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NoneGolden State Valkyries select 4 players to begin building roster through WNBA expansion draft SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Valkyries have selected center Iliana Rupert of Atlanta, guard Veronica Burton of Connecticut, guard Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde of Chicago with their initial picks of the WNBA expansion draft. Those four became the first players for the new Bay Area franchise that’s set to begin play next season. Friday's expansion draft was the first for the WNBA in 16 years since the Atlanta Dream joined the league in 2008. Golden State is able to acquire the contract or negotiating rights to one player from each of the other 12 WNBA teams. Lionel Messi wins MLS MVP award, the latest trophy on a long list of honors for the Inter Miami star FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi is the MVP of Major League Soccer for 2024. The award comes after a season where he missed 15 of Inter Miami’s 34 regular-season matches with injuries or commitments to Argentina’s national team. He still factored into a league-high 36 goals by scoring 20 and assisting on 16 others. His 2.1 goal contributions per 90 minutes played is the best by any player in any season in MLS history. MLS revealed the voting results Friday. Messi edged out Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernández for the award, which is determined by a poll of players, club technical staff and select media members. NFL ends investigation into sexual assault allegations against Browns QB Deshaun Watson CLEVELAND (AP) — The NFL has closed an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The league has been reviewing the case for months, trying to determine whether Watson should be punished. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email that "there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.” Watson, who served an 11-game suspension in 2022, was accused of assault by a woman in September. She was seeking more than $1 million in damage before the sides reached a confidential settlement. Watson has played in just 19 games over three seasons for the Browns. Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber returning to Cleveland Guardians on 1-year deal, AP source says CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that right-hander Shane Bieber is returning to the Cleveland Guardians after making just two starts and undergoing Tommy John surgery last season. Bieber had been expected to leave the AL Central champions, but will be back after agreeing to a one-year, $14 million contract that includes a $16 million player option for 2026. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner made just starts in 2024 before having the surgery on his troublesome elbow that bothered him the previous campaign. The 29-year-old Bieber has spent all seven big-league seasons with Cleveland. NBA returning to China for pair of Suns-Nets preseason games in 2025 The NBA is returning to China next season. The league has struck a deal to play preseason games there more than five years after the league was effectively banned for Commissioner Adam Silver not punishing Daryl Morey for tweeting support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Brooklyn and Phoenix will play games in China’s gambling hub of Macao on Oct. 10, 2025, and again two days later. There are more games planned for China in 2026, a source told The Associated Press. American ski racer Lindsey Vonn is picking up speed in her comeback bid at 40 years old COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — American ski racer Lindsey Vonn darted through the shadows on the speed course at Copper Mountain on a frigid morning. She was on the hill Friday as she tries to make a comeback to skiing nearly six years after her last race. Vonn plans to enter a series of lower-tier FIS downhill and super-G races this weekend at Copper Mountain, Colorado. It could be the first step toward seeing her on the World Cup circuit again. Scottie Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2 NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler used a big run of birdies to take a two-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. Scheffler had seven birdies on the front nine for a 29. The world No. 1 added one birdie on the back nine to lead by two over Justin Thomas and Akshay Bhatia. Scheffler found no need to apologize for only one birdie on the back nine. He says it simply was a matter of the ball being a little closer to the hole and a few more putts going in. Scheffler already has eight victories this year, including Olympic gold. A's GM David Forst says the team wanted to make a statement with Luis Severino's contract SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Athletics general manager David Forst says the team wanted to make a statement going into its new home. That was one the factors that led to its deal with Luis Severino. The 30-year-old Severino was formally introduced by his new club after finalizing a $67 million, three-year contract. The veteran right-hander was a free agent for the second straight offseason after going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings during his only season with the New York Mets. It’s the largest deal ever for the low-budget A’s, topping a $66 million contract for third baseman Eric Chavez covering 2005-10. Hall of Famer Randy Moss is stepping away from ESPN for an extended time to deal with health issue Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss is stepping away from his ESPN analyst role for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge, the network said in a statement. Moss revealed last week that he’s dealing with a health issue and asked fans to pray for him and his family. The 47-year-old ESPN football analyst made his announcement on Instagram from the set of the network’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” show. He directed his message to men and urged them to get checkups and bloodwork done, without specifying any particular illness. No Bevo? SEC tells Texas there's no room for its 1,700-pound longhorn at title game vs. Georgia ATLANTA (AP) — The Southeastern Conference championship game will not feature another mascot showdown. The league says there's not enough space on the sideline at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for No. 2 Texas to bring along its 1,700-pound longhorn Bevo XV for the game against No. 5 Georgia. The teams have two of college football’s most famous mascots. There should be enough sideline space for Georgia’s pure white English bulldog, Uga XI. Before the 2019 Sugar Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans, Bevo XV toppled his barrier and began to charge at Uga X. Texas handlers were able to pull Bevo back before any harm.
Team Germany enters the tournament as an underdog who will most likely have to fight to avoid relegation. This doesn’t mean that they won’t have interesting players. Here are some players to watch as the World Junior Championships get underway. Norwin Panocha, D Blueliner Norwin Panocha will enter the tournament as the only drafted player from Germany’s roster. This season, Panocha has lined up for the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League (USHL). In 15 games, he has three assists, after starting the season with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Panocha was drafted 205th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft . He has also gained valuable experience on the international stage, playing a crucial role for Germany at the 2023 U18s, recording two goals and one assist in six games. His performance highlighted his defensive skills and ability to step up. The Sabres’ prospect will be one to follow in Ottawa. David Lewandowski, F Lewandowski will be a first-time eligible prospect at the 2025 Draft, and his performance this season has certainly caught the attention of scouts. His ability to contribute offensively and his strong hockey sense make him a valuable asset for any team. Lewandowski has also gained experience on the international stage, representing Germany in previous tournaments. Lewandowski, son of former professional player in Germany and Russia, Eduard Lewandowski, isn’t the only player on the roster coming from a dynasty. He started the season at home with the Dusseldorfer EG, failing to score in seven regular-season games. Then, he landed on the Saskatoon Blades, where he was good since the beginning . Lewandowski is expected to play a top-six role for the Germans. Julius Sumpf, F A returnee from last year’s team, Sumpf is having a tremendous season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he produced 37 points in just 29 games for the Moncton Wildcats. In his second year in North America, Sumpf is becoming a force and will do some damage in Ottawa. Sumpf is expected to be among the team’s top scorers, and while at this point his selection at the upcoming draft is unlikely, considering his age, a strong tournament can raise his stock and maybe a team will give him a chance this summer at an offseason camp. Team Germany’s Chances The Germans will only have one goal: avoid relegation. The players and coaches know it, so a slow start is to be expected, to a certain point. Expect the Germans to gear up after a couple of games, to deliver better performances when things start to matter for their ultimate goal. This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.
With Bears rid of Matt Eberflus, is your enthusiasm for the team any greater?
Bank of America signs again with FIFA for US-hosted Club World Cup that still has no TV dealsMagic, Jalen Suggs lauded for effort at Bucks as much-needed rest awaits them
WesBanco, Inc. and Premier Financial Corp. Announce Shareholder Approvals of Merger AgreementFox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports on House Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to maintain his position ahead of the upcoming leadership vote. The problem has been percolating for a while. It’s been subterranean. Lurking underneath the surface. Not necessarily perceptible. Except to those who follow Congress closely. But the issue has gurgled to the top since the House stumbled badly trying to avert a government shutdown last week. DOZENS OF HOUSE LAWMAKERS RALLY AROUND FUNDING AFGHAN VISA PROGRAMS AS TRUMP VOWS MAJOR SPENDING CUTS The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2024. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images) To wit: Congress spasmed between a staggering, 1,500-page spending bill. Then defeated a narrow, 116-page bill – which President-elect Trump endorsed. Things got worse when the House only commandeered a scant 174 yeas for the Trump-supported bill and 38 Republicans voted nay. Circumstances grew even more dire when the House actually voted to avert a holiday government shutdown – but passed the bill with more Democrats (196) than Republicans (170). Thirty-four GOPers voted nay. It was long likely that House Speaker Mike Johnson , R-La., might face a problem winning the speaker’s gavel immediately when the new Congress convenes at noon ET on Jan. 3. Congressional experts knew that Johnson could be in trouble once the contours of the reed-thin House majority came into focus weeks after the November election. This could blossom into a full-blown crisis for Johnson – and House Republicans –when the speaker’s vote commences a little after 1 p.m. ET next Friday. Johnson emerges bruised from last week’s government funding donnybrook. Anywhere from four to 10 Republicans could oppose Johnson in the speaker’s race. DONALD TRUMP SAYS MIKE JOHNSON WILL ‘EASILY REMAIN SPEAKER’ IF HE ACTS ‘DECISIVELY AND TOUGH’ ON SPENDING BILL It was long likely that Mike Johnson might have a problem winning the speaker’s gavel when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Here’s the math: The House clocks in at 434 members with one vacancy. That’s thanks to former Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla. He resigned his position for this Congress a few weeks ago. Even though Gaetz won re-election in November, his resignation letter – read on the floor of the House – signaled he did not plan to serve in the new Congress, which begins in January. This is the breakdown when the Congress starts: 219 Republicans to 214 Democrats. Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Rep. Michael Waltz , R-Fla., remains in the House for now. So does Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. Trump tapped her to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. That’s pending Senate confirmation – perhaps in late January or early February. Once Waltz and Stefanik resign, the GOP majority dwindles to 217-214. But the speaker’s election on Jan. 3 poses a special challenge. Here’s the bar for Johnson – or anyone else : The speaker of the House must win an outright majority of all members casting ballots for someone by name . In other words, the person with the most votes does not win. That’s what happened repeatedly to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., when he routinely outpolled House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for speaker to begin this Congress in January 2023. But it took days for McCarthy to cross the proper threshold. House Speaker Mike Johnson emerges bruised from the recent government funding donnybrook. (Getty) More on that in a moment. So let’s crunch the math for Mike Johnson. If there are 219 Republicans and four voted for someone besides him – and all Democrats cast ballots for Jeffries, the tally is 215-214. But there’s no speaker. No one attained an outright majority of all members casting ballots for someone by name. The magic number is 218 if all 434 members vote. By rule, this paralyzes the House. The House absolutely, unequivocally, cannot do anything until it elects a speaker. Period. The House can’t swear in members. Technically, they’re still representatives-elect. Only after the House chooses its speaker does he or she in turn swear in the membership. The House certainly can’t pass legislation. It can’t form committees. It’s frozen in a parliamentary paralysis until it elects a speaker. Now, I hope you’re sitting down for the next part. This also means that the House cannot certify the results of the Electoral College, making Trump the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 6. The House absolutely, unequivocally, cannot do anything until it elects a speaker. Period. (Valerie Plesch/picture alliance via Getty Images) The failure to elect a speaker compels the House to vote over and over... And over... and... over... Until it finally taps someone. McCarthy’s election incinerated 15 ballots over five days two years ago. The House settled into a congressional cryogenic freeze for three weeks after members ousted McCarthy in October 2023. It burned through two speaker candidates off the floor – House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. – and one candidate on the floor: Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. So you see the problem. Consider for a moment that prior to last year, the House never went to a second ballot to select a speaker since Speaker Frederick Gillett, R-Mass., in 1923. It took 63 ballots before the House finally settled on Speaker Howell Cobb, D-Ga., in 1849. But that’s nothing. The longest speaker’s election consumed two months before the House elected Speaker Nathaniel Banks, R-Mass., in 1856 – on the 133rd ballot. So anything which elongates this into a collision with Jan. 6 - the statutory day to certify the election results and now one of the most ignominious days in American history – is dangerous. JOHNSON ALLIES URGE TRUMP TO INTERVENE AS MESSY SPEAKER BATTLE THREATENS TO DELAY 2024 CERTIFICATION Without a speaker, the House cannot certify the results of the Electoral College, making Trump the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 6. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite) To be clear: there is no dispute that Trump won the election. There is no anticipation of a repeat of a riot at the Capitol like four years ago. But a failure to certify the Electoral College on the day it’s supposed to be completed – especially after the 2021 experience – is playing with fire. Such a scenario would again reveal another, never-before-considered vulnerability in the fragile American political system. On Jan. 6, the House and Senate are supposed to meet in a joint session of Congress to tabulate and certify the electoral votes. Any disputes over a state’s slate of electoral votes compels the House and Senate to then debate and vote separately on those results. The election is not final until the joint session concludes and the vice president – in this case Kamala Harris – in her capacity as president of the Senate, announces a victor. Congress is not required to certify the Electoral College on the calendar day of Jan. 6. There is actually some leeway to wrap things up. In 2021, the Electoral College wasn’t certified until around 3:52 a.m. on Jan. 7. It only becomes a major problem if this drags on through noon on Jan. 20. That’s when the Constitution prescribes that the president-elect take the oath of office. What happens if the Electoral College isn’t sorted out by Jan. 20? Well, President Biden is done. So he’s gone. The same with Harris. Next in the presidential line of succession is the speaker of the House. Well, there’s no speaker. So who becomes president? On Jan. 6, the House and Senate are supposed to meet in a joint session of Congress to tabulate and certify the electoral votes. (Getty Images) Well, there is at that moment a president pro tempore of the Senate, the most senior member of the majority party. He or she is fourth in line to the presidency. At this moment, the president pro tempore is Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. But Republicans claim control of the chamber in early January. And unlike the House, if it’s stymied over a speaker, the Senate is functioning . That means 91-year-old Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, becomes Senate president pro tempore. Grassley has served in the Senate since 1981. If the House is still frittering away time, trying to elect a speaker on Jan. 20, Grassley likely becomes "acting president." I write "likely" because this gets into some serious, extra-constitutional turf. These are unprecedented scenarios. Strange lands never visited in the American political experience. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP And it all hinges on Mike Johnson – or frankly, someone else – wrapping up the speaker’s vote with dispatch on Jan. 3. Any interregnum like the past two speaker elections begins to establish challenging historical precedents. But frankly, it’s unclear if the House can avoid such contretemps. It’s about the math. And once again, balancing that parliamentary equation is tenuous at best. Chad Pergram currently serves as a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in September 2007 and is based out of Washington, D.C.