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Lost Illusions

Turns out “fake news” was a problem long before a former reality television star rose to political power. In a different kind of rise (but with…

Sports

Biden to award Medal of Freedom to 17 people, including Simone Biles, John McCain, Gabby Giffords and Megan Rapinoe

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will present the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to 17 people, including actor Denzel Washington, gymnast Simone Biles and the late John McCain, the Arizona Republican with whom Biden served in the U.S. Senate.Biden will also recognize Sandra Lindsay, the New York City nurse who rolled up her sleeve on live television in December 2020 to receive the first COVID-19 vaccine dose that was pumped into an arm in the United States, the White House announced Friday.AdvertisementBiden’s honors list, which the White House shared first with The Associated Press, includes both living and deceased honorees from the worlds of Hollywood, sports, politics, the military, academia, and civil rights and social justice advocacy.The Democratic president will present the medals at the White House next week.AdvertisementBiden himself is a medal recipient. President Barack Obama honored Biden’s public service as a longtime U.S. senator and vice president by awarding him a Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2017, a week before they left office.The honorees who’ll receive medals from Biden “have overcome significant obstacles to achieve impressive accomplishments in the arts and sciences, dedicated their lives to advocating for the most vulnerable among us, and acted with bravery to drive change in their communities, and across the world, while blazing trails for generations to come,” the White House said.The honor is reserved for people who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal public or private endeavors, the White House said.Biles is the most decorated U.S. gymnast in history, winning 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. She is an outspoken advocate on issues that are very personal to her, including athletes’ mental health, children in foster care and sexual assault victims.Lindsay became an advocate for COVID-19 vaccinations after receiving the first dose in the U.S.McCain, who died of brain cancer in 2018, spent more than five years in captivity in Vietnam while serving in the U.S. Navy. He later represented Arizona in both houses of Congress and was the Republican presidential nominee in 2008. Biden said McCain was a “dear friend” and “a hero.”Washington is a double Oscar-winning actor, director and producer. He also has a Tony award, two Golden Globes and the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a longtime spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.The other 13 medal recipients are:Advertisement— Sister Simone Campbell. Campbell is a member of the Sister of Social Service and a former executive director of NETWRK, a Catholic social justice organization. She is an advocate for economic justice, overhauling the U.S. immigration system and health care policy.— Julieta Garcia. A former president of the University of Texas at Brownsville, Garcia was the first Latina to become a college president, the White House said. She was named one of the nation’s best college presidents by Time magazine.— Gabrielle Giffords. A former U.S. House member from Arizona, the Democrat founded Giffords, an organization dedicated to ending gun violence. She was shot in the head in January 2011 during a constituent event in Tucson and was gravely wounded.— Fred Gray. Gray was one of the first Black members of the Alabama Legislature after Reconstruction. He was a prominent civil rights attorney who represented Rosa Parks, the NAACP and Martin Luther King Jr.— Steve Jobs. Jobs was the co-founder, chief executive and chair of Apple Inc. He died in 2011.— Father Alexander Karloutsos. Karloutsos is the assistant to Archbishop Demetrios of America. The White House said Karloutsos has counseled several U.S. presidents.Advertisement— Khizr Khan. An immigrant from Pakistan, Khan’s Army officer son was killed in Iraq. Khan gained national prominence, and became a target of Donald Trump’s wrath, after speaking at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.— Diane Nash. A founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Nash organized some of the most important 20th century civil rights campaigns and worked with King.— Megan Rapinoe. The Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women’s World Cup soccer champion captains the OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League. She is a prominent advocate for gender pay equality, racial justice and LGBTQI+ rights who has appeared at Biden’s White House.— Alan Simpson. The retired U.S. senator from Wyoming served with Biden and has been a prominent advocate for campaign finance reform, responsible governance and marriage equality.— Richard Trumka. Trumka had been president of the 12.5 million-member AFL-CIO for more than a decade at the time of his August 2021 death. He was a past president of the United Mine Workers.— Wilma Vaught. A brigadier general, Vaught is one of the most decorated women in U.S. military history, breaking gender barriers as she has risen through the ranks. When Vaught retired in 1985, she was one of only seven female generals in the Armed Forces.Advertisement— Raúl Yzaguirre. A civil rights advocate, Yzaguirre was president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza for 30 years. He served as U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic under Obama.

Sports

Zach LaVine reportedly signs a 5-year, $215.2 million deal to stay with the Chicago Bulls

Zach LaVine reportedly will remain a Bull after inking a five-year $215.2 million deal to return to Chicago after his first summer as an unrestricted free agent.The news was first reported Friday by NBA insider Shams Charania.AdvertisementDespite hearing offers throughout the league, LaVine wasn’t featured much in the NBA rumor mill as free agency opened Thursday evening. The guard emphasized his loyalty — sticking with losing programs in Minnesota and Chicago to lead long-term rebuilds — during his media exit interview in April.LaVine has been the heartbeat of the Bulls roster since he was acquired in a 2017 trade with the Timberwolves. Averaging 24.4 points per game across five seasons in Chicago, LaVine provided the bulk of the highlights through four brutal seasons before the arrival of DeMar DeRozan. With a prodigious scoring partner and an improved supporting cast, LaVine helped lead the Bulls to their first postseason berth in five years — his first trip to the playoffs.AdvertisementThis offseason was marred by a familiar concern for LaVine — arthroscopic surgery for a left-knee injury, which sidelined and slowed the guard for most of the latter half of the season. LaVine previously tore the ACL in the same knee in 2016 and injuries have hounded him throughout his career.LaVine’s health will remain a focus as the Bulls build toward the season. Executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas said the surgery and recovery have been a smooth process for LaVine and the team expects him to be fully available for the upcoming season.“I think he’s going to be healthy and he’s now progressing great,” Karnišovas said.

News

Apples

It’s not surprising to learn that Christos Nikou worked on fellow Greek writer-director Yorgos Lanthimos’s 2009 breakout Dogtooth⁠—his debut feature is part and parcel of the…

Sports

Ravens player Jaylon Ferguson died of fentanyl and cocaine, medical examiner office says

Jaylon Ferguson, the Ravens outside linebacker found unresponsive last month in a North Baltimore home, died from the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine, according to a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.Bruce Goldfarb, the agency’s spokesman, said the death had been ruled an accident following an autopsy of the 26-year-old.AdvertisementGoldfarb said no written autopsy report was available yet, but the agency’s goal is to have one 90% completed within 90 days.Baltimore Police said previously that investigators had not ruled out the possibility of an overdose, but that there were no signs of trauma or foul play. The agency did not immediately respond to questions sent Friday about the status of the investigation.AdvertisementIn a statement, the Ravens said: “Our priority is focused on the man Jaylon was and the positive impact he made on so many as a father, son, fiancé, friend and teammate. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further while we continue to support his family and teammates, who are mourning the tragic loss of a loved one and will celebrate his life tomorrow.”Ferguson’s family issued a statement following his death calling it “one of the darkest moments in our lives.” It went on to ask for privacy during this “difficult time.”A viewing and funeral service for Ferguson is scheduled for Saturday in St. Francisville, Louisiana, according to a post from his fiancee, Doni Smith.An online fundraiser for Ferguson’s three children described a prior house fire that took away some personal belongings. Ferguson, it said, “desperately tried to put out the fire in order to save his children’s possessions to the point where his own toes were burned in the process.“Jaylon was a provider for his family and in times like this we have to come together and help where we can,” it said.Ferguson, who was entering his fourth NFL season in Baltimore, was set to report to training camp in Owings Mills in late July. A third-round draft pick from Louisiana Tech, where he earned the nickname “Sack Daddy,” Ferguson holds the Football Bowl Subdivision record for career sacks (45).Over his 38 games and 10 starts with the Ravens, Ferguson had 67 tackles, 4 ½ sacks and three forced fumbles. Ravens coaches and teammates, who said Ferguson was poised for a breakthrough season, described him as genuine and supportive.“Jaylon was a good-hearted, gentle person who loved his family and his team,” coach John Harbaugh said in a statement released by the team last month. “He was a joy to talk with and be around every day. You always wanted to see and talk to ‘Ferg.’ Our prayers and our help go to his family. Our hearts are with his Spirit. R.I.P., Jaylon.”AdvertisementBaltimore Police previously said officers responded around 11:30 p.m. June 21 to a home in the 400 block of Ilchester Avenue in Baltimore’s Harwood neighborhood on a report of a questionable death.Police found Ferguson unresponsive and receiving treatment from medics, police said. He never regained consciousness and died at the scene, spokeswoman Niki Fennoy said.

Sports

After an ugly June swoon, the Chicago Cubs enter July with the trade deadline coming into focus

The Chicago Cubs’ June swoon has cemented the direction of their season.The Cubs finished 10-17 (.370), their worst month so far, as they approach the midpoint of the season. Although the Cubs leave behind a 10-game losing streak in early June as they enter July having won two consecutive series, the clubhouse will be facing increased trade speculation.AdvertisementHere is a breakdown of what to take away from the Cubs’ June performance.Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner rounds the bases en rout to scoring on a double by teammate Yan Gomes in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field, June 30, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Hoerner’s potential for stardom has been on display this season with his upside never looking higher than it did in June.AdvertisementHe already impressed with his glove at shortstop behind the work he put in during the offseason. But his offensive production went to a new level in June. Hoerner finished the month with a .344/.392/.452 slash line. There is still room to increase his power numbers (six extra-base hits over 25 June games). But his ability to get on base via hits is a reliable attribute that had been missing from the Cubs’ power-heavy lineups the last couple years.“I felt like I showed some bits and pieces last year when I played but never really got into the full swing of things,” Hoerner said. “So to have a chance to play every day and just kind of roll with the season and all that comes with it, I think it’s been a great experience.”And, importantly, he’s not swinging and missing very much while putting the ball in play a lot. He struck out only six times in June, including just three times over a 22-game stretch (88 plate appearances) to begin the month. He rode a career-high eight-game hitting streak into July during which he went 17-for-32 (.531) with three extra-base hits.The key for Hoerner the rest of the season is staying healthy. Injuries have thwarted him in the past, particularly last year. Chicago Cubs starter Justin Steele (35) walks to the dugout after pitching during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field, June 29, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)A successful Cubs rebuild will require the organization to develop or acquire quality starting pitchers.Ideally, Thompson and Steele represent two of those arms the Cubs can count on. Consistency is important, though, and both closed out June pitching well. Thompson has allowed five runs in 18⅓ innings over his last three starts while Steele finished June with a 3.03 ERA, allowing two runs or less in four of his five starts.Steele has noticeably been filling the zone with strikes and going after hitters with his fastball. Thompson pitched into the seventh in two of his last three starts. Now it’s about finishing off those outings.“They’re attacking the zone more often,” catcher Willson Contreras said of the two pitchers. “When they struggle, their mechanics are a little off, now they find a way to make adjustments right away and I’m really proud of the work they’ve done lately.”AdvertisementOne key going forward is how well Thompson and Steele maintain consistency into July and over the final three months. It’s their first extended starting opportunity in the majors. Finding a way to grind through it is a must for every player at some point in 162 games.Chicago Cubs center fielder Christopher Morel (5) hits a two-run homer during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field, June 29, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)The Cubs rookie could have let his June struggles send him into a prolonged slump or affect other areas of his game. Morel’s strikeouts started piling up in June, recording 41 strikeouts in his first 24 games in the month. His average (.240) and on-base percentage (.283) dipped in the process.Manager David Ross dropped Morel to ninth in the Cubs batting order Wednesday, and the 23-year-old responded how the Cubs hoped he would in his last two games: 7-for-9 with two home runs, two RBIs and nine runs scored.“I try to come in with a positive attitude, it doesn’t matter if I’m doing well or I’m not doing that well,” More said through an interpreter. “It’s just about having that attitude, that effort, rub off on the other players and then in turn, I might not have a good game at the plate, but I might have a good game helping others and inspiring the team.”Maybe his last two games are merely a blip before his struggles continue. Regardless, Morel showed how he responds to getting knocked down. Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.Morel was expected to face adversity at some point after a sizzling start to his big-league career, and this won’t be the only time he experiences a slump. But the organization must be happy with how well he embraced the lineup change and continued to maintain a good attitude. His five-hit night Thursday marked a career high and made him the youngest Cubs rookie to accomplish the feat since Ken Hubbs in 1962.AdvertisementChicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ (8) hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field, June 29, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)Happ’s first four months in 2021 were so bad that wondering if the Cubs would non-tender him in the offseason wasn’t an outrageous question to ponder. His stellar 2022 campaign went to another level in June when he hit .327 with a .417 on-base percentage and .948 OPS in 27 games.The switch hitter has given the Cubs an important mix of hitting for power and average to complement Contreras, Patrick Wisdom and Hoerner. If Contreras, currently well positioned to earn his third All-Star Game start behind the plate, has his way, Happ will be joining him in Los Angeles this month for the Midsummer Classic.Happ’s defense shouldn’t be overlooked in left field, either. All of it is setting up for Happ to earn a big payday from the Cubs or in free agency after next season. He will need to prove it wasn’t merely a streaky three-month hot stretch. But his peripherals, including a career-best 19.3% K% that is 10% lower than last year, suggest this is what the 27-year-old can be.Seiya Suzuki talks with reporters before the Chicago Cubs play the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field, May 31, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)The Cubs have been trying to survive without three veteran starters the last three weeks. Then add Frank Schwindel’s back issues and Seiya Suzuki’s lingering finger strain and, well, the Cubs weren’t close to their whole version in June.But that is expected to change soon. Right-hander Marcus Stroman (right shoulder inflammation) and left-hander Drew Smyly (right oblique strain) were scheduled to throw bullpens Friday. If they come out of those well, a rehab start is not out of the question to put both in play to return around the All-Star break. In Smyly’s case, a couple good starts could put him in play to get traded before the Aug. 2 deadline.Schwindel is getting back into baseball activities. Meanwhile, Suzuki began his rehab start at Triple-A Iowa Thursday with a bang. Suzuki started in right field and played five innings, hitting a solo home run and an RBI single. He will provide the Cubs lineup with a boost after missing more than a month. This year is all about learning and getting comfortable in a new league so the Cubs want him to log as many at-bats as he can as he continues to adjust.