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Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Guardians select Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette in first round of MLB Draft
The Guardians selected Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette with their first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. LaViolette, a power-hitting left-handed hitter, was ranked as the No. 20 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. The Guardians used overall pick No. 27 to add him to their minor league system. During his three seasons with Texas A&M, LaViolette set school records with 68 home runs and 169 walks drawn while leading the Aggies to the College World Series Finals in 2024. Jace LaViolette drafted by Guardians in 1st round At 6 feet, 6 inches and 230 pounds, LaViolette is an imposing hitter who might have been considered for the No. 1 overall selection if not for some concerns with his hit-and-miss swing. He was named a third-team All-American by Perfect Game and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and he was a semifinalist for the 2025 Dick Howser Award, given to the national collegiate player of the year. LaViolette is noted by MLB Pipeline ha possessing as much raw power as any hitter in the draft. His 25 percent strikeout rate during his junior year at Texas A&M is the lone concern, and the only reason he was still on the board at No. 27. LaViolette played all over the outfield during his three years in college, though his profile is likely best to fit in right field in the pros. 2025 MLB Draft results: Guardians select Tennessee infielder Dean Curley in second round Dean Curley was ranked as the No. 60 overall prospect in the draft by MLB Pipeline. As a freshman with Tennessee, Curley went 6-for-12 in the College World Series and helped the Volunteers win their first national championship. Curley is listed at 6-3 and 218 pounds and has "solid-to-plus" raw power. Defensively, he relies on one of the strongest infield arms in college baseball. Guardians take outfielder Aaron Walton at No. 66 overall Aaron Walton, out of the University of Arizona, is another outfielder with raw power but plenty of swing-and-miss in his bat. The Guardians might be anticipating some over-slot bonuses with their first two picks, as Walton was ranked 160th among all eligible prospects, nearly 100 spots lower than where the Guardians drafted him. Guardians draft pitcher, Wake Forrest commit Will Hynes Canadian right-handed pitcher Will Hynes only turned 18 years old a few days before the draft, and his fastball is already up to 94-95 mph. He also throws a high-spin slider and a changeup, though he does't rely on it as much as his other pitches. Hynes has committed to Wake Forest. He was ranked 163rd overall by MLB Pipeline, so selecting him early might be enough to sign him away from college. Oklahoma State slugger Nolan Schubart drafted by Guardians in third round With their fifth and final pick of Day 1 of the MLB Draft, the Guardians used selection No. 101 on Oklahoma State hitter Nolan Schubart. Schubart, who hits left-handed and stands 6-5 and 223 pounds, came two hits shy of winning the Big 12 Conference's triple crown last spring, batting .370 with 23 home runs and 68 RBIs in 49 games. Schubart is known to be a one-tool player, relying on potentially elite raw power from the left-handed side. Like LaViolette, just at varying degrees, Schubart has immense strength and power but will need to show he can cut down on his strikeout rate while facing pro pitching. Schubart also provides little in the way of speed or defense. He could shift to first base and, perhaps, even become a regular DH at some point down the road. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 2025 MLB Draft: Guardians select OF Jace LaViolette in first round
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas A&M's ICE Reporting Email Ignites Controversy
(Texas Scorecard) – Texas A&M is facing criticism after an internal email by the university provost and executive vice president asked staff, faculty, and graduate students to contact university police if they see a 'federal law enforcement officer on campus.' On July 17 at 12:38 pm, Provost and Executive Vice President Alan Sams sent an email to Texas A&M faculty, staff, and graduate students titled 'Correcting Misinformation Regarding Immigration Enforcement Activity.' Hours after Sams sent this email, it was widely reported on social media. Sams wrote that he was sending this communication to 'address concerns related to immigration enforcement and the university,' and that 'your safety, well-being and privacy are of the utmost importance.' In the email, Sams warned faculty, staff, and graduate students against 'sharing partial or inaccurate information about individual situations.' Sams provided a list of five points for readers. These include a reminder that TAMU 'does not proactively share information with immigration' outside of the law or a court order, and that support and resources are available on campus for international students, staff, and faculty. Sams also asked that faculty, staff, and graduate students 'immediately contact' university police if they 'encounter a federal law enforcement officer on campus' or 'see something suspicious,' which has sparked criticism on social media. He promised to distribute 'guidance' detailing 'how to handle interactions with federal law enforcement, including immigration enforcement, if they come on university property.' Sams' recent email differs in tone from earlier communications to faculty, staff, and graduate students. On June 6, after Texas agreed to end in-state tuition for illegal alien students, Sams wrote that 'we are working with The Texas A&M University System' as it worked with all its subsidiaries 'to gather information needed to develop an appropriate plan to implement the requirements' regarding tuition for 'undocumented students.' On June 4, the Trump administration's Department of Justice sued Texas for providing in-state tuition to illegal aliens. In coordination with Attorney General Ken Paxton, just hours later that same day, the state settled and ended the discounted tuition for illegals. More state-level action followed. In a letter to colleges and universities later that month, Wynn Rosser, commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, stated that illegal alien students in Texas will need to pay out-of-state tuition by the fall semester. Rosser wrote that colleges and universities 'must assess the population of students who have established eligibility for Texas resident tuition … who are not lawfully present and will therefore need to be reclassified as non-residents and charged non-resident tuition.' The above actions reportedly triggered fear within some sectors at Texas A&M. In the June 6 email, Sams addressed President Trump's June 4 proclamation banning entry to America for citizens from 12 nations and elevated visa restrictions for another seven. 'We are ensuring international scholars and students are aware and have access to accurate information,' Sams wrote. On July 11, Sams wrote a follow-up on the situation. He stated that based on 'guidance' from the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas A&M University System, 'we are fully implementing the requirements of the court's order for students beginning this fall.' He added that TAMU was 'in direct contact' with 'potentially affected students' who need to confirm if they're eligible for in-state tuition or must pay the non-resident rate. Texas Scorecard received these communications from an internal source. Public criticism of TAMU by state officials followed the exposure of the July 17 email. 'Why the hell is @tamu encouraging students to report ICE agents to the police… and treating 'gender identity' as if Biden's Title IX rule was still in effect!?!' posted State Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Midlothian). 'Texas A&M has been led by progressive leftists for too long, and my office will be demanding answers.' 'It's dangerous and inexcusable that university leaders are encouraging faculty and students to report ICE agents instead of criminals,' posted Republican Texas Railroad Commissioner and candidate for State Comptroller Christi Craddick. 'If ICE is on campus, I'm assuming they are there to enforce the law and stop threats to public safety. Sadly, many of the victims of criminal illegal aliens have been young people. I want our college & university campuses and all our communities to be safe.' Others on social media expressed similar thoughts. 'Whoever is running Texas A&M now needs to be fired. Promoting stupid and perverse stuff is not our heritage,' posted Russel Brown on X. 'My husband and I are both alumni of Texas A&M. We actually met in College Station. My father, my sister, and my brother all attended A&M too,' posted user @JennyPsalms121 on X. 'My son is a senior in high school this year. He is graduating with honors. He will not be going to A&M as it's not the same school as we attended.' Texas A&M did not respond to Texas Scorecard's request for comment before publication. Glenn Hegar, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System—which oversees all A&M campuses—released a statement emphasizing that university police will always cooperate with federal, state, and local law enforcement. 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Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart doesn't report to training camp, remains unsigned
July 19 - Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart did not report to training camp on Saturday with the rest of the team's rookies. The Texas A&M product remains the only first-round selection who has not agreed to a rookie deal. Stewart was the 17th pick and sat out of all offseason workouts because of a contract dispute stemming from guaranteed money. He's projected to receive a signing bonus of $10.4 million if he agrees to a contract. Rumors about Stewart returning to Texas A&M began to swirl when he was spotted working out in College Station with his former college teammates. Aggies head coach Mike Elko stated on "SportsCenter" that Stewart does not have any intention of returning to college. "In my case, I'm 100% right," Stewart said in June. "I'm not asking for anything [Cincinnati] hasn't done before. But in [the team's] case, y'all just want to win an argument instead of winning more games, in my opinion." Stewart posted 1.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 31 combined tackles and a forced fumble in his junior season at Texas A&M. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
These 'crazy' invasive Florida pests attack mammals, birds and create giant supercolonies
Move over Burmese pythons and iguanas. This Florida invasive species numbers in the millions, asphyxiates its prey and creates huge supercolonies that are nearly impossible to eradicate. Meet tawny crazy ants. They get their name from their erratic movements, especially while foraging, and are native to South America but spread to the southern U.S. in the late 1990s. According to the USDA, tawny crazy ants in Florida are part of a super colony that spreads across the southern U.S. They lack territorial behavior, which enables the creation of gigantic supercolonies, whose need for resources drives out local wildlife and brings them into direct conflict with humans. They can invade homes where they are drawn to and damage electrical equipment, and can make yards uncomfortable for residents to enjoy. In areas of the country with severe tawny crazy ant infestations, they kill or displace local wildlife, including other ant species, even fire ants. 'There's no insect noise and there's no bird noise,' University of Texas ecologist Edward LeBrun told Science. According to Texas A&M University's Urban and Structural Entomology Program, after experiencing the tawny crazy ant, most residents prefer the fire ant. Tawny crazy ants bite and excrete formic acid Tawny crazy ants bite and excrete formic acid, which they use like venom. What do tawny crazy ants in Florida eat? According to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), tawny crazy ants prey on live animals, and scavenge from dead animals. They eat caterpillars, beetles, termites, wasps and spiders, or even small animals such as rabbits, birds, lizards, and domestic animals, which usually die due to asphyxia. Tawny crazy ants are capable of forcing birds from their nests and blinding young rabbits with their acid, Smithsonian Magazine reported. They can attack crops, domestic animals and honeybee hives, and take over the nesting sites of other ant species, including fire ants. Where in Florida are tawny crazy ants found? See map According to IFAS, by 2012, tawny crazy ants were found in 24 counties in Florida listed below, with infestations spreading. This can be expected in any county in Florida, IFAS reported. Alachua Brevard Broward Clay Collier DeSoto Duval Hardee Hillsborough Indian River Lee Manatee Marion Martin Miami-Dade Orange Palm Beach Pasco Pinellas Polk Saint Johns Saint Lucie Sarasota What do tawny crazy ants look like? The Urban and Structural Entomology Program at Texas A&M University describes tawny crazy ants as follows: Coloration: Adult colony members, including queens, males and workers, are reddish-brown (although lightness or darkness of their body color may vary) Size: Worker ants are all similar in size (they are monomorphic), with a body length of 1/8 inch. Worker ants have long legs and antennae and their bodies have numerous, long, coarse hairs. The antenna have 12-segments with no club. There is a small circle of hairs (acidopore) present at tip of the abdomen (as opposed to the typical stinger found in many ants), a characteristic of formicine ants (found within the Formicinae subfamily). How to get rid of tawny crazy ants around your home Management of this ant will most likely require the services of a professional pest control company that practices integrated pest management (IPM). According to UF, 100% eradication of this ant is not probable in areas where it is established. However, population suppression is possible. Tawny crazy ant prevention Schedule regular trash pick-up. Keep trash cans clean and stored away from the home. Remove leaf litter, fallen branches, and other yard debris. Keep hedges and trees trimmed so that they do not touch the home. Eliminate or reduce possible food, water, and nesting sources. Remove trash regularly and keep trash receptacles clean. Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink. Clean up spills immediately. Place food items in the refrigerator or in sealed containers. Pick up pet food bowls when your pet is not eating. Exclusion To prevent ants from entering a home: Walk around the outside of the home and locate potential entry points (cracks, crevices, spaces around windows and doors). Locate indoor entry points, paying particular attention to windows, doors, and plumbing and utility penetrations. Use an appropriate sealant. Replace door thresholds and weather stripping as needed. If you can see light from the outside while you are standing inside, it is enough of a gap for ants and other pests to enter. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Fire ant vs tawny ants: invasive species in Florida. Map, how to kill
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Beef prices have soared in the US — and not just during grilling season
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Anyone firing up the grill this summer already knows hamburger patties and steaks are expensive, but the latest numbers show prices have climbed to record highs. And experts say consumers shouldn't expect much relief soon either. The average price of a pound of ground beef rose to $6.12 in June, up nearly 12% from a year ago, according to U.S. government data. The average price of all uncooked beef steaks rose 8% to $11.49 per pound. But this is not a recent phenomenon. Beef prices have been steadily rising over the past 20 years because the supply of cattle remains tight while beef remains popular. In fact, the U.S. cattle herd has been steadily shrinking for decades. As of Jan. 1, the U.S. had 86.7 million cattle and calves, down 8% from the most recent peak in 2019. That is the lowest number of cattle since 1951, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Many factors including drought and cattle prices have contributed to that decline. And now the emergence of a pesky parasite in Mexico and the prospect of widespread tariffs may further reduce supply and raise prices. Here's a look at what's causing the price of beef to rise. Smaller herd The American beef industry has gotten better at breeding larger animals, so ranchers can provide the same amount of beef with fewer cattle, said David Anderson, a livestock economist at Texas A&M. Then in 2020, a three-year drought began that dried out pastures and raised the cost of feed for cattle, according to the American Farm Bureau. Drought has continued to be a problem across the West since then, and the price of feed has put more pressure on ranchers who already operate on slim profit margins. In response, many farmers slaughtered more female cattle than usual, which helped beef supplies in the short term but lowered the size of future herds. Lower cattle supplies has raised prices. In recent years cattle prices have soared, so that now animals are selling for thousands of dollars apiece. Recent prices show cattle selling for more than $230 per hundredweight, or hundred pounds. Those higher prices give ranchers more incentive to sell cows now to capture profits instead of hanging onto them for breeding given that prices in the years ahead may decrease, Anderson said. 'For them, the balance is, 'Do I sell that animal now and take this record high check?' Or 'do I keep her to realize her returns over her productive life when she's having calves?'' Anderson said. 'And so it's this balancing act and so far the side that's been winning is to sell her and get the check.' Disease dilemma The emergence of a flesh-eating pest in cattle herds in Mexico has put extra pressure on supply because officials cut off all imports of cattle from south of the border last year. Some 4% of the cattle the U.S. feeds to slaughter for beef comes from Mexico. The pest is the New World screwworm fly, and female flies lay eggs in wounds on warm-blooded animals. The larvae that hatch are unusual among flies for feeding on live flesh and fluids instead of dead material. American officials worry that if the fly reaches Texas, its flesh-eating maggots could cause large economic losses as they did decades ago before the U.S. eradicated the pest. Agricultural economist Bernt Nelson with the Farm Bureau said the loss of that many cattle is putting additional pressure on supply that is helping drive prices higher. tariffs trouble President Donald Trump's tariffs have yet to have a major impact on beef prices but they could be another factor that drives prices higher because the U.S. imports more than 4 million pounds of beef every year. Much of what is imported is lean beef trimmings that meatpackers mix with fattier beef produced in the U.S. to produce the varieties of ground beef that domestic consumers want. Much of that lean beef comes from Australia and New Zealand that have only seen a 10% tariff, but some of it comes from Brazil where Trump has threatened tariffs as high as 50%. If the tariffs remain in place long-term, meat processors will have to pay higher prices on imported lean beef. It wouldn't be easy for U.S. producers to replace because the country's system is geared toward producing fattier beef known for marbled steaks. Prices will likely stay high It's the height of grilling season and demand in the U.S. for beef remains strong, which Kansas State agricultural economist Glynn Tonsor said will help keep prices higher. If prices remain this high, shoppers will likely start to buy more hamburger meat and fewer steaks, but that doesn't appear to be happening broadly yet — and people also don't seem to be buying chicken or pork instead of beef. Nelson said that recently the drought has eased — allowing pasture conditions to improve — and grain prices are down thanks to the drop in export demand for corn because of the tariffs. Those factors, combined with the high cattle prices might persuade more ranchers to keep their cows and breed them to expand the size of their herds. Even if ranchers decided to raise more cattle to help replace those imports, it would take at least two years to breed and raise them. And it wouldn't be clear if that is happening until later this fall when ranchers typically make those decisions. 'We've still got a lot of barriers in the way to grow this herd,' Nelson said. Just consider that a young farmer who wants to add 25 bred heifers to his herd has to be prepared to spend more than $100,000 at auction at a time when borrowing costs remain high. There is typically a seasonal decline in beef prices as grilling season slows down into the fall, but those price declines are likely to be modest. ___ Associated Press writer Dee-Ann Durbin contributed to this report from Detroit. Solve the daily Crossword
