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Michigan man acquitted in Whitmer kidnapping plot running for sheriff

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A man acquitted of having a supporting role in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said he’s running for county sheriff.

Eric Molitor filed papers to run against Wexford County Sheriff Trent Taylor in the Republican primary in August, The Detroit News reported Thursday.

He said he’s running on a pledge to not enforce a new state law that can take guns away from people who are alleged to be a danger to themselves or others.

WATCH: DEM GOVERNOR SWARMED BY ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS WHILE CELEBRATING DAUGHTER’S COLLEGE GRADUATION

“It’s going behind someone’s back to take their possessions,” Molitor said.

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting at the Hilton Midtown on September 19, 2023 in New York City. (John Nacion/WireImage)

Molitor and two other men were found not guilty of providing support for a terrorist act. They were accused of supporting leaders of the kidnap plot by participating in military-style drills and traveling to see Whitmer’s vacation home in 2020.

“This was a setup by the government,” Molitor said, referring to the many informants and undercover FBI agents used in the investigation.

Nine men were convicted at trial or through guilty pleas, and five were acquitted.

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“Anybody can run for sheriff,” Taylor said in response to Molitor’s candidacy. “There are no set qualifications.”

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Detroit, MI

‘Days of Roar’: Why we’ll know if Detroit Tigers are real playoff contenders soon

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‘Days of Roar’: Why we’ll know if Detroit Tigers are real playoff contenders soon


Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Hosts: Mark Gorosh (@sportz5176) and Evan Petzold (@evanpetzold)

• Editors: Robin Chan

• Executive producer: Kirkland Crawford.

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• Email: epetzold@freepress.com

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On this episode: After a disappointing series against the Marlins, the Detroit Tigers’ offense snapped their 20 inning scoreless streak and exploded against the Diamondbacks. Mark and Evan preview the team’s big upcoming series against the Royals and if the offense can continue to hold on the road. The guys also cover Jack Flaherty’s recent resurgence in pitching excellence. Is this the best he’s looked since 2019? Later in the show, Mark proposes a trade idea that flabbergasts Evan. 

JEFF SEIDEL: Why Detroit is gonna love Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle: First and foremost, he can hit

ROOKIE WALL? Wenceel Pérez is proving it’s possible for rookies to hit in big leagues

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BUILDING TRUST? Javier Báez appreciates A.J. Hinch, stays accountable in search for success





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Milwaukee, WI

Brice Turang Finally Playing To Milwaukee Brewers’ Original Forecast

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Brice Turang Finally Playing To Milwaukee Brewers’ Original Forecast


Brice Turang is having the time of his life. So are the Milwaukee Brewers thus far thanks in large part to their 24-year-old second baseman.

Pat Murphy, in his first season as Brewers manager, saw it coming. Few others did.

“I think this kid’s gonna make a quantum leap,” Murphy said on March 12 in the Brewers’ spring-training camp. “I think he’ll establish himself as an everyday player. I’m really confident.”

For five years, Turang did not show much offense. He was a good defensive player and baserunner with potential, highly touted as a first-round pick out of high school in 2018. He got a $3,411,100 signing bonus at age 18. He climbed steadily if not spectacularly through the minors, hitting .270 with only 26 homers in 434 games.

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He became a Brewers starter a year ago. There wasn’t much fanfare – Turang didn’t warrant it. He hit a measly .218 in 137 games with a paltry .585 OPS (.285 on-base percentage + .300 slugging percentage). That ranked 495th in the majors.

Today, he ranks 11th in batting average (.314), 29th in on-base percentage (.369) and has a downright giddy .800 OPS, 41st overall. That’s better than such noted stars as Fernando Tatis Jr., Jose Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Pete Alonso, Nolan Arenado and a few hundred other players.

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That is a big reason why the Brewers lead the National League Central Division with a 27-19 record. The Brew Crew is barreling along despite trading away ace pitcher Corbin Burnes, star closer Devin Williams being sidelined since mid-March with a back injury and slugging outfielder Christian Yelich limited to 20 games by a bad back. First baseman Rhys Hoskins, outfielder Joey Wiemer and pitchers DL Hall, Wade Miley and Jakob Junis are now on the injured list, too.

Short Stroke, Big Results

Turang’s turnaround was pointed out statistically by Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. He found that tracking data lists Turang with the second-shortest swing in the game to two-time defending batting champion Luis Arraez.

“Short and direct, that’s what I’m trying to be every swing I take,” Turang told Hogg. “Short to it, long through it.”

That generally means making more contact at the expense of the long ball. Yet Turang already has 12 doubles, three more in 94 fewer games than he had as a rookie.

Other Young Brewers On The Rise

Turang is one of five Brewers in the regular lineup 26 or younger. The elder statesman of the group at 26, catcher William Contreras, is carrying the club. He’s third in the majors in batting (.341), tied for third in runs (40), tied for fifth in RBI (37) and seventh in OPS (.955).

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His output is not as surprising. He has a .285 average and 52 homers in 340 career games for the Atlanta Braves and Brewers.

Third baseman Joey Ortiz, acquired with Hall in the deal that sent Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles, is batting .292 with 5 homers.

Jackson Chourio, the 20-year-old uber-prospect outfielder, is starting to find his way. He is batting .275 in May after a rough first 27 games in the majors when he batted only .206 with 34 strikeouts. He has only seven strikeouts in 15 games this month. He has 5 homers and a .226 average overall.

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Left fielder Sal Frelick is hitting .250 but has six stolen bases. The Brewers rank third overall with 61 steals (in 71 tries), led by Turang. He’s 18-for-18.

Milwaukee ranks third in batting average, runs, RBI and fourth in homers.

Another Leap Two Years Ago

Andres Gimenez had similar numbers to Turang in the New York Mets’ farm system. Also like Turang, the native of Venezuela wowed everybody with his defense and baserunning. The question was, would he hit?

He batted .263 in 49 games after being called up in 2021, then was traded to Cleveland. Big expectations turned into big disappointment. He hit only .218 in 2021 with exceptional defense and 11 steals without being caught.

In 2022, Gimenez became an all-star at age 23. He won a gold glove, batted .297, had 17 homers, 69 RBI and went 20-for-23 in steal attempts.

Gumby Turned Out Well

For 17 years, Brewers fans enjoyed watching another contact-hitting second baseman. Jim Gantner batted .274 with only 74 homers in 1,801 games for Milwaukee from 1976 thru 1992. He didn’t claim a regular role until his fifth season when he hit .282 in 1980.

Turang has more natural athleticism than Ganter, nicknamed Gumby by teammate Gorman Thomas for the sometimes awkward but likeable cartoon character.

Gantner never won a gold glove or made an all-star team. He did hit .333 in the franchise’s only appearance in The World Series – a seven-game loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982. Yet he was highly respected as the “Brew Crew Glue” that helped solidify the team for years.

Turang’s sudden improvement has him on track to surpass Gantner, though it is doubtful he’ll ever reach the status Hall of Famers Robin Yount and Paul Molitor achieved in Milwaukee.

He already has big-league bragging rights in the family, however. His father Brian hit .222 with 9 steals in 78 games for the Seattle Mariners. Dad’s numbers over eight years in the Mariners’ minors, 1989-96: .274, 45 homers, 103 steals in 673 games.

The Brewers knew the name. They had picked dad in the 20th round out of high school, but he went off to college and then was picked and signed by Seattle. They took Brice with the 21st overall pick 31 years later. It’s paying off now.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis music teacher recognized by GMA

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Minneapolis music teacher recognized by GMA


A special teacher in Minneapolis was recognized for his efforts in and out of the classroom on live television on Monday morning.

Good Morning America is shining a light on exceptional educators who go the extra mile as classes begin wrapping up for the school year.

On Monday morning, they gave Edward Barlow – a Minneapolis music teacher – an incredible surprise. Over the decades, thousands of students have called him Mr. Barlow, but some like to call him The Music Man.

“He has a marching band that goes around the neighborhood, and they play for the neighborhood,” said one person familiar with Barlow.

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Barlow has been teaching music for nearly 40 years, but his impact goes far beyond Anwatin Middle School.

“Everybody always goes to Mr. Barlow for any advice or support that they need. He’s really engrained in Minneapolis Public Schools culture,” said one student.

“He gives me a lot of motivation speeches. He doesn’t give up on anyone,” said another student.

That’s why GMA hand-picked him for a live surprise on national television on Monday.

When asked what keeps him coming back to the classroom despite being able to retire, Barlow kept the reason simple.

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“Well, it’s purpose. There’s purpose in meaning in what we do as teachers,” he said.

Cheers rang out from students, staff, and his wife – a fellow teacher – as Barlow was given two checks for $35,000.

“I was totally unprepared; I had no idea. People can keep really good secrets,” he said.

Coworkers think a big chunk of the money may go toward repairing the school’s broken piano.

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