The Boston Celtics’ road trip continues Tuesday night with a potential NBA Finals preview against the San Antonio Spurs.
Boston and San Antonio are currently the No. 2 seeds in their respective conferences. The powerhouses last met on Jan. 10, with the Spurs squeaking out a 100-95 victory at TD Garden.
This time, the C’s will have superstar Jayson Tatum, who’s set for his third game back from his Achilles injury. Tatum is averaging 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 27 minutes over his first two games against the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Both teams enter on win streaks. Boston has won its last two games, while San Antonio enters with four consecutive victories. The C’s have won eight of their last 10 games, and the Spurs have won nine of their last 10.
Follow our live blog for score updates, highlights, news, and reaction throughout Tuesday night’s matchup:

What we know about Tuesday night’s games:
Jayson Tatum’s Celtics take on Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs (8 ET) to open our ‘Coast 2 Coast’ doubleheader on NBC and Peacock.
The nightcap features the Lakers and Timberwolves, running back a rematch that came down to the buzzer earlier this season.
VJ Edgecombe is back for the 76ers. Tyler Herro and LeBron James are questionable. Payton Pritchard is out.
MARCH 10, 2026 // 6:30 ET
The Lakers to the rack
No team is shooting a higher percentage from the field (49.8%) or on drives (54.3%) than the Los Angeles Lakers, thanks mainly to their trio of stars — Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Dončić: 10.7 points on 13.7 drives per game, shooting 61.1%
Reaves: 9.5 points on 11.9 drives per game, shooting 57.7%
James: 5.0 points on 7.2 drives per game, shooting 50.9%
Reaves delivered on the drive to lift the Lakers over the Timberwolves 106-105 on Oct. 29.
The Lake Show’s star trio, averaging more points by attacking the rim than five teams, face Rudy Gobert and the Minnesota Timberwolves again tonight. Keep an eye on the battle in the paint.
MARCH 10, 2026 // 6:00 ET
Welcome to an 11-game night in the NBA!
It’s ‘Coast 2 Coast Tuesday,’ featuring Jayson Tatum’s Celtics facing Victor Wembanayama’s Spurs (8 ET) and Anthony Edwards’ Timberwolves taking on Luka Dončić’s Lakers (11 ET) on NBC and Peacock.
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 ET
Detroit Pistons vs. Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 ET
Washington Wizards vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 ET
Dallas Mavericks vs. Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 ET
Toronto Raptors vs. Houston Rockets, 8 ET
Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 8 ET
Boston Celtics vs. San Antonio Spurs, 8 ET (NBC / Peacock)
Chicago Bulls vs. Golden State Warriors, 10 ET
Charlotte Hornets vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 10 ET
Indiana Pacers vs. Sacramento Kings, 10 ET
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 11 ET (NBC / Peacock)

This is the UFC 326 live blog for Drew Dober vs. Michael Johnson, the main card lightweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Dober and Johnson have a combined 57 UFC appearances between them, so it’s somewhat surprising it’s taken this long for the two to share the octagon. Regardless, fireworks are expected as the veterans have numerous highlight-reel knockouts between them.
In his most recent fight, Dober (28-15, 1 NC) snapped a three-fight skid with a come-from-behind knockout of Kyle Prepolec at UFC Vancouver. The win bumped Dober’s UFC record up to 14-11 with one no-contest. He holds the record for the most knockouts in the history of the UFC lightweight division at 10.
Johnson (25-19) is in the midst of a late-career surge, having won three straight fights and four of his past five. Following a knockout loss to Diego Ferreira, Johnson went on to defeat Darrius Flowers, Ottman Azaitar, and Daniel Zellhuber. With a win, he’ll tie the longest win streak he’s had since making his UFC debut in 2010.
Check out the UFC 326 live blog for Drew Dober vs. Michael Johnson below.
Preamble
So, apparently there’s been some pretty wonky line movement heading into this one? That’s two fights in a row now that Michael Johnson has been involved in odds weirdness. Not sure what to think of it.
But unlike last time, this fight has not been cancelled. Game on!
Round 1
Kerry Hatley the referee for this one.
Fighters content to strike from range to start, Johnson scores the first real points with a sharp 1-2. He’s mixing in leg kicks to set up the hands. Dober also letting the leg kicks fly. Johnson gets too close and eats a counter left, he’s going to want to watch out for that. Nice leg kick jab combo from Johnson. Short right hook by Dober. Close fight through the first half of the round.
Dober with another good right. He clips Johnson with an inside leg kick. Body kick by Dober, followed by a flash spin kick that doesn’t land. Johnson with another good 1-2. And another, that one bumping Dober off balance. It’s a tried-and-true formula and it’s working.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Johnson.
Round 2
Dober with some big swings, but Johnson is staying sharp and controlling the range. He’s catching Dober with counter punches, too. Dober lands a left hand. He’s mixing in body work to open Johnson up. And there it is as he drives a huge left through Johnson’s face. Down Johnson goes and that’s a wrap.
Official result: Drew Dober def. Michael Johnson via TKO (strikes) (R2, 1:53)
Post-fight
Dober calls his punching power “a gift,” but he needs to have the smarts to use it well.

This is the UFC 326 live blog for Rob Font vs. Raul Rosas Jr., the main card bantamweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Font (22-9) currently stands at No. 13 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings at 135 pounds. The 14-year veteran has made a habit of fending off up-and-coming challengers looking to take his number, with notable wins over Jean Matsumoto, Kyler Phillips, and Adrian Yanez. He did stumble against top prospect David Martinez in his most recent outing, but Font still represents the stiffest challenge yet for the young Rosas.
Having turned 21 just this past October, Rosas (11-1) remains on track in his quest to become the youngest-ever UFC champion. Since suffering his lone loss to Christian Rodriguez, Rosas has rattled off four straight victories, including wins over veterans Vince Morales and Aoriqileng. A win over Font almost certainly places Rosas in the top 15 this week.
Check out the UFC 326 live blog for Rob Font vs. Raul Rosas Jr. below.
Font walking Rosas down, his hips well back and ready to defend against Rosas’ takedowns. Rosas pumps in a couple of jabs. Font switches stances and stuffs a jab right in Rosas’ face. Inside leg kick from Rosas, Font catches it and goes for a trip, but Rosas is out of there. Font goes to the body, then up top, Rosas retreats. Single leg by Rosas and there’s the first takedown of the fight.
Active guard from Font, he scrambles up only to be taken down again. Font using the fence well to get his feet under him. Rosas hanging on to that body lock. Definitely looks like Font is making sly use of the fence. Rosas drags him away and gets him down. Interesting to see how this is scored because Rosas not doing any damage with these takedowns. Slight nod to Rosas, I guess.
Rosas probing with jabs as Rosas looks like he’s widened his stance even further in anticipation of the wrestling. Left hand scores for Rosas. He’s in on a single leg and drives in for a takedown, but Font quick to take his back, Rosas forces a scramble and he’s on top, Font attacking with a triangle. Fun sequence that ends with Rosas in top position in Font’s guard.
Font wants to set up rubber guard, but can’t get much leverage. He tries to power up and almost gives up his back, but manages to put Rosas back in his guard. Font again looks to stand and Rosas just tackles him. He passes into half guard. Font attacks with a kimura, not much room to work though. Smothering effort from Rosas here.
Let’s see if Font can find a way to go for broke here. He’s throwing some winging punches, just testing to see if Rosas is paying attention. Nice left from Rosas as he ducks a right hand. Single leg by Rosas and there’s the takedown with plenty of time to work.
Rosas looking to work. He’s in cruise control as time ticks away for Font. Rosas hanging on to a rising Font and he drags him back down. That’s the story of the fight and it’s not changing anytime soon. Font with no answers right now. He’ll leave this fight mostly unscathed, but also wondering if he could have done more to steal this.
Rosas says he was trying to get the knockout, but the takedowns were working so he stuck with it.
“I’m not satisfied, I wish I would have got the finish. That’s what we came here to do. He’s a vet, he did a hell of a job surviving, and if you know Rob Font, it’s hard to do that against him.”
He doesn’t have a name, just says he wants anybody in the top 10.

This is the UFC 326 live blog for Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira, the “BMF” championship main event bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Holloway is currently No. 12 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, with Charles Oliveira at No. 19.
This is a long-awaited rematch for the two future Hall of Famers, with Holloway getting the win in a featherweight bout all the way back at UFC Saskatoon in August 2015 when Oliveira suffered an injury to bring the contest to a disappointing end.
Holloway (27-8) went on to establish himself as one of the best featherweights of all time, winning a UFC title and successfully defending it three times. His list of conquests includes Jose Aldo, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Frankie Edgar, The Korean Zombie, and Anthony Pettis, and many others considered among the best fighters of this generation. He knocked out Gaethje in the final seconds of a dominant performance at UFC 300 to snatch the BMF belt and became the only fighter to successfully defend it when he defeated longtime rival Dustin Poirier this past July.
“Do Bronx” hasn’t done bad for himself either. The UFC’s all-time leader in submission victories finally made it to the top of the mountain at 155 pounds when he defeated Michael Chandler for a vacant belt at UFC 262. Since that win, Oliveira has gone 5-3 while providing highlight after highlight whether in victory or defeat. Like Holloway, he aims to build on a UFC 326 main event win to earn one more shot at an undisputed title.
Check out the UFC 326 live blog for Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira below.
Preamble
Here we go. Forget all the White House drama and the lackluster undercard, this is what we’re here for. Two of the best ever finally getting to see who is the better man. All in.
Always tell me the odds
Holloway has been the favorite since this one was announced, -196 on FanDuel. Oliveira the underdog at +164. But this feels closer to a pick ‘em, doesn’t it?
Walkouts
Round 1
Marc Goddard the third man in the cage for your main event.
Oliviera immediately attacks with leg kicks. There’s a 1-2 from Holloway. Uh oh, he’s landing early. But here comes Oliveira, throwing heavy. Body lock and Oliveira just dumps him to the mat. Fast start!
Holloway defending well, but he has to be careful. Oliveira lands a couple of elbows as soon as he sees an opening. That grappling magic is on full display. Holloway takes a risk and gives up his back, he gets to his feet and Oliveira is hanging on to him. He fights off Oliveira’s hands but that choke looked tight. Oliveira still in a dominant position and he’s scoring with ground-and-pound to make this a clear-cut 10-9 for him. All defense from Holloway, who can’t risk giving up his neck. Oliveira cranking that face, ouch! But Holloway fights out of it. He gives the camera a wry smile. Survived the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Oliveira.
Round 2
Holloway starting off fast again. He’s landing, but Oliveira gets another takedown. Crowd boos, but this is how Oliveira can win this one.
“Do Bronx” is just all over Holloway. He wants that knocks. Holloway doesn’t give it to him, so Oliveira cracks him with some more elbows. Body triangle for Oliveira. Holloway fighting, but it feels like he’s just sinking deeper and deeper. Oliveira has been glued to his back and he’s not just looking for chokes, he’s consistently scoring with short strikes. One-way traffic so far for the former lightweight champion.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Oliveira. Overall, 20-17 Oliveira.
Round 3
Holloway might have to be more conservative with his striking here, but Oliveira isn’t giving him that option. He’s walking right into Holloway’s range and firing away. In he goes for the body lock. Holloway is upright, but he has a lot of work to do with Oliveira grinding him against the fence. Oliveira explodes and gets Holloway back down.
Holloway is stuck in a bad way. Oliveira less adventurous with the offense here, but why should he take a risk? He has Holloway right where he wants him and is cruising to another round on the cards. Elbows from Oliveira, he’s just bullying Holloway. Less than a minute left in the round and Team Holloway is going to have to figure something out fast.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Oliveira. Overall, 30-26 Oliveira.
Round 4
Quick low blow, but Holloway shakes it off quick as Oliveira apologizes. Big right hand from Holloway, Oliveira just walking through it and throwing big shots of his own. Boom, there’s the body lock from Oliveira. He’s turning and twisting and adjusting his grip, Holloway doing everything he can to stay on his feet. Oliveira gets heavy and just falls on top of him. Expert grappling at work.
Holloway with no answers as the crowd goes restless. You can’t blame Oliveira, he’s working to win this. He postures up and cracks Holloway with nasty elbows, then takes the back. Obviously, amazing stuff from Oliveira to control one of the best fighters ever, but methinks this is the last “BMF” title fight we have in a while?
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Oliveira. Overall, 40-34 Oliveira.
Round 5
They hug it out to start the round. It would have been hilarious if Oliveira just suplexed him there. The action resumes and Oliveira hits Holloway hard with punches, then it’s Holloway who wins a grappling exchange and ends up on top. Oliveira so dangerous from the bottom though, he’s already working to sweep. Holloway being very, very careful with every move as he’s just staying on top. He won’t win the fight like this.
Oliveira kicks Holloway off, but beautifully pushes Holloway to the fence and immediately shoots for a takedown as he stands. Down goes Holloway again. Masterful work. Oliveira settles back into top control and this one is essentially over even with time left on the clock.
Holloway manages to get back up. Oliveira not letting go of him, though. Just enough time for a point down and Oliveira blasts Holloway with a right hand for good measure.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Oliveira. Overall, 50-43 Oliveira.
Official result: Charles Oliveira def. Max Holloway via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)
Post-fight
Oliveira immediately praises Holloway in the aftermath of the fight.
“For real, I respect you so much. We’re different from other people. … These dudes come here and talk a lot of crap, we come here, we do a lot of beautiful things for our family, we fight, and we do great things for our kids.”
“If this division has got two BMFs, those two BMFs are Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway.”
Oliveira’s family joins him in the octagon. What a moment.
“Hunter, if there’s another fight on the White House or anything for the title, you know where to find me.”
Post-fight 2
Now we get to hear from Holloway.
“They came with a better game plan, got to give it up for Oliveira guys. Hell of a fighter, a true BMF, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Any idea what’s next?
“Yeah, I’m going to come back, whoop somebody’s ass and be right in title contention again. I ain’t done yet. I’m going to see Mr. Oliveira again, that’s for sure.”

Luke Kornet is a thirty-year-old backup center for the San Antonio Spurs. Last Monday, he became one of the week’s big stories in basketball, after he posted something new on his blog. The Atlanta Hawks had announced plans to commemorate a legendary, long-standing strip club, Magic City, at an upcoming game, and Kornet objected. “Allowing this night to go forward without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community,” he wrote, “specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.” His statement was debated on the airwaves and online, and covered in outlets ranging from TMZ to The Hill, a website ostensibly devoted to Beltway politics.
Some commentators offered their support—ESPN’s leading talking head, Stephen A. Smith, had jokingly praised the promotion at first and then said that Kornet had persuaded him, for one—while others complained that Kornet had no connection to the team, city, or culture; that he had failed to call out players who were investigated for domestic violence; and that he had ignored the fact that the event would highlight Magic City’s role in Atlanta’s rap scene and the club’s lemon-pepper chicken wings, not its dancers. Kornet’s statement misrepresented stripping, the Warriors’ Draymond Green suggested on his podcast. “It’s actually an art,” he explained. There was also a different reaction to the post: Luke Kornet writes a blog?
He does, on and off, and it is surprisingly charming. It began as a tour of the Catholic churches that he had visited during the 2022–23 N.B.A. season. With jokes! The jokes weren’t about the churches—he was serious about those. His faith and his sense of humor had got him through a long, difficult stretch when, after signing a two-way contract with the New York Knicks, as an undrafted but promising sharp-shooting big man, he weathered a series of injuries that hampered his shooting form. Kornet bounced from team to team and nearly out of the league, desperate to recover the sense of satisfaction that came from sinking shot after shot. During a last-ditch stint with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, he accepted that he would have to give up the thing that had defined him—his shooting—and play a more supporting role. It involved “a lot of suffering,” he told me over the phone, a few hours after he had posted his Magic City statement. He had to let his ego go.
He became a key contributor on the Celtics’ championship-winning team, in 2024, and then an important part of the team’s rotation. He also became known, in and out of the Celtics’ locker room, for his quick wit and on-court celebrations. When he left Boston for San Antonio last year—the Celtics, shedding salary, decided that they couldn’t afford the kind of contract he could command now—many of Boston’s players and fans talked about how sorry they were to see him go. In San Antonio, Kornet quickly established himself again as one of the funniest guys in the locker room, as well as a valuable teammate on the court. (He backs up Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ otherworldly young star.) After a game-saving block at the end of a win over the Orlando Magic, in December, he raised his arms in a tribute to Vince Carter’s famous 2000 dunk-contest pose, and Kornet’s teammates put the image on a T-shirt. “It’s a lot of weight, being an icon,” Kornet told the press a few days later. “This is how Helen of Troy felt, I think.”
When Kornet started his blog, he imagined a practical guide, for fellow-players who sought succor on the road: Catholic churches in N.B.A. cities. But after a post about the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal (“Don’t Pass the Rock Episode 1: Montreal”), the blog abruptly ended. Another attempt, the following season, lasted two posts. “I was reaching the ends of my reflections on church design,” he wrote later. “Let’s just say that if I had to put all my money on my ability to consistently write about architecture, I’d be baroque.”
While his blog was on hiatus, Kornet spent time writing jokes and refining concepts for skits and sketches for the team’s platforms. “Those things would run in my mind so much that it would start being disturbing,” he told me. He put them down on paper in part just to get them out of his head. But through the process of returning to them, cutting and unpacking the stream of consciousness, he’d discover a structured thought. It was exhilarating.
And the sketches made people laugh. It reinforced his idea that writing, and particularly humorous writing, was a way of connecting with people. He still needed a subject, though, and ultimately turned, as many writers do, to the one he knew best: himself. It wasn’t a bad one, as subjects go. He had a lot of stories about the less glorified aspects of N.B.A. life. Kornet is not, of course, the only N.B.A. player who’s had this thought. Most players, these days, share those stories on podcasts. But a podcast is a record of only the mind’s “current moment,” Kornet pointed out. He wanted the chance to revise.
He wanted to try to figure out what was true and what was tangential, what was his best effort and what he could leave out. Kornet had taken A.P. classes in high school, and there had been a lot of English papers; his mother, who is a news anchor in Nashville, had given him feedback. She had a lot of patience, he said, and a sense for stories and how things flowed. Mostly, though, he learned to write as writers do—by reading. As he grew older, he found authors whose voices had begun “living” in his mind. He read Dostoyevsky and funny books about basketball players. His tastes were catholic, but also Catholic: Tolkien, Stephen Colbert.
At the end of January, the day after a loss to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans, Kornet relaunched his blog. “Although I’m a big fan of A. Catholicism B. Its Churches and C. Mike Conley off-hand floaters,” he wrote, “I think a more sustainable method of writing for me is a general, comedic account of my experiences, understandings of faith, and reflections on the world around me (with the occasional Taylor Swift lyric Lectio Divina, of course).” In the ensuing weeks, he praised the leadership of the New England Patriots’ coach Mike Vrabel, wrote a sermonesque chronicle of how hard and rewarding it had been to give up his sense of identity as a great shooter, and recounted the trials and tribulations of the team’s departure from Charlotte, North Carolina. He wrote about life as a player on the end of the bench, recalling a morning when, barely hanging on to an N.B.A. job, he had written a song to the tune of Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl,” which ended with an account of taking the court in garbage time. “Missed my two shots, no I blew my chance / Do they pay well in France?”
Kornet didn’t plan to write about the Hawks’ Magic City event when he first heard about it. But days passed, and no one else expressed public disapproval. Privately, he found many people across the league who felt as he did, but they didn’t feel able to criticize the Hawks. Finally, he figured he needed to be the one.
It took him a few days to craft it, working mostly in hotel rooms on the road. At one point, after a game against the New York Knicks, a reporter spotted Kornet on his laptop in the locker room. He discussed the matter with people whose views he wanted to represent, and sought advice. He didn’t try to be funny, because he didn’t think the subject was funny. He didn’t point to the Bible as the basis for his objection, or make it personal. He adopted a careful tone. He was in a new position, he recognized—the position of a public writer.
I asked him, a few days later, if he saw a new role for himself, one that was more serious, more actively invested in the events of the day. He wasn’t planning on it. He liked making people laugh. But there was something profound about the sense of connection and engagement that all kinds of writing gave him. It reminded him of meditation or prayer, a process of sitting with yourself and “finding that thread that’s holding it all together.” It reminded him a bit of basketball as well. “Those are places where you’re just completely present,” he said. And then you have to look at what you’ve done, figure out where things went wrong, and get a better sense of what’s good. And when other people read one’s writing, maybe they’ll feel that, too. ♦

The 2026 World Baseball Classic continues on Sunday, March 8, with Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic taking place in Miami at LoanDepot Park.
USA TODAY Sports is on the ground covering the WBC, bringing you behind the scenes with Team USA, Shohei Ohtani and baseball’s biggest global stars. Keep up with the latest scores and news all the way through the grand finale in Miami to decide the WBC championship. Sign up for our daily sports newsletter to get the biggest storylines straight to your inbox.
See the full tournament schedule here.
Here’s everything you need to tune into Sunday’s action.
Buy 2026 WBC tickets
Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic: How to watch on Sunday
Matchup: Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic
Time: Noon ET
Location: Miami (LoanDepot Park)
TV: Fox
Streaming: FOX One App
Stream the World Baseball Classic on Fubo
Vlad Jr. strikes again as D.R. goes up 4-1
A hanging breaking ball from new pitcher Eric Mendez had no chance against the powerful bat of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the bottom of the third inning.
The Toronto Blue Jays slugger picked up his second and third RBIs of the game when he took Mendez deep down the left field line for a two-run home run that gave the Dominican Republic a 4-1 lead. Guerrero’s first home of the WBC plated Ketel Marte, who drew a leadoff walk that finished off Netherlands starter Arij Fransen.
Didi Gregorius homer cuts Dominican lead to 2-1
Eleven-year MLB veteran Didi Gregorius homered off former New York Yankees teammate Luis Severino in the top of the second inning as the Netherlands sliced the Dominican Republic’s lead in half in the top of the second inning.
Gregorius launched a 98 mph fastball from Severino 357 feet to right field, just clearing the glove of a leaping Fernando Tatis Jr. and banging off the outfield railing.
Gregorius originally signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 as an amateur free agent. He spent two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks before going to the New York Yankees in a three-way trade after the 2014 season. He had his greatest success with the Yankees, earning MVP votes in 2017 and 2018, and playing in eight postseason series.
He spent the final three seasons of his MLB career in Philadelphia from 2020-2022.
Dominican Republic jumps ahead of Netherlands 2-0 in first
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came through in the bottom of the first inning to get the Dominican squad off to a quick start.
After a pair of walks by Dutch starter Arij Fransen, Guerrero drilled a one-out rope into left field to score Fernando Tatis Jr. with the first run of the game.
The D.R. added another run when Netherlands shortstop Xander Bogaerts made a wild throw in an attempt to turn an inning-ending double play.
Starting pitchers for Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic will have a home field advantage in Miami − in addition to having one on the pitcher’s mound. Veteran major leaguer Luis Severino of the Athletics will start the game for the Dominicans. He’ll match up against 24-year-old former Reds prospect Arij Fransen. The Reds released Fransen at the end of the season and he’s since signed with Winnipeg of the independent American Association.
Severino is a two-time All-Star who went 8-11 with a 4.54 ERA last season for the A’s.
Fransen went 4-4 with a 6.34 ERA in 2025 at Class AA Chattanooga.
Dominican Republic lineup for today’s game vs. NED
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Ketel Marte, 2B
Juan Soto, LF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
Manny Machado, 3B
Junior Caminero, DH
Julio Rodriguez, CF
Austin Wells, C
Erik Gonzalez, SS
SP Luis Severino
Manager: Albert Pujols
Perdomo scratched from Dominican lineup with illness
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo will not start today’s game against the Dutch after coming down with an illness before the game.
In his place, recent roster addition Erik Gonzalez will start at short and bat ninth for the Dominican squad. Gonzalez has seven seasons of MLB experience but hasn’t played in the majors since 2022. He was just activated by the Dominican Republic after Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña suffered a broken finger during a game last week.
Netherlands lineup for today’s game vs. DR
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
Druw Jones, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Ozzie Albies, 2B
Didi Gregorius, 3B
Hendrik Clementine, DH
Juremi Profar, 1B
Chadwick Tromp, C
Ray-Patrick Didder, LF
SP Arij Fransen
Manager: Andruw Jones
How the 2026 World Baseball Classic works
The 20 teams are divided into four groups. They are:
Pool A (San Juan): Puerto Rico , Panama , Cuba , Canada , Colombia
Pool B (Houston): United States , Mexico , Italy , Great Britain , Brazil
Pool C (Tokyo): Japan , South Korea , Australia , Czechia , Chinese Taipei
Pool D (Miami): Venezuela , Netherlands , Dominican Republic , Israel , Nicaragua
Teams play one game each against the other four teams in their pool. The top two teams from each pool advance to the knockout rounds in Houston and Miami. Teams are re-seeded after the quarterfinals.
Teams that remain tied in the standings following round robin play will be seeded based on the following criteria:
Head-to-head performance between the teams who are tied
Fewest runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games between the tied teams
Fewest earned runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games between the tied teams
Highest batting average in games between the tied teams.
Drawing of lots conducted by WBCI
Pool play games will occur from March 4 to March 11. Quarterfinals begin on March 13. The semifinals begin March 15.
The championship game is set for March 17 in Miami.

Luke Kornet’s recent blog post aiming to “protect and esteem women” seemingly glossed over one key component: a woman’s perspective.
Former ESPN star Michelle Beadle offered a scathing review of the San Antonio 7-footer’s viral entry on Medium, which lobbied for the cancellation of the Atlanta Hawks’ upcoming “Magic City Monday” promotion, celebrating the city’s famous adult entertainment club of the same name.
The event, scheduled for March 16 against the Orlando Magic, will feature in-house merchandise, Magic City’s signature lemon pepper wings and a halftime performance from Atlanta hip-hop legend T.I.
During a recent episode of “Beadle & Decker,” the sports reporter lambasted the “White Knight” not only for misrepresenting what has been deemed an “iconic cultural institution,” but for attempting to save women from what declared would displease them.
She also underscored that he plays neither for the Hawks nor the Magic.
“As a woman, I am not offended by the idea of Magic Monday,” Beadle said. “I cannot say this enough, Magic City, for anyone who’s been to Atlanta, it’s not just a t–ty bar. I feel like that’s sort of the vibes that maybe people are getting.
“Secondly, and more importantly is, thank you, White Knight,” she added. “We don’t need this. I’ve had enough of men telling us what we can and shouldn’t and what we should want and what we should need and how we should act. No. No, no, these are not trafficked 12-year-olds, okay? We have that, and none of those people are being brought forward. This is not that. These are grown ass women who have a job. I don’t understand, are you shaming that industry as part of this blog? I can’t really understand the motivation. And most importantly, that’s not even a Spurs game, bruh. That’s Magic-Hawks. It has nothing to do with you, and he’s got like a petition. He actually wants people to sign on, and I’m just, I’m a little confused by it.”
Albeit divisive, the Hawks’ promotion honoring the well-known strip club isn’t entirely out of left field.
Just last summer, Hawks co-owner, actress, and film producer Jami Gertz produced a five-part docuseries commemorating Magic City’s 40th anniversary.
The NBA seemingly has no issue with the collaboration.
But Kornet, 30, urged league brass to rethink its stance in his blog post, claiming that allowing the themed night to go forward would make the NBA community “complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
Kornet added that he and “others throughout the league” were surprised by and object to the Hawks’ celebration of a strip club, and he rallied others to join his appeal to “ensure that the NBA remains a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for everyone involved.”

Enjoy the best of Sunday’s epic 10-game slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
Sunday’s ABC doubleheader
All eyes on Sunday Night Basketball
Jayson Tatum returns, shifting balance of power in the East
Last night’s live blog: Thunder first to 50 wins
Download the NBA App
12:30 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
Welcome to a 10-game Sunday in the NBA!
We’ve got an exciting 10-game lineup headlined by two East rivals that meet for the first time since November to kick-start an ABC primetime doubleheader. Cleveland (No. 4 in East) plays host to Boston (No. 2 in East) as the Cavaliers look to gain some ground and cut into the Celtics’ three-game lead in the standings (1 ET). The C’s are 2-0 versus the Cavs this season, but these two powerhouses have leveled up and look drastically different from their first two meetings.
Following the duel in The Land, Jalen Brunson and the Knicks visit Luka Dončić and the Lakers (3:30 ET) with both squads coming off a win while sporting a 4-1 record over their last five contests. New York won the first matchup at Madison Square Garden back on Feb. 1, but an expected return from a one-game absence for LeBron James (elbow) should have the purple and gold ready to even the season series in LA.
Here’s today’s complete schedule:
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers (1 ET, ABC)
New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers (3:30 ET, ABC)
Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat (6 ET)
Dallas Mavericks vs Toronto Raptors (6 ET)
Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Pelicans (7 ET)
Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks (8 ET)
Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs (8 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Indiana Pacers vs Portland Trail Blazers (9 ET)
Chicago Bulls vs Sacramento Kings (9 ET)
Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns (10 ET, NBC/Peacock)

If you already have trust and distribution, the fastest path to revenue is asking your audience what would genuinely make their lives easier. That is exactly what Alison Lumbatis, founder and CEO of Outfit Formulas, did when she decided it was time to turn her blog into a business.
On a recent episode of The Big Idea podcast from Yahoo Finance, I sat down with Lumbatis to unpack how she converted a blog into a $19-a-month subscription platform. Here are three lessons from Lumbatis on turning followers into paying members.
1. Let your audience define the product.
When Lumbatis decided to monetize her blog, she did not default to affiliate links or brand partnerships. She paused and reconsidered the obvious model. Lumbatis felt a disconnect because she did not want to post haul videos and encourage people to buy piles of clothes when that was not what she was doing herself.
“That was really the traditional style of monetization back then, and I had to kind of think outside the box of what this could look like,” she explained.
Instead of monetizing transactions, she surveyed her audience. She asked what would genuinely make their lives easier. The response was clear. They wanted structure, and they wanted to know what belonged in their closet and how to use it. Lumbatis now considers surveys core to the company’s strategy, especially as the business has evolved.
The insights gathered became Outfit Formulas, a membership built around a curated shopping list paired with monthly outfit guidance. She launched expecting modest traction. Hundreds joined immediately.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Sports pundit Michelle Beadle ripped into San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet over his blog post calling for the Atlanta Hawks to end their

The first stage of a pivotal New England Patriots offseason begins in earnest Monday.
The NFL’s legal tampering period of free agency starts at noon ET, when teams can start negotiating with free agents. While deals won’t be official until the start of the league year on Wednesday, March 11, we should see plenty of contracts agreed to throughout the afternoon.
The Patriots are expected to be active in free agency as they look to build on a run to Super Bowl 60. Mike Vrabel’s club has roughly $43.3 million in cap space (per OverTheCap) and has a pressing need at wide receiver after parting ways with Stefon Diggs in addition to several other roster needs.
Will New England land talented wideout Alec Pierce in free agency, or perhaps pursue a trade for Eagles star A.J. Brown? Follow our live blog below as we track all the Patriots-related happenings from Day 1 of NFL free agency.

This is the UFC 326 live blog for Drew Dober vs. Michael Johnson, the main card lightweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Dober and Johnson have a combined 57 UFC appearances between them, so it’s somewhat surprising it’s taken this long for the two to share the octagon. Regardless, fireworks are expected as the veterans have numerous highlight-reel knockouts between them.
In his most recent fight, Dober (28-15, 1 NC) snapped a three-fight skid with a come-from-behind knockout of Kyle Prepolec at UFC Vancouver. The win bumped Dober’s UFC record up to 14-11 with one no-contest. He holds the record for the most knockouts in the history of the UFC lightweight division at 10.
Johnson (25-19) is in the midst of a late-career surge, having won three straight fights and four of his past five. Following a knockout loss to Diego Ferreira, Johnson went on to defeat Darrius Flowers, Ottman Azaitar, and Daniel Zellhuber. With a win, he’ll tie the longest win streak he’s had since making his UFC debut in 2010.
Check out the UFC 326 live blog for Drew Dober vs. Michael Johnson below.
Preamble
So, apparently there’s been some pretty wonky line movement heading into this one? That’s two fights in a row now that Michael Johnson has been involved in odds weirdness. Not sure what to think of it.
But unlike last time, this fight has not been cancelled. Game on!
Round 1
Kerry Hatley the referee for this one.
Fighters content to strike from range to start, Johnson scores the first real points with a sharp 1-2. He’s mixing in leg kicks to set up the hands. Dober also letting the leg kicks fly. Johnson gets too close and eats a counter left, he’s going to want to watch out for that. Nice leg kick jab combo from Johnson. Short right hook by Dober. Close fight through the first half of the round.
Dober with another good right. He clips Johnson with an inside leg kick. Body kick by Dober, followed by a flash spin kick that doesn’t land. Johnson with another good 1-2. And another, that one bumping Dober off balance. It’s a tried-and-true formula and it’s working.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Johnson.
Round 2
Dober with some big swings, but Johnson is staying sharp and controlling the range. He’s catching Dober with counter punches, too. Dober lands a left hand. He’s mixing in body work to open Johnson up. And there it is as he drives a huge left through Johnson’s face. Down Johnson goes and that’s a wrap.
Official result: Drew Dober def. Michael Johnson via TKO (strikes) (R2, 1:53)
Post-fight
Dober calls his punching power “a gift,” but he needs to have the smarts to use it well.

This is the UFC 326 live blog for Rob Font vs. Raul Rosas Jr., the main card bantamweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Font (22-9) currently stands at No. 13 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings at 135 pounds. The 14-year veteran has made a habit of fending off up-and-coming challengers looking to take his number, with notable wins over Jean Matsumoto, Kyler Phillips, and Adrian Yanez. He did stumble against top prospect David Martinez in his most recent outing, but Font still represents the stiffest challenge yet for the young Rosas.
Having turned 21 just this past October, Rosas (11-1) remains on track in his quest to become the youngest-ever UFC champion. Since suffering his lone loss to Christian Rodriguez, Rosas has rattled off four straight victories, including wins over veterans Vince Morales and Aoriqileng. A win over Font almost certainly places Rosas in the top 15 this week.
Check out the UFC 326 live blog for Rob Font vs. Raul Rosas Jr. below.
Font walking Rosas down, his hips well back and ready to defend against Rosas’ takedowns. Rosas pumps in a couple of jabs. Font switches stances and stuffs a jab right in Rosas’ face. Inside leg kick from Rosas, Font catches it and goes for a trip, but Rosas is out of there. Font goes to the body, then up top, Rosas retreats. Single leg by Rosas and there’s the first takedown of the fight.
Active guard from Font, he scrambles up only to be taken down again. Font using the fence well to get his feet under him. Rosas hanging on to that body lock. Definitely looks like Font is making sly use of the fence. Rosas drags him away and gets him down. Interesting to see how this is scored because Rosas not doing any damage with these takedowns. Slight nod to Rosas, I guess.
Rosas probing with jabs as Rosas looks like he’s widened his stance even further in anticipation of the wrestling. Left hand scores for Rosas. He’s in on a single leg and drives in for a takedown, but Font quick to take his back, Rosas forces a scramble and he’s on top, Font attacking with a triangle. Fun sequence that ends with Rosas in top position in Font’s guard.
Font wants to set up rubber guard, but can’t get much leverage. He tries to power up and almost gives up his back, but manages to put Rosas back in his guard. Font again looks to stand and Rosas just tackles him. He passes into half guard. Font attacks with a kimura, not much room to work though. Smothering effort from Rosas here.
Let’s see if Font can find a way to go for broke here. He’s throwing some winging punches, just testing to see if Rosas is paying attention. Nice left from Rosas as he ducks a right hand. Single leg by Rosas and there’s the takedown with plenty of time to work.
Rosas looking to work. He’s in cruise control as time ticks away for Font. Rosas hanging on to a rising Font and he drags him back down. That’s the story of the fight and it’s not changing anytime soon. Font with no answers right now. He’ll leave this fight mostly unscathed, but also wondering if he could have done more to steal this.
Rosas says he was trying to get the knockout, but the takedowns were working so he stuck with it.
“I’m not satisfied, I wish I would have got the finish. That’s what we came here to do. He’s a vet, he did a hell of a job surviving, and if you know Rob Font, it’s hard to do that against him.”
He doesn’t have a name, just says he wants anybody in the top 10.

This is the UFC 326 live blog for Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira, the “BMF” championship main event bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Holloway is currently No. 12 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, with Charles Oliveira at No. 19.
This is a long-awaited rematch for the two future Hall of Famers, with Holloway getting the win in a featherweight bout all the way back at UFC Saskatoon in August 2015 when Oliveira suffered an injury to bring the contest to a disappointing end.
Holloway (27-8) went on to establish himself as one of the best featherweights of all time, winning a UFC title and successfully defending it three times. His list of conquests includes Jose Aldo, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Frankie Edgar, The Korean Zombie, and Anthony Pettis, and many others considered among the best fighters of this generation. He knocked out Gaethje in the final seconds of a dominant performance at UFC 300 to snatch the BMF belt and became the only fighter to successfully defend it when he defeated longtime rival Dustin Poirier this past July.
“Do Bronx” hasn’t done bad for himself either. The UFC’s all-time leader in submission victories finally made it to the top of the mountain at 155 pounds when he defeated Michael Chandler for a vacant belt at UFC 262. Since that win, Oliveira has gone 5-3 while providing highlight after highlight whether in victory or defeat. Like Holloway, he aims to build on a UFC 326 main event win to earn one more shot at an undisputed title.
Check out the UFC 326 live blog for Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira below.
Preamble
Here we go. Forget all the White House drama and the lackluster undercard, this is what we’re here for. Two of the best ever finally getting to see who is the better man. All in.
Always tell me the odds
Holloway has been the favorite since this one was announced, -196 on FanDuel. Oliveira the underdog at +164. But this feels closer to a pick ‘em, doesn’t it?
Walkouts
Round 1
Marc Goddard the third man in the cage for your main event.
Oliviera immediately attacks with leg kicks. There’s a 1-2 from Holloway. Uh oh, he’s landing early. But here comes Oliveira, throwing heavy. Body lock and Oliveira just dumps him to the mat. Fast start!
Holloway defending well, but he has to be careful. Oliveira lands a couple of elbows as soon as he sees an opening. That grappling magic is on full display. Holloway takes a risk and gives up his back, he gets to his feet and Oliveira is hanging on to him. He fights off Oliveira’s hands but that choke looked tight. Oliveira still in a dominant position and he’s scoring with ground-and-pound to make this a clear-cut 10-9 for him. All defense from Holloway, who can’t risk giving up his neck. Oliveira cranking that face, ouch! But Holloway fights out of it. He gives the camera a wry smile. Survived the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Oliveira.
Round 2
Holloway starting off fast again. He’s landing, but Oliveira gets another takedown. Crowd boos, but this is how Oliveira can win this one.
“Do Bronx” is just all over Holloway. He wants that knocks. Holloway doesn’t give it to him, so Oliveira cracks him with some more elbows. Body triangle for Oliveira. Holloway fighting, but it feels like he’s just sinking deeper and deeper. Oliveira has been glued to his back and he’s not just looking for chokes, he’s consistently scoring with short strikes. One-way traffic so far for the former lightweight champion.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Oliveira. Overall, 20-17 Oliveira.
Round 3
Holloway might have to be more conservative with his striking here, but Oliveira isn’t giving him that option. He’s walking right into Holloway’s range and firing away. In he goes for the body lock. Holloway is upright, but he has a lot of work to do with Oliveira grinding him against the fence. Oliveira explodes and gets Holloway back down.
Holloway is stuck in a bad way. Oliveira less adventurous with the offense here, but why should he take a risk? He has Holloway right where he wants him and is cruising to another round on the cards. Elbows from Oliveira, he’s just bullying Holloway. Less than a minute left in the round and Team Holloway is going to have to figure something out fast.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Oliveira. Overall, 30-26 Oliveira.
Round 4
Quick low blow, but Holloway shakes it off quick as Oliveira apologizes. Big right hand from Holloway, Oliveira just walking through it and throwing big shots of his own. Boom, there’s the body lock from Oliveira. He’s turning and twisting and adjusting his grip, Holloway doing everything he can to stay on his feet. Oliveira gets heavy and just falls on top of him. Expert grappling at work.
Holloway with no answers as the crowd goes restless. You can’t blame Oliveira, he’s working to win this. He postures up and cracks Holloway with nasty elbows, then takes the back. Obviously, amazing stuff from Oliveira to control one of the best fighters ever, but methinks this is the last “BMF” title fight we have in a while?
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Oliveira. Overall, 40-34 Oliveira.
Round 5
They hug it out to start the round. It would have been hilarious if Oliveira just suplexed him there. The action resumes and Oliveira hits Holloway hard with punches, then it’s Holloway who wins a grappling exchange and ends up on top. Oliveira so dangerous from the bottom though, he’s already working to sweep. Holloway being very, very careful with every move as he’s just staying on top. He won’t win the fight like this.
Oliveira kicks Holloway off, but beautifully pushes Holloway to the fence and immediately shoots for a takedown as he stands. Down goes Holloway again. Masterful work. Oliveira settles back into top control and this one is essentially over even with time left on the clock.
Holloway manages to get back up. Oliveira not letting go of him, though. Just enough time for a point down and Oliveira blasts Holloway with a right hand for good measure.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Oliveira. Overall, 50-43 Oliveira.
Official result: Charles Oliveira def. Max Holloway via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)
Post-fight
Oliveira immediately praises Holloway in the aftermath of the fight.
“For real, I respect you so much. We’re different from other people. … These dudes come here and talk a lot of crap, we come here, we do a lot of beautiful things for our family, we fight, and we do great things for our kids.”
“If this division has got two BMFs, those two BMFs are Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway.”
Oliveira’s family joins him in the octagon. What a moment.
“Hunter, if there’s another fight on the White House or anything for the title, you know where to find me.”
Post-fight 2
Now we get to hear from Holloway.
“They came with a better game plan, got to give it up for Oliveira guys. Hell of a fighter, a true BMF, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Any idea what’s next?
“Yeah, I’m going to come back, whoop somebody’s ass and be right in title contention again. I ain’t done yet. I’m going to see Mr. Oliveira again, that’s for sure.”

Luke Kornet is a thirty-year-old backup center for the San Antonio Spurs. Last Monday, he became one of the week’s big stories in basketball, after he posted something new on his blog. The Atlanta Hawks had announced plans to commemorate a legendary, long-standing strip club, Magic City, at an upcoming game, and Kornet objected. “Allowing this night to go forward without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community,” he wrote, “specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.” His statement was debated on the airwaves and online, and covered in outlets ranging from TMZ to The Hill, a website ostensibly devoted to Beltway politics.
Some commentators offered their support—ESPN’s leading talking head, Stephen A. Smith, had jokingly praised the promotion at first and then said that Kornet had persuaded him, for one—while others complained that Kornet had no connection to the team, city, or culture; that he had failed to call out players who were investigated for domestic violence; and that he had ignored the fact that the event would highlight Magic City’s role in Atlanta’s rap scene and the club’s lemon-pepper chicken wings, not its dancers. Kornet’s statement misrepresented stripping, the Warriors’ Draymond Green suggested on his podcast. “It’s actually an art,” he explained. There was also a different reaction to the post: Luke Kornet writes a blog?
He does, on and off, and it is surprisingly charming. It began as a tour of the Catholic churches that he had visited during the 2022–23 N.B.A. season. With jokes! The jokes weren’t about the churches—he was serious about those. His faith and his sense of humor had got him through a long, difficult stretch when, after signing a two-way contract with the New York Knicks, as an undrafted but promising sharp-shooting big man, he weathered a series of injuries that hampered his shooting form. Kornet bounced from team to team and nearly out of the league, desperate to recover the sense of satisfaction that came from sinking shot after shot. During a last-ditch stint with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, he accepted that he would have to give up the thing that had defined him—his shooting—and play a more supporting role. It involved “a lot of suffering,” he told me over the phone, a few hours after he had posted his Magic City statement. He had to let his ego go.
He became a key contributor on the Celtics’ championship-winning team, in 2024, and then an important part of the team’s rotation. He also became known, in and out of the Celtics’ locker room, for his quick wit and on-court celebrations. When he left Boston for San Antonio last year—the Celtics, shedding salary, decided that they couldn’t afford the kind of contract he could command now—many of Boston’s players and fans talked about how sorry they were to see him go. In San Antonio, Kornet quickly established himself again as one of the funniest guys in the locker room, as well as a valuable teammate on the court. (He backs up Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ otherworldly young star.) After a game-saving block at the end of a win over the Orlando Magic, in December, he raised his arms in a tribute to Vince Carter’s famous 2000 dunk-contest pose, and Kornet’s teammates put the image on a T-shirt. “It’s a lot of weight, being an icon,” Kornet told the press a few days later. “This is how Helen of Troy felt, I think.”
When Kornet started his blog, he imagined a practical guide, for fellow-players who sought succor on the road: Catholic churches in N.B.A. cities. But after a post about the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal (“Don’t Pass the Rock Episode 1: Montreal”), the blog abruptly ended. Another attempt, the following season, lasted two posts. “I was reaching the ends of my reflections on church design,” he wrote later. “Let’s just say that if I had to put all my money on my ability to consistently write about architecture, I’d be baroque.”
While his blog was on hiatus, Kornet spent time writing jokes and refining concepts for skits and sketches for the team’s platforms. “Those things would run in my mind so much that it would start being disturbing,” he told me. He put them down on paper in part just to get them out of his head. But through the process of returning to them, cutting and unpacking the stream of consciousness, he’d discover a structured thought. It was exhilarating.
And the sketches made people laugh. It reinforced his idea that writing, and particularly humorous writing, was a way of connecting with people. He still needed a subject, though, and ultimately turned, as many writers do, to the one he knew best: himself. It wasn’t a bad one, as subjects go. He had a lot of stories about the less glorified aspects of N.B.A. life. Kornet is not, of course, the only N.B.A. player who’s had this thought. Most players, these days, share those stories on podcasts. But a podcast is a record of only the mind’s “current moment,” Kornet pointed out. He wanted the chance to revise.
He wanted to try to figure out what was true and what was tangential, what was his best effort and what he could leave out. Kornet had taken A.P. classes in high school, and there had been a lot of English papers; his mother, who is a news anchor in Nashville, had given him feedback. She had a lot of patience, he said, and a sense for stories and how things flowed. Mostly, though, he learned to write as writers do—by reading. As he grew older, he found authors whose voices had begun “living” in his mind. He read Dostoyevsky and funny books about basketball players. His tastes were catholic, but also Catholic: Tolkien, Stephen Colbert.
At the end of January, the day after a loss to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans, Kornet relaunched his blog. “Although I’m a big fan of A. Catholicism B. Its Churches and C. Mike Conley off-hand floaters,” he wrote, “I think a more sustainable method of writing for me is a general, comedic account of my experiences, understandings of faith, and reflections on the world around me (with the occasional Taylor Swift lyric Lectio Divina, of course).” In the ensuing weeks, he praised the leadership of the New England Patriots’ coach Mike Vrabel, wrote a sermonesque chronicle of how hard and rewarding it had been to give up his sense of identity as a great shooter, and recounted the trials and tribulations of the team’s departure from Charlotte, North Carolina. He wrote about life as a player on the end of the bench, recalling a morning when, barely hanging on to an N.B.A. job, he had written a song to the tune of Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl,” which ended with an account of taking the court in garbage time. “Missed my two shots, no I blew my chance / Do they pay well in France?”
Kornet didn’t plan to write about the Hawks’ Magic City event when he first heard about it. But days passed, and no one else expressed public disapproval. Privately, he found many people across the league who felt as he did, but they didn’t feel able to criticize the Hawks. Finally, he figured he needed to be the one.
It took him a few days to craft it, working mostly in hotel rooms on the road. At one point, after a game against the New York Knicks, a reporter spotted Kornet on his laptop in the locker room. He discussed the matter with people whose views he wanted to represent, and sought advice. He didn’t try to be funny, because he didn’t think the subject was funny. He didn’t point to the Bible as the basis for his objection, or make it personal. He adopted a careful tone. He was in a new position, he recognized—the position of a public writer.
I asked him, a few days later, if he saw a new role for himself, one that was more serious, more actively invested in the events of the day. He wasn’t planning on it. He liked making people laugh. But there was something profound about the sense of connection and engagement that all kinds of writing gave him. It reminded him of meditation or prayer, a process of sitting with yourself and “finding that thread that’s holding it all together.” It reminded him a bit of basketball as well. “Those are places where you’re just completely present,” he said. And then you have to look at what you’ve done, figure out where things went wrong, and get a better sense of what’s good. And when other people read one’s writing, maybe they’ll feel that, too. ♦

The 2026 World Baseball Classic continues on Sunday, March 8, with Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic taking place in Miami at LoanDepot Park.
USA TODAY Sports is on the ground covering the WBC, bringing you behind the scenes with Team USA, Shohei Ohtani and baseball’s biggest global stars. Keep up with the latest scores and news all the way through the grand finale in Miami to decide the WBC championship. Sign up for our daily sports newsletter to get the biggest storylines straight to your inbox.
See the full tournament schedule here.
Here’s everything you need to tune into Sunday’s action.
Buy 2026 WBC tickets
Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic: How to watch on Sunday
Matchup: Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic
Time: Noon ET
Location: Miami (LoanDepot Park)
TV: Fox
Streaming: FOX One App
Stream the World Baseball Classic on Fubo
Vlad Jr. strikes again as D.R. goes up 4-1
A hanging breaking ball from new pitcher Eric Mendez had no chance against the powerful bat of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the bottom of the third inning.
The Toronto Blue Jays slugger picked up his second and third RBIs of the game when he took Mendez deep down the left field line for a two-run home run that gave the Dominican Republic a 4-1 lead. Guerrero’s first home of the WBC plated Ketel Marte, who drew a leadoff walk that finished off Netherlands starter Arij Fransen.
Didi Gregorius homer cuts Dominican lead to 2-1
Eleven-year MLB veteran Didi Gregorius homered off former New York Yankees teammate Luis Severino in the top of the second inning as the Netherlands sliced the Dominican Republic’s lead in half in the top of the second inning.
Gregorius launched a 98 mph fastball from Severino 357 feet to right field, just clearing the glove of a leaping Fernando Tatis Jr. and banging off the outfield railing.
Gregorius originally signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 as an amateur free agent. He spent two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks before going to the New York Yankees in a three-way trade after the 2014 season. He had his greatest success with the Yankees, earning MVP votes in 2017 and 2018, and playing in eight postseason series.
He spent the final three seasons of his MLB career in Philadelphia from 2020-2022.
Dominican Republic jumps ahead of Netherlands 2-0 in first
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came through in the bottom of the first inning to get the Dominican squad off to a quick start.
After a pair of walks by Dutch starter Arij Fransen, Guerrero drilled a one-out rope into left field to score Fernando Tatis Jr. with the first run of the game.
The D.R. added another run when Netherlands shortstop Xander Bogaerts made a wild throw in an attempt to turn an inning-ending double play.
Starting pitchers for Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic will have a home field advantage in Miami − in addition to having one on the pitcher’s mound. Veteran major leaguer Luis Severino of the Athletics will start the game for the Dominicans. He’ll match up against 24-year-old former Reds prospect Arij Fransen. The Reds released Fransen at the end of the season and he’s since signed with Winnipeg of the independent American Association.
Severino is a two-time All-Star who went 8-11 with a 4.54 ERA last season for the A’s.
Fransen went 4-4 with a 6.34 ERA in 2025 at Class AA Chattanooga.
Dominican Republic lineup for today’s game vs. NED
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Ketel Marte, 2B
Juan Soto, LF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
Manny Machado, 3B
Junior Caminero, DH
Julio Rodriguez, CF
Austin Wells, C
Erik Gonzalez, SS
SP Luis Severino
Manager: Albert Pujols
Perdomo scratched from Dominican lineup with illness
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo will not start today’s game against the Dutch after coming down with an illness before the game.
In his place, recent roster addition Erik Gonzalez will start at short and bat ninth for the Dominican squad. Gonzalez has seven seasons of MLB experience but hasn’t played in the majors since 2022. He was just activated by the Dominican Republic after Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña suffered a broken finger during a game last week.
Netherlands lineup for today’s game vs. DR
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
Druw Jones, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Ozzie Albies, 2B
Didi Gregorius, 3B
Hendrik Clementine, DH
Juremi Profar, 1B
Chadwick Tromp, C
Ray-Patrick Didder, LF
SP Arij Fransen
Manager: Andruw Jones
How the 2026 World Baseball Classic works
The 20 teams are divided into four groups. They are:
Pool A (San Juan): Puerto Rico , Panama , Cuba , Canada , Colombia
Pool B (Houston): United States , Mexico , Italy , Great Britain , Brazil
Pool C (Tokyo): Japan , South Korea , Australia , Czechia , Chinese Taipei
Pool D (Miami): Venezuela , Netherlands , Dominican Republic , Israel , Nicaragua
Teams play one game each against the other four teams in their pool. The top two teams from each pool advance to the knockout rounds in Houston and Miami. Teams are re-seeded after the quarterfinals.
Teams that remain tied in the standings following round robin play will be seeded based on the following criteria:
Head-to-head performance between the teams who are tied
Fewest runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games between the tied teams
Fewest earned runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games between the tied teams
Highest batting average in games between the tied teams.
Drawing of lots conducted by WBCI
Pool play games will occur from March 4 to March 11. Quarterfinals begin on March 13. The semifinals begin March 15.
The championship game is set for March 17 in Miami.

Luke Kornet’s recent blog post aiming to “protect and esteem women” seemingly glossed over one key component: a woman’s perspective.
Former ESPN star Michelle Beadle offered a scathing review of the San Antonio 7-footer’s viral entry on Medium, which lobbied for the cancellation of the Atlanta Hawks’ upcoming “Magic City Monday” promotion, celebrating the city’s famous adult entertainment club of the same name.
The event, scheduled for March 16 against the Orlando Magic, will feature in-house merchandise, Magic City’s signature lemon pepper wings and a halftime performance from Atlanta hip-hop legend T.I.
During a recent episode of “Beadle & Decker,” the sports reporter lambasted the “White Knight” not only for misrepresenting what has been deemed an “iconic cultural institution,” but for attempting to save women from what declared would displease them.
She also underscored that he plays neither for the Hawks nor the Magic.
“As a woman, I am not offended by the idea of Magic Monday,” Beadle said. “I cannot say this enough, Magic City, for anyone who’s been to Atlanta, it’s not just a t–ty bar. I feel like that’s sort of the vibes that maybe people are getting.
“Secondly, and more importantly is, thank you, White Knight,” she added. “We don’t need this. I’ve had enough of men telling us what we can and shouldn’t and what we should want and what we should need and how we should act. No. No, no, these are not trafficked 12-year-olds, okay? We have that, and none of those people are being brought forward. This is not that. These are grown ass women who have a job. I don’t understand, are you shaming that industry as part of this blog? I can’t really understand the motivation. And most importantly, that’s not even a Spurs game, bruh. That’s Magic-Hawks. It has nothing to do with you, and he’s got like a petition. He actually wants people to sign on, and I’m just, I’m a little confused by it.”
Albeit divisive, the Hawks’ promotion honoring the well-known strip club isn’t entirely out of left field.
Just last summer, Hawks co-owner, actress, and film producer Jami Gertz produced a five-part docuseries commemorating Magic City’s 40th anniversary.
The NBA seemingly has no issue with the collaboration.
But Kornet, 30, urged league brass to rethink its stance in his blog post, claiming that allowing the themed night to go forward would make the NBA community “complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
Kornet added that he and “others throughout the league” were surprised by and object to the Hawks’ celebration of a strip club, and he rallied others to join his appeal to “ensure that the NBA remains a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for everyone involved.”

Enjoy the best of Sunday’s epic 10-game slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
Sunday’s ABC doubleheader
All eyes on Sunday Night Basketball
Jayson Tatum returns, shifting balance of power in the East
Last night’s live blog: Thunder first to 50 wins
Download the NBA App
12:30 p.m. ET // March 8, 2026
Welcome to a 10-game Sunday in the NBA!
We’ve got an exciting 10-game lineup headlined by two East rivals that meet for the first time since November to kick-start an ABC primetime doubleheader. Cleveland (No. 4 in East) plays host to Boston (No. 2 in East) as the Cavaliers look to gain some ground and cut into the Celtics’ three-game lead in the standings (1 ET). The C’s are 2-0 versus the Cavs this season, but these two powerhouses have leveled up and look drastically different from their first two meetings.
Following the duel in The Land, Jalen Brunson and the Knicks visit Luka Dončić and the Lakers (3:30 ET) with both squads coming off a win while sporting a 4-1 record over their last five contests. New York won the first matchup at Madison Square Garden back on Feb. 1, but an expected return from a one-game absence for LeBron James (elbow) should have the purple and gold ready to even the season series in LA.
Here’s today’s complete schedule:
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers (1 ET, ABC)
New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers (3:30 ET, ABC)
Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat (6 ET)
Dallas Mavericks vs Toronto Raptors (6 ET)
Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Pelicans (7 ET)
Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks (8 ET)
Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs (8 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Indiana Pacers vs Portland Trail Blazers (9 ET)
Chicago Bulls vs Sacramento Kings (9 ET)
Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns (10 ET, NBC/Peacock)

If you already have trust and distribution, the fastest path to revenue is asking your audience what would genuinely make their lives easier. That is exactly what Alison Lumbatis, founder and CEO of Outfit Formulas, did when she decided it was time to turn her blog into a business.
On a recent episode of The Big Idea podcast from Yahoo Finance, I sat down with Lumbatis to unpack how she converted a blog into a $19-a-month subscription platform. Here are three lessons from Lumbatis on turning followers into paying members.
1. Let your audience define the product.
When Lumbatis decided to monetize her blog, she did not default to affiliate links or brand partnerships. She paused and reconsidered the obvious model. Lumbatis felt a disconnect because she did not want to post haul videos and encourage people to buy piles of clothes when that was not what she was doing herself.
“That was really the traditional style of monetization back then, and I had to kind of think outside the box of what this could look like,” she explained.
Instead of monetizing transactions, she surveyed her audience. She asked what would genuinely make their lives easier. The response was clear. They wanted structure, and they wanted to know what belonged in their closet and how to use it. Lumbatis now considers surveys core to the company’s strategy, especially as the business has evolved.
The insights gathered became Outfit Formulas, a membership built around a curated shopping list paired with monthly outfit guidance. She launched expecting modest traction. Hundreds joined immediately.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Sports pundit Michelle Beadle ripped into San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet over his blog post calling for the Atlanta Hawks to end their

The first stage of a pivotal New England Patriots offseason begins in earnest Monday.
The NFL’s legal tampering period of free agency starts at noon ET, when teams can start negotiating with free agents. While deals won’t be official until the start of the league year on Wednesday, March 11, we should see plenty of contracts agreed to throughout the afternoon.
The Patriots are expected to be active in free agency as they look to build on a run to Super Bowl 60. Mike Vrabel’s club has roughly $43.3 million in cap space (per OverTheCap) and has a pressing need at wide receiver after parting ways with Stefon Diggs in addition to several other roster needs.
Will New England land talented wideout Alec Pierce in free agency, or perhaps pursue a trade for Eagles star A.J. Brown? Follow our live blog below as we track all the Patriots-related happenings from Day 1 of NFL free agency.

ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

Israel’s defense minister said the next Supreme Leader of Iran chosen by the regime

FRANKFURT, March 4 (Reuters) – The increasing use of artificial intelligence by firms may be creating some jobs in the euro zone ​rather than destroying them as many fear, a ‌European Central Bank blog post argued on Wednesday.
Economists have been debating whether AI could put white collar staff out of work, and ​a recent study by Germany’s Ifo Institute found ​that more than a quarter of German firms expect ⁠AI to lead to job cuts in the next ​five years.
Sign up here.
But the ECB’s own Survey on the Access to ​Finance of Enterprises found that companies making significant use of AI are more likely to take on additional staff in the near ​term.

It’s time for another Apple event! Today, March 4, Apple will announce new products, and despite the company’s commitment to secrecy, we know what most of the revelations are already. In fact, Apple has already announced a number of new products this week in lead up to the event, including the iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, and new Macs—including M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max variants.
But even though the company has already shared a bunch of news across Monday and Tuesday, that doesn’t mean Wednesday’s event is going to be a bore. In fact, Apple may announce one of its most interesting products in years during its March 4 keynote: the MacBook

Click here for Thursday’s weather blog with the latest updates on this round of wintry weather
Enjoy the melting out there today because another mix of rain, snow and ice is heading our way.
While there will be a late week pause in the spring feel, much more of a spring is on the next week, with highs in the 60s. The normal for this time of year is 42 degrees, so it’s nice to break away from the cold and below normal trend for much of February.
Temperatures are dropping quickly again tonight, setting the stage for our next system, which comes in by late Thursday afternoon into early Friday, bringing another messy winter mix.
Winter Weather Advisories have already been issued for parts of New England from late Thursday through midday Friday.
Most of southern New England starts with rain and freezing rain Thursday afternoon. Colder air at the surface becomes more abundant in the evening, leading to more pockets of freezing rain and sleet, mainly along and north of the Mass. Pike. That’s where ice and snow accumulation will create slippery travel through morning commute time on Friday.
After this system, attention turns to a warming trend. Temperatures begin climbing this weekend and could surge well above normal early next week, with highs pushing into the 50s and even the 60s.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston and New England area.
Track Friday’s storm with live radar

S
The Verge
Take another peek at our big Google Android app store story if it’s been a while since you checked.
I’ve been updating it for hours with bits from court documents, blog posts, email fact-checks, even a quick interview with Google Android boss Sameer Samat and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney. I’m about done, but I still need to parse the new Games Level Up Program and Apps Experience Program…
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The 2026 PIAA individual wrestling championships will officially get underway today inside Giant Center in Hershey, Pa.
The top high school wrestlers from across the state will compete in the AA, AAA and girls brackets as the preliminaries, opening rounds and first round consolations take place on Thursday, March 5.
Follow for updates, highlights and more from Hershey.
Jack Gleckler, York Daily Record
Zavier Gussett, Lebanon Daily News
Mason Smith, Pocono Record
Jeff Uveino, Erie Times-News
Drew Markol, PhillyBurbs
Live updates: Day 1 at the 2026 PIAA wrestling tournament

The 2026 PIAA individual wrestling championships will officially get underway today inside Giant Center in Hershey, Pa.
The top high school wrestlers from across the state will compete in the AA, AAA and girls brackets as the preliminaries, opening rounds and first round consolations take place on Thursday, March 5.
Follow for updates, highlights and more from Hershey.
Jack Gleckler, York Daily Record
Zavier Gussett, Lebanon Daily News
Mason Smith, Pocono Record
Jeff Uveino, Erie Times-News
Drew Markol, PhillyBurbs
Live updates: Day 1 at the 2026 PIAA wrestling tournament

Yesterday, the Golf Heritage Society published my latest blog post, “10 Little-Known Facts About Arnold Palmer That Reveal the Man Behind ‘The King,’” a deep dive into the quieter moments and lesser-known chapters of one of golf’s most iconic figures. It’s the kind of story that goes beyond the highlight reel — the kind that reveals not just what Palmer won, but who he was and what he built.
It’s also exactly the kind of story you’ll find regularly at the Golf Heritage Society, where I’m honored to serve as the new lead writer.
My Growing Reach – Sharing Stories on the Greatest Game
For years, I’ve been fortunate to write about golf across multiple platforms. My work with PGA.com, for example, where I share tidbits from my decades of coaching the game, has allowed me to connect with millions of golfers, and, hopefully, help them enjoy the game just a little bit more. And my work here on Athlon Sports, where I’ve explored everything from golf innovation to the personalities that shape the game, has allowed me to share my 30 years working in golf like no other opportunity has. Saying that I am grateful is a massive understatement.
But my new relationship with the Golf Heritage Society represents something different — something I’ve been searching for.
This is a place dedicated to preservation. In context. To the stories that don’t just entertain but illuminate. It’s where we can explore not just the “what” of golf history, but the “why” and the “how.” Where we can take the time to understand that Arnold Palmer didn’t just win tournaments — he built a pitch-and-putt course between runways because he couldn’t help but create spaces to play the game he loved.
What We’re Building at GHS
My work with the Golf Heritage Society isn’t trying to compete with breaking news, hot takes, or my breakdown of last week’s PGA Tour event. We’re building something different and lasting. A digital archive of stories, insights, and historical deep dives that will matter as much in ten years as they do today.
The Palmer little-known facts piece is a perfect example. Those ten facts aren’t just trivia. They’re windows into understanding how modern golf was shaped — how a handshake in 1960 changed sports marketing forever, how a tragedy at Wake Forest redirected a life, how “Arnie’s Army” started with actual soldiers at Fort Gordon.
These are the stories that deserve more than a quick scroll. They deserve to be told well, researched thoroughly, and preserved carefully.
The Stories Ahead
In the coming weeks and months, you’ll find stories from me on the GHS blog that span golf’s rich history. I’ll explore forgotten champions and overlooked moments. We’ll examine the evolution of equipment, architecture, and strategy. We’ll look at how the game has changed and what has remained constant.
Some stories will focus on legends like Palmer, Hogan, and Jones. Others will shine light on figures who deserve wider recognition. The golf collectables trade and stories of one of a kind artiifacts will be showcased as well. All of these stories will be rooted in the same commitment: to tell golf’s story with accuracy, depth, and respect for the game’s heritage.
I’ll send you reminders of these posts here on Athlon Sports.
Join Me. Join Us. As We Explore History.
The Golf Heritage Society exists because people like you believe that golf’s history matters — that understanding where we’ve been helps us appreciate where we’re going.
I invite you to bookmark their site, subscribe to updates, and share the stories that resonate with you. Better yet, join the conversation. Tell us what stories you want to hear. Share your own memories and insights. Help us build a community that values golf’s past as much as its present.
And that goes for my work here on Athlon Sports. Engage with me. Tell me your thoughts on the stories I share from the golf world. Let me know what you want to read about in relation to this magical and maddening game.
What’s Next
The Palmer piece is just the beginning. We have stories in development that I can’t wait to share — deep dives into course architecture, examinations of equipment evolution, profiles of unsung heroes, and explorations of moments that changed the game in ways most fans never realized.
This is where those stories will live. Where they’ll be preserved. Where they’ll continue to matter.
You are welcome at the Golf Heritage Society. They will be grateful to have you there, and I’m excited to share this journey with you.
Let’s honor the game by telling its stories right.
PGA of America Golf Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer who serves as Athlon Sports Senior Golf Writer. Read his recent “The Starter” on R.org, where he is their Lead Golf Writer. To stay updated on all of his latest work, sign up for his newsletter or visit his MuckRack Profile.

T
External Link
Anthropic responds to the Pentagon.
In a blog post on the company site, CEO Dario Amodei confirmed reports that the Defense Department had sent them a letter formally designating them a supply-chain risk, and said Anthropic planned to challenge them in court. He also clarified how it would currently impact Claude users:
The language used by the Department of War in the letter (even supposing it was legally sound) matches our statement on Friday that the vast majority of our customers are unaffected by a supply chain risk designation. With respect to our customers, it plainly applies only to the use of Claude by customers as a direct part of contracts with the Department of War, not all use of Claude by customers who have such contracts.
Where things stand with the Department of War
[ Anthropic ]
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

Israel’s defense minister said the next Supreme Leader of Iran chosen by the regime

FRANKFURT, March 4 (Reuters) – The increasing use of artificial intelligence by firms may be creating some jobs in the euro zone ​rather than destroying them as many fear, a ‌European Central Bank blog post argued on Wednesday.
Economists have been debating whether AI could put white collar staff out of work, and ​a recent study by Germany’s Ifo Institute found ​that more than a quarter of German firms expect ⁠AI to lead to job cuts in the next ​five years.
Sign up here.
But the ECB’s own Survey on the Access to ​Finance of Enterprises found that companies making significant use of AI are more likely to take on additional staff in the near ​term.

It’s time for another Apple event! Today, March 4, Apple will announce new products, and despite the company’s commitment to secrecy, we know what most of the revelations are already. In fact, Apple has already announced a number of new products this week in lead up to the event, including the iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, and new Macs—including M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max variants.
But even though the company has already shared a bunch of news across Monday and Tuesday, that doesn’t mean Wednesday’s event is going to be a bore. In fact, Apple may announce one of its most interesting products in years during its March 4 keynote: the MacBook

Click here for Thursday’s weather blog with the latest updates on this round of wintry weather
Enjoy the melting out there today because another mix of rain, snow and ice is heading our way.
While there will be a late week pause in the spring feel, much more of a spring is on the next week, with highs in the 60s. The normal for this time of year is 42 degrees, so it’s nice to break away from the cold and below normal trend for much of February.
Temperatures are dropping quickly again tonight, setting the stage for our next system, which comes in by late Thursday afternoon into early Friday, bringing another messy winter mix.
Winter Weather Advisories have already been issued for parts of New England from late Thursday through midday Friday.
Most of southern New England starts with rain and freezing rain Thursday afternoon. Colder air at the surface becomes more abundant in the evening, leading to more pockets of freezing rain and sleet, mainly along and north of the Mass. Pike. That’s where ice and snow accumulation will create slippery travel through morning commute time on Friday.
After this system, attention turns to a warming trend. Temperatures begin climbing this weekend and could surge well above normal early next week, with highs pushing into the 50s and even the 60s.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston and New England area.
Track Friday’s storm with live radar

S
The Verge
Take another peek at our big Google Android app store story if it’s been a while since you checked.
I’ve been updating it for hours with bits from court documents, blog posts, email fact-checks, even a quick interview with Google Android boss Sameer Samat and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney. I’m about done, but I still need to parse the new Games Level Up Program and Apps Experience Program…
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The 2026 PIAA individual wrestling championships will officially get underway today inside Giant Center in Hershey, Pa.
The top high school wrestlers from across the state will compete in the AA, AAA and girls brackets as the preliminaries, opening rounds and first round consolations take place on Thursday, March 5.
Follow for updates, highlights and more from Hershey.
Jack Gleckler, York Daily Record
Zavier Gussett, Lebanon Daily News
Mason Smith, Pocono Record
Jeff Uveino, Erie Times-News
Drew Markol, PhillyBurbs
Live updates: Day 1 at the 2026 PIAA wrestling tournament

The 2026 PIAA individual wrestling championships will officially get underway today inside Giant Center in Hershey, Pa.
The top high school wrestlers from across the state will compete in the AA, AAA and girls brackets as the preliminaries, opening rounds and first round consolations take place on Thursday, March 5.
Follow for updates, highlights and more from Hershey.
Jack Gleckler, York Daily Record
Zavier Gussett, Lebanon Daily News
Mason Smith, Pocono Record
Jeff Uveino, Erie Times-News
Drew Markol, PhillyBurbs
Live updates: Day 1 at the 2026 PIAA wrestling tournament

Yesterday, the Golf Heritage Society published my latest blog post, “10 Little-Known Facts About Arnold Palmer That Reveal the Man Behind ‘The King,’” a deep dive into the quieter moments and lesser-known chapters of one of golf’s most iconic figures. It’s the kind of story that goes beyond the highlight reel — the kind that reveals not just what Palmer won, but who he was and what he built.
It’s also exactly the kind of story you’ll find regularly at the Golf Heritage Society, where I’m honored to serve as the new lead writer.
My Growing Reach – Sharing Stories on the Greatest Game
For years, I’ve been fortunate to write about golf across multiple platforms. My work with PGA.com, for example, where I share tidbits from my decades of coaching the game, has allowed me to connect with millions of golfers, and, hopefully, help them enjoy the game just a little bit more. And my work here on Athlon Sports, where I’ve explored everything from golf innovation to the personalities that shape the game, has allowed me to share my 30 years working in golf like no other opportunity has. Saying that I am grateful is a massive understatement.
But my new relationship with the Golf Heritage Society represents something different — something I’ve been searching for.
This is a place dedicated to preservation. In context. To the stories that don’t just entertain but illuminate. It’s where we can explore not just the “what” of golf history, but the “why” and the “how.” Where we can take the time to understand that Arnold Palmer didn’t just win tournaments — he built a pitch-and-putt course between runways because he couldn’t help but create spaces to play the game he loved.
What We’re Building at GHS
My work with the Golf Heritage Society isn’t trying to compete with breaking news, hot takes, or my breakdown of last week’s PGA Tour event. We’re building something different and lasting. A digital archive of stories, insights, and historical deep dives that will matter as much in ten years as they do today.
The Palmer little-known facts piece is a perfect example. Those ten facts aren’t just trivia. They’re windows into understanding how modern golf was shaped — how a handshake in 1960 changed sports marketing forever, how a tragedy at Wake Forest redirected a life, how “Arnie’s Army” started with actual soldiers at Fort Gordon.
These are the stories that deserve more than a quick scroll. They deserve to be told well, researched thoroughly, and preserved carefully.
The Stories Ahead
In the coming weeks and months, you’ll find stories from me on the GHS blog that span golf’s rich history. I’ll explore forgotten champions and overlooked moments. We’ll examine the evolution of equipment, architecture, and strategy. We’ll look at how the game has changed and what has remained constant.
Some stories will focus on legends like Palmer, Hogan, and Jones. Others will shine light on figures who deserve wider recognition. The golf collectables trade and stories of one of a kind artiifacts will be showcased as well. All of these stories will be rooted in the same commitment: to tell golf’s story with accuracy, depth, and respect for the game’s heritage.
I’ll send you reminders of these posts here on Athlon Sports.
Join Me. Join Us. As We Explore History.
The Golf Heritage Society exists because people like you believe that golf’s history matters — that understanding where we’ve been helps us appreciate where we’re going.
I invite you to bookmark their site, subscribe to updates, and share the stories that resonate with you. Better yet, join the conversation. Tell us what stories you want to hear. Share your own memories and insights. Help us build a community that values golf’s past as much as its present.
And that goes for my work here on Athlon Sports. Engage with me. Tell me your thoughts on the stories I share from the golf world. Let me know what you want to read about in relation to this magical and maddening game.
What’s Next
The Palmer piece is just the beginning. We have stories in development that I can’t wait to share — deep dives into course architecture, examinations of equipment evolution, profiles of unsung heroes, and explorations of moments that changed the game in ways most fans never realized.
This is where those stories will live. Where they’ll be preserved. Where they’ll continue to matter.
You are welcome at the Golf Heritage Society. They will be grateful to have you there, and I’m excited to share this journey with you.
Let’s honor the game by telling its stories right.
PGA of America Golf Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer who serves as Athlon Sports Senior Golf Writer. Read his recent “The Starter” on R.org, where he is their Lead Golf Writer. To stay updated on all of his latest work, sign up for his newsletter or visit his MuckRack Profile.

T
External Link
Anthropic responds to the Pentagon.
In a blog post on the company site, CEO Dario Amodei confirmed reports that the Defense Department had sent them a letter formally designating them a supply-chain risk, and said Anthropic planned to challenge them in court. He also clarified how it would currently impact Claude users:
The language used by the Department of War in the letter (even supposing it was legally sound) matches our statement on Friday that the vast majority of our customers are unaffected by a supply chain risk designation. With respect to our customers, it plainly applies only to the use of Claude by customers as a direct part of contracts with the Department of War, not all use of Claude by customers who have such contracts.
Where things stand with the Department of War
[ Anthropic ]
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

NEW YORK – The wealthy Alexander brothers used the same tactics of luring, drugging and humiliation to sexually assault numerous women and girls, bragging about their exploits in blog posts with titles that included “It’s not rape if,” a federal prosecutor told jurors Tuesday.
In a closing argument after four weeks of testimony in the siblings’ federal sex trafficking trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Jones reviewed the often harrowing accounts of 11 women who allege they were sexually assaulted by Alon, Oren or Tal Alexander.
The allegations are corroborated by the “sheer number of victims who testified,” the prosecutor said — women who never have met each other and live different lives, but “have one horrific thing in common: they were raped by these men.”
Far from hiding their activity, the brothers bragged about it in text messages, emailed about sneaking drugs — or “party favors” — onto a cruise ship, recorded at least one assault on video and shared photos of victims, Jones said, calling it “devastating evidence” supporting the charges against them.
“You know this playbook because the defendants did this multiple times,” Jones said, chronicling alleged assaults at Hamptons mansions; New York City apartments; an Aspen, Colorado, ski trip; and a Caribbean cruise. One woman testified that Alon Alexander raped her in 2012, hours after they had met at actor Zac Efron’s Manhattan apartment. Efron was not accused of any wrongdoing.
Oren and Tal Alexander, high-end real estate brokers dubbed “The A Team,” and their brother Alon, an executive at their family’s private security firm, have pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and other charges.
In a closing argument, a lawyer for Alon Alexander said prosecutors conflated the brothers’ “obnoxious” and admittedly inappropriate banter with grave criminal allegations. Alon “should be and is embarrassed” by the language he used — but “talk doesn’t constitute a crime,” defense lawyer Howard Srebnick argued.
The defense’s closing arguments will continue on Wednesday.
The brothers are accused of meeting victims at nightclubs, parties and on dating apps, and recruited others for trips to ritzy locales, paying for flights and lodging at high-end hotels or luxe vacation rentals before drugging and raping them. After witnessing an assault at a Hamptons mansion, one woman pulled out her eyeliner and wrote “RAPIST” on a bedroom door, Jones said.
“A lot of the evidence at this long trial was hard to see and hear,” Jones said. “A lot of it was brutal. That’s because the defendant’s crimes were brutal.”
Jones reminded jurors of a video, played during the trial, of Oren Alexander appearing to rape a drugged 17-year-old in 2009 at the Manhattan apartment he shared with his brothers. Oren recorded the video with his laptop computer — and could be seen adjusting the angle before the alleged assault, Jones said.
“You can see the playbook in action here,” Jones said. “When you saw him pick up her limp legs and climb on top of her lifeless body, you knew what you were seeing.”
On another occasion, Jones said, two of the brothers and two other men raped a 16-year-old boarding school student who had skipped her prom to join them in the Hamptons. A photo of the girl, sleeping topless, was found on one of the brothers’ laptop hard drives, he said.
Now in her 30s, she testified that the assault only ended when she kicked one of the men away. Afterward, she said, Tal Alexander told her: “Don’t be mad at me.”
Another woman, a United Nations intern invited to the Hamptons mansion that weekend, testified that she saw the brothers dragging someone to a hot tub and assaulting her. The victim pleaded with them to stop and they didn’t, Jones said, recounting the intern’s testimony.
“I work for the U.N. and I know what you’re doing to girls in there,” the intern screamed before scrawling the “RAPIST” message, Jones said.
The prosecutor urged jurors to reject defense claims that prosecutors were criminalizing “hookup culture” and that accusers were motivated by shame or by money.
“Now that you’ve seen these women for yourselves, you know how wrong that is,” Jones said, noting that one witness was the daughter of a billionaire. “There’s not been an ounce of shame in this courtroom.”
“What walked into this courtroom was not shame,” Jones added. “It was courage and resolve. It was the truth.”

NEW YORK (AP) — The wealthy Alexander brothers used the same tactics of luring, drugging and humiliation to sexually assault numerous women and girls, bragging about their exploits in blog posts with titles that included “It’s not rape if,” a federal prosecutor told jurors Tuesday.
In a closing argument after four weeks of testimony in the siblings’ federal sex trafficking trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Jones reviewed the often harrowing accounts of 11 women who allege they were sexually assaulted by Alon, Oren or Tal Alexander.
The allegations are corroborated by the “sheer number of victims who testified,” the prosecutor said — women who never have met each other and live different lives, but “have one horrific thing in common: they were raped by these men.”
Far from hiding their activity, the brothers bragged about it in text messages, emailed about sneaking drugs — or “party favors” — onto a cruise ship, recorded at least one assault on video and shared photos of victims, Jones said, calling it “devastating evidence” supporting the charges against them.
“You know this playbook because the defendants did this multiple times,” Jones said, chronicling alleged assaults at Hamptons mansions; New York City apartments; an Aspen, Colorado, ski trip; and a Caribbean cruise. One woman testified that Alon Alexander raped her in 2012, hours after they had met at actor Zac Efron’s Manhattan apartment. Efron was not accused of any wrongdoing.
Oren and Tal Alexander, high-end real estate brokers dubbed “The A Team,” and their brother Alon, an executive at their family’s private security firm, have pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and other charges.
In a closing argument, a lawyer for Alon Alexander said prosecutors conflated the brothers’ “obnoxious” and admittedly inappropriate banter with grave criminal allegations. Alon “should be and is embarrassed” by the language he used — but “talk doesn’t constitute a crime,” defense lawyer Howard Srebnick argued.
The defense’s closing arguments will continue on Wednesday.
The brothers are accused of meeting victims at nightclubs, parties and on dating apps, and recruited others for trips to ritzy locales, paying for flights and lodging at high-end hotels or luxe vacation rentals before drugging and raping them. After witnessing an assault at a Hamptons mansion, one woman pulled out her eyeliner and wrote “RAPIST” on a bedroom door, Jones said.
“A lot of the evidence at this long trial was hard to see and hear,” Jones said. “A lot of it was brutal. That’s because the defendant’s crimes were brutal.”
Jones reminded jurors of a video, played during the trial, of Oren Alexander appearing to rape a drugged 17-year-old in 2009 at the Manhattan apartment he shared with his brothers. Oren recorded the video with his laptop computer — and could be seen adjusting the angle before the alleged assault, Jones said.
“You can see the playbook in action here,” Jones said. “When you saw him pick up her limp legs and climb on top of her lifeless body, you knew what you were seeing.”
On another occasion, Jones said, two of the brothers and two other men raped a 16-year-old boarding school student who had skipped her prom to join them in the Hamptons. A photo of the girl, sleeping topless, was found on one of the brothers’ laptop hard drives, he said.
Now in her 30s, she testified that the assault only ended when she kicked one of the men away. Afterward, she said, Tal Alexander told her: “Don’t be mad at me.”
Another woman, a United Nations intern invited to the Hamptons mansion that weekend, testified that she saw the brothers dragging someone to a hot tub and assaulting her. The victim pleaded with them to stop and they didn’t, Jones said, recounting the intern’s testimony.
“I work for the U.N. and I know what you’re doing to girls in there,” the intern screamed before scrawling the “RAPIST” message, Jones said.
The prosecutor urged jurors to reject defense claims that prosecutors were criminalizing “hookup culture” and that accusers were motivated by shame or by money.
“Now that you’ve seen these women for yourselves, you know how wrong that is,” Jones said, noting that one witness was the daughter of a billionaire. “There’s not been an ounce of shame in this courtroom.”
“What walked into this courtroom was not shame,” Jones added. “It was courage and resolve. It was the truth.”

The Atlanta Hawks will not be canceling their

ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

Israel’s defense minister said the next Supreme Leader of Iran chosen by the regime

FRANKFURT, March 4 (Reuters) – The increasing use of artificial intelligence by firms may be creating some jobs in the euro zone ​rather than destroying them as many fear, a ‌European Central Bank blog post argued on Wednesday.
Economists have been debating whether AI could put white collar staff out of work, and ​a recent study by Germany’s Ifo Institute found ​that more than a quarter of German firms expect ⁠AI to lead to job cuts in the next ​five years.
Sign up here.
But the ECB’s own Survey on the Access to ​Finance of Enterprises found that companies making significant use of AI are more likely to take on additional staff in the near ​term.

It’s time for another Apple event! Today, March 4, Apple will announce new products, and despite the company’s commitment to secrecy, we know what most of the revelations are already. In fact, Apple has already announced a number of new products this week in lead up to the event, including the iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, and new Macs—including M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max variants.
But even though the company has already shared a bunch of news across Monday and Tuesday, that doesn’t mean Wednesday’s event is going to be a bore. In fact, Apple may announce one of its most interesting products in years during its March 4 keynote: the MacBook

S
The Verge
Take another peek at our big Google Android app store story if it’s been a while since you checked.
I’ve been updating it for hours with bits from court documents, blog posts, email fact-checks, even a quick interview with Google Android boss Sameer Samat and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney. I’m about done, but I still need to parse the new Games Level Up Program and Apps Experience Program…
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Jayson Tatum remains sidelined, but Wednesday’s matchup between the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets still features plenty of juice.
The Celtics and Hornets are two of the league’s hottest teams, with Charlotte boasting an NBA-best 15-3 record since Jan. 22 and Boston going 12-2 over its last 14 games. Wednesday also could be a potential playoff preview; if the Celtics finish as the No. 2 seed and the Hornets (currently the No. 10 seed) win the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, these teams would meet in the first round.
Oh, and did we mention ex-Celtics forward Grant Williams will be back at TD Garden, and that promising C’s rookie Hugo Gonzalez will square off against current Rookie of the Year favorite Kon Knueppel?
Follow our Celtics-Hornets live blog below for highlights, analysis and more throughout the game.

This is the live blog for Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez, the middleweight main event for Saturday’s UFC Houston card at Toyota Center in the Lone Star State.
Strickland returns to action after over a year out of the octagon looking to get back on track after dropping two of his past three. The former middleweight champion lost the title to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in January 2024 before bouncing back with a decision win against Paulo Costa five months later at UFC 302. The 34-year-old faced du Plessis in a championship rematch at UFC 312 in February 2025 where he dropped a lopsided unanimous decision. After recovering from injuries, and going through a suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission, Strickland has become the story of the week for the fight card.
Hernandez enters his second consecutive main event with an impressive eight-fight win streak. In his most recent bout, “Fluffy” delivered one of the most dominant performances of 2025 en route to a submission win against Roman Dolidze this past August in the UFC Vegas 109 headliner. The 32-year-old also earned a 2025 victory over Brendan Allen at UFC Seattle a year ago.
According to FanDuel, Anthony Hernandez closes as the moderate favorite at -245, with the comeback on Sean Strickland at +200.
Sean Strickland is a former UFC champion, so the man knows how to win fights. However, this could be a nightmare matchup for him. Strickland’s path is if Hernandez accepts a middle of the octagon kickboxing match, and I just don’t see that happening. I think Hernandez does what he does, pressures Strickland against the fence, quick takedowns, mat returns galore, and as the frustration mounts, “Fluffy” gets the finish via TKO in Round 4.
Hernandez was first out, and now Strickland is set to walk inside the octagon. Moments away.
The referee for this main event is Herb Dean, while the judges are Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee, and Junichiro Kamijo. Big response from the crowd for Hernandez, while a mixed reaction for Strickland from this Houston crowd during Bruce Buffer’s introductions.
Round 1: They touch gloves and we’re off. They take the center and Strickland throws out his patented jab and teep. Hernandez starting to stalk forward as Strickland is jabbing. Hernandez goes to the body with a jab, and lands an inside leg kick. As usual, Hernandez starting a little bit slow, Strickland lands a jab, Hernandez lands a nice right hand moving forward.
Jab from Strickland lands, blocked on a second attempt, Hernandez starting to land a bit more. Strickland with a sneaky uppercut. Strickland lands a shot, and Hernandez laughs at him before getting better of the ending exchange. Hernandez with a big combination and now he has Strickland against the fence. Strickland separates. Jab from Strickland, but Hernandez drills him with three big rights, Strickland goes to the floor, but more of a slip. Close round in the final minute.
Hernandez is definitely landing the more meaningful shots, but Strickland with the volume and the jabs. Final seconds with Hernandez moving forward, late flurry, and that’s the round.
Round 2: Both men smiling at each other and they touch gloves before the round even starts. Good fake for a takedown to a right hand from Hernandez. Strickland with a jab and a right hand. Hernandez marches forward and lands a hard combination. Good counter over the top from Hernandez.
Strickland continues to land the jab, but Hernandez when he lands, is throwing with more vigor. Hernandez ties him up for a moment, but Strickland pulls away. Good jab from Hernandez. Good jab from Strickland, but nice follow up to the body by Fluffy.
They battle against the fence, and separate. Strickland continues to jab. Hernandez looking like he’s having a little too much fun in there, and not in a great way.
Round 3: Eric Nicksick telling Strickland he needs to mix things up. Hernandez needs to get his pressure game going, at least get Strickland against the fence. Hernandez does land a combination. Strickland with the jab, jab, jab. Hernandez gets a tie up against the fence, Hernandez lands a short elbow on the break.
Strickland lands a knee to the body and Hernandez is in trouble. Strickland pouring it on and Hernandez is down. Strickland pouncing now and Herb Dean has seen enough. Great performance from Strickland.
Strickland credits Hernandez for having good boxing, and for being a savage. Strickland wants Chimaev next, and he just might get it.
That’s it, everybody! Check out out post-fight show coming up in a moment.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — During the pendency of his case, Paul Boyne has spent 18 months in jail. The state offered a plea deal: time served. He turned it down.
His trial starts this week.
Boyne, 62, of Springfield, Virginia, faces 18 felony counts of stalking and electronic stalking for ten posts published on thefamilycourtcircus.com — a website that attacked Connecticut’s family court system.
The jury will decide whether his words were political speech or a criminal threat.
What Boyne Wrote
On January 6, 2022, Boyne wrote about Judge Gerard Adelman: “Judge Gerard Adelman gets a .50 cal to the head.”
On May 1, 2022, again targeting Adelman: “Adelman proves beyond a reasonable doubt, jews of Connecticut hijack courts, rule from the talmud, victimize children in worship of their money god. He begs a patriot’s .50 cal to the head.”
About Judge Jane Grossman: “Is she begging for a .308 shot to the head thru two panes of window glass from an oath keeper, concealed in the woods behind her house?”
About Judge Eric Coleman: “Only the Second Amendment remains for the sovereign people to protect the children. There lies the constitutional case for the assassination of Judge Eric Coleman. A .50 cal to the head, a .308 sniper shot from the grassy knoll through two panes of window glass, complete and rapid discharge of a high capacity magazine in a dark alley. Burn the courthouse to the ground, bring body bags.”
On March 8, 2021: “Happy .308 day! More justice can be dispensed in one bullet than by all of Family Court. Celebrate the Second Amendment as protection from the pedophiles who run family court. Judicial discretion falls to the report of a rifle.”
About Judge Thomas Moukawsher, with his photo superimposed in crosshairs: “It is JUST CAUSE when Mouk gets a .50 cal to the head.” The caption beneath his photo read: “Given the domestic terrorism, several bullets needed.”
He published home addresses. He posted photos of residences. He described property layouts and surrounding terrain.
He referred to the courts as the “JEWdiciary” and to Connecticut as “Corrupticut.” He called the family court system “a jewish enterprise designed to destroy the rights of a sovereign people.”
Boyne’s defense of his speech, posted on the blog: “State sponsored terrorists… should fear the power of a sovereign people who hold Second Amendment rights for the sole purpose of defending themselves against such tyranny. A .50 cal to the head does an excellent job of readjusting the attitude of tyrants and their elite masters, while defending the Constitution. When the hunters of free speech become the hunted, there is liberty and justice for all.”
What the Judges Said
Grossman told investigators the post was specific about her property and the woods behind her house. She said it was terrifying.
She reviewed her security footage. She searched the grounds. She said she could not relax in the room of her home that Boyne had described.
Adelman stated, “I have serious concerns about this blog as it repeatedly calls for someone to kill me. Almost every entry speaks about a .50 caliber bullet to my head.”
Coleman told investigators, “I do not know what the author of the article or the administrator of the website is capable of. Moreover I do not know anything about the website’s audience and who among that audience may be inspired to act on the suggestion to harm or kill me.”
What Didn’t Happen
The facts are that since 2022, when he posted his threats above, no one harmed a judge. No one fired a shot. No assault took place.
Boyne never went to Connecticut to confront anyone. No one acted on what he wrote.
They were words, mean, and vile.
The Prosecution Expands
On February 13, 2026, the State of Connecticut filed a Notice of Intent to Offer Uncharged Misconduct Evidence — a 25-page motion asking the court to let jurors see more than the ten charged blog posts.
Prosecutors want to introduce:
Voicemails Boyne left for Connecticut State Police Detective Samantha McCord after a predawn SWAT raid on his Virginia home seized his computers in June 2022.
Recorded jail calls in which Boyne discussed the blog, its hosting, and its effect on judges.
Eight uncharged blog posts threatening other judges with “.50 cal” and “.308” language and containing racial slurs against black judges.
The Grievance That Fueled the Blog
Boyne went through a divorce that began in 2007. Adelman handled the case and terminated his parental rights. He lost all contact with his children.
Connecticut’s Family Court has drawn criticism from litigants and reform groups for years.
Whatever grievance started the blog, the language changed. It moved from criticism to naming weapons. From general anger to specific people at specific addresses.
But Boyne had been attacking judges by name for years. He was known to them. He was persistent. After several years, the Attorney General decided to act. His investigators went to the judges and collected complaints.
A jury may ask whether the judges feared a literal bullet or if they agreed to cooperate with the AG, who assured them he would silence Boyne.
The law in Connecticut does not require judges to be terrified. It requires that Boyne’s conduct would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety.
The Plea He Refused
The state offered Boyne a deal: plead guilty to misdemeanors and walk free with time served. He said no.
That refusal means Boyne will litigate the First Amendment question.
It also means Boyne chose the risk of additional incarceration (he is out on bail) over a guilty plea — a decision that either reflects principled constitutional conviction or miscalculation.
The First Amendment Collision
He has some precedent behind him. The Supreme Court has protected harsh political speech for years.
In Watts v. United States in 1969, a Vietnam War protester said that if the military drafted him, “the first man I want to get in my sights is L.B.J.” The Court called it political hyperbole, not a true threat.
In Counterman v. Colorado in 2023, the Court said prosecutors must show that the speaker knew there was a risk the subject of the words would take it as a real threat and ignored that risk.
Boyne’s lawyers will likely say he never contacted the judges, never went to Connecticut, never tried to hurt anyone. They will say the language was metaphorical, anger at a system he believed was corrupt.
The state will say he named names, listed weapons, posted home addresses, and described property. He did it repeatedly. That is not metaphor. That is cyber stalking.
The Slippery Slope
If publishing addresses and invoking firearms in political criticism becomes stalking when no violence occurs, the precedent extends beyond Boyne.
The concern is not that courts should tolerate genuinely threatening language. It is that prosecutors can expand the definition of “threat” to encompass a wide range of legitimate dissent.
Still, if the state cannot prosecute repeated invocations of sniper fire, crosshairs imagery, home addresses, and assassination rhetoric directed at named individuals, what option does the state have to prevent escalation before someone acts?
Antisemitism
The blog’s violent language was not race-neutral, and this is key to the prosecution’s case.
Boyne described the courts as a “jewish enterprise.” He used the term “JEWdiciary” repeatedly. He wrote that judges “rule from the talmud” and serve “their money god.” He called a black judge the n-word and described another as a “puppet doing her jewish master’s bidding.”
Connecticut State Police’s Hate Crimes Unit participated in the investigation.
The antisemitic and racist language is the element that Connecticut’s felony stalking statute requires prosecutors to prove as a hate crime.
What This Case Is
The trial will determine whether Boyne’s violent rhetoric directed at judges, accompanied by their addresses and photos, framed in antisemitic and racist language, and maintained for years from across state lines, constitutes a crime.
Boyne’s words are vile. Nothing in the First Amendment requires anyone to admire what he wrote or respect the man who wrote it.
The question is whether his speech is criminal, and in a free country, vile and criminal are not the same thing.
The First Amendment exists to protect that distinction.
For those who believe the family court system destroys families, Boyne’s prosecution looks like retaliation. For a state that wanted him silenced, prosecution was the only option left.
The website remains up. The old posts are still there. No new threats have appeared. The calls for violence, now four years old, have inspired no one to act.
To the Constitution, it is simpler than that. It is a test.

10:53 a.m. ET
And that’s it.
Jack Hughes scores 1:41 into overtime, and the USA has won the gold medal.
Quinn Hughes looked like he had a chance early, but Binnnington made a huge glove save.
Just an unbelievable hockey game, and a fitting finish to this men’s hockey tournament.
Just a massive win for the U.S. and a brutal loss for Canada, but once we got to overtime, it was anyone’s game.
That’s it from Milan.
For those of you dealing with the snow, be careful out there.
Thanks for reading along and be sure to keep watching hockey when the NHL resumes on Wednesday.
10:45 a.m. ET
Start of overtime is three minutes away.
Remember, it’s 3-on-3 until someone scores, with an intermission every 20 minutes, but I don’t know if we get that far.
These guys are so skilled, and so fast, you have to figure this is going to end pretty quickly.
But who knows. In 2010, it was Sidney Crosby who scored the golden goal, but he’s not in uniform today.
So who will it be?
You can bet that whenever Quinn Hughes gets the puck, the whole arena is going to hold its breath.
Same for Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Macklin Celebrini.
This is just unreal.
10:33 a.m. ET
And we are going to overtime.
Just unreal.
Macklin Celebrini had multiple chances on the Canada power play, but couldn’t put one home.
No we go to 3-on-3 for 20-minute periods until someone scores.
Fitting. Eh?
Both teams had their chances to score in regulation.
The U.S. had a four-minute power play and then Canada had its own power play.
Now we bring out the Zamboni and take a much-needed break before overtime starts.
I can’t imagine what it’s like back home watching this.
What fun!
10:19 a.m. ET
Talk about your close calls.
Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon appeared to have an easy goal with an open net staring at him, but he seemed to rush the shot and hit the side of the net.
Wow.
The

Warning: This article will follow along with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 6 as it airs on HBO, so there will be spoilers!
As A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ season 1 finale releases on HBO, ScreenRant is following along with live reactions, analysis, and terrible jokes about the new episode.
The A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 6 live-blog is conducted by ScreenRant’s Senior TV Editor Kara Hedash, ScreenRant Senior News Editor Jordan Williams, and former ScreenRant Movies & TV Features Editor James Hunt, who now serves as a Content Strategist at ComicBook.com. While at ScreenRant, James was a certified Game of Thrones expert who led coverage for the first two seasons of House of the Dragon, so it’s an honor to have him make a cameo return and help us out with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms!
While Jordan and James have read the books, Kara is providing insight as someone who hasn’t read the books (yet!) while serving as the live-blog moderator. Now, let’s get to the recap and reactions for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ season 1 finale!

There’s a reason you’re reading this post right now. Maybe you follow me on social media because you’re familiar with my business. Maybe you were scrolling through your newsfeed and the headline caught your eye. Or maybe you’re a founder researching ways to write content that sticks, and this was one of the top results in the queue.
I may be a tech guy at heart, but writing articles like these is a part of my job that I take very seriously. My journey as a bootstrapped founder has been pretty unique, and I love to share my insights and lessons learned with others who may be traveling along a similar path.
But there’s another dimension, too. I want to be embedded in the communities that I think Jotform should reach. If you know me, and my product feels familiar, you’re more likely to think of us the next time you need an online form builder.
To pose a slightly modified version of the classic question: If you build a world-class product that no one knows about, does it even exist? The answer is simple — no.
Producing high-quality content is a great way for users to get to know you and what makes your business unique. Millennial and Gen Z consumers in particular want to understand a company’s values, motivations and intentions before they’re willing to spend their money. Brands that consistently publish thoughtful, well-crafted content are more likely to earn trust and long-term loyalty than those that simply push products or promotions.
But while there’s certainly no shortage of corporate content, many businesses fall short of hitting the “high-quality” mark. There’s a lot of bad writing and AI slop out there these days — some researchers place that figure as high as 50%. If you really want your voice to stand out, you have to offer something people can’t get anywhere else. Here’s how to do it.
Sign up for the Entrepreneur Daily newsletter to get the news and resources you need to know today to help you run your business better. Get it in your inbox.
Know your audience
Before you begin building a product, you want to understand who’s likely to use it. The same goes for your writing. Who is your target audience? What insights do you specifically have to offer, and why should they care?
I’ll use myself as an example. I’m a voracious reader, and I spend a lot of time consuming both traditional publications and posts in online forums. I love to get a sense of the conversations happening in the tech world. Spending time in these communities gives me a window into current trends, shared frustrations and the kinds of problems people are trying to solve.
I’ve long posted on forums like Reddit and Indie Hackers, a habit that became even more ingrained as I prepared to release my first book. Not only was I able to figure out what subjects resonated with my target audience, but being an involved part of these online communities meant that once the book was done, I could share it there, knowing I’d have at least a small instant readership. Going back even further, actively participating in various startup forums allowed me to build relationships with people who would later become Jotform users.
Be genuine
If you follow my work, you probably know quite a bit about my life. You know I’m a husband, a father and that I love spending time on my family’s olive farm in my native Turkey. You probably also know that one of my life’s missions is to eliminate all forms of busywork and create more time and space for the sorts of ambitious projects that give us purpose.
But you also know that the process of building my company has not been a straight line. I’ve written extensively about my missteps, struggles and the things I wish I had done differently. I share these insights both because I want others to learn from my mistakes, and also because I don’t want to create the impression that building my business has been easy — it hasn’t. I’ve always loved Shoe Dog, the memoir by Nike founder Phil Knight, because it charts the tough road from Nike’s unglamorous early days to its current status as a global sportswear superpower. It’s hard to imagine anyone as successful as Knight having undergone prolonged periods of struggle. And yet that’s exactly what makes his story so compelling.
Being willing to share the less-than glamorous aspects of your journey isn’t showing weakness; it’s showing vulnerability. If you want your readers — and customers — to understand where you’re coming from, you have to be willing to reveal the ugly along with the good.
Be consistent
As much as everyone loves a viral moment, that isn’t where real impact comes from. Instead, think of content as a long-term investment. Winning the SEO game requires consistently producing genuinely useful, well-written posts that spark interest and earn backlinks from other sites. It won’t happen overnight — patience and persistence are key.
It’s also prudent to start generating content before you actually release your product to build excitement. In the past, founders had to rely on paid advertising and media placements to get eyeballs on their businesses. Today, social platforms, forums and self-publishing tools make it possible for anyone to grow a substantial audience if they’re willing to put in the effort. If you already have an audience — even a small one — you have an engaged group of readers you can point toward your product the moment it launches.
For the tech-minded, it’s easy to dismiss content as frivolous. But take it from me: Your product, no matter how useful or innovative, will not speak for itself. You don’t have to be a professional writer or producer. But being able to communicate your story and your “why” will set you apart in a world crowded with noise.

Meta announced that its Horizon+ game subscription service topped over one million active subscribers.
Reality Labs VP of Content Samantha Ryan revealed the figure in a developer blog post, noting the service now boasts a games catalog of over 100 titles in addition to its rotating dip of monthly games.
Popular titles include Ghosts of Tabor, Job Simulator, Red Matter, Red Matter 2, Cubism, Pistol Whip, Moss, Maestro, Into Black, Racket Club, Demeo Battles, and Asgard’s Wrath 2. You can see the full list here.
Notably, this is the first time Meta has revealed active subscriber numbers for Horizon+, which was previously known as ‘Quest+’ when it first launched in 2023.
Meta’s Q4 2025 earnings didn’t offer much granularity when it comes to Reality Labs revenue, however since Horizon+ costs $8 per month, or $60 per year, this could put its revenue somewhere between $60 – $96 million.
Granted, that’s provided the company isn’t actually counting users of its three-month trial period as ‘active’ members, an offer that automatically comes with purchase of any new Quest 3 and Quest 3S. It also assumes the one million subscriber figure was relatively stable throughout 2025, and didn’t see any dramatic spikes that would otherwise skew that estimation lower.
Additionally, Ryan notes Meta had “a tremendous holiday season that was on par with our 2024 results — all despite the fact that we didn’t launch any new devices for the year.”
Furthermore, Ryan says that total payment volume on the Quest platform remained similar year-over-year in 2025, with in-app purchases making a +13% increase.

J
External Link
Here’s what Bungie is doing to try and stop cheaters in Marathon.
Among other things, Marathon will have dedicated servers, a “Fog of War” that “limits the regions of a map that individual player clients have knowledge of,” and a rebuilt game security stack, Bungie says in a new blog post.
Cheaters will also be permabanned with “no second chances,” which is different from Arc Raiders’ three-strike policy.
Marathon: Network and Security
[ Bungie ]
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Feb 23 (Reuters) – Three Chinese artificial intelligence companies used Claude to improperly obtain capabilities to improve their own models, the chatbot’s creator Anthropic said in a blog post on Monday while also making a case for export controls on chips.
Sign up here.
DeepSeek, Moonshot and MiniMax created more than 16 million interactions with Claude using roughly 24,000 fake accounts, in violation of Anthropic’s terms of service and regional access restrictions, the company said.
They used a technique called

J
External Link
Balatro’s developer is “still working” on the game’s big 1.1 update.
At the end of a long and personal blog post to mark the occasion of Balatro’s second birthday, LocalThunk confirmed that the 1.1 update, which was delayed from a planned 2025 release, is still in the works. I’m looking forward to it, but in the near term, Slay the Spire II will help pass the time.
Bad Grades — LocalThunk
[ LocalThunk ]
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Enjoy the best of Friday’s 9-game schedule with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
ESPN Friday night doubleheader
Pat Riley to become 1st coach immortalized by Lakers with statue
Last night’s live updates: Cade’s 42-piece leads Thursday
Download the NBA App
What we know after Friday’s games:
Cleveland extended their winning streak to 7 games by defeating Charlotte 118-113, as Donovan Mitchell dropped 13 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter to fend off the Hornets. The Cavs are now 5-0 with James Harden in the lineup and have won 12 of their last 13 games overall.
In his first game back since Jan. 15, Tyler Herro cooked for a game-high 24 points in Miami’s decisive 128-97 win over Atlanta.
Anthony Edwards scored 40 points for the seventh time this season to secure Minnesota’s third straight victory, a 122-111 win against the Mavericks.
Milwaukee earned a third straight win of their own thanks to a combined 79 points from Cam Thomas (27 pts), Ryan Rollins (27 pts) and Kevin Porter, Jr. (25 pts). The Bucks are 6-1 over their last 7 contests.
Playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City picked up a gritty 105-86 win over Brooklyn. Jared McCain popped off for a season-high 21 points to celebrate his 22nd birthday.
Nikola Jokić (32 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast, 4 stl) and Jamal Murray (25 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast) led a potent Nuggets offense to a franchise record 157-103 win over Portland. Denver’s 157 points scored are the most ever in a road game.
Luka Dončić went off for a game-high 38 points and 8 made 3s in his return from a four-game absence to outduel Kawhi Leonard (31 pts) and the Clippers. Leonard left the 125-122 loss in the fourth quarter with left ankle soreness.
12:47 a.m. ET / Feb. 21
Tonight’s final scores:
Grizzlies 123, Jazz 114
Wizards 131, Pacers 118
Cavaliers 118, Hornets 113
Heat 128, Hawks 97
Timberwolves 122, Mavericks 111
Bucks 139, Pelicans 118
Thunder 105, Nets 86
Nuggets 157, Trail Blazers 103
Lakers 125, Clippers 122
Anthony Edwards is your player of the night! Ant dropped 40 points (16-30 FG, 5-13 3PM, 3-4 FT), 6 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 38 minutes.
12:53 a.m. ET / Feb. 21
Lakers hang on to beat Clips, 125-122
Luka Dončić drops a game-high 38 points (11-25 FG, 8-14 3PM, 8-11 FT) with 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals and one block to give the Lakers a second straight win.
Austin Reaves tallies 29 points on 9-for-15 shooting with 4 3PM, and LeBron James finishes with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists and one steal in 33 minutes.
Kawhi Leonard (31 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast) and Bennedict Mathurin (26 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast) were stellar in the loss, but they were both forced out of the contest early. Leonard left the game around the 5-minute mark of the fourth quarter with left ankle soreness, while Mathurin fouled out down the stretch.
12:39 a.m. ET / Feb. 21
Down to the wire in LA
The Lakers have a 118-115 lead over the Clippers with 1:36 remaining in the contest on ESPN!
12:28 a.m. ET / Feb. 21
Lakers holding edge in 4Q
Luka Magic in the fourth quarter as Dončić is up to 29 points, 6 boards, 10 assists and 3 steals. The Lakers have a 112-109 lead in crunch time on ESPN!
12:17 a.m. ET / Feb. 21
Battle for LA heating up
Luka Dončić has 26 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists, and Austin Reaves tallies a game-high 29 points on 9-for-14 shooting to give the Lakers a 104-103 lead with 7:30 left in the contest.
Bennedict Mathurin continues to scorch off the Clippers bench, posting 24 points and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes.
11:57 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Tight game in LA
The Lakers counterpunch a 17-1 run by the Clippers, as they take a 91-88 lead with 3:18 remaining in the third quarter. Austin Reaves is up to 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting with 3 rebounds, 2 dimes and one steal in 21 minutes.
Kawhi Leonard has a game-high 28 points on 10-for-17 shooting, while Luka Dončić posts 26 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists.
11:54 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Clippers cruise to 17-1 run
The Clippers take an 88-86 lead, punctuated by and and-1 from Bennedict Mathurin (17 pts). Tune in now on ESPN!
11:48 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Jokić threads the needle
Nikola Jokić goes no-look to Julian Strawther for a beautiful dish, giving the Joker 7 assists to go along with a game-high 32 points (10-15 FG, 3-4 3PM) and 4 steals with 8 rebounds. Denver is cruising in Portland, holding a 116-75 lead with 2:42 remaining in the third.
Donovan Clingan is the leading Blazer with 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Deni Avdija tallies 14 points, 8 rebounds and 13 assists.
11:25 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Lakers up by 7 at halftime
The Lakers get a game-high 22 points from Luka Dončić to grab a 72-65 edge over the Clippers after two quarters. LeBron James has 11 points, 6 assists and one steal, and Austin Reaves tallies 14 points on 6-for-6 shooting, including this beauty.
Kawhi Leonard sizzles for 19 of his 21 points in the second quarter, adding 3 rebounds and 4 assists in 17 minutes. Bennedict Mathurin tallies 13 points in 12 minutes off the bench.
11:15 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Incredible team basketball
This is what you love to see. Denver goes defense to offense to power an 82-53 lead over Portland at the break, as the Nuggets drop 41 points in each of the first two quarters.
Nikola Jokić has a game-high 24 points (8-13 FG, 3-4 3PM, 5-7 FT) with 5 boards, 4 assists and 3 steals in 18 minutes. Jamal Murray pours in 18 points with 5 3PM to go along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and one steal.
Jrue Holiday (11 pts, 3 3PM) and Donovan Clingan (10 pts, 6 reb) are the leaders for the Blazers.
11:07 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Kawhi in takeover mode
Kawhi Leonard has 19 of his team-high 21 points in the second quarter, but the Clippers trail the Lakers 66-62 with 2:52 remaining in the first quarter during the final battle for LA on ESPN!
Luka Dončić has a game-high 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting, and LeBron James chips in 11 points and 5 dimes.
10:58 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
McCain scores 21 to celebrate birthday
Jared McCain drops a season-high 21 points (7-12 FG, 3-6 3PM) on his 22nd birthday to give OKC a 105-86 win over Brooklyn. The Thunder hold the Nets to 17% shooting from 3-point range (7-41 3PM) while finishing 13-for-35 (37%) from downtown.
Michael Porter, Jr. tallies a game-high 22 points on 6-for-16 shooting (9-11 FT) with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in 38 minutes.
10:49 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Lakers separating in 2Q
Luka Dončić cooks for a game-high 17 points on 6-for-8 shooting in 12 minutes, adding 2 boards and 4 assists. The Lakers have taken a 46-34 lead over the Clippers with 10:23 remaining before halftime.
Brook Lopez and Bennedict Mathurin have 9 points apiece to drive the Clippers.
10:44 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Bucks roll to 3rd straight W
Ryan Rollins and Cam Thomas (27 pts, 11-17 FG) combine for 54 points in Milwaukee’s third straight victory, a 139-118 win over New Orleans. The Bucks have won three straight and are 6-1 over their last 7 games.
Zion Williams pours in a game-high 32 points on 13-for-17 shooting in 30 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Pelicans from dropping their second in a row.
10:38 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Joker erupts in 1Q
Nikola Jokić is off to a ridiculously hot start in a high-scoring first quarter in Portland, as Joker drops 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting and 3-for-4 from long range. He adds 2 boards, 2 steals and one assist in 12 minutes to give Denver a 41-27 edge after one.
Donovan Clingan, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson all drop 6 points apiece for the Blazers.
10:29 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Clippers-Lakers live on ESPN!
Luka Dončić returns from a four-game absence for the Lakers tonight, and he’s got 8 points and 3 dimes in 8 minutes so far.
Brook Lopez has a game-high 9 points for the Clippers, who trail the Lakers 26-19 with 3:13 left in the first quarter.
10:15 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Ant drops 40, Wolves win 3rd straight
Anthony Edwards comes up clutch to seal Minnesota’s third consecutive win tonight, defeating the Mavericks 122-111. Ant-Man finishes with a game-high 40 points (16-30 FG, 5-13 3PM) in 38 minutes, adding 6 boards, one assist and one steal.
Khris Middleton (18 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl), Marvin Bagley III (15 pts, 13 reb) and Naji Marshall (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl) lead seven Mavs in double figures. Dallas drops their tenth game in a row.
10:07 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Cam Thomas on a heater
Milwaukee’s Cam Thomas has 27 points in 21 minutes off the bench, while Ryan Rollins is right behind him with 24 on 9-for-14 shooting and 6 3PM.
Zion Williamson has a game-high 32 points, but the Pelicans trail the Bucks 125-110 with 4:37 remaining in the game.
10:01 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Dreams do come true
Blazers rookie Yang Hansen has his wish granted before their matchup against the Nuggets, meeting his favorite player Nikola Jokić.
9:58 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Ant is so cold
Anthony Edwards is up to a game-high 31 points on 12-for-25 shooting with 4 3PM, giving Minnesota a 111-107 advantage over Dallas with 3:26 remaining in the contest.
Seven Mavs are in double figures scoring, led by Khris Middleton (16 pts, 7 reb), Marvin Bagley III (15 pts, 13 reb) and Naji Marshall (15 pts, 3 stl).
9:54 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Cavs win 7th in a row
Charlotte holds a 23-11 advantage in offensive rebounds, but none were more impactful than Jarrett Allen’s (26 pts, 14 reb, 1 blk) on this possession to extend Cleveland’s edge to 112-103 with less than 2 minutes remaining.
The Cavs go on to win 118-113, as Donovan Mitchell (32 pts, 4 ast, 2 stl) and James Harden (18 pts, 4 reb, 8 ast) combine for 50 points to improve to 5-0 since the acquisition of The Beard.
Kon Knueppel continues his historic rookie season for the Hornets, dropping a game-high 33 points (11-20 FG) and 7 made 3s, adding 6 boards, 2 assists and one steal in 37 minutes.
9:44 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Mavs clawing back vs. Wolves
Dallas trailed by as many as 18 in the first half, but they’ve fought back to trim the deficit to just 3, 101-98, with 9:11 remaining on ESPN!
Naz Reid (18 pts, 3 3PM), Anthony Edwards (game-high 26 pts) and Rudy Gobert (20 pts, 15 reb) are keeping the Wolves in front.
Brandon Williams (13 pts) and Naji Marshall (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl) lead the charge for the Mavericks, who are fighting to avoid their tenth straight loss.
9:37 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Wizards win 2nd straight
Washington picks up their second win in as many nights against the Pacers, 131-118. Alondes Williams goes for a career-high 25 points (9-11 FG, 2-4 3PM, 5-5 FT) and 10 rebounds to go along with 4 assists, 2 blocks and one steal in 29 minutes off the Wizards bench.
Jay Huff (22 pts, 5 3PM) and Quenton Jackson (21 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast) pace six Indiana players in double figures scoring.
9:25 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Bucks fight back
Cam Thomas pours all 18 of his points in the second quarter, as Milwaukee leads New Orleans 84-77 with 7:55 remaining in the third. Kyle Kuzma (14 pts) and Ryan Rollins (16 pts) are right behind him in a balanced Bucks attack.
Zion Williamson drops 21 points in the first half, while Derik Queen has 14 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals and one block for the Pelicans.
9:10 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Wiggins goes coast-to-coast
Aaron Wiggins (4 pts) and Chet Holmgren (10 pts, 2 reb) give the Thunder a 42-30 edge over the Nets with 2:17 remaining before halftime.
Michael Porter, Jr. is the high man for Brooklyn with 8 points in 16 minutes of action.
9:03 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
4Q action in Charlotte
Donovan Mitchell is starting to take over down the stretch for Cleveland, as he’s up to 24 points (7-18 FG, 8-9 FT) to give the Cavs a 95-91 edge with 10:09 remaining in the game.
Kon Knueppel remains the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and 7 3PM.
8:59 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Ant-Man cooks in 2Q
Wolves 69, Mavs 57
Anthony Edwards heats up and finishes with a game-high 20 points (7-14 FG, 3-7 3PM), adding 4 boards and one dime in 19 first-half minutes. Rudy Gobert tallies 12 points (5-6 FG) and 11 boards in 17 minutes.
Khris Middleton leads Dallas with 12 points (4-8 FG), while Marvin Bagley III and Brandon Williams each have 10 points apiece.
8:52 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Oh my, Will Riley!
Rookie Will Riley (12 pts) sparks a 35-24 scoring edge for Washington in the third quarter, as they tie the Pacers at 92 apiece heading to the final frame.
Jay Huff (22 pts, 5 3PM) and Quenton Jackson (15 pts) lead four Pacers in double figures scoring.
8:43 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Cavs-Hornets go back and forth
Ten lead changes and two ties at the 5:40 mark of the third quarter, with Charlotte leading Cleveland 77-76.
Jarrett Allen (24 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast) and Donovan Mitchell (15 pts, 3 ast, 2 stl) are shining for the Cavs, who are trying to win their seventh straight.
Kon Knueppel has been unconscious tonight for the Hornets, as he’s got a game-high 27 points (9-16 FG) and 6 made 7s!
8:39 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Kuz getting loose
Kyle Kuzma (7 pts, 1 stl) and Ryan Rollins (11 pts, 3 3PM) lead the Bucks, who trail the Pelicans 38-33 after one quarter of play.
Zion Williamson has a game-high 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting in only 8 minutes for New Orleans.
8:25 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Hawks play hot potato
Jalen Johnson (7 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (10 pts) and CJ McCollum (13 pts) have the Hawks within one as halftime approaches, as Atlanta trails Miami 46-45 with 2:55 remaining.
Bam Adebayo (10 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) and Tyler Herro (11 pts, 3 reb) are doing work for Miami.
8:21 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
All the angles of Reid’s poster
Just leaving these here.
8:16 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
NAZ. REID.
Naz Reid (6 pts, 2 reb, 1 stl) goes through the entire Mavericks team and finishes with force, helping Minnesota take a 42-27 lead with 10 minutes remaining before halftime.
Brandon Williams is the high man for Dallas with 6 points off the bench.
8:13 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Utah up big at halftime
Jazz 67, Grizzlies 55
Vince Williams, Jr. (6 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast), Kyle Filipowski (14 pts) and Ace Bailey (12 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast) power a strong first half for Utah.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper (10 pts, 4 reb) and Javon Small (9 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast) lead the way for Memphis.
8:02 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
DDV can’t miss
Donte DiVincenzo drops 9 points on 3-for-3 shooting from long range, adding 4 assists and no turnovers in 8 minutes for the Wolves. Minnesota takes an early 29-17 lead over Dallas with 3:38 remaining in the first quarter.
Khris Middleton and Tyus Jones each have 4 points apiece to pace the Mavericks.
7:58 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Huff is HOT
Jay Huff has a game-high 18 points and 5 3PM in only 9 minutes for Indiana, who hold a 55-42 advantage over Washington with 5:08 left before halftime.
Alondes Williams (8 pts, 4 reb) and Sharife Cooper (9 pts, 4-4 FG) lead the way for the Wizards.
7:55 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Knueppel keeps climbing
Kon Knueppel has 11 points and 3 3PM to lead Charlotte in both categories, but his team trails Cleveland 47-33 with 6:44 remaining in the first half.
Donovan Mitchell (13 pts, 2 stl) and Jarrett Allen (11 pts, 3 reb) power a 16-3 run to end the opening frame for the Cavs. James Harden is doing a little bit of everything with 7 points (2-3 FG), 2 boards, 3 assists and one steal in 10 minutes.
7:36 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
GG with a head of steam
GG Jackson (3 pts, 1 blk) blows by his man for a ferocious slam, but Memphis trails Utah 32-28 after the first. Rookie Javon Small has a team-high 7 points on 3-for-4 shooting.
Isaiah Collier has a game-high 9 points on 3-for-4 shooting in 8 minutes for the Jazz.
7:29 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Cavs-Hornets live on League Pass
Jarrett Allen (11 pts, 3 reb) fuels the Cavs, who lead the Hornets 21-17 with 4:14 left in the first quarter.
Brandon Miller leads Charlotte with 6 points and 2 3PM, while Kon Knueppel (3 pts) ties Donovan Mitchell’s overall rookie season (2017-18) for the second most 3’s in a rookie season in NBA history (187 3PM).
7:23 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Jazz-Grizzlies underway
Isaiah Collier (4 pts, 1 ast) and Ace Bailey (5 pts) give the Jazz an early 11-10 edge over the hosting Grizzlies midway through the opening quarter.
6:50 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
What we know before Friday’s games:
The Cavaliers have been on a tear over the last month and a half of action. Since Dec. 29, Cleveland is an NBA-best 18-5 (.783 WIN%) while ranking second in scoring (120.3 ppg), field goal percentage (49.6), assists (30.0) and plus-minus (8.4). In the first four outings of the James Harden era, the Cavs are 4-0 and rank second in scoring (125.3 ppg) and third in FG% (51.0) and plus-minus (15.3).
The Cavs are in Charlotte to battle the Hornets on the tail end of back-to-backs for both squads (7 ET, League Pass).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) and Jalen Williams (hamstring) remain out for Oklahoma City’s contest versus the Brooklyn Nets (8 ET, League Pass).
A matchup with Eastern Conference playoff implications awaits, as the Miami Heat (29-27, 8th in East) visit the Hawks (27-30, 9th in East) in Atlanta (7:30 ET, League Pass). The season series is split at one game apiece, with Atlanta earning a 127-115 victory back on Feb. 3.
Denver hopes to rebound from a tough one-point loss to the Clippers last night when they travel to Portland (10 ET, League Pass). The Nuggets have lost five of their last seven games dating back to Feb. 1, while the Trail Blazers are 4-1 over their last five outings.
6:15 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Welcome to a 9-game Friday night of NBA hoops!
The Dallas Mavericks, who will be without Cooper Flagg (foot), hope to avoid a tenth consecutive loss when they visit the Timberwolves to jump start ESPN’s primetime doubleheader (7:30 ET). Anthony Edwards, fresh off his 2026 NBA All-Star MVP award, will look to continue that momentum for Minnesota as they aim to secure a third straight win.
We’ll follow that up with the fourth and final battle for Los Angeles this season, as a healthy Lakers squad getting Luka Dončić (hamstring) back from a four-game absence will host a resurgent Clippers squad fueled by Kawhi Leonard (10 ET). The Clips are 2-1 versus the purple and gold in 2025-26 after taking the last two matchups at home.
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:

Live Nation has quietly taken down a blog post in which its top lawyer publicly urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to settle its antitrust case against the promotion giant without forcing the sale of Ticketmaster.
On Thursday (Feb. 19), Live Nation head of corporate and regulatory affairs Dan Wall argued in a post titled “It’s Time to Move On” that the DOJ has already lost its legal arguments for breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster. But as of Friday morning (Feb. 20), that post had become a dead link on Live Nation’s site.
Live Nation reps did not return inquiries from Billboard as to why the post was deleted.
A trial is currently scheduled to begin next month in the DOJ’s blockbuster legal action — in which it was joined by dozens of state attorneys general — that seeks to reduce Live Nation’s market share across the live music industry. The lawsuit alleges that Live Nation has monopolistically impeded competition — claims the company strongly denies.
Wall’s now-deleted blog post appealed to the DOJ to enter into a “realistic, common-sense” settlement rather than take the case to trial. It was an unusual public negotiating tactic, but not the first sign that Live Nation wants a deal; Semafor recently reported that Kellyanne Conway and Mike Davis, allies of President Donald Trump, are lobbying the administration on the company’s behalf.
The crux of Wall’s post was his interpretation of a key Wednesday (Feb. 18) court ruling in the lawsuit. In that ruling, Judge Arun Subramanian held that the trial should go forward on the legality of both Ticketmaster’s exclusive venue contracts and Live Nation’s policy of “tying” its artist promotion services to shows at its amphitheaters — though he ruled there’s insufficient evidence for the DOJ’s claim that the company has broadly monopolized the national concert promotion market.
Wall’s post argued that the ruling “undermines any serious argument for breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster.” He suggested the DOJ’s case has been seriously weakened now that it can no longer claim a concert promotions monopoly, and that the best path forward is a settlement that contains some “meaningful” relief without spinning off Ticketmaster.
Separately from Wall weighing in, the implications of Judge Subramanian’s Wednesday order are already being litigated in court. Live Nation’s outside lawyers filed papers on Thursday arguing that the dismissal of promotion-monopoly claims fatally dooms the tying allegations, and that the decision also should bar the DOJ from introducing evidence at trial that Live Nation allegedly threatened to withhold Live Nation acts from venues if they didn’t use Ticketmaster.
The government has been ordered to respond to these arguments by midday on Saturday (Feb. 21).

T
External Link
Microsoft adds MIDI 2.0 support to Windows 11.
Windows MIDI Services is ready for primetime and brings support for MIDI 2.0 and improvements to MIDI 1.0 to Microsoft machines. This includes support for higher resolution expression, loopback, and bidirectional communication with MIDI 2.0 hardware. Now with the major OS providers onboard, maybe adoption of MIDI 2.0 will pick up steam.
Making music with MIDI just got a real boost in Windows 11
[ Windows Experience Blog ]
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
More in Tech
8
Verge Score

This is the live blog for Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez, the middleweight main event for Saturday’s UFC Houston card at Toyota Center in the Lone Star State.
Strickland returns to action after over a year out of the octagon looking to get back on track after dropping two of his past three. The former middleweight champion lost the title to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in January 2024 before bouncing back with a decision win against Paulo Costa five months later at UFC 302. The 34-year-old faced du Plessis in a championship rematch at UFC 312 in February 2025 where he dropped a lopsided unanimous decision. After recovering from injuries, and going through a suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission, Strickland has become the story of the week for the fight card.
Hernandez enters his second consecutive main event with an impressive eight-fight win streak. In his most recent bout, “Fluffy” delivered one of the most dominant performances of 2025 en route to a submission win against Roman Dolidze this past August in the UFC Vegas 109 headliner. The 32-year-old also earned a 2025 victory over Brendan Allen at UFC Seattle a year ago.
According to FanDuel, Anthony Hernandez closes as the moderate favorite at -245, with the comeback on Sean Strickland at +200.
Sean Strickland is a former UFC champion, so the man knows how to win fights. However, this could be a nightmare matchup for him. Strickland’s path is if Hernandez accepts a middle of the octagon kickboxing match, and I just don’t see that happening. I think Hernandez does what he does, pressures Strickland against the fence, quick takedowns, mat returns galore, and as the frustration mounts, “Fluffy” gets the finish via TKO in Round 4.
Hernandez was first out, and now Strickland is set to walk inside the octagon. Moments away.
The referee for this main event is Herb Dean, while the judges are Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee, and Junichiro Kamijo. Big response from the crowd for Hernandez, while a mixed reaction for Strickland from this Houston crowd during Bruce Buffer’s introductions.
Round 1: They touch gloves and we’re off. They take the center and Strickland throws out his patented jab and teep. Hernandez starting to stalk forward as Strickland is jabbing. Hernandez goes to the body with a jab, and lands an inside leg kick. As usual, Hernandez starting a little bit slow, Strickland lands a jab, Hernandez lands a nice right hand moving forward.
Jab from Strickland lands, blocked on a second attempt, Hernandez starting to land a bit more. Strickland with a sneaky uppercut. Strickland lands a shot, and Hernandez laughs at him before getting better of the ending exchange. Hernandez with a big combination and now he has Strickland against the fence. Strickland separates. Jab from Strickland, but Hernandez drills him with three big rights, Strickland goes to the floor, but more of a slip. Close round in the final minute.
Hernandez is definitely landing the more meaningful shots, but Strickland with the volume and the jabs. Final seconds with Hernandez moving forward, late flurry, and that’s the round.
Round 2: Both men smiling at each other and they touch gloves before the round even starts. Good fake for a takedown to a right hand from Hernandez. Strickland with a jab and a right hand. Hernandez marches forward and lands a hard combination. Good counter over the top from Hernandez.
Strickland continues to land the jab, but Hernandez when he lands, is throwing with more vigor. Hernandez ties him up for a moment, but Strickland pulls away. Good jab from Hernandez. Good jab from Strickland, but nice follow up to the body by Fluffy.
They battle against the fence, and separate. Strickland continues to jab. Hernandez looking like he’s having a little too much fun in there, and not in a great way.
Round 3: Eric Nicksick telling Strickland he needs to mix things up. Hernandez needs to get his pressure game going, at least get Strickland against the fence. Hernandez does land a combination. Strickland with the jab, jab, jab. Hernandez gets a tie up against the fence, Hernandez lands a short elbow on the break.
Strickland lands a knee to the body and Hernandez is in trouble. Strickland pouring it on and Hernandez is down. Strickland pouncing now and Herb Dean has seen enough. Great performance from Strickland.
Strickland credits Hernandez for having good boxing, and for being a savage. Strickland wants Chimaev next, and he just might get it.
That’s it, everybody! Check out out post-fight show coming up in a moment.

MILAN — Welcome to the men’s hockey gold medal game of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 between the U.S. and Canada.
NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price is inside Santagiulia Arena to provide all the sights, sounds and action from this massive game.
7 a.m. ET
Good morning, world. I hope everyone has had their coffee, tea or whatever jolt of caffeine needed to wake up and get ready for this hockey showdown.
Actually, I’m not sure if any help is needed to be pumped up for this game. It’s the United States vs. Canada for Olympic gold.
On onr way to the arena today, we saw plenty of fans pregaming at some local eateries. I have to say, from what I saw, there appears to be a lot more Canada fans, but we’ll see once the doors open.
Will Canada continue to be the best of the best on the world’s biggest stage, or can the U.S. finally win gold in an Olympics with NHL players?
It’s the matchup pretty much everyone in North America has dreamed of since the end of the 4 Nations Face-Off last year.
We’re still waiting to see if Sidney Crosby will play for Canada. He missed the semifinal game on Friday against Team Finland after getting injured against Team Czechia in the quarterfinals. He skated on Saturday and teammates said he looked good, but his status is still up in the air.
However, Team Canada sent out a tweet a few hours ago advancing the game with a photo of Crosby, so you can count on him playing.
Here is Dan Rosen’s story from Saturday on Crosby.
That’s really the only potential lineup change we are expecting.
The fans are filing into the arena, and we have about an hour to go before puck drop.
Buckle up.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — During the pendency of his case, Paul Boyne has spent 18 months in jail. The state offered a plea deal: time served. He turned it down.
His trial starts this week.
Boyne, 62, of Springfield, Virginia, faces 18 felony counts of stalking and electronic stalking for ten posts published on thefamilycourtcircus.com — a website that attacked Connecticut’s family court system.
The jury will decide whether his words were political speech or a criminal threat.
What Boyne Wrote
On January 6, 2022, Boyne wrote about Judge Gerard Adelman: “Judge Gerard Adelman gets a .50 cal to the head.”
On May 1, 2022, again targeting Adelman: “Adelman proves beyond a reasonable doubt, jews of Connecticut hijack courts, rule from the talmud, victimize children in worship of their money god. He begs a patriot’s .50 cal to the head.”
About Judge Jane Grossman: “Is she begging for a .308 shot to the head thru two panes of window glass from an oath keeper, concealed in the woods behind her house?”
About Judge Eric Coleman: “Only the Second Amendment remains for the sovereign people to protect the children. There lies the constitutional case for the assassination of Judge Eric Coleman. A .50 cal to the head, a .308 sniper shot from the grassy knoll through two panes of window glass, complete and rapid discharge of a high capacity magazine in a dark alley. Burn the courthouse to the ground, bring body bags.”
On March 8, 2021: “Happy .308 day! More justice can be dispensed in one bullet than by all of Family Court. Celebrate the Second Amendment as protection from the pedophiles who run family court. Judicial discretion falls to the report of a rifle.”
About Judge Thomas Moukawsher, with his photo superimposed in crosshairs: “It is JUST CAUSE when Mouk gets a .50 cal to the head.” The caption beneath his photo read: “Given the domestic terrorism, several bullets needed.”
He published home addresses. He posted photos of residences. He described property layouts and surrounding terrain.
He referred to the courts as the “JEWdiciary” and to Connecticut as “Corrupticut.” He called the family court system “a jewish enterprise designed to destroy the rights of a sovereign people.”
Boyne’s defense of his speech, posted on the blog: “State sponsored terrorists… should fear the power of a sovereign people who hold Second Amendment rights for the sole purpose of defending themselves against such tyranny. A .50 cal to the head does an excellent job of readjusting the attitude of tyrants and their elite masters, while defending the Constitution. When the hunters of free speech become the hunted, there is liberty and justice for all.”
What the Judges Said
Grossman told investigators the post was specific about her property and the woods behind her house. She said it was terrifying.
She reviewed her security footage. She searched the grounds. She said she could not relax in the room of her home that Boyne had described.
Adelman stated, “I have serious concerns about this blog as it repeatedly calls for someone to kill me. Almost every entry speaks about a .50 caliber bullet to my head.”
Coleman told investigators, “I do not know what the author of the article or the administrator of the website is capable of. Moreover I do not know anything about the website’s audience and who among that audience may be inspired to act on the suggestion to harm or kill me.”
What Didn’t Happen
The facts are that since 2022, when he posted his threats above, no one harmed a judge. No one fired a shot. No assault took place.
Boyne never went to Connecticut to confront anyone. No one acted on what he wrote.
They were words, mean, and vile.
The Prosecution Expands
On February 13, 2026, the State of Connecticut filed a Notice of Intent to Offer Uncharged Misconduct Evidence — a 25-page motion asking the court to let jurors see more than the ten charged blog posts.
Prosecutors want to introduce:
Voicemails Boyne left for Connecticut State Police Detective Samantha McCord after a predawn SWAT raid on his Virginia home seized his computers in June 2022.
Recorded jail calls in which Boyne discussed the blog, its hosting, and its effect on judges.
Eight uncharged blog posts threatening other judges with “.50 cal” and “.308” language and containing racial slurs against black judges.
The Grievance That Fueled the Blog
Boyne went through a divorce that began in 2007. Adelman handled the case and terminated his parental rights. He lost all contact with his children.
Connecticut’s Family Court has drawn criticism from litigants and reform groups for years.
Whatever grievance started the blog, the language changed. It moved from criticism to naming weapons. From general anger to specific people at specific addresses.
But Boyne had been attacking judges by name for years. He was known to them. He was persistent. After several years, the Attorney General decided to act. His investigators went to the judges and collected complaints.
A jury may ask whether the judges feared a literal bullet or if they agreed to cooperate with the AG, who assured them he would silence Boyne.
The law in Connecticut does not require judges to be terrified. It requires that Boyne’s conduct would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety.
The Plea He Refused
The state offered Boyne a deal: plead guilty to misdemeanors and walk free with time served. He said no.
That refusal means Boyne will litigate the First Amendment question.
It also means Boyne chose the risk of additional incarceration (he is out on bail) over a guilty plea — a decision that either reflects principled constitutional conviction or miscalculation.
The First Amendment Collision
He has some precedent behind him. The Supreme Court has protected harsh political speech for years.
In Watts v. United States in 1969, a Vietnam War protester said that if the military drafted him, “the first man I want to get in my sights is L.B.J.” The Court called it political hyperbole, not a true threat.
In Counterman v. Colorado in 2023, the Court said prosecutors must show that the speaker knew there was a risk the subject of the words would take it as a real threat and ignored that risk.
Boyne’s lawyers will likely say he never contacted the judges, never went to Connecticut, never tried to hurt anyone. They will say the language was metaphorical, anger at a system he believed was corrupt.
The state will say he named names, listed weapons, posted home addresses, and described property. He did it repeatedly. That is not metaphor. That is cyber stalking.
The Slippery Slope
If publishing addresses and invoking firearms in political criticism becomes stalking when no violence occurs, the precedent extends beyond Boyne.
The concern is not that courts should tolerate genuinely threatening language. It is that prosecutors can expand the definition of “threat” to encompass a wide range of legitimate dissent.
Still, if the state cannot prosecute repeated invocations of sniper fire, crosshairs imagery, home addresses, and assassination rhetoric directed at named individuals, what option does the state have to prevent escalation before someone acts?
Antisemitism
The blog’s violent language was not race-neutral, and this is key to the prosecution’s case.
Boyne described the courts as a “jewish enterprise.” He used the term “JEWdiciary” repeatedly. He wrote that judges “rule from the talmud” and serve “their money god.” He called a black judge the n-word and described another as a “puppet doing her jewish master’s bidding.”
Connecticut State Police’s Hate Crimes Unit participated in the investigation.
The antisemitic and racist language is the element that Connecticut’s felony stalking statute requires prosecutors to prove as a hate crime.
What This Case Is
The trial will determine whether Boyne’s violent rhetoric directed at judges, accompanied by their addresses and photos, framed in antisemitic and racist language, and maintained for years from across state lines, constitutes a crime.
Boyne’s words are vile. Nothing in the First Amendment requires anyone to admire what he wrote or respect the man who wrote it.
The question is whether his speech is criminal, and in a free country, vile and criminal are not the same thing.
The First Amendment exists to protect that distinction.
For those who believe the family court system destroys families, Boyne’s prosecution looks like retaliation. For a state that wanted him silenced, prosecution was the only option left.
The website remains up. The old posts are still there. No new threats have appeared. The calls for violence, now four years old, have inspired no one to act.
To the Constitution, it is simpler than that. It is a test.

The Boston Celtics hope to stay hot on the road Sunday night when they visit their storied rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Boston, the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, enters on a four-game road win streak and has eight wins in its last 10 games. L.A. has won two straight games and is tied for the No. 4 seed in the West.
The C’s were victorious in their first matchup against the Lakers this season, 126-105. Jaylen Brown, who’s coming off his third triple-double of the season, led the way with 30 points in the Dec. 5 win over L.A.
Follow our live blog below for score updates, highlights, news, and reaction throughout Sunday’s game:

Dillon Brooks suffers hand injury as Suns enter stretch run
Last night’s live blog: Spurs win 8th in a row
Download the NBA app
NBA All-Star 2026 draws most viewers in 24 years
Sunday’s Final Scores
Thunder 121, Cavaliers 113
Nets @ Hawks – watch
Raptors @ Bucks – watch
Nuggets @ Warriors – watch
Mavericks @ Pacers – watch
5:51 p.m. ET // Feb. 22
Setting the pace
Andrew Nembhard is capable of making life difficult for opposing ball handlers. He wrestled this one away from Dallas’ Max Christie and finished above the rim on the other end.
5:47 p.m. ET // Feb. 22
Trip-Dub in 3 quarters 🃏
Nikola Jokic is in a major groove in Golden State. The three-time MVP has 32 points, 19 rebounds and 11 assists already. The 4th quarter is underway as the Nuggets hold onto a single-digit lead.
5:40 p.m. ET // Feb. 22
Busy NBA Sunday Underway 🏀
The Hawks are attempting a comeback against the Brooklyn Nets, as they trail by eight with six minutes to play. Onyeka Okongwu made a statement with this block on Nic Claxton.
Earlier in the half, rookie Egor Demin helped Brooklyn build a slim lead.

Warning: This article will follow along with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 6 as it airs on HBO, so there will be spoilers!
As A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ season 1 finale releases on HBO, ScreenRant is following along with live reactions, analysis, and terrible jokes about the new episode.
The A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 6 live-blog is conducted by ScreenRant’s Senior TV Editor Kara Hedash, ScreenRant Senior News Editor Jordan Williams, and former ScreenRant Movies & TV Features Editor James Hunt, who now serves as a Content Strategist at ComicBook.com. While at ScreenRant, James was a certified Game of Thrones expert who led coverage for the first two seasons of House of the Dragon, so it’s an honor to have him make a cameo return and help us out with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms!
While Jordan and James have read the books, Kara is providing insight as someone who hasn’t read the books (yet!) while serving as the live-blog moderator. Now, let’s get to the recap and reactions for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ season 1 finale!

Enjoy the best of Friday’s 9-game schedule with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
ESPN Friday night doubleheader
Pat Riley to become 1st coach immortalized by Lakers with statue
Last night’s live updates: Cade’s 42-piece leads Thursday
Download the NBA App
What we know after Friday’s games:
Cleveland extended their winning streak to 7 games by defeating Charlotte 118-113, as Donovan Mitchell dropped 13 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter to fend off the Hornets. The Cavs are now 5-0 with James Harden in the lineup and have won 12 of their last 13 games overall.
In his first game back since Jan. 15, Tyler Herro cooked for a game-high 24 points in Miami’s decisive 128-97 win over Atlanta.
Anthony Edwards scored 40 points for the seventh time this season to secure Minnesota’s third straight victory, a 122-111 win against the Mavericks.
Milwaukee earned a third straight win of their own thanks to a combined 79 points from Cam Thomas (27 pts), Ryan Rollins (27 pts) and Kevin Porter, Jr. (25 pts). The Bucks are 6-1 over their last 7 contests.
Playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City picked up a gritty 105-86 win over Brooklyn. Jared McCain popped off for a season-high 21 points to celebrate his 22nd birthday.
Nikola Jokić (32 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast, 4 stl) and Jamal Murray (25 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast) led a potent Nuggets offense to a franchise record 157-103 win over Portland. Denver’s 157 points scored are the most ever in a road game.
Luka Dončić went off for a game-high 38 points and 8 made 3s in his return from a four-game absence to outduel Kawhi Leonard (31 pts) and the Clippers. Leonard left the 125-122 loss in the fourth quarter with left ankle soreness.
12:47 a.m. ET / Feb. 21
Tonight’s final scores:
Grizzlies 123, Jazz 114
Wizards 131, Pacers 118
Cavaliers 118, Hornets 113
Heat 128, Hawks 97
Timberwolves 122, Mavericks 111
Bucks 139, Pelicans 118
Thunder 105, Nets 86
Nuggets 157, Trail Blazers 103
Lakers 125, Clippers 122
Anthony Edwards is your player of the night! Ant dropped 40 points (16-30 FG, 5-13 3PM, 3-4 FT), 6 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 38 minutes.
12:53 a.m. ET / Feb. 21
Lakers hang on to beat Clips, 125-122
Luka Dončić drops a game-high 38 points (11-25 FG, 8-14 3PM, 8-11 FT) with 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals and one block to give the Lakers a second straight win.
Austin Reaves tallies 29 points on 9-for-15 shooting with 4 3PM, and LeBron James finishes with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists and one steal in 33 minutes.
Kawhi Leonard (31 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast) and Bennedict Mathurin (26 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast) were stellar in the loss, but they were both forced out of the contest early. Leonard left the game around the 5-minute mark of the fourth quarter with left ankle soreness, while Mathurin fouled out down the stretch.
12:39 a.m. ET / Feb. 21
Down to the wire in LA
The Lakers have a 118-115 lead over the Clippers with 1:36 remaining in the contest on ESPN!
12:28 a.m. ET / Feb. 21
Lakers holding edge in 4Q
Luka Magic in the fourth quarter as Dončić is up to 29 points, 6 boards, 10 assists and 3 steals. The Lakers have a 112-109 lead in crunch time on ESPN!
12:17 a.m. ET / Feb. 21
Battle for LA heating up
Luka Dončić has 26 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists, and Austin Reaves tallies a game-high 29 points on 9-for-14 shooting to give the Lakers a 104-103 lead with 7:30 left in the contest.
Bennedict Mathurin continues to scorch off the Clippers bench, posting 24 points and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes.
11:57 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Tight game in LA
The Lakers counterpunch a 17-1 run by the Clippers, as they take a 91-88 lead with 3:18 remaining in the third quarter. Austin Reaves is up to 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting with 3 rebounds, 2 dimes and one steal in 21 minutes.
Kawhi Leonard has a game-high 28 points on 10-for-17 shooting, while Luka Dončić posts 26 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists.
11:54 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Clippers cruise to 17-1 run
The Clippers take an 88-86 lead, punctuated by and and-1 from Bennedict Mathurin (17 pts). Tune in now on ESPN!
11:48 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Jokić threads the needle
Nikola Jokić goes no-look to Julian Strawther for a beautiful dish, giving the Joker 7 assists to go along with a game-high 32 points (10-15 FG, 3-4 3PM) and 4 steals with 8 rebounds. Denver is cruising in Portland, holding a 116-75 lead with 2:42 remaining in the third.
Donovan Clingan is the leading Blazer with 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Deni Avdija tallies 14 points, 8 rebounds and 13 assists.
11:25 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Lakers up by 7 at halftime
The Lakers get a game-high 22 points from Luka Dončić to grab a 72-65 edge over the Clippers after two quarters. LeBron James has 11 points, 6 assists and one steal, and Austin Reaves tallies 14 points on 6-for-6 shooting, including this beauty.
Kawhi Leonard sizzles for 19 of his 21 points in the second quarter, adding 3 rebounds and 4 assists in 17 minutes. Bennedict Mathurin tallies 13 points in 12 minutes off the bench.
11:15 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Incredible team basketball
This is what you love to see. Denver goes defense to offense to power an 82-53 lead over Portland at the break, as the Nuggets drop 41 points in each of the first two quarters.
Nikola Jokić has a game-high 24 points (8-13 FG, 3-4 3PM, 5-7 FT) with 5 boards, 4 assists and 3 steals in 18 minutes. Jamal Murray pours in 18 points with 5 3PM to go along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and one steal.
Jrue Holiday (11 pts, 3 3PM) and Donovan Clingan (10 pts, 6 reb) are the leaders for the Blazers.
11:07 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Kawhi in takeover mode
Kawhi Leonard has 19 of his team-high 21 points in the second quarter, but the Clippers trail the Lakers 66-62 with 2:52 remaining in the first quarter during the final battle for LA on ESPN!
Luka Dončić has a game-high 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting, and LeBron James chips in 11 points and 5 dimes.
10:58 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
McCain scores 21 to celebrate birthday
Jared McCain drops a season-high 21 points (7-12 FG, 3-6 3PM) on his 22nd birthday to give OKC a 105-86 win over Brooklyn. The Thunder hold the Nets to 17% shooting from 3-point range (7-41 3PM) while finishing 13-for-35 (37%) from downtown.
Michael Porter, Jr. tallies a game-high 22 points on 6-for-16 shooting (9-11 FT) with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in 38 minutes.
10:49 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Lakers separating in 2Q
Luka Dončić cooks for a game-high 17 points on 6-for-8 shooting in 12 minutes, adding 2 boards and 4 assists. The Lakers have taken a 46-34 lead over the Clippers with 10:23 remaining before halftime.
Brook Lopez and Bennedict Mathurin have 9 points apiece to drive the Clippers.
10:44 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Bucks roll to 3rd straight W
Ryan Rollins and Cam Thomas (27 pts, 11-17 FG) combine for 54 points in Milwaukee’s third straight victory, a 139-118 win over New Orleans. The Bucks have won three straight and are 6-1 over their last 7 games.
Zion Williams pours in a game-high 32 points on 13-for-17 shooting in 30 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Pelicans from dropping their second in a row.
10:38 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Joker erupts in 1Q
Nikola Jokić is off to a ridiculously hot start in a high-scoring first quarter in Portland, as Joker drops 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting and 3-for-4 from long range. He adds 2 boards, 2 steals and one assist in 12 minutes to give Denver a 41-27 edge after one.
Donovan Clingan, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson all drop 6 points apiece for the Blazers.
10:29 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Clippers-Lakers live on ESPN!
Luka Dončić returns from a four-game absence for the Lakers tonight, and he’s got 8 points and 3 dimes in 8 minutes so far.
Brook Lopez has a game-high 9 points for the Clippers, who trail the Lakers 26-19 with 3:13 left in the first quarter.
10:15 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Ant drops 40, Wolves win 3rd straight
Anthony Edwards comes up clutch to seal Minnesota’s third consecutive win tonight, defeating the Mavericks 122-111. Ant-Man finishes with a game-high 40 points (16-30 FG, 5-13 3PM) in 38 minutes, adding 6 boards, one assist and one steal.
Khris Middleton (18 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl), Marvin Bagley III (15 pts, 13 reb) and Naji Marshall (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl) lead seven Mavs in double figures. Dallas drops their tenth game in a row.
10:07 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Cam Thomas on a heater
Milwaukee’s Cam Thomas has 27 points in 21 minutes off the bench, while Ryan Rollins is right behind him with 24 on 9-for-14 shooting and 6 3PM.
Zion Williamson has a game-high 32 points, but the Pelicans trail the Bucks 125-110 with 4:37 remaining in the game.
10:01 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Dreams do come true
Blazers rookie Yang Hansen has his wish granted before their matchup against the Nuggets, meeting his favorite player Nikola Jokić.
9:58 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Ant is so cold
Anthony Edwards is up to a game-high 31 points on 12-for-25 shooting with 4 3PM, giving Minnesota a 111-107 advantage over Dallas with 3:26 remaining in the contest.
Seven Mavs are in double figures scoring, led by Khris Middleton (16 pts, 7 reb), Marvin Bagley III (15 pts, 13 reb) and Naji Marshall (15 pts, 3 stl).
9:54 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Cavs win 7th in a row
Charlotte holds a 23-11 advantage in offensive rebounds, but none were more impactful than Jarrett Allen’s (26 pts, 14 reb, 1 blk) on this possession to extend Cleveland’s edge to 112-103 with less than 2 minutes remaining.
The Cavs go on to win 118-113, as Donovan Mitchell (32 pts, 4 ast, 2 stl) and James Harden (18 pts, 4 reb, 8 ast) combine for 50 points to improve to 5-0 since the acquisition of The Beard.
Kon Knueppel continues his historic rookie season for the Hornets, dropping a game-high 33 points (11-20 FG) and 7 made 3s, adding 6 boards, 2 assists and one steal in 37 minutes.
9:44 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Mavs clawing back vs. Wolves
Dallas trailed by as many as 18 in the first half, but they’ve fought back to trim the deficit to just 3, 101-98, with 9:11 remaining on ESPN!
Naz Reid (18 pts, 3 3PM), Anthony Edwards (game-high 26 pts) and Rudy Gobert (20 pts, 15 reb) are keeping the Wolves in front.
Brandon Williams (13 pts) and Naji Marshall (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl) lead the charge for the Mavericks, who are fighting to avoid their tenth straight loss.
9:37 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Wizards win 2nd straight
Washington picks up their second win in as many nights against the Pacers, 131-118. Alondes Williams goes for a career-high 25 points (9-11 FG, 2-4 3PM, 5-5 FT) and 10 rebounds to go along with 4 assists, 2 blocks and one steal in 29 minutes off the Wizards bench.
Jay Huff (22 pts, 5 3PM) and Quenton Jackson (21 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast) pace six Indiana players in double figures scoring.
9:25 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Bucks fight back
Cam Thomas pours all 18 of his points in the second quarter, as Milwaukee leads New Orleans 84-77 with 7:55 remaining in the third. Kyle Kuzma (14 pts) and Ryan Rollins (16 pts) are right behind him in a balanced Bucks attack.
Zion Williamson drops 21 points in the first half, while Derik Queen has 14 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals and one block for the Pelicans.
9:10 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Wiggins goes coast-to-coast
Aaron Wiggins (4 pts) and Chet Holmgren (10 pts, 2 reb) give the Thunder a 42-30 edge over the Nets with 2:17 remaining before halftime.
Michael Porter, Jr. is the high man for Brooklyn with 8 points in 16 minutes of action.
9:03 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
4Q action in Charlotte
Donovan Mitchell is starting to take over down the stretch for Cleveland, as he’s up to 24 points (7-18 FG, 8-9 FT) to give the Cavs a 95-91 edge with 10:09 remaining in the game.
Kon Knueppel remains the game’s leading scorer with 27 points and 7 3PM.
8:59 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Ant-Man cooks in 2Q
Wolves 69, Mavs 57
Anthony Edwards heats up and finishes with a game-high 20 points (7-14 FG, 3-7 3PM), adding 4 boards and one dime in 19 first-half minutes. Rudy Gobert tallies 12 points (5-6 FG) and 11 boards in 17 minutes.
Khris Middleton leads Dallas with 12 points (4-8 FG), while Marvin Bagley III and Brandon Williams each have 10 points apiece.
8:52 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Oh my, Will Riley!
Rookie Will Riley (12 pts) sparks a 35-24 scoring edge for Washington in the third quarter, as they tie the Pacers at 92 apiece heading to the final frame.
Jay Huff (22 pts, 5 3PM) and Quenton Jackson (15 pts) lead four Pacers in double figures scoring.
8:43 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Cavs-Hornets go back and forth
Ten lead changes and two ties at the 5:40 mark of the third quarter, with Charlotte leading Cleveland 77-76.
Jarrett Allen (24 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast) and Donovan Mitchell (15 pts, 3 ast, 2 stl) are shining for the Cavs, who are trying to win their seventh straight.
Kon Knueppel has been unconscious tonight for the Hornets, as he’s got a game-high 27 points (9-16 FG) and 6 made 7s!
8:39 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Kuz getting loose
Kyle Kuzma (7 pts, 1 stl) and Ryan Rollins (11 pts, 3 3PM) lead the Bucks, who trail the Pelicans 38-33 after one quarter of play.
Zion Williamson has a game-high 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting in only 8 minutes for New Orleans.
8:25 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Hawks play hot potato
Jalen Johnson (7 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (10 pts) and CJ McCollum (13 pts) have the Hawks within one as halftime approaches, as Atlanta trails Miami 46-45 with 2:55 remaining.
Bam Adebayo (10 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) and Tyler Herro (11 pts, 3 reb) are doing work for Miami.
8:21 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
All the angles of Reid’s poster
Just leaving these here.
8:16 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
NAZ. REID.
Naz Reid (6 pts, 2 reb, 1 stl) goes through the entire Mavericks team and finishes with force, helping Minnesota take a 42-27 lead with 10 minutes remaining before halftime.
Brandon Williams is the high man for Dallas with 6 points off the bench.
8:13 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Utah up big at halftime
Jazz 67, Grizzlies 55
Vince Williams, Jr. (6 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast), Kyle Filipowski (14 pts) and Ace Bailey (12 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast) power a strong first half for Utah.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper (10 pts, 4 reb) and Javon Small (9 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast) lead the way for Memphis.
8:02 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
DDV can’t miss
Donte DiVincenzo drops 9 points on 3-for-3 shooting from long range, adding 4 assists and no turnovers in 8 minutes for the Wolves. Minnesota takes an early 29-17 lead over Dallas with 3:38 remaining in the first quarter.
Khris Middleton and Tyus Jones each have 4 points apiece to pace the Mavericks.
7:58 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Huff is HOT
Jay Huff has a game-high 18 points and 5 3PM in only 9 minutes for Indiana, who hold a 55-42 advantage over Washington with 5:08 left before halftime.
Alondes Williams (8 pts, 4 reb) and Sharife Cooper (9 pts, 4-4 FG) lead the way for the Wizards.
7:55 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Knueppel keeps climbing
Kon Knueppel has 11 points and 3 3PM to lead Charlotte in both categories, but his team trails Cleveland 47-33 with 6:44 remaining in the first half.
Donovan Mitchell (13 pts, 2 stl) and Jarrett Allen (11 pts, 3 reb) power a 16-3 run to end the opening frame for the Cavs. James Harden is doing a little bit of everything with 7 points (2-3 FG), 2 boards, 3 assists and one steal in 10 minutes.
7:36 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
GG with a head of steam
GG Jackson (3 pts, 1 blk) blows by his man for a ferocious slam, but Memphis trails Utah 32-28 after the first. Rookie Javon Small has a team-high 7 points on 3-for-4 shooting.
Isaiah Collier has a game-high 9 points on 3-for-4 shooting in 8 minutes for the Jazz.
7:29 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Cavs-Hornets live on League Pass
Jarrett Allen (11 pts, 3 reb) fuels the Cavs, who lead the Hornets 21-17 with 4:14 left in the first quarter.
Brandon Miller leads Charlotte with 6 points and 2 3PM, while Kon Knueppel (3 pts) ties Donovan Mitchell’s overall rookie season (2017-18) for the second most 3’s in a rookie season in NBA history (187 3PM).
7:23 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Jazz-Grizzlies underway
Isaiah Collier (4 pts, 1 ast) and Ace Bailey (5 pts) give the Jazz an early 11-10 edge over the hosting Grizzlies midway through the opening quarter.
6:50 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
What we know before Friday’s games:
The Cavaliers have been on a tear over the last month and a half of action. Since Dec. 29, Cleveland is an NBA-best 18-5 (.783 WIN%) while ranking second in scoring (120.3 ppg), field goal percentage (49.6), assists (30.0) and plus-minus (8.4). In the first four outings of the James Harden era, the Cavs are 4-0 and rank second in scoring (125.3 ppg) and third in FG% (51.0) and plus-minus (15.3).
The Cavs are in Charlotte to battle the Hornets on the tail end of back-to-backs for both squads (7 ET, League Pass).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) and Jalen Williams (hamstring) remain out for Oklahoma City’s contest versus the Brooklyn Nets (8 ET, League Pass).
A matchup with Eastern Conference playoff implications awaits, as the Miami Heat (29-27, 8th in East) visit the Hawks (27-30, 9th in East) in Atlanta (7:30 ET, League Pass). The season series is split at one game apiece, with Atlanta earning a 127-115 victory back on Feb. 3.
Denver hopes to rebound from a tough one-point loss to the Clippers last night when they travel to Portland (10 ET, League Pass). The Nuggets have lost five of their last seven games dating back to Feb. 1, while the Trail Blazers are 4-1 over their last five outings.
6:15 p.m. ET / Feb. 20
Welcome to a 9-game Friday night of NBA hoops!
The Dallas Mavericks, who will be without Cooper Flagg (foot), hope to avoid a tenth consecutive loss when they visit the Timberwolves to jump start ESPN’s primetime doubleheader (7:30 ET). Anthony Edwards, fresh off his 2026 NBA All-Star MVP award, will look to continue that momentum for Minnesota as they aim to secure a third straight win.
We’ll follow that up with the fourth and final battle for Los Angeles this season, as a healthy Lakers squad getting Luka Dončić (hamstring) back from a four-game absence will host a resurgent Clippers squad fueled by Kawhi Leonard (10 ET). The Clips are 2-1 versus the purple and gold in 2025-26 after taking the last two matchups at home.
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:

Live Nation has quietly taken down a blog post in which its top lawyer publicly urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to settle its antitrust case against the promotion giant without forcing the sale of Ticketmaster.
On Thursday (Feb. 19), Live Nation head of corporate and regulatory affairs Dan Wall argued in a post titled “It’s Time to Move On” that the DOJ has already lost its legal arguments for breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster. But as of Friday morning (Feb. 20), that post had become a dead link on Live Nation’s site.
Live Nation reps did not return inquiries from Billboard as to why the post was deleted.
A trial is currently scheduled to begin next month in the DOJ’s blockbuster legal action — in which it was joined by dozens of state attorneys general — that seeks to reduce Live Nation’s market share across the live music industry. The lawsuit alleges that Live Nation has monopolistically impeded competition — claims the company strongly denies.
Wall’s now-deleted blog post appealed to the DOJ to enter into a “realistic, common-sense” settlement rather than take the case to trial. It was an unusual public negotiating tactic, but not the first sign that Live Nation wants a deal; Semafor recently reported that Kellyanne Conway and Mike Davis, allies of President Donald Trump, are lobbying the administration on the company’s behalf.
The crux of Wall’s post was his interpretation of a key Wednesday (Feb. 18) court ruling in the lawsuit. In that ruling, Judge Arun Subramanian held that the trial should go forward on the legality of both Ticketmaster’s exclusive venue contracts and Live Nation’s policy of “tying” its artist promotion services to shows at its amphitheaters — though he ruled there’s insufficient evidence for the DOJ’s claim that the company has broadly monopolized the national concert promotion market.
Wall’s post argued that the ruling “undermines any serious argument for breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster.” He suggested the DOJ’s case has been seriously weakened now that it can no longer claim a concert promotions monopoly, and that the best path forward is a settlement that contains some “meaningful” relief without spinning off Ticketmaster.
Separately from Wall weighing in, the implications of Judge Subramanian’s Wednesday order are already being litigated in court. Live Nation’s outside lawyers filed papers on Thursday arguing that the dismissal of promotion-monopoly claims fatally dooms the tying allegations, and that the decision also should bar the DOJ from introducing evidence at trial that Live Nation allegedly threatened to withhold Live Nation acts from venues if they didn’t use Ticketmaster.
The government has been ordered to respond to these arguments by midday on Saturday (Feb. 21).

T
External Link
Microsoft adds MIDI 2.0 support to Windows 11.
Windows MIDI Services is ready for primetime and brings support for MIDI 2.0 and improvements to MIDI 1.0 to Microsoft machines. This includes support for higher resolution expression, loopback, and bidirectional communication with MIDI 2.0 hardware. Now with the major OS providers onboard, maybe adoption of MIDI 2.0 will pick up steam.
Making music with MIDI just got a real boost in Windows 11
[ Windows Experience Blog ]
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
More in Tech
8
Verge Score

This is the live blog for Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez, the middleweight main event for Saturday’s UFC Houston card at Toyota Center in the Lone Star State.
Strickland returns to action after over a year out of the octagon looking to get back on track after dropping two of his past three. The former middleweight champion lost the title to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in January 2024 before bouncing back with a decision win against Paulo Costa five months later at UFC 302. The 34-year-old faced du Plessis in a championship rematch at UFC 312 in February 2025 where he dropped a lopsided unanimous decision. After recovering from injuries, and going through a suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission, Strickland has become the story of the week for the fight card.
Hernandez enters his second consecutive main event with an impressive eight-fight win streak. In his most recent bout, “Fluffy” delivered one of the most dominant performances of 2025 en route to a submission win against Roman Dolidze this past August in the UFC Vegas 109 headliner. The 32-year-old also earned a 2025 victory over Brendan Allen at UFC Seattle a year ago.
According to FanDuel, Anthony Hernandez closes as the moderate favorite at -245, with the comeback on Sean Strickland at +200.
Sean Strickland is a former UFC champion, so the man knows how to win fights. However, this could be a nightmare matchup for him. Strickland’s path is if Hernandez accepts a middle of the octagon kickboxing match, and I just don’t see that happening. I think Hernandez does what he does, pressures Strickland against the fence, quick takedowns, mat returns galore, and as the frustration mounts, “Fluffy” gets the finish via TKO in Round 4.
Hernandez was first out, and now Strickland is set to walk inside the octagon. Moments away.
The referee for this main event is Herb Dean, while the judges are Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee, and Junichiro Kamijo. Big response from the crowd for Hernandez, while a mixed reaction for Strickland from this Houston crowd during Bruce Buffer’s introductions.
Round 1: They touch gloves and we’re off. They take the center and Strickland throws out his patented jab and teep. Hernandez starting to stalk forward as Strickland is jabbing. Hernandez goes to the body with a jab, and lands an inside leg kick. As usual, Hernandez starting a little bit slow, Strickland lands a jab, Hernandez lands a nice right hand moving forward.
Jab from Strickland lands, blocked on a second attempt, Hernandez starting to land a bit more. Strickland with a sneaky uppercut. Strickland lands a shot, and Hernandez laughs at him before getting better of the ending exchange. Hernandez with a big combination and now he has Strickland against the fence. Strickland separates. Jab from Strickland, but Hernandez drills him with three big rights, Strickland goes to the floor, but more of a slip. Close round in the final minute.
Hernandez is definitely landing the more meaningful shots, but Strickland with the volume and the jabs. Final seconds with Hernandez moving forward, late flurry, and that’s the round.
Round 2: Both men smiling at each other and they touch gloves before the round even starts. Good fake for a takedown to a right hand from Hernandez. Strickland with a jab and a right hand. Hernandez marches forward and lands a hard combination. Good counter over the top from Hernandez.
Strickland continues to land the jab, but Hernandez when he lands, is throwing with more vigor. Hernandez ties him up for a moment, but Strickland pulls away. Good jab from Hernandez. Good jab from Strickland, but nice follow up to the body by Fluffy.
They battle against the fence, and separate. Strickland continues to jab. Hernandez looking like he’s having a little too much fun in there, and not in a great way.
Round 3: Eric Nicksick telling Strickland he needs to mix things up. Hernandez needs to get his pressure game going, at least get Strickland against the fence. Hernandez does land a combination. Strickland with the jab, jab, jab. Hernandez gets a tie up against the fence, Hernandez lands a short elbow on the break.
Strickland lands a knee to the body and Hernandez is in trouble. Strickland pouring it on and Hernandez is down. Strickland pouncing now and Herb Dean has seen enough. Great performance from Strickland.
Strickland credits Hernandez for having good boxing, and for being a savage. Strickland wants Chimaev next, and he just might get it.
That’s it, everybody! Check out out post-fight show coming up in a moment.

MILAN — Welcome to the men’s hockey gold medal game of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 between the U.S. and Canada.
NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price is inside Santagiulia Arena to provide all the sights, sounds and action from this massive game.
7 a.m. ET
Good morning, world. I hope everyone has had their coffee, tea or whatever jolt of caffeine needed to wake up and get ready for this hockey showdown.
Actually, I’m not sure if any help is needed to be pumped up for this game. It’s the United States vs. Canada for Olympic gold.
On onr way to the arena today, we saw plenty of fans pregaming at some local eateries. I have to say, from what I saw, there appears to be a lot more Canada fans, but we’ll see once the doors open.
Will Canada continue to be the best of the best on the world’s biggest stage, or can the U.S. finally win gold in an Olympics with NHL players?
It’s the matchup pretty much everyone in North America has dreamed of since the end of the 4 Nations Face-Off last year.
We’re still waiting to see if Sidney Crosby will play for Canada. He missed the semifinal game on Friday against Team Finland after getting injured against Team Czechia in the quarterfinals. He skated on Saturday and teammates said he looked good, but his status is still up in the air.
However, Team Canada sent out a tweet a few hours ago advancing the game with a photo of Crosby, so you can count on him playing.
Here is Dan Rosen’s story from Saturday on Crosby.
That’s really the only potential lineup change we are expecting.
The fans are filing into the arena, and we have about an hour to go before puck drop.
Buckle up.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — During the pendency of his case, Paul Boyne has spent 18 months in jail. The state offered a plea deal: time served. He turned it down.
His trial starts this week.
Boyne, 62, of Springfield, Virginia, faces 18 felony counts of stalking and electronic stalking for ten posts published on thefamilycourtcircus.com — a website that attacked Connecticut’s family court system.
The jury will decide whether his words were political speech or a criminal threat.
What Boyne Wrote
On January 6, 2022, Boyne wrote about Judge Gerard Adelman: “Judge Gerard Adelman gets a .50 cal to the head.”
On May 1, 2022, again targeting Adelman: “Adelman proves beyond a reasonable doubt, jews of Connecticut hijack courts, rule from the talmud, victimize children in worship of their money god. He begs a patriot’s .50 cal to the head.”
About Judge Jane Grossman: “Is she begging for a .308 shot to the head thru two panes of window glass from an oath keeper, concealed in the woods behind her house?”
About Judge Eric Coleman: “Only the Second Amendment remains for the sovereign people to protect the children. There lies the constitutional case for the assassination of Judge Eric Coleman. A .50 cal to the head, a .308 sniper shot from the grassy knoll through two panes of window glass, complete and rapid discharge of a high capacity magazine in a dark alley. Burn the courthouse to the ground, bring body bags.”
On March 8, 2021: “Happy .308 day! More justice can be dispensed in one bullet than by all of Family Court. Celebrate the Second Amendment as protection from the pedophiles who run family court. Judicial discretion falls to the report of a rifle.”
About Judge Thomas Moukawsher, with his photo superimposed in crosshairs: “It is JUST CAUSE when Mouk gets a .50 cal to the head.” The caption beneath his photo read: “Given the domestic terrorism, several bullets needed.”
He published home addresses. He posted photos of residences. He described property layouts and surrounding terrain.
He referred to the courts as the “JEWdiciary” and to Connecticut as “Corrupticut.” He called the family court system “a jewish enterprise designed to destroy the rights of a sovereign people.”
Boyne’s defense of his speech, posted on the blog: “State sponsored terrorists… should fear the power of a sovereign people who hold Second Amendment rights for the sole purpose of defending themselves against such tyranny. A .50 cal to the head does an excellent job of readjusting the attitude of tyrants and their elite masters, while defending the Constitution. When the hunters of free speech become the hunted, there is liberty and justice for all.”
What the Judges Said
Grossman told investigators the post was specific about her property and the woods behind her house. She said it was terrifying.
She reviewed her security footage. She searched the grounds. She said she could not relax in the room of her home that Boyne had described.
Adelman stated, “I have serious concerns about this blog as it repeatedly calls for someone to kill me. Almost every entry speaks about a .50 caliber bullet to my head.”
Coleman told investigators, “I do not know what the author of the article or the administrator of the website is capable of. Moreover I do not know anything about the website’s audience and who among that audience may be inspired to act on the suggestion to harm or kill me.”
What Didn’t Happen
The facts are that since 2022, when he posted his threats above, no one harmed a judge. No one fired a shot. No assault took place.
Boyne never went to Connecticut to confront anyone. No one acted on what he wrote.
They were words, mean, and vile.
The Prosecution Expands
On February 13, 2026, the State of Connecticut filed a Notice of Intent to Offer Uncharged Misconduct Evidence — a 25-page motion asking the court to let jurors see more than the ten charged blog posts.
Prosecutors want to introduce:
Voicemails Boyne left for Connecticut State Police Detective Samantha McCord after a predawn SWAT raid on his Virginia home seized his computers in June 2022.
Recorded jail calls in which Boyne discussed the blog, its hosting, and its effect on judges.
Eight uncharged blog posts threatening other judges with “.50 cal” and “.308” language and containing racial slurs against black judges.
The Grievance That Fueled the Blog
Boyne went through a divorce that began in 2007. Adelman handled the case and terminated his parental rights. He lost all contact with his children.
Connecticut’s Family Court has drawn criticism from litigants and reform groups for years.
Whatever grievance started the blog, the language changed. It moved from criticism to naming weapons. From general anger to specific people at specific addresses.
But Boyne had been attacking judges by name for years. He was known to them. He was persistent. After several years, the Attorney General decided to act. His investigators went to the judges and collected complaints.
A jury may ask whether the judges feared a literal bullet or if they agreed to cooperate with the AG, who assured them he would silence Boyne.
The law in Connecticut does not require judges to be terrified. It requires that Boyne’s conduct would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety.
The Plea He Refused
The state offered Boyne a deal: plead guilty to misdemeanors and walk free with time served. He said no.
That refusal means Boyne will litigate the First Amendment question.
It also means Boyne chose the risk of additional incarceration (he is out on bail) over a guilty plea — a decision that either reflects principled constitutional conviction or miscalculation.
The First Amendment Collision
He has some precedent behind him. The Supreme Court has protected harsh political speech for years.
In Watts v. United States in 1969, a Vietnam War protester said that if the military drafted him, “the first man I want to get in my sights is L.B.J.” The Court called it political hyperbole, not a true threat.
In Counterman v. Colorado in 2023, the Court said prosecutors must show that the speaker knew there was a risk the subject of the words would take it as a real threat and ignored that risk.
Boyne’s lawyers will likely say he never contacted the judges, never went to Connecticut, never tried to hurt anyone. They will say the language was metaphorical, anger at a system he believed was corrupt.
The state will say he named names, listed weapons, posted home addresses, and described property. He did it repeatedly. That is not metaphor. That is cyber stalking.
The Slippery Slope
If publishing addresses and invoking firearms in political criticism becomes stalking when no violence occurs, the precedent extends beyond Boyne.
The concern is not that courts should tolerate genuinely threatening language. It is that prosecutors can expand the definition of “threat” to encompass a wide range of legitimate dissent.
Still, if the state cannot prosecute repeated invocations of sniper fire, crosshairs imagery, home addresses, and assassination rhetoric directed at named individuals, what option does the state have to prevent escalation before someone acts?
Antisemitism
The blog’s violent language was not race-neutral, and this is key to the prosecution’s case.
Boyne described the courts as a “jewish enterprise.” He used the term “JEWdiciary” repeatedly. He wrote that judges “rule from the talmud” and serve “their money god.” He called a black judge the n-word and described another as a “puppet doing her jewish master’s bidding.”
Connecticut State Police’s Hate Crimes Unit participated in the investigation.
The antisemitic and racist language is the element that Connecticut’s felony stalking statute requires prosecutors to prove as a hate crime.
What This Case Is
The trial will determine whether Boyne’s violent rhetoric directed at judges, accompanied by their addresses and photos, framed in antisemitic and racist language, and maintained for years from across state lines, constitutes a crime.
Boyne’s words are vile. Nothing in the First Amendment requires anyone to admire what he wrote or respect the man who wrote it.
The question is whether his speech is criminal, and in a free country, vile and criminal are not the same thing.
The First Amendment exists to protect that distinction.
For those who believe the family court system destroys families, Boyne’s prosecution looks like retaliation. For a state that wanted him silenced, prosecution was the only option left.
The website remains up. The old posts are still there. No new threats have appeared. The calls for violence, now four years old, have inspired no one to act.
To the Constitution, it is simpler than that. It is a test.

The Boston Celtics hope to stay hot on the road Sunday night when they visit their storied rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Boston, the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, enters on a four-game road win streak and has eight wins in its last 10 games. L.A. has won two straight games and is tied for the No. 4 seed in the West.
The C’s were victorious in their first matchup against the Lakers this season, 126-105. Jaylen Brown, who’s coming off his third triple-double of the season, led the way with 30 points in the Dec. 5 win over L.A.
Follow our live blog below for score updates, highlights, news, and reaction throughout Sunday’s game:

Dillon Brooks suffers hand injury as Suns enter stretch run
Last night’s live blog: Spurs win 8th in a row
Download the NBA app
NBA All-Star 2026 draws most viewers in 24 years
Sunday’s Final Scores
Thunder 121, Cavaliers 113
Nets @ Hawks – watch
Raptors @ Bucks – watch
Nuggets @ Warriors – watch
Mavericks @ Pacers – watch
5:51 p.m. ET // Feb. 22
Setting the pace
Andrew Nembhard is capable of making life difficult for opposing ball handlers. He wrestled this one away from Dallas’ Max Christie and finished above the rim on the other end.
5:47 p.m. ET // Feb. 22
Trip-Dub in 3 quarters 🃏
Nikola Jokic is in a major groove in Golden State. The three-time MVP has 32 points, 19 rebounds and 11 assists already. The 4th quarter is underway as the Nuggets hold onto a single-digit lead.
5:40 p.m. ET // Feb. 22
Busy NBA Sunday Underway 🏀
The Hawks are attempting a comeback against the Brooklyn Nets, as they trail by eight with six minutes to play. Onyeka Okongwu made a statement with this block on Nic Claxton.
Earlier in the half, rookie Egor Demin helped Brooklyn build a slim lead.

Warning: This article will follow along with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 6 as it airs on HBO, so there will be spoilers!
As A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ season 1 finale releases on HBO, ScreenRant is following along with live reactions, analysis, and terrible jokes about the new episode.
The A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 6 live-blog is conducted by ScreenRant’s Senior TV Editor Kara Hedash, ScreenRant Senior News Editor Jordan Williams, and former ScreenRant Movies & TV Features Editor James Hunt, who now serves as a Content Strategist at ComicBook.com. While at ScreenRant, James was a certified Game of Thrones expert who led coverage for the first two seasons of House of the Dragon, so it’s an honor to have him make a cameo return and help us out with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms!
While Jordan and James have read the books, Kara is providing insight as someone who hasn’t read the books (yet!) while serving as the live-blog moderator. Now, let’s get to the recap and reactions for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ season 1 finale!

Jan 19 (Reuters) – OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar said in a blog post on Sunday the company’s annualized revenue has surpassed $20 billion in 2025, up from $6 billion in 2024 with growth closely tracking an expansion in computing capacity.
Sign up here.
OpenAI last week said it would start showing ads in ChatGPT to some U.S. users, ramping up efforts to generate revenue from the AI chatbot to fund the high costs of developing the technology.
Separately, Axios reported on Monday that OpenAI’s policy chief Chris Lehane said that the company is

Last night’s live blog: Durant rises to sixth on the all-time scoring list
Power Rankings: Spurs, Cavs among teams rising
NBA Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Download the NBA App
What we know about Monday’s games:
We have a quadruple-header tipping off with Bucks-Hawks (1 ET) on Peacock.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters will be revealed on NBC and Peacock at 2 ET ahead of the Thunder-Cavs game.
Jalen Williams, Lauri Markkanen and Kawhi Leonard are out. Jalen Brunson, Joel Embiid, Paul George, Devin Booker, Jalen Green and Draymond Green are questionable. Payton Pritchard is available.
JANUARY 19, 2026 // 1:25 ET
Bucks and Hawks dueling early
16-15 Milwaukee with 4:00 to go in the first quarter. Nice alternate uniform matchup — the Bucks’ “Cream City” look versus the Hawks’ “Peachtree” joints.
Lock in on Peacock and settle in for some holiday basketball.
JANUARY 19, 2026 // 1:00 ET
Honor Dr. King’s legacy and get involved
Partnering with the Realize the Dream foundation, NBA Cares is committed to helping achieve 100 million hours of service by 2029 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 100th birthday. Get involved today!
Learn more about Dr. King’s legacy
Understanding the history of MLK Jr. Day
Equal Justice Initiative reflections on Dr. King
National Museum of African-American history & culture
National Civil Rights Museum
MLK and NBA educational experience
5 things to know about Dr. King
JANUARY 19, 2026 // 12:45 ET
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
We have a day’s worth of NBA action for you, highlighted by a quadruple-header on NBC and Peacock. Spend a joyous holiday and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the National Basketball Association.
“His life and legacy still represents today,” said Jaylen Brown. “It means everything.”
Here’s the complete slate:
Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks, 1 ET (Peacock)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 2:30 ET (NBC, Peacock)
LA Clippers vs. Washington Wizards, 3 ET
Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks, 5 ET (NBC, Peacock)
Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs, 5 ET
Indiana Pacers vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 ET
Phoenix Suns vs. Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 ET
Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons, 8 ET (NBC, Peacock)
Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors, 10 ET

OpenAI will make 2026 its year of

While the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are still around eight months away, multiple sources have already commented on how much RAM the devices will have.
In a blog post last year, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expected all of the new iPhone models released later this year to be equipped with 12GB of RAM. That would include the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Fold, and it would match the 12GB of RAM included in the iPhone 17 Pro models.
In a research note last week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu agreed that the iPhone 18 Pro models and iPhone Fold will have 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM.
It has been rumored that even the standard iPhone 18 will have 12GB of RAM, which would be an increase over the 8GB of RAM in the standard iPhone 17.
Here is how much RAM is in the latest iPhones:
iPhone 17: 8GB
iPhone 17 Pro: 12GB
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 12GB
iPhone Air: 12GB
Here is how much RAM is expected in the next iPhones:
iPhone 18: 12GB
iPhone 18 Pro: 12GB
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 12GB
iPhone Fold: 12GB
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September, but the standard iPhone 18 is not expected to be announced until around March 2027, as Apple is reportedly shifting to a new two-phase launch strategy.
For the iPhone 18 Pro’s A20 Pro chip, RAM will reportedly be integrated directly onto the chip’s wafer with the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than being adjacent to the chip and connected with a silicon interposer. This could boost the RAM’s performance and efficiency, especially for Apple Intelligence tasks.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18
Tag: Jeff Pu

The Boston Celtics’ four-game road trip concludes Monday night in Detroit, where they’ll take on Cade Cunningham and the first-place Pistons.
The C’s enter Monday’s game 4.5 games behind Detroit as the second-place team in the Eastern Conference standings. Both Boston and Detroit have won their last two games.
The Pistons have won two of three games against the Celtics this season. Their last meeting was Dec. 15, when Cunningham dropped 32 points in Detroit’s 112-105 win at TD Garden.
Payton Pritchard will return to the Celtics’ lineup after missing Saturday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks with an ankle injury.
Follow our live blog below for score updates, highlights, reaction and more throughout Monday’s matchup:

Bill Gates once mentioned that his approach to uncertainty and risk resembles Warren Buffett’s, built on deep analysis, long-term horizons, and a high tolerance for not knowing exactly how things will play out.
Gates Redefines Risk Through Careful, Calculated Bets
In a 2019 blog post prompted by the Netflix documentary

The Australian Open is back for 2026, with 128 men and 128 women vying for the title in the year’s first Grand Slam. It’s first-round action in Melbourne, and the stars will be out and about!
Both No. 1 seeds are in action on Rod Laver Arena today — that’s Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka — while Emma Raducanu and Venus Williams are among the names in action elsewhere.
Settle in, get comfy. We’ll be taking you through the day’s proceedings with all the big news, results, schedules, and more from the Austalian Open.

The Australian Open is back for 2026, with 128 men and 128 women vying for the title in the year’s first Grand Slam. It’s first-round action in Melbourne, and the stars will be out and about!
Both No. 1 seeds are in action on Rod Laver Arena today — that’s Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka — while Emma Raducanu and Venus Williams are among the names in action elsewhere.
Settle in, get comfy. We’ll be taking you through the day’s proceedings with all the big news, results, schedules, and more from the Austalian Open.

MELBOURNE, Australia — The 2026 Australian Open got off to a bumper start on Sunday with record crowds pouring through the gates. Day 2 at Melbourne Park is set to be equally fascinating as a host of tennis stars make their tournament debuts, including 10-time champion Novak Djokovic, the combustible Daniil Medvedev, American ace Coco Gauff, and Filipino sensation Alexandra Eala.
The Monday slate also features Australia’s top-ranked male, Alex De Minaur, who will face American lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald. The 26-year-old had been scheduled to face former Australian Open semifinalist Matteo Berrettini, however the Italian withdrew from the tournament on Saturday evening.
Stay tuned as ESPN’s team of reporters bring you all the latest news, results, match schedules, and more from Day 2 at the Australian Open.

What we know about Sunday’s games:
The Magic and Grizzlies tipped off at the O2 Arena in London on Sunday, with Memphis earning the victory, 126-109. Ja Morant offered up a game-high 24 points and 13 assists in his return to action after missing the last six games with a calf contusion.
Despite the absence of Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets are finding their groove and are winners of four straight. Jamal Murray has been a catalyst for the recent success, averaging 33 points and 9.3 assists during their win streak. Tonight, they’ll host the Hornets at 8 ET, who will be wrapping up a five-game road trip.
Speaking of four-game win streaks, the Kings are surging and just got Domantas Sabonis back after a two-month absence from a partial meniscus tear. They’ll have an opportunity to win their fifth straight tonight when they host the Trail Blazers, who may remain without Deni Avdija (back).

January 18
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators have shared a beautiful new logo design for Black Music Heritage Night, which will be at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.
The team shared a video of visual artist Elisheba Mrozik of Queen Bee Ink creating the unique logo for the event.

12:02 p.m.: St. Joseph County offices are up and running.
All county offices are “open and operating,” according to Executive Assistant to the Board of Commissioners Melissa Hasse, despite more 12 inches of snow since the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 14.
11:26 a.m.: St. Joseph County roads remain under travel advisory watch
As of 3:38 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, St. Joseph County has been under a travel advisory watch as reported to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Road conditions are “threatening”, according to Indiana DHS. Only essential travel is recommended, to and from work or in emergency situations.
St. Joseph is one of four Indiana counties under a travel advisory watch.
10:40 a.m.: First wave of snowplows come through residential areas
At 7:15 a.m. Jan. 15, the City of South Bend released a notice via Facebook that snowplows were coming into residential areas and will continue to do so until all streets have been cleared
If possible, park in driveways to make room for plows to clear all areas of the street.
City crews worked throughout the night to maintain main roads.
8 a.m. : Dozens of closures and delays
SOUTH BEND — Dozens of schools, businesses and government offices are closed or have delayed openings Thursday, Jan. 15, because of the heavy snowstorm that blanketed the South Bend region Wednesday, according to The Tribune’s newsgathering partner, WNDU-TV, where a comprehensive list can be found here.
The South Bend Community School Corp. is closed, while School City of Mishawaka and the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation both announced e-learning days.
The heavy snowfall has also caused multiple Michiana counties to go under travel watches and advisories, according to WNDU. St. Joseph, LaPorte, Marshall and Starke counties are under a travel watch, while Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, LaGrange and Pulaski counties are under a travel advisory.
More snow on the way
WNDU reports that 12.6 inches of snow had fallen in South Bend as of midnight Jan. 15, while the National Weather Service says up to 16 inches had fallen.
Residents throughout the region can expect more snow Jan. 15.
NWS says snow showers are likely before 10 a.m., with a total daytime accumulation of 1-2 inches possible. The high temperature for the day will reach near 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
WNDU says more lake effect snow is expected west of South Bend in the morning and that travelers should expect

J
External Link
Why is it called ‘Nano Banana’?
The codename for Gemini 2.5 Flash Image is actually named after a person — Google product manager Naina Raisinghani, specifically, who gave a variation of her nickname to the AI model.
“Some of my friends call me Naina Banana, and others call me Nano because I’m short and I like computers. So I just smushed my two nicknames together. And it fit because it was a Flash model.”
How Nano Banana got its name
[ Google ]
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

OpenAI announced Friday that it will begin testing ads on ChatGPT in the coming weeks, opening the door to another potential revenue stream for the AI company in addition to its subscription-based models.
The ads will appear at the bottom of the chat window

Leslie Davis is opening up about some major life changes.
The HGTV star, who announced her engagement to Don Reidy on Wednesday, Jan. 14, also confirmed in a blog post on Jan. 16 that she had been divorced from her ex-husband and the father of her children, Jacob, since 2022.

OpenAI is turning to the court of public opinion as it wages a legal battle with Elon Musk.
While Musk and OpenAI prepare to head to a high-stakes jury trial in April, the two are duking it out online over what exactly happened when Musk split ways with the AI startup he helped cofound.
Musk has been using recently unsealed court documents to attack his rival in posts on his social media platform, X. On Friday, OpenAI published a blog titled

IN PICTURES: LA protests wave Iranian flags, hold up signs in favor of regime change
Ex-U.S. official predicts targeted Trump operation in Iran
Former U.S. State Department official Mark Kimmitt said there is a “strong likelihood” President Donald Trump will launch some form of operation in Iran, though its scope will be decisive. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Kimmitt ruled out a land invasion or a repeat of last year’s 12-day war, suggesting instead a narrower, unexpected strike.
He argued Trump is unlikely to pursue regime change, comparing the approach to U.S. policy in Venezuela. Kimmitt said the strategy may aim to weaken Iran’s security services — “lop the top of the food chain off” — while leaving the government intact.
WATCH: Trump says ‘one death is too much’ in Iran protests
WATCH: A look at protests on Iran streets yesterday
WATCH: Marco Rubio ignores questions on Iran, Venezuela
WATCH: Air strikes against Iran are ‘one of many’ options for Trump—Leavitt
Ireland delays ceremony for Iran envoy over protest crackdown
The Republic of Ireland has postponed a formal ceremony to present credentials to Iran’s new ambassador, citing Tehran’s violent suppression of protests. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the decision followed reports of significant casualties among demonstrators in recent days.
In a statement Tuesday, the government confirmed the event at Aras an Uachtarain, the Irish president’s official residence, would be delayed due to developments in Iran. A spokesperson said the move reflected concerns over the scale of violence and restrictions on access to information.
Prime Minister Micheal Martin had already urged Iranian authorities to end the repression, stressing that citizens have the right to protest and to freedom of expression.
Netherlands summons Iranian envoy over protest crackdown
The Netherlands has summoned Iran’s ambassador to formally protest what it described as the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations across the country. Foreign Minister David van Weel said he was “deeply shocked by the bloody repression” and condemned the excessive use of force, mass arrests, and ongoing internet shutdowns.
“Iran must respect fundamental rights and immediately restore internet access,” van Weel said, adding that those responsible for abuses must face accountability. He confirmed the Dutch response is being coordinated with European partners and backed EU sanctions targeting Iranian officials accused of human rights violations.
Iranian authorities, meanwhile, have accused the United States and Israel of fomenting unrest and criticized European governments for alleged double standards, pointing to their stance on Gaza and pro-Palestine protests.
Trump faces high-stakes Iran decisions amid diplomatic signals and military risks
President Donald Trump is set to meet his senior national security team Tuesday to weigh options on Iran, facing a complex mix of diplomatic openings and military risks. The deliberations follow conciliatory messages from Iran’s foreign minister to Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, which some officials view as a sign Tehran may be ready to talk. Others remain skeptical, warning the regime could be stalling to avoid an imminent strike.
Trump has signaled he may not wait for talks before acting. Military options under review include missile strikes on nuclear facilities, government buildings, or security infrastructure—though any action would likely take days to prepare. Short of direct strikes, alternatives range from cyberattacks and new sanctions to efforts aimed at restoring internet access inside Iran.
Officials caution that any military move could trigger retaliation against U.S. bases in the region, while a heavy-handed response might bolster domestic support for Iran’s leadership. Lesser measures carry more uncertainty, and inaction risks undermining Trump’s repeated threats.
Iran’s internet blackout raises human rights concerns
As Iran’s nationwide communications shutdown continues, questions are mounting over whether such blackouts breach international human rights law. Iran is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), a UN treaty guaranteeing freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly.
Rights group Article 19 argues that “blanket internet shutdowns fail to meet the strict tests of legality, necessity, and proportionality required under international law.” The UN’s human rights office echoed that concern, with spokesperson Jeremy Laurence warning that Iran’s actions “undermine freedom of expression and access to information” and obstruct the work of those documenting abuses.
WATCH: Iran regime on the brink
Iran protests ease in Tehran as blackout passes 108 hours
Fresh accounts from Tehran suggest demonstrations in the capital have slowed, with residents reporting less protest activity on Monday compared to previous nights. Two people told CNN that daily life has largely continued in the city, though they described “intense” unrest unfolding mostly after dark.
The picture elsewhere in Iran remains unclear due to a nationwide internet shutdown. Cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks said Tuesday that connectivity has been cut for more than 108 hours, severely limiting information flow from other cities.
While some landline and mobile calls abroad have begun working again, the blackout continues to obscure the full scale of protests across the country.
UN rights chief warns Iran over death penalty threats against protesters
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has condemned remarks from Iranian officials suggesting protesters could face execution, calling the statements “extremely worrying.” In a statement on Tuesday, Türk criticized judicial comments about expedited proceedings that could impose the death penalty on demonstrators.
His warning followed Tehran prosecutor Ali Salehi’s declaration last week that some protesters may be charged with moharebeh—“waging war against God”—a crime punishable by death under Iranian law.
Türk also cited reports of hospitals overwhelmed with casualties, including children, amid the nationwide unrest. He said the killing of peaceful demonstrators and branding them as “terrorists” to justify violence is unacceptable.
Comparing the current crackdown to Iran’s response to protests in 2022, Türk accused authorities of using “brutal force to repress legitimate demands for change.” He urged Tehran to halt violence immediately and ensure accountability for what he described as “serious violations.”
Germany’s Merz predicts Iran regime’s end as Europe steps up pressure
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared Tuesday that “we are now witnessing the final days and weeks” of Iran’s regime, warning that a government sustained only through violence is nearing collapse. He said the population is “rising up against this regime” as protests continue despite a harsh crackdown.
European governments are intensifying diplomatic pressure. Spain’s foreign minister summoned Iran’s ambassador to Madrid to deliver a “strong repudiation and condemnation” of the repression, according to AFP. Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen announced she would do the same, writing on X that Tehran had “shut down the internet to be able to kill and oppress in silence.” She added: “This will not be tolerated.”
EU’s von der Leyen condemns Iran crackdown, pledges swift sanctions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has denounced Iran’s violent suppression of protests, calling the rising death toll “horrifying.” She joined other Western leaders in condemning what she described as the “excessive use of force and continued restriction of freedom” by Tehran.
Von der Leyen noted that the European Union has already sanctioned the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps under its human rights regime. Working with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, she said additional penalties targeting those responsible for the repression will be swiftly proposed.
“The European Union stands with the people of Iran who are bravely marching for their liberty,” she declared, underscoring the bloc’s support for demonstrators amid mounting international pressure on Tehran.
Iran warns of readiness as Trump reviews military options
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country is “prepared for any action” by the United States as President Donald Trump weighs possible intervention. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s readiness is “much greater” than during U.S. strikes in June 2025, while urging Washington to choose “the wise option.”
According to officials cited by CBS News, Trump’s national security team is set to meet at the White House to discuss potential responses. Defense sources said the president has been briefed on a range of covert and military tools, including long-range missile strikes and cyber operations.
Any U.S. action would likely rely heavily on air power, the officials noted, with planners also considering measures to disrupt Iran’s command structures and communications. The developments highlight escalating tensions as both sides signal preparation for confrontation while leaving open the possibility of restraint.
Iran protests resume as blackout eases, Trump tariffs escalate tensions
After more than four days of silence under a nationwide communications blackout, new details are emerging from inside Iran. Limited phone access abroad has allowed residents to share updates, though internet service remains largely unavailable.
In Washington, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on all countries trading with Iran, a move that immediately drew sharp criticism from Beijing. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning warned that “there are no winners in a tariff war” and vowed to defend the country’s interests. India, another major partner, is already struggling under existing U.S. levies.
On the ground, Iranians described a temporary lull in demonstrations in Tehran, even as fresh footage showed crowds chanting in other cities. One widely circulated video captured Melli Bank, one of Iran’s largest state-owned institutions, burned and blackened after overnight protests.

Enjoy the best of Tuesday’s slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
Last night’s live blog: James Harden’s historic achievement leads a six-game night
Power Rankings: Thunder back on top
Week 13 Watch Guide
Download the NBA App
What we know after Tuesday’s games:
The Thunder defeated the Spurs 119-98 in the opening contest of our ‘Coast 2 Coast Tuesday’ doubleheader, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 4 blk).
The Warriors defeated the Blazers 119-97 in the nightcap, as De’Anthony Melton scored 23 of the Dubs’ 69 bench points.
LeBron James put up 31 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists as the Lakers beat the Hawks 141-116.
JANUARY 14, 2026 // 1:39 AM
Tuesday’s results
Heat 127, Suns 121
Rockets 119, Bulls 113
Timberwolves 139, Bucks 106
Nuggets 122, Pelicans 116
Thunder 119, Spurs 98
Lakers 141, Hawks 116
Warriors 119, Trail Blazers 97
Jamal Murray (35 pts, 6 reb, 11 ast) is your top performer of the night.
JANUARY 14, 2026 // 1:34 AM
A moment for the King
JANUARY 14, 2026 // 1:28 AM
Warriors cruise past Blazers
119-97, getting 69 points from their bench in the process.
De’Anthony Melton led the Dubs with 23 points, while Shaedon Sharpe paced the Blazers with 19 points.
JANUARY 14, 2026 // 1:02 AM
Lakers defeat Hawks
141-116, behind a dominant performance from LeBron James (31 pts, 9 reb, 10 ast), Luka Dončić (27 pts, 12 ast) and Deandre Ayton (17 pts, 18 reb).
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 26 points to lead Atlanta, while CJ McCollum added 25.
JANUARY 14, 2026 // 12:51 AM
Jimmy Butler III leading Warriors
To an 82-62 lead over the Trail Blazers in the third quarter. Jimmy Buckets has 16 points to pace the Dubs so far.
And he has a fresh cut. Looking good, Jimmy.
JANUARY 14, 2026 // 12:25 AM
Lakers up heading into the fourth
102-86. Deandre Ayton has a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds, while CJ McCollum has 23 points in his second game with the Hawks.
Will Atlanta rally? Tune in to League Pass to find out.
JANUARY 14, 2026 // 12:13 AM
A chance to appreciate greatness
KD is fewer than 100 points behind Dirk Nowitzki for sixth on the all-time scoring list.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 11:57 ET
Warriors up big on Blazers
51-29. Nine Warriors have scored so far, led by Draymond Green (10 pts) and Stephen Curry (4 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast).
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 11:44 ET
Lakers drop 81 in the first half
The Lake Show leads 81-60 over the Hawks at the half, thanks in part to 23 points and 7 assists from Luka Dončić.
Marcus Smart, though, leads the Lakers at +19.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 11:19 ET
A little vintage LeBron
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 10:50 ET
The King on the break
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 10:37 ET
Thunder defeat Spurs
Earning their first win of the season over their Western Conference rival with a resounding effort. Oklahoma City led by as many as 24 on their way to a 119-98 win.
“When we get set and play defense, it’s pretty hard to score on us. We got set enough tonight,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “Uncomfortable feelings and adversity is where you find growth, find where you are. Now, from here on, it’s just about getting better.”
“We were find another way to grow up a little bit,” said Jalen Williams (20 pts, 2 stl). “Over the course of 82 games, these are the games that make you better.”
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 10:27 ET
Rockets defend home court
119-113, overcoming Tre Jones’ career-high 34 points.
Kevin Durant had 28 for Houston, while Alperen Sengun (23 pts, 7 reb, 11 ast) and Amen Thompson (23 pts, 5 reb, 2 stl) did their thing.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 10:17 ET
Bulls-Rockets in a tight one late
104-103 Chicago with 3:29 to go in the fourth.
Tre Jones has 27 points on 8-of-9 shooting to lead the way for the Bulls — his career high is 30.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 10:13 ET
Spurs on a 14-2 run
To cut it to 102-90. Keldon Johnson — the subject of tonight’s mini-profile — just knocked down a corner three for San Antonio.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 10:11 ET
Nuggets-Pelicans going down to the wire
Tied at 106 with 4:42 to go.
Peyton Watson has 27 points on 14 shots for Denver, while Trey Murphy leads six Pelicans in double figures with 24.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 9:56 ET
Thunder take control in the third
A 40-26 advantage for Oklahoma City in the third quarter, giving them a 95-76 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 30 points, along with six rebounds.
OKC’s come out motivated in front of a rollicking home crowd, holding the Spurs to 39 percent shooting so far.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 9:52 ET
Suns on the comeback
It’s now 106-105 Phoenix with just over five minutes to go.
Dillon Brooks leads the Suns with 25 points. Devin Booker’s just behind at 24, adding eight assists as well.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 9:44 ET
Thunder rolling
80-69 with 5:16 to go in the third quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22 pts) and Jalen Williams (16 pts) are in their element, while Chet Holmgren (8 pts, 8 reb, 1 blk) is battling Victor Wembanyama (14 pts).
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 9:22 ET
Timberwolves up 31 at the half
76-45 over the Bucks. Julius Randle has 24 points — his most in a half this season.
The Bucks had some beautiful ball movement, though.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 9:17 ET
Phoenix with the defensive effort
Flashing the foundations of the sixth-best defensive rating in the NBA (111.9).
Heat up 82-76 with 4:48 to go in the third quarter.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 9:04 ET
Amen at the rim
Floating up to the stratosphere.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 8:58 ET
Keep the ball moving
Another example of sterling ball movement from the Rockets.
Bulls are up 52-51 with 2:41 to go in the half. Tre Jones has 11 for Chicago, while Kevin Durant has 12 to lead Houston.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 8:53 ET
Timberwolves dominating Bucks
64-39 in the second quarter. Jaden McDaniels is a big reason why.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 8:40 ET
Thunder up after one
32-26. SGA leads all scorers with 13 points.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 8:20 ET
Spurs-Thunder underway
Victor Wembanyama has two big dunks early as this clash between the top two teams in the Western Conference gets rolling on NBC and Peacock.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 8:00 ET
Heat up early on Suns
25-15. Bam Adebayo has 10 points, while Tyler Herro has seven.
Check the unquestioned passing here. Swing, swing, bucket.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 6:30 ET
Keldon Johnson keeps grinding
The longest-tenured San Antonio Spur has picked it up lately, helping drive his team up to second in the Western Conference at 27-12.
Johnson (15.7 ppg, 6.5 reb, 55.1 FG% over his last 10 games) is a strong slasher and consistent worker.
As the team around him has grown in talent, he’s focused his role, shooting his career-best from the field and three-point range this season.
The 2020 Olympic gold medalist has a bowling ball frame and knows how to use it.
Keldon’s made 117 of 178 shots (65.7 percent) within five feet of the hoop this season — no Spur has taken more shots at the rim — while also hitting 50 of 118 (42.4 percent) of his three-pointers.
He’s also third on the team at 1.3 box outs per game, behind Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet, and has the second-best rebound percentage on the team, trailing only the French superstar.
“He’s as consistent as it gets for us in terms of his rebounding, his efficiency,” said Coach Mitch Johnson. “He’s been a mainstay and yeah, it’s every night with that guy.”
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 6:00 ET
Welcome to a seven-game night in the NBA!
It’s ‘Coast 2 Coast Tuesday’ on NBC and Peacock, featuring Spurs-Thunder (8 ET) and Trail Blazers-Warriors (11 ET).
The defending NBA champions are 0-3 against the Spurs so far this season, including a loss in the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Semifinals, while going 33-4 against the rest of the league.
“You don’t lose to a team three times in a row in a short span without them being better than you,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after OKC’s most recent loss to San Antonio on Christmas. “We have to get better. We have to look in the mirror – and that’s everybody, top to bottom – if we want to reach our ultimate goal.”
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:

It’s Maximum Carnage time on tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
This week’s specialty episode of Dynamite will be headlined by a world championship title defense by MJF. Bandido won this Dynamite Diamond Ring this year and earned his shot at the title during this show.
Last week, MJF ran down Bandido and disrespected his claim to the world title. MJF demanded that Bandido give him the diamond ring, but Bandido put him in his place. The last AEW fans saw of MJF last week was him lying in the ring on his back after being hit with Bandido’s patented springboard German suplex.
Will Bandido be able to stand tall tonight and get past the world champion to win the title? Will MJF be able to back up his trash talk and retain the belt? It all comes to a head on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
Speaking of the AEW World Championship, Kenny Omega let the world know that his focus was on the title now that he was returning to action. Well, this week Omega officially returns.
Omega will appear on the show this week and give more context to what he wants his immediate future to look like in AEW. Will he challenge MJF? Bandido? AEW fans will get a good sense of where Omega’s head is at on this week’s Dynamite.
In other action on the show this week, Darby Allin faces PAC. Allin and Pac have been at odds since before the Worlds End PPV event, and this will be another battle. Will Allin finally be able to even the score after taking a loss to PAC on PPV?
Also, the AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions, Babes of Wrath, will team up with the AEW Women’s World Champion, Kris Statlander, to take on Triangle of Madness in a Trios Match. Babes of Wrath defeated Sisters of Sin to advance in the tag team championship tournament, which they eventually won. Sisters of Sin will look for retribution and will have Thekla on their side. If Thekla gets a pin on Statlander, will she be next in line for a world title match?
Finally, the AEW World Tag Team Championship number one contendership is up for grabs this week. The Young Bucks, Jet Speed, GOA, and The Don Callis Family will compete in a Fatal Four-Way Match. The winner will get a shot at FTR and titles.
AEW Dynamite Results
Check back at 8pm EST for full results and highlights for this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
AEW Dynamite Card (Announced):
MJF vs. Bandido for the AEW World Championship
Kenny Omega Returns!
Kris Statlander & Babes of Wrath vs. Triangle of Madness
Darby Allin vs. Pac
Young Bucks vs. GOA vs. JetSpeed vs. Don Callis Family (Jake Doyle & Mark Davis) in a 4-Way Tag Team Match For A Future World Tag Team Championship Opportunity
The Latest On WWE, AEW & More
The Young Bucks Tease AEW Retirement
Legendary Commentator Believes It’s

SOUTH BEND — Dozens of schools, businesses and government offices are closed or have delayed openings Thursday, Jan. 15, because of the heavy snowstorm that blanketed the South Bend region Wednesday, according to The Tribune’s newsgathering partner, WNDU-TV, where a comprehensive list can be found here.
The South Bend Community School Corp. is closed, while School City of Mishawaka and the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation both announced e-learning days.
The heavy snowfall has also caused multiple Michiana counties to go under travel watches and advisories, according to WNDU. St. Joseph, LaPorte, Marshall and Starke counties are under a travel watch while Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, LaGrange and Pulaski counties are under a travel advisory.
More snow on the way
WNDU reports that 12.6 inches of snow had fallen in South Bend as of midnight Jan. 15, while the National Weather Service says up to 16 inches have fallen.
Residents throughout the region can expect more snow Jan. 15.
NWS says snow showers are likely before 10 a.m., with a total daytime accumulation of 1-2 inches possible. The high temperature for the day will reach near 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
WNDU says more lake effect snow is expected west of South Bend in the morning and that travelers should expect

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has claimed that the federal immigration officer was

The Boston Celtics are back in action Thursday night as their road trip continues in Miami.
Jaylen Brown will return for the C’s after missing Monday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers. Brown scored 30 points in the C’s 129-116 win over the Heat on Dec. 19.
Miami will be without Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee) and Davion Mitchell (shoulder) for Thursday’s matchup. Boston has a clean injury report outside of Josh Minott (ankle) and Jayson Tatum (Achilles).
Follow our live blog below for score updates, highlights, reaction, and more throughout Celtics-Heat:

Last night’s live blog: Top moments from Sunday night
Power Rankings: Thunder back on top
Week 13 Watch Guide
Download the NBA App
What we know after Monday night’s games:
James Harden passed Shaquille O’Neal for ninth on the all-time scoring list as the Clippers defeated the Hornets 117-109.
Pascal Siakam knocked down a game-winning floater, leading the Pacers over the Celtics 98-96 on Peacock.
The Kings snapped a six-game losing streak to the Lakers with a 124-112 win, despite 42 points from Luka Dončić.
JANUARY 13, 2026 / 1:00 AM
Tonight’s results
Jazz 123, Cavaliers 112
Pacers 98, Celtics 96
76ers 115, Raptors 102
Mavericks 113, Nets 105
Kings 124, Lakers 112
Clippers 117, Hornets 109
Luka Dončić (42 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast) is your top performer of the night, rivaled by James Harden (32 pts, 10 ast, 4 stl) on a record-setting night.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 12:52 AM
Harden’s historic night spurs Clippers to win
James Harden (32 pts, 10 ast, 4 stl) led the Clippers to a 117-109 win over the Hornets, passing Shaquille O’Neal for ninth on the all-time scoring list.
LaMelo Ball (25 pts, 9 ast) was the star for the Hornets, who were in it until late in the fourth quarter.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 12:32 AM
Kings defeat Lakers
Sacramento knocked off Los Angeles 124-112 behind DeMar DeRozan (32 points on 14-of-19 shooting), Malik Monk (26 pts, 8 ast) and Russell Westbrook (22 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast).
Luka Dončić had 42 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in the loss, while LeBron James added 22 points of his own.
With the win, the Kings snap a six-game losing streak to the Lakers. The all-time season series stands at Lakers 287, Kings 169.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 12:17 AM
Stepping into it
A legendary scorer has a legendary moment.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 12:00 AM
History for Harden
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 11:56 ET
Harden keeps chasing
We’re underway in the third quarter. Will James Harden make history tonight?
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 11:53 ET
Luka in his element
This is Luka’s seventh 40+ point game this season — most in the NBA — and the 53rd of his career.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 11:28 ET
Luka leading the Lakers
But the Kings are up 70-56 with 8:46 to go in the third quarter.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 11:07 ET
Harden starts strong
James Harden put up nine points and three assists in the first quarter. He’s six away from passing Shaq on the all-time scoring list.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 10:49 ET
Flagg flashing
Woah. Check out the rook.
Mavericks defeated the Nets 113-105 behind Flagg’s 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 10:36 ET
Salute to Kyle Lowry
The 2019 NBA champion is first in assists, triple-doubles and three-pointers in Raptors history, as well as second in points.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 10:26 ET
El Uno ready to go
Could history be made tonight? The Beard’s chasing The Big Aristotle on the all-time scoring list.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 10:18 ET
Lakers and Kings underway
LeBron James has six of the first eight points for the Lakers as they face the Kings on League Pass.
The Lakers have won their last six matchups against their historic rival. Will they make it seven tonight?
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 10:07 ET
Fly the Flagg
Cooper Flagg’s up to 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting as the Mavericks lead the Nets in the third quarter. He’s dropped 20+ 17 times in his career to date.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 9:59 ET
Sixers beat Raptors on the road
Tyrese Maxey had 33 points as the Sixers took revenge for their loss on Sunday, knocking off the Raptors 115-102. Joel Embiid added 27 points and 8 rebounds.
Immanuel Quickley (18 pts) led five Raptors in double figures.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 9:50 ET
Pacers defend home court against Celtics
98-96. Pascal Siakam (21 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast) hit a clutch floater with seven seconds left to lift the Pacers over the Celtics, who were paced by Payton Pritchard’s 23 points.
Indiana shot 16-of-37 from three-point range (43.2%) to the Celtics’ 9-of-25 (25.7%).
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 9:32 ET
Jazz defeat Cavaliers
123-112. Keyonte George (32 pts) and Lauri Markkanen (28 pts, 12 reb) led the way for Utah on the road, earning their fourth win away from home this season. Jusuf Nurkić added 11 points and 17 rebounds, while Kevin Love tallied 11 of his own.
The Jazz had only two turnovers in the second half en route to the victory.
Darius Garland (23 pts, 8 ast) led the way for Cleveland.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 9:15 ET
Jazz up on Cavaliers late
116-106 Jazz with 2:51 to go.
Lauri Markkanen (28 pts) and Keyonte George (27 pts) are starring, while Kevin Love has 11 in his return to Cleveland.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 9:04 ET
Celtics and Pacers dueling
Pacers have opened up a 68-58 lead — their largest of the night — with 5:49 to go in the third quarter. Jay Huff has 20 points, tying his season high.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 8:31 ET
A shimmy from Tyrese
Antoine Walker is smiling somewhere.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 8:13 ET
Cavaliers rally to lead at the half
62-54 Cleveland over Utah after two quarters.
Ex-Cavalier Lauri Markkanen leads the Jazz with 16 points, while ex-Jazz Donovan Mitchell is the lead man for the Cavs with 14. Utah led by as many as 17, but committed 14 turnovers in the half.
Mitchell dropped 8,234 points with the Jazz — good for eighth on the franchise’s all-time scoring list, in between Pete Maravich (8,324) and Gordon Hayward (8,077).
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 8:07 ET
Maxey off to a hot start
15 quick points for Tyrese Maxey (30.9 ppg, tops in the Eastern Conference), as the 76ers lead the Raptors 38-26 with 1:41 to go in the first quarter.
He’s talking trash and rolling on the road.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 7:49 ET
Keep an eye on Queta
The floor is spread for Neemias Queta (10.0 ppg, 8.2 reb, 65.1 FG%) tonight.
With Jaylen Brown out and Jayson Tatum still healing, the Celtics are starting Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Baylor Schierman and Sam Hauser, all capable three-point shooters, alongside the fifth-year man from Utah State.
Queta’s fourth in the NBA in field goal percentage entering tonight’s action.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 7:28 ET
Jazz jump out early on Cavaliers
21-6 Utah with 4:53 to go in the first quarter.
The Jazz have held the Cavs to 21.6 percent shooting so far; Keyonte George and Svi Mykhailiuk each have five points to lead the team.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 7:20 ET
Saluting Kevin Love
The Cleveland faithful just celebrated Kevin Love, returning to Rocket Arena with the Utah Jazz.
Love made two All-Star teams and won the 2015-16 NBA championship with the Cavaliers, scoring 7,663 points with the team.
He’s ninth on the all-time scoring list for Cleveland and leads the franchise in defensive rebound percentage at 29.7.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 6:30 ET
James Harden seeks a new level of scoring greatness
With 15 points tonight, James Harden can pass Shaquille O’Neal (28,596) for ninth on the all-time scoring list, continuing his storied career as one of the game’s great bucket-getters.
Drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and originally deployed as a sixth man, Harden, an 11-time All-Star, the 2017-18 Kia NBA MVP and a three-time scoring champ, grew into a near-unstoppable force as he reached his peak.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coach Mike D’Antoni famously credited Harden as “the best offensive player I’ve ever seen,” shifting him to point guard during his tenure with the Rockets, which allowed the Los Angeles native to fully flourish as an offensive weapon.
His silky, tight handle allowed him to navigate anywhere on the floor; he was stronger than most guards and wings and quicker than bigs.
He changed the course of the NBA by developing the stepback three-pointer, always found a way to get to the free throw line and remained a willing, crafty passer, particularly adept at finding the lob threat for an alley-oop dunk.
With the Rockets, Harden became one of the first heliocentric stars of the modern era. Only five players have tallied combined points and assists than he’s put up in his career — LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. Only Jordan played fewer games than Harden.
In the latter stages of his career, Harden has lost a little of his burst, but remains a dangerous, consistent offensive force, putting up 25.6 points and 7.9 assists per game in his 18th NBA season.
He’s shooting 43/36/89 from the field this season — right in line with his career averages of 44/36/86 — averaging 8.6 FTA, which is his most since he left Houston and has the eighth-best assist percentage in the league.
Last time out against the Hornets, he dropped 55 points — his season high, and the 25th 50+ point game of his career.
If you can’t stop him, Harden is going to make it rain. He’s too skilled, too consistent, too seasoned to do otherwise.
The master of the postgame interview is going strong, delighting fans and delivering a unique brand of basketball wizardry. Tonight, he has a chance to raise his name even higher in NBA history and help keep the Clippers, 8-2 in their last 10, on a hot streak.
Jerry Jiang has more for you on Harden’s best moments of the season on NBA.com.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 6:00 ET
Welcome to a six-game night in the NBA!
We’ve got Pacers-Celtics streaming across the world on Peacock (7:30 ET), as well as James Harden’s quest to continue climbing the all-time scoring list, as we prepare for a six-game night in the Association.
Here’s the complete schedule:

Last night’s live blog: James Harden’s historic achievement leads a six-game night
Power Rankings: Thunder back on top
Week 13 Watch Guide
Download the NBA App
What we know ahead of Tuesday’s games:
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the San Antonio Spurs (8 ET) to open our ‘Coast 2 Coast Tuesday’ doubleheader on NBC and Peacock, looking to take their first win over their Western Conference rival this season.
The national nightcap features the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors (11 ET) as both vie for position in the Play-In Tournament ranks.
Norman Powell and Tyler Herro are available tonight, while Anthony Edwards, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Kristaps Porzingis are out. Jamal Murray, LeBron James and Luka Dončić are questionable.
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 6:30 ET
Keldon Johnson keeps grinding
The longest-tenure San Antonio Spur has picked it up lately, helping drive his team up to second in the Western Conference at 27-12.
Johnson (15.7 ppg, 6.5 reb, 55.1 FG% over his last 10 games) is a strong slasher and consistent worker.
As the team around him has grown in talent, he’s focused his role, shooting his career-best from the field and three-point range this season.
The 2020 Olympic gold medalist has a bowling ball frame and knows how to use it.
Keldon’s made 117 of 178 shots (65.7 percent) within five feet of the hoop this season — no Spur has taken more shots at the rim — while also hitting 50 of 118, or 42.4 percent, of his three-pointers.
He’s also third on the team at 1.3 box outs per game, behind Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet, and has the second-best rebound percentage on the team, trailing only the French superstar.
“He’s as consistent as it gets for us in terms of his rebounding, his efficiency,” said Coach Mitch Johnson. “He’s been a mainstay and yeah, it’s every night with that guy.”
JANUARY 13, 2026 // 6:00 ET
Welcome to a seven-game night in the NBA!
It’s ‘Coast 2 Coast Tuesday’ on NBC and Peacock, featuring Spurs-Thunder (8 ET) and Trail Blazers-Warriors (11 ET).
The defending NBA champions are 0-3 against the Spurs so far this season, including a loss in the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Semifinals, while going 33-4 against the rest of the league.
“You don’t lose to a team three times in a row in a short span without them being better than you,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after OKC’s most recent loss to San Antonio on Christmas. “We have to get better. We have to look in the mirror – and that’s everybody, top to bottom – if we want to reach our ultimate goal.”
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:

Former police chief Tom Casady revisits Lincoln’s 10 most notorious crimes
Top 10 crimes in Lincoln history: No. 9 — The murders of 2 best friends in 1977
Top 10 crimes in Lincoln history: No. 8 — Gambling den owner John Sheedy’s murder
Top 10 crimes in Lincoln history: No. 7 — 2 boys never return home from state fair
Top 10 crimes in Lincoln history: No. 6 — The murder of UNL student Candi Harms
Top 10 crimes in Lincoln history: No. 5 — An S&L scam of epic proportions
Top 10 crimes in Lincoln history: No. 4 — Sabotage and fatal train wreck
Top 10 crimes in Lincoln history: No. 3 — Murder, escape from the state pen
Top 10 crimes in Lincoln history: No. 2 — Lincoln National Bank heist of $2.7M

To comply with Australia’s under-16 social media ban, Meta said on Medium that it has shut down nearly 550,00 accounts. That number includes 330,000 Instagram, 173,000 Facebook and 40,000 Threads accounts deemed to belong to children.

The Boston Celtics are back on the road as they begin their four-game trip Monday night in Indiana.
After dropping Saturday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, the C’s hope to bounce back against a Pacers team that sits dead-last in the Eastern Conference standings with an 8-31 record. Boston has won both of its games against Indiana this season.
This time, however, the Celtics will likely be without star Jaylen Brown. They listed Brown as doubtful to play due to a back injury.
Follow our live blog below for score updates, highlights, reaction and more throughout Monday’s game:

The Chrome Platform Status blog has confirmed that Chrome 150 will be the last version compatible with macOS 12. Here’s what that means.
From Chrome Platform Status:
Chrome 150 will be the last release to support macOS 12; Chrome 151+ will no longer support macOS 12, which is outside of its support window with Apple. Running on a supported operating system is essential to maintaining security.
The post explains that while Chrome 150 will continue to work on Macs running macOS 12 Monterey, it will display a warning infobar, as it “will not update any further”.
This means that, in addition to missing new features, these Macs will also not receive bug fixes, performance improvements, and, most importantly, security fixes for Google Chrome, leaving users more vulnerable to attacks.
So if you’re a Chrome user who’s still running macOS 12 Monterey, be warned: later this year, you’ll need to either update to macOS 13 Ventura or later, or switch browsers.
As to when exactly this will happen, remains an open question.
Google hasn’t offered a specific timeline, but Chrome typically updates every 4 weeks for major releases. With the current stable version at 143, version 151 should arrive in about 32 weeks, around mid-to-late August.
Are you still running macOS 12 Monterey? Let us know in the comments.
Accessory deals on Amazon

Last night’s live blog: Top moments from Sunday night
Power Rankings: Thunder back on top
Week 13 Watch Guide
Download the NBA App
What we know about Monday night’s games:
The Pacers take on the Celtics (7:30 ET) tonight on Peacock.
James Harden is 15 points behind Shaquille O’Neal for ninth on the all-time scoring list as the Clippers host the Hornets (10:30 ET).
Jaylen Brown is doubtful for the Celtics. Joel Embiid, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Brandon Ingram are questionable. Andrew Nembhard is available for the Pacers.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 6:30 ET
James Harden seeks a new level of scoring greatness
With 15 points tonight, James Harden can pass Shaquille O’Neal (28,596) for ninth on the all-time scoring list, continuing his storied career as one of the game’s great bucket-getters.
Drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and originally deployed as a sixth man, Harden, an 11-time All-Star and three-time scoring champ, grew into a near-unstoppable force as he reached his peak.
Mike D’Antoni famously credited Harden as “the best offensive player I’ve ever seen,” shifting him to point guard during his tenure with the Rockets, which allowed the Los Angeles native to fully flourish as an offensive weapon.
His silky, tight handle allowed him to navigate anywhere on the floor; he was stronger than most guards and wings and quicker than bigs.
He changed the course of the NBA by developing the stepback three-pointer, always found a way to get to the free throw line and remained a willing, crafty passer, particularly adept at finding the lob threat for an alley-oop dunk.
With the Rockets, Harden became one of the first heliocentric stars of the modern era. Only five players have tallied combined points and assists than he’s put up in his career — LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. Only Jordan played fewer games than Harden.
In the second half of his career, Harden has lost a little of his burst, but remains a dangerous, consistent offensive force, putting up 25.6 points and 7.9 assists per game.
He’s shooting 43/36/89 from the field this season — right in line with his career averages of 44/36/86 — averaging 8.6 FTA, which is his most since he left Houston, and has the eighth-best assist percentage in the league.
Last time out against the Hornets, he dropped 55 points — his season-high, and the 25th 50+ point game of his career.
If you can’t stop him, Harden is going to make it rain. He’s too skilled, too consistent, too seasoned to do otherwise.
The master of the postgame interview is going strong, delighting fans and delivering a unique brand of basketball wizardry. Tonight, he has a chance to raise his name even higher in NBA history and help keep the Clippers, 8-2 in their last 10, on a hot streak.
Jerry Jiang has more for you on Harden’s best moments of the season on NBA.com.
JANUARY 12, 2026 // 6:00 ET
Welcome to a six-game night in the NBA!
We’ve got Pacers-Celtics streaming across the world on Peacock (7:30 ET), as well as James Harden’s chase to climb the all-time scoring list, as we prepare for a six-game night in the Association.
Here’s the complete schedule:

Andreessen Horowitz just announced the firm has raised a little more than $15 billion in new funding. The haul represents over 18% of all venture capital dollars allocated in the United States in 2025, according to firm co-founder Ben Horowitz, but even more jaw-dropping is that it brings the organization to more than $90 billion in assets under management, putting it neck-and-neck with Sequoia Capital as among the largest venture firms in the world. Which is fitting, since a16z appears to be very friendly with actual sovereign wealth funds, including at least one from Saudi Arabia.
The firm, which employs many hundreds of people across five offices — three in California, plus New York and Washington, D.C. — has become a globe-spanning operation with employees on six continents. In December, it opened its first Asia office in Seoul for its crypto practice.
That newly committed capital breaks down across five funds: $6.75 billion for growth investments, $1.7 billion each for apps and infrastructure, $1.176 billion for “American Dynamism” (more on that shortly), $700 million for biotech and healthcare, and another $3 billion for other venture strategies. It’s the kind of money that makes you wonder where it all comes from and, more importantly, where it all goes.
The “where it comes from” question is one the firm has historically declined to answer. When we asked a16z this week about its limited partners and its distributed-to-paid-in capital ratio — the DPI, or how much actual cash the firm has returned to investors over its 16-year history — the firm didn’t respond. What we do know is that CalPERS invested $400 million in 2023, marking the first time in a16z’s history it took money from a major California pension fund, probably because institutions with transparency requirements don’t really align with the firm’s preference for opacity. We also know that Sanabil Investments, the venture arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, lists Andreessen Horowitz among its portfolio holdings.
The Saudi connection isn’t subtle. Back in 2023, Horowitz and Marc Andreessen appeared onstage with WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann to discuss their $350 million investment in his then-new residential real estate venture, Flow. The venue was a conference backed by one of Saudi Arabia’s largest sovereign funds. Horowitz praised Saudi Arabia as a “startup country,” adding that “Saudi has a founder; you don’t call him a founder, you call him his royal highness.”
But Marc Andreessen has found another royal to admire. Since President Donald Trump’s November 2024 election victory, Andreessen has logged a lot of hours at Mar-a-Lago, by his own account, helping shape policy on tech, business, and economics. Early last year, he became an “unpaid intern” at Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, vetting candidates for the Trump administration — not just for tech roles but for positions in the Defense Department and intelligence agencies. Scott Kupor, a16z’s first employee back in 2009, was sworn in as director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management this past summer.
This matters because a16z’s current strategy is heavily weighted toward what it calls “American Dynamism” — a practice that invests in defense, aerospace, public safety, housing, education, and manufacturing. The portfolio aligns remarkably well with Defense Department priorities: Anduril (autonomous defense systems), Shield AI (military drones), Saronic Technologies (autonomous naval vessels), and Castelion (hypersonic missiles). The bigger bet is that America needs to reindustrialize and reshore critical manufacturing, particularly since, as a16z itself notes, the U.S. would exhaust its entire missile inventory “in something like 8 days” in a conflict with China over Taiwan, then need three years to rebuild it.
Then there’s the AI bet, which might be the firm’s highest-risk, highest-reward play yet. a16z has positioned itself across every level of the AI stack: infrastructure (Databricks), foundation models (with stakes in Mistral AI, OpenAI and xAI), and applications (Character.AI, among many other portfolio companies).
The firm has wins to point to. Its $25 million investment in Coinbase turned into an $86 billion valuation at the 2021 IPO. There’s Airbnb (public at over $100 billion), Slack (acquired for $27.7 billion), and GitHub ($7.5 billion to Microsoft). Its portfolio includes 115 unicorns, 35 IPOs, and 241 acquisitions, according to the market intelligence firm Tracxn. The firm has also made and lost money by snapping up cryptocurrency tokens, though there’s less visibility into those numbers.
In a blog post published Friday morning, Horowitz writes that “as the American leader in Venture Capital, the fate of new technology in the United States rests partly on our shoulders.” It’s the kind of statement certain to cause agita at rival firms, some of which have been around closer to 50 years, compared with the much younger a16z. Horowitz frames a16z’s mission as “ensuring that America wins the next 100 years of technology.”
Whether that happens remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Andreessen Horowitz has mastered the art of raising money — $15 billion this time — to fund a vision of American technological dominance that runs through Riyadh, Mar-a-Lago, and the Pentagon. That’s quite a pitch, and plainly, it works.

WATCH: Massive anti-government protests errupt in Iran
WATCH: The left unravels. Trump reshapes the globe.
When did Ayatollah Ali Khamenei become Iran’s supreme leader?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei became Iran’s second Supreme Leader on June 4, 1989, following the death of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. His appointment was made by the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body empowered to select the country’s highest authority.
Before assuming the role, Khamenei served as Iran’s president from 1981 to 1989, navigating the country through the latter years of the Iran‑Iraq war. Since then, he has remained in power for more than three decades, making him the longest‑serving head of state in the Middle East.
Iran protests: Where are they happening?
Mass protests have erupted across Iran, with huge crowds marching in Tehran, Mashhad, and dozens of other cities in what rights groups describe as the largest challenge to the clerical establishment in years. Verified footage shows demonstrators chanting against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and calling for the return of exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi.
The unrest, now in its 12th consecutive day, has spread to more than 100 towns across all 31 provinces. Demonstrations began over the collapse of the rial but have quickly taken on an anti‑regime focus. Videos from Isfahan, Babol, Tabriz, and Dezful show chants of “Death to the dictator” and “Long live the shah,” while Kurdish regions in Ilam, Kermanshah, and Lorestan have seen general strikes and deadly clashes.
Rights monitors report dozens of deaths, including children, and thousands of arrests. Authorities have imposed a nationwide internet blackout, sharply limiting communication and information flow. Despite the crackdown, opposition groups and student activists continue to call for more demonstrations, making this the most widespread unrest since the 2009 post‑election protests.
Why are people protesting in Iran?
What began as demonstrations over economic hardship has morphed into direct challenges to Iran’s leadership. The rial lost half its value against the dollar last year, while inflation soared above 40 percent.
Shopkeepers and bazaar merchants first took to the streets, but protests have since spread to universities and provincial cities, drawing young men into clashes with security forces.
Khamenei vows crackdown as Iran unrest deepens
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pledged Friday that Iran would not back down amid mounting protests, accusing demonstrators of acting on behalf of opposition groups abroad and the United States.
A public prosecutor warned that those accused of sabotage or violence could face death sentences, underscoring the regime’s hardening stance as unrest spreads.
Why did Iran cut off internet access?
Iran largely severed internet access on Friday as authorities sought to contain mounting unrest, with protests spreading across multiple cities and footage showing buildings and vehicles set ablaze. Rights groups say dozens of demonstrators have been killed in nearly two weeks of clashes, while state media reported police casualties overnight.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed not to back down, accusing protesters of acting on behalf of exiled opposition groups and the United States. Tehran’s prosecutor warned that those accused of sabotage or violence could face the death penalty.
The blackout has sharply reduced information leaving the country, disrupting phone calls and flights, while verified videos still showed crowds in Tehran chanting against Khamenei. Demonstrations began over inflation and the collapse of the rial but have evolved into direct challenges to Iran’s leadership.
Authorities have attempted a dual approach—acknowledging economic grievances while labeling other demonstrators as violent rioters. The unrest underscores the government’s vulnerability amid economic crisis, shrinking alliances abroad, and growing anger over corruption and social restrictions.
Exiled crown prince Pahlavi emerges as symbol in Iran protests
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, has re‑entered the spotlight as antigovernment protests sweep across the country. At 65, nearly five decades after the 1979 revolution ended his father’s rule, chants of “Pahlavi will return” and “Javid Shah” echoed through demonstrations Thursday night.
The protests, which began in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over economic grievances, have expanded into a broader challenge to Iran’s leadership. Pahlavi, based in the United States, has urged Iranians to continue their resistance and is increasingly seen by some demonstrators as a symbolic figure of opposition.
Support for the monarchy remains taboo inside Iran, where expressing loyalty to the deposed dynasty is a criminal offense.
Tehran joins widespread Iran protests as unrest reaches new peak
Iran is witnessing its most sustained and wide‑ranging unrest in years, with demonstrations spreading across the capital, Tehran, and the Kurdish regions. Eyewitness footage captured before authorities cut internet access shows crowds chanting directly against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, holding him responsible for the country’s worsening conditions.
The protests intensified after exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi urged Iranians to join the movement. Days earlier, Kurdish political parties and women’s rights groups in exile had called for a general strike, leading to shutdowns in more than 50 cities and towns across four provinces.
Human rights groups report that over 40 people have been killed during the unrest, with BBC Persian confirming the identities of 21 victims through their families.
The demonstrations reflect deep frustration over collapsing economic conditions, fueled by U.S.‑led sanctions and the sharp decline of the rial. Anger over social restrictions, corruption, and political unaccountability has added to the momentum, with many protesters saying they feel they have little left to lose.

Florida’s Space Coast — home of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — remains the reigning rocket launch capital of the world.
Last year ushered in a new annual record of 109 orbital launches, with SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9 rockets accounting for 101 of those missions. How high will Florida’s launch total climb during 2026?
Following is an updating list of this year’s launches thus far from the Cape. For the latest mission updates and industry news from FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team, visit floridatoday.com/space.
1. SpaceX Starlink 6-88
After the bar was set at at unprecedented 109 launches last year, the rumble returned when a SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off Jan. 4 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on the first Starlink mission of 2026.
2. SpaceX Starlink 6-96
As a huge smoke plume rose from a 1,400-acre prescribed burn at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 Jan. 9 on a Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale atRneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

Your neighborhood GameStop might be on the chopping block, along with more than 400 other retail locations across the US. As first reported by Polygon, the retailer is pursuing a severe cost-saving measure by closing up several hundred physical locations. According to a blog that keeps track of GameStop closures, there are 410 locations that are confirmed to be closing or are already closed, along with another 11 that are reportedly also on their way, as of January 10.
As Polygon indicated, these closings aren’t much of a surprise considering GameStop’s SEC filing for December 2025 indicated that it would

The San Antonio Spurs proved why they are legit NBA title contenders by coming into TD Garden and earning a 100-95 comeback win over the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.
The Spurs trailed 91-88 with 2:55 left to play, and then they closed the game on a 12-4 run. Superstar center Victor Wembanyama hit a couple clutch shots over the final two minutes to get his team the victory.
The Celtics led most of the game but got outscored 50-40 in the second half.
Check out our Celtics-Spurs live blog below for a full recap:

After a storybook regular season, the real work begins for the New England Patriots as they make their first playoff appearance since 2019.
The Patriots (14-3) will host the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) for an AFC Wild Card showdown at Gillette Stadium. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will make his NFL postseason debut after an MVP-caliber Year 2 with New England.
Mike Vrabel led the Patriots back into the playoffs in his first season as head coach. The former Pats linebacker turned the franchise around after back-to-back 4-13 campaigns under Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo, respectively.
As for the Chargers, they enter Sunday night’s matchup still searching for their first playoff win with Justin Herbert at QB. The Oregon product is 0-2 in his postseason career.
Kickoff for

On a blog post, Meta said, “As we are now one month into Australia’s social media age ban law being in effect, we wanted to provide an update on how we’ve commenced our compliance with the law, our ongoing work to provide privacy-preserving age appropriate experiences, and some of the initial impacts we have seen as a result of the law that suggest it is not meeting its objectives of increasing the safety and well-being of young Australians. As of 11 December 2025, we removed access to almost 550,000 accounts belonging to people we understand to be under 16 years-old.”
Claim 70% Off TipRanks Premium

Last night’s live blog: LeBron and Luka lead an eight-game night
Week 12 Watch Guide
Power Rankings, Week 12: Spurs stay in the lead
Download the NBA App
What we know about Wednesday night’s games:
The Nuggets defeated the Celtics 114-110 in the first game of our ESPN doubleheader behind Jamal Murray (22 pts, 8 reb, 17 ast).
The Spurs defeated the Lakers 107-91, although Luka Dončić (38 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast) starred in the defeat.
Immanuel Quickley and Paolo Banchero hit buzzer-beaters to lead the Raptors and Magic over the Hornets and Nets, respectively.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (46 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast) led the Thunder over the Jazz 129-125 in overtime.
The Blazers defeated the Rockets 103-102, as Deni Avdija dropped 41 points.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 12:55 AM
Tonight’s results
Raptors 98, Hornets 97
Pistons 108, Bulls 93
76ers 131, Wizards 110
Nuggets 114, Celtics 110
Hawks 117, Pelicans 100
Magic 104, Nets 103 (OT)
Knicks 123, Clippers 111
Suns 117, Grizzlies 98
Thunder 129, Jazz 125 (OT)
Spurs 107, Lakers 91
Warriors 120, Bucks 113
Trail Blazers 103, Rockets 102
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (46 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast) is your top performer of the night.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 12:49 AM
Blazers hold on to ground the Rockets
103-102, as Tari Eason’s game-winning tip-in was ruled to have come after the buzzer.
Deni Avdija had 41 points, along with six rebounds, dropping 40+ for the second time in his career.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 12:34 AM
Warriors beat the Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast) was dominant, but the Warriors defeated the Bucks 120-113 behind Stephen Curry’s 31 points.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 11:59 PM
Spurs defeat the Lakers
107-91, behind Keldon Johnson (27 pts on 11-of-13 shooting) and Victor Wembanyama (16 pts, 14 reb, 4 blk).
Luka Dončić had 38 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the defeat.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 11:48 PM
What touch from Amen Thompson
Dropping the floater from the heavens.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 11:44 PM
Curry with the handles
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 11:36 PM
Egor was excellent
The Nets rookie’s special night deserves a second look.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 11:27 PM
A look at SGA’s brilliant night
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 11:19 PM
The Time Lord rises
Blazers up 57-47 over the Rockets at the half. Deni Avdija has 18 points; Kevin Durant has 16 to lead Houston.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 11:09 PM
Vintage Al Horford
Warriors are up 64-53 over the Bucks at the half. Giannis Antetokounmpo has 18 points, while Stephen Curry has 14 for the Dubs.
Al Horford (6 pts on 2-of-2 shooting) is still out here getting it done at age 39.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 10:50 PM
Thunder hold on to beat the Jazz
129-125 in overtime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 46 points on 26 shots in the win, as well as six rebounds and six assists.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 10:46 PM
Spurs up at the half
48-43 over the Lakers.
Luka Dončić has 22 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists so far tonight, countered by Keldon Johnson’s 14 points for San Antonio. The Spurs have racked up 24 bench points, including those from the former Olympic gold medalist.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 10:32 PM
Jazz and Thunder in overtime
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 37 points so far tonight.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 10:29 PM
Two buzzer-beaters tonight
Paolo Banchero (30 pts, 14 reb, 6 ast) came up clutch for the Magic as they knocked off the Nets 104-103 in Brooklyn.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 10:21 PM
Jazz-Thunder going down to the wire
109-108 Jazz with under two minutes to go. Catch the finish on League Pass!
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 10:19 ET
A little Luka Magic
A special dime from the Don, although the Spurs are up early in the second quarter.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 10:07 PM
Jamal Murray leads the Nuggets over the Celtics
114-110 Nuggets. Peyton Watson had 30 points for the Nuggets, while Jaylen Brown had 33 for the Celtics.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 9:55 PM
Overtime in Brooklyn
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 9:35 PM
IQ at the buzzer
Raptors win 97-96!
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 9:17 PM
Raptors-Hornets going down to the wire
89-all with 2:58 to go in the fourth. Catch the finish on League Pass!
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 9:10 PM
Vintage Embiid
Joel Embiid has 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting as the Sixers lead the Wizards. The Process is at work tonight.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 9:05 PM
Kawhi at it again
The Klaw has 23 points, but the Knicks are up 73-72 with 5:35 to go in the third quarter.
Leonard’s been one of the hottest players in the Association as the Clippers have won seven of their last eight. Will he take them home tonight?
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 9:02 PM
Nuggets-Celtics going down to the wire
90-all with just over six minutes to go on ESPN! Catch the finish on ESPN.
Neemias Queta has 20 rebounds — 10 offensive — so far tonight. The last Celtic to do that was Robert Parish, back in 1989.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 8:44 PM
Buzelis on the bounce
The former AT&T Dunk Contest contestant is putting up a highlight slam every night, it seems. This one’s a 78.5 on the Dunk Score scale.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 8:34 PM
Guarding the Net
The Magic are up 48-42 with the second quarter about done, but this is an impressive swat from the Brooklyn big men.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 8:20 PM
LaMelo with the dime
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 8:12 PM
Raptors rocking behind Scottie Barnes
Scottie has 17, but the Hornets are up 45-40 as the second quarter winds down.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 8:00 PM
Beef Stew for supper
17 first-half points for Isaiah Stewart, as the Pistons lead the Bulls 52-50 at the break.
Jaden Ivey’s added eight in his first start of the season.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 7:45 PM
Maxey on the attack
Tyrese enters tonight’s action at No. 3 in the NBA scoring ranks at 31.0 ppg. Could be a special night for bucket-getters in the Association,.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 7:30 PM
Jaylen Brown is rolling early
JB’s averaging 30.6 ppg in his last four games, including a 50-piece against the Clippers. He’s on one again tonight.
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 6:30 PM
Nickeil Alexander-Walker keeps shooting
Entering the season, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was known as a defender, a 3&D wing who helped link things together as the Minnesota Timberwolves went to the 2025 Western Conference Finals.
This year, as Trae Young’s availability has fluctuated, Alexander-Walker (20.5 ppg on 44.7/38.3/85.4 shooting) has stepped up into a scorer, helping budding star Jalen Johnson lead the way for the Atlanta Hawks offense.
Walker is confident firing from deep, with a smooth sense of driving through the lane that’s reminiscent of his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Before this run, Alexander-Walker last averaged double-digit points in 2021-22, when he split time between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz.
Quin Snyder, who coached Alexander-Walker in Utah as well, said he has evolved over the years, recently praising his leadership qualities and willingness to step up for the team.
“I think there was an instinct that he had, where he could continue to be more aggressive in other parts of his game. That’s been something, for myself, you not only want to instill, but encourage. I think that’s something that’s happening,” said Snyder. “One of the biggest things he’s given us is a voice, on and off the court. There’s a level of professionalism he brings, a work ethic… For a young team, with young players, he’s a person you want to play with, to help teach you and help you grow.”
JANUARY 7, 2026 // 6:00 PM
Welcome to a 12-game night in the NBA!
We’ve got an ESPN doubleheader featuring Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets taking on Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics (7 ET), followed by Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers traveling to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs (9:30 ET) for a clash at the top of the Western Conference.
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:

President Donald Trump defended the federal government’s handling of the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an immigration agent in Minneapolis during a Wednesday interview with The New York Times.
He called the incident “a vicious situation”, saying Good appeared to strike an officer with her vehicle, and added that he did not want anyone to be shot or threaten law enforcement.
“I want to see nobody get shot. I want to see nobody screaming and trying to run over policemen either,” he told the Times in the Oval Office.
“It’s a terrible scene,” Trump said after watching the video. “I think it’s horrible to watch. No, I hate to see it.”
“That was a vicious situation that took place,” Trump said.

NASA is considering bringing Crew-11 home early after an astronaut medical issue.
The planned spacewalk was to be conducted by NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman.
NASA has stated the crew member’s situation is stable and will announce a new date for the spacewalk later.
A crew member aboard the International Space Station has a medical issue that forced postponement of today’s two-astronaut spacewalk — and NASA is considering sending the Crew-11 astronauts home earlier than planned, the agency announced.
NASA did not identify the crew member or provide details on the medical concern, citing privacy issues in a brief blog post. The crew member’s medical condition arose the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 7, and the member is in stable condition.

S
External Link
Microsoft’s shutting down Word’s built-in Send to Kindle feature.
After February 9th, it will discontinue support for the button that has let Microsoft 365 users send Word docs from within the app to devices like the Scribe for reading and annotation, ever since it was added in 2023.
You can still send Word documents to your Kindle, but you’ll need to use Amazon’s official Send to Kindle tool via its website instead.
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.
Send to Kindle from Microsoft Word is Discontinued – Good e-Reader
[ Good e-Reader – The latest news on e-readers and e-paper ]
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Enjoy the best of Monday’s schedule with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
KD’s game-winner was the top story of the night. Read on to learn more!
All-Access Coverage: Knicks-Pistons
All-Access Coverage: Nuggets-76ers
All-Access Coverage: Warriors-Clippers
Week 12 Watch Guide
Kia NBA MVP Ladder
Download the NBA App
What we know about Monday night’s games:
The Pistons made a statement by defeating the Knicks 121-90, led by 29 points and 13 assists from Cade Cunningham, who shot 11-of-17 from the field.
The Hornets went into the Paycom Center and beat the Thunder 124-97, hitting 19-of-37 from three-point range along the way.
The short-handed Nuggets defeated the 76ers 123-122 in overtime as Jalen Pickett dropped a career-high 29 points.
Kevin Durant (26 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast) knocked down a game-winner to lead the Rockets over the Suns 100-97.
With Snoop Dogg on the call, the Clippers held on to beat the Warriors 103-102 on Peacock.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 12:35 AM
“The Clippers, the Clippers, the Clippers”
Intoned Snoop Dogg after Jimmy Butler’s fadeaway went wide left, giving LA the 103-102 victory to end the night on Peacock.
Kawhi Leonard had 24, while Kobe Sanders put up a career-high 20, defending Stephen Curry along the way.
It’s the seventh win for the Clippers in their last eight.
“Next man up. Our coaches, our players instill a lot of confidence in me… they want me to play confident, play free. With them on my back, I feel like I can do anything,” said Sanders.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 12:33 AM
Warriors-Clippers comes down to one shot
103-102 with 6.9 seconds remaining, Warriors ball.
Stephen Curry has fouled out. Who will take the last shot for Golden State?
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 12:27 AM
“Eye of the Tiger”
With Snoop Dogg repeating the mantra, Stephen Curry just knocked down a three to cut it to 101-100 on Peacock with under a minute remaining.
Put some sizzle on your night with the finish on Peacock!
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 12:14 AM
Clippers open up lead
94-81 with just over four minutes to go in the Intuit Dome.
Kawhi Leonard’s got 24 points, leading the way for LA.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 11:55 PM
Kobe starring in LA
78-73 Clippers with 9:48 to go in the the fourth quarter on Peacock. Check out the game to end your night!
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 11:45 PM
The legendary Snoop Dogg
Check it out on Peacock!
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 11:22 PM
Deni on the drive again
Avdija on the attack. Learn more about the Blazers forward’s slashing ability here.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 11:17 PM
Nuggets defeat 76ers in a thriller
Without Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon or Christian Braun, the Nuggets knocked off the 76ers 123-122 in a game that saw 16 lead changes.
It was a career night for Jalen Pickett, who put up 29 points, including seven three-pointers. Peyton Watson had 24 points, while Bruce Brown added 19.
Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 32, while Tyrese Maxey had 28.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 11:08 PM
Clippers up on Warriors at the half
55-51 on Peacock. Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Curry both have 14 to pace their respective squads.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 11:00 PM
Overtime in Philly!
Paul George swatted Peyton Watson’s drive to the rim and grabbed the board, but Maxey couldn’t convert the three-pointer.
We’re headed for bonus basketball in Philadelphia!
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 10:56 PM
Nuggets-Sixers going down to the wire
120-all with 49.6 seconds to go, as Tyrese Maxey swoops to the hoop in transition to tie it.
Get to Peacock for the finish!
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 10:42 PM
The Slim Reaper delivers
Vintage. Kevin. Durant.
Rockets win 100-97 over the Suns in a thriller.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 10:38 PM
Deni on the drive
Deni Avdija — the subject of tonight’s mini-profile — is the league leader in drives per game.
Here, he styles for two points, as the Blazers take an early lead on the Jazz.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 10:29 PM
Hornets knock off Thunder
124-97. Oklahoma City had won five straight against Charlotte before tonight, but walked off their home court with a defeat.
Brandon Miller led the way for the Hornets with 28 points, while Kon Knueppel — No. 2 on the latest Kia Rookie Ladder — posted 23, including five three-pointers.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 10:23 PM
Have a night, Jalen Pickett
The Siena and Penn State product was selected 32nd overall by the Pacers in the 2023 NBA Draft and traded to the Nuggets that evening.
Tonight, he’s had his best game in the NBA.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 10:04 PM
LaMelo is a magician
Ball, a walking highlight reel, delivers for Charlotte.
The Hornets are up 106-82 on the Thunder with 7:36 to go in the fourth.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 9:57 PM
Celtics hold on against Bulls
115-101, although the Bulls won the second half by seven points.
Anfernee Simons had the answer, though, dropping all of his 27 points in the second half.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 9:49 PM
Raptors seeking to ground Hawks
102-93 with 4:36 to go in the fourth, thanks in part to this smooth dime from Scottie Barnes (18 pts, 7 reb, 7 ast).
Toronto has seven players in double figures, as does Atlanta.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 9:43 PM
Hornets still leading OKC
85-67 Hornets with just over five minutes to go in the third. A major upset could be brewing.
Charlotte’s knocked down 56 percent of its threes — 14-of-25 — so far tonight, which has helped.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 9:28 PM
Suns rising out West
60-54 Phoenix over Houston at the half. Devin Booker, Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin all have 11 points to lead the Suns, while Kevin Durant has 13 to pace the Rockets.
The Suns are 7-3 in their last 10 and looking for their third straight win tonight.
They’re up to ninth in the NBA with a 113.1 defensive rating while also grabbing the fourth-most offensive rebounds, by percentage, in the league at 34.1.
The Rockets are better in both categories, though — sixth in DRtg at 112.1 and tops in the Association at 40.1 percent of possible offensive rebounds.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 9:17 PM
Pistons at full force
108-82 Detroit with 5:21 to go, holding the Knicks to 43 percent shooting. Watch out for these Pistons.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 9:12 PM
Hornets up on the Thunder
67-50 at the half, as Charlotte takes a lead on the defending champs on the road at the Paycom Center.
The Hornets are shooting 59 percent from the field, led by Brandon Miller (19 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 2 stl, 2 blk).
Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell both have 11 for the Thunder, who are a startling 6-4 in their last 10.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 9:07 PM
Tyrese to the tin
The Eastern Conference Player of the Week at work on Peacock. Tyrese has 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, while Joel Embiid’s added 11.
But the Nuggets are up 29-26 at the quarter break, led by Spencer Jones and Peyton Watson, who each have 8 points.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 8:51 PM
Payton does this
Classic stuff from the reigning Kia Sixth Man of the Year, who’s up to 21 points. Celtics up 77-53 over the Bulls in the third.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 8:24 PM
Detroit on defense
69-56 Pistons on Peacock, as they continue the great Detroit tradition of rock-ribbed defense while shooting 61 percent from the field.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 8:14 PM
The Notorious B.I.3. at work
33-27 Raptors over the Hawks with 10:49 to go in the second quarter.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 7:44 PM
Snoop in the house
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 7:37 PM
Cade on the attack
45-42 Pistons with 6:34 to go in the second quarter. Cade’s up to 12 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists.
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 6:00 PM
Deni’s been dominant
Deni Avdija came in at No. 7 among Western Conference forwards in the initial fan returns for NBA All-Star Voting 2026, ahead of legendary veterans LeBron James and Kevin Durant, to add his name to the game’s elite.
The Trail Blazers’ leader has been an offensive force during this breakout season, putting up 25.7 ppg, 7.2 reb, 7.1 ast on 46.6/36.2/79.2 shooting.
He’s been at his best in recent days, putting up a dominant double-double in New Orleans on Jan. 2 and his third triple-double of the season (29 pts, 11 reb, 10 ast) against the Spurs Jan. 3, on his way to earning Western Conference Player of the Week.
Check out the 6-foot-8 wing’s all-around game in the video above.
He’s physically strong and tenacious, coupling it with creative flair, skill and deliberate, focused court vision.
Avdija leads the NBA in drives per game at 20.8, putting up 10.1 points and 2.9 assists while attacking the rim. He’s a gifted slasher, comparable to stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13.3, 1.8), Jaylen Brown (13.2, 1.4) and Cade Cunningham (11.2, 1.5).
Avdija also draws 2.1 personal fouls on drives per game — tied with Zion Williamson for the best in the NBA.
“He finds a way to get to the rim or find teammates,” said Interim Coach Tiago Splitter. “He’s been aggressive the whole season.”
“Deni’s always important to us. The way he pushes tempo, the way he gets down into the paint, gets to the free throw line,” said Jrue Holiday. “(He’s) doing a little bit of everything.”
JANUARY 5, 2026 / 5:30 PM
Welcome to an eight-game night in the NBA!
We’ve got a Peacock triple-header leading tonight’s action, as Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks run back last year’s Playoff series with Cade Cunningham and the Pistons (7 ET), Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers host Cameron Johnson and the Denver Nuggets (8:30 ET), and Stephen Curry’s Warriors take on James Harden’s LA Clippers (10 ET).
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:

Ashley Tisdale thought she’d finally found her mom “village” — until it started to feel more hurtful than helpful.
In December 2025, the mom of two opened up about the experience in a candid blog post titled “You’re Allowed to Leave Your Mom Group,” which quickly went viral.

H
External Link
Elon Musk’s xAI raised $20 billion in funding.
The Series E round surpassed the $15 billion target, per a blog post, and xAI said that Grok 5 is in training and the company is “focused on launching innovative new consumer and enterprise products.” The news comes amid a widespread controversy in many countries over Grok’s ability to undress photos of women and children at a user’s request.
xAI Raises $20B Series E
[ xAI ]
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready…
The Verge Daily
A free daily digest of the news that matters most.
Email (required)
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Last night’s live blog: Kevin Durant’s game-winner leads an eight-game night
Week 12 Watch Guide
Power Rankings, Week 12: Spurs stay in the lead
Download the NBA App
What we know after Tuesday’s games:
The Timberwolves beat the Heat 122-94 in the opening contest, led by Anthony Edwards (26 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 2 blk) and Rudy Gobert (13 pts, 17 reb, 2 blk).
The Mavericks knocked off the Kings 100-98 in a thrilling nightcap, led by Cooper Flagg (20 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast), Anthony Davis (19 pts, 16 reb, 2 blk) and Brandon Williams (16 second-half points).
Luka Dončić (30 pts, 10 ast) led the way as the Lakers earned a road win over the Pelicans 111-103. LeBron James added 30 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, while Trey Murphy III was the top man for New Orleans with 42 points.
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 1:51 AM
Tonight’s results
Cavaliers 120, Pacers 116
Wizards 120, Magic 112
Grizzlies 106, Spurs 105
Timberwolves 122, Heat 94
Lakers 111, Pelicans 103
Mavericks 100, Kings 98
LeBron James (30 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk) is your top performer of the night.
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 1:40 AM
Mavericks take a thriller on NBC and Peacock
100-98, as DeMar DeRozan’s game-winning three-point attempt was long.
Brandon Williams put up 16 of his 18 points in the second half to key Dallas, including a clutch three late off an assist from Cooper Flagg (20 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast).
“That’s been a word for our team all year — just trusting each other,” Flagg said of Williams. “He’s a killer, so I’ve got to trust my teammate.”
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 1:31 AM
Mavericks-Kings going down to the wire
98-97 with 40.2 seconds to go, as Cooper Flagg and DeMar DeRozan trade buckets.
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 1:17 AM
A one-point contest in the fourth
87-86 Sacramento with 6:10 to go in the game. End your night on NBC or Peacock and enjoy the finish!
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 1:06 AM
Kings up two heading into the fourth
78-76 on Peacock. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan have 16 each for Sacramento, while Cooper Flagg leads Dallas with 18 points.
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 12:20 AM
Precious adds to the jam fest
Some thunderous slams being thrown down in Sacramento. Achiuwa leads tonight’s Dunk Score cohort at 100.7.
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 12:13 AM
Flying Flagg
The Dallas rookie — No. 1 on the latest Kia Rookie Ladder — swoops to the hoop. Coop’s got hops.
Russ gets up comfortably as well.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 11:39 PM
Mavericks and Kings underway on NBC and Peacock
Lock in, NBA fans. We’ve got a Western Conference clash going for your pleasure this Tuesday evening.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 11:10 PM
A look at LeBron and Luka’s luminous performances
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 10:34 PM
Only Luka
Lakers win, 111-103.
The Don had 30 points and 10 assists, while LeBron James added 30 points of his own, along with 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
Trey Murphy III had 42 points for New Orleans — the fifth 40+ point games of his career — but no other Pelican scored more than 15.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 10:30 PM
Grizzlies take it
106-105. Cam Spencer and Jaren Jackson Jr. had 21 each for Memphis, which snaps a four-game losing streak.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 10:13 PM
Spurs-Grizzlies heading down to the wire
98-97 San Antonio with 3:18 to go in the fourth quarter.
Victor Wembanyama has 30 points off the bench, countered by six Grizzlies in double figures.
Cam Spencer — shooting 47.1 percent from three-point range this season — has delivered tonight.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 10:07 PM
Vintage LeBron
Year 23. Still soaring,
It’s a close game in New Orleans with just over five minutes remaining.
Derik Queen delivered a little art of his own.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 9:51 PM
Ant at work
82-70 Timberwolves with 2:22 to go in the third quarter. Anthony Edwards has it going — catch the contest on Peacock.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 9:40 PM
Pelicans-Lakers heading to the fourth
86-79 Lakers in a good battle.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 9:17 PM
The Stifle Tower abides
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 9:15 PM
Magic-Wizards tight late
111-105 Wizards with four minutes to go. Both teams have six players in double figures; CJ McCollum is the game’s high scorer at 24 points. Who will take it in Washington?
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 9:09 PM
Cavaliers-Pacers going down to the wire
109-102 Cavaliers with just under four minutes to go on League Pass.
Cleveland just took its largest lead of the night, rallying with an 11-0 run.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 8:45 PM
The return of a Herro
This is Herro’s 1,000th career three-pointer — he’s the sixth-fastest player to reach the milestone.
Overall, 175 players have made 1,000 career threes.
Herro tied Taurean Prince at 1,000 with this shot; Danny Ainge (1,002) is up next.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 8:30 PM
Zion hits the trampoline
Furphy earlier, Zion now. Few get up like the Pelicans’ star forward.
29-25 Lakers after the first quarter.
Luka’s got something to do with that.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 8:17 PM
Jeremiah helps New Orleans jell
One of the Pelicans’ prized rookies has 7 quick points, but the Lakers are up early in the first.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 7:50 PM
Coulibaly coast-to-coast
40-33 Wizards with 8:28 to go. Want it prepared Béarnaise or au poivre?
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 7:35 PM
Furphy takes flight
The Pacers’ dunker extraordinaire adds another to his resume.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 7:00 PM
Hear the sound in your mind…
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 6:30 PM
Jaime Jaquez Jr. is back on form
After a breakout initial season that saw him finish fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, Jaime Jaquez Jr. slipped in his second campaign, seeing his scoring average and minutes drop.
But, as the Heat have risen to seventh in the Eastern Conference this year, he’s found his footing again, putting up 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 53 percent shooting.
Jaquez is a skilled, strong slasher, capable with either hand, with considered footwork. He brings to mind ex-Heat star Jimmy Butler — rarely off-balance, constantly looking to get downhill, and willing and able to cook you in the low-to-mid post.
Jaquez shoots 8.4 field goals from within eight feet per game — just behind Lauri Markkannen, Karl-Anthony Towns and Alex Sarr — making 58 percent of them. That’s his bread-and-butter. He takes few attempts per game overall than any of those three.
“How do you get to that downhill so efficiently and effectively?” Myron Gardner asked his teammate after the Heat knocked off the Nuggets Dec. 29.
“I think the floor’s a little slanted. Every halftime, they slant it a little bit, so it goes downhill,” Jaquez joked.
It feels like that sometimes, as the UCLA product continues to raise the temperature for the Heat, showing off his smooth and easy game.
JANUARY 6, 2026 / 6:00 PM
Welcome to a six-game night in the NBA!
It’s ‘Coast 2 Coast Tuesday,’ as we bring you Heat-Timberwolves (8 ET) and Mavericks-Kings (11 ET) live on NBC and Peacock!
Luka Dončić, the top vote-getter in the second round of balloting for NBA All-Star Voting 2026, also leads the Lakers into New Orleans to take on Zion Williamson and the Pelicans on League Pass (8 ET).
Doncic (33.7 ppg) continues to pace the league in points per game, dropping 2.1 points more than second-pace Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while leading the Lakers to the second-best field goal percentage in the Association at 50.1 and the third-best record in the Western Conference at 22-11.
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:

The Boston Celtics are back in action against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night at TD Garden.
Boston (23-12) is riding a four-game win streak after taking down the Chicago Bulls at home on Monday. Anfernee Simons was the star in the C’s victory, drilling eight 3-pointers and tallying all 27 of his points in the second half.
Denver (24-12) enters Wednesday’s matchup with a 4-6 record over its last 10 games. Superstar Nikola Jokic has been sidelined since Dec. 29 with a knee injury and will remain out against the Celtics.
Follow our live blog below for score updates, highlights, news, and reaction throughout Wednesday’s game:

Once a go-to hangout for gamers, GameStop is reportedly shuttering stores across California as a new wave of closures hits the state.
While GameStop has not confirmed the reports, a blog tracking the closure news reports that more than 200 stores nationwide are closed or set to close soon, including 25 California locations confirmed, with another 9 reported.
Meanwhile, social media posts from customers and employees have announced closures in Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas.
GameStop did not immediately respond to USA TODAY requests for comment on Jan. 7.
GameStop to close more stores in Jan.
GameStop’s latest SEC filing in December stated its intentions to close a

Missouri will look to do two things it has never done before Wednesday night: start SEC play 2-0, and win at Rupp Arena against Kentucky.
Both Missouri and Kentucky are needing a strong conference slate after an underwhelming non-conference slate that was riddled with injuries for both teams. Both are making their way closer to 100% however, with Jevon Porter the only player on the availability report for Missouri, and Kentucky having a clean slate.
Kentucky got the best of Missouri to end the 2024-25 regular season, with the Wildcats taking a 91-83 win to spoil the Tigers’ Senior Day. Guard Otega Oweh led Kentucky with 22 points.
Kentucky brought in the top transfer class in the SEC, bringing in four new members to its starting lineup: forward Jayden Queantance, guard Jaland Lowe, forward Mouhamed Dioubate and guard Denzel Aberdeen.
Missouri will look to pull off another upset to build off of a victory over then-No. 22 Florida on Saturday.
Follow this blog for live updates, news and analysis of Wednesday night’s game. Newest updates will be posted at the top.
Live Updates
Pre Game
Starting Lineups
How to Watch: Mizzou men’s basketball vs. Kentucky
Who: Missouri (11-3, 1-0 SEC) vs. Kentucky (9-5, 0-1 SEC)
What: Missouri’s first SEC road game of the season.
When: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m.
Where: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Tiger Radio Network (Play-By-Play: Mike Kelly Color: Chris Gervino)
SiriusXM: Kentucky -84, Missouri – 381
Series: Kentucky leads 16-3, with Missouri’s last win coming in December of the 2022-23 season.
Last Time Out, Missouri: The Tigers began SEC play with an upset over then-No. 22 Florida to create what is by far Missouri’s best win of the season up to this point. Missouri held the lead for the 16 minutes of the second half, but the Gators kept chomping away to make for a close finish. Guard Anthony Robinson II landed a 3 with 21 seconds remaining to virtually seal the game for Missouri.
Last Time Out, Kentucky: The Wildcats lost on the road to then-No. 14 Alabama, falling 89-74. Oweh scored 22 and Lowe added 21.
Missouri Stat Leaders
Points: Mark Mitchell (16.9 on 56.5 FG%)
Rebounds: Mark Mitchell (5.4)
Assists: Anthony Robinson II (3.5 with 1.7 turnovers)
Kentucky Stat Leaders
Points: Otega Oweh (14.7 on 46.3 FG%)
Rebounds: Malachai Moreno (6.4)
Assists: Denzel Aberdeen (3.1 with 1.4 turnovers)
Read more Missouri Tigers news:

Last night’s live blog: LeBron and Luka lead an eight-game night
Week 12 Watch Guide
Power Rankings, Week 12: Spurs stay in the lead
Download the NBA App
What we know about Wednesday night’s games:
Our ESPN doubleheader features Nuggets-Celtics (7 ET) and Lakers-Spurs (9:30 ET).
The Clippers, 7-1 in their last 10, travel to Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks, led by Kawhi Leonard, who’s averaging 35.0 ppg over the stretch.
Cade Cunningham is out, as are Nikola Jokić, Trae Young and Trey Murphy III. Joel Embiid, Jamal Murray and James Harden are available.
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 7:30 ET
Jaylen Brown is rolling early
JB’s averaging 30.6 ppg in his last four games, including a 50-piece against the Clippers. He’s on one again tonight.
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 6:30 ET
Nickeil Alexander-Walker keeps shooting
Entering the season, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was known as a defender, a 3&D wing who helped link things together as the Minnesota Timberwolves went to the 2025 Western Conference Finals.
This year, as Trae Young’s availability has fluctuated, Alexander-Walker (20.5 ppg on 44.7/38.3/85.4 shooting) has stepped up into a scorer, helping budding star Jalen Johnson lead the way for the Atlanta Hawks offense.
Walker is confident firing from deep, with a smooth sense of driving through the lane that’s reminiscent of his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Before this run, Alexander-Walker last averaged double-digit points in 2021-22, when he split time between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz.
Quin Snyder, who coached Alexander-Walker in Utah as well, said he has evolved over the years, recently praising his leadership qualities and willingness to step up for the team.
“I think there was an instinct that he had, where he could continue to be more aggressive in other parts of his game. That’s been something, for myself, you not only want to instill, but encourage. I think that’s something that’s happening,” said Snyder. “One of the biggest things he’s given us is a voice, on and off the court. There’s a level of professionalism he brings, a work ethic… For a young team, with young players, he’s a person you want to play with, to help teach you and help you grow.”
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 6:00 ET
Welcome to an 12-game night in the NBA!
We’ve got an ESPN doubleheader featuring Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets taking on Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics (7 ET), followed by Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers traveling to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs (9:30 ET) for a clash at the top of the Western Conference.
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:

Last night’s live blog: LeBron and Luka lead an eight-game night
Week 12 Watch Guide
Power Rankings, Week 12: Spurs stay in the lead
Download the NBA App
What we know about Wednesday night’s games:
Our ESPN doubleheader features Nuggets-Celtics (7 ET) and Lakers-Spurs (9:30 ET).
The Clippers, 7-1 in their last 10, travel to Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks, led by Kawhi Leonard, who’s averaging 35.0 ppg over the stretch.
Cade Cunningham is out, as are Nikola Jokić, Trae Young and Trey Murphy III. Joel Embiid, Jamal Murray and James Harden are available.
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 6:30 ET
Nickeil Alexander-Walker keeps shooting
Entering the season, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was known as a defender, a 3&D wing who helped link things together as the Minnesota Timberwolves went to the 2025 Western Conference Finals.
This year, as Trae Young’s availability has fluctuated, Alexander-Walker (20.5 ppg on 44.7/38.3/85.4 shooting) has stepped up into a scorer, helping budding star Jalen Johnson lead the way for the Atlanta Hawks offense.
Walker is confident firing from deep, with a smooth sense of driving through the lane that’s reminiscent of his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Before this run, Alexander-Walker last averaged double-digit points in 2021-22, when he split time between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz.
Quin Snyder, who coached Alexander-Walker in Utah as well, said he has evolved over the years, recently praising his leadership qualities and willingness to step up for the team.
“I think there was an instinct that he had, where he could continue to be more aggressive in other parts of his game. That’s been something, for myself, you not only want to instill, but encourage. I think that’s something that’s happening,” said Snyder. “One of the biggest things he’s given us is a voice, on and off the court. There’s a level of professionalism he brings, a work ethic… For a young team, with young players, he’s a person you want to play with, to help teach you and help you grow.”
JANUARY 7, 2026 / 6:00 ET
Welcome to an 11-game night in the NBA!
We’ve got an ESPN doubleheader featuring Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets taking on Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics (7 ET), followed by Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers traveling to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs (9:30 ET) for a clash at the top of the Western Conference.
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Cybercriminals don’t always need malware or exploits to break into systems anymore. Sometimes, they just need the right words in the right place. OpenAI is now openly acknowledging that reality. The company says prompt injection attacks against artificial intelligence (AI)-powered browsers are not a bug that can be fully patched, but a long-term risk that comes with letting AI agents roam the open web. This raises uncomfortable questions about how safe these tools really are, especially as they gain more autonomy and access to your data.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
NEW MALWARE CAN READ YOUR CHATS AND STEAL YOUR MONEY
Why prompt injection isn’t going away
In a recent blog post, OpenAI admitted that prompt injection attacks are unlikely to ever be completely eliminated. Prompt injection works by hiding instructions inside web pages, documents or emails in ways that humans don’t notice, but AI agents do. Once the AI reads that content, it can be tricked into following malicious instructions.
OpenAI compared this problem to scams and social engineering. You can reduce them, but you can’t make them disappear. The company also acknowledged that

The New England Patriots clinched their first AFC East division title since 2019 last week, but their seed and first playoff opponent have not yet been determined entering the final day of the NFL regular season.
The Patriots could finish as any of the top three seeds in the AFC after the Week 18 games. If they beat the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon, they will be assured of at least the No. 2 seed.
Will the Patriots take care of business and finish the season with a win over their division rivals?
Follow our Patriots-Dolphins live blog below for video highlights, analysis, playoff picture updates and more.

What we know about Sunday’s games:
The Pistons put another in the win column, with a 114-110 win over the Cavaliers this afternoon. The game was billed as a battle of the star guards, and it didn’t disappoint, with Cade Cunningham pouring in 27 points, to go with 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Donovan Mitchell delivered 30. The unsung hero for Detroit, though, was Daniss Jenkins, who added 25 points off the bench on 6-for-7 3-point shooting.
Injuries haven’t been kind to Denver this season, with Nikola Jokić (knee) and Jonas Valančiūnas (calf) the most recent Nuggets to hit the sidelines. However, this afternoon in their matinee matchup with the Nets, we’ll see the returns of Christian Braun (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) from long layoffs, which should be a boost to Denver’s depth as they await the return of the aforementioned.
Oklahoma City has notched 30 wins in its first 35 games for the second straight season. They’ll be trying to extend their dominance with a victory over Phoenix, who have won five of their last six.

IN PICTURES: Mourners set candles and flowers out for victims
Teen witness recalls panic during Crans-Montana bar fire
Bruno Martins, 17, said he arrived at The Constellation bar in Crans-Montana expecting to meet friends for New Year’s celebrations but instead found the venue engulfed in flames and surrounded by police.
“It was total panic, people were trampling each other,” Martins recalled. He said one of his friends suffered severe burns and is being treated at a hospital, while others remain missing.
Martins described the experience as surreal and deeply unsettling. “It’s not real, it’s a shock,” he said. “Especially since it’s a bar we know so well.”
Swiss hospitals treat over 100 victims of Crans-Montana fire
More than 100 people injured in the Crans-Montana nightclub fire have been transported to hospitals across Switzerland, officials said.
Lausanne University Hospital reported it has admitted 22 patients, while University Hospital Zurich is treating 12. Both facilities house the country’s specialist burns units.
Claire Charmet, director of Lausanne University Hospital, told Swiss newspaper 24 Heures that those admitted represent the most serious cases, with patients averaging between 16 and 26 years old. She said eight resuscitation procedures had already been performed, and victims were being moved into critical and specialized care.
Charmet cautioned that recovery will be “a long and intensive process, lasting several weeks, perhaps even months.” She added that all patients, including those unconscious, have been identified and connected with their families.
Authorities continue to assess the full scope of injuries as Switzerland’s medical system responds to one of the country’s deadliest recent disasters.
Where exactly did the fire strike?
The deadly fire that broke out at a bar in Switzerland occurred in the Valais region, about two hours south of Bern. The area lies close to the French and Italian borders, underscoring the international character of the resort town where the incident unfolded.
Crans-Montana, a century-old ski destination in the French-speaking Alps, sits roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) from both France and Italy. The resort offers 140 kilometers of ski runs served by 24 lifts, making it one of the country’s premier winter sports hubs.
In relation to other Swiss resorts, Verbier is about 80 minutes away toward France, Zermatt lies at a similar distance but further south toward Italy, and St. Moritz is a five-hour drive east near the Liechtenstein border.
The fire has cast a shadow over one of Switzerland’s most popular alpine destinations, known for its sweeping views and international clientele.
Swiss rescue chief says many victims of Crans-Montana fire are young
Swiss officials say a significant number of those injured in the Crans-Montana nightclub fire are young people. Philipp Simmen, head of the Swiss Air Rescue Helicopter team, told public broadcaster SRF that his crews quickly realized many of the patients being evacuated were youths.
Simmen’s team has been coordinating the transfer of victims to hospitals following the blaze, which killed dozens and left about 100 injured. The revelation highlights the devastating impact of the disaster on younger visitors to the resort, which is a popular holiday destination during the New Year period.
Crans-Montana fire strikes historic Swiss ski resort
Crans-Montana, the century-old Swiss ski resort famed for its luxury appeal and international clientele, is reeling after a bar fire that reportedly killed dozens and injured about 100 more.
Located in the Valais region about 120 miles east of Geneva, the resort is known for its sweeping views over the Rhone Valley, high-end restaurants, and major sporting events, including World Cup ski races and golf tournaments. It was scheduled to host men’s and women’s World Cup races later this month.
The resort, visited by about 3 million people annually, was purchased in 2024 by Vail Resorts for 118.5 million Swiss francs (about $130 million). The U.S.-based operator has pledged significant investment in infrastructure upgrades, including snow-making facilities.
Authorities said victims of the fire at Le Constellation bar were likely of multiple nationalities, reflecting the resort’s diverse visitors, led by Swiss, Italian, and French tourists. The bar, described as a casual venue popular with young people and foreign guests, stood apart from the luxury nightspots for which Crans-Montana is known.
Travel organizer Amin Momen called the resort “a very chic international destination,” noting that December is a peak holiday period for families. The resort has long attracted celebrities, including late actor Roger Moore, who owned a home there.

The unrest highlights deep frustration with Iran’s leadership as sanctions and last year’s war with Israel and the United States continue to batter the economy.
Demonstrators have voiced not only economic grievances but also political opposition to the ruling theocracy, raising fears of a harsher crackdown reminiscent of past protest waves.
Much of Iran was closed Wednesday in what officials attributed to cold weather, though analysts suggested the move was aimed at curbing demonstrations.
Protests have expanded from Tehran and major cities into smaller towns in the west, drawing merchants, students, and residents frustrated by inflation and the steep fall of the rial, now trading at roughly 1.4 million to the dollar.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged public anger over financial hardship, telling state television during a visit to southwestern Iran that leaders must take responsibility.
“If people are dissatisfied, we are to blame,” he said, adding that officials should not deflect blame onto foreign powers. His remarks contrasted with other officials who accused “enemies” abroad of fueling the unrest.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who served as the shah of Iran from 1941 to 1979, urged people to look at the country during and after his leadership when he was asked about how Iranians will judge him 50 years later during an interview.
“If they read history, they will see what it was before my father, what it was when I took over, and what it was when I left,” Pahlavi said, according to a video of the 1980 interview posted on YouTube.
The interviewer had asked Pahlavi how future Iranians would judge him 50 years from then.
Pahlavi fled Iran in 1979 amid violent demonstrations against his rule. Now, 47 years after his rule ended, protests have broken out again in Iran.
Continue reading: Shah’s 50-Year Prediction for Future of Iran Resurfaces Amid Protests
At least six people were killed Thursday as demonstrations over Iran’s worsening economy spread into rural provinces, marking the first deaths since the unrest began. Authorities said five protesters and one member of the security forces died in clashes in Lordegan and Azna, where government buildings were damaged and police responded with tear gas.
The protests, the largest since the 2022 uprising following Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody, have slowed in Tehran but intensified elsewhere. Human rights groups confirmed fatalities among demonstrators, while state media reported the death of a 21‑year‑old Basij volunteer during separate protests in Lorestan province.
Officials attributed the unrest to inflation and the collapse of the rial, now trading at roughly 1.4 million to the dollar. Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has signaled willingness to negotiate but acknowledged limited options. Security forces have arrested dozens, including alleged monarchists and opposition figures, while confiscating weapons.
The demonstrations come as Iran reels from last summer’s war with Israel and ongoing sanctions tied to its nuclear program. Protesters have voiced anger not only at economic hardship but also at the country’s theocratic leadership, raising fears of a harsher crackdown ahead.
The current protests are defined by an unprecedented coalition: Bazaar merchants demanding economic stability, students calling for political change, and labor unions pressing for unpaid wages.
This convergence, occurring without centralized leadership, has created a decentralized movement that is harder for authorities to suppress.
With over 500 arrests since late December and continued demonstrations despite tear gas and force, the “fear barrier” appears broken.
Analysts warn that if economic discontent spreads to rank‑and‑file security forces, Iran could face its gravest existential crisis since 1979.
Iran’s inflation rate reached 48.6% in October 2025, eroding the purchasing power of the middle class and poor alike. Food prices surged more than 70% year‑over‑year, collapsing the subsidy system that once cushioned households.
Unlike earlier protests tied to specific fuel hikes, this wave of unrest is universal, connecting retirees, merchants, and students under shared economic strain.
Demonstrators in cities like Fasa have moved beyond demands for price relief, targeting the regime itself as the source of the crisis.
On December 29, 2025, the Iranian rial plunged to a historic low of 144,000 tomans per dollar, shattering confidence in the government’s economic management.
Within three days, strikes spread across 21 provinces, with merchants from Tehran’s Grand Bazaar joining students and pensioners in protest.
The breadth of participation marked a departure from past unrest, signaling a structural challenge to the regime’s stability. Reports from Lorestan province confirmed the first protest‑related fatality, underscoring the volatility of the moment.
Iran’s most significant protests in three years turned deadly overnight into Thursday, with multiple fatalities reported by state media and rights groups. Demonstrations that began in Tehran over soaring inflation and a collapsing currency have spread nationwide, drawing in shopkeepers, students, and other groups.
In the western city of Lordegan, clashes between police and protesters left several dead and wounded, according to the rights group Hengaw. Authorities also confirmed one death in Kuhdasht, while another was reported in Isfahan. The Revolutionary Guards said a member of its Basij paramilitary unit was killed and more than a dozen injured.
The unrest comes after officials offered an unusual “dialogue mechanism” earlier this week, though security forces have continued to respond forcefully. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said Thursday that authorities would meet with union and vendor representatives, but details remain unclear.
With inflation near 40 percent and sanctions deepening economic strain, the protests pose a major test for Iran’s leadership, which faces mounting anger and limited options to ease the crisis.
The U.S. State Department has urged American citizens in Iran to exercise heightened caution as demonstrations over the country’s worsening economy enter a fifth day.
In a statement from the U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran, officials warned that protests have led to an increased security presence, road closures, transportation disruptions, and intermittent internet blockages. The advisory noted that gatherings could turn violent, resulting in arrests and injuries.
Americans in Iran were advised to avoid crowds, keep a low profile, monitor local media, and prepare independent plans to leave the country, as U.S. assistance may be limited. Iran remains under a “do not travel” designation due to risks including terrorism, unrest, and arbitrary detention.
The protests, marked by chants against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reflect deep frustration with inflation and economic decline. In a Farsi-language post, the State Department said demonstrators are demanding respect, access to services, and self-determination, adding that the United States “stands in solidarity with the people of Iran in their pursuit of fundamental rights.”
Iranian authorities have shut schools and government offices in 26 of the country’s 31 provinces, a move widely seen as an attempt to ease tensions after days of protests over inflation and economic mismanagement.
The closures began December 31, coinciding with unusually clear skies in Tehran that allowed residents to glimpse Mount Damavand, a symbol of resilience long obscured by smog. Protesters noted the view as emblematic of dissent reemerging.
Despite the softer tone from officials, reports suggest security forces have intensified arrests and shootings. The appointment of Ahmad Vahidi, a hardline loyalist to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guards signals a potential return to harsher tactics if demonstrations continue.
Iran’s government has taken a markedly different approach to protests this week, allowing media coverage and keeping the internet broadly accessible as demonstrations spread beyond economic grievances.
Unlike past crackdowns in 2019 and 2022, when authorities swiftly shut down communications and branded protesters as foreign agents, state broadcasters have acknowledged the unrest and even stated that “protesters have every right to protest rising prices.” President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed that sentiment, saying citizens do not need permits to demonstrate under the constitution.
Officials have promised reforms, with the new central bank governor, Abdolnasser Hemmati, vowing to tackle inflation and end privileges for the well-connected. Whether these conciliatory gestures signal a lasting shift or a temporary tactic remains unclear.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned Tuesday that the country would deliver a “harsh and discouraging” response to any aggression, a statement widely seen as directed at U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Pezeshkian’s remarks came a day after Trump suggested renewed military strikes could be ordered if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear program. Trump made the comments during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate, where both leaders discussed Tehran’s capabilities months after a 12-day air war in June.
That conflict killed nearly 1,100 Iranians and 28 people in Israel, with Washington claiming major damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. U.S. officials later assessed the strikes had delayed Iran’s program by months, though Trump insisted they had set it back “decades.”
Analysts note that while Iran retains enriched uranium, its immediate leverage lies in its large arsenal of conventional ballistic missiles, which pose a threat to Israel and U.S. forces in the region. Pezeshkian has accused Western powers of destabilizing Iran, saying the country is already in “full-scale war” with the U.S., Israel, and Europe.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged that the government bears responsibility for public dissatisfaction, saying mismanagement—not foreign powers—is to blame for the country’s economic and social struggles.
“If people are dissatisfied, we are to blame—not America or anyone else,” Pezeshkian said in remarks carried by local media. He emphasized that officials must manage resources more effectively, improve efficiency, and address citizens’ needs.
“Our failures are the result of poor management,” he added.
Several people were killed overnight in Iran as protests over soaring inflation and the collapse of the national currency escalated into violent clashes, according to local media and rights groups.
Deaths were reported in Lordegan, Kuhdasht, and Isfahan, though casualty figures differ between state outlets and activists. The Revolutionary Guards said one member of its Basij paramilitary unit was killed in Kuhdasht, while rights group Hengaw claimed he was a protester shot by security forces.
The demonstrations, the largest in three years, began with shopkeepers protesting the government’s handling of the currency slide and have since spread to multiple provinces. Activist networks reported arrests in Kermanshah, Khuzestan, and Hamedan, while protests continued in Marvdasht in Fars province.
The unrest comes amid 40 percent inflation, Western sanctions, and regional tensions. Authorities have offered dialogue with merchants and unions, but continue to deploy security forces to contain the crisis.

Enjoy the best of Thursday’s New Year’s Day schedule with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
All-Access: Rockets-Nets
Easiest and toughest schedules in January
Download the NBA App
Kawhi Leonard’s scoring outburst was the top story of the night. Read on to learn more!
What we know after Thursday’s games:
The Rockets won their fourth straight game, defeating the Nets 120-96 behind Amen Thompson (23 pts, 10-of-12 shooting).
Norman Powell (36 pts, 7 3PM) led the Heat to a 118-112 road win over the Pistons, overcoming Cade Cunningham’s big night (31 pts, 8 reb, 11 ast).
Tyrese Maxey (34 pts. 8 reb, 10 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk) sparked the Sixers to a 123-108 win over the Mavericks on NBA TV.
The Clippers beat the Jazz 118-101, as Kawhi Leonard dropped 45 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter.
1:05 AM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Clippers defeat Jazz
118-101, led by an incredible performance from Kawhi Leonard, who took over down the stretch.
It’s a six-game win streak for the Clippers, led by the Klaw, who’s averaging 39.0 ppg over that span. Tonight’s performance was vintage Kawhi.
Kyle Anderson led the Jazz with 22 points in defeat.
12:50 AM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Kawhi going off
Clippers up 107-96 over the Jazz with 3:54 remaining, as an all-time great does good work.
12:20 AM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Celtics knock off the Kings
120-106, as Jaylen Brown put up 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead Boston.
The Celtics have now won three in a row and stand 1.5 games behind the Knicks for second in the Eastern Conference.
12:09 AM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Jazz making a comeback
11:40 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Kings and Celtics dueling in Sacramento
88-all in the Golden One Center heading to the fourth quarter.
Jaylen Brown has 21 points, while DeMar DeRozan leads the Kings with 17.
11:17 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Clippers leading Jazz
35-26 with 8:42 to go in the second quarter. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard both have 11 points so far.
10:50 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Sixers defeat Mavericks
123-108, led by Tyrese Maxey (34 pts. 8 reb, 10 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk).
VJ Edgecombe (23 pts, 5 reb) came up with a huge block down the stretch. The rook has bounce.
10:35 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
A quick start in Sacramento
Payton Pritchard started off hot, but it’s 40-35 Sacramento with 9:51 to go in the second quarter.
10:20 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Sixers up after three
92-85 Philadelphia as the fourth quarter gets underway in Dallas.
Maxey’s 23 leads the Sixers; Max Christie has 15 to pace the Mavs.
10:00 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Edgecombe makes his own dash
VJ Edgecombe, following in Tyrese Maxey’s footsteps from earlier, takes the steal and races away for two here.
Sixers up 77-68 with 5:21 to go in the third; Edgecombe leads Philly with 18 points (7-of-11 shooting).
9:50 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Norm nailed the threes tonight
Powell is now shooting 47.9/39.8/86.4 from the field this season. Read more about the talented scorer’s off-the-court grind here.
9:35 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Heat hold on to defeat Detroit
Norman Powell led the way with 36 points, including 7 three-pointers, while Jaime Jaquez added 19 and this clutch bucket to take control against the Pistons in a 118-112 win.
9:30 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Pistons rallying against the Heat
Detroit ball, 116-112 Miami with 45 seconds to go. Catch the finish on League Pass!
9:15 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Maxey racing to the bucket
No one runs more in the NBA than Tyrese Maxey. He leads the league with 2.8 miles covered per game — including this burst to the rim.
9:00 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Norman Powell on fire
8:15 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Ausar starts the break
7:30 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Amen soars through the air
7:00 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Pistons rolling against Miami
6:30 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Starting the New Year with Sengun
6:00 PM / JANUARY 1, 2026
Welcome to a five-game night in the NBA!
Here’s tonight’s schedule:

This live blog is refreshed periodically throughout the day with the latest updates from the market. To find the latest Stock Market Today threads, click here.
Happy Friday. This is TheStreet’s Stock Market Today for Jan. 2, 2025. You can follow the latest updates on the market here in our daily live blog.
Tesla Falls Short of Delivery Expectations
Electric vehicle firm Tesla fell far short of analyst expectations in its latest quarterly report, coming in at 418,227 deliveries. Analysts were looking for a number closer to 440,907.
The tepid showing comes after the Trump administration and Congress moved to retire a federal EV credit, setting off a boom in sales before its expiration at the end of the third quarter, which made the fourth quarter the first full quarter of sales without the credit to help move its inventory.
How this will ultimately boil down to the company’s earnings remains to be seen. However, some transitory pain is expected. The company has looked to pivot from its roots as an energy firm to an autonomy company, embracing the promise of its Robotaxi business and Optimus humanoid robot.
Those businesses are unlikely to contribute much to the company’s coming quarterly report, expected later this month, but the report might offer commentary on the progress of key programs.
A.M. Update
Happy 2026. It’s the first trading day of the year, which means fresh beginnings for the markets. Analysts have stacked expectations for this year, with market hawks widely expecting another year of returns — many polled by TheStreet are even banking on a fourth consecutive double-digit showing this year.
For many versed in the here and now, the end of the fourth quarter will also herald the first major test of 2026: bank earnings. We’ll get those lined up next week, but in the meantime, the bulls seem to be warming up. This morning, futures for the the Nasdaq (+0.97%) are up nearly one percent, while the Russell 2000 (+0.64%), S&P 500 (+0.55%), Dow (+0.36%) are also tipped to the upside for the first trading session of 2026.
Economic Data + Events
This morning, we’ll get our first data point of 2026 in the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI for December. It’s out at 9:45 a.m. PT. Last month, it came in at 52.2.
Aside from that, we’ll get the Fed Balance Sheet for the last week of 2026 at some point later in the day. Then, we’ll call it a wraps for the first trading day of 2026.
In business data, Tesla‘s latest delivery data will also be carefully scrutinized; it’s due out before the market open and we’ll do an update once that comes out.
Next week, we’ll get the big boys as ISM Manufacturing and Services, JOLTS Job Openings, and Payrolls are slated to report.
Earnings Today
There are no earnings today. Enjoy the day off!

Now that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has appointed a new CEO to run Microsoft’s biggest businesses, he has a little more time on his hands for other adventures. Beyond focusing on Microsoft’s technical work, Nadella is now turning to the ancient art of blogging to discuss Microsoft’s year ahead and why he thinks everyone needs to move “beyond the arguments of [AI] slop vs sophistication.”
Nadella’s first blog entry in “sn scratchpad” is all about Microsoft and other AI companies still needing to get a bunch of stuff right with AI. Chief among them is creating a new concept for AI that evolves the “bicycles for the mind” concept that Steve Jobs used to describe computers as tools in the ’90s. “We need to get beyond the arguments of slop vs sophistication and develop a new equilibrium in terms of our ‘theory of the mind’ that accounts for humans being equipped with these new cognitive amplifier tools as we relate to each other,” says Nadella.
Nadella wants to move beyond the usual AI slop arguments, because Microsoft is betting on getting everyone hooked on AI agents instead of the Office and Windows software that has powered so many industries for decades.
This speaks to the tension with AI models right now and the fear from creatives about being edged out by AI models that are capable of copying the style of artists, designers, filmmakers, and more. We’ve been using PCs as tools for decades to create art, write code, and beyond, but Microsoft and others now want us to rely on AI agents as the new tools for creation instead — even if a lot of what is generated is slop.
Microsoft has a vision of everyone using Copilot with our voices to create content, search for information, and discover how to use things. The problem is that the vision doesn’t match reality right now, and barely any of what Copilot promises to do actually works.
Microsoft is betting on improved AI models to help Copilot and its own AI offerings, just as Meta warns that you can’t trust your eyes to tell you what’s real anymore. While Nadella has been part of the OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic AI model battle of 2025, he now argues that it’s how people choose to apply AI instead of individual model power that ultimately matters.
“We will evolve from models to systems when it comes to deploying AI for real world impact,” says Nadella. These systems will have to take into consideration the societal impact they have on people and the planet, he says. “The choices we make about where we apply our scarce energy, compute, and talent resources will matter. This is the socio-technical issue we need to build consensus around.”
Nadella’s first sn scratchpad blog entry is brief, but it’s all about 2026 being a “pivotal year for AI.” The same could be said for 2025, but Nadella thinks the industry now has a “clearer sense of where the tech is headed” and how it will shape its impact on the world. We’ll have to revisit whether the tech industry gets AI right this year once 2027 rolls around, but Nadella is now promising to deliver more of his personal “notes on advances in technology and real-world impact” in future blog posts throughout 2026.

Enjoy the best of Friday’s schedule with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
All-Access: Hornets-Bucks
Easiest and toughest schedules in January
Download the NBA App
What we know after Friday’s games:
The Cavaliers defeated the Nuggets 113-108 in the first game of our national doubleheader, as Donovan Mitchell (33 pts) out-dueled Jamal Murray (34 pts).
The Thunder beat the Warriors 131-94, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 30 points.
The Bucks held on to earn a 122-121 victory over the Hornets, as Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast) threw down a game-winning alley-oop with 4.7 seconds remaining.
1:10 AM / JANUARY 3, 2025
Lakers defeat Grizzlies
128-121. Luka Dončić (34 pts, 6 reb, 8 ast) and LeBron James (31 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) led the way for the Lake Show.
12:56 AM / JANUARY 3, 2025
Lakers take late lead
121-112 Los Angeles with just under two minutes to play. Will Memphis make a comeback?
12:33 AM / JANUARY 3, 2025
Lakers and Grizzlies tied after three
For your nightcap, check out Lakers-Grizzlies, which is currently tied at 96-all.
Luka Dončić has 28 points; LeBron James has 21; ex-Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leads the Grizzlies with 18.
Looks like a good finish on League Pass.
12:28 AM / JANUARY 3, 2025
Thunder roll over Warriors
Oklahoma City handed Golden State their worst loss of the season Friday night, winning 131-94 behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30 pts) and Chet Holmgren (23 pts, 15 reb).
“Playing to our habits, playing to our fundamentals,” said SGA. “No matter who goes out there, we know what it takes to get dubs.”
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III did not play for the Warriors. Al Horford, Will Richard and Moses Moody each had 13 for the Bay Area representatives.
12:01 AM / JANUARY 3, 2025
Take a good look at the Greek Freak’s night
11:49 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
The Spurs’ backcourt is thriving
San Antonio guards are shooting 48.2 percent from the field this season — second-best in the NBA.
Tonight, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper put up 46 points on 55.8 percent shooting, spurring their squad to a 123-113 win over the Pacers.
11:36 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
Russ passes The Big O
These two guards have often been named in the same breath, as Russell Westbrook has amassed triple-doubles and accolades over a 17-year career.
Oscar Robertson played 14 seasons, earning 12 NBA All-Star nods, eight straight All-NBA First Team honors and the 1963-64 NBA Most Valuable Player award.
A legendary moment on this Friday night.
Russ also passed Robert Parish to move into 19th on the all-time field goals list.
11:02 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
The Don makes it look easy
Lakers are up 31-28 over Memphis on League Pass.
Before the game, Luka Dončić did what he does — magic.
10:38 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
Bucks hang on to defeat Hornets
122-121, behind Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast) and Ryan Rollins (29 pts).
Kon Knueppel had 26 to lead the Hornets in his return to his native Wisconsin.
10:10 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
Cavs defeat Nuggets on Prime
113-108.
Donovan Mitchell had 33 points, while Jamal Murray countered with 34, bringing to mind their classic duel in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
The Cavaliers ended the game on a 10-0 run to ice, running their record to 20-16.
Darius Garland added 18 points and 8 assists for Cleveland.
9:55 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
Murray in the clutch
9:30 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
Nuggets-Cavaliers going down to the wire
101-100 with 7:25 to go on Prime! Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell are both up to 31. Check out the duel.
9:15 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
Buzelis hits the trampoline
A 116.7 on the Dunk Score scale — fifth-best of the season!
8:00 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
Long-range dimes to start Friday night
7:30 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
The Blue Arrow at work
7:00 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
Pacers rolling early in Indy
6:00 ET / JANUARY 2, 2025
Welcome to a 10-game night in the NBA!

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri will hope a new year will mean a new Tigers as they begin SEC play Saturday night by hosting No. 22 Florida.
Missouri is coming off its lowest-scoring game under head coach Dennis Gates, with the Tigers falling in an embarrassing 91-48 loss to Illinois. Missouri went 2-3 in the month of December.
One of the biggest moments for Missouri last season was upsetting then-No. 5 Florida on the road in January. Another upset Saturday night would be a crucial confidence and resume boost for the Tigers.
That effort will be helped by the return of forward Trent Pierce and guard Jayden Stone, who have both missed time with injury. It will be Pierce’s first game all season and Stone’s first since before Thanksgiving. Forward Jevon Porter will miss a second-straight game with a leg injury.

The Boston Celtics wrap up a season-high five-game road trip Saturday night against one of the NBA’s hottest teams.
The Los Angeles Clippers have won six games in a row — a run that has vaulted them from the bottom of the Western Conference standings to two games out of a play-in tournament spot.
Kawhi Leonard has fueled the Clippers’ recent success with superstar play at both ends of the court. He did not play when these teams met at TD Garden on Nov. 16 — a game the Celtics won 121-118.
Will the Celtics close the road trip with another victory, or will the Clippers extend their win streak to seven games?
Follow our Celtics-Clippers live blog below for video highlights, analysis, exclusive interviews and more.

A strong cold front brought a round of dangerous cold on Monday, with below-zero wind chills in the early morning. Wind chills will remain cold on Monday in the teens, before a return to more average temperatures for New Year’s.
BLOG:
The big changes can be blamed on a deep trough pushing off the Plains, bringing a cold front through the Midwest Sunday night into Monday.
Temperatures have dropped from the 70s into the 30s, and eventually into the teens tonight as cold northwest winds ramp up.
As the front quickly moves east, temperatures fall though the day and strong winds pick up in the wake of low pressure. A Wind Advisory is in place for the possibility of 45-50 mph winds. Power outages are certainly possible at those wind speeds.
Strong winds from the northwest will push temperatures down into the teens by Monday morning, and drop wind chills to around -3 to 0 for the start of the day. Even as highs rise into the mid-20s Monday, wind chills remain in the teens through the afternoon. Tuesday morning wind chills will still be between around 5 and 10 degrees.

BLOG:
The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for the potential of widespread strong to damaging wind gusts on Sunday and wind chills below zero by Monday morning.
The big changes can be blamed on a deep trough pushing off the Plains, bringing a cold front through the Midwest Sunday night into Monday.
Temperatures have dropped from the 70s into the 30s, and eventually into the teens tonight as cold northwest winds ramp up.
As the front quickly moves east, temperatures fall though the day and strong winds pick up in the wake of low pressure. A Wind Advisory is in place for the possibility of 45-50 mph winds. Power outages are certainly possible at those wind speeds.
Strong winds from the northwest will push temperatures down into the teens by Monday morning, and drop wind chills to around -3 to 0 for the start of the day. Even as highs rise into the mid-20s Monday, wind chills remain in the teens through the afternoon. Tuesday morning wind chills will still be between around 5 and 10 degrees.

This live blog is refreshed periodically throughout the day with the latest updates from the market. To find the latest Stock Market Today threads, click here.
Happy Tuesday. This is TheStreet’s Stock Market Today for Dec. 30, 2025. You can follow the latest updates on the market here in our daily live blog.
A.M. Update
Good morning. The dawn rises on the second to last trading day of 2025. This year has had its ups and downs, but this storied year will soon be history — and we aren’t just saying that.
Barring some meltdown of biblical proportions, the U.S. markets will have notched a third consecutive year of double-digit returns across the major indexes. And it might not be over, either. Our very own Charley Blaine digested some of the ‘big numbers’ of 2025 and polled over 20 leading financial analysts on their takes for 2026.
Stocks
Every major analyst’s S&P 500 price target for 2026
Charley Blaine
GOOGL
BAC
BLK
The analyst average sees another ‘historic’ year in the makings, even though it hasn’t begun. If another double-digit year of returns were to happen, it would be the first time that had happened since the period spanning 2003 to 2007 (famous for obvious reasons).
That level of bullishness might be a flashing red sign for some market hawks, especially as catalysts like Fed cuts, AI optimism, and earnings growth run into some headwinds. Mix in the still-tepid consumer backdrop and a healthy bit of the ‘great unknown’ and you can see why the recent rally could face its match. But for what it’s worth, none of those concerns panned out in 2025 — so perhaps the analysts might be ‘manifesting’ for more of what the last six months had in store.
We’ll ultimately have to cross that bridge and ring in the New Year when we get there, but we’ll take what we have right in front of us for the meantime. Down a few basis points in futures trading this morning, the major indexes could be looking at another day of declines. Stocks have backslid a bit from all-time highs since the Christmas Day holiday as the recent ‘tech rebound’ has struggled. 65.8% of stocks, or about 3,645 issues, declined on Monday.
(And despite earlier misconceptions (yes, my bad, my apologies to those who caught this one), the market will be open for two more full days — no half day on the 31st. That leaves us with a solid 13 more hours of trading, so lock in those gains and loss harvesting.)
Speaking of which, here’s a short bit on what’s coming up today:
Economic Data + Events
Today will see a modest slate of economic data points, including the FOMC Minutes (2:00 p.m. ET) and Chicago PMI (9:45 a.m. ET), among others. Here’s what is on deck in econ land:
Earnings Today
There aren’t any earnings from firms with a market cap of at least $1 billion today, a quiet day! But shortly after the New Year holiday, we’ll be readying up for the start of Q4 earnings, which will start with bank earnings.

WATCH: Zelensky and Trump say 90% of peace plan agreed on
WATCH: Trump says it’s ‘not the right time’ for alleged Ukraine attack on Putin
WATCH: EU reinforces Ukraine support with $105 financial package—12/19
Ukraine says Russian drones hit civilian grain ships in Black Sea
The Ukrainian Navy reported Tuesday that Russian attack drones struck two civilian vessels as they entered a Black Sea port to load wheat. The ships were identified as the Emmakris III and Captain Karam.
In a statement on Telegram, the navy said the strikes “threaten the lives of civilians and undermine global food security.” The claims have not yet been independently verified.
Belarus deepens military ties with Moscow as Oreshnik missiles arrive
Belarus has reinforced its role as a key ally to Russia, with President Alexander Lukashenko confirming the arrival of the Oreshnik missile system earlier this month. He said as many as 10 of the nuclear‑capable systems would be stationed in the country.
Belarus previously served as a launchpad for Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has supplied Moscow’s forces with equipment and gear, though not troops.
Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for more than three decades, has at times had a strained relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But since the invasion, Minsk and Moscow have signed a sweeping security pact and significantly expanded their defense cooperation.
Russia deploys nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles in Belarus
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Tuesday that its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system has officially entered active service following deployment in Belarus.
Officials did not disclose how many missiles were stationed.
President Vladimir Putin has previously lauded the Oreshnik system, highlighting its multiple warheads and reported ability to reach speeds of up to Mach 10. He has claimed the missiles are designed to evade interception, presenting them as a cornerstone of Russia’s advanced deterrence capabilities.
Ukraine shows aerial images of devastated Kupiansk
Ukraine’s Ground Forces have released new aerial photos showing the destruction of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, describing the city as “ruins and total devastation” after months of Russian strikes and fighting. The images, published by the 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade, depict shattered apartment blocks and widespread damage.
“This was once a cozy and peaceful Kupiansk, which Russia has turned into ruins,” the brigade said, adding that its units continue to defend the city. “Russia destroys, while we defend what is ours — our land, our people, and our future.”
The situation in Kupiansk remains fluid. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the area on December 12 during an active phase of combat. Defense officials later reported a counterattack that blocked Russian units inside the city, with Ukrainian forces claiming control of nearly 90 percent of Kupiansk.
Russian state media has continued to assert control over the city, but Ukraine’s Joint Forces Group formally denied those claims on December 29. Commander‑in‑Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has outlined plans for securing Kupiansk once the bridgehead is fully cleared.
Analysis suggests Russian death toll in Ukraine far higher than confirmed
A new analysis has highlighted the scale of Russia’s battlefield losses since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with figures suggesting the death toll could be far greater than official counts.
According to the BBC, obituaries for Russian soldiers rose by 40 percent over the past year. The outlet has confirmed the names of 160,000 troops killed, but researchers estimate that represents only 45 to 65 percent of the actual total.
Based on that range, the actual number of Russian military deaths could fall between 243,000 and 352,000. The findings underscore the high human cost of the nearly four‑year conflict, which continues to grind on with no clear resolution.
WATCH: Trump and Zelensky say ‘90%’ of peace deal is agreed upon
Ukraine mocks Russia’s foreign minister after drone strike allegations
Ukraine has published an image mocking Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. On Monday, Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching more than 90 long-range drones at Putin’s residence northwest of Moscow into the early hours of Monday morning.
The official account for Ukraine superimposed Lavrov’s face onto a poster for the 1997 American movie, Liar Liar, starring Jim Carrey.
Ukraine: ‘No such attack happened’
Andrii Sybiha, the Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs, has issued a statement on X stating

Ukraine, U.S., and European officials advance peace process talks
Ukrainian, American, and European officials held new discussions on the peace process, focusing on security guarantees and post‑war recovery for Ukraine. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said the talks included himself, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, alongside European national security advisers Jonathan Powell of the UK, Emmanuel Bonne of France, and Günter Sautter of Germany. Rustem Umerov and President Volodymyr Zelensky represented Ukraine.
Witkoff explained that the goal was to move negotiations forward “in a practical way” under President Donald Trump’s peace initiative. He said participants discussed strengthening security guarantees, developing deconfliction mechanisms, and advancing a prosperity package to ensure Ukraine’s resilience after the war. Coordination will continue into the new year.
Umerov confirmed he briefed Zelensky on the call and said further meetings with U.S. and European partners are planned in January, including an online session of national security advisers in Kyiv on January 3.
The talks follow Zelensky’s recent meeting with Trump in Florida, where the Ukrainian leader said the U.S. peace plan was 90 percent agreed, with unresolved issues over territories and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Zelensky added that he and Trump reached full agreement on security guarantees.
WATCH: Trump and Zelensky say 90 percent of peace plan is agreed on
WATCH: Trump’s big 2026 foreign policy tests
WATCH: Zelensky credits Trump for major peace advances
ISW: Kremlin tightens draft system amid heavy losses in Ukraine
The Kremlin is intensifying its reliance on conscription and reservists as Russia struggles with mounting battlefield losses in Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Analysts say the measures highlight Moscow’s growing manpower crisis, with casualties outpacing recruitment despite aggressive mobilization efforts.
On December 30, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree authorizing active reservists to attend special training camps beginning in 2026, officially framed as a measure to protect critical infrastructure. A day earlier, he ordered draft offices to operate year‑round, replacing the traditional spring–fall cycle. Russia plans to conscript 261,000 people in 2026, following 135,000 mobilized in the fall of 2025.
Ukraine’s Commander‑in‑Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russia recruited about 406,000 soldiers in 2025, but losses exceeded 410,000. ISW estimates Russian forces suffered an average of 83 casualties per square kilometer of territory operated in 2025, underscoring the inefficiency of offensive operations.
Analysts warn that deploying reservists into combat risks destabilizing Russia’s domestic balance, breaking the tacit understanding that most citizens would remain insulated from the war. Reports also indicate the Kremlin has formed assault units staffed by women and expanded recruitment under the guise of infrastructure protection in at least 20 regions.
Finland inspects vessel suspected of cable damage in Baltic Sea
Finnish authorities have inspected a vessel believed to be linked to recent damage to undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland, President Alexander Stubb announced Wednesday.
The Baltic region has faced heightened security concerns following repeated disruptions to power lines, telecom connections, and gas pipelines since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Stubb said Finland remains vigilant, stressing on X that the country is “prepared for security challenges of various kinds” and will respond as needed.
Zelensky welcomes Romania and Croatia to PURLDefense Initiative
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Romania and Croatia for joining the PURL initiative and announcing their first contributions, calling the program vital for strengthening Ukraine’s defenses. The initiative, launched in August, allows participating nations to pool resources to purchase American weapons, including Patriot missile systems and other critical capabilities.
According to Zelensky, 24 countries have now joined the effort, ranging from European allies such as Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states to partners including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Contributions have reached $4.3 billion, with nearly $1.5 billion pledged in December alone. The funding has already enabled eight assistance packages, with two more in progress.
Zelensky said the growing coalition demonstrates international commitment to Ukraine’s security and brings the country closer to peace and stability across Europe as the war continues into 2026.
Ukraine reports over 10,000 Russian troops captured since invasion
Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War says more than 10,000 Russian military personnel have been taken prisoner since the start of the full‑scale invasion, with the number of foreign fighters among them steadily rising. The “I Want to Live” project released comprehensive statistics for the first time, noting that in 2025 alone, more captives were recorded than in 2022 and 2023 combined.
Officials report that between 60 and 90 Russian soldiers surrender weekly, with peaks of 350 per week in August 2024. Captures have been concentrated in Donetsk’s Pokrovsk and Bakhmut districts, the Kursk region, and Zaporizhzhia’s Polohy district. About 7 percent of prisoners are foreign nationals from 40 countries, with two to three identified each week this year.
Data show most captives are rank‑and‑file contract soldiers, many recruited from prisons or private military companies. Nearly a quarter said they were coerced or deceived into service, while 40 percent have criminal records. Prisoners range in age from 18 to 65, with many suffering from chronic illnesses.
Ukraine has exchanged more than 6,000 prisoners back to Russia, most in 2025, though at least 237 former captives were later killed or went missing after returning to the front. Kyiv accuses Moscow of slowing exchanges to gain leverage in broader negotiations, despite agreements to swap 1,200 detainees under the Istanbul framework.
EU’s Kallas calls Russia’s Valdai attack claim a ‘deliberate distraction’
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas dismissed Russia’s assertion that Ukraine targeted President Vladimir Putin’s residence in Valdai, describing it as an attempt to divert attention from peace efforts. She said Moscow’s narrative is designed to undermine progress made by Kyiv and its Western partners, stressing that the aggressor’s claims should not be accepted given Russia’s record of striking civilian infrastructure.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alleged that Ukrainian drones attacked Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region on December 29, claiming 91 drones were destroyed. The Defense Ministry later reported intercepting 112 drones nationwide, including 41 over Novgorod, leaving the fate of about 50 drones unclear.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the accusations, warning they could serve as cover for new Russian strikes. U.S. President Donald Trump also said Putin informed him of an alleged attack, calling the development “not good.”
Russian diplomat says EU ties could shift under new Commission
A senior Russian foreign ministry official suggested that relations between Moscow and the European Union may improve once a new European Commission is in place. Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the ministry’s Department of European Problems, told Izvestia it is “too early to say” the dialogue is permanently broken.
Maslennikov argued that sanctions imposed on Russia have harmed the EU itself and predicted Brussels would eventually need to reassess its approach. He emphasized that Russia will remain a neighbor on the Eurasian continent regardless of political tensions, making long‑term engagement unavoidable.
Ukraine police seize massive cache of illegal weapons in 2025
Ukrainian authorities reported seizing thousands of firearms and millions of rounds of ammunition from illegal circulation over the past year. According to the National Police, more than 8,000 guns, 2 million cartridges, hundreds of grenade launchers, tens of thousands of grenades, and several tons of explosives were confiscated in 2025. Nearly 5,000 criminal cases tied to arms trafficking were opened.
The Interior Ministry noted that under a law allowing voluntary declaration of weapons, citizens disclosed more than 15,000 firearms and 7.7 million rounds of ammunition. However, fewer than 400 weapons and just over 68,000 cartridges were actually surrendered.
Officials have long warned that uncontrolled access to weapons remains a serious problem. The issue intensified in 2022 when local authorities distributed arms widely at the start of Russia’s invasion. By early 2024, estimates suggested Ukrainians possessed between 2 and 5 million unregistered weapons. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko acknowledged that crimes involving firearms are rising and predicted the trend will continue.
Lukashenko says Putin rejected calls to target Ukraine’s leadership
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko revealed that Russian leader Vladimir Putin dismissed proposals from advisers urging strikes on Ukraine’s decision‑making centers. Speaking after a drone attack on Putin’s residence in Russia’s Novgorod region, Lukashenko said “hotheads” had pressed for Hazel missile retaliation against President Volodymyr Zelensky and other leaders, but Putin refused.
Lukashenko emphasized that throughout the conflict neither side attempted to kill the other’s head of state, describing the drone strike on Putin’s residence as “terrorism at the state level.” He suggested Zelensky may have been linked to the attack, though he added the Ukrainian president “did not know what he was doing.”

TAMPA, Fla. — No. 14 Vanderbilt has had a tremendous football season, yet history is still on the line. The Commodores are slated to face No. 23 Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday, and a win would mark their first ever 11-win season.
Vanderbilt is riding a three-game winning streak, grabbing victories over Auburn, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Still, getting this win in Florida won’t be easy, as Iowa is a worthy foe.
Vanderbilt boasts a 10-2 record, while the Hawkeyes have won eight games. Both teams have kept it competitive against talented opponents — Vanderbilt’s two losses were to No. 9 Alabama and No. 13 Texas, while Iowa’s four losses came to Iowa State, No. 1 Indiana, No. 5 Oregon, and No. 16 USC.
A huge strength of Iowa’s is its offensive line. The Hawkeyes won the Joe Moore Award, an honor that is given to the best offensive line in college football. Iowa finds success by playing with a sense of physicality and allowing its run game to wreak havoc, which could give Vanderbilt problems.
On top of that, the Commodores will be without All-American tight end Eli Stowers. Stowers opted out of the game in light of preparing to enter the NFL Draft, a decision that Vanderbilt supports but will feel.
Stowers leads the Commodores in receiving yards with 769, tagging on four touchdowns. The offense will certainly miss him against the Hawkeyes, instead leaning on reliable quarterback Diego Pavia.
Pavia has thrown for a whopping 3,192 yards this season, adding 27 touchdowns. He may be playing with some added emotion after falling short of winning the Heisman on Dec. 13. Pavia finished as the runner-up to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Even though he didn’t take home the hardware, Pavia has led his team to a season to remember. His impact on the Commodores is too grand to put into words, as he has elevated the programs to new heights.
Now, he has one final chance to take the field in a Vanderbilt uniform, and it goes without saying that he is ready to make the most of it. A win would not only allow the Commodores to make aforementioned history, but it would send Pavia off in the way he arguably deserves- as a winner.
The Commodores and Hawkeyes square off at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, with kickoff slated for noon eastern time.
Follow the live blog here for live updates from today’s Vanderbilt-Iowa game.
Live Blog
Be sure to refresh your browser for live updates from Vanderbilt vs. Iowa. The most recent updates will appear at the top.
Pregame
Future Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis is also in attendance today. The five-star recruit flipped his commitment from Georgia to Vanderbilt four weeks ago. The Commodore fanbase is hoping for a bright future when Curtis joins the team.
Vanderbilt and Iowa are warming up on the field as quarterback Diego Pavia gears up for his final game in the black and gold.
Weather Report
It is a crisp 52 degrees in Tampa as Vanderbilt and Iowa are set to kickoff at 12 p.m. CT. It is a sunny day as well, perfect for the final day of 2025. The forecast says the temperature will rise into the upper 50s by the end of the game.
Vanderbilt Commodores On SI:

Rory Feek is sharing details of his family’s holiday celebrations in the midst of what he described as a “challenging” stretch.
The country singer, 60, shared a blog post on Dec. 28 titled “A White Christmas,” which chronicled his seasonal activities with wife Rebecca and daughter Indiana, 11.
Feek — who is in the midst of an ongoing dispute with his two older daughters Heidi and Hopie over Indiana’s care — said that despite the difficulties, he was grateful to those who had shown “love and kindness” in recent months.
“Even though the last year or two have been very challenging for us, we’ve felt surrounded with more love and true friendship than we’ve ever had before, and for that, and so much more, we are truly grateful,” he wrote.
The musician, who rose to fame as part of the Grammy-winning country duo Joey+Rory with late wife Joey Feek, also teased something big, saying his family had had a Christmas that they “won’t forget anytime soon.”
“One of the main reasons was because of an early Christmas gift we received. If there was a Santa, he came to our farm early this year – on the 23th to be exact — and our family received the gift that we had all hoped for, but didn’t dare to imagine,” he wrote. “A Christmas miracle, if ever there was one.”
Feek wrote that while he’d “love to share more,” he is saving the story of their surprise “for another time.”
It remains unclear as to which challenges Feek was referring in his blog post, though it was an eventful year for the musician.
In February, his daughter Hopie, 37, announced that her biological father is actually a man she identified as BC — not the singer, who raised her and her sister Heidi, 39, after splitting from their mother, his ex-wife (Hopie and Heidi are also currently in legal limbo with their father over Indiana, whom they have not been able to see in over a year).
Then in September, he marked what would have been Joey’s 50th birthday by visiting her grave with their daughter. Joey died of cancer in 2016 at age 40, and Feek married Indiana’s teacher Rebecca in July 2024.
Hopie’s revelation that Feek was not her biological father sparked conflict in the pair’s relationship. Though Feek wrote in a blog post that he loves Hopie as his daughter and “always will,” she expressed frustration with his response, as he shared personal details of their family’s history.
“My relationship with my dad is broken. Not because of this new revelation, but because he refuses to go to family therapy,” she later told PEOPLE. “Him taking the two most vulnerable conversations of my life (coming out to him, and telling him we’re not biologically related) and publishing them to the world, is something we need a professional to help us navigate.”
Heidi and Hopie have not seen Indiana since June 2024, as their father has not let her visit her sisters due, he says, to their differing worldviews. In a blog post that August, Feek wrote that Indiana

Rick Neale
Florida Today
Jan. 1, 2026, 8:42 a.m. ET
Florida’s Space Coast just hosted a record-shattering 109 orbital rocket launches during 2025, soaring beyond all previous annual records.
Will this year’s final total surpass that lofty sum from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center?
Stay tuned. The Cape’s January 2026 launch schedule kicks off with a string of SpaceX Starlink internet satellite missions. Coming up in the near future: NASA’s Artemis II crewed moon mission and NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 liftoff to the International Space Station.
Following are the latest missions coming up from the Cape. All launches are listed in Eastern Standard Time. But be aware: Dates and times routinely change for a wide variety of reasons.
For the latest mission updates and space news, visit floridatoday.com/space. For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com.
Sunday, January 4: SpaceX Starlink 6-88
Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Launch window: 12 a.m. to 3:17 a.m.
Trajectory: Southeast.
Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Sonic booms: No.
Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
Wednesday, January 7: SpaceX Starlink 6-96
Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Launch window: 1:55 p.m. to 5:55 p.m.
Trajectory: Southeast.
Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Sonic booms: No.
Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
Saturday, January 10: SpaceX Starlink 6-97
Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Launch window: 1:34 p.m. to 5:34 p.m.
Trajectory: Southeast.
Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Sonic booms: No.
Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
No earlier than February: NASA Artemis II
Mission: Four NASA astronauts will venture around the moon during a 10-day flight to help pave the way for future human lunar exploration missions.
Launch window: TBA.
Trajectory: TBA.
Location: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Pad 39B.
Sonic booms: No.
Live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team coverage: Starts hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
No earlier than Sunday, February 15: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12
Mission: Four crew members from three space agencies will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station.
Launch window: TBA.
Trajectory: TBA.
Location: TBA.
Sonic booms: TBA.
Live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team coverage: Starts two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
Early 2026: United Launch Alliance USSF-87
Mission: A ULA Vulcan rocket will launch a national security mission into geosynchronous orbit.
Launch window: TBA.
Trajectory: TBA.
Location: Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Sonic booms: No.
Live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team coverage: Starts two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
Early 2026: Blue Origin Blue Moon Pathfinder
Mission: A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket will launch a Blue Moon lunar lander carrying NASA payloads on a demonstration mission.
Launch window: TBA.
Trajectory: TBA.
Location: Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Sonic booms: No.
Live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team coverage: Starts two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
No earlier than April: NASA Boeing Starliner-1
Mission: An uncrewed Boeing Starliner will deliver cargo to the International Space Station and undergo in-flight validation of a series of system upgrades.
Launch window: TBA.
Trajectory: TBA.
Location: TBA.
Sonic booms: TBA.
Live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team coverage: Starts two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
Fourth quarter 2026: ULA Sierra Space Dream Chaser
Mission: Sierra Space will launch its uncrewed Dream Chaser space plane atop a ULA Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Launch window: TBA.
Location: Launch Complex 41.
Live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team coverage: Starts two hours minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter.
Space is important to us and that’s why we’re working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.
Featured Weekly Ad

In his op-ed of Dec. 8, Josh Hammer seeks to dismiss legitimate concern over climate change.
He tells us the tide is changing because recent polling shows “only” 60% (what I call a solid majority) of Americans believe climate change is mostly human-caused.
Hammer cites Bill Gates’ Oct. 28 blog post as evidence of a fading consensus. But Gates has not, in fact, changed his mind about climate change being a very serious ongoing issue. Instead, he believes that actions already taken, along with new technologies on the horizon, will limit the damage to an acceptable level. Gates says there will still be serious damage, but that it is acceptable only because there are other even worse problems facing the world’s poorest people . His post is not about changing beliefs, but rather the allocation of resources.
Hammer rejoices in the retraction of a study that had predicted a 62% decline in global economic output, saying if you remove the data that was found to be flawed that decline is only 23%. How can a decline of 23% be viewed as anything but disastrous?
Had it remained unaddressed, human-caused climate change would have eventually led to the extremely dire consequences that Hammer derides as alarmist.
The shifting public opinion that he applauds, if real, stems from two causes. The first is that progress already made has forestalled those consequences. The second is that concern is being displaced by the rise of so many other problems created by the current administration.
Phil Sutton
Ebensburg

The Boston Celtics’ road trip continues in Sacramento, where they will meet the Kings for the first time in the 2025-26 NBA season.
Boston (20-12) enters Thursday’s game having won seven of its last 10 games. Sacramento (8-25) has lost eight of its last 10, and it will be short-handed against the C’s with both Zach LaVine (ankle) and Domantas Sabonis (knee) sidelined.
The Celtics have a clean injury report outside of Jayson Tatum (Achilles).
Follow our live blog below for score updates, highlights, reaction and more throughout Thursday night’s matchup:

Most fleet managers think their biggest challenge is driver retention… until they realize 600,000 drivers are about to vanish from the market entirely.

The trucking industry is bracing for what experts are calling the largest capacity purge in history. With freight volumes down 18% year-over-year and new regulatory enforcement creating an unprecedented driver shortage, the question isn't whether your fleet will be affected: it's whether you'll survive what's coming next.

The Perfect Storm: What's Driving This Historic Purge

The numbers are staggering. Transport economist Noël Perry estimates that regulatory changes alone could eliminate over 600,000 drivers from the workforce: that's 17% of all active truckers in America. This isn't just another market downturn; it's a fundamental restructuring of our industry.

Here's what's creating this perfect storm:

English Language Proficiency Enforcement: New strict enforcement has already resulted in 23,000 violations and 5,000 out-of-service orders. Industry analysts project this could sideline approximately 20,000 drivers annually: and that's just the beginning.

Freight Volume Collapse: With demand down 18% year-over-year, carriers are struggling with declining profit margins while facing increased operational costs. The traditional cushion that helped fleets weather previous downturns has evaporated.

Immigration Restrictions: The relief valve of immigrant labor that historically filled capacity gaps during tough times is now severely restricted. This means carriers can't simply hire replacement drivers like they could in past market corrections.

Financial Pressure: Smaller carriers that expanded rapidly during the post-COVID boom lack the reserves to survive prolonged unprofitable periods. Many are already operating on razor-thin margins with no room for error.

Fleet Management Reality Check: Are You Prepared?

If you're a fleet manager reading this, ask yourself: How long can your operation survive with current freight rates and driver availability?

The brutal truth is that most fleets aren't prepared for what's coming. While everyone's focused on day-to-day operations, the industry landscape is shifting beneath our feet. The companies that recognize this shift now: and adapt accordingly: will be the ones writing the success stories when the dust settles.

What makes a fleet vulnerable?

• Heavy reliance on spot market rates
• Thin cash reserves (less than 90 days operating capital)
• Dependence on immigrant or non-compliant drivers
• Rapid growth without operational infrastructure
• Limited access to contracted freight

What gives fleets a survival advantage?

• Asset-based operations with owned trucks and trailers
• Diverse freight portfolio with contracted rates
• Strong cash position and credit facilities
• Proven driver retention programs
• Compliance systems already in place

Who Will Survive: And Who Won't

The Winners: Large, Asset-Based Carriers

Companies like MigWay, operating 269 trucks and 450 trailers with full fleet control, represent the model that will dominate post-purge. Their CEO emphasizes that "when the market contracts, only companies with their own trucks, trailers, and planning discipline can keep freight moving without disruption."

These operators have several critical advantages:

• Financial cushion to weather extended unprofitable periods
• Resources to comply with new regulatory demands
• Ability to maintain consistent service during market disruption
• Access to contracted freight rates above spot market pricing

The Survivors: Driver-Focused Operations

Fleets that have invested in driver experience will gain significant competitive advantage. As the driver pool shrinks, companies offering better compensation, improved working conditions, and reliable operations will attract talent from failing competitors.

Smart fleet managers are already adjusting their driver recruitment and retention strategies. They're offering sign-on bonuses, improving pay packages, and creating working conditions that keep experienced drivers loyal: because replacing a driver in this market will become nearly impossible.

The Casualties: Small, Under-Capitalized Carriers

The harsh reality is that thousands of trucking authorities will likely be revoked as fleets shut down. Small carriers that can't meet new compliance requirements or survive on current freight rates will be forced out of business.

Brokers heavily exposed to spot markets are particularly vulnerable. With shrinking freight volumes and margin compression, many brokerage operations that thrived during the freight boom simply won't have viable business models in the new landscape.

Strategic Response: What Fleet Managers Must Do Now

Immediate Actions (Next 30 Days):

1. Cash Flow Analysis: Calculate how long your operation can survive at current freight rates. If it's less than 180 days, you need emergency measures.

2. Driver Compliance Audit: Review every driver's documentation. Better to identify issues now than face enforcement actions that put trucks out of service.

3. Freight Portfolio Review: Analyze your mix of spot vs. contracted freight. If you're over 60% spot market dependent, start aggressively pursuing contracted opportunities.

Medium-Term Strategy (Next 90 Days):

1. Financial Positioning: Secure credit facilities now while they're available. Banks are already tightening lending to transportation companies.

2. Driver Retention Investment: Increase driver compensation and improve working conditions. The cost of retention will be far less than the cost of replacement.

3. Operational Efficiency: Streamline operations to maintain profitability at lower freight rates. Every inefficiency that was tolerable in good times becomes a survival threat.

The Opportunity Hidden in Crisis

Here's what most fleet managers are missing: This purge will create the biggest opportunity in trucking history for those who survive it.

When 600,000 drivers leave the market, freight rates will inevitably rise: potentially to COVID-era levels. The fleets that weather this storm will find themselves in a market with:

• Significantly reduced competition
• Higher freight rates
• Better driver compensation (due to scarcity)
• More stable, profitable operations

The key is positioning your fleet to be among the survivors, not the casualties.

What Fleet Managers Are Saying

We want to hear from you. How is your fleet preparing for this capacity reduction? What strategies are you implementing to ensure survival? Are you seeing the early signs of this purge in your market?

Share your experience:

• What's your biggest concern about the coming capacity purge?
• How are you adjusting your driver retention strategy?
• What changes are you seeing in freight rates and availability?

The fleet managers who adapt fastest will write the success stories of tomorrow's trucking industry.

Take Action Before It's Too Late

The capacity purge isn't coming: it's already here. The fleets that survive will be those that recognize the reality and act decisively. Don't wait for the market to force your hand.

Ready to position your fleet for survival and success? Contact our team for strategic guidance on navigating this historic industry shift.

Get in touch:

• Email: info@GoTrucking.News
• Phone: +1 970-671-7787
• Follow us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X

Visit GoTrucking.News for the latest industry insights and survival strategies. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for exclusive fleet management content and market analysis.

The question isn't whether the purge will happen: it's whether you'll be ready when it does.

#FleetManagement #TruckingNews #Strategy #TruckingIndustry #Survival #BusinessStrategy #Transportation

Most truckers think electric semis are just Silicon Valley fantasy… until they see what's actually rolling down I-80 right now.

The Tesla Semi has become the Bigfoot of the trucking industry: everyone's heard about it, some claim they've seen it, but is it real enough to change your business? After eight years of promises, delays, and skeptical head-shaking from veteran drivers, Elon Musk's electric eighteen-wheeler is finally approaching a make-or-break moment.

The Current Reality Check

Here's what's actually happening behind the hype: Tesla's dedicated Semi factory in Reno, Nevada just completed construction, and production equipment is being installed as you read this. According to Tesla's Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy, the company expects larger builds by the end of 2025, with first production units rolling off the line in Q1 2026 and real volume production ramping through the second half of next year.

The facility is designed to pump out 50,000 trucks annually: a number that would represent roughly 5% of the 1.2 million Class 8 trucks sold in America each year. Not exactly a market takeover, but significant enough to matter if Tesla can actually hit those numbers.

But here's where it gets interesting: this isn't Tesla's first rodeo with ambitious timelines. The Semi has been delayed at least four times since its 2017 unveiling, making it six years behind the original schedule. Sound familiar to anyone who's been following Tesla's other projects?

Real Trucks, Real Miles, Real Results

While the skeptics argue about timelines, something quietly revolutionary has been happening on American highways. Major companies including Pepsi, DHL, Costco, Walmart, and ABF Freight have already taken delivery of pilot Tesla Semis and put them through real-world testing.

ABF Freight completed a comprehensive 3-week highway test program, and the results weren't just promising: they were eye-opening. The Semi handled actual freight operations, proving it's not just a flashy concept truck designed for photo ops.

The specs that matter to fleet managers tell a compelling story: 300-500 miles per charge while hauling a full 80,000-pound load, with the potential to reach 800 miles unloaded. For context, the average trucker covers about 500-700 miles per day, meaning the Semi could handle most routes without charging anxiety.

The Million-Dollar Question: Economics

Here's where the rubber meets the road, literally. The Tesla Semi costs between $180,000 and $250,000 per unit, compared to roughly $120,000 for a traditional diesel Class 8 truck. That's a premium of 50-100% upfront.

But Tesla claims operators could save up to $3.5 million annually in fuel costs per truck. Even accounting for Tesla's tendency toward optimistic projections, diesel prices averaging $4-5 per gallon make electric operation increasingly attractive for high-mileage fleets.

The real question isn't whether the Semi can save money in theory: it's whether small and mid-sized fleets can afford the upfront investment and whether the infrastructure exists to support widespread adoption.

Infrastructure: The Elephant in the Loading Dock

Want to know the biggest obstacle facing electric trucking? It's not battery technology or truck performance: it's infrastructure. America has approximately 168,000 gas stations but only 16,000 EV charging stations. For long-haul trucking, that's not just inconvenient; it's potentially business-killing.

Tesla is addressing this through their Megacharger network, designed specifically for Semi operations. These aren't your typical car charging stations: they're industrial-grade installations capable of adding hundreds of miles of range in 30-45 minutes. But the network is still sparse, concentrated primarily along major interstate corridors.

The question fleet managers are asking isn't "Can the Tesla Semi work?" It's "Can it work for my specific routes and customer demands?"

What Truckers Are Really Saying

The driver community remains split. Veteran owner-operators, many of whom have built their livelihoods around diesel expertise and nationwide fuel availability, express legitimate concerns about range anxiety, charging downtime, and maintenance complexity.

But younger drivers and fleet managers are increasingly intrigued by the operational advantages: instant torque for hill climbing, reduced maintenance (no oil changes, fewer moving parts), and significantly lower noise levels that could open up delivery windows in noise-restricted areas.

One experienced driver who tested the Semi for three weeks told us: "I went in expecting to hate it. The acceleration up grades is unlike anything I've experienced in 25 years of trucking. But I'm still worried about what happens when I'm 400 miles from the nearest charger and running low on juice."

The Bigger Picture: Industry Transformation

The Tesla Semi isn't operating in a vacuum. Volvo, Freightliner, and other major manufacturers are developing their own electric offerings, while companies like Nikola focus on hydrogen fuel cells. The entire industry is grappling with emissions regulations, fuel costs, and driver recruitment challenges that electric vehicles might help address.

California's Advanced Clean Truck Rule requires truck manufacturers to sell increasingly higher percentages of zero-emission vehicles starting in 2024, with other states following suit. This isn't just about corporate sustainability goals: it's becoming regulatory reality.

The Verdict: Promise or Pipe Dream?

If you've ever bet against Elon Musk's ability to eventually deliver on ambitious promises, you need to see this pattern.

Tesla has a track record of being late to their own party but ultimately showing up with products that reshape industries. The Model S was delayed. The Model 3 production was "production hell." The Cybertruck took forever. But each product ultimately delivered on core promises and created new market segments.

The Semi appears to be following this pattern: delayed, over-promised, but technically impressive when it finally materializes. The real question isn't whether Tesla will produce electric semis at scale: the factory is built, equipment is being installed, and major customers are already operating pilot fleets.

The question is whether the broader trucking industry will adapt quickly enough to make electric semis economically viable for the thousands of small and medium fleets that form the backbone of American freight transportation.

Your Fleet's Electric Future

The promise of electric trucking isn't just alive: it's accelerating. But like any major industry shift, early adopters will face both opportunities and challenges that later entrants might avoid.

For fleet managers considering electric trucks, the calculation isn't just about Tesla. It's about route optimization, charging infrastructure planning, driver training, and maintenance facility upgrades. The technology is becoming viable, but successful implementation requires strategic planning beyond just writing a check for new trucks.

The Tesla Semi may have spent years in limbo, but 2026 could be the year electric trucking transitions from promise to mainstream reality. The question isn't whether it's coming: it's whether your fleet will be ready when it arrives.

Ready to stay ahead of electric trucking developments and industry changes that could impact your fleet? Get the latest transportation news, analysis, and insights delivered to your inbox.

Contact GoTrucking.News today:

• 📧 info@GoTrucking.News
• 📞 +1 970-671-7787

Follow us for daily updates:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• X

Visit GoTrucking.News for breaking industry news and expert analysis that keeps you ahead of the competition!

Most trucking companies think innovation happens slowly… until they see what J.B. Hunt just pulled off.

The transportation giant didn't just announce another tech partnership: they launched a venture lab that's about to seed six game-changing startups over the next three years. This isn't your typical corporate innovation theater. This is a full-scale disruption engine aimed at solving the industry's biggest headaches.

The Logistics Venture Lab: A New Breed of Innovation

On October 2, 2024, J.B. Hunt Transport Services and UP.Labs officially unveiled the Logistics Venture Lab (LVL), marking UP.Labs' fourth major corporate partnership following successful collaborations with Porsche AG and Alaska Airlines. But here's where it gets interesting: this isn't just another corporate venture capital fund throwing money at random startups.

The LVL operates on a proven incubation model that combines J.B. Hunt's 60+ years of logistics expertise with UP.Labs' track record of building successful ventures from scratch. Instead of waiting for external solutions to emerge, they're proactively creating the technologies they need most.

"We've been innovating since 1961, from pioneering intermodal transportation to developing digital freight matching platforms," said Shelley Simpson, President and CEO at J.B. Hunt. "This partnership represents the next evolution of that legacy."

Why This Partnership Changes Everything

Traditional corporate innovation labs have a notorious reputation for burning cash while producing little real-world impact. The J.B. Hunt-UP.Labs venture lab flips this model completely. Here's how:

Speed to Market: Rather than spending years on internal R&D, they're launching startups with clear market validation from day one. J.B. Hunt's operational challenges become the startup's product roadmap.

Entrepreneurial DNA: UP.Labs brings battle-tested entrepreneurs who've built and scaled companies before. These aren't corporate executives playing startup: they're proven builders.

Built-in Customer Base: Every startup launches with immediate access to J.B. Hunt's massive logistics network, creating a testing ground that most startups could only dream of.

The Technology Focus That's Reshaping Logistics

The venture lab isn't throwing darts at a tech board. They're laser-focused on four critical areas where the trucking industry bleeds efficiency:

Brokerage Operations: Digital freight matching has evolved, but the real money is in predictive load optimization and automated relationship management. The startups will tackle how to match freight with capacity before shippers even know they need it.

Dedicated Transportation: Long-term customer relationships generate the most profit, but managing dedicated fleets requires surgical precision. Expect AI-driven route optimization and predictive maintenance solutions that could slash operating costs by 15-20%.

Intermodal Solutions: Moving freight between trucks, trains, and ships creates coordination nightmares. The venture lab is developing technologies that could automate handoffs and eliminate the communication breakdowns that cost the industry billions annually.

Truckload Innovation: Over-the-road trucking remains the backbone of American commerce, but driver shortages and fuel costs are crushing margins. Look for startups focused on autonomous convoy technology and dynamic pricing algorithms.

Big Data and AI: The Secret Weapons

Here's what most people don't realize about modern logistics: it's not a trucking business anymore: it's a data business that happens to move freight. J.B. Hunt processes millions of shipments annually, generating petabytes of operational data that most companies would kill for.

The venture lab startups will leverage this data goldmine to build solutions powered by:

Generative AI for Demand Forecasting: Instead of reacting to shipping requests, imagine predicting them weeks in advance and pre-positioning capacity where it's needed most.

Machine Learning for Route Optimization: Real-time traffic, weather, and fuel price data combined with historical patterns could optimize routes in ways human dispatchers never could.

Predictive Analytics for Equipment Maintenance: Sensors on trucks and trailers will feed AI models that can predict mechanical failures before they happen, eliminating costly breakdowns and keeping freight moving.

Timeline: When the Disruption Hits

The first startups from the Logistics Venture Lab are targeted to launch in 2025, with the full portfolio of six companies expected by 2027. But don't expect typical startup timelines: these ventures are being built with corporate backing and immediate market access.

Phase 1 (2025): Expect the first two startups to focus on brokerage automation and predictive maintenance. These address J.B. Hunt's most immediate operational challenges.

Phase 2 (2026): Intermodal coordination and dedicated fleet optimization tools will likely emerge as the second wave, tackling more complex logistics challenges.

Phase 3 (2027): The final startups may venture into emerging technologies like autonomous trucking integration and blockchain-based freight verification.

Industry-Wide Implications

This venture lab model is already inspiring copycat initiatives across the transportation sector. FedEx, UPS, and other major players are reportedly exploring similar partnerships as they realize that waiting for innovation to happen organically is no longer competitive.

The ripple effects extend beyond just the major carriers:

Small Fleet Operators: Many technologies developed through the venture lab will eventually be commercialized for smaller operators, democratizing access to enterprise-level logistics tools.

Freight Brokers: Traditional brokerage models face existential threats as AI-powered matching becomes more sophisticated and cost-effective.

Technology Vendors: Existing logistics software companies will need to innovate faster or risk being displaced by venture lab startups with corporate backing and real-world validation.

The Competitive Advantage

What makes this venture lab particularly dangerous for competitors is the feedback loop it creates. J.B. Hunt doesn't just invest in startups: they become the primary testing ground and first customer. This means:

• Faster product iteration based on real operational data
• Lower customer acquisition costs since the parent company is already bought in
• Higher success rates due to validated market demand
• Potential acquisition opportunities as startups prove their value

What This Means for the Future of Trucking

The transportation industry is about to experience the same digital transformation that revolutionized retail, banking, and healthcare. The J.B. Hunt venture lab isn't just creating startups: it's creating the technological foundation for Logistics 3.0.

Expect to see automation, AI, and predictive analytics become table stakes rather than competitive advantages. Companies that don't adapt to this new reality will find themselves competing with slide rules against supercomputers.

The next three years will determine which transportation companies survive the coming disruption and which become cautionary tales. J.B. Hunt and UP.Labs just fired the starting gun.

Ready to stay ahead of the logistics revolution? Get the latest trucking industry insights, technology updates, and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. Visit GoTrucking.News for comprehensive coverage of the transportation industry's biggest stories.

Connect with us:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• X (Twitter)

Contact GoTrucking.News:
📧 info@GoTrucking.News
📞 +1 970-671-7787

#Innovation #Logistics #TechTrends #TruckingIndustry #DigitalTransformation #FreightTech #LogisticsTech #TransportationInnovation #AI #BigData #StartupNews #VentureCapital

Most trucking executives think electric vehicles are still years away from real commercial viability… until they see what's happening in yards across America right now.

While the headlines focus on Tesla's Semi delays and Nikola's struggles, a quieter revolution has been unfolding in logistics yards nationwide. Orange EV, the Kansas City-based pioneer in electric yard trucks, isn't just raising millions: they're proving that electric trucking's mainstream moment has already arrived, at least where it matters most: the daily grind of moving trailers around distribution centers.

The Numbers Don't Lie: Electric Is Already Here

What if everything you've been told about electric trucking timelines is wrong? The data from Orange EV's operations tells a story that challenges every skeptic who claims electric trucks aren't ready for prime time.

By 2025, Orange EV has deployed over 1,600 electric yard trucks to more than 300 fleets across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. These aren't pilot programs or demonstration projects: they're full-scale commercial operations that have collectively logged 10 million operating hours and nearly 27 million miles of real-world service.

The performance metrics are staggering. Orange EV's 340+ customers are achieving an average uptime of 97%, eliminating approximately 200,000 tons of CO₂ emissions while saving fleets an estimated $100 million in combined fuel and maintenance costs. When was the last time you heard about diesel yard trucks delivering savings like that?

The Perfect Storm: Why Yard Trucks Went Electric First

Picture this: a heavy-duty truck that operates in predictable patterns, returns to the same location every day, and runs for 8-16 hours with built-in charging opportunities. Now what if I told you this describes 90% of yard truck operations perfectly?

Unlike long-haul trucking, which faces range anxiety and charging infrastructure challenges, yard truck duty cycles align almost perfectly with current battery technology limitations. Most yard operations involve moving trailers within a 5-10 mile radius, with trucks returning to a central facility where charging infrastructure can be easily installed and managed.

The economics become even more compelling when you factor in the operational environment. Yard trucks typically idle extensively in diesel form, burning fuel while stationary and producing emissions in densely populated logistics corridors. Electric yard trucks eliminate this waste entirely, operating silently and producing zero local emissions.

Market Momentum: The Tipping Point Is Here

The data from ACT Research paints a picture of accelerating adoption that should make every fleet manager take notice. Market forecasts from December 2021 projected that battery-electric yard spotters could exceed 50% market share by 2024. We're not just approaching that threshold: we're likely already there in several key markets.

California leads the charge with the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), providing $95,000 to $120,000 in vouchers per electric yard truck. When incentives can cover 60-80% of the purchase price premium, the total cost of ownership equation shifts dramatically in favor of electric.

But incentives are just the beginning. Orange EV expects 500 to 1,000 new orders funded by the EPA's Clean Ports program beginning in Q1 2025, with the company's 2,400-truck annual production capacity positioning them to meet surging demand. This isn't speculative growth: it's contracted, funded orders with delivery timelines.

Infrastructure Reality Check: Charging Made Simple

One thing yard truck operators never tell you about going electric: the infrastructure challenge is actually the easiest part to solve. Unlike highway charging networks that require massive coordination and investment, yard charging infrastructure is straightforward, predictable, and entirely under fleet control.

Most yard operations can install Level 2 or DC fast charging stations at their existing facilities, often utilizing existing electrical infrastructure with minimal upgrades. The predictable nature of yard truck operations means fleets can optimize charging schedules around operational patterns, often charging during natural downtime or shift changes.

Fleet managers are discovering that this controlled charging environment actually provides operational advantages over diesel fueling. No more fuel deliveries, no storage concerns, no theft risk, and no price volatility from diesel markets.

The Diesel Disruption: Challenge Accepted

Here's where the debate gets interesting: are we witnessing the beginning of the end for diesel in yard applications, or just a niche adoption story?

The traditional arguments for diesel: range, refueling speed, infrastructure: simply don't apply to yard truck operations. Electric yard trucks charge overnight when they're not in use, eliminating any operational downtime for "refueling." They provide instant torque that actually outperforms diesel in the stop-and-go applications that define yard work.

Maintenance costs tell an even more compelling story. Electric drivetrains have approximately 20 moving parts compared to 2,000+ in a diesel engine. No oil changes, no exhaust system maintenance, no particulate filter cleaning, no diesel exhaust fluid refills. The maintenance schedule essentially becomes tires, brakes, and software updates.

But the disruption goes beyond economics. Regulatory pressure is mounting in key logistics markets, particularly in California and other states following California's lead. The Advanced Clean Fleets rule will require increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles in fleet operations, making electric adoption not just economically attractive but legally mandatory.

The Mainstream Moment: What Comes Next

If you've ever felt like electric trucking was always five years away, you need to see what's happening in logistics yards today. The mainstream moment isn't coming: it's here, and it's spreading rapidly from yards to regional applications.

Orange EV's success has validated the market and attracted competition. Major truck manufacturers are now developing their own electric yard truck offerings, while established players are partnering or acquiring to compete. This competitive dynamic typically signals market maturity and mainstream acceptance.

The question isn't whether electric yard trucking will go mainstream: it already has. The question is how quickly this success model will scale to other applications and whether traditional diesel strongholds can adapt fast enough to remain relevant.

Looking Ahead: The Electric Advantage Accelerates

In 24 months, you could be looking at a transportation landscape where electric yard trucks are the default choice for new fleet purchases. The combination of proven performance, economic advantages, regulatory support, and infrastructure simplicity creates a compelling case that's difficult to argue against.

The Clean Ports funding represents just the beginning of federal support for electric trucking infrastructure. As battery technology continues improving and costs declining, the operational advantages of electric will only increase. Fleet managers who adopt early gain competitive advantages in operating costs, regulatory compliance, and environmental positioning.

The Verdict: Revolution in Motion

The evidence is overwhelming: electric yard trucking has crossed the mainstream adoption threshold and is accelerating rapidly. Orange EV's deployment success, combined with strong market projections, regulatory support, and improving economics, demonstrates that electric trucking's commercial viability isn't a future promise: it's today's reality in the applications that matter most.

The debate isn't whether electric trucks can work commercially: Orange EV and their customers have settled that question definitively. The debate is how quickly the rest of the trucking industry will recognize that the electric transition is happening faster than anyone predicted, starting from the ground up in America's logistics yards.

Ready to stay ahead of the electric trucking revolution? Visit GoTrucking.News for the latest industry insights, or contact our team at info@GoTrucking.News or +1 970-671-7787. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X for daily updates on the stories reshaping transportation.

#EVTrucking #ElectricVehicles #Sustainability #FleetManagement #Transportation #TruckingIndustry #Innovation #CleanTechnology #LogisticsNews

What if everything you've been told about trucking's economic struggles is wrong?

Most industry experts blamed inflation, fuel costs, and post-COVID economics for the devastating freight rate collapse that's been crushing legitimate trucking businesses. Until now.

Mike Kucharski, co-owner and vice president of JKC Trucking in Illinois, just dropped a bombshell that's sending shockwaves through the entire transportation industry. His explosive whistleblower revelations expose a hidden crisis that's been "killing the trucking business" while putting every American driver and motorist at serious risk.

The $300-Per-Load Nightmare That's Destroying Small Trucking Companies

Here's the brutal reality: Legitimate trucking companies are being systematically undercut by drivers operating outside the legal framework: and it's happening right under our noses.

Kucharski reveals that after COVID-19 hit, freight rates didn't just drop: they plummeted and stayed down. "We thought it was inflation, economic factors," he explains. "But rates went down and stayed down. We couldn't figure out why."

The shocking truth? Illegal immigrant drivers are exploiting massive regulatory loopholes, allowing them to undercut legitimate operators by hundreds of dollars per load. While legitimate truckers quote $2,000 for a haul, these drivers are charging $1,700: and they're winning the business.

But here's where it gets really dangerous: Many of these drivers lack social security numbers, may not file taxes, and are operating with questionable licensing credentials. This isn't just unfair competition: it's a safety crisis waiting to explode.

The Fatal Loophole That State Regulators Ignored

The Trump Department of Transportation just uncovered a regulatory nightmare that's been hiding in plain sight. Secretary Sean Duffy's team discovered "systemic policy, procedural, and programming errors" in state commercial driver's license systems: particularly in California and New York.

The terrifying reality: States have been issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to non-domiciled drivers that remained valid even after their federal work authorization expired. These improperly licensed drivers have been involved in deadly accidents, yet the system kept churning out licenses.

One federal audit letter documented fatal incidents involving drivers who should never have been behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound truck. How many more accidents could have been prevented if these loopholes were closed years ago?

"Small Trucking Businesses Are Going Out of Business Every Day"

Kucharski's warning isn't just about safety: it's about the complete destruction of America's small trucking enterprises. These family-owned operations, the backbone of our freight system, are being systematically eliminated by unfair competition.

The numbers don't lie: When legitimate trucking companies have to factor in proper licensing, insurance, taxes, and regulatory compliance, they simply can't compete with operators who bypass these requirements. The result? A mass exodus of legitimate businesses from the industry.

But who's filling the void? Drivers operating in regulatory gray areas, often without the proper oversight that ensures road safety and professional standards.

The Hidden Danger on Every Highway

Picture this: You're driving down the interstate with your family. That massive semi approaching in your mirror might be operated by someone whose licensing credentials expired months ago: but their CDL is still somehow valid.

This isn't fear-mongering. It's the documented reality uncovered by federal investigators who found that state systems failed to properly track work authorization status for non-domiciled CDL holders.

The question every American should be asking: How many improperly licensed drivers are currently operating commercial vehicles on our highways right now?

Why This Crisis Flew Under the Radar for Years

Industry insiders admit they missed the real cause of the freight rate collapse because the problem seemed too complex to pinpoint. "We initially thought it was just market conditions," Kucharski explains. "But when you can't compete with someone charging 15% less while operating outside the regulatory framework, that's not market forces: that's systematic undermining."

The pattern is clear:

• Legitimate operators follow expensive compliance requirements
• Questionable operators exploit regulatory gaps
• Safety standards get compromised
• Small businesses get eliminated
• Road safety deteriorates

What Drivers and Fleet Managers Are Saying

We want to hear from YOU. Are you seeing this unfair competition in your market? Have you encountered safety issues with improperly licensed drivers? Has your trucking business been impacted by operators who seem to bypass normal regulatory requirements?

The trucking community needs to speak up. Every legitimate driver and fleet manager has a story about losing loads to operators charging impossibly low rates. These aren't isolated incidents: this is a systematic problem.

The Federal Crackdown Begins

The Trump administration isn't just identifying the problem: they're taking action. The Department of Transportation has launched comprehensive audits of state CDL programs, with California already under federal scrutiny for its licensing failures.

But here's the critical question: Is federal oversight enough to fix years of regulatory neglect? Can state systems be reformed quickly enough to prevent more accidents and business failures?

What Needs to Happen Next

The solution requires immediate action on multiple fronts:

1. Emergency CDL System Overhaul – Every state must implement real-time work authorization verification
2. Enhanced Safety Inspections – Increased roadside inspections focusing on licensing compliance
3. Industry Transparency – Public reporting of licensing violations and safety incidents
4. Support for Legitimate Operators – Protection for businesses following proper regulatory procedures
5. Criminal Prosecution – Real consequences for operators exploiting regulatory loopholes

Your Voice Matters in This Fight

This isn't just another industry controversy: it's a crisis affecting road safety, fair business practices, and the integrity of America's freight system. Every legitimate driver, fleet manager, and trucking business owner needs to speak up.

Share your experiences: Have you lost business to impossibly low bids? Encountered safety issues with questionable operators? Seen the impact on your local trucking community?

The whistleblower warnings are just the beginning. Real change requires the entire trucking community to demand accountability, proper enforcement, and protection for legitimate operators who follow the rules.

Don't let this crisis continue in silence. The safety of every American family traveling our highways depends on fixing this broken system: before more businesses fail and more lives are lost.

Ready to join the conversation and stay informed about this developing crisis? Connect with GoTrucking.News for the latest updates, investigative reports, and industry insights that matter to your business.

📞 Call us: +1 970-671-7787
📧 Email: info@GoTrucking.News

Follow us for breaking trucking news:
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter

#Safety #TruckingIndustry #HotTopic #Whistleblower #CDL #TruckingSafety #FreightRates #RegulatoryCompliance #TruckingNews #TransportationSafety

Most drivers think EV charging is just for passenger cars… until they see what's happening behind closed doors in Washington D.C.

The trucking industry is making moves, big moves. While you've been focused on fuel prices and delivery deadlines, major players have been working the halls of Congress, fighting for something that could change everything: a massive overhaul of America's charging infrastructure. But here's the million-dollar question everyone's asking: Will truck drivers actually benefit from this lobbying push, or is this just another case of big companies getting bigger?

The Power Players Making Moves

The heavyweight champions of trucking aren't sitting on the sidelines. Daimler Truck North America, Navistar Inc., and Volvo Group North America have joined forces to create Powering America's Commercial Transportation (PACT), a coalition laser-focused on building nationwide battery charging infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

Meanwhile, the American Trucking Associations has been burning up phone lines in D.C., pushing for dedicated federal funding. Their demand? Each state should allocate a fixed percentage of infrastructure funds specifically for heavy-duty truck charging stations.

Here's the reality check that'll blow your mind: We need nearly 600,000 chargers nationwide to support the 1.1 million Class 4-8 battery-powered trucks expected by 2030. That's not just infrastructure, that's a complete transformation of how America moves freight.

What Truckers Are Really Fighting For

Semi-Private Charging Stations: The Game Changer

Forget about sharing charging stations with soccer moms in Tesla Model 3s. The trucking lobby is pushing hard for dedicated commercial charging facilities. Why? Because your 80,000-pound rig needs way more juice than a passenger car, and you can't afford to wait in line behind weekend road-trippers.

These semi-private stations would guarantee:

• Available charging capacity when you need it
• Longer charging times without angry car drivers tapping their feet
• Strategic locations along major freight corridors

Small Fleet Equity: David vs. Goliath

Here's something that might surprise you: 97% of all trucking companies are small businesses. That's right, while everyone talks about mega-fleets, the backbone of American trucking is still the independent operator and small fleet owner.

The lobbying push specifically addresses this reality. Small trucking companies, about one-third of the industry, simply don't have the cash to install chargers or buy expensive electric trucks without serious federal support.

Poll Question: As a driver or fleet owner, what's your biggest concern about electric trucking?

• A) Charging infrastructure availability
• B) Vehicle costs and financing
• C) Range limitations
• D) Charging time delays

The Real Benefits Coming to Drivers

Reduced Downtime = More Money

Fast-charging technology could be a game-changer for your bottom line. Some systems can theoretically charge a Class 8 truck in just 15 minutes with 500kW extreme fast-charging. Compare that to current diesel fill-ups, and you're looking at similar or even shorter stop times.

Strategic route planning with EV charging integration could boost delivery efficiency by up to 15% for electric fleets. Modern trucking apps are already building charging station data into route planning, helping drivers:

• Minimize downtime through predictive analytics
• Get real-time charging availability updates
• Optimize driving schedules around charging needs

Infrastructure That Actually Works for Truckers

The lobbying push focuses on trucker-friendly amenities at charging sites:

• Clean restrooms (finally!)
• Convenience stores and food options
• Strategic highway proximity
• Adequate space for maneuvering big rigs

Cost Transparency and Reliability

Semi-private charging networks would provide predictable pricing and guaranteed access along established trucking routes. No more range anxiety, no more wondering if the next charging station will be broken or occupied.

The Reality Check: Major Challenges Ahead

But wait, before you get too excited, let's talk about the elephant in the room.

The Power Problem

Heavy-duty EVs require up to 10 times more power than passenger vehicles. That means plug-in chargers for big rigs would be prohibitively heavy and require liquid cooling systems. We're talking about infrastructure challenges that make current passenger car charging look like child's play.

The Money Gap

While $7.5 billion in federal funding sounds impressive, industry experts say it's just the tip of the iceberg compared to what's actually needed. The math is sobering when you consider the scale of transformation required.

Small vs. Large Fleet Divide

Here's the uncomfortable truth: large fleet operators will likely see benefits first. They have the financial flexibility to invest in compatible EV trucks and charging infrastructure. Small independents might get left behind without targeted support programs.

Poll Question: Do you think small trucking companies will get a fair shake in the EV transition?

• A) Yes, the lobbying efforts will protect small operators
• B) No, big fleets will dominate as usual
• C) Maybe, but only with serious government support
• D) Too early to tell

What This Means for Your Future

The trucking industry's lobbying efforts address real operational obstacles that could meaningfully improve your driving experience. Faster charging, better route planning, and enhanced reliability are all on the table.

But benefits won't be distributed equally. Drivers at large fleets with resources to adopt electric trucks early will likely see advantages first. Independent operators and small company drivers may face a longer wait: and potentially higher barriers to entry.

The Timeline Reality

Don't expect overnight changes. Even with successful lobbying efforts, widespread EV charging infrastructure will roll out gradually over the next decade. Early adopters in specific regional markets will see benefits first, with nationwide coverage following slowly.

Your Voice Matters

The lobbying battle is far from over. Driver feedback, real-world operational needs, and practical insights from the road are crucial inputs that lawmakers and industry leaders need to hear.

What should you do right now?

• Stay informed about EV developments in your sector
• Provide feedback to your fleet managers about operational realities
• Join industry associations that represent your interests
• Engage with local representatives about infrastructure needs

The Bottom Line

Trucking's lobbying push for EV charging infrastructure represents a genuine attempt to address massive operational challenges ahead. The potential benefits: reduced downtime, better route planning, reliable charging networks: are real and significant.

However, the devil is in the details. Success will depend on execution, funding levels, and whether small operators get meaningful support or get steamrolled by industry consolidation.

The conversation is just getting started, and your voice as a professional driver matters more than you might think. The future of trucking is being written right now: make sure it includes your perspective.

What's your take on the EV charging lobbying efforts? Will drivers really benefit, or is this just political theater? Share your thoughts and experiences with electric vehicles or charging infrastructure challenges.

Ready to stay ahead of industry changes that affect your livelihood? Get the latest trucking news, policy updates, and driver insights delivered straight to your inbox.

Contact GoTrucking.News:
📧 Email: info@GoTrucking.News
📞 Phone: +1 970-671-7787
🌐 Website: GoTrucking.News

Connect with us on social media:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• X (Twitter)

#Transportation #Trucking #EVCharging #ElectricVehicles #FleetManagement #TruckingIndustry #Sustainability #Innovation #DigitalMarketing #Strategy

The trucking industry is facing its biggest challenge yet: a driver shortage that's hitting 60,000 drivers and projected to exceed 80,000 by the end of 2025. But here's what the headlines don't tell you – the smartest fleet operators aren't just sitting around complaining. They're implementing proven strategies that are working right now.

If you've ever wondered how some fleets are thriving while others struggle to keep trucks on the road, you need to see these 15 battle-tested solutions that leading carriers are using to win the talent war.

1. Competitive Wage Restructuring That Actually Works

The days of bare-minimum pay are over. Smart fleets are implementing multi-tiered compensation strategies that go beyond simple per-mile increases. We're talking about performance bonuses, fuel efficiency incentives, and safety rewards that can add $10,000+ to a driver's annual income.

The industry has already seen a 15.5% increase in driver wages per mile in 2023, but the winners are getting creative with how they pay, not just how much.

2. Benefits Packages That Beat Corporate Jobs

Forget the old "health insurance and a 401k" playbook. Leading fleets are offering comprehensive packages that include paid CDL training, tuition reimbursement for family members, and even pet-friendly truck policies. One carrier in Texas now offers mortgage assistance programs that help drivers buy their first homes.

These investments pay for themselves through retention – keeping one experienced driver costs far less than recruiting and training three new ones.

3. Tactical Operations Flexibility

Here's a stat that'll blow your mind: 58% of freight operators have already changed their shift times, rebalanced loads, and revised delivery schedules to work around available drivers rather than forcing drivers to work around impossible schedules.

This isn't about lowering standards – it's about smart scheduling that respects human limits while maintaining efficiency.

4. Regional Routes and Home-Time Guarantees

The "gone for weeks" model is dying, and good riddance. Successful fleets are redesigning routes to get drivers home weekly or even nightly. Dedicated routes with consistent customers are becoming the gold standard, offering predictability that drivers crave.

Some carriers guarantee specific home-time ratios in their contracts – and they're legally binding promises, not empty recruitment talk.

5. AI-Powered Route Optimization

Technology isn't replacing drivers – it's making their jobs easier. Advanced route optimization systems reduce drive time, eliminate deadhead miles, and help drivers avoid traffic nightmares. When drivers spend less time stuck in traffic and more time actually driving, everyone wins.

6. Strategic Recruitment and Training Partnerships

The smartest fleets aren't waiting for experienced drivers to apply – they're creating them. Partnerships with community colleges, military programs, and CDL schools are producing custom-trained drivers who already understand company culture and expectations before their first day.

One major carrier partners with 15 community colleges across the Midwest, providing both curriculum input and guaranteed job placement.

7. Tech-Driven Recruiting With AI Matching

Gone are the days of spray-and-pray job postings. Leading carriers use AI matching systems to identify candidates most likely to succeed and stay long-term. These systems analyze everything from location preferences to previous job tenure patterns.

Result? Higher conversion rates from application to hire, and significantly better retention numbers.

8. Next-Level Truck Amenities and Working Conditions

Today's trucks aren't your grandfather's big rigs. We're talking about collision avoidance systems, lane assist features, premium sleeper cabs with inverters, fridges, and entertainment systems that rival luxury RVs.

Some fleets even offer truck customization budgets, letting drivers personalize their workspace within safety guidelines.

9. Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Strategic Shifts

Smart money is moving toward LTL operations that get drivers home most nights. While long-haul will always have a place, the industry is recognizing that home-daily positions are the key to attracting and retaining quality drivers.

This shift requires operational restructuring, but the payoff in driver satisfaction is massive.

10. Mobile Apps That Actually Solve Problems

Forget clunky, bureaucratic systems. Modern fleet operators are deploying mobile apps that handle document management, route planning, maintenance coordination, and communication seamlessly. When drivers can handle paperwork in minutes instead of hours, their job satisfaction skyrockets.

The best apps integrate everything – dispatch, fuel networks, maintenance scheduling, and even payroll access.

11. Real-Time Telematics and Support

Advanced telematics systems provide real-time insights that help dispatchers make better decisions and reduce driver stress. When a driver hits unexpected traffic, the system automatically adjusts delivery windows and notifies customers.

This isn't Big Brother monitoring – it's intelligent support that makes drivers' lives easier.

12. Truck Platooning and Driver-Assist Technology

Progressive fleets are implementing truck platooning – a driver-assist technology that links multiple trucks in a convoy using automated systems. This increases fuel efficiency and reduces driver fatigue on long hauls while keeping human drivers in complete control.

It's automation that enhances rather than replaces human skills.

13. Strategic Automation for Support, Not Replacement

Instead of threatening jobs, smart automation handles the boring stuff – compliance paperwork, routing calculations, and maintenance scheduling – freeing drivers to focus on driving safely and efficiently.

Long-haul autonomous systems might eventually handle point-to-point highway transportation, but that just frees experienced drivers for regional and urban routes where human skills are irreplaceable.

14. Age Requirement and Policy Advocacy

Forward-thinking carriers are working with policymakers to establish grants and incentives for CDL training and streamline licensing requirements. Some are also supporting Interstate CDL age reduction to 18, though safety remains the top priority.

This long-term thinking shows drivers that carriers are invested in the industry's future.

15. The Retention Revolution: Converting Applicants to Lifers

Here's the game-changer: the most successful fleets have realized that the problem isn't just hiring – it's converting applicants to employees and keeping those employees long-term. This mindset shift drives comprehensive approaches across all the strategies above.

Instead of churning through drivers, they're building careers.

The Bottom Line: Multiple Strategies Win

With 79% of freight operators already altering their operations due to driver shortages, the companies that survive and thrive are those implementing multiple strategies simultaneously. The driver shortage is real, but it's not insurmountable.

The carriers winning this battle understand that drivers aren't just steering wheels with legs – they're skilled professionals who deserve competitive compensation, respect, and career growth opportunities.

What's Your Fleet Doing?

The driver shortage isn't going away, but neither are the solutions. The question isn't whether these strategies work – it's whether your fleet is implementing them fast enough to stay competitive.

Ready to transform your driver recruitment and retention? The trucking industry's future belongs to the fleets that act now.

Want to stay ahead of the latest trucking industry trends and solutions?

Contact GoTrucking.News for exclusive insights and breaking news that keeps your fleet competitive:
📧 Email: info@gotrucking.news
🌐 Website: GoTrucking.News

Follow us for daily updates:
📱 LinkedIn: @GoTruckingNews
📱 Twitter/X: @GoTruckingNews
📱 Facebook: @GoTruckingNews
📱 Instagram: @GoTruckingNews

#DriverShortage #TruckingSolutions #FleetManagement #TruckingIndustry #CDLDrivers #FreightCommunity #TruckingNews #DriverRetention

What if I told you that truck inspections could happen at highway speeds without a single stop? Most fleet operators think compliance checks mean delays, downtime, and bottlenecks: until they see what Arkansas DOT just deployed across two of America's busiest freight corridors.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation has quietly revolutionized how commercial vehicle inspections work, partnering with Quarterhill to launch a $2.7 million AI-powered freight management system that's already changing the game for truckers entering the state. Here's everything you need to know about this technology that's keeping compliant trucks moving while catching safety violations faster than ever.

The $2.7 Million Solution That's Redefining Truck Inspections

Arkansas DOT didn't just buy new equipment: they built an intelligent inspection ecosystem that processes commercial vehicles in real-time without stopping traffic. This isn't your grandfather's weigh station. It's a sophisticated network of sensors, cameras, and AI algorithms working together to evaluate every truck passing through at full highway speed.

The system represents a fundamental shift in how states approach commercial vehicle enforcement. Instead of creating chokepoints where every truck must stop, Arkansas deployed technology that instantly identifies which vehicles need inspection and which can continue uninterrupted. The result? Compliant carriers keep rolling while enforcement resources focus where they're needed most.

Why Arkansas chose this approach: The state handles massive freight volumes as a central logistics hub, with I-40 and I-55 serving as critical arteries for coast-to-coast commerce. Traditional inspection methods couldn't scale with growing traffic demands without creating significant delays that hurt both carriers and the economy.

Breaking Down the Technology: Five Systems Working as One

The Arkansas AI freight management solution combines five distinct technologies into a seamless inspection process:

Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) Sensors

These embedded highway sensors capture precise truck weights as vehicles travel at normal speeds. No more crawling over scales or waiting in line: the system knows if you're overweight before you've even seen the inspection station. WIM technology has been around for decades, but Arkansas integrated it with AI analysis that immediately flags violations and cross-references them with other safety data.

Tire Anomaly Classification System (TACS)

This is where things get futuristic. High-speed cameras and sensors scan tire conditions in real-time, identifying worn treads, improper inflation, or damage that could cause blowouts. The AI has been trained on thousands of tire images to spot problems human inspectors might miss, especially at highway speeds.

License Plate Recognition and DOT Verification

Advanced cameras capture and verify license plates, cross-referencing them instantly against DOT databases, safety ratings, and compliance records. The system knows within seconds whether a carrier has outstanding violations, expired permits, or safety concerns that require attention.

Intelligent Roadside Operations Computers (iROC)

These are the brains of the operation: powerful computers that process all sensor data simultaneously and make instant decisions about which vehicles need further inspection. The iROC system can analyze multiple data streams faster than human inspectors could process a single truck.