ager with the Chicago Cubs from 2004-06. Prior told Baker he was treated excellent and w | Forum

NEW ORLEANS -- The NBA has decided to hold the 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans after taking the midseason event out of North Carolina because of a state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people. Stitched China Jerseys .New Orleans, announced Friday as the new location of the game, replaces Charlotte, which was set to host the game until the NBA decided last month to move it elsewhere.Unlike several other Southern states, Louisiana has not been swept up in legislative efforts to pass laws similar to that in North Carolina -- a fact Gov. John Bel Edwards has touted while lobbying the NBA to bring its All-Star weekend to New Orleans.We embrace our rich cultural heritage and see our diversity as a virtue, Edwards wrote in a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in late July. Should the NBA choose to bring the All-Star Game back to New Orleans in 2017, it will strongly reaffirm its commitment to communities that value fairness and inclusion.The NBAs decision -- and the economic boost it will bring -- provides a timely dose of good news following disastrous flooding across large swaths of southeast Louisiana that has killed at least 13 people and damaged an estimated 40,000 homes, mostly around Baton Rouge. Much of the New Orleans metropolitan area has been spared from the flooding.While we move into the recovery phase of this disaster, I want to thank the NBA for the vote of confidence in our state to host this event and their support of the relief efforts currently underway, Edwards said.This marks the third time New Orleans, which became an NBA city for the second time in 2002, has been selected to host the leagues All-Star Game.When the All-Star Game first came in 2008, the NBA spearheaded numerous community service projects aimed at helping neighborhoods hard hit by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The NBA will be presented with similar opportunities next year to assist flooded communities within an hours drive of New Orleans.Indeed, the New Orleans Pelicans and the NFLs Saints, both owned by Tom Benson, already have begun deploying administrative staff to assist flood relief efforts while opening the teams headquarters as a collection point for donations of basic supplies for flood victims.As we know, the NBA will engage thousands of local children and charities during this weekend, Benson said in written comments thanking the NBA for choosing New Orleans.The All-Star Game is scheduled for Feb. 19, which falls during the first weekend of Mardi Gras parades. That weekend presents some logistical challenges for New Orleans in terms of policing and traffic control, but considerably less so than the following weekend, when the largest parades roll in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday, which is Feb. 28.All-Star weekend also came to the Big Easy in 2014, when Pelicans forward and center Anthony Davis made his All-Star debut. Davis would play the All-Star Game in his home arena again if he is named to the Western Conference squad for a fourth straight season.New Orleans, which has a history of hosting major sporting events, has seen its last two bids to host a Super Bowl come up short. It also bid unsuccessfully to host one of the NCAA Final Fours between 2017 and 2021. Those disappointments provided even more motivation for state and city officials to act decisively to lure the NBA All-Star Game after the leagues decision to take it away from the initially designated host city.A number of entertainment acts, including a Bruce Springsteen concert, have canceled North Carolina events because of its so-called HB2 law.Louisiana hasnt enacted -- or debated -- a bathroom bill of the type passed in North Carolina. Edwards earlier this year issued an LGBT rights anti-discrimination order.In the April order, the Democratic governor banned discrimination in state government based on sexual orientation and gender identity. State contracts also were required to comply, except contractors that are religious organizations. Edwards anti-discrimination order was similar to orders enacted by two former Louisiana Democratic governors -- but he added language protecting against discrimination based on gender identity, a provision that protects transgender people.Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landrys office has issued an opinion claiming that Edwards order has no binding legal effect and exceeds the governors authority. But the order hasnt been challenged in court, and Edwards has vowed to follow it. Landrys office also has joined 10 other states in a lawsuit filed in May against President Barack Obamas administration over its directive to U.S. public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.The Human Rights Campaign, a national civil rights group working on behalf of lesbian, gay and transgender people, applauded the NBAs decision to choose New Orleans.The NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver have sent a clear message to lawmakers in North Carolina and across the country that discrimination against LGBTQ people has consequences and will not be tolerated, HRC president Chad Griffin said in a statement. New Orleans explicit LGBTQ non-discrimination protections will ensure all NBA employees, players, and fans who participate in the All-Star Game are protected from discrimination. China Jerseys Wholesale . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. China Jerseys Cheap . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. https://www.chinasjerseys.com/ . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Right-hander Mark Prior has been released from the Cincinnati Reds organization, ending his latest comeback attempt. Prior went to spring training on a minor league contract. He had a 4.66 ERA in seven relief appearances for Triple-A Louisville, but last pitched April 21 because of a right shoulder strain. The 32-year-old Prior last pitched in the majors in 2006, a year before reconstructivve shoulder surgery. China Jerseys. Hes also pitched in the Texas, Boston and New York Yankees minor league systems. Reds manager Dusty Baker was Priors manager with the Chicago Cubs from 2004-06. Prior told Baker he was treated excellent and will go home, rest and maybe try again depending "on if his arm comes back" Baker said Friday he was hoping Prior could help the Reds this season. ' ' '