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  • Looking to buy a home? You may now need to factor in agent’s commission cost

    Looking to buy a home? You may now need to factor in agent’s commission cost

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    Thinking of buying a home with the help of a real estate agent? You can no longer take it for granted that a seller will cover the cost of your agent’s commission.

    Home sellers have traditionally offered a blanket commission to a buyer’s agent when they listed their home on the market. But that will no longer be allowed as of this weekend, when various changes to U.S. real estate industry practices are set to take effect.

    What You Need To Know

    • Home buyers can no longer take it for granted that a seller will cover the cost of their agent’s commission

    • Home sellers have traditionally offered a blanket commission to a buyer’s agent when they listed their home on the market

    • But that will no longer be allowed as of this weekend, when various changes to U.S. real estate industry practices are set to take effect

    • A homebuyer may still try to negotiate such an offer from the seller, but if they decline, that would leave the homebuyer on the hook for paying for their agent’s services


    A homebuyer may still try to negotiate such an offer from the seller. But if they decline, that would leave the homebuyer on the hook for paying for their agent’s services.

    The National Association of Realtors is behind the policy changes, which stem from its $418 million settlement earlier this year of federal class-action lawsuits that claimed U.S. homeowners were forced to pay artificially inflated real estate agent commissions when they sold their home.

    Companies behind several major real estate brokerage brands, including Keller Williams, Anywhere Real Estate, HomeServices of America, Re/Max and Redfin, also agreed to pay millions and make policy changes to make home seller lawsuits go away.

    The new rules, which go into effect nationally on Saturday, apply to brokers and agents representing clients looking to buy or sell a home advertised on a multiple listing service, or MLS, affiliated with the NAR.

    They boil down to two significant changes: Blanket offers of compensation on behalf of sellers to buyers’ agents will no longer be included in listings posted on the MLS, though they can still be made through other means. And homebuyers will be required to sign detailed representation agreements when they hire an agent.

    It remains to be seen whether the policy overhaul will lead to lower agent commissions or fewer sellers opting not to offer to cover the buyer’s agent fees.

    But the changes are likely to have the biggest impact on home shoppers — especially first-time buyers already facing elevated mortgage rates, a shortage of properties on the market and record-high home prices. They will now have to factor in the cost of hiring an agent if a seller isn’t willing to cover it.

    “This will have a negative impact on a buyer’s ability to purchase a home, and so there are going to be quite a few large scale changes in the buyer’s process,” said Bret Weinstein, CEO of Guide Real Estate, a brokerage in Denver.

    Homebuyer representation agreements

    Home shoppers who want to work with an agent will have to sign an agreement upfront that details the services that agent will provide and how much they will be paid, including whether it’s through a commission split with a seller’s agent.

    Generally, an agent who represents a buyer typically receives around 2.5%-3% commission based on the purchase price of the home. Agents then share part of their commission with their brokerage.

    Similar buyer representation agreements are already required in roughly 20 states. However, the new rules require that buyer agreements be completed before an agent begins working on a client’s behalf. That includes before the agent takes a buyer to tour a home, whether in person or virtually. A buyer can still go to an open house without signing a representation agreement.

    “The big change now is that we are required to ask the buyer to commit to us early and hire us early in the process,” said Andrea Ratcliff, a Redfin agent in Indianapolis, where the policy changes were rolled out July 1.

    One home shopper she spoke with was put off by the changes and the prospect of covering an agent’s fees, she said.

    “They definitely weren’t ready to commit to me — weren’t ready commit to any agent, because they weren’t prepared to take on that cost,” Ratcliff said.

    Removing buyer-agent compensation offers from home listings

    Traditionally, a buyer’s agent’s commission has been paid by the seller. Agents who work with homeowners to market and sell their home would list the property on an MLS and include how much their client was offering to pay a buyer’s agent, a practice known as an offer of “cooperative compensation.” That’s when a seller agrees in advance to offer a commission on the sale of their home to be split between their agent and the buyer’s representative, typically around 2.5%-3% each.

    The home sellers behind the lawsuits against the NAR and others argued sellers have had little choice but to offer to cover the buyer’s agent’s compensation in order to ensure their listing was shown to as many prospective buyers as possible.

    To address this, homes listed on an MLS will no longer include a seller’s offer to cover the cost of a buyer’s agent’s services. However, they will still be allowed to advertise them practically anywhere else, including the agent’s own website, a display at an open house, or when communicating directly with an agent representing a prospective homebuyer.

    Sellers may still elect to pay for a buyer’s agent’s compensation, but without the pressure of making a public, blanket offer on the MLS. Some may opt to pocket the savings and only cover their own agent’s commission.

    “If there’s not a clear offer of cooperative compensation from the seller through their broker to the buyer’s broker, then yeah, it’s going to be part of (the) negotiation,” said Kevin Sears, president of the National Association of Realtors. “I think that will be something that we see changing in the marketplace.”

    Where does this leave buyers and sellers?

    Much of how the industry policy changes play out for buyers and sellers will depend largely on the state of the local housing market.

    In a sluggish housing market where homes are taking longer to move and sellers are having to lower prices, it’s more likely that a buyer will be able to negotiate for the seller to cover their agent’s commission. In a hotter market, where properties are selling fast and receiving multiple offers, sellers will have the leverage to accept an offer from a buyer who isn’t asking for them to cover their agent’s fees.

    While sales of previously occupied U.S. homes have been in a slump since 2022, years of underbuilding and other factors have kept the inventory of homes for sale at near all-time lows. That’s pushed up prices and fueled multiple offers for many homes, giving a clear edge to sellers in most markets.

    Still, real estate agents say sellers should keep offering to cover the buyer’s agent commission.

    “We’ve advised that it would be wise for sellers to continue to be open to covering some or all of the buyer’s costs, because the last thing you want to do when you are selling something is to make it complicated for someone to buy it or to limit the number of people who can buy it,” said Alex McEwen, associate broker with Selling Utah in Orem, Utah.

    As for homebuyers, they will have to budget for the possibility that a seller won’t cover their agent’s fees. Those who can’t afford to do so may have to come to an arrangement with their agent to only pursue listings where the seller is offering buyer’s agent compensation.

    Will commissions come down?

    It’s unclear whether the policy changes will spur sellers or buyers to negotiate lower broker commissions, and whether they’ll succeed if they do.

    Buyer-agent commissions have eased somewhat this year: The average buyer’s agent commission fell nationally from 2.62% at the beginning of the year to 2.55% through July 14, according to an analysis by Redfin. However, because home prices have kept rising this year, the average commission paid to a buyer’s agent in dollar terms has risen about 1.7% since January to $15,377.

    Stephen Brobeck, senior fellow at Consumer Federation of America, expects that more sellers will be encouraged to negotiate with their agent lower their commission by at least half a percentage point.

    “That represents, over the course of a year in the housing market, a very large sum of money,” he said.

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    Associated Press

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  • U.S.-Russia prisoner swap puts spotlight on Austin Tice’s captivity in Syria

    U.S.-Russia prisoner swap puts spotlight on Austin Tice’s captivity in Syria

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    The massive prisoner swap involving the U.S. and Russia nearly two weeks ago provided closure for some American families, but a number of U.S. citizens are still being wrongly held overseas. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The massive prisoner swap involving the U.S. and Russia nearly two weeks ago puts a spotlight on the plight of Austin Tice, a freelance journalist from Houston, who was abducted in 2012 while reporting on the civil war in Syria

    • On Wednesday, which marked 12 years since Tice’s abduction, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets ran ads calling on U.S. officials to do everything possible to bring Tice home and several Texas lawmakers in Congress sought to put pressure the Biden administration to prioritize Tice’s return

    • In a statement, President Joe Biden said he has repeatedly pressed Syria’s government to work with the U.S. 

    • Tice’s loved ones and supporters said they rejoice when other detained Americans return home and after 12 years, they hope their family will soon be whole again

    A concert Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington marked 12 years since Austin Tice, a freelance journalist from Houston, was abducted while reporting on the civil war in Syria. His family and U.S. officials believe he is still alive.

    The concert featured Scotty Hasting, a rising star in country music and an Army veteran of the War in Afghanistan. Tice is a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

    “There is more to be done to help a fellow veteran be able to come home, back to the U.S.,” Emily Wilkins, the 117th president of the National Press Club, told Spectrum News. “He shouldn’t be detained. He did nothing wrong, and he deserves to be with his mom, his dad and all of his siblings.” 

    The commemoration came nearly two weeks after the largest prisoner swap involving the U.S. and Russia since the Cold War. Three Americans and a permanent U.S. resident were among those freed from Russian detention. They are Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian American reporter with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian-U.K. citizen who was critical of the Kremlin.

    Their release was the result of a lengthy, painstaking negotiation involving a half-dozen countries.

    “I think to a certain extent, they give us a lot of hope to see that another journalist, two other journalists, wrongfully detained, that were able to be released. It shows the power of our government. It shows kind of what we are able to do through advocacy, through awareness,” Wilkins said.

    Tice was a 31-year-old freelance reporter for the Washington Post, McClatchy News and other news outlets when he went missing in Syria in 2012. A native of Houston, he was last seen in a video released in September of that year surrounded by unidentified armed men.

    On Wednesday, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets ran ads calling on U.S. officials to do everything possible to bring Tice home. 

    Many Texans in Congress from both parties have been outspoken. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, told Spectrum News he spoke with Austin Tice’s father, Marc, on Wednesday morning.

    Green said he had a statement from the Tice family, which reads, “We are so glad Evan, Alsu, Paul and Vladimir were released from Russia. It was one of the most complex deals in history. Brittany Griner was released in a historic deal involving multiple complicated events. The Iranian hostages were released in exchange for frozen Iranian assets. So as a family, we ask, ‘when is it Austin’s turn?’ It cannot possibly be any more complicated for him.”

    Green said that the Tice family has “waited long enough” and he believes “it’s time to bring Austin home.”

    “It’s a matter of will. I think the way is there for us, but we have to have the will to bring him home, as we brought others home,” Green continued.

    Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, led more than a third of the Senate in a bipartisan letter last week urging the Biden administration to prioritize Tice’s return. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also signed on.

    “As a beloved son, brother, Eagle Scout, journalist, and veteran, Austin represents the best our nation has to offer, and we are committed to working with you to return him to his loving family. As an American and a veteran, Austin deserves the full and active support of our government to secure his release. We also encourage your administration to utilize all available means to further discourage the hostage taking of American citizens,” the letter reads.

    Tice has been held captive for three presidential administrations.

    “We have repeatedly pressed the government of Syria to work with us so that we can, at last, bring Austin home. Today, I once again call for his immediate release. The freedom of the press is essential, and journalists like Austin play a critical role informing the public and holding those in power accountable,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

    Biden said he stands in solidarity with Tice’s family, and that he has personally met with Tice’s parents, including his mother Debra Tice. “She has always been passionate, been poised and been eager to do whatever she needs to do to get the job done,” Wilkins said. “I’m honored to be fighting alongside of her.”

    Tice’s loved ones and supporters said they rejoice when other detained Americans return home and after 12 years, they hope their family will soon be whole again.

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    Reena Diamante

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  • Fields of generosity. Kentucky farm shares its bounty with local pantries

    Fields of generosity. Kentucky farm shares its bounty with local pantries

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    MELBOURNE, Ky. — A northern Kentucky farm gives away thousands of pounds of food each year to local food pantries thanks to help from volunteers, and owners who say they’re committed to their community.

    What You Need To Know

    • The owners of the Giving Fields hope to give away 15,000 pounds of food this year to local field pantries

    • Before there were any tomatoes, jalapenos or eggplants there, the farm was just excess land on Doug Bray’s property

    • A visit he made to a pantry in Covington changed his perspective

    • The farm also features a row rental program, which provides space for community members to grow their own produce


    Fresh vegetables growing at the Giving Fields like zucchini, okra and bell peppers will eventually end up on the plates of hungry families. But first they need to be harvested, and there are plenty of volunteers at the farm willing to do just that.

    Many of them work at the food pantries the produce will be shipped to.

    “Just for volunteering we get as much food as we want, and that helps our budget tremendously,” said Chuck Grone, director of St. Paul’s Food Pantry.

    Before there were any tomatoes, jalapenos or eggplants there, it was just excess land on Doug Bray’s property. A visit he made to a pantry in Covington changed his perspective.

    “Most of the food in the pantries was canned goods, high sodium and a lot of people that had diabetes and they preferred fresh food, and that’s really what got us into this,” Bray said.

    Thus, the Giving Fields came to be. Bray and his wife hope to give away 15,000 pounds of food this year.

    “We’re very committed to our community. And we felt this was a way of involving our community and giving back to the local pantries,” Bray said.

    Assistant Farm Manager Brooke Meyer, who’s also studying biology at Western Kentucky University, caught on quickly under Bray’s tutelage when she came to the farm.

    “It seemed like such a cool project, and I was home for the summer, so I wanted to get involved in something. So I shot them an email and connected with Doug,” Meyer said. “I’ve been leading harvest with our volunteer groups, and I also do more of the behind the scenes online stuff with coordinating pickups and deliveries.”

    Meyer played an important role in helping reach the farm’s goals, right up until her last day on Aug. 8 before heading back to school.

    “There’s something about being outside and doing hands on that’s very fulfilling,” Meyer said. “There’s a lot of food insecurity. There’s also a lot of lack of fresh produce in people’s diets. Because that’s really hard to get your hands on. And it’s honestly pretty expensive too. So being able to provide high quality fresh produce to the rest of the community has been a really great way to get involved and kind of help out.”

    The farm also features a row rental program, which provides space for community members to grow their own produce. This supplements the mission of the farm.

    Bray said the Giving Fields utilizes a state-of-the-art water system.

    “There are electronic timers here. And we can monitor, we can change. If we get rain, we can cut it off,” he said.

    It’s been a hot and dry season, which hasn’t been ideal for output. But the Giving Fields is still sending boxes upon boxes of food to pantries, which will go a long way toward fighting hunger.

    Anyone who wants to get involved with volunteering for the Giving Fields, or check out the row rental program, can visit the farm’s website.

     

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    Sam Knef

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  • U.S. inflation slowed again in July, clearing way for Fed to begin cutting rates

    U.S. inflation slowed again in July, clearing way for Fed to begin cutting rates

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    Year-over-year inflation reached its lowest level in more than three years in July, the latest sign that the worst price spike in four decades is fading and setting up the Federal Reserve for an interest rate cut in September.

    What You Need To Know

    • Year-over-year inflation reached its lowest level in more than three years in July, the latest sign that the worst price spike in four decades is fading and setting up the Federal Reserve for an interest rate cut in September

    • Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed that consumer prices rose just 0.2% from June to July after dropping slightly the previous month for the first time in four years

    • Measured from a year earlier, prices rose 2.9%, down from 3% in June

    • It is the mildest year-over-year inflation figure since March 2021

    Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed that consumer prices rose just 0.2% from June to July after dropping slightly the previous month for the first time in four years. Measured from a year earlier, prices rose 2.9%, down from 3% in June. It is the mildest year-over-year inflation figure since March 2021.

    The government said nearly all the increase last month reflected higher rental prices and housing costs, a trend that, according to real-time data, is easing.

    For months, cooling inflation has provided gradual relief to America’s consumers, who were stung by the price surges that erupted three years ago, particularly for food, gas, rent and other necessities. Inflation peaked two years ago at 9.1%, the highest level in four decades.

    Inflation has taken a central role in the presidential election, with former President Donald Trump blaming the Biden administration’s energy policies for the price increases. Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday said she would soon unveil new proposals to “bring down costs and also strengthen the economy overall.”

    Biden hailed the “real progress” shown in Wednesday’s report, but acknowledged that more needs to be done in order to lower costs for Americans.

    “Inflation has fallen below 3% and core inflation has fallen to the lowest level since April 2021,” Biden said in a statement. “We have more work to do to lower costs for hardworking Americans, but we are making real progress, with wages rising faster than prices for 17 months in a row.”

    “Prices are still too high,” the president continued. “Large corporations are sitting on record profits and not doing enough to lower prices. That’s why we are taking on Big Pharma to lower prescription drug prices. We’re cutting red tape to build more homes while taking on corporate landlords that unfairly increase rent. And we’re taking on price gouging and junk fees to lower everyday costs from groceries to air travel.”

    “Congressional Republicans would raise prices for middle class families while cutting taxes for billionaires and big corporations,” he concluded. “While they try to take us back, we will fight for the future.”

    Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, so-called core prices climbed 0.2% from June to July, after a 0.1% increase the previous month. Compared to a year ago, core inflation rose 3.2%, down from 3.3% in June, the lowest since April 2021. Core prices are closely watched by economists because it typically provides a better read of where inflation is headed.

    Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said he is seeking additional evidence of slowing inflation before the Fed begins cutting its key interest rate. Economists widely expect the Fed’s first rate cut to occur in mid-September.

    When the central bank lowers its benchmark rate, over time it tends to reduce the cost of borrowing for consumers and businesses. Mortgage rates have already declined in anticipation of the Fed’s first rate reduction.

    At a news conference last month, Powell said that cooler inflation data this spring had strengthened the Fed’s confidence that price increases are falling back to a 2% annual pace. Another inflation report will be issued next month before the Fed’s Sept. 17-18 meeting, with economists expecting that report to also show that price increases remained mostly tame.

    Inflation has eased substantially in the past two years as global supply chains have been repaired, a spate of apartment construction in many large cities has cooled rental costs and higher interest rates have slowed auto sales, forcing dealers to offer better deals to potential car buyers.

    Consumers, particularly lower-income ones, are also becoming more price-sensitive, forgoing high-priced items or shifting to cheaper alternatives. This has forced many companies to rein in price hikes or even offer lower prices.

    Prices are still rising sharply for some services, including auto insurance and health care. Auto insurance costs have shot up as the value of new and used vehicles has soared compared with three years ago. Economists, though, expect those costs to eventually grow more slowly.

    As inflation continues to decline, the Fed is paying increasingly close attention to the job market. The central bank’s goals, as defined by Congress, are to keep prices stable and support maximum employment.

    This month, the government reported that hiring slowed much more than expected in July and that the unemployment rate rose for a fourth straight month, though to a still-low 4.3%. The figures roiled financial markets and led many economists to boost their forecasts for interest rate cuts this year. Most analysts now expect at least three quarter-point rate cuts at the Fed’s September, November and December meetings. The Fed’s benchmark rate is at a 23-year high of 5.3%.

    Still, the rise in the unemployment rate has reflected mainly an influx of job-seekers, especially new immigrants, who haven’t immediately found work and so have been classified as unemployed. That is a much more positive reason for a higher unemployment rate than if it came from a jump in layoffs. Measures of job cuts remain low.

    On Thursday, the government will release its latest data on retail sales, which are expected to show that consumers increased their spending modestly in July. As long as shoppers are willing to spend, businesses are likely to hold onto their workers and may even add staff.

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    Associated Press

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  • Ernesto becomes a hurricane north of Puerto Rico

    Ernesto becomes a hurricane north of Puerto Rico

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    Ernesto has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane. It passed by Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands early Wednesday, bringing torrential rainfall and tropical storm force winds. It continues to produce widespread flash flooding across the eastern Caribbean.

    Ernesto formed in the western Atlantic Ocean, becoming a tropical storm on Monday, Aug. 12, and became a hurricane on Wednesday, Aug. 14. It’s the fifth named storm and third hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ernesto is a hurricane

    • It’s moving toward Bermuda

    • It will continue to strengthen


    Ernesto is moving northwest to the north Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with max winds of 75 mph. It’s expected to strengthen as it moves further into the western Atlantic. It could become a major hurricane as it approaches Bermuda.

    Widespread, heavy rainfall could lead to more flash flooding and mudslides across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through Wednesday morning and early afternoon. The storm has brought rough coastal conditions as well across the eastern Caribbean.


    Most models have Ernesto passing near Bermuda as a hurricane Friday night into early Saturday morning.

    Ernesto isn’t expected to directly impact the U.S., but large swells will reach the East Coast late this week into the weekend that will cause life-threatening surf and dangerous rip currents.

    Here’s a look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far.

    More Storm Season Resources


    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Kentuckians are traveling to Ohio to buy recreational cannabis

    Kentuckians are traveling to Ohio to buy recreational cannabis

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    CINCINNATI, Oh. — Recreational cannabis is now being sold legally in Ohio, as of Aug. 6.

    What You Need To Know

    • Kentuckians are traveling across state lines to Ohio to buy cannabis, but they can still get in trouble for bringing it back

    • Covington Police reccomend that anyone who wants to go to Ohio to partake, that they do so over there

    • The only time it’s legal for residents of Kentucky to go over to Ohio and buy marijuana to bring back is if they’re following the rules of the medical marijuana that was under the Governor’s executive order

    • Police say driving while intoxicated is still a crime. So if Kentuckians go to Ohio to use cannabis, they should plan to have a designated driver


    Accordingly, many Kentuckians are traveling across state lines to partake, but they can still get in trouble for bringing it back.

    “I think a lot of people will tend to forget that there is a state line that runs between Covington and Cincinnati, and that even though it’s legal over there, it’s not legal over here, and that they very well may end up bringing some back thinking it’s perfectly fine, but ignorance of the law will still get you in trouble if you break it,” said Lt. Justin Bradbury, Public information officer for the Covington Police Department.

    Spectrum News 1 spoke to two brothers who were among the first to make the trip. They also hope to be among the first to open a medical cannabis dispensary in the Commonwealth.

    It was like Christmas for Joe Cox. At least, that’s how he described it to his wife.

    “I just started jerking around like ahhh. She’s like, ‘What?’ I was like, ‘We can buy marijuana this Tuesday in Ohio!’” Cox said. 

    He and his brother Doug made the trip over from Florence to Cincinnati to be among the first to buy legal cannabis with no medical license required. It wasn’t just for their own personal use, but also to get a feel for how the dispensaries are operated.

    They hope to open theirs, The Blazed Leaf, somewhere in northern Kentucky to sell medical cannabis.

    “Definitely look at what they’re invested in and see what theirs looks like. So that way we can try to follow suit, or hopefully make it a little more convenient and better for the consumer,” Cox said.

    They bought an assortment of products from the Ascend dispensary and made sure to check each label for things the average user might not know or care about.

    “It’s got 28.5% THC A,” Cox said of one product. “We’re wanting to make sure that we’re gonna get the quality of the product that we’re wanting.”

    The Cox brothers legally had to use their products in Ohio.

    Bradbury said the legality of bringing cannabis back to Kentucky is cut and dry.

    “So the laws for marijuana possession are still the same. Even though the laws have changed in Ohio, they have not changed in Kentucky. It’s still a misdemeanor offense. It’s still an arrest-able offense. So we would highly recommend that anyone who wants to go to Ohio to partake, that they do so over there, and that they don’t bring it back with them,” Bradbury said. “The only time it’s legal for residents of Kentucky to go over to Ohio and buy marijuana to bring back is if they’re following the rules of the medical marijuana that was under the governor’s executive order. If they’re not following those rules, and there’s about eight rules, then they could find themselves in trouble.”

    Those Kentuckians with medical licenses are who the Cox brothers hope to serve moving forward. Joe, who has focal epilepsy, knows firsthand the difference cannabis can make.

    “It served its purpose for me. It’s definitely kept me a good solid 12 years without having a full on episode. It allows me to be able to stay conscious and take care of myself in a way that people that get medicine should,” he said. “Not only am I going to give people relief, but I’m also going to make myself happy about the way I’m doing it.”

    To do that, he and his brother need a license, which they’re in the process of trying to obtain. Doug said that comes with its own complications.

    “If we do choose a city that doesn’t end up legalizing it, then we have to pivot again and now we’ve got to find another place. So, still a lot of moving parts there, but we’re excited about it,” he said.

    In the meantime, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to test products.

    Police say driving while intoxicated is still a crime. So if Kentuckians go to Ohio to use cannabis, they should plan to have a designated driver.

     

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    Sam Knef

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  • Georgia, Ohio State top preseason AP Top 25

    Georgia, Ohio State top preseason AP Top 25

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    Georgia is No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 preseason college football poll for the second straight year as the superconference era begins with the SEC and Big Ten dominating the top 10 of the rankings.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Big Ten and SEC each have four teams in the top 10

    • The Bulldogs received 46 first-place votes and 1,532 points in the Top 25 released Monday and the SEC powerhouse finished comfortably ahead of No. 2 Ohio State (15 first-place votes and 1,490 points) of the Big Ten

    • Alabama, in its first season without coach Nick Saban since 2006, starts No. 5. No. 6 Mississippi gives the SEC half the top preseason top six

    The Bulldogs received 46 first-place votes and 1,532 points in the Top 25 released Monday and the SEC powerhouse finished comfortably ahead of No. 2 Ohio State (15 first-place votes and 1,490 points) of the Big Ten.

    New Big Ten member Oregon is No. 3, receiving one first-place vote from the panel of 62 media members who cover college football. Texas, which joins Georgia in the Southeastern Conference this season, is fourth.

    The Big Ten and SEC each have four teams in the top 10.

    Conference realignment has reduced the Power Five to the Power Four, with the Pac-12 whittled to just two schools. The Big Ten now has 18 schools. The Atlantic Coast Conference has 17 football teams, and the SEC and Big 12 each have 16.

    All the movement created an unprecedented preseason poll with just four conferences represented: The SEC leads with nine ranked teams. The Big Ten has six, the Big 12 has five and the ACC has four.

    Alabama, in its first season without coach Nick Saban since 2006, starts No. 5. No. 6 Mississippi gives the SEC half the top preseason top six.

    Independent Notre Dame is the highest ranked team from outside the SEC and Big Ten at No. 7.

    No. 8 Penn State and No. 9 Michigan give the Big Ten four top-10 teams. Florida State from the ACC is No. 10.

    Title game finalists

    The defending national champion Wolverines said goodbye to coach Jim Harbaugh, quarterback J.J. McCarthy and 12 other players who were selected in April’s NFL draft. All that attrition led to Michigan receiving the lowest preseason ranking for a defending national champion since 2011, when Auburn was No. 23 after the departure of Cam Newton.

    Before that, the last time a defending national champion was ranked worse than No. 7 in the following preseason poll was Colorado at No. 13 in 1991.

    Washington, which lost to Michigan in the College Football Playoff championship game, took an even bigger fall after losing its head coach (Kalen DeBoer replaced Saban at Alabama), star quarterback and a mountain of talent to the draft and transfer portal. The Huskies are the first team to reach the CFP and be unranked the following season.

    Top-ranked ‘Dawgs’

    Georgia started last season at No. 1 in pursuit of a record third straight national championship. Coach Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs stayed there the whole regular season, and then missed the four-team playoff by losing the SEC title game to Alabama.

    “We’re dealing with new challenges this year,” Smart said at SEC media days. “We don’t have a chip on our shoulder in terms of people trying to use that as motivation. I’ve never used a failure from the previous year as motivation and never used the success of a previous year as motivation; we won’t do that this year. That’s not who we are. We want to recreate ourselves to stay in the best light we can.”

    There will be more room for error this season with the playoff expanding from four to 12 teams.

    The Bulldogs are 42-2 over the last three seasons and loaded again. Quarterback Carson Beck leads the offense and edge rusher Mykel Williams is in line to be the next defensive star at Georgia.

    Beck is a rarity in college football these days, a star quarterback in his fifth season with the same school who waited three years to become starter. Beck completed 72% of his passes last year, with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions.

    “He is a great elder for us and great example of resiliency in college football,” Smart said.

    Repeating as preseason No. 1 is a recent trend. Going back eight seasons, Alabama had separate streaks of three (2016-18) and two (2021-22) years as preseason No. 1. Clemson was top-ranked in the 2019 and ’20 preseason rankings.

    Georgia will try to become the 12th team since the AP preseason poll started in 1950 to start No. 1 and finish No. 1. The last was Alabama in 2017.

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  • Georgia, Ohio State top preseason AP Top 25

    Georgia, Ohio State top preseason AP Top 25

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    Georgia is No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 preseason college football poll for the second straight year as the superconference era begins with the SEC and Big Ten dominating the top 10 of the rankings.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Big Ten and SEC each have four teams in the top 10

    • The Bulldogs received 46 first-place votes and 1,532 points in the Top 25 released Monday and the SEC powerhouse finished comfortably ahead of No. 2 Ohio State (15 first-place votes and 1,490 points) of the Big Ten

    • Alabama, in its first season without coach Nick Saban since 2006, starts No. 5. No. 6 Mississippi gives the SEC half the top preseason top six

    The Bulldogs received 46 first-place votes and 1,532 points in the Top 25 released Monday and the SEC powerhouse finished comfortably ahead of No. 2 Ohio State (15 first-place votes and 1,490 points) of the Big Ten.

    New Big Ten member Oregon is No. 3, receiving one first-place vote from the panel of 62 media members who cover college football. Texas, which joins Georgia in the Southeastern Conference this season, is fourth.

    The Big Ten and SEC each have four teams in the top 10.

    Conference realignment has reduced the Power Five to the Power Four, with the Pac-12 whittled to just two schools. The Big Ten now has 18 schools. The Atlantic Coast Conference has 17 football teams, and the SEC and Big 12 each have 16.

    All the movement created an unprecedented preseason poll with just four conferences represented: The SEC leads with nine ranked teams. The Big Ten has six, the Big 12 has five and the ACC has four.

    Alabama, in its first season without coach Nick Saban since 2006, starts No. 5. No. 6 Mississippi gives the SEC half the top preseason top six.

    Independent Notre Dame is the highest ranked team from outside the SEC and Big Ten at No. 7.

    No. 8 Penn State and No. 9 Michigan give the Big Ten four top-10 teams. Florida State from the ACC is No. 10.

    Title game finalists

    The defending national champion Wolverines said goodbye to coach Jim Harbaugh, quarterback J.J. McCarthy and 12 other players who were selected in April’s NFL draft. All that attrition led to Michigan receiving the lowest preseason ranking for a defending national champion since 2011, when Auburn was No. 23 after the departure of Cam Newton.

    Before that, the last time a defending national champion was ranked worse than No. 7 in the following preseason poll was Colorado at No. 13 in 1991.

    Washington, which lost to Michigan in the College Football Playoff championship game, took an even bigger fall after losing its head coach (Kalen DeBoer replaced Saban at Alabama), star quarterback and a mountain of talent to the draft and transfer portal. The Huskies are the first team to reach the CFP and be unranked the following season.

    Top-ranked ‘Dawgs’

    Georgia started last season at No. 1 in pursuit of a record third straight national championship. Coach Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs stayed there the whole regular season, and then missed the four-team playoff by losing the SEC title game to Alabama.

    “We’re dealing with new challenges this year,” Smart said at SEC media days. “We don’t have a chip on our shoulder in terms of people trying to use that as motivation. I’ve never used a failure from the previous year as motivation and never used the success of a previous year as motivation; we won’t do that this year. That’s not who we are. We want to recreate ourselves to stay in the best light we can.”

    There will be more room for error this season with the playoff expanding from four to 12 teams.

    The Bulldogs are 42-2 over the last three seasons and loaded again. Quarterback Carson Beck leads the offense and edge rusher Mykel Williams is in line to be the next defensive star at Georgia.

    Beck is a rarity in college football these days, a star quarterback in his fifth season with the same school who waited three years to become starter. Beck completed 72% of his passes last year, with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions.

    “He is a great elder for us and great example of resiliency in college football,” Smart said.

    Repeating as preseason No. 1 is a recent trend. Going back eight seasons, Alabama had separate streaks of three (2016-18) and two (2021-22) years as preseason No. 1. Clemson was top-ranked in the 2019 and ’20 preseason rankings.

    Georgia will try to become the 12th team since the AP preseason poll started in 1950 to start No. 1 and finish No. 1. The last was Alabama in 2017.

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  • U.S. women hold off France to win eighth straight Olympic basketball gold medal

    U.S. women hold off France to win eighth straight Olympic basketball gold medal

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    The U.S. women’s basketball team had to overcome its greatest challenge in 32 years before extending its unprecedented run to eight straight Olympic gold medals. Led by A’ja Wilson, the Americans Sunday came away with another victory at the Paris Games, maybe sweeter than any other during the streak.

    What You Need To Know

    • A’ja Wilson scored 21 points and the U.S. survived the biggest challenge of its unprecedented run to eight straight gold medals with a 67-66 win over France on Sunday
    • No team had been able to push the Americans during this impressive streak of 61 consecutive wins. Only two of those victories had been by single digits before the game against France
    • The eight straight golds broke a tie with the American men’s program that won seven in a row from 1936-68
    • The women’s victory came less than 24 hours after the U.S. men’s team also beat France
    • This was the first time in Olympic history that both gold medal games featured the same two teams



    Wilson scored 21 points and the U.S. survived a last-second shot by Gabby Williams that was just inside the 3-point line to hold off France for a 67-66 win.

    No team had been able to push the Americans during this impressive streak of 61 consecutive wins. Only two of those victories had been by single digits before the game against France.

    “It’s amazing. It truly is a dynasty that we have built here at USAB has been incredible,” Wilson said. “And I am so proud of the resilience that my team showed. We could have fumbled it many times, but we pulled through. To say I am a two-time gold medalist, I am so blessed.”

    The eight straight golds broke a tie with the American men’s program that won seven in a row from 1936-68. The women’s victory came less than 24 hours after the U.S. men’s team also beat France in the title game. This was the first time in Olympic history that both gold medal games featured the same two teams.

    Unlike the men’s game this one came down to the final minute and one last shot by France that was just inside the 3-point line.

    The Americans were up 67-64 with 3.9 seconds left after Kahleah Copper hit two free throws. Marine Johannes brought the ball up the court to Williams and the former UConn standout caught the ball just inside the 3-point line and banked in over the outstretched arms of Breanna Stewart for the final margin.

    There was a brief delay before the officials signaled that it was a two-point shot, which led to the beginning of a celebration and a lot of happy hugs for the Americans and left the French players standing in disbelief after falling just short.

    “Gabby hit some great shots down the end, tough shots,” Wilson said. “We understood what we had in our locker room and leaning on each other and talking to one another and believing that we believed in each other and that’s the greatest thing about it.”

    The American players went celebrate with the celebrities sitting courtside that included men’s basketball players LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, Derrick White, along with U.S. women’s greats Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird and Dawn Staley.

    Williams, who finished with 19 points, had hit a deep 3 a few seconds earlier to get France within one before Copper’s free throws. She got a consoling hug from Staley.

    The victory gave Diana Taurasi a sixth consecutive gold medal, making her the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history, breaking a tie with longtime teammate Sue Bird, who won five.

    Taurasi, who didn’t play in the gold medal game, has been humble about the potential record, saying she cares more about the team winning than her individual success.

    It’s been a trying Olympics for her as she didn’t start any of the knockout phase games, the first time she wasn’t in the opening lineup since the 2004 Olympics.

    Australia edged Belgium 85-81 in the bronze medal game earlier Sunday.

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  • Cleanup begins after tornadoes, flooding hit North Carolina from Debby

    Cleanup begins after tornadoes, flooding hit North Carolina from Debby

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    Tropical Storm Debby brought flooding and a flurry of tornadoes to the state over Wednesday and Thursday. 

    Ten tornadoes, ranging in strength from EF0 to EF3, have been confirmed by the National Weather Service.

    Two people died in storms from Debby in North Carolina.

    A 60-year-old man died in Wilson County Thursday when a house collapsed in a tornado, officials said. A 78-year-old woman died when a tree fell on a mobile home in Rockingham County Thursday.

    A National Weather Service survey crew assessed damage in Lucama, in Wilson County, that is consistent with an EF3 tornado with 140 mph winds. In addition to the deadly house collapse, that tornado damaged three other houses, a school and a church.

    A tornado in Pender County is believed to have crossed over into Samspon County, where a roof was ripped off a home. 

    From Tuesday to Thursday, 86 tornado warnings were issued across North Carolina.

    86 tornado warnings were issued across North Carolina between Tuesday and Thursday. (Spectrum News 1)

    The warnings were primarily focused on the state’s coastal and central areas, but much of the state experienced heavy rain and flooding.

    Over three days, Wilmington received nearly 10 inches of rain, Shallotte received just over 11 inches and Cary received 6.85 inches.

    Several rivers are at moderate to major flood stage to close out the weekend, prompting a plethora of river flood warnings.

    Related article: River flooding concerns due to Debby continue through the weekend

    Saturated grounds could still cause trees to fall, leading to more damage, roadblocks and power outages. 

    “Never drive around barricades. They’re there to protect you and it’s also against the law to do so,” Secretary of Transportation Joey Hopkins said in a press conference Friday. 

    Transportation officials are working with power companies to reopen roads around the state once they are deemed safe. 

    As recovery efforts pick up, Attorney General Jeff Stein urged residents to beware of scams. “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is,” Stein said.

    There have been 13 complaints of price-gouging so far, Stein said, and they are being investigated. The reports involve gas, groceries, hotel rooms and rental cars. “If we conclude that there has been price gouging, we will act aggressively,” Stein said.

    Related article: Things to know: What to do after a damaging storm hits your area

    As far as the post-tropical storm’s track, Debby is set to move over the northeast U.S. before making its way to eastern Canada by Saturday. 


     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • U.S. women on cusp of record 8th consecutive gold medal in basketball

    U.S. women on cusp of record 8th consecutive gold medal in basketball

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    PARIS (AP) — The U.S. women’s basketball team isn’t focused on its record Olympic winning streak or the history the team would make with one more victory.

    What You Need To Know

    • With a victory on Sunday, the U.S. women’s legacy would stretch to 61 consecutive wins in Olympic contests and a record eight straight gold medals

    • A victory would give Diana Taurasi a sixth consecutive gold medal, making her the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history, breaking a tie with longtime teammate Sue Bird, who won five

    • Standing in the way is a French team that will be spurred on by a loud, energetic crowd. The game will be a rematch from the 2012 London Olympics, which the U.S. won by 36 points

    • Sunday’s game will cap off a weekend in which France and the U.S. play for both the men’s and women’s gold medal. It’s the first time that’s happened in Olympic history

    The Americans are simply concentrating on beating France and winning the gold medal at the Paris Games on Sunday.

    “The winning streak doesn’t mean a lot. But to win it all, it means the world to me,” star A’ja Wilson said. “I can’t really pay attention to a lot of streaks. I feel like that’s just added-on pressure. But to come here and keep the main thing the main thing and winning it, it’s something that going to mean the world to me. To continue to be a part of the legacy, the journey that this team, to wear this jersey and others that have here before me, is awesome. So, it’s going to mean a lot for us.”

    With a victory on Sunday, the U.S. women’s legacy would stretch to 61 consecutive wins in Olympic contests and a record eight straight gold medals. That would break a tie with the U.S. men’s program that won seven in a row from 1936-68.

    A victory would give Diana Taurasi a sixth consecutive gold medal, making her the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history, breaking a tie with longtime teammate Sue Bird, who won five.

    Taurasi has been humble about the potential record, saying she cares more about the team winning than her individual success. It’s been a trying Olympics for her as she hasn’t started the last two games, the first time she wasn’t in the opening lineup since the 2004 Olympics.

    Standing in the way is a French team that will be spurred on by a loud, energetic crowd. The game will be a rematch from the 2012 London Olympics, which the U.S. won by 36 points.

    “I think it will be an incredible atmosphere. I think that when you play the host country in their country, you expect it to be off the chain,” U.S. wing Breanna Stewart said. “Obviously in Tokyo we played Japan, but there was no spectators. And you want that, you want that loud excitement.”

    The Americans have put together strong halves and quarters but still haven’t played a great 40 minutes. That’s been good enough to run through the Olympics so far, with no team able to come within single digits of them.

    The French players know they have a tall task in front of them to capture the country’s first gold medal and pull off the monumental upset.

    “You have to believe if you want to do something special,” French wing Gabby Williams said. “What I love is, is our connection between us and our belief in each other. And if anything’s going to bring us gold, it’s going to be that.”

    French guard Marine Johannes knows who’s on the other team.

    “All the best players in the world. But like I said earlier, we have nothing to lose,” she said. “We are going to play hard.”

    Sunday’s game will cap off a weekend in which France and the U.S. play for both the men’s and women’s gold medal. It’s the first time that’s happened in Olympic history.

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  • Contract holdouts and hold-ins cast a shadow over NFL contenders

    Contract holdouts and hold-ins cast a shadow over NFL contenders

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    SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Whether it’s star players holding out of training camp or holding in by reporting and not practicing, contract disputes are playing a prominent role across the NFL this summer.

    What You Need To Know

    • Contract disputes are playing a prominent role across the NFL this summer

    • Some of the top contenders to compete for the Super Bowl are headed into the first full weekend of exhibition games with some of their most important players unwilling to take the practice field before they get new contracts

    • San Francisco is locked in contract disputes with star receiver Brandon Aiyuk and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams

    • Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and the New York Jets’ Hasson Redick are among the other stars not practicing

    Some of the top contenders to compete for the Super Bowl are headed into the first full weekend of exhibition games with some of their most important players unwilling to take the practice field before they get new contracts.

    The issue is most prevalent in San Francisco, where the defending NFC champion 49ers are preparing for the season with second-team All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk refusing to practice unless he gets a new contract or is traded and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams back at home in Texas waiting for a new deal.

    The frustration level is growing for the 49ers, who have given Aiyuk’s representatives permission to seek out a possible trade with no resolution so far more than two weeks into camp.

    Aiyuk is attending meetings and even has been out watching practice — and exchanging hugs and handshakes with coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch — as he avoids daily fines of $40,000 for players on rookie contracts by being in camp.

    Williams is being fined $50,000 a day for holding out but Shanahan sees little practical difference in the two approaches since neither player is actually practicing.

    “It’s nice not fining guys, but there’s not much of a difference,” he said.

    Two other star receivers are in similar situations to Aiyuk with Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb holding out of Cowboys camp and Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase “holding in” with the Bengals.

    Shanahan isn’t the only one bewildered by the process. Lamb responded with an “lol” on social media Thursday to a post quoting Dallas owner Jerry Jones saying he had no “urgency to get it done.”

    The other prominent contract holdout this summer is edge rusher Haason Reddick, who has refused to report to the New York Jets after being acquired in the offseason in a trade from Philadelphia.

    Here’s a look at the key holdouts and “hold ins” this summer:

    Brandon Aiyuk

    San Francisco’s top wideout has been looking to get paid that way this offseason instead of playing out the fifth year worth about $14.1 million. Ten receivers have signed contracts this offseason worth at least $70 million, with Justin Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension with Minnesota setting the top of the market.

    Aiyuk’s numbers aren’t as prolific as some of the top receivers, in part because he plays on an offense that runs at the second-highest rate in the NFL and is filled with other playmakers. But he still managed 75 catches for a career-high 1,375 yards last season with his 12.8 average yards receiving per target the highest mark for any player with at least 75 targets in more than a decade.

    Trent Williams

    As important as Aiyuk is to San Francisco’s offense, Williams is even more irreplaceable with the Niners sputtering in his brief absence last season. Williams has been a first-team All-Pro for three straight seasons and is widely considered the top offensive lineman in the league.

    Williams likely wants to get paid that way. He signed a six-year, $138.1 million contract before the 2021 season, making his average annual salary now sixth best among tackles after Tristan Wirfs, Penei Sewell and Christian Darrisaw all signed big-money deals this offseason.

    CeeDee Lamb

    Lamb is also going into the last year of his rookie contract after being drafted 17th overall in 2020. He led the NFL in receptions last season (135) and was second in yards receiving (1,749) and third in touchdown receptions (12).

    Lamb already skipped minicamp in June, a decision that came one day after Jefferson agreed to the most valuable contract for a non-quarterback in league history.

    Lamb and Jefferson are effectively neck-and-neck in career statistics after being selected six picks apart in the first round in 2020. Lamb has increased his production each season and was a first-team All-Pro in 2023.

    Haason Reddick

    The Jets traded for Reddick this offseason without coming to an agreement with him about his contract. Reddick was scheduled to make $14.25 million in base salary in the final year of his deal and has already sacrificed about $1 million in fines and forfeited workout bonuses in search of a bigger contract.

    Reddick, a first-round pick by Arizona in 2017, has double-digit sacks in four straight seasons, including 27 during the past two years with the Eagles. He’s expected to boost the Jets’ pass rush while replacing Bryce Huff and John Franklin-Myers on the defensive line.

    Ja’Marr Chase

    The Bengals came into the offseason with contract issues with both of their star receivers. They didn’t reach a long-term deal with Tee Higgins, who signed his franchise tag and is playing out his final year before free agency.

    Cincinnati still has control of Chase for longer with a fifth-year option for 2025 and a possible franchise tag after that. But he wants to get paid sooner and is refusing to practice without a deal.

    Joe Burrow’s former college teammate at LSU has built a great rapport with him in the NFL since being picked fifth overall in 2021.

    In three seasons, Chase has 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 TDs

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  • Contract holdouts and hold-ins cast a shadow over NFL contenders

    Contract holdouts and hold-ins cast a shadow over NFL contenders

    [ad_1]

    SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Whether it’s star players holding out of training camp or holding in by reporting and not practicing, contract disputes are playing a prominent role across the NFL this summer.

    What You Need To Know

    • Contract disputes are playing a prominent role across the NFL this summer

    • Some of the top contenders to compete for the Super Bowl are headed into the first full weekend of exhibition games with some of their most important players unwilling to take the practice field before they get new contracts

    • San Francisco is locked in contract disputes with star receiver Brandon Aiyuk and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams

    • Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and the New York Jets’ Hasson Redick are among the other stars not practicing

    Some of the top contenders to compete for the Super Bowl are headed into the first full weekend of exhibition games with some of their most important players unwilling to take the practice field before they get new contracts.

    The issue is most prevalent in San Francisco, where the defending NFC champion 49ers are preparing for the season with second-team All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk refusing to practice unless he gets a new contract or is traded and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams back at home in Texas waiting for a new deal.

    The frustration level is growing for the 49ers, who have given Aiyuk’s representatives permission to seek out a possible trade with no resolution so far more than two weeks into camp.

    Aiyuk is attending meetings and even has been out watching practice — and exchanging hugs and handshakes with coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch — as he avoids daily fines of $40,000 for players on rookie contracts by being in camp.

    Williams is being fined $50,000 a day for holding out but Shanahan sees little practical difference in the two approaches since neither player is actually practicing.

    “It’s nice not fining guys, but there’s not much of a difference,” he said.

    Two other star receivers are in similar situations to Aiyuk with Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb holding out of Cowboys camp and Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase “holding in” with the Bengals.

    Shanahan isn’t the only one bewildered by the process. Lamb responded with an “lol” on social media Thursday to a post quoting Dallas owner Jerry Jones saying he had no “urgency to get it done.”

    The other prominent contract holdout this summer is edge rusher Haason Reddick, who has refused to report to the New York Jets after being acquired in the offseason in a trade from Philadelphia.

    Here’s a look at the key holdouts and “hold ins” this summer:

    Brandon Aiyuk

    San Francisco’s top wideout has been looking to get paid that way this offseason instead of playing out the fifth year worth about $14.1 million. Ten receivers have signed contracts this offseason worth at least $70 million, with Justin Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension with Minnesota setting the top of the market.

    Aiyuk’s numbers aren’t as prolific as some of the top receivers, in part because he plays on an offense that runs at the second-highest rate in the NFL and is filled with other playmakers. But he still managed 75 catches for a career-high 1,375 yards last season with his 12.8 average yards receiving per target the highest mark for any player with at least 75 targets in more than a decade.

    Trent Williams

    As important as Aiyuk is to San Francisco’s offense, Williams is even more irreplaceable with the Niners sputtering in his brief absence last season. Williams has been a first-team All-Pro for three straight seasons and is widely considered the top offensive lineman in the league.

    Williams likely wants to get paid that way. He signed a six-year, $138.1 million contract before the 2021 season, making his average annual salary now sixth best among tackles after Tristan Wirfs, Penei Sewell and Christian Darrisaw all signed big-money deals this offseason.

    CeeDee Lamb

    Lamb is also going into the last year of his rookie contract after being drafted 17th overall in 2020. He led the NFL in receptions last season (135) and was second in yards receiving (1,749) and third in touchdown receptions (12).

    Lamb already skipped minicamp in June, a decision that came one day after Jefferson agreed to the most valuable contract for a non-quarterback in league history.

    Lamb and Jefferson are effectively neck-and-neck in career statistics after being selected six picks apart in the first round in 2020. Lamb has increased his production each season and was a first-team All-Pro in 2023.

    Haason Reddick

    The Jets traded for Reddick this offseason without coming to an agreement with him about his contract. Reddick was scheduled to make $14.25 million in base salary in the final year of his deal and has already sacrificed about $1 million in fines and forfeited workout bonuses in search of a bigger contract.

    Reddick, a first-round pick by Arizona in 2017, has double-digit sacks in four straight seasons, including 27 during the past two years with the Eagles. He’s expected to boost the Jets’ pass rush while replacing Bryce Huff and John Franklin-Myers on the defensive line.

    Ja’Marr Chase

    The Bengals came into the offseason with contract issues with both of their star receivers. They didn’t reach a long-term deal with Tee Higgins, who signed his franchise tag and is playing out his final year before free agency.

    Cincinnati still has control of Chase for longer with a fifth-year option for 2025 and a possible franchise tag after that. But he wants to get paid sooner and is refusing to practice without a deal.

    Joe Burrow’s former college teammate at LSU has built a great rapport with him in the NFL since being picked fifth overall in 2021.

    In three seasons, Chase has 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 TDs

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    Associated Press

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  • High-A South Atlantic League Glance

    High-A South Atlantic League Glance

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    All Times EDT
    North Division
    W L Pct. GB
    x-Greensboro (Pittsburgh) 21 17 .553 —
    Hudson Valley (N.Y. Yankees) 21 17 .553 —
    Aberdeen (Baltimore) 19 19 .500 2
    Jersey Shore (Philadelphia) 18 20 .474 3
    Wilmington (Washington) 17 20 .459 3½
    Brooklyn (N.Y. Mets) 16 23 .410 5½

    South Division
    W L Pct. GB
    Bowling Green (Tampa Bay) 24 13 .649 —
    Greenville (Boston) 23 15 .605 1½
    Hickory (Texas) 21 17 .553 3½
    Winston-Salem (CWS) 18 20 .474 6½
    Asheville (Houston) 16 23 .410 9
    x-Rome (Atlanta) 13 23 .361 10½

    x – First Half winner

    _____

    Rome 4, Greensboro 1

    Brooklyn 3, Hudson Valley 2, 1st game

    Hudson Valley 7, Brooklyn 0, 2nd game

    Jersey Shore 5, Wilmington 4

    Asheville 4, Bowling Green 2

    Hickory 9, Aberdeen 8

    Greenville 12, Winston-Salem 8, 10 innings

    Rome at Greensboro, ppd.

    Jersey Shore at Wilmington, ppd.

    Bowling Green 12, Asheville 5

    Aberdeen at Hickory, ppd..

    Hudson Valley 4, Brooklyn 3, 10 innings

    Greenville at Winston-Salem, ppd.

    Rome at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

    Jersey Shore at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

    Bowling Green at Asheville, 6:35 p.m.

    Aberdeen at Hickory, 7 p.m.

    Hudson Valley at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

    Greenville at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.

    Aberdeen at Hickory, 2, 5 p.m.

    Rome at Greensboro, 2, 5 p.m.

    Jersey Shore at Wilmington, 2, 5:05 p.m.

    Hudson Valley at Brooklyn, 6 p.m.

    Bowling Green at Asheville, 6:05 p.m.

    Greenville at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.

    Jersey Shore at Wilmington, 1:05 p.m.

    Bowling Green at Asheville, 1:05 p.m.

    Rome at Greensboro, 2 p.m.

    Aberdeen at Hickory, 2 p.m.

    Hudson Valley at Brooklyn, 2 p.m.

    Greenville at Winston-Salem, 2 p.m.

    No games scheduled

    Brooklyn at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

    Hickory at Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m.

    Asheville at Rome, 7 p.m.

    Greenville at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    Brooklyn at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

    Hickory at Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m.

    Asheville at Rome, 7 p.m.

    Greenville at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    Brooklyn at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

    Hickory at Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m.

    Asheville at Rome, 7 p.m.

    Greenville at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    Brooklyn at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

    Asheville at Rome, 7 p.m.

    Greenville at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Hickory at Hudson Valley, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    Hickory at Hudson Valley, 5:05 p.m.

    Brooklyn at Wilmington, 6:05 p.m.

    Asheville at Rome, 7 p.m.

    Greenville at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    Asheville at Rome, 1 p.m.

    Brooklyn at Wilmington, 1:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Jersey Shore, 1:05 p.m.

    Greenville at Aberdeen, 2:05 p.m.

    Hickory at Hudson Valley, 2:05 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 2:05 p.m.

    No games scheduled

    Asheville at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

    Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m.

    Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

    Bowling Green at Hickory, 7 p.m.

    Rome at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Asheville at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

    Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 6:35 p.m.

    Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

    Bowling Green at Hickory, 7 p.m.

    Rome at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 2, 1:35 p.m.

    Asheville at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

    Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

    Bowling Green at Hickory, 7 p.m.

    Rome at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Asheville at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

    Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.

    Bowling Green at Hickory, 7 p.m.

    Rome at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

    Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 5:05 p.m.

    Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 6 p.m.

    Asheville at Greensboro, 6:30 p.m.

    Bowling Green at Hickory, 7 p.m.

    Rome at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Jersey Shore at Brooklyn, 2 p.m.

    Asheville at Greensboro, 2 p.m.

    Bowling Green at Hickory, 2 p.m.

    Wilmington at Hudson Valley, 2:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 2:05 p.m.

    Rome at Greenville, 3:05 p.m.

    No games scheduled

    Aberdeen at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.

    Hickory at Asheville, 6:35 p.m.

    Greensboro at Rome, 7 p.m.

    Brooklyn at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.

    Hudson Valley at Jersey Shore, 7:05 p.m.

    Greenville at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    All Times EDT
    North Division
    W L Pct. GB
    x-Greensboro (Pittsburgh) 21 17 .553 —
    Hudson Valley (N.Y. Yankees) 21 17 .553 —
    Aberdeen (Baltimore) 19 19 .500 2
    Jersey Shore (Philadelphia) 18 20 .474 3
    Wilmington (Washington) 17 20 .459 3½
    Brooklyn (N.Y. Mets) 16 23 .410 5½
    South Division
    W L Pct. GB
    Bowling Green (Tampa Bay) 24 13 .649 —
    Greenville (Boston) 23 15 .605 1½
    Hickory (Texas) 21 17 .553 3½
    Winston-Salem (CWS) 18 20 .474 6½
    Asheville (Houston) 16 23 .410 9
    x-Rome (Atlanta) 13 23 .361 10½

    _____

    Greenville 12, Winston-Salem 8, 10 innings

    Greenville at Winston-Salem, ppd.

    Greenville at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.

    Greenville at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.

    Greenville at Winston-Salem, 2 p.m.

    No games scheduled

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 7:35 p.m.

    Greensboro at Bowling Green, 2:05 p.m.

    No games scheduled

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Winston-Salem at Aberdeen, 7:05 p.m.

    Rome at Greenville, 3:05 p.m.

    No games scheduled

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  • Tech outage sounds alarm: Strengthen cyber defenses now

    Tech outage sounds alarm: Strengthen cyber defenses now

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    COVINGTON, Ky. — Many businesses took several days to reboot their systems after the CrowdStrike outage, an update failure that shut down millions of Microsoft computers. Some are still feeling the effects.

    What You Need To Know

    • The CrowdStrike outage affected just 1% of Windows computers worldwide

    • Dave Hatter said, while evidence points to it being a bug and not an attack, it was also a reminder

    • Things people should do, he said, include using password managers and multi factor authentication and backing up devices

    • In a world increasingly dependent on software, what happened with Crowdstrike can happen again, or worse


    Cyber security experts in Kentucky say the outage should serve as a wake up call for how vulnerable people are to future cyber attacks.

    When he’s not serving his mayoral duties in Fort Wright, one can typically find Dave Hatter messing around on his computer.

    He’s glad his computer wasn’t one of the nine million affected by the massive CrowdStrike outage. Keeping it safe is of utmost importance to him as a cyber security professional who spent 25 years as a software engineer.

    “Cyber criminals will exploit what are known as zero day bugs. They’ll find a flaw in an application. And then until the vendor can fix it, it’s a field day for them to exploit it,” Hatter said. “It’s a significant concern of mine. We’ve got to get to a place where even though speed is important, we’ve got to stop focusing on speed and market share and revenue and things like that, and start focusing on the real world impact of this software when it goes bad.”

    That’s something Tyler Van Dyke gets into with his students as program director of the Computer IT Department at Gateway Community and Technical College.

    “Most, if not all, of our data today goes across a network and we hope it gets into the right hands. We hope that when we send our online bank account to amazon to pay for something on prime, we hope that nobody’s intercepting that,” Van Dyke said. “Having a better understanding of these systems makes you less dependent on IT teams. It gives you a lot more freedom.”

    The CrowdStrike outage affected just 1% of Windows computers worldwide. Hatter said, while evidence points to it being a bug and not an attack, it was also a reminder.

    “I don’t think most people really understand how fragile our society is,” he said. “What we saw on Friday is a little taste of what is coming if we don’t get serious about addressing these issues now, building software that has transparency throughout its supply chain. Most people as individuals and most organizations are not well prepared. I see it every day.”

    Things people should do, he said, include using password managers and multi factor authentication and backing up devices. In a world increasingly dependent on software, what happened with CrowdStrike can happen again, or worse.

    “I think it’s the first of many,” Hatter said. “There’s nothing you can do that’s gonna be 100% bulletproof against some kind of cyberattack. Because I’m many cases people are the weakest link and someone will get fooled into doing something they shouldn’t have.”

    That’s why learning as much as they can could help keep people safe.

    Hatter said he’s a fan of the Kentucky Consumer Data Privacy Act, which goes into effect in 2026. It provides incentives to businesses to protect consumer data.

     

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    Sam Knef

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  • Stocks bouncing higher on Wall Street as markets rally again

    Stocks bouncing higher on Wall Street as markets rally again

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    Stocks are bouncing higher on Wall Street again as a bit more fear washes out of global markets Wednesday following their steep, scary slide that began last week.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wall Street was rallying Wednesday after a brutal day Monday for global markets
    • The S&P 500 was jumping by 1.3% in midday trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 395 points, or 1% and Nasdaq was 1.5% higher

    • Several reasons were likely behind the slide for markets worldwide, including Japan raising its main interest rate

    • The expectation on Wall Street is for the Fed to cut its main interest rate at its next scheduled meeting next month by either the traditional quarter of a percentage point or the more severe half of a point.



    The S&P 500 was jumping by 1.3% in midday trading and on pace for a back-to-back gain of at least 1% following a brutal three-day losing streak where it tumbled a bit more than 6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 395 points, or 1%, as of 11:40 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.5% higher.

    Several reasons were likely behind the slide for markets worldwide, and one of them that’s centered in Japan seems to be calming. The Bank of Japan raised its main interest rate by only a bit last week, but the move nevertheless sent aftershocks worldwide. It scrambled a favorite trade among some hedge funds and other investors, who borrowed money for very cheap in Japanese yen and then invested it elsewhere around the world.

    Speaking to business leaders in the northern island of Hokkaido, Shinichi Uchida, deputy governor of the Bank of Japan, acknowledged the recent market turmoil, which was also triggered in part by concerns about the slowing U.S. economy.

    Japan’s central bank can afford to wait, he said, and “will not raise its policy interest rate when financial and capital markets are unstable.” He also said he believed the U.S. economy would have a “soft landing” and avoid a recession, even if fears have risen the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates too high for too long in hopes of stifling inflation.

    The Japanese promise offered a balm for markets, nervous about additional moves by the Bank of Japan, which only recently ended its yearslong campaign to keep interest rates below zero.

    But it also highlights how risks may remain, suggesting there’s still room left for the popular “carry” trade to unwind and that some hedge funds and other investors may “still remain offsides,” according to John Lynch, chief investment officer for Comerica Wealth Management.

    Japan’s rate hike last week sent the value of the Japanese yen soaring, and the resulting exit of investments by those hedge funds likely slapped turbochargers onto market losses, including the worst drop for the Nikkei 225 since the Black Monday crash of 1987.

    Still, several signals of improved optimism continued to light up on Wall Street. A measure of how much investors are paying to protect from future losses in the S&P 500 index eased. Treasury yields also climbed in an indication investors are feeling less need to own the safest of investments.

    The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 3.94% from 3.90% late Tuesday. It had briefly dropped below 3.70% on Monday, when fear in the market was spiking and investors were speculating the Federal Reserve could even have to call an emergency meeting to cut interest rates quickly.

    The yield on the two-year Treasury, which more closely tracks expectations for Fed action, rose to 4.02% from 3.99% late Tuesday.

    The first thing Darrell Cronk, chief investment officer for Wealth & Investment Management at Wells Fargo, does when he wakes each morning now is to check on the two-year yield and the Japanese yen. The former shows where the market wants or needs the Fed’s main interest rate to go, he says, while the second shows how much the “carry” trade is unwinding.

    The expectation on Wall Street is for the Fed to cut its main interest rate at its next scheduled meeting next month by either the traditional quarter of a percentage point or the more severe half of a point.

    In the meantime, earnings reports from the biggest U.S. companies continue to roll in, and the growth for those in the S&P 500 index may end up being the best since 2021, according to FactSet.

    The Walt Disney Co. delivered stronger earnings for the latest quarter than analysts expected, and its streaming business reported a profit for the first time. But its stock nevertheless slipped 1.6% after it warned recent softness it saw at its U.S. theme parks could continue for “the next few quarters.”

    Airbnb tumbled 12.3% after its profit in the second quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations, and it told investors that it saw some signs of slowing demand in the U.S.

    Super Micro Computer dropped 15.5% after also reporting weaker results than Wall Street expected. It had been one of the year’s biggest winners amid investors’ frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology, and its stock soared more than 300% in the year’s first two and a half months. But such extreme moves caused critics to say the AI bonanza sent many stock prices too high.

    They’ve pointed in particular to Nvidia and the other handful of Big Tech stocks in the “Magnificent Seven” that were the main reason the S&P 500 set so may records this year. A set of underwhelming profit reports recently, kicked off by Tesla and Alphabet, added to the pessimism and dragged Big Tech stocks lower.

    But Microsoft’s 1.9% gain and Apple’s 3% climb on Wednesday were the two biggest forces pushing the S&P 500 higher.

    In stock markets abroad, indexes climbed across much of Europe and Asia.

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    Associated Press

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  • Sam Watson beats U.S. teammate to break own climbing record

    Sam Watson beats U.S. teammate to break own climbing record

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    There were mixed feelings for American Sam Watson after he broke his own world record for speed sport climbing at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • American Sam Watson broke his own world record for speed sport climbing at the Paris Olympics

    • Watson, who accomplished the feat in an elimination heat, said “it sucks” to have done so against American teammate Zach Hammer

    • Watson broke the world record not long after Leonardo Veddriq of Indonesia had equaled his previous mark of 4.79

    • Athletes have found fast walls at the sport climbing venue and have been setting several personal and Olympic records; everyone who qualified for the final improved on the previous Olympic record of 5.45 from the Tokyo Games



    He accomplished the feat in an elimination heat against American teammate Zach Hammer.

    “It sucks, there’s no better way to put that,” Watson said. “I love him, he’s like a brother to me. We’ve trained so much together. It means so much to be on the stage with him, regardless of how that ends up.”

    Watson set the time of 4.75 seconds to improve his mark of 4.79 from the Wujiang World Cup in April.

    He blamed himself for not getting a faster time in the qualification run that determined the seedings, which would have likely allowed him to avoid going against Hammer.

    “I think I honestly had a little bit of fault in the fact that I couldn’t get a faster second run and get the one seed going in,” he said. “But, I mean, he really did leave it all out there, and I hope he’s proud of himself.”

    Hammer was.

    “It sucks that it happened to be at the biggest event,” Hammer said. “Although, I’m very proud of myself, and I’m very happy that I — even though I’m tearing up now — I really enjoyed this whole experience.”

    Hammer said it’s “fun” but “never great” to face his teammate.

    “We race a ton in practice, so we’re comfortable together,” he said. “But you know that only one can move on. So, yeah, it did kind of sting. But Sam and I are really close friends. It ended up fine. You know, we gave each other a big hug afterward. It was a good moment. And I’m super happy for him. And he was just happy for me.”

    Watson said it took a while to sink in that he had just beaten Hammer, who congratulated him on the world record immediately after the race.

    “I hit the buzzer at first, and then I looked over, I gave a salute to the crowd, and then I realized, ‘Man, this is against Zach,’” Watson said. “And we’ve had a lot of conversations together, and I’m really, really, really proud of him. And I gave him a big hug. And I truly believe that he’ll continue going on the world stage and being the best athlete he can alongside me.”

    Watson broke the world record not long after Leonardo Veddriq of Indonesia had equaled his previous mark of 4.79.

    “I was thrilled with the record, but I knew Watson was still going to compete and that he had the potential to take it away from me again,” Veddriq said through a translator.

    Athletes have found fast walls at the sport climbing venue and have been setting several personal and Olympic records. Everyone who qualified for the final improved on the previous Olympic record of 5.45 from the Tokyo Games.

    It also helps that this time the speed event is not linked to the boulder and lead events, as was the case three years ago in Tokyo, when only one gold medal was awarded after athletes competed in all three disciplines and the final scores reflected the combined results. In Paris, two gold medals will be awarded for the men and women — one will be a combined competition of bouldering and lead, and the second will only feature a speed event.

    “I think the idea of having its own medal definitely incentivized that and allowed speed — and bouldering lead — to have their own positive platforms, and I’m really happy that’s the case,” Watson said.

    On Monday, Aleksandra Miroslaw of Poland twice broke her own sport climbing world record in the women’s speed. The new mark for the women’s competition is 6.06 seconds.

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    Associated Press

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  • Tropical Storm Debby bringing heavy rainfall

    Tropical Storm Debby bringing heavy rainfall

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    Debby has weakened into a tropical storm again as it continues to push inland over the Florida Panhandle. Debby made landfall near Steinhatchee, Fla., early on Monday, Aug. 5 as a Category 1 hurricane. It will continue to move inland in the Southeast U.S.

    Debby strengthened into the second hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed into a tropical storm on Saturday, Aug. 3, and became a hurricane on Sunday, Aug. 4. Debby is the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Debby is a tropical storm

    • It made landfall near Steinhatchee, Fla. on Monday, Aug. 5, as a Category 1 hurricane

    • It’s forecast to stall out and bring heavy rainfall to the Southeast U.S.


    Debby is weakening as it pushes inland. It’s a tropical storm with max winds of 50 mph and is slowly moving northeast. It moved inland along Florida’s Big Bend coast near Steinhatchee and made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane with max winds of 80 mph early on Monday morning.

    The track of Debby has it moving across the northern Sunshine State, then moving back over the Atlantic where it will scrape the southeastern coast. It looks to stall along the Southeast coast for several days, bringing inches to possibly feet of rain to the region.

    Tropical Storm Warning

    • St. Augustine, Florida to South Santee River South Carolina

    Storm Surge Warning

    • Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary’s River to South Santee River South Carolina

    Debby looks to cross the northern part of Florida and eventually it will slow down to a crawl. This would bring days of rain to the coastal Southeast for areas from Savannah to Charleston.

    Areas of flash flooding are possible through the week. The highest rainfall totals will be in parts of coastal Georgia and South Carolina, where significant flooding is expected. 

    There is a high risk of excessive rainfall for the next three days.

    Rainfall totals will climb up to 12 to 15 inches this week with locally higher totals possible

    Here’s a look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far.

    More Storm Season Resources


    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Robert F. Kennedy in court fighting ballot-access claim he doesn’t live in N.Y.

    Robert F. Kennedy in court fighting ballot-access claim he doesn’t live in N.Y.

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    Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arrived at a New York court Monday to fight a lawsuit alleging he falsely claimed to live in New York as he sought to get on the ballot in the state.

    Kennedy appeared and sat at his attorneys’ table during legal arguments Monday morning, ahead of a civil trial expected to start later in the day in the state capital of Albany. Under state election law, a judge is set to decide the case without a jury.

    The lawsuit alleges that Kennedy’s nominating petition falsely said his residence was in New York’s northern suburbs while he actually has lived in Los Angeles since 2014, when he married “Curb Your Enthusiasm” actor Cheryl Hines.

    The suit seeks to invalidate his petition. The case was brought by Clear Choice PAC, a super PAC led by supporters of Democratic President Joe Biden.

    Kennedy has the potential to do better than any independent presidential candidate in decades, having gained traction with a famous name and a loyal base. Strategists from both major parties worry that he could win enough votes to tip the election.

    His campaign has said he has enough signatures to qualify in 42 states, so far. His ballot drive has faced challenges and lawsuits in various states, including North Carolina and New Jersey.

    Kennedy’s New York ballot petition lists his residence as a home that a friend owns in Katonah, a tony suburb about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of midtown Manhattan. But the lawsuit claims that the candidate “has no meaningful or continuous connections to the property” and has spent “vanishingly little time, if any.”

    He doesn’t have a written lease, and neighbors haven’t seen him around, says the lawsuit, filed in June.

    “Moreover, the evidence will show that Kennedy’s wife and children live in California, along with his three dogs, two ravens, an emu and his personal belongings,” the lawsuit adds.

    Kennedy’s lawyers maintain that the 70-year-old candidate — who led a New York-based environmental group for decades and whose namesake father was a New York senator — has lived in the state since he was 10.

    “While Mr. Kennedy may have purchased a home in California and temporarily moved his family there while his wife pursues her acting career, Mr. Kennedy is and always has been a New Yorker,” his lawyers wrote in a court filing.

    In legal arguments ahead of the trial, Kennedy attorney F. Michael Ostrander said his client has a “continuing connection” to the Katonah area.

    According to the court filing, Kennedy visits the Katonah house as often as possible while campaigning, pays New York state income taxes and pays rent to the owner of the house in Katonah. There he gets mail, is registered to vote, is licensed to practice law, keeps clothes and family photos, has a car registered and has it as his address on his driver’s license and various others.

    “He even keeps his beloved falcons in New York state,” attorney William Savino said in a press release Monday. He said Kennedy intends to move back to New York as soon as his wife retires from acting.

    The court date comes the day after a video posted on social media showed Kennedy explaining a New York episode in his life: how a decade ago he retrieved a bear that was killed by a motorist and left it in New York’s Central Park with a bicycle on top.

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    Associated Press

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  • U.K. leader Starmer condemns far-right attack on asylum-seeker hotel

    U.K. leader Starmer condemns far-right attack on asylum-seeker hotel

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    U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly condemned an attack Sunday on a hotel housing asylum seekers, describing it as “far-right thuggery” as more violence broke out in several towns and cities across the country in the wake of a stabbing rampage at a dance class that left three girls dead and many more wounded.

    What You Need To Know

    • .K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers, describing it as “far-right thuggery”
    • In a statement Sunday afternoon, the prime minister vowed that “we will do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice” as he addressed the nation following ongoing unrest across parts of the country
    • Police in the north of England town of Rotherham struggled to hold back a mob of far-right rioters who were seeking to break into a hotel housing asylum-seekers
    • Police faced a barrage of missiles, as they sought to prevent the rioters, many of whom wore masks, from entering the Holiday Inn Express hotel

    In a statement from 10 Downing Street on Sunday afternoon, the prime minister vowed that the authorities will “do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice.”

    “I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves,” he said. “This is not a protest, it is organized, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online.”

    Starmer was speaking after another day of far-right violence, which was particularly acute in the north of England town of Rotherham where police struggled to hold back a mob of rioters who sought to break into a Holiday Inn Express hotel being used as accommodation for asylum-seekers.

    Before bringing the riot under some sort of control, police officers with shields had faced a barrage of missiles, including bits of wood, chairs and fire extinguishers. A small fire in a wheelie bin was also visible while windows in the hotel were smashed.

    “Right now, there are attacks happening on a hotel in Rotherham,” Starmer said. “Marauding gangs intent on law-breaking, or worse. Windows smashed. Fires set ablaze. Residents and staff in absolute fear. There is no justification — none — for taking this action.”

    Far-right agitators have sought to take advantage of last week’s stabbing attack by tapping into concerns about the scale of immigration in the U.K., in particular the tens of thousands of migrants arriving in small boats from France across the English Channel.

    Tensions were running high Sunday in the northeastern town of Middlesbrough, where some protesters broke free of a police guard.

    One group walked through a residential area smashing the windows of houses and cars. When asked by a resident why they were breaking windows, one man replied, “Because we’re English.” Hundreds of others squared up to police with shields at the town’s cenotaph, throwing bricks, cans and pots at officers.

    On Saturday, far-right activists faced off with anti-racism protesters across the U.K., with violent scenes playing out in locations from Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, to Liverpool in the northwest of England and Bristol in the west. Further arrests are likely as police scour CCTV, social media and body-worn camera footage.

    Police have also warned that widespread security measures, with thousands of officers deployed, mean that other crimes may not be investigated fully.

    The violence began after false rumors spread online that the suspect in the dance class stabbing attack was a Muslim and an immigrant, fueling anger among far-right supporters. Suspects under 18 are usually not named in the U.K., but Judge Andrew Menary ordered Axel Rudakubana, born in Wales to Rwandan parents, to be identified, in part to stop the spread of misinformation. Rudakubana has been charged with three counts of murder, and 10 counts of attempted murder.

    Police said many of the weekend actions were organized online by shadowy far-right groups, who mobilize support with phrases like “enough is enough,” “save our kids” and “stop the boats.”

    “To those who feel targeted because of the colour of your skin or your faith, I know how frightening this must be,” he said. “Other minority communities singled out, Nazi salutes in the street, attacks on the police, wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric, so no, I won’t shy away from calling it what it is: far-right thuggery.”

    Rallying cries have come from a diffuse group of social media accounts, but a key player in amplifying them is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, a longtime far-right agitator who uses the name Tommy Robinson. He led the English Defense League, which Merseyside Police has linked to the violent protest in Southport on Tuesday, a day after the stabbing attack.

    The group first appeared around 2009, leading a series of protests against what it described as militant Islam that often devolved into violence. Yaxley-Lennon was banned from Twitter in 2018 but allowed back after it was bought by Elon Musk and rebranded as X. He has more than 800,000 followers.

    The group’s membership and impact declined after a few years, and Yaxley-Lennon, 41, has faced myriad legal issues. He has been jailed for assault, contempt of court and mortgage fraud and currently faces an arrest warrant after leaving the U.K. last week before a scheduled hearing in contempt-of-court proceedings against him.

    Nigel Farage, who was elected to parliament in July for the first time as leader of Reform U.K., has also been blamed by many for encouraging — indirectly — the anti-immigration sentiment that has been evident over the past few days. While condemning the violence, he has criticized the government for blaming it on “a few far-right thugs” and saying “the far right is a reaction to fear … shared by tens of millions of people.”

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    Associated Press

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