This weekend Vice President Kamala Harris is alleged to be interviewing the ultimate candidates for her personal vice presidential working mate. The ultimate candidates to be thought-about embrace the Democratic governors of Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Kentucky together with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. If Harris needs to maintain the momentum of her marketing campaign and provides herself one of the best likelihood to win in November, we consider that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro would make for the wisest selection.

The Pennsylvania governor has a observe file of pragmatic policymaking that has drawn favorability amongst teams that many thought inconceivable in right this moment’s partisan setting, together with Democrats and Republicans, enterprise and labor unions, and Muslims and Jews. We consider evaluating the professionals to the cons would lead many citizens, notably these undecided voters, to solid their poll for the Harris-Shapiro ticket.

Whereas Shapiro solely took workplace in January 2022, he does convey almost thirty years of political expertise at federal, state, and county ranges. Shapiro spent eight years on Capitol Hill, in the end serving as extremely efficient chief of workers; six years as state legal professional basic and eight as a state consultant, together with a stint as deputy speaker of the Home; and one other six years on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, 5 of which he served as Chairman. Shapiro additionally gained expertise as a company lawyer over greater than a decade – balancing his part-time political roles as a state consultant and county commissioner.

Encountering antisemitism

In a last-ditch effort, far left teams tried to sabotage Governor Shapiro’s candidacy utilizing charged slurs, corresponding to “Genocide Josh.” These extremist teams –appear to overlook the truth that the governor is essentially in step with the Biden-Harris Administration and “properly inside the mainstream of the Democratic Social gathering,” as famous by Rep. Richie Torres (D, NY).

When Shapiro was 20 years previous and attending the College of Rochester in New York, he wrote an article during which he mentioned that Palestinians had been “too battle-minded to have the ability to set up a peaceable homeland of their very own.” Shapiro had spent 5 months finding out in Israel and volunteered within the Israeli military. When Shapiro was requested about his school article throughout a information convention on Friday, he highlighted that his views have since modified. “I’ve mentioned for years, years earlier than Oct. 7, that I favor a two-state answer—Israelis and Palestinians dwelling peacefully side-by-side, having the ability to decide their very own futures and their very own future,” he mentioned.

After all, these teams can at all times vote for a Trump-Vance presidency, with a former president who applied an immigration and refugee ban on choose Muslim-majority international locations throughout his first time period and who has brazenly supported Israel’s “struggle on terror.”

Sexual misconduct by a rogue workers member

Throughout latest political infighting, an allegation of sexual harassment was introduced again up in public. The allegation was not towards Shapiro however towards a former staffer. The governor’s workplace adopted a “rigorous course of…grounded in integrity” conducting an inner investigation, reaching a settlement with the sufferer (however no act of contrition), and ensuing within the departure of the alleged offender. Non-disparagement is commonplace for such settlements throughout sectors; in any other case, there isn’t a level in settling. Democrats could be clever to recollect this was not misconduct by Shapiro and may hold the deal with Trump’s personal sexual misconduct.

Lengthy historical past of successful powerful races

Governor Shapiro has seen success in elections that many deemed unwinnable. In his first political race in 2004, Shapiro received an open state Home seat in an overwhelmingly Republican district, reportedly knocking on greater than 10,000 doorways. In 2011, he was elected to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, the primary time within the historical past of the county that the Democratic Social gathering received management of the three-person Board. Lastly, and most notably, Shapiro made historical past by successful extra votes than any Pennsylvania governor ever and incomes extra votes than the Democratic presidential candidates in 2016 and 2020.

Extremely well-liked amongst all voters

Perhaps most significantly, the governor has the numbers to again up assertions that he might ship Pennsylvania’s 19 electors to the Democrat Social gathering along with different pivotal states within the “blue wall.” In Might 2024, 57% of Pennsylvanians strongly or considerably accredited of Shapiro’s management – 35% of which had been voters planning to again Trump in November.

Eloquent public speaker and campaigner

Whereas some could have forgotten the enchantment and significance of a gifted orator after almost eight years of Trump and Biden, voters should not overlook the most of the memorable speeches delivered by President Barack Obama. Some commentators have in contrast Governor Shapiro’s talking skills to these of Obama, noting that they even sound alike. Govt oratory will not be incidental however foundational as it’s via such messaging that which means is created. Presidential historian Richard Neustadt in his basic 1960 work Presidential Energy has defined that presidential energy will not be the coercive energy to command however the delicate energy to influence. A president can be pissed off by merely barking orders. Getting issues executed in a democracy requires persuading others that appearing consistency with the administration’s objectives is in their very own greatest curiosity. As President Harry Truman warned about his successor Basic Dwight (Ike) Eisenhower, “He’ll sit right here and he’ll say, ‘Do that! Try this!’ And nothing will occur. Poor Ike—it will not be a bit just like the Military.” The American individuals lengthy for expert audio system, who can join with these of all backgrounds and reignite a declining sense of nationwide pleasure.

Shapiro additionally took a barely totally different tactic from his different short-listed friends throughout the intra-party contest to be vp for a Harris presidency. As a substitute of showing on cable information reveals, the governor selected a extra balanced strategy, sustaining his common travels because the state’s government whereas staunchly campaigning for Harris and permitting his file to talk for itself. In impact, Shapiro confirmed Harris that he is usually a loyal and efficient quantity two – capturing sufficient consideration to garner help for his trigger however not stealing the highlight.

A centrist, not an ideologue

Counter to the developments of our dominant two-party system of presidency, the governor doesn’t at all times adhere to conventional get together norms. Whereas promising to guard state voting and abortion rights and advancing efforts within the state’s clear vitality transition, Shapiro additionally selected to not mandate masks and vaccines for COVID-19 (however educate) and has advocated for the adoption of training financial savings accounts (however nonetheless has trainer union help), believing every coverage greatest meet the wants of his various state.

State leaders have commented on Shapiro’s pragmatic, centrist policymaking. As an example, the Republican member of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners throughout Shapiro’s tenure, praised Shapiro stating “[he was] one of the best county commissioner I ever knew.” Throughout his gubernatorial bid in 2022, seventeen former GOP officers endorsed him over his GOP opponent, together with former Congressman Charlie Dent and former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Safety Michael Chertoff.

Professional-business and pro-growth agenda

Now we have heard questions from numerous CEOs inquiring what a possible Harris presidency means for the enterprise setting. Shapiro ought to put any issues of overly restrictive regulation or extreme tax coverage to relaxation. Shapiro has been endorsed by each fossil gasoline firms in addition to environmental and renewable vitality stakeholders. His greater than ten years of expertise training company regulation offers sensible insights into the priorities of enterprise leaders. In reality, he has advocated for chopping state company taxes in half in addition to taken steps to implement enterprise pleasant insurance policies, make authorities work on the pace of enterprise, incentivize enterprise innovation and increase pathways into the workforce. His administration has seen many successes in solely 18 months, together with attracting greater than $2 billion in non-public capital funding and creating hundreds of latest jobs.

Character

Shapiro has been unafraid to interact in discussions concerning the difficulties embedded within the Israel-Hamas struggle and what it means to him as an individual of Jewish religion. He has additionally proven a willingness to be taught from previous expertise, admitting to rational however inaccurate beliefs and refining coverage positions, corresponding to when he known as for an finish to all capital punishment as soon as taking up the governor’s workplace. (Shapiro’s marketing campaign platform within the 2016 state legal professional basic election made an exception for capital punishment for “heinous crimes.”)

Harris’s candidacy has breathed new life into the Democratic Social gathering. A collection of Shapiro as a working mate would put her phrases of being a unifier into motion. The vp can usually be an afterthought as soon as votes are counted and presidents change into engrossed within the calls for of our nation’s most vital job. Nevertheless, some have used the vice presidency to be a real right-hand to the president, corresponding to when Al Gore led initiatives to rethink how authorities works or when then-Vice President Biden applied the $840 billion stimulus package deal within the American Restoration and Reinvestment Act. We consider Shapiro could be a real associate. Along with his pragmatic management type and consensus constructing expertise, Shapiro has at all times delivered throughout a large bipartisan constituency which is able to possible proceed.

The sharp selloff in shares accelerated Friday as weak hiring and rising unemployment sparked a race out of threat property. The Magnificent 7 shares which have contributed nearly all of the bull market’s features led equities decrease, with the Nasdaq-100 getting into correction territory.

Equities are off to a horrible begin in August as a collection of weaker readings on the labor market and different blended financial information have market members more and more anxious that the Federal Reserve waited too lengthy to convey rates of interest down from a 23-year excessive. Friday’s surprisingly weak July jobs report solely intensified these considerations.

U.S. nonfarm payrolls expanded by 114,000 final month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics stated Friday, or nicely beneath economists’ forecast for the creation of 175,000 jobs. Over the previous 12 months, the U.S. financial system created a mean of 215,000 jobs monthly. Moreover, the smooth June jobs report was revised decrease by 27,000 jobs to 179,000. 

The unemployment charge, which is derived from a separate survey, ticked as much as 4.3% in July from 4.1% the prior month. The rise in unemployment triggered the Sahm Rule, a recession indicator with an ideal monitor report over the previous 50 years.

“July’s poor employment report leaves the Fed wanting woefully behind the curve with its determination to carry charges this week, and means that the result of September’s assembly now’s finely balanced between quarter-point and half-point easings,” writes Ian Shepherdson, chairman and chief economist Pantheon Macroeconomics. “The weak spot was broad-based and unattributable to one-time elements, such because the climate: the long-lagged impact of excessively tight financial coverage is guilty.”

A weakening labor market places growing stress on the Federal Reserve’s rate-setting group, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), to decrease the short-term federal funds charge on the subsequent Fed assembly. 

As of August 2, futures merchants assigned an 80% likelihood to the FOMC enacting a half-point lower in September, up from 22% a day in the past, in response to CME Group’s FedWatch Instrument. On the identical time, the chances of the Fed making a quarter-point lower at its subsequent assembly dropped to twenty% from 78% a day in the past.

“Threat property are getting hammered on joblessness worries, and traders are now not reacting favorably to detrimental financial developments,” writes José Torres, senior economist at Interactive Brokers. “Fairness indices are promoting off throughout the board.”

By the closing bell, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Common shed 611 factors, or 1.5%, to complete at 39,737. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite tumbled 2.4% to 16,776, whereas the broader S&P 500 fell 1.8% to shut at 5,346. 

Shares on the transfer

Blended-to-disappointing earnings from Massive Tech names even have markets recalibrating their bets on all issues AI. Earnings season has revealed that large capital spending on generative AI might not show worthwhile as quickly as beforehand thought. 

Amazon.com (AMZN) inventory fell 8.8% after the world’s largest e-commerce firm reported blended earnings outcomes for its second quarter and issued an outlook for the third quarter that fell simply wanting expectations.

However Wall Avenue would not appear too nervous concerning the outcomes. “Amazon’s synthetic intelligence (AI) initiatives proceed to be deep, broad, well-adopted and supported,” says Aron Bohlig, managing companion at ComCap.  “AI and superior know-how investments embrace: chips, main partnerships with NVIDIA, many main mannequin enhancements, programming interfaces, robots and robotic taxis.”

When combining these AI initiatives with “Amazon’s leisure, healthcare and grocery merchandise, the corporate actually is a single supply for many shopper’s main wants and its place in these markets continues to enhance,” Bohlig provides.

Elsewhere, Apple (AAPL) inventory rose 0.7% after the know-how big reported better-than-expected earnings outcomes for its fiscal third quarter and hinted at comparable development in its fiscal fourth quarter.

Within the three months ended June 29, Apple’s income elevated 4.9% year-over-year to $85.8 billion, pushed by 14.1% development in companies to $24.2 billion. Its earnings per share (EPS) improved 11.1% from the year-ago interval to $1.40.

“Throughout the quarter, our report enterprise efficiency generated EPS development of 11 p.c and almost $29 billion in working money stream, permitting us to return over $32 billion to shareholders,” stated Apple Chief Monetary Officer Luca Maestri in a press release. “We’re additionally very happy that our put in base of energetic gadgets reached a brand new all-time excessive in all geographic segments, because of very excessive ranges of buyer satisfaction and loyalty.”

Intel failure

Intel (INTC) inventory plunged 26% after the chipmaker missed top- and bottom-line expectations for its second quarter and supplied a weak outlook for its third quarter.

To make issues worse, as a part of its efforts to chop prices, Intel stated it’s lowering its headcount by 15% and quickly eliminating its dividend.

“Intel is taking the added step of suspending the dividend beginning within the fourth quarter, recognizing the significance of prioritizing liquidity to assist the investments wanted to execute its technique,” the corporate stated. Nonetheless, Intel famous that it has “a long-term dedication to a aggressive dividend as money flows enhance to sustainably larger ranges.”

INTC suffered its worst session in half a century to shut at ranges final seen greater than 10 years in the past. The as soon as mighty tech titan has been a disaster for buy-and-hold traders. Certainly, anybody who put $1,000 into Intel inventory 20 years in the past ought to be horrified by what the funding is value at present. 

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NEW YORK (AP) — Shares tumbled Friday on worries the U.S. financial system might be cracking underneath the burden of excessive rates of interest meant to whip inflation.

The S&P 500 sank 1.8% for its first back-to-back losses of at the very least 1% since April. The Dow Jones Industrial Common dropped 610 factors, or 1.5%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 2.4% as a sell-off for shares whipped all the way in which world wide again to Wall Road.

A report displaying hiring by U.S. employers slowed final month by far more than economists anticipated despatched concern by means of markets, with each shares and bond yields dropping sharply. It adopted a batch of weaker-than-expected experiences on the financial system from a day earlier, together with a worsening for U.S. manufacturing exercise, which has been one of many areas harm most by excessive charges.

It was simply a pair days in the past that U.S. inventory indexes jumped to their greatest day in months after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell gave the clearest indication but that inflation has slowed sufficient for cuts to charges to start in September.

Now, worries are rising the Fed might have stored its most important rate of interest at a two-decade excessive for too lengthy. A price lower would make it simpler for U.S. households and firms to borrow cash and enhance the financial system, nevertheless it may take months to a 12 months for the total results to filter by means of.

“The Fed is seizing defeat from the jaws of victory,” mentioned Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Administration. “Financial momentum has slowed a lot {that a} price lower in September might be too little and too late. They’ll should do one thing larger than” the normal lower of 1 / 4 of a proportion level “to avert a recession.”

Merchants are actually betting on a 70% chance that the Fed will lower its most important rate of interest by half a proportion level in September, in keeping with information from CME Group. That’s although Powell mentioned Wednesday that such a deep discount is “not one thing we’re fascinated by proper now.”

In fact, the U.S. financial system remains to be rising, and a recession is way from a certainty. The Fed has been clear concerning the tightrope it’s strolling because it began climbing charges sharply in March 2022: Being too aggressive would choke the financial system, however going too gentle would give inflation extra oxygen.

Whereas refusing to assert victory on both the roles or the inflation fronts on Wednesday, earlier than the discouraging financial experiences hit, Powell mentioned Fed officers “have lots of room to reply if we had been to see weak spot” within the job market after climbing its most important price so excessive.

“Actually in the present day’s job information feeds the weakening financial system narrative, however I consider the market is overreacting at this level and pricing an excessive amount of in on price cuts at this stage,” mentioned Nate Thooft, senior portfolio supervisor at Manulife Funding Administration. “Sure, the financial system is weakening, however I’m not satisfied there’s sufficient proof that the information to date is a demise knell for the financial system.”

U.S. shares had already gave the impression to be headed for losses Friday earlier than the disappointing jobs report thudded onto Wall Road.

A number of massive know-how corporations turned in underwhelming revenue experiences, which continued a largely dispiriting run that started final week with outcomes from Tesla and Alphabet.

Amazon fell 8.8% after reporting weaker income for the most recent quarter than anticipated. The retail and tech big additionally gave a forecast for working revenue for the summer time that fell wanting analysts’ expectations.

Intel dropped much more, 26.1%, for its worst day in 50 years, after the chip firm’s revenue for the most recent quarter fell effectively wanting forecasts. It additionally suspended its dividend fee and forecast a loss for the third quarter, when analysts had been anticipating a revenue.

Apple held steadier, up 0.7%, after reporting higher revenue and income than anticipated.

Apple and a handful of different Huge Tech shares often called the “ Magnificent Seven ” had been the principle causes the S&P 500 set dozens of information this 12 months, partly on a frenzy round artificial-intelligence know-how. However their momentum turned final month on worries buyers had taken their costs too excessive.

Friday’s losses for tech shares dragged the Nasdaq composite 10% under its document set final month. That degree of drop is what merchants name a “correction.”

Helpfully for Wall Road, different areas of the inventory market overwhelmed down by excessive rates of interest started rebounding sharply final month when tech shares had been regressing, significantly smaller corporations. However they tumbled too Friday on worries {that a} fragile financial system may undercut their earnings.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller shares dropped 3.5%, greater than the remainder of the market.

All instructed, the S&P 500 fell 100.12 factors to five,346.56. The Dow dropped 610.71 to 39.737.26, and the Nasdaq composite fell 417.98 to 16,776.16.

Within the bond market, Treasury yields fell sharply as merchants forecasted deeper cuts to charges coming from the Federal Reserve. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to three.79% from 3.98% late Thursday and from 4.70% in April.

In inventory markets overseas, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 5.8%. It’s been struggling for the reason that Financial institution of Japan raised its benchmark rate of interest on Wednesday. The hike pushed up the worth of the Japanese yen towards the U.S. greenback, which may harm earnings for exporters and deflate a growth in tourism.

Chinese language shares fell as buyers registered disappointment with the authorities’s newest efforts to spur progress by means of varied piecemeal measures, as an alternative of hoped-for infusions of broader stimulus, whereas inventory indexes dropped by greater than 1% throughout a lot of Europe.

Commodity costs additionally had a tough journey this week. Oil costs leaped after the killings of leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah fueled fears {that a} widening battle within the Center East may disrupt the stream of crude.

However costs fell again Thursday and Friday on worries {that a} weakening financial system would burn much less gasoline. A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude dropped again under $74 Friday after coming into the week above $77.

___

AP Enterprise Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

RESULTS

Within the first medal occasion of the Paris Olympic monitor and subject slate, Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda gained gold with an Olympic document time of 26:43.14.

After taking silver within the Tokyo Olympic 10,000m, Cheptegei is now an Olympic gold medalist in his signature occasion, and he is completed it in type. Cheptegei already held the world document on this occasion, which he set in 2020, and now he is secured the Olympic document, too. The 27-year-old has turn out to be essentially the most adorned Olympian in Uganda’s historical past with three medals — he additionally gained 5000m gold in Tokyo. 

“I can’t describe the sensation,” Cheptegei stated. “I’ve wished this for a very long time. After I took silver in Tokyo, I used to be upset. I wished simply to win the ten,000m. It was definitely worth the wait.” 

Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi kicked exhausting within the closing 20 meters to burst into silver medal place. After ending fourth on the Tokyo Video games, the place he missed a medal by 2.28 seconds, Aregawi lastly mounts an Olympic podium.

For American followers, the primary draw on this race was 27-year-old Grant Fisher, who has earned his first Olympic medal with a ten,000m bronze. Fisher survived a mid-race stumble to earn the medal and turn out to be simply the second American man in 58 years to succeed in the rostrum this occasion. Solely Galen Rupp, who took silver in 2012, has performed so since 1964.

“From the primary lap, the gang was screaming,” Fisher stated. “I couldn’t hear something the whole race.

The ten,000m doesn’t get a number of love typically, however that crowd made it really feel like we have been the very best present on the town.

Fisher can even compete within the 5000m, which begins on Wednesday.

“As I’ve been within the recreation longer, I get a bit extra validated that I belong in these positions,” Fisher added. “I used to be 100% targeted on the race. When you realize your preparation is sweet, all you’ve acquired to do is simply execute it. There are such a lot of issues that go into immediately. In the end, that is the enjoyable half.”

Fisher’s race was virtually derailed within the closing few laps when he stepped on the guardrail and almost tumbled. Fisher misplaced some floor however promptly sped again as much as wrangle his method again into medal rivalry.

“I simply acquired bumped round just a little bit and virtually went down,” he stated. “Fortunately, I didn’t fall, stayed up, simply needed to refocus.

“It was definitely just a little rattling. I spent the entire race defending a place, and to simply have it go like that, it doesn’t really feel nice. However what are you able to do? It’s a ten,000m, you can also make a couple of errors and nonetheless get well.” 

Fellow Individuals Nico Younger and Woody Kincaid completed twelfth and sixteenth, respectively.

Crew USA star Sha’Carri Richardson is a Dallas native who attended Carter Excessive Faculty in Oak Cliff.

The sprinter might be going for gold within the 100m sprint and began her journey within the Paris Olympics right now, Aug. 2. She received her 100m opening warmth with ease and can compete within the semifinal spherical on Saturday.

Richardson is way from residence in Paris, however not too long ago shared her favourite spots to seize some meals in Dallas in an interview posted to Instagram by NBC.

Richardson goes for Golden Chick for hen tenders. The chain was based simply south of Austin in 1967, however now could be headquartered in Richardson and has over 200 places throughout the southern U.S.

Richardson shouted out Massive T Plaza in Oak Cliff as her favourite place for a slice of pizza. “If you understand, you understand Dallas,” she stated.

Massive T Plaza is a 1-level buying middle with numerous shops for attire, jewellery & hair braiding situated off Village Honest Dr.

For a burger, Richardson stated she’s going to Blackjack Pizza, which the Dallas Observer stated has “some of the slept-on burgers in Dallas.”

For Tacos, her spot is Gasoline Metropolis Tacos. Gasoline Metropolis is simply south of downtown on Riverfront Blvd. and presents fast, budget-friendly road tacos.

“There’s so many locations, that’s why once I acquired residence I’ve to regulate myself,” Richardson stated.

She additionally shouted out Carter Excessive Faculty as her “place to have a very good cry.”

“If I’m again residence, and I wish to unwind and be to myself, I’m going to my residence observe, from my highschool,” Richardson stated. “I’m gonna return to my residence observe and simply sit there and take at first and have a look at the place I’m now.”

AP Photograph/LM Otero

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was eulogized by Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday through the Houston consultant’s funeral at Fallbrook Church.

The funeral, which lasted over three hours, featured a mixture of notable present and former elected officers and celebrities.

Among the many visitors: former President Invoice Clinton, former Secretary Hillary Clinton, a number of members of the U.S. Home and Senate, former Houston Mayor Sylvester, Harris County Decide Lina Hidalgo, and performances from Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Stevie Marvel, gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin and Pastor Shirley Caesar.

“Sheila Jackson Lee, to know her was to know a real champion, a fierce champion for justice,” Harris stated. “Sheila Jackson Lee was a lady of deep religion and deep compassion. She was a beloved member of our Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and she or he was an expensive, pricey pal to my husband Doug and me.”

Harris targeted on Jackson Lee’s work in D.C. and Houston.

“When it got here to crafting coverage, there was no element too minor, or level of order too obscure,” Harris stated. “If it wanted to be understood, the congresswoman would be certain that everybody understood it and understood it effectively, and used it to the advantage of the individuals she served.”

Harris additionally stated Jackson Lee was a “good” and “strategic” lawmaker.

“She was additionally one of the crucial unrelenting,” she stated. “As these of us who have been her colleagues can attest there was by no means a trite or trivial dialog with Sheila Jackson Lee. There have been occasions if I noticed her strolling down the corridor, I’d nearly wish to disguise. As a result of no matter was on my thoughts, Sheila Jackson Lee would require a really critical and particular dialog with you about what she had on her thoughts. After which she would inform you precisely what she wanted you to do to assist her get it executed.”

Harris stated Jackson Lee wasn’t afraid to do what she wanted for residents in Houston.

“Sheila Jackson Lee would all the time discover a manner to assist, even when she wanted to get just a little artistic. As a few of you might keep in mind, various years in the past, town of Houston confronted a price range shortfall, and to save cash, determined to shut various public swimming pools,” Harris stated. “Properly, Sheila Jackson Lee wasn’t having that. And so she referred to as round, because the story goes, to enterprise leaders throughout Houston and satisfied them to donate greater than $350,000. And people swimming pools then stayed open all summer time lengthy.”

She additionally touted Jackson Lee’s work for ladies’s rights, voting rights, LGBTQ rights and making Juneteenth a federal vacation. For the time being, Harris stumbled and stated “As president, it was my honor,” earlier than correcting herself and calling herself “vp.” The second obtained cheers and applause within the crowd.

“It was my honor with our President, Joe Biden, to face beside Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, as our president signed her invoice into legislation,” she stated, after correcting herself.

Others who spoke embody Rev. Al Sharpton, Legal professional Ben Crump and Dr. Glenda Glover. The funeral concluded with legendary singer/songwriter Stevie Marvel singing.

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HOUSTON — Whereas serving within the U.S. Senate, Vice President Kamala Harris mentioned she typically felt the urge to cover when she noticed Sheila Jackson Lee, the “unrelenting” Houston congresswoman, heading her manner within the halls of Congress.

“I knew no matter else could also be on my thoughts, Sheila Jackson Lee would require a really critical and particular dialog with you about what she had on her thoughts, after which she would inform you precisely what she wanted you to do to assist her get it executed,” mentioned Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, on Thursday in a eulogy for Jackson Lee.

Earlier than she died July 19 at age 74, amid a battle with pancreatic most cancers, Jackson Lee “by no means misplaced a chance to combat for the folks she served,” Harris mentioned. That was the resounding theme of some two dozen speeches, delivered by a bunch of civic and political leaders and Jackson Lee’s family and friends, at a greater than four-hour funeral at Fallbrook Church in North Houston.

Greater than 50 of Jackson Lee’s former colleagues in Congress, together with a star-studded lineup of nationwide and native elected officers, packed the church sanctuary to have fun her life. She was described as a progressive titan who pushed for now-indelible liberal causes years forward of public opinion, and a relentless fighter who used each software at her disposal to enhance the lives of her constituents.

The remarks had been peppered with anecdotes of Jackson Lee’s late-night calls and arm-twisting in pursuit of legislative wins, and examples of the causes she pursued most vigorously, from immigrants’ rights to cracking down on police violence. However the speeches additionally had been infused with discuss of the nation’s present political turmoil, as many audio system advised the viewers that Jackson Lee would have wished them to proceed preventing for civil rights and progressive insurance policies in her stead.

The Houston Democrat’s political profession spanned 37 years, precisely half her life. Her almost three-decade run in Congress was bookended by the presidencies of Invoice Clinton — who attended Thursday’s service alongside along with his spouse, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — and Joe Biden, whose vice chairman eulogized Jackson Lee as a “fierce champion for justice” and “one of many smartest and most strategic legislators in Washington, D.C.”

As she spoke, Harris was flanked to her rapid proper by Hillary Clinton, who narrowly missed changing into the primary feminine president eight years in the past. Clinton, in her personal speech a couple of hours earlier, mentioned Jackson Lee died too quickly, at a time when her voice was nonetheless wanted.

“However come subsequent January when our first girl president takes the oath of workplace, I’ll be considering of Sheila,” Clinton mentioned, drawing a standing ovation. “I’ll be considering of her and [former congresswomen] Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan and all of the generations of girls who helped to make that day doable as a result of they by no means stopped believing.”

Jackson Lee was a continuing presence in her district, a number of audio system famous, alluding to the untold variety of ceremonies and meals drives she attended and her knack for locating her manner in entrance of a microphone, whether or not at press conferences or on native TV.

Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a longtime political ally who has voiced curiosity in working for Jackson Lee’s seat, mentioned she insisted in her ultimate months on serving to distribute meals and water at a shelter within the wake of a current storm, even when her physique had grown frail from most cancers.

“Sheila wouldn’t take no for a solution,” Turner mentioned. “However as a result of she was an envoy on a particular task, there was one individual she needed to yield to. And God mentioned to Sheila, ‘Sheila, your work on this earth is finished. You ran an excellent race, you fought an excellent combat, and now it’s time, my sister, so that you can come proper on dwelling.”

Like Turner, Jackson Lee’s profession in public workplace started within the late Nineteen Eighties. She spent three years as a Houston municipal choose, underneath a courtroom system overseen by future congressional colleague Sylvia Garcia, and one other 5 years as an at-large member of Houston Metropolis Council. She joined Congress in 1995 after ousting incumbent Craig Washington within the Democratic main.

Jackson Lee went on to serve almost 15 phrases representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District, a seat identified for electing among the state’s most distinguished Black lawmakers, together with Jordan and Mickey Leland. She simply dispatched each political challenger who bothered to run towards her, faltering solely when she determined final 12 months to run for Houston mayor. Her runoff loss to then-state Sen. John Whitmire was her first political defeat since she made three unsuccessful runs for countywide judgeships within the Nineteen Eighties.

On the time of her dying, she had served in Congress longer than all however 18 different present members of the 435-seat Home. She and Austin Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett had been the longest-serving Texans in Congress on the time of her dying. Former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one of many few to outrank Jackson Lee on tenure, attended Thursday’s service.

Practically each speaker talked about Jackson Lee’s tenacity and the no-nonsense model she typically employed, skipping the small discuss to push for some coverage or federal funding for Houston.

Invoice Clinton mentioned that in his presidency, his staff maintained what they referred to as a “simply say sure” record, that includes a small group of lawmakers that included Pelosi and then-Sen. Ted Kennedy.

“The ‘simply say sure’ record meant this: no matter it’s they need, ultimately, you’re gonna do it. So, you would possibly as effectively save the taxpayers the money and time of hassling ‘em over it,” Clinton mentioned. Jackson Lee, he mentioned, shortly grew to become “the one freshman on the record.”

Jackson Lee was routinely ranked among the many only members of Congress by the Heart for Efficient Lawmaking on the College of Virginia and Vanderbilt College.

In 2021, she labored with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, because the Home’s lead writer on a invoice establishing Juneteenth as a federal vacation, marking the day in 1865 when the final enslaved folks in Galveston had been advised they had been free.

She helped lead an effort to resume the Violence Towards Girls Act, a landmark measure geared toward higher defending ladies from home violence and sexual assault. The legislation had expired in 2019 and was revived underneath a invoice signed in 2022 by Biden, who credited Jackson Lee throughout a invoice signing ceremony, quipping, “I realized a very long time in the past, when Sheila needs one thing, simply say sure. It saves a whole lot of time.”

Jackson Lee typically was on the chopping fringe of liberal and ethical causes, equivalent to her early opposition to the Patriot Act and the Iraq Struggle “when the Washington consensus was pushing again the opposite manner,” mentioned U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the Washington Democrat who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She additionally was an early sponsor of a measure establishing a single-payer well being care system “lengthy earlier than it entered the nationwide consciousness,” Jayapal added.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, one other longtime ally of Jackson Lee, mentioned she was “within the pantheon of girls, significantly Black ladies, that helped make this nation what it’s at present.”

“If we don’t elect the primary Black girl and South Asian to the White Home, we can have disillusioned Sheila Jackson Lee,” Ellis added, referring to Harris’ candidacy towards Republican Donald Trump.

Thursday’s funeral was the final of a number of occasions this week marking Jackson Lee’s dying. She lay in state Monday within the Houston Metropolis Corridor rotunda, her casket visited by a whole bunch of mourners, together with Biden. That was adopted by a Tuesday ceremony at God’s Grace Group Church, in Houston’s Acres Houses neighborhood, and a Wednesday service at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Third Ward, the predominantly Black neighborhood that was a core a part of Jackson Lee’s district.

Harris’ look, in the meantime, was a part of two-day swing by way of Houston that marked her third journey to Texas within the final month. In July, she delivered a speech in Dallas on the annual conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the traditionally Black sorority of which she and Jackson Lee had been each members. Harris additionally visited Houston lately for a briefing on Hurricane Beryl restoration and to deal with the American Federation of Lecturers’ nationwide conference.

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The total program is now LIVE for the 2024 Texas Tribune Competition, taking place Sept. 5–7 in downtown Austin. Discover this system that includes greater than 100 unforgettable conversations on subjects protecting schooling, the economic system, Texas and nationwide politics, prison justice, the border, the 2024 elections and a lot extra. See the complete program.

Jonathan Owens is celebrating spouse Simone Biles’ “greatness” following her gold medal win within the girls’s gymnastics all-around last within the 2024 Paris Olympics on Aug. 1.

The day after her massive win, the NFL participant, 29, posted photos of her efficiency on Instagram, together with a pic of himself within the stands forming a coronary heart together with his palms.

“Greatness,” he started, including a goat emoji to suggest her standing as an all-time gymnastics icon. “I really like you a lot child. You accomplish no matter you set your thoughts to, and do it with a lot grace. 9 time Olympic medalist and counting!!!! So proud to be your husband.”

Biles replied to the put up with three coronary heart emoji and the remark “my man my man my man.”

Owens has been the gymnast’s greatest fan all through her Olympic run, praising Biles for profitable a gold with Staff USA throughout the group finals July 30.

“Witnessing historical past each time you step on the mat,” Owens wrote in an Instagram put up.

The win induced his spouse to turn into probably the most adorned Olympic American gymnast of all time — and he didn’t let that go unnoticed.

“Congrats child on turning into probably the most adorned American gymnast in Olympic historical past!!!! Simply wow!!!! 8 of them!!!!! So grateful i used to be there to see it,” he wrote, concluding the caption with pink, white and blue hearts emoji.

Learn on for extra on Owens, who has spent 5 seasons within the NFL, and his personal legacy in sports activities.

Jonathan Owens is an NFL participant

Apart from being married to presumably the best Olympic gymnast of all time, Owens is an expert athlete himself. The 29-year-old joined the Chicago Bears in 2024, signing a two-year contract in March.

After graduating from Missouri Western State, Owens entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, per his Bears bio. Nevertheless, because of an harm within the offseason, he remained on the harm listing for the rest of the common season and missed his rookie 12 months.

In September 2019, Owens signed with the Houston Texans, the place he spent the vast majority of the season on the observe squad. By 2022, he began all 17 video games.

Owens signed with the Inexperienced Bay Packers in Could 2023 and performed in all 17 video games within the common season, beginning for 11 of these matchups.

He is initially from Saint Louis, Missouri

Rising up in Saint Louis, Missouri, Owens attended Christian Brothers Faculty Excessive College, the place he performed soccer and was named linebacker of the 12 months, per his Missouri Western State bio.

He majored in pre-physical remedy at Missouri Western State

At his first 12 months at Missouri Western State in 2013, Owens was redshirted from the group. He then performed by means of 2017, when he was named the varsity’s Male Pupil-Athlete of the 12 months, per his bio.

The college additionally famous that Owens majored in pre-physical remedy with the “dream” of sooner or later turning into a health care provider. Missouri Western additionally offered a number of different enjoyable information like Owens’ favourite meals being bitter worms, his favourite dessert is cheesecake and the best affect on his life is his mother.

Jonathan Owens and Simone Biles met on-line

Amid lockdown for the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, Owens and Biles exchanged messages on-line. She later confirmed to Glamour that the couple met on relationship app Raya.

“He would say I slid into his DMs,” she instructed WSJ. Journal. “I noticed him and I used to be like, ‘Oh, he’s fairly cute,’ so I stated hello … after which I noticed that he was within the Houston space, so we began chatting a bit bit, after which we went to hang around every week or two later.”

When discussing how they initially met to Texas Month-to-month in 2021, Owens stated that he didn’t know who Biles was when he first noticed her on the app. 

Recounting the story on a 2023 episode of the “Pivot” podcast, Owens stated, “She pops up and I’m like, ‘Let me see who that is’ … I had by no means actually paid consideration to gymnastics, so it piqued my curiosity.”

Who’s the catch? Owens’ feedback led to backlash

Following Owens’ look on the “Pivot” podcast, Biles’ followers criticized Owens for not understanding who she was and for suggesting he was the “catch” of their relationship.

The couple has addressed the controversy on a number of events. Amid the uproar, Biles referred to her followers in a December 2023 put up on the X platform, writing, “Are y’all accomplished but?”

Then, in April 2024, she went in additional element on Alex Cooper’s “Name Her Daddy” podcast.

She stated she was “within the room” throughout the “Pivot” interview and stated she was “feeling nice” as her husband spoke. 

“So, each time he did that interview, I believed every little thing was OK. “After which I am going on Twitter, and everyone’s like, ‘Divorce this man, he’s imply,’” she stated. “I’m like, he’s the sweetest. He praises the bottom that I stroll on. Really, I’ve by no means met a person like him.”

The response, she stated, in the end was hurtful.

“So I believed it was hilarious at first after which they damage my emotions,” she stated. “One night time, I broke down and I’m like, why are you guys speaking about my husband like this? You don’t know him, you don’t know who he’s, and if anyone’s met him, they know he’s the sweetest man and can do something for anyone.”

In a July Us Weekly interview, Owens defined why he and Biles make a degree to deal with the controversy.

“Our greatest factor is, we all know that these folks don’t know us from a can of paint,” he stated. “I can’t base how I really feel off how one other particular person thinks I’m speculated to be … Everybody has a voice, however we do a great job of tuning it out. However typically you need to categorical your self and let folks know, like, ‘You’re within the improper.’”

He proposed in February 2022

At some point after Valentine’s Day, Biles shared a sequence of joyful photographs on Instagram that includes the second Owens dropped down on one knee to pop the query.

“THE EASIEST YES,” Biles wrote.

“I can’t wait to spend endlessly & ever with you, you’re every little thing I dreamed of and extra! Let’s get married FIANCÉ,” Biles wrote.

On their engagement anniversary, Owens shared two footage of the sundown second in a gazebo. In a single image, they’re each flashing massive smiles and within the different, they’re sharing a kiss.

“Glad Valentine’s Day to my greatest good friend,” he captioned the put up with two pink coronary heart emoji. “I can’t consider that it’s been 2 years since this superb day, man does time fly.”

He continued, “You’re my rock, i really feel like i can accomplish something so long as i’ve you by my aspect. So excited to see the place life takes us, I really like you a lot child.”

Their weddings passed off within the spring of 2023

Owens and Biles tied the knot in April 2023, marrying in an intimate courthouse ceremony in Houston. The couple celebrated their nuptials with candy photographs on Instagram.

Sporting a tulle white costume with an enormous bouquet of white flowers, Biles captioned the put up, “I do 🤍 formally owens,” of marrying the NFL participant, who sported a sand-colored swimsuit with white loafers.

In Could 2023, Owens shared photographs from a much bigger beachside wedding ceremony ceremony and celebration in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

“The right night,” he captioned the put up with a sparkle emoji. “The marriage was superb and most significantly, my spouse seemed STUNNING. Thanks to everybody who got here out to have fun The Owens!! This weekend is one we’ll always remember.”

The beautiful couple was all smiles as Biles appeared in a strapless white robe with a corseted floral sample and Owens donned a beige swimsuit.

The put up sits on the prime of Owens’ Instagram web page as one in every of three pinned posts, all of that are from the couple’s wedding ceremony.

Owens and Biles have been all of the sudden in a long-distance relationship lower than every week after their vacation spot wedding ceremony, the gymnast stated on TODAY in September 2023.

Biles defined that she and her husband have been newlyweds when he signed with the Packers and moved to Wisconsin to hitch the group.

They assist one another at soccer video games and gymnastics meets

Followers first noticed a glimpse into Owens’ assist for Biles in June 2021, when he shared that he watched her compete in particular person for the primary time.

Owens attended the U.S. Gymnastics Championship, the place Biles garnered her seventh nationwide title.

“What a tremendous expertise,” Owens wrote, alongside a photograph of himself and Biles, who’s holding a pink rose. “First time getting to look at you compete in particular person and also you didn’t disappoint. It’s so cool that I get to look at you do what you’re keen on, and be the most effective at that!! I’m so happy with you my lil champ. Trials up subsequent and also you already know I’m there!! Love you child.”

Owens hasn’t been the one supportive companion over time, although. Biles additionally proudly attended his Packers video games, sharing kisses together with her husband on the sidelines.

Biles additionally voiced how genuinely impressed she is by her husband.

She wrote on Instagram in January, “It’s been a helluva season & there’s a lot to be happy with. I’m so happy with the work you’ve put in & the arrogance you exude all through your performs. I really like you Jonathan! one other soccer season blissful & wholesome within the books.”

When it got here to the Olympics, Owens needed to take day without work from coaching camp

Biles revealed in a June press convention that the Bears gave her husband day without work from coaching camp to attend the Video games.

“The Bears are literally granting him a pair days off from coaching camp, so he’ll be there, sure,” Biles stated. “For only a brief little time.”

Earlier than he may bodily be there, Owens shared Instagram tales cheering on his spouse throughout the Olympics qualifying rounds, with a entrance row seat within the consolation of his mattress.

“Let’s go!” he roared within the video. “Woo! Let’s go, child! Trying good, child!”

Then, Owens documented his journey to Paris to assist his spouse as she made historical past on the Summer time Video games, sharing a snap from the airplane.

Sporting her new gold medal for Staff USA round his neck, Owens was all smiles as he stood near Biles in an Instagram image.

“Witnessing historical past each time you step on the mat. Congrats child on turning into probably the most adorned American gymnast in Olympic historical past!!!! Simply wow!!!! 8 of them!!!!! So grateful i used to be there to see it,” he wrote with the pink, white and blue coronary heart emoji.

They opened up about their bond in a Netflix documentary

In her Netflix docuseries, “Simone Biles Rising,” Biles known as her husband “a shoulder to lean on” after a troublesome time in 2021 when she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics.

“Submit Tokyo, Jonathan was identical to, I imply, he all the time has a great head on his shoulders, and he’s like, ‘You’ll get again to the place you have been,’ and made certain I used to be staying on prime of my coaching,” Biles stated.

“He was ensuring I used to be going to my remedy classes and was making an attempt to do as a lot as he may, with out form of being bossy, however he was actually identical to a shoulder to lean on as a result of he noticed like these darkish instances after Tokyo,” she continued.

Likewise, Owens expressed how Biles reciprocated the hassle to make him a greater particular person, inspiring the NFL participant to go to remedy himself.

“She stated, ‘I believe it’s worthwhile to see somebody,’ and I’m like, ‘See who?’” Owens stated. “It’s a humbling factor as a result of you need to return and take a look at your self within the mirror.

“You bought to have the ability to speak about it and you understand, I really feel like when folks don’t have that outlet to have the ability to speak, it makes you retain it in and that’s the worst factor you are able to do as a result of that simply builds as much as the purpose the place you’re not in command of your feelings anymore,” he continued.

“I credit score that to her although, she actually opened my eyes,” Owens stated.

CORRECTION (Aug. 2, 2024, 12:44 p.m.): An earlier model of this text misstated the 12 months Jonathan Owens signed with the Chicago Bears. He signed with the Bears in 2024, not 2023.

One Chicago Bears participant is lacking in motion from coaching camp this week — however he has an excellent cause.

Earlier this week, Bears’ security Johnathan Owens arrived in Paris to look at spouse Simone Biles take to the mat, and lead Staff USA to gold within the girls’s gymnastics’ crew last.

Thursday, Owens was again within the stands supporting his spouse, who he described as on the “pinnacle of her sport.”

“It is wonderful,” Owens mentioned earlier than leaving for Paris. “Phrases cant occasion describe. I simply assume, how did I get so fortunate? That is my spouse, and I get to look at her.”

Owens went on to say he was “praying” for Biles to have a transparent head when she competes.

The couple was married within the spring of 2023 and have been adjusting to life within the highlight collectively. Owens has been the goal of criticism on social media over the past 12 months for feedback he is made in regards to the nature of their relationship.

Biles teammate Suni Lee are competing Thursday on the girls’s gymnastics particular person all-around last. Biles will compete once more within the vault last Aug. 3, beam last Aug. 5 and flooring train last Aug. 5

VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France (AP) — Brittney Griner is aware of solely too effectively the swirling feelings of being concerned in a prisoner swap, and she or he mentioned Thursday evening she is “head over heels” that fellow People are coming dwelling from Russia.

“Nice day. It’s a fantastic day. It’s a fantastic day,” Griner mentioned after the U.S. girls beat Belgium 87-74 to clinch a berth within the Paris Video games quarterfinals. “We’ll discuss extra about it later. However head over heels comfortable for the households proper now. Any day that People come dwelling, that’s a win. That’s a win.”

The 2-time Olympic gold medalist went via her personal high-profile prisoner trade with Russia in 2022 after having been sentenced to 9 years in jail for drug possession and smuggling.

So Griner was thrilled listening to that Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, a company safety government from Michigan, each convicted of espionage prices that the U.S. authorities thought of baseless, had been coming dwelling.

Griner didn’t share how she discovered of the prisoner trade, however she mentioned she was “undoubtedly emotional” at listening to the information.

“I’m positive it’ll be emotional much more somewhat bit in a while,” Griner mentioned. “Yeah. I’m simply comfortable. Like this can be a large win. An enormous win.”

Griner returned to the U.S. in December 2022. Now 19 months later, she is taking part in for the nationwide workforce, which gained its 57th straight on the Olympics. Griner scored seven factors whereas serving to the People proceed their pursuit of an eighth straight Olympic gold medal.

Since returning to America, Griner has taken an lively function in serving to different People detained in international international locations. She has labored with Convey Our Households House, a marketing campaign fashioned in 2022 by the members of the family of American hostages and wrongful detainees held abroad.

She additionally has spoken twice with President Joe Biden, together with as soon as in April to maintain the detainees “on the forefront of everybody’s thoughts.”

Griner additionally has gone via the readjustment to life again within the U.S., one thing she’s nonetheless working via.

“I do know they’ve an incredible group of individuals which might be going to assist them out in no matter approach they want them and their households,” Griner mentioned of the assets that can be obtainable to Gershkovich and Whelan. “And I’m glad that I used to be capable of undergo that program and get reactivated again into on a regular basis life.”

These Olympics are the primary time she’s been abroad since her ordeal in Russia. On a practice journey from London along with her U.S. teammates, Griner felt anxious when she sat in her seat. It was her first time on a practice since heading to a Russian jail.

“Strolling as much as the practice I used to be high-quality,” Griner instructed The Related Press that day. “After I sat down and regarded out the window I used to be like, ‘Rattling, final time I used to be right here I used to be on my strategy to jail.’ Anxiousness began to intensify up. Then I spotted I used to be good, there have been no bars. I’m going to win gold.”

Griner turned to Netflix to calm her thoughts throughout a easy commute along with her U.S. teammates to the Paris Olympics.

“Every thing was cool,” she mentioned.

That doesn’t imply her coach and teammates gained’t be maintaining a tally of Griner.

U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve mentioned they had been extraordinarily comfortable for the households upon listening to the information, realizing the boys endured “simply terrible, terrible time” with out their family members again dwelling. Reeve’s thoughts went instantly to Griner realizing how comfortable she is.

Reeve frolicked with Griner within the locker room after the sport.

“This can be a nice day as a result of she is aware of what for her what that was like,” Reeve mentioned. “And so now realizing and really visualizing perhaps them going via the expertise, she appeared OK. However that’s Brittney. She at all times appears OK. … However we’ll actually be checking on her.”

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AP Sports activities Author Teresa Walker contributed.

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AP Summer season Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games