Washington
Poutine on the Ritz: A field report from Washington D.C. and Toronto
And we’re back! At the start of this season, I visited 23 out of the 30 major league stadiums for True Blue LA. The following is my field report from revisiting Washington, D.C., and visiting Toronto, Ontario, Canada for the first time.
Love is the death of duty
Washington, D.C. will always have a soft spot in my heart. D.C. was the place where I accepted the idea of becoming an attorney. Also, for a not-significant portion of my thirties, my final goal was to work, and ultimately, build a life, while serving my country. Needless to say, the above did not happen, but there are no regrets.
It did not happen for want of talent. In fact, even after all the networking I had done in D.C. was undone six weeks after the inauguration of 2017. I did end up getting a couple of offers to work in D.C., which I turned down for various reasons.
The primary reason was that I chose love over duty. Even though said love did not work out, I never regretted that decision to choose love — not once, not ever.
In this spirit, it was odd to return to D.C., which has never been the warmest of cities emotionally. I could have done well there but I certainly would not be writing for True Blue LA had I chosen duty. Plus, this trip is the first one since Dad died. Such was the baggage I carried with me to the ballpark, which melted once I saw this view.
It was fitting to return to the second ballpark I ever visited for which I went to the latter two games of the recent three-game series with the Washington Nationals. Nats Park has started allowing souvenir sodas to be refilled as often as possible during the game with dispensers you use yourself. This fact was also true in Toronto but you had to have someone refill your soda for you. Truly our eastern cousins have much to teach us.
An 11-2 blowout to start the season is always nice, but frankly, it’s generally not memorable, apart from hanging out with the bullpen and seeing Shohei Ohtani be Shohei Ohtani.
The most memorable moment from these games was the shock of Yoshinobu Yamamoto nearly getting his head knocked off from a comebacker. Ironically enough, the Nationals stadium decal commemorating the 2019 World Series victory exploded earlier that game when a foul ball was hit straight back. Truly, this World Series was cursed.
In the half-inning before the comebacker, I wanted to get a snack as I am wont to do. I saw that I was near the 2019 World Series trophy. I decided to have my picture taken with it again before returning to my seat. At the literal exact moment the photo was taken, the comebacker occurred. Sometimes life comes at you fast.
I tried to track down the ball to add to my collection of “cursed” Dodger memorabilia, but unfortunately, the Nationals do not sell specific game-used balls to the public, instead employing a random grab bag element and auctioning off the choice items. C’est la vie.
Poutine on the Ritz
Going to Toronto is something that has been on my radar since the schedule was announced in August 2023. Since my international travels in 2016, I had not been outside the United States before this part of the trip.
Admittedly, Toronto is pretty nice, and had I gone to Canada first all those years ago the culture shock I experienced all those years ago would have been greatly mitigated. As it stands, I found no culture shock being in Toronto to see the Dodgers play.
Toronto is just a more liberal, more French, and more hockey-obsessed version of the United States…where the U.S. Dollar is about 40% stronger than the Canadian dollar. Finding a reasonably priced hotel near Rogers Centre was a challenge. For the life of me, I could not find one and I could not figure out why until I arrived.
Oh — playoff hockey, the damned Toronto Maple Leafs.
I saw the crowd and investigated. Playoff hockey…was not on the agenda tonight.
And lo and behold, when the Spring comes, that’s when the Leafs are out. pic.twitter.com/y7bM0LPNCb
— Michael Elizondo (@elidelajandro) April 28, 2024
The Leafs and their almost sixty years of playoff futility were inflating hotel prices. Describing the ongoing futility of the Leafs is like describing an amalgam of the Chicago Cubs, the Dallas Cowboys, the anti-New York Yankees, and yes, our Los Angeles Dodgers. Let me put it this way, the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup, Sandy Koufax was still a regular in the Dodgers’ rotation.
All of that newly acquired high-end talent ends up going absolutely AWOL when it matters most. If that last sentence about a hockey team strikes a chord, just file that thought away.
At the time of this trip, the final outcome of the Leafs playoff series was not yet known. (Shocker, they lost.) After all, this franchise once lost to a 42-year-old Zamboni driver…who worked for them a couple of years ago, which merits its own examination but we must move on.
What do I remember about Toronto? Apart from the above, all of the poutine you can eat.
It is not a dirty word, but something regional to eat: fries, gravy, and cheese curds. I had a ridiculous amount while I was up north. The Blue Jays had a signature poutine dog, which oddly was worse than the sum of its parts.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25434569/0IptgDV.jpg)
What stood out in Toronto was the Blue Jays’ completely unjustified agita towards Shohei Ohtani. 29 teams were always going to be left out of the Ohtani sweepstakes. If the Toronto faithful wanted to be mad at someone, they should be angry with reporter J.P. Hoornstra for getting the reporting wrong that indicated that Ohtani would sign with Toronto.
Needless to say, the Toronto faithful let Ohtani have it throughout the series, starting at the first at-bat. Ohtani quickly responded in kind.
And Twitter being Twitter, this juxtaposition was almost lost to time.
The main feature of Rogers Centre is arguably the Marriott hotel that can be seen overlooking the centerfield of the ballpark. One would imagine that the hotel would be connected to the ballpark; that belief is entirely incorrect as one has to leave the hotel to get to the ballpark.
As rooms go, it’s a gimmick. It’s a fun gimmick; it’s an expensive gimmick (even with the strong American dollar, it’s an expensive gimmick), but considering the humidity issues in Toronto, it was nice to duck back into the hotel halfway through the Sunday finale to have a unique view from my pseudo-skybox.
The problem with this view, apart from having maintenance workers start cleaning the ballpark at midnight and reminding yourself that everyone can literally see you, is that like sitting on the Green Monster in Fenway, you have a pretty big blind spot.
All told, having the Dodgers win four of five was a nice change of pace from my previous adventures, which continue this July in the Motor City. See you then!
Washington
Cyclones name WSU’s Rogers to replace Campbell
Washington State coach Jimmy Rogers has agreed to a six-year deal to become the next coach at Iowa State, the school announced Friday.
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard moved quickly to replace departing coach Matt Campbell, who agreed to an eight-year deal to take over Penn State on Friday, and landed Rogers, a proven winner at the FCS level who just concluded his first regular season at Washington State.
“Jimmy Rogers is a rising star in college athletics who has very strong ties to the Midwest both as a player and as a coach,” Pollard said in a statement. “He has been on my short-list ever since the first time I met him. He immediately impressed me with his interest in Iowa State University and told me during our first visit several years ago that he wanted to be the next head coach at Iowa State.
“Since our initial meeting, I have stayed in close contact with him and have been very impressed with his work ethic and understanding of what it takes to be successful at Iowa State,” Pollard added. “He is a proven winner who has demonstrated throughout his career that he will fit our culture.”
Rogers, 38, has a 33-9 record over three seasons as a head coach. He went 6-6 in his debut season at Washington State after overseeing a significant roster rebuild following the departure of coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest.
“My family and I are excited to be joining the Iowa State University community and the Cyclone football program,” Rogers said in a statement. “Iowa State has been one of the nation’s top programs for the last decade and we look forward to building upon its upward trajectory. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that Jamie Pollard has given me to lead the Cyclones.”
Rogers previously spent 12 years at South Dakota State and led his alma mater to an FCS national championship in 2023 with a 15-0 season in his first year as the Jackrabbits’ head coach after taking over for longtime coach John Stiegelmeier.
Rogers carried a 29-game win streak into his second year as coach and achieved a No. 3 finish in 2024 with a run to the FCS playoff semifinals and a 12-3 season.
The Jackrabbits also won the FCS national championship in 2022 after Rogers was elevated to being the team’s sole defensive coordinator, and they played for another FCS title in 2020.
Campbell, the winningest coach in Iowa State history with 72 victories, led the Cyclones to eight winning seasons during his decade at the helm and two appearances in the Big 12 championship game.
The Cyclones went 8-4 this season and are awaiting their bowl selection on Sunday.
Washington
William C. Dudley Named President of Claremont McKenna College
William C. Dudley, president of Washington and Lee University, has been named the sixth president of Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. He will complete the current academic year at W&L and begin his new role on July 1, 2026.
In a personal announcement to the W&L community on Dec. 5, President Dudley noted that 2026 would mark his 10th Commencement at Washington and Lee. He praised the students, faculty and staff, noting that “I take pride in leaving Washington and Lee in a strong position, and in knowing that our exceptionally talented students, faculty, and staff will continue to advance our educational mission long after I am gone. Each of you plays a part in making the university the best it can be for current students. And all of you seize opportunities to strengthen the university for future generations. If you do those things every day and take stock once a decade, it is gratifying to consider what we have accomplished.”
Wali Bacdayan, Rector of Washington and Lee’s Board of Trustees, said the Board will engage a nationally recognized search firm to assist the University in conducting a search process that includes input from students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the university. Details on the search will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Will has been an exceptional leader for Washington and Lee for almost a decade,” said Bacdayan. “From the moment he stepped on campus, he has exhibited a deep appreciation for W&L’s culture and distinctive strengths, which are encapsulated in the strategic plan that he developed in concert with the Board of Trustees and campus community. His commitment to expanding access and affordability was realized through Bill Miller’s extraordinary $132 million gift, which made the university need-blind in undergraduate admissions. He was also instrumental in expanding student opportunities, curricular programs, and campus facilities. Will is leaving W&L in a position of strength, and we are grateful for his dedication and service.”
As president of Washington and Lee, Dudley initiated a comprehensive strategic planning process to build on the university’s strengths while furthering initiatives in support of W&L’s aspiration to be a national model for liberal arts education in the 21st century. In 2024, the University launched the largest fundraising campaign in its history, Leading Lives of Consequence, with a $650 million goal. The campaign has raised over $568 million to date and is ahead of schedule for a successful conclusion in June 2027.
Throughout his tenure at W&L, Dudley prioritized student access, affordability, and opportunity, implementing need-blind undergraduate admissions and boosting enrollment among first-generation, low-income, and rural student populations. The university expanded financial support for faculty-mentored research and study abroad and enhanced its curriculum with new minors in data science, entrepreneurship, legal studies, and arts management, and the creation of the DeLaney Center for the study of Southern race relations, culture, and politics. Critical facilities added to the campus include the Duchossois Athletic and Recreation Center; the new academic building for the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics; the Lindley Center for Student Wellness; and the Harte Center for Teaching and Learning. Plans are underway for a new Admissions and Financial Aid center, an institutional history museum, and an expanded and renovated science center.
Dudley became the 27th president of Washington and Lee in January 2017, after serving for five years as the provost of his alma mater, Williams College. In that role, he oversaw academic operations, allocated college resources, and helped to establish priorities for Teach It Forward: The Campaign for Williams, which raised more than $750 million.
A respected leader in higher education, Dudley currently serves on the boards of the Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges, the Associated Colleges of the South, and the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. He received a gubernatorial appointment to the board of trustees of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2010 and served as the vice-chair in 2015-16.
Dudley earned a B.A. in mathematics and philosophy, magna cum laude, from Williams College in 1989, where he was captain of the water polo team, a member of the swim team, and the recipient of a Herchel Smith Fellowship to study at Cambridge University from 1989 to 1990. Dudley worked for AES from 1990 to 1992 before pursuing graduate studies at Northwestern University, where he earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in philosophy.
His scholarship focuses on 19th-century German philosophy. Dudley is the author of two books — “Understanding German Idealism” (2007) and “Hegel, Nietzsche and Philosophy: Thinking Freedom” (2002) — the editor of volumes on Kant and Hegel, and has published numerous scholarly articles. He received fellowships in support of his research from the American Council of Learned Societies and the Humboldt Foundation.
Dudley joined the Williams College faculty in 1998, teaching courses on moral and political philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, the philosophy and economics of higher education, and the spiritual significance of sports. At W&L, he teaches an annual seminar on virtue ethics and liberal arts education.
“Washington and Lee is an extraordinary university, with tremendous momentum,” said Dudley. “It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as the president. I treasure my relationships with W&L students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents, and I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of this exceptional place.”
Washington
FBI makes arrest in investigation into pipe bombs placed in DC on eve of Jan. 6 riot, AP source says – WTOP News
The arrest marks the first time investigators have settled on a suspect in an act that had long vexed law enforcement, spawned a multitude of conspiracy theories and remained an enduring mystery in the shadow of the dark chapter of American history that is the violent Capitol siege.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI made an arrest on Thursday in its nearly 5-year-old investigation into who placed pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.
The arrest marks the first time investigators have settled on a suspect in an act that had long vexed law enforcement, spawned a multitude of conspiracy theories and remained an enduring mystery in the shadow of the dark chapter of American history that is the violent Capitol siege.
The official who described the arrest was not authorized to publicly discuss a case that has not yet been made public and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The arrest took place Thursday morning, and the suspect is a man, the official said. No other details were immediately available, including the charges the man might face.
The pipe bombs were placed on the evening of Jan. 5, 2021, near the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees in the District of Columbia. Nobody was hurt before the bombs were rendered safe, but the FBI has said both devices could have been lethal.
In the years since, investigators have sought the public’s help in identifying a shadowy subject seen on surveillance camera even as they struggled to determine answers to basic questions, including the person’s gender and motive and whether the act had a clear connection to the riot at the Capitol a day later when supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building in a bid to halt the certification of the Republican’s 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
Seeking a breakthrough, the FBI last January publicized additional information about the investigation, including an estimate that the suspect was about 5-foot-7, as well as previously unreleased video of the suspect placing one of the bombs.
The bureau had for years struggled to pinpoint a suspect despite hundreds of tips, a review of tens of thousands of video files and a significant number of interviews.
In the absence of harder evidence, Republican lawmakers and right-wing media outlets promoted conspiracy theories about the pipe bombs. House Republicans also criticized security lapses, questioning how law enforcement failed to detect the bombs for 17 hours. Dan Bongino, the current FBI deputy director, floated the possibility last year before being tapped for his job that the act was an “inside job” and involved a “massive cover-up.”
But since arriving at the FBI in March, he has sought to deliver action to a restive base on the far right by promising that the pipe bombs investigation would be a top priority and defending the bureau’s work.
“We brought in new personnel to take a look at the case, we flew in police officers and detectives working as TFOs (task force officers) to review FBI work, we conducted multiple internal reviews, held countless in person and SVTC meetings with investigative team members, we dramatically increased investigative resources, and we increased the public award for information in the case to utilize crowd-sourcing leads,” he wrote in a long post on X last month.
Copyright
© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
-
Politics3 days agoTrump rips Somali community as federal agents reportedly eye Minnesota enforcement sweep
-
News3 days agoTrump threatens strikes on any country he claims makes drugs for US
-
Technology1 week agoNew scam sends fake Microsoft 365 login pages
-
World3 days agoHonduras election council member accuses colleague of ‘intimidation’
-
Ohio2 days ago
Who do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Politics1 week agoRep. Swalwell’s suit alleges abuse of power, adds to scrutiny of Trump official’s mortgage probes
-
News1 week ago2 National Guard members wounded in ‘targeted’ attack in D.C., authorities say
-
Ohio1 week agoSnow set to surge across Northeast Ohio, threatening Thanksgiving travel