Weekend Rundown: Cruise Nights, Crab Boils & Hot Girl Summer Vibes Hit Rapid City
July 18, 2025
Hey hey, Rapid City — the weekend is here, and it’s revved, ready, and hotter than a July sidewalk! Cruise
Hey hey, Rapid City — the weekend is here, and it’s revved, ready, and hotter than a July sidewalk! Cruise
A federal judge in Maryland may soon become the second to block President Donald Trump’s order restricting birthright citizenship from taking effect nationwide. The judge said she would certify a class including all children affected by the order and grant a preliminary injunction blocking it. But she did not immediately rule, noting a previous decision of hers to block the order was on appeal. A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a ruling last week prohibiting Trump’s executive order from taking effect nationwide.
Angel Reese didn’t play in the Chicago Sky’s final game before the All-Star break because of a leg injury. The All-Star forward sat on the bench Wednesday as the Sky hosted the Atlanta Dream. She is set to make her second All-Star Game appearance this weekend in Indianapolis. Fellow second-year All-Star Caitlin Clark’s availability for the game in her home arena could also be in jeopardy after she sustained a groin injury Tuesday night in a victory over the Connecticut Sun in Boston. Reese had 22 points and 10 rebounds Monday for her ninth straight double-double in Chicago’s 91-78 loss to Minnesota. She leads the WNBA with 12.6 rebounds per game.
The NHL has released the full 2025-26 schedule. It is the final 82-game season before the new collective bargaining agreement kicks in and increases to 84. Alex Ovechkin begins his 21st season on Oct. 8 when he and the Washington Capitals host Boston. Ovechkin is at 897 career goals after breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record and can now surpass 900. After raising their second consecutive Stanley Cup banner on opening night Oct. 7 against Chicago, the back-to-back defending champion Florida Panthers host Philadelphia two days later. The league’s 32 teams will combine to play 1,312 games between Oct. 7 and April 16 with the playoffs to run from then through much of June.
Former NHL goaltender Wayne Thomas, who went on to have a lengthy career in hockey as a coach and an executive, has died from cancer. He was 77. A spokesperson for the San Jose Sharks confirmed the team learned of Thomas’ death Wednesday from his family. Thomas tended goal for Montreal, Toronto and the New York Rangers from 1973-80. He immediately went into coaching and spent time as an assistant with New York, Chicago, St. Louis and San Jose. He then spent nearly two decades in the Sharks’ front office from the mid-1990s through 2015.
The Kansas City Royals have reacquired veteran utility player Adam Frazier in an All-Star break trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kansas City sent minor league infielder Cam Devanney to Pittsburgh. Frazier has played in 78 games this season split between second base, left field and right field, hitting .255 with 21 RBIs. He spent last season with KC after bouncing around the majors following his start with the Pirates. The 33-year-old has played every position except catcher and pitcher during his career since debuting in 2016. Frazier joins the Royals as they are 4 1/2 games out of the final AL wild-card spot.
A message on staying safe this Summer from the Pennington County Emergency Management. Western South Dakota is beautiful, but it
Oscar-winning actor Ellen Burstyn has a new book coming out in 2026 that explores her connection to poetry. HarperOne announced Wednesday that “Poetry Says It Better” will be released on April 28, 2026. Burstyn, 93, is celebrated for her roles in such films as “The Last Picture Show” and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” and such TV shows as “House of Cards.” In a statement, she shared that poetry has been a constant source of inspiration throughout her life and career. Burstyn previously authored a memoir, “Lessons in Becoming Myself,” published in 2006.
Oakmont is banning former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark from returning to the club until he pays for damaging his locker. Golf Digest has obtained a letter that club president John Lynch has sent to Oakmont members. Clark damaged the locker during last month’s U.S. Open and a photo was leaked that went viral. Lynch says Clark won’t be allowed on the property until he pays for the damage, makes a charity donation to the club’s choice and seeks counseling. Oakmont has hosted the most U.S. Opens. The next one is in 2033. That’s when Clark’s 10-year exemption from winning runs out.
An “American Idol” music supervisor and her husband have been found dead in their Los Angeles home. Officers were conducting a welfare check Monday afternoon at a home in the Encino neighborhood when they found the bodies of a man and woman with gunshot wounds. An “American Idol” spokesperson has confirmed the deaths of Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. According to public records, the couple owned the home. Los Angeles police arrested a suspect in their deaths Tuesday.
Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain averaged 1.3 million viewers on TBS and the 24 matches televised in the U.S. with English commentary averaged 458,000. Spanish-language coverage of the final in the U.S. on Univision and TUDN averaged 1.43 million viewers and TelevisaUnivision’s 18 games averaged 597,000. The streaming service DAZN bought world rights from FIFA and sublicensed a portion of the 63 matches to TNT, which televised games on TNT, TBS and truTV, and to TelevisaUnivision for U.S. broadcast with Spanish commentary. DAZN has not yet released viewing figures.
The Post 22 Hardhats 2025 wrapped up a busy and successful tournament on Monday at Joe Schleper Baseball Stadium, finishing
Rapid City, SD – Post 22 Hardhats 2025 kept their momentum rolling on Sunday afternoon, taking care of business with
Retired MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini has been convicted of murder and attempted murder in the shootings of his wife’s parents during a burglary at their home four years ago near Lake Tahoe in California. A Placer County jury on Monday found the 51-year-old guilty of killing his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, and severely wounding his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood. Wood received extensive rehabilitation but died a year after the shooting. Prosecutors said Serafini and his in-laws had a rocky relationship and argued over money. A left-hander, Serafini was drafted in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins. He also played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
The Philadelphia 76ers say wing player Paul George has had arthroscopic surgery Monday on his left knee to treat an injury that occurred during a recent workout. The club says George’s rehabilitation program is now set to begin and he will be re-evaluated prior to the start of training camp. George turned 35 on May 2 and is entering the second year of a $212 million, four-year contract he signed in free agency last summer. Last season he was limited by injuries to 41 games and averaged 16.2 points, well below the nine-time NBA All-Star’s career average 20.6 points in 908 games.
Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said he has been suspended from coaching his former high school team in Miami because he provided players with financial benefits that he says he’d reported to the school. The 32-year-old Bridgewater publicized action taken against him by Miami Northwestern High School in a social media post in which he also reaffirmed his desire to continuing coaching the team for which he once played. School officials did not return messages left on Monday. Last fall marked Bridgewater’s first season coaching his former school, which he led to a Class 3A state championship before signing with Detroit in late December to serve as a backup for the playoff-bound Lions.
U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie has stockpiled more than $1.7 million for his re-election bid as the Kentucky Republican gears up to face President Donald Trump’s vaunted political operation. Massie was one of two House Republicans to vote against Trump’s massive tax bill. He also said Trump lacked authority to bomb nuclear sites in Iran without congressional approval. Trump aides launched a super PAC devoted to defeating Massie in his 2026 primary, the first concerted effort by Trump’s team to unseat a sitting member of Congress. Massie’s campaign said Monday he raised just over $584,000 between April and June and has raised more than $1 million since the last election.
The New York Jets and wide receiver Garrett Wilson have agreed on a four-year, $130 million contract extension. A person familiar with the situation confirmed the deal Monday, though it has not been officially announced. Wilson, drafted 10th overall in 2022, was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year that season and has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three years. Jets management, including general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn, have focused on building a younger roster.
Terry Francona has added another milestone to his impressive career. Francona became the 13th manager in major league history to reach 2,000 wins when the Cincinnati Reds beat the Colorado Rockies 4-2. The 66-year-old Francona joins Texas’ Bruce Bochy as the only active managers with at least 2,000 wins. Ten of the 12 other managers who have accumulated at least 2,000 wins are in the Hall of Fame. Bochy and Dusty Baker, who isn’t yet eligible, are the only exceptions.
The Post 22 Hardhats 2025 had a big day on Friday, picking up two big wins against out of state
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers each produced remarkably efficient stat lines in their first professional matchup. The ultimate result wasn’t nearly as close. Clark helped Indiana dominate the second quarter as the Fever ran away from the Dallas Wings 102-83. Clark had 14 points and a season-high 13 assists in just 25 minutes. Bueckers wound up with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes. It was a head-to-head matchup that lived up to the hype of the past two No. 1 overall picks squaring off.
Former Michigan football staff member Connor Stalions says he knew almost every signal opponents used in seven games over two seasons. Stalions shared those details Saturday on social media, responding to TCU coach Sonny Dykes telling On3 that his team changed some signs in advance of its win over the Wolverines in the 2022 College Football semifinals. Stalions’ actions triggered an NCAA investigation. Michigan had a hearing with the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions last month, and the governing body takes three months on average for contested cases to make a final decision.
Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes will start his second consecutive All-Star Game for the National League on Tuesday night. Detroit’s Tarik Skubal will pitch for the American League. The 23-year-old Skenes will be the first to start back-to-back All-Star Games since 2018. He leads the majors with a 2.01 ERA despite a 4-8 record. Skubal, 28, is the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner and is 10-3 with a 2.23 ERA. Skenes and Skubal are 1-2 in average four-seam fastball velocity among those with 1,500 or more pitches this season, Skenes at 98.2 mph and Skubal at 97.6 mph, according to MLB Statcast.
White Sox great Paul Konerko got a present from one No. 14 to another in honor of the 20th anniversary of the 2005 World Series championship run — a jersey signed by noted Chicago fan Pope Leo XIV. Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, presented Konerko a jersey with the new pontiff’s signature on the back during a ceremony prior to the game against the Cleveland Guardians. It had the six-time All-Star’s last name and “Pope Leo” above the No. 14. Robert Prevost became the first pope from the U.S. in the history of the Catholic Church when he was elected on May 8. The Chicago-born missionary, who took the name Leo XIV, is a White Sox fan. Prevost attended the 2005 World Series opener against Houston in Chicago.
President Donald Trump says he is considering revoking actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship. On Saturday, Trump claimed on social media that O’Donnell is not in the “best interests” of the country and suggested she should stay in Ireland, where she moved earlier this year. Legal experts, however, note the Constitution prevents the government from stripping citizenship from native-born Americans. O’Donnell, born in the U.S., has a constitutional right to her citizenship. The two have feuded publicly for years.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández heads into Sunday’s Club World Cup final wary of the weather, along with Paris Saint-Germain. Chelsea and PSG play starting at 3 p.m. EDT in MetLife Stadium, also site of next year’s World Cup final. Because of the heat, Fernandez recommended FIFA avoid afternoon kickoffs at the 2026 tournament. FIFA slashed ticket prices again ahead of the final, as it has throughout the tournament. PSG seeks to complete a quadruple after winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and its first Champions League title. Chelsea is trying for its second world championship after winning in 2021.
Cody Bellinger hit three two-run homers against his former team and was robbed of a fourth, Aaron Judge made a trio of outstanding catches and the New York Yankees routed the Chicago Cubs 11-0 for their fifth straight win following a a six-game losing streak. Carlos Rodón, who became a three-time All-Star when he was added to the AL roster before the game, allowed four hits in eight innings with eight strikeouts and one walk. Bellinger, who played for the Cubs in 2023 and ’24, had his first three-homer game and tied his career high with six RBIs.
Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani splashed his 32nd home run of the season into San Francisco’s McCovey Cove beyond the right-field wall. It marked the 65th home run into the water by an opponent in Oracle Park’s 25-year history and 171st in all — and 35 of those belong to home run king Barry Bonds. Ohtani connected with one out in the third inning for a two-run drive after Hyeseong Kim’s leadoff single marked the first hit of the night for Los Angeles against Giants starter Logan Webb. A kayaker immediately jumped into the water to retrieve the special souvenir ball.
Ronald Acuña Jr. won’t participate in the Home Run Derby, replaced by Atlanta teammate and fellow All-Star Matt Olson. Acuña is a starting outfielder for the National League and still expected to play in the All-Star Game on his home field. Olson is a reserve infielder. Instead of Acuña, Olson will try to become the first Atlanta player to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night. He could become the fourth to win at home. The All-Star Game is Tuesday night.
A northern Arizona resident has died from pneumonic plague. Health officials say it’s the first recorded death in the area from pneumonic plague since 2007. Plague is rare in humans with about seven cases reported annually in the U.S., mostly in western states. It’s typically spread by infected fleas or contact with bodily fluids of sick animals. Pneumonic plague infects the lungs and is the deadliest and most contagious form. Plague killed millions of people in 14th century Europe but can easily be treated with antibiotics.
A 42-year-old Utah man has died after he fell while descending a mountainside in Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana. Authorities said Friday that Brian Astle of Provo, Utah, fell from an off-trail climbing route on the west face of Mount Gould. The accident happened above a popular hiking route known as the Highline Trail. The fatality follows the death of a 67-year-old Texas man on Tuesday at Grand Canyon National Park. Park officials say the man had been hiking on the South Kaibab Trail, attempting to reach the Colorado River.
A Michigan clock company that has helped people keep time for 99 years says it’s going out of business. Howard Miller Company says it can’t overcome the effects of tariffs and other economic conditions. Production will be phased out this year. Howard Miller is based in Zeeland in western Michigan and also has sites in North Carolina. CEO Howard J. Miller, grandson of the founder, says furniture sales are closely tied to the health of the housing market. He says that market is struggling.
Professional boxer Gervonta “Tank” Davis has been arrested in South Florida on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. Miami Beach police say 30-year-old Davis was picked up early Friday morning, shortly after midnight, near the popular Lincoln Road area. Police say the charge was connected to an incident that occurred last month in Doral. Davis and his vehicle information had been added to a law enforcement database, and a license plate reader in Miami Beach flagged his car. Officials say Miami Beach police made the initial stop and then turned Davis over to Doral police. Jail and court records didn’t list an attorney for Davis. His promoter didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Megan Grant, a two-time All-American softball star at UCLA, is joining the Bruins’ women’s basketball team this season. She will play both sports in 2025-26. She set the Big Ten single-season record for home runs with 26 and ranked in the top 10 nationally with 81 RBIs and a .933 slugging percentage this past season. The 5-foot-10 Grant will be listed as a guard/forward. She was a multi-sport star at Aragon High School in San Mateo, California, where she lettered in softball for four years and basketball and volleyball both for three years.
A history museum event in Buffalo supporting local journalism was postponed after death threats against a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist. Adam Zyglis faced backlash for a Buffalo News cartoon depicting a MAGA hat-wearing man swept away by Texas floodwaters. The man is holding up a sign that says “Help” and a speech bubble floating downstream reads “Gov’t is the problem not the solution.” The Buffalo Newspaper Guild said Thursday’s event was postponed after threats against to the journalist and his family. The guild and Zyglis condemned the threats. The guild plans to reschedule the event.
The maker of a wind turbine blade that broke apart off Nantucket Island and washed onto beaches last summer has agreed to a $10 million settlement. Officials announced Friday that the settlement will pay local businesses for economic losses caused by fiberglass debris washing ashore. Parts from the wind turbine blade began falling into the Atlantic Ocean in July 2024 during peak tourist season. GE Vernova blamed a production issue and reinspected all blades from the factory. Crews and volunteers collected truckloads of fiberglass fragments from Nantucket’s beaches last summer.
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees moved into second in jersey sales behind Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Judge climbed from fifth to second place and was followed by the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. Four Dodgers and three Mets were among the top 20, with Francisco Lindor fifth and Juan Soto sixth. The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw was 20th. San Francisco’s Rafael Devers, Boston’s Jarren Duran, San Francisco’s Jung Hoo Lee, the Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong and Detroit’s Tarik Skubal entered the top 20 for the first time. The list is based on sales since opening day.
RAPID CITY, SD – Hey hey, Rapid City! It’s time for your Weekend Rundown, where the vibes are high, the tunes are
After Outlook users ran into issues accessing their email accounts on Wednesday and Thursday, Microsoft says that affected systems are back online. Microsoft 365 first said that it was investigating an issue with Outlook Wednesday night, and later shared it was deploying a fix. Still, there were some delays. Disruptions appeared to peak just before noon ET on Thursday — when more than 2,700 users worldwide reported issues to outage tracker Downdetector. But by later in the afternoon, reports had fallen significantly. And in an an update, Microsoft said that everything was back up and running.
Ford is recalling more than 850,000 of its cars across the U.S. because the low-pressure fuel pump inside the vehicles may fail — and potentially cause an engine stall while driving, increasing crash risks. The recall covers a wide range of Ford and Lincoln-branded vehicles made in recent model years. That includes certain Ford Broncos, Explorers and F-150s, as well as Lincoln Aviators and Navigators, documents published this week by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration note. Ford plans to send out notification letters to affected owners starting July 14, to warn of safety risks related to this potential fuel pump failure. But recall documents note that a remedy is still under development. Ford isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries related to these recalled cars.
Olympic wrestler and former UFC fighter Ben Askren has undergone a double lung transplant after battling severe pneumonia. In a social media post Wednesday, Askren shared that he is now recovering. He revealed he remembers little from a 45-day ordeal between late May and early July, during which he was on a ventilator and his heart stopped four times. Askren lost 50 pounds during the experience but expressed gratitude for the love and support he received. Known for his amateur wrestling and MMA career, Askren retired in 2019 and briefly returned for a boxing match in 2021.
Thirty-one workers have been safely removed from an industrial tunnel in Los Angeles after part of it collapsed Wednesday. That’s according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The workers were up to 6 miles from the tunnel’s only entrance. Some workers on the other side of the collapsed portion scrambled over a tall mound of loose soil to reach coworkers on the other side. They were shuttled to the entrance and hoisted out. Paramedics were evaluating 27 of the workers removed from the tunnel.
Lionel Messi became the first player in Major League Soccer history with four consecutive multi-goal games, scoring twice to lead Inter Miami past the New England Revolution 2-1. Miami has won four straight and is unbeaten in its last five. Defender Tanner Beason misplayed a header and Messi capitalized, scoring on a half-volley to open the scoring in the 27th minute. Messi made it 2-0 in the 38th. Messi has at least one goal in five straight games. He has 14 goals and seven assists in 15 regular-season matches. Nashville’s Sam Surridge with 16 is the only player with more MLS goals than Messi.
Frank Layden, the sharp-witted former coach who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs for the first time, has died. He was 93. Known for his humor and sideline antics, Layden coached the Jazz from 1981-89 and had 277 wins, third-most in franchise history. He’s the only coach in Jazz history to be named NBA coach of the year, earning the honor in 1984, when he also was honored as executive of the year. Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Layden began his coaching career in the high school ranks before moving on to coach at his alma mater, Niagara University. He made the jump to the NBA in 1976 on Hubie Brown’s Atlanta staff and became the New Orleans Jazz’s general manager in 1979.
Major League Baseball plans to use its robot umpire technology for ball-strike challenges in Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Atlanta, another step toward possible regular-season use next season. MLB says it intends to make the All-Star announcement Thursday. Teams won 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges during the spring training test, with 617 of 1,182 challenges successful in the 288 exhibition games using the Automated Ball-Strike System. ABS was installed at 13 spring training ballparks hosting 19 teams, and an animation of the pitch was shown on video boards showing spectators the challenge result.
The Supreme Court has refused to allow Florida to enforce an immigration law making it a crime for people who are living in the U.S. illegally to enter the state. The high court’s action Wednesday will keep the law on hold while a legal challenge continues. The court did not explain its decision and no justice noted a dissent. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the legislation into law in February in support of President Donald Trump’s push to crack down on illegal immigration. Immigrants rights groups sued, arguing that immigration is a federal issue beyond the power of the states. The law is similar to a Texas law that also has been blocked by a federal appeals court.
An Oregon judge has sentenced former NBA player Ben McLemore to more than eight years in prison for raping a woman at a house party in 2021. KGW reports that the ex-Portland Trail Blazer was sentenced to 100 months in prison on Wednesday. The sentencing comes a week after a jury found the 32-year-old guilty of rape, unlawful sexual penetration and one count of sexual abuse. He was found not guilty on another count of sexual abuse. The charges stemmed from a party at a home owned by a then-teammate. Prosecutors described the sexual encounter as rape. The defense argued it was consensual sex.
A man awaiting trial on federal charges of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at his Florida golf course is seeking to get rid of his court-appointed federal public defenders. Court records show that a hearing for Ryan Routh’s motion regarding the proposed termination of his appointed counsel is scheduled for Thursday in Fort Pierce. The motion didn’t say why Routh no longer wished to be represented by the two attorneys. They didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Prosecutors have said Routh plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through shrubbery as Trump played golf in September 2024 at his West Palm Beach country club.
The Kansas City Royals have signed former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league deal. The team announced the signing on Wednesday. The 37-year-old Keuchel worked out for the team last week. He will head to its training facility in Arizona and then is expected to spend time at Triple-A Omaha in the hopes of returning to the big leagues. Keuchel appeared in four games for Milwaukee last season. He spent his first seven seasons with the Astros, helping them win the 2017 World Series. He was a two-time All-Star and won the Cy Young in 2015.
Veronica Burton had 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Kayla Thornton added 18 points and eight boards, and the Golden State Valkyries beat the Indiana Fever 80-61 to spoil Caitlin Clark’s return. The Valkyries held Clark to just 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting as the Fever scored their second-fewest points of the season. Clark returned after missing the past five games with a left groin injury. After Indiana went on a 10-1 run to get within 55-50, Burton ended Golden State’s drought with a 3-pointer. Burton also capped Golden State’s 9-0 run on another 3-pointer with 26 seconds left in the third for a 64-50 lead.
Greg LeMond, who is one of the most decorated cyclists in American history as a three-time Tour de France winner, has been honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. The 64-year-old LeMond received the medal during a ceremony at the Capitol with his wife, Kathy, and children in attendance. It was announced he’d receive the medal in 2020, but the pandemic delayed his ceremony. Johnson presented the medal alongside Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of California and former Republican Rep. Tom Graves of Georgia.
João Pedro scored twice against his boyhood team in his first start for Chelsea, leading the Blues over Fluminense 2-0 and into an all-European Club World Cup final. João Pedro got goals in the 18th and 56th minutes. Chelsea will face Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid in Sunday’s championship. A first-half penalty kick for Fluminense was overturned after a video review. European teams will win their 12th straight Club World Cup title and 17th in 18 tries. Chelsea seeks its second world championship after 2021.
Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz has been added to Monday’s Home Run Derby in Atlanta. He joins Cal Raleigh, Ronald Acuña Jr., Byron Buxton and James Wood. Cruz is known for his powerful homers, and he hit his 16th of the season Tuesday night at Kansas City. On May 25, he hit a homer with a record-breaking 122.9 mph exit velocity. That was the fastest since Statcast started tracking in 2015. The 26-year-old Cruz hit a career-best 21 homers last season.
Kirk Cousins said on the Netflix series “Quarterback” that he played through pain in his right, throwing arm last season in part to keep from losing his starting job with the Atlanta Falcons to rookie backup Michael Penix Jr. Cousins said he felt something was wrong right away after taking a hit in Week 10 but did not want to be “Wally Pipped.” Cousins threw one touchdown pass and eight interceptions over the next four games before Penix replaced him. Cousins remains on Atlanta’s roster with the beginning of training camp two weeks away.
Caitlin Clark expects to play Wednesday when the Indiana Fever host the Golden State Valkyries after missing the past five games with a left groin injury. The All-Star captain participated in practice Monday which was open to season ticket holders, playing in a 5-on-5 scrimmage. It was the first time she’d done that since getting hurt on June 26. Barring any setbacks, Clark will be available to play Wednesday. It was Clark’s second injury of the season. She’s missed nine of the team’s 18 games this season as well as the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final which saw the Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx. Clark had a left quad injury that forced her to miss five games last month.
Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione has announced that the upcoming academic year will be his last in charge of the department, with an official retirement planned for June 2028. The 67-year-old Castiglione spoke at a news conference Tuesday to explain his decision to step down after 27 years of leadership. He said he’d been thinking over the past couple of months about his life journey and family. Castiglione will help the university with its search for a replacement during the 2025-2026 academic year before transitioning into a special projects role for a couple of years.
A federal judge ruled Monday dismissed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for rescinding nearly $800 million dollars in grants for programs supporting violence reduction and crime victims. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta denied a preliminary injunction sought by five organizations on behalf of all recipients of the more than 360 grant awards, and granted a motion by the federal government to dismiss the case. Mehta called the Department of Justice’s actions “shameful,” but said the court lacked jurisdiction and the organizations had failed to state a constitutional violation or protection.
Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres got his 2,000th career hit Monday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a sharp single off the glove of diving shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. The milestone hit came off starter Zac Gallen leading off the fourth inning. Machado received a standing ovation from the crowd at Petco Park, where he’s been a fan favorite since joining the Padres as a free agent in 2019. The All-Star third baseman singled to left field in the first for his 1,999th hit.
The Indiana Pacers won’t be rushing guard Tyrese Haliburton back to the court next season as he recovers from a torn right Achilles tendon. Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said Monday in a news conference that Haliburton “will not play next year.” Haliburton suffered his Achilles injury early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He had surgery June 23 at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. It was a historic postseason for Haliburton, who turned in an array of buzzer-beating winners, incredible plays and some unprecedented stat lines. The Oklahoma City Thunder were crowned champions after beating the Pacers 103-91.
Manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo were fired by the Washington Nationals amid their sixth consecutive losing season since they won the 2019 World Series. The move came hours after a 6-4 loss in Washington on Sunday completed a sweep by the Boston Red Sox. The Nationals are 37-53 and last in their division. The only National League club with a worse record in 2025 is the Colorado Rockies. Rizzo had overseen the roster since 2009, and Martinez had been in the dugout since 2018. Bench coach Miguel Cairo was named interim manager Monday.
Authorities say three people were killed and 10 others injured in a shooting. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel says the three people who died in the shooting early Monday were adults, and two of the wounded are juveniles. The shooting happened shortly before 1 a.m. along a residential street in Grays Ferry, in South Philadelphia. Bethel says numerous rounds were fired. Police say one person with a weapon was taken into custody. The shooting happened after other shootings in the city and elsewhere around the U.S. over the Fourth of July weekend. Those included at least eight people struck by gunfire near a South Philadelphia nightclub.
The PGA Tour says Ed Fiori has died. He is best known for taking down a 20-year-old Tiger Woods in 1996 at the Quad City Classic. The tournament is called the John Deere Classic now. Fiori was a 43-year-old veteran with three tour wins when he trailed Woods going into the final round. It was Woods’ third tournament as a pro. Woods had a quadruple bogey and a four-putt double bogey and gave up the lead. Fiori wound up winning his fourth and final tour title. The tour says he had been battling cancer. Fiori was 72.
Edson Álvarez scored a tiebreaking goal in the 77th minute after a video review reversed an offside call, and Mexico beat the United States 2-1 for its record 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title. Chris Richards put the U.S. ahead in the fourth minute Sunday night in Houston, heading in a Sebastian Berhalter free kick for the second time in the tournament. But Raúl Jiménez tied the score in the 27th with his third goal of this Gold Cup. Álvarez’s goal was confirmed by the VAR, and Mexico held on from there to defend its title from 2023 while improving to 6-2 in Gold Cup finals against the U.S.
It’s win or bust for Brian Campbell on the PGA Tour. Campbell won for the second time this season and both have been in playoffs. He shot a 67 in the final round of the John Deere Classic and beat Emiliano Grillo on the first extra hole when the Argentine went over the green and made bogey. Most peculiar about Campbell’s year is he hasn’t finished inside the top 30 except for those two wins. David Lipsky had a chance to join the playoff when he made eagle on the 17th. But he took bogey on the last hole.
Authorities say All-Pro return man KaVontae Turpin of the Cowboys was arrested in a Dallas suburb on misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Turpin was arrested by police in Allen on Saturday. The 28-year-old is out of jail on bond. The team has declined to comment. The former TCU standout is going into his fourth season with the Cowboys. He recently signed an $18 million, three-year contract. Turpin’s TCU career ended in 2018 when he was kicked off the team amid two domestic violence cases.
Authorities say they’ve found the bodies of all seven people who had been missing since an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Northern California. The explosion shook the tiny farming community of Esparto last week. The fireworks that exploded Tuesday caused a massive blaze and led to other spot fires in Yolo County, northwest of Sacramento. The blast also collapsed the building. The county said Sunday that all human remains have been recovered, but the identities of the deceased are being withheld pending family notification. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
Jesse Chavez has returned for his seventh stint with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves added the 41-year-old reliever to their major league roster before Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. It is the sixth move to add the veteran right-hander to Atlanta’s roster since 2021 and the seventh overall since 2009. Chavez allowed two runs in three innings in his first stint with the Braves this season before he was released and then re-signed with the team. The Braves optioned left-hander Dylan Dodd to Triple-A Gwinnett and transferred right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach to the 60-day injured list.
The U.S. men’s soccer team has reached Sunday’s CONCACAF Gold Cup against Mexico with five straight wins. Defender Chris Richards says the team has embraced a fighting spirit under coach Mauricio Pochettino, which he felt was missing in recent years. Tim Ream, at 37 the oldest U.S. players, said the new coaching staff took time to get used to. This will be the team’s last competitive match before the Americans co-host next year’s World Cup.
FIFA cut standard ticket prices for the semifinal between Chelsea and Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Tuesday to $13.40 from $473.90 earlier in the past week. FIFA has used dynamic pricing for the 63-game tournament. Standard ticket prices for Wednesday’s semifinal between European champion Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in New Jersey start at $199.60. FIFA had dropped ticket prices to $11.15 for a quarterfinal in Orlando, Florida, between Fluminense and Al Hilal. and in Philadelphia between Chelsea and Palmeiras.
Kylian Mbappé’s spectacular bicycle kick was among three goals in second-half stoppage time, and Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in a Club World Cup quarterfinal as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois used his fingertips to palm away the potential tying goal on the game’s final play. Gonzalo García and Fran García scored early as Madrid built a 2-0 lead. Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier scored three minutes into stoppage time and Mbappé, who entered in the 67th, restored a two-goal lead with his bicycle kick one minute later. Serhou Guirassy then converted a penalty kick and Courtois just tipped Marcel Sabitzer’s shot just before the final whistle.
The Los Angeles Sparks edge out the Indiana Fever 89-87 on Saturday night. Azura Stevens led the Sparks with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Kelsey Plum added 20 points. The Fever, missing Caitlin Clark for the fifth straight game due to a groin injury, saw Aliyah Boston score 23 points and grab 12 rebounds. The game remained close throughout, with Rickea Jackson sinking the go-ahead basket for the Sparks with under a minute left. Indiana missed its final five shots, sealing the loss.
Bobby Jenks, a two-time All-Star closer and World Series champion with the Chicago White Sox, has died. He was 44. The White Sox announced Saturday taht Jenks died Friday in Sintra, Portugal. He was being treated there for adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. Jenks helped the White Sox win the 2005 World Series, saving four games in six appearances during the postseason. He was an All-Star in each of the next two seasons while saving 41 games in 2006 and 40 in 2007. He retired 41 consecutive batters in 2007, matching a record for a reliever.
Julian McMahon, an Australia-born actor who performed in the “Fantastic Four” series of films and appeared in popular TV shows such as “Charmed,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Profiler,” has died. The 56-year-old actor’s wife says in a statement that he died peacefully this week after a battle with cancer. McMahon played Dr. Doom in the films “Fantastic Four” in 2005 and “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” which came out two years later. Along with “Charmed,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Profiler,” he also had roles in the TV shows “Home and Away,” “FBI: Most Wanted” and “Another World.”
Eight men deported from the United States in May and held under guard for weeks at an American military base in the African nation of Djibouti while their legal challenge played out in court have now reached the Trump administration’s intended destination, war-torn South Sudan. It’s a country that the State Department advises against travel to due to “crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict.” The immigrants from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam and South Sudan arrived in South Sudan on Friday after a federal judge cleared the way for the Trump administration to relocate them. Their challenge had earlier gone to the Supreme Court, which permitted their removal.
WASHINGTON WASHINGTON (AP) — The Fourth of July is about all things American: parades, cookouts, cold beer and of course,
Jeff McNeil hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Luke Weaver in the seventh inning, leading the New York Mets over the Yankees 6-5 in a Subway Series opener between teams that faded badly after strong starts. Juan Soto hit a two-run homer among three hits against his former team and Brett Baty connected for a solo shot off Ian Hamilton in the sixth, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 5-4. Weaver relieved with two outs in the seventh and walked Pete Alonso. McNeil drove a changeup into the right-field upper deck, sending the Yankees to their fifth straight loss.
Rapper LL Cool J says he will not perform at a Fourth of July festival in Philadelphia in support of a strike by nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia. In a video posted on social media Thursday, the rapper and actor said “there’s absolutely no way that I can perform, cross a picket line and pick up money when I know that people are out there fighting for a living wage.” Philadelphia native and R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan also withdrew. The Wawa Welcome America Festival comes as the strike moved into a fourth day Friday. Trash has been piling up in some areas, and more than 30 Medical Examiner’s Office staffers have been ordered back to work because of a growing backlog of bodies in storage.
WASHINGTON By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE, MARIAM ZUHAIB, ROD LAMKEY and JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSONAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The past week
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest is back, and famed competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut is hoping for a comeback 17th win. The annual event is being held Friday in front of the original Nathan’s Famous’ restaurant at New York’s Coney Island. Chestnut is a 41-year-old competitive eater from Westfield, Indiana. He skipped last year’s event due to a contract dispute involving a deal he had struck with a competing brand, the plant-based meat company Impossible Foods. He’s the favored winner in the men’s competition while 39-year-old defending champ Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, is the favorite in the women’s division. She’s seeking her 11th title.
Federal officials say famed Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested and will be deported to Mexico, where he faces organized crime charges. The 39-year-old boxer was arrested Wednesday in Studio City, California, just days after the former middleweight champion lost a match to Jake Paul in Anaheim. The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Chávez for overstaying a tourist visa and lying on his green card application. Officials said he will be processed for expedited removal to Mexico. The boxer’s attorney said he did not know where Chavez was being detained as of Thursday morning.
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood became the third player to announce he will take part in the Home Run Derby. The derby will be held on July 14, the night before the All-Star Game, at Truist Park in Atlanta. Wood joins Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who leads the majors with 33 homers, in the contest. Wood has 23 homers this season. He’s the third Nationals player to take part in the Home Run Derby, joining Juan Soto (2022) and Bryce Harper (2013 and ’18). The 22-year-old Wood has 12 homers that have been hit harder than 110 mph.
Doug Ghim has set the pace on a day of low scoring in the John Deere Classic. Ghim holed out from the fairway for eagle on his way to a 62. That gives him a one-shot lead over Max Homa and Austin Eckroat at the TPC Deere Run. The tournament is renowned for producing first-time winners on the PGA Tour. Ghim is in his sixth year on the PGA Tour and has played 160 times as a pro without winning. He’s been around long enough to know Thursday is little more than a good start. Aldrich Potgieter opened with 67.
The president of the University of California has reiterated that student governments are prohibited from financial boycotts of companies associated with any particular country, including Israel. The letter sent by President Michael Drake to chancellors comes as the Trump administration continues its probe of alleged antisemitism on college campuses. Drake said that country-based financial boycotts violate policies requiring the use of sound business practices. The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemns the ban. College campuses have been the site of pro-Palestinian demonstrations since the war in Gaza broke out in 2023.
A jury in Oregon has found former NBA player Ben McLemore guilty of raping a 21-year-old incapacitated woman during a lake house party attended by many of his then-teammates from the Portland Trail Blazers. The jury found 32-year-old McLemore guilty of rape, unlawful sexual penetration and one count of sexual abuse. He was found not guilty on another count of sexual abuse. Sentencing was scheduled for Wednesday. The charges stemmed from a party on Oct. 3, 2021, at a home owned by Robert Covington, McLemore’s then-teammate. Prosecutors claimed during the trial that the sexual encounter was rape, while McLemore’s attorney countered it was consensual sex.
The University of Montana is changing course and will opt-in this year to the NCAA’s House settlement. The recent settlement means athletic programs across the country are free to start paying millions to their athletes in the biggest change in the history of college athletics. The deadline for schools around the country to opt out was Monday. Montana was originally planning to opt-in during the 2026-27 academic year. The school explained that it switched after rosters were grandfathered into the final approved settlement so that roster cuts weren’t necessary.
Nissan is recalling more than 480,000 of its vehicles across the U.S. and Canada due to potential manufacturing defects that could cause engine failure. The recall covers certain Nissan Rogues between 2021-2024 model years and 2019-2020 Altimas — as well as a number of 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50s and 2022 Infiniti QX55s sold under the automaker’s luxury brand. The vehicles impacted carry specific “VC-Turbo” engines that may have manufacturing defects in their bearings. This may cause engine damage and possibly lead to engine failure while driving, the regulator warns — increasing crash risks. As a remedy, Nissan and Infiniti dealers will inspect the engine pan of these-now recalled cars — and repair or replace the engine if necessary.
The U.S. men’s soccer team advanced to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico after a 2-1 win over Guatemala. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said the sellout crowd of 22,423 at Energizer Park, which rooted overwhelmingly for the visitors, was “like to play in Guatemala.” Diego Luna scored in the fourth and 15th minutes for the U.S., giving him three goals in the tournament. Sunday’s final in Houston will be the Americans’ last competitive match before next year’s World Cup.
Diego Luna scored twice in the first 15 minutes, and the United States hung on to beat Guatemala 2-1 to reach its first CONCACAF Gold Cup final since 2021. Luna put the U.S. ahead with a left-footed shot in the fourth minute, then scored with his right in the 15th for his third goal in two games. Olger Escobar scored in the 80th for Guatemala. The U.S. plays defending champion Mexico for the title Sunday at Houston.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will have three fan-elected starters in the All-Star Game, with first baseman Freddie Freeman and catcher Will Smith joining designated hitter Shohei Ohtani as winners in final ballot totals. Detroit will have three fan-picked starters for the first time since 2007 after second baseman Gleyber Torres along with outfielders Riley Greene and Javier Báez were voted in at their positions for the July 15 game at Atlanta’s Truist Park. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs were picked for the NL outfield along with Ronald Acuña Jr. of the host Braves.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has sparked reactions from Cleveland and Detroit after questioning the WNBA’s decision to expand to those cities. On Tuesday, Cunningham expressed doubt about how excited people would be to visit Cleveland or Detroit. In response, Cleveland’s social media highlighted Fever star Caitlin Clark’s positive comments about the city during the 2024 Final Four. Detroit’s account emphasized its strong sports culture and the former Shock franchise’s attendance success. The WNBA announced Monday that Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia will host new teams by 2030, expanding to 18 teams. Toronto and Portland are set to join next season.
Buffalo Bills first-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston faces a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault in 2021. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Kentucky and alleges Hairston entered a woman’s dorm room uninvited and assaulted her while he was on the Kentucky football team. The Bills declined to comment but referred to earlier remarks by general manager Brandon Beane, who said the team had investigated the allegations and found no substance to them. Hairston was drafted 30th overall in April. He is competing for a starting cornerback position. The Bills resume training camp later this month.
The Trump administration is withholding more than $6 billion in federal grants for after-school and summer programs, English language instruction, adult literacy and more. The administration says it is reviewing the grants to ensure they align with President Donald Trump’s priorities. The move leaves states and schools in limbo as they budget for programs this summer and the upcoming school year, introducing new uncertainty about when or if they will receive the money. Programs that rely on the funding were expecting it to be released July 1, but an Education Department notice issued Monday announced the money would not be distributed while the programs are under review.
Gary Woodland will be going to his first Ryder Cup as an assistant captain for the American team. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley picked Woodland as his fifth and final vice captain for the Sept. 26-28 matches at Bethpage Black. Woodland’s only cup experience was playing in the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in 2019. That was the same year he won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Woodland joins Kevin Kisner, Brandt Snedeker, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson as Bradley’s assistants. They could take on an additional role if Bradley decides to become the first playing captain since 1963.
Less expensive versions of high-end clothing and other accessories are just about everywhere these days. But these fashio dupes are also drawing some businesses into legal battles. In the latest example, Lululemon has sued Costco, accusing the retailer of selling cheaper imitations of its popular athleisure wear. Dupes, or less expensive alternatives to luxury products, are far from new, but their popularity has surged with social media trends. Recent examples include Target’s $15 version of Hermès $1,000 fuzzy slippers and a $99 version of Bottega Veneta’s $2,800 hobo bag sold on Quince. And, while not to be confused with counterfeits, some dupes raise legal concerns over potential trademark or copyright infringement.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has raised concerns about the WNBA’s choice of markets for its three latest expansion teams. Cunningham said Tuesday that the league should listen to players about where they want to play. She says, “I don’t know how excited people are” about the possibility of going to Detroit or Cleveland. The league announced plans on Monday to add franchises in Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030. Cleveland and Detroit have already seen WNBA franchises come and go.
A federal judge in New York has blocked the Trump administration from ending temporary legal status for more than 500,000 Haitians who are already in the United States. District Court Judge Brian M. Cogan in New York ruled Tuesday that moving up the expiration of the temporary protected status by at least five months for Haitians, some of whom have lived in the U.S. for more than a decade, is unlawful. The Biden administration had extended Haiti’s TPS status through at least Feb. 3, 2026, due to gang violence, political unrest and other factors. But last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it was terminating those legal protections as soon as Sept. 2.
The popular halftime show performer who goes by Red Panda fell off her unicycle and crashed to the court during intermission of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night, unable to finish her show. There was no immediate word on the extent of her injuries. She was helped off the floor by wheelchair. Red Panda, whose name is Rong Niu, is Chinese American and her act is composed of her riding on her custom-built unicycle, which stretches about 8 feet above the court, and balancing custom-made bowls on her lower leg before flipping them atop her head.
The four University of Idaho students found stabbed to death at a rental home near campus on Nov. 13, 2022, were all friends and members of the university’s Greek system. The killings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin left many of their classmates and residents reeling with grief and fear. Autopsies showed the four were all likely asleep when they were attacked. Some had defensive wounds and each was stabbed multiple times. A lawyer for one victim’s family has said that 30-year-old Bryan Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to killing the four students as part of a deal to avoid the death penalty.
A federal judge says that recent layoffs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were likely unlawful and must be halted. U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose in Rhode Island granted the preliminary injunction sought by a coalition after sweeping cuts to agencies including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and other divisions of the federal health department. The judge said the states were likely to prevail in their lawsuit claiming the layoffs and restructuring were arbitrary and capricious, violating federal law. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. eliminated more than 10,000 employees in late March and consolidated 28 agencies to just 15.
Daniel Suárez, the only Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR national series race, is out at Trackhouse Racing at the end of the 2025 season. Trackhouse and Suárez officially called the parting a “mutual decision” that allows the driver an earlier opportunity to pursue a new ride for next season. While Trackhouse did not name a replacement in the No. 99 Chevrolet, Suárez’s departure opened the door for the team to promote teen sensation Connor Zilisch into the ride. Zilisch, who drives in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, has run three Cup races for Trackhouse this season, including Saturday night at Atlanta.