Tony Jones Jr. scores twice, Saints' defense shuts down Panthers' Bryce Young in 20-17 win
The Toronto Star
23-09-19 02:39
The New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 20-17, improving their record to 2-0 for the first time since 2013. Tony Jones Jr. replaced the injured Jamaal Williams and ran for two touchdowns, rookie Blake Grupe kicked two field goals, and the Saints' defense held the Panthers to 239 yards and sacked rookie quarterback Bryce Young four times. The Panthers scored a touchdown with 1:16 left in the game, but the Saints recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock. The Saints' win puts them even with the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers atop the NFC South.
Strike Is a High-Stakes Gamble for Autoworkers and the Labor Movement
NY Times
23-09-19 07:00
A strike by the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union, which saw members walk out of three plants on Friday, could be a watershed moment for labor unions in the US. The strike is seen by many as a test for organized labor, and success could accelerate the recent wave of organizing. However, a prolonged strike could cause serious damage to US automakers General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis and send the politically important Midwest region into recession. The strike’s outcome is being watched closely by other industries, where workers have shown increasing interest in labor actions. There are concerns that the UAW’s aggressive demands could discourage businesses from investing in the US or make them uncompetitive with foreign rivals. The union could also win the battle but lose the war if automakers respond by shifting more production to Mexico or adopting automation to undercut the UAW while continuing to produce cars domestically.
Nick Chubb suffers another severe knee injury, likely ending the Browns star running back's season
The Toronto Star
23-09-19 06:08
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb will likely miss the remainder of the season after injuring his left knee during Monday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chubb, 27, has been a constant for the Browns and is regarded as one of the most respected players in the locker room. Chubb suffered a dislocation and three torn ligaments in the same knee in 2015 while playing college football at Georgia. He will be replaced by Jerome Ford, who scored a touchdown immediately after Chubb's injury and finished the game with 106 rushing yards.
Republicans’ anti-drag crusade seen as assault on LGBTQ+ rights
Guardian
23-09-19 10:00
Conservative US states have attempted to pass laws banning drag performances in certain public spaces, but these measures have so far been blocked by judges. Tennessee, Texas, and Montana all passed such laws, but they were challenged in court by drag queens and civil rights groups, and judges subsequently blocked them. Laws restricting drag shows in Florida and Alabama have also been blocked, while a proposed bill in North Carolina has not yet passed. Critics argue that these laws disproportionately target LGBTQ+ individuals and are part of a wider culture war against the community. Despite the setbacks, Republicans have stated that they will continue to try to pass drag-ban bills.
UAW Strike Collides With Biden’s Manufacturing Agenda
WSJ
23-09-19 09:00
The United Auto Workers (UAW) strike at US carmakers represents a conflict at the heart of President Biden's economic policy, which could be difficult to resolve. On the one hand, Biden wants to promote investment in clean technology and electric vehicles (EVs) to bring manufacturing back to the US. On the other, he supports the demands of labor unions for higher wages, which will make it harder for the US to build a competitive EV industry. The UAW is demanding a pay raise of more than 30% over four years, shorter work weeks, an end to temporary workers, and a reversal of concessions made in the recession.
Column: Duane Bock thought he would have the summer off. Now the caddie is going to the Ryder Cup
Associated Press
23-09-19 14:55
Duane Bock, who previously caddied for Kevin Kisner, will now be caddying for Sepp Straka as part of Team Europe in the Ryder Cup. Kisner and Bock had been together for 14 years and Bock didn't believe he would work for anyone else. However, Kisner decided to take a break and Straka asked Bock to caddie for him. They won the John Deere Classic and finished as runners-up in the British Open. Bock didn't realize that Straka had a twin brother who caddied for him at the Tokyo Olympics and didn't know that Straka had only played under the Austrian flag.
Tampa Bay Rays finalizing new ballpark in St. Petersburg as part of larger urban project
Associated Press
23-09-19 14:42
The Tampa Bay Rays are planning a new, 30,000-seat ballpark as part of a $6bn development in St. Petersburg. The project will include affordable housing, retail outlets, bars and restaurants, and a Black history museum. The new stadium, set to open in time for the 2028 season, will replace the Tropicana Field. The Rays' management said about half the cost of the new stadium would be funded by the team, with the remainder provided by city and county governments. The project will also include 6,000 new apartments and condominiums, retail space, a hotel, and more.
The Scheduling Headache Caused by College Sports’ Mega-Conferences
WSJ
23-09-19 13:09
The recent wave of conference realignment in college athletics is causing a headache for those in charge of scheduling games. The realignment has created “mega-conferences” with up to 18 teams, making it difficult to create schedules that allow teams to play each other. The complexity of the problem is vast: if an 18-team conference wants a round-robin schedule, there are more ways to get it done than there are atoms in the universe. Some sports, such as golf, swimming and track and field, which mostly compete in invitational-style tournaments, will not see many changes to how they operate during the regular season. But for other sports, like volleyball and basketball, scheduling will be a major challenge. Budgetary constraints, facility sharing and television broadcasting contracts all make scheduling more difficult. Furthermore, the conferences need to reconsider how many league games can be played while still following NCAA rules. The months ahead will be incredibly busy for scheduling experts as they try to figure out the best possible outcome.
Pregnancy-related arrests in the US surged over the last two decades
The Independent
23-09-19 18:53
Arrests of pregnant women are increasing in the US, according to a report by advocacy group Pregnancy Justice. Between 2006 and June 2022, nearly 1,400 people were arrested or faced increased penalties due to alleged offences while pregnant, with a threefold increase in pregnancy-related criminal cases. The report predicts that the situation will worsen following the reversal of Roe v Wade, the landmark case that legalised abortion. Arrests were concentrated in southern states where legislators have heightened penalties for pregnant people, often on the basis that fertilised eggs, embryos, and foetuses have the same rights as children.
Browns star Nick Chubb to undergo surgery on season-ending knee injury sustained against Steelers
Associated Press
23-09-19 17:42
Cleveland Browns star running back Nick Chubb will undergo surgery on his left knee after suffering a season-ending injury in Monday night's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chubb injured the same knee he injured in 2015 at Georgia and had reconstructed. Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Chubb's season is over but did not provide specifics on the severity of the injury or when he will have surgery. Backup running back Jerome Ford will step in for Chubb, and the Browns are exploring adding another running back to the roster.
No. 25 Florida hopes to maintain its edge and sustain momentum for the first time in years
The Toronto Star
23-09-19 17:17
The Florida Gators are facing Charlotte this week with an opportunity to win three consecutive games for the first time since Marco Wilson's shoe toss, according to this article. Under Coach Billy Napier, the Gators are hoping to handle success better than in recent years and maintain momentum. Napier has experience keeping teams grounded and has a principle-centered leadership approach. The Gators lost 18 of 30 games between Wilson's cleat throw and their season-opening loss at Utah. Winning three games in a row would set the Gators up for a showdown against Georgia.
16 states underfunded historically Black land-grant universities, Biden administration says
Associated Press
23-09-19 16:54
Historically Black land-grant universities in Tennessee and 15 other states have missed out on $12.6 billion in funding over the last three decades, according to the Biden administration. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack sent letters to the governors of each state asking them to increase funding. The largest disparity was found in Tennessee, where Tennessee State University has been underfunded by $2.1 billion. The federal agencies used data from the National Center for Education Statistics and found the funding disparity in 16 of 18 states that house Black land grants.
Browns star Nick Chubb to undergo surgery on season-ending knee injury; Kareem Hunt in for visit
The Toronto Star
23-09-19 23:04
Cleveland Browns star running back Nick Chubb will require surgery after suffering a season-ending left knee injury during Monday night's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler, previously injured the same knee in 2015 and had it reconstructed. Coach Kevin Stefanski did not provide details on the severity of the injury or when Chubb will have the operation, but it is likely that he will seek several medical opinions before moving forward. As the Browns try to regroup, they brought in former Brown Kareem Hunt for a visit and workout.
After unintended 12-year pause, South Carolina secures drug to resume lethal injections
The Toronto Star
23-09-19 22:23
South Carolina has obtained a drug needed to carry out lethal injections and is ready to perform the state’s first execution in over 12 years, officials announced Tuesday. South Carolina used to be one of most prolific states in the nation when it came to putting inmates to death. But it has had an unintended moratorium on the death penalty ever since its lethal injection drugs passed their expiration date and pharmacies refused to sell the state more because they could be publicly identified.
Tennessee extends men's basketball coach Rick Barnes' contract through 2027-28
The Toronto Star
23-09-19 21:15
Tennessee has extended the contract of head basketball coach Rick Barnes through the 2027-28 season. The extension adds a year to Barnes' contract and keeps his supplemental pay at $5.75 million for each of the final two seasons. Barnes, who is going into his ninth season at Tennessee, has a career record of 779-406 and has led the team to five straight NCAA Tournaments. Under his leadership, the Vols have been a top four seed in the tournament four times and have appeared in the AP Top 25 38 times, including four weeks at No. 1.
Prepping for No. 1 Georgia reminded UAB coach Trent Dilfer of getting ready for NFL games
The Toronto Star
23-09-21 10:11
UAB coach Trent Dilfer says that watching game film of No. 1 Georgia takes him back to his days as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Dilfer realizes that this isn't good news for his Blazers, who are facing a difficult challenge against the two-time defending national champions. Georgia is favored by 41.5 points against UAB as it puts its 20-game winning streak on the line. Dilfer, who led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl win in 2000, says that his preparation for the game against Georgia looks very similar to his game planning in the NFL.
No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers find themselves at a crossroads as UTSA arrives for a nonconference game
Associated Press
23-09-21 10:10
The Tennessee Volunteers are facing a crisis of confidence after a decisive road loss to Florida, causing them to drop to 23rd in the national rankings. Coach Josh Heupel acknowledged the team's "self-inflicted wounds" and stressed the need to clean up mistakes. They will face UTSA, who is also coming off a disappointing loss. The game is seen as pivotal for both teams as they head into conference challenges. Tennessee will be without defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott for the first half due to a suspension, while UTSA has some key players with uncertain status due to injuries.
Why do Hollywood stars keep advertising Warburtons?
Telegraph
23-09-21 15:44
Hollywood stars including Samuel L Jackson, Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, and George Clooney have all appeared in advertisements for Warburtons bread, despite presumably being unfamiliar with the British brand. Warburtons owner Jonathan Warburton said his approach is to speak directly to the actors, explaining that he told De Niro: "I'm going to pay you what I'm going to pay you, but I absolutely need to know from you, that you'll give it 100%." Jackson is the latest actor to join the brand, stating: "It was a pleasure to meet the man at the helm of Britain's biggest family bakery."
No. 25 Florida goes for its first 3-game winning streak in 3 years when it hosts Charlotte
The Toronto Star
23-09-21 14:52
No. 25 Florida is set to face off against Charlotte in a game that could potentially extend the Gators' winning streak to three games. Florida's defense will be tested by former Florida quarterback Jalon Jones, who is now playing for Charlotte. Jones leads the team in rushing yards. On the other side, Florida running back Trevor Etienne will be one to watch, as he leads the team in rushing yards and is coming off a career-high game against Tennessee. The Gators will also be without three players in the first half due to suspensions. Overall, Florida is favored to win by 27.5 points.
Mother accused of watching boyfriend rape her seven-year-old daughter
The Independent
23-09-21 18:58
A woman and her boyfriend in Tennessee have been arrested for allegedly committing sexual crimes against her 7-year-old daughter. The woman, Brandon Sloan Hawkins, is accused of watching her boyfriend, William Joe Beene III, rape her daughter multiple times over the course of a year. The suspects have been charged with five counts each of felony rape of a child. The abuse was reported to authorities by a concerned party, leading to an investigation. Family members have created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the victim's needs and potential future education, as they plan to request permanent custody of her.
