Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for June 9
Gael Cooper
CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line.
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Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump booed and cheered at the Kennedy Center while attending 'Les Misérables'
WASHINGTON (AP) — The drama in the audience rivaled the spectacle on stage on Wednesday at the Kennedy Center, where President Donald Trump went to the opening night of 'Les Misérables' as he tightens his grip on the venerable performing arts institution. It was his first time attending a show there since his election, and he was booed and cheered as he took his seat alongside first lady Melania Trump. Near the end of the intermission, someone loudly cursed his name, drawing applause. Several drag queens were in the crowd, their presence a protest against Trump's complaints that the Kennedy Center had hosted too many drag shows in the past. Despite the condemnation, the event had a MAGA-does-Broadway feel. Ric Grenell, the Trump-appointed interim leader of the Kennedy Center, was there, as were Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha. Before the show began, Attorney General Pam Bondi chatted with guests and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took selfies. Laura Loomer, the conspiracy theorist who has advised Trump on personnel decisions, posted a video from a seat near the stage. Trump walked the red carpet with the first lady when they arrived at the Kennedy Center, which he's been remaking in his image while excising what he describes as liberal ideology. 'We want to bring it back, and we want to bring it back better than ever,' Trump said. The Republican president has a particular affection for 'Les Misérables,' the sprawling musical set in 19th-century France, and has occasionally played its songs at his events. One of them, 'Do You Hear the People Sing?,' is a revolutionary rallying cry inspired by the 1832 rebellion against the French king. The three-hour production featured singing and dancing, with the sounds of explosions and gunfire filling the theater as protesters and soldiers clashed on stage. For Trump's critics, it was an unnerving echo of what's unfolding in Los Angeles, where Trump has deployed National Guard troops in response to protests over his deportation policies. 'Someone explain the plot to him," California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, wrote on social media. Terry Gee, a bartender, bought his ticket for the show in November and didn't mind Trump's presence. It's his sixth time seeing 'Les Misérables,' and he said, 'I'm going to enjoy the show regardless." Hannah Watkins, a nurse, only learned that Trump would be there when the Kennedy Center distributed information about extra security and she searched online to see what was happening. 'I've seen a lot of famous people so far, which is exciting,' said Watkins, who had claimed a spot near the VIP entrance with her mother. 'Honestly, we just like 'Les Mis' and are excited to be here.' Before Trump, presidential involvement in the Kennedy Center's affairs had been limited to naming members to the board of trustees and attending the taping of its annual honors program in the fall. But after returning to office in January, Trump stunned the arts world by firing the Kennedy Center's longtime director and board and replacing them with loyalists, who then named him as chairman. Trump promised to overhaul its programming, management and even appearance as part of an effort to put his stamp on the national arts scene. His latest moves have upset some of the center's patrons and performers. In March, the audience booed the Vances after they slipped into upper-level seats to hear the National Symphony Orchestra. Trump appointed Usha Vance to the Kennedy Center board along with Bondi, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Fox News Channel hosts Maria Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham, among other supporters. Sales of subscription packages are said to have declined since Trump's takeover, and several touring productions, including 'Hamilton,' have canceled planned runs at the center. Actor Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens scrapped scheduled appearances, and Kennedy Center consultants including musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming resigned. Understudies may have performed in some roles Wednesday night because of boycotts by 'Les Misérables' cast members, but Trump said he wasn't bothered by anyone skipping the performance. 'I couldn't care less,' he said. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has adopted a more aggressive posture toward the arts. The White House has taken steps to cancel millions of dollars in previously awarded federal humanities grants to arts and culture groups, and Trump's budget blueprint proposed eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Trump has also targeted Smithsonian museums by signing executive orders to restrict their funding and by attempting to fire the director of the National Portrait Gallery. The president characterized previous programming at the Kennedy Center as 'out of control with rampant political propaganda' and said it featured 'some very inappropriate shows,' including a 'Marxist anti-police performance' and 'lesbian-only Shakespeare.' The Kennedy Center, which is supported by government money and private donations, opened in 1971 and for decades has been seen as an apolitical celebration of the arts. It was first conceived in the late 1950s during the administration of Republican President Dwight Eisenhower, who backed a bill from the Democratic-led Congress calling for a National Culture Center. In the early 1960s, Democratic President John F. Kennedy launched a fundraising initiative, and his successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson, signed into law a 1964 bill renaming the project the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Kennedy had been assassinated the year before. ___ Associated Press writer Mark Kennedy in New York contributed to this report. Darlene Superville And Chris Megerian, The Associated Press
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Travis Hunter's Madden Rating Raises Rare Questions
Travis Hunter's Madden Rating Raises Rare Questions originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Two years ago, a Reddit poster on r/Madden asked, 'Why do people care about Madden ratings?' Another replied: 'Some people like seeing what EA thinks of their favorite player.' Advertisement Jacksonville Jaguars rookie wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter will debut in Madden 26 with an overall rating of 76 — out of a possible 99. Considering that Hunter won the 2024 NCAA Heisman Trophy and was selected second overall in the 2025 NFL draft, is 76 too low? Too high? Or just right? Travis Hunter at Jaguars practice.© Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Hunter himself didn't react much to it when asked about his 76 after the second day of Jaguars' minicamp on Wednesday. The highest possible overall rating in the iconic video game is 99. In Madden 25, players like Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson, Travis Kelce, and Trent Williams all earned that score. Advertisement On one hand, Hunter's a rookie. On the other hand, he's featured in Madden 26 marketing videos, used to generate excitement for fans to play him in the game. He was ultimately rated a 99 in EA Sports' College Football 25. Of course, the NCAA is not the NFL. So … 76. Are we good? Not many fans have weighed in yet, as Madden 26 doesn't launch until August 14. In a June 5 article, Hunter rated himself at least an 85. Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson, a former NFL receiver and one of EA Sports' live ratings adjusters, was more like nah. 'The best I could do for you as a rookie coming into the league … I give you a 76,' Johnson told the Jaguars' top draft pick. Advertisement Hunter enters his first NFL season with the Jaguars as the league's first legitimate two-way star since Deion Sanders in the early-to-mid 1990s. Sanders happened to be Hunter's head coach and mentor in college, at Jackson State and then at Colorado. The Jacksonville coaching staff is more concerned with how the flesh-and-blood Travis Hunter plays, and so far, are giving him high ratings for his play on both sides of the ball. 'It takes a really sharp person to be able to do that,' Jags defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said. 'He's blessed with a lot of intelligence and maturity. It's impressive to watch.' 'I've been doing it my whole life,' Hunter said after Wednesday's minicamp, in which he only played offense. In 11-on-11 drills, Hunter caught a touchdown pass against cornerback Tyson Campbell. Advertisement In his senior year at Colorado, Hunter caught 96 passes for 1258 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown. On defense, he intercepted four passes, broke up 11 more, and made 26 tackles, 25 of them solo. '(Hunter) is a fun guy to coach, to be around,' Campanile added. 'His position coaches love coaching him.' Related: Colorado Coach Lavishes High Praise On Travis Hunter Related: Travis Hunter Dominates College Football Awards Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Diddy juror sparks credibility concerns, may have 'lied' to get on the case: expert
Juror issues marred the 21st day of testimony in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial for sex crimes. Before cross-examination continued Wednesday of Diddy's ex-girlfriend, who testified using the pseudonym "Jane," the defense told Judge Arun Subramanian that they'd like to respond to the government's attempt to dismiss a Black juror from the case. The U.S. Attorney's Office allegedly told the court that while the situation was less than desirable, they were compelled to because of a lack of candor. The judge told the court he would rule on the issue if there was any basis for removing a juror and once the defense submitted a letter. New York attorney Nicole Brenecki told Fox News Digital that complications with the jury could lead to severe problems down the road, including a possible mistrial. "Every time that we engage in a jury trial, there's a process called voir dire, which is a process that both attorneys engage in, under the supervision of a judge, where the attorneys have an opportunity to question the potential jurors and ask them questions to make sure that they are not biased, that they're truthful, and that they are capable of adjudicating this case on its facts and not based on their individual biases or prejudice or whatever," Brenecki said. "If there's a letter discussing lack of candor, that means that maybe that juror just wanted to be on the jury because it's a high-profile case or because it involves a celebrity or perhaps for other personal reasons, but the lack of candor has to go to the fact that that juror potentially is biased in one way or another." In court on Tuesday, Diddy's lawyers objected to the U.S. Attorney's Office's request to remove Juror No. 6 from the case. "We object to ask Juror No. 6 being stricken, and I understand the colloquy is under seal, so I don't want to explain further on the record now, but if the government is going to put in a letter … we'd like the opportunity to be heard either in writing or tomorrow morning," Diddy attorney Alexandra Shapiro said. The judge said "everyone will be fully heard on this issue" once a letter is filed with the court. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani highlighted the negative effects a tainted jury may have on a case. "The big news of the day is that the judge is considering removing Juror 6 for lack of candor. That means he lied, in layman's terms. … This request was made by the prosecution, and the defense is trying to keep him on. For what it's worth, Juror 6 is a Black male and a '90s hip-hop fan." On Wednesday, Jane continued testimony about "hotel nights," where she claimed one time there were three entertainers at the party, and she allegedly did not take any drugs. She testified that while she agreed to the party, she also resented Diddy "for knowing how much I loved him and knowing how I couldn't say no to him." Under direct examination last week, the government asked Jane if she and Diddy experienced "hotel nights" without drugs. Jane explained that the former couple attempted the nights a handful of times, and it was at Diddy's request in October 2023 that they tried a "sobriety party." "Around this time, I just really wanted my partner to get sober," Jane testified. "I just really cared so much about Sean's health, and I could see that he just, like, was excessively partying on top of just so many pills that he takes daily for I don't know what. And I just really wanted him to get clean and just get better." She continued, "And he said, 'OK, I'm going to do like 30 days without anything, and I'll be sober. But let's just have, like, one more, one more sobriety party, just one, like, sobriety party.'" When asked what drugs Diddy used during the "sobriety party," Jane replied, "I believe ecstasy and cocaine, I don't know." She also alleged the party lasted "too long," claiming it was "close to 12 to 18 hours." Before cross-examination began Tuesday, Subramanian denied Diddy's second request for a mistrial. Diddy's legal team had argued that the prosecution knowingly presented false testimony to the court in a letter filed June 7 and obtained by Fox News Digital. In a federal indictment unsealed on Sept. 17, Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison. He has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, in which witnesses have testified to alleged rape, sexual assault, severe physical abuse, forced labor and drug trafficking. The trial is expected to wrap by July 4. Jane's cross-examination is expected to finish Thursday morning, and the government indicated they will rest their case by next Friday, but as early as next Wednesday.
