HOUSTON — Houston Astros veteran Justin Verlander is scheduled to come off the injured list and start the finale of a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.
“It’s big getting JV on the mound. It’s getting one of the best back in there,” manager Joe Espada said. “We know what he means. We know he’s part of this winning culture and getting him back is a big boost for our team, especially down the stretch.”
The 41-year-old ace hasn’t pitched since June 9 because of stiffness in his neck. He made two minor league rehabilitation starts, last throwing four innings for Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday.
Espada was asked whether the three-time Cy Young Award winner would be on a pitch count since he threw just 57 pitches in his last rehabilitation assignment.
“We’ll see how the outing goes and how efficient he is,” Espada said. “I don’t want to put a number because he can surprise us. But we’re going to keep a close eye on his workload for sure.”
Verlander is 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts this season. His current stint on the injured list is his second this season after he opened the season on the shelf because of inflammation in his right shoulder.
The Astros just started a stretch of 18 games without an off day, and Espada said they will use a six-man rotation at least until they get through that.
Houston has shaken off its early-season woes and entered Monday’s games a season-best 11 games over .500. The Astros lead AL West by four games over the second-place Mariners.
CHICAGO — Democrats are kicking off their convention in Chicago this week to formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to top their 2024 presidential ticket.
The gathering marks an opportunity for Democrats to ride the good vibes around Harris, who last month was elevated as the party’s de facto nominee after President Joe Biden ended his own bid. The convention is anticipated to be heavy on messages of “freedom” as Harris and Walz run against former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
Beyond highlighting the party’s marquee figures, the event could also offer a platform for protesters critical of the administration’s handling of the war in Gaza and elevate rising stars on the Democratic Party bench.
Here are five things to watch for at this year’s DNC.
It’ll be a party — but for how much longer?
Democrats are euphoric as Harris takes over as their pick and ushers in a polling boost over Biden’s numbers.
That vibe sets up the convention as a party, just weeks after Democrats left their presidential hopes for dead with Biden as their nominee.
“The sheer joy that you see in Democrats these days is just incredible. I mean, it is really remarkable the way that she and the campaign and now Tim Walz have been able to capitalize on both the frustration and a sense of dread of a possible Donald Trump-JD Vance administration. Folks are coming out of the woodwork to give money. They’re coming out of woodwork to volunteer. It’s demonstrable,” said former Democratic Alabama Sen. Doug Jones.
Harris has been enjoying a nearly monthlong “honeymoon” since Biden dropped out, riding a wave of flattering social media praise. That boost is likely to continue this week and for a short time afterwards, enjoying a traditional post-convention bump.
Speculation abounds about how big of a festival the United Center will host, with whispers of whether big-name performers such as Taylor Swift and Beyonce will make an appearance.
After the convention, however, the question will be how long the good times can roll.
Harris and Trump will face off at their first debate on Sept. 10, and a good performance there could extend Harris’ honeymoon.
But while Democrats hope the vibes never change, operatives in both parties have predicted Harris’ campaign will come back down to earth — and then, all bets are off.
More freedom, less threat to democracy
Harris has framed her campaign around a message of “freedom,” even down to highlighting Beyonce’s hit song of the same name.
That message, an umbrella for, in Harris’ words, everything from the freedom to make choices on abortion to freedom to get ahead economically, is likely to take center stage in Chicago — supplanting Biden’s warnings about Trump’s threat to democracy.
The strategy is more forward-thinking, rather than Biden’s rallying cry, which harkened back to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, an event that Democrats still mention, but appeared to resonate less with voters agitating for a more long-term vision.
Still, the “freedom” messaging could dovetail with Biden’s discussions of democracy, some Democrats said.
“I think there was an understanding when we looked at how Trump was really trampling democratic norms, so there’s that connection between democracy and freedom,” said one Democratic strategist with ties to Harris’ team.
To be certain, Harris isn’t running away from Biden.
She’ll still be Biden’s right hand for five more months, and the two appeared together in Maryland on Thursday to tout savings made by allowing Medicare to negotiate the prices of certain medications.
Biden heads for a hero’s welcome
Biden is set to be feted Monday night by a base that desperately wanted him to move on and is intensely grateful he did so.
The president’s catastrophic June debate performance started the clock on the end of Biden’s political career, and the fact that he’ll be a one-term president will no doubt be a part of his enduring legacy.
However, Democrats have cast Biden’s decision as nothing short of heroic, and Harris has been singing his praises on the campaign trail, sparking chants of “thank you, Joe.”
“He deserves tremendous credit for such a selfless act,” said the Democratic strategist with ties to Harris’ team. “I’m sure when he speaks on Monday, it’s going to be a huge reception.”
How does the convention handle the war in Gaza?
While Biden’s debate and age were the chief factors in ending his political career, he was also dogged by criticism from the left over his handling of the war in Gaza. And those detractors aren’t going away just because he’s no longer Democrats’ nominee.
Protests over the rising death toll in Gaza will be held blocks away from Chicago’s United Center, and delegates who were sent to the convention by “uncommitted” votes in various states have full access to the event floor, with nothing to stop them from interrupting the proceedings.
It’s unclear precisely how much the convention will deal with the war and if there will be any interruptions at all.
Harris has adopted a tonal shift from Biden, putting more of an emphasis on mounting civilian casualties in the enclave than the president had. But on policy, there hasn’t been as much of a change so far, raising questions over how much of a wait-and-see period she’ll receive from those who were critical of Biden.
Who are the rising stars?
Conventions for both parties are primarily occasions to highlight leaders, chiefly the presidential nominees. But they also serve as opportunities to elevate rising stars.
Perhaps most famously, Barack Obama was selected as Democrats’ keynote speaker in 2004 when he was still a state senator in Illinois. Four years later, he spoke at the convention as his party’s presidential nominee.
Other speakers have included Julián Castro when he was mayor of San Antonio in 2012 and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2016.
Democrats have not said who this year’s keynote speaker will be — but their pick could indicate who they view as a future party leader and in what ideological direction they’re heading.
The Houston Astros (65-58) meet once again with the Boston Red Sox (67-54) today at 7:10 p.m. at Minute Maid Park, beginning the three-game divisional series between the two clubs.
Jeremy Pena at bat against Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. Credit: Que Onda Magazine/Chris Garcia
The two clubs faced each other earlier this month, where Houston swept Boston under the rug, winning all three away games, 8-4, 5-4, and 10-2. Besides being a better team, the Astros have the extra advantage, not having to embark on a trip up north towards Massachusetts. The two teams have met on three occasions in the postseason, with the Astros being up two in the previous matchups. Their most recent altercation was in the 2021 American League Conference Series, where the Astros defeated the Red Sox in six games, however the Red Sox beat the Astros three years prior in the 2018 ALCS, going on to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 in the 2018 World Series.
The first time these two clubs met in the postseason was in the 2017 American League Divisional Series. In game 4 of the ALDS series, Houston was down 3-2 in the 8th inning, but a comeback ensued after infielder Alex Bregman hit a solo homerun off left-handed pitcher Chris Sale. After, outfielder Carlos Beltran and outfielder Josh Reddick proudly brought 2 RBIs to win the division series. howeverfram the Astros defeated the Red Sox at Fenway Park, winning the series in four games, 3-1, thus going on to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers to win their first World Series in the most memorable, historical way.
The Astros are looking strong, especially with Framber Valdez’s dominant performance on Sunday. With his eighth consecutive win, he’s clearly been a key factor in their success. Houston’s pitching depth and overall team performance are keeping them ahead in the AL West. The 4-game lead over the Mariners is solid, but with the season’s intensity ramping up, maintaining that advantage will be crucial. Framber Valdez was stellar on the mound, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out nine in seven scoreless innings. This performance marked his eighth straight win in his last 10 games.
Yusei Kikuchi will be expected to start today’s game, after his recent start this past Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, pitching five innings in each game. He only allowed one earned run over five innings, striking out five and giving up three hits this past Tuesday. Overall, he has struck out 24 hitters in under 17 innings across his Houston starts. Kikuchi will be expected to be red hot as he always is, in hopes of sweeping Boston this season.
Right-handed pitcher Greg Weissert replaces Bailey Horn, who was sent back to the Worchester Red Sox. After a demotion, Weissert looks to redeem himself for Boston. Boston was expected to start with right handed pitcher Tanner Houck, in his last start against Texas last week, he earned a no-decision after giving up two earned runs over 6.2 innings. He allowed six hits and two walks, while striking out three batters.
Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday Aug. 18. Courtesy AP Photos/Eric Christian Smith
Houston is heating up at the perfect moment. With a four-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the American League West, the Astros are in a strong position. Meanwhile, the defending champion Texas Rangers are 11 games behind. Seattle, 5.5 games back from the final Wild Card spot, faces a tough road. To secure an eighth consecutive playoff appearance, the Astros will need to clinch the division.
La oportunidad para que las personas elegibles presenten una solicitud para el programa “Parole in Place” ya esta aquí. Esta iniciativa permite a los cónyuges indocumentados casados con ciudadanos estadounidenses solicitar la residencia permanente sin tener que salir del país.
El programa tiene como objetivo mantener a las familias unidas evitando el proceso habitual que requiere presentar la documentación, obtener una exención y luego ir a la embajada de EE. UU. para obtener la tarjeta verde, lo que significa salir del país.
Como parte del programa “Parole in Place”, los solicitantes elegibles recibirán permisos de trabajo. Para ser elegible, las personas deben haber vivido en los EE. UU. durante al menos diez años y haberse casado con un ciudadano estadounidense antes del 17 de junio de 2024.
La guía de presentación para el Formulario I-131F especifica que los solicitantes deben proporcionar un documento de identidad con foto que incluya su nombre, fecha de nacimiento y fotografía. Además, necesitan proporcionar pruebas de la relación, la ciudadanía estadounidense del cónyuge y su presencia continua en el país.
El formulario I-131F solo se puede presentar en línea y estará disponible en el sitio web de USCIS.
“Hagan todo lo posible por completar el proceso. Si les resulta difícil, consideren contratar a un abogado, ya que ellos pueden enviar la solicitud a través de sus cuentas en línea, lo que acelerará el proceso”, aconsejó Sapochnick.
La tarifa de la solicitud se calculará antes de la presentación pero según la página de calculo de tarifas, se estima que será $580. Para más detalles, visita la guía de presentación en uscis.gov.
NEW YORK — Mike Tyson is 58 years old and coming off a health scare that forced the postponement of his return to the ring.
The boxer, once considered the most dangerous man in the world, could be putting himself at risk by stepping back into the ring. Yet when asked Sunday why he was going through with his bout against Jake Paul, Tyson was quick to respond.
“Because I can. Who else can do it but me? Who else is he going to fight to make this happen?” Tyson said, motioning toward the crowd at a packed news conference, where fans cheered the former heavyweight champion and booed Paul.
Mike Tyson says he’s ready to fight Jake Paul on Nov. 15 after a health scare forced the postponement of their fight in July. (Peter Foley/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) “We’ve just got to listen to the facts. We’ve got a YouTuber fighting the greatest fighter that ever lived.”
Tyson and Paul have restarted the buildup to their match, now scheduled for Nov. 15 at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. They had originally been set to meet on July 20 before Tyson became nauseous and dizzy on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles in May. His representatives attributed the episode to an ulcer problem.
Tyson said Sunday that he resumed training two or three weeks ago and feels fine.
“Hey, listen, I’m just ready,” Tyson said.
The undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990, Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) retired in 2005 before making a comeback for an exhibition match against Roy Jones in 2020. Fans seem excited for his return, with a number of them turned away Sunday because too many showed up for the fighters’ news conference on the final day of the Fanatics Fest event in New York.
Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) sparred as much with the fans who booed him as with the fighter across the stage.
“Hey New York, you’re just like Mike Tyson,” Paul said. “You were good 20 years ago.”
Tyson’s most dominant days are actually further back than that, and Paul understands that he probably wouldn’t get much credit for a victory against such a diminished opponent. Yet, the former Disney Channel star, who insists he will become a boxing champion, sees a benefit to fighting Tyson even now.
“Big moments, big pressure, big stages, one of the greatest to ever do it, more experience than me, more fights than me—I’m going to learn a lot in this fight and through this training camp,” Paul said. “So, this is helping me in my future fights and everything that I want to accomplish.”
Paul had taken another fight after Tyson had to pull out, stopping bare-knuckle fighting champion Mike Perry in the sixth round on July 20. Perry, like many of the fighters on Paul’s résumé, comes from the mixed martial arts world rather than a boxing background.
“I was ready before; you needed a little break,” Paul said to Tyson. “Your tummy hurt still?”
The fight, which will stream on Netflix, will be an official bout, contested with eight two-minute rounds and heavier gloves than usual. The truest boxing match on the card might be the one that precedes it, when super lightweight champion Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano have a rematch of Taylor’s thrilling victory in 2022, the first women’s boxing match to headline at Madison Square Garden.
Then Paul will try to show what he hopes to become in boxing, or perhaps Tyson can demonstrate what he once was. Tyson insists his health problems won’t prevent him from delivering.
“I had a small adversity. I got sick, but I’m better,” Tyson said. “I feel good.”
LOS ANGELES — The brown felt fedora worn by actor Harrison Ford in the second installment of the Indiana Jones movies sold for $630,000 at auction, film and TV memorabilia company Propstore announced Friday.
The hat featured in 1984’s “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” had been expected to fetch between $250,000 and $500,000, according to the item’s online description.
The fedora comes from the personal collection of the late stunt performer Dean Ferrandini, who also wore it while standing in for Ford as Jones, the dashing archaeologist who really hates snakes.
Keeping the fedora in place during filming was an “ongoing challenge,” Propstore’s expert said in the online description, and foam pieces were inserted to make it fit more snugly.
Created by the Herbert Johnson Hat Company in London, it is made of sable-colored rabbit felt.
Other items sold include an Imperial scout trooper’s white “biker scout” helmet from 1983’s “Return of the Jedi,” which went for $315,000, and a ghost costume worn by stars in the 1996 movie “Scream,” which sold for $270,900,
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” also featured Kate Capshaw as nightclub singer Willie Scott and Ke Huy Quan as Short Round.
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos is due in court Monday afternoon, where a person familiar with the matter has said the New York Republican is expected to plead guilty to multiple counts in his federal fraud case.
The person could not publicly discuss details of the plea and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Santos and his attorneys did not return requests for comment.
The case has been set to go to trial early next month. The Monday afternoon court date on Long Island was scheduled only on Friday at the request of both prosecutors and Santos’ lawyers. A letter making the request did not specify what it would be about.
Santos has previously pleaded not guilty to a range of alleged financial crimes, including lying to Congress about his wealth, collecting unemployment benefits while actually working and using campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses.
The 36-year-old was once touted as a rising political star after he flipped the suburban district that covers the affluent North Shore of Long Island and a slice of the New York City borough of Queens in 2022.
But his life story began unraveling before he was even sworn into office. At the time, reports emerged that he had lied about having a career at top Wall Street firms and a college degree along with other questions of his biography.
New questions then emerged about his campaign funds.
He was first indicted on federal charges in May 2023, but refused to resign from office. Santos was expelled from Congress after an ethics investigation found “overwhelming evidence” that he had broken the law and exploited his public position for his own profit.
Santos has previously maintained his innocence, though he said in an interview in December that a plea deal with prosecutors was “not off the table.”
Asked if he was afraid of going to prison, he told CBS 2 at the time: “I think everybody should be afraid of going to jail, it’s not a pretty place and uh, I definitely want to work very hard to avoid that as best as possible.”
As the trial date neared in recent weeks, Santos had sought to have a partially anonymous jury, with his lawyers arguing in court papers that “the mere risk of public ridicule could influence the individual jurors ability to decide Santos’ case solely on the facts and law as presented in Court.”
He also wanted potential jurors to fill out a written questionnaire gauging their opinions of him. His lawyers argued the survey was needed because “for all intents and purposes, Santos has already been found guilty in the court of public opinion.”
Judge Joanna Seybert agreed to keep jurors’ identities public but said no to the questionnaire.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, had been seeking to admit as evidence some of the financial falsehoods Santos told during his campaign, including that he’d worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs and that he had operated a family-run firm with approximately $80 million in assets,
Two Santos campaign aides have already pleaded guilty to crimes related to the former congressman’s campaign.
His ex-treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty in October to a fraud conspiracy charge, implicating Santos in an alleged scheme to embellish his campaign finance reports with a fake loan and fake donors. A lawyer for Marks said at the time his client would be willing to testify against Santos if asked.
Sam Miele, a former fundraiser for Santos, pleaded guilty a month later to a federal wire fraud charge, admitting he impersonated a high-ranking congressional aide while raising money for Santos’ campaign.
CHICAGO — The 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) is set to begin Monday, Aug. 19, in Chicago, marking a historic moment for the Democratic Party. Delegates from across the nation will officially throw their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, following their unconventional rise to the party’s nomination. The four-day event will be packed with speeches from Democratic heavyweights and serve as a rallying cry for the party as it gears up for the upcoming election.
Vice President Harris secured the nomination after garnering the majority of delegate votes during a virtual roll call earlier this month. Her nomination comes as President Joe Biden withdrew from the race following concerns about his age and ability to campaign, effectively passing the torch to Harris. This momentous occasion will culminate with Harris’ acceptance speech on Thursday night.
President Biden is expected to take center stage on Monday evening, delivering a bittersweet address as he reflects on his legacy and the future of the party. His withdrawal from the race came after private and public pressure from Democratic leaders and polling data indicating a widening gap between him and former President Donald Trump. Despite stepping aside, Biden has endorsed Harris, emphasizing her potential to be “one hell of a president.”
In a speech likely to celebrate his administration’s accomplishments—including the Inflation Reduction Act and federal gun reform—Biden is expected to rally Democrats while acknowledging that the future of the party now rests in Harris’ hands. Observers anticipate that Biden will receive a hero’s welcome, with calls for unity and recognition of his policy achievements.
The convention will feature a lineup of notable speakers, including Bernie Sanders, who will focus on lowering healthcare costs and taking on Big Pharma, a key issue for the Harris-Walz ticket. Other prominent figures such as Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton will also speak throughout the week, adding to the event’s political gravitas.
The DNC will be held at the United Center, with additional activities at the McCormick Place Convention Center. Democrats are gathering in Chicago, a key stronghold in the party’s 2020 victory, as they look to re-energize their base ahead of November’s election.
ABC News will provide special coverage throughout the convention, with live-streamed events available on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Perdue Foods is recalling more than 167,000 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets and tenders because of the possible presence of metal in the products.
The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said Friday that the recalled items were produced on March 23 and shipped to retail locations across the country or sold online. They have a best-by date of March 23, 2025.
The recalled products are:
– 22-ounce packages of Perdue Simply Smart Organics Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets – 29-ounce packages of Perdue Chicken Breast Tenders – 22-ounce packages of Butcherbox Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets
“We determined the material to be a very thin strand of metal wire that was inadvertently introduced into the manufacturing process,” Jeff Shaw, Perdue’s senior vice president of food safety and quality, said in a news release. “Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to voluntarily recall all of these packages of products.”
If you have these products in your freezer, do not use them; throw them out or return them to the place of purchase.
Perdue Farms via CNN NewsourcePerdue Farms via CNN NewsourcePerdue Chicken Breast Tenders are among the products under recall.Perdue Farms via CNN Newsource
There have not been any confirmed reports of adverse reactions, the USDA says, but consumers who are concerned about an injury or illness should get medical care.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Perdue at 866-866-3703, and anyone with food safety questions can call the USDA at 888-674-6854.
HOUSTON, Texas — Eddie Nuñez has agreed to a five-year deal to become athletic director at the University of Houston, the school announced on Saturday.
Nuñez will leave the University of New Mexico for the Cougars and the Big 12 Conference. He was named the Lobos’ athletic director in 2017, and his title was changed to include vice president in 2021.
Nuñez, who played basketball for former coach Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators, also worked for LSU’s athletics department, and will now head a university trying to gain its footing in the clogged Big 12. He will be introduced on Wednesday.
“Eddie Nuñez brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success during a time of great transformation in college athletics,” Houston president Renu Khator said in a statement. “His leadership will be critical as we continue to elevate our athletics programs, enhance the student-athlete experience, and build on the tremendous momentum at the University of Houston.”
In its first season in the new league, Houston’s football team went 4-8 last year, ending the schedule on a four-game losing streak. After the season, former coach Dana Holgorsen was fired, replaced by Willie Fritz, who led Tulane to a program renaissance.
Nuñez will replace Chris Pezman, who was dismissed after seven years in that post, in June. At the time, in a statement, Khator said, “Chris Pezman ushered our athletics program through a period of incredible transformation, and we are grateful for his leadership over the past six years. He has been a pivotal part of our entry into the Big 12 Conference and championed the success of student athletes on the field and in the classroom.
“This was a difficult but necessary decision as we navigate a paradigm shift in collegiate athletics,” Khator said.
The Cougars open the football season on Aug. 31 vs. UNLV.
