It is an important consideration, because a lot of college athletics depends on the funding generated by this one, most popular sport. The question is far too narrow, however. The much more consequential consideration is whether college students around the country will be able to return to campus life: staying in dorms, absorbing lectures (or, on a bad day, sleeping) in classrooms and grabbing a pizza at the best joint in town....

McConnell tweeted about the $1.9 trillion package in what could be seen as a blow to efforts to win bipartisan support. President Joe Biden had previously expressed a hope that Republicans would come on board. “The partisan bill Democrats are preparing is stuffed with non-COVID-related liberal goals and more band-aid policies as if the country were going to stay shut down another year,” McConnell wrote. “We need 2021 to be different than 2020....

In the op-ed, titled “The Scorched Earth Senate,” McConnell described a Senate without the filibuster that is “completely drained of comity and consent.” “Imagine a world where every single task requires a physical quorum of 51 senators on the floor—and, by the way, the vice president doesn’t count,” McConnell wrote. The Senate currently has a 50-50 split between lawmakers who caucus with Democrats and Republicans. In cases where votes on legislation are tied, the vice president is positioned to break the tie....

McGary pulled out the full arsenal of celebrations following Oklahoma City scores. Let’s break down Mitch’s moves. MORE: Presti calls Durant trade rumors ’ludicrous’ | Durant returning soon | Hornets fan hit with ball First, there is a clear influence from Mary Katherine Gallagher on McGary’s “Superstar Strut.” Next, we have the “Three-Point Swag Crab.” McGary finishes it off with the classic “Machine Gun Mitch.” The Thunder lost 120-108, but OKC fans can at least look forward to more McGary madness on the sidelines....

MORE: Watch ‘ChangeUp,’ a new MLB live whiparound show on DAZN The move was retroactive to May 26. The important AL East series — important for late May/early June, at least — pits two of the AL East’s top teams: the first-place Yankees (35-19) and the defending world champion Red Sox, who at 29-26 find themselves 6 1/2 games back of New York and trail the surprising second-place Rays by 5 1/2....

My 13-year old son: “I hate that sound.” Me: “Why?” My son: “Because it reminds me of Zoom classrooms.” As a mother of two boys aged 13 and 12, I have been thinking a lot about how my sons have been handling the pandemic, and what the lingering effects will be, especially on their mental health as they get older. As an epidemiologist, in the past year, I received funding to study the physical, mental and social impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly among marginalized populations....

President Donald Trump and members of his administration held phone calls today with Republican and Democrat Senators and Representatives serving on this new task force, the Trump administration said. The Opening Up American Again Congressional Group discussed plans to address the need for additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, ways to energize the economy, determining essential and nonessential workers, along other things related to economic recovery amid the coronavirus outbreak....

“I’m confident that we will keep the majority in the Senate,” Romney told reporters after a Republican Senate luncheon. “And I actually have long predicted the president will be re-elected. I continue to think that’s the case.” According to a June 6 New York Times article which cited “people familiar with [his] thinking,” Romney isn’t expected to vote for Trump in the November elections and may write in his wife’s name or vote for a different candidate altogether....

title: “Mixing It Up” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-09” author: “John Fannin” For most of its history, the NBA included white stars–from Jerry West in the ’60s to Bill Walton to Larry Bird–who competed at the game’s highest levels. But when Bird retired in 1992, the white NBA star appeared to be a dying species, with ageless John Stockton in the role of the last dinosaur. In 1998, for the first time ever, no white player was among the top 15 players honored as “all-NBA....

“We know that patients need a minimum amount of chemo, but a lot of people can’t survive this because of side effects, so they stop the treatment,” explains Elchanan Shaked, CEO of Cannabotech. Taking a Cannabotech supplement could shift the balance, claims the company. Cannabotech’s treatment, which has been studied so far in cell models, not only may reduce the amount of chemo treatments needed, it also seems to be up to six times more effective in killing cancer cells when used alongside standard chemotherapy — regardless of the dosage — compared to existing treatment, Shaked asserts....

Mkhi delivers again for United Having signed from Borussia Dortmund in July, the playmaker has had to overcome injury problems and criticism from manager Jose Mourinho prior to winning his place in the team. He netted his first goal for the club in his 11th appearance with a brilliant solo effort as United’s 2-0 win sealed their place in the Europa League knockout stages. Now Mkhitaryan, whose strike was followed up by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s late effort, hopes opening his account will prove a catalyst....

All appears positive on the collective bargaining front in Major League Baseball, as commissioner Rob Manfred is optimistic a new agreement between the league and Players Association will be hammered out by the time the 2016 World Series ends. The current CBA expires Dec. 1. MORE: The Dead Money All-Stars | Nationals and Cubs players, ranked “The way I think about the goal is I’d like to get an agreement done while you (media) all are still focused on the play of the game on the field,’’ Manfred said Thursday in Chicago, per USA Today....

He’s the third consecutive shortstop taken atop the draft, the first time in draft history that’s happened. He’s the first prepster taken this year. He’s considered a power bat, wherever he eventually winds up defensively. MORE: Five worst MLB Draft misses for each franchise | Best picks, 1-50 Rockies fans, of course, will immediately look at Rodgers as the eventual replacement at shortstop for Troy Tulowitzki. Good luck with those expectations, eh?...

Johns initially took the trek to Chipola College, a JUCO located in the small town of Marianna, Fla., to assess other prospects as he prepared for the 2002 MLB Draft. But Russell Martin stood out during a side session with his team’s pitching staff in a rare moment away from his infield responsibilities. Chipola manager Jeff Johnson, meanwhile, raved about Martin’s work ethic. Johnson holds significant respect in the scouting community, so Johns was inclined to believe in Martin’s potential....

Then there are the bonus pools. Teams have to take into account the amount of money they are allotted in a draft and how much they are able to spend on each draft pick without incurring penalties. That is why a player will often be selected early with a pick that seems like a reach. Teams can use the bonus money it saved on that pick and go “over slot” to sign a later draft pick....

At 26 years old, Heyward was the most sought-after outfielder on baseball’s offseason market. He turned down offers of more than $200 million from several teams — the opt outs could be worth a fortune, though — according to Yahoo! Sports. TOP FREE AGENTS: 25 best | C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP A left-handed hitter and right fielder, Heyward started the 2015 season, his first with the Cardinals, a bit cold....

RUMOR: The Cubs want to land a haymaker to the Cardinals after jabbing St. Louis by signing free-agent pitcher John Lackey. Signing outfielder Jason Heyward, who spent 2015 with the Cardinals, would give Chicago a top all-around free-agent outfielder, plus allow it to use Jorge Soler as a trading chip, perhaps with the Braves for pitcher Shelby Miller. REPORTED BY: The Chicago Sun-Times TOP FREE AGENTS: 25 best | C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP...

The three-year deal, which became official after Span passed his physical, reportedly is worth $31 million plus incentives. (UPDATE: The San Jose Mercury News reported the contract also includes a $12 million mutual option for a fourth year with a $4 million buyout.) MORE: Old faces in new places | Top 10 highest-paid MLB players Span, 31, became one of baseball’s more versatile outfielders during his three seasons in Washington....

The programs, to be held during spring training, will be conducted by California-based Futures Without Violence. The education program begins Thursday. Players not on 40-man MLB rosters will also undergo training. New MLB commissioner Rob Manfred noted during a Monday media conference that the league is consulting with the players’ association on setting specific penalties for any possible domestic violence case. “We continue to discuss and work with the players’ association on the disciplinary component of a policy,” Manfred said....

Sunday was a good day for pitchers. Yankees starter Michael Pineda kicked off the afternoon with 16 strikeouts against the Orioles, and the Indians’ Danny Salazar followed by striking out 11 against the Twins. Later in the day, Angels starter Garrett Richards struck out 10 Astros and Felix Hernandez became the fourth-youngest pitcher to reach 2,000 strikeouts, while Clayton Kershaw eclipsed the 1,500 career strikeout mark. MORE: Phillies fan’s impressive catch | Hamilton begins Triple-A assignment | McCutchen rids himself of demons...