SUMENEP, Indonesia — Hundreds of children in Indonesia lined up for free measles shots Monday as authorities rolled out a vaccination campaign in response to an outbreak that has caused 17 deaths.
More than 2,000 children were infected in East Java province over the past eight months, according to officials who said 16 of the 17 deaths occurred in Sumenep district. Sixteen patients were not immunized and one did not complete the vaccines, according to data from Sumenep District Health Agency.
Indonesia has reported previous outbreaks of the highly infectious disease, mostly driven by gaps in vaccination coverage in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.
A major outbreak occurred in the easternmost province of Papua in 2018, causing dozens of deaths. That year, the Indonesian Ulema Council reported the measles and rubella vaccine used for mass immunization programs contained pork. Use of the vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India was permitted until a halal vaccine without pork could be found.
Just 72% of Indonesia’s 22 million children under 5 received the measles vaccine last year, and in some provinces, vaccination rates were below 50%, according to data from Statistics Indonesia.
Indonesian authorities have called on residents and community and religious leaders to support immunization efforts. The mass vaccination in Sumenep is targeting 78,000 children from 9 months to 6 years old.
“Otherwise, this disease, measles, will spread further among our children. It will be even more fatal in the future,” said Imam Hasyim, deputy chief of Sumenep district.
Globally, the World Health Organization says 84% of children received the first dose of measles vaccine last year, and 76% had received two doses. But experts say measles vaccine rates need to reach 95% to prevent outbreaks.
WHO noted that 60 countries reported big measles outbreaks last year.
The 56-year-old restaurant chain, founded in 1969, said in a lengthy statement shared to its website Monday, that the company “could’ve done a better job sharing who we are.”
“If the last few days have shown us anything, it’s how deeply people care about Cracker Barrel. We’re truly grateful for your heartfelt voices,” Cracker Barrel said. “You’ve also shown us that we could’ve done a better job sharing who we are and who we’ll always be.”
An exterior view of a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.
Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Cracker Barrel announced last year it would begin to renovate its combination restaurant-and-retail establishments in an effort to modernize the longtime chain, shifting from a classic Southern country store aesthetic to a contemporary country theme with a minimalist logo change, brighter locations, updated seating, lighting and bookcases, while some Cracker Barrel signatures would remain, such as its stone fireplaces and taxidermy deer heads.
The old corporate logo for Cracker Barrel (left) and their newly unveiled logo.
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino previously appeared on “Good Morning America” on Aug. 19, saying the veteran company needed to refresh its restaurants and stores.
“Cracker Barrel needs to feel like the Cracker Barrel for today and for tomorrow,” Masino said. “The soul of Cracker Barrel’s not changing — the rocking chairs are still there, the fireplace is there, the peg game — all the things that make Cracker Barrel Cracker Barrel.”
But critics voiced their displeasure at the changes on social media and Cracker Barrel’s stock even dropped by as much as 13% last Thursday, as Reuters reported.
On Monday, Cracker Barrel vowed not to turn its back on its company’s values of “hard work, family, and scratch-cooked food made with care” and promised to keep some of the classic Cracker Barrel its fans have come to love over the years.
The new Cracker Barrel logo is seen on a menu inside the restaurant, August 21, 2025 in Homestead, Florida.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
“What has not changed, and what will never change, are the values this company was built on when Cracker Barrel first opened in 1969: hard work, family, and scratch-cooked food made with care,” Cracker Barrel continued in its statement.
“The things people love most about our stores aren’t going anywhere: rocking chairs on the porch, a warm fire in the hearth, peg games on the table, unique treasures in our gift shop, and vintage Americana with antiques pulled straight from our warehouse in Lebanon, Tennessee.”
Cracker Barrel also assured restaurantgoers its food will remain a main focus as it worked to bring in and build a loyal fanbase in “the next generation of families.”
The new Cracker Barrel logo is seen on a menu inside the restaurant, August 21, 2025 in Homestead, Florida.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
“While our logo and remodels may be making headlines, our bigger focus is still right where it belongs… in the kitchen and on your plate: serving generous portions of the food you crave at fair prices and doing it with the kind of country hospitality that brightens your days and creates lasting memories,” Cracker Barrel said. “Meatloaf, chicken n’ dumplins, country fried steak, sides that taste like Sunday supper, and yes, the world’s best pancakes, they’re all still here, with a few new dishes joining the menu.”
“We know we won’t always get everything right the first time, but we’ll keep testing, learning, and listening to our guests and employees,” Cracker Barrel added.
In a sign of homesellers’ frustration with how long it’s taking to sell their properties,more owners are opting to pull their homes off the market rather than lower the asking price.
That’s according to a recent report from Realtor.com finding that so-called delistings, or homes taken off the market without having been sold, were up 38% in June since the start of 2025 and 48% from a year ago.
“Fewer and fewer sellers are deciding to enter the market, and increasingly more are deciding to jump out,” Jake Krimmel, senior economist at Realtor.com told CBS MoneyWatch.
Signs of deadlock
One indicator that more sellers are exiting the housing market is the ratio between the number of delistings and listings. For every 100 new homes listed nationally in June, 21 homes were taken off the market, the report found. That’s up from 13 delisted homes per 100 new listings in May.
A steady rise in delistings could push buyers and sellers further apart, creating a deadlock in the housing market, according to Krimmel.
“The thing that’s going to prevent buyers and sellers from getting closer together is if all the sellers who maybe could or should be lowering their prices to meet the demand where it is are instead taking their homes off the market altogether,” he said. “So it’s kind of like keeping us in this holding pattern.”
The trend comes as the supply of homes for sale begins to grow in certain U.S. regions, causing prices in those areas to drop. The number of homes for sale in July surged nearly 25% from a year ago, a post-pandemic high. according to Realtor.com.
Despite the rise in housing inventory, home sales around the U.S. remain relatively stagnant, with steep prices and high mortgage rates continuing to deter many would-be homebuyers, experts told CBS MoneyWatch. Realtor.com data shows that pending home sales, or listings under contract, in July fell 3% in compared with the same period last year.
No hurry to sell
When homeowners are eager to sell a property, they typically lower the price in order to offload it quicker. However, those who are not up against the same type of time constraints may be willing to wait it out longer — especially if they’re benefiting from a favorable mortgage rate.
“Maybe you’re locked into payments that are relatively affordable for you,” Krimmel said. “You would prefer to sell, but not at a price that you’re not comfortable with.”
Another factor is playing into the delisting trend, experts said — the surge in housing prices during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the housing market was red hot. As newly remote workers flocked to areas like Austin, Texas, home prices rose at record levels, giving sellers a chance to cash in.
While the market has since cooled substantially, sellers’ pricing expectations have been slower to catch up.
“Maybe we’ve gotten a bit spoiled by very high home prices over the last many years, but we are seeing some softness in the market right now,” Nancy Vanden Houten, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, told CBS MoneyWatch.
That may not be true in all markets, however. Miami is one of the places where sellers have been least willing to budge on price. According to Realtor.com’s analysis, 59 homes were delisted for every 100 new homes listed in the southern Florida city — the highest ratio among the cities Realtor.com tracked. Meanwhile, less than 18% of listed homes in Miami came with a price reduction in July, according to Realtor.com.
“If sellers are choosing to take properties off the market rather than lower prices, it may signal renewed confidence in Miami’s future, and a growing belief that this is a market worth holding for the long haul,” Ana Bozovic, a Miami-based real estate agent and founder of Analytics Miami, told Realtor.com.
Mary Cunningham is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. Before joining the business and finance vertical, she worked at “60 Minutes,” CBSNews.com and CBS News 24/7 as part of the CBS News Associate Program.
In a world driven by screens, one North Texas nonprofit is making sure no one gets left behind.
Computers for the Blind, based in Dallas, is opening doors for people across the country who are blind or visually impaired.
The nonprofit refurbishes donated computers and equips them with powerful accessibility software, providing life-changing technology to thousands who would otherwise go without it.
For Antoinette McDonald Ellis, receiving one of these computers was nothing short of transformational.
“I can send that email myself. I can look things up myself. Whatever I need to do on that computer, I have the ability now to go in there and do it. And not only that, I have the confidence,” she said.
Inside an office space off North Central Expressway, shelves are lined with more than machines—they’re gateways to independence.
The organization installs specialized software like JAWS, which converts text into speech, and ZoomText, which magnifies on-screen content. These tools allow users who are blind or have low vision to navigate the digital world with confidence and ease.
“What makes them different is they’re loaded with software that either makes the computer speak, or magnifies the screen,” explained Marci Duty, a Computers for the Blind employee who is herself completely blind.
Duty knows the impact firsthand. She previously trained others in Texas to use JAWS, and now plays a key role in helping ship computers across the country.
“We’ve almost shipped 22,000 computers,” Duty said. “And each one of them makes a big difference in a person’s life.”
The impact of the program isn’t just in the tech—it’s in the training and support that comes with it.
“When I first opened it and turned it on, and it spoke to me… I just kind of felt like I grew three or four inches,” Ellis recalled.
Computers for the Blind’s mission is about more than just providing hardware—it’s about bridging the digital divide and restoring a sense of community, creativity, and confidence for people who are often underserved in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.
“It gave me freedom,” Ellis said. “It’s given me the ability to go and feel like I’m part of this 21st-century world.”
With every computer shipped, Computers for the Blind brings more than technology—they bring independence, opportunity and a renewed sense of possibility.
Washington — The Republican leader of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has issued a subpoena to the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein seeking documents and other material as part of its ongoing examination of the government’s investigation into Epstein.
The subpoena issued by Rep. James Comer of Kentucky demands the co-executors of Epstein’s estate turn over to the House committee more than a dozen categories of documents and communications, including material from 1990 through August 2019 that references all presidents and vice presidents, videos taken from Epstein’s properties and listings in his contact and address books.
Lawmakers are also seeking entries contained within a leather-bound book put together by Epstein’s longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, for his 50th birthday, the 2008 non-prosecution agreement reached with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida and Epstein’s will.
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that President Trump had allegedly signed a “bawdy” letter to Epstein in the early 2000s to mark his 50th birthday that said, in part, “may every day be another wonderful secret.” The Journal reported that the leather-bound book was compiled by Maxwell and included submissions from dozens of associates, including billionaire Leslie Wexner attorney Alan Dershowitz and Mr. Trump.
The president called the letter reported by the Journal “fake” and filed a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper, its parent company and media mogul Rupert Murdoch over the story, seeking at least $20 billion in damages.
In addition to issuing the subpoena, Comer announced that Alex Acosta, who was serving as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida when Epstein was investigated, will voluntarily answer questions from the committee on Sept. 19.
Acosta was the top federal prosecutor in South Florida when federal authorities investigated Epstein in the 2000s and entered into a non-prosecution agreement that allowed him to avoid federal prosecution and plead guilty to state prostitution charges. Acosta went on to serve as secretary of labor during Mr. Trump’s first term, but resigned in 2019 amid questions about his handling of the Epstein case.
Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.
Washington — Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being processed for deportation to Uganda, the Department of Homeland Security said, after he was taken into custody Monday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, days after his release from criminal custody.
Abrego Garcia, a native of El Salvador, was mistakenly deported to his home country in March and held in a notorious Salvadoran prison for months before being returned to the U.S. in June where he was jailed on federal human smuggling charges. A judge ruled that he should be released from detention ahead of a trial set for January.
Abrego Garcia was freed from pretrial detention last Friday. CBS News reported on Saturday that his attorneys were then sent a court-required notice of his potential deportation to Uganda. He arrived at the ICE facility on Monday morning to check in, speaking in Spanish to supporters who had gathered in a show of support outside of the facility.
“There was no need for them to take him into ICE detention. He was already on electronic monitoring from the U.S. Marshals Service and basically on house arrest,” his attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said. “The only reason that they’ve chosen to take him into detention is to punish him. To punish him for exercising his constitutional rights.”
Sandoval-Moshenberg filed a new lawsuit on Abrego Garcia’s behalf on Monday challenging his confinement and deportation to any country “unless and until he had a fair trial in an immigration court.”
Kilmar Abrego Garcia holds his wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura’s hand, as he appears for a check-in at the ICE Baltimore field office three days after his release from criminal custody in Tennessee, in Baltimore, Maryland, August 25, 2025. (Picture taken through glass).
Elizabeth Frantz / REUTERS
The U.S. district court in Maryland soon issued an order preventing the government from immediately removing Abrego Garcia from the U.S. or altering his legal status, meaning his deportation is on hold for now. The court has issued the standing order in all cases involving migrant detainees challenging the legality of their detentions in recent months, a move the Justice Department is challenging as unlawful.
Judge Paula Xinis, who is assigned to the case, held a hearing on Abrego Garcia’s new suit on Monday. She issued an oral order preventing the Trump administration from moving Abrego Garcia from the ICE facility in Virginia where he is now being held.
The Department of Homeland Security claims Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, which his family denies.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement that ICE had arrested Abrego Garcia and was “processing him for deportation.” DHS said he is “being processed for removal to Uganda.” The U.S. reached an agreement with Uganda to accept some deportees last week.
“President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator to terrorize American citizens any longer,” Noem said.
In a legal filing over the weekend, Abrego Garcia’s lawyers said he was offered a plea deal that included deportation to Costa Rica. His legal team said they then received a notice of his possible deportation to Uganda. Sandoval-Moshenberg clarified Monday that Abrego Garcia had stated that he was willing to accept refugee status in Costa Rica.
“The fact that they’re holding Costa Rica as a carrot and using Uganda as a stick to try to coerce him to plead guilty to a crime is such clear evidence that they’re weaponizing the immigration system in a manner that is completely unconstitutional,” Sandoval-Moshenberg said Monday.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat who traveled to El Salvador to advocate for the return of Abrego Garcia earlier this year, met with him Sunday. Van Hollen said in a statement that he was glad to “welcome him back to Maryland after what has been a long and torturous nightmare.”
“The federal courts and public outcry forced the Administration to bring Ábrego García back to Maryland, but Trump’s cronies continue to lie about the facts in his case and they are engaged in a malicious abuse of power as they threaten to deport him to Uganda — to block his chance to defend himself against the new charges they brought,” Van Hollen said. “As I told Kilmar and his wife Jennifer, we will stay in this fight for justice and due process because if his rights are denied, the rights of everyone else are put at risk.”
An immigration judge ruled in 2019 that Abrego Garcia may not be deported to El Salvador because he feared persecution by local gangs in the Central American country.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore advocated for due process for Abrego Garcia on Sunday, saying on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that “I just simply want a court and a judge to decide what is going to be the future fate of this case and all cases like this, and not simply the president of the United States or the secretary of homeland security who is trying to be judge, juror, prosecutor and executioner inside this case.”
Dr. Damion Valletta’s professional path reflects a seamless blend of passion, precision, and purpose. From an early age, he knew his calling would involve helping others and being of service, and this deeply rooted desire has led him to make significant strides in the fields of orthopaedics, sports medicine, and innovation-driven hair restoration. As a U.S. Olympic team physician and founder of Restore Biologics, Dr. Valletta’s career reflects a rare blend of elite credentials and patient-centered service. Whether working with elite athletes or everyday individuals and families, Dr. Valletta’s approach remains grounded in excellence, empathy, and a dedication to advancing patient care.
The Journey to Excellence
When asked about his early inspirations, Dr. Valletta’s passion for medicine is clear. “From a young age, I had a strong sense that I was meant to do something purposeful,” he explains. “Helping people was the most direct way to feel I was of service, and medicine offered the most meaningful path to achieve that.” Participation in sports and early mentorship from physicians steered him toward orthopaedic surgery with a focus on sports medicine. For Dr. Valletta, this specialty is more than just fixing injuries; it’s about helping people regain their identity, especially athletes whose lives revolve around motion and performance.
Throughout his career, key moments have shaped both his philosophy and expert approach. Performing procedures on high-profile athletes such as U.S. Soccer star Abby Wambach and NFL wide receiver Malcolm Floyd taught him the importance of precision and preparation under immense pressure. Dr. Valletta, however, emphasizes that the satisfaction he derives from his work isn’t limited to star-studded cases. “I find equal fulfillment in helping all of my patients, whether it’s a teacher returning to daily walks or a teenager getting back on the field. Everyone deserves elite-level care.”
Balancing the diverse needs of his patients has been a defining skill. From professionals facing career-defining deadlines to individuals seeking relief from everyday discomfort, his principle remains the same. “Communication, empathy, and personalized care are at the heart of everything I do,” says Dr. Valletta.
Valletta Orthopaedics: A Hub for Precision and Holistic Care
Dr. Valletta’s medical practice, Valletta Orthopaedics, is a reflection of his belief in deeply personalized, patient-focused care. “What sets us apart is not just the surgical expertise but our holistic approach to understanding the root causes of injury and preventing recurrence,” he explains. Valletta Orthopaedics offers comprehensive structural examinations that go beyond identifying the immediate injury. By analyzing biomechanical factors like alignment, muscle balance, and joint integrity, Dr. Valletta and his team design solutions that last.
Working with elite athletes has refined Dr. Valletta’s meticulous approach. “These high-pressure cases demand an uncompromising standard of care, and that precision is something I bring to every patient, regardless of their level of activity.” From initial treatment to post-surgical education, his clinic emphasizes long-term outcomes, empowering patients with the knowledge they need to maintain joint health and mobility.
Contributions to Sports Medicine
Dr. Valletta with U.S. Women’s National Team stars Abby Wambach and Hope Solo at the 2012 London Olympic Games, where the team won gold. Photo credit: Restore Biologics
Dr. Valletta’s work extends beyond his medical practice through his roles as a team physician. He also mentors medical students and residents, lecturing regularly on injury prevention and biomechanics in sports. He was privileged to serve as a U.S. team physician during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and has continued to support both U.S. Soccer Federation and local collegiate teams. These collaborations have brought some of the most rewarding moments of his career. “Managing high-stakes situations and making quick, informed decisions is critical in this field, but it’s equally important to ensure the long-term well-being of the athletes we care for,” he shares.
Dr. Valletta is also at the forefront of exciting advancements in sports medicine. From biologic therapies using PRP and stem-cell derivatives to data-driven rehabilitation and wearable technologies, the tools available to prevent and treat injuries are evolving rapidly. He incorporates functional movement screenings, tailored strength programs, and innovative recovery protocols into his practice to help athletes stay healthy and competitive.
Pioneering Hair Restoration with Restore Biologics
In the picture: A client before and after an ARTAS hair restoration procedure. Photo credit: Restore Biologics
Dr. Valletta has also left his mark in the field of hair restoration through his subsidiary, Restore Biologics. This venture began as a natural extension of his work, addressing a growing need among health-conscious individuals experiencing hair loss. Dr. Valletta’s surgical expertise in orthopaedics, particularly his precise hand and deep anatomical knowledge, gives him a unique advantage in this field. “I saw an opportunity to bring clinical integrity to a space that’s often underserved or lacks personalization,” he reflects.
Dr. Valletta noticed that many of his athletic male patients were also quietly struggling with male pattern baldness. Using cutting-edge biologics such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), Restore Biologics helps activate dormant follicles and enhance graft survival rates, offering patients both non-surgical and surgical options alike. His deep understanding of biologic injectable therapies, combined with an interest in evolving hair restoration technologies, made it a natural progression to help patients address this aesthetic side of their healthcare. “It wasn’t just about hair,” he notes. “It was about confidence, identity, and offering a solution rooted in the same medical integrity that I bring to orthopaedics.”
One key innovation Dr. Valletta has embraced is the ARTAS Hair Transplant System, a state-of-the-art robotic technology that improves precision and minimizes recovery time for patients. For him, this system symbolizes a fusion of technology and medicine that elevates results while maintaining patient comfort. “Combining these advancements with biologic therapies allows us to tailor solutions for individuals at every stage, from prevention to treatment.”
A Philosophy of Excellence
At the core of Dr. Valletta’s approach is the relentless pursuit of excellence. “My standard of care is rooted in discipline, integrity, and curiosity,” he states. This commitment to lifelong learning fuels his drive to stay at the forefront of medical advancements, whether in sports medicine, orthopaedics, or hair restoration. “Consistent improvement is the heartbeat of my practice.”
When reflecting on what motivates him, Dr. Valletta points to the tangible impact his work has on his patients. “Whether it’s helping someone return to their sport or restoring confidence with hair rejuvenation, I’m driven by the opportunity to improve lives in meaningful ways.”
Over the course of his career, his perspective on patient care has evolved. Success, he notes, is not just about achieving physical outcomes, it’s about creating trust and empowering patients to take control of their health. Beyond medicine, Dr. Valletta stays grounded by traveling, staying active, and engaging with peers across specialties. These experiences not only recharge him but also inspire fresh ideas and innovative concepts.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Valletta’s ambitions don’t stop at perfecting practices within his specialty areas. He envisions a future where healthcare is more transparent, personalized, and accessible. Through his venture with Be Seen Health, he aims to remove barriers to care by streamlining pricing and patient access, while restoring autonomy to physicians. It’s an ambitious project rooted in his broader mission “to modernize the medical experience and elevate care for all.”
When asked to share advice for aspiring medical professionals, Dr. Valletta emphasizes an approach grounded in purpose and humanity. “Skill can be taught, but mindset makes the difference. Always lead with curiosity, humility, and a focus on the patient,” he says.
As Dr. Valletta reflects on his career, he hopes his legacy will be defined by more than his surgical expertise or technological innovations. “I want to be remembered as someone who made care more accessible, transparent, and patient-centered. It’s not about what I built, but about who I helped along the way.”
From the operating room to technological breakthroughs, Dr. Damion Valletta continues to set a high bar for excellence, leaving a profound impact on his patients’ lives and on the greater medical community.
The oldest continuously operating FM radio station in Los Angeles is KRTH (101.1 FM).
The original FM band was different than it is today, spanning 42-50 MHz rather than today’s 88-108. FM broadcasting on the original band was launched on January 1, 1941; the genesis of KRTH, known at the time as K45LA, signed on the air August 11, 1941, at 44.5 on the FM dial – the first FM station in town.
In 1945, the Federal Communications Commission began migrating the FM broadcast band to its current spectrum, an action that was completed by early 1949. K45LA, which by 1943 was known as KHJ-FM, the sister station to KHJ (930 AM), moved to 99.7 on the new band in 1946. In 1947, it moved to its current home of 101.1.
Information regarding programming during the early days of KHJ-FM is lacking. I’ve read that it was essentially a simulcast of KHJ’s AM station, including the first few years of Boss Radio KHJ that launched in 1965.
That there are so many recordings of KHJ-AM and so few of the FM simulcast is telling. People just didn’t listen to FM in the early days. And why would they? AM radios were everywhere, and if the programming was the same, what difference did it make?
In order to help FM compete, the FCC ruled that beginning in 1968, co-owned AM/FM combos could not simulcast full-time. KRTH thus launched “Hit Parade ’68,” an automated solid-gold oldies format playing songs within a few years of 1968. It became “Hit Parade ’69” in 1969 and then just “Hit Parade” in 1970. In 1971, there was a new, but similar, format: Solid Gold Rock and Roll. There are some recordings of all of these around the internet if you’re interested… just search “KHJ-FM.”
Then came late 1972. In a nod to Earth Day, KHJ-FM changed call letters to “K-Earth” KRTH, and launched its own format. It was still automated, but the sound was updated with new jingles and a focus on the early years of rock and roll, generally 1955-1965. This made for a perfect complement to KHJ, which played current music along with oldies going back to roughly 1965.
I am told that the original format was not going to be oldies, but more of a folk-based singer/songwriter sound, matching the vibe of the hippy movement. Only insiders would know for sure, but it does make a certain amount of sense.
The timing of the change was perfect. Suddenly, the 1950s and ‘60s were part of pop culture … The movie “American Graffiti” and then the launch of “Happy Days” on ABC television helped build on the nostalgia of the era, and KRTH was right there playing the music.
KRTH evolved with the times. As the years progressed, newer music was added. I personally think KRTH was at its peak in the late 1970s until the mid-’80s when it played current music as well as oldies, with special weekends called things like “Souvenir of the ’70s” and the “Runners-up of rock and roll.” This was the era of live DJs such as Pat Evans and Brian “Mr. Rock and Roll” Beirne; London and Engelman were the morning team during part of this era, until being hired away for mornings on the new top-40 K-WEST (now KPRW, 105.9 FM) in 1981.
KRTH continued to evolve, going back to full-time oldies in 1984, but adding more recent music. This not only kept the station fresh, but it also brought in new (and younger) listeners. While many lament that the station no longer plays music from the first years of rock and roll, it must be noted that in 1972, the oldest song KRTH played was 17 years old … 19 of you count the few songs that reached back to 1953.
Compare that with today, in which KRTH’s playlist focuses on the 1980s and reaches into the early 2000s … meaning the majority of songs are at least 35 years old, and the most recent are at least 20.
Jingles have changed with the times as well, as have personalities. The idea is to stay fresh and relevant, and the results speak for themselves. KRTH is currently the most popular station in Los Angeles – by a long shot.
In the July Nielsens, KRTH was more than a point above second-place KOST (103.5 FM), earning a 7.4 share vs. KOST’s 6.1 among all listeners aged 6 and over. It also led in almost every demographic. That’s not luck, that’s good programming, under the direction of Chris Ebbott. I believe it is KRTH’s highest rating – ever.
This good programming includes an excellent air-staff: Gary Bryan and Lisa Stanley in the morning, followed by Lara Scott, Greg Simms and Larry Morgan weekdays; Kevin Schatz, Renee Taylor and Dave Styles weekends and fill-ins. All are entertaining and excellent musical hosts. Contests are fewer than in years past, but the on-air presentation overall is superb.
You can’t argue with success, and KRTH is definitely a success, more today than ever.
Richard Wagoner is a San Pedro freelance columnist covering radio in Southern California. Email rwagoner@socalradiowaves.com
As the Democratic Party searches for direction in the post-2024 landscape, its leaders seem bent on alienating their own base over Gaza. This is not a matter of nuance or tactical positioning; it’s a profound moral and political miscalculation.
That failure is on vivid display in the decision by House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (Redlands) to help lead a delegation of mostly freshman Democratic representatives recently to Israel. The trip included meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ison trial for corruption in Israel and isthe subject of arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Polling makes the disconnect impossible to ignore. In July,Gallup found that just 8% of Democrats approve of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, with disapproval overwhelming.Pew Research Center reported in April that 69% of Democrats now hold an unfavorable view of Israel — a striking shift from just a few years ago. AndData for Progress has consistently found supermajority Democratic support for a permanent ceasefire; in May 2024, 83% of Democrats backed a permanent ceasefire, and ina June 12, 2024, poll a majority of Democrats said they believed Israel was committing war crimes in Gaza.
Aguilar’s role makes this especially galling. He isn’t a backbencher; he’s a high-ranking member of the Democratic Party leadership. That gives him a particular responsibility to model principled conduct for newer members. Instead, he’s showing them the wrong lesson: that obedience to the donor class matters more than representing constituents. The point is underscored by his fundraising:OpenSecrets reports Aguilar received about $678,000 from donors categorized as “Pro-Israel” in the 2023–24 cycle.
The mechanics of that influence are no mystery. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and allied pro-Israel PACs reward loyalty with torrents of campaign cash and punish dissent with lavishly funded primary challenges. Reps. Jamaal Bowman andCori Bush — both outspoken critics of Israel’s conduct in Gaza — have been textbook examples: Bowman was unseated after record outside spending flooded his race, and Bush faced a barrage of super-PAC money that ultimately toppled her. The incentive structure is clear: Toe the line and your coffers swell; cross it and a financial juggernaut rolls over you.
There is a political price for complying with this pressure, however. TheInstitute for Middle East Understanding, using YouGov, found that among voters who backed Joe Biden in 2020 but chose someone else in 2024 “ending Israel’s violence in Gaza” was the top issue for 29% nationally — ahead of the economy — and 20% in battleground states. Those results point to a straightforward conclusion: Ignoring Democratic voters on Gaza depresses enthusiasm and peels away enough support to matter in close races.
Gaza is politically damaging not only because of the issue itself — though the moral stakes could hardly be higher — but also because it has become a measure of where leaders’ loyalties lie. Voters read it as a test of whether their representatives will stand with the people who elected them or with wealthy donors and foreign lobbies. Fail that test and many will assume you might betray them on other critical issues in the future.
The Democratic leadership’s unwillingness to adapt is not just bad politics; it’s a betrayal of basic democratic principles. Rank-and-file Democrats overwhelmingly want an end to the carnage, an end to unconditional military aid to Israel, and policies rooted in human rights and international law. Yet too many leaders seem more concerned with keeping favor in donor circles than with honoring the public’s will.
If Democrats hope to retain their coalition, they need to realign policy with their voters’ values: call for a permanent ceasefire; condition U.S. military assistance on compliance with international law; and replace photo-op delegations with diplomacy that centers on justice and accountability.
Until then, every AIPAC-sponsored trip led by a party leader will read like a declaration of priorities — and a reminder of the price the party will continue to pay at the ballot box.
George Bisharat is a professor emeritus at UC Law San Francisco and a longtime commentator on U.S. policy toward the Middle East.
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Ideas expressed in the piece
The Democratic Party elite continues to cling to pro-Israel policies despite a dramatic shift in voter sentiment, with DNC chair Ken Martin exemplifying this resistance by backing resolutions that maintain commitments to Israel’s “qualitative military edge” while pressuring pro-Palestine delegates to water down alternative proposals[3]. The party leadership’s obedience to pro-Israel lobbying groups like AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel contradicts the clear will of Democratic voters who increasingly oppose the status quo[3].
Polling data consistently demonstrates overwhelming Democratic opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, with just 8% of Democratic voters approving of Israel’s military campaign according to recent Gallup surveys, down dramatically from earlier periods in the conflict[5][6]. This represents the lowest approval rating among Democrats since polling began on the issue, creating a stark disconnect between party leadership and base voters[5].
The influence of pro-Israel campaign contributions is evident in the behavior of Democratic representatives who continue to participate in AIPAC-sponsored trips to Israel despite their constituents’ opposition, with California representatives receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from pro-Israel groups while ignoring polling showing 92% of Democrats oppose Israel’s actions[2]. These trips occur while Gaza faces unprecedented humanitarian devastation, with over 60,000 Palestinian civilians killed and two million people facing starvation[2].
The declining number of Democrats willing to participate in AIPAC trips reflects growing awareness among elected officials of their constituents’ opposition, with recent delegations representing the smallest ever congressional group of Democrats to visit Israel as many invited House members reportedly declined to participate[4]. This trend suggests that elected officials are beginning to respond to public pressure despite continued lobbying efforts[2].
Different views on the topic
Pro-Israel Democratic organizations argue that divisive resolutions calling for arms embargos and Palestinian state recognition would damage party unity and provide political advantages to Republicans, particularly as the party approaches midterm elections where maintaining cohesion is crucial for retaking Congress[1]. These groups contend that such measures fail to address the root cause of the conflict by not mentioning Hamas’s October 7 attacks or the terrorist organization’s role in perpetuating the war[1].
Supporters of continued military aid to Israel maintain that arms embargos would actually prolong the conflict and extend suffering on both sides, arguing that pressure should instead be directed toward Hamas to accept ceasefire deals and release hostages[1]. The Democratic Majority for Israel emphasizes that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state would reward terrorism and embolden Israel’s adversaries in the region[1].
Pro-Israel advocates stress that the fundamental relationship between the United States and Israel remains strong due to shared democratic values and mutual security interests that have endured for over 75 years, suggesting that temporary political pressures should not override these longstanding strategic considerations[1]. Congressional delegations to Israel are defended as necessary to witness firsthand the aftermath of terrorist attacks and assess ongoing security threats[4].
Fashion model Hannah James faced a dilemma as she weighed whether to digitally clone herself.
On one hand, the 25-year-old worries digital replicas of models could render her job obsolete. On the other hand, the Los Angeles model wants to get ahead of artificial intelligence and use it to potentially make more money before it’s too late.
She partnered this year with Kartel.ai, a Beverly Hills startup that’s building a platform for brands and businesses to license the likenesses of models for a fee. Kartel.ai helps models create digital replicas of themselves that can be hired for advertising campaigns.
“It’s crazy to see what they can create in hours,” said James, who has modeled for a decade. “It’s beautiful, but at the same time, it’s scary.”
Models like James are contending with how to retain control over their careers as the rise of AI-powered tools that can quickly generate images and videos alters the creative process. Advancements in AI have made it easier to generate digital clones of models or virtual people who don’t exist in real life.
Unlike real people, AI models and digital clones don’t get sick or deal with bad-skin days. AI models can be in many places at the same time, and they don’t need a break as campaigns try different shots, locations and products.
Applying generative AI — the kind of technology used by ChatGPT — to generate and manipulate fashion shoots and other images has been taking off this year, sparking debate about whether AI will take away jobs in an industry already rife with concerns about financial exploitation.
Some of the brands experimenting with AI models have faced backlash from consumers concerned about job displacement and unrealistic beauty standards.
In the August issue of Vogue, widely considered a fashion bible, Los Angeles brand Guess had an ad featuring a curvy blond AI model in a light blue floral romper. Swedish fast fashion retailer H&M showcased the digital “twins” of some of its models in July.
While the brands received attention for using cutting-edge technology and innovation, they also faced criticism.
“Technology is definitely reshaping the modeling industry, and it’s doing so by introducing synthetic models that threaten jobs and by digitizing real people, often without clear standards for consent or compensation,” said Sara Ziff, founder and executive director of the Model Alliance, a nonprofit in New York that advocates for workers’ rights in the fashion industry.
Many models aren’t unionized because they’re often independent contractors. While the job appears glamorous, models deal with myriad challenges, including late payments, financial debt, eating disorders and sexual harassment, Ziff said.
H&M declined to comment. Guess didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Los Angeles is a hub for fashion, modeling and social media influencers. In 2024, there were 880 models employed in California, with most of those jobs in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, including Anaheim and Long Beach, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nationwide, there were an estimated 5,350 modeling jobs that year.
The agency projects that employment of models nationwide will remain unchanged from 2023 to 2033, noting that there are cheaper options on social media or that companies could reuse images of models and products. There will still be an estimated 600 job openings for models each year because workers will switch jobs or retire.
In 2024, the median pay for a model was $89,990 a year or $43.26 an hour, according to the bureau.
Models are still trying to sort out how to get fairly compensated when brands use their digital likeness, and the rates can vary. Models may earn less from jobs their digital clones perform compared with booking in-person shoots, but they might also be able to complete more jobs without the need to travel to a location.
Ben Kusin, co-founder of Kartel.ai, said the use of AI and digital clones could help brands cut down on the other expenses tied to producing an ad campaign, such as booking travel and employing stylists to do hair and makeup.
With licensing of AI clones, models will still be paid and can choose whether they allow a brand to use their likeness.
“A lot of folks need to re-skill quickly to be able to survive what’s the upcoming transition into this new world of AI-generated media,” he said.
Brands still have to tread carefully. In 2023, Levi’s faced criticism after the company said it was partnering with AI company Lalaland.ai to create AI models with a variety of skin tones and body types, sparking questions about why they didn’t just hire more diverse models.
Kusin said he draws the line, though, at creating models that don’t exist in real life, as Guess did in its ad campaign.
Valentina Gonzalez and Andreea-Laura Petrescu, who founded the AI marketing agency Seraphinne Vallora, which worked with Guess, said they’re not trying to destroy the modeling industry.
“We’re not looking to replace anybody. We’re looking to supplement the industry,” Gonzalez said. “Just like any other industry, you open new avenues of marketing. People have the choice.”
The firm, which has 233,000 Instagram followers, created entirely new models based on Guess’ aesthetic. It also offers other services, including enabling models to digitally clone themselves. Videos of some of the AI models featured on their Instagram account have racked up more than 1 million views.
The duo, who met as students studying architecture, pointed out there’s still a design process they go through to create AI models. It involves taking photos of real clothing and models and placing those images in a database. They envision a future where human models, their digital clones and completely AI-generated models coexist.
Boutique modeling agencies such as Otto Models in Newport Beach are concerned it will become even tougher for models who have to work hard to maintain their look to compete against virtual people.
“We’re getting into the realm of replacing models with these AI virtual people,” said Tereza Otto, who co-founded and runs the agency. “That won’t bode well for our business, because there’s a certain human purity to having an actual model do a campaign.”
As for James, there still will be in-person photo shoots that she believes AI won’t be able to replicate.
“It’s important to have a vibe on set with who you’re working with,” she said.
SAN DIEGO — In the middle of last September, the Dodgers lost two games to open a series in Atlanta (part of a 3-6 slide) and Manager Dave Roberts sensed the team was feeling sorry for itself as injuries mounted.
Deep in a seven-week malaise that has seen them blow a nine-game lead in the division with an offense, in particular, underperforming, Roberts said he hasn’t resorted to the same tactic.
“I’ve talked to some hitters,” Roberts said before Sunday’s 8-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. “But I just don’t feel that, when you’re talking specifically to hitting, it doesn’t involve the pitchers, and that’s half your team. So I’m not about wasting peoples’ time as they’re getting ready for a ballgame.”
Absolving the pitching staff of culpability in the Dodgers’ fall from the top is understandable. But the Dodgers have not been able to count on any consistent production from their offense. On the seven-game road trip to Colorado and San Diego this week, the Dodgers scored 28 runs in their three wins but just eight in their four losses.
“Baseball – hitting goes in cycles,” Roberts said. “We haven’t really been in sync. It’s been disjointed a lot, as far as the offense, for the entire part of the year. So playing well at the right time is crucial. And that speaks to the offense as well. But I do think we’re gonna get things together and pieced together.
“I’ve said it for a while, I think our best offensive baseball is still ahead of us. So it’s gonna happen.”
To make it happen, Roberts said he just wants them to get back to “competing and playing to win a ballgame and taking good at-bats. That will kind of lend itself to the performance.”
After Saturday’s loss, Roberts bemoaned the lack of adjustments being made by Dodger hitters who seemed unwilling to change their swing for the moment. But don’t tell Roberts his players need to make drastic changes in their approach.
“I couldn’t disagree more, in the sense of what my belief is in this offensive team,” he said. “Certainly in the last two months, we haven’t performed close to expectations. I just feel we have the ability, the talent, as is it, to grind pitchers; to take some pressure off the starter, the ’pen.
The fan had been trash-talking the Dodgers all game, Ohtani in particular. Ohtani was hitless in 10 at-bats in the series before his home run, giving the plan plenty of fuel.
“Very annoying as he’s in my right ear the entire game,” Roberts said. “It was out of character from Shohei. He was wearing him out the whole game. So it was good to see Shohei initiate a high-five from him. That was great. That was fun. It was good for Shohei to show his personality.”
REHAB ROUNDUP
Utility men Hyeseong Kim and Kiké Hernandez continued their rehab assignments with Triple-A Oklahoma City over the weekend.
Kim went 1 for 5 as the DH on Saturday and 1 for 5 again while playing center field on Sunday. He is 4 for 16 in four games with OKC. Hernandez was 0 for 3 with a walk and played third base on Saturday, then went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk while playing left field on Sunday. He is 5 for 14 in five games and is on track to be activated from the injured list during the series against the Cincinnati Reds, which begins Monday night at Dodger Stadium.
Third baseman Max Muncy has progressed well enough in his recovery from a mild oblique strain to face live pitching at some point early this week. He could go on a rehab assignment soon after that.
A subdued Rebecca Haro sat hunched over in a seventh-floor inmate visiting area of the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on Sunday morning and said she wished she were out searching for her missing 7-month-old son, Emmanuel.
“I will not give up. I will not give up on my baby,” Haro said Aug. 24 in a jailhouse interview with a Southern California News Group reporter, during which she maintained that Emmanuel was kidnapped.
Law enforcement authorities believe the baby is dead, and on Friday arrested Haro and her husband Jake Haro at their home in Cabazon on suspicion of murder.
Haro, 41, sat separated from a reporter by a glass window and communicated through a telephone hookup on Sunday. She wore a blue jail jumpsuit. Her hair, up in a bun as she was led away in handcuffs Friday, was now down to her shoulders. The once-prominent bruise around her right eye has faded but was still noticeable.
Haro, and her husband Jake, 32, were arrested eight days after the baby’s mother reported that Emmanuel had been stolen from her after a kidnapper knocked her out while she changed the baby’s diaper outside a Big 5 in Yucaipa.
Though the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department says her story was a lie, she stuck by it on Sunday.
Haro shook her head side to side when asked about widely circulating rumors that days before she reported the kidnapping, she went to the Big 5, told employees that her car had been burglarized and asked whether the business had surveillance cameras. The sheriff’s department did not respond to questions about the claims.
“I want to be out looking for my baby,” Haro said, appearing to cry.
The crying, the commitment to finding Emmanuel and her account of the boy’s disappearance, however, have all been called into question by investigators and the public.
Over and over, people have noted Haro’s composed, tearless crying during media interviews. The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, which offered to help the Haros hunt for Emmanuel on foot, withdrew its support when the parents stopped searching and failed to respond to subsequent reach-outs. And San Bernardino County sheriff’s investigators said unspecified “inconsistencies” in Haro’s statements raised their suspicions.
Haro said Sunday that she married Jake Haro in 2021, aware of his previous child cruelty case, and that their relationship has been “wonderful.”
He treats her well, she said, and the same goes for her 16-year-old child — a stepchild to Jake — and the couple’s 2-year-old daughter, and Emmanuel.
“He’s a good dad,” Rebecca Haro said. “He would never hurt a baby.”
She said she retained an attorney but declined to provide that person’s name.
The Haros have not been charged. A tentative court date of Aug. 26 has been set. Jake Haro, initially booked into the Riverside jail, is now incarcerated at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
Both are being held without the possibility of bail.
As of Sunday morning, Emmanuel was still missing, said Mara Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Shilo Sanders was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, less than 24 hours after he was ejected from a game for throwing a punch, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Sunday
TAMPA, Fla. — Shilo Sanders was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, less than 24 hours after he was ejected from a preseason game for throwing a punch, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Sunday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced its cuts.
Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, was battling for a roster spot after going undrafted out of Colorado, where he played for his father. He was also penalized for pass interference earlier in Tampa Bay’s 23-19 loss to Buffalo on Saturday night.
“You can’t throw punches in this league. It’s inexcusable. They’re gonna get you every time,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. “You gotta grow from that.”
The Buccaneers could still add Sanders to the practice squad if he doesn’t get claimed off waivers by another team.
Sanders, a hard-hitting and playmaking safety at Colorado, had an impressive debut for the Buccaneers in the preseason opener. But he had strong competition to make Tampa Bay’s roster.
Sanders was engaged with Zach Davidson for a few yards, pushing and shoving each other. He was immediately flagged after throwing a punch that sent him to the locker room.
It was a tough Saturday for both of the sons of “Coach Prime” in the preseason. Shedeur Sanders, a fifth-round pick by Cleveland, was 3 of 6 for 14 yards and took five sacks.
BANGKOK — Asian shares advanced on Monday, tracking Wall Street’s rally after the head of the Federal Reserve hinted that cuts to interest rates may be on the way.
Fed chair Jerome Powell said Friday in a speech to an annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that he’s seen risks for the job market. A surprisingly weak report on job growth this month has led many traders to expect a rate cut as soon as the Fed’s next meeting in September, after months of pressure from President Donald Trump for lower rates.
Lower interest rates make borrowing easier, helping to spur more investment and spending.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped 2.1% to 25,866.49, while the Shanghai Composite index surged 0.9% to 3,858.59. It’s trading at its highest level in a decade, despite worries over higher tariffs on exports to the United States under Trump and weak domestic demand at home.
Taiwan’s Taiex was up 2.5% as semiconductor maker TSMC Corp.’s shares advanced 3.1%.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.3% to 42,767.41, with computer chip-related companies leading gains.
The Kospi in South Korea climbed 1.1% to 3,204.48.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.2% higher, while the SET in Bangkok gained 1%.
“Asia is set to rally in catch-up mode, feeding off Wall Street’s Friday rebound after Powell cracked the door open to rate cuts,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.
This week, Nvidia’s earnings report, due Wednesday after markets on Wall Street close, is a key focus of attention.
Nvidia’s role as a key supplier of chips for artificial intelligence and its heavy weighting give it outsized influence as a bellwether for the broader market.
On Friday, the S&P 500 leaped 1.5% for its first gain in six days, closing at 6,466.91. That’s just shy of its all-time high set last week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 846 points, or 1.9%, to its own record of 45,631.74. Nasdaq composite jumped 1.9% to 21,496.53.
Investors love lower interest rates, even if they risk adding to inflation.
Stocks of smaller companies led the way. They can benefit more from lower interest rates because of their need to borrow money to grow. The smaller stocks in the Russell 2000 index surged 3.9% for its best day since April.
Still, Powell did not commit to any kind of timing. He said the job market looks OK, even if “it is a curious kind of balance” where fewer new workers are chasing after fewer new jobs. Inflation, meanwhile, still has the potential to push higher.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.25% from 4.33% late Thursday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for Fed action, sank to 3.69% from 3.79% in a notable move for the bond market.
Nvidia rose 1.7% to trim its loss for the week. The company, whose chips are powering much of the world’s move in to artificial-intelligence technology, had seen its stock struggle recently amid criticism that it and other AI superstars shot too high, too fast and became too expensive.
In other dealings early Monday, U.S. benchmark crude oil gained 8 cents to $63.74 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, added 4 cents to $67.26 per barrel.
The U.S. dollar rose to 147.22 Japanese yen from 146.88 yen. The euro fell to $1.1707 from $1.1727.
Former Mexican cartel kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada is expected to plead guilty to federal charges related to his role in the violent drug trade that for years flooded the U.S. with cocaine, heroin and other illicit substances
NEW YORK — Former Mexican cartel kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada is expected to plead guilty Monday to federal charges related to his role in the violent drug trade that for years flooded the U.S. with cocaine, heroin and other illicit substances.
The longtime leader of the Sinaloa cartel is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Brooklyn for a change of plea hearing.
The appearance comes after federal prosecutors said two weeks ago that they wouldn’t seek the death penalty against Zambada, who was arrested in Texas last year.
Prosecutors, in a court filing ahead of Monday’s hearing, said they expect the 77-year-old to plead guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of running a continuing criminal enterprise.
Zambada pleaded not guilty last year to a range of drug trafficking and related charges, including gun and money laundering offenses.
Lawyers for Zambada didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday.
Prosecutors say the Sinaloa cartel evolved from a regional player into the largest drug trafficking organization in the world under the leadership of Zambada and co-founder Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
They say Zambada presided over a violent, highly militarized cartel with a private security force armed with powerful weapons and a cadre of “sicarios,” or hitmen, that carried out assassinations, kidnappings and torture.
Guzmán was sentenced to life behind bars following his conviction in the same federal court in Brooklyn in 2019. His two sons, who ran a cartel faction, also face federal charges.
BERLIN — In a secluded lot next to a former gasworks in suburban Berlin, Martin Rötzel is breathing new life into a tradition of centuries past: the monastery garden.
Rötzel’s Monk Garden is home to between 150 and 200 types of herbs, leaves and trees including many that are unlikely to be found at any German supermarket. There are numerous varieties of mint, oregano and cilantro, hyssop and New Zealand spinach, four-leaf sorrel, yarrow and a local variety of tarragon.
Rötzel has built Monk Garden as a business since 2022, delivering to high-end restaurants that want flavorsome local plants for their dishes. It also organizes “wild herb walks” and workshops showing people how to make skin cream, wine and other items from the plants.
Packed into about 2,000 square meters (21,530 square feet) in Marienfelde, on Berlin’s southern edge, each of the plants has its own flavors and tangs and, in many cases, medicinal properties.
Rötzel, a trained hotelier who also has worked as a dancer, said his knowledge of plants came from his father, while his passion for them goes back to the age of 4 or 5 when he started collecting wild herbs.
During an illness 13 years ago, he deepened his knowledge of herbs and made teas that he said helped him regain his health. He also set up a medicinal monastic garden next to a church in the German capital, mirroring those grown in the Middle Ages to provide plants for food and healing.
“At some point, the knowledge was lost,” which was exacerbated by “the industrialization of food,” Rötzel said. These days, “something like 99% of people don’t know a single name of a plant.”
Rötzel has used his garden to counter that loss since he opened Monk Garden. In addition to supplying restaurants, there are occasional dinners in the garden bringing people together at a table in the middle of the herbs. Five courses are each accompanied by a different herbal tea.
After a first course of crayfish and peas with basil, diner Britta Rosenthal said she wanted to find out “what herbs can do” and “perhaps to become a bit more courageous preparing food, not just with pepper, salt and paprika but also with green fresh stuff.”
Rötzel said he enjoys reviving people’s memories of flavors past.
“Many people, above all older generations, grew up in a way that they still know some things that no longer exist today,” he said. “It’s a pleasure for me when people remember something really special.”
___
Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON — France has summoned the American ambassador to Paris after the diplomat, Charles Kushner, wrote a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron alleging the country did not do enough to combat antisemitism.
France’s foreign ministry issued a statement Sunday announcing it had summoned Kushner to appear Monday at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and that his allegations “are unacceptable.”
The White House and U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. The summoning of the ambassador is a formal and public notice of displeasure.
Kushner, a real-estate developer, is the father of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The French foreign ministry, in its statement, said “France firmly rejects these allegations” from Kushner and that French authorities have “fully mobilized” to combat a rise in antisemitic acts since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, deeming the acts “intolerable.”
The contents of the letter were not released.
Kushner’s allegations violate international law and the obligation not to interfere with the internal affairs of another country, the French ministry said, and, “They also fall short of the quality of the transatlantic partnership between France and the United States and of the trust that must prevail between allies.”
France and the U.S. have also been divided on support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, but the split has eased with Trump expressing support for security guarantees and a warm meeting with Macron and other European leaders at the White House last week.
Trump at the end of his first term as president pardoned Charles Kushner, who pleaded guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations.
His son Jared is a former White House senior adviser to Trump who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka.
Liberte Locke, a 32-year-old “barista” at a Starbucks (SBUX) in New York City, is fed up.
“Starbucks’ attitude is that there’s always someone else who can do the job,” she said in running through her complaints about life at the java giant.
If that isn’t necessarily the consensus among Starbucks workers, interviews with nine current and former baristas at the company make clear it’s not an isolated opinion, either. Even those who say they like their job paint a picture of a business that underpays front-line workers, enforces work rules arbitrarily, and too often fails to strike a balance between corporate goals and employee needs.
Of course, such complaints are nothing new in retail, where low pay and erratic schedules are the norm. But by its own account, Starbucks is no ordinary company and is ostensibly a far cry from the fast-food outlets now facing a nationwide uprising by employees tired of working for peanuts.
That’s evident in the company’s recruitment pitch. Starbucks invites job-seekers to “become a part of something bigger and inspire positive change in the world,” describing it as a chance to discover a “deep sense of purpose.”
Damage control
That image suffered a serious blow last month after The New York Times vividly chronicled a Starbucks worker struggling with the company’s scheduling practices. The story, which centered on a 22-year-old barista and single mother, amounted to a public relations nightmare for Starbucks. Perhaps not coincidentally, within days of the story’s publication top executives were promising reform.
In a memo to employees earlier this month, for instance, Chief Operating Officer Troy Alstead vowed to “transform the U.S. partner experience,” referring to Starbucks’ more than 130,000 baristas. Inviting worker feedback, he said Starbucks will examine its approach to employee pay, revisit its dress code, make it easier for people to ask for time off, and consider other changes aimed at helping baristas balance work and their personal lives.
Among other changes, the company said it would end the practice of “clopening,” when an employee responsible for closing a store late at night is also assigned to open it early in the morning.
“We recognize that we can do more for our partners who wear the apron every day,” he wrote.
Some baristas did not feel this August memo from Starbucks went far enough in proposing ways to improve work conditions, so they marked it up with their own ideas.
CBS
Although Starbucks workers welcome this pledge to respect the apron, they fear the company is more intent on dousing the PR flames than on genuinely improving employees’ experience. After the retailer last month sent an email to workers outlining possible solutions to the kind of scheduling problems and related issues detailed by the Times, a group of baristas gave the proposal a C- and posted online a marked-up version of the memo listing their own demands (see image above).
“We hope you’re ready for a commitment to give us schedules that don’t mess with taking care of kids, going to school or holding onto that second job we need because Sbux wages don’t make ends meet,” wrote the baristas, who are working with a union-backed labor group, the Center for Popular Democracy.
Retail jungle
Despite the recent media focus on Starbucks, the company’s labor practices are generally no worse than those of many large retailers. In some ways they’re better, with the company offering health care to part-time, as well as full-time, workers; unusually generous 401(k) matching contributions; annual stock grants to employees; and tuition reimbursement.
Starbucks highlights such benefits as an example of its commitment to employees. “Sharing success with one another has been core to the company’s heritage for more than 40 years,” Alstead said in the September memo.
Meanwhile, some baristas say they enjoy their work and feel valued by Starbucks. “It’s a decent place to work, and my manager and co-workers are great,” said one employee who asked not to be identified.
But other current and former workers claim Starbucks has changed in recent years, saying that corporate leaders’ intense focus on slashing costs has short-circuited its professed commitment to workers. Mostly, they say Starbucks doesn’t listen to employees and even punishes those who identify problems.
“The biggest problem is that baristas don’t have a voice,” said Sarah Madden, a former Starbucks barista who left the company this spring after two years with the coffee vendor. “They can’t speak to issues that they know exist. Workers know how to fix them, but when [they] speak up there are serious repercussions — your hours get cut, you’re transferred to another store or isolated from other people.”
Employees interviewed for this article said one result of Starbucks’ cost-containment push is that stores are frequently understaffed, hurting customer service and forcing managers to scramble to find staff. That problem is common across the big-box stores that dominate the retail sector, experts said.
“On the one hand, retailers overhire, but they’re also understaffed, so everybody’s running around and then there aren’t enough people on the floor,” said Susan Lambert, a professor at the University of Chicago and an expert in work-life issues. “Companies are effectively loading all the risk onto workers so that they’re not the ones incurring the risks inherent in business.”
Starbucks denies that its stores are short-staffed. “We’re proud of the level of service we provide in our stores,” said Zack Hutson, a spokesman for the company. “We know that the connection our partners have with customers is the foundation of the Starbucks experience. It wouldn’t be in our best interest. We want our customers to have the appropriate service level when they come to our stores.”
To be sure, Starbucks is hardly the only U.S. corporate giant to keep a gimlet eye on its bottom line — among Fortune 500 companies that approach to management is the rule, not the exception, and CEOs across the land defend it as an inviolable fiduciary duty to shareholders.
But baristas say Starbucks’ focus on profits and cost-cutting has increasingly led its leadership to tune workers out. Locke, who has worked for the company since 2006 and who earns roughly $16,000 a year, said she yearned for the Starbucks of old.
“When I started they had a training program and taught you how to be a coffee expert. There was more of a culture of supporting each other as co-workers. Store managers were sympathetic. I really enjoyed it.”
Asked why she stays at Starbucks, Locke said her employment options are limited because she lacks a college education and because her only professional experience is in retail.
Living wage?
According to workers, the best thing Starbucks can do for its apron-wearers is to raise their pay and offer full-time hours instead of the 20 to 30 hours that most employees work.
Samantha Cole, a barista in Omaha, Neb., said she struggles to get by on her supervisor’s salary of $11.25 an hour. Such pay may be better than what she would earn working for other retailers, but the 30-year-old mother of two say it’s still not a living wage.
“I’m definitely not making enough money,” said Cole, who has been with the company for six years. “A lot of us are right there with what fast-food workers are making.”
Such frustrations are also evident in comments on the Facebook page Starbucks uses to communicate with employees and where it is asking baristas for input regarding the company’s labor practices. Wrote one employee: “I’ve worked for the company for 7 years in January, and I don’t make enough to support myself on one job so I work 2 jobs, 6 days a week…. I’ve seen a lot of amazing partners leave because they don’t make enough.”
Starbucks declined to disclose compensation data, citing competitive reasons and saying that pay varies widely according to workers’ experience and where in the U.S. stores are located. It didn’t respond to emails requesting clarification regarding other aspects of its labor policies.
It’s worth noting that low pay isn’t unique to Starbucks — in retail it is the norm. As of 2012 (the latest year for which data is available), the median hourly income for retail salespeople is $10.29 per hour, or $21,410 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hourly pay for full-time retail workers range from a high of $14.42 to $9.61 for lower-paid people, according to Demos, a liberal-leaning think tank in New York. Part-timers typically make much less, with the average cashier earning $18,500 a year.
“Until [Starbucks] gives a living wage to every employee, they can’t claim to be a good employer,” Locke said, who added that it has been roughly two years since her last pay raise.
“Race to the bottom”
Another priority for baristas: stable, regular schedules. Like most large retailers, Starbucks uses scheduling software to try to match the number of workers it has in a store at any given time to the amount of business it gets. Workers also may be scheduled according to the sales they generate or their facility in promoting certain products. The technology also can enable other savings, such as limiting overtime.
For employees, however, that approach — known as “just-in-time” or “on-call” scheduling — often results in lower income and chaotic hours.
Stephanie Luce, a professor of labor studies at City University of New York’s Murphy Institute, characterizes the widespread adoption of scheduling and so-called workforce optimization technologies as a “new race to the bottom.”
“Companies that have already reduced operating costs by making deals with irresponsible subcontractors and using the cheapest available materials are now cutting corners in the form of the ‘just-in- time scheduling’ of their workforce,” she and her co-authors wrote in a recent report. “These ‘lean’ manufacturing practices take advantage of sophisticated software and an increasingly desperate workforce to cut labor costs to the bone.”
By the same token, tighter control of worker schedules helps Starbucks contain payroll costs. But it also means employees who had expected to work a certain number of hours every week can see their schedules dramatically cut back and fluctuate wildly. The result? Smaller paychecks and a disturbance to family life.
“It makes it very hard for parents to participate in an intimate family routine and structure it in such a way that experts agree is good for children,” Lambert said.
Irregular schedules also make it hard for workers who do need extra income to work a second job, schedule appointments and plan other aspects of their lives.
Baristas said Starbucks posts their schedule only days in advance and that they are often subject to change. Following the Times story, Starbucks said it would post schedules at least one week in advance. That’s not enough time, several workers said, asking the company to provide at least two or three weeks notice, as retailers ranging from Walmart (WMT) and H&M to Victoria’s Secret (LB) do.
Meanwhile, despite Starbucks’ promise to end clopening, the practice continues, some workers said, although the company insists that this is only in cases when people request such shifts.
“Partners should never be required to work opening and closing shifts. That policy is clear,” Starbucks’ Hutson said, adding that the company is studying ways to give workers more input in their schedules. “If there are cases where that’s not happening, we want to know about that.”
Given the scrutiny on Starbucks, the company can count on baristas to do just that.
If you look up at the sky in Texas and see what could be a flying burrito, you may not be imagining things: Chipotle on Thursday launched an autonomous aerial delivery service for digital orders in the Dallas area.
Through a partnership with Zipline, a drone delivery and logistics provider, Chipotle is introducing Zipotle, new delivery service for its customers. With Zipotle, small aircrafts called Zips can deliver digital orders directly to customers’ homes in just a few minutes, Chipotle said in an announcement on Thursday.
Initially, just “a small number” of customers will be able to experience Zipotle, according to Chipotle, which said that it would expand the service in the coming weeks.
The burrito chain is touting Zipotle as a superior delivery service that helps customers get their food faster, so that it stays fresh. Everything on Chipotle’s menu is available for drone delivery in the Dallas area, the company added. Orders for Zipotle delivery need to be placed through the Zipline app, available through the Apple and Android app stores.
Here’s how it works
Once a customer places an order, a Chipotle worker then packs it and places it at a Zipping Point where a Zip drone picks up the order and delivers it to the customer. When the autonomous aircraft arrives at a customer’s home, it hovers about 300 feet in the air while lowering and “gently” placing the order on the ground, the company states.
Chipotle said the first location to offer Zipotle delivery is at 3109 Lakeview Pkwy, in Rowlett, a suburb in the eastern part of Dallas.
“Zipotle is a quick and convenient source of delivery that lets guests enjoy our real food from places that are traditionally challenging to serve, including backyards and public parks,” Curt Garner, president and chief strategy and technology officer at Chipotle said in the announcement.
“With Zipline, you tap a button, and minutes later food magically appears — hot, fresh, and ultra-fast,” Zipline CEO and co-founder Rinaudo Cliffton said in the same announcement. “What once felt like science fiction is soon going to become totally normal,” he added.
For now, each autonomous aircraft can carry orders of up to 5.5 pounds in weight. That will increase eventually to 8 pounds, Chipotle said.
Last year, Chipotle was criticized by some customers who alleged certain restaurants were skimping on portions. The company initially denied the claims, before then CEO Brian Niccol acknowledged that about 10% of Chipotle’s 3,500 locations had indeed been underserving customers.
Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.
KFF analystsMississippi health officials have declared a public health emergency after releasing data showing the state’s infant mortality rate has risen to its highest level in more than a decade.
In Mississippi, 9.7 infants died for every 1,000 live births in 2024, nearly double the most recent national average of 5.6 deaths per 1,000, according to the state Department of Health. Since 2014, more than 3,500 Mississippi infants have died before their first birthday.
The decision to declare a public health emergency places Mississippi’s struggle within a wider national story. Here’s what to know.
Infant mortality rate a nationwide concern
Even in cities with strong healthcare systems, such as Boston, Black infants continue to die at far higher rates than their White peers.
In Boston, the city’s most recent report showed Black infants dying at more than twice the rate of the overall population and triple the rate of White infants, despite the city’s overall infant mortality rate falling below the national average. Public health experts say both examples underscore the limits of focusing only on individual behavior or clinical care when structural inequities are key drivers of infant deaths.
“Every single infant loss represents a family devastated, a community impacted, and a future cut short,” said State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney, who announced the Mississippi declaration. “We cannot and will not accept these numbers as our reality.”
What is causing higher infant mortality rate?
The leading causes of infant death in Mississippi include congenital malformations, premature birth, low birthweight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Disparities remain stark — Black infants in Mississippi are more than twice as likely as White infants to die before their first birthday, and recent state data show those racial gaps have widened.
Despite growing concerns, declaring a public health emergency for infant mortality is unusual.
“This is a novel and necessary step,” said Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer at March of Dimes. “It elevates infant mortality to the level of urgent crisis response, which it truly is.”
Why a public health emergency was declared
State officials said the declaration allows them to move more quickly to address gaps in care.
Their plan includes expanding prenatal services in counties without obstetric providers, creating an obstetric system of care to regionalize services and improve emergency transfers, and strengthening home visiting and community health worker programs.
“Improving maternal health is the best way to reduce infant mortality,” Dr. Edney said.
Dr. Morgan McDonald, National Director for Population Health at New York-based nonprofit Milbank Memorial Fund, said the declaration “should draw our attention to a problem that is tragic and preventable.”
She added: “We applaud Dr. Edney and his public health team for raising the alarm in a way that honors the families who have suffered this tragedy and also focuses attention on concrete solutions.”
Experts caution, however, that individual and clinical interventions alone cannot solve the problem.
“Healthy babies come from healthy moms,” said Dr. Rebekah Gee, former Louisiana health secretary and now CEO of Nest Health, a New Orleans-based company which provides in-home whole-family care, with a focus on those covered by Medicaid. “If women can’t get continuous healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy, it is no surprise their babies are dying at higher rates.”
Dr. Stephen Patrick, a neonatologist and professor at Emory University, added that treating infant deaths as a series of isolated medical cases misses the broader reality. “So much of what we see in neonatal intensive care units reflects challenges that moms face long before delivery — poverty, access to healthcare, housing, even transportation,” Patrick said.
Health care programs and infant health
Federal funding cuts are also complicating the state’s response to the crisis.
The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program that collects state-specific data on maternal and infant health, has been targeted for elimination. CDC staffers who carried out the survey established nearly 40 years ago to improve maternal and infant health outcomes were fired in June.
Mississippi relied PRAMS to track maternal behaviors before, during, and after pregnancy, and to monitor infant outcomes. Many of CDC’s Safe Motherhood initiatives are also in jeopardy of losing funding, which would affect maternal mortality surveillance, infant sleep safety programs, and hospital-based collaboratives designed to standardize care.
“Without robust data, we are flying blind,” Patrick said.
Analysts also warn that such cuts could limit the state’s ability to detect trends such as unsafe sleep practices or gaps in postpartum care.
“It’s willful ignorance to cut vital maternal and child health programs when we have public health crises of both maternal mortality and infant mortality in this country,” said a former CDC Division of Reproductive Health staffer who lost their job in a recent reduction in force. “For many people, it’s downright dangerous to be pregnant in the U.S. in the 21st century. And that is shameful.”
Polling suggests most Americans support maintaining these programs. According to the Emory-Rollins National Child Policy Poll, 65% of Americans say PRAMS is important for improving outcomes for mothers and infants, while fewer than one in ten believe it is not needed.
Similarly, only 16% supported ending federal funding for the long-running “Safe to Sleep” campaign, which educated parents about reducing risks of sleep-related infant deaths.
How changes to Medicaid will impact Mississippi
Medicaid plays an outsized role in Mississippi, financing almost 6 in 10 of births in the state, compared to about 4 in 10 nationally, according a KFF Health News analysis of government data.
Meanwhile, Congressional proposals could reshape Medicaid coverage, including the reconciliation bill already passed by Congress which would require many enrollees in the government health care program to prove they are either working, volunteering or in school to receive coverage.
Dr. McDonald noted that since Mississippi is not a Medicaid expansion state, it would be subject to most of the work requirement and frequent redetermination provisions of President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.”
KFF analysts estimate that bill’s funding caps and work requirements could raise Mississippi’s uninsured rate by 1 to 2%, potentially leaving 20,000 to 40,000 more residents without coverage.
Public health experts say such policies could destabilize rural hospitals that rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursement, in turn limiting access to prenatal and delivery services in regions already described as “OB deserts.”
Other states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act have seen measurable improvements in infant health.
Arkansas, for example, reported a 29% reduction in Black infant mortality in the five years following expansion. In Louisiana, which expanded Medicaid in 2016, researchers documented increases in early prenatal care and decreases in premature births. Colorado also saw declines in infant mortality, particularly in rural areas, as more women gained access to continuous coverage before, during, and after pregnancy.
Nationally, one analysis found a 50% greater reduction in infant mortality in expansion states compared to those that did not expand Medicaid, with the steepest gains among Black infants. Today, 40 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid, while Mississippi remains one of 10 holdouts.
The U.S. has long treated infant mortality as a measure of societal health. More than a century ago, sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois argued that high rates of infant deaths among Black families reflected inequities in living conditions rather than innate differences.
Mississippi’s emergency declaration and Boston’s persistent disparities suggest those inequities remain deeply entrenched. State officials said the declaration is intended to galvanize coordinated action across hospitals, state agencies, and community groups.
“It will take all of us working together to give every child the chance to live, thrive, and celebrate their first birthday,” Dr. Edney said.
Dr. Céline Gounder, an internist, epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist, is a CBS News medical contributor as well as senior fellow and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News.
This week on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” as President Trump has deployed federal authorities in Washington, D.C., Margaret Brennan speaks to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Plus, amid a U.N.-backed group declaring a famine in Gaza City, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen joins from Jordan and UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell discusses.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Lin Chin-Tse retired the first 13 batters he faced and allowed just one hit in five innings as Taiwan beat Nevada 7-0 in the Little League World Series championship Sunday, ending a 29-year title drought for the Taiwanese.
Taiwan won its first LLWS since 1996, although its 18 titles are the most of any country beside the United States, including five straight from 1977 to 1981.
The Little League team from Las Vegas, Nev., lines the third baseline and the team from Taiwan lines the first baseline at Lamade Stadium at the start of the Little League World Series Championship game in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Taiwan’s Lin Chin-Tse delivers during the first inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Las Vegas in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Las Vegas, Nev.’s Luke D’Ambrosio winds-up for a pitch during the first inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Las Vegas, Nev.’s Luke D’Ambrosio, right, covers home on a wild pitch as Taiwan’s Jian Zih-De (17) scores from third during the second inning of the Little League World Series Championship game in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Las Vegas, Nev.’s Luke D’Ambrosio (3) collects himself on the mound with support from teammates during the second inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Taiwan’s Lin Chin-Tse, left, drives in three runs with a triple during the fifth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Las Vegas, Nev., in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Taiwan celebrates after winning the Little League World Series Championship game against Las Vegas, Nev., in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Taiwan takes a victory lap of the Lamade Stadium after winning the Little League World Series Championship game against Las Vegas, Nev., in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Taiwan’s Liu Wei-Heng, gets a hug from Las Vegas, Nev.’s Garrett Gallegos in the handshake line following the Little League World Series Championship game in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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The Little League team from Las Vegas, Nev., lines the third baseline and the team from Taiwan lines the first baseline at Lamade Stadium at the start of the Little League World Series Championship game in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Lin, a 5-foot-8 right hander, also smashed a three-run triple in Taiwan’s five-run fifth. The 12-year-old from Taipei hit more than 80 mph with his fastball multiple times during the tournament, which to batters looks much faster because the plate in this level of baseball is only 46 feet away. His velocity looked much the same on Sunday.
Lin’s longest start before Sunday was three innings in Taiwan’s opening game against Mexico. He allowed only one hit in a subsequent victory over Venezuela.
Garrett Gallegos broke up the perfect game with a single into left field in the fifth inning but was caught in a double play when Grayson Miranda lined out to second. Nevada was appearing in its first championship game.
Offensively, Taiwan capitalized on four wild pitches and a passed ball. Jian Zih-De worked a walk leading off the bottom of the second and later scored when he beat the throw home after the wild pitches.
Chen Shi-Rong scored Taiwan’s second run in the bottom of the third when he ran home on a Nevada throwing error to first base.
The last international team to win the tournament title was Japan in 2017.
ANAHEIM — The Angels didn’t even need an MRI exam to decide that Victor Mederos needed to go on the injured list.
A day after Mederos acknowledged that he “felt something” while pitching, he said it was a pain in his shoulder, and still bothered him on Sunday.
The Angels placed Mederos on the 15-day injured list, which opens up the No. 5 spot in the rotation again. Mederos said he will undergo an MRI.
The Angels also placed right-hander Carson Fulmer on the injured list with elbow inflammation. Fulmer, who came out of Saturday’s after complaining of discomfort in his elbow, was undergoing tests on Sunday morning. Right-hander Chase Silseth returned to take one roster spot, and right-hander José Soriano was activated after being away for his son’s birth.
Just before the start of Sunday’s game the Angels also placed first baseman Nolan Schanuel on the injured list with left wrist inflammation.
Schanuel said on Saturday night that his wrist has been bothering him for about a week. He aggravated it diving to try to stop a ball down the line. He went for tests on Sunday morning, and then the Angels decided to put him on the injured list. They recalled outfielder Matthew Lugo to take his place on the roster.
Mederos was the only one of the three injured players who was in the clubhouse before Sunday’s game.
“I just want to be healthy,” Mederos said on Sunday. “I want to be out there. I want to be competing. Just want to be able to feel good and go out there and give a chance for the team to win. It just sucks. I’ve felt great this whole entire season. I’ve been really focused on what I want to accomplish, and it’s just a minor setback. Just having trust in God that everything’s going to be all right.”
Mederos, 24, went into the rotation after Jack Kochanowicz struggled and was sent to Triple-A. Mederos made three starts, posting an 8.31 ERA. Including his previous two relief appearances, his ERA was 7.41.
Mederos changed his arm angle this season, which significantly raised his prospect status and earned him this rotation opportunity. He had been seemingly getting better with each outing, including two clean innings to begin Saturday’s game.
Mederos gave up a two-run homer in the third, and when he took the mound in the fourth, he felt “stiff,” he said.
He walked two batters and hit one, and his velocity dropped from around 95 mph to around 92 mph with his fastball. Mederos insisted on Sunday that it was only stiffness, and not pain, until he threw a sweeper to No. 9 hitter Reese McGuire with the bases loaded.
“I just felt something in the front of my shoulder,” Mederos said. “It just didn’t feel great.”
Mederos came back with a 95 mph fastball. The velocity was fine, but the location wasn’t. McGuire hit a grand slam.
Six pitches later, Mederos was out of the inning, and he didn’t return for the fifth.
“I just felt like I needed to finish that inning,” Mederos said. “I felt like after that the adrenaline picked up. After I gave up the homer, I’m like I gotta finish the inning. I can’t just come out of here. I didn’t want to embarrass anyone. I just wanted to go about my business and try to finish.”
The Angels now have an opening in the rotation. They have an off day on Thursday, so they still haven’t decided in which game after that they will use the No. 5 starter.
Interim manager Ray Montgomery said they haven’t decided who will get the opportunity yet.
“Some of the guys that have been here I’m sure we’ll be in consideration,” Montgomery said.
Right-hander Caden Dana would seem to be one of the top choices, based on his last start at Triple-A. Dana gave up one run in seven innings, with 13 strikeouts, on Friday. He has a 3.18 ERA in his last three Triple-A starts.
Left-hander Sam Aldegheri was scheduled to pitch on Sunday at Double-A. He has a 2.52 ERA in his six starts.
Left-hander Reid Detmers, who has been successful in the Angels’ bullpen, is not a candidate to start, Montgomery said. While issuing the disclaimer that he’s not the only one in the organization to make these decisions, he said he’s not anticipating Detmers starting at all this season.
“He’s been great doing what he’s doing,” Montgomery said. “To ask a guy to put that kind of innings/workload on him at this time, I don’t think that makes any sense.”
Monday’s starter will be Soriano, who had been away for four days for the birth of his son in the Dominican Republic. He was on the paternity list for the maximum three days and the restricted list for the extra day.
Soriano said though an interpreter that he has been “active with my arm,” since his previous outing, so he’s ready to pitch on Monday in Texas.
“I’m more excited than tired,” Soriano said. “I’ll be ready for tomorrow. The happiness right now is amazing.”
NOTES
Montgomery was thankful for the job that infielder Oswald Peraza did in pitching two scoreless innings at the end of Saturday’s 12-1 loss. “He did a nice job,” Montgomery said. “Those are not easy things to do when you ask players to do it.” …
The Angels will get their third look at former Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom on Monday in Texas. The Angels scored five runs against deGrom on July 28 in Anaheim and three runs against him on July 7 in Anaheim.
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP José Soriano, 8-9, 4.00) at Rangers (RHP Jacob deGrom, 10-5, 2.76), Monday, 5:05 p.m. PT, FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM
