(VOR News) – Reactions from several Democrats overnight followed the news that the Teamsters, under General President Sean O’Brien, had decided against receiving a presidential endorsement.

“Sadly, neither major candidate was able to make significant pledges to our union to guarantee that working people’s interests always come first,” O’Brien said in a statement.

Native Boston-area Congressman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., called former President Donald Trump the “most anti-labor president we have ever had.” O’Brien hails from the Boston area as well.

“It’s clear that these workers are misinformed or ignorant about Trump’s record on labour,” McGovern said to the Washington Times. “His loyalty isn’t to working people.”

Leading Democrat on the House Rules Committee McGovern said unequivocally that Trump supports “rich people” above the working class.

The Teamsters have never released a non-endorsement since the 1996 contest between Republican Kansas senator Bob Dole and former President Bill Clinton. Former President George H.W. Bush, who beat Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, received last support from the GOP in 1988.

Democrat from Nevada Rep. Steven Horsford tweeted that Harris’ tie-breaking Senate vote was taken “to protect Teamsters’ pensions.”

Horsford said Nevada Teamsters councils backed Harris without national approval.

“She’s defending us,” said Horsford. Concurrent with Horsford, Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto, D-Nev., said the Teamsters in the Silver State “know that Kamala Harris is a fighter for our union workers.”

“I learned it from my father, a Teamster in Las Vegas: when we stand together, we win,” Cortez-Masto said. Former Democratic California House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meantime, called the Teamsters’ choice “disappointing.”

More Trump turned down backing a Teamsters pension bill. Biden- Harris and Democrats saved Teamsters pensions in the Butch Lewis Act of our American Rescue Plan without a single Republican vote, she said on X, the former Twitter platform.

Still, Trump called Harris’ lack of endorsement a “great honour” for him.

“They will not support the Democrats. It’s a significant matter,” Trump said in his campaign in New York City. The internal Teamsters ballot indicates that the GOP candidate has over 60% of the organization’s total membership supporting him.

Prominent progressive in Congress Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington called the non-endorsement “unfortunate” but pointed out that Harris is still backed by the Evergreen State’s sub-council.

“I think you’ll see more Teamsters nationwide,” she told the Times.

Democrat from New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shot O’Brien more directly, saying that the national head has been “boosting Republicans all year while supporting anti-worker, anti-choice Senate candidates.”

The BBC claims that O’Brien has allegedly spoken with a couple Republican senators, including JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). Still, Hawley lately had support from the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation union.

Still, the organization did endorse two candidates for U.S. Senate: D-Ariz. Representative Ruben Gallego and D-Calif. Representative Adam Schiff.

According to a statement taken from many sources, Harris “literally walked the picket line,” while Trump believes striking staff should be sacked.

Lauren Hitt said, “The Vice President’s strong union record is why Teamsters locals across the country have already endorsed her — alongside the overwhelming majority of organised labour.”

In response, a council in Pennsylvania, a pivotal swing state with 35,000 Teamsters, ignored O’Brien’s lack of support and backed Harris.

Harris was unanimously chosen by the Teamsters Joint Council 40 board, representing Pittsburgh, Erie, State College, and Washington, on a separate vote.

Council president Carl Bailey said Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “she is the best for our locals and the best for our unions.”

During a 2023 hearing, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma and O’Brien nearly got into a physical fight; Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., had to intervene after Mullin got up from his chair following the two men’s yells at each other to “stand your butt up.” This indicates O’Brien’s ease with sparring Republicans.

SOURCE: FN

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‘Fake Heiress’ Anna Sorokin Debuts On ‘Dancing With The Stars’ — With A Sparkly Ankle Monitor

Wojnarowski, ’91, Steps Down as ESPN General Manager to Join Bonnie’s Basketball Program

Los Angeles — Anna Sorokin, a convicted con artist, appeared on “Dancing With the Stars” with a featherweight — and extremely glittery — ankle monitor.

The so-called ‘fake heiress,’ who was convicted of swindling banks, hotels, and friends in 2019 after fraudulently claiming to be a wealthy German heiress named Anna Delvey, debuted the ballroom-worthy ankle monitor during the launch of “Dancing With the Stars'” new season Tuesday night.

“It’s not a huge deal at all. It’s quite light, and I asked them to tighten it so it doesn’t droop. So it’s not too horrible,” she told The Associated Press following the premiere. She and professional dancer Ezra Sosa performed a routine to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.”

‘Fake Heiress’ Anna Sorokin Debuts On ‘Dancing With The Stars’ — With A Sparkly Ankle Monitor

“It’s the real star of the show, let’s be honest here,” Sosa said of Sorokin’s glittering ankle monitor.

“I think it’s kind of funny how people like — it’s not like an ankle weight,” Sosa told reporters. “It’s not like twenty pounds. It’s literally less than a pound, so it’s no big issue.”

Sorokin recognized that her debut did not go as expected.

“I feel relieved that it’s over,” she stated. “I feel like my dance could have been a little bit better, but I’m happy I’ve done this and it was a great experience all over.”

Sorokin expressed optimism that viewers will be forgiving despite her criminal history.

“Hopefully, people will give me a chance to demonstrate what I can do. “And I served my sentence and paid my restitution,” she claimed.

‘Fake Heiress’ Anna Sorokin Debuts On ‘Dancing With The Stars’ — With A Sparkly Ankle Monitor

Early fan reactions were negative, with the phrase “Anna Delvey’s Lacklustre DWTS Debut” trending on social media site X.

She was released from prison in February 2021, but immigration authorities apprehended her immediately after, stating she had overstayed her visa and needed to be repatriated to her native Germany. The “Inventing Anna” inspiration was in ICE custody for more than a year before a judge paved the way for her to be transferred to house confinement in October 2022 while fighting deportation.

Her parole conditions had to be modified to allow her to travel from New York to Los Angeles for filming.

SOURCE | AP

(VOR News) – Adrian Wojnarowski is leaving journalism to become St. Bonaventure men’s basketball general manager.

“I am delighted and honoured to be back at St. Bonaventure University, and the chance to contribute to Coach Mark Schmidt and our prestigious Atlantic 10 men’s basketball program,” Wojnarowski said.

“During these dynamic eras of collegiate athletics, I am excited about becoming part of a championship program that integrates elite basketball, widespread television visibility, professional training, and future-oriented learning opportunities inside a close-knit and nurturing educational setting.”

Wojnarowski will help the coaching staff recruit, engage with families and alumni players, raise money for professional player programs, coordinate collective efforts, run the transfer portal, and capitalise on NIL opportunities as general manager.

Since 2022, some mid-major and power conference schools have hired general managers, especially for men’s basketball and football, to keep up with the fast-changing collegiate sports market.

The director of basketball operations wanted to share NBA success stories and new ideas with the community. The director also stressed the importance of global possibilities for our players in athletics and in life.

Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Bob Beretta called Wojnarowski’s selection a “incredible opportunity” for the university, men’s basketball, and athletics.

“Amidst significant upheaval in the intercollegiate athletics industry, we are conclusively demonstrating that St. Bonaventure remains at the vanguard of transformation,” he said. “This is an audacious decision that is in line with our institutional objectives to sustain and thrive.”

Beretta believes Wojnarowski’s global basketball network will aid the endeavour.

Woj understands St. Bonaventure and Franciscan ideals, the president stated, in addition to his extensive professional and intercollegiate basketball network.

“The willingness of the most accomplished journalist in his profession to relinquish a lucrative media career in order to provide support to his alma mater is a clear indication of his deep affection and great enthusiasm for Bonaventure.”

Schmidt called Wojnarowski’s hire a “home run.”

“Recruiting and retention in the new NIL college basketball landscape are crucial,” said Schmidt, the school’s most successful men’s basketball coach. “Woj is as connected as anyone in the basketball world and his decades-long network of relationships can only help our program remain among the top teams in the Atlantic 10 going forward.”

Wojnarowski plans to leave his lucrative ESPN position in 2022 to support the university that changed his life. The Jandoli School of Communication and Basketball has received funding from him and his 92-year-old wife Amy.

“I express my gratitude to President (Jeff) Gingerich, Bob Beretta, Coach Schmidt, and the collective St. Bonaventure community for extending a warm reception to my wife, Amy, and myself as we reintegrate into the campus community in a new capacity,” he stated. “The university’s stunning campus immediately enthralled us as undergraduate students.” I’m ready to work.

Today on ESPN on X, 1991 graduate Wojnarowski retired.

“While this craft has had a profound impact on my life, I have made the decision to retire from ESPN and the news industry,” he stated. “While I acknowledge the commitment inherent in my work, my level of motivation has diminished compared to my previous state.” The objective is to optimise the use of my finite time.

Wojnarowski edited Yahoo Sports’ Vertical for two years before joining ESPN in 2017. In nearly ten years at The Record of New Jersey, he won two APSE Columnist of the Year awards. He worked for the Waterbury Republican-American and the Fresno Bee for years.

The National Sports Media Association awarded Wojnarowski the Peer Recognition Award for National Sportswriter of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Red Smith, Jim Murray, Frank Deford, Rick Reilly, Bob Ryan, and Tom Verducci have won this competition three years running.

Wojnarowski wrote “The Miracle of St. Anthony: A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball’s Most Improbable Dynasty,” a New York Times bestseller.

Wojnarowski received an honorary degree in 2022, spoke at the university’s graduation ceremony, and was named Jandoli School Alumnus of the Year for 2019. His name was also on the school’s Wall of Distinguished Graduates.

Amy and Adrian’s return to Bonaventure will be commemorated with a news conference on Wednesday, September 25, at 4:00 p.m. in the Quick Centre for the Arts theatre. Residents of the university can attend.

SOURCE: BONNIES

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