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After a rocky start to the season, Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar has bounced back with two strong performances, recording saves in back-to-back games. Bednar threw a perfect ninth inning on Tuesday, striking out two batters and inducing a groundout to clinch a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite missing much of spring training due to injury, Bednar has shown signs of returning to his dominant form, effectively mixing his curveball, four-seam fastball, and signature splitter.

Since 2014, Pitt has had a streak of players being selected in the NFL draft. This year, wide receiver Bub Means and offensive lineman Matt Goncalves are the top prospects. Means, who has a combination of speed, size, and strong hands, is projected to go in the third round. Goncalves, who missed most of last season with an injury, has versatility and is ranked as a top guard and tackle. Other Pitt players who may be drafted include cornerbacks A.J. Woods, M.J. Devonshire, and Marquis Williams.

In a recent interview, former Reagan advisor Steve Hankey shared his insights on the current state of the U.S. economy and offered investment recommendations in light of potential challenges. Hankey believes the Federal Reserve’s actions have contributed to inflation and is concerned about the growing role of government in decision-making. He predicts a possible recession later this year and suggests considering gold, Iowa farmland, and 10-year Treasury bonds as investment options.

Starting next summer, workers at large retail and grocery stores in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County will gain greater control over their schedules, thanks to a new ordinance passed by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. This new law, which takes effect on July 2025, requires employers to provide workers with their schedules two weeks in advance, compensate them for last-minute changes, and space out shifts by at least 10 hours. The ordinance applies to retailers and grocers with 300 or more employees nationwide and is expected to impact approximately 200 businesses and 6,000 workers in unincorporated L.A. County. Supporters of the ordinance believe it will improve the lives of low-income workers, many of whom are people of color, by providing them with more stability and predictability in their schedules. Similar laws have been passed in major cities and states across the U.S., including Chicago, Seattle, Philadelphia, New York City, and Oregon, and research has shown positive impacts on workers’ well-being and ability to plan their lives.

Janisse Quiñones, chosen by Mayor Karen Bass to lead the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), will receive a salary of $750,000 annually, significantly higher than the current $447,082 earned by General Manager Marty Adams. Quiñones, a former senior vice president at Pacific Gas & Electric Co., will oversee the utility’s transition to 100% clean energy by 2035. Her salary aligns with executives at other public utilities but falls short of those at investor-owned utilities. Adams, who is retiring after four decades, received backdated salary adjustments this year, boosting his pay by $50,000. The LADWP board also approved relocation and housing assistance for Quiñones.

Steve Rashid, a multi-talented musician, composer, and co-owner of Studio5 in Evanston, is a dedicated creative force in the local music and theater scene. Despite his decades of involvement, Rashid has remained humble, often relying on others to promote his work. This piece highlights Rashid’s upcoming concert at Studio5, featuring new music, collaborations with his wife and children, and the impact he has made on the North Shore’s jazz community.

The recent creation of a government-defined Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) racial category is a misguided and potentially harmful move. This new designation will be incorporated into various surveys and forms, including those used by private organizations. However, the reasons for this change are flawed, and the consequences for MENA Americans could be detrimental.

Advocates for this category argue that it will provide political influence and access to affirmative action benefits. However, this is a flawed assumption as MENA Americans generally have higher socioeconomic status than white Americans, making them ineligible for such benefits.

Moreover, the creation of this category ignores the diverse ethnicities, religions, and languages within the MENA region. By lumping these diverse populations into a single racial group, the government is oversimplifying and potentially creating a false sense of unity.

Additionally, this move could lead to discrimination against MENA Americans in university admissions and other areas where affirmative action policies are implemented. MENA activists have underestimated the success of their own community and have inadvertently created a situation where MENA Americans could face obstacles due to this new racial category.

The government should focus on collecting data on ancestry rather than creating new racial categories. Ancestry data can provide valuable information without the potential for discrimination and misrepresentation.

Ultimately, the creation of a MENA racial category is a mistake. It perpetuates stereotypes, undermines the diversity of MENA communities, and could have negative consequences for MENA Americans.

Ohio lawmakers are advancing a bill that could eliminate the state’s spousal rape loophole, but numerous other states continue to have laws that protect individuals accused of raping their spouses.

Advocates have long emphasized the importance of removing these loopholes, as they create barriers for victims seeking help and protection. Many states have taken steps to close these loopholes in recent years, but several still have laws in place that limit the circumstances under which a spouse can be charged with rape.

The ongoing efforts to repeal spousal rape loopholes highlight the need to combat outdated beliefs about sexual violence within marriage and relationships. By speaking out and sharing their experiences, survivors play a crucial role in fostering change and ensuring that victims of sexual assault receive the support and justice they deserve.

Microplastics and nanoplastics are becoming a pervasive threat to the health of our planet, animals, and humans. A global treaty is crucial to combat this issue, as plastic pollution knows no boundaries. Countries must implement strong waste collection infrastructures, financial and technical assistance for developing nations, and policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to effectively address the crisis.

Rapper and actor Kid Cudi (aka Scott Mescudi) is set to star in the upcoming ‘Knuckles’ spin-off series on Paramount+, alongside Idris Elba as the titular echidna. The series follows Knuckles as he adjusts to life on Earth after the events of ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2.’ Cudi plays Agent Mason, one of two henchmen working for the mysterious The Buyer, who is seeking Knuckles’ power. The series is set to premiere on April 26th, featuring a mix of high-stakes action, humor, and chases.