Omar King USA TODAY Thursday 20240606

This program is for the print-impaired and is brought by the Georgia Radio Reading Service. The article discusses the ceasefire proposal for the Israel-Hamas war. President Joe Biden announced the proposal, which was described as a ceasefire plan supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Netanyahu's subsequent statements seemed mixed, risking a revolt by ultra nationalists. The proposal involves three phases, including a ceasefire, release of hostages, and reconstruction of Gaza. Israel's conditions for ending the war have not changed, including the destruction of Hamas's military capabilities. Netanyahu may be floating the plan to gauge response and secure the release of hostages. There is pressure on Netanyahu to end the war due to its impact on Palestinians and legal woes. If he loses the right wing's support, his government could collapse. The article also discusses different opinions on the plan and the possibility of coalition parties supporting Netanyahu. This program is intended for a print-impaired audience and is brought to you by the Georgia Radio Reading Service GARS Welcome to our reading of the USA Today. I'm Omar King for the Georgia Radio Reading Service. Today is Thursday, June 6 2024. Our first article comes to us from the front page From the Israel-Hamas war can the latest ceasefire proposal pan out? Pressures on Netanyahu who risked revolt over it by Kim Jim guard of the u.s Today, it was sold as an Israeli endorsed deal But it was President Joe Biden Whose support for Israel in the Gaza war has tarnished his reputation with Arab American voters Who announced it it was described as a ceasefire proposal supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yet everything Netanyahu subsequently said about it was a mixed signal and in green to it risk a Revolt by ultra nationalists who could topple his government ruling coalition leaving him vulnerable to legal woes the war has obscured and It contained no clear identifiable solution to the one fundamental issue That both Israel and Hamas have appeared to be completely inflexible on after eight months of fighting whether any ceasefire plan would be permanent and involve a complete withdrawal of Israel's military from Gaza the White House has said it has every Expectation that Israel will if Hamas does accept the u.s Back ceasefire plan that Biden unveiled in a surprise speech last week Hamas has yet to sign on the deal here's what the plan involves and some of the calculations Netanyahu may have to do to make a Decision or not to back it What was in Biden's truce proposal? Biden said the truth proposal was first outlined by Israel and then passed to mediators who brought it to Hamas It contained three distinct phases the first phase of the deal Characterized as a full and complete ceasefire would last six weeks During this time Israel's military would withdraw from Gaza densely populated areas and release an unspecified number of hostages including women the elderly and The wounded as well as the remains of killed hostages in return Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners humanitarian assistance to Gaza would surge during this first phase with 600 trucks being allowed into The enclave each day the second phase of the deal as described by Biden Would see all the remaining hostages including male soldiers held by Hamas released at the same time Israel would withdraw its forces from Gaza. The third phase of the agreement would involve the reconstruction of Gaza The war has resulted in massive devastation to Gaza's infrastructure the proposal did not specify who would run Gaza during the third phase or Afterward a previous agreement reached by Israel and Hamas in November Allowed for a pause in fighting in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners The truce broke down after four days Was this Israel's ideal or the United States? Ophir Falk, who's chief foreign policy advisor told the Sunday Times of London The deal has outlined by Biden was something Israel previously drafted and agreed to But he also described Biden's announcement as a political speech an apparent reference to Biden's poor standing with Arab Americans and Other voters for his political base who want to see the war in Gaza in as quickly as possible Falk said it was not a good deal as outlined He added that there is a lot of details to be worked out for his part Nanyahu in two carefully worded statements released in the days after Biden's announcement said Israel's conditions For ending the war have not changed the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel a non-starter Nanyahu said Israel would not agree to any deal before those conditions were met a non-starter He said so was this a case of Nanyahu floating a plan to Biden that Israel's leaders were never actually willing to accept Amir Petasar an expert on Israeli politics and security Who teaches at the University of Haifa said he had never before encountered a time in Israeli politics When there was so much spin going on in terms of teasing the government's thinking on the war and how to end it however He said he did not think Nanyahu was playing games by Detailing a potential ceasefire plan to the US that appears to cross some of his own red lines Petasar said one plausible explanation was that Nanyahu asked the US to put it forward to see what Response it would generate for his domestic audience where polls show Overwhelmingly support for any action that would lead to freeing of hostages Nanyahu faces growing pressure to secure the hostages released from their families and to end the war because of its impact on Palestinians the International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to halt its assault on Rafa Gaza's southernmost city the International Criminal Court has applied for an arrest warrant for Nanyahu as well as Hamas's leader for alleged war crimes The White House has also dangled a threat to withdraw US arms from Israel Still Nimrod Novick a foreign policy fellow at Israel policy forum a think-tank and a one-time advisor to Israel's late Prime Minister Shimon Peray Had a different interpretation of Nanyahu's motivations He said that those of us who have been following Nanyahu for decades have seen this mode of operation before Novick said then when faced with political obstacles and narrowing options Nanyahu almost always trust the second party will be obstructionist in other words Israel's leader is counting on Hamas rejecting the Biden announced plan Novick believes he said that in the event Hamas does come back with a positive reaction to the proposal then we'll be at a fork in the road either Nanyahu yields to the extremists in his government or there will be a Dramatic surge in public protest in Israel to the point where the country would be shut down What happens to Nanyahu if he loses the right wing? The White House has denied that there are any gaps between What Biden outlined on Friday and what Nanyahu's government put forward? we're confident that it accurately reflects that proposal a proposal that we worked with Israelis on US national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday however Israel's national security Minister Itamar Benveer a finance minister at Bezalel Smocic Both described the plan unveiled by Biden as reckless and tantamount to surrendering to Hamas They have threatened if Nanyahu accepts to withdraw their party's support from him in Israel's Nesed or Parliament if that happens Nanyahu's government could collapse potentially triggering an election and Dislodging him from power and exposing Nanyahu to face a litany of bribery fraud and breach of trust charges all Accusations he denies that his time in office has provided a degree of shelter from It's also possible that a coalition of centrist Opposition parties could come to Nanyahu's aid to keep him in power in the service of the national interest Novak said though that would involve Nanyahu committing to a sea change in our Palestinian policy a permanent ceasefire a normalization of ties with Saudi Arabia scraping judicial reforms and other measures that Israel's Ultra-nationalists have opposed with his consent a threat by Benny Gantz a retired army general and political centrist to leave Nanyahu's wartime cabinet by June 8th if no plan for a post-war Gaza materializes would mean Nanyahu is further reliant on his far-right allies an Idea for a deal now what still Simcha Rothman a lawyer and member of the Nesed From the far-right religious Zionist Party Disputed the idea that Biden's announcement of the plan in any way applies pressure to Israel's eight months into the war If it's the Israeli offer he spoke about on Friday Then why would he apply pressure to Israel to accept its own offer that makes no sense said Rothman I see this as simply a political act and not as an act that will help bring back any hostages Any sooner it's a big mistake to say the least he said of Biden's intervention Rothman said he suspected Biden was trying to interfere in Israel's politics Which is unacceptable He sidestepped the question on what would happen if Hamas were to accept the plan as revealed by Biden Rothman's comments came as Biden said in an interview Tuesday that there is Every reason to think Nanyahu is Prologuing Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza for his own political gain and self-preservation I'm not going to comment on that There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion Biden said Biden used the interview with Time magazine Offer qualified support for Nanyahu U.s. Congressional leaders are working to finalize a date for Nanyahu to deliver a joint address To Congress an event that could draw protests Nanyahu addressed Congress in 2015 when he voiced concerns over a nuclear deal with Iran Yeah, Tom. Yeah, and Israeli lawyer who lives on land in the West Bank claimed by Palestinians Nevertheless said he is he too was against any deal with Hamas for now It's not about the idea of a deal It's more about the idea that we don't have a good deal that will stop Hamas If we keep Hamas in power in Gaza We'll get October 7th again and again and again Y'all said of the day that saw Israel's attacked murdered and kidnapped on Israel's southern border Sammy Omar Zidane a Gazan currently living in temporary housing in Cairo Egypt Where he evacuated with his wife and daughter about a month ago before Israel completely closed the border amid Its assault on Rafa said he also sees endless cycles of violence Deal or not. He said he's not sure Israel's war will ever end no matter what happens He said Israel never stops This article includes two photos one of Palestinians as they mourn Monday during the funeral of people killed in Israeli strikes and the Dar Alba in The central Gaza Strip The second photo is of Israeli army tanks Returning from the Gaza Strip as they roll into an area of Israel's southern border with the Palestinian Territory Tuesday amid the ongoing Conflict between Israel and Hamas This has been the first article from the front page from the Israel Hamas war Can latest ceasefire proposal pan out pressures on nyan-nyahu who risked revolt over it by Kim Gemgard of the USA Today The second story from the front page is titled From the D-Day invasion the Americans are landing 80 years later a French grandmother's diary tells story of war heroism honor and gratitude by Michael Collins of the USA Today from Collierville summer France a single sentence in the fading pages of Louise Hamel's diary Documents the first moments of the day that would become a turning point in World War two Tuesday, June 6 1994 less Americans debauch in France read Hamel's diary entry Seemingly written too quickly for proper accents and grammar the English translation The Americans are landing in France The wife of a French farmer held prisoner by the Germans in Czechoslovakia Hamas Concisely recorded the moment when nearly 133,000 troops from the United States Great Britain Canada and other allies began to land in Normandy on D-Day to liberate Europe from the control of Nazi, Germany nearly 4,500 would die in the intense fighting that followed but their cross-channel invasion of Nazi Occupied France would slowly turn the tide of the war Hamel was forever grateful to the soldiers who sacrificed so much so that France could again be free For the rest of her life She would do her part to honor the memory of those who never made it out alive in 1947 her family donated farmland to create the Normandy American Cemetery the final resting place for more than 9,000 of the fallen heroes most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day invasion and The operations that followed on Thursday President Joe Biden and other world leaders will travel to the cemetery Overlooking the English Channel for a ceremony Commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day in the audience will be some of the veterans who fought in Normandy Many of them returning for the first time since the war for Hamel It was always important to thank the liberators to not forget what they did for her and our freedom said her granddaughter Stephanie Labie an interpretive guide at the cemetery Labrie 48 discovered her grandmother's diary after her death in 2006 at age 86 The booklet and some of Hamel's other belongings were kept in the sewing box their relatives found on the family farm When Labrie opened the diary her eyes fell immediately upon the D-Day entry and her grandmother's understated account of the Allies troops landing In a sense Hamel's diary is a historical record one young woman's Eyewitness version of events that would put Allied forces on the path to winning the war for Labrie It is much more it was she said my last gift from my grandmother Belgian American English and French Red Cross as of today still no news seeing what happened there I have to think positive Me my health is good. Hoping as always that I will soon receive a letter from you receive from your Felix a thousand tender kisses Felix Hamel remained in captivity until the final weeks of the war finally freed May 1945 he returned to Collierville and His darling was set one day He wanted to check on the family farm to see how it had fared during the war at the top of the hill he saw not animals but coffins the land had been turned into a morgue a Couple of years later the French government approached him with a proposal With the family donate their land to create a permanent cemetery and memorial for the soldiers who had fought and died in France He said yes, of course. How could he say no? Sleuthing and discovered that one of the women is his grandmother in 1999 the US Army's 1st Infantry Division Whose soldiers were among the first to storm Omaha Beach and face some of the fiercest resistance Presented Hamel with their insignia a shoulder patch with a red memorial One centered on a green shield. She treasured the gift and the sentiment it represented She told my father when I die I would like to have the insignia in my casket for my funeral Libri said the period of her life was really really important to her Libri was who was 15 when her grandfather died Often accompanied her grandmother and other family members to the cemetery to pay their respects Every June 6 we went at 6 30 in the morning to see the reenactment on the sea She said on the 50th anniversary of D-Day the family attended the World War two Commemorations then invited some of the veterans back to their homes. They slept at the farm Libri said I knew from my grandmother that it was really important to welcome them It was a way to thank them for what they did Libri worked as a travel agent in Paris for six years But in 2007 landed a job as an interpretive guide at the cemetery One of several overseas burial sites managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission the Normandy Cemetery and memorial received more than 1 million visitors every year Libri gives tours in English and French Welcomes family members of fallen soldiers and helps them find their loved ones burial plot Among the thousands of white marble headstones shaped like crosses or stars of David She never talks about her own family history unless someone asks if her relatives were there on D-Day Only then does she tell them the story of Louise and Felix and the many other French citizens who were part of the resistance Every day and especially when I'm alone in the cemetery I think about the courage of these people that were civilians and that were soldiers and what they did She said Libri will be at the cemetery on Thursday for the D-Day Commemorations if her grandma were alive Libri knows she'd be there too in Honor Libri plans to wear a small piece of jewelry a gold Napoleon Bonaparte coin that once belonged to Louise Hamill that's the way Libri said for me to have her with me even in death Louise Hamill is still paying her respect those who helped free France a thousand tender kisses Felix Hamill seldom spoke about the war or his time in captivity Libri's knowledge of the family's wartime history comes from what she was able to piece together From his letters to Louise and from her own Conversations with her grandma who spoke often or endless gratitude to the soldiers who liberated France Louise Hamill who lived her entire life in Caldill never forgot the sacrifice of the soldiers That day and worked for the rest of her life to honor their memory for years She attended the memorial celebration for the soldiers who never made it out of Normandy alive and continued to place flowers on their graves a tradition she and other French women had started just a couple weeks after D-Day when the fallen soldiers were arresting in temporary graves a Black and white photo of Libri discovered in a museum decades later shows several women Basket in hand decorating what appears to be freshly covered graves Libri said someone pummeled them with heavy machine-gun fire and hand grenades Hamill was home when the fighting broke out She had been advised to stay away from the beach and if possible to leave the village altogether as the combat intensified the 24 year old mother fled Caldill with her daughter and Mother-in-law and headed for the safety of the French countryside They would not return until noon the next day June 7th after the village had been liberated Hundreds of miles away Felix Hamill hungered for news of his family mobilized by the French army in 1940 He had been arrested by the Germans a few days later and sent to Czechoslovakia Given his agrarian background the Germans put him to work on a farm my dearest darling Lisette he wrote to his wife in a letter dated August 2nd 1944 what is happening to you still no news from you? I have written everywhere the fighting started early that morning at 6 30 a.m The first wave of Allied troops came ashore at Omaha Beach Not far from the farmhouse in the Normandy village of Caldill summer Where Louise Hamill lived with her daughter and husband Felix before he had gone off to fight for France German bullets rained down and punched the waters of the English Channel as the soldiers jumped from the landing craft and Waded to the shore still they slogged through the waters rifles in hand and eventually reached the beach Where more enemy fire awaited them at Pont du Hoc to the west? Rangers using rope ladders scaled the tall cliffs Overlooking the blue waters below from the top of the promontory Germans watched their advance Continue this concludes the second article from the front page from the D-Day invasion The Americans are landing 80 years later a French grandmother's diary Tells story of war heroism honor and gratitude by Michael Collins of the USA Today Next we have an article from the money section average prices expected to jump 7.9% this season electric bills could soar this summer by Medora Lee of the USA Today Summer temperatures are expected to break records this year So are electric bills US electricity bills are forecast to reach new heights jumping 7.9% to total $719 from June through September that average is up from $661 over the same four-month stretch last year say the National Energy Assistance Directors Association in Eada and the Center for Energy Poverty and Climate CEPC low-income families who can least afford higher bills will be hit hardest said Mark Wolfe executive director of the NEDA Which represents state governments and federal programs to help low-income families pay water heating and cooling? bills the dangers of extreme heat leave low-income families at heightened risk due to the lack of access to affordable summer cooling increasing electric costs and cutbacks and funding of Federal aid programs will said why are electric bills soaring many factors influence? electricity costs the price of fuel that utilities use to generate power the cost of building and maintaining plants and grids that transmit it and regulations, but the main factor driving up electrical bills this summer is whether Extreme heat will prompt people to crank up their air condition Raising energy bills for homes and businesses the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration NOAA gives 2024 a 61% chance of topping last summer's record heat From June through August temperatures are forecast to run at least two degrees above Historical averages across more than half of the country's according to AccuWeather Which states will see the highest electric bills this summer according to the NEDA? Customers in all these states are expected to pay above the national average from June through September those who live in Texas, Oklahoma Arkansas and Louisiana will pay an average of $858 an increase of $15 or 1.8% from last year That's the smallest percentage rise in the country West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia Florida, Delaware, Maryland and Washington DC customers will pay an average of $792 up $58 or 7.4% from last year Kentucky, Tennessee Mississippi and Alabama customers will see rate jumps of $78 or 10.1% from last year to an average of $774. New Englanders in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut will pay $40 more on average to $760 this summer for a 5.3% increase Which states will pay the smallest bills? NEDA estimates customers in these areas will pay below the national average Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana customers will pay on average $581 or $57 more prompted by a 9.8% increase from last year. People in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri will owe on average $625 or $45 more than last year Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico customers will see bills of $654 on average up 6.5% or $42 from a year ago. Those in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey will on average see bills jump $84 to $691 from last year. That's a jump of 12.2% Tying for the largest percentage increase in the country while Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington customers will pay on average $693 or $84 more that's 6.2% more than last year and ties for the largest percentage gain in the nation. Who's hurt most? low-income Americans Congress cut $2 billion in funding from the low-income home energy assistance program this year Forcing states to reduce financial assistance by about 1 million households and scale back average heating and cooling benefits Wolf said many people are in danger of utilities shutting off their power Only 17 states and the District of Columbia provide consumers with some summer shut off protections. Wolf said in 18% of households below the poverty line don't have any AC the Energy Information Administration said in 2011. In less extreme situations a family can ride out a hot day by opening their windows Taking a cool shower and hoping it cools down at night Wolf said but when the heat persists for weeks or the outside air is dangerous Opening a window will only make things worse heat deaths Exposure to heat also leads to more deaths. In 2023 a record number of people died from the record heat according to an AP analysis of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention data death certificates for more than 2,300 people who died in the US last summer Mentioned the effects of excessive heat the highest number in 45 years of records The analysis said with May already breaking heat records 2024 could be even deadlier. The analysis said how to keep electric bills low for those with AC Stretch your dollars by raising the temperature setting just slightly Every one degree a family reduces its air conditioning They save about 3% on their utility bill. Wolf said clean your AC Replace or clean the L air filters to ensure proper air flow then gently clean the condenser coils and remove any debris from around the outdoor unit a well-maintained air conditioner Will consume less energy and keep your home cooler with ease said Brandon Young CEO of Payless Power a retail energy provider Unclog your air vents Vacuum the dust and debris accumulated in and around your air vent Young said Optimize ceiling fans set your ceiling fans to rotate Counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze Young said this simple adjustment can make your home feel several degrees cooler Allowing you to raise the thermostat setting and save on energy costs for those without a seat The government should provide more shutoff protections and funding to help pay bills and weatherized homes Wolf said access to affordable cooling is more than a matter of comfort He said for many Americans, especially low-income households members of vulnerable populations The difference can be as stark as either staying safe and cool or ending up in the emergency room This concludes the first page from the money section average prices expected to jump 7.9% this season electric bills could soar this summer by Medora Lee of the USA Today Our next story from the money section is titled Chipotle's 50 for one stock split First for the company by James Powell of the USA Today Chipotle shareholders could approve one of the largest stock splits in history at the company's annual meeting Thursday The 50 for one split was announced in March as well as a one-time Equity grant for all restaurant general managers as well as crew members with more than 20 years of service This is the first stock split in Chipotle's 30 year history And we believe this will make our stock more accessible to employees as well as broader range of investors Jack Hartung chief financial and administrative officer of Chipotle said in the release the fast casual stalwart reported 2.7 billion dollars in revenue and a 16.3 percent operating profit margin when it announced first quarter results in April the company opened 47 restaurants in the quarter with 43 locations having Chipotle drive-thrus. Here's what you need to know about Chipotle stock split When would a Chipotle stock split occur? The burrito purveyors stock split would occur after the close of trading on June 25th if approved Investors would need to hold shares in the company by the end of the trading day on June 18th Trading on a post split basis would begin on June 26. Chipotle stock Chipotle stock closed at $3,079 in Four cents per share Tuesday if the price were to hold at the same level when the split occurs The stock would be valued at sixty one dollars and fifty eight cents per share The article includes a photo of a Chipotle with the tagline Chipotle Mexican Grill reported 2.7 billion dollars in revenue in April This concludes the second story from the money section Chipotle's 50 for 1 stock split first for the company by James Powell of the USA Today from the sports section Reimagine Irving now starring for the Mavericks by Jeff Zilgit columnist of the USA Today from Boston Kyrie Irving is the tree of NBA finals storylines The branches have branches and the extensive roots come from all directions Where to start with Irving in the Dallas Mavericks playing for the championship against the Boston Celtics Irving's former team for two seasons with his rebound from turbulent seasons for the Brooklyn Nets where his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine sidelined him for multiple games and his dissemination of Antisemitic media earned him in a game suspension with him turning out to be the bright star to play alongside MVP candidate Luka Doncic with LeBron James Extraordinary's praise of him wherever we start Irving's Remains among the best players in the league an elite shot maker who has elevated the Mavericks I would call Kyrie the wizard all the time NBA star LeBron James said Tuesday on an Instagram post There was nothing on the basketball floor that Kyrie couldn't do and sitting here watching it I'm so explicit if happy and so proud and To watch his growth and at the same time, I'm so explicit of mad that I'm not his running mate anymore Then James added. He's the most gifted player. The NBA has ever seen Irving in his fourth NBA Finals, which starts Thursday 830 p.m Eastern time so grateful to be here with my teammates Irving said he played in his first three with the Cleveland Cavaliers 2015 2016 and 2017 and his game-winning three-pointer against the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of 2016 finals is one of the biggest made shots in finals history He has played a major role in Dallas's season and the Mavs Western Conference Championship He has rekindled his career and reshaped his story this season and if the Dallas Mavericks win the title Irving will have played a major role Irving brings thoughtfulness to the matchup against Boston Definitely don't take this moment for granted because of how hard we had to work to get here and we had to earn our spot Into the NBA Finals Irving said adding and as a kid That's what you dream of getting to The finals and being able to play against the best of the best with the whole world watching When the series starts Irving is not welcome in Boston, at least by Celtics fans following Cleveland's 2017 finals appearance Irving wanted a trade and he ended up in Boston He was supposed to be the missing piece that helped the Celtics Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown win a title Irving was injured for the 2018 playoffs and the Celtics lost to Cleveland in the conference finals and the Milwaukee Bucks Eliminated Boston in the 2019 conference semifinals Instead of resigning with Boston as he once indicated he wanted to do he left for Brooklyn in a partnership with Kevin Durant Irving said he enjoyed his time with the Celtics, but I wasn't my best self during that time Irving revealed that the death of his grandfather at the start of the 2018-2019 Season made him reconsider priorities and he wanted to be closer to his family and friends in New Jersey after he passed Basketball was the last thing on my mind Irving said nearly five years ago There was a facial expression that I carried around with me throughout the year Didn't allow anyone to get close to me in that instance, and it really bothered me I didn't take the necessary steps to get counseling or get therapy or anything to deal with someone that close to me dying I've never dealt with that Anything like that. He also on Monday hinted at other reasons I know in due time a lot of that full story will come out and when it's appropriate Irving said it wasn't his only cryptic comment when I was a little bit younger I wanted to strive to be one of the best in the world and that's all I thought about every single day And that's why I had all my eggs in the basket So there was no normal life outside the game of basketball other than doing what young NBA players do which is getting into some stuff They shouldn't be getting into and being around people that don't necessarily Reflect the moral values that you want to have Embodying as a person the next situation never worked out as expected on the court It almost did they were close to beating eventual champion Milwaukee in the East semis but lost in seven games in 2021 Because of New York's vaccine mandate Irving played in just 29 games in 2021 in 2022 and at the beginning of the 2022 2023 season Irving publicized a social media and anti-semitic Documentary and initially declined to say he was anti-semitic The Nets and the league were furious the next called him unfit to be Associated with the Brooklyn Nets NBA Commissioner NBA Adam Silver said I am deeply disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and was specifically denounced the vile harmful content contained in the film he publicized Irving eventually apologized But by the trade deadline last season he wanted out and the Nets not unhappily obliged trading him to Dallas the Mavs took a low-grade risk they gave up two players a 2029 first round draft pick and two second round picks the Mavs missed the playoffs last season but in 2023 2024 Irving had an Unappreciated season and just missed a spot in the respected 50 40 90 club He shot forty nine point seven percent from the field Forty one point one percent on threes and ninety point five percent on free throws and averaged Twenty five point six points five point two assists five rebounds and one point three steals It was the fifth time in his career He averaged at least 25 5 and 5 and by the end of the regular season the Mavs were among the best teams Irving and Donchik have excelled in the postseason Becoming the only backcourt pair to score 30 points in the same game in a single playoffs He has the support of the Mavs locker room to Donchik understands Irving's value to him and the team Irving's ability alleviates pressure on Donchik Making Donchik even more difficult to defend the celebratory hug They shared after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference finals revealed the appreciation He brought that calmness to our team to me the maturity and it's been Unbelievable to have him on our team Donchik said learning from him every day Positive energy always just a blessing having him on our team Humans are complicated imperfect and conflicted it is possible and reasonable to have criticized Irving previously and Compliment him today if Irving grew as a person shouldn't that be acknowledged also his contributions on the court Can't be ignored what I'm looking forward to as I continue to grow in the league is talking about this Refreshing start I've had in Dallas Because it's giving me a chance to grow as a person and a man and as a father and as a brother He said and then the added bonus is me getting better as a basketball player the article includes two photos of Kyrie Irving and the tagline says Maverick scarred Kyrie Irving is back in the NBA finals for the first time since 2017 When he played for the Cavaliers this concludes the reading of Reimagined Irving now starring for the Mavericks by Jeff Zilgit columnist of the USA Today from the sports section Our second story from the sports section is titled Reese doesn't deserve to be made villain in the WNBA story By Nancy Armour of the columnist of the USA Today From Chicago Angel Reese isn't the villain here. Oh, she's willing to play the role has gotten comfortable in it, too Over the past two years if this is what it takes to get and keep people watching women's basketball This idea that she hates Kaitlyn Clark or is jealous of her or any of the other mistruths about her Then fine, she'll take that on but she shouldn't have to nor is it accurate. I don't think there's any Jealousy or hate or any of that? I think we're appreciative to be a part of this journey Reese told USA Today Sports ahead of the Chicago Skies game against the New York Liberty on Tuesday night Obviously everybody wants this increased spotlight and has wanted this for a long time Especially my teammates who've been in this league for a little while now They've deserved this for a really long time Reese added We've all been given these opportunities and we don't take them for granted So I'm just happy to be a part of it and continue to help grow the game as much as I can So much of the discourse that has surrounded the WNBA in the first month of the season has been toxic and troubling Rooted not in facts But in assumptions by people who until now have not paid much if any attention to the league It came to a head Saturday when the skies Trinity Carter Shoulder-checked Clark hard and Reese was seen applauding the narrative quickly became that Reese resents the credit Clark gets from the increased TV ratings attendance and sponsored interest and as a Corollary to the veterans wants to put the high-profile rookie in her place Even if it endangers her physically, it's an easy storyline to believe Especially the angel as a villain part given the history between Reese and Clark their individual fan bases made up their minds About the other player long ago and this just served to harden opinions But that's ill-informed to zooming in on one play which to be clear was Inappropriate of a 40-minute game without considering the context of the entire game and the rough-and-tumble nature of the league Worse, it does a disservice to both Clark and Reese Nothing is malicious Liberty veteran Brianna Stewart said speaking in general about the league's physicality It's just heat-of-the-moment things things happen in a game neither Clark nor Reese acts for the roles They've been assigned Clark as the savior of the W Reese is the WWE style antihero by reducing them to these caricatures It diminishes who they are as both people and players when all either wants is to play basketball and for more people to appreciate the game they love Expecting the rest of the W to roll out the red carpet every time Clark steps on the floor Erases the progress of the previous 27 years and the women responsible for it ignores the role Reese and other young players Have in skyrocketing interest to demanding the league step in and protect Clark. It's patronizing suggesting she's not strong enough to hold her own and Painting Reese as the female Dennis Rodman disregards her considerable talent and hard work She needed almost no time to prove wrong those who questioned whether her game would translate to the WNBA Coming into Tuesday night's game leading the league in offensive rebounds and second to Clark among rookies in points per game Reese also is making a place for herself in the fashion world Attending the Met Gala last month and starring in Good American's new ad campaign Oh, and when LSU announced its student-athletes of the month Monday, guess who was one of them? I know my role and I know my purpose in the world Reese said God put me in this world for a reason I'm beautiful educated smart and I'm so many different things If being a villain is one of the characteristics that people want to put me as that's not a thing on it But it doesn't bother me. She added I'll continue to come in every day and work hard and grind for everything I deserve and I know that I deserve Chicago loves hard-working scrappy players who don't back down to anyone Seeing the 85 Bears defense in the city has already claimed Reese as one of its own Her jersey sold out almost immediately after she was drafted on Tuesday night Despite storms rolling in some schools still in session and the Cubs and the White Sox squaring off in the crosstown rivalry when Trust Arena was nearly full with Empty seats visible in only a few of the upper sections Fans cheered every time the PA announcers said Reese's name and they booed even louder when she was given a weak double technical Late in the fourth quarter and ejected. The second was rescinded by the league Wednesday I've dreamed of a moment like this Reese said Being able to see the increased coverage so many people watching the games who love us and enjoy us For who we are all these players have a story that is just phenomenal And I think that's why everybody gravitates towards us every little girl here Gravitates to a different one of us Reese said that's what's important Even if she wanted to just be angel that last part is why she's willing to play the villain, too She knows which one she really is It's too bad so many others don't this concludes the second article from the sports section Reese doesn't deserve to be made villain in the WNBA story by Nancy Armour columnist of the USA Today From the life section from the movies bad boys Returned for a different deeper ride by Brian Truitt of the USA Today Imagine a pop culture landscape where Dana Carvey and John Lovitz the two Saturday Night Live regulars I'd To star in what would become bad boys or hired instead of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence weird, right? Smith was agreed. It's just a little less seasoning in the world if there'd be no bad boys He says the original bad boys in 1995 made bonafide Hollywood movie stars out of sitcom actors Smith he of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Lawrence the main man of Martin Smith Loose cannon bachelor Mike Lowry and Lawrence's headstrong family man Marcus Burnett Were Miami cops who traded insults Threw themselves into firefights guns a-blazing and popped on the screen right off the bat the fourth film Bad boys ride or die in theaters Friday builds on that relationship This sometimes means doling out tough love as when Marcus smacks Mike across the face Multiple times to get his pals mind, right? I was like, hey, man Listen, we ain't trying to do all this all day Smith 55 quips about filming that scene If you're going to do it just do it But that's the ride-or-die part of it Lawrence 59 adds in a more serious tone What you would do for your partner given that the new bad boys is Smith's first major Theatrical release since he slapped Chris Rock two years ago at the Oscars The scene is somewhat met a moment in ride-or-die The movie finds Marcus rethinking his life perspective at a near-death experience Mike worrying that his work puts loved ones in harm's way Both detectives going on the run from the law after digging up police corruption calling USA Today from Riyadh Saudi Arabia Where he and Lawrence are promoting bad boys Smith feels that Mike and Marcus as characters Represent pieces of what I'm experiencing and how I'm evolving as a human He says Mike Lowry kind of represents the part of me That's resisting the future and Martin's character is really part of me That's trying to stay open to the groundlessness of what it really means to be in this world So I'm evolving as Mike and Marcus longtime bad boys producer Jerry Bruckheimer says Smith and Lawrence really understand what the audience wants and have grown as Storytellers and performers over three decades Martin's the funniest man alive and will becomes his straight man Bruckheimer says once or twice in our life We made a good decision because Lawrence signed on first for the original movie I had to choose a partner and I couldn't get Eddie Murphy He jokes Lawrence's sister was a big Fresh Prince fan and thought Will Smith would be good And he invited Smith to dinner. That was the first time we really sat down and talked I was already jealous of him Fresh Prince was on NBC So it was big but Martin's was the people's champ Smith says I felt like Joe Frazier with Ali Five minutes into the dinner. I knew that was my guy We've been rolling ever since Lawrence said at Smith When you mix that kind of natural chemistry with a little bit of work ethic and a little bit of love and respect for each Other it's a magical cocktail Making ride-or-die put both actors in a nostalgic mood they'd watch scenes from the previous movies during the filming to get back in the bad boys mindset and Revisiting the 95 film led to an epiphany for Smith I was hell-bent on I'm gonna be the biggest movie star in the world and my mind was so completely Future focus and so many goals and so much drive Smith said I remember standing with Martin a few months ago Looking at bad boys one and I was like, oh no that kid didn't realize he was in the middle of his dreams I didn't know I was experiencing everything that I've ever dreamed about. I had arrived I was there It was a studio movie with Martin Lawrence and producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer That was going to go on to be an absolute cult classic. What more was I looking for? That was I think the major takeaway in awakening that happened for me on this movie life is not tomorrow Life is not after you fix something or after you get married or after you make X amount of money It's right now Lawrence concurs. It was just about being in the moment and enjoying the blessing the article includes two photos of Martin and Will Smith as They crouch on the ground with guns a-blazing and the tagline says Miami cops Martin Lawrence left and mark Mike Will Smith look after each other's mental well-being Even in the middle of a firefight in bad boys ride or die It also has an older photo from the first movie with Martin Lawrence To the left and Will Smith to the right this concludes the reading from the life section movies bad boys return form a Different deeper ride by Brian Truitt of the USA Today from the life section horoscope Sanctuary Aries March 24th through April 19th Speak up about what you're discovering during today's Gemini new moon. Your intensity attracts eager ears Taurus April 20th through May 20th set financial intentions during today's Gemini new moon The moon's alignment with Venus supports making investments Gemini May 21st through June 21st making an impression today's new moon falls in Gemini Encouraging you to show up and to show out with confidence Cancer June 22nd through July 22nd today's Gemini new moon Asks you to tune into your intuition to receive cosmic guidance Leo July 23rd through August 22nd finding community today's Gemini new moon orients you to social dynamics. Do you know where you fit in? Virgo August 23rd through September 22nd gaining a new sense of direction the Gemini new moon Finds you rethinking your professional priorities Libra September 23rd through October 23rd thinking outside the box During the Gemini new moon apply your restless mind to life's big questions Scorpio October 24th through November 21st a breakthrough regarding your boundaries or passions is imminent under the Gemini new moon Sagittarius November 22nd through December 21st What are you looking for in love today's Gemini new moon helps you discern desires from non-negotiables Capricorn December 22nd through January 19th during today's Gemini new moon Retool habitual routines that no longer serve your growth Aquarius January 20th through February 18th. You have love on the brain under today's amorous Gemini new moon Pisces February 19th through March 20th seeking support Conversations with loved ones provide you with the sense of security under today's Gemini new moon This concludes the reading of the horoscope sanctuary from the life section of the USA Today That concludes our reading of the USA Today. This has been Omar King for the Georgia Radio reading service Thank you for listening to GARS