Nature, Published online: 29 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01668-5Analysis reveals the enzyme that allows some microorganisms to anchor their outer membrane to their cell wall.

Nature, Published online: 29 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10665-7Author Correction: Attenuated fusogenicity and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

New York leaders changed state immigration laws to hold federal agents accountable for their deportation tactics, but their efforts will face opposition from the Trump administration.

LINCOLN – The clouds rolled in early at Saylesville Elementary School, causing some coaches to grab sweatshirts and leaving fans searching for an extra layer.In the seventh inning, the skies broke up, allowing enough sunlight to illuminate the field, with the brightest spot being the pitcher’s circle. Mother Nature was the stage director and she was putting the spotlight on the game’s brightest star.Molly Ganim is just that and Thursday, showed why. The Lincoln freshman entered the game trailing Kent County by four runs and when the Lions rallied, left little doubt about how it would end. The late offensive surge and Ganim’s dominant 4 1/3 innings of relief led to a 7-4 win over Kent County that has Lincoln one win from playing for the Division II title game.“It feels really good to get the win,” Ganim said. “It was a little shaky at the beginning and it feels good. We got our bats going in the end and it feels good to pull out the win.”Softball is dominated by pitching and for most teams, that means one ace doing the bulk of the throwing. Ganim did that in the first few weeks of the season, but when Kayleigh Gouchie – a transfer from La Salle – became eligible, Lincoln coach Alyssa McCoart had a problem any coach would love to have.Instead of throwing them in an alternating rotation, McCoart gives one the keys to the car and if they run into trouble, the other steps in. While every other one of the state’s best pitchers throw complete game after complete game, Ganim hasn’t thrown one since April 14 and Gouchie’s last full complete game came on April 26.Situations like this can sometimes cause internal drama, but it’s not a problem for McCoart because her pitchers don’t let it be one. After two years of not playing at La Salle, Gouchie is happy for any opportunity; Ganim is a freshman and understands her time is coming.On Thursday, Gouchie got the start. Ganim pitched against Kent County – the Toll Gate-West Warwick co-op – in the season opener, so McCoart wanted to give them a different look and if it went well, leave Ganim rested for the winners’ bracket final on Saturday.It may have been classic overthinking, but McCoart knew she had an ace up her sleeve – and Ganim wasn’t stressed about who started and who didn’t.“I found out before the game and just realized she told me to go warm up in the cage and I was ready to go whenever,” Ganim said. “It’s been good to have us both splitting.”Kent County didn’t play nice. An error to open the second inning led to an RBI single by Charlotte Horak and in the third, Kent County kept hitting. Addison Eddy came up with a two-out, two-run double and another error led to another run that made it 4-0.McCoart promptly called timeout, called for Ganim and changed the game for the rest of the day.While Kent County hadn’t seen Gouchie throw before Thursday, it couldn’t see what Ganim was throwing. The freshman ended the threat in the third, the retired 11 of the next 12 batters before giving up a two-out single in the seventh.“It’s easy to come in [in relief]. Either way I try to stay focused if I’m starting or coming in, I try to stay locked in and get in the right mindset,” Ganim said. “I just try to stay locked in and I find motivation to shut everyone down and do what I can do to stay confident.”Confidence is a big thing with Lincoln. Once they had it Thursday, the game flipped in a hurry.Aria Eddy was brilliant the first time through the order, taking advantage of the Lions’ overaggressive plate discipline with a changeup that broke enough backs to make you wonder if the school had a chiropractor on site.Lincoln’s second time through went different. Chloe Landry opened the fourth with a single, Annika Sampson reached on a bunt single and Lucia Whyte brought Landry in with a single to left. Sampson scored on a passed ball and while the Lions didn’t get anything more, they got something better.“If you have energy, the whole team gets into it,” Landry said. “When we were hitting, hitting is contagious and we know what we have to do and keep our energy up.”With Ganim setting Kent County down quick, Lincoln kept the bats going. Sydney Marchand hit an RBI double in the fifth and Mara Kapadia – Marchand’s courtesy runner – and Brooke Tilson later scored on a two-run single by Landry that put the Lions ahead 5-4 and ended Eddy’s day. A Kent County error added to the Lincoln lead and in the sixth, Adeline Macomber ripped a home run off reliever Reagan Motta that ended up on the beach at Lincoln Woods.“Once we got our confidence and we’re up in the game and we’re all doing good,” Landry said, “we just keep it.”Ganim made sure they did as well and now the Lions will keep moving forward as they try and chase down their first title since winning the State Championship in 2013. Lincoln is set to play at Rhode Island College at 2 p.m. on Saturday against the winner of Friday’s game against Johnston and Portsmouth.Ganim and Gouchie split duties in Lincoln’s 6-2 win over Portsmouth on April 30 and did the same in a 3-1 loss to Johnston on May 18 – which has been followed now by four straight wins. Who pitches doesn’t matter and who they play won’t change the Lions’ approach.“Johnston was a tough game so hopefully either way we can come back from our Johnston loss and continue to do good if we play Portsmouth,” Ganim said. “Either way, we should be good if we stay locked in.”“We’re just going to do what we know how to do and be confident in ourselves,” Landry said. “We know we can win, we just have to want it.”This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Score from Kent County vs. Lincoln softball on Thursday May 28 2026

The NFL is supposed to be the ultimate meritocracy, where talent and skill win out over all other concerns. That's not necessarily the case, though - and sometimes the league is even more unfair than the outside world.Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has cause to gripe as much as anybody. A top-10 overall pick after a couple of brilliant seasons at Washington, Penix came into the league having to play behind a 35-year old quarterback who was never going to be Atlanta's franchise starter of the future. As a result, Penix wound up only starting three games his rookie season.Last season Penix was bitten by the injury bug, cutting his 2025 season short to nine games. So, even though he's been in the NFL two years he's only earned 12 starts - and has had a difficult time building momentum and getting into rhythm with his receivers.Now heading into 2026 Penix has to compete with Tua Tagovailoa for the QB1 job, and is among the 10 players around the league with the most at stake, according to Pro Football Focus."In light of Penix’s performance as well as a season-ending ACL tear, the team took a flier on Tua Tagovailoa in free agency. Much like his draft classmate McCarthy, Penix must not only reclaim QB1 status, but also needs to demonstrate better precision to avoid difficult conversations about his future in Atlanta. It’s important to consider that the Falcons’ new regime was not present when Penix was drafted, which means the threshold for moving on may be shorter."Penix does do some things better on the field than Tagovailoa, including throwing outside the hashes and unleashing deep passes. However, Tua's advantages are piling up and by all accounts he seems to be in the lead in the Falcons' ongoing quarterback competition.There's a good chance that Penix will once again begin the season on the sidelines, and will be lucky to wind up starting half a season again.If Penix is ever going to live up to the potential he showed in college, he's going to need a long string of consecutive starts to get into rhythm with his receivers and comfortable with the speed of the NFL game. It's beginning to look like that opportunity may never come in Atlanta.This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Michael Penix Jr. facing pressure this year, per Pro Football Focus

Creating realistic trade offers in fantasy football that lead to a deal being accepted is always challenging. That’s where Justin Boone’s dynasty trade value charts come into play, acting as a guide to help make moves and manage your roster.Dynasty Rankings & Trade Values (PPR)QB | RB | WR | TE | Rookies | Draft PicksBelow, he highlights some of the players you should be selling in dynasty right now. You can check out his dynasty buys here.SellsJordan Love, WR, PackersAfter sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for the first couple of years of his career, Love erupted onto the fantasy scene as the QB6 in per game scoring during his first season as the Packers’ starter. Unfortunately, while Love has been a solid quarterback in real life, his fantasy contributions have declined in recent seasons. The 27-year-old (turns 28 in November) fell to the QB13 in fantasy points per game in 2024 and the QB21 last season. This has occurred due to an overall drop in average yards and touchdowns through the air, but the bigger concern has been his reduced rushing production. Love ran for 247 yards and four TDs during his strong 2023 campaign. Since then, he’s managed just 282 yards and one score over the last two years combined. While Love is being valued as a top-15 dynasty QB, his redraft ADP has him at QB18, which is closer to the range he should be in both formats. When you factor in the massive group of startable fantasy QB2s in Superflex, there’s value to be gained by moving off Love, who still has the allure of youth on his side. If you agree, one way to capitalize would be trading Love for a package that includes an older veteran QB whom the public is less interested in, like Jared Goff, as well as another piece. Goff can give you similar numbers for the foreseeable future and you gain that extra player or pick in the process. You could also replace Goff in that deal with someone like Kyler Murray, who has plenty of question marks but just as high a ceiling as Love. Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL seasonOther QB sells to consider:Baker Mayfield, BuccaneersSam Darnold, SeahawksRJ Harvey, RB, BroncosA year ago, Harvey was in an excellent spot behind the always-injured JK Dobbins. While we never want to label players “injury prone,” Dobbins is the closest thing to it, having missed significant time in each one of his NFL campaigns. When Dobbins was sidelined, Harvey faced little competition for touches and was the RB9 in fppg from Week 11 on, with four top-12 weekly finishes over his last six outings. Now comes the bad news. The arrival of Jonah Coleman complicates Harvey’s ascension in Denver. The rookie is well-suited to step into Dobbins' role if the veteran gets hurt, which would keep this a committee and narrow Harvey’s path to difference-making production. That doesn’t mean Harvey can’t still have value in fantasy. After all, he was the RB33 while serving as a complementary option alongside Dobbins in the first half of last season. That makes the 25-year-old an RB3/flex for fantasy — a range he’s likely to remain in. Given how much the Broncos talked about adding backfield help in free agency and the draft, before ultimately selecting Coleman, you have to wonder whether they questioned Harvey’s abilities as a long-term lead back. It’s not impossible for him to emerge as a meaningful fantasy starter, but it will likely require multiple injuries to occur around him if we’re going to unlock that fantasy RB1 upside that was on display down the stretch last season. Trade him before the dust settles and everyone in your league realizes his potential is limited moving forward.Other RB sells to consider:Christian McCaffrey, 49ersBucky Irving, BuccaneersJaylen Warren, SteelersPlay 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournamentA.J. Brown, WR, Eagles (for now)Brown has been generating headlines all offseason, as we wait to find out which team he’ll be traded to after June 1. Though I want to believe a fresh start is all Brown needs to return to his previously elite production, the reality is that all the hype is creating a window of opportunity to trade him in dynasty. The veteran wideout went over 1,400 yards in each of his first two seasons in Philadelphia before those numbers began to decline. He hasn’t topped seven touchdowns in three years and has barely reached 1,000 yards the last two campaigns. He’s also not getting any younger. Brown will turn 29 before the season and regardless of how much reading he does on the sidelines, there’s a strong chance his best fantasy years are behind him. An uptick in efficiency is likely to come on a new club, following a dismal 2025 season for the Eagles offense under Kevin Patullo. But Brown’s days as a fantasy WR1 are nearing their end. Take advantage of his name being routinely mentioned in the news cycle and build some trade offers to get him off your roster sooner rather than later. Other WR sells to consider:Rome Odunze, BearsDK Metcalf/Michael Pittman Jr., SteelersMichael Wilson, CardinalsKyle Pitts Sr., TE, FalconsPitts is coming off his first notable fantasy production since his 1,000-yard rookie campaign, but we have to remember the context around his 88-catch, 928-yard, five-touchdown stat line in 2025. In the first 11 weeks, when Drake London was on the field the majority of the time, Pitts was just the TE21 in fppg. Once London was injured and eventually eased back into the lineup late in the season, that’s when Pitts went off as the third-highest scoring fantasy tight end on average over the final eight weeks. Pitts only topped 10 fantasy points in six games last year and four of them happened when London was out of the lineup. Another one occurred when London was limited in his first game back. Needless to say, London is healthy entering this season and the team has also added some new weapons like speedy rookie Zachariah Branch. We also don’t know how the new coaching staff will impact Pitts’ stats, but I’m hesitant to put my faith in a player who’s been disappointing for fantasy most of his career — then got hot due to some injury luck down the stretch.If you’re not trying to move Pitts right now, you might be left holding the bag when he turns back into his old self this season. Other TE sells to consider:Sam LaPorta, LionsJake Ferguson, CowboysBrenton Strange, Jaguars

Report: Everton and Fulham set to battle for £10m-rated defenderAaron Wan-Bissaka Transfer: Everton and Fulham Eye £15m West Ham DefenderAaron Wan-Bissaka’s future is set to become one of the more intriguing Premier League transfer subplots of the summer, with Sports Boom reporting that Fulham, Brentford and Everton are all monitoring the West Ham United right-back.The report claims that Wan-Bissaka could be available following West Ham’s relegation, with a contract clause allowing him to leave the London Stadium after the club dropped into the Championship. Sports Boom state that the deal could be worth “between £10-£15million”, a figure that immediately makes the 28-year-old a live option for clubs seeking proven Premier League experience.Wan-Bissaka Exit Clause Creates Transfer OpportunitySports Boom report that “Wan-Bissaka is expected to attract strong interest this summer after a clause in his contract allowed him to leave the London Stadium following relegation to the Championship.”That detail is central. West Ham’s relegation does not merely weaken their negotiating position, it creates a market opportunity. Wan-Bissaka is not a speculative signing, nor a developmental full-back. He is a defender with experience at Manchester United, West Ham and Crystal Palace, plus nine caps for DR Congo.Photo: IMAGOThe original article adds that the player “is keen to remain in the top flight rather than spend next season battling in the second tier.” That stance is hardly surprising. At 28, he is at an age where Premier League security, international visibility and tactical fit matter more than sentiment.Fulham Interest Hinges on Marco SilvaFulham’s interest appears particularly logical. Marco Silva has long valued structure, discipline and full-backs who can defend space. Sports Boom report that Silva “is understood to be a huge admirer of Wan-Bissaka’s defensive qualities.”That admiration makes sense. Wan-Bissaka remains one of English football’s most effective recovery defenders, especially in one-on-one duels. He may not be the most expansive attacking full-back, but for a side that wants reliability, control and defensive security, his profile carries obvious appeal.There is, however, an important caveat. Sports Boom report that any move could depend on Silva’s future, with Benfica “desperate to recruit him as their new manager.” If Fulham lose Silva, recruitment priorities may quickly shift.Everton Rebuild Needs Defensive CertaintyEverton’s interest is equally understandable. Sports Boom write that “Everton are also desperate to bolster their defensive options” as David Moyes prepares for another significant rebuild.For Everton, Wan-Bissaka would represent a relatively safe Premier League signing. He has top flight experience, physical resilience and a defensive skillset that could suit Moyes’ preference for compactness and organisation.There are questions, of course. His West Ham spell was described by Sports Boom as “mixed”, and the report notes that “things never truly clicked for either player or club during a miserable period, which ended in relegation.” That should not be ignored, but context matters. West Ham’s broader decline damaged several reputations.Premier League Suitors Sense ValueAt £10m to £15m, Wan-Bissaka may become a smart market play. He is not a fashionable attacking full-back, but his strengths remain clear, pace, tackling ability, recovery defending and Premier League know-how.Sports Boom credit him with 65 appearances across two years in claret and blue, while also noting that he featured in 25 Premier League matches last season.For West Ham, this looks like part of a wider reset. For Wan-Bissaka, it is about staying at the level he believes he still belongs. For Fulham, Brentford and Everton, it may become a test of who can move quickest, offer the clearest role and convince him that his next Premier League chapter will be more stable than his last.Our View – EPL Index AnalysisFrom an Everton perspective, this is exactly the sort of deal that feels both sensible and slightly complicated.Wan-Bissaka would bring something Everton badly need, defensive reliability. There have been too many seasons where the squad has looked patched together, short of balance and overly dependent on individual resilience. A right-back who can defend one-on-one, recover quickly and cope physically with Premier League wingers would be welcome.The price also matters. If Sports Boom’s reported valuation of “between £10-£15million” is accurate, Everton should at least be in the conversation. In the current market, that is not excessive for a player with his background.The concern is whether Everton need more than just a defender. Modern full-backs are expected to contribute in possession, overlap, underlap and help progress the ball. Wan-Bissaka has never been viewed as elite in those areas. If Moyes wants structure first, he fits. If Everton want to evolve into a more progressive side, the question becomes whether he gives enough going forward.Still, relegated clubs often create buying opportunities. West Ham’s collapse should not automatically define Wan-Bissaka. Everton have signed players before who needed a clearer role and a reset. This one could make sense, provided the wages are manageable and the plan is clear.

Kieran Trippier set to join Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transferWolverhampton Wanderers have agreed a deal to sign Kieran Trippier on a free transfer following his departure from Newcastle United. The 35-year-old full-back announced his emotional exit from St James’ Park in April, bringing an end to a highly successful four-and-a-half-year spell on Tyneside. After running down his contract, Trippier has opted for Molineux as his next destination, bringing elite pedigree and invaluable top-flight experience to Rob Edwards’ squad.The former England international is set to sign a two-year contract with Wolves, including an optional third year based on performance milestones. Trippier will undergo a medical at the club’s training ground next week after returning from a family holiday. The move represents a major coup for Wolves, who saw off strong competition from domestic and overseas suitors to secure the high-profile free agent.Trippier leaves a significant legacy at Newcastle, having become the first major signing of the club’s Saudi-led takeover when he arrived from Atletico Madrid for £12m in January 2022. He helped guide the Magpies from the Premier League relegation zone to consecutive UEFA Champions League campaigns and lifted the EFL Cup.Trippier slipped down the pecking order behind Tino Livramento during the 2025–26 campaign, making his final appearance for Eddie Howe’s side as a late substitute in their last home game of the season against West Ham United.For Wolves, signing the 54-cap veteran brings immediate leadership to their defensive unit. The right-back is no stranger to the demands of a promotion push, having previously featured in the second tier with Barnsley and Burnley earlier in his career.

Trader Edward Curran, left, and specialist Meric Greenbaum, center, work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)2026-05-29T03:16:25Z Oil prices fell and markets inched higher before the opening bell Friday, adding to records a day earlier on optimism over a tentative deal to extend the ceasefire in the war with Iran.Futures for the S&P 500 ticked up 0.1% a day after hitting another record, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3%. Futures for the Nasdaq, which also hit an all-time high Thursday, were effectively flat.Dell Technologies soared 33% overnight after the computer and IT giant obliterated Wall Street’s first-quarter sales and profit forecasts. Dell posted sales of nearly $44 billion in the period — about $8 billion more than analysts were expecting — and also raised its guidance for the full year.The Pentagon also announced Thursday that it has awarded Dell with a five-year, $9.7 billion contract to streamline its use of Microsoft products and services. In the retail sector, Gap tumbled 15% after it nudged past first quarter profit targets but cut its full-year sales guidance. On Thursday, negotiators from the U.S. and Iran reached a tentative deal on extending their ceasefire by 60 days and holding a new round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program, a U.S. official said. Iran had not yet publicly confirmed the deal and the tentative agreement was still pending U.S. President Donald Trump’s sign off. Oil prices fell Friday with Brent crude, the international standard, slipping $1.26 to $91.44 a barrel. It was trading around $70 per barrel in late February before the war began. Benchmark U.S. crude fell $1.03 to $87.87 per barrel. Read More Investors are closely watching for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. official said the tentative accord makes it clear that Iran wouldn’t be able to impose tolls on ships transiting the strait, while the U.S. would gradually lift its sea blockade on Iranian ports.“The oil market continues to edge lower amid growing optimism that the U.S. and Iran are moving toward a deal,” ING commodities strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote Friday. “A reopening of the strait would offer some immediate relief to the oil market with tankers leaving the Persian Gulf. However, the recovery is still uncertain.” Shipowners may be reluctant to send vessels into the Persian Gulf, at least initially, over fears that the ceasefire could fail, they wrote. Also a recovery in oil and gas production would likely also be gradual rather than immediate.Markets in Japan and South Korea hit fresh records as world shares mostly advanced Friday on expectations the U.S. and Iran will agree to extend the ceasefire in their war by 60 days.Oil prices slipped, but remain above pre-war levels as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. Analysts warned that the potential ceasefire extension should be viewed with caution, as it will take time for oil supplies to recover. In early European trading, Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 0.2%, Germany’s DAX lost 0.1% and France’s CAC 40 added 0.6%.In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 jumped 2.5% and ended at a record high close of 66,329.50, as data released Friday showed that Tokyo’s core inflation rate for May rose more slowly than economists expected. South Korea’s Kospi surged 3.6% to 8,476.15, also at an all-time closing high, with technology companies powering the gains thanks to the global boom in artificial intelligence. Shares in Samsung Electronics, the country’s leading company, rose 5.8%. SK Hynix, which has benefited greatly from the shift to AI, gained 1.9%.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng added 0.7% to 25,182.39, while the Shanghai Composite index fell 0.7% to 4,068.57.Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was up 1.6% at 8,731.70.Taiwan’s Taiex traded 2.5% higher. India’s Sensex lost 0.5%. CHAN HO-HIM Chan writes about business and economy in China for The Associated Press, reporting on key sectors of the world’s second-largest economy from trade and technology to autos. He is based in Hong Kong. mailto

Washington’s receiver need can be easily argued, with a secondary outside threat opposite Terry McLaurin making the Commanders offense an intimidator. Stefon Diggs and Brandon Aiyuk have been the assumed targets, with significant talk swirling around either of those additions. What about Buffalo’s Keon Coleman? An ESPN panel pondered a Coleman trade, among a few others, in a post earlier this week. Three analysts made trade proposals, and ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano postured this trade. Let’s read his offer and explanation in full: “Dan Graziano’s offer: Bills get: 2028 fifth-round pick Commanders get: Coleman Why this deal makes sense: The Commanders still might end up with Brandon Aiyuk once the 49ers give up and cut him, but that’s taking longer than expected. They need receiver depth behind Terry McLaurin, and this is a low-cost flier on a player with good draft pedigree. Washington still hasn’t re-signed Deebo Samuel, who led the team in targets (99), receptions (72), receiving yards (727) and receiving touchdowns (five) last season.” ESPN Bills reporter Alaina Getzenberg rejected this offer, plus others that analysts created from the Falcons, Ravens and Raiders. “While the Bills would be intrigued by Walder’s offer from the Falcons, the team is holding firm on Coleman remaining in Buffalo and rejecting all four offers. Coleman has said he understands what is on the line this season, and the Bills are currently committed to giving him this chance. Whether it can all come together in Buffalo, however, is still a big question. — Getzenberg” Coleman has largely underwhelmed since Buffalo took him with the No. 33 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, with just 38 catches for 404 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. While Diggs and Aiyuk aren’t clean-cut guaranteed additions, there’s more likelihood they produce well in 2025. There’s a bit of a bet on Coleman, who still has two years left under his rookie contract and seemingly has upside. He averages 19.2 yards per reception in 2024, though he had 1.55 yards per route run. A 2028 fifth-round pick didn’t get a hypothetical deal done. Would you up the offer to make a Coleman trade work? Or is this a hard pass? Let us know in the comments below.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Denzel Boston #12 of the Washington Huskies reacts against the USC Trojans during the first half at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images Good Friday morning Dawg fans! We have some news to get to, deep in the offseason, so let’s get to it!Football DotsThe Huskies added a late flip from Colorado. Joseph Peko of Oaks Christian High School in California. Our own Peter Kehoe has more here.Meet the Pack: Soane Faasolo @SoaneFaasolo saw action in all 13 games during the 2025 season earning a spot on the Big Ten All-Academic team. He’s studying Real Estate ☔️ pic.twitter.com/yRbJ3VsT3h— Washington Football (@UW_Football) May 28, 2026We pay a price for greatness. 🗻@Jacobmanu6pic.twitter.com/UoGKGWDf1t— Washington Football (@UW_Football) May 29, 2026🙌💜 https://t.co/n42PBF7KSx— Washington Football (@UW_Football) May 29, 2026And on a new Say Who, Say Pod, Christian and Danny dive into the “Protect College Sports Act”.Athletics Dots.@UWSoftball Utility player Riley Peschek has announced her intent to enter the portal, per her IGhttps://t.co/K1c4KSL6pI— Softball-Addict(Ed) Strong (@ByEdStrong) May 28, 2026It's always going to be conjecture, so you have to make your best guess. This year's portal class is not as impressive as last year's, I don't think anyone disagrees with that. Thus, it's reasonable to assume that there's not as much third-party NIL as there was last year (but… https://t.co/2v36FKGui4— Kevin Cacabelos (@SeaTownKev) May 29, 2026I think it was clear last year that the roster construction was poor. Year 1 of Sprinkle was all about putting together a roster at a bad time (much like Fisch's first year). Year 2 of Sprinkle was frontloaded pre-House money and landing big fish. Year 2 I think was too focused… https://t.co/n2a1xfDvxI— Kevin Cacabelos (@SeaTownKev) May 29, 2026Throwback Game of The WeekThis week’s throwback game of the week flashes us back to 2022. With the wounds of the ending to the Lake era still fresh in the minds of the Dawgs, they went up to Pullman out for blood. With yet another Michael Penix masterclass (485 yards, 3 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns), they got their revenge, 51-33. This included the dagger, a 40 yard touchdown scamper by Wayne Taulapapa, who stopped at the 2 yard line to admire his handiwork before being pushed into the end zone. That remains one of my favorite Husky touchdowns of all time. Let’s add a few more in September, regardless of the day of the week!That’s all for today, so thank you for making Dots a part of your morning, and as always, Go Dawgs!

Brendon McCullum took charge of the England Test team in 2022 [Getty Images]Head coach Brendon McCullum said England must deal with the "backlash" to their dismal 4-1 defeat in Australia.England were widely criticised for their approach on and off the field down under, when they were thought to have a superb opportunity to regain the Ashes, only to be soundly beaten by a below-strength Australia team.McCullum has kept his job following a review into the tour and will lead England into the first Test against his native New Zealand at Lord's on Thursday."There was huge hopes and ambitions for success down in Australia and we didn't get it right," McCullum told BBC Sport. "We had our chance, we didn't take it and we got beat."It hurt. It hurt the players, it hurt the players' families, the support staff, all the fans that travelled from England all the way out to Australia and all the fans watching worldwide."Now you have got to handle a little bit of the backlash of what has happened since."In a wide-ranging interview, McCullum said:England can rebuild trust with supporters by winning the biggest matches and serieshe overestimated his team's preparedness for the pressure of an away Ashes seriesEngland must use the experience in Australia "as a lesson"accepted he is not everyone's "cup of tea"he is considering switching captain Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith at number six and seven in the batting orderEngland's style of play under McCullum and captain Ben Stokes has come in for attention since they took charge of the Test team in 2022.Initially, their 'Bazball' style brought immediate success, with 10 wins from their first 11 Tests at the helm.But since those first 11 matches, England have lost more Tests than they have won – 17 to 16 – and have failed to win a five-Test series against either Australia or India.Frustration at results has been compounded by their approach on and off the field. In Australia, England's batting was prone to self-inflicted collapse, the bowling was scattergun and the catching inadequate.Their preparation before the series was limited, their training during it was hampered by a thin backroom staff and there were accusations of a drinking culture, fuelled by vice-captain Harry Brook being punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington and a boozy mid-Ashes holiday in Noosa.Asked what England must to do to rebuild the relationship with their supporters, McCullum said: "I feel if we are able to play in that positive, aggressive manner, but we become slightly smarter in some of those key moments and win some of those significant moments in games which happen in big series when the pressure is at its highest, then I think we build that trust."Part of England's approach under McCullum has been to create a relaxed environment for the players, to empower them to make their own decisions and to remove pressure in the cauldron of international sport.Ashes tours are notoriously hostile for visiting England teams, who come under intense scrutiny from local fans and media. On this occasion, only five of England's squad had been on a previous Ashes tour.They were filmed on arrival at Perth airport, splashed across front pages and followed to golf courses and even on a trip to an aquarium. In Brisbane, they made front page news for not wearing helmets when riding on escooters and a member of the security staff got involved in an altercation with a TV cameraman."I always thought what was going to separate success and failure in Australia was how you handled the pressure, because the pressure was at its absolute highest," said McCullum. "I felt when we got down there we were ready for that. In hindsight, we weren't."I got it wrong in terms of assessing our readiness to handle the pressure."I'm going to do what I can to make sure the next time we get placed in that situation when the pressure is at its highest, we're able think clearly, remain poised and navigate tactically a way forward."McCullum's contract with England ends in the autumn of 2027. He said he has not thought about the possibility of an extension so, as it stands, his final Test series in charge will be the home Ashes next summer.By then, England will have not held the urn for almost a decade and not won a five-match series since 2018.And 44-year-old McCullum, who played 101 Tests for New Zealand, said his team must use their latest Ashes failure as a "lesson" for the challenges ahead."The lesson we were taught down in Australia needs to help galvanise us moving forward, otherwise it was just a beating and incredible disappointment," he said."If we're able to make good on what we've been taught and what we've gone through and it makes us a better side, whilst it still hurts, it will make us a better side."In the aftermath of the Ashes, players who have been discarded by McCullum's regime have been critical of the England set-up. Liam Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow added their voices to the frustration expressed by pundits and fans.In response to some of the Ashes shortcomings, England have added extra coaches to their backroom staff, imposed a midnight curfew on players and staff, and will soon be joined by a full-time chef."I've always had authenticity to how I like to operate as a person. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea," said McCullum. "Not everyone is going to love you all the time. That's OK."I have firm conviction in the way we try to shape and build teams. I'm not rigid about development, improvement and refinement."There has been a period of reflection, things we have needed to change and things we have changed. We've made some adjustments and now the key from a cricket point of view is winning those moments when the game is on the line."England will hand a debut to opener Emilio Gay in the first Test against New Zealand, with the Durham man coming in for the discarded Zak Crawley.Jacob Bethell is expected to be fit after a finger injury and will bat at number three after replacing Ollie Pope during the Ashes.Ollie Robinson has been recalled following a two-year international exile and is likely to join Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson in the pace attack. Jofra Archer will not be ready following his stint at the Indian Premier League, while Brydon Carse is injured.England will have to decide between spinners Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir, while McCullum suggested the switch between Stokes and Smith is likely.All-rounder Stokes has played 131of his 216 Test innings at number six, including almost all of his four years as captain.The captain's returns with the bat have diminished – he averaged 18 during the Ashes – whilst his bowling has improved. Stokes was England's joint-leading wicket-taker in 2025.Wicketkeeper Smith struggled during the Ashes, yet has started the season well for Surrey. In a short Test career, the 25-year-old averages 44 at number six compared to 38 at seven."They are conversations we are having around switching Jamie Smith and Stokesy around," said McCullum."Both are brilliant players when they're at their best. They're free-flowing, when they're going well."It's how we get the best out of those two based on the group around them and what's required. That's certainly a conversation we are having. We're not quite yet decided, but more leaning towards it."Gay's drive to tell parents of first England call-upRobinson one of best bowlers in the world - KeyTaylor named England fielding coach in landmark move

Tennessee Volunteers' Manny Marin (4) scoops a ground ball as Arkansas Razorbacks take on Tennessee Volunteers during the SEC baseball tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Ala. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Arkansas Razorbacks defeated Tennessee Volunteers 8-4. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Tennessee Volunteers open the NCAA Tournament today in Chapel Hill, set to take on East Carolina. Tennessee landed the No. 2 seed in the regional, while ECU grabbed the No. 3 seed. They’ll both be trying to knock off No. 1 seed North Carolina, who will open with No. 4 VCU later on today.Tennessee comes into this hot, winning three of their last four series to solidify their spot in the tournament. The Volunteers will get back Reese Chapman today after he missed the SEC Tournament with a facial fracture. Starting pitcher Landon Mack is available, but his status remains in question for the weekend. ECU went 36-22-1 on the year. The American Conference champs are once again in the NCAA Tournament, making their eighth straight appearance and still searching for that elusive College World Series appearance.The Pirates will start Ryan Towers, who is 7-3 with a 3.04 ERA on the season. Tennessee will go with Evan Blanco, who will be looking to bounce back from a couple of rough outings to close the season. How to watch Tennessee vs. ECULocation: Chapel Hill, North CarolinaTime: Noon ETTV Channel: ESPNUStreaming: ESPN AppOdds: Tennessee -180

BEREA, OHIO - APRIL 21: Isaiah Bond #16 of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass during a voluntary veteran minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 21, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images The Cleveland Browns absolutely dominated the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting two wide receivers who both the media and NFL organizations gave first-round grades. With that being said, one “veteran” receiver could end up being a more exciting and productive player in 2026 than many currently predict in Todd Monken’s offense. The two rookies, Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, have been excellent throughout the first week of Cleveland’s voluntary OTAs, though Concepcion had some early drop issues.Everyone’s been infatuated with Boston’s size (6’4”, 215 lbs.) and Concepcion’s quick-twitch ability, but one of the most overlooked players at the position could be in line for a fairly large workload in 2026 compared to last season.Second-year receiver Isaiah Bond showed elite speed and a good feel for the game as a rookie in 2025, and he provided the team with a legitimate deep threat, which is something that they were searching for over the past few seasons.Shedeur Sanders dropping dimes to Isaiah Bond in his rookie season.Just imagine if he gets a top WR like Carnell Tate.#DawgPoundpic.twitter.com/qlGOv5k6WM— Brady Hamilton (@BradyH_216) December 14, 2025He was surprisingly good as a short to intermediate route-runner as well, being able to create separation on quick slants, digs, and different mesh routes. Though he’s on the smaller side at 5’11”, 180 lbs., Bond’s been pretty durable so far, and he’s shown that he can take a hit and get right back up. Durability and playmaking ability will be key in Cleveland’s new offense, so Bond already gets a good grade in that department heading into 2026.Though Jerry Jeudy, Denzel Boston, and KC Concepcion are “projected” to be the target leaders at wide receiver this season, seeing Isaiah Bond coming out of nowhere and ending up as one of the top producers is a realistic outcome after the type of year he had as a rookie.Bond played in less than 50% of total offensive snaps in 2025 and was still able to gain 338 receiving yards on 18 receptions. Depending on how Todd Monken uses him in 2026, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him have a better season statistically than one of the Browns’ two rookie receivers. What are your thoughts on Isaiah Bond’s outlook for 2026? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.

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EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 27: Khalil Mack #52 of the Los Angeles Chargers talks with members of the media after organized team activities workout at The Bolt on May 27, 2026 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images Good morning, Chargers fans!You know what to do!And now for today’s links.Chargers News:Daiyan Henley is looking to make another jump with his game entering year four (Chargers.com)Predicting the Chargers record in 2026 (Chargers Wire)The signing of Tyler Biadasz is already paying off without him playing a down (Bolt Beat)Ladd McConkey was off to the side working with trainers during the opening sessions of OTAs (Charger Report)NFL News:Jaxson Dart addressed the situation with teammate Abdul Carter following polarizing introduction (CBS Sports)Christian McCaffrey is not worried about his workload entering his age-30 season (NFL.com)Which position groups around the league improved the most this offseason? (ESPN)Puka Nacua is not worried about possibly playing the 2026 season without a contract extension (Pro Football Talk)These are the best 10 fits for the top 10 remaining free agents left on the market (Sports Illustrated)C.J. Stroud is dismissing all the narratives surrounding a recent haircut he got (Bleacher Report)

09 November 2025, Berlin: American Football: Professional League NFL, Indianapolis Colts - Atlanta Falcons, Main Round, Main Round Games, Matchday 10, Olympiastadion Berlin. Charlie Woerner (Atlanta Falcons) shows the way. Photo: Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa (Photo by Sebastian Gollnow/picture alliance via Getty Images) Joint practices have become something of an annual tradition for many NFL teams, the Atlanta Falcons very much included. They’ll keep that tradition alive in 2026 by practicing twice against the Indianapolis Colts ahead of their Week 2 preseason game.As Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced earlier today, the Falcons and Colts will participate in joint practices before their Week 2 preseason game.— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) May 28, 2026The Colts are an interesting opponent for this, as they’re a team that saw Atlanta last season in Germany, have a potential last chance front office and coaching staff that has tied their 2026 fortunes to Daniel Jones, and a roster that is clearly talented but did not receive a lot of major upgrades this offseason. Because the Falcons seem likely to stick to playing their reserves in Week 2 with Week 3 serving as their preseason tune-up for starters, the actual preseason game might be something of a letdown. The practices, however, should be more lively and will give us some interesting glimpses into how the Falcons’ run defense looks against Jonathan Taylor, how this passing game fares against a secondary that has Sauce Gardner, and so forth. We have so much to learn about this team, which has dozens of new faces who may make the final roster, a new head coach and offensive coaching staff, and new front office and president of football. Seeing them actually squaring off against other NFL teams, even outside of actual game settings, will help us to better understand what this team can do in 2026. I’ll look forward to these joint practices.

The list of exciting waiver wire options continues to be led by the hurlers, as at least a couple of starters seem to burst onto the radar each week. On the hitting side, an underrated slugger from Texas tops the list.Pitchers to addZebby Matthews, SP, Twins, 39%: It’s time for Matthews to push past the 50% threshold. After all, there may not be another starter on the waiver wire who can match his 17:2 K:BB ratio. Matthews is known for racking up whiffs and limiting walks, and he has thrown at least six innings in each of his three starts. With most of the recent exciting waiver wire starters now rostered in the majority of leagues, Matthews deserves to be the next one to graduate.Cade Cavalli, SP, Nationals, 33%: Although we’ve been teased by Cavalli in the past, there are reasons to hope that his recent streak of success could be sustainable. The right-hander had been prone to walks throughout his career before flipping a switch on April 18 and logging an impressive 1.8 BB/9 rate across his past eight starts. The improved control hasn’t impacted his swing-and-miss abilities, as he has produced an 11.3 K/9 rate across those eight outings. Cavalli did not allow more than three runs in any of those eight starts, and given the effectiveness of a Nats lineup that ranks first in runs scored, he could earn plenty of wins by remaining consistent.Jared Jones, SP, Pirates, 43%: Jones will make his first start since 2024 when he returns from Tommy John surgery to tangle with the Twins tonight. The right-hander with elite heat showed terrific swing-and-miss skills (9.8 K/9 rate) and solid control (2.9 BB/9 rate) during his rookie season. He returns to a much-improved Pirates team that ranks fifth in runs scored, which offers hope that Jones could win his share of games by repeating his freshman ratios (4.14 ERA, 1.19 WHIP).Admittedly, fantasy managers could be initially cautious about using someone in their starting lineup who is returning from such a long absence.Spencer Miles, SP/RP, Blue Jays, 3%: A Rule 5 draft pick last December, Miles has become the saviour of an injury-impacted Blue Jays pitching staff. The 25-year-old is arguably the team’s No. 3 starter while Dylan Cease, Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber remain on the IL, and in his past four outings, Miles has produced a 0.59 ERA, a 0.85 WHIP and a 16:4 K:BB ratio. He has yet to reach 70 pitches in an appearance, but with the Blue Jays’ desire to use an opener ahead of him, Miles can earn a win by throwing four innings.Hitters to addJake Burger, 1B, Rangers, 29%: Managers who are searching for a slugger should have Burger atop their list. Among players who remain available in more than half of Yahoo leagues, the veteran ranks first in RBI and second in home runs. The career .246 hitter is unlikely to ever be a batting average asset, but he also won’t significantly hurt a fantasy team in that category, and his power skills are undeniable. On a Rangers team that is searching for impactful hitters, Burger is surely going to receive a heavy workload.Spencer Steer, 1B/OF, Reds, 43%: Steer makes an appearance in this article for a second straight week, as he continues to show notable improvements with his average exit velocity (89.8 mph) and barrel rate (13.6%). His strikeout rate has also trended in the right direction this season, which has contributed to attention-grabbing marks in xBA (.278) and xSLG (.511). From 2023-25, Steer was a 20-homer player despite logging mediocre batted-ball data, which raises hope that he can hit 25-30 homers with his improved skill set.Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournamentJacob Young, OF, Nationals, 3%: Although Young has produced ordinary statistics (7 HR, 3 SB, .233 BA), there are reasons to add him in 12-team, five outfielder leagues. The outfielder has improved his quality of contact, logging career-best marks in average exit velocity (89.0 mph) and barrel rate (6.0%). His xBA is a solid .269, and although he has a low steals total, Young stole 33 bases just two seasons ago and still possesses 95th percentile sprint speed. An outstanding fielder, Young has earned regular playing time and could be a five-category contributor.Hitters with favorable weekend matchupsJake Bauers, 1B/OF, Brewers, 40%: Bauers has generated little fantasy buzz despite enjoying a solid season that includes eight homers, 30 RBI, 4 steals and a .287 average. In fact, even in a talented Brewers lineup, his .851 OPS ranks second among players who have logged at least 55 at-bats. The lefty slugger will be perfectly positioned for success this weekend, when he faces three right-handed starters from an Astros staff that ranks 29th in baseball with a 5.12 ERA.Cedric Mullins, OF, Rays, 5%: Wise fantasy managers will look past Mullins’ overall .190 average and instead focus on the .279 mark he has posted in May. The speedy outfielder (10 steals) has cut his strikeout rate this month, which makes him a good candidate to reach base often and score some runs against an Angels staff that ranks among the bottom 5 in baseball in both ERA (4.74) and WHIP (1.43).Pitchers to stream this weekend (ranked in order of preference):Bryce Miller vs. ARI (Sunday, 42 rostered)Foster Griffin vs. SD (Saturday, 46)Zebby Matthews @ PIT (Sunday, 39)Ben Brown @ STL (Saturday, 43)Stephen Kolek @ TEX (Friday, 22)Jansen Junk @ NYM (Sunday, 7)Sean Burke vs. DET (Sunday, 16)Jared Jones vs. MIN (Friday, 43)Spencer Miles @ BAL (Sunday, 3)Jack Leiter vs. KC (Sunday, 32)Christian Scott vs. MIA (Saturday, 13)Kumar Rocker vs. LAA (Saturday, 10)Keider Montero @ CWS (Sunday, 9)

Plenty of Angel Reese memes have been floating around since her days at LSU and her eventual WNBA debut, even if some of them aren't actually real. And now, there's another one to add to the pile for the Atlanta Dream star.A camera focused in on the forward while she was on the Dream bench, and she caught the lingering lens in her eyes. Her response? A head shake, as if to say, "Yes? What do you want?" Of course people turned that into a meme, which is kind of perfect when you need it for those "... and?" situations. Here's a roundup:When your co-worker starts talking to you as soon as you walk through the door pic.twitter.com/NtdWVOJ7HS— IG: olesoul57.2 ♉️ 5/12 (@olesoul57_2) May 28, 2026who does she think she is? pic.twitter.com/Wj5wIJRmdg— Hoops (@Hoopss) May 28, 2026Me: stares in awe at my booMy boo: pic.twitter.com/HJku68FKBX— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) May 28, 2026Too funny.This article originally appeared on For The Win: Angel Reese meme comes from mid-game stare to camera in Dream game

MiLB Recap: Cooper Ingle homers again, top prospect Robert Arias seriously injured Columbus Clippers 10, Toledo Mud Hens 3 Gameday: Clippers 10, Mud Hens 3 Final Score (05/28/2026)Clippers improve to 28-25The Columbus Clippers offense blasted off for 10 runs on 17 hits as every player in the lineup had at least one hit with five players have multi-hit games and all but two reaching base safely at least twice.Leading the charge was Nolan Jones, who went 4-for-5 with a double. Jones has quietly raised his Triple-A batting average to .269 and his OPS is up to .802.Angel Genao had a three-hit game, going 3-for-4 with a double and a walk. Cooper Ingle had the big hit of the day, going 2-for-6 with a three-run home run.Cooper Ingle!His 3-run shot is his eighth homer of the season 💣 pic.twitter.com/29swXgF2cT— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) May 29, 2026C.J. Kayfus went 2-for-5 with a double and three runs scored, Milan Tolentino went 2-for-5 with two stolen bases, Juan Brito went 1-for-2 with two walks and a steal and Bo Naylor returned to Columbus by going 1-for-4 with a walk.Starting pitcher Austin Peterson was decent, allowing three runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and three walks in 4.0 innings. Knuckleballer Trenton Denholm was sensational in long relief, tossing 5.0 shutout one-hit frames with four strikeouts and three walks to earn the win.Akron RubberDucks 4, Richmond Flying Squirrels 5Gameday: Flying Squirrels 5, RubberDucks 4 Final Score (05/28/2026)RubberDucks fall to 26-22Akron had 12 hits but couldn’t string enough of them together on Thursday. Wuilfredo Antunez led the way, going 3-for-4.Jaison Chourio doubled and walked while Jose Devers went 2-for-3 with a walk. Juan Benjamin went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice.Starting pitcher Josh Hartle allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits in 5.0 innings. He didn’t strike out any batters and walked one.Carter Rustad took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits in his 2.0 innings.Lake County Captains 4, Beloit Sky Carp 2Gameday: Captains 4, Sky Carp 2 Final Score (05/28/2026)Captains improve to 25-22Lake County took advantage of eight walks to score four runs despite getting just four hits. Jace LaViolette reached base safely twice with a walk, a single and a stolen base.Nolan Schubart walked twice and both Maick Collado and Esteban Gonzalez went 1-for-3 with a walk. Gonzalez also stole a base.Starting pitcher Jackson Humphries was superb, tossing 4.0 shutout innings of two-hit ball with seven strikeouts and no walks.Michael Kennedy also had one of his better outings of the season, finishing off the game with 5.0 innings of long relief, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and no walks.Hill City Howlers 2, Fayetteville Woodpeckers 4Gameday: Woodpeckers 4, Howlers 2 Final Score (05/28/2026)Howlers fall to 24-24Top Guardians outfield prospect Robert Arias was in the middle of a breakout season, slashing .294/.400/.865 through 44 games in his age-19 campaign at Single-A Hill City.Unfortunately, after a leadoff single on Thursday, Arias was injured sliding into second base when I think he caught a spike and his foot rolled underneath his body and he was removed from the game in an air cast. I wish him the best and hope for a swift recovery.Jose Pirela went 2-for-4 and Anthony Martinez doubled, but otherwise, the offense was pretty non-existent.Starting pitcher Joey Oakie absolutely dominated opposing hitters, allowing one run on two hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in 4.2 innings. Ryan Prager was sensational out of the bullpen, striking out all six of his outs in 2.0 scoreless innings, but Miguel Flores allowed two runs in his 3.0 innings of long relief to take the loss.

An American flag flies outside the Department of Justice in Washington, March 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)2026-05-29T13:47:48Z ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (AP) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from paying any claims through a new $1.776 billion settlement fund for Trump allies who believe they were victims of a weaponized government.U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday also barred the government from moving forward with the fund’s creation while litigation is pending to challenge it.The judge scheduled a June 12 hearing for arguments on whether to extend the order blocking payouts from an “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which the government created to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns.The fund has created a fierce backlash since it was announced last week, with even Republicans pressing acting Attorney General Todd Blanche over the eligibility considerations and the possibility that even violent rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, would be free to seek compensation. The Justice Department hasn’t formed the five-member commission that will decide on payout criteria, so there has been no money paid out yet or claims accepted.Plaintiffs’ attorneys from the legal advocacy group Democracy Forward are seeking a court order halting the fund’s implementation and preventing the Trump administration from disbursing any payouts from it. The federal suit claims there is no legal basis or accountability behind the fund.

This photo, provided by the Virginia State Police, shows the scene of a fatal accident involving a passenger bus on Interstate 95 in near Quantico, Va., on Friday, May 29, 2026. (Virginia State Police via AP)2026-05-29T13:42:40Z STAFFORD, Va. (AP) — A bus struck six vehicles on Interstate 95 in Virginia as traffic slowed for a work zone, killing five people and sending 34 to hospitals, state police said Friday.The crash happened at about 2:35 a.m. on southbound I-95 in Stafford County. All five of the people who died were in vehicles hit by the bus, and three of the injured are in critical condition, police said.“The preliminary investigation indicates that traffic was slowing southbound for an upcoming work zone,” state police said in a news release. “A bus failed to slow for traffic and struck six vehicles.”

Mariners' Colt Emerson has already answered all the questions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Colt Emerson had a case to make the Seattle Mariners' Opening Day roster.He was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma instead, but since his MLB promotion earlier this month, Emerson hasn't wasted any time proving he belongs.He has also created some serious questions for the Mariners, who are heading toward an infield logjam when everyone gets healthy.It's a good problem to have, though. Seattle certainly would've hoped Emerson would hit the ground running like this.There are plenty of ways to sum up what Emerson is doing. For one, he's super hot lately:Colt Emerson over his last 4 games:.429 batting average (6-for-14) with 3 runs scored, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 RBI and 2 walks with a 1.286 OPS in 16 plate appearances. pic.twitter.com/RdRkMhr1BI— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) May 28, 2026MORE: Bryce Harper confuses everyone with viral teeth brushing videoHe's also putting up some phenomenal ratios:Colt Emerson has a 22.2 K%, an 11.1 BB%, a 20.5% whiff rate, and a 23.3% chase rate in his early MLB career. All are numbers you would absolutely consider good.Makes me wonder what was seemingly going wrong for him in AAA before the callup? pic.twitter.com/9mLewWINue— Gravel (@Gravel_sense) May 28, 2026Also a fun one: He nearly tied the MLB record for a "major league cycle."It took Emerson 29 at bats to have a single, a double, a triple and a home run in his MLB career. The record is 28 at bats.Cliff Heathcote is the fastest to ever do it at 28 at bats in 1918So Colt Emerson missed the record by one at bat pic.twitter.com/NRJJFISq0mhttps://t.co/zPBLDb02tr— JulioIsKing (@JulioIsKing44) May 27, 2026Even the vibes are good -- "Every day is a highlight, if I'm being honest, with these guys," Emerson recently told the Seattle Times.Emerson is creating plenty of those highlights himself.Seattle sure must be glad they've called the kid up. He's certainly phenomenal.More MLB news:Bo Bichette reveals his plans for his opt-out clauseBumpus Jones is trending for an 1892 accomplishmentThe last time a team was this bad at walking, it took 9 balls to earn a walkChase Burns makes Reds history that hasn't been done in 104 yearsGuardians pitcher trying to complete incredible comeback

Braydon Johnson swatted a pair of extra-base hits, setting a school record in the process while leading the Lakota West Firebirds in a 10-1 win against the Fairmont Firebirds in Division I tournament baseball play on Thursday, May 28.Johnson finished 2-for-4 with a double, triple and four RBI, passing his coach Brad Gschwind for the school’s career extra-base hits mark with 40.Noah Bramble added a 4-for-4 day with another two extra-base hits and three runs scored out of the leadoff spot to spark Lakota West and Cooper Rhoads tacked on two hits with two RBI.West improved to 15-12 and move on to a district final matchup against St. Xavier on Friday, May 29.Fairmont finished the season with a mark of 12-16.BaseballTOURNAMENTDivision ICenterville captures first district title in 8 years*Oak Hills 4, Springboro 0: ‘Boro closed out the season as district runner-ups with a record of 20-8.Elder 2, Beavercreek 0: ‘Creek finished the year as district runner-ups with a record of 21-6.Division IIAnderson 1, Troy 0: Jake Reinhardt took the hard-luck loss with 13 strikeouts and Troy capped off the year as MVL Miami champions and district runner-ups with a record of 22-4.Division IIIButler 8, Greenville 0: Tate Richardson picked up his 10th win of the season, combining with Carson Heis and Davis Ketterer on the shutout for Butler. Jack Egbert tallied four RBI and the Aviators are set to face La Salle in a district final on Friday, May 29.Tippecanoe 6, Bellefontaine 0: Cayden McKinney tossed a two-hit shutout with eight strikeouts to pace Tipp. Carson Jackson and Brady Liskey added two hits with two RBI apiece and the Red Devils will play Batavia in a district final on Friday, May 29.Kenton Ridge 3, Tecumseh 1: Kenton Ridge pulled ahead late to improve to 20-5 overall and will face Bellbrook in a district final on Friday, May 29.Division IVFenwick 10, Clinton-Massie 0: Anthony Snyder struck out six in a complete game two-hitter and Fenwick advances to play in a district final on Friday, May 29 versus Urbana.Ben Logan 4, Valley View 3: Ben Logan laid down a successful sacrifice bunt for the winning run to advance to a district final on Friday, May 29 against Roger Bacon.Bethel 11, Oakwood 3: Troy Hunt homered and drove in five runs, Mason Stortenbecker scored five times on three hits and Bethel advances to face Indian Hill on Friday, May 29 in a district final.Division VVersailles 7, Cin. Christian 2: Sam Deland scattered five hits and struck out seven in a complete game to help Versailles win a district championship.Summit Country Day 3, Anna 1: Anna finished the year with an SCAL title and district runner-ups with a record of 22-6.Division VIMechanicsburg 2, Liberty Union 1: Conner Eyink and Eli Wilson each scored a run, with Eyink adding five strikeouts in a complete game to help ‘Burg capture a district title.Troy Christian 3, Northeastern 2: Logan Cool knocked in Ben Knostman for the game-winning run to send Troy Christian to a district final against MVCA on Friday, May 29.Dixie 2, Ansonia 1: Brayden Puckett picked up the win, tallying six strikeouts and helping Dixie advance to a district final against Dayton Christian on Friday, May 29.Dayton Christian 8, Riverside 2: Brody Schmidt recorded the win in a complete game for Dayton Christian, aiding his own cause with a double and two RBI.Division VIIFort Loramie 3, Tri-County North 2: Carson Arnold delivered the walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth to win a district title for Fort Loramie.SoftballREGIONAL TOURNAMENTDivision ICenterville gets revenge against Lebanon with Division I regional semifinal victory*Late rally sends Lakota East past Mason, into D-I regional final*Division IIIGreenville fights off Tippecanoe in regional semifinal*Division IVKenton Ridge survives scare from Carlisle, advances to regional final*Division VITri-Village 4, Fayetteville Perry 2: Tri-Village bumped to 22-5 with the win and will play Danville on Saturday, May 30 in a regional final.Boys TennisSTATE TOURNAMENTBrumbaugh advances to state final four*Girls LacrosseREGIONAL TOURNAMENTDivision ISpringboro 12, Kings 11: ‘Boro won the Region 4 bracket and will move on to a state tournament appearance.PREP RESULTSBaseballTOURNAMENTThursday’s ResultsDivision ICenterville 5, Lakota East 2: C: Weng W, Kristbaum HR, Muchmore RBI, Vitas RBI.Elder 2, Beavercreek 0Lakota West 10, Fairmont 1: LW: Johnson 3-4 2B 3B 4 RBI, Rhoads 2-4 2 RBI, Bramble 4-4 2B 3B RBI.Mason 5, Fairfield 0Oak Hills 4, Springboro 0Division IIAnderson 1, Troy 0Harrison 7, Edgewood 4Division IIIBellbrook 4, Franklin 2: F: Rebholz 1-3 2B 2 RBI.Butler 8, Greenville 0: B: Richardson W 8 K, Egbert 4 RBI.Chaminade Julienne 2, Xenia 1Kenton Ridge 3, Tecumseh 1La Salle 7, Ross 4Tippecanoe 6, Bellefontaine 0: T: McKinney W 8 K, Jackson 2-4 2B 2 RBI, Liskey 2-3 2 RBI.Division IVBen Logan 4, Valley View 3Bethel 11, Oakwood 3: B: Stortenbecker 3-3 5 RS, Hunt 2-3 2B HR 5 RBI.Fenwick 10, Clinton-Massie 0: F: Snyder W 6 K.Urbana 9, Eaton 0Division VSummit Country Day 3, Anna 1Versailles 7, Cin. Christian 2: V: Deland W 7 K.Division VIDayton Christian 8, Riverside 2: DC: Schmidt W 8 K, 1-3 2B 2 RBI, Hodge 1-3 2B RBI, Thoma 1-3 RBI.Dixie 2, Ansonia 1: D: Puckett W 6 K, Phillips 1-3 2B RBI.Fort Recovery 9, Triad 1Mechanicsburg 2, Liberty Union 1: M: Eyink W 5 K, 1-2 RS, Wilson 1-3 2B RS.Troy Christian 3, Northeastern 2: TC: Cool W, GW-RBI.Division VIIFayetteville Perry 12, Middletown Christian 2Fort Loramie 3, Tri-County North 2: FL: Arnold GW-RBI. TCN: Heltsley RBI, Powell RBI.Russia 12, Cedarville 9Wednesday’s ResultsDivision ILakota East 1, Colerain 0Division IIAnderson 2, Fairborn 1Edgewood 7, Sidney 3: E: Vogel W 8 K, Fall 3-3 3B 2 RBI, Gulley 2 RBI.SoftballREGIONAL TOURNAMENTThursday’s ResultsDivision ICenterville 4, Lebanon 2: C: Belcher W 7 K, 1-2 2B 2 RBI, Carr 1-1 3 RS.Lakota East 5, Mason 3: LE: Crawford W 7 K, 2-4 2B 2 RBI, A. Schulte 1-3 RBI, Thompson 2-3 RBI.Division IIIGreenville 3, Tippecanoe 0: G: Oswalt W 8 K, McMullen 2B RBI, Fourman RBI, Force RBI.Jonathan Alder 11, Tri-Valley 4Division IVKenton Ridge 2, Carlisle 1: KR: Rastatter W 7 K, Fyffe 2-3 2B HR RBI, Glass 1-3 RBI.Division VArcanum 4, Piketon 3: A: J. Garbig 2-3 HR 2 RBI, C. Garbig W 3 K, 1-2 2 RBI.Miami East 8, Springfield Shawnee 5Division VITri-Village 4, Fayetteville Perry 2West Jefferson 4, Beaver Eastern 1Wednesday’s ResultsDivision VIMargaretta 6, Minster 1Division VIINew Riegel 3, Covington 1Southeastern 6, Hardin Northern 0Boys LacrosseREGIONAL TOURNAMENTThursday’s ResultsDivision IIMariemont 17, Fenwick 6Girls LacrosseREGIONAL TOURNAMENTThursday’s ResultsDivision ISpringboro 12, Kings 11REPORTING RESULTSContact Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun and Journal-News with scores and results as soon as possible after varsity high school athletic contests by email only at COPSports@coxincn.com. Please include any details from your contest that you would like published along with a contact name and phone number.

Shams Charania: Mitchell Robinson has undergone surgery on his broken right pinky finger -- and fully plans to play in the New York Knicks' Game 1 of the NBA Finals against OKC or San Antonio next Wednesday while wearing a brace on his hand, sources tell ESPN.bsky.appThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Mitchell Robinson plans to play in Game 1

DERBY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom looks on during the Frazer Clarke v Jeamie TKV Fight Card at Vaillant Live on November 29, 2025 in Derby, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) | Getty Images Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom spent some time talking about his feelings about Zuffa Boxing and suggests there will be litigation to follow after he says they’ve just recently taken another fighter from him in Sam Hickey, who he says was under contract. Shalom says he’s not willing to just roll over to Zuffa as he questions their ethics. Here’s some of what he had to say below. Shalom on his plans to sue Zuffa for allegedly poaching Sam Hickey“I think they see me and they think ‘oh, he’s a nice guy, he’s not going to do anything.’ You can’t just go in and ignore that fighters are under contract and being paid by another promoter. Look, I know where in the world of Trump and in the world of this and the world of that, but there’s still some sort of business practice. “I don’t actually know what’s going on. You can’t just ignore things. They ignored that Conor Benn had a matching right, in my opinion. They ignored that we had a matching right on Chris Billam-Smith completely — not just a matching right but an exclusive negotiation period. They’re ignoring that other fighters on that fight are actually completely under contract. What are you supposed to do? It’s crazy, to be honest. “Thankfully we live in a country where you can’t do those types of things.”On whether he expects Zuffa to make an offer to Adam Azim“They will go with anyone with a pulse.”On his feelings towards Zuffa“I don’t really understand what they’re saying at Zuffa or TKO or whatever…My concern is American conglomerates deciding or wanting to decide or wanting to disrupt how the sport is run in this country. This is the place that boxing’s probably the most popular in the world at the moment in terms of the big fights and the big nights and the consistency. And it’s always been British promoters that care about the sport…I can’t keep up [with Zuffa]. One minute there’s no titles, then they’re suing a governing body — it’s just disruptive. “The IBF are probably the most honorable governing body there is and it’s just like — we know what [Zuffa] are trying to do but it’s confusing.”

?Tom Orsborn?: Spurs worked hard to get Harper in right mindset after Game 5: "When he's switched on mentally and aggressive, he's pretty damn good," Mitch said. "He's got all the talent in the world, makeup to do whatever he wants. He's capable of those nights when he's in the right place between the ears."bsky.appThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "When he's switched on mentally and aggressive, he's …

The latest iteration of the African Inter-Parliamentary “Family, Sovereignty and Values” Conference is scheduled to take place in Ghana next week, the Ghanaian Parliament announced, and it’s earning condemnation and controversy days before it starts. Like the gatherings that preceded it over the last several years in Uganda, as that country passed its notorious Anti-Homosexuality Act that expanded the use of the death penalty in prosecutions for homosexuality, the four-day event in Ghana will assemble African leaders to discuss ostensibly African “cultural values” at a conference supported, organized, and directed by right-wing American and European Christian nationalist organizations. Related A U.S. activist allegedly accepted $300K from Russia to push anti-gay laws in Africa “Behind the African faces and the ‘protection-of-family-values-and-sovereignty’ language are two wealthy and influential Western far-right organizations: USA-based Family Watch International, and Christian Council International from the Netherlands,” writes Professor Jeffrey Haynes of London Metropolitan University in the Ghana-based Labari Journal. Both organizations have Christian nationalist ties to groups in direct support of the Trump administration, like the far-right authors of Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation. That organization and Family Watch International (FWI) are closely aligned right-wing groups that collaborate on both domestic and global “pro-family” policy. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today View this post on Instagram A post shared by All Out (@weareallout) Christian Council International (CCI) claims authorship of the document at the heart of the gathering, a proposed draft “African Charter on Family Sovereignty and Values”, which has taken shape over successive conferences and would remake social policy across Africa to conform to a Christian nationalist worldview. The document mandates a legal definition of two sexes among signatories, eliminates sex education in schools, and bans abortion, among other illiberal goals. “The gathering forms part of a broader transnational anti-rights movement targeting LGBTQI+ rights, women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), civic freedoms, and democratic participation across Africa,” according to human rights group Rightify Ghana. Family Watch International, designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, was implicated in an investigation of an earlier “Family, Sovereignty and Values” summit by the Wall Street Journal, which found that a large infusion of Russian cash helped fund the conference in Uganda in 2023, supported by FWI and its leader, Sharon Slater. Emails, WhatsApp messages, and interviews with conference attendees indicate that Russia transferred $300,000 to help cover the costs of the March 2023 event supported by FWI. The goals of the “Family, Sovereignty and Values” initiative mirror those of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has banned the so-called “international LGBT movement” from the country, declaring its “degenerate” Western values a threat to “traditional” families and Russian sovereignty. The conference takes place against the backdrop of legislation moving through Ghana’s Parliament, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, that would punish same-sex acts with a term of up to three years for same-sex relations and five years for “willful promotion, sponsorship or support of LGBTQ+ activities.” Participants in next week’s conference, largely from Ghana and Uganda, include two key Ghanaian legislators promoting the bill. Anti-LGBTQ+ activists in the country have gone on record saying that a second U.S.-based Christian nationalist hate group, MassResistance, has provided advice and counsel while they pushed the punitive new legislation targeting gay people. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rightify Ghana (@rightifyghana) “Africans’ legitimate concerns are being weaponized by Western far-right groups and their local allies, while Africa’s long history of tolerance and harmonious inter-cultural living is ignored, as are Africa’s historically diverse and fluid social structures,” Prof. Haynes writes. “The conference focuses on a narrow, ‘imported’, definition of ‘family’ and ‘values’ that overlooks the continent’s history of tolerance and community-focused ‘living well together’ and respect for diversity.” LGBTQ+ rights groups have scored one small victory ahead of the Christian nationalist-sponsored event. After protest, American hotel chain Marriott International dropped out of hosting the conference. It will now take place in a megachurch in the capital. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Another coaching change is coming to Colorado State following the 2025-26 school year.CSU women's tennis coach Mai-Ly Tran is leaving the program after five years in charge, the school announced May 29.Tran is leaving to "pursue other avenues," according to a news release from CSU.CSU had a 53-62 record in duals under Tran, going 23-28 in Mountain West play. The 16 winning matches in 2023 under Tran was the most wins in a season for the program and the 15 in 2022 was second-most. CSU reached the MW tournament semifinals twice (it had only happened once previously).Tran is the second CSU coach to step away in recent weeks after softball coach Jen Fisher announcer her retirement earlier in May.CSU is officially joining the Pac-12 on July 1 and will have at least three new coaches for the first year in the new league: Football (Jim Mora replacing Jay Norvell), softball and tennis (the latter to hires are yet to be made).Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on X, Instagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky.This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado State tennis coach Mai-Ly Tran steps down

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Josh Kroenke and Tim Lewis the Arsenal Directors chat to LA Rams Head Coach Sean McVay before the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) | Arsenal FC via Getty Images It’s part of my job these last several years, but even before I wrote for Turf Show Times I was constantly sucking down Los Angeles Rams news (including from this very site), and today’s news I’ll share is that Sean McVay wants the next three “international games” for the Los Angeles Rams to be in, “L.A., L.A., L.A.”.You can check out the actual CBS Los Angeles interview below or here. It’s a bit after the 12:00 minute mark that you’ll hear the “L.A., L.A., L.A.” quote from McVay, though the entire interview is worth your time if you can spare the time. The quote is a response from McVay when the interviewer asks the head coach where he’d want his next three international games to be? Since L.A. will be playing one game in Australia this season, it’s a fair question. McVay playfully responds by basically saying he’d rather be playing games at home in Los Angeles, but adds that these games a great opportunity for the league to expand. Where does McVay want his next three international games? “L.A., L.A., LA.”.Where do the fans want their teams next three internation games? Like McVay hinted at, likely not playing internationally. But you can’t argue (or you can!) it’s a great way for the league to expand.Thank YOU for checking out Turf Show Times! Happy Friday. Don’t get lost in the backrooms. These Under-the-Radar Rams Could Quietly Steal the Spotlight at OTAs (si.com)“The Los Angeles Rams are beginning OTAs this week. While many will be watching Ty Simpson, Puka Nacua, Trent McDuffie, and others, there are several under the radar players looking to build some momentum heading into training camp. Here are five under-the-radar players to keep and eye on during Rams OTAs. WR CJ DanielsMany are excited to see what CJ Daniels can do in the Rams offense. One of the most anticipated position battles this offseason is the one taking place at WR3. While Daniels won’t win that competition in OTAs, a strong two weeks will be good momentum heading into training camp. Daniels needs to show a strong grasp of the offense and take advantage of any of his opportunities. Jordan Whittington is another player worth mentioning here.“Free agent Joey Bosa could be the defensive closer the Rams need (ramswire)“Pro Football Focus named free agent Joey Bosa as their best closer in the NFL, stating his performance in the fourth quarter and overtime was the highest graded output in the league last season.“There may not have been a bigger gap between early-game and late-game performance in 2025 than the one displayed by Joey Bosa,” wrote PFF’s Daire Carragher. “After several injury-shortened seasons, it is fair to wonder whether his peak years are behind him, yet he still looked like a game-changing pass rusher once the fourth quarter arrived.”

Aidan Morris just had a brutal two-day stretch.On Friday, May 22, Morris found out he did not make the U.S. men's national team roster for the 2026 World Cup. The following day, his Middlesbrough side lost to Hull City in the Championship playoff final, denying him a chance to play in the Premier League next season.Morris just completed a standout campaign with Boro, as he was ever-present in the team's lineup at midfield. He was among the final cuts for the USMNT roster, having made the team's March roster and started against Portugal.After one of the tougher stretches he'll ever have in his career, the 24-year-old went on Instagram to deliver a message of optimism – and realism."There’s been a lot to digest these past few days," Morris wrote. "Things obviously haven’t gone the way I’ve wanted them to go but that’s life and I love it."My plan still remains the same, I’m no victim and not searching for sympathy. All I can do is look at myself and take accountability for the things that were in my control. My Pops once told me that you have to be undeniable and I didn’t accomplish that."So back to the drawing board I go and find the missing pieces to the puzzle. Continue to put one foot in front of the other and have the goal everyday I wake up to become a better version of myself. These experiences and emotions simply add fuel to fire and will force me to be a better version than I was. This story is gonna be special!!"View this post on Instagram

Albuquerque (NM) St. Pius X High School has featured one of the state’s top baseball programs and now the Sartans have named a interim head coach, according to a press release by the school. [ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]Per the release, St. Pius X has named Kurt Hurley as the baseball program’s interim coach, as James Stebbins has stepped down after three seasons at the helm. Stebbins over the last three years had an overall record of 50-34 leading St. Pius X. “We are extremely grateful for the work Coach Stebbins has done for our baseball program and for the dedication he showed to our student-athletes throughout his time at St. Pius X,” St. Pius X athletic director Jim Cook said in the press release. “He helped establish a strong culture within the program, represented our school with class, and played an important role in the continued growth of Sartan baseball. We thank him for everything he has done for our community and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”Pivoting to Hurley as the team’s next head for the interim was the natural move as he has served as an assistant with the program the last four years. Stebbins guided the Sartans to the New Mexico high school baseball postseason the last three campaigns, including this past spring where the team reached the Class 4A state quarterfinals. St. Pius X finished this past spring with a 15-13 record and finished above the .500 mark in each of Stebbins’ seasons leading the team. “I love the St. Pius X community, and I can’t thank Coach Stebbins enough for what he has done for this program,” Hurley said in the release. “I look forward to building off the foundation he helped establish and continuing our vision centered around discipline, accountability, faith, and service. I’m incredibly fortunate for the opportunity to guide this program at a school whose mission is focused on developing young people into ethical leaders who serve others.”

Chelsea’s tricky goalkeeping situation gets more complex as Robert Sanchez makes his demandsChelsea are in quite the quandary in their goalkeeping situation, with one keeper who is not quite good enough and another who is not quite experienced enough.If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.Chelsea have a very interesting situation in goal this summer, and our writer Simon Phillips has been writing about it on his Substack.To sum up the situation right now: Chelsea have Robert Sanchez as first choice, and everyone knows he’s not the answer long term. Then there’s Mike Penders, the youngster who was on loan at Strasbourg. He could be the answer long term – but isn’t ready yet.Backup Filip Jorgensen has asked to leave. So what do Chelsea do?Chelsea stuck in uncomfortable goalkeeper situationIf we sell Jorgensen, Penders will end up sitting on the bench for most of the year. That will stunt his development. But equally we need someone to put more pressure on Sanchez. If he has another shocking spell, we need someone good enough to replace him.But buying a top goalkeeper will also block Penders’ development. Phillips makes it clear that Sanchez doesn’t want to compete to be first choice, either.In other news…Sanchez’s stats from the season show he was pretty solid – which makes the decision over what to do with him this summer even more difficult.In other interesting stats from the season, Joao Pedro did very well in one crucial attacking area – and we’re backing him to do even better next year.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORECheck out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

A container ship sits at anchor as a small motorboat passes in the foreground in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)2026-05-29T14:13:37Z WASHINGTON (AP) — Uncertainty swirled Friday around what the U.S. called a tentative deal to extend the ceasefire in its war with Iran. It wasn’t clear whether U.S. President Donald Trump supports it, and a top Iranian official said his country wins concessions “through missiles,” not talks. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Thursday the adversaries had reached a tentative agreement. But he said they continued to debate “a couple of language points” and he couldn’t say whether Trump would approve the proposal. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Friday on X that his country has “no trust in guarantees or words,” only actions, and “no step will be taken before the other side acts.”“We do not gain concessions through talks, but through missiles. In negotiations, we only make them understand that,” wrote Qalibaf, who was involved in negotiations in Qatar this week. He added: “The winner of any agreement is the one who is better prepared for war the day after it is signed.” According to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, the tentative agreement would continue the ceasefire in the 3-month-old war by 60 days and start a new round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program. Among the first issues to be negotiated during the 60-day ceasefire would be what will happen to Iran’s highly enriched uranium, said the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The Islamic Republic 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. Read More Vance said Thursday evening that the sides were going back and forth on “a couple of issues on the nuclear stuff, the highly enriched stockpile, and also the question of enrichment.” The vice president suggested negotiators were trying to strike general terms on the uranium issue in the tentative agreement, with the specifics to be hammered out in the ensuing talks. Though Trump and his team said from the start of the conflict that one of their prime objectives was to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, Vance framed the war’s accomplishments as something far less definitive.“We’re in a position where we could substantially set back their nuclear program, not just during the term of this president but over the long term,” Vance said. “That’s a very very good thing for the American people.”Iran, which has long maintained its nuclear program is peaceful, has not publicly committed to giving up the stockpile. It is believed to be buried under a trio of nuclear sites that were badly damaged by U.S. airstrikes last year.Nuclear analysts have said that Iran might consider China or Russia, which have close relations with Tehran, to be a potential acceptable third party to take possession of the enriched uranium. But Trump said Wednesday that he “wouldn’t be comfortable” with such a plan.The proposed memorandum makes clear that Iran will not be able to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran will have to remove all mines from the vital waterway within 30 days, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity. During the war, Iran has effectively closed the strait, which had been the conduit for about a fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas. Its closure has sent oil prices skyrocketing around the world.Iran has said it’s letting some commercial vessels pass — about two dozen daily in recent days, compared with more than 100 a day before the war. But the Islamic Republic also has charged tolls for at least some ships and established a formal gatekeeper agency earlier this month, spurring a new round of U.S. sanctions this week.Under the tentative agreement, the U.S. would gradually lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports and would also agree to relax sanctions, allowing Iran to sell more of its oil. Yet even as word of the potential deal emerged, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed additional sanctions on the Iranian military’s oil sales arm. The new penalties, first reported by The Associated Press, extend the Trump administration’s economic pressure campaign on the Islamic Republic. Iran has insisted that any deal must include an end to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. Tensions deepened Thursday in Lebanon as Israel conducted an airstrike on a southern suburb of the capital, Beirut, and other strikes in the southern coastal city of Tyre. At least 14 people were killed across the country’s south.Since the ceasefire began about seven weeks ago, the U.S. and Iran have traded strikes and accusations of ceasefire violations. But they have not returned to full-scale hostilities and have kept negotiating.___ Associated Press writers Jennifer Peltz and Farnoush Amiri in New York contributed to this report. AAMER MADHANI Madhani covers the White House for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington. twitter mailto MICHELLE L. PRICE Price covers the White House. She previously covered the 2024 presidential campaign and politics, government and other news in New York, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. She is based in Washington. twitter mailto

The NFL Draft is part of the league’s goal of parity. At least it is supposed to be.We see some teams drafting early just about every year. In 11 of the past 14 NFL Drafts,, the New York Jets have had a top 11 pick. Since 2017 the Cleveland Browns have had a top 10 pick six times, and they would have had two other top 13 picks if they hadn’t traded multiple first-round picks for Deshaun Watson. The Arizona Cardinals have made six top-10 picks in the past nine drafts. There are other teams whose highlight every year is draft night. You know them.Some teams get handed prime draft picks year after year, and can’t do anything with them. So why should they keep being rewarded?The NBA passed new anti-tanking rules on Thursday. Teams finishing in the bottom three of the league will get fewer lottery balls than the non-playoff teams that finish above them. Also, teams can’t get the first overall pick two years in a row, or pick in the top five in three consecutive years. While tanking hasn’t become an epidemic in the NFL — yet, anyway, let’s see what happens with a loaded 2027 NFL Draft coming up — there might be a lesson to take from the NBA’s new rules anyway.Maybe it’s time to quit rewarding the worst teams in the league. Perhaps the league would be better if there was more accountability for the worst franchises.David Bailey of Texas Tech was selected by the Jets with the second pick of the NFL Draft. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)Emilee Chinn via Getty ImagesThe NFL’s worst teams get rewardedIn many of the top soccer leagues around the world, relegation is all teams need for motivation. In the English Premier League, for example, the worst three teams each season get demoted to the EFL Championship. There’s no relegation in the NFL and never will be. Owners would never agree to it. And there’s nothing akin to the EFL Championship for promotion. But there are some NFL teams that probably should be relegated. Instead, they get valuable draft picks for being terrible.The idea that bad NFL teams need their hands held or they’ll always be bad is obviously wrong. The Green Bay Packers have lost double-digit games just twice since 1991, and usually pick in the bottom half of the draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t had a losing season since 2003. Other teams have been competitive for many seasons without the help of constant top five picks. The NFL Draft system, with the worst teams always getting the best picks, gives bad owners the prize of great picks for being awful year after year. In the draft process they get rewarded while teams like the Packers and Steelers get punished for being good year after year. There’s nothing fair about that. The NFL has never worried about a lottery system, because there haven’t been many instances of obvious tanking and the league insists it has never happened anyway. But a draft relegation idea, similar to what the NBA has implemented, would remove the incentive to be bad. Maybe a lottery could work, no matter if it’s clear teams are tanking or not. It would help to give a push to franchises that are run so poorly they have gone a decade or more without success. For example, if the worst teams weren’t automatically rewarded with the best picks, the Miami Dolphins would have had a much different offseason.Will there be tanking in the NFL? Tanking in any sport never takes on the shape of teams telling players to not play well, or by owners telling coaches to lose on purpose (though Dolphins owner Stephen Ross tried). Tanking happens by doing what some NBA teams have done, and either sitting out key players, benching them late in games or, in a relatively new twist this season, sending players to get season-ending surgeries that probably could have waited. The players on the court or field are still trying, but the franchise isn’t playing its best possible team. The Dolphins, who had to clean up a salary cap mess with a new regime, might not have had much choice but to strip down their roster this offseason. But they leaned into it. Other than signing quarterback Malik Willis, who offers some hope for the future, the Dolphins didn’t sign any outside free agent to more than a one-year deal or for more than $1.49 million. They cut players with big contracts, let others walk in free agency and traded perhaps the two best players left on the roster: receiver Jaylen Waddle and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Dolphins will almost surely have a wretched season. And the result of fielding an uncompetitive team all season will be a great draft pick, which they can use to take a quarterback if Willis doesn’t work out or trade it for a fortune. That’s not good for the game. Maybe it would be better if the NFL had a system that forced the Dolphins to do more than a psuedo tank. And other teams might join the tanking fun. It has happened before, even if the NFL sticks its head in the sand. The 2025 Raiders put their two best players, defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers, on injured reserve right before a game against the Giants that practically decided who got the first pick. Everyone knew what was happening. The Raiders lost to the Giants, got the first pick and took quarterback Fernando Mendoza. In the 2014 season finale the Tampa Bay Buccaneers benched key players in the second half against the Saints and stopped passing the ball, turning a lead into a loss and securing the first pick in the draft. Sean Payton, who coached against the Buccaneers that day, has openly talked about how Tampa Bay tanked. Tanking can happen in the NFL, and some team will push it to a point in which the NFL has to acknowledge it. Maybe that will cause a change in the draft system.But the NFL doesn’t need to wait for tanking to happen. Perhaps it’s time for the league to think about its draft system. Tanking is bad for the sport. So is having perennially awful teams that get great draft picks and aren’t being forced to get better.

Arsenal face European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final wil a glorious double on the line for Mikel Arteta’s side. After the jubilant scenes at Selhurst Park for the players, and around Emirates Stadium for the fans, minds are focused on this colossal game.The Gunners have a tough task ahead with Luis Enrique’s side looking to go back-to-back after thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in last year’s final.PSG v Arsenal LIVE: Champions League final build-up as Arteta faces huge fitness call and opponents include key name in squadAnd while the Gunners have a steely defence, PSG’s attacking options, including Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and perhaps this year’s Champions League player of the season, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, make for a fascinating contest.Here are the Independent Sport’s predictions for the big match in Budapest: Who will lift the Champions League? Miguel Delaney, chief football writer: Arsenal. I think they pose challenges, especially in team structure, that Paris Saint-Germain just haven't had this season. Physicality could well be key. 1-0.Richard Jolly, senior football correspondent: Paris Saint-Germain - Arsenal's record so far, unbeaten and topping the group, means they are entitled to call themselves the best team in the competition so far. But, when PSG peak, they can reach another level, as they did in last year's final. 2-1.Jack Rathborn, sports editor: Arsenal. Containing Ousmane Dembele is likely to prove vital to preventing that overwhelming momentum Luis Enrique’s side can produce, as seen by that relentless finish in the first leg of the round of 16 against Chelsea. Confidence will be sky-high after the Premier League title and the way that Mikel Arteta’s side approached the away game against Man City, despite losing, shows they will not be overwhelmed by the occasion. 1-0 to the Arsenal.Kieran Jackson, senior sports writer: Arsenal. Confidence is high and momentum is with them. If Mikel Arteta stays bold with his team selection (e.g. Lewis-Skelly over Zubimendi), I do see a 1-0 victory in the offing, with one set-piece goal in their favour. Alex Pattle, sports writer: PSG. I think it will be a closely-contested game, tense in parts and open in others. I’ll go 2-1 to PSG, with Arsenal to trail, equalise, and ultimately suffer late disappointment.Arsenal's Ben White and Martin Odegaard arrive outside their hotel (Reuters)Who will be the key player in Budapest? MD: Gabriel Magalhaes. I've had a gut feeling about him scoring the set-piece winner for some time. He also missed last year's semi-finalRJ: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Partly because he is brilliant, partly as he has been arguably the best player in the Champions League knockout stages. But with Arsenal waiting to see who will play right-back - maybe Jurrien Timber will start, but he has been out for a couple of months, maybe Cristian Mosquera - that might give an advantage to the Georgian.JR: Ousmane Dembele. For a Ballon d’Or winner to not be spoken about that much is a surprise, and while Dembele will face one of the meanest defences in recent years, his style and intelligence could crack Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. The French forward’s movement could be vital to PSG’s hopes of breaking down the Gunners, should he drift wide to ensure Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cannot be doubled up, or occupy the pocket of space between the lines, Luis Enrique will hope enough gaps open up to punish Mikel Arteta’s side.KJ: Declan Rice. If the Arsenal linchpin can dominate the middle of the park – not necessarily in terms of possession, but in terms of breaking up play, storming through the lines and creating chances further forward – the Gunners have a chance. AP: Kvaratskhelia. I agree with Rich that the uncertainty around Arsenal’s right-back situation might play into this. I have a feeling that Arsenal will succeed in neutralising one of Kvaratskhelia and Dembele but will fail to limit the other. And I’m backing Kvaratskhelia to be the more dangerous player on the night.The Uefa Champions League trophy in Budapest, Hungary (Reuters)Do you have a bold prediction? MD: Arsenal to quieten this raucous PSG attack. PSG will come out and press like crazy.RJ: Arsenal will try and score from a set-piece.JR: Piero Hincapie has been sensational and will lock down Desire Doue to give the French forward a different final taste after his player of the match performance in last season’s 5-0 win over Inter Milan. KJ: I’ll say right now, this is a boorish take… so Arsenal (and England) fans, look away now! The last time the Champions League final took place before a summer World Cup, an English side (Liverpool) were the underdogs against the defending champions (Real Madrid) in 2018 in Kyiv. Sound familiar? On that night, Liverpool’s star player – and left-footed right winger – suffered a devastating first-half injury after tangling with Sergio Ramos. Mohamed Salah made the World Cup but was barely fit. Will Bukayo Saka make it through unscathed? Perhaps. But my bold prediction is that either he or Declan Rice will suffer some kind of injury, just to place us all on tenterhooks ahead of this summer’s Finals.AP: I feel the need to be a little more outlandish than my colleagues... History repeats itself and haunts Arsenal: David Raya, like Jens Lehmann 20 years ago, gets sent off and costs the Gunners the European Cup.

The Chargers' offensive line took a major step forward this week as offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt returned to the field during Organized Team Activities (OTAs).The Athletic's Daniel Popper described both players as "moving very well" in drills.Slater, the veteran left tackle, missed the entire 2025 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in training camp. Alt, the former first-round pick who emerged as one of the league's top right tackles, was limited to just six games in 2025 due to a high ankle sprain that eventually required season-ending surgery.When asked if he expects both Slater and Alt to be ready for the start of training camp in July, head coach Harbaugh said, “It looks that way.”A healthy Slater-Alt tandem could transform the Chargers' offensive line from a major liability into a strength, especially after the reconstruction of the interior.This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back in action at Chargers OTAs

Michigan State football has added another major priority in-state prospect to its list of official visit guests this weekend.Allen Trieu of On3 reported on Friday morning that Gideon Gash of Novi, Mich. is set to take an official visit to Michigan State this weekend. Gash -- who is the younger brother of current Spartans Samson and Caleb Gash -- is a high-end four-star prospect and listed as one of the top players from Michigan in the 2027 class.Gash is rated as a four-star prospect, with a recruiting rating of 97.01 in 247Sports' composite rating system. He ranks as the No. 5 athlete and No. 2 player from Michigan in the 2027 class. He is also listed as the No. 70 overall prospect in the class.Michigan State is one of many big-time schools en pursuit of Gash's talents. Along with his upcoming official visit to Michigan State this weekend, Gash is also expected to visit Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Alabama, according to 247Sports. He holds offers from nearly 30 schools in total.Gash has been one of the top prospects on the Spartans' recruiting radar and will continue to be a high-priority target going forward. Getting him on-campus for this first weekend of official visits is massive for Michigan State and hopefully they can find a way to close before he leaves this weekend considering who is next on tap for his visits.Big addition to Michigan State's visitor list for this weekend.(On3+) https://t.co/alpT2fisa0pic.twitter.com/N4NOhv0bsV— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) May 29, 2026Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU football to reportedly host 4-star ATH Gideon Gash of Novi, Mich. this weekend

Summer is here, sort of, and it is everyone’s favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? Offensive tackles? Edge rushers? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.FilmEastern WashingtonUNLVBackground InfoListed at 6-2/205 lbs.3-Star recruit according to 247 SportsTransferred from Boise State to LSUPlayed defensive back and wide receiver in high schoolFirst-Team All-Mountain West in 2025Dad played 13 years in the CFLNotable career stats heading into 2026235 Tackles18 Tackles for a Loss5 Interceptions12 Passes Broken UpNotable numbers from PFF heading into 202665.6 Career PFF Run Defense Grade71.1 Career PFF Coverage Grade103.9 QBR allowed when targetedStrengthsIs a downhill type of safetyProvides a ton of run support on a consistent basisSound technique as a tackler and in coverageGood awareness to stay ready for whatever the defense is throwing togetherUses his size and length to make playsPlayer SummaryTy Benefield is a fun safety prospect who will be tested, moving from the Mountain West to the SEC. He very much fits the mold of what an SEC defender looks like, and he plays like one too. He plays downhill, always looking to make a play in the run game, but he also has sound lower-body technique to stay ready to make a play in the pass game. Watching him meet ball carriers in space is pretty fun to watch unfold, as he tends to get the best of them and save plays from being home runs and containing them to singles. He has a chance to cement himself as a potential first-round pick with a strong showing at LSU in 2026.This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report on LSU's Ty Benefield

CNN data analyst Harry Enten was shocked when describing just how much ground Donald Trump has lost with a key demographic: men under the age of 30. Enten pointed out that Trump won men under 30 by one percentage point. While that’s not a big margin, it was still surprising in 2024 to see a Republican candidate carry a majority of any young demographic. Related Data expert says “absolute collapse” among this core group will doom GOP’s election changes Well, whatever drew young men to Trump in 2024 is no longer having much effect, and Enten noted that perhaps Trump is hosting a UFC fight at the White House in hopes of bringing young men back into the fold. Enten told CNN anchor Kate Bolduan that, according to an average of polls, Trump is now 55 percentage points in the hole with men under 30. “Oh my goodness gracious!” Enten said. “I was literally about to ask you if that was a typo,” Bolduan responded. “No, that was not a typo,” he said. “Me and my crack crew spend many hours on those slides, and we can tell you that is not a typo. That is a 56-point move against the president of the United States, among young men who helped put him over the top in the election and now he is very much struggling with them.” “Maybe that’s part of the reason why he wants to put on an event like” the UFC fight.

U.S. companies skirted at least $40 billion in taxes since the beginning of 2025 thanks to schemes in places like Malta, Bermuda and Cyprus.

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty ImagesJamie Erdahl has shared the sad news of her father Gary’s death, and the way she chose to do it matters.The NFL Network host revealed that Gary had died after pancreatic cancer, just a few months after being diagnosed three days after the Super Bowl.There is a sports media angle here, as Erdahl had been away from Good Morning Football during her father’s illness. But this is, first and foremost, a family story, not a television one.Jamie Erdahl’s words about Gary Erdahl say more than any broadcast update couldErdahl’s post did not try to tidy up grief. She called her father a great man, said she was heartbroken, and still tried to meet sadness with appreciation.That is the detail that should lead the conversation. Her tribute was not about explaining an absence. It was about honouring a father who clearly shaped the way she saw people, sport, and family.It would be easy to frame this around her return to camera or her place on Good Morning Football: Overtime. That misses the point. Erdahl gave the public enough context, but she centred Gary.Gary Erdahl’s influence on Jamie Erdahl clearly ran through sportThe most telling part of Erdahl’s message was how naturally sport appeared inside it. She said Gary taught her how to play and love basketball, and that he gave her love for football.That does not need to be stretched into a grand career explanation. It is enough to say that the connection is obvious. The person viewers know from NFL coverage was shaped, in part, by a father who shared sport with her.The condolences from NFL Network colleagues also made sense. They were responding not just to a broadcaster, but to someone whose loss was being shared with unusual clarity and care.Erdahl’s announcement is most moving because it reminds people that familiar sports voices still carry private lives behind the screen. In this case, her tribute made clear that Gary Erdahl was at the heart of hers.Read more:Donald Trump defends ‘beautiful guy’ Jaxson Dart after facing criticism for New York rallyJohn Harbaugh’s radical speed-up is already rewriting New York Giants workoutsWhy Todd Monken’s new OTA rules have Browns players bracing for war

LSU baseball relied on newcomers to its roster throughout the 2026 season. Between freshmen and transfers, the Tigers fielded fresh faces on the mound and at the plate.One of those newcomers was Mason Braun, who turned in an exceptional first campaign donning the purple and gold. As injuries bit the LSU roster and the losses started piling up, head coach Jay Johnson dug deeper into the bench and Braun was a beneficiary.Braun made 37 starts in his first season of college baseball, including 20 against SEC opponents. He began the year in a rotational role as an outfielder and pinch hitter, but lineup shuffles led to him making plenty of starts at first base. Johnson used him in the leadoff spot and throughout the top half of the order as well.Braun's .355 batting average against conference teams finished No. 5 amongst eligible players. His .490 on-base percentage against SEC teams finished No. 2. While the Tigers couldn't play themselves into the NCAA Tournament, the freshman impressed. Among LSU's hitters, Braun led with a .475 on-base percentage and finished No. 3 with a .314 batting average across the entire 2026 season.It was a disappointing year for the Tigers, but Braun and a litany of young players are reasons for optimism in 2027. Braun showcasing high level bat to ball skills is reminiscent of a young Tre Morgan. LSU needed more hitters to deliver consistent quality at-bats in 2026 -- Braun wasn't the problem. Look for Braun to be a key cog in LSU's 2027 lineup. This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Mason Braun's strong debut with LSU baseball signals bright future

With the final bells rung and the 2025-26 school year in the books, Big Bend athletics leaves behind a trail of championship moments that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.Across the year, teams delivered standout performances on the biggest stages, capping their seasons as state champions. From Crossroad Academy boys basketball capturing its first state title in overtime to Chiles volleyball's dominant run to back-to-back championships, each title came with defining moments that shaped the year.Now the debate begins: Which championship run stood out the most?If recent history is the focus, Lincoln baseball’s turnaround may be the most compelling. The Trojans went from an 11-14 regular season to an underdog state title run. Meanwhile, Chiles added to its legacy with state championships in beach volleyball and cross country, both secured on home soil.Cast your vote and make your pick heard.Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don't hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Vote for the best Big Bend championship team this year.

May 29—CHARLESTON — Riley Hogan's pole vault training shifted approximately three weeks before St. Thomas More competed in the Class 1A sectional in Tuscola.Hogan has cleared 15 feet on numerous occasions in the past two years, including in last year's IHSA state meet where he earned a runner-up finish. The change in his training, though, was geared toward a lower height.On its face, a counterintuitive move, but a necessary one when hitting the qualifying mark in the state preliminaries is what matters to make it to finals. Most years that's 12-6."It's a challenge that he actually has to train for because you're talking about shortening your step and going down in poles," said Tim Hogan, St. Thomas More's coach and Riley's dad. "That's not the optimal Riley. The optimal Riley is a heavier pole with a longer approach."So when Riley Hogan scratched his opening jump at 12-111/2 in Thursday's 1A state preliminaries at O'Brien Field on the Eastern Illinois campus, it wasn't exactly a surprise. Even after warmups, a six-step approach and a lighter pole was still against norm for the Sabers senior.Attempt No. 2 was better.Not perfect, but a clearance that sent him into Saturday's finals as one of the top six competitors in the event."I'll be honest, it was not my best jump, but I got it by a decent amount," Riley Hogan said. "Super excited for the competition on Saturday. I know that if I do what I'm supposed to do and how I've been jumping for a decent amount this year I think it should go really well for me."It could be a good Saturday for STM as a team, too. Riley Hogan also won his heat in the 300-meter hurdles to qualify with the sixth-best time heading into finals despite what he said were stutter steps before every approach. He'll be joined in finals by teammates Philip Lee in the 3,200-meter run, Jacob Yeager in the high jump and Raphael Dongo Kengue in the triple jump after a new personal-best mark of 43-73/4 took him from seeded 21st heading into Thursday's preliminaries to seventh."Raph PR'd by a foot in the triple jump, and he was a foot behind the board," Tim Hogan said. "What I told the guys is, 'Hey, next mission: podium.' ... This is a big deal for STM. I was in the process of looking back through the records for the last time we've sent four athletes to finals. It's been years. Way before my time, I'll say that."That's something the Sabers understood in the moment Thursday as they stacked state finalists. They also know the last state champion on the track for STM was more than a decade ago with a title in the 3,200-meter relay in 2013."We just know it's going to be a great day," Riley Hogan said. "Being able to make it out of prelims with all of us making it to finals it's a feeling that everyone is happy, we're all super electric, all super lively and we have a bunch of motivation going into (Saturday)."Riley Hogan has his own internal motivation heading into the pole vault finals. This is his fourth straight year at the state meet, going from "really nervous" as a freshman that finished eighth to still not "exactly comfortable" as a sophomore that finished third.Last year's runner-up finish to training partner and best friend Isaiah Whitaker, of Bloomington Central Catholic, was different."That kind of confidence booster last year of performing to the best of my abilities and matching my PR at state was a really good feeling," Riley Hogan said.Confidence the STM senior can lean on his his fourth straight finals appearance. The plan Saturday is to open at either 14 or 14-6, and let the day dictate how high a bar he'll chase."We're going to get him back on a farther approach with a heavier pole," Tim Hogan said. His son's recent personal best of 15-61/4 came at sectionals."It's going to be more what he's used to working on a day-to-day," the Sabers coach continued. "That's going to be his comfort zone. ... He's hungry. He's been wanting it all season. Now's the time to put in all on the line."Several other area standouts will try and do the same Saturday in Charleston.Tuscola's Kamden Flenner will have a busy day after qualifying in both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash and helping the Warriors' 400-meter and 800-meter relay teams reach finals. The Tuscola senior had the second-best prelims time in the 200 at 21.12 seconds and was fifth in the 100 at 10.67 seconds.Ridgeview/Lexington junior Zane Hoffman was also a double qualifier, posting the sixth-best time in the 110-meter hurdles and the second-best time, 39.37 seconds, in the 300 hurdles.Other top five qualifiers from the area include Sullivan senior Johnathan Iacobazzi in the 1,600-meter run (third, 4 minutes, 25.70 seconds), Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin senior Connor Powell in the shot put (54-6, fourth) and the BHRA 800 relay team of junior Isaac Cahill, senior Dylan Davis, senior Gavin High and senior Mason Cunningham (1:29.08, third).

May 29—➜ Central is vying for only its second sectional title in program history. Washington, meanwhile, has nine sectional titles in its history and eight state tournament appearances. Something has to give.➜ Central, 2-0. The Maroons have the best player on the field in James Madison commit Haley Helm. The junior standout pitcher keeps Central's run intact.➜ A Central win would send the Maroons to the Decatur Super-Sectional against either Chatham Glenwood (27-2) or Waterloo (26-3) at 6 p.m. on Monday from the Workman Family Softball Field.➜ Unity has won 21 straight games as it tries to win a second straight sectional title and fourth since 2021. Included in that win streak is a 12-2 win at Bloomington Central Catholic on April 30.➜ Unity, 6-2. The Rockets showed resiliency in rallying past Robinson for a dramatic 4-3 win on Wednesday. Kenley Harris and Co. can enjoy this win a bit more.➜ A Unity win would send the Rockets into the Decatur Super-Sectional against either Rochester (25-8) or Williamsville (29-7) at 4 p.m. on Monday from the Workman Family Softball Field.➜ No LeRoy team has won as many games as this team. And that includes the 2025 state runner-up team and the 2023 team that placed third in state. Another chance for these Panthers to leave their mark.➜ LeRoy, 7-2. Having this game in LeRoy only helps the Panthers. Laila Carr and the rest of LeRoy's seniors are postseason vets, so no situation should faze them.➜ A LeRoy win would send the Panthers to the Bloomington Super-Sectional against either Serena (14-10) or Gardner-South Wilmington (25-11) at 4 p.m. on Monday from Inspiration Field.

York Regional Police Inspector Simon James speaks during a news conference in Mississauga, Ont., Aug. 29, 2023, with the image of Kenneth Law, a Canadian man accused of selling lethal substances on the internet to people at risk of self harm, displayed on screen. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP, File)2026-05-29T05:01:55Z NEWMARKET, Ontario (AP) — A Canadian man accused of selling lethal substances online to people who used them to end their own lives pleaded guilty Friday to counseling or aiding suicide.Wearing a dark blazer and a white shirt, Kenneth Law stood in the prisoner’s box of a Newmarket, Ontario court to enter his guilty pleas. Sentencing is scheduled for September. As part of the plea agreement, Canadian prosecutors will withdraw 14 murder charges against him.Police in Canada and around the world have been investigating more than 100 suicides linked to Law. The charges against him in the Canadian court are related to 14 people across Ontario who were between the ages of 16 and 36.Canadian police said Law used a series of websites to market and sell sodium nitrite, a substance commonly used to cure meats that can be deadly if ingested. Law is suspected of sending at least 1,200 packages to more than 40 countries, with about 160 of those allegedly sent to addresses in Canada, police said. He has been in custody since his arrest at his Mississauga, Ontario, home in May 2023.Prosecutors in the U.K. have decided not to charge Law despite investigating him on over 112 deaths. The Crown Prosecution Service and the National Crime Agency said they had decided that Law “should be sentenced for the full extent of his offending within a single sentencing process in Canada.” Read More In a letter to bereaved families, the organizations said it had been a “difficult decision.”“No outcome in any court can remove the pain victims and their families have suffered,” they said.Families of some of those who died called for a public inquiry.“If our own country will not put anyone on trial for these deaths, the very least it can do is hold a proper inquiry into how they were allowed to happen,” said Adele Zeynep Walton, whose 21-year-old sister Aimee Walton died in 2022. Authorities in the United States, Italy, Australia and New Zealand also have conducted investigations. Those found guilty of aiding suicide in Canada can face up to 14 years in prison, while first-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.A New Zealand coroner found that four people who died by suicide there had ordered items online from a business associated with Law, but noted that Law’s activities are outside the jurisdiction of New Zealand courts.It is against Canadian law to recommend suicide, although assisted suicide has been legal since 2016 for people 18 and older. Any adult with a serious illness, disease or disability may seek help in dying, but they must ask for assistance from a physician.___Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.

1 I DO NOT GIVE YOU CONSENT TO LISTEN TO THIS Chappell Roan 2 WE SAW THE FACE OF DEATH BTS 3 Pulling The Plug On My Brain-Dead Boyfriend Sabrina Carpenter 4 Hats BOB DYLAN 5 Towards A Syncretic Monotheism Jelly Roll 6 Pivoting To A New Fictional Alien Race Called Grxänthyrnyn Ariana Grande 7 Stream This Or I’ll Make Another TV Show THE WEEKEND 8 Thinkin’ ’Bout Changin’ My Last Name To Smith Tucker Wetmore 9 Music Song Katseye 10 The Great Big Parade Through Polishtown (Remastered) Shirley Temple 11 Theme For ‘Dr. Pimple Popper’ Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross 12 Go Ahead And Use This One For Free, Cheez-Its Dua Lipa 13 I Had That Dream Where My Penis Falls Off Again Justin Bieber 14 Listening To This Will Not Make It 2011 Again ROBYN 15 Piano Man 2 BILLY JOEL 16 I’m Alive And I Need Money For Surgery Elvis Presley 17 When The Minions Show Their Butts (I Laugh And Laugh) POST MALONE 18 Troy Likes Kira But Kira Likes Mark GRACIE ABRAMS 19 Magic Ice Cream Truck Ringo Starr 20 I Figured Out Where The Band-Aids Should Go NELLY The post Top Songs May 2026 appeared first on The Onion.

Two months, 72 matches and countless twists later, IPL 2026 has reached the business end. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already booked their place in the final and now await the winner of Friday’s blockbuster Qualifier 2 between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals.On paper, it is a contest between two extremely balanced sides loaded with batting firepower and wicket-taking pace attacks. But heading into the knockout clash, one name has completely hijacked the conversation — Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener has transformed from teenage prodigy into the defining story of IPL 2026. His jaw-dropping 97 off 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator has left opponents scrambling for answers and fans wondering whether anyone can stop him before Sunday’s final.That innings may have fallen three runs short of a hundred, but it reinforced one frightening reality for bowlers — Sooryavanshi can decide a T20 game almost entirely inside the powerplay.And that is exactly why Friday’s Qualifier 2 may boil down to one tactical question: can Gujarat Titans dismiss Sooryavanshi early, or will RR’s fearless batting once again overpower an elite bowling attack?Sooryavanshi: The biggest variable in the contestSooryavanshi’s numbers this season are absurd even by modern T20 standards. He leads the Orange Cap race with 680 runs from 15 matches at a strike rate of 242.85. He has smashed one hundred, four fifties and a staggering 65 sixes — the most ever in a single IPL season.What makes him even more dangerous is where those runs come from. An astonishing 490 of his 680 runs have arrived inside the powerplay. That means nearly 72 per cent of his season aggregate has been scored in the first six overs alone.In simple terms, if opposition bowlers fail to remove him early, RR usually race away with the contest before the middle overs even begin.Interestingly, Gujarat Titans have managed partial success against him earlier this season. In the two league-stage meetings, Sooryavanshi made explosive starts but failed to convert them into match-winning knocks — scoring 31 off 18 balls in Ahmedabad and 36 off 16 in Jaipur.But even those brief innings exposed the challenge GT face. A batter scoring at nearly 200 strike rate for even three overs can completely alter the momentum of a knockout match.Mullanpur, where RR have won all four matches they have played, including two this season, has also become a particularly happy hunting ground for the Royals’ top-order.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s power playMatchesTotal RunsRuns in PowerplayRuns Outside PowerplayStrike Rate15680490190242.85Rabada and Siraj hold the keyIf GT are to stop Sooryavanshi, the responsibility will largely rest on Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj.The two fast bowlers have been among the most effective new-ball operators this season. Rabada, currently joint leader in the Purple Cap race with 26 wickets, has claimed 18 wickets inside the powerplay. Siraj has picked up 13 of his 17 wickets in the first six overs.Together, they form arguably the most dangerous new-ball pairing in the competition. Yet there is one concern for GT — Sooryavanshi has already shown he is not intimidated by either of them.The RR opener has scored 25 runs off 14 balls against Rabada this season and 38 off 20 against Siraj. The aggressive intent has remained constant irrespective of the bowler or situation.However, GT may have identified a possible weakness. In the previous meeting, Siraj dismissed Sooryavanshi with a sharp short ball. The teenager has occasionally looked vulnerable against well-directed pace aimed at the body, especially early in the innings. Expect GT’s pacers to attack that zone aggressively on Friday.But the risk attached to that tactic is enormous. On a good batting surface, one mistimed bouncer plan can disappear into the stands repeatedly. And Sooryavanshi has shown throughout the season that reputation means little once he starts swinging freely.Rabada & Siraj's power playBowlerTotal WicketsWickets in PowerplayWickets Outside PowerplayKagiso Rabada26188Mohammed Siraj17134Bigger tactical battle: top-orders against new-ball attacksBeyond the Sooryavanshi hype, Qualifier 2 also presents a fascinating tactical battle between two top-heavy batting sides and two quality pace attacks.RR’s batting strength does not end with the teenager. Yashasvi Jaiswal may have been overshadowed by Sooryavanshi’s heroics, but he still has 426 runs at a strike rate above 153. Dhruv Jurel has quietly emerged as one of RR’s most reliable middle-order contributors with more than 500 runs this season.The challenge for RR is whether this top-order can survive GT’s relentless pace battery.Top RR batters in IPL 2026PlayerRunsMatchesAverageStrike Rate100s/50sSooryavanshi6801545.33242.851/4Jurel5081539.08155.350/6Jaiswal4261532.77153.230/3Parag2981324.83156.840/2Ferreira2791431.00168.070/2Apart from Rabada and Siraj, GT also possess Prasidh Krishna and Jason Holder as wicket-taking options, while Rashid Khan remains the leader of the spin attack with 19 wickets — the highest tally by a spinner in this pace-dominated season.GT also hold favourable match-ups. Rabada has dismissed Jaiswal three times while conceding only 27 runs in 27 balls. Rashid has also managed to keep RR’s middle-order stroke-makers relatively quiet through the middle overs.That bowling depth gives GT a slight edge structurally. Unlike several other teams this season, they can continue attacking for wickets even after the powerplay.RR, meanwhile, may require additional contributions from Riyan Parag and Donovan Ferreira, especially if the top-order fails to dominate early.Top GT bowlers in IPL 2026BowlerWicketsMatchesAverageEconomyRabada261521.039.48Rashid191523.478.77Siraj171528.478.96Holder15916.467.63Krishna151023.8610.52GT’s top three equally dangerousWhile RR depend heavily on Sooryavanshi, Gujarat Titans are similarly reliant on their top three — Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler.Gill and Sudharsan have been among the most consistent batters this season, scoring 618 and 652 runs respectively. Buttler has contributed nearly 500 runs and remains one of the most dangerous white-ball players in the world.Unlike RR’s explosive approach, GT’s top-order is built around sustained accumulation mixed with calculated aggression. GT's top-order rarely collapses, but they lack lower-order firepower if those three fail. This lack of lower-order firepower remains GT’s biggest weakness heading into Qualifier 2.Washington Sundar, with 311 runs, is their next highest scorer after the top-order. Rahul Tewatia has produced cameos, but GT clearly do not possess the same batting depth as RR.Top GT batters in IPL 2026PlayerRunsMatchesAverageStrike Rate100s/50sSudharsan6521546.57157.861/7Gill6181444.14159.270/6Buttler4481538.31159.100/4Sundar3111534.56151.700/2Tewatia1661427.67140.670/1This is where Jofra Archer becomes critical. The RR fast bowler has enjoyed a superb season with 24 wickets in 15 games and appears to be peaking at the ideal moment. He has taken nine wickets in his last four matches, including two three-wicket hauls in knockout-style games against Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad.Archer also has an impressive record against Gill, dismissing him three times in 30 deliveries.But RR’s problem is support from the other end. Nandre Burger and Brijesh Sharma have been inconsistent despite picking up wickets sporadically. RR also need Ravi Bishnoi and Ravindra Jadeja to contribute more in the middle overs if they are to contain GT’s disciplined batting unit.Interestingly, Sai Sudharsan has handled Archer relatively comfortably, scoring 44 runs off 33 balls without being dismissed. Buttler, meanwhile, has historically dominated Archer in T20 cricket, scoring at nearly 195 strike rate against him.Top RR bowlers in IPL 2026BowlerWicketsMatchesAverageEconomyArcher241521.419.17Brijesh131231.239.70Burger131231.1510.25Bishnoi11923.369.88Jadeja101324.908.03Sooryavanshi remains the X-factorStrip away the Vaibhav Sooryavanshi storyline and this looks like a remarkably even contest. Both sides possess elite top-orders. Both have high-quality attacks.RR perhaps hold a slight edge in batting depth through Parag and Ferreira. GT probably possess the more balanced bowling attack overall. 131390178But knockout games are often decided by one uncontrollable variable — and this season that variable has been Sooryavanshi.If GT remove him early, the contest immediately becomes balanced and tactical. If they fail, Qualifier 2 could quickly become another exhibition of fearless hitting from the teenager who has already redefined what is possible in an IPL season.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesStan Kroenke has built one of the most powerful stadium empires in sport, but Inglewood is now testing the limits of that power.The Los Angeles Rams owner is reported to be worth $22.2billion and seeking nearly $400million from the city over costs connected to SoFi Stadium.That matters because this is not just another dispute over invoices. It is a showdown around the world’s most expensive stadium, public services, civic authority and the price of building a private sports empire on public ground.Stan Kroenke’s SoFi dispute is bigger than a reimbursement fightPhoto by Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesKroenke’s claim reportedly centres on roads, infrastructure upgrades, sewer systems, police and fire protection around SoFi Stadium. That makes the case about more than one NFL owner’s balance sheet.SoFi is not a normal venue. It has been widely described as the world’s most expensive stadium, with reported costs around $5.5billion, and it was designed as a full entertainment district.That is why the $400million figure lands differently. When a project is built on that scale, the line between private ambition and public responsibility becomes harder to draw.Inglewood showdown shows the limit of private stadium powerInglewood has not treated this as a simple reimbursement issue. The city’s wider position has been clear, with Mayor James Butts saying it has every right to use public land as it chooses.That quote cuts to the heart of the dispute. Kroenke can own the Rams, control one of sport’s most valuable venues and shape a huge part of the NFL’s Los Angeles identity, but he cannot fully detach that project from the city around it.SoFi’s importance will only grow. It is the home of the Rams and Chargers, and it is woven into major-event planning around Los Angeles.That makes this fight bigger than one bill. SoFi may be Kroenke’s defining NFL statement, but the Inglewood showdown shows the cost of building a private empire on public ground.Read more:What the Patriots and Eagles have ‘grappled over’ for an AJ Brown trade, reveals NFL insider‘Heartbroken’ NFL host Jamie Erdahl shares tragic personal newsDonald Trump defends ‘beautiful guy’ Jaxson Dart after facing criticism for New York rally