NBA Draft moves to two-day format, finally making the long wait worth it for some players
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA draft concluded on its second day in New York’s second borough with the Toronto Raptors selecting San Francisco’s Jonathan Mogbo with the 31st pick. The league went for a two-day format this year rather than dragging the draft out late into the night. After the first round was held as usual at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the second round took place Thursday at ESPN’s Seaport District studios in Manhattan. Ten players and their families participated, seated in a room away from the studio set, but two players who remained in the waiting room at the end of the first round, Duke’s Kyle Filipowski and Kansas’ Johnny Furphy, did not return.
LeBron James’ son, Bronny James, selected 55th overall by the Lakers in the NBA Draft
The idea of playing in the NBA with one of his sons was a dream LeBron James first spoke about years ago. And now it’s one step closer to reality. Bronny James, the eldest son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, was drafted Thursday by the Los Angeles Lakers, the team his father has played for since 2018. Bronny James was selected 55th overall, fairly deep in the second round, with only three picks remaining in this year’s draft. While the move doesn’t guarantee that father and son will play in a game together, it certainly increases the chances of it becoming a reality, a first for the NBA.
South African researchers test use of nuclear technology to curb rhino poaching
MOKOPANE, South Africa (AP) — South African researchers have injected radioactive material into the horns of 20 rhinos as part of a research project to reduce poaching. The idea is that radiation detectors already installed at the border will detect the horns and help authorities catch poachers and traffickers. The study, which involved veterinarians and nuclear experts, begins by anesthetizing the animals and drilling holes in their horns to carefully insert the nuclear material. This week, researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand injected these isotopes into 20 live rhinos. The researchers hope that the process can be replicated to help other animals vulnerable to poaching, such as elephants and pangolins.
Why the Olympics are linked to France (and not just Paris 2024)
PARIS (AP) — The ancient Olympics originated in Greece, but the modern version is a French event. They were revived in the 1890s by French aristocrat Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who now has a questionable legacy. For many years, the only language of the Olympics was French. Paris is now preparing to host the games in 2024, 100 years after the last one. And the city is doing all it can to celebrate the games and France’s cultural and historical ties to them. Coubertin envisioned the Olympics as a pacifist movement that would promote international cooperation and peace. But he later corresponded with Hitler and opposed women’s participation in the games.
Singer, songwriter, provocateur and politician Kinky Friedman dies at age 79
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Kinky Friedman, the singer, songwriter, satirist and novelist who also ran for governor and was involved in Texas politics, has died. Friedman, 79, died Thursday at his family’s ranch near San Antonio, Texas, his close friend Kent Perkins told The Associated Press. Perkins said Friedman had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for several years. Friedman led an alt-country band, the Texas Jewboys, toured with Bob Dylan and sang with Willie Nelson, building a devoted following that spanned musical and literary genres.
Marilyn Monroe’s former Los Angeles home designated a historic landmark to save it from demolition
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marilyn Monroe fans have won a battle to preserve her mark in Los Angeles, moving one step closer to seeing a towering statue of the silver-screen icon remain in Palm Springs. The Los Angeles home where Monroe briefly lived and died in 1962 was designated a historic-cultural site on Wednesday, while a decision by Palm Springs’ city planning commission raises the possibility that a 26-foot-tall statue called “Forever Marilyn” will remain there. The historic designation comes after a lengthy battle for the home. The current owners live next door and wanted to demolish it. Their lawyers argue that renovations by 14 previous owners have left nothing reflecting Monroe’s time there.
Joey Chestnut heads to an event at an Army base in Texas after losing at a 4th of July hot dog contest in New York
NEW YORK (AP) — Competitive eater Joey “Joes” Chestnut will take his hot dog-eating skills to an Army base in Texas this Fourth of July after a falling out with organizers of the famous Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in New York. The Indiana native will instead compete against soldiers in El Paso. At Fort Bliss in El Paso, he will try to eat more in five minutes than four soldiers combined. He says if the soldiers each eat 10 hot dogs and buns, they have a chance to beat him. He also says he won’t return to the New York City competition unless he receives an apology from the event’s organizers.
The Scammers are back: NHL’s Anaheim Ducks unveil original orange-heavy “Mighty Ducks” logo
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Anaheim Ducks are returning to a version of their original logo made famous in the Disney movie “The Mighty Ducks 2.” The NHL team unveiled orange, duck-face shaped goalie masks as part of a rebranding that highlights their home base in Orange County, California. Owners Henry and Susan Samueli said it’s a chance to honor the franchise’s past while also focusing on the present and looking to a bright future. The team has used a version of its webbed “D” shaped logo since changing its name from the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to the Anaheim Ducks in 2006.
Music Review: Johnny Cash’s ‘Songwriter’ is a journey through unreleased songs from 1993
NEW YORK (AP) — In 1993, Johnny Cash was between record deals and embarking on an iconic collaboration with producer Rick Rubin that would begin with 1994’s “American Recordings” and span the final decade of his life. During this critical period in his career, Cash threw himself into writing and recording original demos that showcased his songwriting prowess. Those songs were shelved and will be released Friday as a complete album. In his review, John Carlucci of The Associated Press wrote that the collection allows listeners to evaluate Cash as a performer, composer and lyricist, highlighting a unique intersection in his artistic journey.
Walgreens is taking a hard look at underperforming stores and may close hundreds more
Walgreens is putting together a turnaround plan that could lead to the closure of hundreds of stores over the next three years. CEO Tim Wentworth told analysts Thursday morning that “changes are imminent” for about 25 percent of the company’s underperforming stores. The drugstore chain currently operates more than 8,600 stores in the U.S. Wentworth said the company’s plans could include closing a “significant portion” of those 2,100 stores. Walgreens shares fell 22 percent after quarterly earnings fell short of expectations and the company lowered its full-year profit forecast.
