- Scoring leaders Associated Press bec. “I knew they would be minute breakdown there where we lost fo- Through Tuesday MONTREAL — Carey Price made 26 saves ready.” cus.” P G GAPTS in a bounce-back performance and the Mon- Artem Zub scored for last- Senators winger Drake Batherson hit the Connor McDavid, EDM 24 14 26 40 treal Canadiens beat the Ottawa Senators 3-1 place Ottawa (8-16-1), which post on an early four-minute power play, but Leon Draisaitl, EDM 24 10 24 34 on Tuesday night to give rookie coach Domin- had won four of five. Joey did not score. That ended his six-game goal Patrick Kane, CHI 23 11 23 34 ique Ducharme his first NHL victory. Daccord stopped 30 shots in streak, which matched a franchise record. Mitchell Marner, TOR 23 10 23 33 Auston Matthews, TOR 20 18 13 31 Jeff Petry and Brendan Gallagher each had his second NHL start for the Austin Watson also hit the post seven min- Mark Scheifele, WPG 21 11 17 28 a goal and an assist. Tyler Toffoli scored into Senators, who fell to 3-2-0 utes into the third on the Senators’ best James van Riemsdyk, PHI 18 10 15 25 an empty net for Montreal (10-6-5), which against Montreal this season chance to tie it. Nicklas Backstrom, WSH 21 10 15 25 snapped a five-game losing streak in Du- following Monday’s 5-1 vic- Ducharme The Canadiens entered on an 0-2-3 skid and Alex DeBrincat, CHI 19 11 14 25 Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA 21 8 16 24 charme’s first home game in charge of the tory over Calgary. had just one victory in their past eight games Anze Kopitar, LA 20 4 19 23 Canadiens. “Joey Daccord was spec- (1-4-3). Ducharme replaced the fired Claude Brad Marchand, BOS 19 10 13 23 “I really liked the way the guys handled tacular, gave us every chance to win,” Ottawa Julien last week in the wake of consecutive Brock Boeser, VAN 25 12 11 23 themselves,” said the 47-year-old former as- coach D.J. Smith said. “We played probably shootout and overtime losses in Ottawa. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 OLYMPICS/MLB Tokyo Olympics unlikely to allow fans from abroad

BY STEPHEN WADE mittee President Andrew Par- Associated Press sons, Tokyo Governor Yuriko TOKYO — The new president Koike and Olympic Minister Ta- of the Tokyo Olympic organizing mayo Marukawa. committee stopped short of saying Bach hinted at hard choices to there would be no foreign fans at be made in comments before the this year’s games, but she certain- meeting was closed to reporters. ly hinted at it Wednesday after on- “We will focus on the essen- line talks with IOC President Tho- tials,” Bach said. “That means mas Bach and others. mainly the competitions. This has The Japanese newspaper Main- to be the clear focus. In this re- ichi reported Wednesday that the spect, we may have to set one or decision had already been made to another priority.” PAUL SANCYA / AP exclude foreign fans. It cited only The exclusion of foreign fans Cleveland Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway, left, shown with manager Terry Francona during the unnamed sources “involved in the has been almost a foregone con- 2017 season. Francona said no one on the team “covered up” for Callaway, who is under investigation by discussions.” clusion with the games being held Major League Baseball following allegations of sexual harassment. “If the situation is tough and it during a pandemic. The Japanese would make the (Japanese) con- public has been openly opposed to sumers concerned, that is a situa- the games, and one sticking point tion we need to avoid from hap- has been the risk presented by vis- Indians’ Francona says team pening,” organizing committee itors entering the country. The president Seiko Hashimoto said. other has been the soaring costs. The newspaper report came The games will involve 11,000 didn’t cover up for Callaway just before Hashimoto’s meeting Olympic athletes, and later 4,400 with Bach. She said a decision on Paralympians, and tens of thou- BY TOM WITHERS body, I can tell you that,” Francona said on a Zoom foreign fans will come by the end sands of coaches, judges, spon- Associated Press call from the team’s spring training complex in of the month, and she wants one by sors, media and VIPs. Bach said CLEVELAND — Responding to claims the team Goodyear, Ariz. March 25, when the torch relay he was encouraged at the number protected Mickey Callaway, Indians manager Terry The Indians followed with a statement a few hours begins from northeastern Japan. of national Olympic committees Francona said no one in the Cleveland organization later. The Olympics are scheduled to that were getting athletes vacci- “covered up” for the former pitching coach who’s un- “Our organization continues to actively cooperate open on July 23. nated. The IOC said it encourages der investigation by Major League Baseball follow- with MLB on their investigation into Mickey Call- “In the current situation, it is vaccinations but will not require ing allegations of sexual harassment. away,” it said. “It is important we honor the confiden- impossible to bring in foreign them. Callaway is currently suspended as the Los An- tiality and integrity of that investigation. While we spectators,” the Mainichi newspa- Bach said his hope was “to have geles Angels pitching coach, pending the MLB inqui- don’t believe the reporting to date reflects who we are per said, citing an unnamed gov- as many participants as possible ry. as an organization, we will not comment further.” ernment official. arriving vaccinated to Tokyo.” The Athletic reported Tuesday that 12 current and “We remain committed to creating an inclusive Hashimoto was asked after the “There I can inform you that a former Indians employees came forward in the last work environment where everyone, regardless of meeting how Japan could even considerable number of national month to say Callaway’s actions were so obvious in- gender, can feel safe and comfortable at all times. We consider letting in thousands of Olympic committees has already side the team that “it would have been difficult for top will let our actions — not just our words — reflect our overseas fans, given how unpop- secured this pre-Tokyo vaccina- officials to not be aware of his behavior.” commitment.” ular the idea is at home, where up tion,” Bach said. Callaway’s alleged lewd behavior while he was Shortly before Francona spoke to the media, his to 80% want the Olympics can- The general plan is to isolate with Cleveland from 2013-17 included sending inap- son, Nick, posted on Twitter that he had read the new celed or postponed again. Japan athletes in the Olympic Village propriate photos, requesting nude photos in return story on Callaway and confronted his father. The has attributed about 8,000 deaths alongside Tokyo Bay; put them in and making women “feel uncomfortable.” younger Francona said the Indians “are clearly in the to COVID-19, but has controlled it abubble when they arrive, and un- “Nobody’s ever deliberately covered up for any- wrong.” much better than most countries. til they leave Japan. Hashimoto confirmed that the Hashimoto said a decision on subject of fans was a key part of venue capacity will be made by Pivotal: Kikuchi has been inconsistent the “five-party” talks with Bach, the end of April. She said the “ze- International Paralympic Com- ro-fans option” was not discussed. FROM PAGE 24 overall didn’t look great. He said. “I think we saw in the second this year, next year, we’re going to pitched at least six innings in four half the confidence in knowing make a good run for the playoffs of his starts. that this stuff is real, and I can and more. And so I’m just really In two starts against division ri- wreak havoc on a handful of li- focused on being able to be a big val Oakland, Kikuchi allowed no neups, it doesn’t really matter factor.” earned runs in 12 innings. He add- who’s in the box.” Part of the issue with analyzing ed a cutter to go along with his ex- Servais said Kikuchi has taken a Kikuchi is the oddity of the past cellent slider. very analytical approach to un- two seasons. In 2019, Kikuchi was And he seemed to find comfort derstanding the value of being spending his first year away from with Seattle’s six-man rotation, ahead in the count and what pitch- Japan, making the adjustment to which almost duplicated the fre- es work best in those situations. the majors. At times, he looked the quency with which he pitched in Having altered his repertoire of part of an ace. At other times, he Japan. Seattle intends to use the pitches last year, Kikuchi said his struggled badly and appeared six-man rotation this season and offseason was focused on pitch stubborn about making adjust- possibly beyond. command and simplifying his me- ments. “We all saw the stuff last spring chanics. DU XIAOYI / AP He made just nine starts during training had changed from 2019. “Scott has trusted me for two Seiko Hashimoto, front left, president of the Tokyo Organizing Com­ the shortened 2020 season, but the He kind of spent last year figuring years now and so I want to be able mittee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, hinted that foreign fans results led to optimism about Ki- out what that stuff is and how to to put up good numbers for him will be not be allowed and a decision on the matter will come by the kuchi moving forward, even with use it and how to play with it,” this year and years to come,” Ki- end of the month. numbers — 2-4, 5.17 ERA — that pitching coach Pete Woodworth kuchi said. Thursday, March 4, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Illinois makes statement, drubs No. 2 Michigan

BY NOAH TRISTER nose, but Illinois has won them all. Associated Press Underwood said Dosunmu has al- ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Trent so been in concussion protocol. Frazier, Andre Curbelo and No. 4 Eli Brooks scored 11 points and Illinois arrived at Crisler Center was the only player in double fig- ready to make a point. ures for the Wolverines (18-2, “We’re the hardest-playing 13-2), who looked physically over- team in the country. That’s our whelmed for much of the night, statement,” Frazier said. “Even unable to create good shots and without our best player, we’ve got were unable to keep the Illini off a lot of guys on this team.” the boards. It was an eye-opening Duly noted. blowout — especially since Michi- Frazier led the way with 22 gan has rolled to similar margins points, Curbelo scored 11 of his 17 of victory against other good in the first half, and the Illini dis- teams this season. mantled No. 2 Michigan with a Both teams had a hard time smothering defensive perform- scoring in the first half, but Curbe- AL GOLDIS / AP ance, routing the Wolverines 76- lo’s ability to drive to the basket Michigan State’s Aaron Henry shoots against Indiana’s Khristian 53 on Tuesday night. helped Illinois to a 33-22 lead at Lander, left, and Trey Galloway during the first half on Tuesday. Kofi Cockburn added 12 points the break. Then the Illini kept for Illinois. Playing again without pouring it on. injured star Ayo Dosunmu, Illi- “They played with great activity PAUL SANCYA / AP nois (19-6, 15-4 Big Ten) kept Mi- from the jump of the ball. They hit Illinois guard Da’Monte Williams Michigan State chigan from clinching the confer- us first. We weren’t prepared,” the reacts to a play in the Illini’s win ence title and boosted its chances Wolverines’ Isaiah Livers said. “It over Michigan on Tuesday. at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tour- felt like they were on a run the boosts its hopes, nament. whole game.” what areas where we can improve “I would be challenged to find a Illinois outscored Michigan on. It’s going to be, I call it a horror better win in college basketball 22-5 in second-chance points and film.” this year — a better road win any- held the Wolverines to 35% shoot- The Big Ten confirmed before Duke loss costly way. I mean, in all the analytics, ing from the field. the game that it will use winning they’re up there,” Illini coach “We will learn from a loss like percentage to determine the Associated Press “We played hard,” Indiana Brad Underwood said. “So I think this, and the type of performance league champion. Michigan can EAST LANSING, Mich. — Aa- coach Archie Miller said. “We it’s got to make a pretty solid state- that we gave tonight was not ac- still wrap that up with a win in ei- ron Henry had 18 of his 22 points didn’t play well enough to win.” ment.” ceptable at all,” coach Juwan Ho- ther of its last two regular-season in the second half, leading Michi- Henry matched a career high Dosunmu has missed the past ward said. “We’re going to come in games — or if the Illini lose their gan State to a 64-58 win over Indi- with 27 points in the previous three games after breaking his tomorrow, watch film and see last game this weekend. ana on Tuesday night in a match- meeting, leading the Spartans to a up of teams on the bubble to play 78-71 comeback win at Indiana TOP 25 ROUNDUP in the NCAA Tournament. less than two weeks ago. That vic- “The pressure is on,” Henry tory was key for a team hoping to said. play in a 23rd straight NCAA The Spartans (14-10, 8-10 Big Tournament. No. 3 Baylor clinches Big 12 title Ten) broke a tie for ninth-place in Henry started 0-for-5 and had Associated Press touch until the very end against with the long ball, hitting 15 three- the highly touted conference with just four points in the first half. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — the Mountaineers (17-7, 10-5). pointers. the Hoosiers (12-13, 7-11) in a pos- In the end, though, the junior Coach Scott Drew jumped on “Probably the number one mo- No. 15 Texas 81, Iowa State sibly pivotal game for their post- forward made plays at both ends Mark Vital’s back after Baylor ment ever at Baylor,” said Butler, 67: Kai Jones came off the bench season hopes. of the court to lift Michigan State. clinched the Big 12 championship, who had fouled out in overtime on- to score a season-high 17 points Michigan State’s Joshua Lang- “Aaron Henry made some cru- pointed a finger to the sky, then ly to run back onto the court after and lead four players in double ford scored 13 points and Gabe cial plays late,” said Miller, who raced off the court ahead of his it was over to hug every teammate figures for the visiting Longhorns. Brown added 10 points for a team recruited Henry when he was a players to prepare for an even in sight. Texas (15-7, 9-6 Big 12) led for that has won four of its past five high school star in Indianapolis. more raucous celebration. Butler finished with 25 points. all but 22 seconds, beating the Cy- games. “To his credit, he made some big “I was able to beat them into the Mitchell scored four of the Bears’ clones (2-19, 0-16) for the eighth Rob Phinisee scored 16 points baskets late and we didn’t, espe- locker room, get the water ready 13 points in overtime and finished time in 10 meetings. and was Indiana’s only player in cially in the last 2½ minutes.” and get them,” Drew said. “And I with 20. No. 18 Texas Tech 69, TCU double figures. Duke, meanwhile, wasn’t up the got the COLD water ready for No. 8 Alabama 70, Auburn 58: 49: Kyler Edwards scored 17 of Trayce Jackson-Davis was held task of making a case for the them, too.” Jaden Shackelford scored 23 his 20 points in the first half to help to a season-low nine points and NCAA Tournament. Jared Butler scored 25 points points, made five three-pointers the host Red Raiders take control. matched a career low by making Moses Wright scored 29 points before fouling out, Davion Mitch- and helped the host Tide quash a Texas Tech (16-8, 8-7 Big 12) fol- only one shot on five attempts. The and grabbed two of his 14 re- ell hit the go-ahead basket in over- second-half threat and beat the Ti- lowed a nine-point home victory sophomore forward averages 20 bounds in the final 35 seconds, and time and the third-ranked Bears gers. over No. 15 Texas with another points a game and scored a career- Georgia Tech snapped a 14-game beat No. 6 West Virginia 94-89 Shackelford helped Alabama strong effort. high 34 points in the last game losing streak against the Blue Tuesday for Baylor’s first Big 12 (20-6, 15-2 Southeastern Confer- No. 23 Purdue 73, No. 25 Wis­ against the Spartans. Devils with an 81-77 overtime vic- regular-season title. ence) score 10 straight points after consin 69: Freshman Zach Edey “That was personal,” Michigan tory. The Bears (19-1, 11-1 Big 12) Auburn (12-14, 6-11) pulled to scored a career-high 21 points and State coach Tom Izzo said. “That The Yellow jackets (14-8, 10-6 bounced back in a big way from within five late. Jaden Ivey added 18 to help the was embarrassing. I recruited ACC), winners of five straight, last their only loss of the season at No. Herbert Jones had 10 points, host Boilermakers hold on to beat Trace, but you can’t give God 34 beat Duke in 2010. 13 Kansas on Saturday. They nine rebounds and six assists for the Badgers. points.” The second loss in a row — both struggled in their two previous the Tide. Purdue (17-8, 12-6 Big Ten) has The Hoosiers have lost four in a in overtime — left the Blue Devils games coming off a three-week No. 12 Arkansas 101, South won four straight and five of its row and five of their past six (11-10, 9-8) almost certainly needi- layoff because of COVID-19 issues Carolina 73: Moses Moody tied last six. games. The late-season slide has ng to win the ACC tournament in the program. his career high with 28 points and Ben Davison scored 15 points to hurt the team’s chances of going to championship to keep them from After managing just 58 points the visiting Razorbacks earned lead Wisconsin (16-10, 10-9), the NCAA Tournament for the missing the NCAA Tournament against the Jayhawks, Baylor their 10th straight SEC win . which has lost four of its last five first time since 2016. for the first time since 1995. maintained its energy and scoring Arkansas (20-5, 12-4 SEC) did it — all against ranked teams. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, March 4, 2021 Heavyweight battle SPORTS No. 4 Illinois goes on road, hammers No. 2 Michigan ›› College basketball, Page 23

MLB At the crossroads Kikuchi facing pivotal season BY TIM BOOTH Associated Press t feels very much like Yusei Kikuchi just $66 million arrived in the majors after his highly antic- Amount the Mariners will have to pay starting pitcher ipated move from Japan. Yusei Kikuchi over the next four years if they exercise the Yet, the left-hander is already about to club option at the end of this season. The option has to start his third season with the Seattle Mari- be exercised within three days after the World Series. nIers and easily his most important to date. SOURCE: Associated Press “I feel that he’s kind of got his arms around where he’s at as a pitcher and hopefully it starts within three days of the conclusion of the World Se- playing out on the field more consistently,” manag- ries. This isn’t just a one-year option, but a commit- er Scott Servais said. “We’ve seen it. We’ve seen it ment for four years that would keep Kikuchi tied to in flashes, we just haven’t seen consistent stretches the Mariners through the 2025 season. of it.” That option would cost Seattle $66 million over Kikuchi got in his first work of spring training the life of the deal. ELAINE THOMPSON / AP Tuesday, throwing two innings, allowing one hit, Should the Mariners decline the four-year op- Manager Scott Servais says he's seen flashes of one run and striking out three against the Cleve- tion, Kikuchi has control over his future. He could starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi's talent the past land Indians. His plan is to build up to five or six exercise a player option to remain in Seattle for the two seasons, just not consistent stretches of it. innings prior to the start of the season, when Ki- 2022 season and be paid $13 million. Or he could kuchi seems likely to fit into the six-man rotation opt out of the deal entirely and become a free agent It’s a massive decision that could lock Kikuchi in behind staff ace Marco Gonzales. at age 30. long-term or leave both sides searching for other And when the season begins, so will the analysis options. of how and whether the Mariners will move for- “It’s obviously a big year contract-wise person- ward with Kikuchi. ally, but I’m more focused on how big of a year it is Kikuchi’s contract is structured so that he and for our team. This year and next year,” Kikuchi the Mainers will have to make major decisions fol- said through an interpreter. “We truly believe that lowing the conclusion of the 2021 season. Seattle holds a club option on Kikuchi to be exercised SEE PIVOTAL ON PAGE 22

“We truly believe that this year, next year, we’re going to make a good run for the playoffs and more. And so I’m just really focused on being able to be a big

Kikuchi saw his first action of spring training Tuesday factor.” against the Cleveland Indians in Peoria, Ariz. Yusei Kikuchi CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP Mariners starting pitcher

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