SPORTS

Mar 30 2026SPORTS

Season Kick‑Off: Local Athletes Shine

The first week of spring sports in Shawnee County has already seen some impressive performances. Weather conditions have warmed, and teams are stepping onto the field with fresh energy. Voters are invited to choose this week’s standout player, as announced by Envista Federal Credit Union. Nominatio

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Mar 30 2026SPORTS

Bill Murray’s Big‑Game Switch: From Cubs to Huskies

Bill Murray, the Chicago icon who cheers for the Cubs, Bears and Blackhawks, was not in Houston watching Illinois beat Iowa. Instead he flew to Washington, D. C. , where the University of Connecticut stunned Duke with a last‑second three‑point play to win the East Region. Why the change of allegi

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Mar 30 2026POLITICS

New Jersey Hikes Bets and Taxes for World Cup Safety

New Jersey lawmakers are looking at raising money from sports betting to cover extra security for the World Cup. A Senate budget leader has drafted a bill that would add a 10 percent tax on the money casinos earn from online bets during the tournament. The extra charge would last until August 10. T

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Mar 30 2026SPORTS

Sports Signals: From Finger Twirls to Head Pats

In today’s game, every pitch, pass and play can be replayed in crystal‑clear detail. Coaches, umpires and fans alike have adopted a set of quick gestures to flag questionable calls. The NBA’s finger twirl, the NFL’s red challenge flag and soccer’s aerial rectangle all serve the same purpose: a silen

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Mar 30 2026SPORTS

Head‑Pat Hype: How Baseball’s New Replay Signal Is Changing the Game

Baseball fans have a new way to shout out a bad call: a quick pat on the head. The Automated Ball‑Strike Challenge System (ABS) lets each team challenge two calls in a game, and the signal is as simple as tapping the crown of the head while saying “challenge. ” It’s easy for players, coaches and eve

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Mar 30 2026SPORTS

World Cup Showdown: Bosnia and Italy battle for history

Bosnia and Herzegovina is gearing up to face Italy in a high-stakes match that could decide who advances to soccer's biggest stage—the 2026 World Cup. While Italy is widely seen as the stronger team, Bosnia isn’t backing down. The Balkan side just pulled off a surprising win against Wales, proving t

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Mar 29 2026SPORTS

Lakers’ Secret Weapon: The Six‑Year‑Old Rally Kid

In recent games, a tiny fan in the stands has taken center stage. The child’s name is Jackson Tuyay, but he isn’t on any team sheet or in the box score. Still, his presence has seemed to energize the Lakers during key moments. The first notable game happened on March 14 against Denver. The Lakers w

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Mar 29 2026SPORTS

AI in Fight Night: Why the UFC’s New Promo Strategy Stirs Debate

The UFC has started using AI to create its promotional videos, and the decision has sparked a heated conversation. Fans who love the art of fight posters feel their favorite designers are being sidelined, while others argue that technology can keep up with the fast pace of sports marketing. The o

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Mar 29 2026SPORTS

West Virginia Sports: A New Chance for Glory

The Mountaineer teams have faced tough times, especially football and men’s basketball. Both have struggled for years, with coaching changes and losing seasons. Yet the future looks brighter if they can rebuild. Football is the biggest draw for fans and money. Coach Rich Rod is focused on turning t

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Mar 29 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Sports Puzzle Secrets Revealed

The puzzle that pops up on The Athletic each day is a quick brain‑teaser about sports. It’s called Connections: Sports Edition, and it shows up only in The Athletic’s own app or on its website, not in the NYT Games app. Every puzzle gives you four groups of words that share a common theme, and th

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