Gator Capital Management, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the Q2 2026 investor letter from Gator Capital Management, the firm reported strong absolute performance across its funds, demonstrating notable outperformance relative to the Financials sector, even though it slightly lagged the broader market. The funds' investments in small and mid-cap Financials continued to outperform the largest banks and insurance companies during this quarter. Gator Financial Partners, LLC achieved a return of 14.82%, Gator Offshore Partners, Ltd returned 14.58%, and Gator Qualified Partners, LLC saw a gain of 13.98%. In comparison, the S&P 500 Total Return Index gained 15.20%, and the S&P 1500 Financials Index returned 9.36%. The letter also highlights an investment thesis regarding Navient Corporation, emphasizing that, despite being viewed as a declining servicer of legacy student loans, Navient is well-positioned for future growth. Please review the Funds' top five holdings to gain insights into their key selections for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Gator Capital Management highlighted Navient Corporation (NASDAQ:NAVI). The firm shared its investment thesis on Navient Corporation (NASDAQ:NAVI), a US-based technology-enabled education finance for education company. On August 4, 2026, Navient Corporation (NASDAQ:NAVI) closed at $9.36 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $879.74 million. Navient Corporation (NASDAQ:NAVI) posted a one-month return of 15.84%, while its shares lost 24.82% over the past 52 weeks.
Gator Capital Management stated the following regarding Navient Corporation (NASDAQ:NAVI) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Navient Corporation (NASDAQ:NAVI) trades at roughly 40% of tangible book value as investors continue to view it as a runoff portfolio of legacy student loans, in other words, a melting ice cube. We believe that Navient is becoming a growth lender again, and investor perception will shift in time. The private student lending market is entering its first meaningful expansion in more than fifteen years, an activist investor has completed a major restructuring of the company, and early evidence suggests Navient's loan portfolio may be returning to growth for the first time in years.
To understand the opportunity in Navient's stock, we believe it is important to understand some of the dynamics and history of the student lending industry. Since there are only three publicly traded companies focused on the student lending industry and their combined market cap is only $10 billion, the vast majority of investors are not knowledgeable on the subject…" (Click here to read the full text)

#navient #corporation #navi #student

Brian Austin Green is standing by his former Beverly Hills, 90210 costar Tori Spelling as she navigates the future after her surprise departure from the 90210MG podcast.
In a video TMZ posted to X on Thursday, August 6, former on screen couple reunited for a short Q&A session, with text on the clip that read: "Questions and answers with Tori." Spelling, 53, wore sunglasses and Green, also 53, kept it casual in a white T-shirt and camouflage baseball cap.
Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA
"Will Tori ever return to the 0MG pod? I don't think — are we really going to talk about the 0MG pod…yet? I think we need a little time on that, right?" Green asked, to which Spelling simply replied: "Yeah."
Green said that the Stori Telling author may need some "time to sort of gather [her] thoughts."

#time #austin

Greenskeeper **** et Management, an independent firm that specializes in disciplined value investing, recently released its Q2 2026 scorecard. A copy is available to download here. After a slow start to the year, the Fund gained 10.9% in the quarter, lifting its year-to-date return to 1.9%. The rebound came as markets showed signs of rotating away from momentum stocks and toward companies supported by reasonable valuations. Please review the Fund's top five holdings to gain insights into their key selections for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Greenskeeper **** et Management highlighted Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT). Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) is an aerospace and defense company that engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services. On August 03, 2026, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) closed at $586.29 per share. The one-month return of Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) was 9.51%, and its shares gained 36.91% over the past 52 weeks. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) has a market capitalization of $135.32 billion.
Greenskeeper **** et Management stated the following regarding Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) was our second-largest detractor during the quarter, declining 15.7%. The sell-off was primarily driven by execution challenges within its Aeronautics division, which delayed aircraft deliveries and required additional rework on certain fixed-price contracts. These issues weighed on near-term profitability and raised concerns about the company's ability to meet its production targets.
We view these operational headwinds as temporary. Global demand for defence capabilities remains exceptionally strong as governments replenish depleted inventories and navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical backdrop. Anchored by leading positions across critical defence programs, Lockheed Martin remains well-positioned to drive long-term cash generation as execution normalizes and order backlogs convert into deliveries."

#gained

Apple (AAPL) delivered another quarter of headline-beating results, with revenue and earnings topping Wall Street's expectations. Yet instead of celebrating, investors rushed for the exits, sending the stock sharply lower after the company's closely watched Services business fell short of expectations.
The miss has raised fresh concerns about the health of Apple's most profitable growth engine at a time when the iPhone maker is already navigating intensifying competition, regulatory pressure on the App Store, and slowing momentum in its high-margin digital ecosystem.
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Billionaire Ken Griffin Just Saved Situational Awareness, But Here's What a Rescue Call From Citadel Really Sounds Like — 'I… Heard the Grim Reaper's Scythe'

#expectations #general

Greenskeeper **** et Management, an independent firm that specializes in disciplined value investing, recently released its Q2 2026 scorecard. A copy is available to download here. After a slow start to the year, the Fund gained 10.9% in the quarter, lifting its year-to-date return to 1.9%. The rebound came as markets showed signs of rotating away from momentum stocks and toward companies supported by reasonable valuations. Please review the Fund's top five holdings to gain insights into their key selections for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Greenskeeper **** et Management highlighted Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT). Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) is an aerospace and defense company that engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services. On August 03, 2026, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) closed at $586.29 per share. The one-month return of Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) was 9.51%, and its shares gained 36.91% over the past 52 weeks. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) has a market capitalization of $135.32 billion.
Greenskeeper **** et Management stated the following regarding Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) was our second-largest detractor during the quarter, declining 15.7%. The sell-off was primarily driven by execution challenges within its Aeronautics division, which delayed aircraft deliveries and required additional rework on certain fixed-price contracts. These issues weighed on near-term profitability and raised concerns about the company's ability to meet its production targets.
We view these operational headwinds as temporary. Global demand for defence capabilities remains exceptionally strong as governments replenish depleted inventories and navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical backdrop. Anchored by leading positions across critical defence programs, Lockheed Martin remains well-positioned to drive long-term cash generation as execution normalizes and order backlogs convert into deliveries."

#NYSE #management #quarter #gained

He discussed the balance between competing now and protecting the franchise's long-term future. He made it clear he didn't want the Warriors to "suck right now, either," but also emphasized that he and the organization would navigate those decisions about the future together. "I think honestly, you figure it out in real time," Stephen Curry told The Athletic.
New York Times
Bobby Krivitsky: Ron Harper Jr. reveals his top-5 NBA players of all-time. It's a list that includes Steph Curry. He also has his dad's former teammate, Michael Jordan, ahead of LeBron James. — 8/4/2026 x.com
NBA Trade Machine: Stephen Curry appeared in 5.8% of trades built on HoopsMatic over the past 24 hours. Of his trades, his most common destinations were Boston (27.1%), San Antonio (16.7%), and Philadelphia (14.6%). The players traded for him most often were Paul George (19.8%), De'Aaron Fox (15.6%), and Cade Cunningham (7.3%). — 8/4/2026 HoopsMatic
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker has weighed in on one of basketball's most popular debates, revealing his all-time NBA starting lineup. In a video posted to TikTok by chickenwrapcharge, Booker selected Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Shaquille O'Neal as his all-time starting five. — 8/4/2026 Clutch Points

#curry #time #future

He discussed the balance between competing now and protecting the franchise's long-term future. He made it clear he didn't want the Warriors to "suck right now, either," but also emphasized that he and the organization would navigate those decisions about the future together. "I think honestly, you figure it out in real time," Stephen Curry told The Athletic.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Stephen Curry addresses talk of requesting a trade from the Warriors

#Warriors #hoops #balance

Neymar and Santos managed to get a close win over Remo to eliminate them from the Copa do Brasil, but it was the star's reaction afterwards that garnered attention.
Neymar came off the bench to set up fellow substitute Rony's goal against Remo in the second-leg of their Round of 16 tie in the Copa do Brasil.
However, he had a visceral and aggressive reaction towards the fans, Remo players, officials, and staff after the game that has since gone viral.
Photo by Marco Buenavista/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images
After the game was over, Neymar, who had been the target of Remo fans' hostility, celebrated Santos' win by blowing kisses to the crowd.

#remo #santos #fans

Microsoft's growth story is undeniable, but its latest earnings call revealed the one question that truly matters: who is paying for the large AI buildout, and what happens if they stop?
After a year of underperforming the S&P 500, Microsoft (MSFT) stock has been climbing again, powered by an AI narrative that seems unstoppable. But on its latest earnings call, the real story was not the impressive growth, but the large spending required to generate it. The entire Q&A session circled one central question: with the company investing at a historic pace, is the return on that capital both real and defensible?
The justification for the spending spree starts with Azure's stunning growth. Azure's revenue grew 43% this quarter, a figure that prompted ***** ysts to probe the underlying drivers. Management's response was clear: the growth is real, and it is constrained by supply, not demand. The company stated that "Customer demand continues to exceed available capacity." In fact, the better-than-expected results were partly driven by engineering teams getting more out of the existing infrastructure and bringing new capacity online faster. Every efficiency gain, the CFO noted, was "quickly monetized" because the demand was already there waiting. This paints a picture of a company racing to build factories for a product that sells before it even hits the shelf.
If the demand is so strong, what is the risk? That was the core of the sharpest challenge of the call, a direct question about the danger of overbuilding and the pressure of rising component prices. The concern is that Microsoft is spending billions on a gold rush, and could be left with expensive, empty data centers if demand normalizes. Management's answer focused on flexibility. The CFO explained that the majority of capital spending is on "short-lived ***** ets" like CPUs and GPUs, not the buildings themselves. If the demand environment changes, the company can simply slow down orders for those components. The response was a direct attempt to reframe the large CapEx number from a fixed risk to a variable, manageable cost. It was a solid, logical answer, though the real test of that flexibility has yet to come.
In the end, management projects confidence, guiding for another year of double-digit revenue and operating income growth. The adoption of services like Microsoft 365 Copilot, which now has over 30 million paid seats, supports that optimism. We recently looked at what investors are paying for at these levels in a separate piece. But the company also gave a crucial tell in its own guidance: for the full fiscal year, operating margins are expected to be "down less than 1 point." That single data point acknowledges the pressure from this investment cycle. The thing to watch next quarter is that margin figure. If it holds steady, it means the company is successfully navigating the costs of its AI ambition. If it slips, the question of who pays for all this will get much louder.

#microsof

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:ORLY) recently reported solid financial results for the second quarter of 2026. For the quarter ended June 30, 2026, sales increased by $367 million, or 8%, to $4.89 billion from $4.53 billion in the same period last year. Gross profit also increased 8% to $2.52 billion compared to the same period one year ago, while the gross margin remained unchanged at 51.4% of sales.
Despite the strong quarterly performance, some Wall Street **** ysts lowered their price targets on O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:ORLY) while keeping their positive ratings on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut its price target from $112 to $108 and maintained its Overweight rating. The research firm said the company's second-quarter results were broadly in line with expectations and believes its underlying earnings power remains intact.
DA Davidson also reduced its price target on O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:ORLY) to $106 from $114 while keeping its Buy rating. The firm noted that the company indicated it is not pursuing a deal with GPC, with both companies now stepping away from the transaction. According to DA Davidson, the market had not reacted favorably to the potential deal.
Bull Case
DA Davidson noted that O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:ORLY) selling, general, and administrative expenses pressure have reached their peak, which should support stronger incremental margins. The firm also pointed out that the company's implied guidance for the second half of 2026 could prove to be conservative even as it navigates margin pressure.

#automotive #orly

The White Sox (59-53) folded on offense and waved the white flag on the mound as the Red Sox (61-51) rolled to a 14-2 victory in Tuesday's series opener, outhitting Chicago, 15-6. Davis Martin floundered through five innings while Patrick Sandoval worked smoothly through the South Siders despite struggling with his control, earning the W for the Red Sox.
Tonight was the second time this season that Martin has allowed nine runs; the other was June 16, while visiting the Yankees, when things really started to go downhill. There are definitely some red flags to consider as we head into crunch time in a tight division race, since this was the third outing in a row where he surrendered four or more runs. Davis owned a 3.62 ERA just a few hours ago, but Tuesday's implosion has inflated it to 4.13 on the season. In his last seven starts (34 1/3 innings), he owns a rough 6.55 ERA with a 1.60 WHIP, and he's been striking guys out at a much lower rate with just 20 Ks in this time span.
There may have been at least one explanation for Tuesday's disaster. After the game, manager Will Venable said Davis Martin was tipping his pitches, an issue catcher Kyle Teel identified during the game and brought to the coaching staff's attention. That doesn't erase Martin's recent struggles, but it does provide some context for why Boston's hitters looked so comfortable from the opening inning.
Martin's recent inconsistency is still worth monitoring. While tipping pitches may have contributed to Tuesday's outing, his results over the past several starts have been uneven. His recent inconsistencies were one of the main reasons I was hoping Chris Getz would trade for another starting pitcher before Monday's deadline, especially when everyone not named Sean Burke is a wild card when they start. Before the All-Star break — through June, really — Davis looked like he was approaching ace status, but he has been regressing lately, and it's hard to imagine how he would perform in a playoff game at this moment in time. I'm still optimistic, and I've not given up on him by any means, but if we are being realistic, there's quite a bit of uncertainty around his performance for the remainder of the season.
Right off the bat, Nick Sogard rattled Martin with a leadoff double off the Green Monster, then hit Ceddanne Rafaela square in the back on a curveball that got away to put two runners on. Davis navigated an out on a deep fly that advanced the runners, but back-to-back base hits from Willson Contreras and Masataka Yoshida scored the first run for the Red Sox, 1-0, and then loaded the bases with just one out. Naturally, Caleb Durbin demolished the second pitch he saw for a grand slam over the Green Monster in left, increasing the Boston lead to five, 5-0.

#martin #time #june

Despite a standing order to defend his WBC cruiserweight ***** le against David Benavidez, Noel Mikaelian will meet Jai Opetaia in the co-feature of Zuffa Boxing's Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"This is a huge card, and I look forward to showing the world once again why I'm the best cruiserweight on the planet," Opetaia said. "Credit to Noel for stepping up to the plate while others — yes, David Benavidez, I'm talking about you — continue to run and hide."
"This is a massive fight for Jai, and it's refreshing to see a top-tier cruiserweight step forward when so many continue to avoid the challenge," said Mick Francis, Opetaia's longtime manager. "He's proud to defend the Zuffa Boxing and Ring ***** les on the biggest stage."
"When I step into the ring on September 12 against Jai Opetaia in Las Vegas, I intend to defend my world championship. This is the fight I've wanted since becoming a two-time world champion, and I'm ready to deliver," Mikaelian said. "I haven't fought since December 2025 because of circumstances outside of my control. I refused to stay inactive. Champions are meant to defend their ***** les, and that's exactly what I'm prepared to do."
It's certainly a better matchup than the Glanton fight that kicked off this whole debacle in the first place. but I personally would not put any stake in this happening. Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KO) is under contract with Don King, who remains as vexatiously litigant as ever and has a long history of quashing any attempt by his fighters to compete outside of his purview. Dan Rafael reports that King, who'd reached a deal with Benavidez promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, will follow his usual M.O. and "likely" file suit.

#opetaia

Kelli Potter is opening up about what viewers didn't see on Real Housewives of Atlanta, saying the drama that unfolded on Bravo barely scratched the surface of what she was navigating behind the scenes.
Appearing on Carlos King's Reality with the King podcast, the RHOA star said her sophomore season coincided with one of the most difficult stretches of her life, from financial setbacks and the aftermath of her divorce to opening a new restaurant while raising her children.
"It took a turn financially," Potter said. "I invested all this money into this restaurant. I finally got divorced. I'm still not receiving the money I was supposed to receive. I sent my daughter off to college... It was so many different things that piled up on me that I had no control over."
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Potter said what made the experience even harder was reliving those moments after filming wrapped.

#shop #opening #atlanta

For some celebrities, fame and fortune weren't enough to keep them in Hollywood forever. These former stars stepped away from the spotlight to pursue unexpected careers, from business ventures to ordinary nine-to-five jobs. Here are 13 celebrities who traded red carpets for surprising new paths.
Will / MEGA
Bridgit Mendler, best known for lighting up Disney Channel, stepped away from acting to pursue academia and entrepreneurship. Mendler's surprising pivot led her to MIT and Harvard, where she earned her master's degree and Ph.D. candidate at the MIT Media Lab before receiving her JD at Harvard Law School, and now she's trailblazing as CEO of a satellite ground-station company she took the helm of, a startup focused on building ground stations that connect to satellites in ***** e, as reported by KTLA, setting a high bar for reinvention.
MEGA
Once celebrated for his dramatic roles on screen, Armie Hammer's Hollywood journey was paused due to personal controversies, a stretch that included a stint selling timeshares in the Cayman Islands. After taking time away and navigating public scrutiny, Hammer says his acting opportunities have picked up again after roughly three years away from the industry, having returned last year in the Western feature Frontier Crucible, according to Variety, signaling a reinvention beyond acting.

#away #acting #hollywood #ground

Meghan Markle tells PEOPLE about the surprise connection she made on Princess Lilibet's first day of preschool that brought back her own Girl Scout memories
The ***** ss of Sussex says working on Cookie Queens reminded her of her childhood as a Brownie and Junior Girl Scout, where her mother, Doria Ragland, served as her troop leader
Meghan says the documentary's message about empowering young girls resonates even more today as a mom, telling PEOPLE it hit differently "100 percent"
Meghan Markle is looking back on an unexpected moment that brought her Girl Scout days rushing back.
The ***** ss of Sussex is opening up as Cookie Queens—the coming-of-age documentary she and Prince Harry executive produced through Archewell Productions—heads to theaters on Aug. 7, marking the company's first theatrical release. Directed by Alysa Nahmias, the film follows four Girl Scouts as they navigate the highs and pressures of cookie season while learning confidence, resilience and leadership.

#cookie

Celtic Manager Martin O Neill. Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 3 August 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO
Shutterstock
Supporters may find the comments familiar after the Irishman spent much of last season downplaying the prospect of remaining in charge, only to later commit to the role on a permanent basis.
Even with another Premiership campaign now under way, O'Neill suggested he is not looking much further ahead than the months in front of him.
His remarks come as Celtic continue to navigate a hectic summer of transfer business.

#celtic #neill #park

Manchester United have announced a multi-year partnership with Betway, making the brand the club's new official training kit sponsor and exclusive global betting partner in a record-breaking deal. Michael Carrick is at Old Trafford.
The agreement, valued at £20 million per year, is understood to be the most lucrative standalone training apparel or shirt sleeve sponsorship in world football history. Having operated without a designated training wear sponsor last season, securing this agreement represents a significant commercial triumph for the Old Trafford hierarchy.
The announcement arrives at a pivotal moment for both the club and the broader football sponsorship landscape. With Premier League regulations set to ban gambling companies from appearing as front-of-shirt sponsors starting from the 2026/27 season, betting operators have shifted focus toward secondary commercial inventory—with training kit branding emerging as a primary battleground for global visibility. By securing Betway across their training apparel and digital footprint, United have successfully navigated the upcoming regulatory restrictions while maximising their commercial revenue streams.
Under the terms of the deal, Betway branding will feature prominently across all men's and women's first-team training wear, warm-up gear, and coaching staff apparel. Additionally, as Manchester United's exclusive global betting partner, Betway gains extensive co-branding rights across digital channels, LED perimeter boards at Old Trafford, and international fan engagement campaigns.
The fresh injection of £20 million in annual commercial revenue comes alongside broader financial stabilisation at Old Trafford under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. Coupled with income generated by returning to the UEFA Champions League, the expanded financial capacity gives manager Michael Carrick crucial flexibility as he builds his squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

#betway #betting #across

Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR) and C3.ai (NYSE:AI) both aim to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom, but they operate on opposite ends of the technological spectrum. Which is the better buy?
Aehr focuses on the hardware side, providing essential testing equipment for chips used in high-growth markets like electric vehicles and data centers. C3.ai provides the software layer, helping massive organizations deploy predictive artificial intelligence applications. Both companies are navigating a shifting landscape where rapid innovation meets lumpy revenue cycles.
Aehr Test Systems designs and sells specialized equipment used to test chips at the wafer level to identify defects before they reach final ***** embly. The company is a niche player among semiconductor stocks, providing essential testing equipment for silicon carbide chips. Customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business, as its five largest customers accounted for roughly 70% of net revenues in fiscal 2026.
In FY 2026, revenue reached close to $50.0 million, representing a decline of approximately 15.2% compared to the previous year. This revenue drop contributed to a net loss of roughly $7.1 million for the period. The net margin, which shows how much of each dollar earned becomes profit after all expenses, was nearly -14.3%.
As of its May 2026 balance sheet, the company maintains a current ratio of approximately 10.3x. The current ratio measures a firm's ability to cover short-term debts with short-term ***** ets, with a higher number generally suggesting better liquidity. The debt-to-equity ratio is roughly 0.0x, indicating the company holds negligible debt relative to its shareholder equity while free cash flow was nearly -$5.4 million.

#test #ratio

This stock market is shaky at best. Some might even say you need "nerves of steel" to navigate through it successfully.
As it turns out, the continued geopolitical turmoil has kept prices high for many commodities. And that has put a bid under commodity stocks, including, ironically, steel stocks. That makes the VanEck Steel ETF (SLX) a consideration for AI-weary investors.
CoreWeave Just Scored a Leidos Partnership. What That Means for CRWV Stock Here.
Palantir Is Set to Deliver Strong Q2. ***** ysts See 60% Upside Potential for PLTR Stock.
Earnings, PMI and Other Key Things to Watch this Week

#Stock #coreweave

With Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham's comments that she wants to protect "young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men," the conversation around the political hot-button issue has landed at the WNBA's doorstep.
While only 1% of the U.S. population identifies as transgender and there were, as of 2024, fewer than 10 transgender student-athletes among the NCAA's 510,000 athletes, the concern has become the cause celebre in right-wing circles, presumably because it's one of the few issues they have some momentum on amid a wide array of unpopular policies and trends.
As such, right-wing journalists and pundits have seized on the WNBA's stance on transgender athletes (despite there being no transgender women in the league). Since Cunningham's initial comments and doubling down on it amid rallies from supporters during the Fever's current road trip, several WNBA coaches have shared their thoughts on the matter.
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White and Portland Fire coach Alex Sarama both expressed a desire for inclusivity and further discussion, and they navigated direct questions about how they'd feel about a "biological male" playing in the league.
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve offered an insightful diatribe about how the transgender athlete issue is being pushed to the forefront, while many other pressing concerns affecting women's sports are getting the actual focus. She also shared nuanced thoughts on the situation transgender kids and athletes are facing and how more education and discussion could benefit everyone.

#fever #ISSUE #wing

After 19 years of hard-hitting, tackling-to-the-ground training-camp practices under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers will put on pads for the first time in 20 years without Tomlin running the show.
It will be interesting, to say the least, to see how it looks and how it feels.
New coach Mike McCarthy made a stir last week by saying the Steelers will not tackle to the ground. He has since clarified that camp will still be physical, and that he's trying to ensure that the players will be healthy for the start of the season.
The issue sparked a full ***** ociated Press article on the absence of tackling, and what it will mean to the players who have spent multiple years navigating the physicality of Camp Tomlin.
"Obviously, I love to tackle," inside linebacker Payton Wilson said, per the AP. "It's been great in the past to get that in before the first preseason game, but that's what preseason games are for."

#players

This week brought us four (4!) 5+ goal games! Check out the top three goals and saves in terms of the difference between their post-shot expected goals (PSxG) and expected goals (xG).
Basically, these are the goals where the player taking the shot added the most value just on shot quality and the saves where the keeper was best able to navigate this unexpected extra shot quality.
Former Chelsea teammates combine for the first time in black and sky blue as Kerr's goal sends Gotham FC to the top of the table.
Del Fava is left wide open on a set piece and she makes sure Portland is punished for it as she puts her team up 5-1.
Ijeh has a tiny deflection that ensures some brilliant team play ends with the ball in the back of the net.

#saves

Kevin Dotson landed at No. 5 and Steve Avila checked in at No. 13 on Pro Football Focus' 2026 ranking of the NFL's top 32 guards, giving the Rams one of just a handful of teams with two players in the top 15.
Dotson's case starts in the run game. Since the start of the 2023 season, his 90.9 PFF run-blocking grade ranks third among all guards, trailing only Chicago's Chris Lindstrom and Denver's Quinn Meinerz. He backed that up in pass protection last season, too, posting a 66.8 grade while allowing 22 pressures and three sacks across 17 games.
Avila's climb has been steadier. The 2023 second-round pick posted a career-high 75.0 PFF grade last season, 11th among qualified guards, and set another career mark with a 72.3 run-blocking grade. He allowed just two sacks all season, including the playoffs.
The PFF ranking arrives as something of a rebuttal to how the duo was viewed elsewhere this offseason. Neither made the top 10 of ESPN's annual survey of coaches, executives and scouts, landing only among players "also receiving votes." That snub came despite Dotson finishing with an 86.4 overall PFF grade — third-best among 81 qualified guards — and the Rams' rushing offense dropping from 4.8 yards per carry with him on the field to 4.0 without him after a Week 16 ankle injury. Avila's 76.8 grade, meanwhile, ranked ninth among qualified guards.
Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame took a different view, naming Dotson and Avila the NFL's third-best guard tandem and pointing to the interior line as a driving reason the Rams enter the season as Super Bowl favorites.

#grade #season #avila #players

Nic Vansteenberghe is speaking out about his split from Olandria Carthen, publicly confirming what fans had been speculating about for days.
On Sunday, Vansteenberghe posted to his subscribers-only TikTok account to address the breakup directly. "The rumors are true. I didn't want to give people false hope, so I want to clear the air," he wrote, according to PEOPLE. "We will continue to love each other ALWAYS. It's a sensitive, as well as a private subject, thank you for respecting our privacy."
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PEOPLE reported the split on July 22, reporting the two had parted ways just over a year after leaving Fiji together as runners-up on Love Island USA Season 7. A source told the outlet that distance and packed schedules made the relationship difficult to sustain, but added that the two "still remain close friends" who share "a deep love and respect for each other."
After the show, the two kept their relationship closely guarded. Carthen explained in a June 2026 Cosmopolitan interview: "When you really care about something, you keep it very sacred and close to you." Both had spoken openly about the stress of navigating public attention, with Vansteenberghe telling Glamour in December 2025 that it felt like they were "damned if you do, ***** ed if you don't" when it came to sharing their lives online.

#relationship #close

England's Joe Root is ready to embrace his second stint as Test captain, saying he is in a "very different place" to when he stepped down from the role four years ago.
First appointed captain in 2017, Root led England in a record 64 Tests and oversaw a record 28 wins as skipper before stepping down in April 2022 following a 10-wicket defeat by West Indies.
At that time, England had won just one of their past 17 Tests, including a 4-0 Ashes humbling away in Australia, while also navigating Covid restrictions, with Root admitting the job "took its toll" on his health.
"It had become a very unhealthy relationship, the captaincy and me. I could'nt leave it at the ground any more, it was coming home," Root said in June 2022.
"As soon as I made the decision, I knew it was the right thing to do. I felt like a big weight had been lifted."

#root #tests

The San Francisco 49ers on Saturday officially announced the signing of wide receiver Deebo Samuel. In a corresponding move the 49ers placed WR Ricky Pearsall on season-ending IR as he deals with complications from the PCL injury he sustained last season.
Reports first surfaced Thursday of the reunion between the 49ers and their 2019 second-round pick one year after trading him to the Washington Commanders. Samuel had a visit with the 49ers on Friday according to the NFL's transaction wire. Now he's put pen to paper on a one-year contract that could pay him up to $7 million.
It appears based on wide receiver Jacob Cowing's switch from No. 19 to No. 6 that Samuel will be back in his original jersey number when he suits up for the red and gold.
As for his role? That remains to be seen as the team navigates the preseason.
The 49ers would ideally have Samuel work in as a third receiver behind veteran Mike Evans and rookie WR De'Zhaun Stribling who has drawn praise from Evans and quarterback Brock Purdy early in camp. If Stribling can get up to speed quickly enough to be the team's No. 2 WR, it paves the way for Samuel to fit in as a third WR where he can be deployed in ways that maximize his skill set.

#season

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith said Thursday that former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci should have answered lawmakers' questions during the hostile Senate hearing earlier this week instead of invoking his Fifth Amendment rights.
Smith argued that Fauci owed the public an explanation after serving as the face of the nation's COVID-19 response.
"As it strictly pertains to the coronavirus pandemic, my attitude is, with you being the face that you have been, you can't show up on Capitol Hill and plead the Fifth 111 times," he told NewsNation's Chris Cuomo. "You just can't do that. That's not right. You've got to answer some questions."
During a three-hour hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Fauci pleaded the Fifth 111 times as Republicans blasted him over his handling of the pandemic and accused the doctor of covering up the U.S.'s involvement in gain-of-function research that could have caused the spread of the virus.
Smith acknowledged that Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years, may have had a legitimate legal reason to remain silent — pointing to a pardon he received from former President Biden on his final day in office for potential offenses between Jan. 1, 2014, and Jan. 19, 2025.

#smith

While in Seattle last summer, one thing I noticed at their ballpark was a preponderance of Nintendo advertising—from player sleeves to wall signs to between-inning ads. Well, tonight—okay, now last night—the Minnesota Twins navigated all the platform stages and slid down the flagpole victorious!
After Twins' bats went down 1-2-3 in the top of the first inning, MN SP Zebby Matthews struck out the side in B1. The problem? Zebby's K's were sandwiched around two walks (both on four pitches) and RBI doubles from Dominic Canzone & Cal Raleigh. 2-0 SEA.
Loading the bases for Cool Cal rarely works out well for the opposition.(Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images)
Fortunately, tonight the Twins didn't wait until the ninth inning to start scoring. After a leadoff walk drawn by Josh "Ring The" Bell against Seattle SP Bryce Miller, with two outs Brooks "General" Lee smashed a sphere 367 feet and beyond T-Mobile Park's RF fence! 2-2 tie.
Brooks bomb! (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images)

#twins #Seattle #images #well

Former UFC ****** le challenger Anthony Smith was arrested Monday in Nebraska and charged with three felonies.
While Smith has not spoken publicly since then, his manager, Brian Butler of SuckerPunch Entertainment, shared a pair of statements Friday, asking the public to withhold judgment at this time.
One such statement was from himself. The other was from Smith's wife, the alleged victim in the case, according to the Sarpy County (Neb.) attorney's office.
"We are aware of the reports concerning Anthony Smith's recent arrest," Butler wrote in a statement shared with MMA Junkie that was also posted on his Instagram. "At this time, it would be inappropriate to comment on the allegations or speculate regarding facts that have yet to be fully established. Like every individual, Anthony is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the due process protections afforded under our justice system. We respectfully ask that people avoid rushing to judgment based solely on initial reports, as they often do not reflect the complete facts or context.
"Our thoughts are with Anthony and his family as they navigate this difficult and deeply personal matter. We ask that their privacy be respected while the legal process runs its course. Out of respect for the ongoing proceedings, we will have no further comment at this time."

#shared #statement

Memory has become the latest pressure point in the AI hardware race. With demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) continuing to outstrip supply, soaring memory prices are beginning to ripple across the semiconductor industry, forcing companies to rethink product designs and pricing strategies. Even Nvidia Corporation (NVDA), the undisputed leader of the AI chip market, appears to be feeling the effects.
On Wednesday, Wedbush Securities highlighted how rising memory costs are increasingly influencing Nvidia's business, from changes to the configuration of its upcoming Vera Rubin platform to another reported round of price hikes for its consumer graphics cards. The brokerage believes the company is navigating not only higher costs but also persistent supply constraints in a market where memory has become just as critical as the GPUs themselves.
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#market #costs #even #NVIDIA