NFL and NBA preseason players are going back to college — how NCAA could have avoided this mess

The funny aspect to the current chaos that pervades major college sports is how easily it could have all been avoided. A quick summary: In June, the NCAA passed a new eligibility model that allowed for five seasons of competition over a five-year period beginning with full-time enrollment or the academic year following an athlete’s 19th birthday. It declined to grandfather in that extra year of eligibility to the high school class of 2022 (seniors last season) while for some reason giving an extra year to athletes who were juniors, sophomores and freshmen in 2025-26. Predictably, those seniors have gone…

Target pulls ‘offensive’ Halloween costume from stores

Target has apologized for a circus clown Halloween costume that critics accused of evoking Blackface and 19th-century minstrel shows following online backlash. The costume was sold as the “Kids’ Glows Under ‌Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume,” according to the since-deleted listing. The costume was sold as part of the retailer’s seasonal Hyde and…

NYCFC keeping Nicolás Fernández Mercau despite transfer rumors

Rumors have continued to swirl around New York City FC star Nicolás Fernández Mercau regarding his future with the club.  But with a little more than a week left in the MLS summer transfer window, Fernández Mercau is expected to remain with NYCFC barring a massive last-second offer, a source…

Zillow settles FTC claims it paid Redfin to stop competing on apartment listings

The US Federal Trade Commission and a group of states settled with Zillow ahead of trial on Monday, ending claims the online real estate platform illegally paid Rocket Companies’ Redfin $100 million to stop competing in apartment rental listings. The FTC and five states were ready to argue at trial scheduled to start Monday that the Zillow-Redfin…

Zohran Mamdani’s NY socialist sweep could spur AOC White House bid: insiders

The decisive primary sweep by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s left-wing comrades gave Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez such an ego boost that Democratic insiders predict it could spur a White House bid in 2028. The “Squad’s” queen bee may ditch her long-anticipated plot to unseat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for bigger…

How did the Romans build such straight roads?

Ancient Roman transportation engineers built a vast network of roads that stretched across Europe, North Africa and parts of the Middle East. This complex road system was a key to travel and trade in the Roman Empire, and many of the centuries-old streets had a reputation for being extremely straight,…

Latest COVID vaccine may have unexpected health benefit, study suggests

The latest COVID-19 vaccine (2024-2025) has been linked to fewer serious heart-related events among US veterans. New research confirmed a small reduction in COVID-related cardiovascular events, or COVID-19-associated MACE, due to the vaccine. MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) is a composite measure of serious heart-related outcomes. It typically includes cardiovascular death, heart attack and…

Zach Thornton authors strong start in latest Mets’ call-up

Zach Thornton nailed his latest audition. The Mets pitching prospect, who was called up following the David Peterson trade this week, impressed in his second major league start on Friday as he pitched six clean innings against the Phillies. The 24-year-old finished his night with seven strikeouts, five hits allowed…

All eyes on Deonte Banks as he gets another Giants chance

Sometimes one word is just that — one word.  Sometimes the way that one word is uttered makes all the difference.  Addison Lynch, the first-year Giants defensive backs coach, responded with only one word when asked if, in his limited time working with Deonte Banks, it was easy to see…

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