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Volume 79 Edition 234 ©SS 2021 MONDAY,MARCH 15, 2021 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas Coronavirus conspiracy theories pain for nurses

BY ALI SWENSON AND DAVID KLEPPER Associated Press Los Angeles emergency room nurse Sandra Younan spent the last year juggling long hours as she watched many patients strug- gle with the coronavirus and some die. Then there were the patients who claimed the virus was fake or coughed in her face, ig- noring mask INSIDE rules. One As cases man storm- ed out of the rise, Italy hospital af- ter a positive designates COVID-19 test, refusing red zones to believe it Page 7 was accurate. “You have patients that are lit- erally dying, and then you have patients that are denying the dis- ease,” she said. “You try to edu- cate and you try to educate, but JENSEN GUILLORY/U.S. Army then you just hit a wall.” Soldiers conduct area reconnaissance in Syria. Though the Biden administration does not appear to be in any rush to pull out the 900 U.S. Bogus claims about the virus, troops who remain in the country, White House officials have said they are reviewing the troop presence in Syria. masks and vaccines have explod- ed since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic a year ago. Jour- nalists, public health officials and tech companies have tried to push back against the falsehoods, but A question of commitment much of the job of correcting mis- information has fallen to the world’s front-line medical work- Possibility Biden administration could reconsider deployment top concern for US troops in Syria ers. In Germany, a video clip show- BY DAVID S. CLOUD “We’ve got the flagpole planted.” How committed President Joe Biden will be ing a nurse using an empty syr- Los Angeles Times to keeping troops in Syria is uncertain, howev- inge while practicing vaccinations KHSHAM, Syria — At a makeshift military Lt. Alan Favalora er. traveled widely online as purport- outpost abutting a natural gas field in eastern Louisiana National Guard soldier in Syria The Biden administration does not appear to ed evidence that COVID-19 is Syria, the signs of the country’s violent upheav- be in any rush to pull out the 900 U.S. troops fake. Doctors in Afghanistan re- al are everywhere. Bombed-out concrete are here — and not planning on leaving soon. who remain in the country, a relatively small ported patients telling them CO- buildings lie in ruins. The pipes that once car- “We’ve got the flagpole planted,” said Army force that some White House officials see as VID-19 was created by the United ried liquefied natural gas are shredded and Lt. Alan Favalora, a Louisiana National Guard key to preventing a resurgence of the Islamic States and China to reduce the twisted. soldier at Conoco, the name the base acquired State and a rush to reclaim the area’s oil fields world population. In Bolivia, med- A tattered U.S. flag strung between 40-foot- from the long-departed U.S. oil and gas firm by Syrian President Bashar Assad and his Rus- ical workers had to care for five tall gas processing towers flies high over the that once operated the wells. “We want them to base, a visible symbol that American troops know we are committed to this region.” SEE QUESTION ON PAGE 5 SEE NURSES ON PAGE 6 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER Microsoft probes whether hackers cracked research EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1136.36 Bloomberg Then in late February, Microsoft no- company has focused part of its in- Switzerland (Franc) 0.9306 Euro costs (March 15) $1.16 Thailand (Baht) 30.74 Microsoft Corp. is investigating tified DEVCORE that it was close to vestigation on understanding if Dollar buys (March 15) 0.8177 Turkey (Lira) 7.5848 British pound (March 15) $1.36 whether hackers who attacked its releasing security patches to fix the DEVCORE may have been com- Japanese yen (March 15) 106.00 (Military exchange rates are those available email system exploited the findings problem. promised, or in some way tipped off South Korean won (March 15) 1100.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ of Taiwanese researchers who were In the days after Microsoft dis- attackers that the patch was in the many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) 0.3771 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ the first to alert the software compa- closed its still secret patch to DEV- pipeline, valuable intelligence for Britain (Pound) 0.7200 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2521 your local military banking facility. Commercial ny to the vulnerabilities, according CORE, attackers escalated their hackers seeking to time their attack China(Yuan) 6.5042 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.2330 to a person familiar with the investi- malicious activity on networks us- to maximize its impact, according to Egypt (Pound) 15.6991 when buying currency. All figures are foreign gation. ing Exchange servers connected to the person, who asked not to be iden- Euro 0.8382 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7653 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ DEVCORE, a small firm based in the internet, according to research- tified because details of the probe Hungary (Forint) 307.31 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.3234 Taipei City that specializes in dis- ers at Palo Alto Networks Inc. haven’t been publicly released. Japan (Yen) 109.00 INTEREST RATES covering computer security flaws, Microsoft is exploring if intelli- A Microsoft spokesperson con- Kuwait(Dinar) 0.3027 Norway (Krone) 8.4534 Prime rate 3.25 in December said it found bugs af- gence it shared with partners may firmed the investigation, but didn’t Philippines (Peso) 48.38 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.84 Federal funds market rate 0.09 fecting Microsoft’s widely used Ex- have somehow triggered the attack, comment on whether DEVCORE’s Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7508 3­month bill 0.04 change business email software. Bloomberg News reported. The role is under scrutiny. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3455 30­year bond 2.28 WEATHER OUTLOOK MONDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST MONDAY IN EUROPE TUESDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 52/36

Kabul Seoul 62/43 55/30 Baghdad 67/45 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 53/29 71/39 78/49 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 42/34 66/41 51/38 Iwakuni Kuwait City Bahrain 61/45 76/60 Brussels Zagan Sasebo 74/64 Ramstein 44/36 63/52 Guam 48/36 48/33 86/78 Riyadh Lajes, 89/65 Doha Azores Stuttgart 77/65 65/55 36/29 Pápa Aviano/ 51/34 Vicenza 55/36

Naples 59/43 Okinawa Morón 75/66 71/44 Sigonella Rota Djibouti 63/46 The weather is provided by the 71/49 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 84/77 63/49 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 18 Opinion ...... 14 Sports ...... 19-24 Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY US, Japan pull off a massive personnel drop

BY SETH ROBSON Stars and Stripes YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — “The biggest US-Japan airborne operation in history” involved hundreds of Japanese soldiers parachuting from Air Force trans- port planes in the shadow of Mount Fuji, according to the 374th Airlift Wing. Photos of Tuesday’s training, dubbed Airborne 21, show para- troopers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 1st Airborne Brigade jumping from a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to Yoko- Yokota to Tsuiki Air Base in Fuku- ta’s 36th Airlift Squadron. They oka prefecture to collect 80 Japa- landed at Combined Arms Train- nese paratroopers who jumped ing Center Camp Fuji. from the planes with the help of The Air Force was fortunate to Army paratroopers from Alaska. be able to support Airborne 21, an During Airborne 21, Yokota’s event led by the JGSDF, wing spo- aircraft dropped the Japanese keswoman Capt. Caitlin Mott supply bundles without malfunc- wrote in an email Friday to Stars tions, Mott said. and Stripes. The supplies were dropped to “It involved the largest person- multiple locations, in theory sup- nel drop during a ground scheme porting individual firing positions, of maneuver,” she said, echoing a she said. wing Facebook post saying the “This event further strength- training included “approximately ened our relationship with our al- 600 JGSDF paratroopers, 12 lies and partners by demonstra- C-130J aircraft and 130 contain- ting our resolve to promote securi- ment delivery system bundles.” ty and stability throughout the re- Japanese paratroopers have gion,” she said. jumped from the wing’s planes in YASUO OSAKABE/U.S. Air Force the past. In November 2018, for [email protected] Japanese paratroopers jump from an Air Force C­130J Super Hercules at Combined Arms Training Center example, two C-130Js flew from Twitter: @SethRobson1 Camp Fuji, Japan, on Tuesday. Airman honored for braving icy waters to rescue elderly woman BY CHAD GARLAND members and the Happy Hooli- Mom out,” Kathy Paulson, the pa- Stars and Stripes gans,” Gov. Doug Burgum said in a tient’s daughter, was quoted say- An airman who waded into video of the event, using the Fargo- ing in the 2019 wing statement. freezing swamp water in North based 119th Wing’s nickname. Paulson had been following the Dakota to rescue a 91-year-old The award, named for one of the ambulance that was taking her woman from a flooding ambulance most highly decorated soldiers in mother, Dolores Paulson, to Bis- was honored this month for his he- North Dakota history and the first marck for a medical procedure. roism. full-blooded Sioux to receive the She had pulled over and was on the Tech. Sgt. Ryan Fontaine of the Medal of Honor, recognizes “cour- line with 911 after the crash. 219th Security Forces Squadron at age, fortitude and determination to “I thought at that point it would Minot Air Force Base received the protect or defend life, limb or prop- sink totally under the broken ice,” North Dakota National Guard’s erty,” the state said in 2019. Kathy Paulson said. “I did not real- Woodrow W. Keeble Award at a Fontaine was driving on U.S. ize at the time, but the … warning ceremony in Fargo on March 6. Highway 83 on Thanksgiving night was due to hypothermia.” NATHANAEL BAARDSON/U.S. Air National Guard “His selfless acts in those icy wa- 2019, coming downhill on an icy Using a jack from Fontaine’s ve- Gov. Doug Burgum, right, presents the Woodrow W. Keeble Award to ters on that fateful day in Novem- stretch of four-lane highway, when hicle, the rescuers were able to Tech. Sgt. Ryan Fontaine, of Minot Air Force Base's 219th Security ber exemplify the courage and he noticed flashing lights and two break a window. A passerby Forces Squadron, as Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann looks on at the North professionalism that we know and vehicles parked on the shoulder. named Woody Valdez-Perez pro- Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., on March 6. have come to expect from our He stopped and saw an ambulance vided a tow-rope before Fontaine North Dakota National Guard half-submerged in a frozen slough, and ambulance crew member Ha- safety. Dolores would have lasted in that the 119th Wing said in a statement san Abdul-Jabbar made their way “The whole thing probably took cold water.” the following month. to the sinking vehicle. about 10 minutes,” Fontaine said. Ward County Sheriff Bob Roed The three-member ambulance “The large chunks of ice in the “But it seemed like much longer.” presented Fontaine and Valdez- Correction crew had escaped by breaking a water made it nearly impossible Soon, ambulances and police Perez with certificates and coins side cab window with an ice scrap- for anyone to swim in the water cars arrived. Paulson was placed for their efforts in January 2020, A March 12 story about the er, but the cab was twisted in the around the ambulance, but Abdul- into another ambulance and the Air Force photos show. Johnson & Johnson CO- wreck, preventing the patient in Jabbar made it into the ambu- others were checked out and treat- “Words cannot express my grat- VID-19 vaccine should have the back from getting out through lance,” Fontaine said in the state- ed for possible hypothermia. Ev- itude, my mother’s gratitude, as said that U.S. Forces Korea that window. ment. eryone survived, the wing state- well as the gratitude of my entire received 9,700 doses Tues- The crew tried to break the win- Abdul-Jabbar looped the rope ment said. family” for those who stopped to day and planned to start ad- dows in the back with a fire extin- around Paulson, who her daughter “I noticed about four or five ve- help, Kathy Paulson said. “Let it be ministering them that day at guisher, but failed. said was “standing in water with hicles as they drove by when I first known you are all heroes.” Osan Air Base. “A paramedic shouted at one ice chunks up to her armpits,” and got there and I am just glad a few of

point they had between a minute then he eased her out as Fontaine us stopped to help,” Fontaine said. [email protected] and a minute-and-a-half to get and Valdez-Perez pulled her to “I am not sure how much longer Twitter: @chadgarland PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 MILITARY Germany spent fraction of allies to host troops

BY JOHN VANDIVER Berlin’s contribution is still far Stars and Stripes less than other key U.S. allies STUTTGART, Germany — when it comes to paying for bases. Germany spent $118 million last On Wednesday, South Korea year on hosting foreign forces, a agreed to increase the sum it pays fraction of what other major allies to support about 28,500 U.S. spend on cost-sharing and far less troops on the peninsula by 13.9%, than the billions the U.S. military bringing expenditures to $1.03 bil- pumps into Germany's economy. lion this year. Japan this year will About $53 million was spent on contribute $1.9 billion to maintain “follow-on” administrative costs tens of thousands of U.S. service such as land acquisition, the Ger- members there. JOHN VANDIVER/Stars and Stripes man press agency dpa reported. The U.S. military functions as a That was $10 million more than major economic engine in parts of Cranes, concrete mixers and construction crews at a construction site at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany in August. last year, but the increase was Germany, particularly in rural ar- connected to British, Dutch and eas and small cities. In the area German officials have said. istrations and was a focal point for ington says is a violation of NA- Canadian forces in Germany, dpa around Ramstein Air Base alone, Still, some left-wing German former President Donald Trump, TO’s treaty on foreign troops. Ger- reported. the military injected $1.2 billion politicians have repeatedly criti- which proposed a significant many is the only allied country Military construction project into the economy in 2019, accord- cized the costs associated with the drawdown of U.S. forces. The Bi- where U.S. military personnel are spending fell from $66 million in ing to U.S. Air Forces in Europe basing of U.S. forces in Germany. den administration has put a tem- at risk of being taxed on their pay- 2019 to $59 million last year, the data. “It is high time to stop this mas- porary halt to that plan while it re- checks. report said, citing government da- The U.S. Army in Bavaria con- sive waste of taxpayers’ money … views America’s overseas mili- On Wednesday, the German ta provided to federal parliament tributes nearly $1 billion annually it’s time for the U.S. soldiers to go tary posture. Foreign Office in a statement to member Sevim Dagdelen. to local economies, Bavarian gov- home,” Dagdelen, a member of In another military-financial Stars and Stripes said it was work- The majority of spending was ernment figures show. The Left party, said in a statement. dispute, the U.S. and Germany are ing on an “amicable” solution to related to the U.S. military, which Similarly, tens of millions of dol- The mismatch in military in- at odds over attempts by some the taxation issues. at about 32,000 troops maintains a lars flow into the economies of vestment between the U.S. and German finance offices to extract much larger presence than other Stuttgart and Wiesbaden, where Germany has long been an area of income tax payments from U.S. [email protected] allied missions in Germany. But there are major military facilities, contention for presidential admin- military personnel, which Wash- Twitter: @john_vandiver Afghan minister says security forces can hold their own BY KATHY GANNON viewing a deal the Trump administration Associated Press struck with the Taliban over a year ago that KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s calls for the withdrawal of the remaining interior minister said Saturday that Afghan 2,500 U.S. troops by May 1. security forces can hold their ground even if That deal also calls for the Taliban to U.S. troops withdraw, challenging a warn- break ties with terrorist groups, like al-Qai- ing from the United States predicting a da. U.S. officials have previously said some withdrawal would yield quick territorial progress has been seen but more was need- gains to the Taliban. ed, without elaborating. Masoud Andarabi’s comments in an in- No decisions have been made on the re- terview Saturday with The Associated view but Blinken, who is trying to jumpstart Press were the first government reaction to a stalled peace process between the govern- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s ment and Taliban armed opposition, has warning issued in a sharply worded letter to warned Afghanistan’s president that all op- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last week- tions are still on the table, and that he should end. step up peacemaking efforts. In the letter pressing Ghani to step up ef- Residents of the Afghan capital of Kabul forts to make peace with the Taliban, Blin- are terrorized by runaway crime, bombings ken said, “I am concerned the security sit- and assassinations, and complain bitterly of uation will worsen and that the Taliban security failures. could make rapid territorial gains” after the RAHMAT GUL/AP Andarabi sympathized with citizens’ American military withdraws. Afghan Interior Minister Massoud Andarabi speaks during an interview with The complaints, but he said nearly 70 percent of Andarabi said Afghanistan’s National Se- Associated Press at the Ministry of the Interior in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Saturday. Afghanistan’s police force is battling the curity Forces could hold territory, but Taliban, eroding efforts to maintain law and would likely endure heavy losses trying to or NATO forces as a condition of the agree- Forces backed by U.S. assistance have so order. hold remote checkpoints without U.S. air ment, the Afghan National Security forces far put a squeeze on terrorist groups oper- Every day the police confront over 100 support. have faced some blistering assaults. ating in Afghanistan, including the local Is- Taliban attacks throughout the country, he “The Afghan security forces are fully ca- Interviewed at the heavily fortified Inte- lamic State affiliate. added. pable of defending the capital and the cities rior Ministry, Andarabi also repeated his A hasty “uncalculated withdrawal could Even the United Nations Security Coun- and the territories that we are present in government’s warning against a hasty U.S. certainly give an opportunity for those ter- cil has expressed concern at the targeted right now,” he said. “We think that the Af- retreat from the war-ravaged country, say- rorists ... to threaten the world,” he said killings, aimed at civil society activists, ghan security forces this year have proven ing that the Taliban’s ties to al-Qaida re- from inside the compound, protected by journalists, lawyers and judges. The Islam- to the Taliban that they will not be able to main intact and that a swift pullout would concrete blast walls, barbed wire and a pha- ic State has taken responsibility for many gain territory.” worsen global counterterrorism efforts. lanx of security guards. but the Taliban and the government blame While the Taliban have not attacked U.S. He said that Afghan National Security The warning comes as Washington is re- each other for the spike in attacks. Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY/MIDEAST US-Turkey reset faces long list of hurdles BY SUZAN FRASER ropean nations and other former Associated Press allies in a bid to patch troubled re- ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish lations and end its international President Recep Tayyip Erdogan isolation. has toned down his anti-Western Biden, who has spoken about and anti-U.S. rhetoric in an appar- restoring international alliances ent effort to reset the rocky rela- and traditional ties as well as tionship with his NATO allies, but strengthening NATO, would have so far he’s been met by silence an interest in rebuilding ties and from President Joe Biden. trying to pull Turkey away from Nearly two months into his Russia’s sphere of influence. presidency, Biden still hasn’t But analysts say it’s going to be called Erdogan, which some in very difficult to reset the relation- Turkey see as a worrying sign. By ship, given the range of issues contrast, former President Do- where the two countries don’t see nald Trump and Erdogan spoke eye to eye, including Turkey’s de- just days after the 2016 election. cision to acquire the advanced Ties between Ankara and Russian S-400 anti-aircraft sys- Washington — which once consid- tem, which Washington says poses ered each other as strategic part- a threat to NATO and to the U.S. ners — have steadily deteriorated F-35 fighter aircraft program. in recent years over differences on Syria, Turkey’s cooperation Washington kicked Turkey out of the F-35 production program and with Russia and more recently on KAYHAN OZER, PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE, POOL/AP Turkish naval interventions in the Then­Vice President Joe Biden, left, poses for photographers with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip last year imposed sanctions on se- eastern Mediterranean, which Erdogan prior to their meeting at Yildiz Mabeyn Palace in Istanbul, on Jan. 23, 2016. nior Turkish defense industry of- U.S. officials have described as ficials as well as bans on military destabilizing. ficials after an interview with the a senior Turkish government offi- that she was sure he would call Er- export licenses. Despite tensions, many within New York Times in which he cial told The Associated Press that dogan “at some point.” Turkey argues that the Russian Erdogan’s government were hop- spoke about supporting Turkey’s Erdogan’s office “is not thrilled” Left with few friends due to a system, which cost the country ing for four more years of the ad- opposition against “autocrat” Er- about it. The official spoke on con- spate of assertive foreign policy, $2.5 billion, is not a threat to the ministration led by Trump, who dogan. dition of anonymity due to the sen- anti-Western rhetoric and in- NATO alliance and it has repeat- had a personal rapport with Erdo- In public statements, Turkish sitivity of the issue. creasing authoritarianism, Tur- edly called for dialogue to resolve gan and didn’t give him any lec- officials have played down the Jen Psaki, the White House key is now looking to attract for- the issue. Washington insists the tures about Turkey’s human lack of a phone call from the White press secretary, said last week eign investments to rescue its sanctions cannot be lifted as long rights record. House, noting that conversations that there were many world lead- troubled economy. Erdogan has as the Russian system remains on Biden drew ire from Turkish of- are happening at other levels, but ers Biden still hadn’t talked to and been reaching out to the U.S., Eu- Turkish soil. Question: Many fear US withdrawal will leave room for ISIS to resurface

FROM PAGE 1 ISIS“is largely contained and not “There’s a very hard line,” said in a position to threaten the U.S. Favalora. “They can’t come over sian and Iranian allies. homeland or even to send fighters here, and we can’t go over there.” But White House officials have to Europe.” In 2018, hundreds of Russian said they are reviewing the troop Conoco is one of several small mercenaries and pro-government presence in Syria — an announce- outposts used by U.S. troops and militia were killed by U.S. air- ment that has raised concerns that the Syrian Democratic Forces, or strikes and artillery when they Biden could reconsider the de- SDF, to carve out an enclave out- crossed the Euphrates only miles ployment as part of a larger scal- side of Assad’s control. That has away from Conoco. ing back of U.S. troops in the Mid- brought relative stability to a por- The U.S. partnership with the dle East and a planned shift of tion of a country fighting a decade- SDF has helped cement its control JENSEN GUILLORY/U.S. Army Pentagon focus to Asia. old civil war that has taken a horri- over eastern Syria, creating an al- U.S. soldiers and Syrian Democratic Forces conduct area security in What Biden is going to do “is the fying human toll. ternative to Assad’s rule and may- the Central Command area of responsibility Feb. 20. one question I got from everybo- Hundreds of thousands of peo- be a bargaining chip if efforts to dy,” Gen. Kenneth “Frank” ple have been killed since the civil reach a political settlement of the cially in areas controlled by the said. “Because we’re there, McKenzie Jr., the top U.S. com- war broke out in 2011; in 2016, the civil war move forward. SDF. there’s an element of stability.” mander in the Middle East, said in United Nations estimated the But keeping troops in eastern “We believe they still aspire to U.S. officials warn that a with- an interview after visiting eastern number at 400,000. And millions Syria also helps the Pentagon con- hold ground” in Syria and Iraq, drawal of American troops would Syria on Friday. “I think the new more — half the population — trol the Iraq-Syria border, con- said McKenzie. “But it’s hard for likely cripple the SDF, forcing administration is going to look at have been displaced or fled the taining Iran’s growing influence them to gather, because when Kurdish fighters to retreat into an this, and then we’re going to get country, according to the U.N. in the region. they do, we get them.” even smaller area of northeast Sy- guidance.” The Syrian army is conducting There’s little trace of ISIS fight- With the Biden administration ria and reach an accommodation Robert Ford, who was an am- its own fight against ISIS, bol- ers who held a large swath of east- only beginning to consider options with Assad. bassador to Syria during the Oba- stered by Russian mercenaries, ern Syria and Iraq, including the in Syria, U.S. military command- It could also lead to escapes at ma administration, called the U.S. Iranian Revolutionary Guard ad- wells, until they were driven out ers are careful not to rule out fur- Kurdish-run detention camps strategy “deeply flawed” and said visers and Iranian-backed irregu- by Kurdish and Arab militias, aid- ther withdrawals. But they warn holding thousands of ISIS fighters Biden should withdraw the re- lars from Lebanon, Iraq and Af- ed by U.S. airstrikes and special that a pullout, along with cutbacks and the exit of militants’ family maining troops who have helped ghanistan. The Syrian forces are forces troops. in air support, intelligence and members and sympathizers from the Syrian Democratic Forces — a backed by Russian warplanes and U.S. officials say the group has other assistance to the SDF, would crowded refugee camps. An esti- Kurdish-led militia — carve out a Iranian drones. fewer than 10,000 followers, many create a security vacuum that ISIS mated 70,000 people who once semiautonomous enclave in the Russian and Syrian troops are of them forced into remote moun- could exploit. lived under ISIS rule are at Al Hol, country’s northeast. just across the Euphrates River tain or desert areas, leaving it un- “What would happen if we with- the main Kurdish-run detention “I don’t think it’s worth it,” Ford from Conoco, but both sides avoid able to hold large swaths of territo- drew is a question that we would center, about 50 miles south of the said of the American deployment. straying into the other’s territory. ry or mount mass attacks, espe- need to take a look at,” McKenzie Syrian-Turkish border. PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK ‘Big burden’ for schools trying to give kids internet

BY TALI ARBEL isting service was inadequate. Associated Press “We would be kicked out of our When the coronavirus pandemic Zoom calls,” she said. “It just shut down schools, educators had to glitched; we couldn’t hear some- figure out how to get kids online and times.” fast. Schools were working well before In a patchwork approach born of the pandemic to address the chal- desperation, they scrounged wire- lenges presented by the digital di- less hot spots, struck deals with ca- vide, which disproportionately af- ble companies and even created net- fects Black, Latino and Native works of their own. American students and those in low- With federal relief money and as- income households. The shift to dis- sistance from state governments tance learning dramatically raised DAMIAN DOVARGANES/AP and philanthropists, they have the stakes. Registered nurse Sandra Younan puts on a new pair of gloves at the emergency room of Providence Ce­ helped millions of students get on- Common Sense, a nonprofit that dars­Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles. line for distance learning. Still, a advocates for internet access, esti- year into the pandemic, millions of mates that of the 15 million school- others remain without internet be- children who lacked sufficient inter- Nurses: Over a year of false conspiracies has cause of financial hurdles and logis- net when the pandemic hit, 2 million tical difficulties in getting students to 5 million have been connected. what they need. But many programs have end dates. worsened COVID’s impact on medical workers There will soon be more money In Philadelphia, for example, a for schools to provide internet, as $17 million program to connect as FROM PAGE 1 one during the 2014-2016 Ebola 5G wireless towers. Masks won’t well as programs that aim to make many as 35,000 students that relies people who ingested a toxic outbreak. help and may hurt. Or, the most internet more affordable. The $1.9 on philanthropists and federal stim- bleaching agent falsely touted as a While many Americans were painful to her: The virus isn’t real, trillion stimulus package that Presi- ulus funds will run through summer COVID-19 cure. terrified of Ebola — a disease that and doctors and nurses are en- dent Joe Biden signed Thursday 2022. Baltimore City Schools is pay- Younan, 27, says her friends isn’t nearly as contagious as the vi- gaged in a vast global conspiracy contains $7 billion for distance ing for Comcast home internet or a used to describe her as the “chill- rus and poses little threat in the to hide the truth. learning. Advocates working to ad- T-Mobile hot spot for low-income est person ever,” but now she U.S. — they aren’t nearly afraid “It just feels so defeating, and it dress the digital divide say the new students through September. deals with crushing anxiety. enough of COVID-19, she said. makes you question: Why am I do- funding will be groundbreaking for About two-thirds of newly con- “My life is being a nurse, so I Scott blames a few factors: Ebo- ing this?” said Ogle, 40. schools’ efforts to connect students. nected households got hotspots, typ- don’t care if you’re really sick, you la’s frightening symptoms, racism Nurses are often the health care In Chicago, philanthropy paid for ically small boxes that generate in- throw up on me, whatever,” You- against Africans and the politic- providers with the most patient nearly half the $50 million, four- ternet on the go, estimated Evan nan said. “But when you know ization of COVID-19 by American contact, and patients frequently year Chicago Connected program, Marwell, CEO of EducationSuper- what you’re doing is wrong, and elected officials. view nurses as more approacha- which pays for kids’ home internet if Highway, a nonprofit focused on I’m asking you repeatedly to “I felt so much safer in Sierra ble, according to professor Maria they qualify for reduced-price getting schools internet. The rest please wear your mask to protect Leone during Ebola than I did at Brann, an expert on health com- lunches. Chicago Public Schools, the came mostly from deals with cable me, and you’re still not doing it, it’s the beginning of this outbreak in munication at Indiana University- country’s third-largest district, is on companies like Comcast. A few dis- like you have no regard for any- the U.S.,” Scott said, because of Purdue University Indianapolis. the hook for $25 million. tricts launched or expanded their body but yourself. And that’s why how many people failed to heed That means nurses are more like- About one-fifth of the 242,000 stu- own networks. this virus is spreading. It just social distancing and mask direc- ly to encounter patients spreading dents who are eligible have gotten Schools had to take a lead because makes you lose hope.” tives. “Things that are facts, and misinformation, which gives them internet. the federal government has failed to Emily Scott, 36, who is based at science, have become politicized.” a special opportunity to intervene. Cherelle Bilal said her free Chica- make internet available and afforda- a Seattle hospital, has worked ER nurse L’Erin Ogle has heard “Nurses have always been pa- go Connected internet service was ble, said Blair Levin, an Obama-era around the world on medical mis- a litany of false claims about the tient advocates, but this pandemic crucial to helping her four kids ac- Federal Communications Commis- sions and helped care for the first virus while working at a hospital has thrown so much more at tually attend school, even though sion official. U.S. COVID-19 patient last year. in the suburbs of Kansas City, Mo. them,” Brann said. “It can defi- they still struggle with staying fo- “The schools were so stressed,” She was selected because of her They include: The virus isn’t any nitely take a toll. This isn’t neces- cused in a virtual classroom. Before, Levin said. “It was not easy. It was a experience working in Sierra Le- worse than the flu. It’s caused by sarily what they signed up for.” “it was horrible,” she said. Her ex- big burden.” California governor admits mistakes, but says recall is unjustified Associated Press grams, meeting our environmental strate- north of San Francisco, contrary to his own the public as state restrictions changed SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin gies,” he told the San Francisco news station. health advice. throughout the past year. Newsom acknowledged mistakes in his Recall organizers are Republicans and say Newsom said “of course” he regrets at- California also should have made it a pri- handling of the coronavirus pandemic, but in- they have collected nearly 2 million signa- tending that dinner. ority earlier to distribute COVID-19 vaccines sists the recall effort against him has more to tures, well above the 1.5 million needed by “That’s those things you can never get in the state’s hardest-hit areas, including do with politics than the public health crisis. March 17 to force an election. The GOP has back. And, you know, I owned up to that. And Black and Latino neighborhoods, Newsom Newsom made his most direct comments only 24% of registered California voters, but no one hid from that. And that was a mistake. said. yet about the push to unseat him during an in- organizers say they are attracting Democrats Crystal clear,” he told KQED. The governor announced in recent weeks terview Friday with KQED, saying his oppo- and independents. The Democratic governor, who also faced that California would set aside 40% of all vac- nents are taking aim at his broader progres- The effort gained steam over the winter as criticism over the state’s slow vaccine rollout cines for people in the most vulnerable com- sive policy agenda. coronavirus cases spiked in California, keep- earlier this year, said there are several les- munities. “It’s about immigration. It’s about our ing schools and businesses shuttered to the sons he has learned while leading the state’s “In many respects, we could have gone a health care policies. It’s about our criminal frustration of many residents. Outrage grew fight against the pandemic. little earlier with this overlay, and that’s justice reform. It’s about the diversity of the after Newsom was caught having dinner at He conceded that the state could have done something in hindsight you consider and you state. It’s about our clean air, clean water pro- the high-end French Laundry restaurant a better job educating and communicating to reflect on at the same time,” he said. Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK Italy tightens restrictions as cases increase

BY NORMAN LLAMAS break. School — of some sort — Stars and Stripes will resume April 5. AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — It was not clear Sunday whether Italy has toughened up coronavi- Department of Defense Educa- rus restrictions as infections rise tion Activity schools on Caserma around the country, including Ederle in Vicenza, Naval Support most areas with U.S. military com- Activity Naples and Naval Air Sta- munities, as the more contagious tion Sigonella will keep class- British variant of the virus rooms open or go remote. Veneto spreads rapidly. and Campania are both designat- NORMAN LLAMAS/Stars and Stripes Starting Monday, 10 regions and ed red regions — where all Italian Shoppers do business at an open­air market in the town of Sacile, Italy, about 9 miles from Aviano Air two autonomous provinces have schools will close — but Sicily will Base. been designated as red zones, the be in the less-restrictive orange highest level of health alert, the designation. the number of deaths and stop government said. The rest are Messages sent to parents of stu- health facilities being saturated.” designated orange, with only the dents at schools serving NSA Na- More than half of new coronavi- island of Sardinia remaining a ples have said that “regardless of rus cases in Italy are caused by the low-risk white zone. any regional color change, DO- highly transmissible British strain In a sign of the worsening situa- DEA schools plan to be open as of the virus, data from the national tion, Aviano Elementary School, usual.” health ministry show. A study which has had students learning A red designation bars people published this week in the British in classrooms since the school from leaving home except for Medical Journal found the British year began Aug. 24, will be going work, in-person education, health variant is around 64% more likely remote, principal Andrew Gann reasons or buying necessities, ac- than the original strain to cause said in an email to parents Sunday. cording to a Facebook post from death. Many students were sent home the base at Aviano. Paperwork Media reports have said the with extra materials on Friday in validating those reasons must be government is considering sever- preparation for the change. Mid- carried. Restaurants are limited al other options to try to curb the dle and high school students on to carry out or deliveries. Most re- spread of the virus, which hit the Aviano Air Base had already been tailers not selling food, gasoline or country hard in the first wave a learning remotely. medical supplies will be closed. NANCY MONTGOMERY/Stars and Stripes year ago. Among them are week- Gann said the school is follow- Fitness facilities will also be A woman walks near the Palazzo Chiericati Vicenza's municipal art end lockdowns, earlier starts to ing guidelines issued by Italy and closed, though individual exercise museum. overnight curfews, and, the most the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. near home is permitted. extreme, a nationwide lockdown Teachers will take Monday and The Italian prime minister said “Unfortunately, one year after More than 150,000 new infec- for three to four weeks, which Tuesday to prepare for the transi- the added restrictions are neces- the start of the emergency, there is tions have been reported in Italy could include the Easter holiday, tion and lessons will begin sary as both infections and hospi- a new wave of contagion,” Mario in the past week, compared to reports said. Wednesday. Remote-learning will talizations rise. Restrictions will Draghi said Friday as he visited a 131,000 the previous week, he said. last until at least March 24, the last remain in place for at least 15 COVID-19 vaccination center “These figures mean we must [email protected] day of instruction before spring days. near Rome. adopt the utmost caution to limit Twitter: @normanllamas PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK ROUNDUP Texas sees dip in daily tally

Associated Press AUSTIN — The number of new- ly confirmed or suspected corona- virus cases in Texas rose by 4,638 on Saturday, down from a one-day increase of 6,078 reported Friday, according to the state health de- partment. The department reported a total of more than 2.7 million cases since the pandemic began and 45,474 deaths due to COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. JEFF CHIU/AP The state’s death toll is the third San Francisco Mayor London Breed, left, greets parents and students before speaking at a rally for San Francisco public schools to reopen highest in the country, trailing during the coronavirus pandemic in San Francisco on Saturday. California’s and New York’s, ac- cording to data from Johns Hop- slipped below 1,000 for the first crowds and avoid congregating,” Washoe County, which includes dents will be forced to stay-in- kins University. time in nearly four months, offi- the spokesman said. Reno and Sparks, involves a wom- place until at least March 21. Sus- The seven-day rolling averages cials reported Saturday, as case “Furthermore, the Riverwalk an in her 30s whose infection is pension or dismissal from the of both new cases and deaths in rates also remain low and much of will be closed on Saturday and linked to a gathering of more than school are among potential puni- Texas have declined during the the state prepares for some re- Chicagoans looking to see the Riv- 60 people from multiple states, shments for “flagrant or repeat vi- past two weeks, according to the strictions to be lifted in the coming er during the day are urged to county health district officer Ke- olators.” Johns Hopkins data. The average days. ‘keep it moving’ and celebrate vin Dick announced late Friday. Over the past week, the school number of new cases dropped The number of patients with safely and responsibly.” Seventeen additional CO- has reported more than 180 posi- from 7,964 daily on Feb. 25 to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County VID-19 cases have been linked to tive coronavirus cases among stu- 4,648 on March 11 while the aver- hospitals hit 979, the lowest since Indiana the same event, although not all of dents. age number of deaths fell from Nov. 23, the county health depart- INDIANAPOLIS — More than the people who have tested posi- There are an additional 200 stu- 220.6 to 168.9 per day during the ment said. 800,000 Indiana residents have tive are from Washoe County and dents who may have been exposed same time period. There are 3,250 people hospital- now been fully vaccinated against it’s not yet known whether they and have been ordered to quaran- The health department report- ized statewide, a drop of more COVID-19, state health officials are infected with the variant, Dick tine. ed that more than 7.9 million Tex- than 85% since peaking around said Saturday. said. The school said in the statement ans have received at least one 22,000 in early January, the state A total of 1,256,381 first doses of that the outbreak was “principally dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Department of Public Health re- vaccine have been administered New Mexico driven by students attending ported Saturday. across Indiana, and 816,080 indi- ALBUQUERQUE — With the recruitment parties for selective Arkansas State officials announced Fri- viduals — or about 12% of Indi- slowing of the coronavirus out- living groups.” Duke said it would LITTLE ROCK — An addition- day that 13 counties would be eli- ana’s population — have been ful- break, Albuquerque Public provide a policy update on Thurs- al 18 deaths due to the coronavirus gible to open restaurants, movie ly vaccinated, the Indiana Depart- Schools will resume in-person day. were reported Saturday by the Ar- theaters, gyms and museums at ment of Health said. learning for five days a week on kansas Department of Health, in limited capacity Sunday. Those fully vaccinated include April 5, though students can con- Washington addition to 314 more confirmed or The easing of restrictions are a individuals who have received a tinue remote learning for the rest SEATTLE — Seattle’s new CO- suspected virus cases in the state. result of the state hitting a 2 mil- second dose of the Pfizer or Mod- of the school year. VID-19 vaccination site aims to There have been 326,813 con- lion equity metric aimed at getting erna vaccines or the single dose New Mexico’s largest school administer as many as 22,000 firmed or suspected cases and more vaccines to low-income Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the district announced its startup date shots per day if supply allows, but 5,455 deaths since the pandemic communities. state agency said. Friday after the state Public Edu- it’s starting more modestly. began, according to the health de- Hoosiers age 50 and older, cation Department earlier in the King County Executive Dow partment. Illinois along with health care workers, week said all schools were expect- Constantine, Seattle Mayor Jenny The death toll is the 28th-high- CHICAGO — The Chicago Riv- long-term care residents and first ed to reopen classrooms after Durkan and Swedish Health Ser- est in the country overall and the er was dyed a bright shade of responders are currently eligible spring break. vices CEO Guy Hudson welcomed 16th-highest per capita at 180.4 green Saturday after Mayor Lori to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The district’s Board of Educa- the first patients as the site opened deaths per 100,000 people, accord- Lightfoot reversed an earlier deci- tion was briefed on the reopening Saturday at the Lumen Field ing to data from Johns Hopkins sion not to tint the waterway for Nevada plan, but did not vote on it. Event Center. University. second year because of the coro- RENO — Health officials have Mask-wearing will be required Durkan said the site will initial- The seven-day rolling average navirus pandemic. confirmed the first northern Ne- and social distancing will be ex- ly vaccinate around 5,000 people of deaths in the state has in- Crews on boats began dumping vada case of a COVID-19 variant pected, interim Superintendent per week, but could eventually creased during the past two weeks green dye into the riverfront that originated in the United Scott Elder said. handle 150,000 per week, or about from 10 per day on Feb. 25 to 22 on about 7 a.m. after Lightfoot autho- Kingdom, and they are trying to 22,000 per day, if enough doses Thursday, according to the Johns rized the dyeing ahead of St. Pa- determine if the infection linked North Carolina are available. That would make it Hopkins data, while the seven- trick’s Day, delighting pedestri- to a large gathering in Washoe DURHAM — Duke University one of the country’s largest mass day rolling average of new cases ans with the vivid scene. County may have spread to oth- issued a quarantine order for all of vaccination sites. decreased during the same time Chicago residents Lori Jones ers. its undergraduates effective Sat- The site was being staffed by an frame, from 560.7 daily to 310. and Mike Smith surveyed the At least eight cases related to urday night due to a coronavirus army of volunteers, including doc- green waters, saying they were the variant have already been outbreak caused by students who tors, nurses and dentists. California glad the tradition that dates to confirmed in southern Nevada. attended recruitment parties, the Live remote translation was LOS ANGELES — Coronavirus 1962 was resumed this year. The first was in the Las Vegas area school said. available for more than 20 lan- hospitalizations in California’s The event was not publicized in in late January. The university said in a state- guages via portable video moni- most populous county have advance “in order to minimize The new case confirmed in ment that all undergraduate stu- tors. Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Blinken, Austin head to Asia in first trip abroad Associated Press starting Monday as the adminis- WASHINGTON — Threats tration seeks to shore up partner- from China and North Korea will ships with the two key regional loom large over the Biden admin- treaty allies. Blinken and Biden’s istration’s first Cabinet-level trip national security adviser, Jake abroad, part of a larger effort to Sullivan, will then meet with se- bolster U.S. influence and calm nior Chinese officials in Anchor- ANDREW HARNIK/AP concerns about America’s role in age, Alaska, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, is visible as President Joe Biden holds a virtual meeting March 1 Asia. Their first official overseas vis- with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. A senior administration said its are intended to restore what Saturday that U.S. officials have Biden hopes will be a calming and agenda. In keeping with his “The United States is committed Trump presidency. tried to reach out to North Korea even-keeled approach to ties with broader “America is back” diplo- to working with you, our partners Biden’s meeting with the Quad through multiple channels since Tokyo and Seoul after four years matic theme, Biden has pledged and all of our allies in the region to came less than a week after U.S. last month, but have yet to receive of transactional and often temper- to keep stability in the region at achieve stability.” and South Korean negotiators a response, making consultations amental relations under the pre- the core of his international initia- As the administration plots its overcame years of contentious with the reclusive country’s vious president, Donald Trump. tives. strategy, the official said it would discussions under Trump to reach neighbors, Japan, South Korea In his first months in office, Bi- On Friday, Biden participated continue to consult with the Japa- a tentative deal on paying for the and China, all the more critical. den has already signaled his de- in a virtual summit with the lead- nese and South Koreans, as well American troop presence in South Secretary of State Antony Blin- sire to return the Asia-Pacific — ers of India, Japan and Australia. as with the Chinese, and had also Korea. That agreement, along ken and Defense Secretary Lloyd or Indo-Pacific, as has become “A free and open Indo-Pacific is reached out to numerous former with a similar one for Japan, will Austin are heading to Japan and more common in officialese — to essential,” Biden told his fellow U.S. officials involved in North be front and center in Blinken and South Korea for four days of talks the top of the U.S. foreign policy members of the so-called Quad. Korea policy, including from the Austin’s meetings. Portland police: Detained protesters had bear spray, hammers Associated Press and photographed as part of an in- eral Merrick Garland to investigate PORTLAND, Ore. — Officers vestigation, police said. Others the Portland Police Bureau in light found a crowbar, hammers, bear locked arms and refused; officers of Friday’s arrests. spray and firearms after they cor- escorted them away and arrested In a statement, the Oregon Justice ralled a group of about 100 protes- them, including a suspect in the ear- Resource Center, the Council on ters, Portland police said Saturday. lier window vandalism, officers American-Islamic Relations of Ore- In a news release, the police bu- said. gon and the American Civil Liber- reau said officers surrounded the Some of the protesters also con- ties Union of Oregon said: “Under protesters about 15 minutes after fronted the police, throwing rocks the authority of Mayor and Police the march began Friday night in the and full cans of beer, the department Commissioner Ted Wheeler and city’s Pearl District at 9 p.m. be- said. Officers used pepper spray. Police Chief Chuck Lovell, what cause some began smashing win- Among the items left behind by PPB did last night — kettling — is an dows. the protesters were a crowbar, ham- aggressive and indiscriminate po- The department said it warned mers, bear spray, knives and what lice tactic of surrounding and box- the crowd that failure to comply the department described as a ing in a group of people and blocking with lawful orders could result in ar- “slugging weapon with rocks.” off all exit points.” PORTLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT/AP rest and exposure to tear gas, and it Thirteen people are facing charg- Portland has been the site of fre- Police found numerous items left behind by people inside the invited news reporters, legal ob- es from the protest, including disor- quent protests, many involving vio- perimeter of a march, including a crowbar, hammers, bear spray, servers and anyone with medical derly conduct, resisting arrest and lent clashes between officers and slugging weapon with rocks, high impact slingshot, and knives, after conditions to leave the enclosed ar- interfering with police. demonstrators, ever since the police they corralled a group of about 100 hundred protesters Friday night ea. On Saturday, three civil rights killing of George Floyd in Minnea- in Portland, Ore. Those who left were identified groups called for U.S. Attorney Gen- polis in May.

VA’s whole health program shows large decrease in opioid use among veterans BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY during a hearing of the House Ap- evaluate the approach and its im- those who were not using the ap- had at least two visits that involved Stars and Stripes propriations Committee regarding pact on veterans, according to a re- proach, according to Matthews. the Whole Health approach, ac- WASHINGTON — Health care VA specialty health care. port published in February 2020 The VA also found veterans with cording to Matthews. professionals for the Department The Whole Health System of that looked into its implementation eight or more visits to their VA While there are known benefits of Veterans Affairs saw a large de- Care approach is not new to the VA. between fiscal years 2017 to 2019. health care facility who used this related to reduction in opioid use, crease in opioid use among veter- In response to the opioid epidemic The approach focuses on helping approach showed a 38% decrease how the approach addresses sui- ans with chronic pain who partici- in recent years, which in 2019 killed veterans through their overall well- in opioid use compared to just an cide prevention among veterans is pated in a pilot wellness program, a more than 70,600 people, accord- being, not just their pain, mental 11% decrease among veterans who still being reviewed, Matthews VA doctor told House lawmakers ing to the U.S. Department of health conditions, or addiction to did not use the approach. said. Friday. Health and Human Services, the opioids, according to the report. “We obviously need to take care All VA facilities have started to “We’re actually quite ecstatical- implementation of the VA program Veterans have access to health ser- of the whole veteran, address their focus more on the wellness of veter- ly focused on this as a solution,” was accelerated at department vices which include massage, yoga, concerns, address their pain. Make ans and away from a system creat- said Dr. Kameron Matthews, the health care centers through the coaching, and personal health sure that they, as well as we as a ed for episodic care, according to assistant under secretary for Comprehensive Addiction and Re- planning. partner, are looking at their whole Matthews. health for clinical services at the cover Act. A pilot program was Veterans who used Whole being,” Matthews said.

Veterans Health Administration. launched at 18 VA flagship loca- Health services had a threefold re- By October 2020, there were [email protected] She was speaking to lawmakers tions across the United States to duction in opioid use compared to more than 200,000 veterans who Twitter: @caitlinmkenney PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 NATION Taylor’s family honors her legacy 1 year later

BY PIPER HUDSPETH the apartment, striking Taylor BLACKBURN five times. Associated Press Taylor’s death initially flew un- LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On the der the media radar, as the CO- one-year anniversary of Breonna VID-19 crisis shut down society, Taylor’s death, the slain Black but George Floyd’s death in Min- woman's family continued their nesota and the release of a chilling call for justice as hundreds of 911 call from Walker in late May demonstrators gathered in down- sparked interest in the case. town Louisville on Saturday. A grand jury indicted one offi- “Eyes are on Louisville, Ky., to- cer on wanton endangerment day so let’s show America what charges in September for shooting community looks like,” said Tay- into a neighbor’s apartment, but lor’s aunt, Bianca Austin, who no officers were charged in con- wore her niece’s emergency med- nection with Taylor’s death. ical technician jacket. Police had a no-knock warrant Austin spoke from a stage set up but said they knocked and an- in Jefferson Square Park, which TIMOTHY D. EASLEY/AP nounced their presence before en- became an impromptu hub for Protesters gather around a memorial for Breonna Taylor at Jefferson Square Park in Louisville, Ky., on tering Taylor’s apartment, a claim protesters during months of dem- Saturday, marking the one­year anniversary of her death. some witnesses have disputed. No onstrations last summer. Flanked drugs were found in Taylor’s by two hand-painted murals of during the speeches. landmark reform bill into law,” he he was the victim of assault, bat- apartment. Taylor, activists repeated calls to Taylor’s family then led the pro- wrote. tery, false arrest and malicious A Kentucky judge last week charge the police officers who testers on an afternoon march past The rally came a day after Ken- prosecution. signed an order permanently clos- killed the Black woman during a City Hall. neth Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend, Taylor’s front door was ing a criminal case against Walker raid at her apartment. In a tweet Saturday, President filed a federal lawsuit against the breached by Louisville officers as for firing at the officer. The crowd shouted Taylor’s Joe Biden called Taylor’s death “a Louisville Metro Police Depart- part of a drug raid in the early Walker referenced the closure name and “No justice, no peace” tragedy, a blow to her family, her ment, alleging that his constitu- morning hours of March 13, 2020. of the case against him during Sat- as they gathered near an outdoor community and America.” tional rights were violated during Walker fired his gun once, saying urday’s rally. memorial that includes a mural, “As we continue to mourn her, last year’s botched raid, news out- later that he feared an intruder “I gotta say that’s a nice start, posters, artwork and other me- we must press ahead to pass mea- lets reported. Walker last year fil- was entering the apartment. One but that’s not where we finish,” mentos honoring Taylor’s life. ningful police reform in Congress. ed an ongoing state lawsuit officer was struck, and he and two Walker said. "We’ve got to keep Some organizers gave away food I remain committed to signing a against the city and police, saying other officers fired 32 shots into going.” US female firefighters fight discrimination with lawsuits Associated Press suits against their employers al- ualized rumors (and) hostility in said she faced years of harass- filed her lawsuit in January. Both WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — leging they were subjected to de- the form of insubordination by ment and gender discrimination are still pending. The highest ranking female fire- meaning behavior that helped end those who reported to me.” from Chief Scott Burnette after Williams’ lawsuit contends that fighter in Asheville, N.C., says she their careers. Williams said Carrboro Town she led outside research on the a Charlotte, N.C.-based law firm was repeatedly discriminated Advocates say going to court is Manager David Andrews over- prevalence of post-traumatic hired by the town of Carrboro to against because of her sex and sometimes the only effective re- turned both her disciplinary and stress disorder among city fire- conduct a questionnaire of em- fought to keep her job while bat- course in a field where women operational decisions, and for the fighters. ployees found up to 12 instances of tling breast cancer. The first fe- make up such a tiny part of the latter, relied instead on the rec- Burnette did not return a phone harassment and discrimination male chief of a municipal fire de- workforce. According to the Na- ommendations of men in the de- call seeking comment. Peggy against her that led to a hostile partment in the state says she tional Fire Protection Association, partment who were lower ranked Rowe, an assistant to City Manag- work environment. The law firm briefly pondered suicide after 93,700, or 8%, of U.S. firefighters and had less experience and edu- er Debra Campbell, said the city also found fault with Andrews, the years of sexual harassment. were female in 2018, the latest cation. Andrews didn’t respond to doesn’t comment on ongoing law- town manager, for allowing fire Joy Ponder and Susanna year for which data was available. an email seeking comment. suits. department employees to go Schmitt Williams are among nu- Williams, who was fired in July Ponder, who resigned from her Ponder filed her lawsuit in No- around Williams and take their merous female fighters in the 2019, told The Associated Press post as Asheville Fire Depart- vember and then an amended complaints about the department United States who have filed law- that she was “the subject of sex- ment division chief in September, complaint last month. Williams to him, according to the suit. Denver dumped on as Many states blizzard slams Colo., Wyo. jump forward Associated Press The Washington Post and Laramie, Wyo. Snowfall to- WASHINGTON —The annual A powerful winter storm past- tals of 12 to 20 inches were gener- shift to daylight saving time rolled ed Colorado, Wyoming and west- ally expected in northern Colora- in at 2 a.m. local time Sunday in ern Nebraska with very heavy do through Sunday night with 20 most of the United States. snow and was making travel ex- to 30 inches in southeast Wyom- No time change is observed in tremely hazardous to impossible ing. Heavier amounts, topping Hawaii, most of Arizona, Puerto in parts of the region through three feet, were possible in some Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Sunday night. The same storm of the highest terrain. American Samoa, Guam and the was also responsible for spawn- About 15 to 18 inches of snow DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/AP Northern Marianas. ing several tornadoes in the Tex- had fallen around Cheyenne A pedestrian uses an umbrella for cover as a snowstorm sweeps over Standard time returns Nov. 7. as panhandle Sunday, including through early Sunday, including the intermountain West on Saturday in Denver. A poll in 2019 by The Associated two at the same place at the same 10 inches in just four hours before Press-NORC Center for Public Af- time. sunrise, according to the Weather port, roughly 1,300 flights had on social media. fairs Research found that 7 in 10 Through Sunday morning, the Service. been canceled for Sunday. Hail larger than ping pong balls Americans preferred not to switch snowstorm was raging, with win- In Colorado, Denver Interna- Two tornadoes spun up simul- was also reported in the Texas back and forth to mark daylight ter storm warnings active in Den- tional Airport and Fort Collins taneously about 15 to 20 miles Panhandle. saving time. But there was no ver, Boulder, and Fort Collins and had each received around 11 inch- south of Amarillo and were cap- The tornadoes appeared to agreement on which time clocks blizzard warnings in Cheyenne es. At Denver International Air- tured in a video widely circulated avoid population centers. ought to follow. Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

102-year-old joins great-grandson’s PE class AJO — Video of a 102- AZ year-old woman in southern Arizona working out with her 6-year-old great-grand- son in his virtual PE class has gained hundreds of thousands of views on social media. Julia Fulkerson started working out with her great-grandson Bro- dy Contreras when they were re- united after a year apart because of the coronavirus pandemic, KPHO-TV reported. “I was cracking up and taking video after video, but it was also super surreal just kind of watch- ing,” Brody’s mother, Angela Groch, said. Men charged with taking protected sea turtle eggs WEST PALM BEACH FL — Two Florida men were sentenced to federal prison for stealing 93 protected sea turtle eggs. Carl Lawrence Cobb, 65, re- ceived nine months in West Palm Beach federal court, according to court records. Bruce Wayne Bi- vins, 65, received seven months. Both pleaded guilty to violating ANDREW RUSH, PITTSBURGH (PA.) POST­GAZETTE/AP the Endangered Species Act, a federal law designed, in part, to protect imperiled species. Who let the dogs out? According to a criminal com- Jasmin Bunger, left, of Penn Hills, Pa., and Mary Miller, of Greenfield, Pa., both of Go Dog Go, walk a group of dogs during spring­like weather plaint, Cobb dropped Bivins off at in Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, Pa. the Singer Island Beach, just north of Palm Beach, one night. Bivins The St. Louis Post-Dispatch re- THE CENSUS and pose a danger to marine ani- found a sea turtle nest, removed ported that the bronze statue of Je- mals and other wildlife. 93 eggs and then called Cobb for a sus sleeping on a bench was stolen The number of years a California man was sentenced to for “Balloons don’t go to heaven,” pick-up, officials said. Officers from the New Life Evangelistic 75 making online bomb threats to two Indianapolis high schools said chief sponsor Sen. Stephanie with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Center. The Rev. Larry Rice said as well as other crimes. Buster Hernandez, 30, of Bakersfield, Calif., pleaded Hansen, D-Middletown. “Bal- Conservation Commission report- that surveillance video showed a guilty last year to coercion and enticement of a minor, production of child por- loons go up, and balloons come ed seeing the poaching and stop- man selling the statue to some- nography, and threats to kill, kidnap and injure minors. Hernandez used the back down.” ped Cobb’s truck. body in a scrapyard parking lot. alias “Brian Kil” online in making threats targeting a teen girl in Plainfield, Ind., in late 2015, prosecutors alleged. His actions expanded into bomb threats that closed two high schools on Dec. 17, 2015, a Plainfield Walmart on Dec. 20, Flapping flag causing a State worker finds Zoo investigates after 2015, and the Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield the same day. stir at condominiums alligator carcass in river cheetah attacks worker FARGO — A rippling WELLINGTON — The POWELL — Author- company has refused to display portrayed the titular cyborg in ND American flag is caus- KS carcass of an American OH ities were investigat- their advertising featuring a man 1987’s “Robocop.” ing a stir in Fargo where a condo- alligator was recently found in a ing after a cheetah attacked a in an unbuttoned shirt. Mayor Mike Wiza told Wiscon- minium owner is at odds with his south-central Kansas river, and worker at the Columbus Zoo and The company Super Seed said sin Public Radio he’s been making condo association. wildlife officials speculate the ani- Aquarium. they were told the images were in- calls to the artists about bringing Andrew Almer said he’s proud- mal was likely being kept as a pet The incident happened when appropriate for the large digital the statue to his city. He even ly flown his flag from his condo before being released into the wild two animal program staff mem- billboard at a mall in Orem, the made calls to Weller’s remaining balcony for the last two years. when it got too big to keep. bers were walking the harnassed Daily Herald newspaper report- family in the city to see if the actor About two months ago, Almer A Kansas Department of Trans- 4-year-old cheetah, Isabelle, when ed. would endorse bringing the statue said he started getting letters in portation worker recently discov- a worker from the Heart of Africa Owner Cesar Valentino Valdiza there. the mail from the president of the ered the carcass in the Ninnescah region approached, the zoo said. posed for the proposed billboard Wiza wrote on Facebook that Plum Tree Square condo associ- River in Sumner County as he “At this time, Isabelle’s care pictures reclining on a beach in one of the artists had responded ation. Almer said he was told he worked along the river bank, Kan- team had her sit and she was calm jeans and an unbuttoned white and told him that the group wants needed to take his flag down be- sas City television station WDAF and purring. The team invited the shirt. He said the refusal to accept to keep the statue in the Motor cause it’s too noisy flapping in the reported. keeper to approach closer. When the advertising is sexist, since City. But Wiza said he’s not giving wind, KVLY-TV reported. A zoologist said the reptile, the keeper approached them, Isa- there are photos from lingerie up. The Federal Freedom to Dis- which is native to the southeastern belle crouched down and lunged company Victoria’s Secret at Uni- play the American Flag Act of U.S., was about 3 years old. toward the Heart of Africa keeper, versity Place Mall. Bill outlawing intentional 2005 is an Act of Congress that Alligators are cold-blooded ani- who works around giraffes and balloon releases OK’d prohibits condominium associ- mals that can’t survive the harsh other hoofstock,” the zoo said. Mayor wants giant ations and real estate manage- winters of the Midwest and Plains Officials suspect the scent of the Robocop statue in his city DOVER — The Dela- ment organizations from restrict- states out in the wild. other animals on the zookeeper DE ware Senate has ap- ing homeowners from displaying triggered the cheetah’s natural in- STEVENS POINT — A proved an anti-pollution bill out- the U.S. flag on their property. Stolen ‘Homeless Jesus’ stinct to attack, but they are still WI central Wisconsin city lawing the intentional release of However, there are exceptions. statue found smashed investigating. is making a play for a giant Robo- balloons into the environment. Associations can restrict owners cop statue after a Detroit museum The measure passed the Senate from flying the flag if it’s in the ST. LOUIS — A 400- Biz owner: Billboard with rejected it. on a 19-1 vote and now goes to the best interest of the association. MO pound “Homeless Je- shirtless man refused The mayor of Stevens Point House. Almer said the flag will fly, de- sus” statue stolen from in front of a wants to place the 11-foot statue in Supporters of the bill said the spite what could be a hefty penal- closed downtown St. Louis home- PROVO — The owner front of the city’s police station or balloons, often used in celebra- ty. less shelter was found, but it was UT of a Utah health and in a park to honor actor Peter tions ranging from birthday par- cut into pieces. beauty business said a billboard Weller, a Stevens Point native who ties to funerals, contribute to litter From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 NATION FEMA tapped to assist with migrant surge Bloomberg News Border Patrol officers encoun- needs of unaccompanied chil- WASHINGTON — The Biden tered more than 100,000 migrants dren, which is made only more administration tapped the Feder- attempting to enter the U.S., an difficult given the protocols and al Emergency Management almost threefold increase from a restrictions required to protect Agency to help respond to a surge year earlier. the public health and the health of of unaccompanied children The White House has come un- the children themselves,” Home- crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, der fire as hundreds of immigrant land Security Secretary Alejan- with the agency working to ex- children are detained in rudimen- dro Mayorkas said Saturday. pand available lodging for mi- tary Border Patrol facilities be- “Our goal is to ensure that un- GREGORY BULL/AP grants. yond the three-day limit dictated accompanied children are trans- Asylum seekers receive food as they wait for news of policy changes Undocumented migration has by a 1997 court settlement. Un- ferred to HHS as quickly as pos- at the border Feb. 19 in Tijuana, Mexico. increased significantly since accompanied minors are sup- sible, consistent with legal re- President Joe Biden — who cam- posed to be transferred to the quirements and in the best inter- refused to call the border situa- ance ordered Saturday, the ad- paigned on a pledge of offering care of the Department of Health est of the children,” Mayorkas tion a “crisis,” while acknowledg- ministration in recent days an- more assistance to those seeking and Human Services, which has said in a statement. ing it’s become challenging. nounced its plans to increase the refugee status in the U.S. — took longer-term housing facilities and The decision to use FEMA re- House GOP Leader Kevin number of HHS facilities where office, overwhelming facilities at attempts to connect underage mi- sources may help reduce the McCarthy is expected to lead a children can be transferred, and the border already under strain grants with family already in the strain on some facilities, but delegation of fellow Republicans boost the number of children that because of the coronavirus pan- U.S. could energize Republican crit- to the border on Monday to high- can be housed in existing facili- demic. “We are working in partner- ics. Mayorkas and White House light the immigration issue. ties, despite coronavirus predic- In February, U.S. Customs and ship with HHS to address the press secretary Jen Psaki have In addition to the FEMA assist- tions. Arizona state Republican draws criticism for voting comments The Washington Post somebody is uninterested in voting, that New York University. In Arizona, where In an interview Friday, Kavanagh said Amid a contentious hearing over pro- probably means that they’re totally unin- close to 80 percent of voters cast their bal- his words were taken out of context and de- posed restrictions on Arizona’s vote-by- formed on the issues,” Kavanagh said to the lots by mail in the last election, the state fended the measure to stop sending some mail system, a Republican state lawmaker news outlet. “Quantity is important, but we government has already introduced 24 bills voters mail-in ballots as a matter of election argued that voters who hadn’t participated have to look at the quality of votes, as well.” restricting voting rights this year. security. He told The Washington Post that in recent elections should no longer auto- His comments have drawn the ire of vot- Kavanagh’s comments were denounced his sentiment about “everybody shouldn’t matically have absentee ballots mailed to ing rights experts and critics who accused by voting rights expert Gloria Browne-Mar- be voting” was referencing “those fraudu- them. The reasoning, said state Rep. John the Republican of using rhetoric “straight shall, a constitutional law professor at John lent voters, not less-informed people who Kavanagh, is that Republicans care more out of Jim Crow,” as author Ari Berman Jay College of Criminal Justice, as voter have every right to vote.” about alleged voter fraud than Democrats said, at a time when GOP-controlled legisla- suppression that uses “language from the “I would never support a voter informa- — and that “everybody shouldn’t be vot- tures are advocating stricter voting mea- 1800s” in response to the election. tion test to vote,” he said. “If you can legally ing.” sures across the United States. The push “When we see states like Arizona that vote, you vote. But I don’t think people who “Democrats value as many people as pos- from Republicans comes on the heels of for- have wanted to suppress the right to vote are disinterested should be forced to the sible voting, and they’re willing to risk mer president Donald Trump promoting and found different ways to manipulate law polls in the interest of turnout.” fraud. Republicans are more concerned baseless claims of voter fraud without evi- and violence, it’s a slap in the face to democ- “The slew of proposed voting laws in Ari- about fraud, so we don’t mind putting secu- dence for months. racy at its core,” said Browne-Marshall, the zona and across the country isn’t about vot- rity measures in that won’t let everybody More than 250 bills on voting restrictions author of “The Voting Rights War: The er fraud, because it simply doesn’t exist,” vote — but everybody shouldn’t be voting,” have been introduced in state legislatures NAACP and the Ongoing Struggle for Jus- wrote Arizona Republic columnist Elvia he told CNN last week. nationwide in 2021, according to data com- tice.” “This is just another level of Ameri- Díaz. “It’s about keeping certain people “Not everybody wants to vote, and if piled by the Brennan Center for Justice at can hypocrisy.” from voting.” Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 WORLD London police under pressure over clashes at Everard vigil

Associated Press south London were “upsetting” force later said four people were LONDON — London’s Metro- and she is seeking a full report on arrested for violating public order politan Police was under heavy what happened from the Metro- and coronavirus regulations. pressure Sunday to explain its ac- politan Police. The capital’s may- Many of those attending the vig- tions during a vigil for a woman or, Sadiq Khan, said the police re- il were already hostile to police be- whom one of the force’s own offi- sponse was “at times neither ap- cause a serving Metropolitan Po- cers is accused of murdering. propriate nor proportionate.” lice officer, Wayne Couzens, was Hundreds defied coronavirus Police were seen scuffling with charged with the kidnap and mur- restrictions to gather and protest some women at the event, and one der of Sarah Everard, a 33-year- violence against women, but the woman was seen pinned to the old woman who vanished March 3 event ended with clashes between ground by two officers. Several while walking home in London. TONY HICKS/AP police and those attending. women were led away in hand- Her body was found in woodland People pay their respects at the bandstand in Clapham Common in Home Secretary Priti Patel said cuffs as other attendees chanted in Kent, southeast of London, a South London on Sunday in memory of Sarah Everard who was scenes from Saturday’s vigil in “Shame on you” at police. The week later. abducted and murdered on the night of March 3. At least 4 people killed in Myanmar anti-coup protests Associated Press shot in the head and another was shot in the ab- largest city, as security forces were conduct- ed lawmakers and is a member of deposed YANGON, Myanmar— At least four people domen, according to local media covering the ing clearance operations. leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party, ad- were shot dead during protests in Myanmar demonstrations. On Saturday, the civilian leader of Myan- dressed the public for the first time since the on Sunday, as security forces continued their A third person died in the northern city of mar’s government in hiding vowed to continue coup. violent crackdown against dissent following Hpakant when police fired into a crowd of supporting a “revolution” to oust the military Also Saturday, security forces again opened last month’s military coup. demonstrators, local media reported. A fourth that seized power in the Feb. 1 coup. fire on demonstrators, killing four in Manda- Two of the victims were killed in Yangon, victim, a woman, died after being shot in the Mahn Win Khaing Than, who was named lay, two in Pyay in south-central Myanmar, the country’s largest city. One of them was head in Mandalay, the country’s second- the acting vice president by Myanmar’s oust- and one in Twante, a suburb of Yangon. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander US taxpayers need an extension this year, too Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY ALEXIS LEONDIS small-business loans to charitable deduc- fund. So taxpayers who aren’t affected by Bloomberg Opinion tions (and are still getting used to 2017 the unemployment benefits or other recent ure, life is inching its way back to changes resulting from the biggest rewrite changes should act sooner rather than later. EDITORIAL normal, but not for taxpayers. to the tax code since the administration of Last year’s July 15 deadline meant a longer Terry Leonard, Editor That’s why the Internal Revenue President Ronald Reagan). time to process refunds for some, but it’s [email protected] SService should extend the filing Extending the deadline by 60 days to June reasonable to think delays won’t be as wide- deadline this year, just as it did in 2020. 15, as a trade group for accountants is calling spread this year because most IRS staffers Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor One of the main reasons to again give fil- for, seems reasonable. It would give the IRS, are back at work. [email protected] ers extra time after April 15 is the COVID-19 taxpayers and tax preparers time to adjust Taxpayers who had lower incomes in Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content relief bill. The legislation calls for making to the new changes, while not wreaking too 2020 than 2019 will want to file as soon as [email protected] some of the unemployment benefits Amer- much havoc on most states’ budgets, which possible so they get the correct amount for icans received in 2020 exempt from taxes. have fiscal years ending June 30. their stimulus payment (since the IRS uses Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] It’s a last-minute switch that will affect as Data show that taxpayers are struggling. the most recent tax filing when making its many as 40 million taxpayers, some of whom The number of returns filed by the first week calculation). Parents who have had a change Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital have already filed their returns (the filing of March dropped 18% compared to a year from 2019 in terms of who their children are [email protected] season started Feb. 12). While it’s welcome earlier, while visits to IRS.gov jumped al- living with may also not want to wait too long relief for many families, from a tax perspec- most 73%, according to IRS figures. Just to file. That’s because to be eligible for the BUREAU STAFF tive, there’s no easy way to accommodate 27% of telephone calls to the IRS are being pandemic bill’s expanded child tax credit, a the change. answered. A separate survey by tax prepar- child must be living with a parent for at least Europe/Mideast The IRS has already created the 1040 tax er H&R Block found that 56% of taxpayers six months of the year. Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] forms and there’s no line for the unemploy- have more tax questions than they did last Finally, beware if you live in a state with +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 ment-benefit exemption. The agency has to year. income taxes. States won’t necessarily fol- Pacific figure out how to amend already filed re- Those who rely on free tax return prepa- low suit if the federal government pushes its Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief turns and how to change its systems to ac- ration are especially at risk. The IRS pro- deadline back. Those that don’t will gum up [email protected] commodate new ones. Will it issue revised vides volunteer advice sites to low-income, commercial tax-filing software, which often +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 1040s? Create a new portal? Have those af- older or non-English-speaking taxpayers. uses federal tax information to calculate Washington fected make a claim and then issue them re- Some of those sites are closed due to CO- state returns. Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief funds next year? The IRS will need time to VID-19. And even if a site is open, it may not There’s no time to waste. Last year the IRS [email protected] (+1)(202)886-0033 sort it out, and confused taxpayers will re- be able to reach its clients, who often don’t declared its extension just a few weeks be- Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News quire even more. have broadband connections. Extending the fore April 15. With circumstances even [email protected] And that’s far from the only delay. The tax filing deadline would give some of these more confusing this year, the time for an ex- tax-filing season is already behind its usual sites more time to open and assist more peo- tension announcement is now. CIRCULATION schedule of starting at the end of January be- ple. Mideast cause of tax law changes made as part of last If the IRS were to extend the deadline, Alexis Leondis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager year’s pandemic relief bill, the Cares Act. there are a few things tax filers should keep personal finance. Previously, she wrote about personal finance, asset management and mortgages, and oversaw tax coverage for [email protected] The IRS and the public were already dealing in mind. First, remember that the longer you Bloomberg News. This column does not necessarily reflect the [email protected] with changes touching everything from wait to file, the longer you wait to get your re- opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. DSN (314)583-9111 Europe Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager [email protected] A $1 reminder to protect free speech on campus [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 BY GEORGE F. WILL eas” available only four hours Monday be easily monetized.” Pacific Washington Post Writers Group through Thursday, and two hours on Friday, Roberts, dissenting, noted that the Consti- Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 WASHINGTON and which individual speakers could re- tution restricts judicial power to the resolu- ntil Chike Uzuegbunam sued serve only once every 30 days. Then Gwin- tion of “cases” and “controversies,” and he CONTACT US Georgia Gwinnett College, this nett argued that Uzuegbunam’s discussion said the Uzuegbunam episode no longer public institution had perform- of gentle Jesus meek and mild was “conten- qualifies as either. He said: When, as in this Washington ed the public service of institut- tious” language with “a tendency to incite case, plaintiffs “allege neither actual dam- tel: (+1)202.886.0003 U ing a speech code so restrictive that it ex- hostility,” and hence constituted “fighting ages nor the prospect of future injury, an 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 posed the entire idea of such codes to whole- words” unprotected by the Constitution. award of nominal damages does not change Reader letters some ridicule. When the college pivoted 180 When Gwinnett realized that it was not their status or condition at all. Such an award [email protected] degrees, embracing free speech, Uzuegbu- drawing beneficial attention to itself, it instead represents a judicial determination Additional contacts nam did not drop his suit. He wanted to make scrapped its entire speech-restricting rig- that the plaintiffs’ interpretation of the law is stripes.com/contactus a point: that college officials could be held marole, probably expecting that Uzuegbu- correct — nothing more.” accountable. So, he pressed on, no longer nam would be mollified. He was not. That, however, is not nothing. It confers on OMBUDSMAN seeking injunctive relief from the college’s This child of Nigerian immigrants has ac- the plaintiff the status of a vindicator of Ernie Gates flagrantly unconstitutional conduct, but still quired this country’s litigious spirit, and he rights, and it puts on notice those who are, or seeking nominal damages. A dollar would pressed his case for nominal damages. A dis- might contemplate, acting on incorrect in- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of news and information, reporting any attempts by the do, and if the college had paid it, this might trict court held that his claim was insuffi- terpretations of the law. military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s have prevented the chief justice of the Unit- cient to keep his case alive after Gwinnett Justice Elena Kagan addressed this point independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for ed States from mistakenly disagreeing with surrendered on the speech restrictions. A in January’s oral argument. Citing the case fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman his eight colleagues. It would, however, have circuit court agreed, saying that because in which a jury awarded Taylor Swift the $1 welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by email at [email protected], or by phone at deprived the nation of an instructive story Uzuegbunam was not seeking compensato- she sought from a Denver radio host she ac- 202.886.0003. about the expressive function of the law. ry damages, his claim for nominal damages cused of groping her, Kagan suggested that Uzuegbunam is an evangelical Christian was insufficient to establish his standing to this was Swift’s thinking: “I’m not really in- Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday who takes seriously Jesus’ directive to sue. terested in your money. I just want a dollar, through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and “teach all nations.” He wanted to start with Last Monday, the Supreme Court, consid- and that dollar is going to represent some- Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send Gwinnett, where he was a student, but the ering not Gwinnett’s conduct but the two thing both to me and to the world of women address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, college responded: Never mind the nations, lower courts’ rulings, disagreed with them. who have experienced what I’ve experi- APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services you can proselytize only on the 0.0015% of It held 8-to-1 that Uzuegbunam had been in- enced.” Kagan said Swift sought the dollar overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are our 260 acres where advocacy speech is per- jured by Gwinnett’s conduct, and that the because it would “say that she had been unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- mitted — but only if you reserve a spot and nominal damages he sought would redress harmed. Why not?” per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to your speech does not disturb anyone’s “com- his injury. In an opinion joined by everyone Just so. On innumerable campuses, stu- remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. fort.” Uzuegbunam spoke in the prescribed but Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clar- dents are being harmed by speech-restric- The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or place and stopped when a campus police of- ence Thomas rejected the idea that nominal tion regimes that chill the free flowing of in- Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. ficer said someone had complained. damages are “a mere judicial token that pro- tellectual differences. A nominal award Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, It is difficult nowadays to be on the cutting vides no actual benefit to the plaintiff.” They from Georgia Gwinnett College to Uzuegbu- religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical edge of academic absurdity, but Gwinnett provide a plaintiff with “relief on the merits nam would acknowledge his injury and stig- handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. got there two ways. First, it stipulated that of his claim.” Including a claim, as Justice matize the college’s behavior, and similar © Stars and Stripes 2021 the First Amendment covers only wee sliv- Samuel Alito said in January’s oral argu- behavior elsewhere, as unconstitutional. stripes.com ers of campus: “free speech expression ar- ment in this case, when the violation “can’t Neither consequence would be nominal. Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 59 Valley 26 Cicatrix 1 “Terrif!” 60 Workout unit 27 Sneakers brand 4 Saloon 61 Ninny 28 Pack (down) 7 Pretzel 29 “Understood” seasoning DOWN 30 Lean to one side Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 11 Grad 1 Crop-growing 31 Army rank 13 Rage tract (Abbr.) 14 New Mexico 2 Inter — 35 Wager resort 3 Tampa Bay 38 Neither here 15 Costa — team, for short — there 16 Earl Grey, e.g. 4 Morsel 40 Indent key 17 Sitarist’s music 5 Region 42 Parts partner 18 Pandemic face 6 Flinch, say 45 Chaste coverings 7 Hit the jackpot 47 The Mets’ 20 Antioxidant berry

Non Sequitur 8 Small battery old home 22 Consume 9 Journal 48 Rowboat needs 24 “For shame!” 10 Airport 49 Pen tips 28 Best Picture screening org. 50 Possessed of 1997 12 Hit the jackpot 51 Hollywood’s 32 Quiet partner? 19 — Diego Thurman 33 “Dream on!” 21 Nile reptile 52 Like Abner 34 High tennis shot 23 Up to or Wayne 36 Apple tablet 25 Carton sealer 54 “Uh-huh” 37 Honeydew, e.g. Answer to Previous Puzzle 39 Scrabble tile Candorville features 41 Fuel for a Rolls 43 Sailor 44 Snare 46 Plains grazers 50 Video- streaming site 53 Purchase 55 Spiced tea 56 Whitaker’s Oscar- Carpe Diem winning role 57 Mined-over matter 58 Basil or thyme Beetle Bailey Bizarro Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 FACES

Report: Black inclusion gap Star- costs Hollywood $10 billion a year From wire reports making Hollywood’s shortcomings in represent- ing Black voices on and off camera cost the film and television industry $10 billion in annual revenue, according to a new report from consulting giant McKinsey & Co. The study, released March 12, examines role the persistent gaps in inclusion for Black talent and filmmakers, coming after a year when criticism of the industry’s diversity Kentucky native problems were revived by nationwide pro- Ciara Bravo tests against police brutality and institu- poses Feb. 18 tional racism. in Los Angeles. McKinsey & Co. based its analysis on ex- CHRIS PIZZELLO, INVISION/AP isting research by institutions including UCLA, Nielsen and USC’s Annenberg In- clusion Initiative and conducted anony- Ciara Bravo, 23, establishing a name for herself with drug-addiction film ‘Cherry’ mous interviews with 50 Black and non- Black industry participants. It collaborated BY LINDSEY BAHR Robert Downey Jr. declared himself “her with the BlackLight Collective, a coalition Associated Press new biggest fan” and waxed poetic about of Black leaders, artists and executives iara Bravo didn’t have high hopes her raw and vulnerable performance as a working in entertainment. for her prospects when she saw woman who gets drawn into addiction along By addressing racial inequities, the re- the names attached to “Cherry.” with her partner, Cherry. Yes, it’s Holland’s port said, the industry could generate an CShe’d been working in the busi- big foray into more adult films. But it’s Bra- added $10 billion in revenues a year, up 7% ness for more than a decade, but it was vo who steals the show. Now, at just 23, she’s from the baseline of $148 billion generated mostly in television and bit film roles. No on the brink of stardom. in sales from global theatrical box office for way, she thought, was she going to be cast to Bravo hails from Alexandria, Ky., just U.S. films and revenues from U.S. stream- star opposite Spider-Man himself, Tom across the river from Cincinnati. When she ing services and cable and broadcasting in Holland, in a major film based on a bestsell- was around 8, she was spotted by an agent at 2019. The assessment excludes sports and ing memoir about PTSD and opioid addition a county fair who asked her mother if she unscripted programming. from Marvel maestros Joe and Anthony was interested in acting or modeling. APPLE TV+/AP While supporting casts for films were Russo. “It sounds fake, I know,” Bravo laughs. Ciara Bravo, left, costars with Tom Holland 14% Black from 2015 to 2019, just 11% of “It was SO out of my league,” Bravo said “And also, like, the scariest start to any sto- but steals the show in “Cherry.” leads and co-leads were, compared to the in a recent interview. ry.” 13.4% of the U.S. population. The lack of in- She sent in a tape anyway and for four But soon after, she and her mother start- Bravo dove headfirst into the prepara- clusion was particularly stark behind the weeks she didn’t hear a word. Then her ed taking trips to Los Angeles for auditions. tion. She even went to Cleveland a few camera. Six percent of directors and pro- agent dropped the bombshell: She got the About four years in, she got her first big weeks early to visit a rehab facility to try to ducers and 4% of writers were Black. role. No second audition. No meeting. No break in the Nickelodeon series “Big Time understand more the life of an addict. chemistry test. The tape was that good. Rush” and then in the channel’s movie Now, Bravo is thinking carefully about Other news “When Ciara’s audition came to us at AG- “Jinxed.” her next move. She’s been grateful for the ■ Country stars Mickey Guyton and BO, we said, ‘Stop the presses,’” said Mike At 18, Bravo made the decision to forgo time and space over the past year to reflect Keith Urban are taking over as hosts for the Larocca, a producer and the co-founder of college for the moment and move to Los An- on where she wants to go from here. She’d Academy of Country Music Awards in the company. The Russos even claim they geles. More TV roles followed, notably on like to direct at some point, maybe even a April. With the announcement March 12 by knew after 20 seconds. Fox’s “Red Band Society” and some films, documentary. But for now it’s all acting. the ACM, dick clark productions and CBS, It’s not unlike the revelation many have too, including the indie “The Long Dumb “That’s where my true passion lies,” Bra- Guyton will make history as the first Black had or will have once they see her in the Road” and the Netflix anorexia drama “To vo said. “And I want to keep riding this train woman to host the country awards show. film, which is currently in theaters and The Bone.” But “Cherry” was the game- for as long as possible and see where it takes The show will air on CBS on April 18 from streaming on Apple TV+. Earlier this year, changer. me.” three Nashville music venues. Erivo on near-EGOT status: ‘I’m just going to keep working’

BY MESFIN FEKADU pens. It’s not the thing I’m chasing. way. Let’s be honest — I was just placed no limitations on her goals Associated Press I’m chasing good work, good pro- this little girl who had done some as a child and always dared to “The Color Purple” turned into jects and good stories. Hopefully stuff in London. I’d done some dream. Grammy, Tony and Emmy gold that’s what ends up happening as a West End. I’d done some theater. “I knew I wanted to sing. I knew for Cynthia Erivo. result of those things.” Didn’t know what Broadway was that I wanted to act. I was looking The performer’s brilliant per- Others have won a Tony, Gram- going to be like. It’s not something at stars like Brandy and thinking, formance in the Broadway revival my and Emmy in a single run like that’s a usual thing. ‘Oh, I hope I can do that one day.’ won her the 2016 Tony for best ac- Erivo did, including Ben Platt and “The fact that I got to be on the Then you’re looking at Whitney tress in a musical. She performed Rachel Bay Jones of “Dear Evan stage with this show was like, Houston, you’re thinking, ‘Oh, I songs from the play on the “To- Hansen” fame and Katrina Lenk ‘What is happening? Oh my God.’ hope I can do that one day.’ I was a day” show, earning the Daytime and Ari’el Stachel from “The Then this started happening: The kid that was obsessed with Barbra Emmy for outstanding music per- Band’s Visit.” The Daytime Em- Tony happened. Then the Gram- Streisand. I would look at her formance in a daytime program. my the five stars received is now my and the Emmy. I was just like, shows and watch her films and be And the show’s soundtrack won defunct and was last handed out in ‘This is so wild,’” she continued. like, ‘My goodness, I hope I can do best musical theater album at the 2019. Erivo’s other credits include the that one day.’ 2017 Grammys. “When I came to do the show on HBO series “The Outsider” and “I don’t know that I knew that I “I guess I didn’t expect to be this Broadway, I had no idea that it was the film “Widows.” She will play would be here right now. I just TNS close this soon,” Erivo told The As- even a thing,” Erivo, 34, said of Aretha Franklin in the National knew that I would be singing and Cynthia Erivo, shown arriving at sociated Press of her almost- winning multiple major awards Geographic series, “Genius: acting, somehow,” she continued. the 2020 Academy Awards in EGOT status. “I’m just going to from one show. Aretha,” which debuts March 21. “That’s what I wanted, and well, I Los Angeles, says she’s not keep working. If it happens, it hap- “It was enough to be on Broad- The British entertainer said she got my wish.” actively chasing an Oscar. Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 SCOREBOARD

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PRO BASEBALL DEALS AUTO RACING Men’s tournaments Saturday’s Transactions Spring training Call 811 Before You Dig 200 dent, 194, 5. Saturday Friday’s games BASEBALL 33. (2) Brandon Jones, Toyota, acci­ Major League Baseball NASCAR­Xfinity Series  dent, 165, 14. Atlantic Coast Conference Boston 8, Tampa Bay 2 Championship American League Saturday 34. (26) Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, Pittsburgh 2, Toronto 1 At Phoenix Raceway 164, 3. Georgia Tech 80, Florida St. 75 Philadelphia 6, Baltimore 2 BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Optioned RHPs America East Michael Baumann and Isaac Mattson and Avondale, Ariz. 35. (38) Matt Mills, Chevrolet, 157, 2. Atlanta 8, Minnesota 5 Lap length: 1.00 miles Championship N.Y. Yankees 4, Detroit 2 LHPs Zac Lowther and Alexander Wells to 36. (9) Josh Berry, Chevrolet, accident, Hartford 64, UMass Lowell 50 Norfolk (Triple­A East). (Start position in parentheses) 146, 4. Miami 4, N.Y. Mets 2 1. (3) Austin Cindric, Ford, 200 laps, 57 American Athletic Conference L.A. Dodgers 9, Cleveland 2 BOSTON RED SOX —Optioned 3B Hudson 37. (31) Ryan Sieg, Ford, accident, 133, Semifinal Potts, CFs Marcus Wilson and Jeisson Ro­ points. 1. Texas 3, Chicago White Sox 2 2. (27) Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 200, 38. Cincinnati 60, Wichita St. 59 Milwaukee 8, Chicago Cubs 3 sario and RHP Connor Seabold to Worces­ 38. (8) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, en­ Houston 76, Memphis 74 Oakland 5, San Diego 4 ter (Triple­A East). Optioned C Ronaldo 3. (11) Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, 200, gine, 93, 3. Big 12 Conference San Francisco 9, Colorado 8 Hernandez, RHP Bryan Mata and LHP Jay 34. 39. (10) Noah Gragson, Chevrolet, en­ Championship L.A. Angels 4, Arizona 3 Groome to the alternate training site. 4. (30) Riley Herbst, Ford, 200, 33. gine, 67, 7. Texas 91, Oklahoma St. 86 Reassigned INF Nick Yorke to the minor 5. (4) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 200, 40. (23) Jesse Little, Chevrolet, acci­ St. Louis 4, Houston 3 league camp. Big East Conference Seattle 4, Cincinnati 3 36. dent, 44, 1. Championship DETROIT TIGERS — Assigned CF Parker 6. (6) Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 200, 39. Meadows to active roster. 7. (29) Bayley Currey, Chevrolet, 200, Race Statistics Georgetown 73, Creighton 48 Saturday’s games KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Reassigned P Big Sky Conference 30. Eric Skoglumnd to the minor league camp. 8. (12) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 200, Average Speed of Race Winner: 82.984 Championship E. Washington 65, Minnesota 1, Tampa Bay 0 mph. Philadelphia 9, Detroit 3 Optioned Ps Daniel Tillo and Angel Zerpa 42. Montana St. 55 to Omaha (Triple A­East). Time of Race: 2 hours, 25 minutes, 37 Big Ten Conference Boston 7, Atlanta 2 National League 9. (20) Brett Moffitt, Chevrolet, 200, 0. N.Y. Yankees 7, Pittsburgh 5 10. (13) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, seconds. Semifinal COLORADO ROCKIES — Recalled RHP Margin of Victory: 0.360 seconds. Ohio St. 68, Michigan 67 Toronto 5, Baltimore 0 200, 27. Kansas City 10, Chicago Cubs 2 Ryan Feltner and LHP Zac Rosscup from Caution Flags: 11 for 65 laps. Illinois 82, Iowa 71 the minor leagues. 11. (19) Myatt Snider, Chevrolet, 200, Big West Conference Chicago White Sox 6, L.A. Angels 5 26. Lead Changes: 10 among 6 drivers. San Francisco 5, Cleveland 4 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS —Agreed to terms Lap Leaders: D.Hemric 0; A.Cindric 1­ Championship with Ps Génesis Cabrera, Seth Elledge, Ju­ 12. (7) Harrison Burton, Toyota, 200, 42. UC Santa Barbara 79, UC Irvine 63 Texas 4, Milwaukee 4 13. (33) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, 200, 24. 50; D.Hemric 51­94; J.Allgaier 95­125; nior Fernandez, Giovanny Gallegos, Ryan T.Gibbs 126; R.Sieg 127­128; A.Cindric Conference USA Arizona 6, San Diego 3 Helsley, Dakota Hudson, Johan Oviedo, 14. (39) Timmy Hill, Ford, 200, 23. Championship Colorado 2, Seattle 1 15. (14) Santino Ferrucci, Toyota, 200, 129­136; J.Allgaier 137; A.Cindric 138­144; Daniel Ponce de Leon, Johan Quezada, An­ B.Jones 145­146; A.Cindric 147­200 N. Texas 61, W. Kentucky 57, OT Washington 4, N.Y. Mets 3 gel Rondón, Tyler Webb, Kodi Whitley and 22. Mid­Eastern Athletic Conference St. Louis 6, Miami 4 Jake Woodford, Cs Ivan Herrera, Andrew 16. (24) Colby Howard, Chevrolet, 200, Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Led, Championship Oakland 5, Cincinnati 2 Knizner and Ali Sánchez; INFs Tommy Ed­ 21. Laps Led):A.Cindric, 4 times for 119 laps; Norfolk St. 71, Morgan St. 63 man, John Nogowski and Edmundo Sosa, 17. (15) Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, D.Hemric, 1 time for 44 laps; J.Allgaier, 2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Sunday’s games and OFs Dylan Carlson, Austin Dean, Tyler 200, 20. times for 32 laps; B.Jones, 1 time for 2 Championship O’Neill, Lane Thomas and Justin Williams 18. (35) Stefan Parsons, Chevrolet, 200, laps; R.Sieg, 1 time for 2 laps; T.Gibbs, 1 Baltimore vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla. time for 1 lap. Iona 60, Fairfield 51 Boston vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla. on one year contracts. Optioned Cs Pedro 19. Mid­American Conference Pages and Carlos Soto, RHPs Junior Fer­ 19. (21) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Chevrolet, Wins: A.Cindric, 2; A.Allmendinger, 1; Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh at Braden­ nandez, Johan Oviedo and Griffin Roberts, M.Snider, 1; T.Gibbs, 1. Championship ton, Fla. 200, 18. Ohio 84, Buffalo 69 LHPs Conner Jones and Garrett Williams, 20. (32) Jade Buford, Chevrolet, 200, 17. Top 16 in Points: 1. A.Cindric, 248; 2. Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta at North Port, Fla. INFs Luken Baker and Kramer Robertson D.Hemric, 201; 3. J.Burton, 172; 4. A.All­ Mountain West Conference Washington vs. Houston at West Palm 21. (17) Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 200, Championship and OFs Lars Nootrbaar and Justin Toer­ 16. mendinger, 162; 5. H.Burton, 162; 6. Beach, Fla. ner to minor lesgue camp. B.Jones, 154; 7. M.Snider, 149; 8. J.Haley, San Diego St. 68, Utah St. 57 N.Y. Yankees vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla. 22. (18) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 200, Pac­12 Conference FOOTBALL 149; 9. B.Brown, 137; 10. J.Clements, 134; St. Louis vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie, National Football League 15. Championship 23. (1) Daniel Hemric, Toyota, 200, 31. 11. J.Allgaier, 114; 12. R.Herbst, 98; 13. Fla. Signed TE Josh Hill. Oregon St. 70, Colorado 68 San Diego vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, DETROIT LIONS — 24. (28) Blaine Perkins, Chevrolet, 200, M.Annett, 93; 14. L.Cassill, 89; 15. T.Gibbs, Southeastern Conference LOS ANGELES CHARGERS —Released CB 88; 16. T.Martins, 87. Ariz. Casey Hayward. 13. Semifinal L.A. Angels vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, 25. (16) Joe Graf Jr, Chevrolet, 200, 12. Alabama 73, Tennessee 68 NEW YORK JETS — Re­signed WR Vyn­ NASCAR Driver Rating Formula Ariz. cent Smith to a one­year contract. 26. (5) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, acci­ LSU 78, Arkansas 71 Colorado vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz. dent, 199, 21. A maximum of 150 points can be at­ Southland Conference HOCKEY Chicago White Sox vs. Oakland at Mesa, National Hockey League 27. (34) Gray Gaulding, Chevrolet, 199, tained in a race. Championship Ariz. 10. The formula combines the following Abilene Christian 79, Nicholls 45 Milwaukee vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz. ANAHEIM DUCKS — Assigned D Jamie Drysdale to San Diego (AHL). Recalled Gs 28. (37) David Starr, Toyota, 199, 9. categories: Wins, Finishes, Top­15 Fin­ Southwest Athletic Conference San Francisco vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, 29. (22) Dexter Bean, Chevrolet, 198, 8. ishes, Average Running Position While Championship Alexei Melnichuk and Olle Eriksson Ek. Ariz. from San Diego (AHL). 30. (25) Ryan Vargas, Chevrolet, 197, 7. on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Texas Southern 80, Prairie View 61 Kansas City vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, 31. (40) Loris Hezemans, Ford, 195, 6. Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead­ Western Athletic Conference BOSTON BRUINS — Recalled LW Anton Ariz. Blidh, C Greg McKegg, G Jeremy Swayman 32. (36) Alex Labbe, Chevrolet, acci­ Lap Finish. Championship from Providence (AHL) loan. Recalled D Grand Canyon 74, New Mexico St. 56 Monday’s games Steven Kampfer, G Dan Vladar, C Jack Studnicka and D Urho Vaakanainen from Women’s tournaments Philadelphia vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, the minor league taxi squad. Fla. CAROLINA HURRICANES — Waived D GOLF Saturday Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Jake Gardiner. Atlantic 10 Conference Fla. DALLAS STARS —Designated RW Ty Del­ Semifinal Washington vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla. landrea for assignment to the taxi squad. Scott Brown 71-70-72—213 -3 Boston vs. Tampa Bay at Port Charlotte, The Players Championship VCU 56, Dayton 50 Recalled Cs Rhett Gardner and Joel L’Espe­ Tyler McCumber 72-69-72—213 -3 Massachuesetts 90, St. Louis 81 Fla. rance from the minor league taxi squad. PGA Tour Big 12 Conference Toronto vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla. NEW YORK RANGERS — Recalled RW Saturday Denny McCarthy 69-69-75—213 -3 Semifinal Minnesota vs. Atlanta at North Port, Fla. Kaapo Kakko, D K’Andre Miller and G Keith At TPC Sawgrass Matt Jones 73-71-70—214 -2 Miami vs. Houston at West Palm Beach, Kinkaid from the minor league taxi squad. Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Joaquin Niemann 73-71-70—214 -2 Baylor 66, Texas 55 Fla. West Virginia 59, Oklahoma St. 50 Recalled LW Artemi Panarin from leave of Purse: $15 million Brendon Todd 74-69-71—214 -2 Oakland vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz. absence. Big Ten Conference Yardage: 7,189; Par: 72 Phil Mickelson 71-72-71—214 -2 Championship San Francisco vs. Kansas City at Sur­ OTTAWA SENATORS — Designated C prise, Ariz. Clark Bishop for assignment to the taxi Third Round Charles Howell III 73-70-71—214 -2 Maryland 104, Iowa 84 Lee Westwood 69-66-68—203 -13 Colonial Athletic Association Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox at squad. Adam Hadwin 74-69-71—214 -2 Bryson DeChambeau 69-69-67—205 -11 Championship Glendale, Ariz. SAN JOSE SHARKS — Assigned G Josef Harold Varner III 70-73-71—214 -2 Arizona vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz. Korenar from San Jose (AHL). Recalled G Drexel 63, Delaware 52 Justin Thomas 71-71-64—206 -10 Scott Piercy 73-70-71—214 -2 Conference USA San Diego vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix Alexei Melnichuk from minor league taxi Doug Ghim 71-67-68—206 -10 Cincinnati vs. L.A. Angels at Tempe, Ariz. squad. Kyoung-Hoon Lee 72-71-71—214 -2 Championship L.A. Dodgers vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS — Recalled RW Paul Casey 73-67-67—207 -9 Brian Stuard 74-68-72—214 -2 Middle Tennessee 68, Rice 65 Ariz. Scott Sabourin from Toronto (AHL). Jon Rahm 72-68-67—207 -9 Kramer Hickok 74-68-72—214 -2 Mid­Eastern Athletic Conference Brian Harman 67-71-69—207 -9 Championship Charley Hoffman 70-68-76—214 -2 Chris Kirk 72-65-71—208 -8 NC A&T 59, Howard 57 Billy Horschel 71-73-71—215 -1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference TENNIS Sergio Garcia 65-72-71—208 -8 Ryan Moore 75-69-71—215 -1 Championship Matthew Fitzpatrick 68-68-72—208 -8 Brendan Steele 72-72-71—215 -1 Marist 69, Saint Peter’s 30 Cameron Smith 71-73-65—209 -7 Jaume Munar, Spain, def. Goncalo Olivei­ Zach Johnson 75-68-72—215 -1 Mid­American Conference Guadalajara Open Si Woo Kim 72-70-67—209 -7 Championship ra, Portugal, and Andre Goransson, Swe­ Keegan Bradley 70-72-73—215 -1 Ryan Palmer 70-72-68—210 -6 Central Michigan 77, Bowling Green 72 Saturday den, 7­5, 6­4. Dylan Frittelli 71-68-76—215 -1 Missouri Valley Conference At Panamerican Tennis Center Abraham Ancer 72-70-68—210 -6 Sungjae Im 72-66-77—215 -1 Guadalajara, Mexico Semifinal Talor Gooch 71-68-71—210 -6 Nick Taylor 70-74-72—216 E Missouri St. vs. Bradley, canceled Purse: $235,238 Qatar Open Harry Higgs 71-73-67—211 -5 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Saturday Russell Knox 71-73-72—216 E Bradley 70, Loyola Chicago 56 Adam Long 70-74-67—211 -5 Southland Conference Women’s Singles At Khalifa International Tennis and Michael Thompson 71-73-72—216 E Shane Lowry 68-74-69—211 -5 Semifinal Championship Squash Complex Lucas Glover 75-69-72—216 E Stephen F. Austin 55, Cent. Arkansas 47 Sara Sorribes Tormo (4), Spain, def. Eu­ Doha, Qatar Will Zalatoris 70-71-70—211 -5 Jhonattan Vegas 73-71-72—216 E genie Bouchard, Canada, 6­2, 7­5. Sam Houston St. 79, SE Louisiana 77 Purse: $787,930 Tom Hoge 69-71-71—211 -5 Aaron Wise 73-71-72—216 E Southwest Athletic Conference Women’s Doubles Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Patton Kizzire 70-69-72—211 -5 Dustin Johnson 73-70-73—216 E Championship Championship  Astra Sharma and Ellen Perez (3), Aus­ Lanto Griffin 73-71-68—212 -4 Adam Scott 72-71-73—216 E Jackson St. 67, Alabama St. 66 Men’s Singles Jordan Spieth 70-74-68—212 -4 Western Athletic Conference tralia, def. Desirae Krawczyk, United Championship Cameron Percy 73-70-73—216 E Championship States, and Giuliana Olmos (1), Mexico, Nikoloz Basilashvili, Georgia, def. Rober­ Patrick Reed 70-72-70—212 -4 Louis Oosthuizen 73-69-74—216 E 6­4, 6­4. Cal Baptist 78, Grand Canyon 60 to Bautista Agut (5), Spain, 7­6 (5), 6­2. Corey Conners 68-72-72—212 -4 Patrick Rodgers 74-70-73—217 +1 Dubai Open Jason Day 70-71-71—212 -4 James Hahn 76-67-74—217 +1 Victor Perez 73-71-69—213 -3 AP SPORTLIGHT Saturday Rory Sabbatini 69-75-74—218 +2 Open 13 J.T. Poston 76-68-69—213 -3 At Aviation Club Tennis Centre Saturday Nate Lashley 74-69-75—218 +2 March 15 Dubai, United Arab Emirates C. Bezuidenhout 70-72-71—213 -3 Collin Morikawa 71-73-76—220 +4 Purse: $1,835,490 At Palais des Sports Jason Kokrak 70-72-71—213 -3 Marseille, France Martin Laird 73-71-76—220 +4 1869 —The Cincinnati Red Stockings, the Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Daniel Berger 74-68-71—213 -3 Women’s Singles Purse: Euro 334,240 Scott Harrington 72-71-77—220 +4 first pro baseball team, are organized by Ryan Armour 74-68-71—213 -3 George Ellard and Harry Wright. Championship Surface: Hardcourt indoor 1985 — Larry Holmes scores a 10th­ Garbine Muguruza (9), Spain, def. Bar­ Men’s Singles round knockout of David Bey in Las Vegas bora Krejcikova, Czech Republic, 7­6 (6), Semifinals to retain the world heavyweight title. 6­3. Daniil Medvedev (1), Russia, def. Mat­ COLLEGE FOOTBALL 1997 — North Carolina’s Dean Smith be­ Women’s Doubles thew Ebden, Australia, 6­4, 3­0, ret. Pierre­Hugues Herbert, France, def. Ugo comes the career victory leader when the Championship W. Carolina 21, The Citadel 14 Tar Heels beat Colorado 73­56. Smith, with Darija Jurak, Croatia, and Alexa Guara­ Humbert (4), France, 6­3, 6­2. Saturday’s scores Men’s Doubles 877 victories, passes Kentucky coaching chi Mathison (8), Chile, def. Xu Yifan and EAST MIDWEST legend Adolph Rupp. Zhaoxuan Yang, China, 6­0, 6­3.Saturday Semifinals 2001 —The NCAA men’s basketball tour­ Harri Heliovaara, Finland, and Lloyd Delaware 31, Stony Brook 3 Missouri St. 27, South Dakota 24 nament opens with a series of close calls Glasspool, Britain, def. Matthew Ebden Holy Cross 20, Lehigh 3 N. Dakota St. 21, Illinois St. 13 and upsets, with 15th­seeded Hampton and Matt Reid, Australia, 6­2, 6­3. Lafayette 24, Colgate 10 North Dakota 38, W. Illinois 21 Chile Open Maine 38, Albany (NY) 34 S. Dakota St. 19, Youngstown St. 17 beating second­seeded Iowa State 58­57 Saturday in the biggest surprise of the day. Rhode Island 40, Villanova 37, OT S. Illinois 17, N. Iowa 16 Club Deportivo Universidad Catolica San Diego 13, Drake 10 2004 — Alexander Mogilny has three as­ COLLEGE HOCKEY SOUTH sists in Toronto’s 6­5 overtime victory at Santiago, Chile Valparaiso 24, Butler 14 Buffalo, becoming the second Russian to Purse: $325,270 Davidson 26, Stetson 20 reach the NHL’s 1,000­point plateau.  Surface: Red clay Saturday’s scores Furman 17, ETSU 13 SOUTHWEST 2008 — Georgia Southern sets an NCAA Men’s Singles Kennesaw St. 24, Charleston Southern EAST Prairie View 17, Grambling St. 10 record for all Divisions, hitting 14 home Semifinals 19 Sam Houston St. 71, Nicholls 17 runs in a 26­8 win over Columbia. In all, 12 Facundo Bagnis, Argentina, def. Federi­ Army 4, Sacred Heart 3, 3OT Lamar 27, McNeese St. 26, OT different Eagles hit a home run. co Delbonis (8), Argentina, 7­5, 6­3. Niagara 2, Robert Morris 2, 2 OT Presbyterian 31, Morehead St. 16 2009 —Detroit beats Columbus 4­0 to be­ Cristian Garin (1), Chile, def. Daniel Elahi Canisius 6, RIT 1 Richmond 38, Elon 14 FAR WEST come the first NHL team to top 100 points Galan, Colombia, 6­4, 6­3. MIDWEST SC State 17, Delaware St. 9 E. Washington 46, Idaho St. 42 in nine straight seasons. The Stanley Cup Men’s Doubles Denver 5, Omaha 4 SE Louisiana 27, Northwestern St. 24 S. Utah 34, Cal Poly 24 champion Red Wings, break a tie with Semifinals Lake Superior St. 4, Ala.­Huntsville 1 Samford 37, Wofford 31 Tarleton St. 37, Dixie St. 15 Montreal (1974­75 through 1981­82). Federico Delbonis, Argentina, and Minnesota St. 3, Ferris St. 1 VMI 41, Mercer 14 Weber St. 18, UC Davis 13 PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 NBA

ROUNDUP Scoreboard

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division Harden helps Nets WLPct GB Philadelphia 26 12 .684 — Brooklyn 26 13 .667 ½ Boston 19 18 .514 6½ New York 20 19 .513 6½ roll past Pistons Toronto 17 21 .447 9 Southeast Division WLPct GB Associated Press from 26 feet out 4:42 into the third Miami 20 18 .526 — quarter ended the drought. Charlotte 19 18 .514 ½ NEW YORK — James Harden “We have to make shots,” Atlanta 18 20 .474 2 Washington 14 23 .378 5½ scored 12 of his 24 points in the Wright said. “We got good looks so Orlando 13 25 .342 7 fourth quarter and had his ninth that’s a good thing. We just have to Central Division triple-double with the Nets to help knock them down.” NICK WASS/AP WLPct GB Brooklyn beat the Detroit Pistons Bucks 125, Wizards 119:Gian- Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, and 100-95 on Saturday night. nis Antetokounmpo had 33 points, Milwaukee 24 14 .632 — Wizards guard Russell Westbrook meet after each had a triple­double Indiana 17 20 .459 6½ Harden also added 10 rebounds 11 assists and 11 rebounds for his Chicago 16 20 .444 7 in Milwaukee’s 125­119 win Saturday in Washington. and 10 assists in his 55th triple- sixth triple-double of the season in Cleveland 14 23 .378 9½ double as Brooklyn improved to Milwaukee’s victory at short- Detroit 10 28 .263 14 26-13 with its 12th win in its last 16 handed Washington. Western Conference League posts a record games. Jrue Holiday added 10 of his 18 “I play the game the right way,” points during the fourth quarter Southwest Division Harden said, “and hopefully good for the third-place Bucks. They WLPct GB day with 5 triple-doubles things happen for me.” have won eight of nine. San Antonio 19 15 .559 — Kyrie Irving added 18 points and Pacers 122, Suns 111: Mal- Dallas 20 17 .541 ½ Associated Press tonight, it was Westbrook.” Memphis 17 17 .500 2 Landry Shamet had 15 off the colm Brogden scored 25 points and New Orleans 16 22 .421 5 Triple-doubles have since be- bench. DeAndre Jordan chipped in Domantas Sabonis had a triple- Houston 11 25 .306 9 An NBA-record five players had come more common —Westbrook with 14 and Joe Harris contributed double with 22 points, 13 rebounds Northwest Division triple-doubles Saturday, including averaged one for three straight sea- 10 points. and 10 assists to lead Indiana to a WLPct GB former MVPs Giannis Anteto- sons — but there had never been so Whereas the Nets rolling, the win at Phoenix. Utah 28 9 .757 — kounmpo and Russell Westbrook in many as during Saturday’s eight- Pistons are stuck in neutral. Knicks 119, Thunder 97: RJ Portland 22 15 .595 6 the same game. game schedule. “We want to win these types of Barrett scored a career-high 32 Denver 22 16 .579 6½ All-Stars James Harden, Julius Randle started the record day games,” said Delon Wright, who points, and Julius Randle had a tri- Oklahoma City 16 22 .421 12½ Randle and Domantas Sabonis also with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 12 Minnesota 8 30 .211 20½ finished with 13. Jerami Grant ple-double to lead New York to a had triple-doubles in victories by assists in New York’s 119-97 victory Pacific Division scored 22 points as Detroit fell to win at Oklahoma City. their teams. in Oklahoma City, becoming the 10-28. Saddiq Bey chipped in with Hornets 114, Raptors 104:La- WLPct GB Antetokounmpo had 33 points, 11 first Knicks player with two triple- 13. Mason Plumlee added 11 and Melo Ball had 23 points and nine Phoenix 25 12 .676 — rebounds and 11 assists to help Mil- doubles in the same season since L.A. Lakers 25 13 .658 ½ Rodney McGruder had 10. rebounds and host Charlotte beat L.A. Clippers 25 14 .641 1 waukee beat Washington 125-119. Mark Jackson in the 1988-89 season. “It’s a good thing that we’re stay- short-handed Toronto in the Horn- Golden State 19 19 .500 6½ The two-time MVP helped the Harden had 24 points, 10 re- ing close in these games,” Wright ets’ first game of the season with Sacramento 15 23 .395 10½ Bucks overcome 42 points, 12 as- bounds and 10 assists, his ninth tri- said. the general public allowed to at- Saturday’s games sists and 10 rebounds by Westbrook, ple-double since being traded to The second of three regular-sea- tend. New York 119, Oklahoma City 97 who owns the NBA record with 42 Brooklyn in January, as the Nets Brooklyn 100, Detroit 95 son matchups between the Eastern Mavericks 116, Nuggets 103: Milwaukee 125, Washington 119 triple-doubles in 2016-17. beat Detroit 100-95. Charlotte 114, Toronto 104 Conference teams was Brooklyn’s Luka Doncic had 21 points and 12 Atlanta 121, Sacramento 106 “I don’t think we were terrible, I Sabonis got the last of the night Portland 125, Minnesota 121 chance to get even for its 122-111 assists, and Kristaps Porzingis Indiana 122, Phoenix 111 don’t think we were great,” said with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 10 loss in Detroit on Feb. 9. That loss scored 25 points in Dallas’ victory Dallas 116, Denver 103 Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer. “If assists to lead Indiana to a 122-111 was part of a stretch in which the at Denver. Sunday’s games there was anybody that was great victory in Phoenix. Memphis at Oklahoma City Nets dropped three of four. Trail Blazers 125, Timber­ Utah at Golden State San Antonio at Philadelphia Thirteen games later, Brooklyn wolves 121 : Carmelo Anthony Miami at Orlando has jelled into a legitimate cham- scored 26 points and Damian Lil- Cleveland at Atlanta Boston at Houston pionship contender while the Pis- lard added 25 points and 10 assists Portland at Minnesota L.A. Clippers at New Orleans tons have myriad weaknesses, in Portland’s victory at Minnesota. Toronto at Chicago such as three-point shooting. Hawks 121, Kings 106: Trae Monday’s games After Wayne Ellington knocked Young scored 17 of 28 points in the Milwaukee at Washington Sacramento at Charlotte down a three about 2 ½ minutes in- third quarter, Clint Capela had 18 New York at Brooklyn San Antonio at Detroit to the game, Detroit missed 19 of his 24 points in the first half and Indiana at Denver straight three-point attempts until host Atlanta beat Sacramento for L.A. Clippers at Dallas Memphis at Phoenix Wright’s straightaway attempt its fourth straight victory. L.A. Lakers at Golden State Tuesday’s games Utah at Boston Atlanta at Houston Cleveland at Miami New York at Philadelphia Oklahoma City at Chicago New Orleans at Portland Minnesota at L.A. Lakers Leaders

Through March 13 Scoring GFG FT PTS AVG Beal, WAS 34 382 253 1093 32.1 Embiid, PHI 31 293 304 928 29.9 Lillard, POR 36 332 252 1070 29.7 Rebounds GOFF DEF TOT AVG Capela, ATL 34 172 314 486 14.3 Gobert, UTA 37 122 363 485 13.1 Kanter, POR 37 154 283 437 11.8 Assists JOHN MINCHILLO/AP GAST AVG Nets guard James Harden passes as Pistons forward Saddiq Bey (41), Harden, BKN 33 363 11.0 guard Rodney McGruder (17) and center Isaiah Stewart, right, defend Westbrook, WAS 30 295 9.8 during the Nets’ 100­95 win Saturday in New York. Young, ATL 36 336 9.3 Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NHL

Scoreboard ROUNDUP

East Division

GP WLOT Pts GF GA N.Y. Islanders 28 18 6 4 40 83 62 Washington 27 17 6 4 38 94 87 Lightning raise banner for fans Pittsburgh 27 17 9 1 35 89 79 Boston 25 14 7 4 32 70 60 Philadelphia 25 13 9 3 29 83 83 Associated Press N.Y. Rangers 26 11 12 3 25 72 71 New Jersey 24 8 13 3 19 60 79 TAMPA, Fla. — Playing in front Buffalo 26 6 16 4 16 58 88 of their home fans for the first time Central Division this season, the Tampa Bay Light-

GP WLOT Pts GF GA ning raised their 2020 Stanley Cup banner and beat the Nashville Tampa Bay 26 19 5 2 40 97 60 Florida 27 18 5 4 40 93 78 Predators 6-3 on Saturday night. Carolina 26 19 6 1 39 93 67 Tyler Johnson and Blake Cole- Chicago 29 14 10 5 33 89 92 man each had a goal and an assist Columbus 29 11 12 6 28 79 97 for the Lightning. Alex Killorn, Nashville 28 11 16 1 23 67 96 Dallas 23 8 9 6 22 67 63 Brayden Point, Mathieu Joseph Detroit 28 8 16 4 20 63 95 and Anthony Cirelli also scored. West Division Erik Cernak and Ondrej Palat had

GP WLOT Pts GF GA two assists apiece. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 28 Vegas 25 18 6 1 37 83 56 Minnesota 25 16 8 1 33 79 63 shots to earn his NHL-leading 17th St. Louis 28 14 9 5 33 88 92 win. Colorado 25 15 8 2 32 74 59 Erik Haula, Alexandre Carrier Los Angeles 26 11 9 6 28 78 74 and Yakov Trenin scored for the Arizona 27 12 11 4 28 69 81 San Jose 25 11 11 3 25 75 89 Predators, who fell to 1-5-1 in their Anaheim 29 8 15 6 22 63 95 past seven games. Pekka Rinne North Division made 21 saves. With a maximum crowd of 3,800 GP WLOT Pts GF GA in attendance, Tampa Bay hoisted STEVE NESIUS / AP Toronto 29 19 8 2 40 99 75 its 2020 championship banner to Winnipeg 27 17 8 2 36 91 78 Lightning players gather on center ice for their Stanley Cup championship banner­raising ceremony before Edmonton 30 18 12 0 36 100 87 the rafters and jumped to a three- the game against Nashville on Saturday. It was the first home game for Tampa with fans. Montreal 27 12 8 7 31 86 74 goal lead. Calgary 28 13 12 3 29 76 82 Rangers 4, Bruins 0: Chris of the season early in the third peri- overtime and Elvis Merzlikins Monahan scored twice, Jacob Vancouver 31 13 16 2 28 86 100 Kreider scored his team-leading od, and visiting New York earned made 27 saves, leading host Co- Markstrom made 24 saves and Ottawa 30 9 20 1 19 79 121 14th goal, Artemi Panarin had an its eighth straight victory. lumbus to the victory. host Calgary beat Montreal to Saturday’s games assist in his first game back since Oliver Wahlstrom also scored Max Domi added a goal and an sweep the two-game series. N.Y. Rangers 4, Boston 0 Columbus 4, Dallas 3, OT leaving the team, and visiting New and Semyon Varlamov made 26 assist as the Blue Jackets snapped Darryl Sutter coached his sec- N.Y. Islanders 3, New Jersey 2 York halted a three-game losing saves to help the East-leading Is- a three-game losing streak. ond game for the Flames after re- Washington 5, Philadelphia 4 Pittsburgh 3, Buffalo 0 streak. landers extend their points streak Jake Oettinger had 22 saves for turning to the team when Geoff Calgary 3, Montreal 1 Tampa Bay 6, Nashville 3 Panarin left Feb. 22 after a Rus- to 11 games at 10-0-1. Dallas, which has lost two straight Ward was fired March 4. Florida 4, Chicago 2 Winnipeg 5, Toronto 2 sian tabloid printed allegations Panthers 4, Blackhawks 2: and seven of nine. The Canadiens are 3-3-3 since Vegas 5, St. Louis 1 from a former coach that he at- Aleksander Barkov had two goals Golden Knights 5, Blues 1: Dominique Ducharme took over San Jose 3, Anaheim 1 Vancouver 2, Edmonton 1 tacked a woman in Latvia almost a and an assist, and host Florida Mark Stone scored twice, and for the fired Claude Julien. Sunday’s games decade ago, which he denies. His earned its third straight win. Marc-Andre Fleury made 34 saves Sharks 3, Ducks 1: Evander Arizona at Minnesota return clearly provided a lift for Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and for visiting Vegas. Kane scored for the third straight Carolina at Detroit N.Y. Islanders at New Jersey the Rangers. an assist for the Panthers Shea Theodore, Max Pacioretty game, Martin Jones stopped 26 Los Angeles at Colorado Keith Kinkaid stopped 18 shots Penguins 3, Sabres 0: Casey and Alex Tuch also scored for the shots and visiting San Jose won its Dallas at Columbus Toronto at Ottawa for his first shutout since 2018 DeSmith stopped 24 shots, and vis- Golden Knights, who had not bea- third straight for the first time this Monday’s games Capitals 5, Flyers 4: Alex iting Pittsburgh handed Buffalo its ten St. Louis in regulation in their season. Nashville at Tampa Bay Ovechkin scored and Carl Hagelin 10th straight loss. previous 11 meetings dating to Anaheim, which is in last place Boston at Pittsburgh Chicago at Florida had a goal and an assist, leading Jake Guentzel scored the go- 2017. in the West Division, has dropped Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers visiting Washington to its fourth ahead goal by batting in his own re- Jets 5, Maple Leafs 2: Adam three straight. Vancouver at Ottawa Washington at Buffalo straight win. bound with 3:23 remaining in the Lowry broke a tie at 7:39 of the Canucks 2, Oilers 1: Tyler Montreal at Winnipeg Edmonton at Calgary Nick Jensen, Daniel Sprong and second period. The power-play third period, leading visiting Win- Myers scored midway through the San Jose at Vegas Nic Dowd also scored for the Cap- goal was set up by Evgeni Malkin, nipeg to the win. third period, leading host Van- St. Louis at Los Angeles itals, who have won eight of nine. who has three goals and seven as- Lowry added an assist, and couver to its fifth win in seven Tuesday’s games The Flyers and were swept in sists in a seven-game point streak. Mark Scheifele and Mason Apple- games. Boston at Pittsburgh Buffalo at New Jersey three home games against Wash- The Sabres dropped to 0-8-2 in ton also each had a goal and an as- Mikko Koskinen had 26 saves for N.Y. Islanders at Washington Carolina at Detroit ington this week. their past 10. sist to help the Jets take the three- Edmonton, which snapped a four- Arizona at Minnesota Islanders 3, Devils 2: Kieffer Blue Jackets 4, Stars 3 (OT): game series 2-1. game winning streak and slipped Tampa Bay at Dallas Anaheim at Colorado Bellows scored his first two goals Zach Werenski scored 4:55 into Flames 3, Canadiens 1: Sean to third place in the North Division. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Surprising: 8th-seeded ROUNDUP Hoyas win Big East title Unlikely champs: Beavers, FROM PAGE 24 Garden, reminiscent of Ewing’s playing days at the school. The Hoyas (13-12) closed the first half on a 23-2 run that put Yellow Jackets earn bids them up 18 at the break against second-seeded Creighton (20-8). Associated Press Then they started the second half Jose Alvarado couldn’t contain with a 16-3 spurt. Chudier Bile his emotions as the horn sounded, knocked down a three-pointer — collapsing in disbelief as his Geor- holding the follow through for a gia Tech teammates mobbed each beat — with 14:58 left that made it other near midcourt. 52-21. He quickly ran to the celebra- Ewing called it a huge step for a tion that included coach Josh program that’s struggled to recap- Pastner — still sporting that can’t- ture old glory, and began this sea- miss-it clear face shield. son picked to finish last in the Big “Coach, you’re a champion, East. man!” Alvarado yelled as he “A lot of people discredited. joined him for a postgame TV in- Talked bad about us. We believed FRANK FRANKLIN II/AP terview amid fallen-from-the-raf- in ourselves. We worked hard. We Georgetown’s Dante Harris cele­ ters balloons and confetti. fought hard,” he said. brates while holding the Most The Yellow Jackets have their Ewing wondered aloud earlier Outstanding Player trophy after first Atlantic Coast Conference this week if they had forgotten him the Hoyas beat Creighton for the Tournament title in nearly three at MSG. He complained that secu- Big East championship Saturday. decades after beating No. 15 Flor- rity asked to see his credentials as ida State 80-75 in Saturday night’s he was moving around the build- in the 2019 NIT. At the start of this championship game. Just as im- ing where he starred for the New tournament, Ewing’s record was portantly, they’ve secured an au- GERRY BROOME / AP York Knicks and his No. 33 jersey 58-58 as head coach. tomatic NCAA Tournament berth Georgia Tech guard Jose Alvarado celebrates his team’s 80­75 win hangs from the rafters. Now he is the first person in Big to end an 11-year drought. over Florida State in the championship game of the Atlantic Coast Ewing said this championship East history to be the most out- “A lot of emotions: joy, happi- Conference tournament Saturday in Greensboro, N.C. was “right up there” with his standing player on a Big East ness, everything,” said Michael greatest moments at The Garden. Tournament champion and coach Devoe, the tournament MVP. “I ers and withstood a late push by The title was the first for the “Different chapter of my life,” a team to a Big East Tournament mean, this goes down in history Colorado (22-8) to become the Longhorns in seven frustrating he said. title. for us.” first Pac-10/12 team to win the appearances in the Big 12 cham- Bile matched a season high with Most Outstanding: Freshman Devoe scored 20 points for conference title after being pionship game, and their first con- 19 points and Jahvon Blair had 18 point guard Dante Harris scored fourth-seeded Georgia Tech picked to finish last. ference tournament trophy since for Georgetown. After missing 12 10 points, with eight rebounds and (17-8), which shot 52% after half- “This has been the most emo- winning the old Southwest Con- of their first 14 shots, the Hoyas five assists, to cap a strong week time and repeatedly capitalized tional year in my life and probably ference title in 1995. finished shooting 46.6% from the that earned him MVP of the tour- on mistakes by the Seminoles to for all of us,” Beavers coach Cade Cunningham had 29 floor. nament. win their first ACC Tournament Wayne Tinkle said. “It’s just in- points for the fifth-seeded Cow- Marcus Zegarowski scored 17 Blair and teammate Qudus Wa- crown since 1993 and fourth over- credible that we have gotten to boys (20-8). Isaac Likekele added points to lead the Bluejays, who hab also made the all-tournament all. this level and we know why we 13 points. are 0-3 in Big East title games team along with Zegarowski, Ada- ACC player of the year Moses have. It’s a pretty neat deal.” No. 19 San Diego State 68, since joining the conference for ma Sanogo of Connecticut and Wright and Jordan Usher each Needing three wins in three Utah State 57: Matt Mitchell the 2013-14 season. Jared Rhoden of Seton Hall. had 11 of their 15 points after half- days to end a four-year NCAA scored 14 points to lead to the the Hoyas fans, the few dozen that time for the Yellow Jackets, who Tournament drought, Oregon Aztecs to the Mountain West were in the mostly empty building Big picture got off to an 0-2 start this season State (17-12) built confidence with Tournament championship. because of COVID-19 restrictions, Georgetown: Became the first with home losses to Georgia State each step along The Strip. San Diego State, which also won chanted “This Is, Our House!” as No. 8 seed to win the Big East and Mercer. They stood 9-8 after a “We have been through a lot of the regular-season champion- the team prepared to accept the Tournament and the lowest seed loss at Clemson on a last-second ups and downs as a team and we ship, had lost six of its previous championship trophy. since Connecticut did it as a No. 9 shot Feb. 12 to find themselves were able to overcome it,” Calloo seven title game appearances, in- “Just to see how happy he is, it in 2011. Georgetown’s eighth title facing bubble uncertainty. said. “Today it shows that when cluding the past two to the Aggies. makes me happy,” Blair said broke a tie with UConn for the But they haven’t lost since. And we stick together we can achieve Nathan Mensah added 10 points about Ewing. “I’m just so happy most of any school. there’s no doubt about the NCAA anything.” and eight rebounds for the Aztecs for him.” Those 2011 Huskies went on to tourney now after a remarkable Calloo helped the Beavers over- (23-4). Neemias Queta led Utah Ewing and Thompson com- win a national title. That seems climb, not after a strong finish come leading scorer Ethan State(20-8) with 18 points, six re- bined for three Big East Tourna- unlikely for these Hoyas, who en- against the second-seeded Semi- Thompson’s foul trouble, making bounds, and three blocked shots. ment championships, three Final tered the Big East Tournament noles (16-6). 6 of 11 shots. Ohio 84, Buffalo 69: Last Four appearances and a national with a losing record. But George- “Our guys have just scrapped, McKinley Wright IV led Col- March, the Bobcats were on the title in 1984 during their time to- town is 10-4 since returning from a fought, kicked, clawed — whatev- orado with 18 points. The Buffs floor warming up for their quar- gether at Georgetown. COVID-19 pause in January, a run er they had to do to find a way to were making a bid for their first terfinal opener when they were Ewing aspired to be a head that coincided with Ewing insert- get wins this year,” Pastner said. Pac-12 Tournament title since told the tournament was can- coach like his mentor. He spent 15 ing Bile into the starting lineup. “And I’m just so darn proud of 2012. celed. Nothing stopped them this years as an assistant in the NBA, “Once you get to the NCAA these young men.” No. 13 Texas 91, No. 12 Okla­ year. never getting a shot to be head Tournament, anything is possi- Scottie Barnes had 21 points on homa State 86: Matt Coleman Jason Preston scored 22 points coach — until his alma mater ble,” Ewing said. 8-for-10 shooting for Florida State scored a career-high 30 points and and Ohio dominated from the came calling. Creighton: The Bluejays scored (16-6). Jericho Simms added a career- start to win its first Mid-American “I’m here where a lot of people a season-low 48 points and shot Oregon State 70, No. 23 Col­ best 21, leading the Longhorns to Conference Tournament cham- didn’t think I had the ability to 29% from the field. orado 68: Maurice Calloo gave the Big 12 Tournament title. pionship since 2012, denying the (be),” Ewing said. “And I’m prov- “We’ve got a mature group and I Oregon State an unexpected lift Kai Jones and Andrew Jones Bulls a record third straight title. ing everyone wrong.” think they understand this hasn’t with 15 points and the Beavers added 13 points apiece for third- The Bobcats (16-7), whose sea- The 58-year-old Ewing is in his happened to us very often over the won their first conference tourna- seeded Texas (19-7), which edged son was temporarily put on hold fourth season with the Hoyas, and course of the last couple years,” ment title, holding off the Buffa- No. 20 Texas Tech in the quarter- by COVID-19, are in the NCAA up until this week there hasn’t coach Greg McDermott said. loes in the Pac-12 title game. finals before advancing to the fi- Tournament for the first time been much to get excited about. “Once in a while it happens, but Oregon State (17-12) opened its nals when Kansas had to with- since 2012, when they shocked The only postseason tournament you hope it doesn’t happen on a first conference title game in 33 draw due to a positive COVID-19 Michigan on their way to the appearance was a one-game stay night like tonight.” years with a flurry of three-point- test. Sweet 16. Monday, March 15, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 BOXING/NFL Nobody comes for free in NFL free agency period

BY BARRY WILNER Associated Press $182.5 M The term in use these days is “legal tampering.” Doesn’t seem Salary cap for 2021 season, down by sensible, and some might call it $16 million, or 8 percent, over last the “cheating period” instead. season. Regardless, on Monday, two days before the NFL’s 2021 busi- SOURCE: NFL.com, Associated Press ness year begins, the 32 teams and agents for the players will be mak- franchise tags: receivers Chris ing deals. Lots of deals, even if Godwin (Tampa Bay) and Allen they aren’t official until Wednes- Robinson (Chicago); offensive li- day. nemen Taylor Moton (Carolina), “I hate calling it the legal tam- Cam Robinson (Jacksonville) and pering period because that just All-Pro Brandon Scherff (Wash- seems like that’s a debacle of the ington); safeties Marcus Maye English language,” Rams general (New York Jets), Marcus Wil- manager Les Snead says. “Legal liams (New Orleans) and Justin tampering, and tampering is ille- Simmons (Denver); and defensive gal? But we’ll have to adjust based tackle Leonard Williams (New on that because there’s no guaran- York Giants). tee that you can re-sign (players).” Dallas locked up quarterback Associated Press Even at a time when the salary Dak Prescott with a four-year cap has plummeted by $16 million Marvin Hagler, right, and Thomas Hearns fight during the first round of a 1985 world championship boxing deal, and J.J. Watt, released this bout in Las Vegas. Hagler knocked Hearns out in the third round. due to lost revenues during the offseason by Houston, signed with COVID-19-impacted 2020 season, Arizona. Those were the biggest lots of money will be going to the names potentially available. most-prized players. Snead’s Rams didn’t use the tag, That likely will include Tampa which could mean losing solid Bay pass rusher Shaq Barrett; safety John Johnson, revitalized Boxing great Hagler dies Green Bay All-Pro center Corey linebacker Leonard Floyd or cen- Linsley and standout running ter Austin Blythe. back Aaron Jones; Detroit wide Thus far, the Super Bowl cham- receiver Kenny Golladay; San Former middleweight champ, 66, pion Buccaneers have played the Francisco tackle Trent Williams; free agency game best this month. was renowed for his classic fights and Chargers tight end Hunter Henry. No superstars about to It helps when your high-priced with Hearns, Leonard and Duran break the bank, but plenty of pro- quarterback is willing to redo his ven talent to help teams improve deal to open up spending room, BY TIM DAHLBERG before turning attention to next something Tom Brady did fre- Associated Press month’s draft. quently in New England, then Marvelous Marvin Hagler stopped Thomas Of course, free agency always is again this week in Tampa Bay. Hearns in a fight that lasted less than eight minutes a buyer-beware situation. Another star, Panthers running yet was so epic that it still lives in boxing lore. Two “Yeah, we want talented play- back Christian McCaffrey, fol- years later he was so disgusted after losing a decision ers; but we want a good cohesive lowed Brady’s lead in reworking to Sugar Ray Leonard — stolen, he claimed, by the unit and guys who fit well togeth- his contract. judges — that he never fought again. er,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores Players in a strong position to One of the great middleweights in boxing history, says. “That’s not always 11 stars. land a nice payday include Saints Hagler died Saturday at the age of 66. His wife, Kay, It’s almost never that way. defensive end Trey Hendrickson; announced his death on the Facebook page for Ha- “So we’ve scoured free agency, Steelers wideout JuJu Smith- gler’s fans. the draft, and I think we have a Schuster and edge rusher Bud Du- “I am sorry to make a very sad announcement,” LENNOX MCLENDON / AP pretty good feel for the types of pree; Ravens edge rusher Yan- she wrote. “Today unfortunately my beloved hus- Hagler, left, moves in on Sugar Ray Leonard in a guys we are looking for from a nick Ngakoue and linebacker Mat- band Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly 1987 middleweight title fight. Hagler ended his skillset standpoint, but also from a thew Judon; Patriots guard Joe at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family re- career with the split­decision loss to Leonard. locker room standpoint as people Thuney; Titans tight end Jonnu quests that you respect our privacy during this diffi- as well. ... That’s an important fac- Smith; Bengals defensive end Carl cult time.” Hagler would go on to stop Hearns in the third tor that can’t be overlooked. All of Lawson; Chargers linebacker Hagler fought on boxing’s biggest stages against its round, crumpling him to the canvas with a barrage of those things play a role.” Melvin Ingram; and Bucs running biggest names, as he, Leonard, Hearns and Roberto punches even as blood poured out of a large gash on Nine players have been given back Leonard Fournette. Duran dominated the middleweight classes during a Hagler’s forehead that nearly caused the referee to golden time for boxing in the 1980s. Quiet with a stop the fight earlier in the round. brooding public persona, Hagler fought 67 times in 14 Hagler would fight only two more times, stopping years as a pro out of Brockton, Mass., finishing 62-3-2 John Mugabi a year later and then meeting Leonard, with 52 knockouts. who was coming off a three-year layoff from a de- “If they cut my bald head open, they will find one tached retina, in his final fight in 1987. Hagler was big boxing glove,’’ Hagler once said.“That’s all I am. I favored going into the fight and many thought he live it.” would destroy Leonard — but Leonard had other Hagler was unmistakable in the ring, fighting out plans. of a southpaw stance with his bald head glistening in While Hagler pursued him around the ring, Leo- the lights. He was relentless and he was vicious, stop- nard fought backing up, flicking out his left jab and ping opponent after opponent during an eight year throwing combinations that didn’t hurt Hagler but run that began with a disputed draw against Vito An- won Leonard points on the ringside scorecards. Still, tuofermo in 1979 that he later avenged. when the bell rang at the end of the 12th round, many Any doubts Hagler wasn’t indeed Marvelous were thought Hagler had pulled out the fight — only to lose erased on a spring night in 1985. He and Hearns met a controversial split decision. in one of the era’s big middleweight clashes outdoors Hagler, who was paid $19 million, left the ring in at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and when the opening disgust and never fought again. He moved to Italy to bell rang they traded punches for three minutes in an act, and never really looked back. JEFF ROBERSON / AP opening round many consider the best in boxing his- “I feel fortunate to get out of the ring with my facul- Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey reworked his tory. ties and my health,” he said a year later. contract, giving the Panthers more salary­cap space. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Monday, March 15, 2021 Hagler dead at 66 SPORTS Middleweight great Marvelous Marvin had legendary bouts ›› Boxing, Page 23

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

TNS photo Georgetown players celebrate beating the Creighton Bluejays 73­48 in the Big East Tournament championship game at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday. Georgetown wins Big East tournament

Ewing-led Hoyas secure NCAA bid with surprising run to conference championship AP photo

BY RALPH D. RUSSO “I’m here where a lot of people didn’t think I had the Associated Press ability to (be), and I’m proving everyone wrong.” NEW YORK — Patrick Ewing climbed the ladder — only a few steps Patrick Ewing needed for the 7-footer — clipped the Georgetown head coach, pictured at right, who spent 15 years as last string and held the net high. Georgetown is the Big East champion an assistant coach in the NBA before being hired by his alma mater in 2017 again, with the greatest Hoya of them all leading the way. Georgetown hired John Thompson, the who died in August at age 78, smiling Ewing is taking his team back to the late Hall of Fame coach who trans- down on now-Coach Ewing and his NCAA Tournament for the first time formed the program into a national Hoyas? since 2015 after the eighth-seeded power and one of the most iconic brands “I think so,” Ewing said. Hoyas completed a surprising run to a in college basketball, the Hoyas won Georgetown won with a dominant Big East crown Saturday night with a their record eighth Big East Tourna- performance inside Madison Square stunning 73-48 rout of No. 17 Creighton. ment title and first since 2007. On the 49th anniversary of the day Was it fate? Destiny? Maybe Big John, SEE SURPRISING ON PAGE 22

Harden has triple-double, Nets top Pistons ›› NBA, Page 20