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Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Punted from coaching after social media post blows up, Kluwe sues Huntington Beach Union High School District
Good morning. It's Wednesday, July 30. I'm Carol Cormaci, bringing you this week's TimesOC newsletter with a look at some of the latest local news and events from around the county. As I was wrapping up this week's edition I learned of the 8.7-magnitude earthquake in Russia and the subsequent tsunami watch, a precautionary alert, that went into effect for coastal California Tuesday night. I'm hoping everyone will be safe and dry, and that if you have loved ones in impacted regions that they, too have remained unharmed. One of the Orange County news stories that gained a lot of attention this week was the one my colleague Matt Szabo wrote about a former NFL punter who is suing Huntington Beach Union High School District. Chris Kluwe, an outspoken activist who was arrested at a Huntington Beach City Council meeting in the past for an act of civil disobedience, is the plaintiff. In the lawsuit filed Monday, he and his attorneys maintain that when the school district fired him from his job coaching freshman football in February over a social media post he made that was critical of the City Council, they violated his 1st and 14th Amendment rights. Kluwe took down the post, but of course once something's out there in the ether it never really disappears. A community member, Chris Epting, cropped the post before it had been taken down to make it look more threatening than intended, Kluwe contends, then distributed it. Epting is also named in the lawsuit. A little background for context: The night he was arrested in council chambers, Kluwe had been making a public comment about the plaque featured the controversial MAGA acrostic that the City Council approved to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Central Library. According to this week's news article, around that time Kluwe also posted on Bluesky, 'encouraging people to stop complaining to the library, and start complaining to the City Council. 'Stop [expletive] with the library,' the post read. 'That's what the City Council is doing. The library is great, as are the people who work there. Go [expletive] with the City Council. Find where they work, and blow *those* places up.' Kluwe says he didn't mean to actually encourage violent acts at council members' workplaces, but something more along the lines of blowing up their phones with complaints, but that last part was read as incendiary and the school district wasted no time in giving Kluwe his walking papers. 'With any level of investigation, the school district would have discovered that a group of politically-motivated MAGA loyalists had launched a campaign to 'cancel' Kluwe — i.e., to get him fired because his liberal politics and calls for him to run for City Council disgusted them,' the lawsuit alleges, in part. HBUSD officials, through a spokesperson, declined to comment on the suit. Kluwe, a Democrat, recently announced he would be running for election to represent District 72 the state Assembly. If he follows through on that campaign, he'll be pitted against one of his far right nemesis, none other than Gracey Van Der Mark, one of the self-described 'MAGA-nificent 7' on the City Council who made it her mission to get 'obscene' publications off the children's shelves at the public library and approved the 50th anniversary plaque that prominently features the MAGA acrostic. The formal procession for Fountain Valley Fire Chief Bill McQuaid to honor his life and service. His hearse drives past Fountain Valley City Hall on Tuesday. • If you were on the road between 11 a.m. and noon yesterday, you may have seen fire apparatuses from various fire departments staged on overpasses of the 5, the 55 and the 405 freeways. They were there to show their respects for Bill McQuaid, the Fountain Valley fire chief who died unexpectedly Friday at the age of 57 when he was on a bodyboarding trip to Huntington State Beach. The somber procession wound its way along the freeways as it transported McQuaid from the coroner's office, past Fountain Valley City Hall and to a mortuary. • A proposed Meritage Homes project that would bring a 142-unit housing development to the site of the old Trinity Broadcasting Network headquarters on Bear Street has passed muster with the Costa Mesa Planning Commission and will next be considered by the City Council, according to this Daily Pilot report. • You may have heard there's been an uptick of COVID this summer. The test positivity rate in Orange County is at 6.3% and increasing, the L.A. Times reports, but 'still below recent years for this time of the year,' according to Dr. Christopher Zimmerman, deputy medical director of the Orange County Health Care Agency. • Citing little in the way of results, a four-year pilot program to seed clouds in hopes of bringing more rainfall to the Santa Ana River Watershed that got underway in late 2023 was canceled this month. 'There was not strong evidence of a significant precipitation increase. If there was any success, it was very low, especially compared to other instances of cloud seeding in other regions,' Emily Fuentes, spokesperson for the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, explained. • Two members of the Orange City Council asked their colleagues last week to consider passing a resolution that would take a stance against the use of facial coverings by federal immigration agents rounding up undocumented immigrants. Councilmembers Arianna Barrios and Ana Gutierrez were unable to persuade the others to get on board with their idea. 'They don't have to listen to the city of Orange,' Councilmember Jon Dumitru said. 'In the end, it's a piece of paper that doesn't matter. Santa Ana [a declared sanctuary city] even backed away from passing a resolution like this.' • Seimone Jurjis, who has served as assistant city manager of Newport Beach for the past two years, will succeed City Manager Grace Leung when she retires in December, the City Council decided last week. Jurjis's salary will start at $363,000 annually, according to the Daily Pilot report. This change of City Hall leadership has raised some eyebrows in the community. Some residents objected to the appointment of the insider to the city manager post without opening the process up to applicants, while others decried the $455,000 payout the City Council recently approved for Leung. Craig Charron was sentenced Friday to 26 years to life for the murder of his estranged girlfriend, Laura Sardinha. • Craig Charron, who was convicted in the spring of fatally stabbing his estranged girlfriend, Laura Sardinha, in her Huntington Beach apartment almost five years ago, was sentenced Friday to 26 years to life in prison. According to the L.A. Times, Orange County Superior Court Judge Michael Cassidy called it a 'senseless and brutal' crime and gave Charron the maximum sentence allowed by law. • An Irvine man on Monday was charged with a racially motivated road rage incident that took place on San Canyon Avenue on the morning of July 22, City News Service reported. Robert Leon Tackett, 54, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, violation of civil rights, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and inflicting injury on an elder adult, all felonies. Investigators asked anyone with relevant information about Tackett to contact them at rsteen@ Mike Trout runs after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday in Anaheim. It was his 1,000 RBI and 397th career home run. • It was an eventful weekend for the Angels. On Friday night, Angels outfielder Chris Taylor broke his left hand for the second time this season and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks. His teammate Mike Trout on Sunday hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners to reach his 1,000 career RBI. It was his 397th career homer and 19th this season as the Angels beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1. And, although it wasn't one of the Angels hitting this milestone, the crowd on Saturday night witnessed Seattle's Cal Raleigh become the first player to hit 40 homers this season when the Mariners beat the Halos, 7-2. • Anaheim Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal signed a five-year contract on Thursday to remain with the team, according to an Associated Press story in the L.A. Times. 'Lukas has proven he is a No. 1 goaltender and we are so pleased to get this deal done,' Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek told the AP. • The North Irvine Beast Boys, comprised of players from different high schools, beat the Newport Beach Water Polo Club to win the 18-and-under gold medal match of the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics last week at the Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine. On Sunday, the Saddleback-El Toro Water Polo Club Black also captured gold in the 18U girls division when it beat beat Regency, 8-5, and they made history in doing so, as they were the first girls club since the tournament began in 1989 to win three consecutive 18-under Platinum Division titles. Additional coverage of the competition can be found here. • A member of Palisades Tennis Club in Newport Beach, Cynthia Neiman, was recently elected to serve as the board president of the Southern California section of the United States Tennis Assn., the first female in its 138-year history to hold that position. The O'Brien family stand behind their 'Giant Fish' sculpture, which captured first place Saturday in the Balboa Island Family Sandcastle Contest. • A fair share of beachside brilliance was going on last Saturday when families competed in the annual Balboa Island Family Sandcastle Contest put on by a legendary local sandcastle expert, Chris Crosson, and the Balboa Island Improvement Assn. Artist Angel Acordagoitia paints the movie poster for 'Bride of Frankenstein' in the 'Rewind' exhibit at the O.C. Fair. • My colleague Andrew Turner was checking out some of the exhibits at the Orange County Fair last week when he came across 'Rewind: A VHS Revival.' A major component of the exhibit is the spotlight its curator, Joy Feuer, put on the artists and processes behind the creation of movie posters. You can read his in-depth feature story on 'Rewind.' Robyne Wood stands in the food pantry operated by the nonprofit Robyne's Nest. She plans to step back from the organization in January. • The founder of the Huntington Beach nonprofit Robyne's Nest, which assists at-risk and homeless high school students, has decided she will step back from her decade-long position at the helm the organization in January. Robyne Wood, who started it all with a food pantry for the teens, has been the catalyst for the nonprofit's growth, her admirers told the Daily Pilot. Today, in addition to the pantry, it operates a mental health and wellness program, a shared transitional living house for abandoned and neglected teens and a thrift shop that's open to the public. Co-owners Mike DeSanti and Joey Clark, from left, stand inside the new Board & Brew in downtown Laguna Beach. • A new Board & Brew sandwich shop opened up last week on Coast Highway at Ocean Avenue in downtown Laguna Beach, making it the 33rd location for the chain that opened its first eatery in Del Mar back in 1979. 'Infant Memory' by Jose M Loza, on display at the 41st Irvine Annual showcase of artworks at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. The juried show features artwork from local, regional, and national artists who works across a variety of visual media. • The 41st Irvine Annual, a juried art exhibition, features a range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media and fiber that can be displayed on a wall, a new requirement this year. The show runs through Aug. 30 at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, 14321 Yale Ave. For more details visit A pile of wreckage is all that remains after a Motorhome Madness demolition derby at the O.C. fairgrounds. • There's still time to buy tickets for Motorhome Madness taking place at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night in the Action Sports Arena at the Orange County Fair. Area mayors and first responders will be battling it out in a demolition derby for a good cause: all proceeds benefit Children's Hospital Orange County. Tickets include free same-day admission to the Fair . To purchase seats or donate directly to the cause, visit . Until next week, Carol We appreciate your help in making this the best newsletter it can be. Please send news tips, your memory of life in O.C. (photos welcome!) or comments to
Bangkok Post
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
New mine blast inflames border tensions
The Thai-Cambodian border dispute has escalated dramatically after five more Thai soldiers were injured by landmines — one losing a leg — in a disputed area of Ubon Ratchathani province on Wednesday afternoon. The incident near the Chong An Ma border crossing prompted the government to order the closure of all crossings in northeastern Thailand. The army, meanwhile, activated its 'Chakrapong Phuwanart' emergency plan, which was last put into operation in 2011 during the conflict over the Preah Vihear temple site. The plan involves the 1st and 2nd army regions, which are responsible for the Central Plains and the Northeast respectively. Shortly afterward, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the government was expelling the Cambodian ambassador, while recalling the Thai envoy from Phnom Penh. 'By recalling the Thai Ambassador from Cambodia and sending the Cambodian Ambassador back to Cambodia, we will consider the level of relations further,' a government statement quoted Mr Phumtham, who is also acting prime minister, as saying. The army said the landmine incident occurred while soldiers were on patrol near Huai Bon in Nam Yuen district of the northeastern province at 4.55pm. The incident resulted in injuries to five army personnel, with one soldier sustaining severe injuries to his right leg from stepping on the explosive device. The other four experienced chest tightness and tinnitus from the blast concussion. All are now being treated at Nam Yuen Hospital. The soldier who lost his right leg was identified as Sgt Maj First Class Phichitchai Boonkorat of the 14th Infantry Regiment patrol unit. A spokesperson said the army commander-in-chief, Gen Pana Claewplodtook, would visit the area on Thursday. 'The army seriously condemns the inhumane act which violates the principles of international humanitarianism and international agreements and occurred in the Kingdom of Thailand. It is the act of Cambodia,' it said in a statement. 'It demands Cambodia take responsibility for the incident which is considered as a serious threat to peace and stability along the border of both countries. 'The army confirms that it will use all existing mechanisms properly to protect Thai military personnel and citizens from such incidents.'
Business Standard
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Bangladesh vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES 1st T20: Bangladesh eye winning start; toss at 5 PM IST
BAN vs PAK T20I LIVE UPDATES: After a successful tour of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh will aim to win their first-ever T20I series vs Pakistan at home The white-ball rivalry between Bangladesh and Pakistan is set to resume on Sunday, July 20, as the two sides face off in the first T20I at the iconic Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. This three-match series arrives at an interesting moment for both camps—Bangladesh are riding a wave of confidence, while Pakistan are stepping into a transitional phase with a young core and new leadership. The Tigers return home after a morale-boosting 2-1 series win in Sri Lanka, a tour where their batting unit showed far more intent and adaptability than seen in recent months. Led by Litton Das, Bangladesh will look to make the most of their home conditions, crowd energy, and recent form to strike the first blow in the series. Pakistan, however, have history on their side. They completed a clinical 3-0 sweep over Bangladesh in their last T20I series just weeks ago, albeit on home turf. This time, they arrive in Dhaka with a fresh-looking squad headed by Agha Salman. With senior players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah rested, the spotlight will be on Pakistan's next-gen talents to step up and make a strong start under the guidance of newly appointed white-ball coach Mike Hesson. Both teams are building toward the next T20 World Cup, and this series offers valuable game-time to test their depth, flexibility, and readiness for high-stakes white-ball cricket. The opening contest, set against the backdrop of a buzzing Dhaka crowd and challenging subcontinent conditions, could set the tone for a gripping series ahead. Check full scorecard of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st T20I at Dhaka here Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st T20: Playing 11 (Probable) Bangladesh (probable): Jaker Ali, Litton Das (C), Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mohammad Parvez Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib Pakistan (probable): Mohammad Haris (wk), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Agha Salman (C), Sahibzada Farhan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Abbas Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem Bangladesh vs Pakistan LIVE TOSS The coin flip between Bangladesh's Litton Das and Pakistan's Agha Salman will take place at 5 PM IST today. The live telecast of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan match will be available on Sony Sports Network in India. Bangladesh vs Pakistan T20I – Live Streaming in India The FanCode app will live stream the Bangladesh vs Pakistan match on both the application and website. Stay tuned for the Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st T20 match live score and match updates here. 4:40 PM Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st T20 LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Bangladesh probable playing 11 Bangladesh (probable): Jaker Ali, Litton Das (C), Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mohammad Parvez Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
56 days until Saints season opener: Every player to wear No. 56
A 'Dome Patrol' legend and current Saints great top our look back at the history of No. 56 We are down to a 56-day wait before the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2025 regular season by hosting the Arizona Cardinals. Wearing No. 56 for the Saints is one of the best players in franchise history, linebacker Demario Davis. One of 19 players to wear 56 for New Orleans, Davis has worn it longer and arguably better than all others. Here's a look at all that wore the number in New Orleans history. Saints' History of No. 56 James Ferguson was the first to put on 56 for the Saints, doing so for four games in 1968. A 17th round pick, Ferguson was also the first player drafted by New Orleans to wear 56 and along with center Lee Gross (32 games), one of only two offensive players to wear the number. Willie Hall, Gross, and Reggie Mathis were all Round 2 draft picks by New Orleans, but played a combined 96 games and seven seasons with the team. At 31st overall in 1972, Hall is the highest drafted player by New Orleans to wear No. 56. Dennis "Dirt" Winston came to the Saints in 1981 as a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Winston played four seasons with New Orleans before ending his career back in Pittsburgh. With New Orleans, Winston had 2 sacks and 7 interceptions, returning two of those for touchdowns in 1984. Of the 19 players to wear No. 56 for the Saints, 16 were linebackers. That includes two who are among the best players in the history of the franchise. The Saints used a third-round choice in the 1986 NFL draft on Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker Pat Swilling. He'd have 4 sacks as a rookie reserve in 1986, but would be entrenched as a starter by 1987 and become the final piece in the iconic Dome Patrol foursome of linebackers. Swilling played in 107 regular season games for the Saints over seven years, second only to Demario Davis as the longest to wear No. 56. He had 76.5 sacks as a Saint, still fourth on the franchise's all-time career list. Swilling had 16.5 sacks in 1989 and an NFL-best 17 sacks in 1991, still a single-season franchise record as he won the 1991 Defensive Player of the Year award. Additionally, Swilling had 3 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, along with 24 forced fumbles with New Orleans. He earned four Pro Bowls and 1st Team All-Pro honors twice with two 2nd Team All-Pro accolades. Pat Swilling has been criminally overlooked for what is a rightful a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2000, joining Dome Patrol teammates Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills, and Vaughan Johnson. Ernest Dixon and Charlie Clemons had some success at linebacker wearing No. 56 for the Saints through the late 1990s and early 2000s. They combined to play 94 games in six seasons, recording 18.5 sacks and 3 interceptions. Clemons led the Saints in 2001 with 13.5 sacks. Orlando Ruff followed Clemons in No. 56 in 2003. Ruff played two years with the team, managing 2 interceptions and was among the team leaders in tackles both seasons. Jo-Lonn Dunbar also flashed great potential when arriving to New Orleans as an undrafted rookie in 2008. Dunbar was a special teams star that also started 28 of his 56 games in New Orleans. A knee injury sidelined him for the team's Super Bowl XLIV championship run in 2009, but Dunbar was otherwise a solid all-around defender. He'd return to the Saints in 2015 to finish out his career, but wore No. 54 that year. Ronald Powell showed that same kind of potential, but a knee injury ended his career early. Michael Mauti played three seasons in New Orleans, suiting up in 35 games for mostly standout special teams duty. Mauti also followed in the footsteps of his father, wide receiver Rich Mauti, in a career as a Saint. It would take tremendous fears to surpass the accomplishments of Pat Swilling in No. 56 with the Saints, but Demario Davis did just that. Once arriving as a free agent in 2018, Davis helped transform the New Orleans defense into an elite unit. He's also been an iron man, starting 114 regular season contests while missing just two outings over seven years with the team. Davis has often been overlooked in Pro Bowl and All-Pro voting, but has still managed to go to two Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro recognition during the 2019 campaign and 2nd Team honors four Davis has averaged over 115 total tackles per year with the Saints. He has 72 stops for loss, 31 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 45 passes broken up. More than just filling up the stat sheet, Davis' elite instincts, athleticism, versatility, and leadership has made him one of the best all-around defenders in the NFL. Once he concludes his career, Davis will certainly be alongside Pat Swilling in the Saints Hall of Fame and should have enough of a resume' for a spot in Canton as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Mavy Legaspi says 'PBB' was his 'most unexpected blessing' this year
Article Inside Page Sparkle actor Mavy Legaspi was honored to be part of 'Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition' as one of the show's hosts. Mavy Legaspi is full of gratitude to be part of the reality show Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition as one of its hosts. In an Instagram post, the Sparkle actor shared photos of him with the Kapamilya and Kapuso housemates, his fellow hosts, as well as executives from GMA and ABS-CBN during the Big Night, which was held last July 5 at the New Frontier Theater. In his post, Mavy said that being part of the show was the 'most unexpected blessing' he received this year. 'That's a wrap for the 1st PINOY BIG BROTHER CELEBRITY COLLAB EDITION! 'This was the most unexpected blessing I received this year. I always loved watching @pbbabscbntv and just to be part of something this special is truly such an honor,' he wrote. He also expressed his gratitude to the Kapuso and Kapamilya executives for believing in him on being part of the show. 'To ms. @annettegozonvaldes, ms. @joymarcelo1115, ms. @tracymgarcia, @marcusjpvinuya, @direklauren and Tita Cory… Thank you so much for this blessing of a lifetime and for believing in me to be part of something so special,' he added. He also thanked his fellow hosts Bianca Gonzalez, Gabbi Garcia, Robi Domingo, Kim Chiu, Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, Enchong Dee, and Alexa Ilacad for their fun and memorable journey as PBB hosts. 'I gained new Ate's and Kuya's thanks to this show- a new family I will forever cherish,' he said. In the last part of his post, Mavy congratulated all the celebrity duos and thanked the fans who showed their utmost support and love for the show and housemates. Meanwhile, Mavy is set to star in the upcoming GMA drama series, Hating Kapatid.
