Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, even after back-to-back Cy Young awards, is not "untouchable" when it comes to trade offers, president of baseball operations Scott Harris said.

Can the Huskies hold off the Gators in a battle of recent national champions? Here are the keys to both games.

Breaking down the field, the best bets, plus what the sportsbooks are seeing ahead of the first round.

The play has seen a resurgence that reflects how basketball has changed -- and will keep changing.

We dig into a case in front of the justices this week.

After decades of growth driven by diamond mining, Canadas Northwest Territories are facing the closure of three major mines and wondering: Whats next?

The president seemed poised for a big Supreme Court win letting him remove officials without cause. But the justices appeared to struggle with how to insulate the Federal Reserve from politics.

The case centers on efforts by Republican officials to lift limits on how much money political parties can spend in coordination with candidates.

She was seen for two decades as a future face of the Democratic Party. Is she now suddenly a figure of its past?

The CNN logo is displayed at the entrance to the CNN Center in Atlanta on Feb. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Ron Harris, File)2025-12-09T05:01:06Z Paramount Skydances hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery, announced Monday, places CNN and its sister cable networks squarely back into what is likely to be an extended period of management limbo.There was some relief at CNN with last Fridays announcement that Netflix was buying Warners studio and streaming businesses, since the cable network would not be a part of that deal. Paramounts bid, if successful, opens the possibility of a combined CNN and CBS News.The management uncertainty adds to what is already a challenging time at CNN, where there was no doubt who was in charge before swashbuckling founder Ted Turner sold his company in 1996. That era might as well be the roaring 20s for how long ago it feels, said Ross Benes, senior analyst at emarketer.com.Paramounts bid, which must be approved by shareholders and regulators, could be seen favorably by President Donald Trump, who is closely allied with Paramount Skydance chairman and CEO David Ellison as well as his father, Oracle founder Larry Ellison. But Trump has already expressed anger at the company on social media for Sundays 60 Minutes report on former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Prior to Fridays announcement, Warner Bros. Discovery had said it planned to spin off its cable television networks including CNN, Discovery, HGTV, the Food Network and TLC, into a separate company. The growth of streaming has made cable networks an unattractive business. CNNs television ratings have tumbled to the extent that it is firmly the third-rated cable news network behind Fox News Channel and MS NOW, formerly MSNBC. Its CEO, Mark Thompson, has aggressively moved into digital with a new subscription service and said that management of Discovery Global, the spinoff company, has already approved a 2026 budget investing in the plan. I know this strategic review has been a period of inevitable uncertainty across CNN and indeed the whole of WBD, Thompson told staff in a memo Friday. Of course, I cant promise you that the media attention and noise around the sale of our parent will die down overnight. But I do think the path to the successful transformation of this great news enterprise remains open. Thompson had no additional comment on Monday, a spokeswoman said.Since Paramounts takeover of CBS News this past summer, the network has taken steps to appeal to more conservative viewers with the installation of Free Press founder Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. Weiss is moderating a prime-time discussion this weekend with Erika Kirk, widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.During an appearance on CNBC Monday, Ellison answered, yeah, when asked if he would combine CNNs newsgathering operation with CBS News. What exactly that means is unclear.We want to build a scaled news service that is basically, fundamentally, in the trust business, that is in the truth business, and that speaks to the 70% of Americans that are in the middle, Ellison said.Trump has spoken highly of both Ellison and his billionaire father. But he was clearly angry about Lesley Stahls 60 Minutes interview with former MAGA supporter Greene, who broke with him and recently resigned from Congress. Trump said on Truth Social that his real problem with the show is that the new corporate ownership allowed it to air. THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP, Trump said, adding he believed that 60 Minutes had gotten worse from his perspective since the changeover.CNN is not likely to find out soon who its new owners would be. Even before the Paramount bid, experts had predicted the Netflix deal would face more than a year of regulatory hurdles. And if Netflix eventually wins, emarketer.coms Benes predicted it would be likely that the spinoff company, Discovery Global, would be shopped around to other buyers.CNN will be in limbo for a while no matter which bidder purchases CNN, he said.___David Bauder writes about the intersection of media and entertainment for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social. DAVID BAUDER Bauder is the APs national media writer, covering the intersection of news, politics and entertainment. He is based in New York. twitter mailto

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani shares a laugh with his translator during an interview with The Associated Press in Pasadena, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)2025-12-09T12:01:29Z PASADENA, Calif. (AP) Shohei Ohtani is catching up with more legends.The baseball superstar ends 2025 by winning The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the fourth time, tying him with Lance Armstrong, LeBron James and Tiger Woods for most among male honorees.Receiving this award multiple times is something truly special, Ohtani said in Japanese in an exclusive interview with the AP.Ohtani received 29 of 47 votes in balloting among sports journalists from the AP and its members after his two-way dominance culminated in a repeat World Series title for his Los Angeles Dodgers delivering perhaps the greatest single-game individual performance in sports history along the way. He previously won the award in 2024, his first season with the Dodgers, and in 2023 and 2021, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels.The AP honor has been given out since 1931. Multisport standout Babe Didrikson Zaharias won six times over the 1930s, 40s and 50s, the most by a man or woman. The ultra-competitive Ohtanis latest win broke a tie with Michael Jordan, who along with Woods, he followed while growing up in Japan. Last year, I said I wanted to win this award again, and I will work hard so that I can win it again next year as well, he said.Swedish-American pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, who won his third consecutive world title and has set the world record 14 times, including four times in 2025, was second with five votes in balloting announced Tuesday. Carlos Alcaraz, the worlds top-ranked tennis player who won titles at the French and U.S. Opens, was third with four.The AP Female Athlete of the Year will be announced Wednesday. Ohtani returns to two-way supremacyOhtani has shown remarkable consistency since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers on a then-record $700 million, 10-year contract in December 2023.He won his fourth career Most Valuable Player award (second with the Dodgers) by unanimous vote, the first player in major league history to do so.This year, he posted a 1.014 OPS and hit 55 home runs. Returning to the mound for the first time since 2023, he had a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 47 innings over 14 starts.Ohtani saved his best for the postseason.In Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, he pitched six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and hit three home runs to earn MVP honors. He said it was his greatest game in a career full of incredible feats.If you think about it in terms of a single game, Id say thats probably true, he said. It was a crucial game in the postseason, and I personally feel I played quite well in that game.Does he surprise himself?Well, yes, there are times when I feel that way about myself, and of course there are times when I think Im not good enough, he said, so I suppose athletes experience both kinds of feelings. Another year, another championship for Ohtani and the DodgersOhtani showed hes human in Game 7 of the World Series. He singled in the first inning and then took the mound on short rest, but he struggled with his command. He gave up a three-run homer to Torontos Bo Bichette along with five hits in 2 1/3 innings.But he and the Dodgers raised a second straight World Series trophy after outlasting the Blue Jays in the most scintillating Series in recent memory.Shohei obviously has the weight of the world on his shoulders as far as expectations, being probably the face of baseball, certainly when youre talking about the world, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Game 7. Its just really special what hes done. Just a great person and a great competitor.Ohtanis presence has been transformative for MLBs global reach. Game 7 of this World Series averaged 13.1 million viewers in Japan, the most-watched World Series game on a single network there ever, and 51 million watched worldwide to make it the most-viewed since Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. How does Ohtani keep topping himself?I think the higher your goals are, the more you have to do, and the more you want to do, he said. If youre satisfied with where you are now, I dont think its possible to achieve your goals without putting in the effort. So, setting goals high is what I believe is most important.The Dodgers carefully managed Ohtanis return to pitching this year by gradually increasing his workload after rehabbing from elbow surgery in September 2023. His innings were initially capped before he was allowed to make longer starts as he felt better.When it comes to feeling nervous, being on the mound definitely makes me more tense, he said. Its a position where you can single-handedly ruin a game, and at the same time, its also a position where you can contribute to a win. So, in my mind, I feel that being a pitcher is truly a special role.At 31, Ohtani has undergone three major surgeries: two on his right elbow and another on his left shoulder. Regardless of the physical and mental wear and tear, he plans on remaining a two-way player his entire career. I think its best to keep doing it right up until the moment I retire, he said.Ohtani plans to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic in March.Im still not sure whether Ill be pitching, he said. Ive been given permission to play in the tournament, but as for how much and in what way, including on the batting side, thats something well be discussing.Winning a third consecutive World Series championship is among Ohtanis biggest goals in 2026.Staying healthy and appearing in every game without injury, thats the smallest goal I have, he said.An exciting year off the field, tooOhtani became a father for the first time when his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, gave birth to their daughter in April. He carefully guards against revealing her name and any details about his home life. No word on how his beloved dog Decoy reacted to having a new sibling, either.Ohtanis American fans enjoy hearing him speak English on the rare occasions hes done so publicly, including at both World Series celebrations. He understands most of the language, although he uses an interpreter in interviews.I think it would be best if I could speak in English, so even if its just small steps, I want to keep working at it, he said. Whether its with fans or in different situations, being able to speak directly in English might help bridge the gap between us.In the meantime, hell keep letting his bat and arm speak volumes.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

On a recent immigration raid, a Border Patrol agent wore a pair of Metas Ray-Ban smart glasses, with the privacy light clearly on signaling he was recording the encounter, which agents are not permitted to do, according to photos and videos of the incident shared with 404 Media.Previously when 404 Media covered Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officials use of Metas Ray-Bans, it wasnt clear if the officials were using them to record raids because the recording lights were not on in any of the photos seen by 404 Media. In the new material from Charlotte, North Carolina, during the recent wave of immigration enforcement, the recording light is visibly illuminated.That is significant because CBP says it does not allow employees to use personal recording devices. CBP told 404 Media it does not have an arrangement with Meta, indicating this official was wearing personally-sourced glasses.An activist in Charlotte provided the photos and videos to 404 Media. 404 Media granted them anonymity to protect them from retaliation.They said the encounter happened at a busy intersection surrounded by a forest where a flower seller usually sets up shop. By the time we showed up, the flower vendor had apparently seen Border Patrol agents approaching, and he ran into the woods, the activist said. They then deployed agents that were wearing these bucket hats into the woods.Image: 404 Media.One of those agents was wearing the Meta Ray-Ban glasses, the material shows.When we initially wrote about CBP agents wearing Meta Ray-Bans in Los Angeles, privacy experts told 404 Media that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies ban agents from wearing personal recording devices and also explicitly ban agents from taking their own recordings.CBPs policy on recording devices states that no personally owned devices may be used in lieu of IDVRS [Incident Driven Video Recording Systems] to record law enforcement encounters. It adds that recorded data shall not be downloaded or recorded for personal use or posted onto a personally owned device. The broader DHS policy says that the use of personally owned [Body Worn Cameras] or other video, audio, or digital recording devices to record official law enforcement activities is prohibited.In a statement to 404 Media, a CBP spokesperson reaffirmed that the agency does not have any contract with Meta, and said that agents cannot use personal recording devices, but can bring personally purchased sunglasses. The statement did not say anything about what happens if the sunglasses happen to have a camera and microphone inside of them.CBP does not have an arrangement with Meta. The use of personal recording devices is not authorized; however, Border Patrol agents may wear personally purchased sunglasses, the CBP spokesperson told 404 Media. CBP utilize Go Pros mounted to helmets or body armor at times, as well as traditional DSLR handheld cameras.Meta did not respond to a request for comment.In November, DHS launched an operation it called Charlottes Web, focused on the North Carolina city. In its announcement, DHS pointed to several criminals it said it detained. Data recently obtained by the CATO Institute showed that 73 percent of people detained by ICE since October had no criminal convictions, and five percent had a violent criminal conviction.

The most wickedly fun and sexy lesbian thriller of the year is dropping this week, and it's one you might not have even heard of.That ends today!Influencers is the sequel to another film that seemingly came out of nowhere and delighted: 2022s Influencer. The first film introduced Madison (Emily Tennant), the titular influencer whose life is infiltrated by a seemingly shy and awkward woman named CW (Cassandra Naud). But what starts as friendship becomes a battle for life and death, and ends with a satisfyingand yet openconclusion.The second film picks up in the aftermath of the first and reveals what CW has been up to sinceand that includes building the perfect little lesbian life in Paris with her beautiful and kind girlfriend Diane. However, some habits are hard to break, and when a new influencer inserts herself into their romantic vacation, CW cant resist going back to her murderous ways. She makes a fateful decision that upends her life and puts her back into the crosshairs of Madison, who has been living a very different life since leaving CW for dead.What follows is a genuinely thrilling game of cat and mouse, and CW, once the predator, finds herself the prey, and enlists the help ofor rather makes use ofa manosphere influencer to try and turn the tables on Madison, who is quickly closing in.The plot is, in some ways, a classic thriller, but what elevates it is how gorgeous the movies locales are (it was shot in both France and Indonesia) and the electric chemistry between its two leads, which radiates from the screen both when they share a scene and when they are apart. And in CW, audiences get one of the most fascinating, complicated, and alluring lesbian villainesses in cinematic history.Is that hyperbole? No, she really is that fun to watch.Out actress Naud could not agree more. CW has been such a joy to play. She's so mysterious, she's so badass, she's so cool. I want to be like her one day. I mean, to a certain degree, I'm not gonna go around killing people, she jokes to PRIDE. Playing her and also discovering her along the way has been such a special journey, especially this sequel, because... [we] really saw a different side of her, and watching her fall in love has been really beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.Tennant notes that the character is one we have rarely, if ever, seen on the screen. We certainly didn't grow up with a lot of female super villains, especially ones that also have hearts. So it's very, very cool to see, she tells PRIDE. I think CW and Cassandra are icons.Tennants character Madison has also undergone a major transformation since the previous film, having once had the aspirational life of a successful lifestyle influencer, to now living under suspicion and as the subject of true crime podcasts.It's so easy to put influencers in a box, right? They're vapid. They don't have much going on. It's all about money. It's all about look how great my life is, and even from the beginning, you can tell Madison struggles with that, recalls Tennant. You see her lose everything and question herself... and then you see her get motivated, and you see her have this drive.And what is that drive for? Why, for justiceand revengeof course. There is a little bit of an obsession element that CW has with her prey, and now Madison has taken [it] on because she has to, says Tennant.Like the first film, Influencers, on top of being an engrossing thriller, sprinkles in some commentary about the world of influencing, and this time it takes aim at the manosphere, introducing an Andrew Tatestyle character named Jacob, played by Jonathan Whitesell. The commentary is biting before it becomes bloody and deeply satisfying. It was a lane Naud was delighted to see the film go down. The red pill bros, she laughs. That was really exciting for me, because it feels so far away from my circle, like I just don't interact. I never see it. I don't interact unless someone else shows me.She has nothing but praise for Whitesell, who plays Jacob with exactly the repulsive and performative toxic masculinity you would expect. [Johns] an angel. He's so not like his character. So seeing him in that role, he's incredible. He really, fully, truly transforms.We got to see this audition tape, and it was terrifying, adds Tennant. It makes you feel it. And you're like, oh, I just want to take a shower after listening to that.Despite his alpha male trappings, Jacob is just a pawn between these two women, and standing between them is a dangerous place to be. As this story ultimately belongs to CW and Madison, the chemistry is explosive when they eventually reunite on screen. These movies are such crazy adventures. So just to be in this new place and starting again was electric in itself, recalls Tennant.That did feel electric, agrees Naud.Just that feeling of us seeing each other... that electricity existed, says Tennant.The Internet wants us to kiss, jokes Naud. Shes not wrong.Influencers arrives on Shudder on Dec 12.

Ben Solak lays out ways to improve the Chiefs' struggling offense, makes his case for the Jaguars' legitimacy and looks at wild Week 14 stats and trends.

We unveil our latest rankings and also look at the most surprising statistical rankings for each team.

A number of teams have the need -- and means -- to trade for a starting pitcher this winter. Here's how they match up with available hurlers.

As NBA trade season nears, the futures of Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo are in focus. Here's everything we're hearing.

A growing number of athletic directors say they are interested in exploring a once-unthinkable option.

Autobiographical stories and mystery games resonated in a chaotic year.

As Gen Alphas attention drifts from TV and movies, video creators like Alan Chikin Chow are eager to fill the void.

A judge blamed deliberate indifference for the illness of a man held by immigration officials. Across the country, several courts have blasted conditions in U.S. facilities.

Call me a boomer, but these participation trophies have gone too far, Stephen Colbert said before presenting himself with the First Annual Stephen Colbert Joke Prize.

The post Unfairport appeared first on The Onion.

HIRAIZUMI-CH, NISHIIWAI,IWATE, JAPANStruggling to decidewhether one on fall or springwould rock their shit more,Zen monk Ken Itostrained for a haiku to knockthem on their asses.I could mess them upwith that Bash one aboutthe full moons splendor,the Buddhist monk saidWednesday, seeing a tour groupon the temple grounds,trawling through his mindfor the best contemplationson lifes fleetingnessin syllabic setsof five-seven-five that couldblow their fucking minds.Then again maybeI hit them with Rykanon the transientdew on lotus leavesin the darkened mountainside.Bet that fucks them up.At press time, afterthe monk had found the perfecthaiku, he remarked,Ah, summer grasses!All that is still remaining Of warriors dreams,only to see thatthe group had gone, leaving himfeeling like an ass.The post Japanese Monk Racks<br/>Brain For Haiku That Will Knock<br/>Them On Their Asses appeared first on The Onion.

PHILADELPHIAIn an effort to earn extra income after Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Fresh Air host Terry Gross reportedly conducted an interview Thursday via Bluetooth during an Uber shift.And what can you tell us about how bull riding has changed sinceoh shit, that was my exit. Yep, that was my exit, said Gross, who used an iPhone perched on the dashboard of her 2013 Honda Civic hatchback to speak with a guest on her radio program while chauffeuring Uber riders through the streets of downtown Philadelphia.Are you Allison? Did you call for an Uber? continued the two-time Peabody Awardwinning interviewer. And Curtis, a question for you. What was it like the first time you stepped into a rodeo arena, knowing you were the only person of color competing that day? If its too hot back there, theres a control knob in the middle. I can get you close to the stadium, but honestly, youre better off having me drop you a few blocks away and then walking. Well be right back after a short break.According to listeners, Gross was later forced to cut short a segment on Dutch elm disease after accidentally rear-ending a police car.The post Terry Gross Conducts Fresh Air Interview On Bluetooth During Uber Shift appeared first on The Onion.

BOERNE, TXProviding an underwhelming new dining option for those returning to visit family in the area, people who grew up in a small Texas suburb were informed this week that their hometown had unveiled a disappointing local microbrewery.You like those IPAs, right? They supposedly got lots of those, said one family member, revealing that the Tree Ring Brewing Company had a large but disappointing selection of craft beers along with outdoor seating amidst the scenic backdrop of Interstate 10. And if youre hungry, theyve got a full menu of [cooked-from-frozen food with zero vegetarian options]. Youll love their cute metal holders for tacos. So neat. Plus, this guy you went to high school with plays live music on Thursdays. He mostly does covers [something youll be grateful for when you hear his originals]. We can dine a little later because they stay open until 8 p.m.!At press time, family sources confirmed they would suggest going to the underwhelming microbrewery every single time you were in town.The post Hometown Unveils Disappointing Microbrewery appeared first on The Onion.

Smoke rises as Israeli military demolish a house east of Gaza City, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)2025-12-09T12:59:16Z JERUSALEM (AP) A Hamas leader on Tuesday threatened to not move into the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement until more pressure is put on Israel to open a key border crossing, cease deadly strikes and allow more aid into the Palestinian territory.The accusation came as Israels government says it is ready to move into the next and more complicated phase of the ceasefire deal, while calling on the militant group to return the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza.Husam Badran, a member of Hamas political wing, called for the full implementation of all the terms of the first phase before moving forward, including an end to what he called the continuing demolition of Palestinian homes in the majority of the territory still controlled by Israel.Israels military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 376 Palestinians since the ceasefire took hold on Oct. 10, according to Palestinian health officials. Hamas has little leverage in ceasefire negotiations and could come under heavy pressure from regional powers like Qatar and Turkey to not hit the brakes on the fragile truce. Israel has also accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire. It has defended its strikes as a response to attacks against its soldiers or people getting too close to the area it controls, though a number of people killed have been women and children and some strikes have occurred in the safe zone, according to Palestinian health officials. As a humanitarian crisis continues in Gaza, the United Nations and other aid organizations said that not nearly enough aid is entering the territory.Israel said on Wednesday it would begin to allow aid into Gaza through a crossing on the Jordan-Israel border.The U.S.-led plan outlining the future for the devastated territory has gained momentum in recent weeks.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel and Hamas are very shortly expected to move into the second phase of the ceasefire, after Hamas returns the remains of the last hostage. Hamas has said the destruction by Israeli strikes in Gaza has been an obstacle in their search for remains. Meanwhile, officials have said that an international body tasked with governing Gaza in the ceasefires next phase is expected to be announced by the end of the year.The Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed around 1,200 people while 251 were taken hostage. Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals.Gazas Health Ministry says the Palestinian toll has topped 70,365. Its count does not distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry says roughly half of those killed have been women and children. The ministry operates under the Hamas-run government. It is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.___Find more of APs Israel-Hamas coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war MEGAN JANETSKY Megan Janetsky covers migration, conflict, human rights and politics in Mexico and Central America for The AP based in Mexico City. Previously, she covered Cuba and the Caribbean for The AP and worked as freelance journalist in Colombia, reporting across South America. twitter instagram facebook mailto JULIA FRANKEL Frankel, based in Jerusalem, has reported from across Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Her reporting focuses on war, human rights, displacement and criminal justice. twitter mailto

FILE Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, speaks during a news conference to announce charges against Ghislaine Maxwell for her alleged role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of multiple minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein, July 2, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)2025-12-09T14:26:37Z NEW YORK (AP) A federal judge said Tuesday the Justice Department can publicly release investigative materials from a sex trafficking case against Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime confidant of Jeffrey Epstein.Judge Paul A. Engelmayer ruled after the Justice Department in November asked two judges in New York to unseal grand jury transcripts and exhibits from Maxwell and Epsteins cases, along with investigative materials that could amount to hundreds or thousands of previously unreleased documents.The ruling, in the wake of the passage last month of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, means the records could be made public within 10 days. The law requires the Justice Department provide Epstein-related records to the public in a searchable format by Dec. 19.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, at podium, speaks during a news conference in Mineola, N.Y., March 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Philip Marcelo, File)2025-12-09T13:49:58Z Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a firebrand Long Island Republican, announced a run for governor of New York on Tuesday, setting up a primary clash with fellow Trump ally U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik.Blakeman, labeled 100% MAGA by President Donald Trump, criticized Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochu said in a social media post and said New Yorkers deserve leadership that works.In an appearance Tuesday on the Fox News Fox and Friends show, Blakeman said Hochul is a failure who needs to be replaced. Im running for office to make people more prosperous, to make them safer and to make New Yorkers happy again.Blakemans candidacy kicks off what is expected to be a heated Republican contest against Stefanik, a conservative from northern New York who Trump nominated for U.N. ambassador, only to withdraw it over concerns that the slim GOP majority couldnt afford to lose any more House seats. Trump has so far avoided taking sides, telling reporters this week Hes great, and shes great. Theyre both great people. Democrats enjoy a strong voter registration advantage in New York, but next years race for governor is expected to be one of the nations most watched contests. Hochul, a moderate Democrat, is facing a primary challenge from her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado. Blakeman, from his post as the leader of a suburban county just east of New York City, has cast himself as a bulwark against liberal, urban leadership in a part of Long Island that leans conservative and embraced Trump in recent elections. He has pushed through a policy that bans transgender athletes from using county sports facilities, created a volunteer law enforcement unit that his critics have labeled as a militia and directed county detectives to work alongside federal authorities in Trumps immigration crackdown. Nassaus first Jewish county executive, he also signed a local ban on wearing face masks in public except for health or religious reasons, a measure that critics complain is aimed at cracking down on pro-Palestine demonstrations. Blakeman cruised to victory in his election to a second term in November. And previously, he served in the Hempstead Town Council and held an appointed post as the commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. But bigger elective offices have eluded him. Hochuls campaign issued a statement saying Blakeman has lost just about every race hes touched county legislator, comptroller, Congress, even U.S. Senate. Theres a reason: just like Donald Trump, he takes money out of New Yorkers pockets and squeezes working families at every turn. Both Blakeman and Stefanik now frame themselves as candidates who could appeal to moderate Democrats as well as Republicans, even though both have adopted the brash political rhetoric of Trump, who remains unpopular in New York.Former Gov. George Pataki was the states last Republican governor, leaving office about two decades ago. PHILIP MARCELO Marcelo is a general assignment reporter in the NYC bureau. He previously wrote for AP Fact Check and before that was based in Boston, where he focused on race and immigration. twitter mailto

Nancy Shine at her home in Los Altos, Calif., on Nov. 21, 2025. Shine is a scientist who donated blood plasma that is used to create the treatment for infant botulism. (AP Photo/Terry Chea)2025-12-09T14:03:45Z When Alessandro Barbera was rushed to a California hospital with infant botulism in October, his father had barely heard of the disease, never mind the rare and costly treatment that likely saved the newborns life.Now, however, Tony Barbera is deeply grateful for BabyBIG, the sole antidote to the paralyzing and potentially deadly illnesses linked to contaminated ByHeart infant formula.It is hugely remarkable, said Barbera, 35, whose son is slowly recovering. The botulism outbreak tied to ByHeart formula has sickened at least 39 babies across in 18 states since August and showed the value of the treatment made from blood plasma donated by a small group of scientists and other volunteers.This is almost like a miracle, said Dr. Vijay Viswanath, a pediatric neurologist at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, who has treated several children with botulism during his career including one in the current outbreak. Prior to the discovery of BabyBIG, some of these hospitalizations would take two or three months, Viswanath said, if infected children recovered at all.Licensed in 2003, BabyBIG is the brand name for human botulism immune globulin, an IV medication that uses antibodies from volunteers vaccinated against botulism to help babies too young to fight the disease on their own. Treatment relies on donorsThe treatment was the brainchild of the late Dr. Stephen Arnon, who was a scientist with the California Department of Public Health. In 1976, Arnon and colleagues identified the rare form of botulism that affects infants younger than 1 and then spent his 45-year career figuring out how to treat it. The disease occurs when babies ingest botulism spores that germinate in the intestine and produce a dangerous toxin that attacks the nervous system.More than 3,700 children worldwide have been treated with BabyBIG since Arnon and his team conducted a pivotal clinical trial in California in 1997 that showed the medication could shorten hospital stays and reduce the need for breathing machines.Produced in small batches every five years, BabyBIG costs nearly $70,000 per treatment, according to the California Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, which Arnon founded. Under state law, fees from the sale of the drug are used only to fund the botulism program.The medication relies on donors like Nancy Shine, a 76-year-old retired biochemist in California who was vaccinated against botulism because she worked with the lethal germ in a lab. Arnon first recruited Shine and other scientists for the BabyBIG project two decades ago because their blood produced high levels of antibodies, the blood proteins that neutralize the botulism toxin.The early protocol required the volunteers to receive boosters doses of an investigational botulism vaccine also used by the U.S. military and then undergo a procedure that harvests the blood plasma that contains antibodies against botulism types A and B. It was not very pleasant to be vaccinated with, Shine recalled. There were a lot of side effects, like big welts where you got vaccinated and a little bit of pain. Still, Shine contributed to three batches of the antitoxin produced between 2008 and 2019. Its probably the highlight of my career that I actually was able to participate in this project and donate plasma, Shine said. We made a product that could save infants lives.Development faced hurdlesBecause infant botulism is rare, with fewer than 200 cases reported in the U.S. each year, finding funding and other resources to develop the BabyBIG treatment took nearly 15 years and $10.6 million and faced substantial hurdles, Arnon noted in a 2007 article.Today, about 30 people on average provide plasma for each batch of BabyBIG, California health officials said. Batch 8, the latest edition, is being manufactured now at a Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. plant near Los Angeles, according to Giles Platford, president of the companys plasma-derived therapies unit. The company contracts with California officials to produce BabyBIG on a not-for-profit basis, Platford said. Some of the earliest donors, like Shine, have aged out of the BabyBIG program, which collects blood from adult volunteers up to age 70. New donors are accepted, but they must enroll in a clinical study directed by the California health department and agree to receive a booster dose of a different investigational botulism vaccine.California officials estimate they have enough BabyBIG in reserve to last until next summer, based on current projections. The ByHeart outbreak is part of a worrisome rise of at least 107 infant botulism cases treated in the U.S. since August, said Dr. Jessica Khouri, senior medical officer for the state program. Shine recently received a booklet filled with photos and letters from families whose children have recovered from botulism after receiving BabyBIG. Its really wonderful. I read a couple each day, she said. Every single one of them makes you want to cry. ___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. JONEL ALECCIA Aleccia covers food and nutrition at The Associated Press. She is based in Southern California. twitter mailto

A man in Atlanta has been arrested and charged for allegedly deleting data from a Google Pixel phone before a member of a secretive Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unit was able to search it, according to court records and social media posts reviewed by 404 Media. The man, Samuel Tunick, is described as a local Atlanta activist in Instagram and other posts discussing the case.The exact circumstances around the searchsuch as why CBP wanted to search the phone in the first placeare not known. But it is uncommon to see someone charged specifically for wiping a phone, a feature that is easily accessible in some privacy and security-focused devices.Do you know anything else about this case? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at joseph.404 or send me an email at joseph@404media.co.The indictment says on January 24, Tunick did knowingly destroy, damage, waste, dispose of, and otherwise take any action to delete the digital contents of a Google Pixel cellular phone, for the purpose of preventing and impairing the Governments lawful authority to take said property into its custody and control. The indictment itself was filed in mid-November.Tunick was arrested earlier this month, according to a post on a crowd-funding site and court records. Samuel Tunick, an Atlanta-based activist, Oberlin graduate, and beloved musician, was arrested by the DHS and FBI yesterday around 6pm EST. Tunick's friends describe him as an approachable, empathetic person who is always finding ways to improve the lives of the people around him, the site says. Various activists have since shared news of Tunicks arrest on social media.The indictment says the phone search was supposed to be performed by a supervisory officer from a CBP Tactical Terrorism Response Team. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wrote in 2023 these are highly secretive units deployed at U.S. ports of entry, which target, detain, search, and interrogate innocent travelers.These units, which may target travelers on the basis of officer instincts. raise the risk that CBP is engaging in unlawful profiling or interfering with the First Amendment-protected activity of travelers, the ACLU added. The Intercept previously covered the case of a sculptor and installation artist who was detained at San Francisco International Airport and had his phone searched. The report said Gach did not know why, even years later.Court records show authorities have since released Tunick, and that he is restricted from leaving the Northern District of Georgia as the case continues.The prosecutor listed on the docket did not respond to a request for comment. The docket did not list a lawyer representing Tunick.

A gay advocate who helped win marriage rights in the state of Utah is now running for Congress.Former Utah state Sen. Derek Kitchen (D) announced in late November that he would join the race to represent Utahs newly drawn First Congressional District, a Democratic-leaning district that includes Salt Lake City. Related Gay politician files paperwork to unseat one of the most powerful Democrats in the country Utah raised me, he said in a campaign announcement. It shaped my values and taught me what community really means. Its where I fought for marriage equality, where I served on the Salt Lake City Council and in the State Senate, and where Ive spent my life working to make our state more affordable, more just, and more inclusive.This campaign starts with all of us. Grassroots supporters who believe in a Utah that leads with dignity, fairness, and hope. 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 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Derek L. Kitchen (@derekkitchen)In 2013, Kitchen and his then-partner Moudi Sbeity along with two other same-sex couples sued the state of Utah in federal court for the right to marry. That year, a district court judge ruled in their favor, saying that the states ban on marriage rights conflicts with the United States Constitutions guarantees of equal protection and due process under the law. The States current laws deny its gay and lesbian citizens their fundamental right to marry and, in so doing, demean the dignity of these same-sex couples for no rational reason.The state appealed, but a few months later, a federal appeals court affirmed the decision, and the Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal, which meant that the state had to start issuing marriage licenses to couples of any gender by October 2014, a year before the Supreme Court recognized the fundamental right to choose who to marry in Obergefell v. Hodges.After that case, Kitchen was elected to the Salt Lake City Council and then to the Utah State Senate. In 2023, he was appointed to a position at the U.S. Export-Import Bank by then-President Joe Biden. He divorced Sbeity in 2019. Utahs congressional map was redrawn in 2021, as happens in all states after a Census. But several voting rights organizations sued the GOP-controlled state legislature for implementing its own congressional map in 2021, rather than using one created by an independent commission.Earlier this year, a state judge ordered the state to draw new boundaries that comply with the states 2018 anti-gerrymandering ballot initiative, and the new map created one district that leans Democratic (the First Congressional District) for the first time in the state in decades. Republicans vowed to appeal the ruling, but this map will be used for the 2026 elections.Kitchen is just one of several Democrats who have announced they are running to represent the district in Congress. State Sen. Kathleen Riebe (D) and former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT) also announced last month that they would run in the districts Democratic primary. McAdams previously represented Utahs Fourth Congressional District, a district that leans Republican but that he won in 2018 by a very narrow margin. He lost reelection in 2020 to former NFL player and current U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT).When Kitchen was on the Salt Lake City Council, he helped rename a street in honor of gay civil rights pioneer Harvey Milk. Earlier this year, a Republican state lawmaker introduced a state bill to rename the street after rightwing podcaster Charlie Kirk instead.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

It's that time of the year!Pornhub is looking back on 2025 by releasing the spicy data that breaks down all of the sexy content consumed every month.For the 2025 Year in Review, many recognizable gay porn stars earned millions of views on their steamy videos including Rhyheim Shabazz, Legrand Wolf, Malik Delgaty, and so many more. It's safe to say many familiar faces continued to dominate the scene, with a few new names topping the charts as well.Who secured the number one spot? Scroll below to see the most searched gay adult entertainers on Pornhub in 2025. Check out the full Pornhub unwrapped here!10. MtwunkSee on Instagram9. Dante ColleSee on Instagram8.Yummy PrinceSee on Instagram7. HunnypaintSee on Instagram6. Legrand WolfSee on Instagram5.Jkab Ethan DaleSee on Instagram4. Rhyheim ShabazzSee on Instagram3.Sandro JennerSee on Instagram2. Malik DelgatySee on Instagram1. Tyler WuSee on Instagram

KATSEYE have been capturing fan attention all year for their incredibly sapphic moments, both on and off stage. Although the K-pop-inspired global girl group only has two queer members, all of the singers are supportive allies and have taken part in some of the groups sexiest and gayest viral moments.Not only did multiple group members come out this year, but Lara and Manon have made a habit out of bumping and grinding together on stage. So between sapphic dances and celebrating their queer members, the pop group's lesbian fans have had plenty to cheer about.1. Lara Rajagopalan is a fruitcake (@) Back in March Lara Rajagopalan came out as queer, calling herself half a fruitcake and admitting that shes known since she was a kid. I knew i was half fruitcake when i was like 8 so i really was wanting everybody, she wrote to her fans on Weverse. Honestly probably before 8. Isnt half fruitcake such a good way to explain it without saying it?2. Megan Skiendiel came out (@) Lara wast the only one to take to Weverse this year to come out. Fellow bandmate Megan Skiendiel announced shes bisexual in the middle of a livestream open the platform during Pride Month and was quickly met with support from the rest of KATSEYE and their fans.3. Sexy Lollapalooza show@lollapaloozaCant stop thinking about @KATSEYE #katseye #lollapalooza : @Respective CollectiveWhen KATSEYE debuted at Lollapalooza, they caused quite the stir with their wild set, and some particularly sapphic dance moves. Group members Lara and Manon got a little risqu when they started basically scissoring on stage while dancing together. 4. Bisexual Awareness Day (@) This year on Bisexuality Awareness day, bandmates Lara and Sophia gifted Megan an adorable cupcake to celebrate her first year being openly bisexual. The moment was caught on film and shared by fans who were loving the LGBTQ+ support the band was giving Megan.5. Lara and Manon's sexy dance (@) Lara and Manon turned sapphic heads when they straddled each other on stage at Lollapalooza, but they went viral again last week when they danced together during a concert, and Lara was seen stroking Manons stomach and caressing her over her silver bedazzled bra.If all this happened in 2025, what kind of sapphic shenanigans should we be expecting next year?

Nature, Published online: 09 December 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03739-5The question of where eddies come from is immortalized in verse, and an earwig emerges remarkably unscathed from inside a vacuum tube, in this weeks peek at Natures archive.

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Frontman Raul Malo, center, and The Mavericks perform during the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular in Boston on July 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)2025-12-09T15:01:30Z NEW YORK (AP) Raul Malo, the soulful tenor and frontman of the genre-defying, Grammy-winning band The Mavericks, has died. He was 60.Malo died Monday night, his wife, Betty Malo, posted on his Facebook page. He had been battling cancer. The frontman of The Mavericks had documented his health journey on social media since he disclosed in June 2024 that he was receiving treatment for colon cancer.In September 2025, Malo said on Instagram that he was battling LMD, or leptomeningeal disease, a rare complication when cancer spreads to membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.The diagnosis forced The Mavericks to cancel dates with Dwight Yoakam in the middle of a joint tour. Malo left home in Nashville, Tennessee, to seek treatment in Houston, keeping his fans updated along his health journey.He was called to do another gig this time in the sky and hes flying high like an eagle, Betty Malo wrote. No one embodied life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music, and adventure the way our beloved Raul did. Now he will look down on us with all that heaven will allow, lighting the way and reminding us to savor every moment. Malos band praised his deep commitment to the preservation of the multilingual American musical repertoire and his steadfast championing of music education as an inspiration for every child across America and throughout the world.Born Raul Francisco Martnez-Malo Jr. in Miami to Cuban parents, he co-founded The Mavericks in 1989 with drummer Paul Deakin and bass guitarist Robert Reynolds. Their self-titled debut album was released the following year on the independent, Miami-based label Y&T Music. Some call the band alt-country. Others describe it as Americana, roots, Latin, Tejano or swing. Its all of the above and more, driven by songs written by Malo, his expansive guitar style and his broad vocal range, from a soaring, velvety baritone to operatic high notes. His musical prowess was in the blend, also incorporating rock, traditional country and surf. In the early days in Miami, The Mavericks played punk and rock clubs to get their sound out there.I grew up in a household where we listened to all kinds of music, Malo said in a 2020 NPR interview. I just remember it was a celebration of all these cultures.At that time, The Mavericks had just released an all-Spanish album, En Espaol, featuring original songs and classic Latin American standards. In 2002, Malo released an all-Spanish album for children, el Cancionero de la Familia Volume 1, featuring vocals from his sister, Carol, wife, Betty, and mother, Norma, along with other guests.The band has taken on various iterations over the years as some members came and went. The Mavericks also disbanded a couple of times. Malo put out a dozen or so solo albums and collaboration projects as well, including his instrumental Say Less, Youre Only Lonely and Sinners & Saints. The Mavericks released their 13th studio album, Moon & Stars, in 2024. Between that and their debut, the band received a Grammy, two Country Music Association awards and three Academy of Country Music Awards. Raul has a BMI award for songwriting, for All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down, and was nominated for several solo Grammys, including one for his album Lucky One and another for his work with the Latin supergroup Los Super Seven.He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Betty; sons Dino, Victor, and Max, mother Norma, sister Carol, and Mavericks bandmates Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, and Jerry Dale McFadden.

Former Rep Colin Allred (D-TX) has announced he is running in the primary against out incumbent gay Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX) to represent Texas newly drawn 33rd district. It is one of the few attainable seats for Democrats in the Dallas-Fort Worth area after the Supreme Court approved the GOPs new and heavily gerrymandered map.Johnson replaced Allred in Congress after he vacated his seat to run for Senate last year. He was originally planning to run for Senate in 2026 as well, but in the wake of Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) announcing her Senate run, he said this week he is ending that campaign to instead run for Johnsons House seat to avoid a contentious Senate primary runoff. Related Rep. Julie Johnson lays out how Democrats should resist: Every act of defiance needs to happen Last year, Allred caused controversy in the Democratic party when he became the first federal-level Democratic candidate everto release a TV adresponding to Republican transphobic attacks.I dont want boys playing girls sports, Allred said in the ad, responding to several aired on behalf of his Republican opponent for the Senate, anti-LGBTQ+ Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). 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 Today, the danger we face from Donald Trump is at an all time high and has added a level of corruption and rigging of our economy that has made it harder than ever for Texans. But Ive never been more confident that together, we can meet this moment. I hope youll join us: Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) December 8, 2025Trans advocates insinuated at the time that Allreds ad was transphobic and needless, seeing as most American voters arent concerned about transgender athletes.Johnson the first out woman elected to Congress from the South posted a long statement to social media on Monday slamming Allred for parachuting back to a Congressional run because his other campaign didnt work out. This new district deserves representation that has been present in the tough moments, she said, including through the redistricting fight.I know these communities not because they appeared on a newly drawn map, but because I have been here, doing the work through every challenge weve faced, she said. Ive spent most of my life in North Texas. I didnt just live here; I showed up, stayed involved, and worked alongside families who needed someone willing to fight with them and for them. Long before I ever held public office, I was advocating for people who were ignored or pic.twitter.com/Q8AwGd4Ri9 Julie Johnson for Congress (@juliejohnsonTX) December 8, 2025In March, Johnson told LGBTQ Nation it feels awesome to think about being a role model for young queer women. You know, its humbling and its empowering and its inspiring all at the same time, she added. Its not lost on me what the visibility of my election represents and what it means to people, especially in red states where they dont have a lot of folks in elected office that seem to be standing up for our community. And so the fact that I was able to win a congressional seat in a state like Texas is very significant, and it shows that progress can be made. We just have to be thoughtful and aggressive about putting ourselves in the arena and not be afraid.She also said that one of the best things about representing her district in Congress is having a real opportunity to move the needle on policy and social thinking and the commentary and the conversation and the public dialogue. In the wake of Allreds announcement, the Human Rights Campaign issued a statement supporting Johnson. Julie Johnson is a history maker who has dedicated her career in public service to making life better for her constituents in Texas, the organization declared. She is an important and needed voice in the House of Representatives who will continue the fight for equality and dignity for all. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Human Rights Campaign (@humanrightscampaign)Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a new $1 billion federal grant program to make the experience better in airports, a program that he suggested could include workout areas.I want to expand the play areas for kids, Duffy said while announcing the funding at the Ronald Reagan National Airport yesterday. I want additional nursing pods for nursing mothers. I want a workout area where people might get some blood flowing, doing some pull-ups or some step-ups. Related Pete Buttigiegs replacement threatens unpaid air traffic controllers for not being patriotic 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 dont want you to have a full-body sweat going on till you stink, he said. But if you do a few good pull-ups, get your blood flowing, I think thats positive. This is not like go to the gym, sweat and get on an airplane.Duffy and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. then had a pull-up competition at the airport. Kennedy got 20 in the contest, although his form was questionable. Duffy, with better form, got 10. Last month, Duffy announced a new Department of Transportation initiative aimed at getting people to be more polite and dress better when they travel by air. And so sometimes you just have to ask people, hey, lets maybe go back to an era where we didnt wear our pajamas to the airport, he said on Fox Business. We actually might dress up a little bit. And if somebody needs help putting their luggage up in the overhead bin, help them out!Trump's Transportation Secretary on how to improve air travel:"Sometimes you just have to ask people, Hey, let's go back to an era where we didn't wear our pajamas to the airport. We actually might dress up a little bit" pic.twitter.com/t0C9gozqFe FactPost (@factpostnews) November 19, 2025 Duffy has spent the past year blaming the massive problems air travel in the U.S. has faced this year on his predecessor, out former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He said that Buttigieg didnt work hard enough to modernize air traffic control equipment and wasinstead focused on frivolous problems, like climate change.Buttigieg, though, didnt do anything to get even simple gym equipment into airports during his tenure at the Department of Transportation, and he didnt even try to do a single pull-up at an airport during a press conference. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

An appeals court in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday ordered a new trial for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who was convicted earlier this year of sexually abusing a minor.