NFL draft 2021 - Texans use first pick on QB Davis Mills amid Deshaun Watson uncertainty - ESPN

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10:10 PM ET

HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans have taken a shot at finding their future quarterback by drafting Stanford's Davis Mills in the third round of the NFL draft.

With quarterback Deshaun Watson's future with the Texans uncertain after an offseason where he first demanded a trade and currently faces 22 civil lawsuits alleging inappropriate conduct and sexual assault, Houston used the 67th pick -- and their first of the in the 2021 NFL draft -- to draft Mills.

Along with Watson, the Texans have two other quarterbacks on their roster: Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Finley. When asked about Watson, Texans general manager Nick Caserio said drafting Mills "doesn't impact anybody."

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"Again, our whole philosophy has been to create as much competition as possible and we'll continue to do that," Caserio said.

And when Caserio was asked if he expects Mills to be the Texans' future franchise quarterback, the general manager avoided the question.

After Mills was drafted, the quarterback was asked what he knew about Watson's current situation.

"Not much about it, obviously," Mills said. "The only thing I can control is how I how I handle myself."

Mills has started just 11 games over two seasons, including five in a shortened 2020 season. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Mills had a 92.8 Total QBR in starts against ranked opponents over the last two years, third-best in FBS.

Mills said he did not have a lot of pre-draft interaction with the Texans, so he was "surprised by the call" from Houston on Friday night.

"I feel like I have a ton of ability to come in and compete at the next level and I'm fully ready in that manner," Mills said.

When not pressured, Mills averaged 2.25 seconds before the pass, second-only to Trevor Lawrence among FBS quarterbacks ranked in the Scouts Inc. rankings and 10th overall in the FBS, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Mills is the first quarterback taken by the Texans since the team drafted Watson 12th overall in 2017.

The Texans also traded up to draft wide receiver Nico Collins, making it the first time since 2003 that Houston drafted an offensive skill player with each of its first two picks.

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May 01, 2021 at 09:16AM
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NFL draft 2021 - Texans use first pick on QB Davis Mills amid Deshaun Watson uncertainty - ESPN

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'Creepy' Robot Dog Loses Job With New York Police Department - NPR

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NYPD canceled its contract with Boston Dynamics last week after its test run of the company's Spot robot sparked concerns of misuse of city funds and potential police abuse. Josh Reynolds/AP hide caption

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NYPD canceled its contract with Boston Dynamics last week after its test run of the company's Spot robot sparked concerns of misuse of city funds and potential police abuse.

Josh Reynolds/AP

After a public outcry, a robotic dog once hailed by the New York Police Department a high-tech crime-fighting sidekick is getting sent back to its owner.

The police canceled a $94,000 contract with the robot's maker Boston Dynamics following a growing backlash tied to calls to cut the police budget and concerns of police militarization and abuses of force.

The department introduced the public to the "Digidog" in December after acquiring the device in a test program.

"This dog is going to save lives, protect people, and protect officers and that's our goal," NYPD Technical Assistance Response Unit Inspector Frank Digiacomo said in an interview with the local ABC station.

The purpose of the Boston Dynamics "Spot" robot, an agile 70-pound hound able to climb stairs and survey hazardous areas, was to help officers better identify dangers at crime scenes and keep officers safe.

Mayor Bill de Blasio is "glad the Digidog was put down," a spokesperson told ABC7. "It's creepy, alienating, and sends the wrong message to New Yorkers."

Critics have likened the machines to the robotic dogs featured in the TV series Black Mirror. In fact, the dystopian show's creators drew inspiration from Boston Robotics videos in depicting a nightmarish military state for the 2017 episode "Metalhead."

In February, a viral video of the futuristic dog — seen patrolling a Bronx neighborhood after officers responded to a hostage situation — sparked controversy. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who then called it a "robotic surveillance ground drone," praised activists in her district who pushed back on the tech to demand that police funds should instead go toward investments like school counseling.

"When was the last time you saw next-generation, world class technology for education, healthcare, housing, etc consistently prioritized for underserved communities like this?" she tweeted.

John Miller, NYPD's deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism, defended the department's use of the robot in an interview with The New York Times this week. The Digidog keeps officers out of harm's way, he said, and it's cheaper and more advanced than the robots the force has used in the past.

Miller said that the department had previously sought to test the device until its contract was up this August. But plans changed, he said, after the robotic dog became a "target" in arguments over race and surveillance.

The Times reported that the lease was cut short last week: "In response to a subpoena from City Councilman Ben Kallos and Council Speaker Corey Johnson requesting records related to the device, police officials said that a contract worth roughly $94,000 to lease the robotic dog from its maker, Boston Dynamics, had been terminated on April 22."

As Wired reported last month, Kallos has proposed a bill to ban the NYPD from using "weaponized" robots. That legislation would not prevent the deployment of devices like the Boston Dynamics Spot, which the company said buyers must agree to not use as a weapon.

Law enforcement has used armed robots before, prompting concerns of potential misuses. In 2016, Dallas police officers used a "bomb robot" to remotely detonate an explosive in order to kill a sniper who killed five officers.

Although New York City has put its Digidog to rest, police departments in Massachusetts and Hawaii are also testing the device.

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May 01, 2021 at 07:37AM
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'Creepy' Robot Dog Loses Job With New York Police Department - NPR

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New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman earns 'Trader Dave' nickname after multiple trades in NFL draft - ESPN

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12:10 AM ET

New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has a new nickname as a result of his actions over the first two days of the NFL draft.

The Giants' trading down from each of their first two selections this year -- the first time in his career as a GM that Gettleman has ever traded back -- has those in New York's draft room and around the NFL calling him "Trader Dave."

It's a new and unexpected nickname that seems to have everyone cracking jokes.

"You could say that there's been a little ribbing. 'Trader Dave' has brought some excitement to the room, so it's been fun," Giants director of college scouting Chris Pettit said Friday. "'Trader Dave' is hearing it from a lot of people throughout the league, so it's been fun. There's been a little ribbing. Like I said, it's not like we haven't tried [to trade down in the past]. Dave said it, I'll say it. It worked out. It's exciting. It gave a little juice. It's been different. The room is different without all our people in it.

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"We were limited to only 10 people, but there was enough ribbing with the 10 people to keep it exciting."

Gettleman and the Giants made trades before each of their three picks so far in this draft.

New York surprisingly moved back from pick No. 11 in the first round Thursday night after the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles jumped them to take wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The Giants pocketed the 20th overall selection, a fifth-round pick and 2022 first- and fourth-rounders from the Chicago Bears, who moved up nine spots to take quarterback Justin Fields. The Giants selected Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney at No. 20.

On Friday, the Giants moved back again with their first pick -- from No. 42 to 50 -- before landing Georgia edge rusher Azeez Ojulari. New York also acquired a third-round pick in 2022 from the Miami Dolphins in that trade.

"We were busy," Gettleman said. "I'm learning to make right turns in NASCAR."

That was in reference to a joke made earlier this month by NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who said he expected to see right turns in NASCAR before a trade back by Gettleman.

Consider it a streak-buster for Gettleman, who had never traded back in any of his previous 54 selections as a GM in eight drafts with the Carolina Panthers and Giants.

"Let me tell you something, you never know. You never know," Gettleman said. "You know, listen, it's all about if the opportunity is right. It's about your board. It's about value meeting need. It's all those things.

"And like I told you guys last week, I've tried in the past and it just hasn't worked. We thought we got just really good value here."

"Trader Dave" made it 3-for-3 with trades this year when he moved again in the third round Friday night. This time, however, the Giants traded up, sending picks Nos. 76 and 164 (the fifth-rounder obtained from the Bears) to the Denver Broncos for No. 71, which they used on UCF cornerback Aaron Robinson.

It wrapped a whirlwind two days of drafting that perhaps changed the perception of the notoriously old school Gettleman. The deals might have been more familiar for second-year coach Joe Judge, who is significantly more familiar with this trade-happy approach after spending the previous eight seasons with the New England Patriots, who had made more draft-day trades entering this year (82) over the past two decades than any other team.

"I'm sure Dave has got a concussion or something," Judge joked. "So make sure we check on him overnight, and we'll get back to work [Saturday]."

"Trader Dave," Judge and the Giants have three picks remaining Saturday on the final day of the draft.

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May 01, 2021 at 11:18AM
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New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman earns 'Trader Dave' nickname after multiple trades in NFL draft - ESPN

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Jaguars select Travis Etienne with the 25th overall pick - Big Cat Country

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have selected Clemon running back Travis Etienne with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, their second first round selection of this draft. The Jaguars picked quarterback Trevor Lawrence first overall and doubled back with the second first round pick they got in the Jalen Ramsey trade from the Los Angeles Rams to add to their offense.

It’s clear that head coach Urban Meyer has a plan for the Jaguars offense, not just adding Etienne because of his connection with Lawrence, but for his versatility in the backfield and the ability to have a two-headed monster with James Robinson also in the backfield.

Many people expected the Jaguars to continue to add weapons to make the transition for their rookie quarterback easier, and Meyer and general manager Trent Baalke did just that. It’s possible the Jaguars offense will put up some points.

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April 30, 2021 at 10:19AM
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Jaguars select Travis Etienne with the 25th overall pick - Big Cat Country

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White House Says It Is Open to Diplomacy With North Korea - NPR

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Commuters watch a TV with images of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Biden at a Seoul, South Korea, rail station in March. Ahn Young-joon/AP hide caption

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Commuters watch a TV with images of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Biden at a Seoul, South Korea, rail station in March.

Ahn Young-joon/AP

The White House has completed a review of its policy on North Korea, press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Friday, saying that while the aim of the U.S. remains denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the Biden administration is open to diplomatic talks to boost security for the region.

"Our policy will not focus on achieving a grand bargain nor will it rely on strategic patience," Psaki said. "Our policy calls for a calibrated practical approach that is open to and will explore diplomacy with the DPRK and to make practical progress that increases the security of the United States, our allies, and deployed forces."

The U.S. relationship with North Korea, while deeply strained, expanded under former President Donald Trump. In 2018, Trump and North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un held the first face-to-face meeting between leaders of the two nations. The following year, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to step foot in North Korea.

Despite the historic meetings between Trump and the North Korean ruler, discussions over denuclearization stalled, and an agreement for the volatile nation to halt its nuclear program dissolved.

As part of the administration's review of North Korea policy, Biden's team consulted with predecessors from previous administrations as well as South Korean and Japanese counterparts, according to Psaki.

The end of the White House review comes as South Korean President Moon Jae-in is set to visit the White House on May 21. In an interview last week with The New York Times, Moon said the U.S. should sit down with North Korea to move toward a nuclear deal.

"The most important starting point for both governments is to have the will for dialogue and to sit down face to face at an early date," Moon told the paper.

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May 01, 2021 at 02:01AM
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White House Says It Is Open to Diplomacy With North Korea - NPR

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Jaguars select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with first pick in NFL Draft - Big Cat Country

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Not much of a mystery leading up to the big day today, the Jaguars have selected former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first-overall pick, something the franchise hopes to re-ignite the team, fan base and onlookers as they attempt to rebuild the ship now led by head coach Urban Meyer.

Lawrence, 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, has been thought to be the eventual first-overall pick seemingly since his years at the high school level, and certainly during his three years at the collegiate level with the Tigers.

In three years with Clemson, Lawrence accounted for 10,098 yards, while completing 759 out of 1,138 passing attempts (66.6%), 90 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He would lead his team to two National Championship appearances, including one victory in 2018.

The Tigers reached the playoffs under the guidance of Lawrence during all three seasons while he was their signal-caller.

Leading up to tonight’s event, there was very little mystery surrounding who the Jaguars preferred to select with the first-overall selection, Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke recently stated that with Lawrence, the “stars aligned.”

“The easiest way to answer that is [there are] no negatives,” Baalke said earlier this month when asked about Lawrence and what the team has learned thus far about the quarterback.

“[With] all the research we’ve done, you’re always looking for the stars to align when you’re looking at prospects, whether that be from a physical, mental, character aspect, whatever the case may be. With his situation, like many others in this draft, the stars all align and that’s what you’re looking for.”

In January, Jaguars owner Shad Khan stated that one thing that has eluded the franchise in Jacksonville has been a franchise quarterback. Well, now the team hopes in Lawrence the team finally has one.

“If this isn’t a moment to enjoy for me to enjoy and for all the Jags fans, you need more coffee. Or you need something else. This is a great-to-be-alive kind of moment, frankly,” Khan said earlier this week.

Given the state of the franchise prior to this year, selecting Lawrence is a franchise-defining moment, one that will be remembered for many years as the team proceeds with Meyer and Lawrence as the faces of the franchise.

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April 30, 2021 at 07:25AM
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Jaguars select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with first pick in NFL Draft - Big Cat Country

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Cherokee Street celebrates Cinco De Mayo safely with first annual Taco de Oro competition - Sauce Magazine

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Cherokee Street celebrates Cinco De Mayo safely with first annual Taco de Oro competition

By Liz Wolfson // April 30, 2021

Due to restrictions related on the ongoing pandemic, Cherokee Street’s annual Cinco de Mayo festival has once again been canceled. In its place, Cinco de Mayo STL, the foundation that spearheads the event, has partnered with local events website Do314 on Taco de Oro – The Cherokee Street Taco Bracket, which opens for voting tomorrow, Saturday, May 1. 

The monthlong competition highlights eight of the street’s taquerias and other restaurants’ selection of their own best taco. Diners are invited to travel the “Taco Walk-o-Fame,” where they can sample each restaurant’s offering and then vote on their top pick in brackets like Best of Al Pastor and The Steak Out. Votes will be cast online through the Do314 website; QR codes that link directly to the voting site will be posted at each participating restaurant. At the end of the month, the competition’s winner will be presented with the Golden Taco trophy (the Spanish phrase "de oro" translates to "of gold.")

Seven of the eight participating restaurants – Sueno Latino, La Manganita, Taqueria El Bronco, Don Carlos Restaurant, La Vallesana, Taqueria Hectorito (located inside Supermercado El Torito), and The Taco and Ice Cream Joint – are located in the same two blocks on Cherokee Street between Oregon and Iowa avenues. The eighth, Kalbi Taco Shack, is situated just a few blocks east, at Cherokee and Indiana avenues.  

photo by liz wolfson

“Certain folks on Cherokee Street have been dreaming of a taco competition for many years,” said Emily Thenhaus, executive director of the Cherokee Street Community Improvement District. “The street’s annual Cinco de Mayo festival is both a big celebration of our community and also a huge revenue source for so many of our businesses. Taco de Oro seemed like the perfect way to spread out the crowds and still encourage folks to support the businesses and not just do so altruistically, but also to taste some of the best tacos the region has,” Thenhaus continued. 

The competition is also an opportunity for taco fans to try some of the newer arrivals to Cherokee’s taco scene, such as La Manganita, “so there’s something for everyone to try and get acquainted with,” Thenhaus explained. The organizers hope the competition will continue on after this year, with the Golden Taco trophy traveling back and forth between winning businesses.

Several area bars are getting in on the action as well by way of a margarita promotion. The first 100 people to cast their votes will receive a coupon for a free margarita at several of the participating restaurants as well as Cherokee Street bars like Yaquis, The B-Side, The Fortune Teller Bar and The Whiskey Ring.

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May 01, 2021 at 02:07AM
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Cherokee Street celebrates Cinco De Mayo safely with first annual Taco de Oro competition - Sauce Magazine

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