Pink brought sincerity and punk energy as the host, musical numbers by “Cats,” “Ragtime” and “Chicago” popped, and Maya Rudolph and Cole Escola mined comic gold.

From old-school stars to young upstarts, the birthplace of hip-hop is basking in the big moment.

As the war in Iran persists, signs point to a prolonged period of higher prices and slower growth rather than a quick shock.

For the second time, the company is expected to explain its artificial intelligence plans. Unlike some rivals, it is not reorganizing around the technology.

Q: I agree any Giannis Antetokounmpo trade would be worth it but also risky and I am concerned about what’s left. If the Heat stay the course, in 2027 they will have almost $100 million in cap space with only Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jovic under contract, with team options for Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, and their 2026 draft picks, and with Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Pelle Larsson as restricted free agents Change the leverage with the Bucks and let Giannis and every other impending free agent (Nikola Jokic) know to wait out the year and that we are developing a contending cast for them. We already played too many veterans last year at the expense of developing our youth. Why not stay patient, play Bam and the kids, and then wait to see what you really have at the trade deadline or even next summer to make any franchise altering decisions? – David, Fort Lauderdale.A: To some, this is the mistake the Knicks made years ago in trading assets (Danillo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton and two first-round picks) to the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony instead of waiting until the following offseason and simply utilizing cap space. But the NBA world has changed dramatically since that 2011 trade. Now players typically extend before they hit free agency. Yes, Giannis Antetokounmpo could wait until next summer to make his move, and potentially then join a Heat team not depleted of assets or draft capital. But that also would be a 30-something player with an injury history bypassing the security of hundreds of millions of dollars with an extension that could be signed this coming fall. While maximizing the chances of success obviously holds sway with Giannis, so do all those millions in the bank. More likely is Giannis to sign an extension before year’s end, either with the Bucks or elsewhere. Therefore the need for any move to come in a trade ahead of that extension window.Related Articles Submit your “Ask Ira” question here! Q: You sure can make the nearly impossible sound doable. Face it, Ira, and I totally understand where you’re coming from. It’s your job. I get it. This Heat front office is mired in decades-old thinking, poor draft choices, and reaches in free agency, left only to the vague promises of an NBA system that does not necessarily reward these far-fetched acquisitions. The roster is and has been blah, worthy of play-ins at best. But, there’s always a but, getting Giannis Antetokounmpo, unfortunately late in his productive career, would be just pie in the sky generating a tad bit of interest from fans, assuming of course the guy can still line up and give us minutes. But for you and your readers, the road will offer numerous opportunities to spin what will likely be disappointing outcomes. Until the Heat gets real and welcomes Pat Riley or his way overdue replacement to the 21st century, the middling Heat will have an annual reservation at the NBA table of mediocrity. Thanks for reading. – Gus, Port Charlotte.A: Or landing Giannis Antetokounmpo will immediately reset the trajectory and end the hamster-wheel cycle of mediocrity. There remains something to be said for bold strokes. Risky? Sure. But that’s what you get with Pat Riley, the all-or-nothing boldness that has uplifted and reset the franchise numerous times over his stewardship. Basically, the known quantity with Riley is go bold or go home.Q: Ira, Heat fans should be careful what they wish for. Unlike when they acquired Shaquille O’Neal and later LeBron James, Dwaine Wade won’t be in the locker room waiting to greet Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat could also have one of the oldest starting lineups in the NBA, with Giannis turning 32 in December, and hoping his troublesome calves hold up, Norman Powell at 33, who tailed off in the second half this past season and doesn’t play defense, Andrew Wiggins turning 32 in February, Bam Adebayo at 29 and Davion Mitchell at 28. And depending who isn’t included in the trade, there probably won’t be much of a bench. I just don’t see them being a serious contender. If this trade goes down and it doesn’t work, the Heat will be screwed for years after trading their future picks and pick swaps they will need to make. – David, Weston.A: Again, bold risk? Sure. But how many times does such a possibility of a Giannis Antetokounmpo, even at his age, come along? And there will be the remaining stability of Bam Adebayo and Erik Spoelstra in place. And it’s not as if all of the Heat’s youth will be going out. The NBA is a league of leading men. There will be ample salary-cap mechanisms to fill out the roster and the rotation, as well as means for follow-up trades, possibly even involving some of the older players you cite.

Inter changes loom after 2025-26 domestic doubleInter Milan is heading to the biggest game in Europe, and many fans wonder what makes them so ready. The answer is not luck. It is a plan that the coaches and players follow every single day. Reviewers who study soccer as closely as people study the best gambling sites casinos know that every detail matters. In the same way that a smart bettor looks for value, Inter looks for space.Their pattern of play brings the money coming into focus because they turn small chances into big rewards. By pressing as one, passing with calm, and trusting their training, they have built a group that believes it can beat anyone. This article breaks down the key parts of that plan.It will look at how the defense forms a wall, why the midfield moves like gears, how the wings stretch the field, and how the team’s mind stays clear under stress. Fans across the globe have seen this pattern all season and expect more fireworks next season. When all the pieces fit, the final feels less like a gamble and more like a promise.There will be big changes to the line-up that won the domestic double in Cristian Chivu’s first season as the Nerazzurri boss.First of all, goalkeeper Yann Sommer will leave as a free agent, leading to the promotion of Josep Martinez to the regular starter role. The Nerazzurri are planning to sign a high-level second-choice keeper, but they are confident Martinez has built enough experience at the club to be the starting man between the sticks in 2026-27.MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito and Yann Sommer of FC Internazionale Milano celebrate following the team’s victory in the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)The defensive department will also undergo significant changes, with Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij expected to leave at the end of their contracts on June 30.The defending Serie A champions will likely sign two new central defenders, with Oumar Solet (Udinese), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), and Tarik Muharemovic among their primary targets.Reports in Italy in May suggested that both Solet and Muharemovic already have a principle of agreement with the Serie A giants.There will be one key player leaving as Denzel Dumfries is set to join Real Madrid for €20m, and Inter are hoping to replace the Dutchman with Marco Palestra from Atalanta.ROME, ITALY – MAY 13: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates his side’s first goal, an own goal by Adam Marusic of Lazio (not pictured), during the Coppa Italia Final match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 13, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)Inter are also willing to sign a midfield reinforcement, making Roma’s Manu Koné their primary target in the middle of the park.Chivu is expected to stick to a three-man defence and two strikers up front, and the Nerazzurri seem unwilling to make major changes, sticking with Lautaro Martinez, Francesco Pio Esposito, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Marcus Thuram.It will be worth keeping a close eye on Thuram, who has an €80m release clause in his contract, yet the Nerazzurri won’t let him leave unless it’s activated.

Christian Eriksen endured another terrifying health episode on Sunday afternoon as he collapsed on the pitch while playing for Denmark in an international friendly against Ukraine.Eriksen clutched his chest and fell to the ground in the 65th minute before medical personnel rushed to the midfielder’s aid.He briefly lost consciousness but after being treated, he was able to walk himself off the pitch in Odense before being taken to hospital. The match was subsequently abandoned.The 34-year-old is now said to be “doing well”, according to national team doctor Morten Boesen, and is expected to be discharged to return home “soon”.Christian Eriksen collapsed again while playing for Denmark on Sunday (Reuters)It comes five years after Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 during Denmark’s group stage match against Finland in June 2021, when his heart stopped for roughly five minutes.Eriksen received immediate CPR from team-mate and then-captain Simon Kjaer, which proved invaluable in saving his life, before a defibrillator was used on the pitch at Parken in Copenhagen.He eventually regained consciousness on the field before being stretchered off and rushed to hospital.There, he was given an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which can detect dangerous heart rhythms and deliver corrective electrical shocks if necessary, acting like a pacemaker but for fast arrhythmia. Eriksen, whose heart's natural electrical system was unable to maintain a safe or effective heartbeat, had this fitted to reduce the risk of future cardiac arrests.However, the exact underlying cause of the cardiac arrest was not found, with Eriksen seeing any condition he might have had go undiagnosed. The former Tottenham star was still able to make a remarkable full recovery, to the extent where he returned to top-level football just eight months later, joining Premier League side Brentford at the beginning of 2022. This was after seeing his contract with Inter Milan mutually terminated, with Italian regulations prohibiting from playing with a pacemaker.He made an emotional international comeback for Denmark two months later before joining Manchester United that summer, where he played for three years.He has spent the last season at Wolfsburg, where he made 34 appearances this term as the club suffered a historic first relegation from the Bundesliga in 29 years via the play-offs.Eriksen has spent the last season at Wolfsburg (Reuters)But the future of his playing career is now up in the air after suffering what is suspected to have been another heart episode.It appears Eriksen’s pacemaker detected potentially life-threatening arrhythmia and therefore delivered a shock to Eriksen, which is why he clutched his chest.“As I see it, the pacemaker responded as it should,” Boesen said. “He was briefly unconscious, but regained consciousness very quickly, and we were quickly in contact with him.”This is yet to be confirmed, though, and with doctors exploring all possibilities, they will examine the pacemaker to see if it worked as it should have.Eriksen’s pacemaker will be examined by doctors to ensure it worked as it should have (Reuters)Eriksen may also stand a greater chance of getting a condition diagnosed, with experts now closely examining the heart activity picked up by his ICD before he collapsed. ”He will now undergo further examinations at the hospital to determine what caused the incident,” Boesen added. “We are in constant contact with him and the doctors at the hospital.”Eriksen has spoken candidly about his experience of cardiac arrest in 2021, telling the BBC that he remembered “everything apart from the five minutes” he was unconscious.“I remember the throw-in, the ball hitting my knee and then I don’t know what happened after,” he said.Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 (Getty)“Then I woke up with people around me and felt the pressure on my chest, trying to get my breathing back, and then I woke up – I opened my eyes and saw people around me, I didn’t really understand what was going on.“At that time I had no idea what had happened, then it goes through my head: ‘Did something happen with my legs? Did I break my back? Can I lift my leg up?’ – all small things I was trying to do to see what happened.“Then in the ambulance I heard someone say: ‘How long was he out for?’ and someone said: ‘Five minutes,’ and that was the first time I had heard I was gone.”Eriksen is yet to offer an update on his health but will be expected to in due course, with him and his family in “good spirits”.

[Getty Images]Ederson's call up to Brazil's World Cup squad is likely to mean a tweak to Manchester United's plans to confirm the midfielder's arrival from Serie A outfit Atalanta.The 26-year-old was due to have his medical at the beginning of next month before his £35m switch to United was announced just before the start of pre-season training.However, Ederson's call-up as replacement for defender Wesley on Sunday means he will now be spending the next few weeks in the United States.Brazil are one of the favourites for the tournament and it would be no surprise if they were still involved right to the end on 19 July.While it is possible Ederson could have his medical on World Cup duty, the more likely scenario would be for him to do it immediately after his international commitments are over, before heading off on a mandatory three-week break.It means the midfielder might not be around until a couple of weeks before the Premier League campaign begins, probably the week-long training camp in Maynooth.

August 29, 2015: The San Francisco Giants logo at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe San Francisco Giants have been home to countless memorable players over the years, from Hall of Famers to role players whose careers intersected with some of the most fascinating figures in baseball history. Even decades after their playing days end, many former Giants players remain connected to the sport through the stories and relationships that defined their careers.And those stories often provide a window into some of baseball's most colorful eras and personalities. For players who crossed paths with larger-than-life managers and stars, they can become an enduring part of their legacy.FORBES | By Peter ChawagaBlue Jays All-Time Saves Leader Sends Jeff Hoffman Message After Brutal ‘Miscue’Former San Francisco Giants Reliever Bob Lacey Dies At 72 One former Giants pitcher whose career included a unique connection to New York Yankees legend Billy Martin has now passed away.Last week, news broke that former major-league pitcher Bob Lacey had died at age 72.“Really sad to hear of Bob Lacey’s passing,” Rocco Constantino of baseball outlet BallNine wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “He was easily one of the most interesting and nicest players I’ve interviewed... The baseball world really lost a great one with the passing of Mr. Lacey.”Lacey ended his seven-year big league career with the Giants in 1984, but he is best remembered for his time with the Oakland Athletics, where he played under Martin, the former Yankees manager and baseball icon who won a World Series as a player and later guided New York to a championship as manager in 1977.FORBES | By Peter ChawagaGiants’ Beleaguered Skipper Tony Vitello Offers 5-Word Response On NCAA Return CallsFormer San Francisco Giants Pitcher Had Complicated Relationship With New York Yankees Legend Billy MartinOne of the defining stories of Lacey's career involved his sometimes complicated relationship with Martin during the Athletics' memorable 1980 campaign.“The 1980 season produced one of the more striking statistical footnotes in modern baseball,” Eric Alper wrote. “Lacey appeared in a team-high 47 games and finished 31 of them, but earned only six saves. The reason was the Oakland starting rotation, which completed an astonishing 94 games that year, a number that will almost certainly never be matched in the modern era.”Martin, who was managing the Athletics at the time, was known as a big personality as both a player and skipper.“This created friction with manager Billy Martin over how Lacey was being used, a conflict that Billy Martin was probably not losing sleep over,” Alper added. “Martin did give Lacey a starting assignment on the next-to-last day of that season, and he responded by shutting out the Milwaukee Brewers on a complete game. Of course it was a complete game.”Long before reaching the majors, Lacey developed his love for baseball as a Giants fan growing up in Arizona.“I grew up in Tucson, Arizona and that was one of the few cities in Arizona with teams for Spring Training,” Lacey told Constantino in 2022. “The Indians and the Giants trained there. I liked the Indians, but I was really a Giants fan. Willie Mays was my favorite player.”Although his major-league career lasted only seven seasons, Lacey's connection to Martin, his memorable run with the Athletics and his lifelong love for the Giants helped make him a cherished figure among baseball fans who remember that era. His passing marks the loss of another player whose career intersected with some of the game's most unforgettable personalities.This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Plus, the fight over the fight on the White House lawn.

The push to investigate what the president’s allies saw as a “deep state” cabal intent on taking him down set off cascading crises, ended careers and undercut the department’s credibility with judges.

Modern smartphones rolled out in 2007, the year that fertility rates began falling. Two studies say that is not a coincidence.

Society has treated parenting as a private endeavor. But what if raising children is also a public good?

The crowded race for governor has barely qualified as background noise in recent months, drowned out by the high-stakes, turbulent campaign for U.S. Senate.

SUN PRAIRIE – It’s a couple of hours before race time, and Logan Julien’s dad is scrambling to get their orange and black No. 85 sprint car ready in the pits at Angell Park Speedway.Logan will join Brian in a minute.This is the third of three straight nights of racing and the 27th of some 80 they expect to do in 2026. Thankfully the car is in good shape, but at the moment it doesn’t have a gear in it. Logan knows the job at hand. For the most part, he and Brian are their team, at least between races.But he also understands the importance of all the other aspects of making it in what is brutally competitive both as a sport and a business. So on one night that’s standing in the pits for three hours in a grimy driver’s suit, meeting fans, signing autographs and selling T-shirts and hats after his career-best finish with elite World of Outlaws seriesat the Plymouth Dirt Track. Fifteen hours later it’s doing an interview at the next stop 75 miles away.Oh, yeah. Julien is 17.He just finished his junior year at Kettle Moraine High School, taking tests early to work around his racing schedule and finding essays to write from his travels.A racer since age 4, Julien has won go-karting and micro-sprint championships and in 2025 earned two feature victories on the regional Interstate Racing Association circuit. He spoke to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about his inspirations, aspirations and racing/life balance before the start of activities for the Outlaws’ Ted Johnson Memorial Race on June 7. He would place 10th in a race won by Carson Macedo. More: Key Wisconsin motor sports events for the 2026 racing seasonLogan Julien finished 8th with Outlaws, is on the verge of regional winsQuestion: Is there momentum in racing?Answer: We'll start off like how we go to every Outlaw show; we’re just gonna make sure we make the feature, and then everything after that's a bonus. It's just laps, too. I was trying different stuff, trying to make sure we can get stuff squared away and figured out for an IRA race. … Last year I won one [IRA] race, getting that confidence, knowing you can do it, and then won a second one back to back. … I think that's another big thing is making sure even if you do have setbacks, being able to bounce back from that and still be just as fast the next night.Overall, how's the year been?Julien: I'm still so young that seat time is just such a big thing for me that we just need to get out as much as we can. Going down south early in the year, a big part was running at new tracks. That also builds a skill set, a notebook for us. I feel pretty good about it to this point.I believe we can win races. It's just putting that whole night together. We're second in IRA points [with two runner-up finishes]. I'm 26 races in, but summer’s just kind of beginning.Balancing racing, school, work is a challengeHow do you balance things?Julien: School's pretty understanding. I talked to them earlier in the school year and gave them the rundown on what's going on. I actually have been able to turn that into some credit opportunities for career stuff. … They’re pretty easy on me as long as I'm doing good, not causing any trouble.You have to be a pretty good student to balance all that.Julien: Not an A student or anything, but we passed.Would you be if you weren't gone 90 days a year?Julien: Maybe. I just put so much work in on racing things. After school, I'm either going straight to the gym or straight out to the shop. That's what it takes. It's just me and my dad in the shop every night. So that's a huge thing for a team like us, me being able to do everything on the car and knowing about everything so I can put in a lot of feedback.Logan Julien has built a diverse résuméWhen did you move to full-size cars?Julien: We've been just kind of building me up ever since I was little. I started racing karts when I was 4. I did that all the way up till I was 12, and in the middle of that I was running a junior sprint at 8 years old to get into cars with seatbelts. Go-karts, you don't have any of that. You're sitting in a fiberglass seat, no belts, no nothing. When I was 10 years old, I drove a Super Cup car. Getting into different disciplines, trying to open me up to make sure that I don't get too set on one thing, one driving style.I raced micros from when I was 12, ran those for three years, won three track championships and then moved to a 360 [sprint car] in 2023. I ran that for a full year at Plymouth with MSA. And then this is my third season in the 410 car.It's been pretty much my whole life everything I've been putting in has been towards this. So we're getting there for sure. I mean, we proved that [at Plymouth]. Yeah, we're still learning so much and then to be able to go out there and showcase that to the Outlaws, move from 13th to 8th.Kyle Larson is an inspiration to Logan JulienDid you have racing heroes?Julien: I watched a lot of F1 when I was younger, so I'd say Ayrton Senna was an idol of mine. I did school projects on him. That's what I always wanted to do was race open-wheel road course stuff, whether it was IndyCar or anything like that. Then we started to get into some of the dirt stuff. My dad and I were looking at what we could take to the highest level and still be able to do on our own and afford it. Because that whole open wheel road is unbelievable, how much money you need.You see with [two-time NASCAR Cup champion] Kyle Larson, and [second-year O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver] Corey Day is a newer example, the NASCAR side of things, they look at dirt drivers because I think they have the most raw talent, the best feel for a car.As you started to transition to dirt and sprint cars, who were you looking up to at that point?Julien: I'd say I was looking up at Kyle Larson for sure. The limited time that he has in a sprint car, he’s still just unbelievable. His car control is incredible. I’m trying to watch that, I'm trying to understand it, seeing how I can kind of shape myself to drive like that. Larson the way he drives race cars so hard, so aggressive, but he has complete control all the time. He knows exactly what his car is gonna do, but I think almost more importantly, he knows what everybody else's car is gonna do and where they're gonna go, playing mind games with other people.Logan Julien envisions full-time sprint cars and then hopes for NASCARIf we're having this conversation in five years, where are we talking?Julien: That's a tough one. I'd say in the near future, like maybe two, three years, I'd love to be on a national sprint car tour [Outlaws or High Limit] full time. Five years, I think I'd love to start kind of transitioning into maybe that NASCAR road, maybe running some late models or ARCA, trucks. An end goal for me would be being able to race sprint cars whenever I want but also maybe run Cup full time. To be able to make a living racing, you’ve gotta go where that money is.How doable is [a full Outlaws or High Limit schedule] with a family team?Julien: It's difficult, for sure. I’ve got one more year of school left, but I'm working during the summer for my dad. My dad owns a business [Julien Shade Shop in West Allis]. He's obviously got to work for his business. It'd be a lot to juggle, for sure. But we built this race team up to kind of transform into a national running team.This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin teen racer Logan Julien makes inroads with World of Outlaws

Mandatory minicamp will take place for the Jacksonville Jaguars from June 9-11. This is often the last big milestone in the NFL offseason calendar before training camp arrives in late July.Through the first two weeks of OTA practices, we've gained some valuable insights into where things stand on the depth chart, along with who may be standing out early on, but questions at each position group remain, and that's normal at this time of the year. It won't be until training camp and the preseason take place that playing time and final roster decisions are made.So as part of our Jaguars' minicamp preview, let's highlight the one big question facing each position group. Up next is the defensive end position.How does the rotation behind Hines-Allen and Walker shake out?We know that Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker will lead the way at this position, but defensive end is a heavily rotated position in the NFL, with four or five players seeing regular playing time.So what the depth chart behind Hines-Allen and Walker looks like remains to be seen.Returning for the Jaguars are Danny Striggow and BJ Green, two 2025 UDFAs who made the 53-man roster. Both filled primarily special teams roles as rookies.The Jaguars also added Wesley Williams in the fourth round of this year's draft. The team loves his play style and believes he brings a well-rounded skill set to the defense. Zach Durfee was a late Day 3 pick this year as well.We will probably continue to see Dennis Gardeck taking some snaps at defensive end, as he did last year.Hines-Allen and Walker provide a very strong one-two punch, but the Jaguars need more consistent pressure from their defensive end depth this season. Last season, the Jaguars' defense ranked a modest 18th in pressure rate in 2025 and 27th in sacks.This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars minicamp preview: Question facing defensive end position

The college softball transfer portal is officially open.After Oklahoma failed to make the Women's College World Series for the first time in over a decade, the Sooners will look to the portal to strengthen its roster and fill some holes."We definitely are going to take a look-see in the portal to see what we can find for sure," Gasso told KREF last week. "We don't need a lot, don't need much at all. We'll be looking."OU brings in a stacked freshman class next season. The Sooners have lost Tia Milloy, Berkley Zache and Riley Zache to the portal thus far.OU will almost certainly look to add a pitcher and a backup catcher through the portal and potentially an infielder to compete at first or second base.Here's what to watch with the Sooners as the transfer portal opens:More: OU softball transfer portal tracker 2026: Who has left, joined Patty Gasso's Sooners?What is OU's biggest need in transfer portal?The Sooners' most glaring issue in 2026 was the lack of an ace in the circle.Neither Miali Guachino or Audrey Lowry panned out to be aces and LSU transfer Sydney Berzon had a disappointing season. But Gasso made clear following OU's early exit in the Super Regional that she's excited about the staff moving forward.“We’ve got the stuff. We’ve got to have the trust," Gasso said. "We’ve got to have the confidence, but we are excited about this pitching staff, and they did learn — and should learn a lot, and I know they’re getting better each year."Will the Sooners go after an elite ace? It remains to be seen, but it will likely cost them.OU will also need to add depth pieces at catcher, as well as in the infield and outfield.More: Super 16 college softball rankings: Can anyone top Texas in way-too-early poll?Potential OU softball targetsThere aren't a ton of available aces in the portal to go after, but former LSU standout Jayden Heavener might be the best pitcher in the portal to date.Heavener, a sophomore this past season, owned a 2.81 ERA with 128 strikeouts compared to 78 walks in 139 ⅓ innings.The portal will be open for two weeks and more players will start to enter Monday.Retention will also be a massive priority for the Sooners. Locking up Gabbie Garcia, Kai Minor and Kendall Wells is essential, but anything can happen in the era of the portal.MUSSATTO: With Texas repeat following OU softball four-peat, it's clear sport runs through Red RiverOU softball lineup projection before portal opensCF: Kai MinorRF: Ella ParkerC: Kendall WellsDP: Kasidi PickeringSS: Gabbie Garcia3B: Nelly McEnroe-MarinasLF: Sydney Barker1B: Lexi McDaniel / Allyssa Parker / transfer portal player2B: Allyssa Parker / Lexi McDaniel / transfer portal playerP: Audrey Lowry / Miali Guachino / transfer portal playerColton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball portal primer: What to expect, potential candidates

Nebraska football flipped a commit on Sunday morning, picking up its first edge rusher in the 2027 recruiting class. Rusher Ma'atoe Moe announced on social media that he is committing to Nebraska.This comes one week after Moe verbally committed to Minnesota following his official visit. But after an official visit to Lincoln, he made the flip, becoming the 16th commit to Nebraska's slowly growing class. He chose the Huskers just one month after receiving an offer from them. Moe lists himself at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, entering his senior year. He played in only five games in his junior season at Timpview High School after transferring, but still finished with 17 total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. He received his first college offer from BYU right before his sophomore year. Moe is ranked 93rd among edge rushers in the country and 15th among players in Utah, according to 247Sports Composite. He still holds other notable top offers from BYU, Boise State and San Diego State. He is one of five commits Nebraska already picked up this June. When in doubt, wear Red https://t.co/ckc3SEiqxe— Ma'atoe Moe (@maatoe_moe0) June 7, 2026Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska football flips edge rusher Ma'atoe Moe from Minnesota

MADISON – The Wisconsin Badgers are “prepared for the new world” of college athletics, as interim athletic director Marcus Sedberry described it.That new world has a lot of uncertainty. Possible NCAA rule changes and Congressional action are among the variables that the Badgers – and their peers across the country – have needed to reckon with roughly a year after the House vs. NCAA settlement and five years into the NIL era.Sedberry – in his interim role following Chris McIntosh’s abrupt departure in April until a permanent hire happens sometime in the summer – appears to be embracing the NCAA’s possible changes.“I try not to harp on some of the uncertainty and the challenges because I think all of those really present themselves as opportunities,” Sedberry said at the UW Athletic Board’s June meeting. “Opportunities for us to solidify who we want to be in the future, to ensure that we’re all aligned around what is going to be required for us to be successful in the future.”Here is how some of the possible changes could impact the Badgers:Greg Gard thinks NCAA’s proposed five-for-five eligibility rules ‘will be a good thing’The NCAA’s proposed five-year eligibility rule tops the list of changes that could impact the Badgers across all sports.The model would give athletes five seasons of eligibility during a five-year window. It would replace the current system of four seasons of eligibility and eliminate redshirts and waivers that would extend an athlete's eligibility, with exceptions for pregnancy, religious missions and military service.The five-year window would begin either when an athlete enrolls full-time in college or in the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever happens first.It was initially going to be the academic year following an athlete’s high school graduation or their 19th birthday, but the change followed "recommendations from stakeholders in men's ice hockey, men's basketball and the U.S. national service academies," per an NCAA press release.It is an especially notable change to the proposal for men's hockey due to how many players begin their college careers at a relatively later age after playing at the junior levels. UW goaltender Daniel Hauser, for example, was 20 years old when he began his Badger career in 2025-26.The NCAA has said the Division I Cabinet will consider the model at its June 23-24 meeting.“That’s been speeding down the tracks pretty quickly here this spring,” said Dan Rohrer, UW’s associate athletic director for governance and regulatory affairs, at the June 3 Athletic Board meeting.UW men’s basketball coach Greg Gard expressed his support for the proposed five-for-five model for athlete eligibility – along with NCAA basketball tournament expansion – as he talked with reporters in May.“We’re all trying to find solutions to fix some of the issues and get things under control,” Gard said. “I think the five-for-five will be a good thing. I think tournament expansion will be good.”UW volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield supported the idea of five years of eligibility back in 2025 at Big Ten’s volleyball media days while noting the inequity of football players getting to play four out of 12 games while still maintaining their ability to redshirt.“You see all these lawsuits that are happening,” Sheffield said. “The lawsuit that I think would be the most winnable from a Title IX standpoint is how are football players able to have basically a third of their season where they’re able to play and then still redshirt. Where if our players play one match, they’ve lost their year.”The NCAA’s expected implementation process would not impact any athletes who exhausted their eligibility in 2025-26. To use men’s basketball as an example, Braeden Carrington and Andrew Rohde would not get any extra eligibility.Athletes who competed in 2025-26 and have remaining eligibility could follow either the new model or the old model, whichever is most beneficial. That theoretically could mean three more years of eligibility for volleyball’s Charlie Fuerbringer instead of two, for example.Prospects graduating high school in 2026, 2027 and beyond would follow the new, five-year model, according to the framework released by the NCAA in May. The NCAA will individually evaluate the cases of prospects who already graduated but have not yet enrolled to see which model would be more beneficial.NCAA’s handling of players with professional experience may be something to watchSports Illustrated reported in May that the NCAA distributed updated guidance that does not provide eligibility to athletes who “entered an agreement with, competed on or received compensation from a team that participates in a league with minimum compensation that exceeds actual and necessary expenses.”While the document reportedly uses the NBA as an example, an NCAA spokesperson told Sports Illustrated that the governing body “also identified several international leagues in which participation by a prospect is likely to result in violations of NCAA rules and a loss of eligibility.”It’s unclear how fervent the NCAA could be in enforcing this, and any enforcement efforts could potentially be challenged in court. But any changes to pre-enrollment requirements would be something to watch for a team like UW men’s basketball that has recently relied on talent that has competed in international leagues.Incoming guard Owen Foxwell has most notably played in Australia’s National Basketball League for the last five seasons. He will turn 23 before the 2026-27 season. Fellow incoming guard Jackson Ball, 18, has competed with the NBL’s Illawarra Hawks.Other examples of players the Badgers have relied on (and/or will rely on) with international experience have included current forward Austin Rapp, current guard Hayden Jones, incoming forward Victory Onueutu and ex-UW forward Aleksas Bieliauskas.“You’re reading about G-League players coming back in the sport of basketball, a variety of different pro aspects in individual sports,” Rohrer said. “And that’s one of the unanswered questions at this point is, to put it really bluntly, do we care about what happened before they got here? … That’ll be a question that needs to get answered as part of this process.”Wisconsin, Big Ten monitoring Protect College Sports Act activitySenators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) introduced the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act that could potentially provide a legal framework for college athletics. Aspects of the bill include codifying parts of the House vs. NCAA settlement, providing narrow antitrust protections and regulating agent representation.“This is something that we’re very much monitoring – both with our government relations staff on campus and those that work at the Big Ten – to truly understand what this looks like at the national level, also at the conference level, but certainly for us here at Wisconsin,” Rohrer said.The Big Ten and SEC put out a joint statement on June 2 saying that the two heavyweight conferences “do not support the Protect College Sports Act as drafted,” noting that the proposed legislation “leaves critical issues unresolved.”“It’s clear people want a sustainable national framework,” Sedberry said at the June 3 meeting. “The Big Ten is very aligned on that. The piece I would draw attention to in their quote would be ‘as drafted.’”The Big Ten and SEC commissioners released another statement via ESPN on June 4 after meeting with Cruz and presenting “concrete solutions to key unresolved challenges.” The statement reiterates the conferences’ lack of support for the bill “in its current form.”This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How possible NCAA changes, legal action could impact Wisconsin Badgers

Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker/ProPublica. Source image: Julio Cortez/AP Photo. To read this story, visit our website. The post What ProPublica Found in the Genetic Code of America’s Measles Outbreaks appeared first on ProPublica.

OpenEvidence, a fast-growing start-up, is using artificial intelligence to help doctors find answers to clinical questions for diagnosis and treatment.

The programs are popping up on campuses across America. What they teach varies.

Colleges from North Dakota to New Jersey are trying to get students to sign up for A.I. degrees. What they teach varies widely.

When the Knicks return home for Game 3 of the N.B.A. finals, much of New York City will be watching, including some well-known guests.

The next phase of the Second Avenue subway, first proposed in the 1920s, could finally be completed by 2032, creating a new transit hub in Harlem.

Jose Mourinho wants Real Madrid to bring back academy gem immediately – reportEven before officially taking charge, Jose Mourinho is already looking forward to what he wants his new Real Madrid team to look like.In that regard, according to Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Mourinho is determined to bring Nico Paz back to the Santiago Bernabeu and has made his position clear to the club’s hierarchy. The Portuguese coach sees the 21-year-old as an important piece of his project and wants Real Madrid to activate the €9 million buy-back clause included in the player’s deal with Como.Mourinho believes Nico can play a major roleSince leaving Real Madrid, Nico has continued to impress with his technical quality, creativity and ability to influence games in advanced areas. Mourinho wants Nico Paz at Real Madrid. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)Those qualities are believed to have caught Mourinho’s attention, and it is even suggested that the Portuguese manager has already held conversations with the player in recent days.More importantly, Mourinho views him as a player capable of fitting naturally into his preferred 4-2-3-1 system. His ability to operate between midfield and attack, create chances and link play makes him a profile that Real Madrid currently do not possess in abundance.That is one of the reasons Mourinho is pushing for the move to happen quickly.Real Madrid must solve one problem firstReal Madrid need to make space. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)While Mourinho’s enthusiasm is clear, Real Madrid’s decision-makers are approaching the situation with a different view.The idea of bringing Nico back is receiving serious consideration inside the club but it is also true that the current attacking department is already crowded, and that creates a challenge.Before welcoming another attacking player, Real Madrid may need to create space within the squad. Several positions are already heavily contested, and the club is aware that young players need a realistic pathway to minutes if they are to continue developing.

Summer is a time of making plans, whether it be camping trips or a new vacation, but for college football fans, summer is about setting your schedule for the fall.An unorganized fan will miss the under-the-radar classics, so let me help you out when it comes to the Big 12's nonconference schedule. The Big 12 Conference remains wide open and underrated heading into 2026, and many of these games will be a measuring stick for whether these teams can compete not only in the Big 12 but also on the national stage.Here are the 10 best nonconference games featuring Big 12 schools in 2026.10. West Virginia vs. Virginia (Sept. 19)While it isn't the Backyard Brawl, West Virginia taking on its neighboring state should create some bad blood. Virginia was shockingly competitive in the ACC last season and looks to build on that next year. This game could prove pivotal early in the season for both teams, determining how far Rich Rodriguez can expect his Mountaineers to go in 2026.9. Baylor at Auburn (Sept. 5)Baylor carried Big 12 contender hype into this matchup last season, only to be taken to task by Auburn. With that history in mind, Baylor should be ready for a battle against an Auburn team that is finally getting back on track. Going into an SEC environment as the season opener will test the Bears and new quarterback DJ Lagway, providing a fantastic game while many Power 4 schools are beating up on FCS opponents in week 1.8. Utah vs Arkansas (Sept. 12)Anytime an SEC opponent travels to Big 12 country, it's going to be of interest, even if Arkansas isn't considered among the conference's best offerings. This is an early test under the lights on ESPN for new Utes head coach Morgan Scalley and the offense that is supposed to compete for a Big 12 title this year. While the game might not be the most exciting on paper, this is one to keep an eye on early in the season.7. Iowa State at Iowa (Sept. 12)I love the history and tradition of the Cy-Hawk football game, but this one sits high on the list because of the ransacking of Iowa State's football program. With head coach Matt Campbell leaving for Penn State, the Cyclones are in rebuilding mode and not quite at Iowa's level. That said, this game should still be a fun one for the pageantry and rival atmosphere that you can't find in most other nonconference battles.6. Colorado at Northwestern (Sept. 19)Colorado is one of the largest unknowns heading into 2026, with another year of severe roster turnover setting up what feels like a make-or-break year for head coach Deion Sanders. They'll head to the windy city for a week 3 showdown against a team restarting with some intriguing pieces in Aidan Chiles and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. With a few weeks to settle in, this game will reveal a lot about these two teams and feature exciting offenses.5. Kansas vs. Missouri (Sept. 11)The Border War carries enough weight to be appointment television every year, even if the stakes aren't as high as they once were. Kansas is heading into uncharted territory without quarterback Jalon Daniels after a disappointing 2025 season and faces a difficult test against Missouri. The Jayhawks should be hungry for their first rivalry win in over 15 years, producing an electric environment at David Booth Memorial Stadium for a potential classic.4. TCU vs. North Carolina (Aug. 29)Nearly every college football fan will be tuning in for this as it kicks off Week 0 in Dublin, Ireland, but they should be in for a treat. TCU blew out Bill Belichick's North Carolina to open last season, but they enter a completely different team on offense. If the Horned Frogs manage to repeat their 2025 result, it should put them in the upper echelon tier of the Big 12.3. Arizona State at Texas A&M (Sept. 12)Arizona State's turbulent 2025 is behind them, and now it's time for Kenny Dillingham to produce another Big 12 title contender. Going to College Station to face Texas A&M is about as significant a matchup as you can get in nonconference play, although I have some doubts that the Sun Devils can hang with the Aggies this early on in the season. While the game might not become an instant classic, there's enough hype for both teams to make watching this one a must.2. Oklahoma State vs. Oregon (Sept. 12)Oklahoma State's hype train has been full steam ahead this offseason, but this matchup will be the true measuring stick. Oregon will be a National Championship contender yet again, and the Cowboys' potent offense will have to hang with the very best. It helps that this game is on Big 12 soil in Stillwater, which might make this a closer game if the Ducks stumble out of the gate.1. BYU vs. Notre Dame (Oct. 17)BYU enters the 2026 season as the favorite to win the Big 12 title in my book, so bringing in Notre Dame is the definition of appointment television. Both of these teams will likely make the College Football Playoff, which means we won't only get a look at two of the nation's best teams, but a game that has serious CFP seeding implications. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Ranking Big 12 football top nonconference games in 2026

Juventus' French defender #15 Pierre Kalulu reacts at the end of the Italian Serie A football match between Torino and Juventus at the Olympic Grande Torino stadium in Turin on May 24, 2026. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images The final month of the 2025-26 season started with great hope. After Como suffered some crucial negative results in May, we went into the month knowing that a few wins in May would secure a spot in the top four and qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League League Stage.But, as has happened many times in the last few years, Juventus collapsed under the pressure.The Bianconeri secured only one win out of four games in May as we ended the 2025-26 season in sixth place and will be playing in the UEFA Europa League next season. Let’s review the misery of the disappointing end to the season.FailureIt was déjà vu all over again in the first game of May at home to Hellas Verona. We completely dominated and yet once again conceded from our first shot on target. Scottish striker Kieron Bowie scored after taking advantage of a rare but critical mistake from Gleison Bremer, who gifted Verona the ball. That said, Michele Di Gregorio was poor at his near post from Bowie’s shot and should have done better to keep it out. The soon-to-be outgoing Dusan Vlahovic rescued a point for us when his brilliant free kick flew past goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò. Unfortunately, like so many times this season, we were unable to provide the killer blow in a game we should have easily won: 1-1.We returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over relegation-battling Lecce. Vlahovic scored the fastest goal in his career after 12 seconds when he collected a cross from Cambiaso, turned past defender Gabriel, and smashed it into the roof of the net. It was a busy opening phase of the match as Lecce almost equalized immediately after the opener but Di Gregorio saved well from Walid Cheddira’s shot. Francisco Conceição then hit the crossbar after receiving a wonderful pass from Manuel Locatelli in the right channel.The game calmed down a bit after that until a flurry of action in the second half. First, Vlahovic scored his second of the match on the rebound after Cambiaso’s shot, but the Serb was offside from the first shot. Pierre Kalulu then scored as well but, remarkably, Vlahovic was again offside in the buildup of the attack roughly 23 years prior to the goal. The Bianconeri held on for a much-needed 1-0 victory.Then, everything fell apart.For the 16th time of the season, we conceded a goal from the opponents’ first shot on target when Cher Ndour’s shot took a small deflection and Di Gregorio let it squeeze past him at the near post. Once again, we scored two disallowed goals: first, Weston McKennie scored a header but the referee ruled that a puff of wind hit the defender McKennie committed a foul on Robin Gosens when the two jumped for the header. Then, Vlahovic scored another goal from an offside position. Rolando Mandragora, one of those players who do nothing useful all season except when playing against Juventus, scored with a spectacular shot from the edge of the box to effectively knock the Bianconeri out of Champions League participation for next season: 2-0.The Derby Della Mole felt like a futile match given the miracle that was needed to enable us to secure a spot in the Top 4. But since there was still a chance, no matter how little, we had to try, despite the horrendous crowd trouble that occurred before the game outside of the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino that delayed kickoff for an hour.And try we did, for the first hour of the game. Vlahovic scored in the 24th minute after a nice passing move involving Khephren Thuram and Kalulu. The Bianconeri scored from a fantastic counterattack in the second half led by Conceição and Vlahovic, with the Portuguese winger assisting Vlahovic to score his second goal of the match. But Torino roared back and completely flipped the script in the final 30 minutes of the match through two substitutes. For the 17th time of the season, we conceded a goal from the opponents’ first attempt on target when Cesare Casadei headed in a corner after weak marking from Cambiaso. The equalizer came from another corner as Casadei again won a header that forced a great save from Mattia Perin, but Che Adams eventually scored from the rebound with a deflected shot: 2-2. It was a miserable and deflating end to another wasted season.Juventus WomenJuventus Women had a month full of goals scored … and conceded. First, we saw a thrilling 3-2 victory over Napoli in the league. Lindsey Thomas scored in the fifth minute after nice combination play between Michela Cambiaghi and Ana Capeta. Napoli quickly equalized through Marija Banusic, but Capeta then went from provider to goalscorer when she pounced on a mistake from the Napoli goalkeeper and scored. The first half continued at a breakneck pace as Cecilie Floe equalized two minutes later to bring Napoli back into the game again. The second half was much calmer and saw only one goal: an 82nd minute winner from the outgoing Paulina Krumbiegel: a cracking 3-2 victory!The Bianconere then tied 3-3 with Inter in another thrilling game. Remarkably, all six goals came in the first half. Chiara Robustellini gave Inter the lead in the second minute but defender Ivana Andreas scored an own goal from a corner to bring us back into the match. Robustellini scored her second from a thumping header but Inter conceded a penalty for a handball in the box; Barbara Bonansea scored it in her record 241st appearance for the club.Amalie Vangsgaard then gifted Inter their own penalty after fouling Elisa Bartoli in the box. Tessa Wullaert stepped up to convert the penalty. Juventus equalized for the third time in less than 45 minutes as Vangsgaard corrected her error and scored from Mathilde Harviken’s excellent lay-off. The second half, while eventful, was nowhere near as crazy as the first and the score remained at 3-3.We ended the Serie A season with a 3-1 away win over Parma. For the third consecutive game, there was a goal in the first ten minutes as Emma Godo scored with a low, driven free kick in the ninth minute. Annalise Rasmussen doubled our lead when she scored from the rebound after the goalkeeper saved Cambiaghi’s shot. Parma pulled one back in the 80th minute through Gaia Distefano but Thomas finished the game off in the last minute after picking up a great pass from Bonansea on the counterattack and lobbing the goalkeeper.Juventus lost 1-0 to AS Roma in the Coppa Italia final in what proved to be coach Massimiliano Canzi’s final game as manager of the team. It was a balanced game that Juventus slightly edged with a few better chances than Roma, but the margins were extremely small. The lack of action in the game likely came as a result of the extremely high temperatures on the day and Bonansea even asked to be substituted due to what seemed to be heat exhaustion.Roma scored the decisive goal through Manuela Giugliano when she controlled a flicked-on cross from Evelyne Vien and scored from close range.Champions/Europa LeagueAfter years of scraping by to qualify for the Champions League and performing pitifully in the competition, we finally got what we deserved: failure to qualify for next season’s edition of the competition. Next season, we have the distinguished honor of representing Italy in the Europa League along with our fellow fallen giants AC Milan.We’ve talked a lot about what went wrong this season in our season-review episode on the podcast and on the season ratings (and we’ll probably talk about it more in the offseason!), but I want to talk about my concern for Italian teams playing in next season’s Champions League: Como, Inter, Roma, and Napoli.Inter are by far and away the best team in Italy and ended the season with an 11-point lead over second-place Napoli. But even Inter had a poor campaign in the Champions League last season and were shockingly knocked out by Bodø/Glimt in the play-off round. Napoli were the worst of the lot and ended in 30th place in the league phase. We all know how we did, so the less said the better. Atalanta represented Italy the best, but unfortunately came up against the juggernaut that is Bayern Munchen.Allegri will (likely) replace Conte as manager at Napoli next season. While he had a miserable end to his time at Milan, he remains one of the most experienced coaches in the UCL, so they’ll be a wildcard next season in the competition. Inter likely won’t make the same mistakes but their European failures last season has set them further behind heavyweights like PSG, Bayern, and (now) Arsenal.Como and Roma are the two teams I really want to focus on. While people praised Como and, to a lesser extent, Roma for their playing style and (especially in Como’s case) entertaining and positive football, the stats show that they weren’t all that much better than Juventus.The Bianconeri had essentially the same number of shots on target this season (227) as Inter did (229), which shows both how stunningly efficient Inter’s attack was (89 goals) compared to ours (58 goals) but also how much our attack under-performed. Meanwhile, Roma (178 SOT) and Como (194 SOT) had fewer shots on target. Again, their forwards were clearly more efficient than ours. To summarize a few key attacking metrics:Inter: 478 shots, 229 on target, 89 goals, 175 accurate forward passes per game, average possession of 59.8% per gameJuventus: 455 shots, 227 on target, 61 goals, 167 accurate forward passes per game, average possession of 57.6% per gameComo: 408 shots, 194 on target, 65 goals, 170 accurate forward passes per game, average possession of 61.6% per gameRoma: 366 shots, 178 on target, 59 goals, 162 accurate forward passes per game, average possession of 56.3% per gameNapoli: 367 shots, 179 on target, 58 goals, 182 accurate forward passes per game, average possession of 59.0% per gameMy point is this: Despite the image of Como and Roma being attacking, breath-of-fresh air, new style teams, they weren’t that much better than Juventus on the pitch. Their respective places in the Champions League next season are deserved, but if they weren’t that much better than us then I fear for their fate in the competition.Why does this matter? If Italian teams keep faltering in European competition(s), then that dreaded coefficient is going to continue worsening and we risk losing the fourth direct qualification spot. If you think we struggle now to qualify for the Champions League, then it’s going to be even worse if that happens.

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 11: Head coach Michael Locksley of the Maryland Terrapins watches the teams warm up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at SECU Stadium on October 11, 2025 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images With programs across the country finalizing rosters ahead of the 2026 season, Maryland football’s attention has remained focused on the future. The Terps landed six class of 2027 commitments across a four-day stretch spanning late May and early June.While Maryland’s initial crop of incoming talent featured seven offensive additions, a young defense that was ravaged by injuries in 2025 received some potential depth pieces. Three-star safety Charles Roberts and linebacker Shelvy Clark committed over the weekend.Roberts was slated to play under Bill Belichick at North Carolina prior to his visit in College Park. But the IMG Academy product quickly flipped his commitment during the tour, giving Michael Locksley a huge boost to his 2027 recruiting cycle. Roberts becomes the Terps’ best addition thus far.North Carolina safety commit Chuck Roberts has flipped his commitment to Maryland, his reps @bnm_nil and @timvizzi tell @On3. https://t.co/UCm2EBuKIRpic.twitter.com/LLNLDyR09F— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) June 6, 2026Clark is Maryland’s second unranked addition to join the nation’s 50th-best recruiting class. Still, the Tennessee native chose the Terps over fellow finalist Colorado. Clark also received offers from Indiana, Oregon, Ole Miss and Florida State.Let’s go terps nation ! @Coach_Merci@CoachNewsome@ZSpavital@TedMonachino@CoachLocks@iamcoachgene@Terrapins247@Insideblackgoldpic.twitter.com/fqXFopUXAY— Shelvy Clark (@ShelvyjClark) June 7, 2026With 11 commitments to its 2027 freshman class, Maryland is far from done. The Terps will look to capitalize on their recent momentum and land some highly-touted prospects over the coming weeks.In other newsFormer Maryland football edge rusher Neeo Avery is retiring due to medical complications.Prayers up for former Maryland linebacker Neeo Avery, who has medically retired from football due to complications from MS 🙏 pic.twitter.com/zflvHBCwQC— Inside Maryland Sports (@Terrapins247) June 7, 2026Maryland track and field announced the signings of thrower Jaden James and sprinter Mekhi Prather.Welcome to College Park, Jaden 🐢 pic.twitter.com/kXSF06hcR6— Maryland Track & Field (@MarylandTrack) June 5, 2026Welcome to the squad, Mekhi ‼️ pic.twitter.com/i0xywYzu5n— Maryland Track & Field (@MarylandTrack) June 5, 2026Former Maryland men’s basketball guard Nick Blake is transferring to West Virginia Wesleyan.NEWS: Maryland transfer Nick Blake, the son of Maryland legend Steve Blake, has committed to West Virginia Wesleyan. pic.twitter.com/QPACHVFLOQ— Inside Maryland Sports (@Terrapins247) June 7, 2026

Italy World Cup winner insists the Azzurri have ‘lost their identity’Italy World Cup winner Alessandro Nesta insists the Azzurri have lost their identity as we ‘started copying others’ and clubs ‘lost interest in young players.’Nesta examined the state of Italian football from New York, where he met fans alongside other Calcio legends, such as Christian Vieri.Nesta: Italy have lost their identityThe Azzurri have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.“After us, there was a void, no success apart from the Euros,” Nesta told Gazzetta.“We were part of an incredible generation, and we also won. Today, there are no longer iconic players like those in our group, and obviously, results influence judgment.”How does he explain the downfall of Italian football?“Several factors contributed. We lost our Italian identity and started copying others, and at the same time, clubs lost interest in young players,” Nesta replied.“It must also be said that clubs aren’t protected: they might invest in youngsters for years only to see them taken away. If we truly want to focus on youth academies, new protective laws are also needed. And alongside this, players must be given the freedom to express themselves.ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Haris Tabakovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s equalizing goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)“Today there are too many tactics; even at 12-13 years old, they talk about systems and formations when they should be developing flair and dribbling,” Nesta continued.“Today, if you’ll excuse the term, we’re raising battery chickens, all the same, good at passing but without creativity.”The popularity of Serie A has also decreased in recent years, with the Premier League becoming the most important league in Europe.MONZA, ITALY – DECEMBER 22: Alessandro Nesta, Head Coach of AC Monza, looks on ahead of the Serie A match between Monza and Juventus at U-Power Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)“Things go hand in hand. The national team loses interest because it doesn’t win, and top players are drawn to other leagues, whereas once everyone’s dream was Serie A,” Nesta concluded.“We haven’t managed to build a league that stands on its own two feet; we are spoiled children of families like Berlusconi, Moratti, Sensi. Since then, we haven’t evolved, especially in terms of stadiums and infrastructure, unlike what they’ve managed elsewhere.”

We look at how Israeli trade restrictions and shadowy profiteers have driven up the prices of nearly everything in Gaza.

New Yorkers under 30 know about the past pain and suffering. But now they have reason to believe.

I came across an interesting stat this weekend. Entering Sunday’s game against the Portland Fire, the Sparks had the worst defensive rating (115.6 points allowed per 100 possessions) in WNBA history. The previous lowest mark through 30 seasons was 114.The eye test matches what the stats say about the Los Angeles defense. The Sparks are an offense-first team; the roster has a great deal of offensive talent, and that’s the side of the ball that coach Lynne Roberts prioritizes. Although L.A. targeted defensive personnel such as Ariel Atkins and Nneka Ogwumike over keeping Rickea Jackson and Azurá Stevens during the 2026 offseason, the team’s lineups don’t often have multiple plus-defenders, especially when accounting for what position they have to defend. The Sparks are often undersized on defense, don’t rebound the ball particularly well and have lost some close games due to defensive mistakes, like helping off the strong-side corner.But the stats are also a little dramatic relative to where L.A. stands one quarter through the season. It’s hard to compare a 10-game sample size of defense to full seasons for other teams. Plus, offense has been historically good in 2026; the offensive rating of 106.9 points per 100 possessions (per basketball reference) is comfortably the best in league history. The emphasis on freedom of movement has made it easier for offensive players, and the Sparks are particularly bad at sending opponents to the free-throw line.L.A. responded to an especially bad defensive showing Friday against the Dallas Wings, which caused the historic drop in defensive rating, with its best performance of the year Sunday, limiting Portland to 72 points on 36 percent shooting. The Sparks are half a game out of the playoffs and have the ninth-best point differential in the league. Whatever sacrifices L.A. has made defensively haven’t compromised its competitiveness altogether.Then again, after becoming the best offense in league history to miss the playoffs in 2025, the Sparks would prefer to avoid setting more marks because of their poor defense. As Nneka Ogwumike said Sunday, “Offense is offense, but defense is really where it’s at.”RankTeamPrevious rank1Minnesota12Las Vegas33Dallas44Atlanta25New York76Golden State 57Indiana 88Toronto 99Los Angeles 1010Portland611Phoenix 1212Washington1313Chicago1114Seattle1415Connecticut15Trending upLas Vegas AcesJackie Young had one of the strangest stretches in recent memory when she went scoreless over two games and missed 21 consecutive field-goal attempts. She hadn’t posted a single scoreless game since Becky Hammon arrived in 2022, let alone two in a row. Young acknowledged on social media that she was dealing with a personal matter, and Hammon talked about the Aces needing to support their All-Star.Whatever was ailing Young now appears to be in the rearview. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Las Vegas Aces (@lvaces)Young punctuated a casual week of averaging 21.5 points and seven assists with the game-winner over the Golden State Valkyries. After her teammates shouldered the burden for her, Young has had to take on extra responsibility with the injuries to Jewell Loyd and Chennedy Carter, essentially serving as the backup point guard in addition to already being the No. 2 scoring option.Young has been decisive and locked in on the scouting report. Hammon is always comfortable putting the ball in her hands (what a luxury to have with Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson also on the court) in adverse situations. When the Sparks cut Las Vegas’ lead to single digits, the Aces ran a baseline out-of-bounds play for Young. When the Valkyries were switching everything and Las Vegas needed someone to create her own shot against any defender, the ball went back to Young.The Lynx and the Wings have been bigger surprises this season while the Aces have steadily maintained their place near the top of the WNBA standings. They look much more like themselves with Young back in form.Phoenix MercuryIt would be hard to tell from Natasha Mack’s performances that the Phoenix Mercury are having a disappointing season. The 28-year-old center, who is in her third season with the Mercury after falling out of the WNBA for two years, has been excellent, fully playing the part of a starting center.Despite Phoenix’s overall net rating of minus-3.2 points per 100 possessions, the Mercury are plus-6.7 in Mack’s minutes. She is the only Mercury center who can credibly defend without fouling, and her lateral mobility pops on a team that got a little older and slower this offseason. Coach Nate Tibbetts has commended her stamina and communication, both necessary ingredients for a defensive center.Phoenix doesn’t necessarily run its offense through Mack, but it works largely because of her. She runs the floor hard, bringing a defender with her. She has gravity at the basket because she can always collect offensive rebounds. She is controlling the glass and finishing everything around the basket, making 71.2 percent of her 2-point field goals. And she can even space a little with her improving short-midrange jumper. She referred to herself as Middy Mack on social media after the Mercury’s win over Portland, when she tied a career-high with 16 points (set two days earlier), 10 of those points coming on jumpers.Middy Mack 😎 https://t.co/hm2tQFPs7e— #4 (@TashaMack04) June 6, 2026Trending downAtlanta DreamIt’s a minor drop-off for the Dream, as Atlanta boasts the WNBA’s second-best defensive rating but has put up some concerning offensive performances. The Dream’s effective field-goal percentage (which adjusts for 3-pointers) is about league average, as is their assist percentage, and they’re a little too reliant on individual shot creation from Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.Howard and Gray can both light it up, and Atlanta gets multiple bites at the apple thanks to excellent offensive rebounding, but it’s not the most consistent formula — especially considering the defensive lift both players provide — and both rank in the league’s top five for minutes.Atlanta’s spacing has also been a little clunky with Angel Reese replacing Brionna Jones (who has been injured all season) and Naz Hillmon backsliding as a 3-point shooter, falling from 32 percent in 2025 to 23 percent this season. Maybe the solution is simply that Jones will fix the offensive woes.But to ease the burden on Gray and Howard until then, maybe the Dream should lean a little more into their depth. There are so many interesting young players at the end of this roster, including Te-Hina Paopao, Isobel Borlase, Madina Okot and Aaliyah Nye, who could inject some life into the offense, and only Paopao is averaging double-digit minutes.Rookie of the weekGabriela Jaquez, Chicago Sky(Reminder: This isn’t the best rookie of the week, rather a player who caught my eye.)Gabriela Jaquez missed only one game during her four-year college career but had to go through the unfamiliar experience of sitting out four games with a knee injury so far as a rookie. The time off did nothing to disrupt her rhythm.Even if Chicago couldn’t pick up the win in her return, Jaquez is just as versatile as she was at UCLA. She can handle the ball and run actions; she showed easy chemistry with Azurá Stevens on a couple of side pick-and-rolls and dribble handoffs. She’s a willing and capable shooter off the ball, making 37.5 percent of her 3-pointers. Against the Toronto Tempo, she hit one triple as the trailer in transition and another off of a handoff.Jaquez also picked up two steals by being in active passing lanes, one of them immediately after making a poor decision on offense. Jaquez seemed like a bit of a reach as the No. 5 draft pick, especially ahead of her Bruins teammate Kiki Rice, but the Sky can’t be disappointed with their lottery pick’s poise and consistency thus far.Game to circleMinnesota at Las Vegas8 p.m. Saturday, CBSAs one of the foremost backers of the Commissioner’s Cup, it pains me to not put New York versus Atlanta in this space, as that matchup will likely decide the Eastern Conference representative in the final. But when the best team in the league, led by the Rookie of the Year frontrunner, heads to the defending champion’s home court, exceptions must be made.Olivia Miles will face her favorite point guard in the WNBA, the one who helped inspire her flair. Natasha Howard tests her bounceback season against Wilson, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Arguably the two best coaches in the game on opposing sidelines — and yes, still some Cup implications.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA2026 The Athletic Media Company

STILLWATER — It’s now less than three months until Eric Morris’ first game as the Oklahoma State football coach. Speculation for how the Cowboys might perform under Morris offers a wide range of results. But looking at the schedule, it’s rather favorable, though also back-loaded with tough games.Let’s take a look at just how tough the schedule could be, ranking the opponents from least challenging to most challenging:More: Chris Barnes is 'an every-down receiver' for Oklahoma State football despite sizeRanking Oklahoma State football opponentsSept. 19 vs. Murray StateNo surprises here. The FCS Racers went 1-11 last year, so even if they’re significantly improved, they shouldn’t pose a challenge to the Pokes.Sept. 5 at TulsaWhat a fun way to lift the lid on the Morris era, on the road against the opponent that led to the coaching change in the first place. Tulsa certainly seems to be on the way up under Tre Lamb, and will be heavily motivated for this ballgame. Oct. 24 vs. ColoradoBetween last year’s nosedive to a 3-9 finish and coach Deion Sanders’ looming health issues, it’s hard to judge the stability of the program right now. Until further notice, this looks like the Cowboys’ easiest Big 12 game.More: Oklahoma State football adds tight end Talan Scott to 2027 recruiting classOct. 10 vs. UCFThis was the closest the Cowboys came to a Big 12 win last year. It’s the home opener in conference play, coming after a week off. There should be lots of buzz in Boone Pickens Stadium for this one.Sept. 26 at West Virginia OSU will enter this game having lost its last 19 games against Big 12 opponents. Under Mike Gundy, the Pokes always seemed to play well at West Virginia, a trend Morris would love to continue.Nov. 28 vs. KansasA Thanksgiving weekend finale at BPS that might have some actual consequences. After a two-year break from meaningful November football, this will be a welcomed return. Jalon Daniels is out of eligibility (no, seriously) so the Jayhawks will have a different look at quarterback this year. Oct. 31 at Iowa StateThe Gundy vs. Matt Campbell battles at Jack Trice Stadium were epic, but it’s a new era for both programs. Jimmy Rogers is trying to maintain the competitive level the Cyclones experienced regularly under Campbell, and like Morris, he has a mostly new roster.More: Oklahoma State football's Reggie Johnson fills meaningful role for Skyler CassityOct. 17 at HoustonWillie Fritz lifted the Cougars to a 10-win season in his second year, and Conner Weigman is back at QB, running the offense. This game could prove to be even more challenging than anticipated, though it comes at a point in the schedule where OSU could be building some positive momentum.Nov. 21 at Arizona StateArizona State is one of the harder-to-predict programs this year as Kenny Dillingham looks for his next quarterback. But the Sun Devils are certainly among the top half of the Big 12, with the potential to rise based on QB play.Nov. 7 at Kansas StateExcitement is high for the Collin Klein-led Wildcats. And the Cowboys haven’t played well in Manhattan since pulling out a come-from-behind win in 2020. This comes in the middle of the most challenging stretch of the season, after Iowa State and ahead of Texas Tech.More: Oklahoma State football recruiting tracker: Who has committed to OSU Cowboys' 2027 class?Nov. 14 vs. Texas TechThe Red Raiders are back in the same spot as the preseason favorite in the Big 12, and this mid-November meeting is sandwiched in the middle of a tough run of road games for the Cowboys. Sept. 12 vs. OregonCowboy fans, start preparing for the flashbacks and replayed highlights of last year’s meeting. But don’t expect a similar result. These Pokes will be more competitive. Can they beat a Ducks squad that is a top-five national title contender? Probably not. But 69-3 won’t happen again. Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@oklahoman.com or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ranking Oklahoma State football games from easiest to toughest

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) speaks with an official Friday, May 15, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark might be the biggest name in the WNBA right now. But despite her talent, one longtime sports columnist is sick of her antics, calling her a “spoiled brat” who should “stop whining and play.”The latest criticism comes as Clark has been seen arguing with officials, making sarcastic gestures on the court, and even getting into heated exchanges with her coaches on the sideline, with one incident even getting national attention.Now, Los Angeles Times columnist and former ESPN star Bill Plaschke has “seen enough.”Who is Bill Plaschke?Longtime Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke has established himself as one of the most recognizable sports columnists in the industry over the years, aided greatly by his regular appearances on ESPN’s long-running hit debate show Around the Horn. Plaschke was a regular panelist on the show for more than two decades, making 1,758 appearances until it ended in May 2025.While Plaschke no longer appears on Around the Horn since the show no longer exists, he is still quite influential in the sports world. He has been inducted into the National Sports Media Hall of Fame and California Sports Hall of Fame. He has also been named national Sports Columnist of the Year nine times by the Associated Press, and twice by the Society of Professional Journalists and National Headliner Awards.Needless to say, he is a very well-respected sportswriter with decades of experience writing at the highest level.‘I’m Sick of Caitlin Clark’In his most recent column, Plaschke did not hold back as he absolutely blasted Clark, not for her performance on the court, but for her antics and the way she carries herself.Plaschke made it clear that he has been a fan of Clark for a long time, attending Indiana Fever games as a fan and even purchasing one of her Iowa Hawkeyes jerseys during her playing days at the college level. However, he admits that he is now “sick of Caitlin Clark” and is urging the superstar to “quit whining and play.”“The logo-shooting, circus-passing, shape-shifting revelation who was once arguably the most famous basketball player in the world has become rude, entitled and, frankly, not all that fun,” he wrote in the column. “In her third season in the WNBA, the once-shining superstar is acting like a spoiled brat. The league’s most popular player has become its biggest lout. Her stats are decent, but her attitude stinks.”He went on to criticize Clark for the way she embellishes contact on the court, complains to officials, and argues with her coaches in plain sight of cameras and fans.Plaschke concluded his column by simply advising Clark to “grow up.”“It’s not too late for Clark to clean up her act and once again become the WNBA’s most marketable and popular superstar — a spot currently held by the poised and professional A’ja Wilson, who has led the Las Vegas Aces to three titles,” he wrote. “But until then, this former teen idol needs to grow up.”It’s a rather scathing take from the respected columnist, but it’s safe to say that he’s not the only one with this opinion.The post ‘Stop whining’: Former ESPN star does not hold back on ‘spoiled brat’ Caitlin Clark appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

The return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy could be exactly what the Chiefs' offense needed.Bieniemy brings energy and, more importantly, extreme accountability. And the goal is obvious — get the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl, a year after missing the postseason."I know this sounds very high school-ish, this answer I’m about to give you," Bieniemy said, via Jesse Newell of The Athletic. “We’ve got to get back to doing the fundamental things the right way.”The focus on fundamentals includes basic aspects of the game. Footwork — for quarterbacks, running backs, offensive linemen. Basic details, like linemen having their backs flat in their stance before the snap and receivers running their routes with a plan to get open.“If we can’t do those things the right way, it don’t matter who the hell we play,” Bieniemy said, per Newell. “So we’ve got to make sure we address those issues and get back to the bread and butter of how this game was played."The accountability manifests itself in the simplest of ways. As Newell explains it, Bieniemy kicked the entire starting offense off the field after the players failed to line up properly.“We can’t get comfortable being comfortable, and not enjoying the fundamentals that we have to work on every single day," Bieniemy said.For a team that had won three Super Bowls and had gone to five in six seasons, it's easy to become complacent about the day-in, day-out details. Bieniemy's return brings the kind of a kick in the ass that the Chiefs may need after going 1-9 in one-score games in 2025 and missing the playoffs entirely.Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has welcomed the approach, because Mahomes has seen what it can do. For any players who have arrived since Bieniemy left after the 2022 season (and a Super Bowl win), Bieniemy's style could be exactly what the Chiefs need to get back to being the Chiefs the NFL have known since Mahomes became the starter in 2018.

The first Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball class of 2027 commit hasn't shied away from why he chose to remain in his home state. Jalen Brown, a critically acclaimed four-star prospect, the team's highest since Sam Dekker, was a huge get for longtime head coach Greg Gard.Gard hasn't had much success, and some would argue none at all, at bringing players to Madison from the Milwaukee area.When it came to Brown, the complete guard made sure that trend changed."I’m going to love playing in front of that home crowd," Brown told Badgers' Evan Flood.He later told Nick Osen, "I didn’t want to pass up the chance to be a part of this community. An opportunity to be the Hometown Hero.”Putting the "hometown hero" phrase into the universe at this point in time is a lot to live up to, but the expectations are sky high for a reason. Brown isn't a top-100 recruit because he hasn't put in the work, and now Badgers fans can enjoy his senior season before he gives Wisconsin a much needed boost in 2027-28.Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin native Jalen Brown discusses staying in-state for college

D. Berryman walks her dog, Tiny Dancer, past a fire-damaged building more than a year after the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)2026-06-08T04:06:37Z LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal arson trial begins Monday for the man accused of sparking last year’s deadly Palisades Fire as the area struggles to rebuild and the aftermath reverberates through the Los Angeles mayor’s race.Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, has pleaded not guilty to starting what became one of the most destructive wildfires in California history. Prosecutors say Rinderknecht started a fire on Jan. 1, 2025, and it burned undetected deep in root systems before flaring back up on Jan. 7.The Palisades Fire ultimately killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes as it incinerated hillside neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and the city of Malibu. Rinderknecht faces at least five years in prison if convicted of charges that also include malicious destruction by means of a fire.Lead defense attorney Steve Haney has said Rinderknecht is being made as a scapegoat for the Los Angeles Fire Department’s failure to fully extinguish the Jan. 1 blaze. Jury selection is expected to last several days before opening statements begin midweek. The trial is likely to take about two weeks. News of the trial drew mixed reactions from residents of the Pacific Palisades, who have spent the last year and a half tussling with insurance claims and red tape for building permits as they try to regain normalcy in their lives. “It drums up all of the emotions over this past year and makes me think about all of the suffering and chaos of all of our neighbors and friends’ lives,” said Meghan Wald, whose home was among the few left standing in her block. Read More Palisades streets are now crowded with construction vehicles and workers, and charred trees have recovered their luscious green. But vacant lots abound, filled with weeds and wildflowers and the skeletal frames of homes. Of the more than 450 construction projects, only 17 homes have been certified for occupancy. Wald and her family now live in nearby Brentwood, but she visits weekly to support the handful of businesses that have reopened, including her hair salon, her usual CVS pharmacy and the Palisades Garden Cafe, where her kids used to grab snacks after school. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. “It’s great to see the shops that we know and love coming back,” Wald said. “It’s also hard to imagine what it’s going to be like. It will never be the same.”The fire has been a central theme in incumbent Mayor Karen Bass ‘s reelection bid as she defends the city’s recovery process. Bass was in Ghana as part of a presidential delegation when the flames ignited. One of her challengers, reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, lost his home in the blaze and has made what he calls municipal ineptitude a central campaign message. It’s not yet clear if Pratt won enough votes in the primary to face Bass in November’s runoff election.Judge Anne Hwang has ruled that the defense can’t introduce evidence or arguments about alleged negligence by the fire department, saying it was irrelevant and could confuse the jury.Defense attorneys had planned to include testimony from a firefighter that the earlier fire was visibly smoldering when first responders left the scene. That was gathered as part of a civil lawsuit filed by fire victims against the city. Haney said he also plans to argue that the government lacks solid evidence or witness testimony linking Rinderknecht to the first fire, and that first responders heard fireworks in the vicinity of where the blaze started.Prosecutors say geolocation data from Rinderknecht’s phone shows that he was in the area of the fire as it rapidly grew, and investigators later seized a Bic barbecue lighter from his car that he admitted to having with him on the trail. They will claim he was upset about a failed relationship as well as thwarted plans for New Year’s Eve, and that he ranted to his Uber passengers that evening about being angry at the world, according to an April 29 pretrial memo filed by the U.S. attorney’s office. Lena Loh, who opened a skin care clinic in the Palisades three months before the fire, said Rinderknecht’s prosecution gives her no sense of relief. She has been struggling to reopen and is looking to leave because she can’t sustain the business financially anymore.“I don’t necessarily think putting him on trial is gonna fix anything,” she said. “This is a city issue. The city needed to manage that small speck of fire better.” JAIMIE DING Ding covers California breaking news for The Associated Press. She focuses on law enforcement and the courts, and is based in Los Angeles. twitter mailto

Marharyta Nekhoroshyva holds her son Mark inside a shelter at the children's regional hospital of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)2026-06-08T10:28:09Z KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian forces struck oil facilities in Russia and occupied Ukraine, Ukrainian and Russian officials said on Monday, as part of their campaign aimed at making Moscow pay an economic cost for the war. Russia’s defense ministry said its forces shot down 310 Ukrainian drones overnight into Monday, including over the Moscow region, western and southwestern Russia, Russian-occupied Crimea, and the Black and Azov Seas.Russia targeted Ukraine with 155 drones, of which Ukrainian air defenses shot down or suppressed 124, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. Ukraine’s General Staff said Ukrainian forces had struck Russia’s Krasnodar Krai region overnight. The General Staff said the Grushovaya oil transshipment base near Novorossiysk. The complex is one of the largest transshipment hubs in southern Russia for oil and petroleum products. Russian regional authorities confirmed a Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at the facility, adding that there were no casualties. While they did not comment on the extent of damage, they said 130 rescue workers and 39 pieces of equipment were involved in putting out the blaze. The Krasny Yar “linear production and dispatching station” in the Volgograd region was also hit, the General Staff said. A fire broke out at the site, according to the statement. Russian Gov. Andrei Bocharov didn’t specify what the facility produces, but said there were no injuries. Read More Ukraine also carried out strikes overnight in the Semykolodezkaya oil base in the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula on Sunday night, sparking a fire at the facility.The base is used to store fuel reserves supplying the Russian military, according to the statement posted on Telegram.Ukrainian forces also struck an oil depot near Feodosia in Crimea, the General Staff said.Separately, a Ukrainian drone overnight struck a passenger train from Moscow to Simferopol in occupied Crimea, injuring the driver and killing the driver’s assistant, Kremlin-installed regional leader Sergei Aksyonov reported early Monday.Akysyonov added that no passengers were hurt. But all passenger train traffic in Crimea was halted following the attack, with passengers evacuated and replacement buses provided, Russian operator Grand Service Express reported on Telegram that same morning.

A newly married couple walks down the aisle at their wedding amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)2026-06-08T10:26:57Z BUNIA, Congo (AP) — There were no kisses, long embraces or a crowded dance floor packed with well-wishers. But there was love.As Congo is battling an Ebola disease outbreak that has killed nearly 100 people out of the more than 500 confirmed cases, local authorities have raced to slow the disease with strict measures, including by limiting public gatherings and enforcing social distancing.For Jean Claude Érable and his bride Solange Hahati, celebrating their wedding on Saturday in such conditions meant having some family members and friends absent on one of their happiest days.“We had planned 300 guests (but) only 50 people were allowed to enter,” Hahati told The Associated Press. “It was really difficult because we wanted to celebrate with our friends.”The latest Ebola disease outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, is concentrated in Congo’s eastern province of Ituri. There are 515 confirmed infections, including 91 deaths, according to Congolese health authorities. The number of cases is believed to be higher because the outbreak was confirmed weeks late, and response has been challenging also because the virus has no approved vaccine or treatment. To help slow the spread, local officials have urged people to limit physical contact, wash their hands regularly and report suspected cases quickly. At the Catholic Church in Bunia, the capital of Ituri, where Érable and Hahati celebrated their love story, the Mass featured a number of couples who were present for their weddings. Read More The precautions, though not always adhered to, are reshaping social life in a country where weddings are typically vibrant, daylong celebrations bringing together hundreds of relatives, friends and well-wishers.As the choir chorused and as brides in white gowns walked down the aisle, the handful of relatives and friends present inside the church maintained social distance, cheered and snapped photos. Outside, a crowd sang excitedly. “We are adhering to the preventive measures and respecting social distancing,” said Érable, the groom. “I must say that there is no problem, no obstacle, because we are doing our best to respect all the measures dictated by the state.” Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. His bride smiled as he slipped a wedding ring onto her finger. Outside, after the wedding Mass, she gleefully displayed the ring as her husband walked her to the car.The couple moved part of their reception outdoors, where guests could spread out more easily.Church leaders say adapting has become essential.Some families have already postponed their scheduled weddings in light of the new health measures, said the Rev. Aimé Lokanabego, the priest who officiated their wedding Mass.The church is not holding other religious events that involve higher risks of exposure, such as baptism, he said.“This is, in a way, how we are dealing with this Ebola epidemic at our level. The situation is critical,” said Lokanabego.

Nature, Published online: 08 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01818-9A suite of artificial-intelligence tools is helping to speed up the process of discovering new antibiotics.

Nature, Published online: 08 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01780-6Candidates for the trend are emerging, but are likely to vary from one type of tumor to another.

If President Trump forces Israel to stand down against Iran, analysts say, it could leave Israel hindered from responding forcefully to attacks by Hezbollah.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dozens of mayors and other city leaders gathered in the ballroom of a Washington hotel on a snowy January morning this year gripped by anger and anxiety about the federal government's increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement operation that included the killings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.And then FIFA President Gianni Infantino took the stage.“For the first time in 250 years of history of the United States of America, well, you will not just be invaded but you will be conquered,” he said as the audience at the National Conference of Mayors largely reacted with silence.“You will be conquered by soccer,” he added in an attempt to land the joke and get the crowd energized about the World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the U.S., Mexico and Canada from Thursday through July 19. Ahead of the tournament, Infantino has successfully cozied up to President Donald Trump, creating a peace prize that was awarded to him and frequently visiting the White House, including a stop last week, when he was photographed alongside the Republican president admiring changes outside the Oval Office. Infantino has struggled with virtually everyone else.In a deeply polarized country, few things unite elected leaders outside the White House quite like skepticism of Infantino and FIFA, the governing body for the world's most popular sport. It's a sentiment that cuts across the divide and spans from Washington to state capitals and city halls.Ticket prices attract bipartisan criticismThere are mayors like Zohran Mamdani of New York and Karen Bass of Los Angeles, Democrats who've balked at ticket prices. Mamdani eventually secured 1,000 tickets for New Yorkers at $50 per seat. The attorneys general in New York and New Jersey, also Democrats, started an investigation into ticket prices last month. In New Jersey, Gov. Mikie Sherrill, another Democrat, demanded help from FIFA to cover millions of dollars in transit costs before ultimately turning to new advertising revenue to help cover the gap.Despite his ties to Infantino, even Trump has criticized World Cup ticket prices, telling The New York Post he wouldn't pay the $1,000 prices to watch the U.S. play its opening game against Paraguay. In an interview, Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, who played Division 1 soccer at the U.S. Naval Academy, said FIFA has been “detached from regular people around the world.” “It really is a cabal run by elites,” Young added. "They really have had problems with corruption over the years, and one really does get the sense that they may overlook their singular mission, which is to help grow the sport, especially among young people around the world who wouldn't otherwise have the resources to access soccer.”“Every good soccer fan who loves international football wishes Infantino would be a little less in the news and more promoting the game,” Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Washington, said in an interview. A FIFA representative didn't respond to a request for comment. FIFA's skeptics said they were still enthusiastic about the 48-team tournament. Some lawmakers said Infantino was navigating a challenging political environment in the U.S. Infantino is “doing the job he needs to do in terms of cultivating the Trump administration,” said Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., the chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus. Sports are central to Trump's second termThe World Cup kicks off a series of events that are central to Trump's second term effort to burnish his image and legacy through his association with high-profile sporting events. He'll hold a UFC bout on the South Lawn of the White House this month. It all culminates with the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, the final year of Trump's presidency.But the soccer tournament opens against the backdrop of an intensely divided political climate in the U.S. — with Trump at the center. Just 37% of U.S. adults approve of the way Trump is handling the presidency, according to a May poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Still, Trump is intensifying efforts to put himself in the middle of American life, particularly as the country celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. He has embarked on a massive renovation of Washington and plans to headline “The Great American State Fair” on June 24. Trump plans to attend the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. As the head of state, Trump is expected at the World Cup final in July.Trump's World Cup challengeBut the World Cup presents a challenge for an administration that has placed aggressive immigration enforcement at the top of its agenda. The most visible aspects of Trump's anti-immigration measures, including high-profile arrests in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis, have largely calmed. And the administration has sought to strike a welcoming stance toward World Cup visitors, suspending, for example, a requirement that those traveling from countries that qualified for the tournament and have bought tickets pay as much as $15,000 in bonds to enter the U.S.But the White House is still considering hard-line options to punish perceived opponents. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has threatened to halt customs processing at airports serving cities whose local governments resist Trump's immigration policies. And intense clashes at a New Jersey immigration center about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from where the World Cup final will be held are a reminder of the tests facing the White House. “I see the 2026 World Cup at the intersection of two really stark realities,” said Ashleigh Huffman, who was the chief of sports diplomacy at the State Department during the Biden and first Trump administrations. “Unprecedented opportunity to heal a country that is deeply divided and a world that is struggling. And unprecedented scrutiny. Everything that's going on has the power to unite us, but it also is forcing conversations around access and human rights and immigration and who gets included in this celebration.”Speaking to reporters in Miami last week, Andrew Giuliani, the executive director for the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said that “if you're inside the country legally, then you have nothing to worry about.”“We want people to be able to come here and enjoy this World Cup while also making sure that we can keep the country safe,” he said. There are signs that the political divisions that course through so much of American culture also apply to the World Cup. Democrats and independents are more likely than Republicans to say they plan to watch World Cup games, according to an Ipsos poll conducted in May. Earlier polling found Democrats were more likely to be “very” or “somewhat” interested in the matches. While Republicans are less eager to tune into games, they feel a stronger sense of national pride than Democrats do from the U.S. team’s performance and participation in the World Cup. About two-thirds of Republicans said the U.S. team’s participation makes them proud to be American, compared with slightly less than half of Democrats.But for soccer enthusiasts in Washington, the hope is that the tournament could provide a rare break from the constant partisan battle. “There's a real opportunity to use this platform as a stage for unity and commonality across nations,” Young said.For Larsen, “when the whistle blows until the end, I'll be yelling for red cards and cheering goals.”___Associated Press writer Gisela Salomon in Miami contributed to this report.

Notre Dame football has a strong history at the tight end position, but that wasn’t enough to entice one of the top 2027 prospects to play in South Bend. On Saturday morning, Tennessee tight end Malik Howard decided to stay home and play for the Volunteers. The 6-foot, 4-inch and 231-pounder is one of the top at his position in the country, ranking as the No. 11 player at tight end and No. 215 overall according to the 247Sports Composite. Howard did have an official visit set up to see the Irish this coming weekend, but clearly his plans have changed and most likely that trip won’t be happening. Notre Dame does have Titus Hawk committed at the position, but having a pair entering the program is usually the most ideal situation. Many of the top tight ends in the 2027 class have already committed, so the Irish’s options are to try and flip one of them or take a lower ranked prospect that they believe can turn into a solid player a few years down the road. BREAKING: Four-Star TE Malik Howard has Committed to Tennessee, he tells me for @RivalsThe 6’4 230 TE chose the Volunteers over Alabama, Notre Dame, and Oregon“I’m staying home, Go Vols”https://t.co/3EcUEdl79Ipic.twitter.com/jjAp8Pz0Kl— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 6, 2026Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChenThis article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame’s top remaining 2027 TE prospect stays home in Tennessee

With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise's history.This edition continues to focus on 2014 as the Sixers continued to retool the roster as part of the rebuild. After adding Joel Embiid and Dario Saric in Round 1, the Sixers selected KJ McDaniels with the No. 32 overall pick in the second round.McDaniels only lasted 52 games for the Sixers as a rookie before being sent to the Houston Rockets at the 2015 deadline. He averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks during his short stint in Philadelphia while showing off his athletic prowess from time to time.Overall, McDaniels only lasted three seasons in the league. He played for the Sixers, Rockets, and Brooklyn Nets and had career averages of 5.3 points and 2.2 rebounds.This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Philadelphia 76ers draft rewind: Selecting KJ McDaniels in 2014

It was a banner year for track and field athletes throughout Lane County.Multiple local athletes set state records, while others racked up plenty of hardware at the 2026 OSAA state championships at Hayward Field in Eugene. Now, it is time to further recognize Eugene-Springfield's standouts. You get to vote for boys track and field Athlete of the Year, sponsored by Active Chiropractic.Nominees for The Register-Guard boys track and field Athlete of the Year are:Tristen Adams, Triangle LakeCarson Buergey, ThurstonCayden Hernandez, CrowNicholas Miller, Churchill Kaleb Moore, Junction CityJax Norcutt, LowellCorbin Sage, Marist CatholicMalachi Schoenherr, SheldonYosuke Shibata, South EugeneJaden Turner, SheldonInformation about each nominee is listed below. Vote for the athlete you think is most deserving at registerguard.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Sunday, June 14.Tristen Adams, Triangle LakeIt isn't often that a Class 1A athlete cracks the state's all-classification leaderboard in any event. But Triangle Lake's standout junior clocked the 10th-fastest 300-meter hurdle time in the state this season, a personal-best 38.85 at the state championship preliminary round. His state title pursuit was derailed in that event when he clipped a hurdle and fell. But Adams took second in the 110 hurdles at 1A state (15.27). Carson Buergey, ThurstonThe Colts' senior capped off a stellar career with his best-ever finish at the state meet. A versatile runner who also excelled during cross-country season, Buergey placed third in the 800 at the 5A championships in a personal-best 1:55.38. Cayden Hernandez, CrowThe heart and soul of Crow's football team during its run to the state title game, Hernandez closed out his senior year with a state title in the discus. He launched a winning throw of 157 feet, 10 inches to secure his spot at the top of the Class 1A podium. Nicholas Miller, Churchill The 2026 state championship meet provided a moment of redemption for Churchill senior Nicholas Miller, who had hopes of contending for a 110 hurdle title as a junior but tripped and fell on a barrier. He bounced back in a major way this year, capturing the Class 5A title in 14.52. Kaleb Moore, Junction CityThe greatest Class 4A boys shot putter in state history added to his long list of accolades in his final meet wearing a Tigers' uniform. Moore secured his third consecutive 4A shot put title with a winning throw of 59-10 1/2. He also placed second in the discus and eighth in the javelin. Moore ends his Junction City career as the 4A record-holder in the shot put with a personal-best of 62-3. Jax Norcutt, LowellThe Lowell junior shone on the big stage in 2026, winning the Class 2A triple jump title with a personal-best mark of 43-4 1/2. Norcutt also took third place in the long jump (21- 1/2). Corbin Sage, Marist CatholicThe state titles are starting to stack up for Marist Catholic junior Corbin Sage, who won his second consecutive Class 4A 1,500 crown with a time of 4:03.76. One day earlier, he took second in the 3,000 (8:40.41). Sage, who also won at the 2025 Class 4A cross-country state championships, now owns three individual titles. Malachi Schoenherr, SheldonOne of the more decorated distance runners in Eugene's storied history, Schoenherr closed out his stellar Sheldon career by winning the Class 6A 3,000 state title in 8:21.07. He also placed fifth in the 1,500 (3:54.15) one day later. Schoenherr, a Brigham Young University signee, ends his prep career with three individual state titles. Earlier this year, he clocked the fastest two-mile time in the U.S. for 2026 (8:53.74). Yosuke Shibata, South Eugene track and fieldSouth Eugene's superstar senior is building one of the best resumes ever for a track athlete from Lane County. Shibata won the Class 6A state title in a blazing 3:48.56, breaking the classification state meet record in the process. Later that day, he came back and took third in the 800 (1:53.26). Shibata, who also won the 6A cross-country title last fall, clocked the fourth-best 1,500 time in the U.S. this spring among high school boys (3:47.93). Jaden Turner, SheldonIt was a breakthrough postseason for Sheldon's standout junior. Despite sitting outside the top-10 of the Class 6A rankings heading into the state meet, Turner came through in the clutch and placed third with a personal-best leap of 45-3. Turner also placed seventh in the long jump (22-6 1/4). Jarrid Denney is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. He can be reached at jdenney@registerguard.com or on X @jarrid_denneyThis article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Vote: Who is Active Chiropractic boys track Athlete of the Year?

It was a banner year for track and field athletes throughout Lane County. Multiple local athletes set state records, while others racked up plenty of hardware at the 2026 OSAA state championships at Hayward Field in Eugene. Now, it is time to further recognize Eugene-Springfield's standouts. Vote for who you think should be girls track Athlete of the year, sponsored by Active Chiropractic.Nominees for The Register-Guard girls track and field Athlete of the Year are: Brooklyn Anderson, ThurstonValeri Gingerich, Junction CitySailor Hall, SpringfieldEva Johnson Hess, South EugeneAddison Kleinke, ChurchillAddison Nelson, ThurstonCricket Phipps, North EugeneMiley Richardson, MonroeTori Sherman, Marist CatholicRyan Thomas, Pleasant HillInformation about each nominee is listed below. Vote for the athlete you think is most deserving at registerguard.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Sunday, June 14.Brooklyn Anderson, ThurstonThurston's star senior established herself as the undisputed top girls high-hurdler in Class 5A history this spring. Anderson clocked 14.12 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles to move to the top of the 5A all-time leaderboard and fourth on Oregon's all-time list.She closed out the year by winning her second consecutive 100 hurdle title. She also placed fourth at state in the long jump and seventh in the 100. Valeri Gingerich, Junction CityThe Tigers' senior produced one of the more well-rounded performances at this year's state meet. Gingerich placed second in the 200 (25.76) and third in the 100 (12.67) at the Class 4A state championships. She also ran the first leg of Junction City's state champion 4x400 relay crew, which cruised to the state title in 3:59.65. Additionally, she ran a leg of the school's 4x100 team, which placed third at state. Sailor Hall, SpringfieldA multi-sport star who is also one of the top basketball players in Lane County, Hall won the Class 5A discus title with a personal-best throw of 137-1 at the state championships. She took fifth in the shot put (35-8). Eva Johnson Hess, South EugeneOne of the fastest freshman distance runners in the U.S., South Eugene's freshman phenom took second place in both the 1,500 (4:30.84) and 3,000 (9:47.08) at the Class 6A state championships. Addison Kleinke, ChurchillThe greatest girls pole vaulter in state history finished off her state title four-peat at this year's state championships. Kleinke, a Texas A&M signee who re-wrote the state record book during her time with the Lancers, won the Class 5A state title with a mark of 13-1/4.She is the only girl in state history to win four pole vault titles. Addison Nelson, ThurstonThurston's multi-sport standout was plenty busy this spring. Nelson won the Class 5A triple jump state title, placed sixth in the long jump and also qualified in the high jump.As if that weren't enough, she was also the quarterback for the Colts' flag football team and played on Thurston's softball team. Cricket Phipps, North EugeneThe North Eugene senior capped off her decorated prep career by claiming her second consecutive Class 5A title in the 1,500 with a personal-best time of 4:31.12. Phipps' time was the fifth-fastest in the state, regardless of classification. Miley Richardson, MonroeIt was a breakout sophomore year for Richardson, who captured the Class 2A long jump title with a personal-best leap of 16-9 1/4. She also placed fifth in the 400 in a personal-best 1:00.74. Tori Sherman, Marist CatholicThe midfield anchor of Marist Catholic's state-title-winning soccer team, Sherman took home some hardware this spring, too. The Spartans' junior won the Class 4A 800 title in 2:15.73. Ryan Thomas, Pleasant HillPleasant Hill senior Ryan Thomas entrenched herself as the fastest Class 3A girls sprinter in state history in the preliminary heat of this year's state championships. Then, one day later, she broke her own record and won her second state title with a personal-best wind-legal time of 12.15.Thomas ended the season as the sixth-fastest girl in Oregon, regardless of classification, at 100 meters. Jarrid Denney is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. He can be reached at jdenney@registerguard.com or on X @jarrid_denneyThis article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Vote: Who is Active Chiropractic girls track Athlete of the Year?

LSU star Mikaylah Williams hit the game winner with 28 seconds left as the U.S. women reclaimed the world title in 3x3 basketball, 21-20 over longtime 5x5 rival Australia, on Sunday.Williams, a rising LSU senior, was MVP of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland, where the Americans went undefeated for the first time since 2014 and earned their fourth world title.The U.S. quartet in Warsaw also included fellow LSU star MiLaysia Fulwiley (team-leading nine points in the final), South Carolina leading scorer Joyce Edwards and rising Oklahoma senior Sahara Williams.The first FIBA 3x3 World Cup was in 2012, and the event made its Olympic debut in 2021. The U.S. won the first Olympic title in Tokyo, then took bronze in Paris.At the 2025 FIBA 3x3 World Cup, a U.S. quartet that also included Mikaylah Williams and Sahara Williams lost in the quarterfinals to host Mongolia.Another 3x3 World Cup is scheduled for 2027 in Singapore.For the 2024 Paris Games, the original U.S. women's 3x3 roster of four players included three from the team that won the 2023 World Cup: Cameron Brink, Cierra Burdick and Hailey Van Lith. Burdick and Van Lith were also on the 2022 World Cup team.Brink later tore an ACL before the Games and was replaced by Dearica Hamby for Paris.Since Paris, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Elena Delle Donne was named the first USA Basketball women’s 3x3 national team managing director, tasked with forming teams for major championships.Also in Warsaw, the U.S. men lost in the quarterfinals to France 14-11. The team was made up of 2024 Olympian Dylan Travis, plus Henry Caruso, Mitch Hahn and James Parrott.Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Latvia won its first men's 3x3 World Cup title.MK12 FOR THE TITLE USA ARE THE WORLD CUP 2026 WINNERS #3x3WCpic.twitter.com/hGLk3yq1mH— 3x3 Basketball | FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) June 7, 20263x3 Basketball at the 2028 Los Angeles OlympicsEverything to know about 3x3 basketball at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, including event guide, venue and daily schedule.

Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins find themselves at the center of one of the most intriguing quarterback situations entering the 2026 NFL season. A bold prediction suggesting Mendoza could become the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback within the first few weeks of the season has intensified attention on the competition and raised questions about Cousins’ long-term outlook with the franchise.The prediction reflects growing confidence in Mendoza’s potential after his arrival in Las Vegas. The young quarterback has generated excitement through his development and possesses the traits teams seek in modern NFL signal-callers. His arm talent, mobility and upside have fueled speculation that he could emerge as the future of the position for an organization looking to establish long-term stability under center.Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza speaks at introductory press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesFor Cousins, the prediction represents an added layer of pressure as he attempts to solidify his role as the team’s starter. The veteran quarterback brings years of experience and proven production to the Raiders, making him a logical choice to lead the offense entering the season. However, experienced quarterbacks often find themselves under increased scrutiny whenever a highly regarded younger option is waiting for an opportunity behind them.The situation is not unusual in today’s NFL. Teams frequently balance the value of veteran leadership with the desire to evaluate younger talent capable of shaping the future of the franchise. If the Raiders struggle early in the season or if Mendoza continues impressing coaches and teammates, calls for a change could grow louder. Such circumstances often create difficult decisions for organizations attempting to compete in the present while planning for the future.NFL Analysis Predicts Fernando Mendoza Becoming Las Vegas Raiders’ Starting QB in 2026May 2, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) runs through a drill during a Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn ImagesMendoza is predicted to get starting quarterback job from Cousins in 2026. This is detailed more in an analysis by Lindsey Thiry for ESPN.Fernando Mendoza will start within the first few weeksThe Raiders selected Mendoza with the No. 1 pick with the mindset that the Heisman Trophy-winning QB would arrive in Las Vegas and learn at the elbow of veteran Kirk Cousins, whom they signed in free agency. Coach Klint Kubiak has said ideally, he would not want a rookie starting from day one, but look for Mendoza to expedite the process.At the same time, Mendoza’s path to the starting lineup is far from guaranteed. Young quarterbacks frequently require time to adjust to the speed and complexity of professional football. The Raiders may prefer to allow him additional opportunities to develop before placing him in the spotlight. Cousins’ experience and understanding of NFL defenses could provide valuable stability as the team navigates a competitive schedule.Regardless of how the situation unfolds, the prediction highlights the importance of the quarterback position in Las Vegas. Mendoza’s potential has created excitement about the future, while Cousins remains focused on proving he can lead the team to success. The competition between the two quarterbacks is likely to remain one of the Raiders’ most closely watched storylines as the 2026 season approaches and expectations continue to rise throughout the organization.The post Las Vegas Raiders: This Fernando Mendoza Prediction Is Bad News for Kirk Cousins appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.