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Volume 79 Edition 248 ©SS 2021 CONTINGENCY EDITION FRIDAY,APRIL 2, 2021 Free to Deployed Areas Lemons and ratholes Despite outpacing rivals’ spending for decades, US military struggling to maintain edge BY MISSY RYAN “We are sort of a victim of delayed by design and production issues. The Washington Post The Air Force’s two-decade effort to our own success.” field a 21st century tanker, one of several EVERETT, Wash. — As they conduct premier air systems whose development bombing and surveillance missions Ryan Haas has been beset with problems, is emble- around the globe, today’s U.S. military pi- Brookings Institute matic of the challenges Pentagon leaders lots rely on aerial refueling aircraft built as face in seeking to maintain the U.S. mili- early as 1957, when the Soviet Union dom- The cost of keeping those aging jets in tary’s shrinking edge over its chief com- inated American security fears, the aver- the air has grown sharply while the mili- petitor, China. age home cost $12,000 and “I Love Lucy” tary awaits a next-generation refueling MATTHEW M. BURKE/Stars and Stripes was debuting new episodes. plane whose rollout has been repeatedly SEE LEMONS ON PAGE 4 Marine Cpl. Malik Pugh shows off a pair of goggles that allow him to see from the Despite a decade of effort, development of the KC-46 tanker, seen below in 2019, has stumbled, prompting a leading general perspective of of a homemade drone at to describe the replacement for the 1950s-era KC-135 as a “lemon.” Camp Kinser, Okinawa, on Feb. 22. ALEXI MYRICK/U.S. Air Force Tech-savvy Marine excited to use skills to modernize Corps

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE Stars and Stripes CAMP KINSER, Okinawa —The buzz among Malik Pugh’s fellow Marines finally caught the attention of his platoon com- mander in the 3rd Marine Logistics Group during a routine inspection back in August. Warrant Officer Joseph Kimmel said he harbored some trepidation about then- Lance Cpl. Pugh’s living quarters after hearing whispers about what he would find there. “When I make it to his room, all I see is tech and electronics everywhere,” Kim- mel said in a March 18 email to Stars and Stripes. Kimmel found an array of electronics, computer monitors, whirring servers, ne- on lights, 3D printers and a work bench full of gadgets and tools, including a partially built humanoid robot. The Marine Corps also took notice of Pugh, who was recently promoted merito- riously to corporal. Pugh sees numerous opportunities where his expertise can benefit the Marine Corps, from 3D-printed covers to protect gear from the elements to custom tools and even reconnaissance drones to assist

SEE SKILLS ON PAGE 6 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER

J&J vaccine batch fails quality check EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1129.94 Associated Press quality standards, J&J said. and was “aiming to deliver those Switzerland (Franc) .9446 Euro costs (April 2) $1.15 Thailand (Baht) 31.25 A batch of Johnson & Johnson’s J&J said the Emergent BioSolu- doses by the end of May.” Dollar buys (April 2) 0.8292 Turkey (NewLira) 8.1462 British pound (April 2) $1.34 COVID-19 vaccine failed quality tions factory involved had not yet President Joe Biden has Japanese yen (April 2) 108.00 (Military exchange rates are those available standards and can’t be used, the been approved by the U.S. Food pledged to have enough vaccines South Korean won (April 2) 1100.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ drug giant said Wednesday. and Drug Administration to make for all U.S. adults by the end of many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) .3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ The drugmaker didn’t say how part of the vaccine. Emergent de- May. The U.S. government has or- Britain (Pound) 1.3816 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2573 your local military banking facility. Commercial many doses were lost, and it clined to comment. dered enough two-dose shots from China(Yuan) 6.5689 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.3290 wasn’t clear how the problem J&J had pledged to provide 20 Pfizer and Moderna to vaccinate Egypt (Pound) 15.7109 when buying currency. All figures are foreign would impact future deliveries. million doses of its vaccine to the 200 million people to be delivered Euro .8508 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7770 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ A vaccine ingredient made by U.S. government by the end of by late May, plus the 100 million Hungary (Forint) 307.74 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.3318 Emergent BioSolutions — one of March, and 80 million more doses shots from J&J. Japan (Yen) 110.72 INTEREST RATES about 10 companies that Johnson by the end of May. Its statement on A federal official said Wednes- Kuwait(Dinar) .3022 Norway (Krone) 8.5325 Prime rate 3.25 & Johnson is using to speed up the manufacturing problem said it day evening the administration’s Philippines (Peso) 48.61 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.92 Federal funds market rate 0.07 manufacturing of its recently ap- was still planning to deliver 100 goal can be met without additional Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7506 3­month bill 0.03 proved vaccine — did not meet million doses by the end of June J&J doses. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3449 30­year bond 2.42 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 55/40

Kabul Seoul 63/37 61/54 Baghdad 82/58 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 62/53 60/48 79/50 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 46/34 62/56 48/39 Iwakuni Kuwait City Bahrain 58/54 Brussels Zagan Sasebo Guam 85/68 80/73 Ramstein 48/38 65/61 49/38 59/35 82/79 Riyadh Lajes, 99/67 Doha Azores Stuttgart 98/69 60/57 53/44 Pápa Aviano/ 48/41 Vicenza 65/46

Naples 61/52 Okinawa Morón 72/69 69/53 Sigonella Rota 70/46 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 62/57 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 89/69 61/50 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES Comics ...... 14 Crossword ...... 14 Faces ...... 13 Opinion ...... 16 Sports ...... 18-24 Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY EUCOM raises threat level for Ukraine

BY JOHN VANDIVER said it isn’t clear what Moscow has Stars and Stripes planned. STUTTGART, Germany — U.S. “Regarding force movements European Command has raised its around Ukraine. No strong evi- threat level over worries that Rus- dence that an attack is imminent, sia is massing forces around east- but force movements are indica- ern Ukraine, where the Pentagon tive that something is up outside of says tensions have escalated in re- regular exercises, or normal troop cent weeks. rotation,” Kofman said in a Twit- “We’re discussing our concerns ter post. “Russian intentions (are) about this increase in tensions and unclear.” cease-fire violations and regional Kirby did not offer an assess- tensions with NATO allies,” Pen- ment on the apparent military tagon spokesman John Kirby told buildup, but blamed Moscow for reporters Wednesday. recent violations of a July 2020 The situation in Ukraine cease-fire deal in Ukraine that re- prompted Joint Chiefs of Staff sulted in the deaths of four Ukrai- Chairman Gen. Mark Milley on nian soldiers last week. the same day to connect with his Russia also has stepped up ma- counterparts in both Russia and neuvers beyond Ukraine in recent Ukraine, in an attempt to de-esca- days. late a situation that has prompted On Monday, NATO fighter jets fears within Ukraine of a looming conducted 10 intercepts of Rus- Russian offensive. GREGORY GLOSSER/U.S. Army sian warplanes, stretching from Gen. Tod Wolters in the past Ukrainian troops prepare to conduct company­level battle drills at Combat Training Center­Yavoriv, the Arctic to southern Europe as week raised EUCOM’s watch lev- Ukraine, in November. the alliance countered what it el for Ukraine from possible crisis called “an unusual peak” of to potential imminent crisis — the “WATCHCON” levels express a threat and alert decision makers country’s east and government flights. Allied aircraft shadowed highest level, The New York “combatant commander’s con- to emerging concerns,” Kirby forces. On social media in recent Russian bombers and fighters Times reported Wednesday. EU- cern about a potential threat and said, without discussing EU- weeks, scores of videos have over the North Atlantic, North Sea, COM declined to comment on the the ability to provide future warn- COM’s current level. shown Russian convoys of tanks Black Sea and Baltic Sea, NATO threat level change, but said it is ings.” Since Moscow’s 2014 military and other combat vehicles appar- said. monitoring events in Ukraine “So by setting a WATCHCON, intervention in Ukraine, there ently heading toward Ukraine. carefully. basically the commander is better have been steady clashes between Michael Kofman, a security [email protected] Kirby said changes in so-called able to identify and track the Russian-backed separatists in the analyst with expertise on Russia, Twitter: @john_vandiver Marine based on Okinawa US military: 18 honored for rescuing woman cases in Japan, BY MATTHEW M. BURKE He then tried to flag down the oncoming South Korea Stars and Stripes vehicles to warn them while at the same CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — An Okina- time trying to communicate with the young BY JOSEPH DITZLER wa-based Marine who rescued a local wom- woman. She was in and out of consciousness Stars and Stripes an from a dark, busy roadway earlier this and did not speak English. TOKYO — U.S. military bases in the Far year has received a medal for his actions. “I asked her and pointed to the sidewalk East reported 18 new coronavirus patients Marine Sgt. Jovany Gutierrez, 27, a mil- to see if I could motivate her to get herself as of 6 p.m. Thursday, some dating to March itary police officer and the driver for III up and move towards the sidewalk,” he 21. Marine Expeditionary Force commander said. “She wasn’t in a good state. Her legs MATTHEW M. BURKE/Stars and Stripes Japan reported another 1,937 people with Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, was awarded the were failing her at that moment. She was Marine Sgt. Jovany Gutierrez COVID-19, according to the World Health Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Med- out of it, unfortunately.” Organization. al during a ceremony at Camp Courtney on Gutierrez picked the woman up and car- service or achievement in combat or non- The Marine Corps reported three people March 12, according to a Marine statement ried her to the sidewalk, he said. She then combat. The medal can either be used to on Okinawa tested positive for the coronavi- shortly after the ceremony. Clardy present- went on what he calls “an emotional roller- recognize sustained performance or a spe- rus Wednesday: two at Camp Foster and ed the award. coaster,” drifting back and forth between cific achievement that does not warrant a one at Camp Hansen, according to a Face- Gutierrez, of Albuquerque, N.M., was on breathing easy and relaxing to hysterical, higher award. book post. On Thursday, the Marines re- his way to work around 5 a.m. Jan. 6 when yelling and convulsing. Gutierrez is a standout Marine, accord- ported seven more: four at Foster, and one he spotted a young Japanese woman in his He waved down another Marine who was ing to III MEF staff secretary Maj. James each at Camps Hansen, Courtney and Kin- headlights, he recalled during an interview able to help. They placed the woman in the Sullivan. ser. March 24 at Camp Courtney. recovery position and waited for paramed- “He regularly demonstrates selflessness South Korea reported 551 new COVID-19 The woman stumbled along the sidewalk, ics, who had been called by another driver, in the workplace, and during his off-duty patients Wednesday, according to Korea dangerously close to the roadway, on Route to arrive. time,” Sullivan wrote Thursday in an email Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Of 224 near its intersection with Route 8 in “We were trying to keep her at ease and to Stars and Stripes. “He has always gone those, 197 were in Seoul and 125 were in Uruma, Gutierrez said. He drove past care- tell her, ‘Hey, it’s okay; we’re getting you above and beyond to assist others in his sec- Gyeonggi province, where Osan Air Base fully. help,’” he recalled. tion and around him.” and Camp Humphreys are located. “As I looked in my rearview mirror, I saw Gutierrez said the paramedics told him Gutierrez dedicated his award to all the U.S. Forces Korea reported eight people her collapse in the middle of the road be- the woman would be fine. Marines on Okinawa performing heroic ac- tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving hind me,” he said. “In the distance I saw He briefed his command on what had tions every day. on the peninsula between March 21 and some vehicles coming up… I knew the dan- happened, and they began the paperwork “I knew I had to do something,” Gutierrez Monday, according to a news release. gers that posed to both her and the possible for the achievement medal without his said of the rescue. “I’d like to think anyone All eight — seven service members and driver.” knowledge, he said. would do the same thing. It’s especially our one dependent — tested positive on the first Gutierrez — a dog handler and seven- “It was pretty heart-warming,” he re- duty as Marines stationed here on Okina- test required before they entered the two- year Marine — said he acted fast. He pulled called. wa.” week mandatory quarantine. his car around, placing it between her and The Navy and Marine Corps Achieve- the oncoming traffic on the poorly lit road- ment Medal is awarded to service members [email protected] Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this way. below the rank of colonel for meritorious Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 report.  PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 MILITARY Lemons: US looking for ways to stay ahead of rivals in defense capabilities FROM PAGE 1 every case against China,” he said. “We’re The United States, once the world’s un- going to be looking for technologies that are disputed military superpower, has been leaps ahead.” struggling for years to efficiently update its Some experts caution against overstating arsenal and field new technology in cutting- the challenge. Despite Beijing’s economic edge areas such as hypersonics and artifi- heft, the U.S. retains strategic advantages, cial intelligence, at a time when some senior including defense alliances and favorable officials warn that China could be within geography. China borders 14 countries, in- five years of surpassing the U.S. military. cluding four nuclear powers. Experts point to myriad problems with Although experts disagree on the extent the U.S. system, including a slow, calcified to which the Chinese state has successfully budgeting process, unwieldy congressional commandeered commercial technology, requirements and the Pentagon’s inability the situation is far different in the U.S., to effectively piggyback on private-sector where courts, the media and even corporate advances in digital know-how. culture sometimes function as a brake on “It’s like the Pentagon is finding itself public-private collaboration. staring in the rearview mirror in the face of That was the case in 2017, when Google oncoming traffic,” said Mackenzie Eaglen, pulled out of a Pentagon AI initiative, Pro- a defense analyst at the American Enter- ject Maven, after employees protested the prise Institute. use of their company algorithms by the mil- As the Biden administration formulates itary. its defense priorities, it must confront an in- Even more problematic has been China’s creasingly urgent question: How will the use of espionage to snap up military innova- U.S. stay ahead of an authoritarian compet- tions that reflect billions of dollars in re- itor that is able to marshal industry and es- search funding. Examples of weaponry be- pionage to leapfrog decades of military lieved to have been fueled by U.S. plans in- technology? clude the Chinese versions of the F-22, F-35 Since taking office, leaders in the Biden and the C-17 transport plane. administration, like their predecessors un- “So long as they continue to do that, the der President Donald Trump, have identi- playing field will always favor the Chinese,” fied China as the top threat to U.S. security. LAWRENCE SENA/92d Air Refueling Wing said a defense official who spoke on the con- They have also voiced concerns about An F­35 Lightning II en route to Alaska is refueled by a KC­135 Stratotanker in July. dition of anonymity to speak candidly. America’s eroding edge as Beijing show- “They’re getting away with as much as they cases its exponential growth in satellites, AI primacy by 2030. many smaller firms don’t have. can, because, frankly, the pushback has ballistic missiles, bombers, fighter aircraft, “The scope for action remains, but Amer- Will Roper, who sought to accelerate Air been weak.” submarines and naval vessels. ica’s room for maneuver is shrinking,” said Force innovation as the service’s top acqui- ■ ■ ■ In his inaugural overseas trip, Defense the commission, which includes former sition official during the Trump administra- Pentagon leaders, stressing the need to Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed the impor- Google CEO Eric Schmidt. tion, said that unlike during the Cold War, embrace new ways of waging war, have tance of Asian alliances to meet China’s mil- The challenges are just as urgent in other the bulk of U.S. research and development sought to project confidence in U.S. preem- itary rise. digital areas. The Pentagon may be forced funding now takes place in the private sec- inence while also voicing frustration at the “Our goal is to make sure we have the ca- to abandon a yearslong attempt to create a tor, not in government. pace of innovation. pabilities and the operational plans and $10 billion cloud infrastructure because of “So by not being able to tap commercial When Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the concepts to offer credible deterrence to legal challenges, a problem that has innovation, the military is losing out on most Joint Chiefs of Staff, paid a recent visit to an China or anybody else who would want to plagued other acquisition efforts. Experts of its opportunities,” he said. aircraft production facility in Everett, take on the U.S.,” Austin told reporters trav- say officials have underestimated the im- In recent years, the military has created a Wash., Boeing executives welcomed him eling with him to Japan and South Korea in portance of software and underinvested in number of smaller funding initiatives that for what they described as a tour of the March. digital security. aim to sidestep its clunky acquisition sys- KC-46. Officials acknowledge the challenges are ■ ■ ■ tem and quickly channel government mon- “I think of it as an inspection,” the general formidable. Only in February did the mil- The U.S. was once capable of quickly ey to new technologies. quipped in response. itary begin using Boeing’s KC-46 tanker, fielding cutting-edge military equipment. Another factor slowing down U.S. innova- Milley said delays are common when cre- developed to replace the 1950s-era KC-135, Following World War II, it developed the tion is the Pentagon’s focus on long-term in- ating first-of-its-kind technology. on a limited basis. After a decade of devel- formidable B-52 bomber in record speed, vestments in a small number of weapons “They’re not going to be coming off the opment, and 20 years since the Pentagon building and improving on 13 versions of systems, some of which don’t play out as factory line perfectly in the first run,” he first launched efforts to field a new tanker, the aircraft in just over a decade. planned. China, meanwhile, has tended to said. Still, he added: “It puts us behind.” the plane has still not been deemed ready But the pace of military innovation experiment with many versions of similar After the visit, a Boeing spokeswoman, for combat. A leading general recently de- slowed in the 1960s with the advent of a cen- technology. Jane McCarthy, said in a statement that the scribed it as a “lemon.” tralized procurement system that priori- Experts say Congress, while providing company “stands ready to support the Air Even more well known is Lockheed Mar- tized performance and predictability over important oversight, has at times hindered Force as they begin phasing the KC-46 into tin’s F-35, the stealth fighter whose two dec- speed. That didn’t matter much back then, innovation by blocking the Pentagon from operational missions.” ades of development have been plagued by because the Soviet Union was not moving retiring weaponry. In addition, require- Experts point to bright spots for the mil- setbacks and mechanical problems. The fast either, as Bill Greenwalt, who worked ments designed to reduce waste or acceler- itary, including Special Operations forces’ plane, which costs between $77 million and on acquisition reform as a staffer to the late ate innovation sometimes backfire, as oc- ability to partner with the private sector via $100 million apiece, has yet to hit full-rate Sen. John McCain, described in a new re- curred when lawmakers required the Pen- a separate procurement system, or the rap- production. The chairman of the House search paper. tagon to simultaneously develop several id development of explosive-resistant vehi- Armed Services Committee called it a Today, it typically takes more than a dec- variants of the F-35, said J.J. Gertler, a vet- cles to protect troops at the height of the “rathole.” ade to develop and field new weapons sys- eran military aviation analyst. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The military is also racing to keep up with tems, Greenwalt found, which sometimes “People say DOD should be run like a Those conflicts, which have consumed advances by China and Russia in hyperson- means technology is out of date by the time business,” Gertler said. “Well, in business military attention for two decades — with ic weapons, which travel at five times the it becomes operational. you fail, you go on. If DOD fails, there are little relevance to today’s competition with speed of sound or faster. Although Beijing Part of the problem is a planning and new laws and procurement rules.” China — represent another aspect of the has already fielded a hypersonic glide vehi- funding process that typically requires two China’s defense transformation has been challenge. cle, the DF-17, the U.S. is just scaling up its years before a new weaponry or technology guided by a principle known as “military- “We’re sort of a victim of our own success research funding and prototyping. program can be included in the budget. This civil fusion,” which aims to allow the state to coming out of the unipolar moment, not A recent report by a government-backed leads to what insiders call the “Valley of seamlessly capitalize on private-sector ad- feeling particularly stressed or challenged commission on AI, which the Pentagon Death,” the long lag time between when a vances. Overseen personally by President for a long period of time,” said Ryan Hass, a hopes to use to analyze imagery and data company prototypes a new technology and Xi Jinping, the strategy can include exploi- former White House official who is now a and, potentially, in combat, cited a dearth of when the Pentagon fully funds it. That is tation of dual-use products or even forced China expert at the Brookings Institution. needed skills among government person- particularly hard on smaller companies, technology transfers. “For a lot of senior military leaders, feel- nel. contributing to the dominance of a handful Roper said the military, with China’s 1.4- ing that strategic stress from an adversary It warned that the U.S. has a finite win- of large “defense prime” firms. billion population in mind, should focus on that’s a near-peer competitor is not a place dow to up its game against China, which al- In addition, navigating the labyrinthine hardware and other ways to power major that they have spent a lot of their career,” he ready uses AI in a vast domestic surveil- military procurement system requires spe- advances in software or AI. said. “So there probably hasn’t been the lance network and has staked out a goal of cialized knowledge and resources — which “Scale is going to be against us in almost same sense of urgency and alarm.” Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Fired Marine commander fighting to clear his name BY NIKKI WENTLING did to his reputation. ually explicit language. port should be removed. Then this “His performance has been su- Stars and Stripes “All people have to do is Google Another investigation was month, the Board of Correction of perb,” McMillan wrote. “He is ex- WASHINGTON — Despite hav- my name,” Mann said. “In those opened into the headquarters Naval Records ordered his record ceptionally smart, quick and well ing completed three combat tours first articles, there’s no explana- company that August after a Ma- entirely expunged. spoken. He is dedicated and dri- in Iraq and Afghanistan, the most tion, no nothing — it just lets the rine was prematurely recalled to “The Board determined that ven to ensure the [regiment] Is shocking part of retired Col. Mor- reader fill in the blanks of what duty after suffering a miscarriage. [Mann] was held to an unreason- ready to fight … he is calm and gan Mann’s 30-year Marine Corps horrible thing I did. I live with that According to a able level of accountability given cool under pressure. And presents career was the moment it ended — every single day.” report by the the scope of his duties, limited a rock-solid appearance. Morgan with a single, unexpected phone “I need to set the record straight Board of Correc- time in command, dispersion of gets the job done.” call. publicly,” he said. tion of Naval Re- the unit, and other missions that McMillan wrote that Mann had Mann, the former commander Mann enlisted in the Marine cords, the inves- were assigned,” the board wrote his “most enthusiastic recommen- of the 25th Marine Regiment, was Corps at age 17 in 1987. He worked tigation found in its report. dation” for a promotion to briga- removed from his position Oct. 4, as a field artilleryman before be- that Mann was The board also said that Mann dier general. In his written com- 2017. At the time, the Marine ing commissioned through the Na- not involved or “took actions to correct the prob- ments, Whitman also said that Corps said only that his removal val Reserve Officer Training made aware of lems with the climate in the com- Mann had his “highest possible Mann was “due to a loss of confidence.” Course in 1989. He held numerous the incident and mand.” recommendation for promotion at “I’ve been to combat three command positions and served that the “extremely poor” climate Mann’s victory before the the earliest opportunity.” times, including as a rifle compa- two tours in Iraq in 2005 and 2007 at the unit predated his arrival as Board of Correction of Naval Re- Whitman, the former senior re- ny commander in a very intense and a tour in Afghanistan in 2013. commander. cords was bittersweet, he said. serve office of the Marine Corps, environment, and this was the He assumed command of the Although the investigators de- The decision to remove him could also wrote that during the brief pe- worst thing that ever happened to 25th Marine Regiment in March termined that no adverse action not truly be undone, and it ended riod Mann had led the 25th Re- me,” Mann said . “There was no 2017, becoming responsible for be taken against Mann, he was re- what he expected to be a much giment, he made “immediate, pos- explanation, it was just left out about 4,400 Marines and sailors at moved from his position by Lt. longer Marine Corps career. itive and lasting” changes. Mann there: ‘You’re fired. Pack your 23 sites across 11 states. When he Gen. Rex McMillan, who at the “It provides some sense of clo- was “never content with the status stuff today, and you can just go.’” took over, Mann noticed poor mo- time commanded the Marine sure, but it’s something that quo” and aggressively sought After more than three years of rale at the regiment’s headquar- Forces Reserve. Mann never should never have happened in ways to foster innovation and im- fighting the decision, Mann won ters company. He ordered a pre- learned why that decision was the first place,” Mann said. “I still prove the regiment, Whitman his appeal this month. The Board liminary inquiry into the unit that made. feel like I have more to give to the wrote. of Correction of Naval Records, April. Mann immediately began to Marine Corps and this country.” Mann harbors no bad feelings part of the Department of the Na- The inquiry found an unhealthy fight the decision. In 2018, the Per- In a fitness report dated Sept. toward the Marine Corps itself — vy, ordered that Mann’s record be company rife with conflict. As a formance Evaluation Review 24, 2017 — just 10 days before it’s still “so much of who I am,” he expunged of any wrongdoing. result, the company went through Board decided that the incident Mann was fired — McMillan and said. He wants to find other oppor- Though his record is now clean, equal opportunity training, as well did not warrant Mann’s separa- Maj. Gen. Burke Whiteman wrote tunities for public service, but his Mann is still fighting to clear up as counseling about instances of tion from the Marine Corps and that Mann was “one of our finest removal has affected those chanc- the damage that the public firing inappropriate behavior and sex- that his final, negative fitness re- officers.” es. PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 MILITARY Skills: Marines embrace innovations

FROM PAGE 1 built a car that went 50 mph, he Pugh said. Then he hopes it will ground troops by making them wanted to see what he could do in identify objects and people it sees more aware of their surroundings. the air. He saved his lunch money frequently, building a profile for The III Marine Expeditionary in middle school to buy the parts to each person and varying its reac- Force on Okinawa has shown a build his first drone. tions depending on its familiarity willingness in recent years to inte- Pugh said he rigged one to drop with them. grate the ideas of tech savvy Ma- candy before unsuspecting trick- Alita will be self-sufficient and rines, through unit leadership and or-treaters on Halloween. able to charge itself on its own, by hosting invention competitions. In middle school, Pugh took ro- Pugh said. Lastly, he hopes to “He is extremely intelligent and botics’ courses and built robots, he teach the robot certain protocols, technically savvy,” Kimmel said. said. He learned enough about like chores. But mostly he wants it “He has a very bright future.” motors and actuators to attempt to be a funny companion he can in- Pugh, a digital wideband tech- his first humanoid robot. It was a teract with. nician in Communications Com- disaster. Pugh has also built a remote- pany, Combat Logistics Regiment “It was a freak of nature, honest- controlled, motorized long skate- 37, has a lifelong affiliation with ly,” he said with a laugh. “It didn’t board with brakes that takes him electromechanics. even get off the ground … but it to and from work each day, and A self-described military brat was a good taste of what I wanted several drones that perform vari- who bounced around a lot as a to do.” ous functions. He’s also working child, Pugh finally settled outside After high school, Pugh found on a robot that can vacuum and St. Louis in a small town called himself rudderless. He tried col- mop the floor as it moves around Fairview Heights, Ill., he said on a lege and worked two jobs, but he like a Roomba. sunny February afternoon outside felt redundant and unaccom- Kimmel said Marines like Pugh the warehouse where he works. plished, he said. In 2019, he joined are a sign of the times. From “Bob the Builder” toys the Marine Corps. Today he’s re- “Growing up with more ad- and Legos, Pugh graduated to tin- sponsible for setting up a comple- vanced technology is an advan- kering with whatever electronics ment of ground terminals for sat- tage that younger Marines have he could find around the house. ellite communications. over those of us that are a little “It’s been like that since I was a The humanoid robot he calls more seasoned,” Kimmel said. kid,” he said. “I can’t think of a Project Alita, after the 2019 action “Each new Marine that I have time when I didn’t want to build film “Alita: Battle Angel,” sits atop seen come in after me has been a something.” his work bench, minus a head. little bit smarter than the previ- Discovering radio-controlled “That one’s going to be a fun ous.” cars in his formative years, with one,” he said. MATTHEW M. BURKE/Stars and Stripes their batteries and motors, was a The first step for Alita will be [email protected] Marine Cpl. Malik Pugh explains a robot he hopes will sweep and mop game-changer, he said. After he walking and navigating the room, Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 the floor in his barracks room at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, on Feb. 22. US military adviser’s tweets help Afghan pilot get surgery BY J.P. LAWRENCE son of the late Sen. John McCain, nerve damage in his arm. Qubadi after McCain’s tweets spector General for Operation AND ZUBAIR BABAKARKHAIL emphasized that he was acting in a Qubadi was in stable condition went viral. Freedom’s Sentinel said. Stars and Stripes private capacity as he advocated following arm surgery Thursday, “He got the attention of the right Pilots have also been increas- KABUL, Afghanistan — A viral for Qubadi. said Abdulhaq Azad, spokesman people who can help him,” the offi- ingly targeted in assassinations by tweet by a former U.S. military ad- McCain’s tweets were liked and for the Afghan Embassy in New cial said on condition of anonymity insurgents. viser in Afghanistan helped a pilot shared more than 6,000 times and Delhi. He will be transferred soon because he was not authorized to McCain said he is thankful for who had been injured in combat the outpouring of support led to to another hospital for eye treat- speak on the matter. the support online, and for the In- get specialized medical treatment Qubadi being scheduled for emer- ment. Qubadi is one of the elite pilots of dian and Afghan help in assisting that wasn’t available in the coun- gency surgery in India this week. Qubadi “is a good person that I the Afghan air force, which is seen Qubadi. try. Qubadi had been injured in a Ta- respect, and I wanted to do every- as a key element fighting the Tali- “Taking care of your people is Helicopter pilot and military af- liban-claimed attack. It was one of thing I could to try to get him the ban, as U.S. and NATO troops de- the primary duty of any military fairs writer Jack McCain tweeted two last year in which Afghan air care he needs,” McCain told Stars cide whether to withdraw from Af- officer, and regardless of whether online Tuesday that one of his for- force helicopters were shot down and Stripes in a direct message. ghanistan. Iam with him or not, if I had the ca- mer students, Gulrahman Qubadi, by anti-tank guided missiles Qubadi intends to return to duty Increasing demands on the air pability to do something, I was go- had suffered serious injuries when thought to be provided by Iran, after he recovers from his injuries, force have strained the service, ing to,” he said. his UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter The New York Times reported. McCain said. which has lost almost a quarter of was downed by a Taliban rocket in He arrived in India last month, An Afghan defense official con- the operational aircraft in its in- Stars and Stripes reporter Chad Garland contrib- uted to this report. southern Afghanistan last July. where he awaited medical care for firmed Thursday that Afghan and ventory over the past year, a recent [email protected] McCain, a Navy reservist and a damaged cornea and extensive Indian authorities decided to help report to Congress by the Lead In- Twitter: @jplawrence3 Vet pushes bill to expand care for veterans exposed to toxic fumes

BY SARAH CAMMARATA be on our veterans to get the bene- insufficient evidence to back up proof that they have been exposed that killed his son Beau in 2015. Stars and Stripes fits they deserve, and there’s no the claims. at a certain location. Beau Biden was a major in the De- WASHINGTON — Rep. Elaine reason that they and their survi- The military used open-air pits Advocates have said this is a laware Army National Guard and Luria, a 20-year Navy veteran, in- vors should have to fight VA for the during the 1990s and the post-9/11 challenge and sometimes impossi- was exposed to burn pits during a troduced legislation Thursday care and benefits they earned,” wars to dispose of waste such as jet ble because it’s difficult to pinpoint deployment to Iraq. that would expand care and dis- said Luria, D-Va., a member of the fuel, paint and plastics in Iraq and the exact location of overseas ser- The VA estimates about 3.5 mil- ability compensation for veterans House Armed Services Commit- Afghanistan, among other coun- vice and the fact that there was a lion veterans have been exposed to made sick after breathing in toxic tee. tries. The smoke and emissions burn pit at that location. The VA al- toxic piles of trash in Iraq, Afghan- fumes on overseas deployments. Thousands of veterans have from the burn pits contained so does not have clear guidance on istan and other military sites, ac- The Conceding Our Veterans’ sought care from the Department chemicals that can cause a num- who qualifies for compensation cording to a 2015 report. However, Exposures Now and Necessitating of Veterans Affairs for illnesses ber of health problems. tied to toxic exposure. adepartment official said last year Training Act would ease the bur- that they believe were caused by Veterans affected by burn pits Lawmakers have tried to pass that it denied 78 percent of claims den of proof for veterans who got serving overseas near burn pits. now face hurdles to receiving care. similar legislation but efforts have to gain access to benefits. sick by exposure to burn pits and The ailments include cancers, re- Sick service members must pro- stalled up to now. President Joe Bi- other toxic exposures. spiratory issues and lung diseases. vide evidence that their illness is den has said he believes toxic [email protected] “The burden of proof shouldn’t However, the VA has said there is linked to toxic exposure, as well as smoke is the cause of brain cancer @sarahjcamm Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 NATION Migrants being freed without court notice of the plans who spoke on condi- Some released with tion of anonymity because the plans have not been made public. no paperwork at all It is unclear how widespread the Associated Press practice has been, but it is very MISSION, Texas — Over- common in Rio Grande Valley, the whelmed and underprepared, busiest corridor for illegal cross- U.S. authorities are releasing mi- ings. grant families on the Mexican bor- Preparing a court appearance der without notices to appear in notice can take an hour to 90 min- immigration court or sometimes utes, said Chris Cabrera, spokes- without any paperwork at all — man for the National Border Pa- time-saving moves that have left trol Council, a union that repre- some migrants confused. sents agents. He welcomed the The rapid releases ease pres- change. sure on the Border Patrol and its “Honestly, from my end, I think badly overcrowded holding facili- it's good because it's less paper- ties but shifts work to Immigration work for our guys,” said Cabrera, and Customs and Enforcement, who works in the Rio Grande Val- the agency that enforces immigra- ley. tion laws within the United States. An uptick in the number of peo- Families are released with book- ple crossing the border, especially ing records; only parents are pho- children traveling alone and fam- tographed and fingerprinted. ilies, has filled up federal holding The Border Patrol began the un- facilities. The U.S. has been re- usual practice last week in Texas' DARIO LOPEZ­MILLS/AP leasing families with children 6 Rio Grande Valley, which has seen Migrants board a van at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas, on March 28. and under and expelling families the biggest increase in the number with older children under pan- of migrant families and unaccom- ed at the shelter for a week without storms in November. “The church all. demic-related powers that deny panied minors crossing the bor- documents along with his 5-year- has told us that there are mistakes Sister Norma Pimentel, execu- an opportunity to seek asylum. der. Last week, the agency added old daughter, hoping to join a sometimes. Because there are so tive director of Catholic Charities Immigration attorneys had instructions to report to an ICE of- friend in Tennessee. His wife is many people, they forget.” of Rio Grande Valley, knows of 10 mixed reactions to people being fice within 60 days to adults’ book- still in Guatemala with their 2- Customs and Border Protection, to 15 families released without any released without court notices or ing documents. year-old twin daughters and a 3- which oversees the Border Patrol, paperwork since last week, an is- paperwork, particularly the re- But some got no documents at month-old. said it stopped issuing court no- sue that has cropped up before quirement to check in with ICE. all, including dozens at Our Lady Linga was unwilling to leave the tices in some cases because pre- when there are large increases in They advise migrants to apply for of Guadalupe Catholic Church in shelter until he got documents and paring even one of the documents new arrivals. a different route to asylum — one the Texas border city of Mission, was asking Catholic Charities of often takes hours. Migrants under- “It’s a problem, it’s a situation that's only for people already in the where about 100 migrants re- Rio Grande Valley for help. go background checks and are we need to resolve, to make sure country. In that option, they meet a leased by U.S. authorities had “We hope they can help with our tested for COVID-19. we follow up,” she said. Citizenship and Immigration Ser- been arriving each night to sleep papers so that we can move on, The agency didn't answer ques- Migrants will be issued notices vices asylum officer in a less ad- on mats in classrooms in a shut- work and send (money) to my fam- tions about how many migrants to appear in court at their 60-day versarial environment and if de- tered elementary school. ily,” said Linga, whose home in have been released without court check-ins with ICE, according to a nied, can appeal to an immigration Carlos Enrique Linga, 27, wait- Guatemala was destroyed by notices or without documents at U.S. official with direct knowledge judge, advocates say. A closer look at Biden’s $2.3T infrastructure and tax proposals Associated Press Amtrak’s heavily trafficked other power projects. President Joe Biden says his Northeast Corridor line, address ■ $213 billion to produce, pre- proposal for an aggressive series its repair backlog and improve serve and retrofit more than 2 of infrastructure investments freight rail. million affordable houses and would require $2.3 trillion in ■ $174 billion to build 500,000 buildings. spending over eight years but electric vehicle charging stations, ■ $100 billion to upgrade and could create millions of jobs. It electrify 20% of school buses and build new schools. would be funded by higher corpo- electrify the federal fleet, includ- ■ $18 billion to modernize Vet- rate taxes. ing U.S. Postal Service vehicles. erans Affairs hospitals and clin- A closer look at where the mon- ■ $25 billion to upgrade air ics, and $10 billion for federal ey is going and where it’s coming travel and airports and $17 billion buildings. from: for waterways and coastal ports. ■ $400 billion to expand long- EVAN VUCCI/AP ■ $20 billion to redress com- term care services under Medi- President Joe Biden arrives to speak on infrastructure spending at Infrastructure projects munities whose neighborhoods caid. Carpenters Pittsburgh Training Center on Wednesday in Pittsburgh. ■ $115 billion to modernize the — typically nonwhite — were di- ■ $180 billion invested in re- bridges, highways and roads that vided by highway projects. search and development pro- projects by: companies to avoid U.S. taxes, a are in the worst shape. The White ■ $50 billion to improve in- jects. ■ Raising the corporate tax process known as inversion. House outline estimated 20,000 frastructure resilience in the af- ■ $300 billion for manufactur- rate from 21% to 28%, one of the ■ Eliminating tax breaks for miles of roadways would be re- termath of natural disasters. ing, including funds for the com- measures that over 15 years companies that shift assets paired, while economically sig- ■ $111 billion to replace lead puter chip sector, improved ac- would cover the cost of the infras- abroad, and denying deductions nificant bridges and 10,000 small- water pipes and upgrade sewer cess to capital and investment in tructure program and then help for offshoring jobs. er bridges would get fixed. systems. clean energy through federal pro- to reduce the budget deficit. ■ Imposing a 15% minimum ■ $85 billion for public transit, ■ $100 billion to build high- curement. ■ Imposing a 21% global mini- tax on the income that corpora- doubling the federal govern- speed broadband that provides ■ $100 billion for workforce mum tax, so that companies can- tions report to shareholders. ment’s commitment in an effort 100% coverage for the country. development. not avoid taxes by shifting income ■ Eliminating tax preferences to shorten the repair backlog and ■ $100 billion to upgrade the to low-tax countries. for the fossil fuels sector. expand service. resilience of the power grid and Tax increases ■ Making it harder for busi- ■ Increasing IRS audits of ■ $80 billion to modernize move to clean electricity, among Biden’s plan would finance nesses to merge with foreign large corporations. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 NATION Body cam shows Floyd’s struggle, then takedown

Associated Press vehicle to when he was loaded into MINNEAPOLIS — George an ambulance. Floyd’s struggle with three police When Floyd was finally taken officers trying to arrest him, seen away by paramedics, Charles on body-camera video, included McMillian, a 61-year-old bystan- Floyd’s panicky cries of “I’m sor- der who recognized Chauvin from ry, I’m sorry” and “I’m claustro- the neighborhood, told the officer phobic!” as the officers tried to he didn’t respect what Chauvin push Floyd into the back of a po- had done. lice SUV. “That’s one person’s opinion,” At one point, Floyd bucks for- Chauvin could be heard respon- ward, throwing his upper body out ding. “We gotta control this guy JAE C. HONG/AP of the car. Officers eventually give ‘cause he’s a sizable guy... and it People comfort each other near a building where a shooting occurred in Orange, Calif., on Wednesday. up, and Floyd thanks them — and looks like he’s probably on some- then is taken to the ground, face- thing.” down and handcuffed. Officer De- Floyd was 6-foot-4 and 223 rek Chauvin’s knee pins his neck, pounds, according to the autopsy, Police: Gunman knew victims in another officer’s knee holds his which also found fentanyl and back and a third officer holds his methamphetamine in his system. legs, with the officers talking Chauvin’s lawyer said the officer attack on S. California building calmly about whether he might be is 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds. Associated Press “Our hearts are with the fam- pany. on drugs. Chauvin, 45, who is white, is ORANGE, Calif. — Southern ilies impacted by this terrible A Facebook livestream posted “He wouldn’t get out of the car. charged with murder and man- California police said Thursday tragedy tonight,” he said. by a resident who lives near the of- He just wasn’t following instruc- slaughter, accused of killing the the gunman who killed four peo- Amat had no information about fice appeared to show officers car- tions,” Officer Thomas Lane was 46-year-old Floyd by kneeling on ple and wounded a fifth at an of- what may have prompted the at- rying a motionless person from recorded saying. Lane also asked Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes, 29 sec- fice complex knew all the victims tack. She said the shooting hap- the building and officers helping twice if the officers should roll onds, as he lay face-down in hand- either through business or person- pened on both levels of the build- another person. Floyd on his side, and later said he cuffs. ally. ing. Tim Smith’s home is separated thinks Floyd is passing out. Anoth- Floyd’s death, along with the Orange police Lt. Jennifer Amat Signs outside indicated a hand- from the office’s parking lot by a er officer checked Floyd’s wrist harrowing bystander video of him also revealed that the gunman had ful of businesses are located there backyard wooden fence. He was for a pulse and said he couldn’t gasping for breath as onlookers chained gates to the complex — including an insurance office, a in the back of his house when he find one. yelled at Chauvin to get off him, closed, forcing officers who re- financial consulting firm, a legal heard a volley of three gunshots, The officers’ video was part of a triggered sometimes violent pro- sponded Wednesday to engage services business and a phone re- then a volley of three and a final mountain of footage and witness tests around the world and a reck- him from outside. Police withheld pair store. volley of four. testimony Wednesday in Chau- oning over racism and police bru- the identities of the dead but said People gathered outside the “The first words I heard after vin’s trial on murder and man- tality across the U.S. one was a 9-year-old boy. The oth- building after the shooting hoping the shots were fired were ‘Don’t slaughter charges in Floyd’s As Floyd was pinned down by ers were a man and two women. to get word about loved ones. move or I will shoot you,’” Smith, death, showing how his alleged at- Chauvin and other officers, The gunman was also wounded Paul Tovar told KTLA-TV that 64, recounted Thursday morning. tempt to pass a phony $20 bill at a McMillian, the bystander, could and hospitalized. Wednesday’s his brother owns a business in the Smith said he heard that repeat- neighborhood market last May es- be heard on video saying to Floyd, shooting happened in the city of building, Unified Homes, a mobile ed twice more by a man’s voice calated into tragedy one video- “You can’t win” and “Get up and Orange southeast of Los Angeles. home broker. and believes it was a police officer documented step at a time. get in the car.” When officers arrived, shots were “He’s not answering his phone, speaking. He did not hear other A security-camera scene of peo- Floyd replied: “I can’t.” ringing out at the building that in- neither’s my niece,” Tovar said. voices or more shots. He later ple joking around inside the store The defense has argued Chau- cludes a mobile home brokerage. “I’m pretty scared and worried ... peeked over the fence and saw soon gave way to the sight of offi- vin did what he was trained to do The violence in the city of Or- right now I’m just praying really SWAT officers marching in a line cers pulling Floyd, who was Black, and Floyd’s death was not caused ange southeast of Los Angeles was hard.” in the building’s courtyard. from his SUV at gunpoint. The ex- by the officer’s knee, as prosecu- the third U.S. mass shooting in just Charlie Espinoza also was out- “Enough is enough,” U.S. Sen. tended body-camera footage gave tors contend, but by Floyd’s illegal over two weeks. side the building and told The Or- Dianne Feinstein, D-California, jurors the fullest view yet of the drug use, heart disease, high blood California Gov. Gavin Newsom ange County Register that he tweeted. “We have to do some- roughly 20 minutes between when pressure and the adrenaline flow- in a tweet called the killings “hor- could not reach his fiancee, who thing about the guns on our police first approached Floyd’s ing through his body. rifying and heartbreaking.” works for a medical billing com- streets.” 2 major Georgia corporate leaders slam voting bill

Associated Press from earlier, more equivocal not helping spike the new law “Delta’s statement finally tells there continues to be work ahead ATLANTA — Some of Georgia’s statements and called the law “un- that’s become a focal point in the the truth — even if it’s late,” said in this important effort.” most prominent corporate leaders acceptable,” opening an unusual nationwide, partisan fight over Nsé Ufot of the New Georgia Pro- Speaking later on CNBC, Coca- on Wednesday began to more rift with Republican leaders who voting rights, and there is rising ject, which has launched an ad Cola chief executive James Quin- forcefully criticize the state’s championed the legislation and pressure nationally on corporate campaign targeting major corpo- cey called the legislation a “step sweeping new election law, ac- typically enjoy a cozy relationship titans to defend voting rights more rations. backward.” knowledging concerns of civil with the state’s business commu- explicitly and oppose Republican After Republican Gov. Brian “It does not promote principles rights activists and Black business nity. efforts in states that could follow Kemp signed the new law last we have stood for in Georgia executives who say the measure The business lobby in Georgia, Georgia’s lead. Delta’s and Coca- week, Delta issued a statement around broad access to voting, targets non-white voters and home to 18 Fortune 500 compa- Cola’s latest declarations could promoting parts of the law such as around voter convenience, about threatens the democratic process. nies, wields significant clout in push Georgia’s other marquee expanded weekend voting, but ensuring election integrity,” he The chief executives of Delta state politics. Civil rights activists brands, including UPS and Home said “we understand concerns re- said. “This legislation is wrong Air Lines and Coca-Cola pivoted blamed influential executives for Depot, to take a stronger stand. main over other provisions ... and and needs to be remedied.” Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 VIRUS OUTBREAK Jobless claims at 719K as pandemic still forces layoffs

BY PAUL WISEMAN spring, with the rising number of Associated Press vaccinations encouraging people WASHINGTON — The num- to return to airports, shopping ber of Americans applying for centers, restaurants and bars. unemployment benefits rose by The number of new confirmed 61,000 last week to 719,000, sig- COVID-19 cases has dropped naling that many employers are from an average of about 250,000 still cutting jobs even as more a day in early January to below businesses reopen, vaccines are 70,000, though it has begun to rise increasingly administered and again in recent days. federal aid spreads through the Last month, consumer confi- CARLOS OSORIO/AP economy. dence reached a post-pandemic Some of the nearly 900 large poster­sized photos of Detroit victims of COVID­19 are displayed on Belle The Labor Department said peak. And the $1,400 checks in Isle in Detroit. Thursday that the number of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion claims increased from 684,000 economic relief plan have sharp- the week before. Though the pace ly lifted consumer spending, ac- of applications has dropped cording to Bank of America’s COVID-19 pushed total US sharply since early this year, they tracking of its debit and credit remain high by historical stan- cards. Spending jumped 23% in dards: Before the pandemic flat- the third week of March com- deaths beyond 3.3M in 2020 tened the economy a year ago, pared with pre-pandemic levels, jobless claims typically ran below the bank said. BY CARLA K. JOHNSON most years, but last year’s death ysis of death certificates. 220,000 a week. And even with the pace of lay- Associated Press rate was up nearly 16% compared Typically, analyzing death cer- All told, 3.8 million people were offs still relatively high, hiring The COVID-19 pandemic to the previous year. That’s the tificates takes about 11 months. But collecting traditional state bene- has begun to accelerate. In Feb- pushed total U.S. deaths last year largest one-year leap since 1918, the CDC sped up the timeline, the fits during the week ending ruary, employers added a robust beyond 3.3 million, the nation’s when U.S. soldier deaths in World report said, to address “the press- March 20. If you include federal 379,000 jobs across the country. highest annual death toll, the gov- War I and the flu pandemic pushed ing need for updated, quality data programs that are meant to help Last month, they are believed to ernment reported Wednesday. deaths up 46% compared with during the global COVID-19 pan- the unemployed through the have added even more: Accord- The coronavirus caused ap- 1917. demic.” health crisis, 18.2 million people ing to the data firm FactSet, econ- proximately 375,000 deaths, and Death rates last year overall In a separate report, the CDC re- were receiving some type of job- omists expect the March jobs re- was the third-leading cause of were highest among Black people sponded to concerns about deaths less aid in the week that ended port being released Friday to death in 2020, after heart disease and American Indian and Alaska being misattributed to COVID-19. March 13. That’s down from 19.7 show that the economy added a and cancer. COVID-19 deaths in Native people. The COVID-19 The agency took a close look at million in the previous week. sizable 614,000 jobs and that the the United States now top 550,000 death rate was highest among His- death certificates, finding that Economists monitor weekly ap- unemployment rate fell from since the start of the pandemic. panic people. most that listed COVID-19 also plications for unemployment aid 6.2% to 6%. Less than a year ago, COVID-19 displaced suicide as “Sadly, based on the current named other contributing prob- for early signs of where the job the jobless rate had hit 14.8%. one of the top 10 causes of death, state of the pandemic, these im- lems. They included conditions market is headed. Applications Some economists are even according to the report from the pacts have remained in 2021 such as diabetes, known to in- generally reflect the rate of lay- more optimistic: Joe Brusuelas, Centers for Disease Control and where we continue to see that com- crease the danger of severe dis- offs, which normally fall steadily chief economist at the tax adviso- Prevention. munities of color account for an ease, or conditions such as pneu- as a job market strengthens. Dur- ry firm RSM, is predicting 1 mil- “The data should serve again as outsize portions of these deaths,” monia that occurred in the chain of ing the pandemic, though, the lion added jobs for March. acatalyst for each of us to continue Walensky said. events leading to the deaths. numbers have become less relia- The Federal Reserve’s policy- to do our part to drive down cases Preliminary data in December Only about 5% of the death cer- ble as states have struggled with makers have substantially boost- and reduce the spread of CO- suggested 2020 would be an espe- tificates listed only COVID-19, and application backlogs and allega- ed their forecast for the economy VID-19 and get people vaccinated cially deadly year and the CDC’s that was more frequently the case tions of fraud have clouded the this year, anticipating growth of as quickly as possible,” CDC Di- new report showed it was even when the person died at home. actual volume of job cuts. 6.5% for 2021, up from an esti- rector Dr. Rochelle Walensky said worse than anticipated. The new The CDC said its review con- Still, measures of the overall mate in December of just 4.2%. Wednesday. numbers are still considered pre- firms the accuracy of the death economy show clear improve- That would be the fastest rate of The U.S. death toll increases liminary and are based on an anal- count for COVID-19. ment from the collapse last expansion in any year since 1984. Biden launches community corps to boost COVID vaccinations BY ZEKE MILLER three approved vaccines. The and medical encouragement to get Council of Urban Indian Health, nary Americans could share their Associated Press campaign comes amid worries vaccinated, rather than messages sports leagues like the NFL and intent to get vaccinations and their WASHINGTON — Seeking to that reluctance to get vaccinated from politicians. MLB, rural groups, unions and La- experience with the shots to their overcome vaccine hesitancy, the will delay the nation’s recovery Courtney Rowe, the White tino, Black, Asian American, Pa- peers. Biden administration is unveiling from the coronavirus pandemic. House’s COVID-19 director of cific Islander and Native Ameri- By the end of May, the U.S. will acoalition of community, religious Vice President Kamala Harris strategic communications and en- can organizations, as well as coali- have enough supply of COVID-19 and celebrity partners to promote and Surgeon General Vivek Mur- gagement, briefed governors on tions of faith, business and veter- vaccine to cover all adults in the COVID-19 shots. thy will meet with the more than the new initiative Tuesday, telling ans leaders. country, with President Joe Bi- The Department of Health and 275 inaugural members of the them that people “want to hear The Department of Health and den’s administration now shifting Human Services’ “We Can Do community corps on Thursday to from those they know and trust.” Human Services was also launch- its efforts to ensuring nearly all This” campaign features televi- kick off the effort. She added that the initiative would ing its first national ad campaign Americans choose to get vaccinat- sion and social media ads, but it al- The focus on trusted validators be “empowering the leaders peo- promoting vaccinations, aimed at ed. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s so relies on a community corps of stems from both internal and pub- ple want to hear from.” senior, Latino and Black Ameri- top infectious disease expert, has public health, athletic, faith and lic surveys showing those skepti- The coalition includes health cans. And in partnership with estimated that 70% to 85% of the other groups to spread the word cal of the vaccines are most likely groups like the American Medical Facebook, it was deploying social population needs to be immune to about the safety and efficacy of the to be swayed by local, community Association and the National media profile frames so that ordi- the virus to reach herd immunity. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 NATION NM moves to legalize weed as NY inks law BY KATIE SHEPHERD came on the same day that Vir- The Washington Post ginia Gov. Ralph Northam, D, Capping off a momentous week asked state legislators to speed for legal cannabis, state legisla- up his state’s legalization to allow tors in New Mexico on Wednes- adults to start using the drug as day voted to allow recreational early as July. use of the drug — a vote that State-level support for decrimi- came hours after New York’s nalizing the drug has been grow- governor signed a bill legalizing ing since California became the marijuana. first to legalize medical marijua- New Mexico’s Cannabis Regu- na in 1996. In 2012, Colorado and lation Act will eliminate criminal Washington state pioneered laws penalties for possession and use to legalize recreational use of the of marijuana for adults over 21 drug. years old beginning in 2022 and Many states have also been create a framework for licensing motivated by calls for social jus- sellers and taxing drug sales at tice measures to undo some of the up to 20%. damage done by harsh criminal- New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lu- ization laws that disproportion- jan Grisham, D, who called the ately sent minorities to prison for special session 10 days after the nonviolent drug crimes. The New state legislature failed to pass the Mexico bill included a measure bill during its regular session, is allowing people with a criminal expected to swiftly sign it. record for possessing the drug for “This is a significant victory for personal use to expunge past con- New Mexico and my signing pen victions. is ready,” she said in a tweet late Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, D, Wednesday. called it a “historic special ses- The move sets up New Mexico sion meeting” that would “end to join 15 other states that have the harmful, long-term impacts of fully decriminalized the drug and cannabis conviction records.” PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 WORLD

China convicts Myanmar remains 7 Hong Kong pro-democracy mired in violence 2 advocates Associated Press HONG KONG — Seven of Hong Kong’s leading pro-democracy ad- months after coup vocates, including a media tycoon and an 82-year-old veteran of the Associated Press more than 500 protesters killed so movement, were convicted Thurs- YANGON, Myanmar — Protes- far. They then marched through day for organizing and participating ters in Myanmar on Thursday the streets chanting slogans call- MG NY@N/AP in a march during massive anti-gov- marked two months since the mil- ing for the fall of the junta, the re- Anti­coup demonstrators prepare to confront police during a protest ernment protests in 2019 that trig- itary seized power by once more lease of deposed leader Aung San in Tarmwe township, Yangon, Myanmar, on Thursday. gered a crackdown on dissent. defying the threat of lethal vio- Suu Kyi and the return of democ- Jimmy Lai, the owner of the out- lence and publicly demonstrating racy. military launching airstrikes Tuesday left as many as 11 more spoken Apple Daily tabloid, Martin against the toppling of the demo- Protests were also held in Man- against the guerrilla forces of the people dead, said a local news out- Lee, the octogenarian founder of the cratically elected government. dalay and elsewhere. Karen ethnic minority in their let and an NGO worker in touch city’s Democratic Party, and five The Feb. 1 coup has been met The demonstrations followed a homeland on the border with Thai- with residents near the site. former pro-democracy lawmakers with massive public resistance night of violence including police land. The U.N. special envoy for Saw Kholo Htoo, the deputy di- were found guilty in a ruling handed that security forces have been un- raids and several fires. In Yangon, Myanmar warned that the country rector for Karen Teacher Working down by a district judge. They face able to crush through escalating several retail shops owned in faces the possibility of civil war. Group, said residents told him five up to five years in prison. levels of violence, including now whole or part by Myanma Eco- In areas controlled by the Ka- people were killed at the mine and According to the ruling, six of the routinely shooting protesters. Out- nomic Holdings Limited, which is ren, more than a dozen civilians another six at a nearby village. seven defendants, including Lee side efforts including sanctions an investment arm of the military, have been killed since Saturday The Bago Weekly Journal also re- and Lai, carried a banner that criti- imposed by Western nations on went up in flames. The shops are and more than 20,000 have been ported the attack. cized police and called for reforms the military regime have failed to the targets of boycotts by the pro- displaced, according to the Free David Eubank of the Free Bur- as they left Victoria Park on Aug. 18, help restore peace. test movement. Burma Rangers, a relief agency ma Rangers confirmed that a vid- 2019, and led a procession through In Yangon, the country’s biggest The crisis in the Southeast Asian operating in the area. eo of the attack’s aftermath the center of the city. The other de- city, a group of young people nation has expanded sharply in In addition to those deaths, an showed the gold mine and that fendant, Margaret Yee, joined them shortly after sunrise Thursday the past week, both in the number airstrike Tuesday on a gold mine there had been airstrikes in the ar- on the way and helped carry the ban- sang solemn songs honoring the of protesters killed and with the in Karen guerrilla territory on ea. ner. Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 FACES Celebration of beauty Chrissy Teigen graces cover of People’s ‘Beautiful Issue’

BY JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. married to R&B crooner John “Beauty is being able to see how Associated Press Legend, who was named Sexiest powerful your body is,” she said. hrissy Teigen will grace Man Alive by the magazine in “It’s really, really nice to be able to the front of People mag- 2019. come to an age where I can appre- azine’s “The Beautiful Teigen, who is of Thai-Norwe- ciate every little scar and see my CIssue” in a cover story gian descent, said she wants to fol- body as something that’s done in- that delves into her evolved defini- low her Thai tradition in remem- credible, miraculous things. The tion of beauty, facing racism bering her son, Jack, who died at difference is these two beautiful, growing up and her heartbreaking 20 weeks of her pregnancy. She wonderful babies, and these scars miscarriage last year. was hospitalized with excessive are the things I’ve been through The magazine revealed the cov- bleeding before the miscarriage. and the journeys I’ve healed er Wednesday of the annual issue, She said it’s important for Luna from.” STARZ which hit newsstands Friday. and Milles to stay connected with Motherhood has also changed Ian McShane plays Mr. Wednesday in a scene from “American Gods.” On this year’s cover, Teigen ap- their late brother and always “em- Teigen’s views on her wellness. Starz announced Monday that the show had been plagued by low pears smiling along with her chil- brace the ones that we’ve lost” She used to enforce a strict eating viewership and it was being canceled after three seasons. dren Luna, 4, and Miles, 2, with based on her tradition. regimen during her modeling the quote “I’ve learned how strong “We have this new home that days, dealing with the ups and I am.” The 35-year-old model and we’re building, and this tree being downs of the diet culture. cookbook author is planted inside,” she told the maga- But now, Teigen is focused on Starz says farewell zine. “The whole reason why what makes her feel good and does I wanted it was so Jack’s her best to “indulge in it.” ashes could be in that “I’ve spent way too many years to ‘American Gods’ soil, and he could be counting calories and scheduling with us all the time way too many workouts and trying BY KARU F. DANIELS go ahead with the third season and grow to figure out what ‘wellness’ New York Daily News with another producer. through the meant to me,” she said. “Now I The salvation seems to have Major cast changes, budget beautiful leav- know that it’s on the ground play- ended for “American Gods.” cuts, a lengthy hiatus between es.” ing with my kids or going to an Starz’s critically acclaimed ad- seasons and the pandemic shut- Over the aquarium or a park.” aptation of the Neil Gaiman- down didn’t help matters for the years, Teigen touched on enduring penned international bestselling mythological fantasy drama, Teigen racism while growing up. She of- book has been canceled just a which originally starred Ricky said her ten had friends — Black or white week after its third season ended. Whittle, Ian McShane, Orlando definition — who protected her after racist “American Gods will not return Jones, Emily Browning, Yetide of beauty comments. She said some of her for a fourth season,” the premium Badaki, Bruce Langley, Crispin has evolved friends got suspended from school cable company said in a state- Glover, Kahyun Kim, Omid Abta- after giving for defending her. ment Monday. “Everyone at hi, Mousa Kraish and the sensa- birth to her As Teigen grew older, she saw STARZ is grateful to the dedicat- tional Pablo Schreiber. children. more racism occur during her ed cast and crew, and our part- Whittle, who portrayed protag- She has tak- modeling career. ners at Fremantle who brought onist Shadow Moon, took to social en a proud “I experienced more everyday author and executive producer media and reflected on his turn on stance of embrac- casual racism once I entered the Neil Gaiman’s ever-relevant story the series. ing her healed modeling world,” she said. “When to life that speaks to the cultural “This has been an amazing scars as a moth- they needed someone racially am- climate of our country.” journey thus far and I am so er. biguous — that’s what they called The decision was made to not grateful to my fellow cast and it — that was always going to be continue with a fourth season due crew who have worked so hard on Chrissy Teigen me.” to low viewership, which declined this award-winning show,” the arrives at the People’s announcement comes 65% from the series’ first season. British heartthrob wrote in a Vanity Fair Oscar a week after Teigen quit Twitter, After a shakeup among top pro- Twitter post. “We have the best Party in 2020, in citing it as a negative influence on ducers and creators, the second fans around the world and thank Beverly Hills, her life. She wrote in a final se- season of “American Gods” strug- each of you for your passion and Calif. Teigen ries of posts that criti- gled to build an audience with a support, so know that Neil Gai- graces the front cism she’d endured new person at the helm. To give man, Fremantle myself and the of People magazine’s “The on the site had the show the full opportunity to cast are still committed to com- Beautiful Issue.” left her “deep- try and gain and grow an audi- pleting Neil Gaiman’s critically AP ly bruised.” ence, Starz made the decision to acclaimed story.” Netflix wins bidding war, scores high-dollar ‘Knives Out’ sequels From wire reports Netflix outbid several other streaming services to land “There are no words to describe the infinite amount of Detective Benoit Blanc’s next cases will be for Netflix. “Knives Out,” something that was possible because the love in our hearts for our sweet baby girl,” she wrote. “She The streaming company said Wednesday it has reached a 2019 film was produced by Media Rights Cable and distrib- chose the perfect day to be born, and we feel tremendously deal for two sequels to Rian Johnson’s acclaimed 2019 who- uted by Lionsgate on a single-picture deal. blessed.” dunit, “Knives Out.” Netflix declined to say how much it was paying for the Bindi Irwin, husband welcome baby girl 2022 Grammys scheduled to be live films, which Johnson will direct with Daniel Craig return- Bindi Irwin has a new cub of her own. ing as inspector Benoit Blanc. But Deadline, which first re- The “Crikey! It’s the Irwins” star and husband Chandler The Grammys are ready to get back on track. ported the deal, said the price would approach $450 million Powell welcomed a daughter named Grace Warrior Irwin The annual music awards show has been scheduled for a — making it one of Netflix’s largest, and most sweater-clad, Powell on Thursday. live event at the Staples Center on Jan. 31, 2022, CBS and the acquisitions. Irwin, 22, said her “beautiful daughter” was born on the Recording Academy announced Wednesday. It also lands Netflix something it has dearly sought: the same day as her first wedding anniversary, so it was a day Few details were provided, but the Academy appears to kind of major film franchises that traditional studios have for “celebrating the two loves of my life.” be proceeding as normal after months of COVID-delayed long depended on. Production on the second “Knives Out,” The daughter of late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin said and -affected shows and awards ceremonies, including the written by Johnson and produced by him and Ram Berg- the baby’s middle name is “Warrior Irwin,” a “tribute to my 2021 Grammys. man, is to begin this summer. dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior.” The 2022 show will air live on CBS and Paramount+. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 55 Chit 24 Actress Gardner 1 Do sum work? 56 City boss 25 “The One I 4 Unpaid TV ad 57 — -Cat Love” band 7 Layers of paints 58 Napoleon’s 26 Doubtfire or

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Marseilles title (Abbr.) Dalloway monarch 28 Sheepish remark 13 100% DOWN 30 Numbered rd. 14 Sound 1 Riyadh residents 31 A/C measure 15 Ger. neighbor 2 Uncertainty 32 Listener 16 Shower units? 3 ’70s club 33 Run after K 18 Telly network 4 Whittle (down) 36 Naturalist John 19 Santa’s helpers 5 Zigzag in snow 37 Sword or dagger 20 Pack cargo 6 Breathing 40 Elitists 22 “— the 7 Scoundrels 42 Sandy’s owner Non Sequitur ramparts ...” 8 Wilder’s 43 Engine sound 23 Not so hot? “— Town” 44 Devour 27 Co. that created 9 Commotion 45 Bar fight souvenir Watson 10 Bit of advice 46 Analogy words 29 Motorist 11 “Mayday!” 48 URL suffix 31 “Twilight” heroine 17 Dweeb 49 Lawyers’ gp. — Swan 21 Goes limp 50 Utter 34 Streetcars 23 Overcaffeinated 51 Med. plan option 35 Large gong Answer to Previous Puzzle 37 Teeny Candorville 38 Grecian vessels 39 Employ 41 Stand-up comic Chappelle 45 Egyptian peninsula 47 Big D.C. lobby 48 Salable farm products

Carpe Diem 52 “— so fast!” 53 44th president 54 Automaton, for short Beetle Bailey Bizarro Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Fauci, Birx waited too long to speak freely BY KATHLEEN PARKER Her colorful trademark scarves were inad- Trump’s interviews with The Washington Washington Post Writers Group equate to distract from body language that Post’s Bob Woodward, Trump knew in EDITORIAL o one likes the blame game — ex- conveyed disbelief if not alarm at what the early February how deadly the virus was Terry Leonard, Editor cept the blamer. Now that CO- president was saying. Memorably, last and that it was transmitted through the air. [email protected] VID-19 is spiking again in the April, Trump suggested that injecting disin- Fauci also must have known since he joined midst of massive vaccination ef- fectants into human beings might kill the vi- Trump’s coronavirus task force on Jan. 29, Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor N forts, the blame machine is running at full rus and turned toward Birx for affirmation. 2020. Yet, for weeks thereafter, the govern- [email protected] throttle. “You’re going to look into that, aren’t you?” ment’s best advice was “wash your hands” Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content During CNN’s documentary interviews he said. and “don’t touch your face.” Given the [email protected] with Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx this If she wasn’t suppressing a scream, I was. threat of a deadly airborne virus, the task Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation past weekend, the two scientists pointed a Why doesn’t she say something?, I heard force’s prescription was akin to telling chil- [email protected] finger or two at former President Donald myself shouting at the screen. Why, during dren in the 1950s and 1960s to get under Trump for missteps that led, in Birx’s esti- all those months, as thousands were dying, their desks in case of a nuclear attack. Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital mation, to thousands, if not hundreds of didn’t she say, “Enough! This is ridicu- Birx told CNN that the first 100,000 [email protected] thousands, of unnecessary American lous!”? Fauci, too, conveyed a stoic’s resolve deaths were nobody’s fault because no one deaths. Trump responded in kind, blaming to reveal nothing of his professional or per- understood what was happening initially. BUREAU STAFF Birx and Fauci for terrible ideas that, he sonal thoughts as Trump often rambled After that, however, a lack of federal policy said, he prudently ignored. through the daily data. Fauci told reporters caused subsequent deaths that could have Europe/Mideast But facts are facts, and there’s no disput- in late January that he felt liberated by been “mitigated or substantially reduced.” Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] ing that Trump’s actions and attitudes dur- Trump’s departure from the White House. Those are strong words aimed directly at +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 ing the first and second waves of the pan- That’s nice, but shouldn’t Fauci have Trump. But shouldn’t Birx also accept some Pacific demic were often driven by politics instead been more outspoken in disrupting responsibility for minding her tongue and Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief of medicine. Birx pointed to the time last Trump’s stream-of-consciousness mental allowing the president’s pandemic to flour- [email protected] April when Trump tweeted, “Liberate Min- meandering? Quitting a job to speak freely ish? When does knowing better but doing +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 nesota,” “Liberate Virginia” and “Liberate seems nobler than being trapped in the nothing become tantamount to complicity? Washington Michigan,” encouraging protesters to fight frame with a president so plainly out of his Interviews are interesting, but carefully Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief state orders in direct contradiction to what depth. Trump had special words for Fauci, crafted guilt notes aren’t helpful to the chal- [email protected] the federal government, via the coronavirus too, after the CNN interview. In the docu- lenges ahead. Blame reaps no harvest. (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News task force (namely Birx and Fauci), was mentary, Fauci described his decision to go What Americans need now is clarity and [email protected] recommending. “all out” for the vaccines as “the best deci- fealty to facts. Birx was careful to avoid saying that sion that I’ve ever made.” Trump insisted The recently proposed National Corona- CIRCULATION Trump threatened her when she spoke up that he was responsible for expediting de- virus Commission Act is an important step last fall urging rural residents to take the vi- velopment of the vaccines. in that direction. Bipartisan and bicameral, Mideast rus seriously. The president called her af- From Trump’s perspective, he saved the the legislation would create an independent Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager [email protected] terward to reprimand her in a conversation economy from collapse by minimizing the body to investigate the nation’s prepared- [email protected] Birx described as “uncomfortable” and urgency of shutdowns; his science advisers’ ness and response to the pandemic in the DSN (314)583-9111 “hard to hear.” view is that the shutdowns prevented out- fashion of the 9/11 Commission. What I fear Europe “Uncomfortable” is an apt way to de- of-control contagion and massive death. they’ll find is that American lives were sac- Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager scribe how Birx routinely looked during Both views have merit, but economies are rificed to feed the appetite of an insatiable [email protected] those regular White House news conferenc- more easily revived than lives lost. narcissist who, like the virus he minimized, [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 es with Trump during the pandemic’s peak. Among other facts we know, thanks to cares only about self-propagation. Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 More proof vaccines will end the pandemic CONTACT US BY FAYE FLAM Even before the new study came out, Of- last longer than antibodies and are what Washington Bloomberg Opinion fit saw enough other evidence of decreased give vaccines the power to “remember” tel: (+1)202.886.0003 ollowing pandemic news too transmission from vaccines that he said he and fight a pathogen weeks or even months 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 closely can be an emotional roller liked the idea of issuing vaccine passports later. Reader letters coaster, with dire public health for travel, restaurants or other venues. Da- He was also enthusiastic about the John- [email protected] Fwarnings immediately followed ta from Israel, where most of the population son & Johnson vaccine, though it was only by hopeful new studies. The latest soaring is already vaccinated, show rapidly drop- used in five people in the CDC study. That Additional contacts discovery: a new CDC study showing vac- ping deaths and hospitalizations. “Nothing vaccine induces cellular immunity after stripes.com/contactus cines sharply cut all COVID-19 infections is foolproof,” he says, but people will be just one shot, he says, while the Pfizer and OMBUDSMAN —not just symptoms. That news puts to rest much safer mixing with others who are Moderna vaccines induce T-cells only after one worst-case-scenario: that vaccines vaccinated than those who are not. two shots. (For that reason, he does not ad- Ernie Gates might protect the vaccinated against hospi- The new study results should also allay vise skipping the second shot of the two- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow talization, but allow millions of silent infec- fears that the vaccines’ astounding clinical shot vaccines in order to conserve supply.) of news and information, reporting any attempts by the tions to continue circulating. trial results wouldn’t hold up in the real Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns The new data were collected from 4,000 world. One concern was a small sample doctor at the University of California, San and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for health care workers, first responders, de- size. While there were thousands of people Francisco, said that she thinks the shots fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by livery workers and teachers who were vac- enrolled in those trials, infections were rel- will effectively end the pandemic because email at [email protected], or by phone at cinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vac- atively uncommon so only a small number the T-cells can fight different variants. “I 202.886.0003. cines between December 2020 and March of people became infected in either the vac- do understand it almost seems too good to 2021. The participants were asked not only cine arm or the placebo group. be true that the vaccines will get us out of Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday to monitor symptoms but also to test them- In this new study, there were 161 infec- this,” she says. “But they will.” through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals selves weekly. The study authors conclud- tions in the control group of 994 unvacci- One thing we’ve learned is that it’s hard postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send ed the vaccines caused a 90% reduction in nated people. By contrast, among the 2,479 to predict the course of this pandemic — address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the all infections. If people aren’t getting in- vaccinated participants, only eight became given how hard it is to predict human be- Department of Defense for members of the military services fected, they can’t transmit the virus to oth- infected between their first and second havior and the fast evolutionary path of the overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views ers. doses, which are given three or four weeks virus. Even the vaccine optimists such as of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- The next drop on the roller coaster could apart. Only three people were infected af- Gandhi and Offit don’t see eradication of per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to come from new virus variants, some of ter they were fully vaccinated (two weeks the virus in sight. But they do see the possi- remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. which have shown ability to evade antibod- after receiving the second shot). bility the virus could become less of a threat The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or ies generated by the original strain. But ex- One reason Offit said he was so optimistic to life and health than seasonal flu, after Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. perts such as Paul Offit of the Children’s was that the vaccines induce not just anti- which it will be hard to hold back a return to Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, Hospital of Philadelphia are more optimis- bodies, but so-called cellular immunity. normal life — one with restaurants, inter- religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical tic. The vaccines show some efficacy That is, they stimulate production of spe- national travel, and yes, roller coasters. handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. against all the currently known variants, cialized virus-fighting cells called T-cells,

© Stars and Stripes 2021 and good efficacy against one — the B.1.1.7 which can work against a broader range of Faye Flam is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and host of the strain identified in the U.K. last year. variants than antibodies. The T-cells also podcast “Follow the Science.” stripes.com Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 SCOREBOARD/NFL

COLLEGE FOOTBALL COLLEGE HOCKEY DEALS Thursday’s games NCAA Division I Tournament Wednesday’s transactions SOUTH BRIDGEPORT REGIONAL BASEBALL At Bridgeport, Conn. Major League Baseball Sam Houston St. (3-0) at Northwestern First Round American League St. (0-4) Friday, March 26 KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Placed INF SOUTHWEST Bemidji St. 6, Wisconsin 3 Adalberto Mondesi on the 10-day injured East Central Oklahoma University at UMass 5, Lake Superior St. 1 list. Recalled INF Nicky Lopez from the al- Tarleton St. (5-2) Championship ternate training site. Saturday, March 27 MINNESOTA TWINS — Named Kevin Friday’s games UMass, 4 Bemidji St. 0 Morgan major league field coordinator. FARGO REGIONAL NEW YORK YANKEES — Signed LHP Lu- MIDWEST At Fargo, N.D. cas Luetge to a one-year contract. Placed INF/OF Miguel Andujar, INF Luke Voit and N. Iowa (3-3) at South Dakota (1-3) First Round Friday, March 26 LHP Justin Wilson on the 10-day injured list Saturday’s games and LHP Zack Britton on the 60-day injured Minn. Duluth vs. Michigan, no contest list. North Dakota 5, American International EAST SEATTLE MARINERS — Selected the con- 1 tract of RHP Drew Steckenrider from Taco- Villanova (1-1) at Maine (2-1) Championship ma (Triple-A West).Placed OF Kyle Lewis Albany (NY) (1-3) at Delaware (3-0) Saturday, March 27 and INF Shed Long on 10-day injured list. Lehigh (0-1) at Lafayette (1-1), ppd. Minn. Duluth 3, North Dakota 2, 5OT Optioned RHP Domingo Tapia to alternate Bucknell (1-0) at Holy Cross (2-0) ALBANY REGIONAL training site. New Hampshire (0-1) at Rhode Island At Albany, N.Y. TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Acquired C Juan (2-1) First Round Graterol from the Angels for cash consid- Colgate (0-1) at Fordham (0-1) Saturday, March 27 erations and will report to the alternate SOUTH Boston College vs. Notre Dame, no con- training site. test National League Gardner-Webb (2-0) at Charleston JOHN RAOUX / AP Southern (0-2), ppd. St. Cloud St. 6, vs. Boston U. 2 ATLANTA BRAVES — Placed RHP Mike Soraka on the 10-day injured list. James Madison (4-0) at Richmond (3-0) Championship Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, left, is arguably the most dynamic Presbyterian (1-3) at Stetson (0-2) Sunday, March 28 CHICAGO CUBS — Signed C Tony Wolters Robert Morris (0-1) at Kennesaw St. (3-0) St. Cloud St. 4, Boston College 1 to a one-year contract. Designated RHP playmaker in the NFL Draft, a versatile tight end who attracted a lot of The Citadel (0-9) at Wofford (1-3) LOVELAND REGIONAL James Norwood for assignment. Outright- At Loveland, Colo. ed INF Ildemaro Vargas to alternate train- attention during Florida’s pro day Wednesday. Nicholls (4-1) at McNeese St. (2-3) ing Site. Monmouth (NJ) (1-0) at Gardner-Webb First Round Saturday, March 27 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Selected the (2-0) contract of 2B Ronald Torreyes from Le- ETSU (3-1) at VMI (5-0) Minnesota St. 4, Quinnipiac 3, OT high Valley (Triple-A East). SE Missouri (2-4) at UT Martin (2-3) Minnesota 7, Omaha 2 BASKETBALL Tennessee St. (2-3) at Tennessee Tech Championship Women’s National Basketball (1-4) Sunday, March 28 Association SC State (1-1) at Alabama St. (1-1) Minnesota St. 4, Minnesota 0 WASHINGTON MYSTICS — Signed G Sha- Murray St. (5-0) at Austin Peay (3-5) FROZEN FOUR Pitts puts on show vonte Zellous. Furman (3-2) at Mercer (3-5) At Pittsburgh FOOTBALL William & Mary (1-2) at Elon (1-5), ppd. National Semifinals Ark.-Pine Bluff (2-0) at MVSU (0-1) National Football League Thursday, April 8 ARIZONA CARDINALS — Signed QB Colt Southern U. (2-1) at Jackson St. (3-1) Minn. Duluth vs. UMass Lamar (2-3) at SE Louisiana (2-2) McCoy, SS Shawn Williams and DB Chris St. Cloud St. vs. Minnesota St. Banjo.. MIDWEST National Championship BUFFALO BILLS — Signed LB Tyrell Jacksonville St. (7-2) at E. Illinois (1-4) Saturday, April 10 Adams and LB Marquel Lee to a one-year for NFL evaluators Valparaiso (2-1) at Drake (1-1) Semifinal winners contracts. Morehead St. (1-3) at Butler (0-3) CAROLINA PANTHERS — Signed OG John BY MARK LONG S. Dakota St. (4-1) at N. Dakota St. (5-1), COLLEGE BASEBALL Miller. dash in 4.45 seconds, not far off ppd. CINCINNATI BENGALS — Re-signed DT Associated Press tight end Vernon Davis’ combine Youngstown St. (1-4) at W. Illinois (0-5) USA Today Coaches Poll Mike Daniels and DL Amani Bledsoe to a SOUTHWEST one-year contracts. GAINESVILLE, Fla. — There watershed mark (4.38) set in 2006. The USA TODAY Sports Top 25 baseball INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Signed WR T.Y. Alabama A&M (1-0) at Prairie View (2-0), poll, with team’s records through Sunday Hilton. Re-signed DE Al-Quadin Muham- was no shortage of Kyle Pitts high- He ended the day running routes ppd. in parentheses, total points based on 25 mad to a one-year contract. lights at Florida’s pro day Wednes- for Trask and then raised some FAR WEST for first place through one point for 25th, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Signed RB Elijah ranking in last week’s poll and first-place McGuire and DT Jarran Reed. day, from his measurables to his eyebrows while sharing his No. 1 Davidson (3-1) at San Diego (3-0) votes received.: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS — Signed QB Weber St. (3-0) at S. Utah (1-3) Record Pts Pvs Chas Daniel and CB Ryan Smith. moves to even his mindset. goal. E. Washington (3-1) at UC Davis (3-1) MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Signed OG Dako- Idaho (2-1) at Idaho St. (1-3) It was a refresher course for “Start at a high level and keep 1. Vanderbilt (23) 19-3 789 1 ta Dozier. NEW YORK GIANTS — Signed CB Chris anyone who watched the versatile increasing every year and being TENNIS 2. Arkansas (9) 19-3 773 2 Milton, DB Joshua Kalu and TE Cole Hikuti- 3. Mississippi 20-4 729 3 ni. tight end play last season. able to do other things that other Miami Open PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Signed LB Jar- 4. Texas Tech 19-4 701 6 vis Miller and WR Matthew Sexton to a Whether he was outjumping, tight ends aren’t doing, which Wednesday 5. Louisville 16-6 616 7 one-year contracts. At Tennis Center at Crandon Park outrunning and outmuscling de- would make me special,” he said. 6. Tennessee 21-4 595 9 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Signed WR Tyler Miami Lockett to a four-year contract extension. fensive backs, making linebackers “At the end of the day, with all the Purse: $3,343,785 7. Mississippi State 17-7 576 4 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Re-signed Surface: Hardcourt outdoor 8. Texas 17-7 550 10 RB Leonard Fournette. and safeties look silly, or handling preparation and through the Men’s Singles 9. UCLA 15-7 487 11 HOCKEY Quarterfinals National Hockey League his own at the line of scrimmage, years, I feel like I’ll be the best to Jannik Sinner (21), Italy, def. Alexander 10. Georgia Tech 13-7 469 13 NHL — Fined Edmonton F Connor McDa- Pitts was undoubtedly one of the ever do it.” Bublik (32), Kazakhstan, 7-6 (5), 6-4. 11. Texas Christian 16-7 461 12 vid for elbowing Montreal F Jesperi Kotka- Roberto Bautista Agut (7), Spain, def. 12. East Carolina 17-5 441 8 niemi during a March 30 game. most dynamic pass catchers in the Pitts is widely considered a lock Daniil Medvedev (1), Russia, 6-4, 6-2. BOSTON BRUINS — Assigned C Greg Women’s Singles 13. Florida 16-8 402 5 McKegg and G Jeremy Swayman to Provi- country in 2020 and possibly the to be a top-10 pick in the draft, and Quarterfinals 14. Notre Dame 11-4 380 14 dence (AHL). best college player at his position at least one recent mock had him — Assigned F Maria Sakkari (23), Greece, def. Naomi 15. South Carolina 16-6 365 23 CAROLINA HURRICANES Osaka (2), Japan, 6-0, 6-4. Jason Cotton to Chicago (AHL). in years, maybe even decades. going second overall behind Clem- Bianca Andreescu (8), Canada, def. Sara 16. Oklahoma State 15-6 338 17 COLORADO AVALANCHE — Assigned D No one would be surprised to see son quarterback Trevor Law- Sorribes Tormo, Spain, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. 17. Oregon State 16-5 244 20 Greg Pateryn and C Alex Newhook to Col- orado (AHL). Recalled LW Liam O’Brien Men’s Doubles 18. Miami 12-8 204 22 him be an instant star at the next rence. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. Quarterfinals Colorado (AHL) loan. Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic (2), Croa- 19. Louisiana Tech 17-6 200 — DALLAS STARS — Signed F Jordan Kawa- level. called Pitts “my highest-graded tia, def. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Pakistan, 20. Oregon 12-6 182 15 guchi to a one-year entry level contract Pitts and several teammates — tight end EVER” on Twitter. and Miomir Kecmanovic, Serbia, 6-2, 6-2. and sent to Texas (AHL). 21. Arizona 16-7 156 — FLORIDA PANTHERS — Agreed to terms Rajeev Ram, United States, and Joe Sa- with G Spencer Knight on a three-year en- most notably quarterback Kyle How high could Pitts go? If not lisbury (7), Britain, def. Michael Mmoh and 22. Florida State 12-8 135 21 23. Michigan 11-4 92 19 try-level contract. Recalled D Brady Keep- Trask, cornerback Marco Wilson for so many teams being desperate Sebastian Korda, United States, 7-5, 6-2. er from San Jose (AHL) loan. Daniel Evans and Neal Skupski, Britain, 24. Stanford 14-3 67 — LOS ANGELES KINGS — Assigned D Da- and receivers Kadarius Toney and for quarterbacks, he probably def. Horia Tecau, Romania, and Marcelo 25. Louisiana State 16-8 66 16 niel Brickley to Ontario (AHL). Arevalo-Gonzalez, El Salvador, 6-7 (6), 6-3, NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Assigned RW Trevon Grimes — worked out for would be one of the first few guys 11-9. Dropped Out: No. 18 Pittsburgh; No. 24 Marian Studenic to Binghamton (AHL). talent evaluators from 31 of 32 off the board. Women’s Doubles Alabama; No. 25 North Carolina. NEW YORK ISLANDERS — Assigned D Quarterfinals Others Receiving Votes: Arizona State Grant Hutton and G Cory Schneider to NFL teams. Four head coaches Pitts caught 43 passes for 770 Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara (5), 59; Virginia Tech 57; Pittsburgh 43; North Bridgeport (AHL). Recalled G Jakub Skarek Japan, def. Caroline Garcia, France, and Carolina 38; UC Santa Barbara 31; South- from Bridgeport (AHL). were in attendance: Urban Meyer yards and 12 touchdowns in 7 ½ Nadia Podoroska, Argentina, 6-3, 6-2. ern Illinois 29; Georgia 26; San Diego 20; PITTSBURGH PENGUINS — Assigned LW Bethanie Mattek-Sands, United States, Old Dominion 17; Indiana 13; Virginia 10; Drew O’Connor to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Jacksonville), Matt Rhule (Car- games last season. He missed 10 and Iga Swiatek, Poland, def. Lyudmyla Ki- Kentucky 8; Alabama 8; UC Irvine 7; Liberty (AHL). olina), Brian Flores (Miami) and quarters following a vicious hit chenok, Ukraine, and Jelena Ostapenko, 5; Indiana State 4; Western Carolina 3; Tex- SAN JOSE SHARKS — Recalled Cs Noah Latvia, 6-1, 6-4. as A&M 2; San Diego State 1; Baylor 1. Gregor and Fredrik Handemark from the Zac Taylor (Cincinnati). against Georgia in early Novem- minor league taxi squad and D Christian AP SPORTLIGHT Jaros from San Jose (AHL) loan. It was a chance for scouts to get ber that knocked his helmet so TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Signed F the kind of up-close look they sideways that his facemask frac- Odeen Turto to a one-year entry-level con- April 2 season. tract and sent to Syracuse (AHL). couldn’t over the past year be- tured his septum. He had surgery 1983 — New York Islander Mike Bossy 2005 — Roger Powell Jr. and Luther Head VANCOUVER CANUCKS — Signed G becomes the first player to score 60 or score 20 points apiece, leading Illinois to a Thatcher Demko to a five-year contract cause of COVID-19 travel restric- and sat out two full games. more goals in three consecutive seasons. 72-57 win over Louisville in the semifinals extension. tions and because the NFL com- He returned, scored three times 1984 — Georgetown, led by junior center of the Final Four. With the win, the Illini OLYMPICS Patrick Ewing and freshman forward Reg- (37-1) tie the single-season NCAA record OLYMPIC MEN’S HOCKEY — Named Stan bine was canceled. against Kentucky and then opted gie Williams, beats Houston 84-75 to win for victories. Bowman general manager of 2022 Olym- the NCAA championship in Seattle. 2007 — The Florida Gators keep their pic Men’s hockey team. Pitts put on a show, even before out of the Cotton Bowl after anoth- 1986 — The three-point field goal, at 19 stranglehold on the college basketball SOCCER he stepped on the field to catch er unstoppable performance feet, 9 inches, is adopted by the NCAA. world with an 84-75 victory over Ohio State Major League Soccer 1990 — UNLV pounds Duke 103-73 to win for their second straight national cham- DC UNITED — Announced the return of passes from Trask for maybe the against Alabama in the Southeast- its first NCAA championship and extend pionship. MF Paul Arriola from loan to Swansea City the Blue Devils’ streak to eight Final Four 2012 — Doron Lamb scores 22 points as A.F.C. (EFL). last time. His 83-inch wingspan ern Conference championship appearances without a title. The Runnin’ Kentucky wins its eighth men’s national FC CINCINNATI — Signed W Isaac Atanga was more than impressive, even game. NFL executives have been Rebels become the first team to score championship, holding off Kansas for a 67- via transfer to a three-year contract. more than 100 points in a championship 59 victory. LOS ANGELES FC — Named Larry Freed- by NFL standards. The 6-foot-6, drooling ever since. game and the 30-point margin is the large- 2014 — The Sacramento Kings beat the man and John Thorrington co-presidents. st ever. Los Angeles Lakers 107-102 to give the MINNESOTA UNITED — Named Damian 245-pound Philadelphia native al- It’s still entirely possible for 1995 — Connecticut caps an unbeaten Lakers their 50th loss of the season. The Roden senior director of sports science. season by defeating Tennessee 70-64 for last time the Lakers had 50 or more losses PHILADELPHIA UNION — Signed MF Leon so had a 33 ½-inch vertical, re- Pitts to be the highest-drafted tight the NCAA women’s championship. The was 1974-75 (30-52). Flach from FC St. Pauli to a two-year con- corded 10 feet, 9 inches in the end in the modern era (since 1970). Huskies, 35-0, become the winningest bas- 2016 — Villanova advances to the na- tract. ketball team for one season in Division I. tional championship game with the big- COLLEGE broad jump and managed 22 repe- Denver drafted Riley Odoms fifth 2000 — Connecticut wins its second gest margin of victory in Final Four history, CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY — Named West- women’s national championship with a overwhelming Oklahoma 95-51. The mar- on Glaser assistant head football coach. titions of 225 pounds on the bench overall in 1972. Davis and Kellen 71-52 victory over Tennessee. The top- gin topped 34-point Final Four wins by Cin- NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY — Named press. Winslow Jr. (2004) both went ranked Huskies beat No. 2 Tennessee for cinnati over Oregon State in 1962 and Mi- Jack Smithlin assistant softball coach and the second time in three meetings this chigan State over Penn in 1979. hitting instructor. Pitts later covered the 40-yard sixth. Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 NHL/AUTO RACING

NHL ROUNDUP NHL scoreboard

East Division

GP WLOT Pts GF GA Washington 35 23 8 4 50 121 104 Sabres beat Flyers, stop slide at 18 N.Y. Islanders 36 22 10 4 48 106 84 Pittsburgh 36 23 11 2 48 117 94 Boston 32 18 9 5 41 88 77 Buffalo’s Ullmark stops Philadelphia 35 17 14 4 38 107 129 N.Y. Rangers 35 16 15 4 36 112 94 31 shots, ending longest New Jersey 34 13 16 5 31 83 106 Buffalo 35 7 23 5 19 77 123 NHL slump in 17 years Central Division Associated Press GP WLOT Pts GF GA BUFFALO, N.Y. — Linus Ull- Tampa Bay 35 24 9 2 50 124 85 mark stopped 31 shots and the Florida 36 23 9 4 50 119 99 Buffalo Sabres snapped an 18- Carolina 34 23 8 3 49 113 86 game skid — the NHL’s longest Nashville 37 19 17 1 39 95 109 in 17 years — with a 6-1 win over Chicago 37 17 15 5 39 106 115 Columbus 37 14 15 8 36 94 118 the Philadelphia Flyers on Dallas 33 11 12 10 32 91 91 Wednesday night. Detroit 37 12 21 4 28 80 119 Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin West Division was the first off the bench as the GP WLOT Pts GF GA final horn sounded and led a line Colorado 35 23 8 4 50 127 80 of Sabres players high-fiving Vegas 34 24 9 1 49 110 79 Ullmark in an arena without Minnesota 34 21 11 2 44 99 86 fans. St. Louis 35 16 13 6 38 100 113 It was the first win for Buffalo Arizona 36 16 15 5 37 95 112 Los Angeles 34 14 14 6 34 96 96 since a 4-1 victory at New Jersey San Jose 35 15 16 4 34 99 120 on Feb. 23, and ended an 0-15-3 Anaheim 37 11 20 6 28 83 123 streak. The slump was tied for North Division the league’s 14th longest, and GP WLOT Pts GF GA worst since the Pittsburgh Pen- Toronto 36 23 10 3 49 119 92 guins had a 0-17-1 stretch during ADRIAN KRAUS / AP Winnipeg 37 22 13 2 46 120 102 the 2003-04 season. Buffalo Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark, right, reacts to defenseman Brandon Montour scoring a short­hand­ Edmonton 37 22 14 1 45 122 107 Steven Fogarty scored his first ed, empty­net goal in a 6­1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday in Buffalo. Montreal 32 15 8 9 39 104 87 career goal and added an assist, Calgary 37 16 18 3 35 96 112 and defenseman Brandon Mon- employees into Ball Arena. The three-game skid. sweep of Minnesota. Vancouver 37 16 18 3 35 100 120 Ottawa 36 12 20 4 28 94 135 tour sealed the win by scoring last time the Avs played in front Andreas Athanasiou, Jaret The Sharks followed a shoo- Wednesday’s games short-handed goals 37 seconds of a home crowd was on March Anderson-Dolan and Alex Iafal- tout win on Monday with another Buffalo 6, Philadelphia 1 Toronto 3, Winnipeg 1 apart, the first into an empty net. 11, 2020 — just before the league lo also scored for the Kings, and strong performance against a Colorado 9, Arizona 3 Ivan Provorov scored for Phi- halted the season due to the CO- Cal Petersen improved to 4-1-0 team they are chasing in the Los Angeles 4, Vegas 2 San Jose 4, Minnesota 2 ladelphia in the second period. VID-19 pandemic. against Vegas after stopping 40 standings. Calgary at Vancouver, ppd. Brian Elliott allowed four goals Andre Burakovsky and shots. Peterson has both of Los Maple Leafs 3, Jets 1: Auston Thursday’s games Columbus at Tampa Bay on 16 shots before he was re- Pierre-Edouard Bellemare also Angeles’ wins over the Golden Matthews scored his NHL-lead- Detroit at Florida placed by Alex Lyon. scored in a wild first period that Knights this season. ing 24th goal for Toronto, and Montreal at Ottawa N.Y. Rangers at Buffalo Avalanche 9, Coyotes 3: Joo- included Coyotes goals by Mi- William Karlsson and Shea goaltender Jack Campbell Pittsburgh at Boston Washington at N.Y. Islanders nas Donskoi scored three times chael Bunting and Oliver Ek- Theodore scored for Vegas. stayed unbeaten this season with Carolina at Chicago during Colorado’s five-goal first man-Larsson. Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 a win at Winnipeg. Dallas at Nashville Minnesota at Vegas period in a win over visiting Ari- Kings 4, Golden Knights 2: saves. Zach Hyman and Alex Kerfoot Friday’s games zona. Lias Andersson scored in his Sharks 4, Wild 2:Rudolfs Bal- also scored for the Maple Leafs. Washington at New Jersey Toronto at Winnipeg The team invited frontline and first game back after missing cers and Ryan Donato scored in Mitch Marner had two assists for Calgary at Edmonton health-care workers, first re- more than a month, helping Los the second period, and host San his 13th multipoint game of the St. Louis at Colorado Arizona at Anaheim sponders, players’ families and Angeles win on the road to stop a Jose completed a two-game season. San Jose at Los Angeles

IN THE PITS Bristol avoided mess most feared for a dirt race

BY JENNA FRYER nearly $2 million to transform cautions that also created extra Associated Press Bristol’s concrete bullring into a track prep time. Bristol pulled an BRISTOL, Tenn. — The pan- dirt track, and even as the track be- all-nighter after the Sunday rains demic gave NASCAR an overdue gan to crack, the tires struggled to to work the dirt so that it wasn’t en- opportunity to break from the way hold together and the drivers com- gine-overheating-inducing mud. things had always been done in the plained of a blinding dust, Smith And when the dust got really out of sport. insisted everything was great. control, NASCAR simply changed The traditional three-day race And when the race finally fin- the rules in the middle of the race weekend was scrapped as NAS- ished Monday night — a day late and switched to single-file restarts CAR scrambled to complete a sea- because after all the concerns for the first time in probably a dec- son while following COVID-19 pro- about Cup cars’ suitability for dirt ade. tocols. Practice was scrapped and at Bristol, torrential rains caused a “I know some of our fans and the few complained, the same for qual- postponement for flooding — ev- NASCAR industry (aren’t) used to ifying. WADE PAYNE / AP erything indeed was just fine. seeing what happened during the When the compacted one-day Driver Aric Almirola (10) collides with Anthony Alfredo during Sure, the red Tennessee clay race with the dust buildup,” said show helped NASCAR cruise Monday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Bristol, Tenn. turned Bristol into a dustbowl, de- Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s chief through its schedule, a hotline scribed best when driver Corey racing development officer. opened and all ideas were wel- It sure sounded fun to put the ties. The risk was worth it to Mar- LaJoie declared “visibility was ze- “If you experience that situation, come. A dirt race on the Cup Cup Series on a dirt track for the cus Smith, the CEO of Bristol Mo- ro out of 2 with the glare.” But to try and go single file to alleviate schedule? At Bristol Motor Speed- first time since 1970, but success- tor Speedway parent company nothing bad happened. some of the dust and some of the way? fully executing such a wild idea Speedway Motorsports. He told NASCAR staved off a rash of visibility issues, that’s why we Sure! Let’s give it a whirl! seemed fraught with uncertain- The Associated Press he spent blown tires by adding mandatory made that move.” PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 NBA

Scoreboard

Eastern Conference

Nets take first place in East Atlantic Division WLPct GB Brooklyn tops Houston, Brooklyn 33 15 .688 — Philadelphia 32 15 .681 ½ loses Harden to injury New York 24 24 .500 9 Boston 23 25 .479 10 BY BRIAN MAHONEY Toronto 18 30 .375 15 Associated Press Southeast Division NEW YORK — Admittedly WLPct GB down in the doldrums, the Brook- Charlotte 24 22 .522 — lyn Nets were behind by 18 points Miami 24 24 .500 1 in less than five minutes. Atlanta 23 24 .489 1½ Washington 17 29 .370 7 By the end of the night, they Orlando 16 31 .340 8½ were on top of the Eastern Confer- Central Division ence. WLPct GB Kyrie Irving had 31 points and a Milwaukee 30 17 .638 — season-high 12 assists, and the Indiana 21 25 .457 8 Nets overcame the loss of James Chicago 19 27 .413 10 Harden to beat the Houston Rock- Cleveland 17 30 .362 12½ ets 120-108 on Wednesday night Detroit 13 34 .277 16½ and move into first place in the Western Conference East. Harden sat out the fourth quar- Southwest Division ter against his former team with WLPct GB right hamstring tightness, finish- Dallas 25 21 .543 — ing with 17 points, eight rebounds San Antonio 24 21 .533 ½ Memphis 22 23 .489 2½ and six assists. New Orleans 21 25 .457 4 Brooklyn put together the piv- FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP Houston 13 34 .277 12½ otal run without him, scoring 12 The Houston Rockets’ Kevin Porter Jr., left, and Jae’Sean Tate, right, defend against Brooklyn Nets guard Northwest Division straight midway through the final Kyrie Irving during the Nets’ 120­108 win Wednesday in New York. WLPct GB period to turn a six-point deficit Utah 36 11 .766 — into a 107-101 lead. February because of his own Joe Harris added 28 points for ahead of Philadelphia atop the Denver 29 18 .617 7 Coach Steve Nash said the Nets hamstring strain. the Nets, who didn’t even lead un- East. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 20 Portland 29 18 .617 7 will see how Harden feels Thurs- “Any time someone goes down, til the last half-minute of the third points for the Rockets, who got Oklahoma City 20 27 .426 16 day before their game against it’s very concerning,” Irving said. quarter, but emerged with their Christian Wood back after mis- Minnesota 12 36 .250 24½ Charlotte, but was confident the “Any time someone doesn’t play 19th win in 22 games, improving to sing the previous two games be- Pacific Division All-Star guard didn’t have a long- we definitely have to have that 26-9 since acquiring Harden from cause of injury and illness but WLPct GB term injury. Brooklyn has been mentality that we’re still going to Houston on Jan. 14. were without John Wall because Phoenix 33 14 .702 — without Kevin Durant since mid- play at a very high level.” At 33-15, they are a half-game of a knee injury. L.A. Clippers 32 17 .653 2 L.A. Lakers 30 18 .635 3½ Golden State 23 24 .489 10 ROUNDUP Sacramento 22 26 .458 11½ Wednesday’s games Portland 124, Detroit 101 Miami 92, Indiana 87 Brooklyn 120, Houston 108 Dallas 113, Boston 108 Bucks top Lakers, Drummond hurts toe in debut Minnesota 102, New York 101 Oklahoma City 113, Toronto 103 Utah 111, Memphis 107 Associated Press win their second straight. San Antonio 120, Sacramento 106 Phoenix 121, Chicago 116 LOS ANGELES — Andre Drummond left Trail Blazers 124, Pistons 10:Damian Lil- Milwaukee 112, L.A. Lakers 97 his Lakers debut with a bruised right toe, and lard had 33 points and nine assists and Por- Thursday’s games Jrue Holiday scored 28 points in the Milwau- tland won at Detroit. Philadelphia at Cleveland Washington at Detroit kee Bucks’ 112-97 victory over Los Angeles on CJ McCollum added 24 points and Carmelo Charlotte at Brooklyn Wednesday night. Anthony and Robert Covington each scored 16 Golden State at Miami Orlando at New Orleans Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points and in the Trail Blazers’ fourth straight win. Atlanta at San Antonio 10 rebounds, and Khris Middleton added 17 Heat 92, Pacers 87:Duncan Robinson and Denver at L.A. Clippers Friday’s games points and eight assists as the Bucks snapped Jimmy Butler helped Miami rally from a 13- Golden State at Toronto their three-game losing streak with a work- point first-half deficit by spurring a decisive Dallas at New York Houston at Boston manlike victory over the depleted defending eight-point fourth-quarter run for a win at In- Charlotte at Indiana Minnesota at Memphis NBA champions, who are still without LeBron diana. Atlanta at New Orleans James and Anthony Davis. Robinson finished with 20 points and Butler Chicago at Utah L.A. Lakers at Sacramento Drummond scored four points in 14 minutes added 18 as the Heat avoided getting swept in Milwaukee at Portland before limping off the court early in the third the three-game season series with the Pacers. Oklahoma City at Phoenix Saturday’s games quarter after trying to play without the toenail ASHLEY LANDIS / AP Miami has won two straight since ending a Dallas at Washington on his big right toe. The nail was completely Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis four-game losing streak. Cleveland at Miami Minnesota at Philadelphia ripped off in the first quarter when Bucks cen- Antetokounmpo, center, dunks against Los Thunder 113, Raptors 103:Svi Mykhailiuk New York at Detroit Angeles Lakers center Andre Drummond Indiana at San Antonio ter Brook Lopez stepped on Drummond’s foot, scored 10 of his season-high 22 points in the Orlando at Utah but Drummond said he didn’t notice the extent during the Bucks’ 112­97 win Wednesday. fourth quarter, and Oklahoma City rallied to Milwaukee at Sacramento Oklahoma City at Portland of the injury until halftime, even though it was beat visiting Toronto. “very, very painful.” Jazz 111, Grizzlies 107: Mike Conley Mykhailiuk made 9 of 14 shots and had a ca- Leaders “To have this happen to me in the first game scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, reer-high nine rebounds. Through Tuesday is kind of deflating for me, but my head is Jordan Clarkson added 24 points and Utah won Timberwolves 102, Knicks 101 : Anthony Scoring high,” said Drummond, who hadn’t played in a at Memphis for its seventh straight victory. Edwards scored 11 of his 24 points over the fi- GFG FT PTS AVG game for Cleveland since Feb. 12. “I’m going to Bojan Bogdanovic added 23 points for the nal eight minutes, leading a fierce rally by host Beal, WAS 41 449 296 1284 31.3 take it game by game and come back better Jazz, who defeated the Grizzlies for the third Minnesota for a victory over former coach Lillard, POR 44 404 319 1310 29.8 than ever.” time in a week, this time overcoming 36 points Tom Thibodeau and New York. Rebounds X-rays were negative on the Lakers’ new from guard Ja Morant. Spurs 120, Kings 106: DeMar DeRozan GOFF DEF TOT AVG center, but the bruise adds another injury Mavericks 113, Celtics 108: Luka Doncic scored 26 points and host San Antonio snapped Capela, ATL 41 198 382 580 14.1 problem to the Lakers’ list ahead of a tough had 36 points and eight rebounds and Dallas Sacramento’s five-game winning streak. Gobert, UTA 46 159 456 615 13.4 schedule in April. James missed his sixth held on to win at Boston. Suns 121, Bulls 116:Devin Booker scored a Assists straight game for Los Angeles with a sprained Jalen Brunson added 21 points, including season-high 45 points, Chris Paul added 19 GAST AVG right ankle, and Davis missed his 20th consec- two late free throws, and Kristaps Porzingis points and 14 assists, and host Phoenix held on Harden, BKN 40 448 11.2 utive game with a right calf injury. finished with 19 points to help the Mavericks to beat Chicago. Westbrook, WAS 39 414 10.6 Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 MLB

Scoreboard

American League

East Division Keep an eye on these rookies WLPct GB BY JAY COHEN Baltimore 0 0 .000 _ Associated Press Boston 0 0 .000 _ New York 0 0 .000 _ CHICAGO Tampa Bay 0 0 .000 _ couple of postseason Toronto 0 0 .000 _ stars. The son of a Central Division former big leaguer. WLPct GB A versatile infielder Chicago 0 0 .000 _ from South Korea. Cleveland 0 0 .000 _ AHere is a closer look at a hand- Detroit 0 0 .000 _ ful of rookies who could play a Kansas City 0 0 .000 _ starring role this year: Minnesota 0 0 .000 _ ■ OF Randy Arozarena and SS West Division Wander Franco, Tampa Bay WLPct GB Rays: Arozarena helped power Tampa Houston 0 0 .000 _ Bay to the World Series last year, bat­ Los Angeles 0 0 .000 _ ting .377 with 10 homers, 14 RBIs and Oakland 0 0 .000 _ Seattle 0 0 .000 _ a 1.273 OPS in 20 postseason games. Texas 0 0 .000 _ The switch­hitting Franco, who just turned 20 on March 1, is widely regard­ National League ed as baseball’s top prospect. East Division ■ RHP Ian Anderson, Atlanta WLPct GB Braves: The 22­year­old Anderson Atlanta 0 0 .000 _ was called up in August and went 3­2 Miami 0 0 .000 _ with a 1.95 ERA in six starts, helping New York 0 0 .000 _ Atlanta win the NL East. He also shined Philadelphia 0 0 .000 _ in the postseason, allowing just two Washington 0 0 .000 _ 2 earned runs in 18 ⁄3 innings. Central Division ■ INF Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pitts­ WLPct GB burgh Pirates: Hayes, 24, provided Chicago 0 0 .000 _ some hope for lowly Pittsburgh in Sep­ Cincinnati 0 0 .000 _ tember, batting .376 with five homers Milwaukee 0 0 .000 _ Pittsburgh 0 0 .000 _ in 24 games. The slick­fielding son of St. Louis 0 0 .000 _ former big league infielder Charlie / AP West Division Hayes was selected by the Pirates in the ASHLEY LANDIS, LEFT, AND ERIC RISBERG, RIGHT WLPct GB first round of the 2015 amateur draft. The Tampa Bay Rays Randy Arozarena, left, and the Chicago White Sox’s Garrett Crochet, right, are ex­ ■ OF Dylan Carlson, St. Louis pected to contribute this year after making impressive debuts when they were called up late last season. Arizona 0 0 .000 _ Colorado 0 0 .000 _ Cardinals: The athletic Carlson was Los Angeles 0 0 .000 _ promoted in August and helped St. dent Kevin Mather said the outfielder son broke into the majors in July, home­ with the No. 36 pick in the 2015 ama­ San Diego 0 0 .000 _ Louis reach the playoffs for the second likely would begin the year in the minors ring in his first plate appearance. The teur draft, Mountcastle hit 25 homers San Francisco 0 0 .000 _ straight year. He batted .200 with 35 in order to preserve another year of club 2015 first­round pick is expected to for Triple­A Norfolk in 2019. Wednesday’s games strikeouts in 35 games, but the switch­ control. The No. 6 pick in the 2018 take on a more prominent role this year ■ OF Alex Kirilloff, Minnesota No games scheduled hitter just turned 22 in October, and the amateur draft batted .291 with 23 after the Reds let Curt Casali go in De­ Twins: The sweet­swinging Kirilloff Thursday’s games Cardinals think he could be a big part of homers over three minor league stops in cember. gets his first chance at a regular job in Toronto at N.Y. Yankees Cleveland at Detroit their lineup for years to come. 2019. A knee problem slowed him in ■ RHP Sixto Sánchez, Miami Minnesota after Eddie Rosario was non­ Baltimore at Boston ■ Texas at Kansas City RHP Nate Pearson, Toronto spring training. Marlins: Sánchez is a key part of one tendered in December. The 23­year­old Chicago White Sox at L.A. Angels Blue Jays: Armed with a fastball that ■ LHP Garrett Crochet, Chica­ of baseball’s most promising rotations, Kirilloff went 1­for­4 in Game 2 of the Houston at Oakland Minnesota at Milwaukee gets into the upper 90s and a nasty slid­ go White Sox: Crochet became the going 3­2 with a 3.46 ERA in seven AL wild­card series against Houston in Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs Atlanta at Philadelphia er, Pearson worked five scoreless in­ first player from the 2020 amateur draft starts in his first stint in the big leagues. his first major league game. Arizona at San Diego nings in his first big league start at to make it to the majors when he tossed The right­hander was acquired in the ■ INF Kim Ha­seong, San Die­ L.A. Dodgers at Colorado St. Louis at Cincinnati Washington on July 29. He went a perfect inning at Cincinnati on Sept. February 2019 trade that moved catch­ go Padres: The 25­year­old Kim Tampa Bay at Miami N.Y. Mets at Washington through some growing pains down the 18. He reached 100 mph on 45 of his er J.T. Realmuto to Philadelphia. signed a $28 million, four­year deal in San Francisco at Seattle stretch last year, but that learning expe­ 85 pitches while working six scoreless ■ OF Ryan Mountcastle, Balti­ December, adding even more versatility Friday’s games rience could pay off for Toronto in 2021. innings over his first five appearances more Orioles:Mountcastle made his to San Diego’s deep roster. Kim batted Chicago White Sox (Keuchel 0-0) at L.A. Angels (Heaney 0-0) ■ OF Jarred Kelenic, Seattle with Chicago. major league debut on Aug. 21 and bat­ .306 with 30 homers, 109 RBIs and Houston (Javier 0-0) at Oakland (Luzar- ■ do 0-0) Mariners: Kelenic’s future was in fo­ C Tyler Stephenson, Cincin­ ted .333 with five homers and 23 RBIs 23 steals for the KBO League’s Kiwoom Tampa Bay (Yarbrough 0-0) at Miami cus this spring after former team presi­ nati Reds: The 24­year­old Stephen­ in 35 games. Selected by Baltimore Heroes last season. (López 0-0) L.A. Dodgers (Bauer 0-0) at Colorado (Senzatela 0-0) Arizona (Kelly 0-0) at San Diego (Snell 0-0) San Francisco (Cueto 0-0) at Seattle Source: Lindor, Mets agree to 10-year deal (Paxton 0-0) Saturday’s games BY JAKE SEINER The 27-year-old Lindor for 2021 before the contract kicks in for 2022. Toronto at N.Y. Yankees Associated Press has two Gold Gloves and The deal will be the largest ever for a Baltimore at Boston Cleveland at Detroit NEW YORK — Francisco Lindor and the made four All-Star teams in shortstop, passing Fernando Tatis Jr.’s $340 Texas at Kansas City Houston at Oakland New York Mets have agreed to a $341 mil- six seasons with the Indians, million, 14-year contract with San Diego Chicago White Sox at L.A. Angels lion, 10-year deal, keeping the All-Star short- hitting .285 with an average signed in February. Only Mike Trout’s Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs Atlanta at Philadelphia stop in Queens for the long haul after acquir- of 29 homers, 86 RBIs and 21 $426.5 million, 12-year deal with the Los An- N.Y. Mets at Washington St. Louis at Cincinnati ing him from Cleveland in the offseason, ac- stolen bases per 162 games. geles Angels and Mookie Betts’ $365 million, Tampa Bay at Miami cording to a person familiar with the agree- He was the prized pickup 12-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodg- Minnesota at Milwaukee Lindor L.A. Dodgers at Colorado ment. in new owner Steve Cohen’s ers are worth more. Betts’ deal includes $115 Arizona at San Diego San Francisco at Seattle The person spoke to The Associated Press first offseason, acquired from Cleveland million in deferred payments through 2044. on Wednesday night on condition of anonym- along with right-hander Carlos Carrasco for Lindor’s deal is also by far the largest MLB calendar ity because the deal hadn’t been announced. infielders Amed Rosario, Andrés Giménez payout ever from the Mets, surpassing con- July 11-13 — Amateur draft. July 13 — All-Star Game, Atlanta. Lindor was eligible for free agency after and two minor leaguers. New York added tracts for third baseman David Wright ($138 July 25 — Hall of Fame induction, Coo- perstown, N.Y. this season and said this spring he wouldn’t Lindor knowing he could walk after the 2021 million), pitchers Jacob deGrom ($137.5 mil- Aug. 12 — New York Yankees vs. Chicago negotiate with the Mets on a long-term con- season, but the team said it would try to nego- lion) and Johan Santana ($137.5 million). White Sox at Dyersville, Iowa. Aug. 22 — Los Angeles Angels vs. Cleve- tract after opening day. Less than 24 hours tiate a long-term pact. Cohen tweeted Tuesday that Lindor was a land at Williamsport, Pa. Dec. 1 — Collective bargaining agree- before New York started its season Thursday MLB Network was first to report on the “heckuva player and a great guy” and said he ment expires, 11:59 p.m. EST. night in Washington, an agreement was reac- agreement. hoped to strike a deal. He confirmed the pair Dec. 15 — International amateur signing period closes. hed. Lindor will retain his $22.3 million salary had dinner together over the weekend. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 NCAA WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT In a Final Four of mainstays, Arizona is lone gate-crasher Wildcats face 11-time national champion Huskies in 1st semifinal BY STEPHEN HAWKINS ney two years ago. Associated Press Scoreboard “It’s a lot to digest, but right now Arizona has been having fun you can only think about this par- and playing good basketball, all Final Four ticular one. You don’t necessarily the way to its first women’s NCAA At San Antonio are thinking the other 12. We have National Semifinals Final Four. The Wildcats will now Friday, April 2 10 kids on our team that have not play the team that has been there South Carolina vs. Stanford AFN­ been to one Final Four,” Auriem- Sports2, 12:10 a.m. Saturday CET; 7:10 a.m. more than any other. Saturday JKT ma said. “And so that to me is what The Wildcats (20-5), in their UConn vs. Arizona AFN­Sports2, 3:40 the excitement is all about. Those a.m. Saturday CET; 10:40 a.m. Saturday JKT fifth season with Adia Barnes National Championship 10 kids have never been to one and coaching her alma mater, play Sunday, April 4 they’re getting an opportunity to Semifinal winners AFN­Sports, Midnight their first national semifinal game Sunday CET; 7 a.m. Monday JKT go to their very first.” Friday night against UConn There will be a matchup of (28-1). The 11-time national cham- standout guards with UConn pions are making their 13th con- first game Friday night in the Ala- freshman phenom and first-team secutive Final Four appearance modome, where UConn beat the All-American Paige Bueckers and 21st overall for coach Geno Cardinal for the 2010 title the only (22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds a game) Auriemma. other time the Final Four was and Wildcats second-team All- “They’re a confident team be- played in San Antonio. American Aari McDonald (25.3 cause it’s charted territory. It’s Stanford’s first Final Four since ppg, 6.8 rpg), who is coming off uncharted for us. This is some- 2017 is its 14th overall, trailing on- consecutive 30-point games. thing they’re used to,” Barnes ly UConn and Tennessee’s 18. McDonald was looking at Face- said. “I think for us there’s no Barnes was a player on the book on Sunday, the day before pressure. No one expects Arizona Wildcats’ only other Sweet 16 No. 3 seed Arizona’s win over Indi- to win a championship. No one ex- team, her senior season in 1998 ana in the Mercardo Region final, pected Arizona to be in the Elite 8, when she was the Pac-12 player of when the 5-foot-6 guard saw her Sweet 16, Final Four. We don’t the year. Now she becomes the post from exactly a year earlier. have anything to lose. We can play sixth coach to take her alma mater McDonald said then that she was loose, free, because we don’t have to the Final Four. Arizona hadn’t coming back for her senior season the pressure.” even been in the women’s NCAA for just such an opportunity. Barnes will also be part of an- Tournament since 2005, though it “It’s just crazy how things come other first, along with South Car- would have made it last year with full circle,” McDonald said. “You ERIC GAY / AP olina coach Dawn Staley. It will be a 24-7 record before the tourney make goals, to see yourself and Arizona head coach Adia Barnes hugs guard Aari McDonald as they the first Final Four with two teams was canceled because of the pan- your team achieve them like this, celebrate their Elite Eight win over Indiana on Monday. coached by Black women. demic. it’s crazy. I’m just so excited.” “So many black coaches out While the Huskies have been With Cardinal third-team All- her record 35th overall as a coach. and Staley was the AP coach of the there don’t get the opportunity. regulars in the Final Four, this American guard Kiana Williams South Carolina, which has now year, but they didn’t get a chance When (athletic directors) don’t group doesn’t have too much ex- getting to play the NCAA tourney made it to three of six Final Fours to win another title because of the see it, they don’t see it,” Staley perience — and UConn hasn’t won in her hometown, Stanford over- and won the last title decided in pandemic. said. “And they’re going to see it a national title since four in a row came a 12-point halftime deficit to Texas four years ago in Dallas, South Carolina is back after a on (the) biggest stage Friday from 2013-16. The Huskies ad- beat 2018 Final Four team Louis- likely would have been the No. 1 dominating 62-34 win over Texas night.” vanced this time with a 69-67 win ville 78-63 for the final spot. The overall seed last year had been and first-year coach Vic Schaefer. The Gamecocks (26-4), the 2017 in the River Walk Region final Cardinal are in their 34th consec- there been an NCAA tourney. The Top-seeded South Carolina national champions, play No. 1 over Baylor, which won the na- utive women’s NCAA Tourna- Gamecocks went 32-1 last season, blocked 14 shots in the Hemisfair overall seed Stanford (29-2) in the tional title in the last NCAA tour- ment, with Tara VanDerveer in spent the final 10 weeks at No. 1 Region final. Emmert says he will work to fix ‘stark’ inequities

sure that we don’t lose the chance.” the budget for both tournaments and why Muffett McGraw, who retired as Notre NCAA has faced criticism from Emmert and the NCAA’s heads of basket- the NCAA doesn’t own the WNIT as it does Dame head coach last year, said the WBCA women’s coaches for contrasts ball Dan Gavitt and Lynn Holzman dis- the NIT. has total confidence in Holzman. The former cussed the conditions in San Antonio on The WBCA sent a letter to Emmert last Irish coach noted the NCAA added a rule a BY DOUG FEINBERG Wednesday with mem- week saying the external review he pro- few years ago holding head coaches account- Associated Press bers of the WBCA, includ- posed to look into potential gender equity is- able for anything that goes wrong and asked SAN ANTONIO — NCAA President Mark ing two of the Final Four sues wasn’t good enough. In the letter, ob- why Holzman doesn’t report directly to Em- Emmert promised the Women’s Basketball coaches — UConn’s Geno tained by The Associated Press, the WBCA mert. Coaches Association he will work with Auriemma and Dawn Sta- asked for a “Commission on Gender Inequi- Auriemma said the bigger issue isn’t an coaches to fix the “stark difference” be- ley of South Carolina. ty in College Sports” led by people chosen by NCAA problem but exists on individual tween the Division I men’s and women’s Several differences sur- both the WBCA and NCAA. campuses with presidents and athletic di- tournaments. faced over the past two Staley asked for assurances that the law rectors. He asked Emmert what he could do While Emmert noted that a major hurdle weeks, starting with fe- firm hired by the NCAA to review potential to make sure those people give women’s bas- was trying to hold both basketball tourna- male players, coaches and Emmert gender equity issues is truly independent. ketball the same advantages and opportuni- ments in a kind of identical format required staff in San Antonio criti- “Whoever is paying the piper, more than ties. by the coronavirus pandemic, he added no- cizing the NCAA for not initially providing a likely they’re going to give you what you The UConn coach also mentioned how body liked the results and nobody wants to full weight-training area to the women’s want to hear,” Staley said. football coaches broke away from NCAA see similar issues crop up in other sports in teams, noting the men’s teams in Indianapo- Emmert said the Kaplan, Hecker & Fink control. coming months. lis did not have the same problem. law firm specializes in Title IX issues nation- “Maybe that’s what has to happen in wom- “I, too, believe that it’s exactly the right Questions during the coaches’ meeting ally and has no prior relationship with the en’s basketball?” Auriemma said. “Maybe moment to do it,” Emmert said. “You got my with Emmert ranged from the use of “March NCAA. Emmert told the AP last Friday the women’s basketball has got to separate itself commitment, my personal commitment to Madness” for branding, the number of firm would review potential gender equity from the other women’s sports? But then that spend an enormous amount of time and en- NCAA staffers for both basketball tourna- issues in all men’s and women’s champion- would be unfair because we would be leav- ergy on on this problem and and making ments (12 for the men, six for the women), ship events. ing a lot of people behind that need our help.” Friday, April 2, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Carolina blue Tar Heels’ Williams retiring after 33-year career, 3 national titles

BY AARON BEARD game. “It’s been a hard year to Associated Press push and pull, push and pull every North Carolina announced other day to try to get something Thursday that Hall of Fame bas- done. But how can you be any ketball coach Roy Williams is re- luckier than Roy Williams is tiring after a 33-year career that coaching basketball?” includes three national champion- Williams spent 10 seasons at his ships. alma mater as an assistant coach The decision comes two weeks to late mentor Dean Smith before after the 70-year-old Williams leaving to take over the Jayhawks closed his 18th season with the Tar program in 1988. He spent 15 sea- Heels after a highly successful sons there, taking Kansas to four run at Kansas. In all, Williams Final Fours and two national title won 903 games in a career that in- games. cluded those three titles, all with Williams’ time as an assistant PAUL SANCYA / AP the Tar Heels, in 2005, 2009 and included the North Carolina’s run North Carolina head coach Roy Williams celebrates after his team’s 89­72 victory over Michigan State in 2017. to the 1982 NCAA championship the 2009 national championship game in Detroit. Williams is retiring after a 33­year career. North Carolina scheduled a for Smith’s first title, a game that campus news conference for memorably featured a freshman proud of the way he carried on the Williams immediately stabiliz- played in the Spartans’ home Thursday afternoon on the Smith named Michael Jordan making tradition of Coach Smith’s pro- ed the program and broke through state. Center court bearing his name. the go-ahead jumper late to beat gram, always putting his players for his first national championship The third title was delivered by The Tar Heels lost to Wisconsin Georgetown. first.” in his second season with a win a team that included players who in the first round of the NCAA “Roy Williams is and always Williams passed on taking over against Illinois, marking the first had lost the 2016 championship Tournament in his final game, will be a Carolina basketball leg- at UNC in 2000 after the retire- of five Final Four trips with the game to Villanova on a buzzer- which was Williams’ only first- end,” Jordan said in a statement ment of Bill Guthridge, but ulti- Tar Heels. His second title came beating three-pointer. This time, round loss in 30 tournaments. through his business manager. mately couldn’t say no a second in 2009 with a team that rolled North Carolina beat a one-loss “It’s been a difficult year, but “His great success on the court is time and returned as coach in through the NCAA Tournament, Gonzaga team for the title. everybody’s had the problems truly matched by the impact he 2003 after the tumultuous Matt winning every game by at least a with COVID that we’ve had,” an had on the lives of the players he Doherty era that included an 8-20 dozen points, including the final AP sports writer Steve Reed contributed to this emotional Williams said after the coached — including me. I’m season. game against Michigan State report. Contenders: No. 11 UCLA lowest seed among finalists FROM PAGE 24 et was eight teams and the City heck of an accomplishment. We’re Scoreboard College of New York Beavers won going to take it and savor it for the national championship. what it is. That doesn’t lessen our Final Four “Once we got into the (first) sea- desire to win this game, the next At Indianapolis son and you found out that most of National Semifinals game or win two more games.” Saturday, April 3 your team were walk-ons and The next one won’t be easy. Baylor vs. Houston AFN-Sports, 11 p.m. most of them weren’t over 6- Saturday CET; 6 a.m. Sunday JKT Mick Cronin will make sure of Gonzaga vs. UCLA AFN-Sports, 2 a.m. foot-2, then you realized it might Sunday CET; 9 a.m. Sunday JKT that. National Championship be tougher than you originally The former Cincinnati coach Monday, April 5 thought,” Drew said. “But obvi- Semifinal winners AFN-Sports, 3 a.m. has returned UCLA to relevance Tuesday CET; 10 a.m. Tuesday JKT ously the goal was always to build after a couple of mediocre sea- a program that could consistently sons. In two years at Westwood, compete and have an opportunity he’s added a level of toughness trick Dennehy was murdered by to play in March.” that’s helped them go from the teammate Carlton Dotson in 2003. Kelvin Sampson has made a First Four to the Final Four after Coach Dave Bliss then resigned similar imprint on Houston. losing their last four games enter- after it was revealed he encour- The Cougars had lost the luster ing the NCAA Tournament. aged players to lie about Dennehy from the Phi Slama Jama days, re- UCLA (22-9) has grinded out to cover up NCAA violations. aching the NCAA Tournament five wins in the NCAA tourney, in- In stepped coach Scott Drew. once in 22 years before Sampson cluding No. 2 seed Alabama and a Drew took the Baylor job after was hired in 2014. 51-49 takedown of top-seeded Mi- serving a one-year stint succeed- Sampson gradually built Hous- chigan in the Elite Eight. The ing his father, Homer, at Valparai- ton back up, taking it to the NCAA Bruins are in the Final Four for so, and he went through some ex- Tournament’s second round in the first time since 2008 and play tra-lean years early on in Waco. 2018, the Sweet 16 the next year. the kind of game that might be He’s since molded the program The fleet-footed Cougars (28-3) able to slow the Gonzaga machine. MICHAEL CONROY/AP into a national powerhouse. were dominating this season and “Obviously, I knew the expecta- Baylor guard Davion Mitchell celebrates beating Arkansas 81­72 in The Bears (26-2) were unstop- grinded down their first four tions. It’s pretty clear at UCLA,” the Elite 8 round in the NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium, pable this season before a CO- NCAA Tournament opponents to Cronin said. “I understood it and I Tuesday, in Indianapolis. VID-19 pause slowed their roll, reach their first Final Four since wanted it.” but they’ve been back to their losing in the 1984 national cham- The Texas half of the draw will league started, circa 1914. The squeezing defense. dominating ways in March. pionship game. have a Southwest feel. Cougars made the move from in- Baylor went on a long rebuild to After twice failing at the region- The run has come in Indiana, Baylor and Houston were both dependent to SWC status in 1975. finally get here. al final under Drew, Baylor beat home of the NCAA and where members of the Southwest Con- The latest versions of the two The Bears were embroiled in Arkansas in the Elite Eight to re- Sampson’s career nearly ended. ference, which splintered in 1996. programs are nearly identical: one of the darkest scandals in col- ach the Final Four for the first He was forced out at Indiana in The Bears were there when the long, athletic, quick, breath- lege basketball history, when Pa- time since 1950 — when the brack- 2008 due to NCAA sanctions. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, April 2, 2021 Striking a deal SPORTS Mets, All-Star SS Lindor agree on 10-year, $341 million contract ›› Page 21

NCAA TOURNAMENT

Final Four a high-seeded affair / Undefeated No. 1 Gonzaga leads well-regarded pack of championship contenders

Top: Houston guard BY JOHN MARSHALL “This is a heck of an accomplishment. We’re DeJon Jarreau, left, Associated Press UCLA guard Jaime going to take it and savor it for what it is. That Jaquez Jr., center, INDIANAPOLIS doesn’t lessen our desire to win this game, the and Baylor guard onzaga’s countdown to perfection has ticked to next game or win two more games.” MaCio Teague. two. Left: Gonzaga The Bulldogs are back in the Final Four, two Mark Few forward Corey wins from becoming the first undefeated team Kispert. G Gonzaga coach since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers. AP photos And, after all those upsets, the March Madness apex in ble digits. the Hoosier State will be a high-seeded affair. An 85-56 dismantling of Southern California in the Elite Gonzaga is a No. 1 seed. So is Baylor. Houston, a 2. UCLA Eight stretched their winning streak to 34 games over two is an 11, but it’s also the all-time leader in national cham- seasons and put them back in the Final Four for the second pionships. time in the past four NCAA Tournaments. Gonzaga came There also will be a trip down Southwest Conference up short in a loss to North Carolina in the 2017 national title memory lane. game, but has its sights set on finishing it off this time — and But the Zags will be the team to beat. grabbing a piece of history. Gonzaga (30-0) has been an offensive juggernaut rarely “Everyone wants us to keep moving forward, but that’s seen in college basketball. Fast-moving and free-flowing, not how we roll,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “This is a the ultraefficient Zags have steamrolled everyone in their way, winning a Division I-record 27 straight games by dou- SEE CONTENDERS ON PAGE 23

Hall of Fame coach Williams retiring after 33-year run ›› Page 23