1. Wild boars overrun Islamic State position and killed 3 militants
USATODAY: A bunch of boars attacked ISIS militants, and actually managed to kill a few.
Three Islamic State militants setting up an ambush in a bitterly contested area of northern Iraq were killed by a herd of stampeding boars, local leaders say.
Sheikh Anwar al-Assi, a chief of the local Ubaid tribe and supervisor of anti-ISIS forces, told The Times of London the militants were hiding on the edge of a field about 50 miles southwest of Kirkuk when the boars overwhelmed them Sunday. Five other militants were injured, al-Assi said. He said the group was poised to attack a band of local tribesmen who had fled to nearby mountains since militants seized the town of Hawija three years ago.
“It is likely their movement disturbed a herd of wild pigs, which inhabit the area as well as the nearby cornfields,” he said.
2. Senators Told North Korea Nuclear Threat Is Urgent
REASON.COM: The Senate took part in a rare White House briefing yesterday to hear what senior leaders described as "an urgent national security threat" posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
The hour-long secret session for all senators was held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House, and included a brief appearance from President Trump who made short, introductory remarks.
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also took part in the session. His presence is an indication that military options for dealing with North Korea likely were discussed.
Trump's approach seeks to pressure North Korea into dismantling nuclear, ballistic missile, and proliferation programs through imposing tighter economic sanctions and diplomatic measures, the three leaders said. The senior officials noted that past efforts to halt the North Korean illicit arms programs had failed.
3. ESPN laying off as many as 100 on-air and online staff
The Washington Post: In a message sent Wednesday to ESPN employees, network president John Skipper announced the company was beginning its next round of layoffs, a long-anticipated move that is expected to thin the ranks of ESPN’s on-air and online talent.
The network president wrote, “A necessary component of managing change involves constantly evaluating how we best utilize all of our resources, and that sometimes involves difficult decisions. Our content strategy – primarily illustrated in recent months by melding distinct, personality-driven SportsCenter TV editions and digital-only efforts with our biggest sub-brand – still needs to go further, faster . . . and as always, must be efficient and nimble. Dynamic change demands an increased focus on versatility and value, and as a result, we have been engaged in the challenging process of determining the talent – anchors, analysts, reporters, writers and those who handle play-by-play – necessary to meet those demands. We will implement changes in our talent lineup this week. A limited number of other positions will also be affected and a handful of new jobs will be posted to fill various needs.”
According to Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch, the layoffs could affect close to 100 employees, a larger number than originally expected. Jim Miller, who co-wrote a book on ESPN’s history, said Wednesday that “around 50 names you will recognize; another 50 you may not” will be losing their jobs.
4. Coca-Cola is being sued by a man that claims that he found a mouse in his can
PIONEER PRESS: A mouse that a Mitchell man alleges was inside his Coca-Cola can would have been further decomposed, defense attorneys believe.
One attorney representing Coca-Cola said, “It had fur. It had blood on its nose. It’s limbs were intact. There was very minor decomposition.”
At the hearing were attorneys representing plaintiff Duane Putzier of Mitchell, South Dakota and Coca-Cola Refreshments USA. Coca-Cola sought approval to call more witnesses in an extended jury trial.
Putzier filed a civil suit against Coca-Cola after allegedly finding a mouse at the bottom of a pop can on June 7. Putzier said he fell ill, missing 60 hours of work and accumulating $1,000 in medical bills.
Brian Johnson, of Minneapolis, represented Coca-Cola alongside Jack Theeler, of Mitchell, and said he anticipates testimony from a veterinary pathologist, who will analyze the mouse’s decomposition.
“Coca-Cola is faced with a claim that’s really an attack on its brand,” Johnson said. “Coca-Cola takes these cases extremely seriously and tries them all.”
In court documents, Theeler and Johnson argued if a mouse were in the can of Coca-Cola for approximately six weeks, between the time of bottling and time of consumption, it would have been in a more advanced stage of decomposition, and the gases produced would have compromised the can.
5. New brewpub will try 'self-pour' concept near Eagan Vikings HQ
PIONEER PRESS: Say cheers to a brewpub opening in Eagan. Union 32 Craft House, featuring self-pour taps, is slated to debut in early June across Dodd Road near where the new Minnesota Vikings practice facility is being built.
The name plays to the fact that Minnesota was the 32nd state to join the Union on May 11, 1858. The name is also a reference to the 32 taps planned for the brewpub’s self-pour beer wall spotlighting Minnesota craft beers and cider, including the establishment’s house-made brews that include four to six varieties at a time. Minnesota wines and spirits will also be part of the drink list.
Co-owner Dan Redpath said the self-pour beer concept is popular in cities such as Denver, Portland, San Diego and Chicago and the owners wanted to bring it to the Twin Cities. For those who don’t want to self-pour, however, there will be the option of ordering from the bar, but the drink selection will be more limited.