The recent mass shooting at a mall in Texas, which left 8 dead and several injured, is being investigated by authorities. Reports now indicate that investigators have uncovered a social media profile that they believe was linked to the shooter, Mauricio Garcia, who was killed by a police officer at the scene. The profile, found on the social media site OK.RU, was filled with hate-filled rants against women and Black people, and included several references to Hitler and neo-Nazi websites like The Daily Stormer. Furthermore, the shooter was wearing a patch that said "RWDS," an abbreviation known to stand for "Right Wing Death Squad." The hashtag has been used by neo-Nazi groups in the United States and members of other far-right organizations like the Proud Boys. The profile also included several pictures showing a black tactical vest with an RWDS patch that authorities believe Garcia wore during the shooting.

Local journalism has been recognized by this year's Pulitzer Prizes as critically important, despite the focus on the war in Ukraine and the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In fact, the spotlight was on local news, highlighting how local journalism can still make a difference in the lives of everyday people. The Los Angeles Times was awarded the Pulitzer in Breaking News for alerting citizens to secretly recorded and disturbing conversations among city officials in Los Angeles, which included racist comments and the impact it had on local politics. Similarly, the Miami Herald won in the Editorial Writing category for a series of editorials about the failed promises of local leaders. Without local journalism, residents of Brookside, Alabama may still be predated on by the police force to increase city revenue. The Pulitzer Prizes recognized the importance of local journalism and the positive impacts it has on citizens' everyday lives and communities.

Questions remain over the motive behind the fatal accident that occurred in Brownsville on Sunday, resulting in the death of eight people and 10 others being seriously injured. George Alvarez, 34, has been charged with eight counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after his SUV hit a bus stop outside a migrant center. Police say he lost control when he ran a red light. Although toxicology reports are pending, police are investigating the possibility of intoxication as a cause of the accident. Witness statements have suggested that Alvarez was also cursing at the victims before the collision, but the authorities are not confirming this at this stage. Austinites will hold a vigil at the Capitol's south steps on Monday night, calling for an end to policies that dehumanize immigrants. It follows similar vigils in Brownsville earlier today, which saw local community members come together to remember those involved.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has been reaching out to CEOs and business leaders to explain the "catastrophic" impact a US default on its debt would have on the US and global economies. Yellen is warning about the dangerous consequences of the current brinkmanship surrounding the debt ceiling and has been having one-on-one conversations to increase pressure on Republicans to raise the debt ceiling without conditions. President Joe Biden insists that Congress has a constitutional duty to raise the debt ceiling, which reflects previously spent federal money, without the conditions proposed by Republicans. Yellen told lawmakers last week that she expects Treasury to be unable to pay all government bills as early as June 1 without an increase in the federal debt limit. A default on US Treasury bonds comes with the risk of triggering a financial crisis, particularly since much global finance depends on the liquidity and security of US Treasury bonds. The growing concern around this issue is prompting both the White House and Congress to reach a resolution before the deadline arrives.

On May 11, Title 42, the public health immigration policy that allowed the immediate expulsion of migrants at the border due to COVID-19, is set to expire, causing concern for communities along the border of Texas and New Mexico. Republican Congressman Keith Self expects a wave of people will try to cross the border once Title 42 expires. El Paso has already declared a state of emergency in anticipation of overcrowded shelters and sidewalks. Although the Biden Administration has promised to increase deportations and send 1,500 active-duty troops to assist at the border, those service members will not have law enforcement duties. The new federal immigration law Title 8 will take its place, which Miyagishima, the Las Cruces mayor, claims is more strict and will make the processing of migrants harder. Penalties for unauthorized border crossing can range from years of bans to being detained and arrested. As locals wait in anticipation, the question remains: what will happen at the border when Title 42 expires?

The Erie County Department of Health will no longer provide monthly updates on Covid-19 cases due to the changing response to the virus and the expiration of the national public health emergency. The last update, available online, covers the 1,096 new cases and 15 deaths reported in April, a notable decrease from the 3,080 cases and 36 deaths in March. At-home test results are excluded from these figures. The county has been providing Covid-19 updates since March 2020 but weekly reports were closed in December 2020 and replaced by monthly updates in January 2022. It is unclear what information Erie County residents will have access to in the future.

After the recent mass shootings in Serbia which left 17 people dead and 21 others wounded, thousands of people took to the streets in protest. They marched in silence to demand better security and the resignation of top officials, including the interior minister and the director of the state security agency. Protesters demanded the dismissal of the government's Regulatory Committee for Electronic Media (REM), accusing some TV stations and tabloids of promoting violence. Demonstrators called for immediate action to end the promotion of violence in media and public spaces. Education minister, Branko Ruzic, resigned on Sunday, citing the "cataclysmic tragedy" caused by the school shooting. Serbians are calling for an end to the widespread gun culture stemming from the 1990s wars. The president has proposed new measures, including a freeze on gun permits, as part of his "disarmament" plan. Despite the fact that the purchase of a firearm requires a special permit, Serbia has one of the highest levels of gun ownership in Europe. While the incumbent government was accusatory of the protests, issuing statements that suggest the opposition was exploiting the people's grief for their own political ends, the people continued to hold their leadership accountable and advocate for peace.

The Texas House of Representatives passed House Bill 3137 on Friday, which would prevent cities and counties from requiring gun owners to carry liability insurance coverage for damages resulting from negligent or wilful acts involving the use of the firearm. Although no cities in Texas currently require gun owners to carry this type of insurance, supporters of the bill seek to ensure that such a requirement never happens in the state. This comes as a reaction to San Jose, California recently passing an ordinance that requires gun owners to have liability insurance policies that cover property damage, bodily injury, and other losses resulting from the accidental use of a firearm. The Texas legislation defends residents' Second Amendment rights and "protects Texans from a tyrannical government," according to the author of the bill, Rep. Carrie Isaac. However, opponents of the legislation criticize supporters for limiting the authority of cities and governments to devise their own public safety policies. As of now, the bill moves on to the Texas Senate.

After going viral for displaying his undying passion during a recent Warriors game against the Kings, lifelong Warriors fan Christian Gamboa was gifted a pair of game-worn shoes by none other than Steph Curry himself. Gamboa, who waved his 2017 NBA Finals "strength in numbers" towel in the game, went on to attend the Warriors' Game 2 win over the Lakers at Chase Center, only to be gifted Curry's shoes after the game. Curry personally sought Gamboa out to deliver his gift, walking the floors in his socks after the game in search of the viral fan before having his security team track him down. Gamboa later expressed gratitude for the gift, calling it "a once-in-a-lifetime experience" and thanking his family for their support. With Gamboa's passion and energy becoming a key rallying point for Warriors fans this season, Curry's gift to the superfan further highlights the tight-knit relationship between the team and its supporters.

After a dominant performance by Anthony Davis in Game 1 of the Lakers-Warriors Western Conference semifinals series, the Lakers are looking to take a 2-0 lead over the Golden State Warriors before heading back to Los Angeles. Davis had an impressive stat line with 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists, and four blocked shots. The Lakers are hoping to avoid a repeat of their first-round playoff series with the Memphis Grizzlies, where they dropped Game 2 after winning Game 1. Davis emphasized the importance of being "greedy" and not settling for a split with the Warriors. The Lakers understand the threat that the Warriors pose and are looking to bring their best defensive effort in Game 2 to secure another victory. Kerr acknowledges the difficulty of facing Davis and says, "You can see it on tape, but you got to feel it in order to understand how to attack." With Davis and LeBron James leading the Lakers, they are aiming to make a deep playoff run and cement Davis's legacy as a franchise great.

For the fifth time in six years, LeBron James and Steph Curry will find themselves facing off in the NBA playoffs. However, this time, the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers will be facing each other in the Western Conference semifinals, while in the previous four playoff meetings, Curry's Warriors and James' Cleveland Cavaliers faced each other in the NBA finals. The Lakers, the seventh seed in the Western Conference, won its play-in game to book its spot in the playoffs, while the sixth-seeded Warriors clinched their spot in the playoffs as a result of their being the fourth team in the Western Conference after 72 games. The series started on Tuesday night with the Warriors having the home-court advantage. James admits that the matchup excites him yet poses an immense challenge. In a press conference ahead of Game 1, he said, "We're playing against the MVP of our league in Steph. Like I said before the game, he's capable of getting hot at any moment, so...we've got to be on our toes."

The Los Angeles Lakers fell 127-100 to the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, and it appears the team is struggling to find an answer to the Warriors' four-shooter lineup, which debuted in this game. The Lakers were unable to guard against this different style and ended up losing the game. Additionally, the Warriors' defense was more aggressive, causing the Lakers to struggle offensively. Although LeBron James kept his answers simplistic, he stated that the team's defensive effort needs to be intensified to counter the Warriors' high-octane offense.

The Lakers' recent performances have proven that they need Anthony Davis to show up and contribute to the team's success. During the playoffs, Davis has been inconsistent, and his recent disappearing act has led to a lack of production for the Lakers. Without Davis playing at his best, the Lakers have struggled, and this recent loss has left them with another uphill battle to climb.

The fifth-round playoff matchup between Steph Curry and LeBron has brought about an aura of nostalgia and feelings of mid-life crisis for older millennials. This match-up could also be the perfect sell for the NBA's future, as the league seeks to double, if not triple, its payout to $50-$75 billion by negotiating a new cycle of long-term media rights next year. The showdown between James and Curry is the ideal sales pitch for the league, given their combined accolades.

During the 2018-19 NBA season, Jimmy Butler was involved in what Karl-Anthony Towns referred to as an infamous practice. Butler and a group of backups went up against the team's starters and reportedly won scrimmages. During this intense practice, Butler yelled at then-team president and coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden, among others. Towns recalled that he and Butler argued during the practice, but Towns later tried to take the high road by telling Butler he just wanted to win. Butler confirmed the heated practice in a televised interview with Rachel Nichols at the time and said a lot of what was being reported was true. He explained that he loves the game and is passionate about competing with the best. However, he admitted that he could have handled the situation better. Thibodeau first coached and then traded Butler away, and now they face each other in the NBA playoffs as Thibodeau coaches the New York Knicks and Butler plays for the Miami Heat.

Steph Curry made NBA playoff history during Game 7 between the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings. Curry's 21-point performance in the game elevated him to 13th place on the all-time playoff scoring list, ahead of Hall of Famer John Havlicek. He now has 3,777 playoff points and is set to surpass Larry Bird's 3,897 points next. The Warriors faced a possible elimination, but Curry's performance helped lead them to a win, advancing them to the second round of playoffs. The team will now face LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry's excellent season continues, with superb performances so far in the playoffs, averaging 31.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Curry, a two-time MVP and nine-time All-Star, has been with the Warriors for 14 seasons and led them to the NBA championship four times in the previous eight seasons. The win marked an important milestone for Curry as he continues to elevate his legacy as one of basketball’s all-time greats.

After a controversial tweet by Skip Bayless calling Anthony Davis the Lakers' best player, Lakers fans are left wondering whether their team is better off without LeBron James. While the tweet managed to enrage a few LeBron fans, it is hard to ignore the fact that the Lakers' record has been better when Davis performs well, as was the case in their recent dominant victory against the Golden State Warriors. In Game 3 of the best-of-seven series against the reigning champions, the Lakers convincingly won 127-97 with Davis scoring 25 points along with 13 rebounds, and James contributing 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. The two respectively shot 11/12 and 7/8 from the free-throw line. While teamwork is undoubtedly crucial in basketball, individual performances often play a significant role in deciding the outcome of a game. Although James is still a champion and an elite player, perhaps it is time for the Lakers to prioritize playing their best player, regardless of who that may be, if they want to have a shot at winning another championship.

LeBron James has changed his playing style since joining the Lakers, as noted by Warriors' Draymond Green. Green stated that LeBron "is playing a totally different style, totally different game than he's ever played before." LeBron's usage rate in the playoffs is 27.2%, considerably lower than his regular season rate of 33.3%, and in his first game against the Warriors in the regular season, his role had changed drastically. This adjustment is partly due to the Lakers' strong roster which gives LeBron more flexibility and the opportunity to take a back seat when necessary. LeBron has also been dealing with a foot tendon injury that has limited him through the playoffs. Although he has been effective with the injury, the Lakers' new playing style complements this, rather than relying on him to carry extra weight. Draymond's observation shows how this Lakers' team is shaping up as one of LeBron's most offensively talented teams; his ability to be a fourth-option offensively is indicative of this.

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently facing the Golden State Warriors in a high-stakes second-round NBA playoffs series, but it’s not too early to start considering the team’s off-season plans. The rumor mill has been churning and there are a few potential targets for the Purple and Gold, such as Donte DiVincenzo. The former Buck signed up with the Warriors on a two-year deal with a player option. While he hasn’t had a meteoric rise with the team, he has certainly improved and thus will likely opt-out. The Lakers could swoop in and potentially get him with the mid-level exception.

Another potential target for LA is Austin Reaves, who has garnered attention from outside suitors. The 25-year-old's stock is worth buying, considering his all-around skill set and potential for years to come. Lastly, the Lakers may look for a new point guard this off-season. The two current point guards - Dennis Schroder and D'Angelo Russel - are both free agents with lackluster playoff performances. Some potential targets for the Lakers include talented playmakers such as Kyle Lowry, Elfrid Payton, TJ McConnell, and George Hill. Only time will tell what moves the Lakers make this off-season and what direction the team decides to take.

Los Angeles Lakers power forward, Mo Bamba, has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 1 contest against the Golden State Warriors due to left ankle soreness. According to sources, Bamba received an injection to treat the soreness and was using a crutch to walk at the team's shootaround. This injury report has listed Bamba as questionable before the game, and he may return for the next game. Though the Lakers' backup centers are Wenyen Gabriel and Tristan Thompson, Bamba, who played just 88 minutes total in the regular season for Los Angeles, figured unlikely to get many minutes in the matchup anyway because of his defensive limitations. However, his absence meant that the Lakers would be more likely to turn to Rui Hachimura/LeBron James frontcourt that wasn't effective versus Memphis. This grouping is unlikely to do better against ace rebounder Kevon Looney. Although Bamba's absence may not have a huge impact on the rotation, it is still a significant loss for the Lakers and may affect their performance against the Warriors.

On a recent episode of First Take, Snoop Dogg shocked host Stephen A. Smith by proclaiming that Golden State's Stephen Curry is the greatest point guard of all time. Despite being a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Magic Johnson, Snoop argued that Curry's revolutionary play style sets him apart from other point guards. While Smith initially mocked Snoop for his claim, the rapper stuck by his statement.

Curry's playoff performance this year seems to support Snoop's assertion. Through the first two rounds of the Western Conference playoffs, Curry is averaging 29.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. He led the Warriors to a stunning upset over the #1 seed Utah Jazz and is now facing off against the Lakers, the team Snoop Dogg has supported his whole life.

Despite being a six-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and three-time NBA champion, Curry still faces detractors who argue that he hasn't done enough to prove he's the greatest point guard ever. Time will tell whether Curry continues to make his case, but for now, his biggest fan might just be Snoop Dogg.

Jonathan Kuminga, the seventh pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has found himself out of the Golden State Warriors' rotation lately, and he has expressed his struggle with this situation. He played only a total of 27 minutes in the first four playoff games, and he had a DNP-CD in the Warriors' series-opening loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, experts say that the decision to not play Kuminga is not a failure on the youngster's end. The Warriors' veteran players, like Draymond Green, are coming back to full strength, resulting in Kuminga's reduction in minutes. But, bringing Kuminga back in the rotation, especially in the second-round playoff series against the Lakers, could provide the Warriors with a new dimension of play.

Kuminga's athleticism and budding skills could make him a valuable asset in some of Golden State's better bench lineups, and his ability to block and score at an above-average rate as a pick-and-roll player should be explored. Moreover, playing Kuminga will not have to kill spacing either. The Lakers may leave him outside, but Kuminga's ability to shoot is above average, which becomes an advantage for Golden State. Thus, the Warriors' coach, Steve Kerr, must consider employing Jonathan Kuminga against the Lakers.

On Monday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers took Game 4 of their second-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors with a score of 104-101. Point Guard Dennis Schroder played an important role in the victory, having made ten points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal. After the game, he sent out a tweet which went viral on Twitter. The tweet was about Lonnie Walker's exceptional performance and had over 20,000 likes and 560,000 impressions in less than three hours. The post read: "15 POINTS IN THE 4TH QUARTER?! THAT'S TUFF! @lonniewalker_4".

The Lakers are now 5-0 at home in the 2023 NBA playoffs and have a 3-1 lead in their second-round playoff series against the Warriors. If they win Game 5, they will advance to the Western Conference Finals against either the Phoenix Suns or the Denver Nuggets. Moreover, LeBron James, the driving force behind the Lakers, advised his younger teammates to stay off social media during the postseason to stay focused.

During the Lakers' Game 3 victory over the Golden State Warriors, D'Angelo Russell scored 21 points in the first half and looked like the player that was once an All-Star in 2019. Many Warriors fans might have wondered if they had traded him away too soon. The coach, however, had other things on his mind, focusing instead on limiting Russell's weapons in Game 4. The Warriors will slot defensive specialist Gary Payton II into the starting lineup to try to slow down Russell. Through three games in this second-round series, Russell is averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and a steal. Golden State is down 2-1, and another big night from Russell could put them one loss away from elimination. The Warriors traded Russell to Minnesota in February 2020, and ultimately netted two franchise building blocks in return. Those blocks came in the form of forward Andrew Wiggins and forward Jonathan Kuminga. Russell's future, on the other hand, seems murky. It's unclear if the Lakers will want to pay him the big contract he figures to command in free agency this summer. However, if he keeps playing like he did in Game 3, he may have finally found his long-term home.

The absence of Philadelphia 76ers' center Joel Embiid may have gotten some fans' hopes up that Tyrese Maxey will score big in Game 2, but it's not looking likely. In fact, our model predicts that Maxey will only score about 18.1 points tonight. Moreover, Maxey had a usage rate of only 17.4% when sharing the court with Embiid and James Harden this season, resulting in just 15.7 points per 36 minutes. Although Maxey averaged 21.8 points per game in the first round, it's worth noting that he had a 33-point night in Game 2 against the Brooklyn Nets (when Embiid and Harden were playing), which bumped his points-per-game average up. On top of that, the Boston Celtics held two-guards to the fifth-fewest points per game during the final 30 contests of the regular season, making this a tough matchup for Maxey. Therefore, the under may be the side to be on.

Bet: Tyrese Maxey Under 21.5 Points (-108)

SKIP STORY

Donte DiVincenzo, Golden State Warriors' all-important bench player, has been struggling in the postseason, admitting that it has been a challenging experience so far. After averaging 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game during the regular season, he has only managed to average 4.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting just 31.1 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from 3-point land. The slowed down pace in the playoffs and half-court game has been a challenge for DiVincenzo, who thrives in the transition game. Coach decisions, matchups, and adjustments are all crucial factors in the postseason. DiVincenzo revealed that to improve his game in the playoffs, he needs to be more assertive and aggressive, both defensively and offensively, and try to get everybody involved, not just trying to be aggressive and get to the rim. Fans of the Warriors will be hoping that DiVincenzo finds his way, as he has the potential to be Golden State's saving grace in the postseason.

As the Golden State Warriors face off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second-round playoff series, many are focused on the headlining discussions surrounding Steph Curry and LeBron James. However, X-factors like Kevon Looney could prove key to determining the outcome of the series. Looney's performance is crucial for optimizing both single- and dual-big lineups, especially as he battles on the boards alongside Anthony Davis. Keeping Davis under control will fall predominantly to Looney, making their matchup a crucial one to watch. On offense, Looney lacks the range to yank Davis away from the basket, but he will still need to pitch in against LeBron James. If Looney can hold his own against AD, the Lakers' defensive disruption will be more controlled, and the Warriors can pull Green elsewhere. As both teams enter the game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, every player's performance will be critical to winning this best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.