Diamondbacks snap a 4-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Giants

Diamondbacks snap a 4-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Giants

PHOENIX (AP) — Alek Thomas went 3 for 3 with two runs scored, Ryne Nelson struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Monday night. One pitch after Nelson was pulled in the seventh after exceeding his pitch count, Tyler Fitzgerald sent a shot to the warning track in center — just past a diving Thomas — to score two runs and tie it at 2. The Diamondbacks answered with a run in the seventh on Geraldo Perdomo's bloop single to score Thomas. A controversial call for fan interference came in the top of the eighthon Christian Koss' deep shot to left-center field, resulting in a ground-rule double. John Curtiss struck out Rafael Devers and Shelby Miller came in to get Heliot Ramos looking. Eugenio Suarez added a solo shot in the eighth — his 11th home run in June. The Giants have lost three in a row. Nelson allowed two earned runs and five hits, while not giving up a walk. Curtiss (1-0) got his first win of the season and Miller earned his first career four-out save. Diamondbacks pitchers combined to hold the 1-2-3 hitters to 1 for 12 with seven strikeouts. San Francisco stater Logan Webb (7-6) allowed three earned runs and seven hits, while striking out seven in 6 1/3 innings. Key moment San Francisco manager Bob Melvin was ejected in the ninth inning after arguing with the home plate umpire. Key stat Webb allowed just his seventh home run of the season when Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit his 11th in the sixth for a 2-0 lead. Up next Arizona will start RHP Zac Gallen (5-9, 5.75 ERA) on Tuesday night against the Giants, who he has beaten twice in a row with a 0.75 ERA. San Francisco will go with RHP Hayden Birdsong (0-0, 4.13 ERA). ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Diamondbacks snap a 4-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Giants

Diamondbacks snap a 4-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Giants PHOENIX (AP) — Alek Thomas went 3 for 3 with two runs scored, Ry...

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Putellas ready to lead Spain at Euro 2025 after injury sidelined her in 2022

Putellas ready to lead Spain at Euro 2025 after injury sidelined her in 2022

MADRID (AP) — Alexia Putellas doesn't have fond memories of the last Women's European Championship, when she tore a knee ligament on the eve of the tournament in England three years ago. Things are different now as Spain prepares for its campaign at Euro 2025 in Switzerland, with Putellas saying she's better than ever and ready to try tolead Spain to its first titlein the competition. "I'm not going to lie, it's a competition that I had in my sights after the injury I suffered just before the start of the last Euro," she said. "I've been preparing for this moment for a long time and I want to enjoy it." The two-time world player of the year was coming off one of her most impressive seasons when she injured her left knee during a practice session just days before Spain's opener at Euro 2022. It kept her out of action for nearly a year and dealt a blow to Spain's chances in the tournament, where it was ousted by England in the quarterfinals. Putellas says she has improved a lot since then, even though other Spanish players such as Aitana Bonmatí — a two-time Ballon d'Or winner herself — have emerged as top stars. "Without a doubt I'm a better Alexia," she said. "I know myself a lot better, I know my qualities, I know what I have been working on. In the end, all the suffering makes you evolve as a person and as an athlete. I've learned to manage the bad moments a lot better, as well as the good moments." Putellas has had another outstanding season and is again among the favorites for the world player of the year award. She thrived as Barcelona won the domestic treble and reached another Champions League final. "The individual award is not something too important for me," the 31-year-old Putellas said. "But it would show that you've done something good and, from where I'm coming from — from the lowest of the lowest after the injury — it would give some value to the effort that it was put into the recovery. We'll see, but the most important thing is to win the Euro." Bonmatí won the last two world player of the year awards, and she is now the one enduring an ordeal as after falling ill with viral meningitis just a few days before Spain traveled to Switzerland for the tournament. Bonmatí wasreleased from the hospitalon Sunday to rejoin the national squad, but it still wasn't clear how much she would participate. Spain will open its tournament Thursday against Portugal. It will also face Belgium and Italy in Group B. The nation's best result in the European tournament was a semifinals appearance in 1997. Spain established itself as one of the powerhouses in women's soccer by winning the World Cup in 2023 and the inaugural Women's Nations League in 2024. It then just missed out on a medal at the Paris Olympics, when it lost to Brazil in the semifinals and to Germany in the bronze-medal match. "It's never easy to win a Euro," Putellas said. "We need to have maximum respect toward the other nations. There are great teams participating. But we have a lot of faith in our team, and if we give our best we will be that much closer to winning." ___ AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Putellas ready to lead Spain at Euro 2025 after injury sidelined her in 2022

Putellas ready to lead Spain at Euro 2025 after injury sidelined her in 2022 MADRID (AP) — Alexia Putellas doesn't have fond memories of...

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Senate vote-a-rama to pass Trump's $3.3 trillion bill extends into second day

Senate vote-a-rama to pass Trump's $3.3 trillion bill extends into second day

By David Morgan, Richard Cowan and Bo Erickson WASHINGTON(Reuters) -U.S. Senate Republicans in the early hours of Tuesday morning were still trying to pass President Donald Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, despite divisions within the party about its expected $3.3 trillion hit to the nation's debt pile. Senators were voting in a marathon session known as a "vote-a-rama," featuring a series of amendments by Republicans and the minority Democrats, part of the arcane process Republicans are using to bypass Senate rules that normally require 60 of the chamber's 100 members to agree on legislation. Beginning on Monday and ongoing for over 16 hours, it was still unclear how long the voting would last. Lawmakers said the process had been held up partly by the need to determine whether amendments complied with special budgetary rules. Shortly after midnight, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters the vote-a-rama was "hopefully on the home stretch and then we'll see where the votes are." Republicans can afford to lose no more than three votes in either chamber to pass a bill the Democrats are united in opposition to. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released its assessment on Sunday of the bill's hit to the $36.2 trillion U.S. debt pile. The Senate version is estimated to cost $3.3 trillion, $800 billion more than the version passed last month in the House of Representatives. Many Republicans dispute that claim, contending that extending existing policy will not add to the debt. Nonetheless, international bond investors see incentives to diversify out of the U.S. Treasury market. Democrats, meanwhile, hope the latest, eye-widening figure could stoke enough anxiety among fiscally minded conservatives to get them to buck their party, which controls both chambers of Congress. "This bill, as we have said for months, steals people's healthcare, jacks up their electricity bill to pay for tax breaks for billionaires," Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a speech to the Senate. Thune countered that the tax cuts will help families and small businesses, as he defended spending reductions to social safety net programs. He said Medicaid was growing at an unsustainable rate and there were some improvements and reforms to make it more efficient. The Senate narrowly advanced the tax-cut, immigration, border and military spending bill in a procedural vote late on Saturday, voting 51-49 to open debate on the 940-page megabill. Trump wants the bill passed before the July 4 Independence Day holiday. BILL POLITICS Amendments proposed by Democratic senators such as the proposed limiting cuts to Medicaid were rejected by the Republican majority. Embedded in the Senate Republicans' bill are several hot-button political issues, like a prohibition of Medicaid funding for a list of almost 30 medical procedures related to gender transition, as well as an increase of immigration-related funding for criminal and gang checks for unaccompanied migrant children, including examinations of "gang-related tattoos" for children as young as 12 years old. Early on Tuesday, Democrats and Republicans voted down an attempt by Republican Senator Susan Collins to cushion the impact of Medicaid cuts on rural health facilities by doubling federal support to $50 billion over five years and paying for the increase by raising the top federal tax rate. The measure still drew support from 18 Republicans. Elon Musk, formerly appointed by Trump to spearhead his government cost-cutting plan before the pair had a public falling-out in June over the budget bill, threatened on Monday to target Republicans ahead of the 2026 mid-term election. "Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame!," Musk posted on X. He also reiterated his interest in a new political party and accused lawmakers in both parties of belonging to the "porky pig party," a dig at government spending levels. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which says the majority of its members are small businesses, backs the bill. However, John Arensmeyer, who represents more than 85,000 small enterprises at the Small Business Majority, cautioned that the business tax relief is currently skewed to the wealthiest, top 5% of small businesses. DEBT CEILING DEADLINE The Republican measure contains a $5 trillion debt ceiling increase - $1 trillion more than the House's bill - but failure to pass some version would present lawmakers with a serious deadline later this summer, when the Treasury Department could come close to exhausting its borrowing authority and thus risk a devastating default. The debt limit increase has caused Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky to come out in opposition to the bill, joining fellow Republican Tillis, who decried its cuts to Medicaid and clean energy initiatives. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Senate bill would result in about 11.8 million additional uninsured people, surpassing estimates for the House's version. If the Senate succeeds in passing the bill, it will then go to the House, where members are also divided, with some angry about its cost and others worried about cuts to the Medicaid program. The megabill would extend the 2017 tax cuts that were Trump's main legislative achievement during his first term as president, cut other taxes and boost spending on the military and border security. Senate Republicans, who reject the budget office's estimates on the cost of the legislation, are set on using an alternative calculation method that does not factor in costs from extending the 2017 tax cuts. Outside tax experts, like Andrew Lautz from the nonpartisan think tank Bipartisan Policy Center, call it a "magic trick." Using this calculation method, the Senate Republicans' budget bill appears to cost substantially less and seems to save $500 billion, according to the BPC analysis. (Writing by Richard Cowan and Costas Pitas; Editing by Michael Perry)

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Senate vote-a-rama to pass Trump's $3.3 trillion bill extends into second day

Senate vote-a-rama to pass Trump's $3.3 trillion bill extends into second day By David Morgan, Richard Cowan and Bo Erickson WASHINGTON(...

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The man accused of killing 2 Idaho firefighters had once aspired to be one

The man accused of killing 2 Idaho firefighters had once aspired to be one

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — A 20-year-old man's life appeared to have begun to unravel in the months before authorities say hefatally shot two firefightersand severely wounded a third as they responded to a wildfire near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Wess Roley was living out of his vehicle and his former roommate, T.J. Franks Jr., said he shaved off his long hair and started to "kind of go downhill." The two lived together for about six months in Sandpoint, Idaho, until Roley moved out in January, Franks said Monday. Roley, who authorities say took his own life after Sunday's shootings, is suspected ofkilling two battalion chiefswhose firefighting carriers in Idaho spanned nearly half a century combined. The deaths of Frank Harwood, 42, with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and John Morrison, 52, with the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, have left their colleagues reeling, resulting in their departments adding law enforcement to every call, no matter how routine. "I don't know that we're ever going to be able to guarantee people's peace of mind, at least for a while after an incident like this," Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Christopher Way said. "But we are taking every measure we can to ensure safety of our responders." Roley had set a fire using flint at Canfield Mountain, a popular recreation area, according to authorities. The firefighters who rushed to the scene found themselvesunder fireand took cover behind fire trucks. "There was an interaction with the firefighters," Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said. "It has something to do with his vehicle being parked where it was." Two helicopters converged on the area, armed with snipers ready to take out the suspect if needed, while the FBI used his cellphone data to track him and the sheriff ordered residents to shelter in place. They eventually found Roley's body in the mountains, his firearm beside him. He had killed himself, the sheriff said. Roley had once aspired to be a firefighter and had only a handful of minor contacts with area police, Norris said. A motive was still unknown, he said. He had ties to California and Arizona and was living in Idaho "for the better part of 2024," although it was unclear why he was there, Norris said. When Roley was living with Franks, his apartment cameras caught Roley throwing gang signs at them, which worried Franks to the point that he called police. The landlord also called Franks one morning because neighbors reported that Roley's vehicle had been left running for about 12 hours. Franks said Roley was asleep in his room and said he forgot about the vehicle. Hours after Sunday's shooting, people gathered along Interstate 90 holding American flags to pay their respects as the two fallen firefighters' bodies were taken to the medical examiner's office in Spokane, Washington, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) from Coeur d'Alene. Gov. Brad Little ordered U.S. and Idaho state flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor the firefighters until the day after their memorial service. "All our public safety officers, especially our firefighters, bravely confront danger on a daily basis but we have never seen a heinous act of violence like this on our firefighters before," he said in a statement. Harwood, one of the victims of the shooting, had been with the county fire department for 17 years, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Christopher Way said during a news conference Monday. Harwood was married and had two children, and he also was a veteran of the Army National Guard. Morrison, who was also killed, started his career with the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department in 1996 and had also worked as a paramedic. Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Fire Engineer David Tysdal, 47, sustained gunshot wounds and was in critical condition. Authorities said he had two successful surgeries. "We still are in shock and are struggling to understand why someone would target unarmed, selfless public servants," said Coeur d'Alene Mayor Woody McEvers. By Monday afternoon, the fire was "reasonably contained," and responders had "stopped significant forward progress," Way said. The Idaho Department of Lands said it had burned about 26 acres (10.5 hectares). ___ Associated Press journalists Hallie Golden and Martha Bellisle in Seattle and Ed White in Detroit to this report.

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

The man accused of killing 2 Idaho firefighters had once aspired to be one

The man accused of killing 2 Idaho firefighters had once aspired to be one COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — A 20-year-old man's life appe...

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Years after learning soccer in their basement, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson both play for US

Years after learning soccer in their basement, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson both play for US

Brenden and Paxten Aaronson play on better soccer fields these days than the New Jersey basement known as "The Dungeon" where they used to practice penalties and free kicks. "We had to put in special lights so they wouldn't kick the light bulbs and break them," mom Janell Aaronson recalled. "We had to do some padding on some of the poles that are in the basement so they didn't get hurt. We made it as safe as we could." On June 10, she was in the stands at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, watching them become just the fourth pair of brothers to start the same match together for the U.S. national team, the first since George and Louis Nanchoff against the Soviet Union in 1979. "I played with this guy since, I don't know, 5 — he was probably actually 2 at that time," Brenden said. "Maybe 7, I was, and he was probably 4." Brenden, 24, already is a World Cup veteran, appearing as a substitute in all four U.S. matches at Qatar three years ago, Paxten, who turns 22 in August, hopes to make the World Cup roster for the first time when the U.S. co-hosts next year's tournament. "Completely different players. Both in different ways can perform," U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said. Both are on the roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where the Americans play Guatemala on Wednesday night and hope to advance to a final against Mexico or Honduras on Sunday. Both are midfielders and wingers who made their way up through the Philadelphia Union academy system and moved to Europe after two seasons in Major League Soccer, Paxten at age 19 and Brenden at 20. At the start of their national team camp together, they reflected on learning the sport in their backyard and the downstairs room given its nickname by their dad, Rusty. "We always played in the basement, right before or after dinner," Paxten said. "We had a basement with kind of like a mini-pitch that we built off of carpet and goals that we taped on the wall and stuff like that. So we would always just play down there and then come up for dinner, then after dinner go down and play, We broke a lot of lights." And learned competition. "Toes have been stepped on," Paxten said. Their dad, Rusty, played college soccer at Monmouth, ran a risk management firm and is sporting director of Real Futbol Academy in Medford, New Jersey. In addition to the brothers, 18-year-old sister Jaden will be a freshman on Villanova's soccer team this fall. "I don't know how these guys do it without having a younger brother or someone to train with," Brenden said. "When you're in a shooting drill, sometimes you can take times off. But you know he's going to want to beat me and I'm going to want to be him, so you go that extra mile to keep even getting better at it." Brenden scored in his MLS debut with Philadelphia in March 2019 and has played for Salzburg (2021-22), Leeds (2022-25) and Union Berlin (2023-24). He made his U.S. debut in 2020 and has nine goals in 51 international appearances. Paxten debuted in MLS with the Union in May 2021 and has played for Eintracht Frankfurt (2023-24), Vitesse (2024) and Utrecht (2024-25). He made his first U.S. appearance in 2023 and scored against New Zealand at last year's Olympics. Before the match against Switzerland, they hadn't played on the same team together since the youth academy. Theyfaced each other briefly on Nov. 4, 2023, when Brenden entered in the 83rd minute for Eintracht Frankfurt and Paxten in the 85th for host Union Berlin. "There's been some fights throughout the years," Brenden said, with Paxten sitting adjacent and laughing. "It's more in the one v. ones when I would get beat by him. Because you're the older, you feel like you have to win. But he's beat me a handful of times where I had a temper tantrum. I was kicking the ball against the wall. I literally — I can't take it sometimes." But afterward, they resumed playing the FIFA video game. Having the common "E" in the names of the siblings was mom's idea. "We spelled Brenden `E-N. I just liked the spelling of that vs. 'A-N. Just visually. It looked better to me,'" Janell said. "When we ended up having our other kids, I just made sure that they all ended in `E-N.' I don't know why. I just did that." After the Gold Cup and brief time off, Brenden will return to England to prepare for the Premier League season with newly promoted Leeds. Paxten will report to Eintracht Frankfurt unless he's loaned again. Trying to watch all their matches is daunting for their parents, who also will be at Villanova for Jaden. "Sometimes when the games are on, I don't like to get the updates because I do like to go back and watch," Rusty said. "Sometimes I've looked at my phone, something good has happened and then the cat's out of the bag and there's no need to watch the game." Streamed replays are not for mom. "I don't even know how to work any of that," she said. ___ AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Years after learning soccer in their basement, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson both play for US

Years after learning soccer in their basement, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson both play for US Brenden and Paxten Aaronson play on bet...

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Paige Bueckers, A'ja Wilson headline 2025 WNBA All-Star Game starters

Paige Bueckers, A'ja Wilson headline 2025 WNBA All-Star Game starters

Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collierare already headed to the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game as this year's captains. Now, the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx star have learned who will be sharing the court with them as starters for the WNBA's annual showcase. The league announced Monday, July 1 the starters for the 2025 All-Star Game, which has a blend of veteran and young stars that will be on the court for tip-off. Notably making the list isPaige Bueckers, who will be an All-Star in her first season in the league. TheNo. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draftleads all rookies in scoring and assists, and has six games of at least 20 points in her young career. Joining Bueckers are three WNBA champions: three-time MVP A'ja Wilson, two-time MVP Breanna Stewart and three-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu. Also on the list as a starter, the Seattle Storm's Nneka Ogwumike, who earned her 10th All-Star selection, tying her for third-most in WNBA history. Clark and Collier are the captains of the All-Star Game as the leading vote getters, and will draft their teams during "WNBA Countdown" on July 8. They will select among the rest of the starters before picking from the 12 reserves. The reserves will be determined by the league's head coaches, which will include three guards, five frontcourt players and four players at either position. The reserves will be announced on July 6. The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will be held July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, on Clark and the Fever's home court. The Game will be the centerpiece of All-Star weekend activities, which also includes the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge on Friday, July 18. HOW THE PLAYERS RANKED:WNBA All-Star Game voting results Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever(2nd selection, captian) Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx(5th selection, captain) Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever(3rd selection) Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings(1st selection Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream(3rd selection) Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty(4th selection) Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm(10th selection) Satou Sabally, Phoenix Mercury(3rd selection) Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty(7th selection) A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces(7th selection) The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game take place July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Date:Saturday, July 19 Time:8:30 p.m. ET TV:ABC Stream:ESPN+, Disney+ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2025 WNBA All-Star Game starters: Paige Bueckers, A'ja Wilson selected

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Paige Bueckers, A'ja Wilson headline 2025 WNBA All-Star Game starters

Paige Bueckers, A'ja Wilson headline 2025 WNBA All-Star Game starters Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collierare already headed to the 2025 W...

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Tiny Tuvalu seeks assurance from US its citizens won't be barred

Tiny Tuvalu seeks assurance from US its citizens won't be barred

By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -Tuvalu, a tiny Pacific nation that scientists predict will be submerged by rising seas, said it is seeking written assurance from the United States that its citizens will not be barred from entry after being apparently mistakenly included in a list of 36 countries facing visa bans. An internal diplomatic cable signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio showed the United States, which has already barred entry for citizens from 12 countries, was considering expanding travel restrictions to the 36 countries, including three Pacific Island states, Reuters and other media reported last month. Nations on the list would have 60 days to take corrective action, the cable showed. The news had caused significant concern in Tuvalu, whose population of 11,000 is at risk from rising sea levels, and where a third of residents have applied to an Australian ballot for a landmark climate migration visa. Tuvalu's ambassador to the United Nations, Tapugao Falefou, said he had been told by a U.S. official that Tuvalu's inclusion on the list was "an administrative and systemic error on the part of the U.S. Department of State". In a statement on Tuesday, Tuvalu's government said it had not received any formal notification that it was on the list, and had also been assured by the United States embassy in Fiji it was "an error within the system". "The Embassy has provided verbal assurances that there are no current restrictions on Tuvaluan nationals entering the United States, and that the matter is being reviewed with authorities in Washington," the statement from Tuvalu's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade said. It added Tuvalu was seeking a "formal written confirmation to that effect and continues to engage the U.S. Government to ensure Tuvaluans are not unfairly affected". The embassy did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. A U.S. official familiar with visa policy who is not authorized to speak publicly told Reuters "no decisions have been made, and any speculation is premature". "Tuvalu's public statement mischaracterizes and omits some of the valid concerns the United States has with travelers from that country," the official added. The other Pacific Islands listed in the cable were Vanuatu and Tonga. Tonga's government had received an official U.S. warning, and was working on a response, Tonga media reported. Vanuatu's government did not respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Saad Sayeed)

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Tiny Tuvalu seeks assurance from US its citizens won't be barred

Tiny Tuvalu seeks assurance from US its citizens won't be barred By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -Tuvalu, a tiny Pacific nation that...

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Trump drops federal lawsuit against Iowa pollster Ann Selzer, refiles in state court

Trump drops federal lawsuit against Iowa pollster Ann Selzer, refiles in state court

President Donald Trump on Monday dropped his federallawsuit against Iowa pollster Ann Selzerand The Des Moines Register over a poll that found Democratic nomineeKamala Harrisleading in Iowa shortly before Election Day in November, before refiling it hours later in state court. Trump had initially filed the lawsuit in Iowa District Court in Polk County in December. The case was later moved to federal court. Earlier this month, a federal judge denied Trump's request to move the case back to state court. Follow live politics coverage here Bob Corn-Revere, chief counsel for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a nonprofit civil liberties group that is representing Selzer, said in a statement that Trump's effort to dismiss the federal case after having lost his earlier attempt to remand it to state court "is a transparent attempt to avoid federal court review of the president's transparently frivolous claims." "Whatever court ultimately reviews this matter, FIRE will defend J. Ann Selzer's First Amendment rights, and we remain confident the courts will see through this sham lawsuit," Corn-Revere said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The refiling of the lawsuit at the state level shields it from being subject to an "Anti-SLAPP" measure that Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed in May and takes effect Tuesday. So-called SLAPP lawsuits, also known as strategic lawsuits against public participation, are cases brought against news organizations in an effort to prevent public speech and reporting on an issue by engaging in expensive and extensive legal battles. Lark-Marie Anton, a spokesperson for the Register, said in a statement that Trump's move to drop the case in U.S. district court was "clearly intended to avoid the inevitable outcome of the Des Moines Register's motion to dismiss President Trump's amended complaint currently pending in federal court." "After losing his first attempt to send his case back to Iowa state court, and apparently recognizing that his appeal will be unsuccessful, President Trump is attempting to unilaterally dismiss his lawsuit from federal court and re-file it in Iowa state court," Anton said before Trump refiled his lawsuit. "The Des Moines Register will continue to resist President Trump's litigation gamesmanship and believes that regardless of the forum it will be successful in defending its rights under the First Amendment." The newspaper previously said Trump's federal lawsuit was "without merit" and acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election poll "did not reflect the ultimate margin of President Trump's Election Day victory in Iowa." Trump in December sued Selzer; her polling firm, Selzer & Co.; The Des Moines Register; and the newspaper's parent company, Gannett, alleging consumer fraud over the poll, which found Harris up by 3 percentage points in the state. Trump defeated her in Iowa 55.7% to 42.5% last year. Trump has carried the state in the past three presidential contests, beating Hillary Clinton 51.7% to 42.2% in 2016 and besting Joe Biden 53.1% to 44.9% in 2020. Trump's lawsuit against Selzer and the Register was one of many he filedover 2024 campaign coverage. He filed a similar suit against Paramount, the parent company ofCBS News, in which he accused "60 Minutes" of selectively editing an interview segment with Harris ahead of the election. In a filing Monday, attorneys for Trump and Paramount asked the court for a pause in the proceedings for the $20 billion lawsuit, saying the parties "are engaged in good faith, advanced, settlement negotiations."

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Trump drops federal lawsuit against Iowa pollster Ann Selzer, refiles in state court

Trump drops federal lawsuit against Iowa pollster Ann Selzer, refiles in state court President Donald Trump on Monday dropped his federallaw...

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Steelers don't want to trade T.J. Watt despite other teams' interest, per reports

Steelers don't want to trade T.J. Watt despite other teams' interest, per reports

Teams are free to call thePittsburgh Steelersto ask ifT.J. Wattis available. They just shouldn't expect them to pick up. ESPNreportedMonday that "multiple teams have been discussing whether they can trade for Steelers' standout T.J. Watt" after the star edge rusher sat out of the Steelers' mandatory minicamp. However, both ESPN andNFL Networkwent on to report that the Steelers are committed to keeping Watt in the Steel City. Watt, 30, is entering the final year of the four-year, $112 million contract extension he signed in 2021. His refusal to attend minicamp earlier this month is reportedly related to his desire to secure a renewed extension before the 2025 season begins. Steelers have been adamant they want T.J. Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh.https://t.co/eRVzeuTjZo — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)June 30, 2025 STEELERS NEWS:Dolphins deal Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh in blockbuster move In addition to Watt's current contract expiring after 2025, there's the added context that two other star edge rushers – the Raiders'Maxx Crosbyand Browns'Myles Garrett– signed massive extensions earlier this offseason. As of Monday, Watt has not reached a new deal to stay with the Steelers past the 2025 season. Pittsburgh's blockbuster trade to acquire cornerbackJalen Ramsey– who's under contract through 2028 – and tight endJonnu Smith– whom the Steelers extended through 2026 – on Monday fanned the flames of trade speculation for Watt. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that "outside team interest [to trade for Watt] is likely to increase given (Monday)'s trade." However, he went on to post on the social media website X that the "Steelers have been adamant they want T.J. Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh." NFL Network's Tom Pelissero corroborated the follow-up report, writing, "The Steelers have no intention of trading star pass rusher T.J. Watt and their focus remains on extending Watt's contract." The#Steelershave no intention of trading star pass rusher T.J. Watt and their focus remains on extending Watt's contract, per sources.Watt, who turns 31 in October, is due $21.05 million in the last year of his current deal.pic.twitter.com/ta0jMQVHGj — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero)June 30, 2025 In 2024, Watt played all 17 regular-season games for a second straight season after sustaining a knee injury in Week 18 of the 2023 season. He recorded 61 tackles, 11.5 sacks and four pass deflections, and his six forced fumbles led the league. Watt earned a seventh consecutive Pro Bowl nod as well and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Barring a new contract, Watt is set to make $21.05 million in 2025. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:T.J. Watt trade rumors: Steelers don't want to move star edge rusher

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Steelers don't want to trade T.J. Watt despite other teams' interest, per reports

Steelers don't want to trade T.J. Watt despite other teams' interest, per reports Teams are free to call thePittsburgh Steelersto as...

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Brad Marchand reportedly agrees to 6-year extension with Florida Panthers after championship run

Brad Marchand reportedly agrees to 6-year extension with Florida Panthers after championship run

Fresh off an NHL championship, Brad Marchand is staying with the Florida Panthers long term. The veteran left wing, whojoined the team after a late-season tradefrom the Boston Bruins in March, has agreed to a six-year extension with the Panthers, per multiple reports. The deal is reportedly worth just under $32 million. BREAKING: Brad Marchand has agreed to a six-year extension with the Florida Panthers, per@PierreVLeBrun.pic.twitter.com/YzRNcV3Bh8 — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports)June 30, 2025 Marchand, 37, was traded to the dominant Panthers after 16 seasons with the Bruins, including the past three as team captain. The winger's eight-year contract with Boston, which started in 2016, expired this offseason. Afternegotiations for a new contract fell throughwith Boston, the team opted to trade him. But Marchand thrived with the Panthers, becoming a key part of Florida's postseason run. He scored a career-high 10 playoff goals, plus 10 postseason assists; six of those goals came in the Panthers' 4-2 series win over the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final. With Marchand sticking around, Panthers star forward Matthew Tkachuk seemed prettypleasedwith the re-signing. pic.twitter.com/ovamczDLWu — Matthew Tkachuk (@TKACHUKycheese_)June 30, 2025 It's been a busy weekend for Florida, which has managed to keep its back-to-back championship-winning team together so far this offseason. The Panthersre-signed forward Sam Bennetton Saturday, with defenseman Aaron Ekbladreportedly signing a multi-year extensionas well. With those three deals, the team will now have eight of its key players — including Tkachuk, forward Sam Reinhart, defenseman Seth Jones and more — locked up through 2030, setting the stage for a dominant couple of seasons in Florida.

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Brad Marchand reportedly agrees to 6-year extension with Florida Panthers after championship run

Brad Marchand reportedly agrees to 6-year extension with Florida Panthers after championship run Fresh off an NHL championship, Brad Marchan...

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Trump admin live updates: Democrats slam megabill Medicaid, SNAP cuts in vote-a-rama

Trump admin live updates: Democrats slam megabill Medicaid, SNAP cuts in vote-a-rama

The Senate on Monday morning began a "vote-a-rama" on proposed amendments to President Donald Trump's megabill for his second term priorities. It comes after a rare weekend session for senators, which included a dramatic 51-49 procedural vote on Saturday night to advance the massive tax and immigration bill and a forced reading of the 940-page bill by Democrats. Overnight Sunday, the Senate parliamentarian ruled more provisions out of order with the reconciliation process Republicans are using to pass the bill with a simple majority. If it passes in the Senate, the bill goes back to the House to consider changes the Senate made to the House's version of the bill, which passed by one vote. Jun 30, 9:36 PMTrump announces new fragrance called 'Victory 45-47' President Donald Trump announced a new fragrance on his social media platform on Monday evening called "Victory 45-47.""Trump Fragrances are here. They're called 'Victory 45-47' because they're all about Winning, Strength, and Success," Trump wrote on social media. Trump's fragrance collection includes cologne for men and perfume for women. They each cost $249.In December, as president-elect, Trump launched the "Fight! Fight! Fight!" fragrance collection on social media. At the time, the president stated it represented "winning" as well.The "Fight! Fight! Fight!" fragrance costs $199.The original 'Victory' cologne and perfume are currently out of stock.According to a financial disclosure report released in June, Trump made $2.5 million from Trump sneakers and fragrances.-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh Jun 30, 9:24 PMFate of Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' remains uncertain as vote-a-rama hits nearly 12 hours Nearly 12 hours into the vote-a-rama, all indications so far are that the Senate won't be wrapping up anytime soon.Democrats are continuing to offer amendment after amendment on the floor. The Senate is presently taking its 20th vote related to the bill, and right now, the floor appears stalled. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he thinks Republicans are "stalling.""They don't have a bill. They're delayed. They're stalling. They're cutting a lot of backroom deals," Schumer said of Senate Republicans. "They got a lot of members who were promised things that they may not be able to deliver on, and so they're just stalling."But behind the scenes, Republicans are strategizing. They huddled up for dinner for about an hour on Monday night. Majority Leader John Thune, entering the dinner, said they were trying to find a way to "stick the landing."-ABC News' Isabella Murray and Allison Pecorin Jun 30, 3:33 PMDemocrats use early hours of vote-a-rama to highlight cuts to Medicaid, SNAP Democrats are using Monday's "vote-a-rama" to highlight cuts they say President Trump's megabill will make to Medicaid, SNAP and rural hospitals -- and to hammer in the tax cuts they say this bill gives to the wealthiest Americans. So far, Republicans have defeated all Democratic efforts to modify or reconsider the bill.The Senate voted down 47-53 an amendment led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that he said would have undone "the travesty that is at the core of the Republican bill.""Their bill -- the so-called big beautiful bill, which is really a big, ugly betrayal -- cuts taxes for billionaires by taking away health care for millions of people. So what my amendment simply says -- if people's health care costs go up, the billionaire tax cuts vanish," Schumer said. Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo, a Republican, argued against Schumer's amendment, saying he incorrectly framed what the bill does."The reality is, the reforms we are putting into place are to try to reign in control of wasteful and fraudulent and abusive spending that actually diverts resources away from the people who these programs really deserve to receive," Crapo said.Democratic Sen. Ed Markey's effort to strip provisions that he said would negatively impact rural hospitals due to cuts to Medicaid also failed, but did receive the support of two Republicans: Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture committee, argued that the SNAP provisions in the bill create "chaos for state budgets and hardship for families" and violate budget rules. Her motion was waived by Republicans."The largest unfunded mandate is on the back of kids and veterans and seniors and people with disabilities," Klobuchar said. "It's hurting local grocery stores, it's hurting our farmers and it's all done to pay for tax cuts to the wealthy. I say to our colleagues: vote for families over billionaires."-ABC News' Allison Pecorin Jun 30, 2:29 PMTrump sent note to Powell calling for lower interest rates: White House President Trump sent a handwritten note to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell calling on him to lower interest rates, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during Monday's briefing.Leavitt held up the note to reporters, which appeared to have been written by Trump using his signature black Sharpie."I bring to you original correspondence from the president of the United States to our Fed Chair, Jerome Powell," she said. The paper included a list of interest rates from other nations, including Japan and the United Kingdom, which are lower than that of the U.S.A note written on top of the chart read, "Jerome, you are, as usual, 'too late.' You have cost the USA a fortune and continue to do so. You should lower the rate - by a lot! Hundreds of billions of dollars are being lost! No inflation." "I would remind the Fed chair, and I would remind the entire world that this is a president who was a businessman first, and he knows what he is doing," Leavitt said. "He has a proven economic formula that worked in his first term as president, and it is working again. The one problem that remains is high interest rates for the American people. The American people want to borrow money cheaply, and they should be able to do that. But unfortunately, we have interest rates that are still too high. So, the president sent this note to the Fed chair today." Jun 30, 1:46 PMWhite House urges Republicans to stay unified on Trump megabill The White House had a message for Republicans on Monday as lawmakers rush to try to pass President Trump's megabill before his July 4 deadline."Republicans need to stay tough and unified during the home stretch, and we are counting on them to get the job done," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at her briefing. Leavitt was asked about the bill's prospects in the House, which will have to sign off on the Senate changes. There is currently little room for error in either chamber for Republicans -- Speaker Mike Johnson can only afford three defections if all members are present and voting."We need the full weight of the Republican conference to get behind this bill and we expect them to, and we are confident they will," Leavitt said."The president has been working hand in hand with Senate Majority Leader Thune and also our House Republican Leader, or the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, both of whom will be at the White House today to meet with the president yet again. I believe they were here this morning," she added. Jun 30, 10:11 AM'Vote-a-rama' kicks off in the Senate on Trump's megabill The Senate gaveled in on Monday morning to begin a "vote-a-rama" on amendments proposed to President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the chamber's top Democrat, said his party "will bring one amendment after the other again and again and again to put Republicans on the record." "Mr. President, today Senate Republicans have to decide: choose the American people or bow down to President Trump and his coterie of billionaires," Schumer said in remarks on the floor. He later added, "Every senator will soon have an opportunity to reject this nonsense and vote for commonsense budgeting. Americans will be watching."Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, defended the legislation as bringing tax cuts to American families and argued government programs like Medicaid are in need of reform."Mr. President, it's time to vote," Thune said. Thune added on Trump's bill, "This, Mr. President, will make this country safer, stronger and more prosperous." Jun 30, 3:31 AMHouse GOP leaders say Wednesday is earliest chance for megabill vote House GOP leaders informed lawmakers Sunday night that their earliest vote on the "One Big Beautiful Bill" would occur Wednesday morning, as the Senate works through the measure and top Republicans aim to meet a self-imposed Independence Day deadline."Members are advised that votes are now expected in the House as early as 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 2. Please stay tuned to future updates for additional information regarding this week's schedule," a notice from Majority Whip Tom Emmer's office said. Republican leaders have told members they will receive 48 hours' notice before a vote is called and will have 72 hours to review the bill text.A lot needs to happen before the House -- which was supposed to be out of session this week for the holiday -- can even hold a floor vote on the megabill.First, the Senate needs to pass the bill and send it back to the lower chamber. Then, the Rules Committee will convene to advance the bill to the floor -- which is expected to occur as early as Tuesday.Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP leaders have been working through the weekend to lock down the votes even as several lawmakers expressed opposition to the Senate's version, which is still not finalized. Johnson can only afford to lose three defections if all members are voting and present.California moderate Republican Rep. David Valadao said he will vote "no" given the Medicaid changes in the Senate bill."I support the reasonable provisions in H.R. 1 that protect Medicaid's long-term viability and ensure the program continues to serve our most vulnerable, but I will not support a final bill that eliminates vital funding streams our hospitals rely on, including provider taxes and state directed payments, or any provisions that punish expansion states," Valadao said in a statement Saturday.Several conservatives like Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Josh Breechen of Oklahoma and Eric Burlison of Missouri have also expressed opposition to the Senate's bill."I will not negotiate via X. But it's important to know that jamming us with a bill before we've had any chance to review the implications of major changes & re-writes, fluid scores, a high likelihood of violating the house framework (deficits), & tons of swamp buy-offs is bad," Roy said in a post on X Saturday.House GOP leaders hosted a conference call Saturday instructing members to not publicize their concerns with the bill, according to multiple sources.-ABC News' Lauren Peller Jun 30, 2:35 AMSenate Republicans to begin vote-a-rama on Monday Senate Republicans announced Sunday that they planned a brief pause on the precession of events toward a final vote on the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Senators will begin their vote-a-rama at 9 a.m. Monday, instead of the original early early morning start time that was anticipated. In the meantime, debate of the bill will continue on the Senate floor until senators finish or their time expires.Once the vote-a-rama kicks off, senators will be allowed to offer an unlimited number amendments to the bill. When this ends, they'll take a vote of final passage. It will need 51 votes to pass.-ABC News' Allison Pecorin Jun 29, 9:32 PMSen. Tillis rails against Trump's megabill's impact on Medicaid A fiery Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., took to the Senate floor on Sunday evening to explain his vote from Saturday against the motion to proceed on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, condemning the legislation and saying it breaks President Donald Trump's promises to protect Medicaid."What do I tell 663,000 people in two years, three years, when President Trump breaks his promise by pushing them off of Medicaid because the funding is not there anymore, guys?" Tillis asked at one point."The people in the White House advising the president, they're not telling him that the effect of this bill is to break a promise."Tillis, who had earlier on Sunday announced his plans to retire from the Senate following attacks from Trump over his decision to oppose the GOP megabill, also said that the president's self-imposed July 4th deadline to pass the legislation was "artificial.""I believe that we can make sure that we do not break the promise of Donald J Trump– that he's made to the people on Medicaid today," Tillis continued. "But what we're doing because we've got a view on an artificial deadline on July 4 that means nothing but another date and time we could take the time to get this right, if we lay down the house mark of the Medicaid bill and fix it.""What's wrong with actually understanding what this bill does?" the senator asked.-ABC News' Isabella Murray Jun 29, 5:57 PMTrump reminds Republican senators of reelection stakes amid debate over 'big beautiful bill' As the Senate officially began debating the "big beautiful bill," President Donald Trump took to his social media platform on Sunday, advising Republican senators not to "go too crazy!" and suggesting that they still need to be reelected."For all cost cutting Republicans, of which I am one, REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Don't go too crazy! We will make it all up, times 10, with GROWTH, more than ever before," he added.The president's comments come as a number of Republican senators who voted to advance the bill on Saturday said they are still considering how they'll vote on its final passage.-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh Click here to read the rest of the blog.

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Trump admin live updates: Democrats slam megabill Medicaid, SNAP cuts in vote-a-rama

Trump admin live updates: Democrats slam megabill Medicaid, SNAP cuts in vote-a-rama The Senate on Monday morning began a "vote-a-rama...

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Netanyahu will visit the White House next Monday as Trump presses for a ceasefire in Gaza

Netanyahu will visit the White House next Monday as Trump presses for a ceasefire in Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) — PresidentDonald Trumpwill host Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahufor talks at the White House next Monday as the U.S. leadersteps up his pushon the Israeli government and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war in Gaza. The impending visit was confirmed by two U.S. administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on it. The trip will be Netanyahu's third visit to the White House sinceDonald Trumpreturned to office in January, and it comes after the United States inserted itself into Israel's war against Iran byattacking Iranian nuclear sites. Afterbrokering a ceasefirebetween the two countries, Trump has signaled that he's turning his attention to bringing a close to the fighting between Israel and Hamas. Trump on Friday told reporters that "we think within the next week we're going to get a ceasefire" in Gaza, but didn't offer any further explanation for his optimism. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that Trump and administration officials were in constant communication with Israeli leadership and that bringing about an end to the Gaza conflict is a priority for Trump. "It's heartbreaking to see the images that have come out from both Israel and Gaza throughout this war, and the president wants to see it end," Leavitt added. "He wants to save lives." Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is in Washington this week for talks with senior administration officials on a Gaza ceasefire, Iran and other matters. Talks between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly faltered over a major sticking point — whether the war should end as part of any ceasefire agreement. About 50 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with less than half believed to be alive. With Netanyahu's visit, the timing of which was first reported by Axios, Trump will embrace the Israeli leader while continuing to push back against skeptical questions from Democratic lawmakers and others about how far U.S. and Israeli strikes have set back Iran's nuclear program. A preliminary report issued by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, meanwhile, said the strikesdid significant damageto the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan sites, butdid not totally destroy the facilities. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that the three Iranian sites with "capabilities in terms of treatment, conversion and enrichment of uranium have been destroyed to an important degree." But, he added, "some is still standing," and that because capabilities remain, "if they so wish, they will be able to start doing this again." He said assessing the full damage comes down to Iran allowing inspectors access. Trump in recent days has also inserted himself into Israeli domestic affairs, calling for charges against Netanyahu in his ongoing corruption trial to be thrown out. He has condemned the trial as a "WITCH HUNT" and vowed that the United States will be the one who "saves" Netanyahu fromserious corruption charges. The decision by Trump toplunge himself into one of Israel's most heated debateshas unnerved some in its political class. Meanwhile, the Trump administration on Monday approved a new half-billion-dollar arms sale to Israel to resupply its military with bomb guidance kits for precision munitions. The State Department said the sale is worth $510 million. It includes more than 7,000 guidance kits for two different types of Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or JDAMs. The deal is relatively small given that the U.S. provides Israel with more than $3 billion annually in military aid. But Israel has relied on JDAMs and other related US weaponry in its war against Hamas in Gaza and its recent strikes against Iran. "The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability," the department said in a statement. "This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives." ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Netanyahu will visit the White House next Monday as Trump presses for a ceasefire in Gaza

Netanyahu will visit the White House next Monday as Trump presses for a ceasefire in Gaza WASHINGTON (AP) — PresidentDonald Trumpwill host I...

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Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Who won deal between Steelers, Dolphins?

Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Who won deal between Steelers, Dolphins?

So much for a slow summer in the NFL. With all teams on break until training camps open in mid-to-late July, this stretch would seem like a natural window for a break in action for a league that seemingly never rests. Yet on Monday, two teams brokered an ultra-rare swap of star players. The headline of the deal: The Miami Dolphins traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey to thePittsburgh Steelersin exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Also headed to Pittsburgh aretight end Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick,while Miami also receives a 2027 seventh-round draft pick. Jalen Ramsey trade details: Dolphins deal star CB to Steelers in blockbuster move The shake-up brings an end to the uncertainty that had prevailed for months since the Dolphins first acknowledged they were looking to part with Ramsey, the seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback. And for Pittsburgh, it served as the latest marquee addition – and departure with the exit of Fitzpatrick, a five-time Pro Bowl selection – for a franchise reshaped by the arrivals ofAaron RodgersandDK Metcalf. How did each team fare in the deal? Here are our trade grades: When news of the Ramsey trade first broke, it seemed to be a fitting move for an organization clearly embracing a truncated timeline for competing with Rodgers at the helm. The surprising return, however, muddled the outlook a bit. Cornerback play tends to be volatile year to year, but there's little question that Ramsey raises both the floor and ceiling for Pittsburgh at this vital position group. The Steelers in March signed reliable veteran Darius Slay to fill the void opposite Joey Porter Jr., seemingly settling one of the more pressing deficiencies of the defense. But trusting a 34-year-old to run with the likes of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins within the division was always going to be a stretch. With Ramsey on board, the Steelers now size up as one of the most imposing matchups for opposing wide receivers. Ramsey can handle the lion's share of reps in base looks alongside Porter, and his experience working inside should pay off massively in allowing him to kick inside to get all three standout corners on the field in nickel packages. That sort of rotation can keep the team fresh down the stretch, with both of its matchups against the rival Baltimore Ravens and a trip to face the Detroit Lions all coming in the final six weeks. Still, given the loss of Fitzpatrick, does this trade truly move the needle much in reshaping the secondary for a defense that ranked 25th in passing yards allowed (228 per game)? The Steelers will try to scrape by on the back end with Juan Thornhill seemingly stepping in alongside Deshon Elliott, but there's little question that the unit will miss Fitzpatrick's playmaking range, though he has recorded just one interception in the last two years combined. Of course, the outlook shifts considerably if Pittsburgh utilizes Ramsey in this role, but it'd be yet another adjustment for all involved. Adding Smith might seem like a natural move, as the tight end will be reunited with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who first helped the pass catcher flourish with the Tennessee Titans and later helped him bounce back with the Atlanta Falcons. But even with an abundance of multiple tight end sets, it's still unclear exactly how he'll be incorporated alongside established starter Pat Freiermuth. "It would be complicated having (Smith) and Pat. They're kind of the same type of tight end," Steelers tight end Connor Heyward said earlier in June,according to PennLive, when discussing the rumors of a potential Smith trade. "They both got to have 100 balls a year thrown their way." Maybe the doubling down in Pittsburgh isn't so much a bet on Rodgers as it is on Mike Tomlin finding a way to bring all these disparate pieces together. Regardless, it's a lot of upheaval – even if it largely appears for the better – for the coach to navigate. With the Dolphins in April broadcasting their intention to move on from Ramsey, it seemed as though the organization could only expect a modest return. Instead, it addressed its biggest hole by bringing on one of the top players at his position. Fitzpatrick returns to the franchise nearly six years after it dealt him amid his clash with then-coach Brian Flores regarding his utilization. This time around, there shouldn't be any issues regarding his role. Miami was preparing to enter the season with perhaps the most unstable safety tandem in Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis. Fitzpatrick isn't at his peak as he prepares to enter a season in which he'll turn 29 in November, but with Ramsey's departure essentially looking inevitable, he's probably the most meaningful addition who could have been acquired at this point in the calendar. Yet it's difficult to feel good about the state of Miami's secondary overall given the outlook after the trade. With Ramsey gone, the Dolphins will depend on the likes of 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith, 2024 undrafted free agent Storm Duck and fifth-round rookie Jason Marshall Jr. on the outside, with nickel Kader Kohou providing the lone bit of stability. Fitzpatrick can only do so much to compensate for a group that doesn't seem up to the task of running with the AFC's best. Sending off Smith also further ups the challenge for an aerial attack that lacks much depth in its pass-catching options beyond Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Julian Hill could see a sizable leap in action as a potential replacement at starter, but the move likely necessitates an addition sometime before the season (NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the team is scouring the trade market). A fine return for Miami on the whole, but the prevailing issue of the top-heavy roster remains as pervasive as ever. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Did Steelers or Dolphins win deal?

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Who won deal between Steelers, Dolphins?

Jalen Ramsey trade grades: Who won deal between Steelers, Dolphins? So much for a slow summer in the NFL. With all teams on break until trai...

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NHL trade tracker: Red Wings send Vladimir Tarasenko to Wild, plus other moves

NHL trade tracker: Red Wings send Vladimir Tarasenko to Wild, plus other moves

NHLfree agency is just around the corner on July 1. But there are also trades to be made as NHL teams acquire or move players to improve their immediate future or get their salary cap situation under control. TheDetroit Red Wingsmade their second trade in several days, sending forward Vladimir Tarasenko to theMinnesota Wildon June 30. They earlier acquired goalie John Gibson from theAnaheim Ducks. TheMontreal Canadiensmade a big trade on draft day when they acquired defenseman Noah Dobson from theNew York Islandersfor winger Emil Heineman and Montreal's first two first-round picks (16th and 17th overall). Trades will pick up with free agency approaching. Tracking the latest NHL deals: Tarasenko has won two Stanley Cup titles, but he disappointed with 33 points in his lone season in Detroit, while averaging less than 15 minutes a game. He has another year on his contract at $4.75 million, so the Wild get secondary scoring at a reasonable price. Detroit gets future considerations in the deal. The Mammoth get a conditional 2027 third round pick in return. Maccelli, 24, gets a fresh start after dropping to 18 points in 55 games this past season. But he can provide secondary scoring for Toronto after totaling 106 points over the two seasons before that. If he gets 51 points this season and the Maple Leafs make the playoffs, the third rounder becomes a 2029 second-round pick. TheNashville Predatorsacquire defenseman Nicolas Hague and a conditional third-round pick from the Golden Knights in exchange for forward Colton Sissons and defenseman Jeremy Lauzon. Nashville will retain 50 percent of Sissons' salary. If Vegas wins two rounds in the 2026 playoffs, the Golden Knights will move a second-round pick instead. TheDetroit Red Wingsacquire goalie John Gibson from theAnaheim Ducksfor goalie Petr Mrazek, a 2027 second- round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Gibson had been mentioned in trade rumors for years and the Red Wings have needed better goaltending for years. Lukas Dostal has emerged as a No. 1 goalie in Anaheim and needs a new contract as a restricted free agent. Mrazek is a better fit financially at $4.25 million than Gibson at $6.4 million. Gibson, who will get more playing time in Detroit, had a solid season with a 2.77 goals-against average and .911 save percentage, a little better than how Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon performed. Spence's ice time had dropped, particularly in the playoffs, so the trade gives him more opportunity. The defenseman is only 24. Los Angeles had drafted a defenseman, London's Henry Brzustewicz, in the first round. The Kings receive a 2025 third round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. TheBuffalo Sabresacquire defensemen Conor Timmins and Isaac Belliveau from thePittsburgh Penguinsfor defenseman Connor Clifton and a 2025 second-round pick.. The Sabres are changing up their defense after earlier acquiring Michael Kesselring. Clifton is entering the final year of his contract. Timmins is four years younger. Also:The Washington Capitals acquire defenseman Declan Chisholm and a 2025 sixth-round pick from theMinnesota Wildfor defenseman Chase Priskie and a 2025 third-rounder. The Avalanche get back 20-year-old forward Gavin Brindley, a third-round selection (77th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft and a conditional 2027 second-rounder. This move helps the Blue Jackets' depth. Wood has a lot of speed and kills penalties. Coyle, acquired by the Avalanche at the trade deadline, had 25 goals two seasons ago. The Avalanche clear cap space. Dobson, a restricted free agent, signed an eight-year, $76 million extension as part of the deal, according to Friedman. Dobson, a skilled offensive defenseman, had 70 points two seasons ago and joins a Montreal blue line that featuresrookie of the year Lane Hutson. Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche gets two picks in the middle of the first round. Could he use the 16th and 17th picks as part of a package to move up in the draft? He didn't, drafting Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson. Heineman, whom the Islanders acquired from the Canadiens as part of the deal, is known for his speed and two-way ability. The Utah Mammoth will be aggressive this offseason as they head into their second season in Salt Lake City. Peterka is coming off a career-best 68 points and totaled 55 goals the past two seasons. The 23-year-old was a restricted free agent and signed a five-year deal with the Mammoth after the trade. The Sabres, who need to adjust their roster to try to end a14-season playoff drought,get back defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. Kesselring, 25, had a career-best 29 points as he got more ice time because of injuries on the Utah blue line. Doan, 23, is the son of former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan. He has another year left on his contract. The Panthers give up a 2025 fifth-round pick for Tarasov, 26, a restricted free agent who became available with Jet Greaves emerging in Columbus. Current backup Vitek Vanecek is a pending unrestricted free agent. Tarasov has a career 3.44 goals-against average but those numbers should come down while playing behind a better Panthers defense. Sergei Bobrovsky will be 37 next season and has a year left on his contract. General Bill Zito potentially has found his future No. 1 goalie. Also:The Seattle Kraken acquired two-way center Frederick Gaudreau from theMinnesota Wildfor a 2025 fourth-round pick. ... In a free agency move, theDallas Starsre-signed captain Jamie Benn for one year at $1 million, plus an additional $3 million in potential performance bonuses This was a salary cap move, saving more than $5 million with the Oilers needing to re-sign defenseman Evan Bouchard. The Oilers get back a fourth-round pick. Kane, a Vancouver native, adds help on the wing with the Canucks expected to lose Brock Boeser to free agency. Zegras wanted to play center and the Ducks didn't have room for him there in their top six. The Flyers land a creative forward who has scored several lacrosse-style goals but also has dealt recently with injuries. The Ducks get back center Ryan Poehling, who wins faceoffs and kills penalties, two areas where Anaheim needed improvement. They also receive a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-rounder. Also:The Seattle Kraken acquired two-way center Frederick Gaudreau from the Minnesota Wild for a 2025 fourth-round pick. This was a salary cap move, saving more than $5 million with the Oilers needing to re-sign defenseman Evan Bouchard. The Oilers get back a fourth-round pick. Kane, a Vancouver native, adds help on the wing with the Canucks expected to lose Brock Boeser to free agency. Zegras wanted to play center and the Ducks didn't have room for him there in their top six. The Flyers land a creative forward who has scored several lacrosse-style goals but also has dealt recently with injuries. The Ducks get back center Ryan Poehling, who wins faceoffs and kills penalties, two areas where Anaheim needed improvement. They also receive a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-rounder. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NHL trade tracker: Updates, analysis of big hockey deals

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

NHL trade tracker: Red Wings send Vladimir Tarasenko to Wild, plus other moves

NHL trade tracker: Red Wings send Vladimir Tarasenko to Wild, plus other moves NHLfree agency is just around the corner on July 1. But there...

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Trump imposes tougher US policy toward Cuba

Trump imposes tougher US policy toward Cuba

By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump on Monday signed a memorandum imposing a hard-line U.S. policy toward communist-run Cuba and reversing measures put in place by former President Joe Biden, the White House said. The directive will enforce a statutory ban on U.S. tourism to Cuba while supporting an economic embargo of the country, the White House said in a fact sheet. While Americans cannot visit Cuba for leisure, travel has been allowed for activities including educational or humanitarian trips. As one of his first acts after taking office in January, Trump, a harsh Cuba critic, revoked the Biden administration's last-minute decision to remove the country from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. He has also partially restricted the entry of people from Cuba. Under Monday's memorandum, Trump renewed a ban on direct or indirect financial transactions with entities controlled by the Cuban military, such as Grupo de Administracion Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), and its affiliates, with exceptions for transactions that advance U.S. policy goals or support the Cuban people. Biden had revoked a 2017 Trump order that restricted financial transactions with some military and government-linked Cuban entities. The new memorandum "enforces the statutory ban on U.S. tourism to Cuba and ensures compliance through regular audits and mandatory record-keeping of all travel-related transactions for at least five years," the White House fact sheet said. It also supports the economic embargo of Cuba and opposes calls in the United Nations and other international forums for its termination, the fact sheet said. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez posted on social media platform X that "the Presidential Memorandum against Cuba made public today by the US government reinforces the aggression and economic blockade that punishes the entire Cuban people and is the main obstacle to our development." "It is a criminal act and a violation of the human rights of an entire nation. The main obstacle to our development," he said. (Reporting By Steve Holland; additional reporting by Marc Frank in Havana; Editing by Franklin Paul and Chris Reese)

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Trump imposes tougher US policy toward Cuba

Trump imposes tougher US policy toward Cuba By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump on Monday signed a memorandum imp...

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Who would win and who would lose in Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill'

Who would win and who would lose in Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill'

Legislation making its waythrough the Senatestands to have wide-ranging effects across the economy — bolstering tax benefits for businesses and higher-income households while threatening health insurance for millions of Americans and putting thousands of clean energy and health care jobs at risk. The bill,which is more than 900 pages longand Republicans have dubbed the "big, beautiful bill," passed a keyprocedural voteover the weekend in the Senate largely along party lines, with all but two Republicans voting to advance it. Follow live coverage here The Senate is debating the measurebefore taking a final vote. If the bill passes the Senate, it will then go back to the House for another vote and ultimately must be signed by President Donald Trump before becoming law. While changes could still be made and its passage isn't certain, here are some of the key winners and losers under the latest version of the bill. The legislation would make permanent trillions of dollars in corporate tax cuts enacted in 2017 during Trump's first term and expand other tax breaks for businesses. That includes permanently lowering the corporate tax rate to 21% from the 35% level before the 2017 tax cuts. The bill would also extend or increase other tax breaks for business investments, like those on new machinery, equipment and research and development, whichbusiness groups have saidwould encourage business investments in the U.S. The bill would also extend through 2033 tax incentives enacted in 2017 for businesses that invest in disadvantaged areas, called Opportunity Zones. The tax cuts would add around $3 trillion over the next decade to the national debt, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. That means the U.S. would have to borrow more money to cover its expenses, requiring it to pay an estimated $600 billion to $700 billion in additionalinterest payments, according to an analysis by the Center for a Responsible Federal Budget. The amount of money Americans pay toward interest on the country's debt is expected to increase sharply in the coming years, totaling $78 trillion over the next 30 years and accounting for 34% of federal revenues,according tothe Congressional Budget Office. Paying for that added interest will fall to future generations, likely in the form of higher taxes and less spending on other programs younger generations could benefit from, like early childhood education, more affordable housing or improved infrastructure. It will also give the U.S. less flexibility to borrow if there is a future crisis, such as a pandemic or war. As U.S. debt has ballooned — with the current ratio of debt to gross domestic product at similar levels to those seen during World War II — it has also increased concern among investors about the country's ability to make its debt and interest payments on time. That means investors are starting to seek a higher interest payments, or yield, in exchange for buying U.S. debt, which could also drive up interest rates for other private loans — with higher mortgage rates or interest on a small business loan. The bill would greatly expand the amount of state and local taxes households are able to deduct from their federal taxes from the current cap of $10,000 to up to $40,000. The biggest beneficiaries from the change would be households making $200,000 to $500,000 a year and those that own property, because they are likelier to pay higher property and income taxes,according to an analysisby the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. It would also disproportionately benefit households in higher-tax states, like New York, New Jersey and California. Wealthy households and business owners would also benefit from a permanent reduction in the estate tax. Under the legislation, heirs of estates valued at less than $15 million would not have to pay a tax on their inheritance. That cap is set to drop to $7 million in 2026. Provisions in the latest version of the bill would cause nearly 12 million low-income people to lose their health insurance over the next decade by cutting around $1 trillion from Medicaid, the health insurance program for poor and disabled people,according to the CBO.The Senate bill includes steeper cuts to Medicaid than an earlier version passed by the House. The cuts would take a particular toll on people in rural areas who are more likely to receive their health insurance through Medicaid than those in urban or suburban areas. Researchers atGeorgetown University foundthat 40% of children in small and rural towns receive their health insurance from Medicaid. The bill could also reduce the number of people who receive their insurance through the Affordable Care Act. The version of the Senate bill released over the weekend also includes cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, by requiring adults ages 18 to 64 without disabilities to work at least 80 hours a month unless they are caring for children under 10. The added requirements could lead to $300 billion in cuts to food stamp spending, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The legislation would carry through on a campaign promise by Trump to exempt income from tips and overtime from federal income taxes. Tipped workers make up about 2.5% of the workforce, and about 12% of hourly workers clock some overtime each year, according to ananalysis by the Yale Budget Lab. Both tax exemptions are structured as deductions that workers would claim when they filed their taxes the following year. The tax exemption would apply only to federal income tax, so workers would still have to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on their income, along with any state or local taxes. As many as 40% of tipped workers already don't make enough money to have to pay federal income tax on any of their earnings, so the benefit would be relatively limited, the Yale Budget Lab found. Less funding for Medicaid and fewer people with health insurance would mean a drop-off in doctor's office visits, prescription refills and medical procedures — and, as a result, fewer workers needed to support those types of services. That could lead to the loss of nearly500,000 health care jobsover the next decade, according to an analysis by George Washington University and the Commonwealth Fund. The Senate bill would also prohibit Medicaid funding for entities that provide abortions, including Planned Parenthood, which could cause cuts backs or the closure of those health care centers. The Senate legislation seeks to mitigate some of that pain for rural health care providers, who care for a disproportionately high number of Medicaid patients, with a $25 billion fund for rural hospitals. Both the House and the Senate bill include wins for the fossil fuel industry, stripping away numerous provisions put in place during President Joe Biden's administration to shift energy consumption away from fossil fuels. Both bills would delay a fee on excess methane pollution by oil and gas companies, roll back Biden-era rules to curb vehicle emissions and include provisions intended to speed the development of new fossil fuel projects. The Senate bill also includes a new tax workaround for oil drillers that would enable many of them to avoid having to pay a corporate alternative minimum tax of 15%. Clean energy companies say the bill could cripple their businesses by stripping away tax subsidies and funding made available during the Biden administration. The Senate bill would go further than the earlier version passed in the House by imposing new tax penalties on wind and solar farm projects started after 2027, unless they met certain requirements. That could jeopardize billions of dollars in investments in clean energy projects — along with the thousands of jobs that would come along with those projects, including in Republican-led states like Georgia and South Carolina. Other provisions would reduce benefits for consumers buying electric vehicles, solar panels and appliances to make their homes more energy efficient.

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Who would win and who would lose in Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill'

Who would win and who would lose in Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill' Legislation making its waythrough the Senatestands to hav...

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2025 NBA free agency tracker: Updates on news, rumors as free agency begins

2025 NBA free agency tracker: Updates on news, rumors as free agency begins

TheNBA's free agencyperiod began Monday evening, June 30, with several notable names expected to be available on the market. Free agency will provide teams with the opportunity to reshape and retool their rosters to take one step closer to their respective NBA championship aspirations. Several big-name players who had the potential to become free agents are no longer expected to be available. That list includesLakers star LeBron James,Clippers standout James HardenandTimberwolves forward Julius Randle. Centers Myles Turner and Al Horford are among the top unrestricted players on the market as of Sunday evening. Chris Paul, Tyus Jones and Josh Giddey are expected to be among the top unrestricted guards available. Malik Beasley also could be among the list of notable guards, but instead will be the subject of one another storyline after it was reported he is beinginvestigated for gambling on NBA games. USA TODAY Sportswill have live updates and analysis on all of the NBA free agency news and rumors as they happen: NBA FREE AGENCY:Who are the biggest names on the market? NBA free agency officially began on Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET. Teams and players can now start agreeing to the terms of a contract. Teams and players, however, will have to wait until July 6 for contracts to be officially signed. The Grizzlies are continuing their roster overhaul. All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is expected to ink a renegotiated, five-year, max contract extension worth $248 million,according to ESPN. Jackson was on a favorable contract that he had outperformed. Memphis' trade of Desmond Bane helped clear up the cap space required to make this deal happen.The Grizzlies shipped him to the Magic, but then — following a separate trade with the Trail Blazers — drafted Cedric Coward at No. 11 overall. Coward essentially becomes a low-cost replacement for Bane. ESPN also reports thatthe Grizzlies also locked backup forward Santi Aldamato a three-year, $52.5 million deal. It's not often that consistent, double-digit scorers hit the open market. But as theUtah Jazzcontinue to remake their roster, Jordan Clarkson has finalized a buyout,according to the Athletic, making him an unrestricted free agent. Clarkson, 33, averaged 16.2 points, 3.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 37 games last season. Clarkson had carved out a role as Utah's sixth man and became known for providing a scoring spark off the bench. Given his ability to score off the bench, Clarkson could draw interest from contenders looking to bolster their depth. Forward Nicolas Batum, a steady presence off the bench for theLos Angeles Clippers, will sign a two-year deal worth $11.5 million, per ESPN. After locking up one of their reserve forwards earlier Monday in Ziaire Williams, the Nets moved to do the same for backup center, Day'Ron Sharpe.ESPN reportsthat Sharpe is set to sign on a two-year deal to keep him in Brooklyn, worth $12 million. Veteran forward Joe Ingles will be playing his 12th season in the NBA, returning to theMinnesota Timberwolveson a one-year contract worth $3.6 million,according to ESPN. Knicks forwardJosh Hart had a funny response to the news, writing: "Man someone tell him to go head and retire already" in a social media post. Free agent forward Ziaire Williams is on the verge of signing a two-year, $12 million deal to return to theBrooklyn Nets,ESPN reports. Williams, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2021 draft, averaged 10 points and 4.3 rebounds in 63 games with the Nets last season. Center DeAndre Ayton is finalizing a buyout agreement with thePortland Trail Blazers,according to ESPN, which will make him a free agent -- and one of the more interesting players available. Ayton was acquired by the Blazers in 2023 as part of a three-team trade with Phoenix and Milwaukee. He's played in only 95 games in two seasons with Portland, averaging 15.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. As part of the contract he signed with the Suns, Ayton was scheduled to make $35.6 million next season. The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments bysubscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA Free agency tracker: Live updates on news, rumors

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

2025 NBA free agency tracker: Updates on news, rumors as free agency begins

2025 NBA free agency tracker: Updates on news, rumors as free agency begins TheNBA's free agencyperiod began Monday evening, June 30, wi...

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New England Patriots Quarterback Drake Maye Marries Ann Michael Hudson. Then Goes Viral with His Groomsmen

New England Patriots Quarterback Drake Maye Marries Ann Michael Hudson. Then Goes Viral with His Groomsmen

Drake Maye/Instagram New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye married longtime girlfriend Ann Michael Hudson on Saturday, June 21 The couple announced the news via a joint Instagram post, sharing photos of their outdoor ceremony and reception Maye and Hudson, whose love story began back in their middle school days, got engaged in January 2025, shortly after the athlete wrapped his rookie NFL season NFL starDrake Mayesaid "I do" to his longtime sweetheart. The New England Patriots quarterback, 22, marriedAnn Michael Hudsonon Saturday, June 21. The newlyweds announced the happy news with a jointInstagram postfeaturing a series of photos of their scenic outdoor ceremony. One image featured the couple posing by a large, flower-adorned wooden cross in front of a lake with a green mountain landscape in the background. The athlete sported a classic black tux for the occasion, and Hudson wore a strapless gown with a lace-covered bodice, along with a tulle veil. Other photos capture the pair sharing their first kiss as husband and wife, holding hands while walking across a bridge and smooching on the dance floor. "What a night! Cheers to forever🥂I love you!" Maye wrote in the caption. Hudson commented on the post, "Best day ever!!!! I love you❤️❤️." Drake Maye/Instagram Hudson also shareda videoof the wedding festivities on her Instagram, showing an aerial view of the wedding venue, the couple walking with their wedding party, the bride having an emotional moment with her father and the newlyweds swaying together on the dance floor under twinkling lights. "1 week married to you calls for a little glimpse of the most special day ❤️. I love you!" Hudson wrote. A number of Maye's NFL friends offered their congratulations in the comments, including Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs. In one memorable moment at the wedding — which has since gone viral — Maye and his tuxedo-clad groomsmen posed fora photoas they lined up in a football formation. Sports journalist Dov Kleiman shared the snapshot on X, writing, "What an awesome picture 🔥." Patriots' star QB Drake Maye with his Groomsmen at his wedding this past weekend.What an awesome picture 🔥pic.twitter.com/rDXVKMMa6K — Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman)June 26, 2025 The couple's love story took root all the way back in middle school when the two began dating at 12 years old. Throughout Maye's high school and college football careers — he played for the University of North Carolina Tarheels from 2021 to 2023 — Hudson was on the sidelines, cheering him on as his biggest supporter. Maye was later selected by thePatriotsin the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. At the time, Hudson shared her excitement — and pride — for his achievement. "Drake, words cannot describe how proud I am of you. What an incredible blessing it has been to be by your side through all of this," she wrote onInstagram. "I love you and can't wait for this next chapter! GO PATS!!" Shortly after concluding his rookie season, Mayepopped the questionto Hudson in a sunset beach proposal in January 2025. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Love doing life with you. Can't wait to marry you! ❤️," Maye wrote onInstagramas the couple announced the news and shared photos of the romantic moment. The couple recently celebrated another special occasion together —Hudson's graduationfrom UNC, where she was a business school student with a double minor in entrepreneurship and conflict management, per herLinkedIn. Hudson shared photos of herself in a light blue graduation gown and cap on Instagram, prompting Maye to comment, "Grad szn❤️." As for Maye, he is off to a promising career in the NFL, according to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who described the 22-year-old as a "young, dynamic quarterback" on ESPN'sSportsCenterin January. "I think he's young, talented, willing to learn. I think there's a toughness to him. There's an amazing skillset in which to mold and to have him lead our football team and lead our offense," Vrabel said. Read the original article onPeople

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

New England Patriots Quarterback Drake Maye Marries Ann Michael Hudson. Then Goes Viral with His Groomsmen

New England Patriots Quarterback Drake Maye Marries Ann Michael Hudson. Then Goes Viral with His Groomsmen Drake Maye/Instagram New England ...

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Justice Department sues Los Angeles to end 'sanctuary' immigration policies

Justice Department sues Los Angeles to end 'sanctuary' immigration policies

WASHINGTON – TheJustice Department filed a lawsuit on June 30against the city of Los Angeles to end policies that restrict cooperation withPresident Donald Trump's enforcement of immigration laws. The lawsuit comes aftersometimes violent protests in Los Angelesearlier in the month against federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, which led Trump to mobilize the National Guard. It is the latest to challenge so-called "sanctuary" policies, in which state or local law enforcement do not collaborate with ICE, which the Trump administration contends are unlawful. The department hasalso sued New Yorkstate and filedcriminal charges against a Wisconsin judgeover immigration enforcement. It alsosued federal judges in Marylandon June 25, for blocking deportation orders. "Sanctuary policies were the driving cause of the violence, chaos, and attacks on law enforcement that Americans recently witnessed in Los Angeles," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. "Jurisdictions like Los Angeles that flout federal law by prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens are undermining law enforcement at every level – it ends under President Trump," Bondi added. ICE raids earlier this month in Los Angelessparked several days of proteststhat included people hurling rocks at federal officials and setting fire to cars. Attacks on federal officials are up 500%,according to the Department of Homeland Security. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass didn't immediately reply to a request for comment. But she and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have opposed Trump's tougher immigration enforcement and said the federal mobilization enflamed tensions. "Unmarked cars. Masked men with guns. People being snatched off the street.,"Bass said on social media June 28."This isn't law and order − it's fear and chaos in Los Angeles. And it's deliberate." Protesters have resorted toclanging pots and pans outside a hotelwere ICE agents were staying, to prevent them from sleeping. TheLos Angeles Dodgers baseball teamsaid they denied federal agents access to the stadium's parking lot June 20, although federal officials said there was no enforcement action. But federal officials said they would continue strict enforcement of immigration laws, one of Trump's top domestic priorities. "We will keep enforcing federal immigration law in Los Angeles, whether or not the city's government or residents agree with it," Chad Mizelle, the department's chief of staff,said on social media. "And we will not tolerate any interference with the federal government's duty to enforce the law." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:DOJ sues Los Angeles over 'sanctuary' immigration policies

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Justice Department sues Los Angeles to end 'sanctuary' immigration policies

Justice Department sues Los Angeles to end 'sanctuary' immigration policies WASHINGTON – TheJustice Department filed a lawsuit on Ju...

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Trump blames AT&T for tech issues in a call with faith leaders

Trump blames AT&T for tech issues in a call with faith leaders

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday blamed AT&T for technical issues in a conference call he held with American faith leaders and urged the wireless carrier's boss to handle the situation. The president also said his administration may use another carrier's service in other calls. "I'm doing a major Conference Call with Faith Leaders from all over the Country, and AT&T is totally unable to make their equipment work properly," Trump wrote on social media about the call on Monday. "This is the second time it's happened. If the Boss of AT&T, whoever that may be, could get involved — It would be good. There are tens of thousands of people on the line!" AT&T said on X it had reached out to the White House and was working to "understand and assess the situation." Trump did not elaborate on the specifics of the issue. In a subsequent post, Trump apologized to faith leaders for what he described as a long wait on the conference call. "We may have to reschedule the call, but we'll use another carrier the next time," Trump said. AT&T shares pared gains very briefly after Trump's post then recovered. During his first White House term, Trump criticized the company, which at the time owned CNN, about the news channel's coverage of his administration. Earlier this month, Trump's family business licensed its name to launch a U.S. mobile service and a $499 smartphone, calling it Trump Mobile, in a deal brokered by the president's children. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh, Jasper Ward and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Cynthia Osterman)

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Trump blames AT&T for tech issues in a call with faith leaders

Trump blames AT&T for tech issues in a call with faith leaders By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Mo...

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Aces acquire NaLyssa Smith from the Wings for first-round pick in 2027

Aces acquire NaLyssa Smith from the Wings for first-round pick in 2027

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces have acquired forward NaLyssa Smith from the Dallas Wings for a 2027 first-round draft pick. The trade announced Monday ends what had been a disappointing Dallas debut for Smith, a Texas native who played at Baylor. She was averaging career lows in points, rebounds and minutes for the Wings, who started 1-11 before winning four of their past six games. Smith joined the Wings from Indiana in an offseason trade. The 24-year-old was part of a major roster makeover before Dallas selected Paige Bueckers No. 1 overall in the draft in April. In three seasons with the Fever, Smith was a double-figure scorer each year while averaging nearly eight rebounds per game, although her production dipped after Caitlin Clark joined Indiana last season. This year, Smith's minutes are below 20 for the first time at 19.1 while she is averaging 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds. Smith, the No. 2 pick by Indiana in 2022, made the WNBA All-Rookie first team after a standout Baylor career that included a national championship when she was a freshman. Smith is from San Antonio. The Aces, who won back-to-back WNBA titles in 2022-23, are off to a disappointing start after sending Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks while adding Jewell Loyd from Seattle in asix-team tradethis past offseason. The trade required the Wings to release Kaila Charles, who signed a hardship contract on June 17. ___ AP WNBA:https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Aces acquire NaLyssa Smith from the Wings for first-round pick in 2027

Aces acquire NaLyssa Smith from the Wings for first-round pick in 2027 LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces have acquired forward NaLyssa Smi...

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Raiders RB Raheem Mostert slams Dolphins after Jonnu Smith trade

Raiders RB Raheem Mostert slams Dolphins after Jonnu Smith trade

TheMiami Dolphins' decision to include tight endJonnu Smithin Monday's blockbusterJalen Ramsey-Minkah Fitzpatricktrade has rubbed one former Dolphin the wrong way. On Monday morning, Miamitraded Ramseyand Smith to thePittsburgh Steelersfor Fitzpatrick and a late-round pick swap. Las Vegas Raidersrunning backRaheem Mostert, who played for the Dolphins in 2015 and (more notably) from 2022 to 2024, slammed Miami on social media after the trade news broke. "Hot take: Be a Pro-bowler on the Dolphins, get treated like s---. Happy for my guys though! GO BALL OUT!!" Mostert wrote on the social media site X. Hot take: Be a Pro-bowler on the Dolphins, get treated like sh*t. Happy for my guys though! GO BALL OUT!!https://t.co/RyDBVE8h1i — Raheem Mostert (@RMos_8Ball)June 30, 2025 JONNU SMITH:Steelers-Dolphins trade details: TE included in Jalen Ramsey blockbuster deal Mostert made his first Pro Bowl in 2023, his ninth year as a pro, after leading the league with 18 rushing touchdowns for the Dolphins. That season was also Mostert's first in which he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark with 1,012 rushing yards on 209 carries. Mostert began the 2024 season as Miami's lead back, but a Week 1 injury kept him out of three subsequent games. By the time he returned, second-yearDe'Von Achanehad done enough to take over the top spot on the depth chart. The Dolphins released Mostert in February, and he subsequently signed a deal with the Raiders the following month. The Dolphins' decision to trade Smith months after he finished his first Pro Bowl season was enough to prompt a public reaction from Mostert, who alludes to feeling like he was treated similarly. Smith had been in contract negotiations with Miami as he attempted to cash in on the most statistically productive season of his career. He ended up in a trade to Pittsburgh, where he received a one-year, $12 million extension as part of the deal. The Raiders have not yet released an official depth chart, though Mostert is expected to split carries with rookieAshton Jeantyin both players' first year in Las Vegas. In Pittsburgh, Smith reunites with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who has historically enjoyed deploying two-tight-end sets. For at least the next two seasons, Jonnu Smith will likely be paired with tight endPat Freiermuthin the Steelers' offense. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jalen Ramsey trade: Raheem Mostert slams Miami for moving Jonnu Smith

byMario Satorik

in

June 30, 2025

Raiders RB Raheem Mostert slams Dolphins after Jonnu Smith trade

Raiders RB Raheem Mostert slams Dolphins after Jonnu Smith trade TheMiami Dolphins' decision to include tight endJonnu Smithin Monday...

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