# Judge says Trump administration can't cut public health funding for Houston, Nashville, other cities

By Devi Shastri
June 17th, 2025, 10:56 PM

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A federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from clawing back millions in public health funding from four Democrat-led municipalities in GOP-governed states.

It's the second such federal ruling to reinstate public health funding for several states.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, D.C., issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday sought by district attorneys in Harris County, Texas, home to Houston, and three cities: Columbus, Ohio, Nashville, Tennessee, and Kansas City, Missouri. The decision means the federal government must reinstate funding to the four municipalities until the case is fully litigated.

"The federal government cannot simply ignore Congress and pull the plug on essential services that communities rely on," Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said. "Today's decision ensures we can keep doing the work that protects our residents — from tracking disease outbreaks to providing vaccinations and supporting vulnerable families."

Their lawsuit, filed in late April, alleged $11 billion in cuts to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs had already been approved by Congress and are being unconstitutionally withheld. They also argued that the administration's actions violate Department of Health and Human Services regulations.

The cities and counties argued the cuts were "a massive blow to U.S. public health at a time where state and local public health departments need to address burgeoning infectious diseases and chronic illnesses, like the measles, bird flu, and mpox." The cuts would lead to thousands of state and local public health employees being fired, the lawsuit argued.

The local governments, alongside the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, wanted the court to reinstate the grants nationwide. But Cooper said in his preliminary injunction that the funds can only be blocked to the four municipalities and in a May 21 hearing expressed skepticism about whether it could apply more widely.

The funding in question was granted during the COVID-19 pandemic but aimed at building up public health infrastructure overall, Menefee said in a statement in April.

The four local governments were owed about $32.7 million in future grant payments, Cooper's opinion notes.

The federal government's lawyers said the grants were legally cut because, "Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary as their limited purpose has run out." They used the same argument in the case brought by 23 states and the District of Columbia over the HHS funding clawback.

Menefee said the cuts defunded programs in Harris County for wastewater disease surveillance, community health workers and clinics and call centers that helped people get vaccinated. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said the cuts forced the city to fire 11 of its 22 infectious disease staffers.

Nashville used some of its grant money to support programs, including a "strike team" that after the pandemic addressed gaps in health services that kept kids from being able to enroll in school, according to the lawsuit.

Kansas City used one of its grants to build out capabilities to test locally for COVID-19, influenza and measles rather than waiting for results from the county lab. The suit details that after four years of work to certify facilities and train staff, the city "was at the final step" of buying lab equipment when the grant was canceled.

Representatives for HHS, the CDC and the cities did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.


# 2-time Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova gets a wild card for this year's tournament

June 18th, 2025, 10:24 AM

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LONDON (AP) — Petra Kvitova is returning to Wimbledon after the 2011 and 2014 champion was awarded a wild card Wednesday for this year's tournament.

Kvitova last played at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament in 2023, and became a mother for the first time when her son was born during last year's Wimbledon tournament.

Kvitova made her return to the WTA Tour in Austin, Texas, in February after 17 months away from the court and is currently ranked 572nd.

Kvitova, from the Czech Republic, was the only non-British player to get a singles wild card to the main draw on Wednesday.

The other seven players with wild cards for the women's draw include British players Heather Watson, Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage, while Dan Evans is among seven British players given a wild card for the men's draw. One more men's wild card is due to be announced "in due course," organizers said.


# Valkyries' Julie Vanloo speaks 4 languages and helps teammates communicate

By Janie Mccauley
June 18th, 2025, 03:50 PM

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Julie Vanloo smiled as the memory came back to her and the nursery rhyme words from her childhood became familiar again and just flowed.

A short phrase in French from her days as a schoolgirl in Belgium.

Vanloo's ability to communicate in multiple languages has been crucial as the expansion Golden State Valkyries develop chemistry and find ways to make sure everyone can understand a given play or defensive set.

Her teammates are often in awe.

Part of an international roster on the Valkyries, Vanloo's language skills have helped everybody get comfortable on a team that has been changing by the week. Vanloo, Temi Fágbénlé (Great Britain) and Janelle Salaun (France) are currently competing for their countries in the EuroBasket 2025 tournament.

That has led to much mixing and matching for coach Natalie Nakase, who has counted on players like Vanloo making key assists on and off the court.

The Valkyries (5-6) will host Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Thursday night in their sixth home game — all of them sellouts — at Chase Center.

Vanloo will miss the fanfare of that matchup as she plays for Belgium — and she'll certainly brush up on her language skills while away.

For Vanloo, a commitment to building her speaking skills became as important as her basketball talent as she dreamt of reaching the WNBA. She speaks English, French, Italian and Flemish, the dialect of Dutch spoken in her home country.

"Slowly you step up to the next level and when we go to high school and we're 12 years old, we really start to drill it, we start to learn it, both English and French," she said. "It's like six to nine hours per week we really learn English and French in Belgium. All of our series and even our cartoons are in English, we use subtitles for French so that's how we actually learned the accent and everything.

"So that's for all the kids out there, language is important, it's an advantage. I think you are rich when you know multiple languages because it's just easy to communicate and to create a bond with people."

She didn't always love it and she's not always perfect. But Vanloo has remained vigilant about learning.

"My goal was to come play professionally, to come to the league one day. If I have a goal, nobody's going to stop me," she said. "For basketball, I was very, very motivated to learn languages."

Vanloo was selected by the Valkyries from Washington in the expansion draft last December.

She is one of eight non-American players on Golden State's roster representing six countries — Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Kayla Thornton played in Korea and realizes the challenges of trying to live in a place where she doesn't speak the language. She tries to use a few words with her teammates when possible.

"I do pick up on some of the stuff because we do have Italians and we do have French," Thornton said. "When I do hear it I kind of do catch on, I do know a few phrases. Most of the time they teach you their lingo, and that's the bad lingo."

Vanloo's ability to share her basketball expertise and the basics takes pressure off Nakase.

"I think what's really helped is Julie can translate for all of them. Julie speaks everyone's language so that's kind of been really key, just how we can connect that way," Nakase said. "Imagine going to another country and you have no idea. When I played in Germany I really wasn't understanding but I made sure I paid attention. So it's been nice to have Julie because she's listening, she's doing extra for a teammate."

Laeticia Amihere of Canada, a native French speaker who didn't make the opening game roster but has since re-signed with the team, counts on Vanloo. So does rookie guard Carla Leite, who's from France and is working to gain confidence speaking English.

"A lot of us speak French and a lot of us speak different languages so to be able to use that on the court to our advantage I think it's been great," Amihere said. "And she's obviously helping out the French and the French are helping us all just work cohesively and try to find a way we can communicate easily. It's been cool hearing different languages in the locker room. I'm used to it. Some people may not be used to it but I think it's dope."

Kyara Linskens is also from Belgium. She can relate to Vanloo's drive to reach the WNBA and do all the little things — like learning multiple languages — to get there.

"I realized (the importance), because I wanted this," Vanloo said. "I'm telling you, when I want something I'm going to do it until I can't."


Cheerleaders can now go pro

# Cheerleaders can now go pro

By Teresa M. Walker
June 18th, 2025, 01:00 PM

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Varsity Spirit is starting a professional cheerleading league that promises to pay athletes, joining the crowded niche sports market that already includes softball, volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, lacrosse, indoor football and more clamoring for both fans' attention and their dollars.

Pro Cheer League is billed as the first professional cheerleading league for athletes 18 and older designed to give cheerleaders the chance to keep competing after college.

Bill Seely, president of Varsity Spirit based in Memphis, Tennessee, sees plenty of opportunity for all these sports to succeed. This cheer league's advantage comes from the sport's growth since the 1970s along with Varsity's own fan base through its cheerleading, dance team camps, events and shows.

"That's going to help us really kind of build this out in a way that is sustainable and will continue to grow not just domestically but globally," Seely said.

Varsity Spirit has had more than 80,000 people attend its events. The Pro Cheer League will try to tap into that fan base by competing the same night of other events starting in January in Indianapolis when competition begins.

The league will feature four teams stocked with 30 male and female athletes based in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and San Diego. Teams will be selected from tryouts starting in September led by gym owners. Practice begins in November.

After Indianapolis, five more events are planned in Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim and capped by the championship in Nashville at the end of March or start of April.

Each match will feature three periods of competition with two focusing on cheerleading skills, stunts, basket tosses and tumbling in bracket-style rounds. The final period will feature choreography and music.

"We hope a media deal, which we're working on right now, will help kind of bridge beyond the existing fan base," Seely said. "And we're trying to build something that entertains families, friends and gives everyone just a great show that they want to come out to."

Best for the cheerleaders will be money for their athleticism. Compensation will include pay, money for travel, lodging and uniforms along with bonuses and prizes.

Seely noted stunt is on track for NCAA championship status for women by spring 2027 after being designated an emerging sport in 2023. The International Olympic Committee recognized cheerleading as a sport in 2021.

They've already had interest from would-be competitors from across the U.S. with some from Canada and even a couple from Europe.

"We just felt like it was the right next step for the activity and to really kind of magnify it to help inspire young people to participate in it," Seely said.


# Judge says government can't limit passport sex markers for many transgender, nonbinary people

By Michael Casey
June 17th, 2025, 10:55 PM

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BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from limiting passport sex markers for many transgender and nonbinary Americans.

Tuesday's ruling from U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick means that transgender or nonbinary people who are without a passport or need to apply for a new one can request a male, female or "X" identification marker rather than being limited to the marker that matches the gender assigned at birth.

In an executive order signed in January, the president used a narrow definition of the sexes instead of a broader conception of gender. The order said a person is male or female and rejected the idea that someone can transition from the sex assigned at birth to another gender.

Kobick first issued a preliminary injunction against the policy last month, but that ruling applied only to six people who joined with the American Civil Liberties Union in a lawsuit over the passport policy.

In Tuesday's ruling she agreed to expand the injunction to include transgender or nonbinary people who are currently without a valid passport, those whose passport is expiring within a year, and those who need to apply for a passport because theirs was lost or stolen or because they need to change their name or sex designation.

"This is yet another attempt by a rogue judge to thwart President Trump's agenda and push radical gender ideology that defies biological truth," White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to The Associated Press. "There are only two genders, there is no such thing as gender 'X', and the President was given a mandate by the American people to restore common sense to the federal government."

The government failed to show that blocking its policy would cause it any constitutional injury, Kobick wrote, or harm the executive branch's relations with other countries.

The transgender and nonbinary people covered by the preliminary injunction, meanwhile, have shown that the passport policy violates their constitutional rights to equal protection, Kobick said.

"Even assuming a preliminary injunction inflicts some constitutional harm on the Executive Branch, such harm is the consequence of the State Department's adoption of a Passport Policy that likely violates the constitutional rights of thousands of Americans," Kobick wrote.

The judge declined to expressly include intersex people among the class of people affected by the injunction, though they are not excluded if they meet the other criteria the judge outlined. People who are intersex are born with naturally occurring variations to their chromosome patterns, internal or external reproductive organs or hormones that don't fit into categories of "male" or "female."

In a footnote, Kobick wrote that she made the decision because "intersex people are uniquely positioned to argue that the Passport Policy 'injects inaccuracy into the data' by assigning them a binary sex that lacks any biological basis," and it wasn't clear that a broader class of non-binary plaintiffs could fully represent the interests of intersex people.

Kobick, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, sided with the ACLU's motion for a preliminary injunction, which stays the action while the lawsuit plays out.

"The Executive Order and the Passport Policy on their face classify passport applicants on the basis of sex and thus must be reviewed under intermediate judicial scrutiny," Kobick wrote in the preliminary injunction issued earlier this year. "That standard requires the government to demonstrate that its actions are substantially related to an important governmental interest. The government has failed to meet this standard."

In its lawsuit, the ACLU described how one woman had her passport returned with a male designation while others are too scared to submit their passports because they fear their applications might be suspended and their passports held by the State Department.

Another mailed in their passport Jan. 9 and requested to change their name and their sex designation from male to female. That person was still waiting for their passport, the ACLU said in the lawsuit, and feared missing a family wedding and a botany conference this year.

In response to the lawsuit, the Trump administration argued that the passport policy change "does not violate the equal protection guarantees of the Constitution." It also contended that the president has broad discretion in setting passport policy and that plaintiffs would not be harmed since they are still free to travel abroad.


US-Audiobooks-Top-10

# US-Audiobooks-Top-10

By The Associated Press
June 17th, 2025, 06:40 PM

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Nonfiction

1. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, narrated by the author (Audible Studios)

2. What Could Go Wrong? by Scott Z. Burns, narrated by the author (Audible Originals)

3. Atomic Habitsby James Clear, narrated by the author (Penguin Audio)

4. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, narrated by Sean Pratt and the author (Penguin Audio)

5. Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatze, narrated by the author (Grand Central Publishing)

6. Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, narrated by the authors (Simon & Schuster Audio)

7. The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher, narrated by the author (Penguin Audio)

8. Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, narrated by Jake Tapper (Penguin Audio)

9. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, narrated by Chris Hill (Harriman House)

10. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., narrated by Sean Pratt (Penguin Audio)

Fiction

1. Caught Up by Navessa Allen, narrated by Kasi Hollowell, Jason June and Teddy Hamilton (Slowburn)

2. The Primal Hunter 12 by Zogarth, narrated by Travis Baldree (Aethon Audio)

3. The Waitress by K. L. Slater, performed by Claudia Jessie (Audible Originals)

4. Never Flinch by Stephen King, narrated by Jessie Mueller and the author (Simon & Schuster Audio)

5. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Kristen DiMercurio, Julia Whelan and Taylor Jenkins Reid (Random House Audio)

6. Murder at the Patel Motel by Maulik Pancholy, Zackary Grady and Achilles Stamatelaky, performed by Maulik Pancholy, Murray Bartlett, Poorna Jagannathan, Karan Soni, Anna Camp, Adam Pally, Margo Martindale, Richard Kind, Iqbal Theba, Conrad Ricamora, Padma Lakshmi and full cast (Audible Originals)

7. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry, narrated by Julia Whelan (Penguin Audio)

8. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, narrated by Jefferson White (Scholastic Audio Books)

9. The Tenant by Freida McFadden, narrated by Will Damron and Christine Helen Lakin (Dreamscape Media)

10. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, narrated by Jasmin Walker, Justis Bolding, Teddy Hamilton and Rebecca Soler (Recorded Books)


# Bryan Reynolds leaves Pirates' game against Tigers when wife goes into labor

By Dave Hogg
June 18th, 2025, 12:24 AM

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DETROIT (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds left Tuesday night's loss to the Detroit Tigers in the second inning when his wife went into labor.

Reynolds struck out to end the top of the first and didn't make a play in the field in the bottom of the inning. He was replaced by Alexander Canario in right field and is expected to be added to the paternity list.

Pirates manager Don Kelly said he expected Reynolds to rejoin the team for this weekend's home series against the Texas Rangers.

"That's what I would think, given the timing," Kelly said.

Canario hit a two-run single in the third to give Pittsburgh a 3-2 lead, but Detroit rallied for a 7-3 win.

The 30-year-old Reynolds, a two-time All-Star, is hitting .222 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and 81 strikeouts in 71 games.


# Jeezy reflects on the legacy of 'Thug Motivation 101'

By Gary Gerard Hamilton and By Gary Gerard Hamilton
June 18th, 2025, 07:00 PM

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NEW YORK (AP) — When Jeezy released his commercial debut two decades ago, he prepared a contingency plan in case his musical aspirations weren't achieved.

"You don't know if you're going to be around in 20 years," said the drug dealer-turned-rap legend. "The streets change fast. But it's also a safe haven, too, 'cause it was like, 'OK, well, if it doesn't work, maybe I can go back.'"

But there would be no need: "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101" was met with monumental success. The album, deemed a classic by critics and fans, detailed the Atlanta rapper's navigation of the drug trade and street life. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with singles like "Soul Survivor" featuring Akon — which reached No. 4 on the Hot 100 — and "Go Crazy," featuring a Jay-Z verse many consider one of his greatest.

With distinctive ad-libs as memorable as his vivid storytelling, Jeezy displayed his gift of motivation, inspiring a vast cross-section of fans.

"The music and the words resonated so well because they came from a real place. I wasn't trying to entertain — I was trying to reach," said the "My President" rapper, who has built a business empire consisting of real estate and partnerships.

In honor of the album's 20th anniversary, Jeezy is launching his "TM:101 Live" tour on June 27 in Miami, encouraging fans to come sharply dressed for the upscale performances. The Color of Noize Orchestra will back him, along with guest DJ Drama from their acclaimed "Trap or Die" mixtape.

Jeezy spoke with the Associated Press about the album's legacy, social media discourse surrounding him and ex-wife Jeannie Mai, and his infamous snowman shirts that were banned at schools over accusations of promoting drug culture. This conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity.

## AP: It's hard to describe the magnitude of "TM:101" when it dropped. What was that time like?

JEEZY: I just had this feeling that — if I could just get it out — that it would be life-changing for me. So, there was a lot of things I was up against at that time and I must say personally, that was probably the most adversity I ever faced. … I tore my vocal cords because I had polyps on my vocal cords and didn't know it. And then around the same time, I was hit with Bell's palsy. And around that time, the album got leaked.

If you're doing something to change your life and you know that the only other avenues are prison or death, you're just like, "This gotta work."

## AP: Schools across the country began banning your snowman shirts. What's the legacy of them?

JEEZY: Samuel L. Jackson told me something a long time ago — a great friend of mine — he just said the snowman represents people that were demonized, and it was bigger than me. … It was this imagery of something that I was inspiring to be. And to know that they would suspend kids from school and keep them from wearing something that would represent that tells me that the message was loud and clear. … "We got a people's champ."

## AP: How have you managed your transition from street to corporate life?

JEEZY: It's like a tree: It grows where it's soft at, not where it is hard. It's just like over time, leaves fall off, branches fall off but the tree continues to grow.

Everybody don't have the same vision or goals. And if you allow them, they'll sink the ship — or they'll chop down the tree.

## AP: You've been private about your relationships, so how have you dealt with the social media coverage about your divorce?

JEEZY: I just live my life, man. You know, joy, peace, and freedom, brother. I don't know these people, so I can't even feel no type of way. That's on them — I got better things to do. I've got goals, dreams, aspirations, so I don't get caught up in it, 'cause I don't go for the good, either. … I'm not reading the comments to see what somebody said about me good, because none of it matters.

## AP: You're leading community service initiatives. What is that important to you?

JEEZY: I do want to shout out LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) which is my partner on my nonprofit space. They're amazing. We're actually focusing in on prostate cancer, and then also helping the inner city youth with education, entrepreneurship. ... I'd like to shout out the Urban League of Atlanta, and we have the Young CEOs program.

It's great to put out projects, it's great to do tours. But it's also great to help your people in the process.


# Pirates come into matchup with the Tigers on losing streak

By The Associated Press
June 19th, 2025, 08:01 AM

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Pittsburgh Pirates (29-45, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Detroit Tigers (47-27, first in the AL Central)

Detroit; Thursday, 1:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Andrew Heaney (3-5, 3.33 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 59 strikeouts); Tigers: Tarik Skubal (7-2, 1.99 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 111 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tigers -328, Pirates +259; over/under is 7 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to stop their three-game skid with a win over the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit is 47-27 overall and 25-11 in home games. The Tigers have a 32-4 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.

Pittsburgh has a 29-45 record overall and a 10-26 record in road games. The Pirates are 19-8 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.

The teams square off Thursday for the second time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer Torkelson has 16 doubles and 16 home runs while hitting .234 for the Tigers. Javier Baez is 14 for 37 with two doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa has 10 doubles, a triple, a home run and 15 RBIs for the Pirates. Andrew McCutchen is 12 for 40 with three doubles and two home runs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Tigers: 6-4, .260 batting average, 4.25 ERA, outscored by seven runs

Pirates: 5-5, .204 batting average, 2.45 ERA, outscored opponents by five runs

INJURIES: Tigers: Jackson Jobe: 60-Day IL (flexor), Jason Foley: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alex Cobb: 60-Day IL (hip), Matt Vierling: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Reese Olson: 15-Day IL (finger), Ty Madden: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (elbow), Alex Lange: 60-Day IL (lat)

Pirates: Endy Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Colin Holderman: 15-Day IL (thumb), Enmanuel Valdez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Justin Lawrence: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tim Mayza: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jared Jones: 60-Day IL (elbow), Johan Oviedo: 60-Day IL (elbow)


# 'Elio' review: Pixar plays it safe in formulaic intergalactic adventure

By Lindsey Bahr
June 17th, 2025, 08:02 PM

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Elio is a lonely 11-year-old just looking for big answers about life.

He's recently lost his parents, the only people who understood him and wanted him, and the one thing that seems to give him comfort and hope is the idea that we're not alone in the universe. So, in Pixar's latest (in theaters Friday), he starts waging a campaign for aliens to abduct him. Mostly, this involves laying down on the beach and waiting, his sand notes getting ever more desperate. Then one day it works.

It's a solid premise that, viewed one way, has all the makings of a classic Pixar film. It's existential but cute. It might make you cry and also want to buy a cuddly Glordon toy. Glordon (Remy Edgerly) is the toothy, slug-like young alien with no eyes who befriends Elio (Yonas Kibreab).

From a more cynical vantage point, however, it also doesn't stray far from the formula. It's another kid realizing that the things that make him different might just be his secret power played out on a heightened, fantastical scale. It's safe and familiar, but also perhaps getting a little tired. "Elio" might even be the film that will have you wishing that Pixar would tone down the self-help sessions. Dead parents and a kid with a single tear running down his face is a brutal way to start an intergalactic adventure movie for the whole family. We've cared about protagonists with far less immediate trauma.

Elio and his aunt Olga ( Zoe Saldaña ) are barely holding on when we meet them living on an army base. She's had to abandon her dreams of being an astronaut to be Elio's primary caregiver, and he is a tricky subject — consumed with grief that he can't quite verbalize and channeling all of his energies into a quest to communicate with extraterrestrials. Olga is trying but overwhelmed and Elio feels like a burden. On top of it all, he can't seem to stay out of trouble, whether it's his own making or in self-defense against a local bully. It's no wonder he wants to flee for a world of infinite knowledge, voice powered anti-gravity devices and spectacular colors.

But life in the cosmos is no walk in the park either. Elio gets immediately entangled in a web of lies, in which he convinces the (we're told) wise aliens of the Communiverse that he is the leader of Earth. Fake it until you make it, Pixar-style? He's sent to negotiate with Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett), a warmongering leader who wants to lead the Communiverse, and learns techniques like "start from a position of power" and to use a "bargaining chip." Like most Pixar movies, it's building towards a message of empathy. But for a good long while it we're also being taught something akin to the art of the deal.

"Elio" is the work of many people — there are three credited directors, Adrian Molina ( "Coco" ), who left the project but retains the credit, Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi ("Turning Red"), and three credited screenwriters involved. And the story stretches in a lot of different directions, making the overall experience a little disjointed and strained. It's most fun when it lets its kid characters be kids — Elio and his new pal Glordon have a ball just playing around in the Communiverse. But the film just takes so long to get there. Dazzling visuals will only get you so far. And those are not without their pleasures and irreverent homages to film tropes in various genres. One of the more questionably intense sequences involves a bit of clone body horror, but perhaps that's an adult projecting a horror element onto something that a kid might just find funny.

There's a nice overriding message about parental acceptance and unconditional love – there always is. But in playing it so safe and so familiar, "Elio" is missing a bit of that Pixar wonder, and mischief.

"Elio," a Walt Disney Company release in theaters Friday, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association for "thematic elements, some action and peril." Running time. 99 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.


Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

# Tom Cruise, Dolly Parton to receive honorary Oscars

By Lindsey Bahr
June 17th, 2025, 06:03 PM

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Thirty-five years after Tom Cruise received his first Oscar nomination, he's finally getting a trophy. It's not for his death-defying stunts, either. At least, not exclusively.

Cruise, choreographer Debbie Allen and "Do The Right Thing" production designer Wynn Thomas have all been selected to receive honorary Oscar statuettes at the annual Governors Awards, the film academy said Tuesday. Dolly Parton will also be recognized with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her decades-long charitable work in literacy and education.

"This year's Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact," Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement.

Most recipients of the prize historically have not yet won a competitive Oscar themselves. Cruise, 62, has been nominated four times, twice for best actor in "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Jerry Maguire," once for supporting actor in "Magnolia" and once for best picture with "Top Gun: Maverick." He's also championed theatrical moviegoing and big-scale Hollywood production through the coronavirus pandemic.

Yang spotlighted Cruise's "incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community."

Allen, 75, has never been nominated for an Oscar. But the multi-hyphenate entertainer — she also acts and produces — has played an integral role in the Oscars show, having choreographed seven ceremonies over the years. Four of those were nominated for prime-time Emmy awards.

A nomination had also eluded Thomas, a leading production designer whose films have often gone on to best picture nominations and even one win, for Ron Howard's "A Beautiful Mind." Thomas is most known for his long-term collaboration with filmmaker Spike Lee, from "She's Gotta Have It" and "Malcolm X" through "Da 5 Bloods."

Parton has been nominated twice for best original song, for "9 to 5" and, in 2006, "Travelin' Thru" from the film "Transamerica." But her honor celebrates her humanitarian efforts over the years, through organizations like the Dollywood Foundation and the literary program "Dolly Parton's Imagination Library."

Yang said Parton "exemplifies the spirit" of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

The awards will be handed out during an untelevised ceremony on Nov. 16 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles. Last year's recipients included the late Quincy Jones, Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, filmmaker Richard Curtis and casting director Juliet Taylor.

Recipients of the prizes, which honor lifetime achievement, contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences and service to the academy are selected by the film academy's board of governors.


# Hurricane Erick is quickly building strength as it heads toward Mexico. Here's why

By Seth Borenstein
June 18th, 2025, 08:12 PM

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Having doubled in strength in less than a day and still expected to grow further, Hurricane Erick on Wednesday chugged through the ideal environment to power up quickly as it approached Mexico's southern Pacific Coast.

This type of rapid intensification has become more common in a warmer climate, especially in the Atlantic and near the United States, which is not where Erick is now, scientists said. Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification — when a storm gains at least 35 mph in 24 hours — which is about twice as many as average and causes problems with forecasting, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Erick, an otherwise run-of-the-mill hurricane that's strong but not unusual, gained 50 mph in just 18 hours and was still powering up as it neared the coast.

The only thing that's unusual so far is that this is the fifth eastern Pacific storm a month into the season there, which is a little more active than normal, said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy. And it's likely that when Erick hits, it will be the strongest storm to make landfall in that part of Mexico this early in the season, he said.

On average, the fifth named storm first appears in the Eastern Pacific basin around July 23, according to the hurricane center. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which starts May 15 and runs through Nov. 30, averages 15 named storms, eight of which become hurricanes with four of those reaching major status of winds more than 110 mph (177 kph). In general, the eastern Pacific tends to have about one storm a year more than the Atlantic. But Atlantic storms tend to cause more destruction because they hit more populated areas.

Because of where Erick is headed — nearing Acapulco — and its rapid intensification, the storm brings back bad memories of deadly Otis, which seemed to come from out of nowhere to smack Mexico with a top-of-the-scale Category 5 hurricane in 2023. But Erick is no Otis, especially because of their timing. Erick is an early-season storm and Otis hit in October.

Forming in October, Otis grew stronger by churning up deeper and warmer water because it was later in the year. Erick is early in the year and the deep water it would churn up is cooler and doesn't fuel rapid intensification. Even so, the surface water is plenty hot enough, said MIT hurricane scientist Kerry Emanuel.

All the ingredients are otherwise perfect for Erick's power-up, said University at Albany atmospheric scientist Kristen Corbosiero. Dry air often stops rapid intensification, but Erick hasn't run into dry air and the atmosphere around it is extremely moist, she said. It's got a good stormy eye forming and has what would be the ideal shape of a strengthening storm, she said.

Studies have linked human-caused climate change in general to more bouts of rapid intensification, as well as wetter and slower storms, Corbosiero said. But it would take more study, usually after the storm hits, to find any potential link between global warming and Erick in particular, she said.


# Barcelona signs Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García

By Joseph Wilson
June 18th, 2025, 12:44 PM

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BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona is signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García, who was once linked to a move to Arsenal, to a six-year contract, the Spanish champion said Wednesday.

The 24-year-old García recently finished a stellar first season in La Liga when he led all goalkeepers in saves with an average of almost four a game.

He will now join Espanyol's main rival on a contract until June 2031.

Barcelona said it activated a release clause of 25 million euros ($28.5 million) and that García is expected to sign the contract Friday in a "private ceremony" at the club's offices.

The fee could help Espanyol reinforce a squad after it only avoided relegation on the final day of the season.

García had been close to a possible move to Arsenal last summer after he helped Spain win Olympic gold in Paris. He stayed put and was one of Espanyol's best players.

García has yet to debut for Spain's senior side, but it's considered only a matter of time before he does if he continues to play well. He helped Spain win the Olympic gold medal in Paris last year.

"The time has come to part ways. Today I say goodbye to the club that has been my home since I was 15," he said on social media. "I've given everything to help the team, to represent this badge with the utmost dedication, and to live up to what it means to wear this shirt."

García said he would understand the backlash from Espanyol fans for him joining its rival.

"I know this decision won't be easy for everyone to understand," he said. "I'm not asking you to do so. But I do want you to know that it was a carefully considered decision, considering not only my career, but also what's best for the club, my family, and me."

García's arrival to Barcelona puts in question the role of veteran Marc-André ter Stegen, who was injured most of the season. Ter Stegen is under contract through 2028.

Following Ter Stegen's injury, Barcelona convinced Wojciech Szczęsny to come out of retirement and sign a contract for the remainder of last season. Barcelona's other goalkeeper is Iñaki Peña.

While several Barcelona players have joined Espanyol later in their careers, it is rare for an Espanyol player to move to Barcelona. Their derbies are heated affairs.

Barcelona won the Spanish league this year.