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MEMPHIS Having split the first two games against the top-seeded Jazz in a series that now shifts to FedExForum, these gritty and growing Grizzlies have discovered a few things about themselves in their first foray into the NBA playoffs.

That list includes a formula for success.

Were trying to educate our guys through the numbers and through the film, coach Taylor Jenkins insisted as the Grizzlies close in on a pivotal Game 3 at home Saturday night. We know what our recipe can be to beat this team. Its hard. Youve got to be committed to it for 48 minutes on both sides of the floor. Were capable. We just have to find that gear.

As the youngest team in the NBA playoffs, the Grizzlies are very much a work in progress as they navigate the choppy waters of the postseason against a veteran Jazz team that secured the leagues best record this season. Yet make no mistake about it these NextGen Grizzlies are committed to making the absolute most of the moment right now.

Fueled by a competitive feistiness, a collective defiance, one of the NBAs most dynamic young stars in 21-year-old Ja Morant and a group of mid-career vets in the midst of career seasons, the Grizzlies are just in this series against Utah.

Theyve clawed their way into position to take control of it.

We know what our recipe can be to beat this team. Its hard. Youve got to be committed to it for 48 minutes on both sides of the floor. Were capable. We just have to find that gear.

Heading into the franchises first home playoff game in four years, the Grizzlies are leaning on their relentless effort and an expected raucous environment at FedExForum to push them forward on an improbable postseason run. The last time the Grizzlies were at home, they used a 27-4 early spurt to blitz the Spurs on the way to a win in the opener of the Play-In Tournament. From there, Memphis knocked off the Warriors on the road to secure the No. 8 and final playoff seed in the West to face the No. 1-seeded Jazz.

After stealing Game 1 and sending a clear message that they wont be a pushover in Game 2, the Grizzlies hope to bounce back from Wednesdays 141-129 loss that featured a historic, franchise-record 47-point performance from Morant.

Its been a rapid rise into playoff contention for Memphis. The organization is just two years removed from selecting Morant with the No. 2 overall pick to boost a reset that began the previous year when the team drafted Jaren Jackson Jr. fourth overall.

Now, after a 38-34 regular season finish that marked their first winning record in four years, the Grizzlies will enter their home arena staring down the top team in the NBA with a healthy respect, but no hint of fear.

I expect a lot of energy, said Morant, whose 73 points in this series are most in NBA history through a players first two playoff games. Playing against Spurs recently, the gym was very loud, there was a lot of energy and we fed off that. Im happy were home and can feed off our home crowd. Hopefully they return the boos Utah was giving us, and we just play hard.

Playing hard hasnt been an issue for the Grizzlies. Playing consistently and efficiently, especially on the defensive end, is the priority going into Game 3 after surrendering 141 points in Game 2.

All-Star guard Donovan Mitchells return from an ankle injury for Game 2 boosted a Utah offensive attack that produced 19 made three-pointers, 25 made free throws and placed seven scorers in double figures. The Jazz executed their vaunted pick-and-roll sets to build a 22-point lead before the Grizzlies fought their way back with a 43-point outburst in the third quarter.

Playing against Spurs recently, the gym was very loud, there was a lot of energy and we fed off that. Im happy were home and can feed off our home crowd. Hopefully they return the boos Utah was giving us, and we just play hard.

Foul trouble has limited some of the Grizzlies key starters in each of the two games in Utah. Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas believes adjusting to the physicality and nature in which playoff games are officiated is a priority entering Game 3.

Theyre tough because theyre shooting threes out of pick-and-rolls, and theyve got decent big guys who can roll, so its a tough job to stop that, Valanciunas said. But weve got to do a better job of (defending) that play and taking away something.

Being available and staying on the court will be crucial to an improved defense for both Valanciunas and Jackson, who are essential in the Grizzlies quest to protect the rim.

We have to be smarter with our hands, cant gamble as much, Jackson Jr. said. Depending on how theyre calling the game, we have to be prepared for what were getting into. Weve got to communicate more. Theyre a team that moves the ball really fast, theyre cutting everywhere. So weve got to be aware of who the scorers are when theyre out there, really key in on that. The games are about adjustments and communicating. Weve got to handle that.

Jenkins would like to see his team get back to the blueprint from Game 1, when the defense was disruptive and generated a combined 29 steals and deflections in a 112-109 win to open the series. In that game, the Jazz missed 35 of 47 attempts from three-point range.

Offensively, Jenkins wants the Grizzlies to get back to pushing in transition and limiting possessions when they go against a stacked Jazz defense in halfcourt sets.

Depending on how theyre calling the game, we have to be prepared for what were getting into. Weve got to communicate more. Theyre a team that moves the ball really fast, theyre cutting everywhere. So weve got to be aware of who the scorers are when theyre out there, really key in on that. The games are about adjustments and communicating. Weve got to handle that.

Were taking the necessary feedback from one game to apply it to the next, Jenkins said of necessary adjustments. Its definitely heightened more now. Its the chess match. But its a first-time experience for many of our guys to go through this, and attention to detail changes from one game to the next. But you have to be who you are, your focus has to be there, your edge has to be there as it changes now from Game 2 to Game 3.

Staying in this postseason fight requires maximizing the moment.

The Grizzlies are geared up to go hard for their home fans.

Not only do we deserve it, but the fans deserve it, guard DeAnthony Melton said of seizing the opportunity to take control of the series. Memphis feeds off this type of energy and these type of games. I feel these next two games are really important. We just have to keep attacking with full force. If we have our discipline, you never know whats going to happen.

These Grizzlies arent just here to learn the intricacies of NBA playoff basketball.

From the comforts of home this weekend, theyll have a chance to lead.

The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Memphis Grizzlies. All opinions expressed by Michael Wallace are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Memphis Grizzlies or its Basketball Operations staff, owners, parent companies, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Memphis Grizzlies and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

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MikeCheck: Hyped and home, Grizzlies eager to seize control of series against top-seeded Jazz - Grizzlies.com

WHAT: Delayed by a year, students who graduated in 2020 will finally get their chance to experience the time-honored tradition of walking in their Washington University in St. Louis Commencement.

The 2020 universitywide Commencement ceremony was canceled in the midst of the pandemic. The university recognized the Class of 2020s graduation through online ceremonies and celebrations last May.

WHO: Julie L. Gerberding, MD, the first woman to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will deliver the address to the returning graduates at each of the three ceremonies.

More than 1,300 members of the Class of 2020 will be back on campus to take part in the ceremonies, and more than 160 will join virtually.

WHERE: Francis Olympic Field, at Forsyth Boulevard and Olympian Way, near Big Bend Boulevard

WHEN: Sunday, May 30. The university is holding three ceremonies beginning at 8:30 a.m. The morning and noon ceremonies will be for those who earned undergraduate degrees, divided in alphabetical order by last name. A ceremony at 3:30 p.m. is for graduate and professional schools graduates.

For a list of ceremonies and times, visit the Commencement website.

NOTE: Please call Sue Killenberg McGinn at 314-603-6008 if you plan to cover any of the ceremonies.

Per guidance from the universitys COVID Monitoring Team and thelocal health department, both of which advise wearing masks in large group situations, the university still will require masking for all guests.

MEDIA PARKING: Parking will be available on the surface parking lot directly east of the Athletic Complex. Enter from Forsyth Boulevard at Olympian Way.

Interview some graduates

Last spring, 15 graduating students who embodied the spirit of the Class of 2020 were profiled. Visit The Source to read these postcards of appreciation to a sampling of undergraduate, graduate and professional students who contributed to the Washington University and St. Louis communities.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Washington University's delayed in-person Commencement ceremonies for Class of 2020 | The Source | Washington University in St. Louis...

A video of Brooks Koepka getting annoyed at Bryson DeChambeau during an interview has turned into a viral meme on Twitter, and even Tom Brady has joined in.

The Denver Broncos social media team decided to enter the meme conversation on Wednesday, showing their reaction to fans voicing their desire to bring in a new quarterback.

pic.twitter.com/FkCvXnOXam

Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 26, 2021

Some fans werent happy with the tweet.

yea the ole boo the fans for wanting to have a good qb

Talkin Jake (@TalkinJake) May 26, 2021

We couldve drafted a franchise qb on justin fields, but no, lOCk iS OUr gUy We better trade for rodgers

Math Perez (@matheeusperez_) May 26, 2021

interesting position considering the

*checks tally marks carved into upper arm*

four losing seasons in a row

Cal (@UppercutOf) May 26, 2021

Ruining a perfectly good meme right at its apex, nice

Ryan Neumann (@neumdawg) May 26, 2021

So the Broncos annoyed at the fans who want to see a winning season? Right right right

Jen B (@Jb84107) May 26, 2021

Osweiler, Siemian, Lynch, Keenum, Flacco, Lock, Bridgewater Wonder why fans want to get a competent QB in the building, huh, @Broncos ? https://t.co/7vBhSiNLrr

Guillermo Azuara (@AzuaraGuillermo) May 27, 2021

lol says the team who tried to trade for Stafford, was in on Deshaun Watson and traded for Teddy Bridgewater. https://t.co/vqW9mYlB8f

Richie Carni (@RichieCarni) May 26, 2021

Maybe the last thing the Broncos should be doing is mocking fans that would just like to see some competent QB play on the field, but thats none of my business https://t.co/iajXZmPaW7

Adam Malnati (@AdamMalnati16) May 26, 2021

Not all fans were upset by the meme, and some fans showed support for the social media team.

The broncos fans in the comments pretending the social media team has any control over the roster is literally proving the point of the tweet https://t.co/ETN4IQOhXN

Patrick (@patrickadawson1) May 27, 2021

I think Broncos fans missed the point of this tweet, its saying the media team has no control over trades and draft picks. https://t.co/7Vx51whYVG

Tyler Gaynor (@tyler_sgaynor) May 26, 2021

W Broncos social media need more lighthearted content like this

Nick (@MileHigh_Nick) May 26, 2021

Its not the social media teams fault either. Thats the whole point of the post. Has nothing to do with yall wanting a qb lol.

Dalton Schoenberger (@djschoen24) May 26, 2021

Theyre rolling their eyes at the fact that 1) the social media team has no control over this and 2) literally any post they make gets completely inundated with those comments regardless of what the post is about

Mark Harbison (@darthharbison) May 26, 2021

Well done Broncos!!

Broncos Outsider (@BroncosOutside) May 26, 2021

The rest is here:
Broncos joined viral Twitter meme trend, but not every fan liked it - Broncos Wire

Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today announced a confirmed positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a white-tailed deer on a Warren County hunting preserve. Remaining deer were euthanized and all tested negative for the disease. The department has quarantined the preserve for five years. Contact tracing to determine any further exposure is in progress and may necessitate additional quarantines.

Pennsylvania has taken CWD very seriously, taking aggressive steps to contain the disease, using a scientific, fact-based approach, State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill said. We will continue to investigate and implement rigorous controls on any business whose deer may have been exposed, and we are working with New York state regulatory partners to mitigate the threat.

CWD is a highly contagious disease that develops very slowly in the lymph nodes, spinal tissue and brains of deer and similar animals like reindeer and elk. It does not affect other livestock. To date there is no evidence that it can be spread to humans.

The PA Department of Agriculture oversees the states deer farming industry. Pennsylvanias 760 breeding farms, hunting preserves and hobby farms provide breeding does, breeder and trophy bucks, semen, embryos, antlers and urine products to Pennsylvania and states across the nation.

In 2020, the department established a CWD Core Captive Management Zone, implementing aggressive measures to control the disease in the area of the state where it is most prevalent, while allowing deer farms to stay in business.

A map of farms that have had CWD-positive deer, and locations of positive deer in the wild can be found on the agriculture departments website, along with information by county on farms under quarantine.

The new detection will also result in a new CWD Disease Management Area (DMA) being established. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is working to delineate the new DMAs boundary, which will be finalized and announced in the coming weeks.

Within DMAs, specific regulations meant to slow or stop the human-assisted spread of CWD across the landscape apply. It's illegal within DMAs to rehabilitate injured deer, possess or use cervid urine-based attractants and feed free-ranging deer. Hunters who harvest deer in DMAs may not transport those deer outside of a DMA without first removing the high-risk deer parts.

Those who live or hunt in the area that is likely to fall within the new DMAs boundaries are urged to watch for the coming announcement and visit pgc.pa.gov where the most up-to-date CWD information always can be found.

Advice for hunters, processors and taxidermists for safe handling of deer carcasses, and information about requirements for deer farms can be found at agriculture.pa.gov.

Find more information about comprehensive efforts to control CWD in Pennsylvania the 2020 report, Combatting CWD in Pennsylvania.

MEDIA CONTACT: Agriculture, Shannon Powers - shpowers@pa.gov - Game Commission, Travis Lau - trlau@pa.gov

# # #

Follow this link:
Warren County Deer Tests Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, First Confirmed in PA Northern Tier - Governor Tom Wolf

EDITORS NOTE: NJ Cannabis Insider is hosting a two-day business and networking conference June 8-9, featuring some of the states most prominent industry leaders. Tickets are limited.

Federal lawmakers took another step Friday towards eliminating the federal prohibition against cannabis with the reintroduction of legislation that would let the states decide whether to legalize the marijuana and provide help to communities ravaged by the war on drugs.

The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE Act, would remove cannabis classification as a Class 1 drug along with heroin and thus end the conflict between federal and state law.

It comes as an increasing number of states, including New Jersey, have legalized the drug for either medical or recreational use.

Last year, we saw more progress toward cannabis legalization than ever before, said Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., co-chair and founder of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. This has been driven by unprecedented reforms at the state level. Now, Congress must deal with the problems created by the failed federal policy of prohibition.

The measure passed the House in December but never came up for a vote in the Senate, then controlled by Repiblicans.

When the MORE Act was approved by the House of Representatives in the previous session, Congress demonstrated in no uncertain terms that the days of federal marijuana prohibition are numbered, said Justin Strekal, political director of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

This year, with Democrats in control of the Senate, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., have said they would introduce a comprehensive cannabis bill.

The House legislation would remove the need for separate legislation allowing banks to provide financial services to legal marijuana businesses, since cannabis no longer would be illegal under federal law, and would allow cannabis operations to receive Small Business Administration loans.

The measure also would take several steps to help individuals and communities hardest hit by the war on drugs. It would require federal courts to expunge prior marijuana convictions and allow those currently under supervision to petition the courts for resentencing.

In addition, a 5% federal tax on marijuana and marijuana products would fund services such as job training, drug treatment and literary programs, loans to small cannabis businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and programs to help those hardest hit by the war on drugs to enter the marijuana industry.

Im proud to reintroduce the MORE Act to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, remove the needless burden of marijuana convictions on so many Americans, and invest in communities that have been disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs, said the bills chief sponsor, House Judiciary Chair Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.

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Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @JDSalant.

See more here:
Legislation to remove federal ban on marijuana introduced again in U.S. House - NJ.com