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DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract that was finalized Wednesday. The Mets also agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. Major League Baseball teams usually provide security for player families in seating areas at ballparks. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekUS lawmakers voted Wednesday after fraught negotiations to move forward with a contentious 2025 defense budget that raises troops' pay but blocks funding of gender-affirming care for some transgender children of service members. The centerpiece of the $884 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) -- which was green-lit by the Republican-led House of Representatives but still needs Senate approval -- is a 14.5 percent pay increase for junior enlisted service members and 4.5 percent for other personnel. But talks over the 1,800-page-plus text were complicated by a last-minute Republican intervention to prevent the military's health program from covering gender-affirming care for children of service members if it results in "sterilization." "Citizens don't want their tax dollars to go to this, and underaged people often regret these surgeries later in life," Nebraska Republican Don Bacon told CNN. "It's a bad hill to die on for Democrats." Gender-affirming health care for children is just one of multiple fronts in the so-called "culture wars" that polarize US politics and divide the country, with Republicans using the issue as a cudgel against Democrats in November's elections. The funding block angered progressives, and prompted the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee to come out against the legislation. "As I said a few days ago, blanketly denying health care to people who need it -- just because of a biased notion against transgender people -- is wrong," Adam Smith, who represents a district in Washington state, said in a statement. "The inclusion of this harmful provision puts the lives of children at risk and may force thousands of service members to make the choice of continuing their military service or leaving to ensure their child can get the health care they need." Smith slammed House Speaker Mike Johnson for pandering to "the most extreme elements of his party" by including the transgender provision. The must-pass NDAA -- a bill that Congress has sent to the president's desk without fail every year since 1961 -- cleared the chamber in a 281-140 vote and now moves to the Senate, with final passage expected next week. The topline figure is one percent above last year's total and, with funding from other sources, brings the total defense budget to just under $900 billion. Some foreign policy hawks on the Republican side of the Senate wanted $25 billion more for the Pentagon but they are still expected to support the bill. "The safety and security of the American people is our top priority, and this year's NDAA ensures our military has the resources and the capabilities needed to remain the most powerful fighting force on the planet," Johnson told reporters. ft/mlmWho Is Taralyn Romero? Colorado's 'Wicked Witch' Provides Update On 'Disputed' Kittredge Park Home
Taralyn Romero thought she had found paradise. The dream-like home was located in Kittredge, Colorado, next to Bear Creek. The land was surrounded by towering trees, and a tranquil brook flowed through it. When she moved in with her partner and his children in March 2021, the ground was covered in snow. But Romero's experience altered with the seasons. What began as a peaceful getaway descended into a heated argument with county authorities and residents. The cause of the dispute? Access to the neighboring acreage and the brook. A Rural Dream in Kittredge Romero, who was born in Colorado, had relocated to the mountains amid the COVID-19 outbreak. She fled Denver in search of peace and quiet. She chose to stay and buy the house in Kittredge, a small unincorporated village of little over 1,300 people, after renting in the region. At first, her land was solely visited by wildlife. However, the area of Bear Creek that abutted her property was used by anglers when the snow melted. By summer, Kittredge Park, which was close by, was attracting large numbers of people. Families played in the water, had picnics, and floated on the creek. They frequently ruined the countryside and left behind garments and rubbish. “No trespassing” signs and polite requests went largely ignored. Dispute Over Property Lines Romero's efforts to set limits swiftly became more intense. Some guests acknowledged intentionally trespassing, but others asserted that the public has always had access to the creek and the surrounding area. Officials in Jefferson County admitted that there were ambiguities surrounding the property borders, which made issues more complicated. They hypothesized that since the original plat plan was created in 1920, the creek's path may have changed. Romero explained her stance during a community gathering. Signs allowing "residents and invited guests only" only applied to Kittredge residents, she clarified. Some neighborhood members objected, though, and one lawyer even thought about filing a lawsuit to keep public access. Confrontations and Escalation Romero reported contacts with locals that were more antagonistic. There was verbal abuse directed at her and maps flung in her face. She claims that several tourists come to start arguments rather than to appreciate the creek. She decided to fence off her land and put up more stringent signs as a result of her displeasure. Tensions were heightened by this move. Conflicts erupted on social media sites like Facebook as locals accused her of destroying a beloved communal area. The criticism on the internet extended beyond Kittredge. Romero was criticized by people all around the nation for being cruel and too territorial. Concerns Over Safety and Liability Romero stated that her main reasons were liability and safety. She was concerned about drownings, injuries, and even legal consequences. She also bemoaned the harm that the people were doing to the environment. She attempted to share the space and mediate during her first summer, but the lack of collaboration prompted her to impose more stringent rules. She stated that at first, her family, who were new to the close-knit neighborhood, had intended to blend in and establish friends. A Public Battle with the Government Romero's struggle included confrontations with local authorities. She believed the county did not offer sufficient clarification or assistance. Romero described the situation as a "frenzy" when the disagreement had boiled over by the second summer. She persisted in claiming her property rights, stressing the need of deference and boundary observance. However, the conflict brought to light more general conflicts in small towns over how to balance private property with public access. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US Buzz, World and around the world.
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