LINCOLN, Calif. (AP) — One thing Anne Smull, a retired feedstore owner, was looking forward to on Election Day was voting for the man who currently represents her in Congress, conservative Rep. Kevin Kiley. Now she can't.
That's because California Democrats sliced Kiley's district six ways as payback for Republican redistricting in Texas and elsewhere. The chunk of the district that Smull, who identifies as a conservative, lives in is now grafted onto an overwhelmingly Democratic seat based in the state's wine country.
During a recent lunch at a cafe in Lincoln, a onetime agricultural town that has morphed into a bedroom community on the edge of Sacramento's exurban sprawl, Smull was heartbroken to hear she can no longer vote for Kiley.
"He believes in the same things I do," Smull said. "It feels sneaky and underhanded."
Democratic voters in several other states know how Smull feels.

#kiley #democratic #district #anne

Padres' Adrian Morejon gets 40% trade deadline update after false Yankees report originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Diego Padres have a few major decisions to make before Monday's 6 p.m. EDT cutoff time for the Major League Baseball trade deadline.
San Diego has two of the best relievers in baseball at their disposal. Will one or both of them be traded?
Neither? San Diego is 8-2 in its last 10 games and is just 1.5 games back of an NL Wild Card spot.
"The Padres have a huge ask on [Adrian] Morejón, and with good reason. If he is dealt, he could very easily be the best reliever to move this deadline," ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan wrote. "Morejón is an impending free agent and at this juncture is likelier to go than [Mason] Miller because of it."

#Padres #adrian

George Kirby trade update could be 'deadline game changer' for Cubs, Braves originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Seattle Mariners could trade one of their top starting pitchers before Monday's Major League Baseball trade deadline.
Right-hander George Kirby's trade odds have skyrocketed over the past several days, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan.
The ESPN duo tabbed Kirby's chances of being traded at 50%.
"Seattle's openness to moving Kirby could be a deadline game changer, with the starting pitching market at a standstill and Kirby rising to the top of all non-Skubal arms," McDaniel and Passan wrote.

#changer

Orioles 22-year-old former first overall pick given 40% chance of being traded originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Baltimore Orioles are sitting on the outside looking in for the AL Wild Card this season, though they're only 1.5 games back of a spot. But that position in the postseason hunt has resulted in a bit of an odd situation.
The 54-56 Orioles, entering Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, might end up selling at the trade deadline. Taylor Ward and other rentals make sense, but Adley Rutschman might be on the move, too.
However, the more surprising player who, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, has a 40% chance of being traded this summer is 22-year-old infielder and former No. 1 overall pick Jackson Holliday.
"19. Jackson Holliday, 2B, Baltimore Orioles. Chance of being traded: 40%," Passan and McDaniel project. "... Since the All-Star break, he is hitting over .400, and though the slug hasn't arrived, Holliday is still just 22 and would likely be flipped for pitching."

#sporting

Mets updated odds to trade Luke Weaver from ESPN are unexpectedly high originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Mets are going to sell at the 2026 MLB trade deadline. They've already begun this sell-off, shipping David Peterson to the Chicago Cubs and A.J. Minter to the Minnesota Twins.
Brooks Raley, Freddy Peralta, and Clay Holmes are sure to follow. But, when it comes to Luke Weaver, there is one big difference: control. All those other players are free agents at season's end. Weaver is under contract for 2027.
However, ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel revealed the updated odds for Weaver to be traded. Those odds are unexpectedly high, sitting at 70% chance for Weaver to be traded by the Mets this summer.
"18. Luke Weaver, RHP, New York Mets. Chance of being traded: 70%," Passan and McDaniel projected. "... He's exactly what teams are seeking this time of year."

#LUKE #traded #sporting #chance

ESPN reveals odds Blue Jays trade Kevin Gausman by MLB deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Blue Jays haven't had the kind of season they were hoping for after coming just one win away from a World Series **** le a year ago.
Now, with the MLB trade deadline just a few days away, it's become increasingly likely that the Blue Jays will wind up as sellers for the deadline. They have some players of note who could be dealt, with Kevin Gausman being one of the most important.
But what are the odds of Gausman actually being traded? ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan revealed the updated odds of a Gausman trade, which were fairly high at 75%.
"13. Kevin Gausman, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays. Chance of being traded: 75%," Passan and McDaniel project.

#odds

3 reasons why Orioles might trade Adley Rutschman by 2026 MLB deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Baltimore Orioles are in an interesting spot as a franchise, because on one hand, they're still in the postseason hunt, while on the other reveals a chance to be major sellers and land a haul to shake up their current core.
There's been plenty of attention on Taylor Ward in the outfield as a trade target, but catcher Adley Rutschman, even on the injured list, is receiving significant interest. But, will the Orioles trade their fan favorite All-Star catcher?
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, there are three good reasons why a trade of Rutschman has a real chance of happening this season.
"Rutschman's renaissance this season has come at a great time for Baltimore: He's a free agent after next season, Baltimore has Samuel Basallo locked up long term, and there's almost no chance of the sides coming together on a long-term deal," Passan and McDaniel write.

#chance #adley

Astros have one question left amid Jeremy Pena trade rumors, per EPSN originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Houston Astros are expected to buy at the 2026 MLB trade deadline after their strong performances recently have them atop the AL West.
But, despite likely buying this summer, there are still plenty of rumors floating around about Jeremy Pena and his trade availability. There's been enough buzz about a Pena trade that it can't completely be ruled out until the deadline passes.
ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel revealed the odds that Pena is traded are at 25%, but more importantly, revealed the one last question left for Houston about a potential trade of Pena.
"Replenishing a bad farm system with few players close to the big leagues takes a move like trading Pena, and the only question at this point is whether it will be before Aug. 3 or before the Dec. 1 lockout," Passan and McDaniel write.

#sporting

Tigers updated odds to trade away Tarik Skubal revealed by ESPN originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Tigers are one of the more interesting teams at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, as they have Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Gleyber Torres, and others who could fetch solid returns this summer.
But, since they're not too far out of the postseason hunt, there have been some questions about whether this team would actually trade players this season. But, just a few days away from the deadline, the updated odds point to one conclusion.
ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel projected updated trade odds for Skubal, revealing that the two-time Cy Young-winning ace has a surprisingly high 90% chance of being traded by the August 3 MLB trade deadline.
"1. Tarik Skubal, LHP, Detroit Tigers. Chance of being traded: 90%," McDaniel and Passan project ahead of the deadline.

#passan

Pair of Rangers draft picks land in the top ten of ESPN insider's team prospect rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 MLB Draft is officially in the rearview mirror, and the Texas Rangers' newest additions are already making their mark.
ESPN MLB insider Kiley McDaniel recently released his updated rankings of each organization's top 10 prospects, and a pair of 2026 draft picks immediately made Texas' list. McDaniel's top 10 Rangers prospects are as follows, with bolded names denoting 2026 draft picks:
Sebastian Walcott, SS
Caden Scarborough, RHP

#draft #texas #pair

At 78, Joe Manchin is stepping back into politics.
A year and a half after leaving office fed up with the major parties, the former West Virginia senator is launching a new effort, the Independent Leadership Council, to recruit and support independent candidates across the country.
"We're not trying to start another party," Manchin told CNN in an interview with his daughter, who's also leading the council. "We're trying to get a person who can be committed to – and totally committed to – being an independent with an independent voice. They can vote with Democrats and Republicans when they're right and speak out against them when they're wrong."
Manchin kicked off the effort Thursday by convening candidates in West Virginia. Attendees include California Rep. Kevin Kiley, a former Republican running for reelection as an independent; Seth Bodnar, an independent candidate for Senate in Montana; and Michael Bridgford, an independent candidate for the House in Iowa. The group is also eying races in Alaska and Washington.
The initiative comes at a time of deepening disillusionment with both major parties, and as a record high 45% of American adults identify as political independents, according to a Gallup poll released earlier this year.

#west #virginia #year

Giants get good news on trade deadline market for $113 million star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Under two weeks to go until the 2026 MLB trade deadline on August 3, and the San Francisco Giants are very obvious sellers.
Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray are clearly going to be on the block, with both likely to be dealt. But the Giants also want to trade away their expensive veterans, making over $100 million, but that's not going to be easy.
That is, except for one $113 million outfielder, Jung Hoo Lee, who, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, should have a strong market at the MLB trade deadline.
"While the Giants' desire to dump their high-profile players with high-priced contracts will run into plenty of resistance, they should be able to cobble together a market if they really are interested in moving Lee," Passan and McDaniel write.

#Giants #deadline #market

Mets get 90% trade odds for pitcher not named Freddy Peralta originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Mets are expected to be trade deadline sellers this summer, and there are plenty of interesting options for teams to consider in a deal by the August 3 deadline.
While a lot of focus will be on Freddy Peralta, rightfully so, there are some other players worth keeping an eye on this summer. Brooks Raley, A.J. Minter, and Luke Weaver are some interesting reliever trade options, but a different starter should be of interest.
ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel projected that a Mets starter, but not Peralta, has a 90% chance of being traded by the deadline this summer. That pitcher is former New York Yankees veteran Clay Holmes.
"17. Clay Holmes, RHP, New York Mets. Chance of being traded: 90%," McDaniel and Passan project. "... He has shot up this list because teams' interest in him runs deep -- and the only reason he's not higher than 90% to go is due to the possibility of him remaining in New York on a contract extension."

#trade #passan

Braves could compete with five teams for Angels' 25-year-old shortstop with 30% trade odds originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves are heading towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline with needs in the outfield, shortstop, and the starting rotation.
While outfield and the rotation might be easily resolved, shortstop is a much more difficult position to address. CJ Abrams of the rival Washington Nationals might not be an option, and Jeremy Pena might be dealt in the offseason. But another target has emerged.
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan named the Braves as a potential fit for the Los Angeles Angels' 25-year-old shortstop Zach Neto, with five other teams also tabbed as fits for the star infielder with a 30% chance of being traded.
"Chance of being traded: 30%... The Angels are at the very least listening, which is more than they've done at past deadlines," Passan and McDaniel write. "Best fits: Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, New York Yankees."

#Angels #sporting #chance

Padres' odds to trade Mason Miller revealed by ESPN are higher than expected originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Diego Padres and A.J. Preller are always a team to watch at the MLB trade deadline, and this summer's deadline of August 3 is no different.
However, unlike their plan last season, which involved adding a ton of talent, the Padres might end up selling a bit this summer to try to improve their odds both in 2026 and beyond.
One way they could do so is by trading Mason Miller. Speaking of which, ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel revealed the odds of a trade, which were higher than expected.
"4. Mason Miller, RHP, San Diego Padres. Chance of being traded: 40%," Passan and McDaniel projected.

#miller #trade #mcdaniel

Those hoping hoping to see the Sox splash the cash on some hard-to-sign candidates on day 2 of the MLB Draft were immediately disappointed, as the Red Sox spent their fifth round pick on Lucas Davenport, a pitcher out of Baylor University who was unranked by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline heading into the draft.
Davenport is a beastly 6-6, 230 lbs. and his pick launched a mini-run on those big college pitchers Craig Breslow likes so much: sixth rounder Brett Lanman, a 6-5, 23o lbs. lefty out of Abilene Christian, eighth rounder Josh Volmerding, a 6-4, 210 lbs. lefty out of California Polytech, thirteenth rounder Mason Lei, a 6-4, 215 lbs. righty out of the University of Illinois-Chicago, and fifteenth rounder Chase Frey, a 6-6 225 lbs. lefty out of Grand Canyon University.
The highlights of Day 2 are the two higher-ranked high schoolers the Sox nabbed back-to-back in the ninth and tenth rounds. Ninth rounder Martin Shelar, an outfielder, comes out of the baseball powerhouse that is the Marist School in Georgia. He has massive power potential, is committed to Mississippi State, and was ranked as the 65th-best prospect overall by FanGraphs, 125th by Baseball America, and 175th by MLB Pipeline.
Tenth rounder Kaleb LaFavor out of Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City, Iowa is a towering 6-7 righty with a ton of extension who can already hit 95 MPH on the gun. He was ranked the 171st-best prospect by ESPN evaluator Kiley McDaniel, 465th by Baseball America, and is committed to the University of Iowa. Craig Breslow's got bonus pool money burning a hole in his pocket, and it's going to go to these guys in hopes of enticing them away from college (speaking as someone who spent a fair bit of time partying in Iowa City as a 22-year-old, good luck in LeFavor's case).
Here's the full slate of day 2 picks:

The Texas Rangers, with their second round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, #54 overall, select Austin high school infielder Connor Comeau. We did a write-up on Comeau earlier this week.
Connor Comeau is a 6’4”, 180 lb. lefthanded hitting, righthanded throwing infielder out of Anderson High School in Austin, Texas. Comeau is on the young side for a draftee, as he doesn’t turn 18 until August. He is committed to Texas A&M, though the Rangers wouldn’t be taking him in the second round if they weren’t confident he would sign.
Comeau offers a quality hit tool with power projection. Baseball America says he “stands out for his present hitting ability.” He has a nice, easy swing and showed strong contact ability on the showcase circuit last summer. He has shown the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. He has shown the ability to hit for power — MLB Pipeline notes he finished second in the Home Run Derby at the Canadian Futures Showcase this past summer — but is still extremely lean currently, so there’s a belief that he should add more power as he develops and his body fills out.
Comeau played shortstop in high school, but most likely will immediately move to third base as a professional. He has a good arm, but not much speed, so third base would be the best fit for him, if he can stick there.
Baseball America has Comeau at #55 on their board. MLB Pipeline has Comeau at #55 on their board. Kiley McDaniel puts puts Comeau at #66 on his top 150 list. Keith Law has Comeau at #59 on his board. Fangraphs has Comeau at #32 on their board. Baseball Prospectus does not have Comeau on their top 30 draft board.

The Milwaukee Brewers will hold the 25th pick in the Major League Baseball draft July 11, a first-round selection who will get thrown into the best farm system in the league.
Here's a quick look at what mock drafts have to say about the player the Brewers might select:
Keith Law of The Athletic zooms in on the left-handed, 6-foot-4 corner infielder. After Brock Wilken, Blake Burke and Andrew Fischer, would the Brewers again select a college corner infielder in the first round for a fourth straight year?
"Reese fits some of the Brewers’ recent high picks, as he grades out a little better in the model than he does on the field, similar to recent selections Andrew Fischer and Eric Brown," Law said. "That said, they’ve gone in all directions with recent high picks, including taking a high school pitcher at 33 in 2023 (the recently returned Josh Knoth)."
Kiley McDaniel of ESPN also saw Reese as a fit.

Red Sox receive 90% trade update on Aroldis Chapman from ESPN originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 Boston Red Sox have not had a good year whatsoever. Alex Cora has been fired, Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet have missed most of the season, and not much has gone right overall.
Now, under a month to go until the MLB trade deadline, the Red Sox are likely to act as sellers. If and when they do, the Red Sox will have some interesting decisions to make.
But one thing they should have no questions over is what to do with Aroldis Chapman. ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel gave the Red Sox a 90% chance to trade Chapman this summer, and it's an update that should surprise no Red Sox fans this year.
"10. Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Boston Red Sox. Chance of being traded: 90%," Passan and McDaniel write. "... Here's the greatest truism of the deadline: Everyone needs a good reliever. Teams will climb over each other for Chapman."

Red Sox linked to Cubs former top infield prospect as fascinating trade target originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While the Boston Red Sox are expected to act as trade deadline sellers this season, it's still possible for the Red Sox to add players who could help in 2027 or even 2026 at the deadline.
A good way to do so would be adding a player or two who could factor into the MLB roster right away in exchange for a veteran player. There are plenty of players who fit the bill, one of whom comes from the Chicago Cubs.
Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN linked the Red Sox to Cubs infielder Matt Shaw, who they project has a 40% chance of being traded, as a potential trade fit. This would be very intriguing, and it could also be a huge help for the Red Sox.
"Matt Shaw, IF, Chicago Cubs. Chance of being traded: 40%," Passan and McDaniel write. "Best fits: Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Royals, Brewers, Blue Jays, Giants."

Blue Jays' Christian Walker trade rumor raises George Springer question originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Blue Jays' lineup has lacked power all season long.
To add it, though, they create some potential lineup question marks, particularly with George Springer.
The latest rumor circulating is from ESPN, where writers Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel list the Blue Jays as one of the "best fits" for Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker.
Walker's power has been in strong supply this season, but the Astros have struggled, so he's a logical trade candidate.

Drake's longtime ******* ociate Chubbs appears to have weighed in on the growing controversy surrounding Sauce Walka after alleged audio surfaced online containing threats directed at the Toronto superstar.
On Monday, a screenshot circulating on social media showed Chubbs commenting under a post from the Instagram page keep6ixsolid discussing the leaked allegations. Reacting to claims that Sauce Walka had threatened Drake, Chubbs dismissed the situation with three crying laughing emo j**z and a blunt response: "N***a ain't gone do nothing."
The latest development comes amid an increasingly messy public dispute involving Sauce Walka and the mother of his child, Houston-based content creator Kiley Lossen.
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Over the weekend, Lossen shared a series of Instagram posts and alleged screenshots aimed at the Houston rapper. She also included audio of a man purported to be Sauce Walka who can be heard using explicit language while discussing Lossen, their child, and Drake. The recording also included alleged threats directed toward the OVO Sound founder. Lossen later claimed that she and Drake had been romantically involved in 2024.