Cruises Are So Back — And Straining Port Cities
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The cruise industry is an outlier right now. Even as US summer travel is down, cruise companies are setting sail with record numbers of passengers this year. But as the industry tries to keep up with this demand, it's facing growing pains in the port cities it relies on most.
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Associated Press
29 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Yoga business founder gets 4 years in prison after pleading guilty to tax charge
NEW YORK (AP) — An international yoga business founder whose chain of yoga studios promoted itself as 'Yoga to the People' was sentenced on Monday to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a tax charge. Gregory Gumucio, 64, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by Judge John P. Cronan, who also ordered him to pay $2.7 million in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. In October, he pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS, admitting that he had not paid over $2.5 million in taxes from 2012 to 2020. 'Gregory Gumucio built a profitable yoga empire and lived well off its success — but he refused to pay his taxes,' U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement. Gumucio's business, which generated over $20 million in revenue, had operated in about 20 locations in the United States, including in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland, California; Tempe, Arizona; Orlando, Florida; and cities in Colorado and Washington. It also operated in studios in Spain and Israel and was seeking to expand to other countries when it closed four years ago. When Gumucio was arrested two years ago, a prosecutor said he was the living in Cathlamet, Washington, and had been arrested 15 times. The prosecutors also said he had in the past used at least six aliases, three Social Security numbers and claimed three places of birth.
Forbes
38 minutes ago
- Forbes
The Latest On Al Horford's Free-Agent Market
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 21: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics runs down court during the ... More first quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) When the Boston Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, met with the media after the first round of the NBA Draft, he made the team's desire to re-sign Al Horford and Luke Kornet crystal clear. "There's no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back," stated Stevens. "Those guys are huge parts of this organization. They're going to have, I'm sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that's well deserved, but I think that would be a priority. At the same time, I don't want to put pressure on them. It's their call ultimately, but yeah, we would love to have those guys back." However, even after trading Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday and getting under the second apron, Boston's minimal flexibility made that an uphill battle. The organization appears intent on moving forward with a nucleus of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White. Next season could also provide a chance for Payton Pritchard to go from Sixth Man of the Year to a spot in the starting lineup as he aims to build off a career year. After the second round of the draft, the franchise's vice president of basketball operations and team counsel, Mike Zarren, laughed off the idea of trading Brown or White. "Those two guys are really, really great NBA players, and there hasn't been anything close to serious about trading them," voiced Zarren. "I'm not sure where all this reporting came from, but those guys are key parts of our team, and we're lucky to have them here." However, as much as the Celtics would like to duplicate the last offseason when it kept nearly an entire title team intact, something has to give. It already has. Kornet has agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, per ESPN's Shams Charania. Al Horford could be the next Celtic on his way out According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Horford's free-agent market includes the Celtics, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. Unlike Boston, to varying degrees, these are championship contenders. Furthermore, Horford will likely receive more lucrative offers than the Celtics can make him. He could command the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is worth $14.1 million. Had it not been for Tatum tearing his Achilles, there is a legitimate possibility the 18-year veteran's affinity for the organization and the city would have led to him re-signing at a discount. That may no longer be the case. Dr. Kevin Stone, a leading expert in Achilles tendon repair, is optimistic about Tatum returning to All-NBA form upon his return. The SpeedBridge procedure, which the six-time All-Star may have undergone, could help with that. However, at 39, Horford may not be interested in a gap year. The clock is winding down on a career that should lead to his enshrinement in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Still, even in the final stages of his career, he remains productive. The former Florida Gator averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and nearly 1.0 blocks per contest in the 2024-25 campaign. He also knocked down 36.3 percent of his 5.2 three-point attempts. Horford started in 42 of the 60 tilts he appeared in. Regardless of his role, he remains plenty capable of helping a contender. Unfortunately for the Celtics, that could lead to his departure.
New York Times
40 minutes ago
- New York Times
A new East contender emerges
NBA free agency is moving fast and furious, and teams are making major moves already. Harry How / Getty Images China Wong / Getty Images For those wondering which Eastern Conference team would see an opportunity among all the injuries surrounding them, it is the Atlanta Hawks. They took a one-year gamble on Kristaps Porziņģis and basically exchanged Caris LeVert for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a player who better fits what they are trying to do. As noted by John Hollinger, they still have some money they could spend if the right opportunity comes along. But for now, when added to the trade they pulled off with the New Orleans Pelicans on draft night, they are having one of the best offseasons in the league right now (non-Houston division). The Timberwolves will receive a future second-round pick and cash from the Hawks in a Nickeil Alexander-Walker sign-and-trade, according to a team source. The Hawks' Dejounte Murray trade with New Orleans keeps on paying dividends. Not only did Atlanta obtain the pick that went to the Celtics for Kristaps Porziņģis and defensive stopper Dyson Daniels, but also the $25 million trade exception that deal generated now has been used to acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Atlanta will still have several million of that exception left over, as well as its full $14.1 million nontaxpayer midlevel exception and a $13 million exception from the Bogdan Bogdanović trade. But as a practical consequence, a hugely productive offseason in Atlanta is now down to smaller moves. Atlanta sent only a second-round pick to Minnesota in the sign-and-trade to assure it topped every other team on the market, ultimately going a shade over the nontaxpayer midlevel exception to get Alexander-Walker. The Hawks still have roughly $13 million remaining below the tax line with at least two more roster spots to fill, and seem likely to target another guard based on current needs. For its trouble, Minnesota will receive a trade exception for roughly $14.4 million. The Wolves are hugely unlikely to use it this season because they're way over the first apron, but it's a possibility for next summer. Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images The LA Clippers will sign Brook Lopez for two years. Lopez just turned 37 years old. But he doesn't have to start, and he has a relationship already with two key Clippers: president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank (his first head coach in New Jersey) and center Ivica Zubac (teammates from the 2017-18 season in Los Angeles, Lakers edition). Now, the Clippers have three different centers: A post up big in Zubac who is an All-NBA defender, a veteran in Lopez who spaces the floor and protects the rim in deep drop and the 2025 first round pick in Yanic Konan Niederhauser who will develop his athletic tools. Lopez is arguably the best backup center LA has had for Zubac since Serge Ibaka's back injuries allowed Zubac to reclaim the starting job midway through the 2020-21 season, with the possible exception of Isaiah Hartenstein in 2021-22. Brett Davis / Imagn It's the end of an era in Milwaukee. For the last seven seasons, Brook Lopez has been a cornerstone of everything the Bucks have done on both ends of the floor. Defensively, Lopez was going to be playing drop coverage and waiting to swat shots at the rim. Offensively, he was going to be stationed in one of the high quadrants ready to fire a deep 3 and give space to two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He exits Milwaukee as one of the greatest players of their championship era. Along with Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, he was a member of the core four that led the Bucks to the league's best record in five seasons under former head coach Mike Budenholzer and the franchise's first title in 50 seasons. Brook Lopez becomes the first player in NBA history to give his team a "Disney discount," signing for two years and $18 million and putting himself within a short drive of his theme park of choice. The Clippers are now loaded up front with Ivica Zubac and Lopez. Rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser's chances at rotation minutes just went from "pretty decent" to "LOL, kid." The Clippers are $4.5 million from the luxury tax line with at least one open roster spot left to fill. Getting an older guy in the building who can help Yves Missi and Derik Queen grow was high on the Pelicans' priority list. Kevon Looney has been around forever, but he's still only 29. He could be an important piece for this team on and off the court. Brett Davis / Imagn Given how tight the market was expected to be, I'm surprised we're seeing backup centers getting the contracts they are. Not so much in money, but in length of contract. I thought depth centers might get squeezed in this environment, but that is not the case. Ronald Cortes / Getty Images The Celtics had wanted to retain Luke Kornet, but didn't have the financial flexibility to compete with an offer the size he received from San Antonio (four years and $41 million). Without him, their depth at the center position is beginning to look bleak. In addition to Kornet, Boston also lost Kristaps Porziņģis this offseason and could soon lose another free agent in Al Horford. If Horford departs, the Celtics will only have Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman and second-round pick Amari Williams (expected to sign a two-way contract) as rostered big men — and they will have limited resources to search for an upgrade or two. A two-year, $29 million deal for Caris LeVert would be for the entire nontaxpayer midlevel exception, and is a strong tell that A) the Pistons will operate as an over-the-cap team and thus re-sign Paul Reed via Bird Rights, and B) that the Hawks are very much in the market for a different backcourt player, most likely Nickeil Alexander-Walker. By virtue of operating this way, the Pistons can still re-sign or sign-and-trade Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway Jr. Note that this LeVert deal cannot be converted into a sign-and-trade, which would potentially benefit Atlanta, because a sign-and-trade must be for three seasons. The Detroit Pistons and free-agent guard Caris LeVert have agreed to terms on a two-year, $29 million, a league source confirmed The Athletic on Monday. LeVert, who will be 31 years old at the start of next season, averaged 12.1 points on 46.7 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from 3 during 64 games split between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. The former Michigan Wolverine will presumably take over primary ballhandling duties on the Pistons' second unit, aiding Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. GO FURTHER Caris LeVert, Pistons agree to terms on 2-year, $29 million deal: Source Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images The Houston Rockets will sign center Clint Capela to a fully guaranteed three-year, $21.5 million contract, a league source told The Athletic. Al Bello / Getty Images Free agent center Luke Kornet will sign with the San Antonio Spurs on a four-year, $41 million deal, a team source confirmed. In signing Kevon Looney to a two-year, $16 million contract, per a league source, the Pelicans add a veteran big with championship experience to the bench. Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Center Kevon Looney will sign a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, a league source said. Looney departs the Warriors after spending his first 10 seasons in the Bay Area. Page 2
