Ms. Russini’s closeness to a coach, Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots, led to her breakup with The Athletic and its parent, The New York Times Company.

Wearables can offer rough information about a person’s health, experts say, but only some metrics are medically useful.

Slight muscular problems rule Brown out of Germany's duel with EcuadorThe German national team will have to do without Nathaniel Brown in their final World Cup Group E match against Ecuador.Sky Germany and others have reported that Brown was unable to participate in the final training session on Wednesday morning.Nagelsmann held the final session before departing for New York/New Jersey for the clash with the South American country.Instead, Brown completed a light running session with the four-time World Cup champions' athletic coach Krunoslav Banovcic. Fears over the left-back's fitness are not on a similar scale to Nico Schlotterbeck who had his tournament ended through injury.Germany also have a reliable backup in the defensive position, with RB Leipzig's David Raum iready to step in for Brown.

According to Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton, defensive back Chamarri Conner is among the players whom the Kansas City Chiefs should consider extending as he approaches the final season of his rookie contract.“The Chiefs don't have an obvious extension candidate, though Conner's 2027 free-agent market value could skyrocket if he puts together another productive year in a starting role,” Moton wrote in his assessment of Conner’s worth to the team. “The Chiefs can reward him with an extension, with the hope he stabilizes a revamped unit.”Conner followed up his strong showing in 2024 with another notable season in 2025, where he started in all 17 games for Kansas City and recorded an interception, two sacks, and four tackles for loss.Despite his experience in Steve Spagnuolo's defense, Conner will have to fight for playing time in Kansas City's newly revamped secondary with safeties Alohi Gilman, Jaden Hicks, and Jadon Canady.This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Has Chiefs DB Chamarri Conner done enough to earn extension?

Former Gunner takes on League One head coach jobOxford United have announced the official appointment of former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey as their new head coach.Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty ImagesOxford United officially announced on Tuesday that they’ve hired Aaron Ramsey as their new head coach.“It’s an honour and privilege to be appointed Head Coach of Oxford United,” the former Arsenal player told his new club’s website.“From my discussions with the Club, I can sense the ambition and desire for success, which gives me great excitement about this opportunity.”Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images“This is a moment I have been preparing for over many years,” Ramsey continued. “I’ve played under some of the best managers in the game and experienced high-pressure environments throughout my career.“I want to use what I’ve learnt to bring a culture of high standards, professionalism and work ethic to this talented group of players.“My teams will play with a clear identity, be built on elite habits, with a commitment to improving every day. I want a squad that fights for the badge until the end, and one that makes our supporters proud.“I understand the responsibility that comes with this role, and can’t wait to get started, meet the players, and connect with our supporters as we strive to bring success.”Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty ImagesOxford United are yet to confirm Ramsey’s coaching team, writing that an announcement on that subject will be made in due course.This is Ramsey’s first full-time head coach role, but he did temporarily take the Cardiff head coach job on an interim basis while he was also still a player for the team.Ramsey recently announced his retirement from playing, allowing him to focus fully on coaching, and he told the media his ultimate dream would be to manage Arsenal or the Welsh national team.Photo credit: IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty ImagesWith little senior coaching experience at this stage, Ramsey will first try to get going with Oxford United in League One (following Oxford’s relegation from the Championship last season).That does mean Ramsey is set to face off against Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town next season, which will certainly be one to watch.Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images

A projected starting pitcher might be leaving the University of Hawaii baseball team.Right-hander Brody Martin-Grudzielanek, who recently completed his freshman season with the Rainbow Warriors, confirmed he has entered the NCAA transfer portal.“I’m just exploring my options as of now,” Martin-Grudzielanek told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “There is a chance I come back (to UH).”Martin-Grudzielanek was projected to be in the starting rotation, possibly as the series-opening pitcher, if he pitched for the ’Bows in 2027.This past season, Martin-Grudzielanek was 0-5, but he pitched to a 4.02 ERA and 1.31 WHIP while averaging 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Left-handed batters hit .182 against Martin-Grudzielanek. His fastball topped at 97 mph.Instead of playing summer ball, Martin-Grudzielanek opted to train this summer.“Just lifting, as of now, and trying to gain some weight,” he said.Of his year in Hawaii, he said, “I loved it. I feel I made a big jump in my career. I’m grateful for the opportunity Hawaii gave me. I won’t ever take that for granted. That was the best place I could have been at.”While expressing gratitude for Martin-Grudzielanek’s contributions this past season, UH coach Rich Hill said the focus is on the “windshield and not the rear-view mirror, exclamation point.”Right-handed pitcher Hekili Robello, who was named to the 2026 All-Big West second team, and left-hander Grant Garman have indicated they will remain with the ’Bows if they are not selected in next month’s Major League Baseball draft. Hill said the ’Bows will seek players through the portal.“The transfer portal provides awesome opportunities for us at the University of Hawaii,” Hill said. “We have thrived in this environment in years past, and see no reason we shouldn’t do so this year. All will be revealed.”Hill also is seeking replacements for Keith Zuniga, the associate head coach/pitching coach who accepted a position with USC, and hitting coach Dave Nakama, who is pursuing other endeavors. Connor Harrison, who was the director of pitching development, was promoted to associate position coach. Harrison, who is a candidate for pitching coach, will remain with the ’Bows no matter the outcome of the nationwide search.“It’s an exciting time for Rainbow Warrior baseball,” Hill said. “I’m not at liberty to make any staff announcements at this time, but the fans of Hawaii are going to be pleasantly surprised. We’re reorganizing the entire staff, looking at more of a pro model that utilizes coaches’ strengths and really focuses on a lot more of the analytics side. I’m very excited about it.”

First-year Rainbow Wahine women’s volleyball head coach Joshua Walker added a middle from New Zealand to his first recruiting class Tuesday in UNC Wilmington transfer Marnie Ursem.The 6-foot-3 middle blocker will be a junior this season after playing the past two seasons at UNCW. If the NCAA finalizes its move to five seasons of eligibility, it would appear she would have three seasons of eligibility remaining.Ursem played in 40 matches for the Seahawks and averaged 1.53 kills and 1.01 blocks per set. She started all 26 matches this past season and her average of 1.08 blocks per set ranked second in the Coastal Athletic Association. She led UNCW with 30 service aces.

As they were welcomed into their local soccer community with a colorful cascade of Pride flags – a visible rainbow in the supporters section of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders – Dana Reinhart knew they had found a home. “It was a symbol to me as a queer person that people are willing to be loud and present in support of me,” Reinhart told LGBTQ Nation. “Having LGBTQ representation in the stadium is important. It tells people who may not be comfortable being out and proud that there are people ready and willing to support and welcome them.” Related The history of LGBTQ+ flags is much messier than you realize Reinhart now serves as the director of the Tifo Crew for Emerald City Supporters (ECS), the independent supporters group for the Sounders. “Tifo” refers to the large-scale, coordinated visual displays seen in soccer stadiums around the world. Now, Reinhart has a hand in ECS’s Pride-related stadium displays, including last year’s, a rainbow, mural-esque mega-banner featuring messages including “Pride is still a riot,” “Protect Trans Kids,” and “We Will Not Be Erased.” Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “It was designed by an artist who grew up in ECS,” they said. “It was a cool full-circle moment to see a kid who grew up and felt supported within ECS, to show the rest of the city and the world that pride.” Rainbows in the Rain City | Shutterstock Seattle has long been a hub for LGBTQ+ soccer fans, from ECS’s LGBTQ+ subgroup Pride of the Sound to the National Women’s Soccer League’s Seattle Reign, whose roster has included gay icons like Jess Fishlock and Megan Rapinoe. And now, on June 26th, the city will play host to the World Cup Pride match during Seattle Pride weekend. The match is hosted by the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 committee and is independent of FIFA and the tournament itself. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sounder at Heart (@sounderatheart) The Seattle FWC 26 Pride+ Matchday Impact Council includes local LGBT business luminaries Louise Chernin of the Greater Seattle Business Association and Jen Barnes, Founder and CEO of women’s sports bar Rough and Tumble, and the work of local queer artists is featured on matchday monorail art exhibits and scarves. But one local group missing from the festivities is Rain City Soccer Club (RCSC), Seattle’s LGBTQ+ soccer club and community, which has been active for more than 25 years and boasts more than 1,600 active members. As a nonprofit, RCSC is not affiliated with the World Cup or the Seattle FWC26 committee and thus does not comment on professional matches as an organization. But RCSC Communications Manager Dax Lehman shared the group’s official statement. “FIFA does not recognize nor engage in contractual partnerships with any queer sports organizations here in the US – nonprofit or otherwise. This is largely based on the fact that FIFA refuses to recognize or protect queer athletes let alone trans athletes in the world of soccer/fútbol. It is incredibly important to note however, that at no point in the 3 years of planning and bidding did FIFA, city of Seattle, nor SeattleFWC26 reach out to include RCSC in discussions regarding FIFA World Cup, its events in Seattle, nor their announced ‘Pride Match’ celebration.” “FIFA does not recognize nor engage in contractual partnerships with any queer sports organizations here in the US – nonprofit or otherwise. This is largely based on the fact that FIFA refuses to recognize or protect queer athletes let alone trans athletes in the world of soccer/fútbol.”Rain City Soccer Club “As Seattle’s premiere and only queer soccer organization operating in the King County area for the last 26 years, we find those choices disheartening, and disappointing. RCSC is home to over 1,600 active members, and dozens of teams in leagues throughout the area. It’s hard to see such an omittance as anything other than intentional. Especially when our definition of our organization combined with the diversity of representation within our community would provide a crucial and unique lens from which to engage in some of these larger discussions.” The national teams of Egypt and Iran, two countries whose governments impose harsh punishments for LGBTQ+ activity, were selected by random draw to play the Pride match. Neither soccer federation was pleased, and both complained to FIFA, with Iran asking for a ban on all non-national flags in the stands, although this request was likely more targeted at the pre-Revolution Lion and Sun flag, used by some protesters opposed to the Iranian government. In their statement, RCSC expressed concern over the two participating national teams being compelled to participate in programming outside of the official World Cup scope, and denounced any anti-Arab and Islamophobic rhetoric being leveled in the Pride Match discourse and beyond. “I also wish to be abundantly clear: the ‘Pride event’ match that is being proposed to be hosted in Seattle is neither sanctioned by FIFA nor compliant with FIFA’s requirements, nor contains approval by the two countries contracted to engage in the match: Egypt and Iran,” the statement reads. “RCSC both publicly and privately have denounced FIFA’s insensitivities, the breaking of their own contracts, and the city’s insistence on forcing programming not agreed upon by the FIFA collective. You will find no anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, or anti-SWANA rhetoric here. A disagreement on perspectives and cultural significances (and of course the impact of colonialism) does not negate these countries their rights and FIFA their contractual obligations.” Hidden flags & second thoughts “Hidden Flag” activists at the 2018 World Cup in Russia | Screenshot This is far from the first time visible manifestations of Pride at the World Cup have caused controversy and defiant protest. In 2018, to both cleverly skirt and protest host nation Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ “propaganda” laws, six activists, each representing different countries, wore different-colored jerseys that, when all were standing together, made up a rainbow, a stealthy but powerful statement known as “The Hidden Flag.” For the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a country where same-sex relationships are illegal, rainbow flags and symbols became a flashpoint of protest, especially as FIFA urged LGBTQ+ fans to respect local customs by not engaging in public displays of affection while traveling for the matches. “As a supporter who watched the last few men’s World Cups, and has FIFA say to ‘respect local customs,’ well, you’re here in Seattle now, and our local custom is to celebrate Pride,” Reinhart said. “It has to go both ways.” Although the Qatari hosts and FIFA initially assured fans that rainbow flags would be allowed at matches, the reality on the ground was much different. The late American soccer writer Grant Wahl, a staunch ally of the LGBTQ+ community, wore a rainbow shirt to cover one of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s group stage matches. He was detained for half an hour. At that same match, Welsh supporters had their rainbow bucket hats confiscated. Police even harassed a Brazilian journalist when they mistook the flag of his home state of Pernambuco for a Pride flag. Fans protested in stealthy and flashy ways alike, from creating a Snap filter to sneaking rainbow flags into the terraces in phone pics, to a flag-bearing pitch invader. The fight over LGBTQ+-affirming displays in the stands has been waged at competitions in the U.S. as well. In 2022, Emerald City Supporters were told by CONCACAF, the soccer governing body for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, that they could not bring in a banner that said “Emerald City Supports Trans Kids.” A similar situation occurred earlier this year, when, prior to a CONCACAF Champions League match in Spokane, ECS were told they could not fly a number of banners, including those with pro-LGBTQ+ messages and ones that declared, “Black Lives Matter.” “We find ourselves here, yet again,” Emerald City Supporters wrote in their response. “CONCACAF has informed us that our values and support of Human Rights are unacceptable for display at matches in their competition.” ECS responded by launching a fundraiser with the Sounders to support three organizations that championed the Black, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities in Seattle. “We’re prepared to wear rainbow head to toe and argue for our rights,” Reinhart said. Reinhart is one of many American soccer fans, LGBTQ+ or otherwise, who have conflicting feelings around the first men’s World Cup on American soil in more than 20 years. “We need allies and collaborators who are not members of an embattled, marginalized community; we need people who are willing to cede some of their comfort in order to protect and uplift those for whom these battles are deeply, existentially personal.”Dana Reinhart, Director of the Tifo Crew for Emerald City Supporters In addition to concerns about safety and freedom of expression for queer and trans supporters, which have led to LGBTQ+ fans denouncing FIFA’s inaction, the Trump administration’s draconian immigration policies are creating safety risks and logistical nightmares for World Cup travelers. In addition to the threat of increased ICE activity in World Cup host cities, a number of players, team staff, and team officials, primarily from participating African or West Asian countries whose communities have been targeted by the Trump administration, have experienced delays and denials of visas and have even been detained at U.S. airports and questioned for hours. Iran, one of the two national teams playing in the Pride Match, will have to commute internationally to matches in the U.S. from their training ground in Tijuana due to safety concerns. On June 9th, the Iranian football federation announced that its official ticket allocation was withdrawn less than 48 hours before the start of the tournament. “I’m heartbroken for the fans who are being denied the rare opportunity to support their national team in person on the world’s biggest stage,” Reinhart said. “I’m especially sad for those fans who were genuinely excited to experience the atmosphere of the Pride match in Seattle, since for some people that might have been their first or only opportunity to celebrate Pride.” Reinhart added that they had second thoughts about participating in this World Cup. “I love what the World Cup stands for, but it feels uncomfortable to give money to an organization that gave Donald Trump a peace prize and where ICE might be working security,” they said. “But with all that being said, with the World Cup and the Pride Match being in Seattle, which felt like a fairly safe bubble for queer people for a long time, to use that relative level of safety to celebrate and advocate for people is important.” And that advocacy, especially in this fraught moment, needs to come not just from marginalized people, but from allies, Reinhart said. “We need allies and collaborators who are not members of an embattled, marginalized community; we need people who are willing to cede some of their comfort in order to protect and uplift those for whom these battles are deeply, existentially personal,” they said. A new hub for LGBTQ+ soccer fans Jun 21, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; A general view of a Pride flag outside of CenturyLink Field prior to the game between the Seattle Sounders FC and Orlando City SC. | © Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images In the spring of 2024, a group of U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team fans attempted to launch a new supporters group called “States United,” declaring they wanted to “keep politics out of the sport” and “didn’t want to see Pride flags in the stands.” In response, Michael Schafer, then president of custom soccer apparel company Olive & York, launched Rainbow Bandits. According to Luke Taylor, Olive & York’s current owner, he reached out to interested supporters and launched with a scarf echoing the Philadelphia Pride and Trans Pride flags (with a portion of proceeds going to the Trevor Project) to a positive reception. “It initially started as a counterculture,” said Jared Kneuven, Vice President of Rainbow Bandits. “It is as clear a statement as we can possibly make that we will not be silenced and we will not be othered,” added David Peterson, the brand’s president. “It’s as much of a fist in the air as anything. It’s that opportunity to point to a lot of this divisive rhetoric and attempted drawback of that pride. It’s a chance for us as a group and us as a community to say you can’t take that from us, you can’t separate us out.” “We will not be silenced and we will not be othered.”David Peterson, Rainbow Bandits President As the 2026 tournament begins, States United is long dead and buried. But Rainbow Bandits lives on. Kneuven estimates the group has between 50 and 100 members scattered across the country, primarily on the Atlantic Coast, in the Midwest, and in the Deep South. He hopes the World Cup will bring more visibility to the group and encourage more people to get involved. “I would love to see this group evolve into this sort of primary option in terms of queer supporters groups,” Peterson said. “It’s important to factor in queer voices and allow those marginalized voices an opportunity to flourish.” Much of Rainbow Bandits’ growth has come from a shared culture and a desire to support the teams. Small pockets of members have traveled together to international friendlies, but most of the group’s community-building has been through their Discord server. Through the server, they plan to host virtual watch parties throughout the tournament, and members near Cincinnati plan to attend watch parties together IRL. Last year, as part of the Prideraiser philanthropic campaign throughout North American soccer, Rainbow Bandits raised hundreds of dollars for Trans Lifeline. “We aren’t a group that watches soccer that happens to be LGBTQIA,” said Peterson we’re supporting our brothers and sisters and siblings.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rainbow Bandits (@rainbowbanditssg) For Peterson, sport is inherently political, especially such an international game like soccer, citing the tournament’s bringing together of 48 different countries. “It’s a matter of national importance,” he said. “You can clamor for a ‘politics-free’ experience, but that’s ultimately impossible. I don’t think the world we live in is one that you can set that aside, but were you to do so, I don’t think it’s a political statement to pull together groups of like-minded people and celebrate a shared interest and do so in a way that celebrates voices that might not be prioritized.” This year, to celebrate Pride, the World Cup, and their second anniversary, Rainbow Bandits will be launching a new hat with Olive & York featuring their raccoon mascot wearing a rainbow bandana. LGBTQ+ and allied soccer fans looking to get involved with the group can find them on Discord. As the Pride match, at the time of writing, will be going ahead as planned, demonstrations of LGBTQ+ visibility and allyship ahead of the tournament also show how much work needs to be done. In the USMNT’s final pre-tournament friendly against Germany, the team wore their seasonal Pride jerseys with rainbow letters and numbers. And, as expected, many of the comments about it on social media did not pass the vibe check. “The federation might not care,” Kneuven said. “That might just be a sell towards our community. But that inclusion says we’re not being put down. We want to be able to express ourselves to show anyone who might feel othered that they can express themselves.” Reinhart urges international soccer fans heading to Seattle for the Pride Match and other festivities to do so with an open heart and mind. “It’s joyful, it’s colorful, it’s a party,” they said. “We’d love to welcome you into our celebration.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10670-wBy pairing two neural networks in an iterative optimization algorithm, small-molecule binding proteins can be designed from scratch with high accuracy, affinity and success rates, showing promise for applications in drug delivery and sequestration.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10678-2Alternate RNA decoding, an understudied process, leads to peptide sequence modifications that can have substantial functional effects on protein stability, tissue-specific proteomes and disease.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10810-2Role of methanesulfonic acid in atmospheric particle nucleation and growth

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01896-9An inexpensive, porous polymer membrane helps to separate raw crude oil, without heat or selective coating. Heavy hydrocarbons self-assemble inside the pores to create channels that are likely to be less than 2 nanometres wide, enriching the resulting permeate mix into light, ‘naphtha range’ hydrocarbons with 30% less energy cost and carbon dioxide emissions than conventional distillation.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01804-1Soil bacteria make cocktails of molecules that synergistically inhibit the growth of microbial pathogens — suggesting a strategy for tackling antibiotic-resistant infections.

After weeks of speculation over Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding plans, a permit has been filed for an event at Madison Square Garden over the July 4 weekend.

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Real Madrid distance themselves from move for Chelsea ace amid growing ‘media noise’Real Madrid’s interest in signing a new midfielder for Jose Mourinho this summer is well documented, with different names doing the rounds.Over the last 24 hours, the name of Enzo Fernandez has gained a lot of traction, with Madrid said to have resumed talks to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu.However, according to MARCA (h/t RM4Arab), Enzo’s name does not currently appear in Real Madrid’s transfer plans despite all the chatter.The report adds that Madrid believe much of the noise is coming from the player’s agents rather than from genuine interest inside the club or from Jose Mourinho himself.This is a tactic that many agents deploy to drum up interest in their players during a transfer window, and the club believe that is what Enzo’s camp are doing.Agent noise or real opportunity?No interest from Real Madrid? (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)This is exactly why Real Madrid must stay disciplined in the transfer market. Enzo is an excellent midfielder, but not every elite name linked with Madrid is part of a real plan.There is a difference between liking a player’s profile and working seriously on a transfer. Madrid may admire Enzo’s quality, but it looks like a move is not concrete.Madrid already have major midfield decisions to make, especially with Fede Valverde expected to stay and become captain, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga’s futures are far from certain.Before chasing a hugely expensive Chelsea player, Madrid need clarity on who leaves, how much money arrives and what Mourinho truly wants in midfield.Real Madrid should not be usedWill Real Madrid move for Enzo? (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)Real Madrid’s name carries enormous power. Agents know that linking a player to the Bernabeu can create pressure, raise value or attract other clubs.The club cannot stop every transfer link, but what they can do is avoid reacting to it. If Enzo is not in the plans, nothing changes for Los Blancos.Enzo makes a lot of sense for a Mourinho team, though. He is intense, technical and proven at a high level. However, he is unlikely to arrive cheaply.It remains to be seen how the Enzo-Madrid situation develops in the coming weeks. The Spanish club could very well make a serious push to sign the 2022 World Cup winner, and only time will tell how things play out.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicksswapped the rights to the No. 24 and No. 25 picks in the NBA draft, giving the Lakers Cameron Carr, a guard out of Baylor University, whom New York took at No. 24. On Wednesday, the first free agency domino fell for the Los Angeles Lakers.Austin Reaves, the rising star guard who has been expected to opt out of his contract at the end of this month in order to become a free agent, agreed to a new contract to remain with the Purple and Gold, per ESPN. The contract will reportedly pay him $185 million over the next four seasons and will have a player option for the 2029-30 campaign."Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30, sources tell ESPN's Shams Charania."Even better, although this contract is a bit hefty, it will not impact the Lakers' ability to upgrade their roster in free agency."The Reaves agreement has no impact on the Lakers cap flexibility this summer as the team's projected salary space takes into account Reaves $20.9M cap hold. He will sign last after the Lakers exhaust room."Reaves was limited to 51 games this regular season due to multiple injuries, but he elevated his scoring for the fourth consecutive year. He averaged 23.3 points on 49% field-goal shooting and 36% from 3-point range, as well as 5.5 assists a game. The 28-year-old has made it clear in recent months that his preference has been to stay with the Lakers, despite speculation that another team could swoop in and give him a lucrative offer.This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers, Austin Reaves agree to new contract

A chaotic 24 hours for the Milwaukee Bucks culminated with two lottery picks in the first round of the NBA Draft on June 23, marking the first time the Bucks have even had one lottery pick since 2016. The selections of Arizona guard Brayden Burries with the No. 10 pick and Tennessee forward Nate Ament with the No. 13 pick marked a new direction for the franchise, hours after trading cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo.For what it's worth, national writers had largely positive things to say about Milwaukee's draft. Here's a sampling of the Bucks' NBA draft grades:The Athletic: 'I love this pick for the Bucks'John Hollinger gave the Bucks an A-minus for Burries."I love this pick by the Bucks," he wrote. "In their position, you have to just get the best player available, and Burries was the last player left in my tier of quality guards before we got into the 'everybody else' portion of the draft. His arrival could also be a signal that newly acquired Tyler Herro might not be a long-term guy in Milwaukee."Hollinger also gave them an A-minus for Ament, calling it "another logical pick" with a rebuild afoot:"Ament was the highest player left on my board, and Milwaukee needs to be in the mode of talent-hoarding; the Bucks can worry about fit once they’re good enough for it to matter."Yahoo! Sports: Also two A-minuses Kevin O'Connor was likewise enamored with Milwaukee's choices and saw the Bucks take steps toward a rebuild."Enter Burries, who arrived at Arizona as a top-10 recruit, started slow, and then erupted once conference play began, helping lead his team to the Final Four," O'Connor said. "He's a physical, versatile scorer who can beat you from all three levels, rebounds like a forward, and competes hard on defense. But he's a methodical creator rather than an explosive one, and his shooting history before Arizona gives scouts reason to wonder whether the efficiency is real or a blip."On Ament, he wrote, "Players who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-10 don't grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. But over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March and he severely struggled during the tournament. Bucks general manager Jon Horst has never been afraid to take risks, though. If Ament pans out, it could look like a stroke of genius."CBS Sports: A pair of B-plussesAdam Finkelstein gave the Bucks solid grades for their two picks, though not quite as gushing as others."Burries is a strong and aggressive two-way guard who can get downhill with force, provide a formidable 3-point shooter, and defend his position, all with an NBA-ready frame," he wrote. "He has versatility in his shot-making profile and utilizes his strength as an engaged defender and high-volume perimeter rebounder. Burries played point guard when he was younger, but hasn't shown the ball-handling or passing growth as much since. Best as a secondary handler."On Ament, Finkelstein wrote, "Ament remains inconsistent and needs to get stronger, but has a great overlap of positional size, along with dexterity (great left hand) and fluidity as a mover. He has soft natural hands and touch and a high release point on his shot. … Ament's shooting and finishing numbers haven't been nearly as encouraging in college as they were in high school. While his freshman year was up and down, Ament's overall arc has been linear, and there's still glaring potential. That upside makes him a logical choice here."Sports Illustrated: Straight A'sKevin Sweeney gave the Bucks an A for both selections."Burries is a really nice piece to help jump-start the Bucks’ rebuild after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo," Sweeney wrote. "He’s a two-way player who can play with and without the ball and is a confident shotmaker. He could have a Desmond Bane–type career if things break right. The Bucks get the best player left on my board at this stage."On Ament, "We had mocked Ament to Milwaukee at No. 10; instead the Bucks get him at No. 13 with the pick they acquired in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. This is a big swing on someone who’s still developing physically and needs to improve his strength, but guys with his size and length who can really shoot the ball are very hard to find. He has one of the five highest ceilings in this draft class, so this is a risk well worth taking even if there’s a chance he flames out early."NBC Sports: B is for BucksKurt Helin graded teams on the whole, not individual picks, and he echoed many of the other sentiments. "Burries was absolutely the guy to draft here, the best player on the board at the moment," Helin wrote. "He’s a strong all-around player who can defend, score at all three levels, is physically strong and just does a lot of things well. My concern with Burries in Milwaukee is he’s not a No. 1 option on a team searching for one after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he could be thrust into that role. Ament was the perfect pick for a rebuilding team, a player with good athleticism and a lot of upside who has not lived up to that yet, but with some development could be a steal."More: How the Giannis Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee came to a bitter endMore: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo the greatest Wisconsin sports athlete ever?USA TODAY: 'A solid gamble'Bryan Kalbrosky gave the Bucks an A-minus and a B for Ament."Burries shot 39.1 percent on 3-pointers and is built like a linebacker at nearly 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds," Kalbrosky wrote. "He should fit well no matter who else the Bucks decide to keep in their rebuild even if he doesn’t necessarily project with star potential."On their second pick, Kalbrosky wrote, "Nate Ament was a solid gamble by the Bucks, who are looking for home run swings after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat. While he is not quite as ready to make a strong impact as other prospects in this range, he can blossom into something special under the right development in the pros. Ament is regarded as a promising shooter, connecting on nearly 80 percent of his attempts from the free-throw line. He will need to work on finishing through contact at the rim to play the forward in the NBA, but as he grows into his body, this could be a player who exceeds his draft position as well."This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How Bucks did in draft grades for Brayden Burries, Nate Ament picks

Four-star offensive tackle recruit Nate Carson is a top recruiting target for the Georgia Bulldogs in the class of 2027. Carson was previously predicted to commit to Georgia, but the tide appears to be changing. Fisher Brewer of Rivals predicts that Carson will stay home and commit to the South Carolina Gamecocks over Georgia. Brewer's prediction comes in contrast to his colleague, Steve Wiltfong, who predicts that Carson will commit to Georgia. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound offensive tackle plays high school for Irmo High School in Columbia, South Carolina. The Irmo star is the No. 184 recruit in the country, the No. 6 player in South Carolina and the No. 24 offensive tackle nationally, per 247Sports. Carson plans to announce his college commitment on July 3. The talented offensive lineman is also considering Georgia and South Carolina along with the Clemson Tigers, Tennessee Volunteers, Colorado Buffaloes and Texas A&M Aggies. The four-star has gone on recent visits to South Carolina, Georgia, Clemson and Colorado. At Irmo, Carson played against South Carolina signee and four-star recruit Julian Walker. Carson is an Under Armour All-American. He displays good mobility and athleticism for his size. The Irmo star is capable of making blocks at the second level of the defense. Carson primarily played left tackle during his junior season, but could shift inside to offensive guard in college.Carson could join Georgia's recruiting class, which has 17 total commitments including five across the offensive line. Georgia and coach Kirby Smart have the No. 13 recruiting class in the nation. Nate Carson on his visit to South Carolinaalready kno where im at🤙🏽🤙🏽 @CoachSBeamer@GamecockCentral@247Gamecockspic.twitter.com/FowCi591yE— Nathan “Nate” Carson (@natecarson09) June 20, 2026Follow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: 4-star offensive tackle projected to commit to South Carolina

São Paulo Athletic Club football team, 1904. Charles Miller is pictured in the centre of the front row, with the ball. [BBC]On Wednesday, Brazil faces Scotland in Miami at the 2026 World Cup. But Brazilian football had already forged a connection with Scotland more than 130 years before this match.That link is Charles Miller, who is known as the "father of Brazilian football".When Miller arrived in Brazil in 1894 with two footballs and a set of rules, he became a key part of the nation's rich history with the sport. An early education in footballCharles's father, John Miller, was born in 1844 in the small village of Fairlie, on Scotland's west coast, one of 10 children of Andrew Miller and Elizabeth Brown. As a young man, he emigrated to Brazil to work for the São Paulo Railway Company. In 1870, he married Carlota Fox, a Brazilian woman of English descent. Four years later, in 1874, Charles William Miller was born in São Paulo.At the age of 10, he was sent to England to study at Banister Court School in Southampton — a common choice among British families living overseas at the time. It was there that he discovered football, then little more than an English school pastime, and quickly excelled. He even played for St Mary's FC, the club that would later become Southampton FC.It was also in Southampton that Miller crossed paths with Corinthian Football Club, an amateur side from London famous for its international tours. In 1892, Corinthian travelled to Southampton to play a Hampshire representative team but arrived with only 10 players. A teacher suggested that they recruit a promising pupil to make up the numbers — and Miller, playing on the left wing, became the star of the match.According to the story still told by Corinthian today, the club was so impressed that, upon learning it would be Miller's last match in England before returning to Brazil, they presented him with two footballs as a farewell gift. This specific account, however, does not appear in the most rigorous biographies of Miller, which merely state that he brought footballs back with him, without attributing them to the English club.Return to Brazil and the birth of the first football clubsIn 1894, at around the age of 20, Miller returned to São Paulo. In his luggage were the two footballs and a copy of the official rules of the Hampshire Football Association.Legend has it — a story repeated in almost every account of his return, although without primary documentary evidence — that his father, upon seeing him disembark at the port of Santos, asked what he had brought with him."My diploma," Charles is said to have replied. "Your son has graduated in football."The sport was virtually unknown in Brazil at the time. The few enthusiasts were mainly fellow British expatriates working on the railways.Against this backdrop, Miller organised what is regarded as Brazil's first official football match on 14 April 1895: a team from São Paulo Railway, the British company where he worked, against the São Paulo Gas Company team, also made up of British expatriates.The match took place at Várzea do Carmo, on an improvised pitch in the Brás district of São Paulo. Decades later, in an interview with Gazeta Esportiva, Miller recalled that his first task that day had been to chase away cattle belonging to a transport company that were peacefully grazing on the field.His team won 4-2, with Miller scoring two of the goals.Around the same time, Miller established a football department within the São Paulo Athletic Club (SPAC), a sports club founded in 1888 that had previously focused on other sports. It became the institutional foundation from which football developed in the city.Six years later, on 14 December 1901, Miller helped found the Liga Paulista de Football, Brazil's first organised football league. Five clubs took part in its creation: SPAC, Internacional, Mackenzie, Germânia and Paulistano.Miller remained actively involved with SPAC in the following years, even playing as a goalkeeper from 1906 onwards.In 1910, 18 years after that match in Hampshire, Miller arranged for Corinthian Football Club to tour Brazil. The English side played six matches and won them all, with an aggregate score of 38-6 — including an 8-2 victory over Miller's São Paulo side, in a match in which he played.Five railway workers who attended the game were so impressed by Corinthian's style that they decided to found a club of their own. It was Miller who suggested naming it after the English team — giving birth to Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, today one of Brazil's biggest football clubs.Miller also represented the São Paulo state team and played unofficial matches for Brazil against Argentina in 1914. As a referee and administrator, he remained involved in São Paulo football until his fifties.When professionalism arrived in Brazilian football in 1933, Miller — faithful to an amateur ideal of sport, closer to the ethos of England's Corinthian FC than to financial interests — withdrew from football altogether, disappointed by the direction the game had taken.In his personal life, he married the pianist Antonietta Rudge, with whom he had two children, Carlos and Helena. He died in São Paulo on 30 June 1953, aged 78, and is buried at the city's Protestant cemetery.His name also left a mark on football's vocabulary itself: the skill of flicking the ball up with the heel is still known in Brazil as a "chaleira", a word derived from "Charles". Praça Charles Miller, the square in front of São Paulo's Pacaembu Stadium, is also named in his honour.Another Scot, another storyCharles Miller (left) and Thomas Donohoe (right) both lay claim to the title of the "father of Brazilian football" — pictured between them is Brazil's current national team [BBC/Getty Images]Charles Miller is not, however, the only Scottish name associated with the origins of Brazilian football. In the Bangu district of Rio de Janeiro, another version of the story has long existed — and it is Scottish too.Thomas Donohoe, a factory worker born in 1863 in Busby, near Glasgow, travelled to Brazil to work as a dyer at a textile factory in Bangu, arriving in May 1894 — theoretically several months before Miller returned to São Paulo.Unable to find anyone in the area who knew the sport, he wrote to his wife, Elizabeth, who was still in Scotland, asking her to join him — and to bring a football.Shortly after her arrival, in September 1894, a football match between British workers took place on a field next to the factory: eight months before the match organised by Miller in São Paulo.Miller's supporters do not dispute these facts but argue that there is a distinction between an informal game among friends and the creation of a club, a league and an official championship — achievements attributed to Miller.The debate has never truly been settled. Today, both Bangu and Busby, Donohoe's hometown in Scotland, have statues honouring him.Brazil and Scotland's World Cup historyMore than a century after two Scots helped, each in his own way, shape Brazilian football, Brazil and Scotland meet again this Wednesday in Miami — this time at a World Cup, rather than on the improvised pitches of São Paulo or Bangu.The two sides have met four times previously at World Cups, and Brazil have never lost.Their first encounter came in 1974 in West Germany and ended in a goalless draw, with Scotland holding the then four-time world champions.In Spain in 1982, Scotland took the lead, but Brazil — featuring Zico, Sócrates, Éder and Falcão — came from behind to win 4-1.At Italia '90, Brazil won 1-0.And in France in 1998, Brazil beat Scotland 2-1 in the opening match of the tournament — the last time, until this week, that the two nations met at a World Cup.'This could only exist in America': What are foreign football fans finding in the US?Blood ties and opportunity: Why more World Cup players than ever are not representing their birth nations

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01990-yFour antibiotic compounds produced in Streptomyces bacteria attack multiple parts of an essential metabolic pathway.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01806-zA machine-learning model trained on thousands of electrocardiogram recordings identifies a previously unrecognized group of at-risk people.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01704-4A surge of genetic data from the skeletal remains of Neanderthals disproves some assumptions and generates fresh questions about these ancient hominins.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01803-2A temperature difference of more than 100 kelvin can be created between stacked layers of 2D material by irradiating them with laser light.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01894-xProteins called β-arrestins regulate signalling through members of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. Small molecules that bind directly to the β-arrestins and inhibit their activities are the first chemical tools to probe their biology, opening avenues for transducer-targeted, pathway-specific GPCR therapeutics.

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One of the Los Angeles Lakers’ lingering offseason questions has been answered.Star guard Austin Reaves is eschewing free agency and instead returning to the purple and gold on a four-year, $185 million contract, reports ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesThat deal, which includes a player option for the final year of the deal, is the richest ever for an undrafted player.View this post on InstagramA post shared by LA Sports Report (@lasportsreport)Reaves has certainly earned that deal, though.Why did the Lakers give Austin Reaves such a big contract?Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists last season, becoming the team’s second-leading scorer after superstar Luka Doncic.While the Lakers fell short of a championship — they were swept by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs — they showed promise before injuries derailed the season.Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) look on from the bench during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesIn March, before Doncic and Reaves both were injured, the team was on a historic run and looked primed for a deep playoff push.How are the Lakers rebuilding for the 2026-27 season?As the Lakers organization undertakes what president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka calls a “full rebuild and retool” this offseason, they’re also trying to build a roster to compete for a title around the superstar Doncic.Doncic made clear that he wanted Reaves back on the team, though his other request for an A-list center remains unfulfilled. Center Deandre Ayton proved frustrating at times this season, and while Doncic and backup center Jaxson Hayes are close, there’s plenty of pressure to put together a stronger frontcourt. Given that the Lakers drafted Baylor guard Cameron Carr Tuesday night, it seems likely that the Lakers could try to land a dominant big man in free agency.Perhaps the highest-profile question, though, is whether legend LeBron James will return for a record 24th NBA season and, if so, will he suit up again for the purple and gold?There’s talk he could play his last season alongside Stephen Curry for the Golden State Warriors, but don’t expect an answer soon.James said his deliberating could take all summer.The post Lakers Bring Back Austin Reaves on Record-Breaking $185M Contract appeared first on LA Sports Report.

Report: £30m Liverpool target reveals ‘new challenge’ objectiveKees Smit Transfer Claim Adds Intrigue to Liverpool Midfield SearchAZ Star Opens Door to New ChallengeKees Smit has chosen his words carefully, which is often how these things begin. Not with a demand, not with a farewell, but with a sentence that leaves the door open.“I wouldn’t mind staying at AZ and playing everything at 10 for a whole season, but I wouldn’t mind taking on a new challenge somewhere,” he said as quoted by Voetbal Primeur.According to DaveOCKOP, Liverpool held initial talks with Smit’s camp in February, viewing the 20-year-old as a major long-term midfield talent. AZ’s valuation, reportedly around £30 million, places him in that familiar modern category, expensive enough to matter, young enough to feel like a bet on tomorrow.Breakout Season Strengthens His CaseSmit’s 2025-26 season has done plenty to explain Liverpool’s interest. Across 26 Eredivisie appearances, he produced three goals and three assists, while his European form, four assists in 10 UEFA Conference League games, hinted at a player comfortable in sharper tactical spaces.“Training at a higher level, playing at a higher level: of course that also makes you a better football player. So as far as I’m concerned, anything is possible.”That is the line Liverpool will note. Ambition matters. So does timing. Smit’s contract runs until 2028, but AZ know that a rising talent with international attention and two strong seasons behind him can quickly become harder to control.Midfield Role May Shape DecisionThere is, though, a clear footballing question here. Smit sees himself as a No.10.“I think I can do much better than I showed last season,” says the midfielder.“I have clearly expressed that, yes. Actually, I wanted to play there last year, but Sven [Mijnans] stayed and of course had to play too.”With Mijnans expected to move on, Smit sees a path to become AZ’s creative centre.“I think that’s almost one hundred percent certain,” he said in regard to Mijnans transfer. “So, there will be a spot available. If I stay, I want to become much more decisive for AZ as a 10. More taking the team in tow, more goals and assists… What Sven did last year, I want to do. Maybe even a little better.”Photo: IMAGOFor Liverpool, that matters. They are not simply buying numbers. They would be buying a player with positional expectation, creative instincts and a desire to influence games.Liverpool Must Decide on TimingSmit insists there is no drama yet.“It’s still quiet now. There are many clubs with interest, but it is not yet the case that clubs have come through completely. My head is not being made to spin, no. When the time comes, the time has come: either I stay here, or I leave. There is not much to say about that yet,” he said.That calm may not last. Liverpool have often moved best when they act before a market becomes crowded. Smit feels like that type of player, not guaranteed, not complete, but carrying the profile of someone whose value could accelerate quickly.For now, it is a watching brief. Yet the message from the player is clear enough. He is happy at AZ, but not closed to leaving. For Liverpool, that may be all the encouragement they need.Our View – Anfield Index AnalysisFrom a Liverpool perspective, Kees Smit is exactly the sort of name that divides opinion. £30 million for a 20-year-old from the Eredivisie feels like a leap, especially when the squad needs players who can impact matches immediately. Yet this is also how elite clubs have to operate now. Waiting for certainty usually means paying double.What stands out is Smit’s clarity. He wants to play as a No.10. He wants responsibility. He wants goals and assists. That is not arrogance, it is a player recognising the next stage of his development.Liverpool’s question is whether they have room for that pathway. If he arrives, he cannot simply disappear into the squad. He would need minutes, coaching and a defined role. Otherwise, staying at AZ for another season as the main creative force may actually serve him better.Still, if the recruitment team believe he has the tactical intelligence and personality to grow, this feels like a deal worth exploring. Liverpool have missed chances before by hesitating on emerging midfielders. Smit may not be the finished article, but that is precisely why the opportunity exists.Word count: 672

PREVIEW: Brazil and Scotland meet in Group C deciderScotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds of a World Cup lie in this match against Brazil, Steve Clarke’s side currently sit third and have a reasonable chance of going through should they avoid a heavy defeat this evening, thanks to their 1-0 win over Haiti 10 days ago.Meanwhile, Brazil currently top the group, having drawn 1-1 with Morocco in their opener, before beating Haiti 3-0 last time out thanks to goals from Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Junior. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be hoping for a similar result this evening in Miami, which would see them top the group barring a particularly stellar performance from Morocco against Haiti.The two nations have crossed paths five times before; however, Scotland have never got one over the Brazilians, with their best result being a 0-0 draw at the 1974 World Cup some 52 years ago. Since then, Brazil have beaten Scotland four times, 2-0 in a 2011 friendly, 4-1 at the 1982 World Cup, 1-0 at Italia 90 and 2-1 in France at the 1998 World Cup. So, there is a rich, but unfortunate for Scotland, history between the two at major tournaments. Could tonight be the time Scotland get their win?Whilst under no illusions as to how difficult the task ahead is, this is certainly the best Scotland side of the century, qualifying ahead of Denmark for the tournament and also winning their first game at the World Cup since 1998 in that match with Haiti. However, Brazil will likely see this as a par for the course type game that they are expected to take three points from and top the group.A loss could still see Scotland advance to the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time ever, though, as they will likely still rank amongst the eight best third-placed teams in the competition.Kick-off is scheduled for 11pm BST, and UK coverage can be watched on BBC One.

In an effort to be more "Fan-First," UTEP athletics is trying out a true first. They are opening up their kickoff time for their Oct. 17 Sun Bowl game against San Jose State to a fan vote.As part of "Innovation Day," fans can go to a link (https://utep.questionpro.com/InnovationDay) and vote on their preference for a 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. kickoff.While UTEP routinely polls its season-ticket holders for kick time preferences, this is the first time it has put its kickoff time to a fan vote.More: UTEP football releases 2026 Mountain West schedule: See games“In the spirit of innovation and with a Fan-First mentality in mind, we’d like for our fans to set the time for the game,” UTEP athletic director Jim Senter said. “This is the first step in providing a more interactive experience for Miner Nation when we take on our old WAC rivals, the Spartans!”More: Where to watch UTEP Miners football games in 2026 seasonVoting has opened and runs through July 1. Per UTEP's release announcing this, "More 'Innovation Day'”' initiatives will be announced in the near future."The Miners' first two home games, against Texas Southern on Sept. 12 and Oregon State on Sept. 26, are at 7 p.m. The other four games, all on Saturday, are TBA, and now UTEP has revealed how it will determine that against San Jose State.Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP allows fans to vote on football kickoff time vs. San Jose State

The Angels are 32-47 as of June 21. Even though they are still 15 games under .500, there are some bright spots to note. Those bright spots? Wade Meckler and Jose Siri. The Anaheim NativeWade Meckler, 26, was drafted in the 8th round of the 2022 draft by the San Francisco Giants. In Jan 2026, the Angels selected Meckler off waivers and selected his contract in May.Since joining the Halos, Meckler has batted .288 in 89 plate appearances. He has 23 hits and has driven in 13 runs while stealing two bases. Beyond his offensive capabilities, he has been a star in the outfield. Mainly playing left field, the 26-year-old has made many exceptional plays to keep games close.Wade Meckler’s childhood bedroom pic.twitter.com/5otm7EPc7E— SleeperAngels (@SleeperAngels) May 25, 2026Another exciting part of Meckler’s story is the fact that he grew up an Angels fan. Meckler grew up attending Angels games and went to high school that was “probably 15, 20 minutes away from Angel Stadium.” The Angels have a history of signing Anaheim natives such as Jose Rojas and Michael Lorenzen. When these types of guys enter the Halos locker room, things certainly change. They bring a fire that is usually needed to kick-start good things.“Hey Siri, Give the Angels Good Vibes”Siri, 30, is a more seasoned veteran in the league. Having played games for the Astros, Rays, and Mets, Siri came to the Angels with a desire to prove his worth to stay in the majors. And he has certainly been giving it his all.Siri is hitting .283 in 69 plate appearances. With 16 RBI’s and an OPS of .877, he’s been giving the Halos a charge they were missing. His timely hitting has kept them close and helped them win.In all his bat-flipping glory, his offense is not all he brings. Like Meckler, Siri has played great defense. Siri has been tasked with playing games in each outfield spot, and he has adapted well, making zero errors in 27 games.Jose Siri robs a GRAND SLAM against his former club pic.twitter.com/NLpzKFiFcG— MLB (@MLB) May 31, 2026Only Up From HereSince the two got to the majors, the Angels have won back-to-back series at home for the first time all year and have been 15-13. Of course, it hasn’t been all their doing. As Zach Neto and Logan O’Hoppe have started to find their grooves again. Starting pitching has been strong. It certainly seems as though the current Angels group is clicking successfully. They may be last in the AL West currently, but they’re only eight games back from the Mariners in first. It’ll be a tough task to accomplish, but if the team continues to play the way they have been, it could be doable.The post Wade Meckler and Jose Siri Are Bringing Life Back to the Angels appeared first on The Lead.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01805-0Combining satellite imagery and machine learning has created the first comprehensive map of seagrass meadows, in a boost for the conservation of these crucial ecosystems.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10568-7Reply to: On the robustness of topological gap detection via transport

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10647-9In Streptomyces spp., a conserved biosynthetic gene megacluster produces an arsenal of distinct antimicrobials that converge on bacterial biotin biosynthesis as a naturally evolved combination therapy.

Six intelligence officials were fired and nearly four dozen others were sent back to their home agencies elsewhere, former officials said.

Marc Stein: With Reaves now sure to stay in LA, as was long believed to be his clear preference, league sources say Detroit continues to express trade interest in Milwaukee's soon-to-be acquired Tyler Herro. The Bucks are expected to listen to offers but could also elect to keep Herro.x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Detroit continues to express trade interest in Tyler Herro

Also, keep an eye on Buddy Hield. Only $3M of his $9.6M salary is guaranteed. The Hawks must make a decision by Thursday, per his contract. Hield, who has had interest in Heat in the past, averaged 7.6 points and shot 34.9 in 51 games for Golden State and Atlanta.Miami HeraldThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Buddy Hield a potential target for Miami

Austin Krell: Nick Nurse on Daryl Morey's departure: "Obviously I really enjoyed working with Daryl. I really did day-to-day and all that kind of stuff was very enjoyable. But it's a decision that's been made and now we got to move on from it. I wish him the best. Always have a fondness for Daryl. But Mike's here and he's in charge now and my job is to get this team better every day and that's what we're going to do."x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "Obviously I really enjoyed working with Daryl. I …

NBA Courtside: Caleb Wilson on what the Bulls are getting: “They’re getting a dog. It’s that simple. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win. I’m going to play as hard as I can and create opportunities for myself and others more than anyone else who’s playing in the NBA.. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win. It’s just that simple”x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “They’re getting a dog. It’s that simple. I’m going to …

Mike Curtis: Morez Johnson Jr. will wear No. 14 for the Dallas Mavericks, last worn by former two-way guard Miles Kelly last season.x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Morez Johnson Jr. will wear No. 14 for the Dallas …

Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander arrives with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for an election night watch party Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)2026-06-24T12:03:58Z NEW YORK (AP) — When Varun Venkatesh cast his ballot in New York’s primary this week, he thought about “a good litmus test for me as a voter.” He wanted to know what the candidates are doing for the Palestinian cause. The 27-year-old Brooklyn resident decided to support Claire Valdez, who was backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, over Antonio Reynoso, another progressive who was the choice of the Democratic establishment, because she had “a clear and more consistent stance.”Valdez triumphed in her congressional primary, as did two other insurgent candidates endorsed by Mamdani, and Israel was a key issue in each of the races. Now the question for Democrats is how many more voters like Venkatesh are out there as the party charts its path toward the November midterms and the next presidential election. Democratic congressional candidate Claire Valdez speaks during a Get Out The Vote rally ahead of New York's primary election, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy) Democratic congressional candidate Claire Valdez speaks during a Get Out The Vote rally ahead of New York's primary election, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, celebrates with Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier during an election night watch party Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, celebrates with Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier during an election night watch party Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More The war in Gaza began with Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which responded with a yearslong counterattack that left more than 73,000 dead. About 1,000 have died since a ceasefire was reached in October, according to the Hamas-run health ministry that does not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties. Human rights groups and a United Nations commission have described Israel’s actions as a genocide, a charge that’s been rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Democrats on the left — and even some conservatives — have ratcheted up pressure to suspend U.S. aid to Israel, a shift that’s been shadowed by a rise in antisemitism across the political spectrum. Read More “The Israel question has become defining,” said Matt Bennett, who leads the centrist Democratic group Third Way and frequently criticizes progressives as jeopardizing outreach to independent voters. He argued that some in Mamdani’s camp have embraced “a new level of extremism,” warning that “Republicans are very good at weaponizing crazy ideas on the fringe against mainstream candidates.”The schism over Israel, which widened during Joe Biden’s presidency and undermined Kamala Harris’ bid to replace him, remains an open wound. How Democrats attempt to stitch it closed will help define their future. A step in any direction risks alienating pieces of the party’s unwieldy coalition when it’s trying to unify around the mission of retaking control of Congress and set the stage for winning the White House again. Mamdani is unapologetic in his effort to reshape the Democratic Party from the mayor’s office of the country’s largest city. He sharply criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee for defending what he calls “a status quo of immorality” in Gaza, and voters who celebrated his slate’s victories on Tuesday night chanted “Free Palestine.” The mayor, meanwhile, argues that New York should shape Democrats’ search for their national identity in the coming years. “When does the race for 2028 begin?” Mamdani asked last week on a stage with his slate of candidates. “It starts now.”Israel-Palestine conflict animates Democrats’ left flankEven for a party accustomed to battles between progressives and moderates, the divide over Israel has been especially intense. Although the U.S. alliance with Israel once had bipartisan support, the ascendancy of Israel’s right wing, led by Netanyahu, strained those ties over the years. Then the war in Gaza shredded them. Biden was denounced as “Genocide Joe” by pro-Palestinian supporters, who shifted their attention to Harris once she replaced him as the Democratic nominee for president two years ago. “She was trying to do the right thing,” said Jamie Harrison, who led the Democratic National Committee at the time. “It was a hard and awkward place to be in.”Harrison said the war in Gaza helped cost Harris the state of Michigan, which has a sizable Arab American population. However, he doubts that it was a defining national issue then or now. “It’s one thing to be in New York. But I can tell you that most places, including where I am in South Carolina, it’s not what people are talking about,” he said. “They are concerned about affording gas and groceries and housing.”Harrison expects Democrats to look for middle ground in the future, which includes “still supporting Israel’s sovereignty” while calling for “reducing U.S. aid to Israel and changing the nature of the relationship.”The issue puts a notable spotlight on Jewish Democrats who could become presidential contenders at the same time Mamdani wields his influence as the most prominent elected Muslim in U.S. politics. When Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s name landed on Harris’ list of potential running mates, activists on the left cried foul over his support for Israel — potentially previewing pressures he would experience in a White House campaign. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker was once a billionaire donor to AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group, and a national board member. He cut ties with the group after it aligned with Donald Trump, but the governor has continued to face questions about his past support. Both Shapiro and Pritzker are seeking reelection this November before deciding on White House bids. One primary victor blasted the ‘hug Bibi’ strategyFinding middle ground has been difficult so far, as demonstrated by the primary in New York’s 10th congressional district.Brad Lander, the former city comptroller backed by Mamdani, successfully challenged U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman in the race. Both candidates are Jewish, and both have criticized the Israeli government. But Lander says the war in Gaza is a genocide, and Goldman does not. “Our party needs to admit that Joe Biden’s ‘hug Bibi’ strategy was a catastrophic mistake,” Lander said in his primary victory speech. He added, “We cannot keep paying for Netanyahu’s wars with our tax dollars. Democratic voters are saying this, loud and clear.”Ari Rassouli, a voter in the district, said the incumbent’s views on Israel were “one of the many reasons that I didn’t like Dan Goldman.” Describing the war as a genocide, she said “a candidate that is in support of that has no place in our democracy at all.”While talking to reporters on Tuesday, Lander acknowledged that Israel was among the top issues along with affordability and immigration.“I like talking to Jewish voters who feel anxiety about the times we live in and say, ‘I have these values, I want to treat everyone like they’re equal and with dignity and created in God’s image. How do we navigate the times we’re in?’” he said. He added with a smile, “Those are probably the longest conversations at the polls.” ___Associated Press writers Anthony Izaguirre and Larry Neumeister contributed to this report. BILL BARROW Barrow covers U.S. politics for The Associated Press. He is based in Atlanta. twitter mailto JAKE OFFENHARTZ Offenhartz is a general assignment reporter in the New York City bureau of The Associated Press. twitter mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander arrives with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for an election night watch party Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)2026-06-24T16:38:15Z BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday permanently barred President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing most of his first executive order on elections, part of which sought to require people to show documentary proof of citizenship when they register to vote.The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper in Boston effectively converts a preliminary injunction she issued a year ago, in which she temporarily blocked many of Trump’s efforts to overhaul elections, into a permanent ban.Casper rejected the administration’s argument that the lawsuit to block the changes brought by Democratic state attorneys general was premature because the rules had yet to be implemented. Instead, she agreed that the Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to regulate elections, and that Trump’s requirements violated the separation of powers. “(The Constitution) does not grant the President any specific powers over elections,” she wrote.Among other proposed changes, Trump’s order would have required people to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote, prevented mail ballots from being counted if they arrive after Election Day, even if they were postmarked by then, and punished states that failed to comply by withholding certain federal money.

Cash might be a relic, but — like royalty and emperors — President Trump still wants his face on American currency.

After losing out on Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics now find themselves in a situation where they will need to either smooth things over with the focal point of the trade package they floated to the Milwaukee Bucks, star Boston forward Jaylen Brown. If that cannot be done, Celtics President of Basketball Operations and company will need to trade the Georgia native to a new team.And at least one plugged-in analyst had an idea of where Boston might look if that is the outcome the team will need to deal with, based on what he has heard from other front offices around the league that have presumably been in some sort of communication with the Celtics. In a recent episode of NBC Sports Boston's "Arbella Early Edition," Chris Mannix said, "Teams are looking to see if Jaylen Brown is truly available and what the asking price for him is going to be.""But the Celtics, I believe, are listening to those calls and are thinking up their own trade matches of their own," added the NBC Sports analyst."I spent some time this afternoon talking to different teams about what might the Celtics be interested in," said Mannix. "And the name in the team that came back to me a lot was Evan Mobley in the Cleveland Cavaliers.""Evan Mobley, young, big, just entering the prime of his career, former defensive player of the year, starting a new max contract of his own. Mobley is one of those guys that could fit the archetype of the type of player that the Celtics are looking for."Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKpiTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Is Evan Mobley a potential trade target for the Celtics?

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández made his first rehab appearance Tuesday after suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain in May.In his second at-bat of his first Triple-A game since 2019, Hernandez hit a two-run homer to left field to bring some life to a Comets team which hadn’t scored up to that point. The homer was his only hit of the night, and it drove in two runs.Hernandez landed on the injured list May 29 after pulling up while trying to beat out a ground ball against the Colorado Rockies. According to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, Hernandez will play four or five games in Triple-A before hopefully returning to the team before the end of the June.“Teoscar Hernández will start a rehab assignment with Triple A OKC (in Reno) starting Tuesday,” Woo wrote on X. “Plan is for him to play 4-5 games. If all goes well, he could be activated before the series against the A’s at the end of the month.”Before his injury, Hernandez looked to finish off what had been a fantastic month of May. He batted .325 for the Dodgers last month, hitting three homers and driving in 14 runs. He had an .882 OPS in May, pulling his season OPS up to .784 from .701 to start the month.May 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesWho Will the Dodgers send Down When Teoscar Hernandez is Back?While the Dodgers are surely glad to have Hernandez back so soon, they’ll have to make a difficult decision whenever it is he makes his return.Alex Call and Ryan Ward have cycled in and out of the outfield during Hernandez’s absence, and the most likely choice for the Dodgers is to send one of those two down. Call improved his OPS to .733 on the season with a monster night against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, while Ward has been trending downwards after an exciting couple of weeks in the majors.The Dodgers have another option, though, as Kyle Tucker wen’t down with injury in Monday’s game. Neither Tucker nor Dave Roberts seem too concerned about the injury, but if he has to go on the injured list, they’ll be able to reinstate Hernandez without sending down Call or Ward.Are you excited to see Teoscar Hernández back with the team?

By Lucila Sigal BUENOS AIRES, June 24 (Reuters) - Moved by Lionel Messi's record-breaking form at the World Cup, Argentines have ‌taken to the streets and social media to sing "Happy ‌Birthday" to their favourite footballer who turned 39 on Wednesday. Under the hashtag #CumpleLEO, Telefé, a ​local television channel, launched a campaign for Argentines to sing "Happy Birthday" to him at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time, an allusion to the number 10 shirt worn by the Argentina captain. Waving ‌Argentine flags, groups of ⁠friends at the gym, children in schools, shop employees and neighbours gathered around the country and filled ⁠social media with messages of congratulations. "Thank you for so much joy and for representing Argentina at the highest level. Happy birthday, champion!" posted ​a group ​of workers from a car ​dealership in the province of ‌Buenos Aires. Another group of fans arrived at the iconic Obelisk in downtown Buenos Aires. "I've been here since 6:00 this morning," 71-year-old Rubén Acosta told Reuters. "I love Messi. He's an alien. Messi, you're one of a kind. You're not from this planet. You came ‌from another galaxy." President Javier Milei also congratulated ​Messi, writing on his X account "HAPPY ​BIRTHDAY L10NEL...!!! LET'S GO ​ARGENTINA DAMN IT...!!!." Messi, an eight-times Ballon d'Or winner, became ‌the all-time leading scorer in ​World Cup history ​on Monday and he has scored five goals in two matches at the tournament. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni had a simple ​birthday wish for his ‌team's talisman. "That he be happy," Scaloni said. (Reporting by Lucila ​Sigal, with additional reporting by Candelaria Grimberg; Writing by ​Leila Miller, editing by Ed Osmond)

Michigan basketball didn’t look far to find a temporary leader for the program during a whirlwind week.Mike Boynton Jr. was named interim head coach by athletic director Warde Manuel on Tuesday, a day after news broke of Dusty May’s departure for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to continue to lead us,” Boynton told BTN’s Andy Katz on Tuesday night at the NBA Draft, where Morez Johnson Jr. (No. 9 overall pick), Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 11 pick) and Aday Mara (No. 12 pick) were selected in the first round.In a statement on Tuesday, Manuel called Boynton, May’s top assistant coach the past two seasons, “the right person” to promote “in an interim capacity,” though it’s unclear for how long. Manuel didn’t mention a commitment to making Boynton, 44, the permanent head coach nor if a coaching search was being conducted to find May’s replacement.More: Dusty May on leaving Michigan for NBA: 'This wasn't an easy decision'When asked what Manuel told him about being the interim and potentially full-time head coach, Boynton said he’s “recognizing the opportunity” and knows what can be accomplished at Michigan, with the Wolverines winning their first national title since 1989 this past season.“We’ve got really good players, really good resources, a great fan base, and I’m excited to serve our players in our program,” Boynton said.Due to the coaching change, Michigan players will have the opportunity to explore their options. Under NCAA rules, a 15-day transfer window will open five days after May’s replacement is hired. If a new permanent head coach isn't publicly announced within 30 days of May's departure, the 15-day window will open on the 31st day.More: Roster retention critical for Michigan after Dusty May's NBA moveAfter losing four starters and two key reserves from last season’s national title team, Michigan reloaded and restocked its talent to assemble what’s viewed as a top-10 roster heading into next season.The Wolverines added a top-five freshman class headlined by McDonald’s All-Americans Brandon McCoy Jr. and Quinn Costello. They brought in frontcourt players Moustapha Thiam, J.P. Estrella and Jalen Reed in a transfer class that ranks No. 12 in the nation by 247Sports. And they brought back key returners Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney.If Michigan plans to repeat as Big Ten champions and defend its national title, it’s going to need to keep its team intact.“We feel good about the relationships that our staff has with the players on the team,” Boynton said. “These guys all committed to come to Michigan to play together. The team that we put together, we feel like can compete nationally and certainly at the higher end of the Big Ten.”"We've got really good players, really good resources, a great fan base, and I'm excited to serve our players and our program."Watch @TheAndyKatz's interview with recently appointed @umichbball interim head coach Mike Boynton 👇 pic.twitter.com/mkXhc6mnMB— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 24, 2026McKenney told The Detroit News on Monday that he doesn’t plan on going elsewhere. He seemed to reaffirm that stance with a social media post that read: “Victors always stay #HA1L #GoBlue.”Boynton noted that “conversations are ongoing” with the players on Michigan’s roster.“I’m glad for all the guys who’ve already made their intentions known,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to talk to the guys who haven’t officially and getting them on board as well.”Prior to joining May’s staff in Ann Arbor, Boynton was head coach at Oklahoma State from 2017-24. Across those seven seasons, he posted a 119-109 record, made one NCAA Tournament and coached Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham for a year.At Michigan, Boynton has been in charge of the defense, which was downright dominant last season and ranked No. 1 in KenPom’s defensive efficiency.Given his experience, background and familiarity with the program, the hope is Boynton can be a steady hand that the team needs — however long that may be.“Mike has been an invaluable member of our staff and a respected leader throughout his career,” Manuel said. “He knows what Michigan basketball represents and has earned the trust and respect of our student-athletes and everyone in our program. His experience, character and commitment to our values make him the right person to guide the team during this transition.”jhawkins@detroitnews.com@jamesbhawkinsThis article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Mike Boynton Jr. comments on being named Michigan's interim coach

ESPN just made a massive Darryn Peterson prediction that Jazz fans will love originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Utah Jazz didn't get the No. 1 pick. They may not care. After selecting Darryn Peterson with the second overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Utah believes it has landed the franchise cornerstone it has been searching for. And if one ESPN prediction comes true, Peterson could accomplish something no Jazz player has done in more than three decades.That's how highly regarded the former Kansas star already is.ESPN predicts Peterson could chase Utah historyFollowing Tuesday night's draft, ESPN's Ben Golliver handed out a series of bold predictions for the incoming rookie class.His prediction for Peterson wasn't just ambitious. It was historic."Darryn Peterson will have a chance to set a Utah Jazz franchise record for scoring in a season," Golliver wrote.Think about the names attached to that statement. The only players in Jazz history to average more than 30 points per game in a season are Pete Maravich, Adrian Dantley and Karl Malone. The last time it happened? Malone during the 1989-90 season. More than 35 years have passed since a Utah player reached that level.Yet ESPN believes Peterson has the talent to eventually challenge those numbers.Why Peterson is generating so much excitementThe hype isn't difficult to understand. Peterson entered the draft as one of the most polished offensive prospects in recent memory and was widely viewed as one of the top two players in the entire class alongside AJ Dybantsa.Even while battling injuries and limited stretches of playing time during his lone season at Kansas, Peterson's scoring production remained elite. NBA scouts have raved about his ability to create shots from all three levels, operate in pick-and-roll situations and score efficiently against virtually any defensive coverage.Those skills have led to lofty comparisons.Among them?Kobe Bryant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That's elite company for a player who hasn't appeared in an NBA game yet.MORE: Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg admits he used to hate Steph Curry for one unforgettable reasonThe opportunity is there immediatelyUnlike many top draft picks who enter crowded situations, Peterson should have every opportunity to become one of Utah's primary offensive options from Day 1. The Jazz remain in rebuilding mode and are still searching for the superstar who can lead the next era of basketball in Salt Lake City.Ace Bailey showed flashes during his rookie season, and Walker Kessler remains an important piece of the frontcourt. But Peterson arrives with the expectation that the offense will eventually run through him.That's a lot of responsibility. It's also a lot of opportunity.The record is a long way away; but the ceiling is obviousLet's be clear. Breaking a franchise scoring record that has stood since the days of Pete Maravich won't happen overnight. Most rookies spend years developing before they approach that level of offensive dominance.Still, the fact that ESPN is already discussing Peterson alongside names like Maravich, Dantley and Malone tells you everything about how NBA evaluators view his long-term potential.The Jazz knew exactly who they wanted when AJ Dybantsa went off the board first. Now Peterson arrives carrying enormous expectations. And according to ESPN, he may eventually chase one of the most untouchable records in franchise history.More NBA news:Ranking the 10 greatest moments of Giannis Antetokounmpo's legendary Bucks careerWhy Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards is suddenly in NBA trade rumorsThe same man who built Shaquille O'Neal's empire is helping shape AJ Dybantsa's futureWho is Yaxel Lendeborg's girlfriend? Meet Tacarra Shyann and her relationship timeline with NBA Draft prospectWarriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg admits he used to hate Steph Curry for one unforgettable reason

The Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists has withdrawn its previously agreed remedies against a counselor who allegedly violated their code of ethics by refusing to validate a client’s same-sex relationship. The appeal against the board’s decision was aided by the far-right group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Chiles v. Salazar, which upheld Colorado’s conversion therapy ban earlier this year. In their victory lap statement, the ADF framed the win as a simple First Amendment matter of free speech: “The government can’t target counselors for their views and force people to say things that go against their core convictions” said Jonathan Scruggs, a senior counsel for ADF and their vice president of litigation strategy. “The Supreme Court recently took Colorado to task for censoring counselors and mandating orthodoxy in the counselor’s office, and Oregon should take notice.” Related Supreme Court rules against conversion therapy ban in 8-1 decision Frank Canepa, the Beaverton-based counselor, was represented by Matthew Wand, a lawyer with Lynch Murphy McLane and a former member of the Oregon House of Representatives, who lost an election shortly after his social media came under scrutiny. He is also represented by Philip Sechler of the ADF, the group that was instrumental in arguing against Roe v. Wade at the Supreme Court, which filed an amicus brief in United States v. Skrmetti, and represented therapist Kaley Chiles in Chiles v. Salazar. The alleged infraction came when a client who had been seeing Canepa for over two years was seeking validation for her same-sex relationship. Canepa reportedly told the client that he was “was unable to provide that level of personal affirmation for same-sex relationships because of [his] Catholic faith.” His refusal to validate her relationship due to his own beliefs — where he might validate the relationship of a heterosexual — was seen as discriminatory. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In 2024, the board found Canepa to be in violation of the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, which they use as part of their licensure program. Much as a doctor must agree to abide by certain expectations and regulations set by the licensing body before being licensed to provide healthcare, so too must therapists and counselors. In particular, the board found that Canepa had violated A.4.b. of the ACA Code of Ethics, which states: “Counselors are aware of — and avoid imposing — their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants and seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients, especially when the counselor’s values are inconsistent with the client’s goals or are discriminatory in nature.” In October of 2024, the board issued a “Notice of Proposed Disciplinary Action” proposing remedial action. In August 2025, they ordered him to take six hours of continuing education focusing on boundaries and cultural competency, and to pay legal costs, which in December were assessed at $89,636.43. Scruggs implied in his statement that this sort of regulation for counselors through the nationwide code of ethics amounted to “states’ attempts to weaponize their licensure systems.” Following a judicial appeal at the Oregon Court of Appeals, the board withdrew their order in May to reconsider it “in light of the United States Supreme Court’s March 21, 2026, decision in Chiles v. Salazar.” This month, they announced that they were fulling withdrawing the Notice of Proposed Disciplinary Action. However, it’s worth noting that the order was withdrawn without prejudice. That means that the case could still be reviewed again in the future, and Canepa could still face consequences if the board ever saw fit to pursue the matter. Oregon has a long-standing ban on conversion therapy that has not been challenged since the Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year. It was the third state to introduce a ban, doing so back in 2015. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.