Why the Padres should (and shouldn't) trade star closer Mason Miller at the 2026 MLB trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When it's MLB trade deadline season, the San Diego Padres are typically big players one way or another. That likely won't change in 2026 — but A.J. Preller has much different decisions to make than usual.
While Preller's Padres have become known for their all-in mentality on the trade market, acquiring stars and big bats late in the summer with goals to make a playoff push, San Diego has been floating in no-man's land this season. The last two years, the Padres were clear deadline buyers, on their way to consecutive playoff trips. Now, sitting at a clean .500 as of Monday (53-53), things are far less clear.
On one hand, San Diego could buy, or stand pat, in hopes of making a playoff push. Or, if Preller isn't convinced on the Padres' chances, they may have the best trade chip on the market: closer Mason Miller, who has had a historic reliever season and will likely wind up with down-the-ballot NL Cy Young Award votes.
Should the Padres deal Miller while his value is sky-high? Or should they hold onto Miller, hoping their rotation and bats can pick up enough slack to make the postseason? Here's the case for both arguments on the two-time All-Star closer.

#trade #season

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 23: Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings arrives at the Orange Carpet as a part of the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Weekend at McCormick Place on July 23, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
The beauty of a five-month-long basketball season is that it leaves room for pauses – a mid-season exhale, even. For the WNBA, it arrives in the form of All-Star Weekend. It's a moment when the league's best fans come together to vote on who and what they want to see, creating a weekend built around the All-Star Game, the 3-Point Contest, and a series of, what's supposed to be, lighthearted challenges. Unless you caught any part of the Stud Budz livestream, then it was more like a weekend-bender partying with a little side of hoops.
Although the weekend is centered around basketball and partying, the main event has quietly become fashion. Players have shown up ready to make statements, debut new looks, new partnerships with stylists and, yes, occasionally hard-launch new relationships along the way. This year, more than ever, it felt like stylists were part of the equation, helping players hone in and polish their sense of style. The influence and emblem of basketball was everywhere, whether through stitched motifs, graphic details, or the written across letterman jackets, cargo pants, and t-shirts.
Custom pieces were also trending this red-carpet, with more masculine, blinged-out, and colorful suits were the center of the carpet. Along with this, we saw sleek monochromatic moments. Ombré became one of the defining looks of the weekend, especially as the All-Star Game warm-up uniforms echoed the same gradient effect. From the orange carpet to the after-parties, everyone embraced the chance to have a little fun—and we rounded up the best fits from the weekend below.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 23: Flau'jae Johnson #4 of the Seattle Storm arrives at the Orange Carpet as a part of the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Weekend at McCormick Place on July 23, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

#user #star #july

The Ravens' biggest offseason addition is ready to silence the doubters originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When the Baltimore Ravens take the field for training camp, one player will draw more attention than almost anyone else: newly acquired edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
After the Ravens missed out on trading for Maxx Crosby when a failed physical sent the star pass rusher back to the Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore quickly pivoted and landed one of the NFL's premier defensive playmakers. Now, expectations are high for Hendrickson as he prepares for his first season in purple and black.
The veteran edge defender enters camp looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 campaign that limited him to just seven games. While the shortened season slowed his production, it did little to diminish his reputation as one of football's most relentless pass rushers.
Just one season earlier, Hendrickson reminded the league why he is considered an elite defender. During the 2024 campaign, he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks while generating 65 quarterback pressures, consistently disrupting opposing offenses and changing games with his ability to collapse the pocket.

#sporting #baltimore

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Seahawks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Seattle Seahawks don't have a starting quarterback debate right now. What a relief to finally say that after enduring "Geno Smith vs. Drew Lock and "Can Sam Howell be the guy?" in those first three post-Russell Wilson seasons. This is Sam Darnold's team until further notice.
But this week's Seahawks Reacts survey question and poll is all about second-year quarterback Jalen Milroe, whose rookie season intrigue fizzled out by Week 5 after an ill-fated option play led to a turnover. The former Alabama star was restricted to third-team offense throughout training camp and preseason, slotting in as the third-string quarterback behind Darnold and Drew Lock.
Sam Darnold's continued success lessens the quarterback worries for now, but it's still fair to wonder how Milroe's development will come along. Is he somehow going to make enough strides to be QB2 over veteran Drew Lock and his expiring contract? Or will he once again be QB3 and subject to some healthy scratches? Could he be QB3 but still feature in the offense more often? Worst case scenario (for him): Is his Seahawks tenure already in jeopardy?
Vote in the poll below! What lies ahead for Milroe entering Week 1? Note that "starting QB" is not an option because we live in the real world and it would take extraordinary circumstances for him to earn the starting spot this year.

#lock #fans #year #milroe

The Florida State Seminoles have been picked to finish 11th in the ACC Preseason Media Poll, the conference announced on Tuesday.
The Seminoles received 1,439 points and three first-place votes out of 188, which was the fifth most of any team. The Miami Hurricanes were picked to win the conference, receiving 165 first-place votes and 3,159 points.
The SMU Mustangs finished second with 2,759 points and the Louisville Cardinals third with 2,569 points. Despite finishing fourth, the Clemson Tigers received the second most first-place votes with seven, SMU received six. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets round out the top five with 2,006 points and two first-place votes.
The Seminoles will open ACC play against SMU on Sept. 7 in ******* Howser Stadium. They will follow it up with two non-conference games before they host Virginia on Oct. 3. Their first road ACC games will be the following weeks, with them playing at Louisville and Miami.
They will follow that stretch up with a bye before hosting Clemson on Oct. 31. They will return to the road, playing at Boston College and at Pittsburgh on Nov. 7 and Nov. 13, respectively. They will end their ACC slate at home, welcoming NC State to Tallahassee on Nov. 21.

#points #place #received #state

Suri Cruise, the daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, has legally dropped her father's last name and chosen a surname that honors her mother instead, according to a Page Six report.
Rather than adopting Holmes as her last name, Suri opted for Noelle, her mother's middle name. While it's unclear when she officially changed her last name, Page Six reported that she registered to vote in Allegheny County, Pa., under the name Suri Noelle during her freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University in October 2024. She first made headlines in June 2024, when she graduated from New York City's LaGuardia High School and was listed as Suri Noelle in the ceremony pamphlet.
The reported name change comes after years of estrangement from Cruise. Following her parents' divorce in 2012, Suri moved from Los Angeles to New York City with Holmes, who was granted full custody, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The Mission: Impossible star was ordered to pay $400,000 annually in child support, plus medical, dental, education and insurance expenses, until Suri turned 18, the outlet reported.
Before moving to Pittsburgh, Pa., Suri, who has often been described as the spitting image of her mother, was frequently spotted out and about in New York City.
"We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri's best interests," read a joint statement from Holmes and Cruise following their divorce in 2012. "We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other's commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other's roles as parents."

#name #cruise #noelle

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
During the recent Orioles press conference about the Kyle Bradish contract extension, principal owner David Rubenstein said of his president of baseball operations Mike Elias that "we couldn't be more pleased" regarding the job that he has done.
Taking that at face value, the question has been answered, Elias will remain the boss of the Orioles front office no matter what happens with the remainder of the season. There are plenty of examples across the sports landscape of why not to take those kinds of proclamations at face value. The "dreaded vote of confidence" is its own recognized part of the manager/GM hot seat. Almost ****** ody ever directly says, "Things need to improve or we're going to fire this guy." They just say nice things when asked and fire the person when they want to fire them.
In this week's survey question, I want to know what you think is going to happen. Is Elias going to be around for next year, or not? Vote in the poll here:
I have thought for a while that if the Orioles do not make the postseason this year, then Elias should be gone at the end of the season. Let someone else figure this thing out, because his answers aren't getting the Orioles where they need to be.

#orioles #going #survey

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' daughter Suri has dropped her famous last name, according to Page Six.
State voter records show a "Suri Noelle" with the same age and birth date as the former Suri Cruise in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, the location of Carnegie Mellon University, which the 20-year-old is widely reported to be attending.
Katie Holmes shares photos from daughter Suri Cruise's 14th birthday
Noelle is Holmes' middle name. It was not immediately clear when the name change occurred.
People reported in 2024 that Holmes and Cruise's daughter used the last name "Noelle" at her high school graduation that summer.

#name #noelle

A federal appeals court has upheld a ruling that halted President Donald Trump's executive order to create a federal list of eligible voters and limit delivery of mail ballots only to people on that list.
The ruling over the weekend rejected the Trump administration's effort to move forward with the mail-in voting restrictions in 23 U.S. states that sued ahead of November's midterm elections.
Also, the Trump administration has acknowledged in court documents that it canceled $7.6 billion in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects "based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient's state" — in this case, 16 states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Here's the latest:
Speaking to workers at a GM facility in Milford, Michigan, Trump touted steep tariffs that he says have protected the U.S. auto industry and revived production in the United States.

#states #court #ruling #list

Fall camp will get underway next week as the Oklahoma Sooners look to build on their College Football Playoff appearance from a year ago. But it's a new season with many of the same returning characters, but this year's group will create its own identity. It's a roster filled with talent, including 10 preseason All-SEC selections. There's an optimism heading into the year despite being voted seventh in the preseason SEC predicted order of finish.
The Sooners will have one of the best starting lineups in college football in 2026, led by a defense that was one of the best units in the sport last season. The offense, which had some shortcomings in 2025, will be much improved this season. It's a group that's hungry to get back to the playoff and do more damage this time around.
But like every team, the Oklahoma Sooners have some questions heading into fall camp. Here's a look at the questions we're asking about each position group heading into the preseason.
In Brent Venables' tenure at Oklahoma, the Sooners have had their Week 1 starter play every game in a season just one time: the 2023 season with Dillon Gabriel. You don't want to rely on your backup, but as we've seen, when you have to go to him, you need a guy that can help you win a game. In 2024 and 2025, Michael Hawkins Jr. helped Oklahoma beat Auburn and Kent State.
Heading into fall camp, sophomore Whitt Newbauer has the leg up on true freshman Bowe Bentley after their performances in the spring. There's no rush on Bentley to play meaningful snaps, especially when you have Newbauer, who has experience in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle's system and has played meaningful snaps at the collegiate level.

#oklahoma #season #bentley

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' daughter has legally changed her name from Suri Cruise to Suri Noelle.
Voter-registration records obtained by People show that the 20-year-old registered in Pennsylvania under the new name during her freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University. Noelle is Holmes' middle name.
Suri had already begun using the name publicly before starting college. She was identified as Suri Noelle in the program for her June 2024 graduation from New York City's LaGuardia High School and in an earlier school-theater production.
The location and date of the formal name-change process have not been disclosed.
Suri registered to vote in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in October 2024, shortly after beginning her first year at Carnegie Mellon. The registration lists her as Suri Noelle, according to People.

#suri #year #cruise #mellon

File it as today's "what the actual **** " moment in the sports world. The Times is reporting that FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been in talks with private investors about selling stakes in the World Cup. It's a move that would take complete control of the global tournament out of FIFA's hands, and give a seat at the table to private entities with their own agendas. Moreover, the report added that a key figure in brokering these deals is U.S. President Donald Trump, whom Infantino cozied up to during the 2026 World Cup by presenting him with the inaugural FIFA peace prize and then sitting next to the president at games he attended.
FIFA has since confirmed the report, adding that Josh Kushner is positioned to be the lead investor in the plan, should Infantino elect to sell shares in the World Cup. Josh is the brother of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son in law.
Details of the plan are nebulous, but according to the report, the World Cup would ostensibly be split off from FIFA and into a new corporation, with Infantino as its commissioner as soon as his term as FIFA president ends in 2031. In his role as commissioner of this new company he would oversee the men's and women's World Cup, as well as the Club World Cup — with plans to run tournaments more frequently than every four years. It would be the most staggering pivot in the history of the World Cup, drastically altering the future of the tournament in order to squeeze more money out of the event.
Infantino can't privatize the World Cup unilaterally, requiring the 211 member nations to vote on the proposal. The selling point for these members is that each of them would get a stake in the new company worth approximately $20M — putting a valuation on the entity at $4.22B. If that $20M sum for each nation seems paltry, it's because it is, and it appears that is the plan by design.
Member nations would have the freedom to keep or sell their stakes in the World Cup corporation at their will under the Infantino plan. $20M is a pittance for the richest nations competing in global soccer, but for the dozens of nations dealing with budgetary issues it would enable them to sell out of the World Cup in desperation, putting their stakes in the hands of private ownership. It's easy to envision a scenario where enough FIFA member countries sell their shares for profit to a point where the controlling interest of the World Cup is no longer under the control of a true democratic body, but private equity.

#World #private #stakes

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football led the Big Ten with three players on the conference's annual preseason honors list.
Hoosiers defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker, wide receiver Charlie Becker and linebacker Rolijah Hardy made the 12-member team, as voted on by the media.
Tucker, the lone JMU transfer left on coach Curt Cignetti's roster, will be in Chicago this week representing IU for Big Ten Media Days. He jumped into the starting lineup last year and earned All-American honors, while anchoring one of the most disruptive defensive fronts in the country. Hardy, who started last year as well, led the Hoosiers in tackles (102) and sacks (8.0).
On offense, Becker emerged in the second half of last season as one of the country's most talented playmakers with 34 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns. He's generating buzz as a potential first round draft pick after his star turn in the College Football Playoff.
Here's a look at the Big Ten's full honor's list:

#hoosiers #becker #honors #defensive

How much do his Seahawks teammates like and respect D'Anthony Bell?
How much does their unique locker-room brotherhood inside reach, even beyond actual Seahawks?
The team voted after winning Super Bowl 60 in February to make sure Bell got a Super Bowl ring. That was even though he played in the playoffs for another NFC team to end last season.
That's how Bell, a Carolina Panther to end last season, a former Division-II player at West Florida and two junior colleges who was out of football for all of 2017 working for his dad's construction company plus volunteering at his church back in Georgia, now has a Seahawks Super Bowl ring.
"They reached out to my agent and said I'll be getting a ring," Bell said this week.

#much

As well as Yan Diomande and Rodri, Real Madrid have not yet ruled out the possible signing of another central defender. Ibrahima Konate has also been brought in as a free agent, but head coach Jose Mourinho wants to have another option at his disposal in time for the 2026-27 season starting in a few weeks' time.
Earlier in the summer, Nico Schlotterbeck had been Real Madrid's leading target, but after he picked up an ankle injury while on duty with Germany at the 2026 World Cup, club officials have pivoted to Alessandro Bastoni. Mourinho is also a big fan of the Inter Milan and Italy star, who could soon be set to make the move to the Bernabeu.
As per MD, Inter have agreed a deal to sign former Manchester City defender John Stones, and the expectation is this will open the door for Bastoni to move to Real Madrid later this summer, should an approach be made.
Real Madrid want to go for Bastoni, although they are clear that any new defender cannot be signed until someone leaves. Mourinho has already informed Raul Asencio that he is not in his plans for the new season, so he would be the prime candidate to leave, which would open the door for Bastoni to move to the Bernabeu.
Asencio has some interest in his services, but right now, there is no indication from the player himself that he wants to leave. Thus, Real Madrid may have a problem doing the necessary business to bring in Bastoni, which would be frustrating for Mourinho in his efforts to build the perfect squad ahead of the first season of his second spell as manager. For now, it simply remains to be seen how the situation plays out with both defenders.

#mourinho #bernabeu

The Women's League Cup will be renamed the Players Cup and operate in a league system with regionalised matches for the 2026-27 season.
Last November, clubs in the Women's Super League (WSL) and WSL 2 voted in favour of proposals to revamp the competition to help combat scheduling issues and to protect player welfare.
They agreed the new format would exclude sides who have qualified for the Women's Champions League, meaning League Cup holders Chelsea, WSL champions Manchester City and runners-up ***** nal will miss this year's edition.
The remaining 23 teams from the top two divisions have been split into Northern and Southern sections - but will be in one table.
They will compete from September to December on nights when Champions League fixtures are taking place.

#last #Chelsea #manchester

The "NFL Top 100 Players" is an annual NFL offseason tradition. There are a few names from the Kansas City Chiefs expected to make the cut, but there are also many opponents featured in this year's rankings. Player No. 59 is a player they are scheduled to see across from them this coming season.
No. 59 is Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.
Nix started all 17 games for the Broncos in 2025, finishing with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for 3,931 yards. He set the record for the most wins in a single regular season by a Broncos quarterback with 14 while tying Russell Wilson for the league record of the most wins by a quarterback through two seasons with 24.
Nix and the AFC West rival Broncos will play the Chiefs twice in the 2026 season. They will play in Week 1 on Monday Night Football, September 14, at Arrowhead Stadium, and in Week 8, on November 1, at Empower Field at Mile High.
Produced by NFL Films and the X Original Series, the new season of NFL Top 100 features short-form episodes that reveal the league's top players, as voted on exclusively by current NFL players. Episodes debut on X on weekdays through Friday, September 4, and will air later on NFL+, as well as on other NFL-owned and operated social media platforms.

#Broncos #quarterback #week

Fans have the chance to vote for who they think is the best offensive lineman in Oklahoma high school football ahead of the 2026 season.
Below are 20 offensive linemen.
Voting will remain open until noon Tuesday, Aug. 11.
More: A look at The Oklahoman's 2027 Super 30 high school football recruiting series
Order book on Oklahoma HS basketball at 'The Big House'

#oklahoma #fans #below #super

It's time to vote for the Detroit Free Press Buffalo Wild Wings Best Running Back for 2026.
Last week, Free Press readers voted for the best quarterback heading into the upcoming season based on high school sports reporter Jared Ramsey's preseason coverage. This week's poll focuses on Ramsey's rankings of the state's top running backs.
Voting will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 30.
Here are the nominees:
The rising senior helped power one of the state's top offenses last season. Coleman, who can star at running back, receiver and returner, had 1,181 all-purpose yards (840 rushing and 341 receiving) and 19 total touchdowns.

#best

It's time to vote on who you think is the top gymnastics prospect among the Shore Conference's rising seniors (Class of 2027) for the coming season. The poll is presented by Alliance Orthopedics.
The poll will close Aug. 15 at 10 p.m.
Shore prep sports top prospects for 2026-27 165 gymnasts
Please switch to desktop if the ballot is not viewable.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: VOTE Shore gymnastics No. 1 rising senior Alliance Orthopedics poll

#vote #gymnastics #class #please

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Monday to clear the way for an executive order from President Donald Trump that could dramatically change mail-in voting ahead of November's midterm elections.
The Justice Department asked the justices to halt for now lower court decisions blocking the sweeping changes in nearly half the country.
The request comes shortly after Trump delivered a primetime address elevating his yearslong push to raise doubts about the legitimacy of elections, and could be one of several voting-related challenges before the court ahead of the high-stakes midterm contest.
Trump ordered the government in March to create a "state citizenship list" of eligible voters and deliver mail ballots only to people on that list.
Democratic officials in 23 states and the District of Columbia sued, saying the Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to set election rules, not the president. Their attorneys have said Trump's proposed changes are ripe for abuse and could cause chaos.

#Trump #asked #mail #ahead

It's another week here at BCB After Dark: the hippest hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abraod. Come on in out of the heat. There's no cover charge. We promise not to trade you. We still have a few tables available. The hostess will seat you now. Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Last week I asked you which Angels' starter you'd rather the Cubs trade for: José Soriano or Reid Detmers? The vote was reasonably close, but a clear majority of 56 percent of you said you'd rather the Cubs acquire Soriano.
Here's the part where we listen to jazz and talk movies. You're free to skip ahead if you want. Or you're free to read whatever parts you want. It's your call.
Tonight I'm just not going to play around. Here's some classic John Coltrane playing "Impressions" with his quartet: McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums.

#soriano

WASHINGTON – Six weeks after he was hospitalized for a fall and pneumonia, Sen. Mitch McConnell's doctors still have not medically cleared him to return to work or leave a rehabilitation facility, the Capitol physician's office said.
Since June, the Kentucky Republican's health has been a source of widespread speculation and interest. He has missed 38 roll call votes in the Senate, including on key measures such as the annual defense policy bill and ending the Iran war, as well as high-profile confirmation hearings for crucial Trump nominees like Todd Blanche, who is awaiting a vote to become the next attorney general.
All summer his office has provided only limited updates on his condition. But in a statement July 27, McConnell, 84, said he was still having "intense physical therapy" and wouldn't be able to travel to western Kentucky for the annual Fancy Farm picnic, a marquee political event in the state.
"As always, I appreciate all of your continued well wishes, and I'm looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon," he said.
The Office of the Attending Physician, which provides medical services and guidance to members of Congress, said the lifelong effects of McConnell's bout with childhood polio continue to be a "significant factor in his mobility." Doctors visit with him every day.

#still #annual

Morgan Stanley kept Alibaba (BABA) stock as a "top pick" ahead of late-August earnings. ****** yst Gary Yu made the call over two weeks after cutting his target to $180 from $190.
That target sits roughly 60% above where BABA shares closed on Friday at $112.14. Thus, Wall Street is telling clients the stock is worth far more than buyers are currently willing to pay.
Yu lowered his Alibaba target in early July. He still kept an overweight rating on the stock.
Other banks pivoted in the same direction. HSBC cut its target to $170 from $176 in July. The bank still maintained its buy rating.
Daiwa moved earlier, cutting to $175 from $200 on June 24. The firm pointed to weak sales during China's 618 shopping festival.

#rating

The House earlier this week passed legislation that would set new restrictions on stock trading by members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children. It doesn't seem likely to cross beyond the Senate with critics deriding the measure as an inadequate one that contains "loopholes" and unrelated voting restrictions.
The stock trade bill — known as the "Stop Insider Trading Act" — passed on Wednesday in a 232-198 vote with 13 Democrats siding with every House Republican. Democratic senators, though, aren't likely to endorse the legislation since lawmakers won't be compelled to sell off their existing stock portfolio.
Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one
Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here's what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP
Millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks. Here's where their money is actually going

#Stock #House #restrictions #likely

Shopify CEO Tobias Lütke, whose company commands a market capitalization near $154 billion, told his social media followers this week that a tax-tiered voting system—one that would strip voting rights from anyone who pays no income tax—would be a "good system."
That two-word endorsement, dropped into a viral thread, has reignited a debate over wealth, power, and democracy that most Americans thought was settled more than a century ago.
The proposal would invert the founding American principle of "no taxation without representation" into something closer to "no representation without taxation"—and specifically, high taxation. Reactions online split sharply: Some framed it as a provocative thought experiment about aligning fiscal responsibility with political voice, while others called it a naked attempt to legitimize plutocracy by giving billionaires and multimillionaires a formal, multiplied vote over the laws that govern everyone else.
But it also revealed that America is grappling with a political economy debate, as a frozen housing market and an entrenched wealthy baby boomer demographic have many, not just Lütke, arguing that something big needs to change.
The exchange began with a provocation from Lütke: Pension recipients should have their financial futures "locked in and guaranteed," but in return would be reclassified as "dependents" and lose the right to vote—the same way minors can't vote. A reply from "Eric Thor," who claimed to be a retired banking executive as well as "armchair economist and policy wonk," proposed a sliding scale: zero votes for anyone who pays no income tax, one vote for those earning $1–100K, two votes for $100–200K, scaling up in that pattern to a hard cap of five votes for anyone earning $500K or more. The pitch was framed as fairness—reward "representation" for those who "foot the bill" through taxation.

#taxation #representation #votes

FIRST ON FOX: A Republican firebrand is pushing legislation to abolish some of the most influential Democratic groups in Congress.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., introduced a resolution Thursday barring the formation of House caucuses organized around race, ethnicity or national origin.
If adopted, the measure would effectively force the dissolution of Democrat-aligned groups, including the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
The proposal could also affect GOP-affiliated organizations, including the Black Republican Congressional Staff ***** ociation, the GOP Latino Staff ***** ociation and the Republican Asian American Staff ***** ociation.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., departs the U.S. Capitol after a series of House votes on March 5, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

#congressional #caucus #staff #asian

The "NFL Top 100 Players" is an annual NFL offseason tradition. A few names from the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to make the cut, but many opponents are featured in this year's rankings. Player No. 66 is a player they are scheduled to see across from them this coming season.
No. 66 is Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London.
London started 12 games for the Falcons in 2025 and finished with 68 receptions for 919 yards and 7 touchdowns. He averaged an impressive 13.5 yards per catch and, during the offseason, signed a four-year, $141 million contract extension, including $100 million guaranteed, to stay with the Falcons through 2030.
London and the Falcons will host the Chiefs in Week 10 on Sunday, November 15, at Mercedes Stadium.
Produced by NFL Films and the X Original Series, the new season of NFL Top 100 features short-form episodes that reveal the league's top players, as voted on exclusively by current NFL players. Episodes debut on X on weekdays through Friday, September 4, and will air later on NFL+, as well as on other NFL-owned and operated social media platforms.

#episodes #offseason

The WNBA All-Star Game is a testament to player talents and fan cultures. It's also a good measure of this league's ongoing evolution.
In its first season, the brand-new WNBA didn't even have an All-Star celebration. A decade after that, both All-Star coaches hailed from franchises soon to be relocated or disbanded. Two decades after inauguration, Maya Moore led the field with around 33,000 fan votes. Now cut to 2026, when both Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark exceeded the 1 million mark.
This year's All-Star Game shows how much the W has going for it right now. Bueckers, Clark, Olivia Miles, Dominique Malonga and Angel Reese lead the next generation into the spotlight. They're joined by enduring superstars like A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Gabby Williams highlights the instant success of the Golden State Valkyries, and Marina Mabrey gets love on behalf of one of this year's expansion teams, the Toronto Tempo. There are twerking mascots and blue-haired goofballs for those with eyes to see them.
Here's what to know ahead of the main event. All times listed are ET.
Venue: United Center — Chicago

#star #moore #olivia

The Georgia Bulldogs have been nominated for several different awards as part of USA TODAY Sports Readers' Choice Awards. Georgia fans can vote for Georgia in multiple different categories.
At the time of writing this post, Athens is No. 6 in the best college sports towns in America. Athens is among 20 different college towns nominated including Chapel Hill (North Carolina), Eugene (Oregon), Austin (Texas) and more.
Uga is among the top nominated mascot. Other nominated mascots include Big Red (Western Kentucky) and Bevo (Texas), who is one of Uga's fiercest rivals after charging Uga at the Sugar Bowl. Uga is ranked No. 14 of 20 mascots.
The Red Coat Marching Band is among the nominees for the best band. The Red Coats are No. 11 in the voting.
Georgia's fight song, "Glory, Glory" is one of 20 nominees for the best fight song. It ranks No. 6 out of the nominees.

#awards