MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Several foundations have donated $1.5 million to help rebuild after arson gutted a historic Black church in Memphis, Tennessee, that played an important role in the civil rights movement.

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Clayborn Temple had been undergoing a yearslong renovation when someone intentionally set a fire inside the church in the early hours of April 28, destroying almost everything but parts of the facade.

Before the fire, the Romanesque revival church was in the midst of a $25 million restoration project that included restoring a 3,000-pipe grand organ. The project also sought to help revitalize the neighborhood with a museum, cultural programing and community outreach.

Despite the extensive damage, Anasa Troutman, executive director of Historic Clayborn Temple, has said they plan to continue moving forward with the restoration. Troutman announced the new donations for that effort Wednesday. The money comes from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund along with the Mellon and Ford foundations.

Located just south of the iconic Beale Street, Clayborn Temple was built in 1892 as the Second Presbyterian Church and originally served an all-white congregation. In 1949, the building was sold to an African Methodist Episcopal congregation and given its current name. In 1968, the church served as the headquarters for a sanitation workers’ strike, which brought the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis, where he was assassinated.

By PHILIP MARCELO

NEW YORK (AP) — A former Goldman Sachs banker was sentenced Thursday to two years in federal prison for his role in a $4.5 billion scheme to ransack a Malaysian state investment fund.

Tim Leissner, at his sentencing in Brooklyn federal court, apologized to the people of Malaysia, who he called the “real victims” of the scheme.

“The funds raised more than a decade ago could have profoundly benefited the nation and its citizens,” he said in a statement read in court and provided by his lawyers. “Instead, due to my greed — and the greed of those involved alongside me — they were misappropriated.”

Prosecutors said Leissner and other Goldman Sachs bankers helped the Malaysian investment fund known as 1MBD, or the 1Malaysia Development Berhad state fund, raise $6.5 billion through bond sales.

But they say more than $4.5 billion of the funds were stolen and laundered through bribes and kickbacks.

The spoils bankrolled extravagant purchases, from wild parties to lavish spending on jewels, art, a superyacht and luxury real estate, prosecutors have said. They also helped finance the 2013 Martin Scorsese film “The Wolf of Wall Street” that starred Leonardo DiCaprio.

The scandal led to the fall of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government in 2018. Najib was later convicted by a Malaysian court of abuse of power and other crimes related to the scandal and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

“What we did was unequivocally wrong, and I take full responsibility for my role,” Leissner said Thursday. “I deeply regret my actions, and if I could turn back time, I would undo them without hesitation.”

Leissner had pleaded guilty in 2018 to bribing government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi.

He served as a key government witness in the trial of Roger Ng, a fellow former Goldman Sachs banker who was sentenced in 2023 to 10 years in federal prison.

Ng’s lawyers described the looting of 1MDB as “perhaps the single largest heist in the history of the world,” but maintained prosecutors scapegoated him for crimes committed by others, including the higher-ranking Leissner.

Prosecutors declined to comment on Thursday’s sentence. They had not sought a specific prison term in filings ahead of sentencing while lawyers for Leissner had sought a sentence of time already served.

Leissner is due to report to prison Sept. 15 and his lawyers have requested that he be sent to the federal prison in Otisville, New York, according to the prosecutors.

Henry Mazurek, Leissner’s lawyer, said his client is prepared to serve his sentence. It includes two years of supervised release after prison and a forfeiture totaling $43.7 million, which already has been paid.

“Mr. Leissner cooperated not only to obtain leniency at sentencing, but to show his true remorse for his actions and tell the full story of 1MDB and Goldman Sachs,” Mazurek said in an email. “He did that and will continue to tell all who will listen about the poisonous culture at Goldman that inspired the 1MDB scheme.”

There’s no question that superstar receiver Justin Jefferson has reached the stage in his career where his success no longer hinges on him participating in organized team activities.

Though he likely would have made headlines this week if he decided not to show up at TCO Performance Center, Jefferson would have been forgiven considering these are voluntary workouts by definition. The fact that he chose to be in attendance for the Vikings wasn’t lost on head coach Kevin O’Connell as he reflected on the importance of his presence.

“He means so much to this organization,” O’Connell said. “The guys in that locker room know, ‘If this guy is pushing himself in May and June, I sure as heck better be doing the same thing.’ ”

The intentionality of being back in the Twin Cities goes beyond setting an example for his teammates, however, as it’s also given Jefferson a chance to familiarize himself with new No. 1 quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The growing relationship between both players was on full display a couple of weeks ago when Jefferson and McCarthy went viral while sitting courtside at a playoff game between the Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors.

“That was interesting, being mic’d up and all that,” McCarthy said. “We spend a good amount of time together.”

As close as they’re getting off the field, Jefferson and McCarthy are still a work in progress on the field.

Though the Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to be the future of the franchise, Jefferson spent most of his time last summer catching passes from former starting quarterback Sam Darnold. Just when it looked as if McCarthy might be pushing for some additional snaps with the starters, he suffered a torn meniscus that landed him on injured reserve.

That’s why the reps in organized team activities this spring have been so important for Jefferson and McCarthy. They are trying to get on the same page as quickly as possible. That way they can hit the ground running in training camp this summer.

The learning curve was apparent in real time this week. There was a particular play early in practice that featured McCarthy throwing an interception during 7-on-7 drills while targeting Jefferson in the middle. On the other side of the coin, there was a play late in practice that featured McCarthy throwing a touchdown during 11-on-11 drills while targeting Jefferson deep downfield.

“We’re not where we want to be,” McCarthy said. “We’re going to be there when we need to be.”

Some of the subtle moments between Jefferson and McCarthy this week also mattered in the grand scheme of things. The little interactions that otherwise go unnoticed. Like picking each other up after a bad play and dapping each other up after a good plays.

None of it would’ve have been possible if Jefferson was elsewhere.

“He’s an energy igniter of the whole building,” O’Connell said. “He’s come back with a purpose.”

The hope is that the work the Vikings are putting in now could go a long way later.

“It’s been extremely huge,” McCarthy said. “Just being able to get that chemistry building has been invaluable.”

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Ramsey County has named Nadir Abdi as deputy county manager of the health and wellness service team, with his role beginning July 14.

Ramsey County selected Nadir Abdi as deputy county manager of the health and wellness service team. He begins his role July 14, 2025. (Courtesy of Ramsey County)

Abdi will join the county’s executive leadership team. His role includes implementing county board policies and advancing integrated services for residents. The search process for the position began in February.

Abdi has more than two decades of experience in government administration, social policy, and community engagement and is currently Dakota County’s director of employment and economic assistance, a role he has held since 2020.

“I’m passionate about delivering care with dignity and supporting the incredible staff who make that possible every day,” Abdi said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working together with the team at Ramsey County to ensure community feels supported and valued when they need it most.”

He held leadership positions at Equus Workforce Solutions, Jewish Family Services in Ohio and JP Morgan Chase. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Master of Management and Leadership from Hamline University.

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