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The J.J. McCarthy era may already be over with the Minnesota Vikings. He will, barring a shocking roster move, be part of the team in 2026 and 2027. But, barring a shocking leap forward into competence, he will not be the homegrown franchise quarterback for which the Vikings have been searching since Daunte Culpepper was winging deep balls down the decidedly non-hallowed halls of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.That's because McCarthy, even before Minnesota's first preseason game of the season, has been demoted. There was no hemming and hawing when it came to specifics of competition. There's no "-or-" designation on the depth chart. Head coach Kevin O'Connell understood people paid enough attention to see Kyler Murray was taking the lion's share of snaps with the starting offense in practice. He understood the frustration that came with averaging nearly 11 wins per season without a single playoff victory under his belt. Thus, he made the logical decision most people expected.It's another brutal blow in a brief career filled with them for McCarthy. He missed the entirety of his rookie season due to a knee injury. In his stead, journeyman backup Sam Darnold went from "veteran mentor" to "stud quarterback" in a 14-win season. O'Connell opted to stick with the quarterback his front office drafted 10th overall in 2024. That was two slots ahead of Bo Nix, a different kind of flawed-but-intriguing passer who was arguably an ankle injury away from leading the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl last winter.Waiting for Nix in the big game? That would have been Darnold, who went on to sign a modest three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks before leading them to a world championship.Meanwhile, McCarthy's rookie season was a disaster. He held the ball too long. He threw passes to nowhere. He got outplayed by Carson Wentz. His 66.5 percent on-target throw rate was second-worst among all NFL starters since the league began tracking the stat in 2019. Justin Jefferson languished, then proved he may be the only superstar wideout with a normal brain by avoiding the temptation to cryptically tweet about it.Now McCarthy will take a back seat to another veteran revival. Murray faded from a Pro Bowl start to his career, but he proved he can handle a low-impact offense and get the ball to his receivers. Between 2022 and 2024 his bad throw rate was only 12.6 percent -- significantly lower than McCarthy's 21.3. Granted, that came with an average target distance of 6.9 yards downfield, but it also came with a significantly worse receiving corps. Now he gets to play with the same group McCarthy failed to maximize last season.Murray is also known for the one thing McCarthy did pretty well last season. The first-year starter was an efficient scrambler who could diagnose defenses in RPOs and create some wiggle room with his speed and athleticism. But his 1.7 rush yards over expected (RYOE) per carry last season pale to Murray's 2.6 in 2024. This was all reason to sign Murray to a one-year revival deal at the veteran's minimum, and now O'Connell will get to see if the veteran can run his offense the way his young gun could not.C'mon man, say something nice about J.J. McCarthyOk, here goes.McCarthy is 23 years old. He was always a curious choice for an air-it-out offense because that was never the focus of his Michigan teams. His national champion Wolverines ran the ball more than 60 percent of the time -- a balance that was not going to be replicated in the NFL, but still could have been useful for a team with a bellcow RB1. While the Vikings have two nice pieces in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, they lacked the kind of ground game that would have freed up more single coverage. This would have created an easier path to the contingency plan of "heck, Justin Jefferson's down there somewhere."McCarthy too often got lost cycling through his reads and defaulted to scrambling too early. This led to a long time in the pocket (3.02 seconds, fourth-highest in the NFL) and the on-the-run, off-balance tosses to nowhere. It's troubling, undoubtedly, but it's not unfixable. McCarthy led the Big Ten in completion rate in his final season. His lack of touch may never bring him back to those heights -- dropping a ball in between layers of defenders has never been a selling point -- but he has the mechanics to execute an offense that plays to his strengths. The fact he couldn't do that as O'Connell's guy with Jefferson and Jordan Addison at the ready is even more troubling, but one year isn't enough to totally write him off.The other plus is that he remains an effective scrambler who could use that athleticism to have a Malik Willis-type second act. Willis wasn't a viable NFL starter until he landed under Matt LaFleur's tutelage in Green Bay (and even then, benefitted from small sample sizes and a lack of game tape to plan against him). Willis' bad throw rate his first two seasons was a robust 22 percent. That was down to 5.7 percent in 2025, where he was given the directive to flip through reads with urgency, then take off as a runner if there was no obvious throw to be made in the first two seconds after the snap (22 carries in 98 offensive snaps last fall).That's the blueprint for McCarthy. He may not have a second act in him as a Viking, but he's not beyond repair. He needs a simplified game plan to correct the overthinking and frustrating risk involved in his throws (a 4.9 percent interception rate last fall). The odds aren't in his favor. He seems destined to follow the Willis path, and there's a reasonable chance his NFL legacy is "the guy who served as the launchpad for broken NFL veterans to thrive again." But Tuesday's demotion isn't the end of J.J. McCarthy. Even if some Minnesota fans may not mind if it were.This article originally appeared on For The Win: J.J. McCarthy isn't cooked in Minnesota, but it sure doesn't look good

LAWRENCE — Speaking recently, as fall camp is in full swing for Kansas football, associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki spoke positively about how things have gone.Kotelnicki likes what’s happening schematically on both sides of the ball. There’s been a level of retention, in part because of the amount of work they can do with the players now over the course of the year, that’s been impressive. As much as there is attention this month on fall camp, that learning process dates back all the way to January.Kotelnicki, for one, is impressed with how well the offensive line is working together. As they work out who fits where best, he’s excited about the potential of that group. There’s also more size there than when he was previously on staff at KU, prior to a recent stint at Penn State, and he says that hasn’t come at the expense of athleticism and physicality.RELATED: Kansas football coach Lance Leipold shares view on starting QB battleHere are some more takeaways from what Kotelnicki had to say:How important will KU’s running game be?Kansas will have a new starting quarterback this year, and whether it’s redshirt junior Cole Ballard or redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall, that individual won’t have much experience in that role. So, Kotelnicki acknowledges that doing more elsewhere can help lessen the burden on someone like that. But even an experienced quarterback benefits from having a quality running game, which this team envisions having, so it remains important regardless.People know a lot about junior running back Yasin Willis and redshirt junior running back Dylan Edwards, but redshirt sophomore running back Jalen Dupree is another name to know. Dupree and Willis together bring a lot of physicality to the group. That’s something Kotelnicki thinks can take a toll on a defense over the course of a game, especially in the secondary.How close will KU’s offense look to what it was during Andy Kotelnicki’s past experience in Lawrence?Kotelnicki, a former offensive coordinator for Kansas under head coach Lance Leipold, enjoyed some successful seasons with the program in 2022 and 2023. But will what he does in 2026 resemble those years? Will the Jayhawks be noticeably different?Kotelnicki said what he wants people to say, even if they’ve never watched the sport before, is that it’s good football. Whether people understand what’s going on during a game or not, he thinks anyone knows the difference between good and bad football. He hopes that people see an explosive, disciplined, and physical team.How does Andy Kotelnicki balance creativity with teaching players a new system?Kotelnicki’s offenses are known for their creativity, and while there is some familiarity with his time at Kansas, there are a number of new players on the roster who have to learn what he’s looking for. He said that starts simply with teaching them, and then constantly checking to make sure everyone understands what’s being asked of them as they ensure that creativity doesn’t compromise fundamentals. For example, if they’re throwing and catching a slant route well enough, that’s when they start to evolve and potentially work in a motion, a play-action, or another route concept elsewhere in the play to make it more dynamic.As much as it might seem complicated, what Kotelnicki’s offenses do sometimes, he alluded to it not being as difficult to put in place as it might seem. As much as his influence has already been noticed with this current team, he allowed there could even be formations used this season that he hasn’t thought of yet. His desire is to make sure they own the time in between one play ending and another play starting.Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Takeaways as Kansas football’s Andy Kotelnicki analyzes fall camp progress

Portland Thorns and USWNT midfielder Olivia Moultrie suffered an ACL injury to her right knee in training last week and has been ruled out for the remainder of the NWSL season.The 20-year-old Moultrie, who joined the Thorns in 2021 and has made 79 starts for the club, has been placed on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list. Through 16 games this season, she scored five goals and registered five assists."Olivia is one of the most driven players I have been around, and she will use that drive during her recovery and rehabilitation,” said Thorns president and general manager of soccer operations Jeff Agoos. “She has our full support and every resource this club can put behind her.”Internationally, Moultrie has represented the United States 18 times since getting her first call up in 2023. She has scored five times in three USWNT victories.The injury will also keep Moultrie out of the Concacaf Women’s Championship, which will begin in November in Texas. That tournament will act as the qualifying process for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil next summer and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.Moultrie, the 2023 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, was part of the USWNT side that won the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup.Through 19 games, the Thorns are 9-6-4 and in fifth place in the league table.

Cole Bishop is an important player for the Buffalo Bills' secondary in 2026. FOX Sports suggests that putting Bishop in a position to do that would be a smart thing to do by the Bills.Heading into the upcoming NFL season, the Bills are hoping to find one safety starter in their new defense now run by defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. The hope in Buffalo is they do not need two starters because Cole Bishop is set to return to at one of those positions.FOX Sports thinks that's a good idea because the outlet named one start that is set to emerge for every NFL team in 2026. The one projected to in Buffalo is Bishop.Entering his third season in the NFL, Bishop had an improved year in 2025 from his first season in the pros. Bishop had his first three interceptions in the NFL last season, alongside seven pass breakups.FOX Sports' breakdown on Bishop can be found below.The 2024 second-rounder started to flash what he’s capable of last season when he had three interceptions, two sacks and 85 tackles in his first full season as a starter. Now he’s surrounded by some sages to help him take the next step. The Bills’ new defensive coordinator is Jim Leonhard, who spent a decade playing safety in the NFL. And the Bills brought in veterans Geno Stone and C.J. Gardner-Johnson to play alongside Bishop. The 6-2, 206-pounder is a weapon who has proved he can line up almost anywhere in the Buffalo secondary. Leonhard is the right guy to figure out how to use him best.Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season. This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills' Cole Bishop named 'breakout candidate' for 2026 season

Clay Holmes made his Cubs debut against the Royals on Saturday. It probably wasn’t the box score line he was looking for, but seeing as it was his first start since taking a comebacker that broke his leg in mid-May, it was perfectly fine. He threw four innings, giving up four runs (all earned) on six hits while walking two and striking out one. Here’s more about that outing directly from Holmes:Clay Holmes on his first outing as a Cub ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/CMRYXzZJh1— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 9, 2026Even if there are a few starts where Holmes needs to shake the rust off like his first outing, the Cubs clearly see something in his arsenal that should work well with their elite defense. Today let’s dive into the numbers behind this trade that sent one of their top prospects back to the Mets in Jefferson Rojas.The arsenalHolmes is your classic sinker ball pitcher. He throws his sinker, which averages 94 miles per hour, about 50 percent of the time. You know what that means: ground balls. You don’t even really have to squint to see what the Cubs front office sees in this move: ground balls with an elite defense are more likely to be outs. You can see all of Holmes’ pitches along with their velocity in this screengrab from Baseball Savant:This is a pitcher who tinkers a bit. There have been changes to his arsenal over the last few years, but it’s mainly in how much he throws a certain pitch. The biggest thing to look at in Holmes’ pitches is that his role shifted considerably from 2024, when he was an elite reliever with the Yankees to 2025 when he became a credible starter with the Mets. You can see how Holmes’ pitch mix has changed over time below:The statsHolmes can tinker all he wants if he winds up with ground ball rates like the ones he’s had over the past few seasons for the Cubs. These numbers were truly eye-popping to me. I ran a FanGraphs leaderboard for every pitcher’s ground ball rates since 2021 split by season for pitchers with at least 50 innings a season. Holmes has four of the top 15 seasons out of 1961 total seasons (yes, really). His worst ground ball rate (2025 with the Mets) is still in the top 10 percent, ranking 119th. There is elite in a single season and then there is elite over time. Holmes is elite over time, and I am dreaming on the double plays he’s going to have turned behind him already. You can see key stats from his last six seasons below:SeasonNameTeamWLSVGGSIPK/9BB/9HR/9BABIPLOB%GB%HR/FBERAxERAFIPxFIPWAR2021Clay Holmes– – –8406907010.033.730.64.27368.35%68.72%15.63%3.602.913.283.161.12022Clay HolmesNYY742062063.29.192.830.28.26274.44%75.76%10.00%2.542.402.852.901.22023Clay HolmesNYY44246606310.143.290.29.30174.12%65.45%7.14%2.862.842.652.971.62024Clay HolmesNYY3530670639.713.140.57.32270.53%64.97%11.76%3.143.253.023.011.22025Clay HolmesNYM12803331165.27.013.590.76.28074.02%55.76%10.53%3.534.334.114.251.92026Clay Holmes– – –450101056.27.313.180.64.25979.80%57.93%9.30%2.864.223.503.731.1Select statsHolmes isn’t going to strike out a large number of batters (although he’ll probably strike out more than one every four innings like his Cubs debut) but he also isn’t going to walk a bunch of batters. His hard hit rate was up to 44.8 percent before the injury with the Mets, which is certainly something to keep an eye on going forward. He did give up eight hard hit balls against the Royals, but honestly more than half of that was Jac Caglianone having the game of his life, so I’m not terribly worried about that as a trend going forward. The Cubs are banking on Holmes limiting the walks and and turning those ground balls, hard hit or not, into outs.The returnThis was the most groan-inducing return in what was generally a great trade deadline for the Cubs front office. Pitching was expensive, and admittedly, the Cubs also got Tyrone Taylor (more on him later this week) in this deal. However, Jefferson Rojas was a top prospect in the Cubs system for a reason. Don’t just take it from me, here’s what FanGraphs most recent write-up of the 21-year-old says:Rojas had a monster half-season at High-A in 2025, walking nearly as often as he struck out and slashing 278/.379/.492. While it was his second spin through the level, his look on both sides of the ball was enough for us to elevate him into the Top 100 in the middle of the year and hold him there through the offseason despite a really rough late-season performance at Double-A Knoxville.Back with the Smokies to start 2026, Rojas has produced a great early-season statline but has been striking out much more than is usual for him, albeit in a very small sample made all the smaller by time off for a minor thumb issue for which he was not placed on the IL. In the days preceding his shutdown, he was very error-prone on defense (flubs, throwing inaccuracy). While Rojas isn’t going to win any Gold Gloves (his range and hands are only fair), he has the body control and arm strength to make up for his shortcomings, and he projects to stay at shortstop.On offense, Rojas has tended to be an above-average contact hitter with excellent plate coverage. He’s frequently geared to pull and was swinging inside a lot of sliders in the lead up to list publication, but this wasn’t an issue for him last year, when he had roughly average chase and miss rates against righty slide pieces. While he’ll occasionally get extended on a pitch away from him and drive it to right field, most of Rojas’ contact is directed toward the left field foul pole, where he hooks lots of doubles and potential homers. Though he’s young, Rojas is already a pretty physical guy, and he isn’t likely to add substantial strength without it nerfing some of his mobility on defense. Here he projects to have an average hit/power combo seasoned by plus plate discipline, which should be enough for him to play every day at shortstop. His timeline — we’re looking at a post-2026 40-man addition and (slow playing it) a 2028 debut — overlaps with the team’s other infielders enough that Rojas should be considered a prime trade candidate, especially if the Cubs’ hot start is a true indication of their contender status.TakeawaysAs I said in my grading the trade deadline article, the problem isn’t that the Cubs moved Rojas, it’s that the return for a prospect of Rojas’ caliber used to be controllable starting pitching rather than rentals. To put this in perspective, Rojas was immediately FanGraphs’ top prospect in the Mets organization and while prospects aren’t promises this could be a kid we all watch in the All-Star Game someday and bemoan the Cubs front office giving him up for rentals. The flip side of that is that the Cubs have a shot to win it all now, and those seasons are precious. Props to Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins for going for it this trade deadline. I think we’d all rather sigh watching Rojas slug against the Cubs in 2028 than sigh watching the Cubs fall one pitcher and a right-handed bat short of winning the NLCS in 2026.

Karamo Brown — the out gay author, activist, and former culture expert on the self-improvement reality TV series Queer Eye — will host the 8th annual .ORG Impact Awards. The October 6 Washington, D.C., event — hosted by the Public Interest Registry (PIR), the people behind the .ORG domain — will honor 35 individuals and organizations worldwide for their positive societal contributions. Brown will announce the top five finalists and individual winners in seven different categories, including innovators in community building, education, environmental stewardship, health and healing, hunger and poverty, and “Rising Star” leaders under the age of 30 who are making a difference in their communities. Related Karamo Brown is awarding thousands to people doing “incredible” community-building work Each finalist will get a $2,500 donation and a chance to win a $50,000 prize for .ORG of the Year, and other category winners will win $10,000 each. Among this year’s finalists are the Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest provider of direct scholarships to Native students in the US; Unchained At Last, a survivor-led group fighting child marriage in the US; and the Boys Champions Foundation, a group that fosters caring masculinity, mental health, and gender equality among Nigerian boys and men. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “Some of the most powerful change in the world starts with people who choose to show up for their communities every single day, often without recognition or fanfare,” Karamo said. “The .ORG Impact Awards shine a light on these incredible individuals and organizations, and I’m honored to help share their stories and celebrate the passion, purpose, and impact behind their work.” Apart from his own widely recognized work on Queer Eye, Brown also founded The Talented Twelve, a private philanthropic fund that funds individual scholarships, grants, and community-level initiatives for African American high school graduates and first-year college students in need of emergency funds. He also co-founded 6in10, an organization providing HIV education and support to the black LGBTQ+ community; volunteered as a youth counselor at the Los Angeles LGBT Center; and has partnered with the US Centers for Disease Control and the National Black Justice Coalition as a health and wellness ambassador. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The JCB Hydromax sits on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah, where Andy Green aims to drive it to a land speed record for cars powered by hydrogen internal combustion engines, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)2026-08-11T17:22:45Z WENDOVER, Utah (AP) — The only person to break the sound barrier in a car earned another world record Tuesday in a show of force for hydrogen power.British driver Andy Green reached 406.320 mph (653.908 kph) in a car powered by two hydrogen internal combustion engines with a combined 1,600 horsepower, setting the record for that vehicle category, according to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the international governing body of motor sports.The 64-year-old retired Royal Air Force pilot rocketed across the crystalline crust at Utah’s famous Bonneville Salt Flats in a 32-foot (9.75-meter) car engineered by British construction equipment manufacturer JCB. The engines, adapted from those used in the company’s heavy machinery, mix pressurized hydrogen gas with air and ignite it to create bursts of power.To be clear, Tuesday’s feat didn’t come close to approaching the overall land-speed record, which Green set with jet power in 1997. That year, he climbed into the Thrust SSC, a black needle sandwiched between two cartoonishly large jet engines, and drove it to an outright record of 763.035 mph (1,227.985 kph), breaking the sound barrier and achieving a feat no one has come close to matching. His runs in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert produced sonic booms that shook the nearby town of Gerlach. In 2006, Green also set the land-speed record for a diesel-powered car — 350.092 mph (563.4 kph) — at the Bonneville Salt Flats. He returned there Tuesday with the goal of beating that mark using hydrogen power, which he has called the “fuel of the future.” In targeting his diesel speed, Green easily topped the previous hydrogen combustion world record of 185.5 mph (298.5 kph). He had a 10-mile (16-kilometer) straightaway to build speed. A few dozen JCB staff members and reporters watched from a distance through cameras and binoculars. A remnant of a prehistoric lake bed, the Bonneville Salt Flats are about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Salt Lake City and sit atop a shallow aquifer that cools the tires. The low-friction surface and dry desert air are conducive to speed and have beckoned drivers since the first race there in 1914. Read More Green was no stranger to speed when he took his first racing job. He had been flying supersonic military jets when he spotted a 1994 British newspaper ad seeking a high-speed driver to break the sound barrier. Green did not approach supersonic speeds on Tuesday, but JCB engineers hope his feat with hydrogen power will shake up the clean-energy industry. The company’s chairman has argued that hydrogen can better handle the demands of heavy industries than electric power.Hydrogen is only as clean as its source, and the vast majority is currently produced from fossil fuels. JCB signed a deal to buy green hydrogen, which is created using renewable energy but makes up a tiny fraction of global hydrogen production. HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Schoenbaum is a national reporter for The Associated Press, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She covers politics, policy and breaking news in the Mountain West and beyond. twitter mailto

President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order about vaccines as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. looks on, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)2026-08-11T17:46:27Z While issuing an executive order on Monday aimed at getting states to revise childhood vaccine recommendations, President Donald Trump and others in his administration repeated several false claims about those vaccines, as well as their relationship to autism.The order recommends separating the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate single-disease shots and administering childhood vaccines at separate appointments whenever possible.But many public health experts expressed concern about the recommendations, saying that spacing out the shots could increase the risk that children would become infected with a vaccine-preventable disease before returning for another visit. They noted that childhood vaccines and how they should be given have been rigorously studied around the world for decades, and continue to prove to be safe and effective at protecting children. Here’s a closer look at the facts.___TRUMP: “In many cases, we were requiring 72 jabs for our beautiful, healthy, lovely, delicate little children.”THE FACTS: That’s misleading. In 2025, the government’s childhood vaccination schedule recommended routine protection against 18 diseases. How many separate injections that added up to between birth and age 18 varied. It depended on things like the brand used, the availability of combination shots and the child’s starting age. But unless you counted once-a-year flu vaccines (which some kids can get as a nasal spray) or COVID-19 shots, the number of injections was closer to three dozen.Those shots have been proven to protect children from preventable and sometimes devastating diseases. Even so, vaccines were never “required,” as families could opt out. States do require children to get certain vaccines before enrolling in school, but the state lists of school shots were narrower than the federal vaccine schedule, and many states offer different types of exemptions. The Trump administration in January cut the national vaccine recommendations to injections against 11 diseases, with additional vaccines now separately categorized for at-risk children or as available through “shared decision-making” with a doctor. This drops the total number of injections to about 23 if children receive only the recommended-for-all vaccinations on the administration’s new schedule. Read More ___ TRUMP: “You have the MMR, we want it in three separate vaccinations given at separate times. Together there could be a possibility they are quite lethal and separately, it looks like they are not at all lethal but just very effective.”THE FACTS: This is false. Doctors say, and years of real-world evidence prove, that the current combination MMR vaccine is both safe and effective at protecting children from illness. Common side effects are mild and include a sore arm from the shot, fever, mild rash and temporary pain and stiffness in the joints. Doctors point out that separate vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella are not available in the United States.“I’m concerned about an unintended consequence of people under vaccinating because of fear that giving a single dose of the MMR is going to put their child at risk when there’s no evidence to suggest that’s the case,” said Dr. Aaron Milstone, pediatric director of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins Health System and a fellow with the American Academy of Pediatrics. “There are many, many, many years of scientific data highlighting the safety of vaccines in children.”___ TRUMP: “Large amounts of vaccine, large amounts of like vats of vaccine are currently pumped into your child’s body.”THE FACTS: This is false. Dr. Molly O’Shea, a Michigan pediatrician, said amounts vary slightly by vaccine, but doctors give less than 0.5 milliliters per vaccine -- usually 0.1 to 0.3 milliliters per vaccine. By comparison, a teaspoon is about 5 milliliters.“It’s a teeny amount,” she said. “So there are no vats.”Trump also said during the executive order signing: “I’ve seen proof of it. Where they have a vaccination that looks like the size of a bottle of soda poured into a little child’s body.” A typical plastic bottle of soda contains 500 milliliters, or about 2,500 times more than a typical vaccine. ___ TRUMP: “There’s nothing that we lose with this. The worst thing that would happen would be nothing happens. We’re not going to lose anything.”THE FACTS: Public health experts have raised concerns that spacing out shots as Trump suggests can lead to an increased risk that children become infected with a vaccine-preventable disease before returning for another visit. Doctors say, and real world evidence proves, that vaccinations save millions of lives.“Vaccines are among the most thoroughly studied, effective tools we have to protect children from serious vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Dr. Willie Underwood, president of the American Medical Association. “Altering a proven vaccination schedule without credible evidence risks weakening public confidence and putting children’s health at risk.”Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said that “delaying or skipping shots is risky, especially as measles continues to spread and children go back to school.” Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but rates are now climbing as vaccination rates decline. The number of cases this year has already surpassed the record-breaking tally for all of 2025, which was the worst year for measles in more than three decades.___HEALTH SECRETARY ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.: “In 1970, the biggest epidemiological study at that time in history was performed. And the university scientists from across this country looked at all the 8-year-olds in Wisconsin, about 900,000 children, and they were looking for autism. And they knew what autism looked like. And they came back with an incidental rate of .8 per 10,000. So less than one in 10,000. The rate according to CDC today in this country is one in every 31 children.”THE FACTS: It’s true that in the 20th century, only 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism —- the diagnosis was rare and given only to kids with severe problems communicating or socializing and those with unusual, repetitive behaviors. But the term became shorthand for a group of milder, related conditions known as ″autism spectrum disorders,” and the number of kids labeled as having some form of autism began to balloon.Health officials have largely attributed growing autism numbers to better recognition of cases, through wide screening and better diagnosis. In April 2025, the CDC said the diagnosis rate was 1 in 31 children.During the executive order signing, Kennedy and Trump suggested that childhood vaccines may play a role in causing autism. But studies by the CDC and others have ruled that out. A fraudulent single study that claimed a link between the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was later retracted by the journal that published it.There are no blood or biologic tests for autism; it is diagnosed by making judgments about a child’s behavior. Research has looked at a variety of other possible explanations, including genetics, the age of the father, the weight of the mother and chemicals in the environment.“No environmental factor has been better-studied as a potential cause of autism than vaccines,” said Dr. Alycia Halladay, chief science officer at the Autism Science Foundation. “That includes vaccine ingredients as well as the body’s response to the vaccines. All this research has determined that there is no link between autism and vaccines. This is consistent across multiple studies, repeated in different countries around the world, including those mentioned in today’s press conference.”Last year, Kennedy promised to conduct exhaustive studies to identify any environmental factors that may cause the developmental disorder. He said on Monday that his department will deliver research findings “as soon as they are ready.”___AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report. ___Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck. MELISSA GOLDIN Goldin debunks, analyzes and tracks misinformation for The Associated Press. She is based in New York. twitter mailto LAURA UNGAR Ungar covers medicine and science on the AP’s Global Health and Science team. She has been a health journalist for more than two decades. twitter mailto

This image released by Black Bear shows Matthew McConaughey, left, and Angelina LookingGlass in a scene from "The Rivals of the Amziah King." (Kyle Kaplan/Black Bear via AP)2026-08-11T17:41:27Z It turns out that the honey business isn’t as sweet as it sounds: In the new movie “The Rivals of Amziah King,” beekeepers steal from each other, poison rivals’ insects and rip folk off. “It’s not full of kind people,” the title character warns.“The Rivals of Amziah King” isn’t as sweet as it thinks it is, either. Instead of picking a single variety to explore, the movie is a maddening mishmash of genres — blending Quentin Tarantino’s sudden brutality, a coming-of-age tale, a heist flick, a revenge fantasy and a sweet, music-filled country hoedown.Matthew McConaughey returns to the big screen playing the title character in what can only be called Matthew-McConaughey-turned-up-to-11 mode, pure Cheshire Cat smile, rascally wink and buttery, Southern gentlemanly charm. Suspenders and scruff on, cowboy boots snug, McConaughey is the one who makes everyone’s life instantly better just by showing up. Written by Andrew Patterson and James Montague and directed by Patterson, “The Rivals of Amziah King” follows McConaughey’s honey-producing King as he negotiates his patch of rural Oklahoma until he inexplicably leaves the movie at the hour mark and hands it off to Angelina LookingGlass, making her film debut.We meet King ordering chicken fried steak sandwiches and cherry Cokes as he plays the banjo in a quartet of musicians at a beloved food joint. That gets interrupted when authorities need his knowledge to find out who abandoned $250,000 worth of honey barrels on the road and King starts to investigate. Then someone gets a chunk of their skull — including ponytail — ripped off in an industrial accident and that takes over. Settle in, the whiplash is just beginning. King soon connects with his former foster daughter — that’s LookingGlass, fierce and preternaturally grounded — who he gets to mansplain in the local ways, like what to eat at the potluck (“There’s a story in every dish”), life lessons (“Patience is better than being smart”) and beekeeping (“Every queen is a survivor”). Bees here, if you didn’t already get from the clunky writing, represent community, sharing and caring. Read More Cinematographer M.I. Littin-Menz’s camera techniques never settle down in this movie, like a puppy forever pulling on its leash. Early sequences employ frozen shots irritatingly dropped into the mix and later we have furious close-ups, quick cuts, quirky flashbacks, ethereal river sequences and lingering poetic images of close-up bees like from a documentary, a kinetic approach that seems not to have much faith in the actual story keeping viewers’ interest alive. Music supervisor Winslow Bright swamps many scenes with loud choirs, loud banjo and loud strings. Maybe that’s because as soon as you’ve settled down for one genre, it gets hijacked by the next. Warm and extended moments of communal song — the great T Bone Burnett had a hand in some of the outstanding Americana tunes like “Quill” with McConaughey exuberant, and “Johnny Come Outside” — are undercut by seeing kids smash their heads on school bus roofs or a cool Western-like tracking of a honey-stealing local rascal that is marred by his horrific, boiling-to-death murder. There are so many montages of honey production that viewers may qualify for a beekeeping certificate.Great turns are produced by Kurt Russell as a lethal local kingpin who schmoozes his way past the law, and Owen Teague, a former Marine who knows how to plan a theft with military precision, mostly shirtless. One brazen theft here is of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and, however you liked that movie, you realize now how hard it was to actually pull off. Patterson likes to remind viewers of his Oklahoma bona fides, but much of the overlong movie was shot in Alabama. And that hints at what’s wrong with “The Rivals of Amziah King” — it just doesn’t feel authentic, either in place or in story. Forget honey, it sort of leaves a vinegary taste behind.“The Rivals of Amziah King,” a Black Bear release that hits theaters Friday, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for “language and some grisly images.” Running time: 130 minutes. Two stars out of four. MARK KENNEDY Kennedy is a theater, TV, music, food and obit writer and editor for The Associated Press, as well as a critic for theater, movies and music. He is based in New York City. twitter mailto

Candles burn next to pictures of climbers who lost their lives on Broad Peak during a candlelight vigil in their memory, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)2026-08-11T17:38:11Z ISLAMABAD (AP) — Mountaineers, diplomats and members of civil society gathered in Pakistan’s capital Tuesday evening for a candlelight vigil honoring 10 climbers killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak, as rescuers described an arduous mission to bring their fellow climbers down from one of the world’s highest mountains.Rain fell as mourners lit candles and prayed for the dead, shielding the flickering flames from the downpour as they gathered on the open lawns of a sports complex in Islamabad to remember the climbers who never returned from the mountain.The vigil came days after search teams ended an operation that recovered the remains of eight climbers. Two bodies have not yet been recovered.Among the dead was renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja. Nepal lost six climbers in the July 30 disaster, when a massive avalanche struck an international expedition. Nepal’s ambassador to Pakistan, Rita Dhital, joined the vigil and paid tribute to the climbers as candles were lit in their memory. She recalled meeting Purja at her Islamabad home before the expedition and said he would often tell her, “Giving up is not in my blood.” She thanked Pakistani climbers and rescuers who went onto the mountain in dangerous weather to search for the missing climbers and recover their bodies. Dhital particularly praised renowned Pakistani mountaineer Sirbaz Khan, who led the recovery team, as well as the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the military and government officials involved in the operation. The bodies of all six Nepalese climbers have been returned to their families, she said. Read More Khan told The Associated Press that he and his team had set out hoping they would find the missing climbers alive. “I had hoped that I would hug them after finding them alive,” he said. Instead, the rescuers found climbers buried beneath the avalanche. Khan said the team used shovels to dig through the snow and pull out the bodies one by one.Seeing fellow mountaineers dead on the mountain was difficult, he said, but the rescuers composed themselves and began the equally difficult task of bringing the bodies down, using ropes and makeshift stretchers. Khan said he remained deeply saddened by the deaths but took some solace in knowing that families who had waited desperately for news were able to receive the remains of their loved ones. Irfan Arshad Khan, president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan and no relation to the rescuer, said the remains of seven climbers, including all six from Nepal, had been repatriated. He said bad weather repeatedly prevented helicopters from reaching the accident site, forcing rescuers to continue much of the search and recovery operation on foot. Eight bodies were eventually brought to a location from where they could be airlifted, he said. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. “We have gathered here today to commemorate the passing of our great comrades,” Khan told those attending the vigil. He said the days following the avalanche tested not only the endurance of those searching the mountain but also the courage of rescuers who continued on foot when helicopters could not reach them.The international expedition included climbers from Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, China, Britain and the United States. Broad Peak, which rises 8,051 meters (26,414 feet) above sea level in the Karakoram range, is the world’s 12th-highest mountain and lies near K2, the world’s second-highest peak.Mountaineering accidents are common in northern Pakistan, home to some of the world’s highest mountains.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87), and wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) walk to NFL football training camp Friday, July 31, 2026, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)2026-08-11T17:28:51Z ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice called the 30 days he spent in a Texas jail over the summer a “learning experience” and a “reality check,” one that he got through by rehabbing from knee surgery and watching plenty of comedian Kevin Hart on TV to keep his spirits up.The 26-year-old Rice was booked into a Dallas County jail on May 19 for violating the terms of his probation, which stemmed from his role in a car crash that left multiple people injured on a Texas highway. He’d had surgery about a week before the sentence to clean up debris in his right knee, which had been causing inflammation throughout much of last season.Rice was released in June, and he resumed his rehab work alongside Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — who was rehabbing after his own surgery to repair torn knee ligaments — at their training facility in Kansas City leading into the start of training camp. “It was tough. It was mentally tough,” Rice said of the jail stint Tuesday, the first time the wide receiver has spoken publicly about his offseason. “They gave me ways to communicate with my teammates as well as my athletic trainer. Besides the hard times in there, just tried to keep positive — as much Kevin Hart as I could to laugh, and communicating with my teammates on the outside.”Rice has been brilliant for Kansas City when he’s been available, catching 156 passes for 1,797 yards and 14 touchdowns, and helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl after the 2023 season. But he also missed games to a suspension following the car crash, and several injuries have kept him off the field, resulting in just 28 games played over his first three seasons in the league. The upcoming season is without question his most important yet. Read More Not only does Rice has much to prove to a growing chorus of doubters, he’s also entering the final year of his rookie contract. If he wants to land a lucrative, long-term deal in Kansas City or elsewhere, Rice has to not only prove that he can stay on the field but also show that he can consistently be productive for an offense that desperately needs him to be.“I mean, it’s motivating,” Rice said of impending free agency. “Honestly, just being back on the field with my brothers right now is motivating. That’s in the future. And I’m just focusing on what’s happening right now, and that’s getting better for the team.” The Chiefs are coming off a 6-11 season in which Mahomes hurt his knee, several others went down with injuries, and what was once one of the NFL’s premier offenses looked like a shadow of itself — even before all those players were sidelined.Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spent most of his draft capital upgrading the defense, though, including both of his first-round picks, and the biggest move to help the offense was to sign Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to be their lead running back.Otherwise, the Chiefs are banking on Rice and fellow wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton to take big steps forward in their development, all while hoping that 36-year-old tight end Travis Kelce can still be a reliable and effective pass-catcher.“We’re going to do some amazing things,” Rice predicted, “not only because we’re great receivers but we have a great coaching staff around us, and a great quarterback and foundation in general.” Mahomes has certainly looked like his normal self in camp, moving around on his reconstructed knee as if nothing ever happened. That bodes well for Rice, the passing game and the Chiefs in general as they prepare for the upcoming season.“He was my motivation every morning,” Rice said.Rice was asked whether he had anything to say to fans who felt let down by his off-the-field problems, or to young players who might be looking up to him. He went back to Mahomes and the teammates that have been with him through thick and thin.“Find someone that you can lean on. Find someone you can talk to,” Rice said, “and basically don’t be scared to vocalize yourself, or say exactly what’s on your mind, because someone is going through the same thing. There’s too many people in the world for there not to be someone going through the same thing.”Notes: The Chiefs are signing DE Emmanuel Ogbah, who appeared in 10 games for them during the 2019 season. The veteran spent last season with Jacksonville. “It was disappointing the year we had him. I thought he was coming on and he got hurt, and we didn’t have him at the end of the year,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “If he’s part of our group, I’ll be excited.” ___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL DAVE SKRETTA Skretta is a Kansas City-based sports writer for The Associated Press. He covers the Royals, the Chiefs and college sports along with auto racing, the Olympics and other sports.

🌘Subscribe to 404 Media to get The Abstract, our newsletter about the most exciting and mind-boggling science news and studies of the week. Ancient people of Colombia used collective labor to build a massive canal network that spans 2,000 square miles, a discovery that challenges the assumption that colossal works require top-down hierarchical social organization, reports a study published on Monday in Communications Sustainability.From the first century BC to the 11th century, Colombian peoples living in the La Mojana lowlands sculpted their wetland environment by building raised fields, ridges, and canals, which are today referred to as the Zenú hydraulic systems after the culture that built them. These multipurpose structures absorbed water during heavy rains and released it during dry seasons, creating a water management system that prevented both flooding and droughts. The vast network also provided water to communities for plant cultivation and access to fish.For years, researchers have debated whether the immense work was built through top-down social organization at the direction of elite leaders, or if people could have collectively labored to construct it through bottom-up organization. Now, a team of scientists has used satellite imagery to map a 1,200-acre patch of the system in unprecedented detail. With that sample, they built a model to estimate the population and labor costs of construction in that area. Assuming that about 1,600 people inhabited this area and half of them were part of the workforce, the structures could have been built in under six weeks, about half the dry season, which is a low labor cost that would not have required top-down organization.“La Mojana is a special case study, in that it is the first to demonstrate in concrete, quantitative terms that these massive works are compatible with bottom-up, community-driven organisation,” said Jasmine Vieri, a research associate at the McDonald Institute of Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge who led the study, in an email with 404 Media. “But it is also part of a much broader paradigm shift in how archaeology interprets evidence for hierarchy or top-down power.” “As human beings, we tend to understand the world through our own lens, and many of us now live in hierarchical societies, where large-scale infrastructure, monumental architecture, or luxury goods are often commissioned by, or concentrated in the hands of a few,” she continued. “Archaeological evidence from other regions and periods keeps revealing cases where people came together to achieve ambitious, collective goals through cooperation rather than coercion.”The team’s sample included roughly 1,600 ridges and 63 housing platforms, most of which were about 4.5-feet tall when they were initially constructed. Though the exact dates of construction are unclear, these systems were constructed before the emergence of metal tools, such as shovels, though they may have used wood tools. Based on this level of technology and workforce numbers, the team estimated that the largest raised ridge in the sample, which stretches for a third of a mile, would have taken a family of five months to complete, whereas a workforce of 800 could have built it in a matter of hours. But some of the smaller ridge structures could have been built by a single family over the course of a few days. The results suggest that the whole system in this sample could have been renewed once a generation, with just a few days of annual work. “We entered the project with an open mind, although we did consider collective labour one feasible model from the start,” Vieri said. “However, when we did obtain the estimates, even we were surprised at how low they were, running through them several times just to confirm they were correct.”The study was co-authored by Fernando Montejo Gaitán of the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, who has spent decades researching these ancient waterways and is part of REVERSEACTION, a project funded by the European Research Council focused on complex technologies in stateless societies. Understanding how these people built such massive works is not just a matter of reconstructing the past, it’s also an adaptation strategy for the future, according to the study.“Instead of focusing on futile attempts at blocking water, policymakers should consider borrowing the pre-Hispanic solution of working with the inundation rather than against it,” Vieri said. “Modern dikes built by the Colombian government are intended to prevent seasonal flooding, but are often breached by high-volume currents, destroying human lives and livelihoods.” “In contrast, the pre-Hispanic raised fields functioned to redistribute the flow of water, enabling human settlement and cultivation above the water level throughout the wet season,” she continued. “Raised fields simultaneously buffer against severe droughts by storing and gradually releasing water during the drier months.”For more than a millennium, people in this region used this strategy to go with the flow, without the need for top-down direction. Hopefully, future work might uncover more insights about the role of social organization in massive works, and the possibility that large structures might have emerged from small collectives.“Answering these questions would contribute much to broader archaeological debates on the relationship between infrastructural scales and political organisation,” Vieri said. “In fact, a key outcome of our research is an open-source pipeline that can be readily be applied to the study of agricultural systems in other regions, enabling cross-comparative research into testing the strength of the evidence for bottom-up, multi-scalar, or top-down social organisation across different time periods or communities.” 🌘Subscribe to 404 Media to get The Abstract, our newsletter about the most exciting and mind-boggling science news and studies of the week.

Former Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques will captain Portugal as they attempt to qualify for the T20 World Cup for the first time.Henriques, who played four Tests, 16 ODIs and 24 T20Is for Australia, will lead Portugal's 14-member squad at the T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Finland.The Portuguese Cricket Federation announced the squad on Tuesday, with Henriques named captain. He was born in Madeira, the hometown of Portugal football captain Cristiano Ronaldo, before his family moved to Australia when he was a child.Henriques played 24 T20Is, 16 ODIs and four Tests for Australia. His last international appearance came in August 2021, when he played a T20I against Bangladesh. He became eligible to represent Portugal in June after completing the required three-year cooling-off period for players switching from an ICC Full Member to an Associate nation.Henriques announced last month that he was retiring from Australian domestic cricket but would continue playing overseas. He has a contract with Glasgow Cosmic for the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League. On Monday, he was also named Portugal's captain for their T20 World Cup qualifying campaign in Finland.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Cricket Portugal 🇵🇹 (@cricketportugal) Portugal are ranked 37th in the ICC men's T20I rankings. They will face Israel, Germany, Greece and Czechia in Group B of the T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier C from August 14 to 20. The group winner will face the winner of Group A in the final on August 21.The winner of the qualifier will advance to the European regional final, where Scotland, Jersey and Denmark will join them. The top two teams from the regional final will then qualify for the global qualifier as they bid to reach the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.Portugal's squad also features Craig Cachopa, the former Sussex, Auckland and Wellington wicketkeeper-batter; Cameron Shekleton, who has represented South Africa A; Sebastian de Oliveira, who played one List A match for Gauteng alongside Ryan Rickelton; and Bangladesh-born spinner Siraj Ullah Khadem, who was included in the longlist for this year's Hundred auction.Henriques takes over the captaincy from Carlos Nunes, who captains Twickenham in the Middlesex County Cricket League in England. Nunes remains part of the 14-member squad.Portugal squad: Moises Henriques (capt), Craig Cachopa, Edward Fleming, Christopher de Freitas, Rahulkumar Hashu, Siraj Ullah Khadem, Hardeep Khuttan, Jeremy Martins, Dhavalkumar Norotam (wk), Jordan Netto, Carlos Nunes, Sebastian de Oliveira, Upen Shantu, Cameron Shekleton.Portugal fixtures: vs Israel (August 14), vs Germany (August 15), vs Greece (August 17), vs Czechia (August 20), Final (August 21).

NEW YORK – Tony Romo's leave of absence from CBS is going to last at least a little while longer.CBS Sports president David Berson said during a news conference Tuesday, Aug. 11, that there is no timetable for Romo's return to the broadcast booth following his July 23 arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) in his native Wisconsin.Romo, 46, was placed on leave "until further notice" by CBS Sports July 31, not long after the body camera footage from his traffic stop and subsequent arrest became an Internet sensation. “I hope you can respect that this is a professional and personal matter,” Berson said.Berson said Romo’s legal troubles were “an evolving situation and therefore we’re still assessing,” with no timetable yet for a potential return.Romo, who is part of the network's top broadcast team as the color commentator alongside Jim Nantz, will be replaced by J.J. Watt, a move the network first mentioned while announcing Romo's leave.Berson said he felt it was important for the CBS team to have certainty and direction to definitively plan the marketing“We have to consider the impact on our image or our brand,” Berson said.Berson continued: “The focus should be and needs to be on our presentation and this great product and not on any other factors. Fortunately, we have a very deep bench. And I’m really proud of the way everyone has stepped up and responded.”The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was stopped by Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office deputies going southbound on I-43 and "performed poorly on SFSTs (standard field sobriety tests)," according to an arrest report.Romo has a court date set for Sept. 21. CBS' first assignment for Romo would have been their showcase game of Week 1, with the Green Bay Packers facing the Minnesota Vikings Sept. 13. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CBS boss says network must consider 'impact on our image' in Tony Romo suspension

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — There was a time when the preseason felt like the Super Bowl to Aaron Rodgers.Now is not that time.While the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is trying to soak in every moment of what he says will be his 22nd and final NFL training camp, he doesn't sound like someone who thinks he needs to be on the field when the Steelers host Green Bay in their exhibition opener on Thursday night.“It's not real football,” Rodgers said.At least, not “real” compared to what things will look like when the games start to count in September. Most defenses are vanilla. Most offenses too. The four-time MVP understands August is still a valuable time of year, just not for someone who has been in the league nearly as long as some of his teammates — backup quarterbacks Drew Allar (22) and Will Howard (24) — have been alive.“I think preseason football is good to see guys with pads on, under the lights, how they react to the nerves,” he said.Nerves that Rodgers once had himself. He remembers running onto the field as a rookie with Green Bay in 2005 and trying desperately to keep his breathing under control. He failed as much as he succeeded.Back then, the goal was to make sure he could hear the play coming through the headset so he could repeat it with conviction in the huddle. And that was the easy part.The challenge was then walking to the line of scrimmage and “trying to remember what else is going on in the play and who’s got what.”Those jitters eventually subsided. It took a while, but they're long since gone. It's why he feels the Steelers will be better served with Rodgers watching from the sideline with a headset on while Howard — who didn't take a live snap last year after getting hurt early in camp — and Allar do the majority of the work.Rodgers described the first game as traditionally “hectic,” one of many reasons his preference is to be in sweatpants offering perspective.“I like to be the voice of reason, tell the occasional dad joke or one-liner,” he said. “Just help everybody settle in a little bit.”Mike McCarthy, in his first season coaching his hometown team, played a little coy about whether he'll ask Rodgers to see a little game action, though McCarthy might have tipped his hand a bit when he said he'd divide the offense into three groups.One group will handle the first couple of series. The second will play until halftime, with the third taking over for the final two quarters. The math is pretty easy. Pittsburgh currently has four quarterbacks — Rodgers, Howard, Allar and Mason Rudolph — on the roster. Only one of them has operated a McCarthy offense in a game, and it's the one who will turn 43 in December.“Frankly, the most important part is the health of the team,” McCarthy said. “That drives these decisions. That’s where you tend to maybe pull back and maybe not play the veteran or the older guys in those situations. You just lean on their experience.”McCarthy is well-versed in what Rodgers can do. Howard and Allar remain very much works in progress and could have the opportunity to be a long-term part of Pittsburgh's future. They'll take their first real steps in that direction on Thursday, and Rodgers wants to help make sure those steps are more assured than tentative.“Quarterback, just like all things, can be overcomplicated to make it seem more difficult than it might be sometimes,” he said. “It’s not easy, but you can simplify things, and that’s what I’m trying to help with.”Rodgers' most recent preseason snaps came three years ago during the first of his brief two-season stint with the New York Jets. He was “open” to doing it last summer in Pittsburgh, though former head coach Mike Tomlin opted to hold him out. The decision looked like the right one when Rodgers threw for four touchdowns in a Week 1 win over his old team.Rodgers was still finding his way back then. Now, he's far more familiar with the personnel around him and his reunion with McCarthy means he's ending his career in the same system where he began it a generation ago.It's why he believes the real growth during camp comes on the practice field. He likes what he's seen so far, which is part of why he's just fine letting others get chased around by opponents during the waning days of summer.“I think we’re right where I’d like to be,” he said. “I think we’re ahead of where we were last year. I think you’re seeing guys take some steps and then play with confidence.” ___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New York Mets pitcher Kodai SengaThe New York Mets thought they had a future ace when Kodai Senga posted a 2.98 ERA in 2023.However, he made just one start in 2024 and spent a ton of time on the shelf in 2025. He was great early in 2025, but after missing about a month, he was terrible and was sent down. He had a 5.90 ERA in his last nine starts of the year.This year, he had a 10.08 ERA as a starter, and the Mets moved him to the bullpen. As a long reliever, he had some success, but he is really thriving in a late-inning leverage role. In four one-inning outings in the seventh inning or later, he has not allowed a run. In fact, he has not allowed a hit. He has allowed two total base runners.Senga picked up his first career save on Monday night, and his two-pitch mix is playing out of the bullpen.Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand!“I do think in his right arm is 100 miles an hour and a nasty forkball,” interim manager Andy Green said on Aug.4, “and that profile plays for a late-inning reliever.”Senga has a five-pitch mix, but his four-seam fastball and forkball are his most used and most effective pitches. Out of the bullpen, he can simply rely on those two, without getting hurt by the other stuff.Since transitioning to a one-inning role, his fastball velocity has sat higher, which is not a surprise. The Mets could look to turn him into a closer, and he should have plenty of opportunities while Devin Williams is hurt.When Williams is back, he and Senga could be a great duo to end games. Senga is under contract for $15 million next year and the year after. However, in 2028, he has a conditional club option that triggers if he spends 130+ days on the injured list with an elbow injury or has to have Tommy John surgery.His time as a starter may be done, but that does not mean he can't be a valuable asset. The Mets cleaned house in the bullpen at the trade deadline, and Senga seems to be in line to take over one of the leverage roles.More MLB: Tarik Skubal Makes Vow After Struggles In Dodgers Home Debut

Eagles WR Dontayvion Wicks might be major factor for passing game in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Philadelphia Eagles made a slew of wide receiver roster moves this offseason with the expectation they'd lose A.J. Brown in a trade. With Brown gone, the Eagles needed to find a new No. 2 opposite of DeVonta Smith.Fortunately, it seems they've found it. But, unlike what most might've expected coming out of the 2026 NFL Draft, it's not first-round pick Makai Lemon.According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, offseason trade acquisition from the Green Bay Packers, Dontayvion Wicks, could become a big part of the Eagles' offense in 2026.Dontayvion Wicks could be huge piece of Eagles offensive puzzle in 2026"Dontayvion Wicks is more than a camp standout," Fowler writes. "The former Packer should be a big factor in the passing game. Multiple people with the team brought up his legit play unprompted."This update from Eagles' training camp is a very intriguing one. While the loss of Brown stings, if Wicks can come in and make such an impact, then the Eagles' offense shouldn't lose a beat.During his time with the Packers, Wicks flashed potential, but never really pieced together a full season, thanks in part to their stacked WR depth chart and the team's propensity to spread the ball around.MORE: Eagles' Jalen Hurts 'shouldn't have trouble' reaching Hall of Fame if he can continue to have playoff successWicks, the 25-year-old receiver who has 108 receptions for 1,328 yards and 11 touchdowns in his three-year NFL career, could be in store for a huge season in 2026.Jalen Hurts seems to trust him, and with the buzz coming out of camp, Wicks appears to be a strong contender for the No. 2 WR job with Lemon sidelined due to injury.This might be one of the more important storylines for the Eagles this upcoming season. Even if Lemon is a bit underwhelming, if Wicks can be a legitimately good No. 2 WR, then the Eagles offense could be back to being elite.More NFL news:Ben Johnson responds to Liam Coen’s pointed Caleb Williams commentLamar Jackson is already predicted to be a Hall of Fame QB for Ravens per ESPNCowboys QB Dak Prescott projected by ESPN to be behind Lions QB Jared Goff for HOF chancePackers edge Micah Parsons already predicted to be on cusp of Hall of FameWhy Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson QB competition is taking so long for Browns

Four years after Anderson Taylor began collecting specimens, he opened the Cambridge Natural History Museum in Cambridge, Illinois, offering school tours and attracting visitors from across the region

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray stands on the field during the NFL football team's training camp Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)2026-08-11T17:59:40Z EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have chosen Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because the team had not yet made the announcement.Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell pledged to supervise a true competition for the job between the newcomer Murray and the incumbent McCarthy. While Murray had the majority of the turns with the first team, McCarthy had plenty of opportunities in open-to-the-public practices as well.With Murray learning a new system and staff after spending his first seven NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, an earlier decision on the starter was always going to be ideal for him to maximize his time in training camp running the offense.McCarthy was the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft. He mostly struggled in his debut last year, when a variety of injuries limited him to 10 starts. Carson Wentz was also re-signed for veteran depth.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL DAVE CAMPBELL Campbell is a sports reporter for The Associated Press, based in Minneapolis. He has covered all of the major teams in Minnesota as well as stories of national interest for the AP since 2000. twitter

Nikola Jokic is in the headlines, not for something he did, but for a proposal that a Greek club offered to the Denver Nuggets superstar.Dimitrios Giannakopoulos is the owner of the Panathinaikos Basketball Club in Athens, Greece. The Greek businessman said he made a “proposal” to the Nuggets to buy out the final season of Jokic’s current NBA contract. Despite getting a rejection, he believes he will have better fortunes of signing Jokic away in the 2027 offseason.“People are going to say, ‘OK, now he’s joking,'” Giannakopoulos told the “Euro Insiders” podcast. “I did make a very serious proposal this year both to his team and to him. I got a rejection. I know that he has one more year of a contract.”“It took a few seconds [for the Nuggets] to say, ‘Who? Greece? Where? What? Bye,'” Giannakopoulos said. “But let’s wait until next year.”Raznatovic longtime agent, Misko Raznatovic, has confirmed that Giannakopoulos was telling the truth.“What Giannakopoulos said is true,” Raznatovic told Athletiko.What Lies Ahead for Nikola Jokic and NuggetsApr 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball at Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Nikola Jokic still has a long career ahead of him as one of the top superstars in the NBA. Should he wish to go leave the league and go international, it would take a lot of benefits for him to embrace that pathway.Jokic, 31, will be eligible to sign a five-year, $359.5 million extension with the Nuggets in July 2027, a contract that would be the largest in NBA history, according to ESPN insider Bobby Marks. He has two seasons and $121.8 million remaining on his current contract, but the second season is a player option, giving him the freedom to enter unrestricted free agency next summer.Jokic prepares for Year 12 of his time in the league while flourishing as a triple-double machine. Throughout 65 games last season, he averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game. In the playoffs, he produced 25.8 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.5 assists per contest.Minnesota finished with a 54-28 record in the previous campaign, securing the third seed in the Western Conference standings. Despite having championship expectations, they suffered a stunning first-round exit after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Qwan'tez Stiggers is in his third season as a cornerback for the New York Jets, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2024 draft. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)Michael Owens via Getty ImagesAn ambulance took New York Jets cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers to a local hospital Tuesday during a joint training camp practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of Friday’s preseason game between the teams at MetLife Stadium.Stiggers, a 24-year-old DB in his third season with the Jets, was conscious and talking by the time he was transported, according to head coach Aaron Glenn, who explained to reporters following practice that Stiggers had passed out.“From what I know, he came to the sideline after a play, and he actually fell out,” Glenn said. “The good thing is, he was conscious. And our guys did a hell of a job, just like most medical staffs around this league do in situations like that.“They took the necessary steps just to make sure that we do everything we can to be on board when it comes to those situations.”Glenn added: “He was able to talk, and I want to make sure that I go and see him after this, just to make sure I’m good with everything. But for the most part, he was good.”Coach Glenn provides an update on CB Qwan'tez Stiggers pic.twitter.com/oQMFzfSA0p— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 11, 2026It remains unclear what specifically happened to Stiggers, whom New York selected in the fifth round of the 2024 draft. Jets defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said that the word he and his teammates got, though, is that “things are on the up and up,” as reported by The Athletic.Stiggers made 27 total tackles last season, including 17 solos and one for loss. He also registered three passes. He was on the field for 247 defensive snaps and 287 special teams snaps, per Pro Football Focus. The 6-foot, 197-pound corner appeared in 15 games and recorded four starts in the process. Three of those arrived successively in Weeks 15, 16 and 17.Altogether, he gave up 13 receptions and 176 receiving yards on 23 targets during the 2025 campaign, according to PFF.Stiggers’ path to the NFL was unconventional, to say the least. He didn’t play college ball. While most of his eventual draft classmates starred at that level, Stiggers worked several jobs to help support his family during that time, as chronicled by Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein, who penned that Stiggers went from washing trucks to becoming an unorthodox draft pick.Along the way, he played arena-league 7-on-7 football and Canadian football, notably turning heads as an impact rookie for the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts in 2023. When he was selected 176th overall two years ago, he etched his name in NFL history as the league’s fifth player to be drafted without playing college football since 1970.

While some players have hype during an offseason, that's kind of not the case for Michigan football wide receiver Andrew Marsh.Entering his second year with the program and in college football, Marsh's hype came in-season last year, when he supplanted starter Channing Goodwin after the fourth game of the season. And his stock kept rising from there.But with Marsh, the expectations are so high, it's not even like he's getting spoken of as a player who is about to break out. Instead, it's more of a foregone conclusion that he will.Tight end Zack Marshall says that's due to his work ethic. He's taken big strides this offseason, and the thought is that he'll take a massive step forward rather than a simple continuation of what he did a year ago. And he's been able to do that because he's more mature than the average sophomore, Marshall says."He attacks the exact same way when he walked in the first day to now," Marshall said. "Do what you're told to the best of your ability. No excuses. No explanations. Be here. Be about the team. Handle yourself as a professional. And that's exactly what Andrew Marsh does. "A lot of guys could work on emulating that. I mean, kids that come in at 17 years old, they're not going to be professionals right away. Sorry. A lot of guys make screw-ups. I mean, you see things about whether it's social media, whether it's what we've been accused of doing. That's the real world. People aren't grown up when they show up. But by the time you're done here, you've got to be a man. That's one of the things that Greg Harden taught us. It's not just growing up on the football field or growing up outside of here. "Andrew Marsh grew up in a day. He's handled it better than anyone I know."With Marsh being the bona fide No. 1 wide receiver, that means that he'll be the go-to, the player who quarterback Bryce Underwood will look to first on any given play. Though that might mean fewer opportunities for the other pass catchers, Marshall says that's not a concern.Because a rising tide lifts all ships, and with Marsh getting more opportunities, it should open up the field for others. And if not, Marsh's success is still the team's success."I get to be in the offense," Marshall said. "I get to be on the field with him. I got to watch him make a crazy catch against Northwestern, the go ball on the right side of the field. Yeah, I was wide open on my out route. I didn't care. He caught the ball. You know what I mean? Everyone gets theirs when we all have success."Fall camp will continue until game week, when Michigan football will switch gears in earnest to face off against Western Michigan on September 5 at The Big House.This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Andrew Marsh is ready to lead Michigan football offense

Mike Maddux has experienced a lot of success as a pitching coach over his career. But even his advice couldn’t save the Los Angeles Angels. Maddux — as well as assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott and bullpen coach Dom Chiti — was reportedly fired by the Angels on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The Los Angeles Angels fired pitched coach Mike Maddux, assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott and bullpen coach Dom Chiti, sources tell ESPN. Maddux joined them in the offseason and was working on a one-year contract. Angels pitchers have a 4.53 ERA and the most walks in MLB.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 11, 2026Maddux, who took a one-year deal with the team in the offseason, was just a few months into that contract before being let go.The Angels are mired in yet another miserable season. With the team sitting at 45-74 entering play Tuesday, the front office apparently decided Maddux’s approach wasn’t working and that he didn’t need to stick around for the rest of his deal.Entering play Tuesday, Angels pitching ranks 24th in MLB with a 4.53 ERA. This story will be updated.

French Teammates Nell Angloma, Leila Lacan Find Friendship, Grow Together With Connecticut Sun originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Journeying into the unknown can be a lonely experience. That would have been the case for French star Nell Angloma, drafted by the Connecticut Sun with the 12th pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. However, she quickly learned she wasn’t alone.The 20-year-old joined Leila Lacan, picked 10th in the 2024 WNBA Draft (she didn't play during the 2024 season), in Connecticut. Together, the two have become a dynamic duo on and off the court.Lacan, 22, has driven with Angloma on long car rides, helping adjust to the rules of the road and of women’s basketball in America. She provides a trusting voice in an unfamiliar world. It’s made for an easier adjustment than most have attempted.“She (Lacan) helped me a lot because I’m not very comfortable with my English,” Angloma told The IX Sports. “She can help me to translate some details.”“What I can say is that, if you do your workouts and focus on the extra work after, you know that you will be ready when your name is called, no matter how long you spend on the court,” Lacan said.When in Connecticut, spending about 50 minutes in a car each day can do wonders for camaraderie. It can also help push one another when it's needed.Nell Angloma and Leila Lacan thriving together in ConnecticutLast year, Lacan scored 10.4 points per game and had 2.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists for Connecticut. This year, she's producing 12.1 points and 4.4 assists. Earning more playing time, her value has increased. Angloma is averaging 3.7 points per game, with 1.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists.They aren’t the only members of the Sun that speak French. Coach Rachid Meziane, in his second year with the team, is a former Ligue Feminine champion. He understands more than anyone what they are going through, as he has embraced change in a quick period of time.Angloma and Lacan are considered the future of the franchise, one that will be moving to Houston in 2027. Another adjustment will be needed, but unless they are traded, they will continue to work together. And that bond has made them stronger as players.“I feel like they do a really good job of just like being themselves,” Kennedy Burke said. “At the end of the day, they’re still young, they need the experience. But I feel like they come in and bring that energy no matter what.”“It’s not all new and all completely different because she can have a French speaker, you know. So there is kind of something that is familiar for her,” Lacan said.Leila Lacan stats 2026*Stats as of Aug. 11, 2026StatLacanGames22Points12.1Rebounds2.0Assists4.4Steals1.9Blocks0.3Turnovers2.1Minutes28.8FG%42.33P%30.7FT%73.7Nell Angloma stats 2026*Stats as of Aug. 11, 2026StatAnglomaGames27Points3.7Rebounds1.4Assists0.6Steals0.4Blocks0.3Turnovers0.7Minutes10.1FG%43.23P%20.0FT%60.5

“Proud transphobe” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) started screaming uncontrollably on the House floor today after LGBTQ+ ally Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) gave a speech in support of gender-affirming care, which Mace is trying to ban with an amendment in a military spending bill. Jacobs presented an observation that many trans people have made, which is that gender-affirming care is something that everyone – including cisgender people – can undertake, that many procedures that cis people don’t think of as gender-affirming care are actually things they do to affirm their genders, and that’s OK because it’s OK for someone to want to present themsleves in a way that aligns with their gender identity, no matter whether they’re cis or trans. Related Nancy Mace falsely accused this doctor of child abuse & she lost her job. She’s running for Senate. “I think it’s very interesting that my colleague from South Carolina is so obsessed with the issue of trans people, using horrible slurs to talk about them,” Jacobs said in a speech about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a military funding bill. Mace — aka Jacobs’ “colleague from South Carolina” — is trying to amend to ban coverage for gender-affirming care. Mace has a history of using anti-trans slurs on social media, at campaign events, and at the Capitol. “Many people in this body have received gender-affirming care,” Jacobs continued. “Filler is gender-affirming care.” “Botox is gender-affirming care. Lots of my colleagues have received gender-affirming care.” 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 “Let me be clear: I think everyone should have access to the gender-affirming care that they need, and I think we should respect everybody in this country.” Shouting could then be heard from elsewhere in the room. “Ridiculous!” Mace shouted when she found a mic. “You’re absolutely ridiculous!” “The gentlelady is not recognized,” the chair said. Her mic was cut, and she could still be heard shouting. “The House will be in order,” he said, trying to restore order as Mace continued to shout. Nancy Mace erupts and starts screaming after Sara Jacobs says many people in Congress have received gender affirming care:Jacobs: Boob jobs is gender affirming care. Botox is gender affirming care… Mace: *screaming* pic.twitter.com/ZOF9ZNEqwK— Acyn (@Acyn) September 10, 2025 Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Fox News host Tomi Lahren wrote yesterday that the “GOP is an utter embarrassment,” citing rising cost-of-living amid the Republican Party’s continued support of the president’s war in Iran. “Let’s be frank about it, some Americans are turning to socialism because Republicans have failed us so dismally that even the most destructive economic model imaginable feels palatable to people who are struggling to make ends meet and buy groceries,” she wrote, adding, “I’m talking about middle class working families who don’t indulge on luxuries and just try to make it with a little leftover each month.” Related 36 Republicans vote against law banning child marriages. Some cited the Bible as justification. In a follow-up post, she wrote, “These politicians touting the Iran war and egging it on to never-ending status are most likely all invested in the military industrial complex and don’t give a rat’s a** how much you’re paying at the pump or the grocery store because they’re getting filthy rich. The uni-party is an abomination and outside of [US Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)] and maybe a couple others, the GOP is an utter embarrassment.” Let’s be frank about it, some Americans are turning to socialism because Republicans have failed us so dismally that even the most destructive economic model imaginable feels palatable to people who are struggling to make ends meet and buy groceries.And I’m not talking about…— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) August 10, 2026 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 I’ll add, these politicians touting the Iran war and egging it on to never-ending status are most likely all invested in the military industrial complex and don’t give a rat’s ass how much you’re paying at the pump or the grocery store because they’re getting filthy rich. The…— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) August 10, 2026 Approximately 63% of Americans are feeling “very/somewhat badly” about how the conflict with Iran is going for the US, according to a CBS News poll released last Sunday. At least 18 soldiers have died, and 624 have been injured since the start of the conflict, CNN reported, and US weapons stockpiles have been rapidly depleting during its stead. Iran has kept the crucial waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, closed, sending US fuel prices skyrocketing. Meanwhile, the US president continues to threaten to commit war crimes against Iran’s citizens by targeting civilian infrastructure in bombing campaigns. Lahren’s past includes getting mad at Barack Obama for supporting marriage equality. She forcefully decried out actor Billy Porter when he wore a dress to the Oscars, accusing LGBTQ+ people of “attacking traditional men and marriage at every turn.” “The military is not a social experiment. Finally a POTUS who understands the concept. Political correctness=intellectual dishonesty!” she once tweeted about Donald Trump’s transgender military ban. She also tweeted that the Trump administration’s attacks on trans rights were going to “return America’s taxpayer funded bathrooms and locker rooms to normal.” Lahren relies heavily on gender stereotypes to belittle others. She said last year that Joe Biden “might as well carry a purse” because he wore a facemask in public during the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Wes Streeting, the gay former-health secretary of the United Kingdom who extended the country’s indefinite ban on gender-affirming care for youth, was appointed to a new role as Defense Secretary last month. He is now opening up about the massive uptick in homophobic abuse he has seen since taking on his new position, even as LGBTQ+ community members criticize him for his transphobic policies. Streeting described what he called an “unbelievable volume” of homophobic commentary online while talking at an event at the Edinburgh Fringe festival with radio station LBC’s Iain Dale. While Streeting says he has experienced homophobia previously in his career, he attributes the recent increase people who “cannot cope with the idea” of a gay defense secretary. He was appointed to the role on July 20 by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Related U.K. government covered up dramatic spike in trans youth suicides, new report says Streeting was appointed as health secretary when the Labour Party was elected into office by a landslide in July 2024. He held the position for two years and faced fierce criticism for his policies towards trans people’s care. Before resigning, he said that he had lost faith in then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ability to push back the tide of nationalism in the country. However, Starmer stepped down in July and his replacement, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, appointed him to a new role in his cabinet as the secretary of state for defense. 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 Streeting noted that his appointment to the role had been “almost entirely unremarked upon in the media.” It did, however, draw attention was from those questioning whether he had the experience needed for the role as he had no past military service; others suggested that his political experience was enough. But while the media has been quiet on his appointment, Streeting has noted a different tone elsewhere: “online it matters to a lot of people,” he told Dale. The homophobic reaction to Streeting’s appointment seemed on full display when a caller phoned into one of LBC’s talk shows hosted by Henry Riley. The caller reportedly claimed that Streeting’s appointment was a “ridiculous idea.” Riley asked whether that was because he was unqualified, but the caller responded that the issue was with Streeting’s sexuality, claiming that his “camp way of speaking” would mean that the military would not take him seriously. Riley ended the call after calling him a “complete dinosaur” and (in true British fashion) telling the caller to “give his head a wobble.” The homophobic response to Streeting’s appointment might in part stem from mindsets that still exist around the military in the UK. While the country decriminalized homosexuality in 1967, it remained a criminal offense for military members until 1994, and a cause for dismissal until 2000. The UK government is still trying to make amends for the damage done to the community in that time by completing the goals laid out in the Etherton Review, a review of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in the UK Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000. That includes a memorial to LGBTQ+ veterans unveiled last year and a Financial Recognition Scheme available for applicants until December this year. Streeting highlighted the positives of his position, saying that he is “proud of the fact that in my lifetime we’ve gone from gay people not being allowed to serve in the military to a gay defense secretary.” He also talked about the effect of his role on other community members: “In my first week, someone in the [ministry of defense] said to me, ‘You know, as a gay man, I’m really proud that we have our first gay defense secretary, and it means a lot to many of us who remember the bad old days.’” However, other LGBTQ+ community members might have less homophobic reasons to feel unhappy about Streeting’s prominent government role. When Streeting took on his role as health secretary, it was two months after the outgoing-Conservative party began a temporary ban on puberty blockers for trans minors in response to the Cass Review. While the Cass Review didn’t actually push for such a policy, Streeting extended that ban indefinitely in December 2024. Under his watch, waitlists for the UK’s gender clinics were so backed up by slow and ineffective care that wait times had reached an average of 25 years, with one clinic technically having a 224-year wait estimate for an initial assessment. In response, rather than working to improve the clinics or return power to general practitioners, Streeting launched a pilot therapy service to help counsel trans people through the stress of being made to wait while hormones affected their bodies. Crucially, there were reports that Streeting and his department worked to cover up a spike in trans youth suicides. The Good Law Project said they were “appalled” that Streeting had “commissioned and published a report to reassure the public that there was no significant rise in suicide rates, when 22 children took their own lives in a single year: 2021-22.” The Good Law Project went on to say that the commissioned report “denied the reality of trans deaths, as Streeting’s ban on puberty blockers denied the reality of trans lives.” The project also reported that Streeting’s department had “fought tooth and nail” to block its freedom of information requests. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

A raptor center in California had been caring for the animal since mid-July, after she had an altercation with two young eagles. But she had probably been sick long before then

A swing-state Democratic Senate nominee needs to keep saying this: Jews have a right to a Jewish homeland.

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Five golds to be won on day two at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium - watch live on BBC One (UK only)LIVE: Men's hammer final and men's long jump final under wayNEXT: Men's 100m semi-finals featuring Italy's two-time champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs and GB's Romell Glave, Jeremiah Azu and Louie Hinchliffe21:00: Men's 400m semi-finals with home favourite Matthew Hudson-Smith, Charlie Dobson and Ben Jefferies21:30: Women's 100m hurdles final - GB's Marcia Sey21:47: Men's 100m final Watch European Championships: Men's long jump final before GB's Glave, Azu & Hinchliffe in 100m semi-finals

David Sanders wasn’t a five-star failure as a Tennessee freshman.The notion seems ridiculous now. After all, he was a 2025 Freshman All-American. And Sanders, arguably the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2025 recruiting class, now enters his sophomore season as a rising star in the SEC.But mentoring another blue-chip recruit helped Sanders open up about the doubts he had to overcome during his breakout freshman season. After a recent preseason practice, he recognized discouragement in freshman Gabriel Osenda, who was also rated as a five-star offensive tackle by some recruiting services.“Gabe came in with a higher rank, kind of like I did. When (offensive linemen) talk to me about the pressure of their freshman year – not wanting to be the one that’s posted on Instagram as the college bust – I can feel that pain,” Sanders said on Aug. 11.“I had the same worries last year, trying to understand the playbook and just get on the field as a freshman.”But the days when Sanders was doubted seem like the distant past.He’s confident after starting the final six games of last season at right tackle. He feels at home after moving to left tackle, his natural position. And he’s now stronger and quicker in his 6-foot-6, 310-pound frame after going through new strength coach Derek Owings’ demanding offseason program.“He’s incredible, man. I’d love one day to be able to walk around and look like that,” offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said of Sanders' new physique. “And now he is so different. There are things that he can do technique-wise that before when he was light (weight) – light and not strong – that he had to find ways to make up for.“He’s freaky talented. And he’s as good looking as he possibly can be.”Why Tennessee offensive line 'wilted' in 2025 seasonSanders’ transformation is symbolic of where the offensive line wants to improve.Last season, it was talented but tired. The Vols went 3-4 in their last seven games as the offensive line lost steam in the stretch run.“I think our fuel tank needed to be longer,” Elarbee said. “I just thought we wilted that last half (of the season). We just couldn’t sustain, and that’s been the emphasis. Every day you walk off the practice field, you want to be at the point where they almost have to carry you off."We’re trying to build our gas tank, so when we get halfway through the season we can finish and hammer the way we need to.”Why Glen Elarbee has hard task of picking startersDepth is one solution to that endurance problem, and UT certainly has it.Five offensive linemen who were starters or part-time starters last season are back. Sanders and left guard Wendell Moe are Preseason All-SEC selections. Sam Pendleton returns at center.On the right side, there are numerous combinations for Elarbee to explore. Jesse Perry, a 2025 Freshman All-American, started at right guard and right tackle last season. He could play either position this season.Veteran Sham Umarov started 10 games at left guard last season. He’s now splitting time between left guard and right guard.Transfer Donovan Haslam started at West Virginia last season, and he’s competing at right guard. Haslam is trying to trim down his 6-3, 350-pound frame, but he’s impressed Elarbee.“He’s absolutely the most physical dude since I’ve been here,” Elarbee said. “Not even a question. He’s violent – like, violent. That’s his superpower.”And, finally, LSU transfer Ory Williams is an option at right tackle and could bump Perry to guard. Then again, Perry could start at right tackle, leaving Umarov and Haslam to vie for the right guard spot.The Vols are so deep that Osenda, the blue-chip freshman under Sanders’ wing, has time to develop rather than play immediately.Elarbee acknowledged that he’s got more options and combinations on the offensive line than in any of his six seasons at UT. Now comes the hard part: Picking his best five.“Is it experience? Is it athleticism? What gives you the best advantage? It all matters, and that’s what we’ve got to figure out,” Elarbee said. “Man, it sure ain’t easy.”Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe. Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How Tennessee tackle David Sanders overcame his fear of being a 5-star bust

Former NFL linebacker Chad Brown strongly rejected LeSean McCoy‘s claim that Antonio Brown should be taken over Jerry Rice. Brown argued that Rice’s career separates him from every other receiver.McCoy made the comparison while appearing on Speakesy, praising Antonio Brown’s peak and overall ability. He went as far as choosing Brown over Rice.“[Antonio Brown] should be a first ballot HOFer… If it’s AB or Jerry Rice, I’m taking AB,” McCoy said.That opinion immediately drew a sharp response from Chad Brown. The former linebacker argued that Rice’s greatness cannot be measured only through athletic ability or peak production.“This is some clown s**t,” Brown said.MORE: The best player on every NFL team entering the 2026 seasonRice played 20 NFL seasons and remains the league’s career leader in receptions, receiving yards and total touchdowns. His 1,549 receptions and 22,895 receiving yards remain unmatched.Antonio Brown’s peak was exceptional, however. From 2013 through 2018, he became one of the league’s most productive receivers while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers.Brown also recorded six straight seasons with at least 100 receptions. His five-year stretch from 2013 through 2017 produced historic numbers and established him as one of his era’s best players.Jerry Rice’s longevity creates the biggest separationCanton, OH, USA; Jerry Rice arrives during the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Chad Brown pointed directly toward the massive gap between their career totals. Rice played 303 games compared with Brown’s 146.“Jerry Rice isn’t just the greatest WR all time, he is top 5 football player all time,” Brown said.He then highlighted the difference in receiving production.He said, “If AB put up 15 straight 1,000 yard seasons, 15 straight, he would still be 7,895 yards short of Jerry’s total.”That argument reflects the biggest issue with comparing Brown’s peak against Rice’s entire career. Brown’s best stretch was extraordinary, but Rice maintained elite production for two decades.Rice also won three Super Bowls and earned 10 first-team All-Pro selections. Brown won one Super Bowl and earned four first-team All-Pro selections.Chad Brown also argued that greatness requires more than natural ability.“It’s skills no doubt, but also craft, consistency, durability, mental focus, preparation and not allowing anything to derail their greatness,” he said.MORE: Jerry Jones has Dak Prescott feeling urgency to win Super BowlAntonio Brown’s off-field issues eventually ended his career prematurely. Rice, meanwhile, continued producing deep into his 30s and even recorded 1,211 yards at age 40.That longevity remains the strongest argument for Rice. McCoy’s comparison highlights Brown’s peak, but Rice’s complete career remains in another category.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

NEW DELHI: For a team with two ODI World Cup titles, West Indies have found themselves in an unfamiliar position again. The Caribbean side will not qualify automatically for the 2027 World Cup and must now negotiate the qualifying route to make the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.It is the third straight World Cup cycle in which West Indies have been pushed into the qualifiers, underlining the difficult road the former champions now face.The immediate challenge is the 2027 World Cup Qualifier in February, where West Indies will be joined by Ireland, four teams from the Cricket World Cup League 2 and four sides emerging from the Qualifier Playoff.The route West Indies must navigateWest Indies cannot secure one of the automatic qualification spots before the September 30 cut-off. They are currently 10th in the ODI rankings, and even two victories over India before the deadline would not be enough to move them into the required bracket.That leaves the Qualifier as their route into the World Cup.The tournament carries an important incentive: win it, and West Indies go straight into the second round of the 2027 World Cup.But finishing between second and fourth would leave them with another hurdle. Those three teams will enter the first round of the World Cup, the Super Series, alongside another Qualifier team. Only the winner of that stage will progress to the second round.In other words, West Indies have little room for error. Winning the Qualifier would provide the cleanest route, while anything less could mean another high-pressure battle for survival.Why West Indies cannot afford another slipThe Caribbean side already know what happens when the Qualifier campaign goes wrong.West Indies failed to make the 2023 World Cup through direct qualification and subsequently finished fifth in the Super Six stage of the Qualifier. The result was historic for the wrong reasons: they missed a World Cup for the first time.The consequences extended beyond that tournament. West Indies also failed to feature in the 2025 Champions Trophy, a competition they had not played since 2013.Now, with another World Cup qualification campaign ahead, the former two-time champions face a familiar test. This time, the objective is simple: navigate the qualifiers successfully and ensure they are back on cricket's biggest ODI stage in 2027.

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti welcomed linebacker Kellan Wyatt back to the roster on Monda with a similar line to the one he used last week talking about Stephen Daley. \n Wyatt returned to Bloomington in near-identical circumstances as his teammate. \n They both gained an extra year of eligibility through a court decision that expanded the NCAA’s “five-for five” rule to include players who exhausted their eligibility last season despite fitting the criteria for an additional season. \n “It makes us a better football team,” Cignetti said, echoing the answer he gave less than a week earlier.\n Buy 2026 IU football tickets!\n Like Daley, Wyatt also missed out on IU’s playoff run. The Maryland transfer suffered a knee injury in a 38-13 win over Michigan State at midseason. In seven games, Wyatt had 27 tackles (12 solo) with eight for a loss, 2.5 sacks and seven quarterback pressures.\n “Kellen and Wyatt were playing really good football when they got hurt,” Cignetti said. “It gives those guys an opportunity to finish what they started.”\n Wyatt’s initial focus will be getting back to full health.\n He’s a little behind Daley, who could be cleared to resume 11 on 11 reps as soon as next week. Cignetti said the Hoosiers would be patient with both defenders — “we’re not rushing either” — to ensure they didn’t deal with any setbacks. \n Insider: For Indiana football, it added a defensive star, but for Stephen Daley, 'his life could change'\n Cignetti is going to leave it up to IU defensive coordinator Bryant Haines to determine the best use for Wyatt. While he could easily step back into his role on the defensive line, there’s a possibility he could return to the position he played for the Terps. \n “I let Bryant handle the defense because I got a pretty good idea of what he's thinking,” Cignetti said with a smile. “Wyatt could possibly have some linebacker versatility in our trio package (4-3 sets) which we play against 12 personnel.”\n Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar's Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.\n This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kellan Wyatt brings versatility in return to Indiana football, once he gets healthy

New court documents reveal a gay couple in Denver was the victim of a road rage shooting in the city. The men were called an anti-gay slur and other derogatory comments before the suspect shot one of them in the head. Police later arrested Jacob Sifuentez, who has been charged with two counts of attempted murder in the August 1 incident. The man who was shot remains in critical condition. Related Shocking video shows man attacking gay reality TV couple’s vehicle in road rage incident The gay married couple was driving home at around 9:30 pm in the Commerce City area of Denver when an e-bike carrying two riders allegedly cut them off in traffic, according to the man who wasn’t shot. He honked his horn and flashed his lights, he said, and the bike riders began following them, “calling them ‘fa***ts‘ and other derogatory comments,” according to the affidavit reported by KDVR News. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today With the e-bike still in pursuit, the couple sped past their apartment complex. The e-bike, however, turned toward the apartment entrance gate. It’s unclear if any of the individuals involved in the incident knew each other. Security footage from the scene shows the couple’s vehicle passing the apartment complex before turning around and pulling up to the entrance gate. The driver said he saw a flashlight pointed at their vehicle, and then a pop sound followed by the back windshield shattering, according to the affidavit. He then saw that his husband had been shot in the head and was “snoring,” which police described as agonal breathing, an indication the victim isn’t getting enough oxygen after a traumatic injury. The camera footage shows what looks like a weapon-mounted light aiming at the vehicle from the bike, then the couple’s vehicle driving away from the area as the shooting happens. Police responded to calls of a shooting at the apartment complex and found a single caliber 9mm shell casing on the ground and no one in the area, court documents state. Soon after, a man, later identified as the suspect, was seen standing in the area looking at the same shell casing on the ground, according to the affidavit. An officer at the scene spoke with Sifuentez, who said he heard a “pop” and saw the police vehicles but didn’t know anything else about the incident. Detectives later interviewed Sifuentez, who denied being involved in the shooting and said he was at home, according to the affidavit. When pressed with information contradicting his story, Sifuentez invoked his 5th Amendment right to remain silent. Detectives also interviewed the second bike rider, who stated the victims’ vehicle almost hit the e-bike and swerved and brake-checked the riders multiple times. He admitted to calling the victims derogatory names, and said the victims responded in kind. The second rider claimed that when the victims’ vehicle drove up to the apartment complex gate, the driver had something in his hand. He said he then heard a gunshot, and Sifuentez told him to run. The rider said he didn’t know where the gunshot came from and was unaware Sifuentez was armed. Three days after the shooting, police arrested Sifuentez. The vehicle | Commerce City Police Department As he was being taken into custody, he told officers he wanted to admit what he did, according to the affidavit. Sifuentez confirmed the other rider’s account that the couple’s vehicle almost hit them and swerved and brake-checked the e-bike riders. He also claimed the victims were yelling at them and threatening to kill them. At the complex gate, Sifuentez said he saw the driver with a free hand and was worried he had a weapon, “was scared, and reacted the way he thought he had to,” according to the affidavit. He pulled out his pistol and turned on the light, he said. He said he fired and then fled, according to the affidavit. He later told officers where to find the gun in his wife’s vehicle. After learning about the shooting victim’s condition from detectives, Sifuentez said in an interview that he deserved the consequences. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Luke Murphy (72) speaks with pitching coach Mike Maddux, second from left, during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, July 31, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)2026-08-11T19:08:18Z ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Pitching coach Mike Maddux, bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott have been fired by the Los Angeles Angels.Interim front-office leader John Mozeliak announced several changes Tuesday to first-year manager Kurt Suzuki’s coaching staff. The Angels have the majors’ worst record at 45-74 as they head toward their 11th consecutive losing season, and they fired general manager Perry Minasian in late June.“After spending time discussing with Kurt where we are as a coaching staff and where we want to go in the future, we felt it was best to make a change,” Mozeliak said in a statement. “With seven weeks remaining, we plan to use this time to evaluate what additional steps are needed to elevate our entire pitching program and best position us for success moving forward.”Tim Leveque was appointed Los Angeles’ interim pitching coach, and Michael Wuertz will be the club’s interim bullpen coach. Leveque is in his first season as the pitching coach at the Angels’ Double-A Rocket City affiliate after working in the Cardinals organization during Mozeliak’s lengthy tenure with that club. Maddux didn’t last one full season with the Angels, who hired him last winter. The veteran pitching coach presided over a staff that has the majors’ seventh-worst ERA at 4.51.Chiti was in his first season as the bullpen coach after rejoining the Angels organization in late 2023. Scott also was in his first season with the Angels after several years with the Colorado Rockies. Suzuki is on a one-year contract in his first major league managerial job.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

In this photo provided by the Maine State Fire Marshal, flames burn through Robbins Lumber following an explosion, May 15, 2026, in Searsmont, Maine. (Maine State Fire Marshal via AP)2026-08-11T19:03:51Z PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Firefighters who responded to a deadly fire and explosion at a Maine lumber mill used tactics that inadvertently helped cause the blast, according to a report from federal investigators.The May 15 fire and explosion killed three people, including two firefighters, and originated at the base of a silo, Maine authorities have said. The blast at Robbins Lumber in rural Searsmont also injured at least 13 people and the toppling of the silo engulfed the surrounding area in fire, they have said.The silo was an oxygen-limiting structure, according to a report released by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health this month. At the scene, firefighters flowed water into the silo, though the manufacturer’s emergency procedures warn against that, the report said.“The document warns against spraying water or foam into the oxygen-limiting silo as it will force air in and may create a potentially explosive mixture,” the report states. “The application of water into the silo in this incident likely entrained oxygen into the silo headspace, stirred up dust within the contents, and caused it to become suspended in an explosive concentration.” The report states in its recommendations that fire departments should make sure firefighters choose appropriate tactics for silo fires and never direct water or foam into oxygen-limiting silos. It also states that more training is needed for fire departments about the hazards associated with different types of silos.The explosion took place in the small town about 95 miles (150 kilometers) northeast of Portland and triggered a response of 299 firefighters from 46 departments across a four-county area. It took them hours to contain the fire. Representatives for Searsmont Fire & Rescue did not return phone calls seeking comment Tuesday. The department’s assistant fire chief, Wayne Woodbury, 76, died from injuries suffered in the explosion. Andrew Cross, 27, of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department, also died. Alden Robbins, the co-owner of the mill, died from injuries weeks later. Read More Robbins Lumber representatives said on the company’s website that “no report can fully capture the heartbreak experienced by our community, nor can it lessen the tremendous loss suffered by so many.” The company is working with industry experts to rebuild its facilities, the statement said. “Our objective is not simply to meet current industry standards, but to exceed them. We are committed to learning from this event and to doing everything we can to help prevent anything like this from happening again,” the statement said. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. The National Fire Protection Association declined to comment on the report beyond saying it encourages firefighters to participate in National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s work to improve safety investigations. The Maine Department of Public Safety also declined to comment.The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office said in late May that rapid ignition of particulate material resulted in the silo explosion, which caused it to lift from its concrete base and release large amounts of sawdust and other materials. It said the fire and explosion were accidental.The mill is a part of the historic lumber and wood products industry in Maine. The company has said it is a high tech lumber manufacturer that has been in existence since the 19th century. PATRICK WHITTLE Whittle is an Associated Press reporter based in Portland, Maine. He focuses on the environment and oceans. twitter mailto 获取更多RSS：https://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Many women say being open about the fertility treatment is a form of empowerment. But critics say all the talk can be misleading.

After more than a decade, the fight over an effort to build affordable housing on the site of a community garden in Manhattan is winding down.

The top of the world is warming faster than any other region. For 20 years, the Arctic Report Card chronicled the extraordinary transformation.

The administration’s lawsuits, which included Connecticut and Vermont, challenged the legality of giving undocumented students in-state tuition.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of traveling south of the border, then you know that Mexico is one of the most hospitable countries on earth. I grew up in a Mexican household, so I can attest that’s no hyperbole. Stop by for a quick errand, and my mom will feed you until you’re bursting at the seams — and then some. READ MORE...

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 04: Allison Howard, President of Business Operations of the Cleveland Sirens, helps reveal the new WNBA team's name and logo at Rocket Arena on August 04, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavaliers fans and fans across the country.We’re still just under two years out from tip-off, but we do finally have a name for Cleveland’s WNBA expansion franchise. The Cleveland Sirens will be the newest professional sports team coming to Cleveland.The new WNBA team decided to forge its own path with this branding. Instead of using the name of Cleveland’s previous teams, the Rockers, or tying their identity closely to the NBA team, as we’ve seen with the Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics, etc., the Sirens are going ahead with something completely new and original. Their all blue logo and word marks are distinct in a city with a storied professional sports history.Designed to make waves.Our logo suite is more than a collection of icons — it's a reflection of Cleveland, the power of Lake Erie, and the future of women's basketball in The Land. Explore every detail below. #HearTheCall📢 pic.twitter.com/AltMoBEopV— Cleveland Sirens (@clevelandsirens) August 5, 2026Distinct and unique doesn’t always mean great. While I personally like the direction that the team is heading, I would understand if you thought otherwise. Casting aside tradition — even one that wasn’t necessarily great — is always a risky move. It would’ve been easier to just resurrect the Rockers’ name and just update the logo and uniform.It also would’ve been just as easy to tie the team to the Cavs — similar to what we saw with the G League team, the Cleveland Charge. There is some value in tying all these related professional basketball teams together. Especially one that will be playing in the same arena as the Cavs.So, what do you think of the new name and branding? Is this an A+ success? Or, are you more lukewarm to the new team name? Let us know what you think in the survey and comments below.Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys:

COLUMBIA — It took South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer four seconds after saying "Yeah" to articulate what he's seen from freshman offensive linemanDarius Gray so far."He's pretty impressive, he really is," Beamer said Aug. 11, drawing attention to the fact that unlike a lot of his teammates, he didn't graduate high school early to join the team in January."He just showed up in the summer time and the summer he had was elite. What he was able to do physically in the summer time was really impressive as a freshman and what he's able to do so far in practice is impressive."Gray was Beamer's highest-rated prospect in South Carolina's 2026 signing class, before Julian Walker flipped from Michigan on early signing day and took that top spot. Gray is the No. 2 interior offensive line recruit nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite.Gray committed on Aug. 22, 2025, with his other final options LSU, Ohio State, Tennessee and Clemson. Ten offensive linemen transferred after last season and 10 transferred in, with Gray one of five freshmen in the room.All five starting spots are up for grabs. Gray, who is 6-foot-3, 302 pounds, was recruited as an interior player but he's also played tackle. Two-year starting left tackle Josiah Thompson is out for the season with a leg injury and transfer Jacarrius Peak, who was his projected replacement, is recovering from a knee injury."It's four days in, there's a lot of football left and he's got a long ways to go but the initial impressions are really good," Beamer said of Gray. "He's got his stuff together, and is an impressive guy on and off the field."The day before, Beamer pulled Gray aside in practice and said he knows they're throwing a lot at him, making sure Gray knew to speak up if it got to be too much. Gray assured Beamer he could handle it. “That's just who he is," Beamer said. "He's the same person every day, and he's not on this emotional roller coaster. Just goes about his business and he's going to be a really, really, really, really, good player here."South Carolina football injury updatesPeak's injury timeline is the same, according to Beamer, which also goes for edge rusher Dylan Stewart, who is recovering from a back injury. Stewart was at practice but not in uniform on Aug. 7 and 8, but Peak wasn't visible during the portion open to media."Yeah, they're at practice and they're doing different parts of what they're able to, throughout the day," Beamer said when asked if they are practicing. "As far as the timeline, we'll go on what the doctors tell us like I've said for the last month. They're right on track and progressing nicely." South Carolina football now in padsThe Gamecocks are 25 days out from the season opener on Sept. 5 (12:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network) against Kent State in Williams-Brice Stadium. They've started practicing in pads, which most players who spoke to media agreed increased the level of competitiveness in preseason camp."They like to practice," Beamer said of what he's learned watching his team in pads. "You'd rather have to tell them 'woah' than 'pick it up', and we don't have to tell them to pick it up. You can't say you're physical and tough and not practice that way." Cutter Woods impresses Shane Beamer behind LaNorris SellersLaNorris Sellers is in his third year as starting quarterback but has had a different backup each season. This year, it's likely sophomore Cutter Woods, who was the unofficial third-string last year, as Luke Doty went in for Sellers when he was injured against Vanderbilt.Last year in limited snaps, Woods was 8-of-11 for 69 yards and one interception and 18 rushing yards on three carries."Yeah, I love where Cutter is," Beamer said. "Last season, he came in at the end of the Oklahoma game, and one of the very first throws, he rips a ball across the field ... between the corner and safety and you're like, 'Gee as a freshman, he made that play.'"Based on comments from new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and Beamer, it seems like Woods has been the No. 2 quarterback. But with no spring game, there wasn't a chance to see how he played."You talk about a guy that gets mental reps in practice and utilizes every opportunity to get better, that's what Cutter does," Beamer said. "So Cutter is a really, really good football player. Not just me, but our entire team feels a ton of confidence in him." Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬This article originally appeared on Greenville News: The South Carolina football freshman Shane Beamer couldn't stop talking about

OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 21: Cameron Flukey #2 of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers pitches against the LSU Tigers in Game 1 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals at Charles Schwab Field on June 21, 2025 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images A wave of additions to the Low-A Lakeland Flying Tigers roster have been announced as the 2026 Detroit Tigers draft class receives their first assignments in pro ball. 2026 first round selection RHP Cameron Flukey heads the list, as he is slated to debut in the organization with a start for the Flying Tigers later this week. The 21-year-old right-hander, selected 22nd overall back in July, missed the early part of his college season with Coastal Carolina due to a stress fracture in his ribs. The Tigers have decided to try to make up some of those innings lost in his final college season, and sources have reported that Flukey has looked very good in his bullpen sessions as he prepares to start his pro career. If things go well, there’s a good chance he could begin his first full season in 2027 at the High-A level, putting him on a relative fast track towards the upper levels of the minor leagues.Joining Flukey in Lakeland will also be 2026 sixth rounder SS Maddux Molony, and seventh rounder 1B Brady Ballinger. The Tigers have already made some additions to the Flying Tigers roster in recent weeks as former top prep picks LHP Paul Wilson and RHP Owen Hall have each made a few appearances. An exciting young shortstop prospect in Angel De Los Santos has been making waves after a strong showing in the Complex League and some good work in his first seven games for the Flying Tigers with a pair of home runs already. Fellow 19-year-old infielder Ronald Ramirez is also off to a strong start.Shortstop Tyson LeBlanc, the Tigers second round pick this year, is currently on the 7-day IL with an undisclosed injury, but seems likely to return in time to start his pro career in Lakeland before the season ends. The Bridge League, which is essentially an unofficial continuation of the Complex League on the backfields, has also had some interesting news as both RHP Michael Massey and RHP Zach Swanson, two high bonus picks who have spent most of their time in pro ball on the injured list, have made appearances. Massey was the Tigers’ 4th rounder out of Wake Forest in 2024, while Swanson was a prep pick in the same draft. The duo were among our favorite arms selected over the past four drafts under the Scott Harris front office, so it’s good to finally see them healthy and getting some work in. Finally, 3B Carson Rucker, along with RHP Luke Hoskins, and RHP Maddux Long, have been promoted from Lakeland to High-A West Michigan. Shortstop prospect John Peck is due to begin a rehab assignment tonight in Lakeland. However, in less happy news, outfielder Wenceel Pérez is still dealing with vision issues and headaches after suffering an orbital fracture back in early June. His rehab assignment has been temporarily shut down while he is re-evaluated.Big day of moves for Lakeland(1/3): RD1 pick Cameron Flukey will make his pro debut with Lakeland this week. After missing two months due to a stress fracture in his rib in Feb., he is being built back up to make up for the IP lost over that span. @tigersMLreport@bythewaybro— Aaron Arnstein (@AaronArnstein) August 11, 2026

Rashee Rice is trying to put his recent jail sentence behind him.The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver addressed his recent 30-day jail sentence that he served earlier this summer after a probation violation for the first time on Tuesday while at the team’s training camp. “It was a learning experience and a reality check,” Rice said, via ESPN’s Nate Taylor. “Don’t focus on the past. Focus on what’s going on now. I’m doing [well] mentally.”Play Yahoo's new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now!Rice was on probation after his involvement in a multi-vehicle crash back in 2024. He was reportedly driving a speeding Lamborghini that caused the crash, and he eventually pleaded guilty to a pair of felonies. Rice then served a six-game suspension as a result.While the incident was largely behind him, Rice tested positive for THC in a violation of his probation. That led to a mandatory 30-day jail sentence in Texas, which he started on May 19. Rice was then released from jail in mid-June, and he declined to speak with reporters waiting for him. He missed the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp as a result of his jail sentence. “It was mentally tough,” he said. “They gave me ways to communicate with my teammates still as well as my athletic trainer. Besides the hard times in there, I kept my mind right watching shows and as much Kevin Kart as I could to laugh.”Just a week before his jail sentence, Rice actually underwent a surgery to remove loose debris from his right knee. He had been dealing with inflammation in that knee last season, and said he didn’t realize it was something that was going to require surgery until the last minute. While in jail, Rice was allowed to receive treatment on his right knee at a local hospital.“I was in there early in the morning until it was time for me to go,” Rice said. “I would stretch it, do some activation on it and then hit the weight room and jog, just condition and get the muscle fatigue going as well as my stamina.”Rice, who is entering the final season of his rookie deal this fall, had 571 yards and five touchdowns in eight games last season. It’s unclear if he’ll play in the team’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, though Rice is expected to be good to go for their season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14."I'm 100% locked in on what's going on now with the team," Rice said. "I'm ready to go out there and dominate. I've got a good group of brothers behind me."I would want to improve the most on certain plays that I know specifically aren't coming to me, just because it's a full [passing] concept and everybody is going to eat. Everybody's got to get the ball."

Several top NFL stars are facing time away from the field heading into the 2026 season, which doesn’t bode well for various contending franchises.The NFL campaign kicks off Sept. 9 when the league’s Super Bowl 60 rematch takes place. However, the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks appear to be unscathed by looming suspensions.MORE: Predicting the last place team in every NFL divisionESPN insider Adam Schefter reveals at least four NFL stars, including Puka Nacua, could miss games in 2026 as potential suspensions loom. The NFL story-breaker went on his podcast to drop a bombshell Tuesday as preseason gears up this week.“Right now, there are some things going on behind closed doors that we don’t have full access to that are going to have a significant impact on this season,” Schefter reveals on “The Adam Schefter Podcast.”Top NFL players from at least four teams could be affected by the suspensions, but nothing has been made official by commissioner Roger Goodell.MORE: The best player on every NFL team entering the 2026 seasonNFL stars facing suspensions?Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love hands off the ball to running back Josh Jacobs. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)The biggest alleged suspensions include Nacua and Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs. However, it’s unclear exactly how much time either player could serve with for their respective teams.“It’s possible that when the 49ers and Rams play in Australia it’s within the realm of options that Puka doesn’t play,” Schefter continued.Potential discipline looms over a group of NFL players, including Rams WR Puka Nacua and Packers RB Josh Jacobs.Cc: @tyschmit🎧 https://t.co/mTwS98lcWOpic.twitter.com/e5fW2ZoQwV— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 11, 2026The two NFC West teams play the second game of the 2026 regular season on Sept. 10 in Melbourne. Both franchises aim to start the year with an in-division win on international soil.Meanwhile, Atlanta Falcons standout James Pearce Jr. is “going to be suspended,” per Schefter. The former first-round pick faces a potential lengthy layoff after being arrested for domestic violence this offseason.MORE: Jerry Jones has Dak Prescott feeling urgency to win Super BowlAlaric Jackson and Tyreek Hill are also names brought up by Schefter, but the veteran receiver’s future is still uncertain as he tries to return from a serious left knee injury.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

In this image provided by NASA the Artemis II crew, counterclockwise from top left, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman and Pilot Victor Glover pose with eclipse viewers during a lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. (NASA via AP, File)2026-08-11T19:49:49Z CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Sorry, North America. After winning the cosmic lottery with a pair of coast-to-coast total solar eclipses, now it’s Europe’s turn.But look skyward anyway Wednesday and, if you’re far enough north in the U.S. and Canada, you might savor a partial eclipse as the moon nibbles away at the sun.Totality will begin near the North Pole, then streak southward across Greenland, Iceland, Spain and a patch of Portugal. Daytime darkness won’t last more than a couple minutes at best — shrimpy compared with North America’s epic 2024 eclipse — but it is continental Europe’s first encounter with totality since 1999. Spain gets a much longer shot at totality next August, along with North Africa and the Middle East.For the U.S., the Great American Eclipse of 2017 kicked off the sun-vanishing mania with more than two minutes of totality from Oregon to South Carolina. The amount of totality almost doubled in 2024, racing diagonally from Mexico’s Pacific coast all the way past Newfoundland. America’s next coast-to-coast total solar eclipse isn’t until 2045. So catch a partial now if you can.Here’s a list of some U.S. and Canadian cities in position to see a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday if skies are clear, in alphabetical order, with local times and the amount of sun coverage provided by NASA: —Anchorage, Alaska, with 28% coverage. Begins at 7:36 a.m. and ends at 9:09 a.m., peaking at 8:21 a.m.—Bangor, Maine, with 24% coverage. Begins at 12:54 p.m. and ends at 2:49 p.m., peaking at 1:53 p.m. Read More —Detroit with 3% coverage. Begins at 1:03 p.m. and ends at 2:08 p.m., peaking at 1:36 p.m.—Montreal, Quebec, with 18% coverage. Begins at 12:50 p.m. and ends at 2:38 p.m., peaking at 1:45 p.m.—New York City with 9% coverage. Begins at 1:07 p.m. and ends at 2:38 p.m., peaking at 1:54 p.m.—Philadelphia with 7% coverage. Begins at 1:11 p.m. and ends at 2:35 p.m., peaking at 1:53 p.m.—St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador, with 53% coverage. Begins at 2:28 p.m. and ends at 4:37 p.m., peaking at 3:35 p.m. —Toronto, Ontario, with 8% coverage. Begins at 12:55 p.m. and ends at 2:23 p.m., peaking at 1:40 p.m.—Washington, D.C., with 4% coverage. Begins at 1:17 p.m. and ends at 2:27 p.m., peaking at 1:53 p.m.—Winnipeg, Manitoba, with 5% coverage. Begins at 11:25 a.m. and ends at 12:40 p.m., peaking at 12:02 p.m.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.