Karen Bass slammed for pulling out of key debate after Spencer Pratt success

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is being blasted for backing out of an upcoming mayoral forum just days after she took a beating in a LA mayoral debate, with Spencer Pratt being declared the winner, per an online poll. “The League of Women Voters and the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs regret to announce that Mayor Karen Bass has withdrawn from the televised Los Angeles mayoral forum scheduled for May 13 on FOX 11,” a statement posted on Instagram from organizers read. “The forum was organized to give Los Angeles voters the opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking…

UCLA softball, seeded No. 8, will open NCAA Tournament at home

There was an upbeat tone amid a rare loss. All that mattered for the UCLA softball team was that its biggest goal remained within reach. “We’re going to hold our heads high and make sure that we go into next week just as prepared as we can be,” slugger Megan…

Liberty survive for frustrating overtime win against Mystics

WASHINGTON — Sunday’s game between the Liberty and Washington Mystics wasn’t pretty. But it was a win — albeit an all-around frustrating game for both sides. The Liberty, despite the stop-and-go nature of the game and all the fouls, ultimately found a way to spoil the Mystics’ home opener, winning…

New AI office leases stoking hot Manhattan market

AI might one day wreak havoc on commercial real estate, as some fear. But at least right now, it’s only adding fire to the superheated Manhattan market. The fear is that AI will lead to large employee layoffs, which of course would mean companies would need less office space —…

Ohio gov candidate Vivek Ramaswamy sounds alarm about Medicaid fraud — after 288 companies found registered to same address

Ohio gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy is calling for a major crackdown on Medicaid fraud in the state after a probe allegedly uncovered millions of dollars in taxpayer funds being funneled to nonexistent home-healthcare companies. The investigation found 288 separate Ohio home-healthcare companies with the same address — while listed locations…

Yes to the dress: These standout bridal trends are turning heads

Every April and October, dress designers from around the world come to New York to display their new designs at the Bridal Market show. Esther Lee, editorial director at the Knot, said their editors saw over 1,000 new gowns, all of which will be in bridal salons starting this month.…

Minnesota school taught eighth-grade geography class ICE uses ‘tricky & violent tactics’: docs

WASHINGTON — A Minnesota middle school taught eighth-graders that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are using “tricky & violent tactics” to harass and arrest thousands of “legal immigrants,” according to documents released this week by a conservative education group. Defending Education published excerpts from a PowerPoint slideshow that revealed…

Canada survives Olympic hockey scare with thrilling overtime win over Czechia

MILAN — This was an Olympic battle for the ages, and the likely titan prevailed. Canada emerged from an all-time quarterfinal clash against Czechia with a 4-3 overtime win after Mitch Marner scored the winner Wednesday night at Santagiulia Arena. The victory sends the Canadians to the semifinals, where their…

Pope turns down offer to join Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace

WASHINGTON — Pope Leo XIV is peacing out of President Trump’s offer. The Holy See turned down Trump’s invitation to join his Board of Peace for the beleaguered Gaza Strip due to fears that the panel would undermine the role of the United Nations. “There are points that leave us…

Wendy’s shares soar 15% after billionaire Nelson Peltz says stock is undervalued

Activist investor Nelson Peltz said in an SEC filing on Wednesday that the fast-food chain Wendy’s stock is currently undervalued, sending its shares up about 15%. According to the filing, Peltz’s Trian Fund Management has spoken with possible financing sources, co‑investors, and strategic partners about potential deals including an acquisition or other major transactions…

How MLB players union is pivoting after Tony Clark resignation scandal

TAMPA — The MLB Players Association may not have an official leader at the moment, but the players are doubling down on the strength of the union. Austin Wells, the Yankees’ player rep, held a meeting with his teammates Wednesday morning to voice that message and address the fallout of…

Republican Steve Hilton rockets to lead in California governor’s race

Republican Steve Hilton has opened up a surprise lead in the California governors race, according to a new poll. The Fox News contributor and staunch critic of Gov. Gavin Newsom is leading the crowded field, with 17% support, according to the Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey. Democratic Rep. Eric…

Kyrie Irving’s latest health update bad news for Mavericks

It will be another several months before Mavericks fans see Kyrie Irving on the hardwood again. The Dallas point guard will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season as he continues to recover from an ACL tear, the team announced on Wednesday morning. Irving sustained the injury in his left…

Trump adviser slams NY Fed tariff study: ‘Worst paper I’ve ever seen’

Kevin Hassett, a top economic adviser to President Trump, on Wednesday said those behind a New York Federal Reserve research paper that argued the costs of tariffs are borne mostly by Americans should be punished for what he described as shoddy scholarship. “The paper is an embarrassment,” Hassett said in a CNBC interview. “It’s, I…

FDA reverses decision not to review Moderna’s new flu vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration has reversed its decision not to review a new flu vaccine from Moderna, the pharmaceutical company said Wednesday. Last week, the FDA sent a missive to Moderna refusing to review its new shot, saying its application did not contain adequate research – leaving the company’s…

Markets

More
More forecasts: Weather 30 days Sydney