D.c. Centrists And Their Straw Men

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem will headline a fundraising dinner for the Jefferson County Republican Party on Saturday despite backlash over a section in her soon-to-be-released book where she describes killing her dog over behavioral problems. The anecdote from Noem’s new book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward,” was first reported last week by The Guardian. Noem took her 14-month-old wirehaird pointer, Cricket, on a hunting trip with older dogs to try to calm the dog down, according to the Associated Press. But when Cricket killed some chickens during a stop on the return trip and tried to bite Noem, Noem took Cricket to a gravel pit and killed her. The incident took place 20 years ago, but Noem’s retelling sparked criticism from Republicans, Democrats and dog experts alike, the Associated Press reported. Noem addressed the backlash in a post on social media site X, stating the decision was difficult but she has “never passed on my responsibilities to anyone else to handle.” Noem was elected as the first female governor of South Dakota in 2018 and “is on President Trump’s short list for Vice President,” organizers wrote on an event page. The $150-per-person fundraiser is set for 6 p.m.

Denver chef Amos Watts, owner of The Fifth String, has died weeks ahead of the acclaimed restaurant’s reopening. Watts, 43, died Sunday morning after a medical episode, according to his friend Justin Brunson and former mentee Caroline Glover. Neither were fully sure of the nature of the episode. “He touched a lot of folks in his time here in Denver,” Brunson said.

AUSTIN, Texas — Mike Tyson’s fight against Jake Paul in Texas this summer has been sanctioned as a competitive boxing match rather than an exhibition, and the rounds will be shorter and the gloves will be heavier. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation this week approved terms for the July 20 fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Netflix will provide live coverage of the bout between the 27-year-old Paul, a social media star-turned-boxer, and 57-year-old Tyson, who hasn’t fought since an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr.

The Denver City Council has approved a $30 million contract with ASM Global to manage stagehand staffing at Red Rocks and other city venues after discussing concerns about the company’s compliance with city wage laws. That unanimous vote was taken Monday after some council members warned that they planned to keep an eye on ASM and other city contractors to ensure those companies adhere to local wage rules. Councilwoman Sarah Parady, a labor attorney, postponed a final vote on the contract at the council’s April 22 meeting and then called it out for comments before the final vote.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Winnipeg forward Vladislav Namestnikov and defenseman Brenden Dillon are recovering from injuries and won’t be available for Game 5 against Colorado on Tuesday night as the Jets try to avoid playoff elimination. Namestnikov fractured his cheekbone in Game 4 on Sunday when he was hit by a deflected puck on a shot.

A 17-year-old girl died on Friday after being shot in Aurora on April 20, according to a Monday news release from the Aurora Police Department. The shooting happened around 1 a.m. April 20 near the 1000 block of South Blackhawk Street , police say. The teen was critically injured and taken to a freestanding urgent care center and then a hospital.