After years of hiding her problem, former soccer star Ashlyn Harris is getting candid about the drug addiction she battled in her youth.While playing soccer at the University of North Carolina, Harris admitted she turned to amphetamines while dealing with repeated sports injuries.I was getting really heavily addicted to Adderall and misusing it, Harris revealed on the March 21 episode of the Question Everything with Danielle Robay podcast, per E News. I was taking it all the time. I would go days without sleeping. It was wild. I felt like I was gonna give myself a heart attack. I was crushing it. I was snorting it. It was so problematic.The iconic lesbian soccer star said that a toxic body image had something to do with her continued abuse of the medication as well.Then I was like, Oh, it makes me skinny. It curbs my appetite. It was just a toxic, toxic time for me because it was the first time that I started to have my character tested because I started to get injured, the 39-year-old retired athlete explained. Harris, who spent part of 2023 and 2024 in the headlines amid cheating rumors surrounding her relationship with One Tree Hill actress Sophia Bush, said that her addiction problem was going on while she was recovering from ACL and labrum injuries, but her college soccer coach Anson Dorrance was very supportive. It got really, really dark and I had to make some serious adjustments, she explained, and Anson would have me read books.She told podcast host Danielle Robby that Mans Search for Meanings message about reframing suffering changed my life.Harris says shes trying not to pass along her issues to her two children (Sloane, 4, and Ocean, 2) who she shares with ex-wife and former soccer pro Ali Krieger.See on InstagramI have a lot of trauma in my life and I have a lot of scars. I do not want to project and place that on my children, she confided. When you become a mom and you're molding young humans, your perspective in life changes. You have to get your s--t together because they see and hear everything.Now the two-time FIFA Womens World Cup winner is focused on being the best role model she can be for her kids.I just want to give my kids the best tools to be whoever they want to be, Harris explained. But at the core of them, they need to be good people. They have to be good people. How they serve their community, how they show up for their friends, that matters.

Chappell Roan made a glamorous entrance at the Off-Broadway hit DRAG: The Musical this past weekend, joining the glittering world of drag at New World Stages in New York City. The Grammy Award-winning singer, known for her bold musical style and advocacy for drag culture, was spotted enjoying the performance on Sunday, April 6, surrounded by some of the biggest drag stars in the worldSource

Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran told of his 2022 suicide attempt to "reach those who feel alone. ... If my story can help even one person, then it was worth telling."

The Florida Gators are No. 1 in the final Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball poll of the 2024-25 season after winning the national championship.

The trailer for Ponyboi, River Gallos highly anticipated thriller, has been released, giving viewers a glimpse of what promises to be one of the most compelling LGBTQIA+ stories of the year. Written by and starring Gallo, the film is based on their 2019 short film of the same name and delves into the complex life of an intersex sex worker on the run from a botched drug deal.Source

The Colts' Braden Smith told the Indianapolis Star he has a type of OCD that prompted him to spend 48 days in a treatment facility last year and to ultimately turn a psychedelic drug that he believes helped save him.

Guard Olivia Miles, who entered the transfer portal out of Notre Dame, has committed to TCU, sources confirmed to ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday.

Kit Williamson knows how to serve up a steamy photoshoot!The handsome model and actor is now giving fans an opportunity to see exclusive and spicy content by joining his Patreon or Instagram Subscription page."You get everything Instagram will allow you to get! I don't think I'm going to be [joining OnlyFans] any time soon, but what I enjoy about Instagram Subscriptions and Patreon is that it's an opportunity to be a little bit more unfiltered," Williamson says. See on Instagram Besides revealing pics, subscribers will also get to watch BTS videos and interviews on the sets of his hit shows and enjoy bonus content from his latest series Unconventional."[I get] to really speak directly to the people that support your work. It really means the world to me that people are supporting queer storytelling right now more than ever."Rest assured though, fans will certainly be able to quench their thirst as Williamson uploads more spicy photos in the coming weeks."Listen, it's 2025, okay? If you don't show a little side butt on the internet, you're probably a Republican."Fans can follow Kit Williamson on Instagram here and on Patreon here. To see the full interview, check out the video at the top of the page.

Elon Musk is no stranger to getting trolled. The internet has laughed at his terrible Hitler-esque haircut, his cringey photo op with President Donald Trump led to people posting hilarious NSFW captions, and his trans daughter Vivian Wilson has turned roasting her father into an art form.But as the Tesla and X CEO has taken on an outsized role within the federal government, where hes been leading the charge to cut as much from it as possible, the internets desire to keep him humble has only seemed to increase.Now Musk is going viral after getting mercilessly swarmed by trolls while livestreaming himself playing Path of Exile 2 during a flight on his private jet. (@) Just a few minutes into the 45-minute stream, during which Musk rarely spoke and repeatedly died, the head of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) started receiving messages from other players that ripped him apart.You have no friends and will die alone, one player wrote so many times the message took over the screen. Someone else commented, Elon, deep down you will always be cringe no matter how much money or power you have. (@) Other players took a different approach, with one asking Musk to make it clap for daddy. Another viewer claimed to be Ashley St. Claire, Musks former partner who he is in the middle of a custody battle over their five-month-old child, by asking him to please pay your child support.Another player filled the screen by commenting over and over again, You ruined the country just like you ruined all your marriages. (@) The stream was meant to be an airborne continuity test of his Starlink internet service, but before rage quitting, Musk created a character named Kekius Maximus, who was killed by one of the games tutorial bosses because of a "bad connection," The Verge reports. (@) This did nothing to repair his reputation with other gamers which was already in the toilet after being accused multiple times by professional players who have accused him of lying about his skill level and who allege Musk pays more talented players to level up his characters for him or that hes boosting his character with third-party upgrades, according to The New York Times.His estranged daughter even told Twitch streamer Hasan Piker during a livestream that Musk is godawful at video games. This is so cringe. Why would you even pretend to be? It's fine not to be a gamer, Wilson said, Newsweek reports.

Lamine Yamal has told ESPN it feels as if he's "playing Pro Evolution Soccer [sic]" as the teenager targets a treble with Barcelona this season.

Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans has urged Paris Saint-Germain supporters to "stick to football" if they taunt goalkeeper Emiliano Martnez.

The Associated Press logo is shown at the entrance to the news organization's office in New York on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Aaron Jackson, File2025-04-08T21:16:18Z A federal judge ordered the White House on Tuesday to restore The Associated Press full access to cover presidential events, ruling on a case that touched at the heart of the First Amendment and affirming that the government cannot punish the news organization for the content of its speech.U.S.. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of Donald Trump, ruled that the government had cant retaliate against the APs decision not to follow the presidents executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. The decision handed the AP a major victory at a time the White House has been challenging the press on several levels.Under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalistsbe it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhereit cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints, McFadden wrote. The Constitution requires no less. The AP has been blocked since Feb. 11 from being among the small group of journalists to cover Trump in the Oval Office or aboard Air Force One, with sporadic ability to cover him at events in East Room. The organization had asked McFadden to rule that Trump had violated APs constitutional right to free speech by taking the action because he disagreed with the words that its journalists use. He had earlier declined APs request to reverse the changes through an injunction.It was unclear how quickly the White House would move to put McFaddens ruling into effect. The government has a week to respond. DAVID BAUDER Bauder is the APs national media writer, covering the intersection of news, politics and entertainment. He is based in New York. twitter mailto

Each year, GLAAD presents non-competitive honors to projects across entertainment and media that do not fit into existing or traditional GLAAD Media Awards categories. For spotlighting the strength, resilience and ingenuity of the LGBTQ community, DRAG: The Musicalwas chose as one of six projects to receive this honor this year for the 36th GLAAD Media [...]The post Drag the Musical Presented with GLAAD Special Recognition Honor in Curtain Call Presentation first appeared on GLAAD.

Get in lesbian, we're watching movies!Theres a reason there are so many coming-of-age films. They are a powerful time in our lives, raging hormones aside, its a time when we learn so much about the world, who we are, and how we fit into it. Including for many lesbians it's time when we discover were queer.It's also a time of firsts. First loves, first heartbreaks, first impactful friendships, and first tastes of adulthood to come. It's a liminal space between who we were as children and who we will grow to be. Its exciting, scary, and beautiful.Which is to say it also makes for great fodder for excellent storytelling. Add to that a sapphic awakening and youve really got something special. So, with that in mind, here are 15 lesbian coming-of-age films that never cease to move us, entertain us, make us laugh, and yes, make us cry.Alice JniorThis Brazilian dramedy is an all too rare coming-of-age story following the journey of a sapphic trans young woman. In it, Alice is a 17-year-old trans-YouTuber whose life takes a turn when she has no choice but to leave her progressive city life behind, instead of a small rural town and Catholic high school. In addition to navigating the small-town prejudice she is also eager to experience her first kiss. It's sweet, funny, and moving, and features a trans actress (Anna Celestino Mota) in a trans role. Where to watch: KanopyBackspotOut actress Devery Jacobs stars as Riley in this coming-of-age film set in the world of competitive cheerleading. Riley is an out and proud teen, with a girlfriend Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo), who both get the opportunity to join an elite cheerleading team. While this is Rileys dream come true the pressure to perform and to achieve perfection comes with intense pressure and psychological cost. What makes this film stand out in the genre, aside from its stellar cast which also includes Rachel Evan Woods playing a lesbian coach, is that the source of the drama is never focused on Rileys queer identity. Nor is she shamed for her queerness. Where to watch: Rent on Prime VideoBooksmartNot all coming-of-age stories have to be heartfelt or melodramatic, sometimes they can be just plain fun. Take, for example, this hilarious comedy starring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever as Molly and Amy, respectively. The two are best friends who have done everything right. They have worked hard and gotten into the college of thier dreams, only to learn on the last day of school, and so have many of their counterparts, who, unlike them, did not sacrifice their social lives in pursuit of thier collegiate dreams. So the two make a vow to make up for lost time all in one epic night and for Amy, that also means finally pursuing a lesbian crush. Where to watch: Rent on Prime VideoBut Im a CheerleaderIf any movie on this list is required lesbian viewing, let it be But Im a Cheerleader. This satirical coming-of-age story takes place in a conversion camp wait, stay with us here. Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan Bloomfield, the titular cheerleader, who finds herself in one despite her confusion after her conservative parents become convinced she is a lesbian. Turns out they were right, and Megan soon finds herself falling for another team in the program, the rebellious, proudly lesbian, Graham (Clea DuVall). This film is a true camp masterpiece that also co-stars Melanie Lynskey, Cathy Moriarty, and RuPaul Charles. Where to watch: Plex CrushWhile were on a roll with the feel-good lesbian coming-of-age stories, we would be remiss if we didn't include Crush on this list! The film which stars as queer actresses Rowan Blanchard as Paige Evans and Aulii Cravalho as AJ Campos sees two girls finding love on the track field. Yep, that's a very gay sentence. But in all seriousness, this sweet rivalry, to friends, to lovers' story is exactly the sweet love story that we can never get enough of. It follows Paige, whose plan to join the track team to pursue her crush Gabriella (Isabella Ferrera) is interrupted by her feelings for AJ, who just so happens to be Gabriellas twin sister. Lesbian chaos.Where to watch: HuluDating AmberThis 90s set Irish coming-of-age drama is all about the time-honored tradition of bearding. In it, Eddie (Fionn O'Shea) and Amber (Lola Petticrew) are both closeted teens who are very tired of the bullying so to hide more effectively and stop the rumors about their sexualities, they concoct a plan to pretend to be in a relationship. This poignant story is a reminder of the allyship we find in our community and how we take care of one another. Where to watch: Tubi & Prime VideoErins Guide to Kissing GirlsErins Guide to Kissing Girls is a rare example of a coming-of-age story that isn't about coming out. When this film opens, Erin (Elliot Stocking) is already out. Instead, this film focuses on how when a new girl, Sydni (Rosali Annikie) joins thier class and becomes the object of Erins affection, these shifting dynamics take a toll on her friendship with bestie Liz (Jesyca Gu). If youve ever had a friend who goes ghost when they have a crush or you're guilty of similar behavior you'll connect with this sweet, funny, and relatable film.Where to watch: TubiThe Half of ItThis sapphic coming-of-age take on the Cyrano de Bergerac trope sees a young lesbian teen named Leah (Ellie Chu) secretly writing a love letter to her crush Alexxis (Aster Flores) but heres the catch shes doing it on behalf of a jock named Daniel, who also has feelings for the popular girl. As Leah helps Daniel pursue the girl of her dreams, she is forced to come to terms with her own identity and desires.Where to watch: NetflixThe Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in LoveAnother classic that has stood the test of time, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love follows the story of the unlikely but tender romance between working-class Randy (Laurel Holloman) and popular and wealthy Evie (Nicole Ari Parker). Despite thier differences, the two share an instant connection and chemistry which will put them against thier friends and families. While this is a setup for a heartbreak, instead this story celebrates queer love and ends on a joyful note.Where to watch: NetflixMy First SummerThis dreamy coming-of-age story starts with grief and ends with queer joy. In it, Claudia (Markella Kavenagh) finds herself left all alone after her mother takes her own life. However, when she meets Grace (Maiah Stewardson) the two begin developing a connection as the confident and adventurous girl befriends her. As they grow closer, that friendship morphs into a first love. Both theoretically and visually beautiful, this one will pull at your heartstrings.Where to watch: Rent on Prime VideoMy Summer of LoveMy Summer of Love shares a lot of DNA with My First Summer but has a darker edge. In it Mona (Natalie Press) is also grieving her mother when she connects with Tamsin (Emily Blunt), a wealthy, charismatic girl. The two grow close and begin to explore thier attraction to one another but throughout the summer, things between them take a turn into obsession and betrayal. Teen girls are complicated and not always kind, This film explores those dynamics that are sadly also a part of our coming of age. Where to watch: Rent on Prime VideoPariahFrom filmmaker Dee Rees, this film follows the story of Alike (Adepero Oduye), a young closeted lesbian living two lives, one with her out and proud friend, and another at home with thier religious conservative mother. It's a struggle, a journey many young queer people have had to navigate, and this film represents that struggle with powerful emotional relevance and gentleness. That ultimately Alike chooses to follow her truth only adds to how impactful this film remains.Where to watch: Rent on Prime VideoPrincess CydThere is just something about lesbian discovery and summertime, and Princess Cyd is another example of a coming-of-age tale set during the warm and free-spirited season. In the film, Cyd spends the summer with her aunt Miranda, and while there, she meets and strikes up a romance with a barista named Katie (lesbian tale as old as time), and it proves to be a journey of self-discovery.Where to watch: TubiShow Me LoveThis sweet Swedish lesbian coming-of-age story sees two girls from different ends of the social structure in thier small town growing closer after a prank and kiss on a dare connects them. For Agnes (Rebecka Liljeberg), who has long had a crush on Elin (Alexandra Dahlstrm), this is a dream come true. However, for Elin, who is still struggling with her identity, it's a bit more complicated. But love wins out.Where to watch: The Internet ArchiveThe Truth About JaneThis made-for-TV movie was a watershed film for lesbians of a certain age. It not only told the story of Janes (Ellen Muth) queer awakening when she falls for a classmate but the impact of her identity on her mother (Stockard Channing) and thier relationship. It remains unique for its focus on both women's experiences and the impact of coming out on the family.Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video

As The White Lotus wraps up its much-discussed brother-on-brother storyline, Cooper Koch is keeping the flames of sibling drama alive and this time, hes bringing his real-life brothers into the fold. The HBO series season finale may have provided some closure to the intense, homoerotic tension between the Ratliff brothers, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola).Source

With the Premier League reaching its climax, here's what's next for the top teams in the league.

Relive Tuesday's UCL quarterfinals action: Arsenal bested Real Madrid and Bayern fell short to Internazionale.

Billie Jean King, a groundbreaking figure in the world of tennis and LGBTQ+ advocacy, has made history once again. The 81-year-old tennis legend has become the first woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the newly established sports entertainment category. The prestigious honor was unveiled on Monday in a special ceremony attended by Kings close friends, NBA icon Magic JohnsonSource

David Archuleta is stepping into the nightand into a brand new era of music, movement, and liberation. For one night only, Archuleta is taking over Los Angeles with AFTERHOURS, a full-blown rave-meets-concert experience happening Saturday, May 3, 2025, at The Bellwether. Its not just a showits a curated journey of self-expression, pulsing beats, and unapologetic queer joy.Source

Nature, Published online: 08 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01098-9US National Science Foundation announces lowest number of Graduate Research Fellowship Programme recipients in 15 years.

Former major leaguers Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco were among the dozens who died after the roof of a nightclub collapsed in the Dominican Republic early Tuesday.

Angel Cabrera, the 2009 Masters champion who served two years in prison for threats and harassment of two ex-girlfriends, said Tuesday that he respects the opinion of those who say he shouldn't be playing in the Masters.

Pedro Pascal just celebrated his 50th birthday, and leave it to him to throw a party that breaks the internet and warms queer hearts everywhere. The Last of Us and Mandalorian star turned heads this weekend with a birthday look that was anything but subtle and absolutely perfect. In a now-viral photo posted to his Instagram Story, Pascal rocked a Protect the Dolls T-shirt and a House ofSource

Rowling, best known for her Harry Potter series and more recently for her controversial stance on transgender issues, has found herself at the center of another social media storm, this time over a comment she made about asexuality. On April 6, the author took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the observance of International Asexuality Day, a day meant to raise awareness about asexualityaSource

Chaz Lucius, a 21-year-old center and former first-round pick for the Winnipeg Jets who played this season for the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, announced his retirement on Tuesday due to a hereditary tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Texas freshman Tre Johnson announced Tuesday that he will declare for the NBA draft.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with coal miner Jeff Crowe during an event on energy production in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)2025-04-08T14:25:11Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting the struggling coal industry, a reliable but polluting energy source thats long been in decline.Under the four orders, Trump uses his emergency authority to allow some older coal-fired power plants set for retirement to keep producing electricity to meet rising U.S. power demand amid growth in data centers, artificial intelligence and electric cars. Trump also directed federal agencies to identify coal resources on federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining and prioritize coal leasing on U.S. lands.In a related action, Trump also signed a proclamation offering coal-fired power plants a two-year exemption from federal requirements to reduce emissions of toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic and benzene.Trumps administration had offered power plants and other industrial polluters a chance for exemptions from rules imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA, under Trump appointee Lee Zeldin, set up an electronic mailbox to allow regulated companies to request a presidential exemption under the Clean Air Act to a host of Biden-era rules. Trump, a Republican, has long promised to boost what he calls beautiful coal to fire power plants and for other uses, but the industry has been in decline for decades. I call it beautiful, clean coal. I told my people, never use the word coal unless you put beautiful, clean before it, Trump said at a White House signing ceremony where he was flanked by coal miners in hard hats. Several wore patches on their work jackets that said coal. Pound for pound, coal is the single most reliable, durable, secure and powerful form of energy, Trump said. Its cheap, incredibly efficient, high density, and its almost indestructible.Trumps orders also direct Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to acknowledge the end of an Obama-era moratorium that paused coal leasing on federal lands and require federal agencies to rescind policies transitioning the nation away from coal production. And they seek to promote coal and coal technology exports, and accelerate development of coal technologies. Trump also targeted what he called overreach by Democratic-controlled states to limit energy production to slow climate change. He ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to take all appropriate action to stop the enforcement of such laws. Trump has long championed coalTrump, who has pushed for U.S. energy dominance in the global market, has long suggested that coal can help meet surging electricity demand from manufacturing and the massive data centers needed for artificial intelligence.Were ending Joe Bidens war on beautiful, clean coal once and for all,' he said Tuesday. All those plants that have been closed are going to be opened, if theyre modern enough, (or) theyll be ripped down and brand new ones will be built. And were going to put the miners back to work.In 2018, during his first term, Trump directed then-Energy Secretary Rick Perry to take immediate steps to bolster struggling coal-fired and nuclear power plants, calling it a matter of national and economic security. At that time, Trump also considered but didnt approve a plan to order grid operators to buy electricity from coal and nuclear plants to keep them open. Energy industry groups including oil, natural gas, solar and wind power condemned the proposal, saying it would raise energy prices and distort markets.The national decline of coal Energy experts say any bump for coal under Trump is likely to be temporary because natural gas is cheaper, and theres a durable market for renewable energy such as wind and solar power no matter who holds the White House.Trumps administration has targeted regulations under the Biden administration that could hasten closures of heavily polluting coal power plants and the mines that supply them.Coal once provided more than half of U.S. electricity production, but its share dropped to about 16% in 2023, down from about 45% as recently as 2010. Natural gas provides about 43% of U.S. electricity, with the remainder from nuclear energy and renewables such as wind, solar and hydropower. The front line in what Republicans call the war on coal is in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana, a sparsely populated section of the Great Plains with the nations largest coal mines. Its also home to a massive power plant in Colstrip, Montana, that emits more toxic air pollutants such as lead and arsenic than any other U.S. facility of its kind, according to the EPA. EPA rules finalized last year could force the Colstrip Generating Station to shut down or spend an estimated $400 million to clean up its emissions within the next several years. Another Biden-era proposal, from the Interior Department, would end new leasing of taxpayer-owned coal reserves in the Powder River Basin. Changes and promises under Trump Trump vowed to reverse those actions and has named Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright to lead a new National Energy Dominance Council. The panel is tasked with driving up already record-setting domestic oil and gas production, as well as coal and other traditional energy sources.The council has been granted sweeping authority over federal agencies involved in energy permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation and transportation. It has a mandate to cut bureaucratic red tape, enhance private sector investments and focus on innovation instead of unnecessary regulation, Trump said.Zeldin meanwhile, has announced a series of actions to roll back environmental regulations, including rules on pollution from coal-fired power plants. In all, Zeldin said hes moving to roll back 31 environmental rules, including a scientific finding that has long been the central basis for U.S. action against climate change.Coal industry applauds, but environmental groups warn of problemsIndustry groups praised Trumps focus on coal.Despite countless warnings from the nations grid operators and energy regulators that we are facing an electricity supply crisis, the last administrations energy policies were built on hostility to fossil fuels, directly targeting coal,' said Rich Nolan, president and CEO of the National Mining Association.Trumps executive actions clearly prioritize how to responsibly keep the lights on, recognize the enormous strategic value of American-mined coal and embrace the economic opportunity that comes from American energy abundance, Nolan said.But environmental groups said Trumps actions were more of the same tactics he tried during his first term in an unsuccessful bid to revive coal.Whats next, a mandate that Americans must commute by horse and buggy? asked Kit Kennedy, managing director for power at the Natural Resources Defense Council.Coal plants are old and dirty, uncompetitive and unreliable, Kennedy said, accusing Trump and his administration of remaining stuck in the past, trying to make utility customers pay more for yesterdays energy.Instead, she said, the U.S. should do all it can to build the power grid of the future, including tax credits and other support for renewable energy such as wind and solar power.____Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this report. MATTHEW DALY Daly covers climate, environment and energy policy for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington, D.C. twitter mailto

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Octavio Dotel throws during the eighth inning in Game 5 of baseball's World Series against the Texas Rangers, Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)2025-04-08T21:16:58Z SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) Octavio Dotel, who pitched for 13 major league teams in a 15-year career and won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals, was among the dead after a roof collapsed at a nightclub in his native Dominican Republic where he was attending a merengue concert. He was 51.Officials initially said Dotel was rescued from the debris and transported to a hospital, but spokesman Satosky Terrero from the Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic confirmed to The Associated Press that Dotel died later Tuesday. At least 79 people died and 160 were injured after the collapse at the Jet Set nightclub, officials said. Tony Blanco, who played one MLB season and eight years professionally in Japan, also died following the collapse, Terrero said. Also killed was Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Monte Cristi province and the sister of Nelson Cruz, a former MLB player and current MLB special adviser to baseball operations. Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last nights tragedy in Santo Domingo, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today. St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Octavio Dotel throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Thursday, July 28, 2011, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Octavio Dotel throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Thursday, July 28, 2011, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More St. Louis Cardinals Octavio Dotel celebrates after Game 6 of baseballs National League championship series against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) St. Louis Cardinals Octavio Dotel celebrates after Game 6 of baseballs National League championship series against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark said the union stands united with the Dominican community amid the incomprehensible sadness. We grieve for all the victims and send a special message of support to the families of Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, who leave an unspeakable void with their passing, and to Nelson Cruz, whose family lost a shining light with the death of his sister, Nelsy, he said in a statement. Dotel signed with the New York Mets in 1993 as an amateur free agent and made his major league debut in 1999. A starter early in his career, he turned into a reliable and at times dominant reliever while appearing in 758 games from 1999-2013. When he took the mound for the Detroit Tigers on April 7, 2012, he set the record playing for the most major league teams at 13. Edwin Jackson broke the record in 2019 when he pitched for his 14th team.The Mets held a moment of silence for Dotel before their game Tuesday against Miami, and a Dominican flag was shown on the video scoreboard.Dotels best years were with the Houston Astros in the early 2000s. He was a setup man for star closer Billy Wagner, making 302 appearances and posting a 3.25 ERA in four-plus seasons. He was the fifth of six pitchers to combine on a no-hitter against the New York Yankees in 2003. The next year, he was part of the three-way trade that brought Carlos Beltran to the Astros. Dotel pitched for nine teams before he landed with the Cardinals, who acquired him from Toronto at the 2011 trade deadline. He appeared in 12 postseason games, including five in the World Series against Texas. In 2013, he pitched on the Dominican Republic team that won the World Baseball Classic with an 8-0 record.Dotel finished his major league career with 1,143 strikeouts in 951 innings, a magnificent rate of 10.8 per nine innings. He had a career 59-50 record, 109 saves and 3.78 ERA. St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Octavio Dotel participates in a victory parade after defeating the Texas Rangers to win their 11th World Series in franchise history Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Octavio Dotel participates in a victory parade after defeating the Texas Rangers to win their 11th World Series in franchise history Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More In 2019, Dotel and ex-major leaguer Luis Castillo were among 18 people taken into custody during a large U.S. and Dominican law enforcement operation against drug trafficking and money laundering. Dotel and Castillo were released when a Dominican magistrate judge found insufficient evidence to connect them to the operation.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Lucy Dacus and Katie Gavin, lead singer of MUNA, have brought us a powerful tribute to sapphic history, recreating one of the most iconic magazine covers from the 90s. The duo graces the April 2025 cover of Alternative Press, bringing a modern twist to the 1993 Vanity Fair cover featuring k.d. lang and Cindy Crawford. For the recreation, Dacus, known for her introspective lyrics and powerfulSource

The adult entertainment industry is mourning the loss of Damien Stone, a well-known gay adult star and bodybuilder who passed away at the age of 32. His family confirmed that the cause of death was complications related to an enlarged heart. Stones death has left an indelible mark on the adult film community, where he was celebrated for his on-screen charisma, physicality, and dedication to hisSource

Declan Rice said his free kick heroics against Real Madrid left him "speechless" but insisted Arsenal are targeting Champions League glory.

Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells was taken off the court on a stretcher after a scary fall at the rim in the first half of Tuesday's game vs. the Hornets.

This March 22, 2013, file photo shows the exterior of the Internal Revenue Service building in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)2025-04-08T17:47:53Z WASHINGTON (AP) The acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service is resigning over a deal to share immigrants tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the purpose of identifying and deporting people illegally in the U.S., according to two people familiar with the decision.Melanie Krause, who had served as acting head since February, will step down over the new data-sharing document signed Monday by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The agreement will allow ICE to submit names and addresses of immigrants inside the U.S. illegally to the IRS for cross-verification against tax records.Two people familiar with the situation confirmed Krause was resigning and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly. The IRS has been in upheaval over Trump administration decisions to share taxpayer data. Acting Commissioner Douglas ODonnell announced his retirement from the agency after roughly 40 years of service in February as furor spread over Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency gaining access to IRS taxpayer data. Krause replaced him. Acting chief counsel William Paul was removed from his role at the agency last month and replaced by Andrew De Mello, an attorney in the chief counsels office who is deemed supportive of DOGE, according to two other people familiar with the plans who were also not authorized to speak publicly. The Treasury Department says the agreement will help carry out President Donald Trumps agenda to secure U.S. borders and is part of his larger nationwide immigration crackdown, which has resulted in deportations, workplace raids and the use of an 18th century wartime law to deport Venezuelan migrants. Advocates, however, say the IRS-DHS information-sharing agreement violates privacy laws and diminishes the privacy of all Americans. The basis for the agreement is founded in longstanding authorities granted by Congress, which serve to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans while streamlining the ability to pursue criminals, said a Treasury official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to explain the agencys thinking on the agreement. Tom Bowman, policy counsel for the Center for Democracy and Technology, said disclosing immigrant tax records to DHS for immigration enforcement will discourage tax compliance among immigrant communities, weaken contributions to essential public programs, and increase burdens for U.S. citizens and nonimmigrant taxpayers. It also sets a dangerous precedent for data privacy abuse in other federal programs.Todd Lyons, acting ICE director, told reporters at the Border Security Expo in Phoenix on Tuesday that the agreement will help ICE find people who are collecting benefits they arent entitled to and are kind of hiding in plain sight using someone elses identity.Working with Treasury and other departments is strictly for the major criminal cases, Lyons said. The IRS had already been called upon to help with immigration enforcement earlier this year. Noem in February sent a request to Bessent to borrow IRS Criminal Investigation workers to help with the immigration crackdown, according to a letter obtained by the AP. It cites the IRS boost in funding, though the $80 billion infusion of funds the federal tax collection agency received under the Democrats Inflation Reduction Act has already been clawed back.A collection of tax law experts for the NYU Tax Law Center wrote Monday that the IRS-DHS agreement threatens to violate the rights that many more Americans have under longstanding laws that protect their tax information from wrongful disclosure or dissemination.In fact, it is difficult to see how the IRS could release information to DHS while complying with taxpayer privacy statutes, they said. IRS officials who sign off on data sharing under these circumstances risk breaking the law, which could result in criminal and civil sanctions. The memo states that the IRS and ICE will perform their duties in a manner that recognizes and enhances individuals right of privacy and will ensure their activities are consistent with laws, regulations, and good administrative practices.___Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat contributed to this report from Phoenix. FATIMA HUSSEIN Hussein reports on the U.S. Treasury Department for The Associated Press. She covers tax policy, sanctions and any issue that relates to money. twitter mailto

All-Star center fielder Jackson Merrill landed on the injured list Tuesday, a week after finalizing a $135 million, nine-year deal with the San Diego Padres.

Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells is awake, alert and moving his extremities but suffered a broken wrist after a scary fall vs. the Hornets.

A currency trader reacts near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won, right, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)2025-04-09T01:09:25Z BANGKOK (AP) Asian shares sank again on Wednesday as the latest set of U.S. tariffs, including a massive 104% levy on Chinese imports, was due to take effect. Japans Nikkei 225 index initially lost nearly 4% and markets in South Korea, New Zealand and Australia also declined.On Tuesday, the S&P 500 dropped 1.6% after wiping out an early gain of 4.1%. That took it nearly 19% below its record set in February. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.8%, while the Nasdaq composite lost 2.1%. Uncertainty is still high about what President Donald Trump will do with his trade war. The sharply higher tariffs were scheduled to kick in after midnight Eastern time in the U.S., and investors have no idea what to make of President Donald Trumps trade war. The retreat overnight and into early Wednesday in Asia followed rallies for stocks globally earlier in the day, with indexes up 6% in Tokyo, 2.5% in Paris and 1.6% in Shanghai. The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo fell more than 3.9% before leveling off. About an hour after the market opened it was down 3.5% at 31,847.40. South Koreas Kospi lost 1% to 2,315.27, while the S&P/ASX 200 in Australia declined 2% to 7,359.30. Shares in New Zealand also fell. Analysts have been warning to expect more swings up and down for financial markets given the uncertainty over how long Trump will keep the stiff tariffs on imports, which will raise prices for U.S. shoppers and slow the economy. If they last a long time, economists and investors expect them to cause a recession. If Trump lowers them through negotiations relatively quickly, the worst-case scenario might be avoided. Hope still remains on Wall Street that negotiations may be possible, which helped drive the mornings rally. Trump said Tuesday that a conversation with South Koreas acting president helped them reach the confines and probability of a great DEAL for both countries. On Tuesday, Japanese stocks led global markets higher after the countrys prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, appointed his trade negotiator for talks with the United States following a conversation with Trump. China said it will fight to the end and warned of countermeasures after Trump threatened on Monday to raise his tariffs even further on the worlds second-largest economy.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that Trumps threats of even higher tariffs on China will become reality after midnight, when imports from China will be taxed at a stunning 104% rate. That would coincide with Trumps latest set of broad tariffs, which are scheduled to kick in at 12:01 a.m. And Trump has made clear that he does not intend to have any exemptions or exclusions, according to the top U.S. trade negotiator, Jamieson Greer.The U.S. trade representative also said in testimony before a Senate committee that roughly 50 countries have already been in contact, and hes told them: If you have a better idea to achieve reciprocity and to get our trade deficit down, we want to talk with you, we want to negotiate with you. Trumps trade war is an attack on the globalization thats shaped the worlds economy and helped bring down prices for products on store shelves but also caused manufacturing jobs to leave for other countries. Trump has said he wants to narrow trade deficits, which measure how much more the United States imports from other countries than it sends to them as exports.___AP Business Writers Stan Choe and Matt Ott contributed. ELAINE KURTENBACH Based in Bangkok, Kurtenbach is the APs business editor for Asia, helping to improve and expand our coverage of regional economies, climate change and the transition toward carbon-free energy. She has been covering economic, social, environmental and political trends in China, Japan and Southeast Asia throughout her career. twitter mailto

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As he plans out his third season on the Auburn sidelines, Tigers coach Hugh Freeze, 55, told ESPN's Chris Low this week that he is "at peace" with his cancer diagnosis, and now, following a 5-7 season, "we've got to go compete and win some more games."

Darius Garland scored 28 points, and the Cavaliers clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 135-113 win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.

Paul Skenes might still be relatively new in the major leagues, but the Pittsburgh Pirates star isn't new to baseball and he won't be sweating a shaky start on Tuesday night in which he gave up a career-worst five runs to the St. Louis Cardinals.

A doctor testified Tuesday at the trial of seven medical professionals accused of negligence in the death of Diego Maradona that the...

Tigres held off a rally from the LA Galaxy to win 3-2 on Tuesday night in their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal second leg and advance to the semifinals.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)2025-04-09T04:07:11Z WASHINGTON (AP) By declaring a trade war on the rest of the world, President Donald Trump has panicked global financial markets, raised the risk of a recession and broken the political and economic alliances that made much of the world stable for business after World War II.Trumps latest round of tariffs went into full effect at midnight Wednesday, with higher import tax rates on dozens of countries and territories taking hold.Economists are puzzled to see Trump trying to overhaul the existing economic order and doing it so soon after inheriting the strongest economy in the world. Many of the trading partners he accuses of ripping off U.S. businesses and workers were already floundering.There is a deep irony in Trump claiming unfair treatment of the American economy at a time when it was growing robustly while every other major economy had stalled or was losing growth momentum, said Eswar Prasad, professor of trade policy at Cornell University. In an even greater irony, the Trump tariffs are likely to end Americas remarkable run of success and crash the economy, job growth and financial markets. Trump and his trade advisers insist that the rules governing global commerce put the United States at a distinct disadvantage. But mainstream economists whose views Trump and his advisers disdain say the president has a warped idea of world trade, especially a preoccupation with trade deficits, which they say do nothing to impede growth. The administration accuses other countries of erecting unfair trade barriers to keep out American exports and using underhanded tactics to promote their own. In Trumps telling, his tariffs are a long-overdue reckoning: The U.S. is the victim of an economic mugging by Europe, China, Mexico, Japan and even Canada. Its true that some countries charge higher taxes on imports than the United States does. Some manipulate their currencies lower to ensure that their goods are price-competitive in international markets. Some governments lavish their industries with subsidies to give them an edge. However, the United States is still the second-largest exporter in the world, after China. The U.S. exported $3.1 trillion of goods and services in 2023, far ahead of third-place Germany at $2 trillion.The fear that Trumps remedies are deadlier than the maladies hes trying to cure has sent investors fleeing American stocks. Since Trump announced sweeping import taxes on April 2, the S&P 500 has cratered 12%. Despite high trade deficits, the US economy is strongTrump and his advisers point to Americas lopsided trade numbers year after year of huge deficits as proof of foreigners perfidy. Hes seeking to restore justice and millions of long-gone U.S. factory jobs by taxing imports at rates not seen in America since the days of the horse and buggy.Theyve taken so much of our wealth away from us, the president declared last week at a White House Rose Garden ceremony to celebrate the tariffs announcement. Were not going to let that happen. We truly can be very wealthy. We can be so much wealthier than any country.But the U.S. is already the wealthiest major economy in the world. And the International Monetary Fund in January forecast that the United States would outgrow every other major advanced economy this year.China and India did grow faster than the United States over the past decade, but their living standards still dont come close to those in the U.S.Manufacturing in the U.S. has been fading for decades. There is widespread agreement that many American manufacturers couldnt compete with an influx of cheap imports after China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001. Factories closed, workers were laid off and heartland communities withered.Four years later, nearly 3 million manufacturing jobs had been lost, though robots and other forms of automation probably did at least as much to reduce factory jobs as the China shock. Tariffs are Trumps all-purpose weaponTo turn around this long decline, Trump has repeatedly unsheathed the tariffs that are his weapon of choice. Since returning to the White House in January, hes plastered 25% taxes on foreign cars, steel and aluminum. Hes hit Chinese imports with 20% levies, on top of hefty tariffs he imposed on China during his first term.On Wednesday, he blasted his big bazooka: 10% baseline tariffs on just about everybody and reciprocal tariffs on everyone else that the Trump team identified as bad actors, including tiny Lesotho (a 50% import tax) and China (34% before adding earlier levies).Trump views tariffs as an all-purpose economic fix that will protect American industries, encourage companies to open factories in America, raise money for the U.S. Treasury and give him leverage to bend other countries to his will, even on issues that have nothing to do with trade, such as drug trafficking and immigration. The president also sees a smoking gun: The United States has bought more from other countries than it has sold them every year for the past half-century. In 2024, the U.S. trade deficit in goods and services came to a whopping $918 billion, the second-highest amount on record.Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro calls Americas trade deficits the sum of all cheating by other countries.However, economists say trade deficits arent a sign of national weakness. The U.S. economy has nearly quadrupled in size, adjusted for inflation, during that half-century of trade deficits.There is no reason to think that a bigger trade deficit means lower growth, said former IMF chief economist Maurice Obstfeld, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute of International Economics and an economist at the University of California, Berkeley. In fact, the opposite is closer to the truth in many countries.A trade deficit, Obstfeld said, does not mean a country is losing through trade or being ripped off.Spend a lot, save a little and see trade deficits swellThe faster the U.S. economy grows, in fact, the more imports Americans tend to buy and the wider the trade deficit tends to get. The U.S. trade deficit the gap between what it sells and what it buys from foreign countries hit a record $945 billion in 2022 as the American economy roared back from COVID-19 lockdowns. Trade deficits typically fall sharply in recessions.Nor are trade deficits primarily inflicted on America by other countries unfair trading practices. To economists, theyre a homegrown product, the result of Americans propensity to save little and consume more than they produce.American shoppers famous appetite for spending more than the country makes means that a chunk of the spending is used for imports. If the United States boosted its saving for example, by reducing its budget deficits then that would reduce its trade deficit as well, economists say.Its not like the rest of the world has been ripping us off for decades, said Jay Bryson, chief economist at Wells Fargo. Its because we dont save enough.The flip side of Americas low savings and big trade deficits is a steady inflow of foreign investment as other countries sink their export earnings into the United States. Direct foreign investment into the U.S. came to $349 billion in 2023, the World Bank reported, nearly double No. 2 Singapores inflows.The only scenario in which tariffs reduce the U.S. deficit is if they cause investment in the U.S. to crash, said Barry Eichengreen, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley. That would be a disaster.Harvard University economist Dani Rodrik said a well-designed industrial policy supported by select tariffs might have fostered increased investment and capacity in manufacturing.Instead, Rodrik said, Trumps actions just throw up a lot of uncertainty and alienate Americas best allies, making for a terrible policy all in all.___AP Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber contributed to this report.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., left, talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer ahead of a hearing at the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)2025-04-09T04:15:10Z WASHINGTON (AP) Manufacturers struggling to make long-term plans. Farmers facing retaliation from Chinese buyers. U.S. households burdened with higher prices. Republican senators are confronting the Trump administration with those worries and many more as they fret about the economic impact of the presidents sweeping tariff strategy that went into effect Wednesday.In a Senate hearing and interviews with reporters this week, Republican skepticism of President Donald Trumps policies ran unusually high. While GOP lawmakers made sure to direct their concern at Trumps aides and advisers particularly U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who appeared before the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday it still amounted to a rare Republican break from a president they have otherwise championed. Lawmakers had reason to worry: the stock market has been in a volatile tumble for days and economists are warning that the plans could lead to a recession. Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves to be wrong? Republican Sen. Thom Tillis told Greer as he pressed for an answer on which Trump aide to hold accountable if there is an economic downturn. Tillis frustration was aimed at the across-the-board tariff strategy that could potentially hamstring U.S. manufacturers who are currently dependent on materials like aluminum and steel from China. His home state of North Carolina, where he is up for reelection next year, has attracted thousands of foreign firms looking to invest in the states manufacturing industries. Ever wary of crossing Trump, Republicans engaged in a delicate two-step of criticizing the rollout of the tariffs then shifting to praise for the presidents economic vision. In the afternoon, Tillis in a Senate floor speech said that the president is right in challenging other nations who have for decades abused their relationship with the United States, yet went on to question who in the White House was thinking through the long-term economic effects of the sweeping tariffs. Tillis even allowed that Trumps trade strategy could still turn out to be effective, but said there is a short window to show that it is worth the higher prices and layoffs that will burden workers.For his part, Greer emphasized to the committee that the U.S. was engaged in negotiations with other countries but that the trade deficit has been decades in the making, and its not going to be solved overnight.Republican leaders in Congress, as well as a sizeable chunk of lawmakers, have emphasized that Trump needs time to implement his strategy. Theyve mostly rejected the idea of putting a check on Trumps tariff power, but it is clear that anxiety is growing among rank-and-file Republicans about whats ahead.Sen. James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, said there is a company in his state that had spent millions of dollars moving its parts production from China to Vietnam. But now that Vietnam is facing steep tariffs, the business is unable to move forward with negotiating prices with retailers. Lankford pressed Greer for a timeline for negotiations, but the trade representative responded, We dont have any particular timeline. The outcome is more important than setting something artificially for us.Trade agreements between countries typically take months or even years to work out and often require the parties to navigate through a host of legal, economic and business issues. Still, Republicans said they were encouraged by the indications that Trump is entering into negotiations with other nations.Sen. Steve Daines, a Montana Republican, said at the committee hearing that he was very encouraged by news of trade negotiations and attributed a momentary upward tick in the stock market to hope that these tariffs are a means and not solely an end.He told Greer, Who pays these high tariffs? It will be the consumer. Im worried about the inflationary effect. Im worried if there is a trade war that were going to have markets shutting down for American farmers, ranchers and manufacturers. Other GOP lawmakers contended that the pain was worth bearing. Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, said the president is on the right track.Its pain, but its going to be, he said. The president will make the right call. Hes doing the right thing.Still, traditional Republicans were looking for ways to push back on Trumps tariff plan. Sen. Chuck Grassley, a senior Republican, has introduced a bipartisan bill to give Congress the power to review and approve of new tariffs, and Republican members in the House were also working to gain support for a similar bill. Such legislation would allow Congress to claw back some of its constitutional power over tariff policy, which has been almost completely handed over to the president in recent decades through legislation. But the White House has already indicated that Trump would veto the bill, and both Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., have said they are not interested in bringing it up for a vote.Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican closely aligned with Trump, said on social media that the bill was a bad idea because Congress moves at the pace of a tortoise running a race.The reason why Congress gave this authority to the president to begin with is because the ability to pivot, he added.But the presidents unclear messaging has also left lawmakers only guessing as they try to decipher which advisers and aides hold sway in the White House. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said that as hes received calls from the business community in his state, hes had no answers for them besides telling them the prospects for the economy are uncertain. The communication from the presidents aides has often been conflicting, Kennedy said even as he voiced support for Trumps long-term goals.Kennedy told reporters, I dont think theres any way to double or triple your tariffs on the world when youre the wealthiest country in all of human history without being somewhat shambolic. STEPHEN GROVES Groves covers Congress for The Associated Press. twitter mailto

In a stunning 6-5 overtime victory Tuesday over the Dallas Stars, the Vancouver Canucks, still chasing a playoff spot in the Western Conference, made NHL history, becoming the first team to overcome a three-goal deficit in the final minute of regulation.

Luka Doncic said he was trash talking with a courtside fan in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' loss to the Thunder on Tuesday when an official thought Doncic's ire was directed at him, leading to an ejection for the Lakers guard.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event on energy production in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)2025-04-09T17:26:50Z WASHINGTON (AP) A federal appeals court cleared the way Wednesday for President Donald Trumps administration to fire thousands of probationary workers, halting a judges order requiring them to be reinstated.A split panel for the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the government will probably win by showing the mass firings must be appealed through a separate employment process rather than fought out in federal court. The decision in a case filed by nearly two dozen states in Maryland comes a day after the Supreme Court blocked a similar order from a judge in California. The Republican administration has already reinstated some 15,000 workers to full duty or paid leave, according to court documents. The states could seek further court review as the lawsuit continues to play out. LINDSAY WHITEHURST Whitehurst covers the Supreme Court, legal affairs and criminal justice for The Associated Press in Washington, D.C. Past stops include Salt Lake City, New Mexico and Indiana. twitter mailto

Jared Bossly walks past feed on his ranch in Mansfield, S.D., on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in one of the counties that a proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline would cut through. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri)2025-04-09T12:10:50Z MANSFIELD, S.D. (AP) Jared Bossly was planting soybeans one spring night in 2023 on his 2,000-acre farm in South Dakota when he spotted a sheriffs vehicle parked at the corner of his property. He had a hunch it wasnt a social visit.Im like, Well, I doubt hes just being a friendly neighbor, giving a guy a beer at eight oclock at night, said Bossly, 43.He was right. The sheriffs deputy served him court papers. Summit Carbon Solutions, the company behind a massive proposed carbon pipeline, was suing Bossly to use his land for the project through eminent domain, which is the taking of private property with compensation to the owner.He gives me a stack of papers about like this, Bossly said, stretching his hands several inches. They started the process of suing us to take our land.Bossly is one of many landowners who were sued by Summit Carbon Solutions as it unleashed a barrage of eminent domain legal actions in South Dakota to obtain land for the nearly $9 billion pipeline spanning five Midwest states. Lee Enterprises and The Associated Press reviewed hundreds of cases, revealing the great lengths the pipeline operator went to get the project built, only to be stymied in South Dakota by a groundswell of opposition from local farmers and landowners. The legal salvo generated so much outrage that South Dakotas governor signed a bill into law in early March that bans the use of eminent domain for building carbon dioxide pipelines, putting the future of the project in doubt. The review found that Summit brought 232 lawsuits against landowners across South Dakota, North Dakota and Iowa including lawsuits seeking access to property for surveys. All 156 of the eminent domain actions were brought in South Dakota. Over the course of two days in late April 2023, the company filed 83 eminent domain lawsuits across the state. Summit spokesperson Sabrina Zenor said the companys priority is voluntary agreements and that the vast majority of easements have been and continue to be secured voluntarily.Condemnation is a legal tool available under the law, but its not our preferred approach, Zenor said. The numbers reflect thatweve reached agreements with thousands of landowners without litigation.The pipeline would span 2,500 miles (4,023-kilometers) across the five states and connect to 57 ethanol plants. The carbon dioxide produced by these plants would be captured and shuttled through the pipeline and ultimately stored underground in North Dakota, reducing carbon emissions and allowing the ethanol producers to market their fuel as less carbon intensive. The project would also allow ethanol producers and Summit to tap into federal tax credits. Summit dispatched representatives to state legislatures, county commissions and regulatory boards to make what seemed like an easy sell in a region where the corn and ethanol industry typically has broad support. But Summits legal actions and encounters with farmers provoked passionate opposition in South Dakota. Some said their first encounter with Summit was looking out the window and spotting surveyors on their land, and that company representatives were quick to threaten litigation.Landowners interviewed by Lee and AP described a range of aggressive financial offers made by Summit during the negotiations. One farmer declined an initial $80,000 offer for a 36-acre easement, and that offer grew to $350,000, which he also refused. Another said he turned down an offer north of $40,000. Jared Bossly speaks about his experiences with Summit Carbon Solutions employees on his ranch in Mansfield, S.D., March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) Jared Bossly speaks about his experiences with Summit Carbon Solutions employees on his ranch in Mansfield, S.D., March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Bossly, like some other landowners, battled with Summit in court for months to keep the company from surveying his farm in Brown County, a rural farming stretch of northeastern South Dakota. As Bossly tells it, he found out that Summits surveyors had shown up on his property in May 2023 after his wife, home recovering from gallbladder surgery, called him claiming that there were strangers inside the house. (In court filings, Summits surveyors said they knocked several times before walking to a different building.) Bossly eventually turned his tractor around for the slow, 10-mile drive home from a neighbors farm where he had been planting alfalfa.The company accused him of threatening to kill the surveyors over the phone that day. That landed him in court in front of a judge, who had already ordered landowners not to interfere with Summits surveys. But the audience in the courtroom gallery underscored the larger anti-pipeline sentiment brewing in South Dakota: It was packed with farmers rallying in Bosslys defense. Bossly denies that he made the death threat. The backlash ultimately had major political consequences in the state. In last years primary election, a number of incumbent lawmakers were ousted by candidates opposed to the project.It created an odd political dynamic in the region: Farmers in some of the reddest counties in America joining forces with environmentalists to block a pipeline that was designed to cater to a bedrock Republican constituency Midwest corn farmers. Bossly proudly hangs a Donald Trump-JD Vance campaign banner from the ceiling of his shop.They did this all to themselves, Brian Jorde, an attorney representing landowners, said of Summit. Their legal plan was, We will force them into submission because the lawsuits will break them. A sign depicting a snake with the caption Another Summit Solutions Employee Trespassing hangs on Jared Bosslys garage on his ranch in Mansfield, S.D., March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) A sign depicting a snake with the caption Another Summit Solutions Employee Trespassing hangs on Jared Bosslys garage on his ranch in Mansfield, S.D., March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Pipeline backed by the ethanol industry Summits pipeline, first proposed in 2021, is viewed by the Midwest ethanol industry as a potential economic boon.Nearly 40% of the nations corn crop is brewed into ethanol, which is blended into most gasoline sold in the U.S. With the rise of electric vehicles and less of the fuel additive powering cars, some Midwest farmers and the ethanol industry see passenger jet fuel as a potentially huge new market for ethanol. But under current rules, the process for turning ethanol into aviation fuel would need to emit less carbon dioxide to qualify for tax breaks intended to reduce greenhouse gases. Supporters see carbon capture projects such as Summits pipeline as a way to fight climate change and to help the ethanol industry. Carbon capture involves separating carbon dioxide from the emissions of industrial facilities, such as ethanol plants, and pumping it underground where it is stored so it doesnt contribute to climate change.Carbon capture isnt without critics. Some environmentalists question its effectiveness at large scale and say it allows the fossil fuels industry to continue unchanged.Then theres the Midwest farmers who oppose the project, questioning whether the pipeline would be safe in the event of a rupture and saying Summit trampled over their property rights. Leroy Braun looks over maps of a proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline which he said had covered the table in his farm office for months in Spink County, S.D., March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) Leroy Braun looks over maps of a proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline which he said had covered the table in his farm office for months in Spink County, S.D., March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Taking landowners to courtSome South Dakota landowners described troubling moments with Summits representatives. LeRoy Braun, a 69-year-old fifth-generation farmer in Spink County, said that land acquisition people working for Summit threatened to sue him during a March 2023 visit at his property after he refused to sign an easement agreement.Just as they were leaving, they said, Well, if you dont sign, were going to file eminent domain on you and youre going to get nothing compared to what were offering you, Braun said. He said his neighbors described similar interactions.The last time Summits representatives stopped by his property in late April 2023, they indicated that they wanted to continue a dialogue, Braun said. But a few hours after they left, a sheriffs deputy served him with condemnation court papers. I just thought, Well, these are the most arrogant, bullying type of people Ive ever dealt with, Braun said.In response to Brauns claim that he was threatened with litigation, Summit spokesperson Zenor said that they dont condone threats or coercion and the company cant confirm the exact wording of the interaction. She added that the timing of the eminent domain lawsuit was not a retaliatory act.Other landowners alleged that Summit had private armed security guards present during surveys. Craig Schaunaman, a farmer in Brown County and a former South Dakota legislator, said that during Summits survey of his land in May 2023, one of two on-site security guards was carrying a holstered pistol. I thought it was uncalled for, Schaunaman said.Zenor said that Schaunamans account is not consistent with our policies or our understanding of what occurred. She added that current policy does not include armed security.Such views arent uniform among South Dakota farmers. Walt Bones, a fourth-generation farmer in Minnehaha County and a former state secretary of agriculture, strongly supports the project for its potential economic benefits and said that his interactions with Summits representatives, who were interested in his land, were always respectful. South Dakotans who oppose the project were dug-in from the start and spread lies and overblown safety concerns about the pipeline, Bones said.When Summit started filing the condemnation lawsuits in April 2023, many South Dakota landowners, such as Bossly, werent surprised. What Bossly didnt expect was how his run-ins with Summit would galvanize opposition.After the threat allegations were detailed in court documents, Bosslys name was everywhere on television news and across social media. The company wanted a judge to hold him in contempt. During a May 2023 hearing, the judge declined to do so, but said Bossly must not come within 100 yards of Summits surveyors, according to a transcript of the hearing.So Bossly largely stayed confined to the area of his workshop after Summits surveyors hauled large machinery to his South Dakota farmstead on June 20, 2023. Sheriffs deputies were also present. The surveyors spent hours working on his farm. Photos and videos of the incident were posted online and circulated on social media.That day really kicked our opposition movement into gear because thats when we really got support from all over the state, said Ed Fischbach, a farmer in Spink County who helped organize the projects opponents. Even people that this pipeline doesnt even affect were so appalled by what this company was doing that day. Jared Bossly speaks about his experiences with Summit Carbon Solutions employees on his ranch in Mansfield, S.D., March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) Jared Bossly speaks about his experiences with Summit Carbon Solutions employees on his ranch in Mansfield, S.D., March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More As for Bossly, life was different. A farmer who grows alfalfa, rye and other crops, Bossly became a standard bearer for the opposition to Summits pipeline. He was doing media interviews and speaking at public meetings about the project. Bossly got a standing ovation after speaking at a conference of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association a group whose website states that a sheriffs law enforcement power in a county is greater than that of any other official in Las Vegas in 2024.I didnt even know what Zoom was, Bossly said. And now, like, thats two or three nights a week where Im on Zoom with different people across the state or the nation.Summit kept filing eminent domain lawsuits in South Dakota until late August 2023. In seven cases, landowners signed easements after getting sued in condemnation, court records show. But after the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission rejected Summits permit application in September 2023, Summit paused or dismissed the legal actions, Zenor said. A wagon covered in signs protesting the installation of a Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline stands on a farm in Lake County, S.D., on Monday, March 10, 2025, in one of the counties that the pipeline would cut through. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) A wagon covered in signs protesting the installation of a Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline stands on a farm in Lake County, S.D., on Monday, March 10, 2025, in one of the counties that the pipeline would cut through. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Political falloutBy the end of 2024, Summit had secured approval for routes in Iowa and North Dakota, a leg in Minnesota and the underground storage. In Iowa, the commissioners who approved Summits route were appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican with strong backing from the states farming organizations. Although many Iowa landowners opposed the project, powerful groups such as the Iowa Corn Growers Association supported the proposal because of its promise to open new markets for corn-based ethanol. Summit was founded by Bruce Rastetter, a major Iowa donor to Republican political candidates.But Summit faced hurdles in South Dakota, where it still lacked a permit and the state Supreme Court ruled in August that the company had not yet proved that it qualified for eminent domain power. In the November election, South Dakota voters rejected regulations that opponents said would deny local control over such projects and consolidate authority with state regulators. Supporters framed the regulations as a landowner bill of rights. And the composition of the South Dakota Legislature had changed significantly after the 2024 primary, when voters elected new lawmakers who opposed Summits pipeline and its use of eminent domain, said Jim Mehlhaff, the Republican majority leader in the South Dakota Senate and a supporter of the pipeline. Lawmakers also were pressured by Summits vocal opponents to vote for the new eminent domain law, he said.Mehlhaff said that the new law sends a signal that South Dakota is not business friendly.The legislature, you know, at the behest of what I would call the shrill minority, will cut your legs out, he added.The federal governments approach to climate change also has changed dramatically since the pipeline was proposed. While former Democratic President Joe Biden increased tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to encourage carbon capture to slow climate change, Republican President Donald Trump has emphasized the need for more oil and gas drilling and coal mining. Zion Lutheran Church stands in Lake County, S.D., March 10, 2025, in one of the counties that a proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline would cut through. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) Zion Lutheran Church stands in Lake County, S.D., March 10, 2025, in one of the counties that a proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline would cut through. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Its unclear how Summit will proceed in South Dakota. The company asked state regulators to suspend its permit application timeline. Zenor said the company is focused on advancing the project in states that support investment and innovation but added that Summit continues to believe there is a path forward in South Dakota.But even some supporters of Summit say the company didnt do itself any favors in South Dakota.Did they get off to a bad start? Did they soil their sheets? No question, absolutely, Bones said. I mean, I wouldnt argue that a bit. Dotted Line with Center Square ___Kelety reported from Phoenix. AP writer Scott McFetridge in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.___This story is a collaboration between Lee Enterprises and The Associated Press.

Subscribe Join the newsletter to get the latest updates. Success Great! Check your inbox and click the link. Error Please enter a valid email address. A powerful Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) database, parts of which have been seen by 404 Media, allows the federal government to search for and filter people by hundreds of different, highly specific categories. Surveillance experts say the database is a tool that could possibly be helping ICE identify, detain, and deport people who are suspected of relatively minor infractions or who fit certain characteristics, but said the fact that we dont necessarily know the exact mechanisms by which people are being identified and detained is a major problem.The database, called Investigative Case Management (ICM), serves as the core law enforcement case management tool for ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), according to a 2021 privacy impact assessment for the tool.404 Media saw a recent version of the database, which allows filtering according to hundreds of different categories, which include things like resident status and entry status (refugee, border crossing card, nonimmigrant alien refused admission, temporary protective status alien, nonimmigrant alien transiting without visa, undocumented alien,); unique physical characteristics (e.g. scars, marks, tattoos); criminal affiliation; location data; license plate reader data; country of origin; hair and eye color; race; social security number; birthplace; place of employment; drivers license status; bankruptcy filings, and hundreds more. A source familiar with the database told 404 Media that it is made up of tables upon tables of data and that it can build reports that show, for example, people who are on a specific type of visa who came into the country at a specific port of entry, who came from a specific country, and who have a specific hair color (or any number of hundreds of data points).ICM was created by Palantir, the powerful and controversial surveillance and data management company. In 2022, Palantir signed a $95.9 million, five-year contract to work on ICM.ICE agents can set up a Person Lookout Query that sends email notifications if a person suddenly triggers the parameters of a search query. 404 Media has seen parts of the infrastructure of this database, which shows the characteristics that can be searched for, as well as several example reports that can be generated by it.A 2016 privacy impact assessment filed by DHS about the database says that ICM connects to other DHS and federal databases, including SEVIS, which are records about all people who are admitted to the United States on a student visa; another search tool called FALCON; real-time maps associated with ICEs location tracking tools; limited location data from license plate reader cameras operated by ICE, as well as information from other federal agencies. The Intercept previously reported those agencies include the DEA, the FBI, the ATF, and the CIA.

The Pentagon is working to incorporate AI into everything and it has given investigators a status update.