[BBC][Getty Images]Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?Cherries fans would rate the season simply as 10/10! The club achieving European football for the first time feels remarkable, particularly following a summer losing many key players. Total and utter joy has to be the overriding emotion.Best moment and why?There have been plenty of magical moments for Bournemouth fans to enjoy, some huge scalps and many late winners.The club looked to have caused major damage to Arsenal's title hopes when they impressively rocked up to the Emirates and deservedly won 2-1.However, Arsenal did win the title, and ironically - it was thanks to Bournemouth. A home draw with Manchester City resulted in the Premier League trophy going to north London, but it was also a game which in itself guaranteed European football for the Cherries - a night that will remain forever in Bournemouth history.Player of season and why?It has undoubtedly been a team effort both on and off the pitch that has led to a top-six finish being achieved. There are many consistent performers but it's the 'midfield magician' Alex Scott who has been the standout throughout. Scott's ceiling is certainly high, and he's quickly turning into the complete Premier League midfielder.Unsung hero and why?Every successful side has that unsung hero, a player who is so integral to what the team does without always getting the credit they deserve. In Evanilson, Bournemouth have a centre-forward whose selfless running and intelligence is pivotal to how they play and perform.Biggest disappointment?The inability to beat two of the three relegated sides is seen as a real annoyance, as is the frustration at not winning against those who were promoted. The Cherries couldn't get past Burnley or West Ham despite their poor seasons, and if they had managed to win just two of those, it would be Champions League football next season.What needs to change this summer?That ability to see off sides who are content to defend and snatch a draw is certainly something the club will look to improve on. Turning those draws into wins could elevate Bournemouth to another level.Major hope for next season?The major hope for next season is to embrace and progress to the latter stages of the Europa League - while also steering clear of any relegation scrap in the Premier League of course.Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the NetThis is your Bournemouth page. Bookmark it and come back for news, fan opinions, punditry and reporter insight, audio clips and more.If you're on the BBC Sport app, press the bell icon at the top and select news alerts. And don't forget to 'follow' if on the app or signed in on a browser to start seeing more Cherries content.

After a thrilling knockout stage, we are down to the final two teams in the Uefa Champions League with Arsenal taking on Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, May 30 in Budapest.Champions League final betting offers & free betsThe Champions League remains the most prestigious club football competition in the world, and as such, it is one of the most bet-on events in the UK each season. Knockout rounds and the final in particular attract a surge in betting activity, and online bookmakers have a range of dedicated Champions League betting offers, including free bets, price boosts and money back promos.We’ve picked out the best Champions League betting offers on the UK market. PSG vs Arsenal: Best Champions League final price boost offersLadbrokes: Goal to be scored in both halves - 50/1 from 1/2Ladbrokes have gone big with their Champions League final price boost sign up offer, with new customers able to get 50/1 on a goal to be scored in either half in normal time. That’s an enormous boost from 1/2, but there’s a few significant terms to be aware of before you go steaming in. First of all, you have to deposit £10 to qualify.You then have to bet £1 on a goal to be scored in both halves at the regular price. If the bet is a winner, you will be paid out in cash at the original 1/2 price and the rest of the winnings will be made up of free bets (10 x £5 free bet tokens). It’s a pretty good offer but be mindful that this is for new customers only so if you already have a Ladbrokes account you won’t be eligible.Coral: Both teams to score - 50/1 from 4/6Coral have a similar offer for new customers betting on the Champions League final, with newcomers eligible for a 50/1 price boost on both teams to score in 90 minutes.That’s a huge enhanced price from 4/6, but again you must deposit £10 to qualify and the maximum bet on the price boost is £1. Like the Ladbrokes Champions League final betting offer, the bulk of the winnings here will be paid out in free bets - 10 x £5 free bet tokens. The free bets will be valid for four fays and can be used on any sports markets, including World Cup odds and World Cup price boosts. Our picks for the best Champions League betting sign up offersThe table below provides a brief look at the best Champions League betting offers in the UK which guarantee a free bet return. The following five bookmakers have been evaluated across several key factors, including welcome offer value, football-specific features and overall operator quality. BookmakerSign-up promotionWelcome Offer T&CsUCL OffersBet365Bet £10 get £30 in bet creditsNew customers only. Min deposit £5. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.orgIn-play UCL betting, money back bet builders and Champions League giveawaysPaddy PowerBet £5 get £40 in free betsNew customers only. Promo code YSKAST. Min bet £5 at EVS (2.0). Debit cards only. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org2 Up early payout, enhanced oddsBetfredBet £10 get £50 in free betsNew customers only. Min bet £10. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.orgBest value welcome offer, free bet refundWilliam HillBet £10 get £30 in free betsNew customers only. Promo code R30. Min bet £10 at odds of 1/2. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org#YourOdds UCL markets, profit boosts, enhanced oddsLadbrokesBet £5 get £30 in free betsNew customers only. Min bet £10. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.orgAcca insurance, bet builder boost, early payouts, free to play gamesBet365 - Best for Champions League in-play bettingBet365 became the first sports betting brand to partner with the Champions League in 2024 and that agreement has only helped elevate Bet365’s coverage of the tournament, with the bookmaker giving away tickets to punters via a free-to-enter competition. One of the biggest bookmakers in Europe also runs money-back offers on Champions League nights, with bettors able to get their stake back on losing bet builders.Users can also expect excellent in-play coverage of every Champions League match with a plethora of live markets available, including next goalscorer, correct score, total goals, and next team to score. Paddy Power - Best for Champions League football specialsPaddy Power's 2 Up offer is a very popular promo that pays customers out as a winner – regardless of the final result – if the team they have backed goes two goals ahead at any point during a Champions League match. Champions League games are also covered by Paddy’s Super Sub promotion, where a bet on a player rolls over to his replacement should he be taken off during a match. Bettors can claim free Champions League bets via Paddy’s Rewards club, while the bookmaker is well known for boosting the odds on a range of bets for UCL games. Finally, the Paddy Power sign-up offer includes £30 in free bets, which can all be wagered on the Champions League.Betfred - Best value Champions League welcome offerThe Betfred welcome offer is a classic ‘bet and get’ promo, though it is more valuable than most sign-up offers. The bet £10, get £50 in free bets offer is one of the most generous sign-up offers among UK football betting sites and is a strong starting point for new customers during the Champions League knockout stages. In addition to a potential £50 in Champions League free bets, Betfred regularly runs free bet offers on Champions League nights and provides a range of bet boosts on games, up to and including the final.Betfred provides solid market depth across all UCL rounds, including outright winner, top scorer, and group stage markets earlier in the season.William Hill - Best for custom UCL marketsWilliam Hill's #YourOdds feature allows customers to build bespoke Champions League bets by combining markets from the same match – for example, a player to score, their team to win, and a correct score – into a single bet with personalised odds. This makes William Hill particularly strong for football fans who follow the Champions league closely and want to go beyond standard match result or goalscorer markets. Overall, William Hill's broad coverage of all Champions League rounds from the group stage through to the final – including outright and top scorer markets as well as more niche offerings – makes it the best choice for bettors who want to explore custom Champions League markets. Ladbrokes - Best for Champions League accumulatorsLadbrokes’ acca insurance promotion makes it the best betting option for Champions League accumulators. The offer means if one leg of a Champions League multiple fails to win, Ladbrokes will refund the accumulator in free bets, up to a maximum of £10.Bettors can also grab free bets on selected Champions League matches at Ladbrokes or via Ladbrokes’ free-to-play score prediction game, which features gives out cash and free bets as prizes.There are also odds boosts and early payouts for the Champions League available at Ladbrokes, all of which can be accessed via one of the best betting apps in the UK.How to claim a Champions League free betThere are several ways to unlock Champions League free bet offers, but the most common method is via a sign up offer. Here’s how to claim UCL free bets when joining a new bookmaker: Step 1: Select a bookmaker from our list of recommended UKGC-licensed betting sites. Step 2: Click through and register a new account. Step 3: Deposit the minimum qualifying amount using a qualifying payment method. Step 4: Place a qualifying bet at the required minimum odds. Step 5: Wait for the bet to settle, and then locate the free bet token in your account. What to look for in a Champions League betting offerHow ‘good’ a Champions League betting offer largely depends on the individual and what they might want from a betting promo. However, there are certain criteria we believe make a Champions League free bets promo particularly good. When evaluating promos and betting sites, first look at the welcome offer, checking how accessible it is and what restrictions, if any, the promotion might carry.Once signed up, new customers should also have access to a range of ongoing football-specific promotions that go beyond the initial sign-up bonus, including money back specials, accumulator insurance, price boosts and early payouts.In addition to offers, it goes without saying that the best Champions League betting sites will provide customers with plenty of in-play markets during European matchesWhat Champions League betting markets are available?All of the best Champions League betting sites will offer markets for outright winner, top scorer (Golden Boot), individual match results, both teams to score, correct score, first goalscorer and total goals over/under.The best bookies are also likely to offer handicap markets, specials and in-play markets during matches, as well as the ability to create bet builders and accumulators. Accumulator betting across multiple Champions League fixtures on the same night is popular, and some bookmakers offer dedicated Champions League accumulator promotions too. In most cases, outright markets are available year-round and tend to offer the best value before the knockout stages narrow the field. Why trust The Independent's recommendationsOur writers have extensive expertise in betting and gaming, and they are tasked with reviewing and ranking dozens of online bookmakers and casino sites across the UK market. We have tested dozens of UK bookmakers to compile this list of Champions League betting offers, and we’ve used a range of strict criteria when evaluating online bookmakers, considering promotions and offers, the variety of games and payment methods, efficient customer service and the overall experience.The Independent's recommendations are based on independent assessment by a team of betting experts evaluating operators across welcome offer value, market range, competitive odds, customer service quality, app experience, and responsible gambling tools. All recommendations are made editorialy and each recommended betting site is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.Responsible gamblingWhen gambling, it’s important to stay in control, stick to a budget and never chase your losses. Anyone can lose a bet, even if they know a lot about football. It is easy to get carried away with Champions League betting, so make sure to remain in control of your time and betting. Betting should be for entertainment only, and should never be used to chase losses. These rules should apply whether you are using an online casino, poker sites, bingo sites, or any other gambling medium.Bettors can use responsible gambling tools provided by gambling sites, and all featured bookmakers offer tools including deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion, among others.There are several gambling addiction charities ready and prepared to help you with counselling, support groups and practical advice on how to help you recover if you do lose control:Gamblers AnonymousNHSGamCareGambleAwareWe may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Erik Ibsen had never played Fantasy Premier League before this season [Erik Ibsen]The Premier League season might be long-forgotten already - but we're definitely still in the window where bragging about how well you did in fantasy football is just about acceptable.Plenty of people will have been frantically checking the app on Sunday to see if they'd beaten friends, family or colleagues and topped their mini leagues.Someone who was refreshing a little more than most is 23-year-old Everton fan Erik Ibsen.But the Danish medical student managed to hold on to his lead to be crowned the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) champion - in his first season playing the game.Ibsen only started playing because his sister was doing a work league and wanted some help, which turned into him picking his own team "for sibling rivalry".But he tells BBC Newsbeat going on to then beat millions of others to the title is "completely insane"."If you had told me at the start of the season I'd even be close I would have thought it's a joke," he says."I don't know how to put it into words. I don't think I understood what position I was in until I actually became number one."I remember when I was like number 18, just that alone was completely insane, but then to win it and bring it home."'You should see my Excel sheet'FPL is the UK's most popular fantasy league, and claims to have more than 11 million players taking part.Users face a £100m budget as they select squads of 15 footballers, who each earn points based on their weekly on-pitch performance.Ibsen was 21 points ahead going into the final day of the season but ended up winning by 38 points thanks to a 14-point haul from his captain, and Manchester United's skipper, Bruno Fernandes."Of course there's been some luck involved but I have also put time into it and it's taken a lot of my energy," he says."It makes me feel like a football expert, even though I'm not really."I think my childhood dream was always to be a football manager."But I don't really have any education [in] football, all my analysis and statistical understanding is based off of my own education."Much like Arsenal, Erik had a reason to celebrate at the end of the season [Getty Images]FPL has become so competitive that it's led to a whole industry of content creators offering weekly tips for anyone looking to sift through stats as the season goes on.More players have been turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools - as Newsbeat found out in January - though not everyone agrees they have a place in the game.It's fair to say FPL took over Ibsen's life even before he tells Newsbeat "you should see my Excel sheet"."I think I was sitting with it four or five hours a day [in] the last week," he says."I have an exam in three weeks and I haven't even started studying for it."Ibsen admits the amount of FPL content he consumed "grew more and more" as the season went on, but says he resisted the temptation to turn to AI for help. "I think people can look back at my first few weeks and see this guy didn't use AI," he says."I had [James] Tarkowski captain, [Marc] Guéhi captain, [David] Raya captain, not normal things at all."I didn't use AI to plan it, especially because I felt like it didn't really take account for scenarios."For example like when [Manchester] City and Arsenal were playing the last game, they were still rated as the best players to buy, even though they had nothing to play for, whereas I was quite critical of that."Erik is an Everton fan but regrets early decisions like picking defender James Tarkowski [Getty Images]One of the many prizes Ibsen gets for winning FPL is a seven-night UK break, including VIP hospitality at two Premier League games next season.And he says he's already looking forward to a trip to his beloved Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium."I've never watched a Premier League game, to go from nothing to those kind of seats will be a special experience," he says."I've heard so many good things, it would be an awesome experience."The medical student is holding off celebrating properly until he's finished his exams next month.But he's already planned an "appreciation post" for players who helped him - like when Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott scored 12 points against Arsenal in April.And his advice for the millions of people who will pick up the FPL app again next season, despite promising themselves they wouldn't do it to themselves again?"For new people who want to win, just have patience."And for people who just want to start playing, just have fun."I had so many bad weeks and I still ended up winning... don't let the weak results define your whole season."[BBC]Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. More on this Is AI taking the fun out of fantasy football?Student, 15, tops Fantasy Premier League worldwideFantasy football tips from the world's best players

NEW CHANDIGARH: Pat Cummins has played only seven games this IPL season, having missed the first half of it recovering from a lower back injury. When he joined Sunrisers Hyderabad mid-season, the team was wobbling a bit and was out of the top four in the points table. Now, with the league phase over, SRH find themselves in the playoffs for the second time in three years, with Cummins leading the team to five wins out of the final seven. That is not a coincidence.James Franklin, SRH’s assistant coach, knows exactly what Cummins brings to the team. His contribution goes beyond the ball he bowls. “We all know his (Cummins’) wonderful attributes as a leader, not only for SRH but for Australia as well,” Franklin said on Tuesday ahead of the Eliminator clash between Sunrisers and Rajasthan Royals. “I think, particularly, when you talk about the young bowlers in our team, they have a captain who is also a bowler and he really has that sort of empathetical side to him. Empathy makes Pat a special captain.”That understanding, Franklin said, comes from Cummins knowing what a bowler feels at the top of his mark, under pressure and with the game on the line. He reads those moments not as a distant captain but as someone who has lived them. “He understands how the bowlers are feeling at the top of their mark when they’re under pressure, what ball they’re potentially going to bowl, how they’re going to try and execute,” Franklin said. “He has that understanding and knows what is going to pan out.”Cummins’ leadership has made a visible difference in the SRH dressing room. The younger fast bowlers, like Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, trust that their captain will not just demand execution but guide them through the stressful situations. “It’s wonderful for the youngsters; they know that they’ve got a captain that truly understands how they’re feeling,” Franklin said. “Pat’s guidance for them through pressure moments is one of his strong traits as a leader.”That guidance becomes most important during a knockout match. Asked how Cummins handles the weight of a knockout game, Franklin said, “Pat just normalizes the game and I think the players respond to that wonderfully. The mood within the group is the same. It is incredibly consistent.”

JOHNSTON – After giving up a first inning run, Haley Boudreau made a promise to herself that she wasn’t going to let another runner cross home plate.She kept that promise – adding a certain degree of difficulty – and helped the Johnston softball escape with a win that might change its postseason fortunes.Boudreau took over the game in the right spots, but Johnston didn’t get its first lead of the game until there were two outs in the sixth. That’s where Mariah Fleury’s cue shot down the first base line somehow found a path to fair territory, bringing home the go-ahead run that Boudreau made stick with a 1-2-3 seventh in a dramatic 2-1 win over Ponaganset in the winners’ bracket quarterfinals of the Division II Tournament.“Honestly the most nervous I was was probably [to play] Pono,” Boudreau said. “They beat us at our home field, so I was very nervous. You could tell we were down. Pulling out the win means so much to me.”The game was a brilliant pitchers duel between Boudreau and Ponaganset sophomore Mattea Mello and ended up being decided by physics.Johnston had struggled to do anything productive against Mello. The Panthers scored the game-tying run when the Chieftains turned an error into two, letting Fleury scamper home from third.Mello walked Kendall Duguay to open the sixth and gave up a one-out single she followed with another K. With Duguay on third and Layla Bryand on second, Fleury – the No. 9 hitter – was just looking to make contact.On a 1-2 pitch, she made a late defensive swing at one of Mello’s offerings and hit the ball with the end of the bat. The ball came off with violent sidespin, starting in foul territory and making its way down the line. Fleury stood still and watched, then realized running would be a good idea.As she stepped toward first, the ball started spinning left. It reached fair territory before anyone could get to it and by the time it was picked up, Fleury had reached first safely and Duguay crossed with the go-ahead run.“She was just so nonchalant,” said Boudreau of Fleury. “I knew she was going to get the ball in play one way or another because she always does. I was just very proud of her.“I’m glad that whoever was on third base ran home and was heads up on that, because I probably wouldn’t have run home.”“It didn’t go far, but I still got on base and the run still scored,” Fleury said. “… I thought it was foul. I stopped and then noticed it was going fair, so I ran to first.”With their first lead of the game, Boudreau was clinical in the seventh, sandwiching a ground ball to second with two strikeouts, including the 900th of her career.Boudreau was at her best in the toughest moments the entire game. She gave up a first-pitch single to Claire Barrett, who stole second and then scored on an RBI single by Mia Duncan. That annoyed Boudreau, who then decided the Chieftains were done.In the moments where it looked like Ponaganset was going to get to Boudreau, the senior was at her best. She gave up two singles to open the third, got a groundout, then walked the bases loaded before ending the threat with two strikeouts.In the fourth, Boudreau gave up back-to-back one out singles, then picked up a strikeout and induced a ground ball to put the inning to bed. In the fifth, Cora Miller ripped a leadoff triple and didn’t go anywhere. Ponaganset loaded the bases with one out thanks to two walks, but Boudreau got a soft liner to first and a strikeout to end that inning.“Usually I tend to give up on myself, but I was like ‘they can’t get on base, we’re going to leave them to one run. They’re not going to get another run,’” Boudreau said. “We were going to score a run. We haven’t had a game we we’ve gotten shut out, so I just kept that in my head like ‘we’re going to score a run, we’re going to score a run.’”Boudreau tweaked a pre-existing back injury in the fourth inning and it looked like her day was done. After dealing with the pain in the circle and taking a few warmup pitches, only got better. Boudreau retired the last eight hitters she faced, four by strikeout.“I have big confidence in her,” Fleury said. “I’ve been playing with her since sixth grade. I have such good confidence in her and I know she’s going to help us out a lot.”Getting dropped to the losers’ bracket would have been detrimental to Johnston’s D-II title hopes. Despite high seeds and having Boudreau in the circle, the Panthers haven’t reached the winners’ bracket final, with one first-round loss and two in the semifinal round.“I have so much more confidence now,” Boudreau said. “I’m so much more at ease now that we got this win.”The next round won’t be easier. On Friday Johnston will welcome Portsmouth back to Wood Lake Park. The teams played one another on May 12, where the Panthers saw a 6-1 lead disappear in the seventh before pulling out the 6-5 win.“We have to go our hardest,” Fleury said. “We can’t think too lightly of the team and have to try our best and have confidence in each other.”“Portsmouth is the most amazing team,” Boudreau said. “I think that they’re the best – I think we’r eht best, obviously, it’s my team – but I think Portsmouth is the second best over Lincoln.“I don’t care how many games [Lincoln has] won, Portsmouth is the team I want to beat.”This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Score from Ponaganset at Johnston playoff softball on Tuesday May 26

MIRAMAR BEACH, FL – Nobody’s going to listen to Mike Elko. He’s just a football coach.Nobody should listen to Elko, either — not on matters such as the size and shape of the College Football Playoff. Because, he’s just a football coach.Hey, don’t take it from me. Take it from Elko.“It doesn’t matter what we think,” Elko, the Texas A&M coach, told a room full of reporters at SEC spring meetings. "I'm very self-aware."These same reporters then spent the next 15 minutes asking Elko what he thinks about issues such as the CFP and college sports governance.Exclusive: No boots, no ranch, no nonsense. Why Mike Elko suits Texas A&MFix it yourself: SEC considers nuclear option. Could walk away from NCAAMike Elko: Coaches consider issues from a place of self-interestElko kept returning to his central theme: It really doesn’t matter what he thinks — and he's biased anyway.When it comes to the CFP, he’s spot-on.Just about every coach wearing a quarter-zip inside this beachfront resort has an opinion on how big the playoff should be and how teams should be selected.But, coaches’ playoff opinions shouldn’t matter much in this debate. Why? Once again, take it from Elko: When a coach tells you the size and shape he prefers for the playoff, trust his opinion comes from a place of self-interest and self-preservation.“None of us are answering for the good of the sport,” Elko said. “We’re answering for the good of ourselves.”Yep.Opinion: SEC's Greg Sankey is still a fierce firewall to a 24-team playoffWhy a college football commissioner (or a CEO) probably won't happenWhen Tennessee’s Josh Heupel or Kentucky’s Will Stein or Missouri’s Eliah Drinkwitz throw support behind a 24-team playoff, trust that it’s because they think a bigger playoff would benefit them.Or, more specifically, they think (or, at least, they hope) it’ll help their job security.This idea of self-interest-shapes-all-opinion extends beyond the coaches’ room. The Big Ten wants the playoff format (24 teams) it thinks will be best for its conference.The SEC will want a format that works best for its league.ESPN wants a playoff that’s best for its network (no bigger than 16 teams).Fox wants a playoff size that’s better for its network (24 teams).Who’s looking out for the good of the sport, on the whole?Nobody.“We’re a billion-dollar industry that’s getting governed in a lot of different separate pockets, not with one unified leadership,” Elko said.“Has there ever been an industry like this in the world? In the history of the world? Probably not.”Elko kept insisting he didn’t have the answers, and nobody would listen to him even if he did, but he kept making sense, so we kept asking him questions.Like, what’s the potential solution to college sports’ sticky wickets that persistently result in squabbling and tire spinning?“How about a billion-dollar industry having a CEO and a board?” Elko said.He’s under no illusion that’ll happen. Uniting college football under one CEO and one board would require certain influential individuals, like conference commissioners, to cede their power.That’s not going to happen, is it?As Elko says, this here is a get-mine business of self-preservation, above all.A 'forty' team playoff?!The self-preservationist coach living inside Elko says the bigger the playoff, the better.“Forty (teams). Then, I won’t get fired,” Elko said.I’m not so sure about that. That’s one area where Elko is off-base.A mega-sized playoff won’t provide coaches with the job security they crave. Schools like Texas A&M aren’t going to build statues for coaches who lose in the first round of a 40-team playoff.Big-boy football schools would fire coaches who lost in the first round of a super-sized playoff, just as North Carolina fired a basketball coach who lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.What if Elko wasn’t a coach? What if he was just Johnny Lunchbucket, American citizen and fan of college football, who’s not worried about self-preservation?Would he still want a super-sized playoff in that case? Nah. Not a chance.“We don’t have to find a number that lets everybody get in,” Elko said, after he puts his self-preservation aside. “It’s OK to make it hard to get into the playoffs.”That’s the opinion you get when a coach puts aside self-interest and self-preservation.Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: One SEC football coach admits flaw in CFP debate: They're all selfish

Federal agents fire tear gas and pepper spray into a crowd of protesters, including children, in Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 31. Courtesy of Kylie Cleveland Three U.S. senators have called for an overhaul of federal agents’ use of tear gas and pepper spray, citing a ProPublica investigation that found at least 79 children were left screaming, coughing or hurt by these chemicals during President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Lawmakers said the findings showed more restrictions are needed to avoid injuring bystanders — including children — with chemical munitions. Such weapons were designed to combat rioters and soldiers, and their compounds are toxic, especially to children, who breathe more rapidly than adults relative to their body weight. “This reporting makes clear that we need federal legislation to rein in the over-use and misuse of tear gas and chemical agents,” Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, said in a statement. “We cannot allow another child to be tear-gassed by federal law enforcement officers.” ProPublica found that the Department of Homeland Security’s policies on the use of these weapons are less restrictive than those of some local police departments, many of which have been forced to adopt stronger ones following lawsuits or local legislation. There is no uniform standard governing how and when law enforcement departments can use these weapons. DHS should update its policies based on the best practices of local police departments, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, told ProPublica. In Minneapolis, for instance, police officers can deploy chemical munitions only if the police chief has authorized it. “This kind of use of force should require approval from someone in a position of authority” and an assessment of the potential “collateral damage to children,” Blumenthal said. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, echoed this sentiment. “We need a complete overhaul of ICE and Border Patrol to ensure they follow the same rules and safeguards that apply to police departments across the country,” she said in a written statement. Many of the hurt kids were at home when tear gas drifted in from streets where federal agents had deployed the chemical agent against crowds of protesters. Other children were sitting in their parents’ cars when officers fired pepper spray through the driver’s side windows. Virtually no research exists on the potential long-term effects on children, but the chemicals are undeniably dangerous. One mother near Chicago told ProPublica she’s repeatedly taken her 7-year-old daughter to urgent care due to her coughing and wheezing since tear gas seeped into their house last fall. Referencing our reporting, three Democrats in the House Committee on Homeland Security also sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin asking for the department’s training and policies for using chemical munitions when children are in the vicinity. The letter accused the department of “needlessly and callously” inflicting harm on children, and it requested details on whether DHS has studied the weapons’ “toxic effects on children.” The committee’s ranking member, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., signed the letter, along with the ranking members of two subcommittees, Rep. J. Luis Correa from California and Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan. Blumenthal sent a separate letter to Mullin requesting the disciplinary records of agents who used chemical munitions in the presence of children. One video disclosed in a lawsuit shows federal officers near Chicago hurling tear gas canisters at protesters without apparent provocation before an officer says, “Fuck yeah,” and shouts, “Woo!” This took place just a few blocks from where the 7-year-old lives. (It’s unclear if the officers were disciplined.) “Video evidence demonstrates that chemical agents have been employed indiscriminately, even when children are present,” wrote Blumenthal, who sits on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and is the ranking member on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The scope of the agents’ actions led some historians to compare current events with Southern law enforcement’s use of tear gas during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. ProPublica interviewed one Civil Rights activist, Charles Mauldin, who was 17 years old when police tear gassed him and hundreds of others marching for voting rights in Selma, Alabama. “Having people like ICE treat people the way we were treated 61 years ago, it’s horrible,” Mauldin told ProPublica. A DHS spokesperson called Mauldin’s comparison “disgusting,” adding in a statement that “this type of garbage has led to our law enforcement officers experiencing coordinated campaigns of violence against them.” The spokesperson didn’t address ProPublica requests for interviews with Mullin; Todd Lyons, the outgoing director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; or David Venturella, the acting director of ICE. “DHS does NOT target children,” the spokesperson wrote, before blaming parents for placing their children in risky situations. “It is reckless, unlawful, and extremely irresponsible for parents to interfere with law enforcement activities but especially when they are accompanied by children.” ProPublica’s investigation found that some of the children most affected were innocent bystanders. In Portland, Oregon, federal agents routinely tear-gassed protesters who gathered outside an ICE processing center. For months starting last summer, the chemicals seeped into an apartment complex across the street, past closed windows and the towels that tenants shoved under their doors in a vain attempt to protect themselves. One 12-year-old developed hives and “chronic respiratory issues,” according to his mother’s court declaration. Two girls, ages 7 and 9, hid in a fort they built in their father’s closet. Another parent said she taught her 13-year-old son to wear a gas mask indoors. Their situation was so extreme that the most approximate research ProPublica found was a 2018 survey of Palestinian families in the West Bank, where children complained of rashes and chronic tonsillitis after repeated exposure to tear gas deployed by Israeli security forces. ProPublica contacted more than two dozen federal lawmakers seeking a response to our findings. None of the Republicans, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson; Sen. Rand Paul, chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Rep. Andrew Garbarino, chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, responded to requests for comment. Many of the Democrats who responded condemned DHS for its officers’ behavior and pointed to past unsuccessful efforts, such as holding hearings and sending dozens of oversight letters, to hold the department accountable for its actions. ProPublica previously reported on a Democrat-led forum in March spotlighting children who have been harmed during immigration enforcement operations, including citizens who appear to have been wrongfully detained. In mid-May, Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois held a shadow hearing in which she cited ProPublica’s findings on children harmed by tear gas and pepper spray. Rep. Glenn Ivey, a Maryland Democrat who attended the hearing, said in an interview that he has been pushing for fellow lawmakers to take up the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would address many of the issues our investigation raised. Various experts told ProPublica that federal legislation could help ensure law enforcement agencies across the country adopt additional restrictions on these weapons, particularly when children are at risk. Last month, for instance, Sen. Tina Smith, a Democrat from Minnesota, introduced a bill that prohibits excessive use of force, including chemical munitions, in the presence of children. It has 17 co-sponsors, none Republican, and hasn’t been brought to a vote. Read More Kids Are Being Harmed by Tear Gas, Pepper Spray Under Trump. There Could Be Long-Term Consequences. At 17, He Was Tear-Gassed at Selma. At 78, He’s Watching Kids Tear-Gassed During Trump’s Deportation Campaign. Blumenthal also called for fellow lawmakers to support a bill that would explicitly provide the public with the right to sue federal law enforcement officers for violating civil and constitutional rights. The Trump administration previously said that any new restrictions would hamper immigration officers’ ability to carry out their work. On Monday afternoon, federal agents fired pepper spray outside an immigration detention center in Newark, hitting Sen. Andy Kim, a Democrat from New Jersey, according to the USA Today Network. Kim had visited the facility to support detainees who’d started a hunger strike to protest conditions inside. He told reporters that he was pepper-sprayed after trying to de-escalate tensions between immigration agents and protesters, and his throat still burned later that evening. It’s unclear if any children were affected by chemical munitions. DHS said officers had responded to protesters obstructing law enforcement from leaving the ICE facility. “No individuals were directly struck by pepper ball projectiles,” DHS wrote in a post on X. “Our law enforcement followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to protect themselves, the public, and federal property.” In response to ProPublica’s questions about the lawmakers’ calls for reform, a spokesperson for DHS said in a written statement that officers are trained to use “the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve dangerous situations.” “DHS is authorized to do what is appropriate and necessary in each situation to diffuse violence against our officers in the most appropriate manner possible,” the statement said. In his letter sent last week, Blumenthal gave the agency a deadline of June 1 to respond to his questions and requests for records. The post U.S. Lawmakers Demand Reforms to Immigration Officers’ Use of Tear Gas and Pepper Spray appeared first on ProPublica.

Who will be the boys lacrosse Alliance Orthopedics Shore MVP in the state tournament?Who'll be the Shore's boys lacrosse state tournament stars? Here are 10 to watchThe poll will close the last day of the lacrosse season (June 9) at 10 p.m. You can vote for any nominee or write in your own choice.Please switch to desktop if the ballot is not viewable.This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: VOTE NJ Shore boys lacrosse Athlete of the Week No. 8 poll

Where will the 48 teams playing at the 2026 World Cup this summer be based? It's a great question, and one we are here to help with. There are less than 20 days to go until the 2026 World Cup kicks off, and you can watch every single game live on Universo, Telemundo and Peacock en Espanol, here. Check out the latest on the superstars and how they’re shaping up ahead of the 2026 World Cup.With 104 games taking place across the USA, Mexico, and Canada in the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup, if you're not close to one of the 16 host cities where games will be played, don't fret: you could still go and see plenty of the best players in the world on, or near, the training field. MORE — Full 2026 World Cup schedule, how to watch live infoPlenty of national teams have confirmed the exact location of where they will train and be staying, as fans may be able to watch training or meet the players with national teams set to determine those details.Below are the confirmed training bases for each 2026 World Cup team. 2026 World Cup bases for each team: Training camp locations, cities, full details Atlanta, GeorgiaUzbekistan - Atlanta United Training CentreAlexandria, VirginiaCroatia - Episcopal High SchoolAustin, TexasSaudi Arabia - Austin FC StadiumBernards Township, New JerseyMorocco - The Pingry SchoolBoca Raton, FloridaCuracao - Florida Atlantic UniversityBoston, MassachusettsFrance - Bentley UniversityCharlotte, North CarolinaScotland - Charlotte FC Chattanooga, TennesseeSpain - Baylor SchoolChester, PennsylvaniaIvory Coast - Philadelphia UnionColumbus, OhioEcuador - Columbus Crew Performance CentreDallas, TexasCzechia - Mansfield Multipurpose StadiumFrisco, TexasSweden - FC Dallas StadiumGalloway, New JerseyHaiti - Stockton UniversityGreenbrier County, West VirginiaIraq - The Greenbrier Sports Performance CentreGreensboro, North CarolinaNorway - UNC GreensboroGuadalajara, MexicoSouth Korea - Chivas Verde ValleColombia - Academia Atlas FCHouston, TexasDR Congo - Houston Training CentreIrvine, CaliforniaUSA - Great Park Sports ComplexKansas City, Kansas/MissouriArgentina - Sporting KC Training CentreEngland - Swope Soccer VillageNetherlands - KC Current Training FacilityLawrence, KansasAlgeria - University of KansasMesa, ArizonaTurkiye - Arizona Athletic GroundsMexico City, MexicoMexico - Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR)Monterrey, MexicoTunisia - Rayados Training CentreMorristown, New JerseyBrazil - Columbia Park Training FacilityNashville, TennesseeJapan - Nashville SCNew Brunswick, New JerseySenegal - Rutgers UniversityNew Tecumseth, OntarioPanama - Nottawasaga Training SiteOakland, CaliforniaAustralia - Oakland Roots/Soul Training FacilityPachuca, MexicoSouth Africa - CF Pachuca - Universidad Del FutbolPalm Beach GardensPortugal - Gardens North County District ParkPlaya del Carmen, MexicoUruguay - Mayakoba Training Centre CancunPortland, OregonJordan - University of PortlandProvidence, Rhode IslandGhana - Bryant UniversityRenton, WashingtonBelgium - Seattle Sounders FC Performance Centre and ClubhouseSandy, UtahBosnia and Herzegovina - RSL StadiumSanta Barbara, CaliforniaAustria - UC Santa Barbara, Harder StadiumQatar - Westmont CollegeSan Diego, CaliforniaSwitzerland - SDJANew Zealand - University of San Diego, Torero StadiumSan Francisco Bay AreaParaguay - Spartan Soccer ComplexSpokane, WashingtonEgypt - Gonzaga UniversityTampa, FloridaCape Verde - Waters SportsplexTijuana, MexicoIran - Centro XoloitzcuintleVancouver, CanadaCanada (after first group stage game) - National Soccer Development CentreWinston-Salem, North CarolinaGermany - Wake Forest University

The Atlanta Falcons are working through their second week of OTAs, which gives their 14 undrafted free agents another chance to make an impression on the coaching staff. The team focused largely on the offensive side of the ball with its UDFA signings this year.Those signings included three offensive linemen, three wide receivers, one running back, one tight end and one quarterback. In today's Falcons undrafted free agent spotlight, we'll be taking a closer look at MSU-Moorhead quarterback Jack Strand.While he may seem like a long-shot to make the team, Strand is already turning heads at OTAs. As you'll see below, there's plenty to like about the big-armed quarterback. Falcons UDFA spotlight: QB Jack Strand2025 stats: 3,546 pass yards, 42 TD, 14 INT; 288 rush yards, 5 TDStrand, a Division II legend, met with the Falcons prior to the draft and was one of the team's first reported undrafted free agent signings. The former Dragons signal-caller broke every school passing record during his four years at MSU-Moorhead (2022-2025), ending his career with 13,161 passing yards, 126 touchdowns and 50 interceptions.While he's not exactly a dual-threat, Strand had nine career rushing touchdowns. Last season, he rushed for 288 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound quarterback has a sturdy frame and NFL-caliber arm. Strand still needs some polish, but he has enough physical tools to compete for a backup job at the NFL level."A big-boned, sturdy passer, Strand has a live arm but a funky, sidearmed release," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler. "His accuracy is adequate, but his ball placement must be more consistent when attacking small-window throws. He tends to arm most of his throws, especially to his left, and needs to be more aware of getting his footwork and hips aligned. He can throw with anticipation and isn’t shy about throwing to spots, although he needs to take better care of the ball."The Falcons already have three quarterbacks on the roster -- Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Siemian -- but Strand has a chance to compete with Siemian for that third quarterback job this season.UDFA quarterback Jack Strand getting some throws in. You can see the whip of an arm that people talk about pic.twitter.com/EIVrlAFdAD— Garrett Chapman (@gchapatl) May 8, 2026Falcons' undrafted free agents: 14 players signedCheck out the full list of Falcons UDFA signings below:QB Jack Strand, MSU-Moorhead: Atlanta met with Strand before the draft and now he joins the team as its fourth quarterback. Last season, Strand had 3,546 yards and 42 touchdowns with 14 interceptions.RB Cash Jones, Georgia: Jones met with the team ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The pass-catching weapon is someone to watch in training camp.TE Jack Velling, Michigan State: The Falcons have signed former Michigan State tight end Jack Velling. Last season, Velling had 36 catches for 359 receiving yards and three touchdowns over 12 games in East Lansing.WR Keelan Marion, Miami: The Falcons are signing undrafted Miami wide receiver Keelan Marion, per report. Marion had 57 receptions for 746 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Hurricanes last season.WR Vinny Anthony, Wisconsin: The former Badgers wideout will reportedly get $265,000 guaranteed to join Atlanta. Last season, he had 31 catches for 391 receiving yards and one touchdown.WR Le'Meke Brockington, Minnesota: The Falcons also signed Minnesota wide receiver Le'Meke Brockington. Last season, he had 46 catches for 484 receiving yards and four touchdowns for the Golden Gophers.OL Kam Dewberry, Alabama: The Falcons are signing former Alabama's Kam Dewberry. The former Crimson Tide offensive lineman gives the team another developmental guard prospect with some upside.OL Riley Mahlman, Wisconsin: The Falcons are signing Wisconsin offensive lineman Riley Mahlman. The 6-foot-8 left tackle is an intriguing developmental prospect.C James Brockermeyer, Miami: The Atlanta Falcons are signing Miami center James Brockermeyer. The former Hurricane offensive lineman can provide depth behind Ryan Neuzil in 2026.DT Carlos Allen, Houston: Atlanta has signed Houston defensive tackle Carlos Allen Jr. The Falcons needed help at defensive tackle and Allen is someone to watch in training camp.LB Daveren Rayner, Kentucky: The Falcons signed former Kentucky linebacker Daveren Rayner following their rookie minicamp. DL CJ Nunnally, Purdue: The Falcons have signed former Purdue defensive lineman CJ Nunnally. CB Malcolm Dewalt, Akron: The Falcons are signing Akron CB Malcolm Dewalt. Last season, he had two interceptions, one forced fumble and eight passes defended.LSPhilip Florenzo, Clemson: The Falcons have signed long snapper Philip Florenzo out of Clemson. Florenzo was one of just seven long snappers at the combine.This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons UDFA spotlight: QB Jack Strand turns heads

Texas A&M softball is heading into a pivotal offseason, and the first major development is a tough one for the pitching staff. For the second straight year, the Aggies were eliminated in their own Regional, and once again, inconsistent pitching proved too much for the offense to overcome. Now, they’ll enter 2026 without one of their most promising arms.On Tuesday, sophomore left‑hander Kate Munnerlyn announced she intends to enter the transfer portal. The decision comes as a surprise inside the program, as Munnerlyn was widely expected to take on a significant role next season with veterans Grace Sparks and Taylor Pannell graduating. Her departure leaves a major hole in a rotation already short on postseason experience.Munnerlyn brought a valuable profile to the staff. A lefty with a deceptive changeup and the ability to neutralize lineups when she settled in. Her best outing came last season against Kennesaw State, when she tossed a perfect game in an 8–0 run‑rule victory, flashing the ceiling, coaches believed she could reach with more innings.For a team that desperately needs stability in the circle, this is a meaningful setback. Head coach Trisha Ford now faces an urgent offseason in the portal, where she’ll need to add not just depth, but impact arms capable of competing in the SEC, a league where elite pitching is non‑negotiable.Below is Munnerlyn’s full announcement.Thank you 12th Man for all the love and support. I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. Excited for my next chapter!katemunnerlyn2024@gmail.comCorey Mathis: @MathisStormpic.twitter.com/Yc5FIb4F5p— Kate Munnerlyn (@KateMunnerlyn24) May 26, 2026Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Aggies pitcher Kate Munnerlyn enters transfer portal

It didn’t take long for Cincinnati Bengals rookie wideout Colbie Young to be impressed by Joe Burrow. Both Burrow and Young were in Cincinnati this week for early work ahead of OTAs.Burrow impressed the rookie, not just with his throws, but the work the star quarterback was putting in all over the field in May in the pursuit of being great. “His throws are perfect, honestly,” Young told Bengals radio host Dan Hoard. “He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league and the way he takes time out of his day to perfect his craft just shows the effort he puts in to win.”Young is pretty hyped in his own right. He was a fourth-round pick the Bengals this year and is a 6’4” weapon potentially capable of making plays down the field similar to Tee Higgins. That’s getting ahead of things, of course. But with Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase training away from the team before mandatory work, Young got a chance to get some serious work with Burrow. Hoard provided the footage, too: Five observations from #Bengals practice:1. Joe Burrow stayed after practice to throw numerous deep balls and varied the trajectory and velocity.“His throws are perfect, honestly,” said rookie WR Colbie Young. “He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league and the way he… pic.twitter.com/h6hydrT0Ph— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) May 26, 2026This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Hyped Bengals rookie impressed by throwing session with Joe Burrow

After returning from her one-game back injury absence with a 22-point performance in a 90-82 win over the Golden State Valkyries, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark spoke to the media about the origins of the previously-mentioned back ailment and how she feels going forward.Given the concern about any relative injury for the Hawkeye legend following her injury-plagued 2025 season, some fans and media were naturally alarmed when Clark sat for a game early during this 2026 WNBA season.Clark went about alleviating some of those concerns on Tuesday."I don't think it necessarily started at a certain point. I think it's just been over the course of the last year when I've kind of been understanding my body more. I don’t think it’s anything of concern, no," Clark said.#Fever star Caitlin Clark on managing her back:“I don’t think it necessarily started at a certain point. I think it’s just been over the course of the last year when I’ve kind of been understanding my body more. …”“But I don’t think it’s anything of concern, no.” pic.twitter.com/8SWKdp4xEe— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) May 26, 2026Clark and the Fever (4-2) begin their two-game West Coast road trip on Thursday, when they again clash with the Valkyries from Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif.That rematch between Indiana and Golden State is set for a 9 p.m. CT tipoff and will be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNewsThis article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Caitlin Clark says back injury isn't 'anything of concern'

Caitlin Clark © ImagnCaitlin Clark has developed a habit of breaking records ever since her college career. She broke numerous records with Iowa Huskies. And when she came to the WNBA, she continued to break multiple records from her rookie season itself. Caitlin Clark is already being considered one of the greatest to ever.She has started the season strong with 23.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 9 assists per game in 5 games so far. Even in 5 games there have been couple of records that she has already broken. Moreover, she might just break another in Fever’s next game vs the Valkyries.Caitlin Clark will enter a list in WNBA history for the first time and straight away become the all-time leader. If Caitlin Clark gets 3 assists vs Valkyrie, she will have 500 career assists which would qualify her for an assists record.If she gets 3 assists in her next game, Caitlin Clark will surpass Courtney Vandersloot and become the all time leader in career average assists per game. In 58 games and almost 500 assists, she averages 8.6 assists per game. Vandersloot is currently the leader with the average of 6.62, followed by Sabrina Ionescu with 5.9, Ticha Penicheiro with 5.72, Sue Bird with 5.58 and so on.Caitlin Clark’s records in the WNBACaitlin Clark broke a lot of records in her rookie year. She recorded the most assists in a single game, 19, in WNBA history. She holds the record for most points (796), most assists (337) and most three-pointers (122) by a rookie in a single season.She also had most double-doubles by a rookie guard. She also became the first and only rookie to ever record a triple-double. She then went on to get another triple-double in the same season. Clark took the fewest games (26) to reach 400 points and 200 assists.Clark has most games in WNBA history (12) with 20+ points and 10+ assists. She also has most games (18) with 20+ points and 5+ assists. She also became the first player in WNBA history to record 20+ points, 15+ assists and 5+ rebounds in a single game.Read more:Amid Caitlin Clark Beef, Tiffany Hayes Sends Cryptic Message to Aliyah Boston“Needs to Stop Falling Down So Much”: Caitlin Clark Calls Out Teammate’s One Habit That “Stresses” Her OutAfter Fiasco Over False Rookie Record Claim, Azzi Fudd Matches Caitlin Clark for Noteworthy StatsCollege Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in the NBA, WNBA, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!

There had been speculation that Nuno Espírito Santo might leave West Ham despite overseeing an upturn in form (Henry NICHOLLS)Nuno Espirito Santo will remain as head coach of West Ham following the club's relegation from the Premier League, the London side announced on Wednesday.Talks between the Portuguese boss and the club were held on Monday, a day after West Ham beat Leeds 3-0 on the final day of the Premier League season only to be relegated after capital rivals Tottenham Hotspur defeated Everton.There had been speculation that Nuno might leave the London Stadium despite overseeing an upturn in form between January and April, with the Hammers taking 22 points from 13 matches. But three defeats in the final four league games proved costly as Spurs stayed up at their expense. "We held meetings with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo early this week and are pleased to confirm that he has expressed his continued commitment to the club -- as we have to him," said a West Ham statement."Nuno made it very clear that he is highly motivated for the challenge of guiding West Ham United back to the top flight at the first time of asking. That must be the unquestionable goal for next season. Nuno has spent one previous year in the EFL Championship (the second tier of English football) and it was an outstanding success as he secured 99 points to win the title with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018."While the ultimate outcome on Sunday was a painful one, the board of directors believe that there have been broader signs of improvement and progress in recent months, and we want Nuno to continue developing that progress."jdg/bc

We've discussed just how bad Ron Rivera's tenure as head of football operations for the Washington Commanders was over his four years in charge (2020-23). While Rivera's record as head coach (26-40-1) wasn't good enough, it was his role as head of football operations that eventually proved his undoing. Rivera was in charge of Washington's draft for four seasons. During those four seasons, the Commanders used first-round picks on edge Chase Young, linebacker Jamin Davis, wide receiver Jahan Dotson and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. It's hard to criticize Rivera for the Young selection. Young was an elite prospect, and Rivera wasn't wrong in selecting him at No. 2 overall. Unfortunately, the other three were reaches, as many teams didn't even consider Davis a first-round player, while Dotson and Forbes had plenty of questions as first-round picks. None of the four first-round picks made it through four seasons in Washington, with Forbes not even making it through Year 2. Speaking of Forbes, we've often mentioned how the Commanders could've selected the consensus No. 1 cornerback in that draft, Christian Gonzalez, but instead went with Forbes. Gonzalez went one pick later and is already a Pro Bowl player. Forbes is now with the Los Angeles Rams, who declined his fifth-year option for 2026. CBS Sports recently regraded the 2023 NFL Draft. CBS initially gave the Commanders a B+, but gave them an F this time around. That's the correct grade. After regrading the 2023 draft, CBS most recently did a 2023 NFL redraft. The Commanders held the No. 16 overall pick. In the redraft, Washington does not land Gonzalez this time either. Instead, this one will really break the hearts of Commanders' fans. Somehow, Washington lands Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who initially went No. 20 overall. This is a layup. Scary Terry gets some help in the form of one of the best players in the league who somehow slips to pick No. 16 here. McLaurin, Smith-Njigba and Antonio Williams would be A LOT of fun.Could you imagine Jayden Daniels throwing to Smith-Njigba, Terry McLaurin, Chig Okonkwo and Antonio Williams in 2026?In three NFL seasons, Smith-Njigba has 282 receptions, 3,551 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named first-team All-Pro in 2025. This offseason, he became the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. Yeah, this one stings. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Jaxon Smith-Njigba lands in DC in 2023 redraft

John Aldridge begs Arne Slot to forget about his ‘vision’ and address summer transfer ‘priority’John Aldridge believes that the signing of a defensive midfielder must be Liverpool’s ‘priority’ for the summer transfer window.Despite spending almost £450m on new additions to the squad last year, FSG will be under pressure to finance another substantial outlay in the upcoming market after a dismal season on the pitch for the Reds, who went from champions to fifth in the space of 12 months.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThere’s a notable gap to be filled on the right wing after Mo Salah’s departure, and enhanced squad depth is essential after a series of lengthy injuries in the 2025/26 campaign, but the former LFC striker believes the addition of a number 6 is of the utmost importance.Aldridge: New no.6 must be Liverpool’s transfer priorityIn his latest column for the Liverpool Echo, Aldridge wrote: ‘For me, the priority simply has to be a holding midfielder. I know that might not fit into Arne Slot’s overall vision of wanting progressive players in the centre of the park, but we need someone who is going to protect the back four.‘Liverpool have almost always had one such player in their team. Don’t forget, it was the signing of Fabinho in 2018 that turned us from challengers to champions.‘The back four was left exposed far too often over the season with the midfield simply much too open. Ryan Gravenberch is a good player but we’ve seen over the last 12 to 18 months that he isn’t a number six, and having one in the team would release him further upfield.‘Alexis Mac Allister could have done the job but he is unrecognisable compared to the player of previous years and there’s no guarantee he will ever get back to that level.’Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustWhich no.6 options could Liverpool realistically seek to bring in?Ideally, Liverpool would only require minor tweaking to their squad this summer rather than extensive fixes across several positions, but we share Aldridge’s pleas for a natural defensive midfielder to be recruited.The double act of Gravenberch and Mac Allister deeper in midfield worked wonders in Slot’s first season in charge, but it was nowhere near as effective in the 2025/26 campaign as opponents played through the middle of us at will.It’s little wonder that the Reds conceded an embarrassing tally of 53 goals in the Premier League this term, and while there are numerous factors for that unacceptable statistic, it almost certainly would’ve been lower if there was a true number 6 to halt opposition attacks at source.It therefore makes perfect sense that Liverpool continue to be linked with Adam Wharton, who’s excelled in that position in the English top flight, with Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare also being cited as an ideal summer transfer target.Slot might have come to Anfield two years ago with a commitment to favouring progressive players in the middle of the park, but Aldridge is right in saying that the past few months must surely prompt a rethink towards recruiting a bespoke defensive midfielder and making LFC far less vulnerable than they had been in 2025/26.

President Donald Trump departs Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Bethesda, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)2026-05-27T04:02:04Z WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will meet with his Cabinet on Wednesday at a precarious moment for talks aimed at ending the war with Iran, just days after insisting that his administration and Tehran had “largely negotiated” a settlement but with the negotiations still in a state of flux.As he prepares to huddle with his top aides, Trump is projecting confidence that he’s closing in on a deal that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide him a credible argument that Iran’s nuclear capability has been diminished enough to declare victory, winding down a conflict that’s been politically unpopular for Republicans. But as things stand, Trump also risks finding closure to his war of choice comes with an unsatisfactory ending. The emerging deal puts off many critical issues to be resolved later and has already exposed the president to fierce criticism — even from some of his own supporters — that Iran’s hardline leaders will emerge from the conflict battered but emboldened. It all comes to a head just as the midterm elections to determine control of Congress come into focus and as Republicans worry that rising costs and fuel prices are darkening the American electorate’s mood. Talks were further complicated after U.S. forces carried out what the Pentagon called “defensive” strikes on missile launch sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran on Monday. The U.S. said it acted with “restraint” in light of the weekslong ceasefire, while Iran decried the action as a sign of “bad faith and unreliability.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that talks with Iran on reopening the strait and extending the ceasefire — a period that the administration says could be used to hash out the finer details of a nuclear agreement — will take several more days. “He’s either going to make a good deal or no deal,” Rubio told reporters.Trump for his part took to social media on Tuesday to grumble that even if Tehran were to offer a complete surrender, the media would paint the end of the conflict as Iran scoring “a Masterful and Brilliant Victory.” Read More Some Trump backers are skepticalWhile Trump insists a deal is within reach, there appears to be daylight between the U.S. and Iran on several key issues. The president is also facing scrutiny from Republican allies, including Sens. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ted Cruz of Texas, who have said the terms seem too favorable to Tehran. They’re balking at aspects of the deal that have emerged publicly that they say too closely resemble the nuclear agreement reached with Iran by former President Barack Obama, which Trump scrapped during his first term.Under the potential deal, Tehran would agree to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium — a key Trump demand — in return for sanctions relief. That’s according to two regional officials and one senior Trump administration official, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations. One regional official, with direct knowledge of the negotiations, said how Iran would give up the uranium would be subject to further talks during a 60-day period. Some would likely be diluted, while the rest would be transferred to a third country, the official said. Iran has 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium that is enriched up to 60% purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran has not publicly committed to giving up its uranium.Trump on Monday said in a Truth Social post that the uranium, which is believed to be buried under nuclear sites battered by U.S. air strikes last year, would either be turned over to the U.S. or “destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event.” The comment signals a softening of Trump’s previous insistence that the U.S. take control of Iran’s uranium stockpile. How Trump’s plan affects Israel’s war in LebanonAnother key issue unresolved is whether the ceasefire will also cover Israel’s operations against Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon. Iran has insisted that Lebanon must be covered by any ceasefire agreement negotiated with the United States. The administration appears to leave some wiggle room on the Lebanon question. The emerging memorandum of understanding calls for a ceasefire between the U.S. and its allies against Iran and its proxies, such as Hezbollah, but also underscores Israel’s right to act against imminent threats and in self defense.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday announced that the Israeli military is “deepening its operation” in Lebanon.Jonathan Conricus, a former spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, said Israel expects that Iran would quickly move to direct any sanctions relief to restore its military capability and boost proxy groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas in Gaza.“We’re not done fighting, because the Iranian regime isn’t done,” said Conricus, who is a senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank. ‘Stunned silence’ as Trump ties Abraham Accords to Iran dealTrump on Monday said any agreement to end the Iran war should include a requirement for several additional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-brokered agreements from Trump’s first term aimed at normalizing diplomatic and economic relations with Israel.Trump’s optimism that the other Middle Eastern and majority Muslim countries could soon sign on to the accords might be overly ambitious. For example, Saudi Arabia, the most significant power in the Arab world and long seen as the biggest prize for the normalization effort, has insisted that establishing a guaranteed path to a Palestinian state remains a precondition. It’s something that Israel vehemently opposes.Trump made the Abraham Accords push during a call with leaders of Mideast allies over the weekend. Barbara Leaf, a retired U.S. ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and senior State Department official during the Biden administration, said officials from Gulf countries who were on the call told her that Trump’s pitch was greeted by “stunned silence.” A person familiar with the call disputed that characterization and that some regional allies responded positively to the president’s call to join the accords. The person spoke on condition of anonymity about the private conversation.Leaf, a distinguished diplomatic fellow at the Middle East Institute, said that Middle Eastern allies of the United States recognize that Iran will likely use any money from sanctions relief to bolster its military capabilities. Still, they have been supportive of Trump pursuing an end to the conflict.“They see no other way out,” Leaf said of American allies in the region. “And they see no other way out because of many of these early mistakes that the president and the administration made in conducting the war.”___AP writers Matthew Lee and Darlene Superville in Washington, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. AAMER MADHANI Madhani covers the White House for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington. twitter mailto

Journalists gather outside the headquarters of Spain's ruling Socialist Party as police search the building in Madrid, Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)2026-05-27T08:09:29Z BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish police are searching the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party as part of an ongoing investigation into possible financial wrongdoing, the Civil Guard said Wednesday.The raid on the office in central Madrid is another blow to the party of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose Socialists have been hammered by a series of corruption scandals.The Civil Guard told The Associated Press that the police were under judicial orders to find material relevant to a National Court probe into accusations of corruption against a former party member involved in a state-run company.The police said the search is strictly limited to a probe led by National Court judge Santiago Pedraz into the possible wrongdoing of Socialist party member Leire Díaz. The alleged case against Díaz started in 2025 when audio recordings appeared in Spanish media of her apparently being involved in attempts to discredit a member of the Civil Guard’s anti-corruption unit. Further reports linked her to alleged attempts to influence the work of state prosecutors. The Socialist party said she was acting on her own. Diaz, who has left the party, has denied wrongdoing. Last week a separate court said it was investigating former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in connection with a government airline bailout. He has denied any wrongdoing.Sánchez’s wife and brother are being probed over allegations of influence peddling, which both have denied. Read More And, most damning for the Socialists, a former minister under Sánchez and a senior party official are both being investigated on allegations they played a part in a kickback ring that started during the COVID-19 pandemic, which they have denied.Sánchez, who has been prime minister since 2018, has called the cases against his family a “smear campaign.” But the corruption case against his former cohorts led him to ask the nation for “forgiveness” in 2025. His minority government depends on the support of a junior coalition partner, which for now has stuck with it despite the judicial actions.Sánchez, who has stood out on the international stage for his progressive stances that have earned the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump, has not been directly linked to any of the scandals. JOSEPH WILSON Wilson covers Spanish news and sports for The Associated Press. He is based in Barcelona. twitter mailto

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01618-1Innocent people are frequently convicted of crimes on the basis of a witness’s false memories. Emerging science poses a surprising solution.

Nature, Published online: 27 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10700-7Author Correction: Modelling late gastrulation in stem cell-derived monkey embryo models

Oil/Stocks/Gas hed

When a remote Pacific village asked for help with rowdy youth, the Chinese police arrived with a surveillance system. Then came the backlash.

Many Democrats and some Republicans said the scandal-plagued Ken Paxton’s victory could turn Texas into a battleground state that will determine Senate control.

Republican voters made a familiar bet, that Texas is conservative enough that any Republican, even the most conservative, will beat a Democrat.

Urged on by the White House and a reduction in regulatory oversight, crypto companies and automakers are among those that have applied for banking charters.

[BBC]World Sevens Football (W7F) is a seven-a-side professional women's football competition featuring eight clubs in a 'grand slam' series.The third edition of the tournament will be played at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium in London from 28 to 30 May.Bayern Munich won the inaugural competition in May 2025 in Estoril, Portugal, while San Diego Wave won the next tournament in December 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, US.The eight women's clubs taking part are Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Leicester City, London City Lionesses, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.What is the format?Each team will play between three and five matches, on grass pitches half the size of the usual 11-a-side pitch. Each match will be played over 30 minutes, in two 15-minute halves.The eight teams will be split into two groups, playing in a round-robin format over the first two days.Chelsea, Everton, Leciester and London City Lionesses form Group 1, while Aston Villa, Manchester United, Spurs and West Ham make up Group 2.The top two clubs in each group will advance to the semi-finals, which will be followed by a third-place match and the final.Teams will have up to 14 players in their squads, with unlimited rolling substitutions allowed.Who is funding the competition and what is the prize money?The tournament was co-founded by American entrepreneurs Jennifer Mackesy and Justin Fishkin.Mackesy has a minority stake in Chelsea Women and is co-owner of NWSL club Gotham FC.While previous events in Estoril and Fort Lauderdale provided a prize money pool of $5m (£3.76m) spread among its eight teams, this year's prize pot will be lower, at $1.5m (£1.1m).The winner will receive $500,000 (£372,000), with $250,000 (£186,000) for the runners-up.For comparison, Bayern Munich earned £1.8m ($2.5m) in prize money for winning the inaugural tournament.Teams finishing in the top four have their prize money split evenly, with half of it contractually bound to go to competing players and staff, and the rest distributed as the club chooses.Manchester United took part in the inaugural competition last year and will return for the third edition of the tournament this week [Getty Images]Why has the prize money been lowered?Prize money is lower for this tournament compared to previous editions as organisers assess where best to distribute funds globally for the competition.English clubs continue to generate the most revenue in women's football globally, and according to analysis by Deloitte in January, Arsenal top the charts.Who is playing when? Thursday 28 May (all times are BST) Chelsea vs Everton 15:00London City vs Leicester 16:00Man Utd vs West Ham 17:00Spurs vs Aston Villa 18:00London City vs Everton 19:00Chelsea vs Leicester 20:00Friday 29 May Man Utd vs Aston Villa 15:00 Spurs vs West Ham 16:00Everton vs Leicester 17:00Chelsea v London City 18:00Aston Villa vs West Ham 19:00Man Utd vs Spurs 20:00Saturday 30 May Winner Group 1 vs Runner Up Group 2 11:00Winner Group 2 vs Runner Up Group 1 12:00Final 14:30Where can I watch World Sevens?The matches can be attended in person at Brentford's ground and there are also streaming options for online viewing.Most clubs will be streaming the games on their own websites, and UK viewers can also watch every match on Sky Sports.This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.More questions answered...Who won the Premier League golden boot?Which Premier League clubs have qualified for Europe?Who has won the most French Open titles?

West Ham have completed the signing of goalkeeper Constance Picaud on a three-year contract French club Fleury.The 27-year-old was captain of the Premiere Ligue club and kept 19 clean sheets in 40 league appearances.Picaud is also a France international, and featured in squads for the 2023 Women's World Cup, the Olympic Games and the 2025 Women's Euros."It's a real honour to be joining West Ham United," she said. "I've had several conversations with Rita [Guarino] and I've been really impressed by her mindset, her ambition and the importance she places on togetherness and team spirit."It has always been a dream of mine to play outside of France and I'm so excited to come to London, experience a new country and live in such an incredible city."It also meant a lot to me to be able to bring my family with me - that was a huge part of this decision. I'm happy wherever I am in the world as long as my wife, my daughter and my dog are by my side. Now, all four of us are about to begin an exciting new chapter at West Ham United, and I can't wait to get started."Boss Guarino emphasised the importance of Picaud's leadership skills in deciding to sign her."As a goalkeeper, [Picaud] has shown quality both in and out of possession, along with the composure and intelligence to control key moments in games, which will complement our playing style," she said."Having captained her previous side in France, Constance has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, and her experience and mentality will be invaluable to this group moving forward."

The NFL schedule release always uncovers something fun and a few subplots. Sometimes, there's a reunion, an old coach or player returns to the place where his career began. Sometimes, there are revenge games, a grudge match birthed by a similar scenario, except, in this case, the divorce was slightly messier.Every now and then, however, the calendar reveals one of those wonderfully absurd historical nuggets that feels almost impossible to believe. Philadelphia Eagles fans may want to sit down for this one. The Pittsburgh Steelers have not won a road game against the Birds in the City of Brotherly Love since October 24, 1965. Yes. 1965! No, that is not a typo.Eagles hope to continue the Steelers' drought in 2026Pittsburgh's last win in the City of Brotherly Love came by a 20-14 margin, back when the Beatles were still relatively new, color television was a luxury, and the Super Bowl had not even been invented yet. Since then? Nothing. Nada. The Eagles have beaten the Steelers 11 consecutive times in Philadelphia. That is one of those NFL stats that sounds made up until you double-check it.Even the broader series history favors Philadelphia. The Eagles own a commanding 50-29-3 all-time advantage. They have won the last two meetings. They have taken three of the last four, so yes, while Pittsburgh remains one of football's most respected organizations, this matchup has leaned heavily toward Philadelphia for a very long time.This is an in-state rivalry of sorts, one that fans won't see every season. Unless these franchises somehow meet in a Super Bowl, something that has surprisingly never happened, the NFL's rotating schedule structure usually spaces these games out significantly. Traditionally, interconference opponents meet every four years.Now, the league's 17th-game formula creates additional crossover opportunities, which is how the Eagles-Steelers game lands on the 2026 slate. That means another chapter gets added to one of the stranger streaks in football. History will not make a tackle. It will not complete a pass. It will not determine the final score. Still, if the Steelers finally break a road curse that predates the moon landing, Eagles fans may never hear the end of it.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles aim to extend the 11-game Steelers road drought in Philadelphia

The West De Pere baseball team was eliminated from the Fox River Classic Conference title chase by the time it hosted Bay Port last week.The Phantoms still played spoiler against the No. 2-ranked Division 1 team in the state, beating the Pirates 2-1 to prevent them from becoming the third team in FRCC history to go undefeated in league play.“Any win against a good quality opponent at this time of the year is what you are looking for,” longtime West De Pere coach Joe Rukamp said. “To have the opportunity to play against Bay Port and [Pirates coach] Harvey [Knutson] and his program, I have a lot of respect for what they do over there.“Bay Port is a pretty big rival, whether it’s in football or basketball or baseball. So, our guys were locked in and focused. We played a really good game earlier in the year over there. We lost 3-1, but we had a 1-0 lead on them early. Our guys believe they can compete with them.”West De Pere (16-10) also showed it can compete in the FRCC after moving from the Bay Conference before the season.It tied Pulaski for runner-up to Bay Port in the 10-team league and enters the D1 tournament on a season-high six-game winning streak after a 12-0 victory at Manitowoc on May 26.Almost everything has clicked the last few weeks for the Phantoms, who did not win two straight games this season until sweeping Green Bay Southwest in a doubleheader May 9.It started a stretch of eight victories in nine games, with the only loss coming against Seymour.They have won several close games during that span, including a run of five straight one-run wins over Preble, Sheboygan North, Menasha, De Pere and Bay Port.Perhaps it was a recent team meeting with the seniors that delivered the spark.Rukamp started a tradition a few years ago in which coaches meet with the seniors once a week starting in the winter. The discussions revolve around the culture of the program and what they hope to get out of their final year.After a difficult stretch during which the Phantoms found ways to lose games instead of pulling them out, it was time for another talk.There was no sugarcoating it. West De Pere wasn’t meeting its expectations.Were players going to respond as a group or instead worry about themselves and spiral into different directions?They picked sticking together. “Ethan Collar, he’s been our senior leader,” Rukamp said about his standout infielder. “He’s got the nickname ‘Cap’ now. They call him ‘The Captain.’ The guys respect him, man. He plays hard and he does things the right way. He’s the first one to show up at the field. He’s the guy. He’s just taken off as a leader since the season has gone on.”His teammates followed.There is no better example than the 11-10 win over the Golden Raiders on May 15.The Phantoms were down 4-1 after two innings. After they scored four runs to take back the lead in the fourth inning, they allowed four runs in the fifth and another two in the sixth to trail 10-5 entering the top of the seventh.West De Pere responded by scoring six runs to pull off a stunner.West De Pere’s pitching leads to winsIt always helps to have an ace, which is what senior left-hander Logan Wierzba has been for West De Pere.The Iowa Western Community College commit was a first-team all-conference selection in the Bay as a junior and has picked up where he left off now that he’s in the FRCC.Wierzba entered the final game of the regular season with a 5-2 record and a 1.38 ERA, striking out 65 batters in 40⅔ innings. He held opponents to a .164 batting average and a .206 on-base percentage.It wasn’t by design, but instead how the schedule played out, that Wierzba was on the mound for several of West De Pere’s games against the better teams in the FRCC.Wierzba held Preble to two unearned runs in almost 10 innings over two starts, although West De Pere lost one of the games 1-0.He helped the Phantoms beat defending league champion De Pere in both meetings, making two spectacular starts.Wierzba pitched all seven innings in the first showdown, giving up one hit and striking out 17 in a 2-0 win April 21.He followed with another complete game in the rematch, allowing one run on two hits and striking out nine in a 2-1 victory May 19.Even better?Fellow senior Nolan Sell has started to round into form after dealing with some shoulder issues in the winter. Rukamp said before the season that if Wierzba is the Phantoms’ 1A starter, then Sell is 1B.That was never more evident than in the win against Bay Port.The right-hander and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point commit held the Pirates to just four hits and one run in seven innings, striking out five on 95 pitches.It was the first time this season a team from the state held a potent Bay Port offense – it entered the week averaging an FRCC-high 8.2 runs per game – to one or zero runs.That kind of pitching talent runs in the family.Sell’s father, Adam, was a standout at Green Bay West in the early 1990s. He set the single-season strikeout record in the old Fox River Valley Conference in 1992 before Green Bay East’s John Verheyen broke it six years later.“He got off to a slow start this year, he wasn’t throwing a lot early, just kind of helping his shoulder get back,” Rukamp said of Sell. “That was his best start of the year, and kind of what we hoped and what he expected out of himself. To have that moment now at the end of the year when you need it going into the playoffs was huge for him and our whole team.”West De Pere part of difficult sectionalSpeaking of the tournament, the Phantoms are seeking their first trip to sectionals since reaching D2 state in 2019.Rukamp agrees with Knutson that the sectional West De Pere and Bay Port are competing in is the most difficult in the state.But there is a path for the Phantoms to win a regional championship.They received a No. 5 seed and will host No. 12 Southwest in a regional opener.West De Pere would likely not need Wierzba to beat the Trojans, who they defeated by a combined 39-1 in two games this season.That would allow Wierzba to start a regional final two days later against No. 4 Hortonville, provided the Polar Bears don’t get shocked by No. 13 Green Bay East/West to start tournament play.Two wins by West De Pere could set up another showdown against No. 1 Bay Port in a sectional semifinal.“We know that every game is going to be a grind,” Rukamp said. “We’ve played a lot of one-run games here. I keep saying to the guys after the Bay Port game, after the De Pere game, two 2-1 games, those are the kind of games it’s going to be in the playoffs.“Everybody in the sectional has two or three pitchers that can dominate a game. We are going to have to play good defense, and we are going to have to find ways at the plate. Find ways to score runs. I fully expect us to be ready to play and play our best.”This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: West De Pere pitching helps spark hot streak going into WIAA playoffs

The NCAA baseball tournament is here and 64 teams are vying for the Men's College World Series title.Regionals run from May 29 to June 1 in double-elimination brackets.The Tennessean created an aggregate ranking using seven metrics — RPI, Warren Nolan Elo, Massey, KPI, Diamond Sports Ranking, PEAR Team Strength Rating and ARES. Based on the average ranking in these metrics, teams were ranked within their seeds to analyze each matchup.Here are teams to watch and upsets to look out for:Why UCLA may not be the favoriteUCLA was the wire-to-wire No. 1 team in many polls and is the No. 1 overall seed, but the Bruins might not be the best team in the field.They're still No. 1 in RPI, but in every other metric, Georgia Tech ranks No. 1. If you believe in curses, that may be a good thing for the Yellow Jackets, as the No. 2 overall seed wins the championship more often than No. 1, and UCLA has failed to even get to Omaha as the No. 1 overall seed twice.Which hosts are on upset alert?There are a few regionals that stand out as being particularly tough draws for the host teams.The Lawrence Regional, hosted by Kansas, is atop the list. The 2-seed, Arkansas, is the top-rated 2-seed in the field and itself has a better rating than the Jayhawks. Northeastern, the 4-seed, rates as the best 4-seed in the tournament, and Missouri State, the eighth-best 3-seed, is no slouch (Arkansas lost to Missouri State in a midweek game earlier this season). There will be no easy games in this regional.The Lincoln Regional, which features Nebraska along with 2-seed Ole Miss, 3-seed Arizona State and 4-seed South Dakota State, is tough for a different reason. The Jackrabbits are likely to be a non-factor, rating out as the second-worst 4-seed in the field, but the average rating of the 2- and 3-seeds is the best of any regional. Not only are Ole Miss (the third-best 2-seed) and Arizona State (the second-best 3-seed) strong teams, they both have an ace pitcher and a powerful offense. Teams with that profile tend to succeed in the postseason.The regional with the highest combined quality of the top three seeds is the Chapel Hill Regional, featuring North Carolina, 2-seed Tennessee and 3-seed East Carolina. VCU, the third-best 4-seed, can't be overlooked. The Vols could be a difficult matchup for North Carolina, but they'll have to get past ECU first. Florida discovered last year that Pirates ace Ethan Norby is not an easy out.Florida State among teams that got the best drawsThe most favorable draw for a host team is by Florida State, which drew 2-seed Coastal Carolina (the 12th-best 2-seed), 3-seed Northern Illinois (the worst 3-seed) and 4-seed St. John's (the fourth-best 4-seed). It will be interesting to see if an explosive matchup ends up taking place between Wes Mendes, Florida State's ACC Pitcher of the Year, and Coast Carolina's Cameron Flukey.UCLA also stands out with a favorable draw. The top seed got the weakest 2-seed in Virginia Tech and the 13th-ranked 3-seed in Cal Poly, though 4-seed Saint Mary's ranks third nationally with a .333 team batting average.Upset candidates to watchComparing the rating of each 2-seed to the 1- and 3-seeds in the same regional, two 2-seeds in particular stand out as having a strong chance to pull the upset.The first is Oregon State. Matched up with former Pac-12 foes Oregon and Washington State, the Beavers actually rate as the strongest team in this regional, though being without ace Dax Whitney complicates things.The second team is Oklahoma State. The Cowboys were sent to Tuscaloosa and will be matched against a weak 3-seed in USC Upstate. Oklahoma State also fits the bill of an upset candidate. Teams like Alabama that are pitching-focused with poor offensive production are often vulnerable to upsets by power-focused teams like Oklahoma State.Among 3-seeds, the best upset candidates are a pair of underseeded Conference USA teams: Jacksonville State and Liberty. The Gamecocks are the top-ranked 3-seed and rate out better than Virginia, the 2-seed in the Hattiesburg Regional. Liberty could benefit from a weak 2-seed in Boston College in the Athens Regional.Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NCAA baseball tournament preview, regional upsets, teams to watch

Marana, Ariz., is used to placid local politics, but the town, in a congressional district held by Juan Ciscomani, has been convulsed by two national issues, A.I. and immigration detention.

For decades, publishers have swapped out cultural references in new editions of books to appeal to younger readers. Fans aren’t always thrilled.

Invasive snakeheads are proliferating in waterways from New York to Florida. Wildlife officials around the Chesapeake Bay are recommending a solution: high-powered compound bows.

A Mad Hatter and a giant rabbit sit around a table discussing an A.I. start-up. This is normal behavior around the Bay Area these days.

For five days, activists have gathered outside a detention center in New Jersey to denounce conditions inside. Federal officials have rejected those concerns.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Sports and medal events cut from the 2032 Brisbane Olympics program will have a path to return at future Summer Games, IOC president Kirsty Coventry told sports leaders on Wednesday. Coventry’s reassurance to the annual meeting of Summer Games sports bodies came after she warned in February of “uncomfortable” talks ahead to make future Olympic hosting more efficient. The International Olympic Committee aims to finalize within months the list of sports on the Brisbane program that Coventry previously told their leaders will be fewer than the 36 being played at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “There is a path (back), it’s not just an end,” the IOC president told The Associated Press on Wednesday on the sidelines of the assembly of the summer sports group known as ASOIF.Brisbane also could have fewer than the 353 medal events being competed for at Los Angeles.“I know that not everyone will be happy,” Coventry acknowledged to ASOIF members Wednesday, adding "the goal is not to destroy any sport.” Coventry also met Tuesday with ASOIF members and assured them “we don’t have specific numbers” as targets for the sports and events program for Brisbane.The most important metric shapes to be the number of venues needed as the IOC looks to manage costs for hosts.“The cost and complexity comes when you start adding additional venues for single purpose events,” Coventry told the AP. “That’s where we need to look and say: ‘How could we change that?’”A major step toward streamlining the program for Brisbane and beyond is a June 24 meeting of the full IOC membership in Lausanne that should agree a process for evaluating sports and events. A list of sports at Brisbane could be confirmed in September, with a longer timeline to confirm the detailed program of medal events. Sports at risk?Modern pentathlon has long been seen as vulnerable to losing its historic Olympic status, while sports added to the LA program — including flag football, lacrosse and squash — will be competing for their place in Brisbane before having their showcase in 2028. The 2036 Olympics hosting contest was paused by Coventry last year in the first big decision of her new presidency. Qatar is widely seen as a strong contender for a project likely to be spread in the Middle East region, which has been targeted during the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran. ___More AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

NEW DELHI: Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals lock horns in the IPL 2026 Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to Qualifier 2 and the loser bowing out of the tournament.RR looked in danger of missing the playoffs altogether after a string of defeats, but back-to-back wins against the bottom-placed sides helped them stay alive. SRH, meanwhile, narrowly missed out on a top-two finish, with their heavy defeat against Gujarat Titans proving costly on net run rate.The stakes could not be higher. History is also stacked against both teams — only one side in IPL history has gone on to win the title after playing the Eliminator: Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. SRH fans will hope lightning strikes twice.The rivalry has tilted heavily in Hyderabad’s favour in recent years, with SRH winning six straight matches against RR since 2022. Overall too, SRH hold a clear edge in the head-to-head battle.Key players to watchThe spotlight will firmly be on the clash between Travis Head and Jofra Archer in the Powerplay. Head has scored quickly against Archer in T20 cricket, but the RR pacer has dismissed him three times and remains one of the most dangerous new-ball bowlers this season.For Rajasthan Royals, captain Riyan Parag will carry huge responsibility in the middle order despite concerns over fitness. RR will also rely heavily on Archer’s pace and the explosive starts from teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting firepower remains their biggest weapon. Abhishek Sharma, Head and Heinrich Klaasen can dismantle attacks quickly, while skipper Pat Cummins and Harshal Patel could prove decisive with the ball.SRH vs RR Head-to-HeadMatches played: 23SRH won: 14RR won: 9SRH vs RR Today IPL Match: Pitch ReportThe Mullanpur surface has consistently produced high-scoring games this season. Pitch No. 4, the strip expected to be used for the Eliminator, previously saw Punjab Kings post 219 against SRH, only for the total to be chased down comfortably.The average first-innings score at the venue this season is around 214, and six of the eight completed innings here have crossed the 200-run mark. While fast bowlers have leaked runs, spinners have enjoyed slightly better control in the middle overs.Teams batting first are likely to target another 200-plus total, though dew later in the evening could once again favour chasing sides.SRH vs RR IPL Match: Mullanpur weather updateConditions in New Chandigarh are expected to remain extremely hot, with temperatures staying above 40°C through the evening. Humidity is likely to stay moderate, and there is no major rain threat forecast around match time.The dry conditions and hard surface should aid stroke-making throughout the contest.SRH vs RR: Predicted Playing XIsSunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora, Smaran Ravichandran, Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Eshan Malinga, Sakib HussainImpact Player: Kamindu MendisRajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Dasun Shanaka, Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Jofra Archer, Ravindra Jadeja, Nandre Burger, Yash Raj PunjaImpact Player: Ravi BishnoiSRH vs RR: Live Streaming DetailsThe SRH vs RR Eliminator will be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, while live streaming will be available on JioHotstar. 131343347IPL Toss Today TimingThe toss for today’s IPL Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals will take place at 7:00 PM IST, while the match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST.

New Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy wasted no time in working with General Manager Omar Khan to fill several significant roster needs via the first round of free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. And while we view almost every position unit as better than last season, there are still spots on the roster where Pittsburgh could find an upgrade or depth via free agency. Here are our top three.Wide receiverWe love the addition of Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard but making the depth chart better than last season doesn't make it good. There's no certainty about Bernard being ready to contribute as a rookie and behind him, there is a return specialist, a special teamer and a completely unproven young player. Another vet here makes sense.Tight endWe almost didn't include tight end here after seeing how little McCarthy has historically run 12 personnel but this need stands. The Steelers have a pass catcher in Pat Freiermuth, a blocker in Darnell Washington but need a veteran third guy who can do a bit of both.Defensive lineThe Steelers typically keep six defensive linemen on their 53-man roster. If we assume Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Yahya Black and Sebastian Joseph-Day make the cut, that leaves one spot open. Is there a player on the roster who could fill that spot? Of course. But could the Steelers do better? Also, of course.This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 3 positions the Steelers must still address in free agency

More than 150 riders from entry-level teens to established veterans of international motorcycle road racing competition will compete in five classes in the MotoAmerica Superbikes and Vintage MotoFest weekend from May 29-31 at Road America.Here’s what to know.Where is Road America?Road America is Wisconsin’s largest racetrack, an internationally known 4-mile road course on 640 acres between Elkhart Lake and Plymouth in rural Sheboygan County. The main entrance is off Highway 67.In addition to motorcycles, Road America will host IndyCar (June 18-21) and IMSA sports cars (July 30-Aug. 2) and numerous other professional and amateur auto racing weekends.More: Key Wisconsin motor sports events for the 2026 racing seasonWhat is MotoAmerica?Since 2015, MotoAmerica has promoted road racing sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association and Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme.How much do tickets cost for MotoAmerica at Road America?Admission is $40 Friday, $65 each Saturday and Sunday, or $115 for the weekend. Anyone 16 and under gets in for free with a paid adult admission. Tickets are available via the track’s website or at the gate.What is the schedule for Road America’s motorcycle weekend?The premier Superbike class races at 3:12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, followed by the popular King of the Baggers at 4:05 p.m. both days.Practice and qualifying are all day Friday for Superbike, Supersport, Mission King of the Baggers, Twins Cup and Royal Enfield BTR. Qualifying continues Saturday morning, followed by five races. Sunday features warmups in the morning and races in the afternoon.Road America provides a free shuttle at 5 p.m. Friday to take fans to the Dairyland Classic Flat Track races at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth.Is motorcycle racing at Road America on TV or streaming?MotoAmerica races are shown live on ViceTV on many streaming services and Samsung TV Plus.What is Vintage MotoFest?A ride-in bike show for motorcycles of all makes takes place on the grounds Saturday.Five riders to watch in MotoAmerica racing at Road AmericaJosh Herrin, who won both Road America Superbike rounds in 2025, is back in Supersport this season with Rahal Ducati Moto, leading a four-rider team. He has won three of the five rounds, including the Daytona 200.One of Herrin’s teammates is Kayla Yaakov, the 18-year-old sensation who has reached the podium in four of five rounds, including a runner-up finish in the most recent race and track record at Barber Motorsports Park.Matthew Scholtz has won three of the four Superbike races this season aboard his Strack Racing Yamaha. He finished second to teammate Bobby Fong in the other.Sean Dylan Kelly sits second in Superbike points and is the only other rider in the class with three podium finishes, matching his 2025 total. Kelly competes for OrangeCat Racing, a BMW team in its first season in the class.The venerable Vance & Hines team now campaigns Indian motorcycles in the King of the Baggers series and has won three of four rounds with Hayden Gillim.This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Elkhhart Lake's Road America motorcycle racing weekend preview

Marseille covet Lazio’s Mattia ZaccagniOlympique de Marseille are reportedly keeping a close eye on developments regarding Mattia Zaccagni (30), according to various Italian media outlets.Under contract with Lazio until 2029, the Cesena-born player is said to be open to the idea of joining the Provence-based club. However, the completion of a potential deal could well take some time, as Gennaro Gattuso, who is set to become the Roman club’s new manager, is said to want to convince him to stay, given his deep attachment to the club.An experienced winger, Zaccagni joined Lazio in the summer of 2021 and has since made nearly 200 appearances for the club. Captain and a key player in Maurizio Sarri’s side, the Italian international (13 caps, one goal) enjoyed a season in which he started 29 of the 30 matches he played, scoring four goals and providing two assists.Valued at €12 million by the specialist website Transfermarkt, Zaccagni could thus become a partner for Igor Paixão (25) – should the latter remain at OM this summer – ahead of a season that Marseille will once again begin with ambition.GFFN | Léo Aschi

Plus, Iran begins lifting an internet blackout.

Thomas DiNapoli, the state comptroller in New York since 2007, now faces his first primary challenge, as two Democrats hope to capitalize on anti-incumbent fervor.

A Human Rights Watch report found that many Cubans deported to Mexico by the Trump administration are living in an “indefinite legal limbo” and struggling to get by.

The dining capital of the Pacific Northwest remains one of America’s great culinary cities.

From world-class Korean barbecue to Mission-style burritos to quintessential California cuisine, here are our current favorites.

[BBC]We asked for your views on Lawrence Shankland's exit and what Hearts need to do now.Here's what some of you said: Jock: Not a surprise although disappointing. We must focus on the future - Champions League, a successful fans owned club who are the envy of the world, and an executive, with the support of Jamestown, that have already proved we are capable of doing something special. Don't be surprised to see Shankland back in a couple of years.James: What a week. A large hole to be filled. We absolutely need a proven goalscorer to raise the bar, not a project type player. Over to you Hearts. The majority shareholders [fans] need a full explanation as to why this was initially announced as a three-year contract. Minimum standard of Bojan Miovski or Tawanda Maswanhise required.Jim: I wish Shankland well, he gave me and lots of other Hearts fans many, many moments of joy over his four seasons. I, like many others, knew he was a lifelong Rangers fan so it comes as no surprise he has got what he wanted. Hearts will hope that Jamestown Analytics will uncover another striking gem to fill Shankland's boots. Is it possible James Wilson will return from Spurs to lead the line next season? He has the potential. Or will our North Macedonian league signing Rogers Mato emerge from the shadows and take the league by storm? Whatever happens I feel Hearts will challenge again next season and maybe go one better.Campbell: The loss of Shankland to a competitor is massive but we have to turn the problem into an opportunity. Hearts are playing in Europe and have a great squad. We need to add a couple of strikers and hope they can be as prolific as Shanks.Callum: It's 43 years since I felt the bottomless pit in my stomach on hearing the rumours regarding Shankland. Back then it was the announcement by my stunning girlfriend, Ailsa, that she was breaking up our 15-month relationship to see someone else. Time heals and we will find an even better replacement. We are in the very early days of JTA and it was always going to take two to three years to transition to an "approved squad". I trust JTA and so the impact will be short before we are back to winning the league title again.Francis: Thought we were progressing and building something for the future, it would appear that we are still a feeder club.David: Absolutely gutted but at the end of the day you have to be grateful to Shanks for all he has done for the club. It must have been extremely difficult for him when all the previous rumours about him going to Rangers came to nothing. It's what he has obviously always wanted so best of luck to him. Up to somebody else to step up now. Onwards and upwards.Gary: Hearts must, and will, recover after losing Shankland. We will probably change our style and it may be a case of one step backwards two to go forward. Tony Bloom has been galvanised, Jamestown will provide talent, this project has just started.

Fabio Vieira offered to Bundesliga duoHamburger SV are understood to be in talks with Arsenal FC over a permanent move for Fábio Vieira.HSV hold an option to make the midfielder's loan permanent for €20 million, but can only realistically afford to pay around €11 million for him, according to Sport Bild.So far, however, Arsenal have not shown any willingness to lower their price, with the Gunners instead hoping that another interested club will be prepared to pay a higher fee than HSV.With no agreement in sight between HSV and Arsenal, Vieira’s representatives are exploring alternatives and have offered the Portuguese midfielder to both Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart, according to Sport Bild. Whether either club is interested in unclear at this stage.Vieira scored seven goals and provided six assists in 31 appearances for HSV during the 2025/26 season.

PINE GROVE — Entering the 2026 season, nobody would’ve predicted that the Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes, come May 26, would be the District 11 Class 2A champions.But that’s why games are not played on paper; they’re played between the lines.On Tuesday evening, the Hurricanes continued their storybook run this spring, defeating the defending two-time District 11 Class 2A champion Williams Valley 9-6 in nine innings.It’s been an unbelievable journey for the Hurricanes, who started their season at 3-5, looking for midseason answers as a young team. But then it all began to click, starting with a 5-1 win against Marian Catholic on April 8, which got them back on track, and the confidence only grew from there. A 15-2 win over Weatherly, 16-1 against Shamokin Area, 18-0 against Shenandoah Valley, 8-2 against Oley Valley, 12-3 against Nativity.Tri-Valley would look to slow them down with the Bulldogs’ delivering a 9-5 loss, but the Hurricanes bounced right back and won their final six regular-season games.After earning a share of the Schuylkill League Division II title, they’d fall to Pine Grove 12-2 in the Schuylkill League semifinals. But it would once again serve as just another blip.In the District 11 Class 2A semifinals, they defeated Minersville 8-4. Now, after a hard-fought, nine-inning affair against Williams Valley, the Hurricanes are standing alone in District 11’s Class 2A.One of the youngest teams in the Schuylkill League, with 10 of their 14-player roster being freshmen or sophomores, the Hurricanes didn’t look like a young team on Tuesday either.If there was an ounce of nerves within the Hurricanes’ dugout, they did a fabulous job of masking them.In the first inning, starting pitcher Allison Scherer helped her own cause immediately with a triple. She’d score one batter later as Kaitlyn Russo delivered a sac fly.In the circle, Scherer was strong through the first three innings, keeping the Vikings to just one hit and three total base runners. By the time the night was over, she pitched a nine-inning complete game, striking out five while allowing four earned runs.The Hurricanes doubled their lead in the fourth inning, as one of their young, talented freshmen, Danica Snyder, rocketed a key two-out RBI single up the middle, to make it a 2-0 game.Williams Valley, a veteran-led team, but much like Schuylkill Haven, a young team, answered back in the bottom half of the inning. After Quin Smeltz worked a leadoff walk, Brill drove her in with a double smoked into the gap. Mallory Mace tied the game two batters later on a groundout to second.But Schuylkill Haven, a resilient group all season, always seemingly having a counterpunch when needed, once again had an answer in the fifth.Kaitlyn Russo got the inning started with a single before back-to-back doubles from Joie Schoffstall, and Aisley Jenan made it a 4-2 Hurricanes’ lead.In the fifth inning, the Vikings scratched a run across the board on an RBI single from Quin Smeltz and tied the game in the sixth as Isabella Ziegler scored on a wild pitch.After a scoreless seventh and eighth inning for both sides, Schuylkill Haven’s offense broke through in the top of the ninth. Octavia Houvig started the ninth inning with a single before Allison Scherer worked a walk, to set up the Hurricanes with two runners on and no outs, bringing Kaitlyn Russo back to the plate.After showing bunt early in the at-bat, but no longer in play with two strikes, Russo ripped a single into the gap that scored Houvig to give the Hurricanes a 5-4 advantage. Schoffstall would tack on another run with a sacrifice fly, two batters later, Lexi Mull delivered the biggest hit of her young career, scorching a ground ball through the gap on the left side of the infield to extend the lead to 7-4.Danica Snyder picked up her second RBI hit of the day shortly afterwards with a double before a Braelynn Strenkoski groundout, making it a 9-4 game.In the bottom of the ninth, the Vikings looked to stage a late comeback but only managed to scratch two runs across the board on a sacrifice fly from Smeltz and an RBI double from Brill before Scherer closed the door on the Vikings’ season with a game-ending strikeout.

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — Nativity’s baseball program has been greeted with a recent flurry of success at the district and state level over the past two seasons.The Hilltoppers (8-14) defended the District 11 Class A Championship crown when they did just about everything right to defeat Moravian Academy (3-19) 11-0 at North Schuylkill’s Robert Wetzel Field on Tuesday afternoon.“We have a lot of experience in the postseason and having seven juniors back that all played a good amount last year, we’re going to bring the energy,” Nativity coach Ben Kreiger said. “Just like the Eagles a few years ago in the Super Bowl, we’re the underdogs and now it’s a new season.”Nativity reached the PIAA Class 1A semifinals last season where they fell to Southern Fulton, 3-0 . They’ll now await their next consecutive PIAA state playoff game to be announced a later time.*Nativity BVM pitcher Stephen Karinch and catcher Tommy Bartashus celebrate after the final out of the District 11 Class A Championship Game on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)*The Nativity BVM baseball team celebrates on the infield after winning the District 11 Class A Championship Game on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)*Nativity BVM’s Ryan Grabowski slides safely into second base during the District 11 Class A Championship Game on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)*Nativity’s Ryan Grabowski and Trey Keating. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO1 of 4Nativity BVM pitcher Stephen Karinch and catcher Tommy Bartashus celebrate after the final out of the District 11 Class A Championship Game on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (RYAN SHARP/STAFF PHOTO)Ryan Grabowski and Stephen Karinch teamed up on the mound to toss a complete game, no-hitter and Cash Kalkiewicz roped a three-run triple to the center field fence in the first inning to lead Nativity at the plate.“It’s just throwing strikes and keeping them off balance and now we’re going back to states so it’s a whole new season,” Grabowski said. “We want to bring the same energy as last year to keep it going and get up early.”Grabowski sat down Moravian Academy 1-2-3 in the top of the first before Nativity opened the game with a six run first inning at the plate.Trey Keating doubled and Karinch singled to lead off the bottom of the first for Nativity before Marc Lutzkanin singled on a line drive to left field for the 1-0 lead.Kalkiewicz stepped up two batters later with a three-run triple to the center field for the 4-0 lead. Kalkiewicz then came around to score on an error for the 5-0 difference.“It sets the tempo right from the get go and the ball falls in, build momentum and gives us an early lead,” Kreiger said. “Starting ahead early and working ahead early so it’s doing everything early.”Brady Loftus singled on a pop fly to center field to score Grabowski for the 6-0 lead at the end of the first inning.Grabowski used a stealthy changeup to keep Moravian Academy off balance and mow them down for 1-2-3 innings in the second and third innings. Grabowski recorded a swinging strikeout to end the second and give the Hilltoppers bats more life.“We didn’t know as much about them, came in and threw strikes and got it around the plate,” Grabowski said. “Stephen came in and did a great job to close it.”Ryan Examitas singled on a groundball to center field to score two more runs for the 8-0 lead in the bottom of the second.Nick Clarke ignited Nativity’s lineup in the bottom of the third with an RBI double to left field for the 9-0 difference before coming around to score on an error for the 10-0 lead.Clarke shot an RBI double to left field to score Grabowski for the 11-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth.“Nick bringing it up at the bottom of the lineup is important and turning it over to the top is really important,” Kreiger said. “It’s just good to build momentum at the end.”Karinch came on to pitch in the top of the fourth and struck out all six batters he faced to secure the 11-0 win.Trey Keating and Clarke each had two hits for Nativity while Examitas and Clarke each drove in two runs. Kalkiewicz tripled while Clarke doubled twice and Keating also ripped a double.Moravian Academy 0 — Eckman 1B 2 0 0 0, Levy C 2 0 0 0, Morehouse P 2 0 0 0, Horvath 3B 2 0 0 0, Fernandez RF 2 0 0 0, Walters SS 2 0 0 0, Doherty 2B 1 0 0 0, Jankowski LF 1 0 0 0, Hayes CF 1 0 0 0. 15 0 0 0.Nativity 11 — Keating CF 3 1 2 0, Karinch 1B 3 2 1 0, Lutzkanin 1 2 1 0, Examitas 3B 1 1 1 2, Kalkiewicz 2B 3 1 1 3, Bartashus C 3 0 0 0, Grabowski P 2 2 0 0, Loftus 2 1 1 1, Clarke RF 3 1 2 2. 21 11 9 8.MOR (3-19);0;0;0;0;0;—0NAT (8-14);6;2;2;1;x;—11Moravian AcademyIP H R ER BB KMorehouse 1 6 8 8 4 0Fernandez 1 1 2 1 1 0Walters 2 2 1 0 3 1Nativity BVMGrabowski 3 0 0 0 0 3Karinch 2 0 0 0 0 6