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A veterinarian holds a baby monkey named Yuji, who lives with a stuffed dog that serves as a surrogate, while he receives care at a special care center at the zoo in Guadalajara, Mexico, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Refugio Ruiz)2026-04-16T14:28:48Z GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) Yuji, a 6-week-old patas monkey in Mexico, wakes up every day clinging to a stuffed dog. More than a toy, this plush companion acts as a surrogate mom after the tiny primate was rejected by his own mother, Kamaria, a first-time parent unable to form a maternal bond.Weighing a mere 673 grams (1.4 pounds), Yuji represents the most recent case of assisted rearing at the Guadalajara Zoo in western Mexico.The story of Yuji has captured the attention of the Mexican public, drawing parallels to Punch, the Japanese macaque that went viral on social media after growing up clinging to a stuffed orangutan following his mothers rejection.Unlike Punch, Yuji has not yet had physical contact with other members of his species; he spends most of his time inside a monkey crate at the Guadalajara Zoos Comprehensive Center for Animal Medicine and Welfare, CIMBA, where he is under the care of 12 veterinarians and biologists. No date has been set for Yujis transfer to a habitat shared by 12 other adult patas monkeys and three other infants. That will depend on when he is weaned from a milk-only diet and starts an adult diet complete with fruits and vegetables, said veterinarian Ivn Reynoso Ruiz, head of the primate section at the Guadalajara Zoo. That could happen when Yuji is around 6 months old, he said. Just hours after giving birth on March 3, Kamaria began exhibiting irregular behavior. She struggled to hold her firstborn correctly, leaving the infant unable to secure a grip on its mother. Read More After noticing a problem, keepers separated the mother from her newborn, who weighed just 443 grams (less than a pound) and required immediate placement in an incubator at CIMBA to stabilize his temperature and safeguard his health, Reynoso Ruiz said.This was the start of the infants assisted rearing, a process often used by zoos to protect the health and development of at-risk offspring. A caregiver named him Yuji after a popular Japanese manga character. During his first few weeks, Yuji was under round-the-clock supervision and was bottle-fed fortified milk.From the start, Yuji was given a stuffed animal for comfort. Reynoso Ruiz explained that the toy fulfills the role of a mother by serving as his primary source of security. To maintain hygiene, staff rotate the original stuffed dog with two other toys a bear and a monkey to ensure he always has a clean companion.To stimulate his development, caregivers outfitted Yujis crate with a small hammock and ropes. As he began gaining weight and sleeping for longer intervals, his team adjusted his feeding schedule. Yuji now receives the first of his four daily bottles at 7:00 a.m. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. While the stories of Punch and Yuji have been popular on social media, some animal rights advocates oppose the practice of assisted rearing.Diana Valencia, an animal rights activist, argues that there is no substitute for a natural habitat, and that animals have the right to be born, grow, develop, and die where they belong. Responding to these criticisms, the Guadalajara Zoos primate expert emphasized that modern zoos provide a unique opportunity to protect species from global threats. He said the intervention was a matter of life or death, and that Yuji likely would have perished in the wild without a second chance at survival.___Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Stocks may be soaring again, but the war in Iran has started to pinch the finances of many Americans.

Hundreds of migrants from Bangladesh, including Rohingya refugees, are feared dead after a boat to Malaysia overturned.

After leaving fans waiting for more than four years, Euphoria is back for its third and final season. The Onion shares everything you need to know about the HBO drama.Q: Which members of the cast are returning?A: Willingly, none of them.Q: How many episodes will there be?A: This season will make up for lost time by being 94 episodes long.Q: With a five-year time jump, what are the characters up to now?A: Cassie is launching an OnlyFans, Jules is working as a sugar baby, Nate is a gigolo, Maddy is a human footstool, and Rue is a high-end glory hole owner.Q: Do I need to watch the previous seasons first?A: If you want to be as confused as everyone else is, yes.Q: Is Luke Combs in it?A: Uh, no. Was he supposed to be?Q: Should I watch it to understand my kids better?A: Only if your kid is Sam Levinson, who needs to be understood better.The post What To Know About Euphoria Season 3 appeared first on The Onion.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon, Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)2026-04-16T14:35:50Z WASHINGTON (AP) More than 10,000 American troops are helping enforce the blockade on Iranian ports, and while no ships have yet been boarded, the U.S. military said Thursday that it is warning Iran-linked ships that it could fire warning shots or escalate to other force if they try to outrun the Navy.In the first three days of the military action, 14 ships have turned around rather than confront the naval blockade, according to U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Iran war.Some Iran-linked or sanctioned vessels that have left the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway for energy shipments, have appeared to halt their movements, turn off their radio transponders or head back toward Irans coast, shipping data firms say.Vessels that approach the blockade, which is being enforced in Irans territorial seas and international waters and not in the Strait of Hormuz, are given a warning, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon. Any ship that would cross the blockade would result in our sailors executing pre-planned tactics designed to bring the force to that ship if need be, board the ship and take her over, he said. U.S. Central Command released a recording of a radio broadcast sent to vessels in the region that said the military was ready to use force if needed to compel compliance with the blockade. Read More Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure transiting to or from Iranian port, the message said.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that less than 10% of Americas naval power is being used to enforce the blockade. The Navy has 16 warships 11 destroyers, three amphibious assault ships, an aircraft carrier, and a littoral combat ship in the Middle East out of a battle force of roughly 300 total warships.Also supporting the blockade is a series of different aircraft as well as surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence operations designed to give the Navy the latest information on the vessels it is encountering. Restricting Irans sea access is a global effort, Caine said, and U.S. military assets in other parts of the world, including in the Pacific, would pursue vessels illegally shipping Iranian oil or trying to provide material support to Tehran.Caine noted the congestion of the area around the blockade, likening it to a crowded parking lot and U.S. destroyers to high-powered sports cars.There is a lot out there, Caine said. It is like driving a sports car through a supermarket parking lot on a payday weekend, with thousands of kids in that parking lot, as you attempt to maneuver through there to get to that ship that would attempt to run that blockade.

Health care workers look out a window at NY Presbyterian and Mount Sinai, March 16, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)2026-04-16T15:02:10Z NEW YORK (AP) The worrisome rise in colorectal cancer deaths in younger adults is concentrated in people with less education, suggesting socioeconomic factors could be driving the escalation, according to a new study.Celebrity deaths including Chadwick Boseman in 2020 and James Van Der Beek earlier this year have highlighted the increase in colorectal cancer deaths among younger adults, but the new paper was called the first to parse which people are most affected by the alarming rise. The researchers found that over the last 30 years, the rise in colorectal cancer deaths in young adults occurred almost entirely among people without a four-year college degree.Of course, getting a college degree doesnt protect you from getting colon cancer. Rather, experts say its a marker for other issues: People without degrees tend to earn less money, have poorer diets, exercise less and get less medical care. Its not totally unexpected that the death risk is concentrated in the less advantaged, but the paper published Thursday in JAMA Oncology is the first national study to actually show the connection, said Dr. Paolo Boffetta, a researcher at Stony Brook Cancer Center in New York who wasnt involved in the work. American Cancer Society researchers used government data on more than 101,000 younger adults, ages 25 to 49, who died of colorectal cancer from 1994 through 2023. Read More Overall, the colorectal cancer death rate rose from about 3 per 100,000 in that age group to about 4 per 100,000. But for people who only made it through high school, the rate rose from 4 to 5.2 per 100,000, while the rate for people with at least a bachelors degrees did not change from 2.7 per 100,000.Ahmedin Jemal, the studys first author, said the findings underscore the need for public awareness about colorectal cancer and for younger adults to heed screening recommendations. Symptoms can include blood in stool or rectal bleeding; changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of stool that lasts more than a few days; unintended weight loss; and cramps or abdominal pain. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 158,000 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. Overall, its the nations second leading cancer killer, behind lung cancer, and is expected to claim more than 55,000 in 2026.The number of deaths for adults younger than 50 is around 7% of the total about 3,900. Earlier this year, cancer society researchers reported that colorectal cancer mortality in Americans under 50 had increased by 1.1% a year since 2005, making it now the deadliest cancer in that age group.Scientists dont know whats behind that increase. But they note risk factors include obesity, lack of physical activity, a diet high in red or processed meat and low in fruits and vegetables, and a family history of colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society changed its screening guidelines in 2021, lowering the age U.S. adults should start getting screened from 50 to 45. Why did the researchers behind Thursdays study look at education level and not other factors? Death certificates dont detail how much money a person had, or most other aspects of their life. But they do note how much schooling someone completed. And other research has found that data often aligns with statistics about income, health insurance, physical activity and chronic disease. So education serves as a proxy, but cant speak to other factors, like whether the person had health insurance.The focus on education is really (due to) something which was available in the data, Boffetta observed.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. MIKE STOBBE Stobbe mainly covers public health for The Associated Press. twitter mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, said he's "pretty sure" that Tuesday's season finale won't be his last game as he ponders retirement.

The affected pills were sold nationwide under the brand name Xanax XR.

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Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham are eligible for season honors after their challenge of the 65-game rule was approved, while Anthony Edwards' challenege was declined.

After a breakout performance on Shrinking, the actor can now be seen on Abbott Elementary and The Pitt.

The 25-year-old rapper and producer knows hes benefited from his cousins support. But the path to his autobiographical album, Casino, was his alone.

Memoirs from the front lines capture the high-octane pace, roller coaster stakes and unforgettable personalities of emergency medicine.

By embracing leopard print as a neutral and a massive collection of thrifted stone fruit, film and television writer Leah Gauthier transformed this plain 530-square-foot Vancouver apartment into a whimsical sanctuary.READ MORE...

Nature, Published online: 15 April 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01189-1A type of activity in the brains cortex, called high gamma, is widely used in studies of brain function, but its origin has long been debated. An experiment using a brainmachine interface now shows that high-gamma activity is generated mainly by synchronized neuronal inputs, rather than outputs, which has implications for the interpretation of neuroscientific studies.

Damon Jones plans to plead guilty to charges he provided sports bettors with nonpublic information about injuries to stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, ABC News reported Thursday, citing a court filing.

Max Verstappen hasn't been very happy in F1 this year, but his Nrburgring 24 Hours side quest is reinvigorating the four-time world champion.

Work continues on the construction of the ballroom at the White House, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Washington, where the East Wing once stood. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)2026-04-16T16:12:00Z WASHINGTON (AP) A federal judge who halted construction of President Donald Trumps $400 million White House ballroom clarified on Thursday that the administration can proceed with below-ground construction of a bunker and other national security facilities at the site.U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington issued his latest ruling in a lawsuit over the ballroom project several days after an appeals court instructed him to reconsider the possible national security implications of stopping construction.Government lawyers had argued that the project includes critical security features to guard against a range of possible threats, such as drones, ballistic missiles and biohazards.Leon had barred work from proceeding without congressional approval, but he suspended enforcement of that order for two weeks. The appeals court extended that stay until Friday. Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, said he is ordering a stop only to above-ground construction of the planned ballroom, apart from any work needed to cover or secure that part of the project. Otherwise, the Trump administration is free to proceed with construction of any excavations, bunkers, military installations, and medical facilities below the ballroom.Defendants argue that the entire ballroom construction project, from tip to tail, falls within the safety-and-security exception and therefore may proceed unabated, the judge wrote. That is neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order! RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

The move was a victory for a Chilean company that wants to build a copper and nickel mine, which environmentalists say could devastate fragile lakes and forests.

For days, Pope Leo XIV has attracted criticism from President Trump and his allies for refusing to back the war in Iran. On Thursday, he reiterated his calls for peace.

Kevin M. Warsh is scheduled to testify on Tuesday despite an ongoing criminal investigation into the chair of the Federal Reserve that stands in the way of a smooth transition.

A new report from the nonprofit research group Tech Transparency Project (TTP) claims that Google and Apples app stores go beyond simply hosting harmful nudify and undress apps that remove womens clothing in images, and actually encourage users to download those apps. In January, TTP published research that showed how the app stores host dozens of nudify and undressing apps. This new research, released on Wednesday and first reported by Bloomberg, shows how the stores dont just passively host those apps, but push them toward users through search and advertising.Do you have experience to share about nudify or undress apps being used in schools, or by teens? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at sam.404. Otherwise, send me an email at sam@404media.co.TTP conducted a series of searches in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, according to their writeup of the research, using terms like nudify, undress, and deepnude. After testing the apps that appeared in the top 10 search results, they found that roughly 40 percent of the apps that came up in both the Apple and Google Play search results could render women nude or scantily clad, and that Apple and Google ran ads for nudify apps in some of the search resultsincluding, in Googles case, a carousel of ads for some of the most sexually explicit apps encountered in the investigation. They also found that the stores can lead users to more and different nudify apps through autocomplete search queries.TTP found that ads for nudify apps came up as the top result in three of the Apple searches. Apple, which controls all of the advertising in its app store, is selling and placing these ads, the researchers wrote. Apple says it prohibits ad content that promotes adult-oriented themes or graphic content. But TTPs findings suggest Apple is not always enforcing that policy. The first result for an App Store search for deepfake, they found, was for an app that easily replaces womens clothed images with nude versions.In 2024, 404 Media covered how Google surfaced apps through searches for undress apps, best deepfake nudes, and similar terms with promoted results, despite Googles ad policies against this type of content.Nudify apps became a popular market for years, but today, theyre extremely easy to access and are advertised on social media. In schools, children use nudify apps to bully classmates with disastrous results for both the bullies and the victims, and school administrators are often unprepared for how to deal with students using these wildly popular apps.Google and Apple did not immediately respond to 404 Medias request for comment. TTP wrote that Apple declined to comment, while Google spokesperson Dan Jackson told them many of the apps identified by TTP have been suspended. "When violations of our policies are reported to us, we investigate and take appropriate action," Jackson told TTP.

A baker at the Church of Swedens popular cafe in Midtown Manhattan was accused of swindling nearly $4 million from the churchs donations and bequests.

Marie-Thrse Ross-Mah moved to Alabama to wed a long-lost friend. But after her new husband died, an inheritance battle exploded and his son used his influence to have her arrested, a probate judge said.

The publishing giant is also closing the international editions of Glamour Magazine in Germany, Spain and Mexico.

In a cloud forest village, a network of residents, foreigners and pacifist Quakers offered a precarious yet vital sanctuary for families expelled by the U.S. government.

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods sits in an unmarked police vehicle as he speaks with law enforcement personnel following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)2026-04-16T16:12:23Z ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Tiger Woods ' attorney intends to fight an attempt by prosecutors to subpoena the golfers prescription drug records following his arrest last month in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence.Attorney Doug Duncan said this week in a court filing that Woods has a constitutional right to privacy when it comes to his prescription medications. The attorney asked a judge overseeing the case in Martin County, Florida to hold a hearing to determine if the drug records are necessary for the criminal investigation.If the judge determines the drug records are necessary, Duncan asked for a protective order limiting their release only to prosecutors, law enforcement officers, state experts and Woods defense team.Woods has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence. A sheriffs office report said deputies found two pain pills in his pocket and he showed signs of impairment after his SUV clipped a trucks trailer and rolled over on its side. Woods was traveling at high speeds on a beachside, residential road on Jupiter Island with a 30 mph (nearly 50 kph) speed limit when his Land Rover caused $5,000 in damage to the truck, according to an incident report. Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer test that showed no signs of alcohol, but refused a urine test, authorities said. Prosecutors told the court they would issue a subpoena seeking copies of all prescription medication records for the legendary golfer on file at Lewis Pharmacy in Palm Beach, Florida from the start of the year through the end of last month.Prosecutors also demanded in court papers on Wednesday that Woods reveal the names and locations of any witnesses he plans to present in his defense.___Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @mikeysid.bsky.social. MIKE SCHNEIDER Schneider covers census, demographics and Florida for The Associated Press. Author of 2023 book, Mickey and the Teamsters. twitter mailto

Dr. Ezequiel Veliz, a family physician who worked in an area that has a doctor shortage, was detained for 10 days. Another Venezuelan doctor remains locked up.

Minnesota prosecutors have spent weeks investigating the conduct of immigration agents who took part in an immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.

Damon Jones, who spent more than a decade in the N.B.A., was accused of providing inside information about injured players to professional gamblers.

In a setback for federal efforts to thwart climate litigation, the judge ruled that the suit, which tried to block the state from suing oil companies, was too speculative.

The health secretary said he would reform the panel, which determines whether insurance will cover preventive services like mammograms and colonoscopies.

President Trump has lashed out at enemies, allies and even the pope, and made it harder for Republicans to keep the focus on economic issues in a midterm election year.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said Thursday that LaMelo Ball didn't need to be "penalized more moving forward" in the wake of the Hornets star's fine for tripping Miami's Bam Adebayo.

A federal judge wrote that an exception he made for work on security features did not cover most of the construction on the larger ballroom project Trump has proposed.

Despite the fact that a bed frame is something youll use every single day, it isnt exactly the most thrilling purchase. Still, every bed needs a frame (no really, it does) to protect your mattress and elevate the overall look of your bedroom. The good news? You absolutely can find a bed thats functional, helps express your personal style, and costs under a grand. We rounded up a few of the best beds under $1,000 to help you do just that.READ MORE...

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Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announces charges against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent related to a February incident on Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP photo/Mark Vancleave)2026-04-16T17:23:24Z MINNEAPOLIS (AP) An ICE agent is charged with assault for allegedly pointing his gun at people in car while driving on a Minneapolis highway, prosecutors in Minnesota said Thursday.An arrest warrant in Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis, says Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. is charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated assault. The warrant says Morgan was working as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the Minneapolis area on Feb. 5 when he pointed a gun at the occupants of a vehicle on Minnesota State Highway 62. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said she believes it is the first criminal case brought against a federal immigration officer involved in the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration enforcement that surged federal authorities into cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and New Orleans. Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department officials didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment. The Associated Press called a number associated with Morgan and sent a message to his possible email address but did not receive any immediate response. Moriarty said during a news conference that Morgan was driving a rented, unmarked SUV on the shoulder of the highway when a car on the road moved into the shoulder to try to slow Morgan down, not knowing he was a federal officer. After the car returned into the legal lane, Morgan pulled up alongside and pointed his service weapon at the people in the car. Read More Morgan, 35, and his partner, who was not charged, were on their way to the federal building to end their shift when they were caught in traffic. Charging documents note Morgan did not say the incident occurred during an enforcement action. According to the charging documents, Morgan told a Minnesota State Patrol officer that he pulled up alongside the victims vehicle, drew his firearm and yelled Police Stop. The warrant says the victims couldnt hear him because their windows were up. Morgan is charged with two counts of assault because he threatened both people in the vehicle, and there is a warrant out for his arrest, Moriarty said. The charges could intensify a clash between the Trump administration and Minnesota officials over the crackdown. Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, has warned that the Justice Department could investigate and prosecute state or local officials who arrest federal agents for performing their official duties.Moriarty said she is not concerned about blowback from the Trump administration and that her offices goal is to hold people accountable if they violate the laws of the state, she said. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. She said Morgans actions were beyond the scope of a federal officers authority.There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents who violate the law in the state of Minnesota, she said.In Minnesota, felony second-degree assault is punishable by up to seven years in prison, or up to 10 years imprisonment if the assault inflicted substantial bodily harm. The Department of Homeland Security deployed about 3,000 federal officers to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area from December through February in what the agency called its largest immigration enforcement operation ever. The Minnesota operation led to thousands of arrests, angry mass protests and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.Backlash over the aggressive tactics mounted, and two of the crackdowns most high profile leaders were soon gone. Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March shortly after the Minnesota surge ended. That same month, Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol sector chief who led immigration operations in several large cities, announced his retirement.In a letter to California officials last year, then-Deputy Attorney General Blanche wrote that the Justice Department views any arrests of federal agents and officers in the performance of their official duties as both illegal and futile.Numerous federal laws prohibit interfering with and impeding immigration or other law-enforcement operations, Blanche wrote. The Department of Justice will investigate and prosecute any state or local official who violates these federal statues (or directs or conspires with others to violate them).___Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia. Associated Press reporter Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington, D.C., contributed.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Thursday that there will "probably be a lot of trades" in the first round of this year's NFL draft.

A former Alabama defensive end is accused of using wigs and fake IDs to impersonate NFL players to secure nearly $20 million in fraudulent loans, with a report identifying Michael Penix Jr., David Njoku and Xavier McKinney as the targeted players.

The post White House Doctor: The President Has Very Strong Nipples appeared first on The Onion.

Facebook Is Drowning in AI Junk — and People Are Tired of It Let’s just say it plainly: Facebook does not feel like Facebook anymore. What used to be a place to check in on friends, family, communities, and real-life updates now feels buried under a mountain of AI-generated garbage, engagement bait, fake images, recycled nonsense, and pages posting whatever they think will squeeze...

Nature, Published online: 16 April 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01227-yVariations in gene expression could help to explain why brain-disease risks differ according to sex.

A conservative court watcher explains why the president has failed to bend the judicial branch to his will.

Former NBA basketball player and assistant coach Damon Jones arrives at Brooklyn federal court, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)2026-04-16T18:07:02Z NEW YORK (AP) Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling sweep that led to the arrests of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball figures.A change-of-plea hearing for Jones is scheduled for May 6 in Brooklyn federal court, according to a court filing Thursday.Jones, 49, had previously pleaded not guilty to separate indictments charging him with profiting from rigged poker games and providing sports bettors with non-public information about injuries to stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.Jones is charged in both cases with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.A message seeking comment was left for his lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery. He told a judge at Jones arraignments in November that they may be engaging in plea negotiations. Jones, a onetime teammate of James, was arrested last October along with Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and others, including a sports bettor accused of cashing in on injury information. Jones was one of three people charged in both the poker and sports betting schemes. He remains free on bail.A native of Galveston, Texas, Jones earned more than $20 million playing for 10 teams in 11 seasons from 1999 to 2009. He and James played together in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008 and Jones served as an unofficial assistant coach for James Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 season. Read More According to prosecutors, Jones sold or attempted to sell non-public information to bettors that James was injured and wouldnt be playing in a Feb. 9, 2023, game against the Milwaukee Bucks, texting an unnamed co-conspirator: Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.James wasnt listed on the Lakers injury report at the time of the text message, but the NBAs all-time scoring leader was later ruled out of the game because of a lower body injury, according to prosecutors, and the Lakers lost the game 115-106. On Jan. 15, 2024, prosecutors said, sports bettor Marves Fairley paid Jones approximately $2,500 for a tip that Davis, the Lakers forward and center at the time, would see limited playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of an injury. Fairley then placed a $100,000 bet on the Thunder to win, prosecutors said, but the tip was wrong. Davis played his usual minutes, scored 27 points and collected 15 rebounds in a 112-105 Lakers win, prompting Fairley to demand a refund of his $2,500 fee, prosecutors said.In the poker scheme, according to prosecutors, Jones was among former NBA players used to lure unwitting players into poker games that were rigged using altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special sunglasses and even X-ray equipment built into the table.According to the indictment, Jones was paid $2,500 for a game in the Hamptons where he was instructed to cheat by paying close attention to others involved in the scheme. His instructor likened those people to James and NBA All-Star Steph Curry, prosecutors said. When in doubt, Jones was told to fold his hand, prosecutors said. In response, according to prosecutors, Jones texted: yall know I know what Im doing!!The poker scheme often made use of illegal poker games run by New York crime families that required them to share a portion of their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonnano crime families, according to prosecutors.Members of those families, in turn, also helped commit violent acts, including assault, extortion and robbery, to ensure repayment of debts and the continued success of the operation, officials said in court documents.A hot hand from outside the three-point arc, Jones once proclaimed himself in an interview with insidehoops.com as the best shooter in the world. He played in every regular season game for three consecutive seasons from 2003 to 2006.After his playing days, he worked as a shooting consultant for the Cavaliers and was an assistant coach when the team, led by James, won the NBA championship in 2016. MICHAEL R. SISAK Sisak is an Associated Press reporter covering law enforcement, courts and prisons. He is based in New York. twitter mailto