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Judges for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Louisiana’s request to allow it to enforce its long-stalled congressional redistricting map, delivering a near-term blow to Republicans in the state by ruling that it amounts to an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

All three judges on the bench voted to uphold a lower court’s ruling that the map in question — originally passed by Louisiana’s Republican-majority legislature in 2022 — violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by diluting the votes of Black residents in the state.

They also affirmed the district court’s ruling that the map in question violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by, ”packing’ Black voters into a small number of majority-Black districts, and ‘cracking’ other Black communities across multiple districts, thereby depriving them of the opportunity to form effective voting blocs.’ 

Judges on the panel also rejected the state’s contention that conditions in Louisiana have changed enough to render race-conscious remedies obsolete.

‘There is no legal basis for this proposition, and the state offers no evidence that conditions in Louisiana have changed’ enough to negate that need, the court said in its ruling. 

One judge on the panel issued a stay before the court’s ruling could take force, though the issue is something of a moot point, since the Supreme Court, which is also reviewing the map, had already done so earlier this year.

The ruling from the Fifth Circuit, which has a reputation as one of the more conservative appeals courts, is a victory in the near term for the ACLU and other plaintiffs who sued to block the state’s map from taking force.

Still, any relief for plaintiffs from the appeals court ruling is likely to be short-lived.

The Supreme Court in March heard oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais, which also centers on the legality of Louisiana’s redistricting map and whether race should be considered a factor in drawing new congressional districts.

Oral arguments then focused heavily on whether Louisiana’s redistricting efforts were narrowly tailored enough to meet constitutional requirements and whether race was used in a way that violated the law, as the appellees alleged.

The Supreme Court in June said it would hear additional arguments in the case in the fall term, citing the need for more information before it could issue a ruling.

Earlier this month, justices ordered both parties to file supplemental briefs by mid-September, outlining in further detail arguments for and against Louisiana’s proposed map and whether the intentional creation of a second majority-Black congressional district ‘violates the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.’

The careful consideration from the Supreme Court is the clearest sign yet that redistricting issues remain top of mind in the run-up to the 2026 midterm elections and beyond.

It also comes at a pivotal time in the U.S., as new and politically charged redistricting fights have popped up in other states ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

Louisiana, for its part, has revised its congressional map twice since the 2020 census. 

The first version, which included only one majority-Black district, was blocked by a federal court in 2022. The court sided with the Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP and other plaintiffs, ruling the map diluted Black voting power and ordering the state to redraw it by January 2024.

The new map, S.B. 8, created the second Black-majority district. But it was almost immediately challenged by a group of non-Black plaintiffs in court, who took issue with a new district that stretched some 250 miles from Louisiana’s northwest corner of Shreveport to Baton Rouge, in the state’s southeast.

They argued in their lawsuit that the state violated the equal protection clause by relying too heavily on race to draw the maps and created a ‘sinuous and jagged second majority-Black district.’

The intense court fights in Louisiana underscore the broader redistricting battles playing out in Republican- and Democrat-led states across the country, as they spar over new congressional maps with an eye to the looming midterm elections.

In Texas, tensions reached a fever pitch after Democratic state legislators fled the Lone Star State to block Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s ability to convene a legislative quorum to pass the state’s aggressive new redistricting map, which would create five additional Republican-leaning districts.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom responded by introducing a new map of his own that favors Democrats.

The move highlights how both parties are engaged in aggressive redistricting battles, with Republican-led states pushing maps to defend the GOP’s slim House majority and Democrats seeking to expand their own advantages. As with most midterms following a new president’s election, 2026 is expected to serve as a referendum on the White House — raising GOP concerns that they could lose control of the chamber.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, for her part, vowed at a press conference earlier this month to explore ‘every option’ in redrawing state lines. 

‘We are at war,’ Hochul said, speaking alongside the Texas Democrats who fled to her state.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

The European Union is preparing a new round of sanctions against Russia in retaliation for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, signaling continued resolve as the war drags past its three-and-a-half-year mark.

The announcement of the upcoming sanctions package, the 19th such round, comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss prospects for ending the war. Zelenskyy, who will be flanked by key European leaders during his visit, has consistently endorsed coordinated Western sanctions as a vital tool against Russia’s economic war chest.

‘As long as the bloodshed in Ukraine continues, Europe will maintain diplomatic and, in particular, economic pressure on Russia. We will continue to strengthen sanctions,’ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday during a joint press conference with Zelenskyy.

‘This package will be forthcoming in early September. We know that sanctions are effective. We have already put Russia’s immobilized assets to work for the benefit of Ukraine, and we will continue to put pressure on Russia’s war economy to bring President Putin to the negotiation table,’ she added.

Zelenskyy thanked von der Leyen for the additional sanction measures, adding that ‘sanctions show we are serious.’

Following waves of coordinated Western sanctions over its war in Ukraine, Russia has become the world’s most sanctioned nation—more economically isolated than any country in modern history.

In 2024, Russia was the primary target of U.S. financial sanctions, with 1,706 Russian persons placed on the Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list. In addition, Russia drove the bulk of U.S. sanctions activity, making up 70% of new names added to the Treasury’s blacklist.

The EU’s most recent package, which was announced in July, targeted Russia’s energy revenues, banking sector, military industrial base, and tightened loopholes for sanctions evasion.

In this round, the EU also blacklisted 444 vessels tied to the Kremlin’s so-called ‘ghost ships’ — a covert network of tankers that transport Russian oil around the world in defiance of G7 price caps and EU sanctions. The measure also imposed sanctions on more than 2,500 people. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

The Cleveland Browns held a wide-open quarterback competition during the 2025 NFL offseason. On Monday, they announced Joe Flacco had won it.

Flacco spent the 2024 NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts. He made six starts for the team, posting a 2-4 record and completing 65.3% of his passes for 1,761 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The 40-year-old will now make his first Week 1 start since 2022 when the Browns face off against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Cleveland’s decision to start Flacco may surprise some who have paid close attention to the team’s preseason games. The veteran didn’t play in either of the first two, which gave rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders a chance to shine.

But ultimately, it wasn’t enough for either of the 2025 NFL Draft picks to earn the starting job over the experienced Flacco, who has made 191 career starts.

Here’s more to know about Cleveland’s decision and how the depth chart will shake out behind Flacco.

Why isn’t Shedeur Sanders starting for the Browns?

Sanders received more fanfare than any of the participants in Cleveland’s quarterback competition during the 2025 NFL offseason. That said, the fifth-round rookie was always facing an uphill battle to emerge as a Week 1 starter.

Sanders was routinely listed as the No. 4 option on Cleveland’s depth chart during the 2025 NFL offseason. He was behind Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Gabriel, meaning he had to make up ground to get into the starting quarterback race.

However, Sanders was unable to build on that momentum in preseason Week 2. He suffered an oblique injury in practice and was held out of the team’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

As such, Sanders simply ran out of time to state his case to climb the quarterback depth chart. That prevented him from emerging as a true challenger to Flacco.

Now, the Colorado focus will shift his focus to a dual-goal of locking up a roster spot with the Browns and trying to insert himself into the team’s backup quarterback battle.

Browns QB depth chart

Below is a look at the Browns’ quarterback depth chart, which presently contains five available quarterbacks:

  1. Joe Flacco
  2. Kenny Pickett
  3. Dillon Gabriel
  4. Shedeur Sanders
  5. Tyler Huntley

The Browns also have Deshaun Watson on their 90-man roster, but the veteran isn’t expected to play in 2025 after tearing his Achilles twice in less than three months.

Sanders remains in the No. 4 slot on Cleveland’s depth chart, but he may be able to move up in the pecking order in preseason Week 3. His chance of doing so may depend on what the team does with Pickett, who hasn’t yet played during the preseason while nursing a hamstring injury.

If the Browns keep Pickett, Sanders and Gabriel figure to battle for the team’s third-string job to start the season. Gabriel, who was selected 50 picks ahead of Sanders, likely has a leg up in that battle.

But if Cleveland decides not to keep Pickett, or stashes him on IR amid his hamstring issues, that could open the door for Sanders and Gabriel to battle for the Browns backup quarterback job.

Either way, preseason Week 3 figures to be critical for the trio of quarterbacks behind Flacco on Cleveland’s depth chart.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Fantasy football managers who may not have the stomach – or the self-discipline – to employ the Zero RB strategy in drafts may consider pivoting to a slightly less-extreme version: the Hero RB strategy.

It’s a little more traditional approach to roster-building, but it does lean heavily on the same concepts that form the basis of the Zero RB method.

But to implement it, you first must understand it. So let’s examine the difference between the two strategies and how fantasy managers can set up their draft plan to embrace the Hero RB from the start … or adopt it on the fly.

2025 POSITION RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST | Overall

What is the Hero RB strategy?

The concept both Zero RB and Hero RB approaches share is that it’s extremely difficult for running backs to stay healthy and productive over the course of a full NFL season. Because many will suffer injuries or see their workloads decrease, there is ample opportunity for other, less-heralded running backs to step into those leading roles.

But while the Zero RB strategy avoids paying the full draft-day price for any starting running back, the Hero version makes an exception for one star player – typically in the first round – and then avoids the position until late in the draft.

Why should you use the Hero RB strategy?

The main reason to go Hero over Zero is when the value of drafting one of the top running backs is just too high.

For some, having an early first-round pick is enough to take one of the consensus top three (or four) running backs on this year’s board. They all figure to be major contributors both rushing and receiving, and in fantasy formats that award points for receptions, they might just be too valuable to pass up.

There’s certainly risk in taking a Hero RB, but he can also pave the way to a league championship.

Just remember to exercise excruciating patience before drafting another running back. And be prepared to work the waiver wire every week to find your No. 2.

What is a Hero RB?

Although some may define it differently, the qualities we’re using here to determine who qualifies as a Hero RB are these:

  • Lead back in an above-average offense
  • Ability to dominate rushing and receiving
  • Track record of good health

Who are the Hero RBs in 2025?

Pretty simple. But only a select few are worthy of such a high honor this season.

  • Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
  • Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
  • Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

That’s it. That’s the list.

Sure, Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders has the upside to belong in that top group, but he doesn’t yet have any NFL experience. Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens clearly checks two of the three boxes, but he’s an afterthought in the passing game. Health is a question for De’Von Achane of the Miami Dolphins and Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers.

Maybe you’ll have an opportunity to grab one of those other top backs at a discount. If so, feel free to modify the Hero RB approach to fit your situation. Some people prefer a modified Hero RB approach by drafting a no-doubt starting running back in the first two rounds and then waiting another five or six rounds before taking another.

Just remember, you’re not following the Zero/Hero RB strategy if you’re not building the foundation of your roster on safer stud receivers.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

  • Giants’ rookie first-rounder continues to look like he could be ready to play sooner than later.
  • Sitting sophomore passers seems a perplexing decision in Atlanta, Minnesota.
  • Did Shedeur Sanders win while sitting out Browns’ game?

The NFL’s 2025 preseason is nearly complete, 32 of its 49 games in the books − Week 2 set to conclude Monday night when the Washington Commanders host the Cincinnati Bengals.

It’s typically tempting to draw premature conclusions from the exhibition slate − and make no mistake, some of these games hardly approximate bona fide professional football, starters and other front-liners often completely spared. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some key takeaways to glean as the league’s 32 teams finalize their preparations for the 18-week regular-season marathon that awaits, with more games to follow for those which run the best race.

While acknowledging the football caveats inherent to August, your winners and losers from the weekend:

NFL preseason Week 2 winners

Caleb Williams

Take two drives and a grain of salt for what they’re worth, but his (relatively) long-awaited debut in new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s offense went swimmingly in Sunday night’s 38-0 whitewash of the Buffalo Bills. Williams was pinpoint accurate, made good decisions and practiced self-preservation − all things he struggled to do as a rookie after getting drafted first overall in 2024 and apparently throughout this summer’s training camp. Again, two drives − yet sufficiently positive for the Bears and their fans to hang their hat on. For now.

Jaxson Dart

The Giants’ first-round quarterback made his debut in front of the home fans Saturday and passed for one touchdown while running for another in a 31-12 drubbing of New Jersey’s other team, the Jets. Dart also threw for 137 yards while connecting on all but two of his 16 throws. Russell Wilson will start the season behind center for the Giants, but Dart has consistently displayed the production, swagger and maturity this month that suggest he could be ready to play sooner than later − especially if the Giants struggle to pile up wins against the league’s hardest schedule.

TreVeyon Henderson

After taking a kickoff 100 yards to the house last week, the New England Patriots’ rookie running back ran for an 8-yard score Saturday. Fantasy owners take note − this guy and his big-play abilty are going to earn a significant workload this season, quite possibly to the tune of an RB1 role eventually.

Seahawks’ run game

Despite a 10-7 debut in 2024, second-year Seattle coach Mike Macdonald wanted a more physical team in 2025 − and that means running the ball. With first-round G Grey Zabel opening holes, the Seahawks racked up 268 yards on the ground and 5.6 a clip during Friday night’s defeat of the Chiefs, who rested most of their key players. Regardless, 268 yards amassed in chunks is still 268 yards amassed in chunks and such output foreshadows what could be a much more bruising offense.

Eagles rookies

And the rich just get obscenely richer. After the reigning Super Bowl champions took some defensive hits during free agency, EVP/GM Howie Roseman invested his first two 2025 draft picks in LB Jihaad Campbell and S Andrew Mukuba, who are both competing for significant snaps. Campbell had a sack among his four tackles against the Cleveland Browns, and Mukuba had a 75-yard pick-six. Roseman may have successfully reloaded his D more quickly than anyone could have imagined − especially if these rooks are only asked to come off the bench.

Tyler Loop

The Baltimore Ravens’ rookie kicker officially won the job as the replacement for departed and disgraced predecessor Justin Tucker. Loop continued his sterling August by drilling five field goals Saturday in a 31-13 defeat of the Dallas Cowboys.

Tua Tagovailoa’s backups

Reclamation project Zach Wilson and rookie Quinn Ewers combined to complete 26 of 40 passes for 259 yards and three TDs during a 24-17 triump in Detroit on Saturday. No, Wilson and Ewers didn’t face the Lions’ top defenders and probably aren’t players HC Mike McDaniel wants to see in his lineup for any extended period. Still, it’s nice for the Fins to have multiple fallback plans at quarterback given Tagovailoa’s extensive injury history.

Ashton Jeanty

The Las Vegas Raiders’ ballyhooed rookie back rushed for 33 yards on seven carries and his first (unofficial) touchdown Saturday a week after being held to negative yardage in his (unofficial) debut. But the real highlight occurred when Jeanty trucked San Francisco 49ers DB Deommodore Lenoir in the open field.

Jonas Sanker

The New Orleans Saints’ rookie safety made five tackles and picked off a pass Sunday, helping to salvage a tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars and possibly cementing his own role.

Stetson Bennett IV

The former University of Georgia star, competing for a job with the Los Angeles Rams behind QBs Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo, passed for 324 yards and three TDs, including the game-winner with 5 seconds left in a 23-22 defeat of the crosstown Chargers on Saturday.

NFL preseason Week 2 losers

Stetson Bennett IV

The former University of Georgia star, competing for a job with the Los Angeles Rams behind QBs Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo … was intercepted and subsequently steamrolled by 6-2, 305-pound rookie lineman TeRah Edwards in perhaps the weekend’s most viral moment.

Jonas Sanker

Had he not returned his INT 40 yards and ducked out of bounds sooner, Sanker could have potentially set the Saints up for a game-winning field-goal try. But rookies gonna rookie – especially in August.

Ashton Jeanty

After his, um, best (?) NFL game, the former Boise State star proclaimed, ‘I’ve arrived, and it’s time to keep going and make plays for this team.” Can’t wait to watch you this season, Ashton − you might even anchor my fantasy team. But, dude, you have most definitely not arrived yet nor made a play that counts for anything. Just keeping it a buck here … but no doubt your arrival is pending.

J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr.

Drafted in the first round a year ago, the sophomore quarterbacks have combined for three regular-season starts − all by Penix − yet were relegated to bubble wrap over the weekend. Penix hasn’t played for the Atlanta Falcons this preseason and barely did so last year. McCarthy is a year removed from a season-ending August knee injury and a week removed from limited snaps in his 2025 return for the Minnesota Vikings. We’ll have to trust that Vikes coach Kevin O’Connell and Atlanta counterpart Raheem Morris are practicing appropriate load management. But given the expectations heaped on a pair of glorified rookies, their approach will invite questions if their teams − and their young signal-callers in particular − get off to slow starts next month.

Panthers offense

No points generated by Carolina’s starers in Saturday’s loss to the Houston Texans, and they apparently won’t play again until the regular-season opener. Really?

Colts quarterbacks

Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen says he’s close to choosing between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones as his QB1 for 2025. But as the old saying goes, ‘If you have two quarterbacks, you have none.” Through two preseason games, Richardson and Jones have collectively produced one touchdown drive − the former predictably alternating flashes of greatness and inconsistency, the latter … is Daniel Jones. Could be a QB carousel in Indy this year. Stay loose, Riley Leonard.

Dillon Gabriel

The Browns rookie quarterback picked 50 spots ahead of Shedeur Sanders, who was down with an oblique injury, didn’t look nearly as good as his draftmate during his own preseason debut, Gabriel serving up an interception returned for a touchdown and losing a fumble while leading just one TD drive in a half of work. To make matters worse, Gabriel made a remark about “entertainers” during an in-game interview that some interpreted as a shot at Sanders, forcing him to subsequently clarify he was not referring to his teammate. Still, all kinds of rookie mistakes.

Joe Milton III

Acquired in an offseason trade in order to compete for the backup job behind Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys’ newest quarterback once again didn’t look ready for the role Saturday while playing the majority of that decisive loss to the Ravens. Milton completed half of his 18 passes for 122 yards and was picked off once while being outplayed by Baltimore backup Cooper Rush, Prescott’s reliable understudy in recent years.

Jim Harbaugh

So about those sanctions handed down to your alma mater and former employer in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Coach? Seriously, feel free to, ahem, ‘engage’ any time.

NFL fans

If you’re attending a preseason game between teams that just conducted joint practices (think Broncos-Cardinals or Buccaneers-Steelers), don’t expect to see many players you recognize on the field once kickoff actually rolls around. Preseason football − it’s fantastic … unless you’re a paying fan.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Most of the NHL’s top unrestricted free agents found homes early in July.

But there is still plenty of action to track during the NHL offseason. There are trades to be made and restricted free agents to re-sign. Salary arbitration hearings were scheduled from July 20 to Aug. 4, although players and teams settled beforehand in all 11 cases.

Also, players whose contracts run out after the 2025-26 season are eligible to sign contract extensions at any time.

Here is a look at the latest signings, trades and other news that have happened since the initial surge of movement in late June and early July:

Aug. 18: Hudson Fasching signs with Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets added forward depth by signing Hudson Fasching to a one-year deal. It’s a two-way contract, meaning he’d make less if sent to the American Hockey League. Fasching, 30, played for the New York Islanders the past three seasons and has 40 points in 175 career NHL games with three teams.

Also: The Colorado Avalanche signed University of New Hampshire defenseman Alex Gagne to a two-year, entry-level contract. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder was team captain last season, had a career-best 17 points and led the Wildcats with 62 blocked shots.

Aug. 15: Travis Hamonic signs with Red Wings

Hamonic is getting a one year deal at $1 million. The veteran depth addition likely will play in the bottom defense pairing. He ranked second on the Ottawa Senators last season in blocked shots per 60 minutes and also killed penalties. Detroit will be his fifth NHL team. Hamonic, who turns 35 on Aug. 16, has 53 goals and 242 points in 900 career games.

Aug. 10: Jack Johnson signs tryout agreement with Wild

The 38-year-old defenseman will go to camp as a tryout in a bid for a 20th NHL season. He played 41 games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Wild might be without defenseman Jonas Brodin at the beginning of the season, according to the Athletic.

Also: The Kraken agreed to terms with defenseman Ryker Evans for two years at a $2.05 million average. He ranked fourth among Seattle blueliners with 25 points and was first with 123 hits.

Aug. 9: Nathan Bastian signs with Stars

He’ll get a one-year, $775,000 contract and add depth to the forward group. Bastian had played all but 12 games of his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils and ranked third among New Jersey regulars last season with 12.83 hits per 60 minutes. He has career totals of 33 goals, 68 points and 190 penalty minutes in 276 regular season games between the Devils and Seattle Kraken.

Aug. 8: Two-time Stanley Cup winner Kyle Clifford retires

Cllifford, who won Stanley Cup titles in 2012 and 2014 with the Los Angeles Kings, is retiring after 13 NHL seasons. The NHL Players’ Association said he would move into a player development role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Clifford had two stints with the Leafs and finished his playing career in the organization with the American Hockey League’s Marlies. He also played for the St. Louis Blues and finished with 66 goals, 144 points and 905 penalty minutes in 753 NHL games.

Aug. 8: Avalanche re-sign Joel Kiviranta

Kiviranta is sticking around for a third season in Colorado by signing a one-year deal. Terms weren’t released. The bottom-six forward had 16 goals last season.

Aug. 2: Nick Robertson settles before arbitration hearing

All 11 players who filed for salary arbitration settled their cases before their hearings, with the Maple Leafs and Robertson the last to do so. Here are the new contracts the players agreed to, listed alphabetically.

  • Morgan Barron (Winnipeg Jets): Two years, $3.7 million.
  • Lukas Dostal (Anaheim Ducks): Five years, $32.5 million.
  • Drew Helleson (Anaheim Ducks): Two years, $2.2 million.
  • Kaapo Kakko (Seattle Kraken). Three years, $13.575 million.
  • Nick Robertson (Toronto Maple Leafs). One year, $1.825 million.
  • Dylan Samberg (Winnipeg Jets): Three years, $15.75 million.
  • Arvid Soderblom (Chicago Blackhawks): Two years, $5.5 million.
  • Jayden Struble (Montreal Canadiens): Two years, $2.825 million.
  • Conor Timmins (Buffalo Sabres): Two years, $4.4 million.
  • Maxim Tsyplakov (New York Islanders): Two years, $4.5 million.
  • Gabriel Vilardi (Winnipeg Jets): Six years, $45 million.

July 31: Sabres’ Devon Levi re-signs for two years

He’ll average $812,500 in the deal and is the final restricted free agent who needed to re-sign. He has had back-to-back solid seasons in the American Hockey League. With the Buffalo Sabres signing Alex Lyon this summer, Levi is expected to spend more time in the AHL for now.

July 28: Nicklas Backstrom signs deal in Sweden

The former Capitals star, 37, is returning to hockey by signing a deal to play for Brynas for the first time since 2006-07. He had played 1,105 NHL games in between, recording 1,033 points. But he had missed all of last season and most of 2023-24 while recovering from 2022 hip surgery.

July 17: Maple Leafs acquire Dakota Joshua from Canucks

Vancouver receives a 2028 fourth-round pick. Joshua will likely slot in the Maple Leafs’ bottom six forwards. He had a career-best 18 goals and 32 points in 2023-24 but missed the beginning of last season after having surgery for testicular cancer. He finished with 14 points in 57 games. He originally was drafted by the Maple Leafs but never played for them.

July 17: Blue Jackets’ Yegor Chinakhov requests trade

Yegor Chinakhov, a former first-round draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, has asked for a trade.

The agent for Chinakhov posted on X, formerly Twitter, about the trade request.

“I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season,” read the post quoting Chinakhov. “Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location. Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.”

Chinakhov, who was selected with the No. 21 overall selection in 2020, missed nearly half of last season with a back injury, an issue that also sidelined him for the final 17 games in the previous season. – Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch

July 15: Sabres re-sign Bowen Byram for two years

The defenseman will average $6.25 million in the deal. He was considered a candidate for an offer sheet but the Sabres reportedly filed for arbitration to prevent that. He ranked third among Sabres defensemen in average ice time and third with 38 points. The cap hit makes him the third highest paid defenseman on the team behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The streak is over. But its ramifications will live on for months.

Finally, after free burgers and tearful tributes and two weeks that cemented their status as the game’s best club, the Milwaukee Brewers lost a baseball game.

Yet their Aug. 17 defeat to the Cincinnati Reds only snapped a 14-game winning streak. It can’t undo all that was accomplished.

Most notably, the Brewers have a commanding eight-game lead in the National League Central, an advantage so large that the Chicago Cubs can’t even undo it if they somehow sweep this jumbo-sized five-game series the teams play this week. And in a bigger-picture sense, the Brewers are primed to grab either of the Nos. 1 or 2 seed in the NL playoffs – meaning some coastal elite from Philly or L.A. or New York will bear the indignity of the wild-card series while the Brew Crew cools its heels in Dairyland.

And let us not forget, they’ve put a vise grip on the No. 1 spot in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings. Not that they’re too stressed about that very serious designation or other, ostensibly more pressing matters.

‘We have the right level of don’t-give-a-(darn),’ franchise player Christian Yelich says.

A look at our updated rankings:

1. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

  • Can clinch season series vs. Cubs with three wins in five games this week.

2. Toronto Blue Jays (+3)

  • When Alejandro Kirk is stealing bases and Myles Straw producing multi-homer games, you’re going good.

3. Detroit Tigers (+3)

  • Tandem closers Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan combine for 1.26 ERA since the trade deadline.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers (-3)

  • Will Smith’s bid for rare batting title as catcher still hanging in there.

5. Philadelphia Phillies (-2)

  • Zack Wheeler’s shoulder injury could prompt a longer look at top prospect Andrew Painter.

6. Chicago Cubs (-2)

  • Cade Horton emerging as an ace just in time.

7. San Diego Padres (-)

  • Knee tendinitis sends starter Michael King back to injured list.

8. Houston Astros (-)

  • Ramon Urías busts up perfect game, notches walk-off RBI against old team.

9. Seattle Mariners (+2)

  • Bryan Woo sets major league record with 24th start of six innings and two or fewer walks – breaking Juan Marichal’s mark to start a season.

10. Boston Red Sox (-1)

  • Wrist surgery ends Marcelo Mayer’s rookie season.

11. New York Yankees (+1)

  • Brian Cashman defends Aaron Boone’s handling of so-so season.

12. New York Mets (-1)

  • Striking out eight and beating the Mariners in his debut won’t tamp down expectations for Nolan McLean.

13. Cincinnati Reds (-)

  • Jake Fraley the odd man out as Will Benson returns.

14. Cleveland Guardians (-)

  • Remember John Means? He begins rehab assignment, could be rotation option down the stretch.

15. Texas Rangers (-)

  • Right-hander Jon Gray out indefinitely with thoracic outlet syndrome.

16. Kansas City Royals (+3)

  • Climb above .500 for first time since June 10.

17. St. Louis Cardinals (+1)

  • Top prospect J.J. Wetherholt has 1.058 OPS, nine homers in first 25 games at Class AAA.

18. Tampa Bay Rays (+2)

  • May not see the playoffs, but they’ll certainly Seymour with Bob, Ian on roster.

19. Arizona Diamondbacks (+4)

  • Despite sell-off and odd Ketel Marte saga, they suddenly win six of seven.

20. San Francisco Giants (-3)

  • Strangely lifeless, not a great sign heading toward off-season.

21. Los Angeles Angels (+1)

  • After sweeping season series from Dodgers, lose a series to Athletics.

22. Miami Marlins (-5)

  • Kyle Stowers and his 25 homers hit IL with oblique strain.

23. Minnesota Twins (-2)

  • Pohlad family’s decision not to sell the latest blow to reeling fan base.

24. Baltimore Orioles (-)

  • They’re here: Top prospects Dylan Beavers, Samuel Basallo debut on consecutive days.

25. Atlanta Braves (+1)

  • Hurston Waldrep has 1.02 ERA in his three starts.

26. Athletics (-1)

  • Getting closer to Yolo County: Top prospect Leo DeVries, 17, has two-homer game at high-A, earns AA promotion.

27. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

  • Andrew Heaney relegated to bullpen, stoking intrigue for Bubba Chandler’s eventual debut.

28. Washington Nationals (-)

  • Nathaniel Lowe’s release keeps roster space for all the young outfielders.

29. Chicago White Sox (-)

  • Martin Perez returns after four-month absence with elbow injury.

30. Colorado Rockies (-)

  • Five wins in 10 games brings them over the White Sox Threshold – no 121-loss pace, for now.
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  • Rich Eisen will host ESPN’s SportsCenter on Aug. 18 for the first time in more than 20 years.
  • Eisen will be joined by Mina Kimes for the broadcast following the Commanders-Bengals preseason game.
  • This follows ESPN’s recent agreement to acquire NFL Network and other assets in exchange for equity in ESPN.

A familiar face will return to the anchor chair on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

For the first time in more than 20 years, Rich Eisen is set to host the network’s flagship sportscast on Monday, Aug. 18, following the Monday Night Football preseason game between the Washington Commanders and Cincinnati Bengals.

He will be joined on the set live from Los Angeles by ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes, according to a press release from the network.

Eisen gained national acclaim during his stint at ESPN from 1996 to 2003 before leaving to become one of the first employees when the NFL Network launched in November 2003.

The move comes on the heels of ESPN’s announcement earlier this month of a non-binding agreement to ‘acquire NFL Network and certain other media assets woned and controlled by the NFL – including NFL’s linear RedZone Channel, and NFL Fantasy – in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN.’

Eisen’s return to ESPN was already in the works, even before the megamerger.

The ‘Rich Eisen Show’ will make its debut Sept. 2 on ESPN+ and Disney+ in its familiar noon to 3 p.m. ET time slot.

ESPN also says Eisen will make select appearances across ESPN studio programming going forward, while also retaining his prominent role at NFL Network.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the White House Monday to meet with President Donald Trump, following the U.S. president’s Friday meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

The visit marks the first time Zelenskyy has returned to the White House since February, where he sparred openly with Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office over engaging in diplomacy with Russia to end the conflict. The encounter prompted Vance to ask the Ukrainian leader if he’d ‘said thank you once this entire meeting.’

The tense exchange started after Zelenskyy challenged Vance’s statements that diplomacy was the right path to end the conflict. Zelenskyy questioned the value of diplomacy, and brought up that Putin has broken other agreements in the past.

‘What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about?’ Zelenskyy said. ‘What do you mean?’

Vance said, ‘I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country.’

‘Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media,’ Vance said. ‘Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for bringing it, to bring it into this country.’

‘Have you ever been to Ukraine, that you say what problems we have?’ Zelenskyy said. 

‘I’ve actually watched and seen the stories and I know that what happens is you bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour,’ Vance said. ‘Mr. President, do you disagree that you’ve had problems bringing people into your military? And do you think that it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to, trying to prevent the destruction of your country?’

The exchange prompted Trump to temporarily put a pause on peace negotiations, saying that Zelenskyy could return to the White House when he was ‘ready’ for peace. Following his departure from the White House, Zelenskyy then posted a statement on X thanking the U.S., Trump, Congress and the American people for their support for Ukraine. 

Unlike the meeting in February, Zelenskyy will be joined Monday by other European leaders who have backed Ukraine, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. 

Meanwhile, Trump said that it’s up to Zelenskyy whether the war with Russia comes to an end, and stipulated that doing so would require certain land concessions to Russia. He also ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine under a potential peace deal. 

‘President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,’ Trump said in a Sunday post on social media. ‘Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!’ 

Even so, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday that Putin has agreed to permit the U.S. and other European allies to provide bolstered protection for Ukraine, akin to protections offered under NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause. 

‘We were able to win the following concession that the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO,’ Witkoff said in an interview with CNN. 

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A prominent pro-energy group is calling on the Trump administration to investigate what it suspects is a coordinated ‘national lawfare campaign’ by left-wing climate activists aimed at influencing thousands of judges on how to approach climate litigation.

In a letter sent this week to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Power the Future Founder and Executive Director Dan Turner warned that the Federal Judicial Center, in partnership with the Environmental Law Institute’s Climate Judiciary Project, is engaged in ‘behind-closed-doors advocacy’ for climate lawfare.

‘Specifically, Power The Future is concerned that the FJC is actively assisting in a campaign which boasts of having ‘educated’ approximately two thousand judges, including federal judges, on how to approach climate’ litigation,’ the letter explains. ”Climate’ litigation actually seeks in part to impose federal energy (rationing) policy through the courts, even though policy ‘must be addressed by the two other branches of government.’ The FJC enlisted in this campaign by hosting seminars for judges with speakers drawn exclusively from the world of plaintiffs’ witnesses or historic amicus brief filers in support of the plaintiffs.’

The Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Law Institute created the Climate Judiciary Project (CJP) in 2018, establishing a first-of-its-kind resource to provide ‘reliable, up-to-date information’ about climate change litigation, according to the group. The project’s reach has extended to various state and federal courts, including powerful appellate courts, and comes as multiple cities and states pursue high-profile litigation against the oil industry.

A Fox News Digital review in December shows that several CJP expert lawyers and judges have close ties to the curriculum and are deeply involved in climate litigation, while the group attempted to distance itself at the time, saying, ‘CJP doesn’t participate in litigation, support or coordinate with any parties in litigation, or advise judges on how they should rule in any case.’

Power the Future included FOIA requests in the letter, which the group says shows coordination between judges and ELI’s network.

‘For example, several records obtained under FOIA, enclosed herein, reference the involvement of Judge David Tatel, who served for nearly 30 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit until 2022,’ the letter says. ‘One February 2021 email from a plaintiff’s witness who ELI arranged to serially brief judges on ‘climate’ litigation, Dr. Don Wuebbles, references ‘the kind of issues that Judge Tatel raised towards counteracting arguments from nonbelievers’ in catastrophic man-made global warming.’

Wuebbles hit back against claims there were ‘cozy ties’ between judges and climate activists in comments to Fox News Digital, calling the Power the Future letter a ‘highly distorted look at what we do as scientists,’ while defending that he is a ‘PhD atmospheric scientist and professor…,’ not an ‘activist.’

Wuebbles did explain that he has helped ‘educate judges on the science of climate change’ when asked by the courts across his career. 

‘Those meetings were very professional and just about the state of the science,’ he told Fox News Digital. ‘If a senator, other politicians, or anyone with biases about the state of the climate cannot handle the truth, that is their problem. But the truth should still come out for all Americans to be aware of, including judges and the courts. As part of this, the misinformation of contrarians needs to be responded to by responses demonstrating the real state of the science and what the actual measurements and scientific analyses really show us — that is what we do as scientists. As someone with high moral standards, I could add much more, but I will leave it there.’

The letter to the DOJ included other FOIA’d emails, including one dated March 23, 2021, that was sent by CJP founder Paul Hanle to ‘a serial presenter, plaintiff’s expert witness Dr. Ben Santer’ regarding presenting a climate science lecture to more than 100 judges. 

‘In another email, dated March 23, 2021, from ELI’s Paul Hanle to a serial presenter, plaintiff’s expert witness Dr. Ben Santer — also a member of the board of the activist Union of Concerned Scientists, which was an original organizer of the climate litigation campaign — Hanle describes ELI as working ‘through the auspices of the National Judicial College, with which our project is partnering,” the letter to the DOJ reads. ‘Hanle later thanked Santer for Santer’s presentation ‘to a large group of judges — perhaps one to two hundred,’ stating, in relevant part, ‘I would venture you convinced many who did not know before that the science has moved far and fast and the scientific case is underpinned by very strong evidence.’ Hanle added, ‘Your approach is very effective with judges.’’

While another email, sent by an ELI official to both Hanle and Santer, the official says, ‘that [the judge] connected this material to her own docket …[is] [j]ust what we want to see!’

‘You certainly had an impact on her,’ Hanle said. 

Santer told Fox News Digital in an emailed comment Monday when asked about the correspondence that his job is to ‘improve scientific and public understanding of the nature, causes, and impacts of climate change.’ 

‘I’ve done this job for over 35 years, through my research in ‘climate fingerprinting’ and through public lecturing to a variety of different audiences. Judges are one of those audiences, along with professional societies, Rotary Clubs, universities, schools, and conservative organizations like the Pacific Club, Jonathan Club, and Bohemian Grove,’ he wrote. 

‘As of today, U.S. climate scientists still have the freedom to educate U.S. citizens on the reality and seriousness of climate change. I cherish that freedom. While it still exists, I intend to continue serving as a ‘serial presenter’ on climate science,’ he continued. 

When approached for comment on the matter, FJC’s Deputy Director Clara Altman said it had not worked with ELI since 2020, after holding a series of seminars in coordination with the group the year prior. 

‘The Federal Judicial Center conducted a series of small one-day seminars with the Environmental Law Institute for fewer than 100 judges in total in 2019 and early 2020.  The Federal Judicial Center has not done any programs with ELI since.  In all its programs, the Center strives to present content objectively and from a range of views,’ Altman said, adding that FJC is not affiliated with NJC.  

Fox News Digital reported in July that CJP organized a years-long, nationwide online forum with jurists to promote favorable information and litigation updates regarding climate issues — until the email-styled group chat was abruptly made private last year. The listserv was established after CJP coordinated with the National Judicial College to establish its first cohort of judges who took part in a ‘Judicial Leaders in Climate Science’ program in 2022. 

The listserv, which included at least five judges from across the nation and CJP leaders, was active from September 2022 to May 2024, and facilitated correspondence between the group’s members as they traded links on climate studies, congratulated one another on hosting recent environmental events, shared updates on recent climate cases that were remanded to state courts and encouraged participation in other CJP meet-ups. 

In one message, for example, a Delaware judge shared a YouTube video of a 2022 climate presentation delivered by a Delaware official and a Columbia University professor that focused on the onslaught of climate lawsuits since the mid-2000s. The video included claims that those lawsuits could one day bankrupt the fuel industry. 

The judge stipulated in his message to the group when sharing the link: ‘Because the link is of a judicial event that is otherwise not public, please do not forward or use without checking with me. I suspect that goes without saying, but the powers that be will be happier that I said it.’

A handful of other judges responded to Laster’s video and message, praising it as ‘great work.’

CJP, in a comment to Fox Digital at the time, defended the listserv as one to help members of its Judicial Leaders in Climate Science program communicate and network with one another for the duration of the program. The one-year program, established by CJP in coordination with the National Judicial College, ‘trains state court judges on judicial leadership skills integrated with consensus climate science and how it is arising in the law,’ the group told Fox News Digital.

Following Fox News Digital’s reporting on the listserv, CJP’s website received a facelift that included removing one of the judge’s names and his favorable testimony of the group’s work and anonymized the names of other judges who praised CJP as an ‘essential’ resource for jurists. 

‘Judges are encouraged, and many required, to participate in continuing education on topics relevant to emerging trends in the law — including those related to science. Recent changes to CJP’s website were made to protect privacy and prevent baseless criticism and harassment,’ the spokesperson told Fox News Digital in August when asked about the website revamp. 

When asked about Power the Future’s letter, a spokesperson for ELI underscored that its Climate Judiciary Project is a ‘a non-partisan organization that has been operating for over 50 years. ELI educates professionals and the public, provides objective data and analysis, and convenes diverse groups of leaders to solve problems.’

‘The programs in which CJP participates are no different than other judicial education programs, providing evidence-based training on legal and scientific topics that judges voluntarily choose to attend,’ the spokesperson continued. ‘CJP does not participate in litigation, provide support for or coordinate with any parties in litigation, or advise judges on how they should rule in any case.’

News of CJP’s outreach comes as the U.S. has seen a sharp uptick in climate-related lawsuits in recent years — including cases targeting oil giants Shell, BP and ExxonMobil for allegedly using ‘deceptive’ marketing and downplaying the risks of climate change. Lawsuits have also been brought against state governments and federal agencies, including the Interior Department, for allegedly failing to address pollution risks or protect against the harms of climate change, according to the plaintiffs.

Conservative lawmakers have meanwhile put CJP under the public’s microscope for alleged ‘lawfare,’ most notably Sen. Ted Cruz, who said during a Senate subcommittee hearing in June that there is a ‘systematic campaign’ launched by the Chinese Communist Party and American left-wing activists to weaponize the court systems to ‘undermine American energy dominance.’ 

CJP, Cruz said, is a pivotal player in the ‘lawfare’ as it works to secure ‘judicial capture.’ 

Judicial communications with climate activists over litigation and environmental issues date back years. In 2019, a federal judge hit ‘reply all’ to an email chain with 45 other judges and court staff about an invitation to a climate seminar hosted by the Environmental Law Institute. Colleagues later chastised the judge for sharing ‘this nonsense’ and suggested it was an ethics violation, though others defended the judge’s decision, saying flagging the event was not unethical.

Fox News Digital reached also reached out to NJC, DOJ and Tatel for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report. 

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