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Yankees' Jasson Dominguez carted off field in tears after crashing into outfield wall after stunning catch
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez was carted off the field after crashing into the fencing of the outfield wall.
In the first inning of the Yankees matchup against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, Rangers leadoff hitter Brandon Nimmo ripped the ball to left field off Yankees starter Paul Blackburn.
Dominguez hustled back to the wall and made a spectacular catch, but crashed incredibly hard into the wall. The 23-year-old’s hat and sunglasses popped off his head upon contact with the fencing on the left-field wall.
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Dominguez impressively held onto the ball despite the hard collision, but lay face down on the warning track. Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham came over and rested his hand on Dominguez until the medical staff came out.
He remained down for several moments while he received medical attention. Dominguez was eventually helped to the cart, where he appeared to begin crying once seated.
Upon Dominguez’s exit, Cody Bellinger shifted from right to left field, Amed Rosario moved from third base to right field, and Ryan McMahon came off the bench to play third base.
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He is being monitored for a concussion, is in concussion protocol, and is also undergoing an MRI on his left shoulder, the YES Network said on its broadcast.
Any long-term injury would be a tough break for the Dominican Republic native. Last season was Dominguez’s first entire season in the big leagues, and he produced. The switch-hitter had a batting average of .257 with 10 home runs, 47 RBI, and 23 stolen bases.
Dominguez was far better from the left side than the right, as he hit .274 as a left-handed hitter compared to .204 as a right-handed hitter.
However, Dominguez struggled mightily in left field last season. With his porous left-field defense and lack of success against left-handed pitching, the Yankees sent Dominguez down to Triple-A to begin the season in 2026.
With Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge in the outfield, there was no space for Dominguez to get regular playing time. Dominguez was called up after Giancarlo Stanton hurt his calf and landed on the IL.
Dominguez was playing in his ninth game of the season when he got hurt.
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Prosecutors say Charlotte train stabbing case won't be dismissed regardless of competency ruling
Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys are now aligned in pushing forward a competency determination for the man accused of a brutal killing aboard a Charlotte light rail train, according to new court filings submitted Thursday.
The filings mark a significant turn in the federal case against Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., 34, who is charged in the 2025 stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee attacked on the city’s Lynx Blue Line.
A Bureau of Prisons evaluation concluded Brown is not competent to stand trial at this time after what prosecutors described as an extensive review that included interviews, medical records and direct observation over multiple sessions.
Federal officials said the evaluation also found Brown could likely be restored to competency with treatment.
DOJ, FBI HIT TRAIN STABBING SUSPECT WITH FEDERAL CHARGE IN ON-CAMERA ATTACK
Brown’s attorneys are asking the court to formally declare him incompetent and commit him to a secure federal medical facility, arguing his mental illness leaves him unable to understand the legal proceedings, make rational decisions about his case or work with his defense team.
They point to findings from federal examiners that Brown lacks a factual understanding of the legal system and cannot assist his lawyers because of his condition.
If a judge agrees, federal law requires that Brown be transferred into the custody of the attorney general for hospitalization and treatment at a specialized facility.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT KILLER OF LAKEN RILEY WINS UNEXPECTED COURT VICTORY FOR MENTAL EVALUATION
Prosecutors said that treatment period can last up to four months initially, with additional time possible if doctors determine there is a substantial probability he can be restored to competency. They added that treatment could include medication, including involuntary medication under certain legal standards.
Even if Brown is ruled incompetent, the case would not be dismissed. Prosecutors emphasized that a finding of incompetence would not end the case but would instead trigger a process aimed at restoring Brown’s competency so proceedings can continue.
He would remain in custody and could still face trial if his condition improves. Brown is charged under a federal statute involving violence on a mass transportation system, a crime that carries the possibility of life in prison or the death penalty.
CHARLOTTE MAN CHARGED WITH IRYNA ZARUTSKA’S KILLING COULD FACE DEATH PENALTY
The federal developments come after Brown was already ruled incapable to proceed in his North Carolina state murder case, delaying that prosecution for months and drawing sharp criticism from some lawmakers.
Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., reacted to the earlier ruling by writing, "This is DESPICABLE. Iryna deserves JUSTICE. She was MURDERED. So why is the system FAILING her?"
He also criticized what he described as pro-crime policies in Democrat-run cities.
Brown is accused of carrying out a sudden and deadly attack on Aug. 22, 2025, when prosecutors say he boarded the Lynx Blue Line, sat behind Zarutska and within minutes pulled a knife and stabbed her multiple times in the neck without warning.
Passengers fled the train as the attack unfolded. Zarutska died at the scene, and Brown was arrested shortly afterward.
Court filings describe a long history of severe mental illness, with Brown experiencing persistent delusions that a "material" inside his body was controlling his movements, something he referred to as a "Body Emergency." His attorneys say those delusions are constant despite repeated attempts to seek help.
AMERICA’S COMMUTERS UNDER SIEGE AS VIOLENT TRANSIT CRIMES ENDANGER BLUE CITIES
The case has drawn national attention and intensified scrutiny of how the justice system handles defendants with serious mental illness, particularly in cases involving prior arrests and warning signs.
Zarutska’s death also helped prompt the passage of Iryna’s Law in North Carolina, which tightened bail rules and increased oversight of defendants considered a risk to public safety.
A federal judge will determine the issue at a competency hearing.
Fox News Digital's Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.
Fire pit deals are here just in time for backyard season — save up to 60%
Whether your patio needs a centerpiece or a place to gather during family get-togethers, these fire pits make it easy to create a warm, inviting space. We found options at every price point, from collapsible America-made options under $50 to smokeless Solo Stove models for those ready to upgrade. There's even a fire table available for $120 off.
If you're looking for a basic setup, these deals fit the bill.
Original price: $59.99
Made in the U.S. from sturdy steel, this collapsible fire pit is built for versatility. The folding design and lightweight frame let it lie flat when not in use, making it easy to pack and carry on camping trips.
READ MORE: From patio furniture to lawn equipment: Save up to 72% on outdoor deals
Original price: $44.99
Create a more structured fire pit setup with this galvanized steel ring, a budget-friendly option at under $30. The weather-resistant construction helps prevent rust, while the 60-inch diameter accommodates larger fires for family gatherings. Pair it with a gravel or sand base to safely build your own fire pit at home or on camping trips.
Original price: $51.98
For smaller yards and patios, this 22-inch fire pit offers just enough space for a contained fire. The raised design helps protect surfaces, and the included lid adds an extra layer of safety. It's currently more than $30 off, making it a solid value for compact outdoor spaces.
Find smokeless fire pits, decorative rings and portable options that won't break the bank.
Original price: $94
Origin's steel fire pit pairs a modern design with a practical, portable build, making it a standout addition to a range of outdoor setups. The deep bowl helps contain the fire, while the included lid and poker provide an extra layer of safety and control.
Original price: $89.99
A Solo Stove Mesa fire pit fits comfortably on a dining or picnic table. Its smokeless design helps reduce visible smoke, making it a more comfortable option for close seating. Weighing just over a pound, it's easy to take along on camping trips or other outdoor outings.
Original price: $124.99
This steel fire ring adds character to your setup with wildlife cutouts along the exterior. The four-panel design snaps together easily and comes apart for transport, making it a portable option for under $100.
READ MORE: Patio furniture deals: Save up to 68% on outdoor seating and accessories
Upgrade your space with a fire pit made of copper or steel.
Original price: $248.99
This copper-finished fire pit offers a warmer, more polished look than black or unfinished steel. Now $70 off, it's a smart time to buy this weather-resistant pit with a spark screen that prevents sudden flare-ups.
Original price: $129.99
This fire pit has star and moon cutouts that shine when a fire burns. The ring around the edge doubles as a handle and foot rest, while the lid prevents sparks from flying out.
Original price: $159.99
The Outland Living fire pit runs off propane, saving you from the exhausting task of cutting wood. Lava rocks make it feel more realistic, but they don’t produce smoke or ash, so you can enjoy the warmth without the mess. Right now, it's the lowest it's been since April 1.
READ MORE: Wayfair's Outdoor Event is live: Save up to 77% on gardening deals for a limited time
If you're willing to splurge a little, discover these premium options.
Original price: $329
Enjoy a smokeless burn with Solo Stove's Bonfire model — a midsize option that weighs 20 pounds. A stainless steel body adds durability and the removable ash pan makes post-fire cleanup easier.
Original price: $299
Master Forge's cooking pit lets you cook meals over an open fire. The 27-inch grilling area swivels 360 degrees, and an outer ring keeps food warm until you're ready to eat.
For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals
Original price: $399
Entertain guests at this fire table that balances style and function. The central burner creates a controlled flame you can turn off with the push of a button, while the surrounding surface offers plenty of space for drinks and snacks.
If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.
UFO investigator warns Trump disclosure could hand sensitive military secrets to China, Russia
The filmmaker behind the latest investigation into Bob Lazar’s Area 51 claims says he does not expect, or even want, the U.S. government to disclose all details.
Appearing on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast, executive producer Luigi Vendittelli argued that while the public wants the truth about UFOs, there may be national security concerns preventing President Donald Trump from releasing the full files.
"Maybe that’s why Trump closes up when you ask him," Vendittelli told Hannity. "Maybe he knows something that could potentially make that an open door to adversarial countries to come in."
Vendittelli is an executive producer of the documentary "S4: The Bob Lazar Story," which revisits the claims of the famed Area 51 whistleblower. In 1989, Lazar alleged the government was reverse-engineering nine extraterrestrial craft at a secret facility. The government has long denied employing Lazar.
EXPLOSIVE NEW DOCUMENTARY PROBES '80-YEAR GLOBAL COVERUP' OF UFO SECRETS
While Lazar’s claims remain controversial, Vendittelli argues that the government’s secrecy might be a necessary shield against foreign threats.
"I don't expect the administration, nor do I expect the military to divulge the secret," Vendittelli said. "I don't think it's in the best interest of the American military or the government to tell something like this."
Vendittelli noted that transparency could backfire by providing information to America’s enemies.
UFO COVER USED BY GOVERNMENT TO ‘HIDE A LOT OF THINGS,’ FORMER NASA AGENT SAYS
"You're not just telling the American people, you're telling China; you're telling Russia; you’re telling everybody," he warned.
"I don't think it is really a good idea to say everything. That’s my personal opinion."
He argued that even if Trump were to confirm the existence of spacecraft to the public, the news media would likely demand physical proof, the release of which could tip off foreign nations.
"Let’s say you speak to Trump, and Trump decides to say everything," he said. "You’re [going to] now need a lot of journalists around the world going, 'OK, well prove it.'"
In April, President Donald Trump told a rally crowd in Phoenix the first releases from a Pentagon UFO study would be released "very soon."
"I figured this was a good crowd because I know you people. You're really into that. I don't know if I am," Trump said.
Trump said he spoke with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth about the release, adding they found "many, very interesting documents."
Trump wrote on Truth Social that he intends to release files related to unidentified aerial phenomena and UFOs, along with "all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters."
Former President Barack Obama also weighed in on the alien discussion. Speaking with late-night host Stephen Colbert, he sought to clarify remarks he made earlier this year about their existence.
"One of the things you learn as president is the government is terrible at keeping secrets," Obama said Tuesday.
He noted that if the government had proof of alien life forms, he believes the information would have leaked long ago.
"I promise you, some guy guarding the installation would have taken a selfie with one of the aliens and sent it to his girlfriend," Obama said.
Reporter's Notebook: Chicago cop killed after suspect released under SAFE-T Act
We've been swamped with news the last few weeks, and as a result, I feel I was only able to scratch the surface on a very impactful story out of Chicago. So, allow me to get into the details of a case that shows dramatic flaws in the system, and how Chicago citizens and police are paying a terrible price.
It’s the case of Alphanso Talley, 26 years old. His criminal record goes back to when he was a juvenile and the records are sealed. Now, he is accused of killing Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew and gravely wounding another. Were it not for the Illinois SAFE-T Act, which created cashless bail in 2021, Talley would not have been on the street, critics of the law say.
Talley had so many pending criminal cases, they overlap and get confusing. Talley was accused in an armed carjacking and robbery in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood in April 2025. Despite the violent nature of the crime, Talley was released in December 2025 on electronic monitoring pending trial.
Cook County Circuit Judge John Lyke Jr., who ordered his release, said during a December hearing: "There's no doubt these bails would have been set at monetary amounts that he presumably couldn't afford."
Skip forward to March 8, 2026. Talley is accused of violating the curfew on his ankle monitor and not just a little bit. He stayed out all night. In fact, because he did not return home, he did not charge his ankle monitor and the battery went dead, prosecutors say. That generated an alert, which told the Cook County Chief Judge’s office that "the individual’s whereabouts are unknown." No one went and picked up Talley.
More than 48 hours later, pretrial services notified Judge Lyke that the ankle monitor went dead and Talley missed a court appearance. Lyke then signed an arrest warrant. No one went and picked up Talley.
Saturday morning, April 25, 2026, one minute after the Family Dollar store opened, Talley and a man alleged as his accomplice, 18-year-old Jeron Tate, followed cashier Maria Velazquez inside, prosecutors allege. Velazquez was robbed at gunpoint and beaten with the pistol so severely her nose was broken. The bruises on her face are punctuated by a knot on her head the size of a golf ball and she can’t sleep.
"I wake up early in the morning, I’m sleeping and I can see his face. I see his face and I can’t sleep," she said in Spanish to our Fox affiliate in Chicago. For obvious reasons, the single mother of three feared for her life. "If I would have died, what would happen to my children? They are still so young and they depend on me."
Now, Velazquez has learned that Talley was a frequent visitor of the criminal courts. "They kept letting him out, knowing he had a criminal history. Why did they let him free?" she asked. "This would have never happened. The police officer would not have died."
POLITICIANS WANT YOU TO PAY FOR ‘CASHLESS BAIL.’ IT’S DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE
Talley was picked up a short time after the Family Dollar was robbed and Velazquez was beaten. No stranger to arrest, Talley executed a trick he had used in previous arrests, police say. The affidavit shows he claimed he had eaten five bags of drugs and needed to be hospitalized because he was having trouble breathing. It’s unclear how he was able to smuggle a gun into the hospital. But, it came out in court that Talley was allowed some privacy when it came time to remove his pants and put on the hospital gown.
Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Pekara said that after metal handcuffs were removed so a CT scan could be conducted, Talley reached under a blanket and fatally shot Officer John Bartholomew in the face. Bartholomew's partner was shot in the chin, leaving him in critical condition.
Pekara said Talley robbed a hospital staff member of his ID, shot out glass doors at the hospital and set off running practically naked with the hospital gown around his neck and electric monitors still stuck to his chest.
Talley was found hiding under a porch and arrested for the second time that day.
On May 1, a hearing got underway at the Cook County criminal courts building to determine if, this time, Talley should be held in jail pre-trial. His family members filled at least two rows in the courtroom and shouted to Talley that they loved him. Talley interacted with them so much that a sheriff's deputy hovered over him and Cook County Circuit Judge D’Anthony Thedford admonished him to stop "giggling" while beginning the criminal proceedings for killing a police officer.
When the hearing was over and Talley ordered jailed, I was able to ask John Catanzara, head of the Chicago police union, if Bartholomew would be alive were it not for the SAFE-T Act.
"Yes, it’s just a simple reality," Catanzara answered. "I mean he wouldn’t have qualified for parole. He would not have qualified for electronic monitoring. He would have had a cash bond that he would not have been able to meet for those extremely violent offenses. So, that alone, the cashless bail let him out and gave him the ability to be out on the street terrorizing."
"The electronic monitoring system is broken," said Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke. "Electronic monitoring is not an alternative to detention. It does not keep people safe."
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who championed the SAFE-T Act, blamed Judge Lyke without naming him. "In most cases where Republicans have complained about the SAFE-T Act it’s actually been a bad decision by an elected judge," said Pritzker. "A judge should have made the decision to keep that person in jail."
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has called incarceration a "sickness," went back to a familiar refrain against jailing criminals. "Look, we’ve had an addiction on jails and incarceration. More people get locked up in our country than anywhere else in the world. And yet, we have illegal weapons that flow through our streets and we have a lack of mental health support," said Johnson.
"He’s a sickness and addiction that’s going to be gone in less than a year," Catanzara responded. "And it can’t come soon enough. I didn’t think it could get worse with [Former Chicago Mayor Lori] Lightfoot, but we got dumber and just more racist and ignorant."
"We have a mayor of the City of Chicago saying that he doesn’t think this individual should be incarcerated," Chicago Alderman James Gardiner said. "He's an embarrassment."
This is not an isolated incident. Lawrence Reed is a lifetime offender who was put on an ankle monitor. He also disregarded the curfew on his monitor. Court records show he had been out all night twice before Nov. 17, 2025. That night he violated his curfew again, boarded Chicago’s Blue Line train and set Bethany MaGee on fire, police say. Reed faces both state and federal charges.
Alderman Anthony Napolitano says nearly 1,000 people in Chicago are currently enrolled in Cook County’s troubled electronic monitoring program. "Empty jail cells are not a success when we have officers being attacked and shot constantly, and citizens being attacked constantly."
Nick Bosa's model girlfriend starts summer in a pink bikini on a tennis court, crazy Mark Hamill & plandemic!
Over the hump and safely onto the other side of our first full week of May. All eyes are now on the weekend — and, of course, on that cruise ship that's apparently carrying the Bubonic Plague.
Amazing. You click on ONE thing about it on Twitter, and all of a sudden, your entire timeline is just filled with a bunch of people who are suddenly epidemiologists. Feels good to be back in 2020! It's like I never left.
The good news? The WHO says not to worry, and if we've learned anything over the years, it's that the WHO can be trusted.
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They're all wasted!
Let's roll.
Welcome to a Thursday Nightcaps — the one where Nick Bosa's model girlfriend, Ella Ailiff, gets summer rolling by smoking tennis balls in a pink bikini. As one does, of course.
What else? I've got Ted Turner memories from his early days in Atlanta, a wild scene last night in St. Louis, and this Spencer Pratt out in California seems like a winner. I don't know him from Adam, but as someone who has lived in Free Florida for his whole life, I'd like to think I can spot talent when I see it.
This cat has it.
OK, grab you whatever you have handy today — dealer's choice! — and settle in for a Thursday 'Cap!
Which number pandemic is this for you?
Let's spin the wheel and start with the predictable freakout over this rat virus on the cruise ship. No, I ain't looking up the name. I don't much care. Not yet, at least. I choose to ignore it, because that's how I assume things just go away. It's how I live my life, really.
FIVE YEARS AFTER COVID LOCKDOWNS: THE 5 MOST BIZARRE ‘STOP-THE-SPREAD’ MOMENTS
All the hullabaloo did get me thinking about all the fearmongering I've been through over my 33 years on this planet. Obviously, COVID was the big one. Duh. But, folks forget that we've heard it all over the past three decades.
When I was a kid, it was the SARS outbreak. When I was a junior in high school, it was swine flu. Remember swine flu?! What a time to be alive. My then-girlfriend (now-wife) actually got swine flu, and then took the ACT and absolutely embarrassed me. I think she got a 34. I'm quite sure I didn't sniff the 30s.
Of course, there was the Ebola madness when I was in college, and then COVID. People forget about the Monkeypox hysteria after COVID in 2023. That was fun. We've also had a couple of flare-ups of the measles and bird flu.
What's that? Six? This will be my seventh! That's a lot of epidemic/pandemic/plandemic experience in just 30 years. I consider myself a seasoned vet. What about you? I'm sure we've got some real warriors in this class. Some pandemic lifers. Let's hear it!
OK, let's get class started with 49ers DE Nick Bosa's girlfriend, Ella Ailiff, hitting the tennis court to get her NFL WAG offseason started:
We have a lot of angry ‘Star Wars’ fans in class
Welcome to Florida, Ella! Not sure that outfit is setting you up for the best success on the court, but to each his own. Look good feel good, feel good play good. I get it.
PS: Tennis is still far superior to pickleball. I know we're in this pickleball craze right now, but tennis will come back around.
OK, let's keep the line moving. I've got an analytics meeting this afternoon, which should be a barrel of fun.
Yesterday, I asked everyone when "Star Wars" officially lost you as a fan. I wrote about it earlier this week, but wanted to get you input because I'm of the belief that we're the smartest class in America.
Shockingly, you guys did NOT hold back.
From Ryan N:
"The prequel trilogy I thoroughly enjoyed, and think phantom menace gets way too much hate because of jar jar, but the darth maul lightsaber duel at the end makes up for that, especially if you’re 9 watching it in theaters.
"But the original question, where did they lose me? It was when they killed off Han Solo so lamely in Force Awakens. But even then, the nostalgia was strong enough to get me to go pay money to see The Last Jedi (one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen, let alone just a bad Star Wars movie). I was completely done after Luke milked the sea dinosaur thing."
I agree with everything! This is why Ryan is a Nightcaps OG. "Phantom Menace" 100% gets way too much hate. The last 30 minutes of TPM are some of the best in the entire saga. There, I said it.
Last Jedi, meanwhile, lost me when they had Carrie Fisher floating in space. Goodness.
From Gene in the Rock:
"For me, 7-9 were the real clinkers. IMHO the series died in June of 2013 when Lucas stepped aside and Kathleen Kennedy took over at Lucasfilms. Everything since then has been s#it. Return of the Jedi was the peak."
No argument from me. Like TPM, the last 30-45 minutes of Return of the Jedi are elite.
... Unless you ask Rick N:
"Star Wars really lost me with Return of the Jedi. When I was young (they all came out in theaters before I was around to go see them, so tv/video tape were my in-roads), I loved all 3 movies, but once I hit around 20 or so, Return of the Jedi was just silly. Ewoks, the repeat of A New Hope's plot, the we're brother/sister, just not good stuff."
Ted's big idea, Cards fans to the rescue and this Spencer Pratt is going places
I can still remember the entire theater gasp when Darth Maul whipped out the double lightsaber. If I remember correctly, the trailers all kept that from us, so it was stunning. Not one single moment in Disney's awful sequels even comes close to those three minutes.
It could also be because, I don't know, they also involved a heavy dose of Mark Hamill, who has become just the most insufferable person on the planet?
Gee, can't imagine why fans were tired of Mark Hamill towards the end! He's so normal now!
OK, let's rapid-fire this long class into a big Thursday night. Strap in, we're going quick.
First up? We didn't get to Ted Turner's passing yesterday, but I did find this little nugget amazing:
This is the effect Ted Turner had on folks. People from both sides of the aisle spent yesterday remembering Turner. Some, for his efforts in the media world.
Could you imagine a team trying to pull off THAT promotion in today's world? Folks would faint.
Next? Let's head out to Busch Stadium and get a pulse check from the fans:
Lordy. What is it with MLB fans the last few years? We had the Pirates fan last year fall onto the actual field, and now this guy was one leg away from a potentially nasty situation. Good on the fans for stepping in, though.
Nowadays, they just whip out their phones, hit record, and let the chips fall where they may. Not here. Good work!
OK, that's it for today. A long class, but a solid one. We're almost to the end of the week, folks. Hang on a bit longer.
And maybe take a look at this Spencer Pratt to kill some time. He's the first sane person out of California I've seen in a long, loooooooooong time.
OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. (roughly, we’re not robots).
How many p(l)andemics have you been through? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com.
John Calipari offers up a very respectable take on NCAA Tournament expanding to 76 teams
The expansion of the NCAA Tournament is here despite the vast majority of those involved in college basketball not seeming to be sold on the move whatsoever.
NCAA power brokers have the final say, and Division I men's and women's basketball committees reportedly voted in favor of expanding the NCAA Tournament to 76 teams from 68 on Thursday.
With the signs having long been pointing to the tournament growing in size, everyone has an opinion on it, and John Calipari may have the best, and certainly the most stomachable of them all.
The Arkansas head coach has been among the masses who are anti-expansion, but seems to have accepted it, even before the formal voting took place.
Based on his recent comments to CBS Sports, Calipari hasn't changed his stance, but has come up with a preferable outcome.
"I am a big believer in the idea that if it's not broke, don't fix it, and I think that applies to the NCAA Tournament," Calipari told the outlet. "Having said that, if we are to expand, my hope is that at least half the spots are held for non-Power Four teams. If they do that, we are making the decision for the right reasons. As someone who has been both David, and won some, and Goliath, and lost some, that's what makes this tournament special. We can't afford to lose that special piece of our sport."
The chances of Calipari's idea coming to fruition feel incredibly slim, as the NCAA is focused on dollars and keeping Power Four teams fat and happy, and handing more bids out to mid-majors wouldn't check those boxes.
NCAA TOURNAMENT EXPANDING TO 76 TEAMS IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY, NOT INCLUSION OR MADNESS
NCAA Tournament expansion talk feels ridiculous, not only because most would say the tournament's current setup is already perfect, but also because there is a much larger and obvious issue within college athletics: the transfer portal.
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Coach Cal is certainly aware of it.
"Our main focus should be on fixing the transfer rules, which would help not only all the teams and athletes in our sport but teams in every sport," Calipari said. "And I'll say it again: That's where our energy should be focused."
In the new-look tournament, the first two days would look quite different. Across Tuesday and Wednesday of opening week, there would be 12 games played between 24 teams, given the eight added at-large bids. Those games would be played across two different sites.
Teams that play on Tuesday and Wednesday would have to win one more game than those who don't if they want to win the entire tournament.
Matthew Tkachuk continues to chase Team USA Hockey dominance as 2026 IIHF World Championship begins
If anyone thought Team USA was satisfied with Olympic gold and ready to coast through the rest of the international hockey calendar, Matthew Tkachuk has a message.
Wrong.
The Florida Panthers star joined "The Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday and discussed his plan to play for Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. USA Hockey’s preliminary roster, announced May 7, includes Tkachuk for the first time, since the Panthers failed to reach the NHL playoffs this season.
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The tournament begins May 15 in Zurich and Fribourg, and the Americans are trying to win back-to-back gold medals at the event for the first time ever.
Tkachuk made his mindset pretty clear.
"Well, I sure as hell hope so," Tkachuk said when asked by McAfee if the U.S. is going to win the tournament. "[We're] not going over there for a vacation."
That’s exactly the kind of attitude USA Hockey needs to keep building around.
The Americans won the 2025 IIHF World Championship for the first time since 1933, beating Switzerland 1-0 in overtime on Tage Thompson’s goal. Jeremy Swayman made 25 saves in the win, and the Americans finally ended a 92-year drought at the event.
Canada leads all countries with 28 IIHF World Championship victories (last in 2023), just ahead of Russia's 27 (also counting Soviet Union victories). The United States has just three titles in the tournament's history (88 events). The total includes 1960 when the Olympics counted as the World Championship and the U.S. captured gold.
The 2025 U.S. victory was just an appetizer for the main course, when the Americans beat Canada to win Olympic gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. Jack Hughes scored the winner, Connor Hellebuyck stood on his head and the Americans won their first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal since 1980.
The success of Team USA has greatly increased the excitement around hockey for Americans, with the NHL benefiting greatly from the renewed enthusiasm and putting up massive television viewing numbers since the Olympics.
So, yes, the mood around American hockey is different right now.
And it should be because it's not just the highest level, either.
The IIHF World Junior Championship (U20) occurs each year and is one of the premier annual international hockey tournaments. It matters because from 2005 through 2023, Canada won 10 gold medals, and all other countries combined to win nine (USA won four).
However, the United States won in 2024 and 2025, while Sweden captured gold in 2026.
For years, Canada dominated hockey on the world's stage. Everyone else was just trying to catch up. That’s not really the deal anymore.
The U.S. won the World Championship.
The U.S. men won Olympic gold. The U.S. women won Olympic gold. The U.S. juniors have won two U20 World Championships since Canada last won one.
And now Tkachuk is heading to Switzerland talking like a player who expects to keep the run going.
That’s what a winning culture looks and sounds like.
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Tkachuk told McAfee this will be his first time playing in the annual world championship. In past years, he said, the timing didn’t work because he was either still in the NHL playoffs, dealing with a contract situation or managing the normal wear and tear that comes at the end of a long season.
But after representing the United States in February, he wanted to put the jersey back on.
"I think it’s just such an honor to wear a USA jersey," Tkachuk said. "Going here a few months later, I still have that feeling that I had representing back in February in Milan. It’s like, how could I not want to be a part of that again?"
Again, that’s precisely what American hockey fans want to hear. While there are some athletes complaining about representing the United States on a global stage, the hockey players have embraced being proud of wearing the red, white and blue. Tkachuk embraces his patriotism so much that he's heading to play in a tournament after going through the grind of an entire NHL season.
This is how a national program goes from having a moment to building a consistent winner. It happens when the best players treat every tournament as an opportunity to prove dominance to the world. They long to don the USA sweater, no matter the venue.
That’s how Canada dominated this sport for decades.
Talent was obviously a major part of the recipe. But it wasn't just about that. If people have learned anything, it's that America produces the best athletes in the world. What Canada has was buy-in. The best players cared. They took pride in being the best in the world at hockey. America, historically, cared more about dominating other sports.
Now, the United States suddenly has hockey energy.
And Tkachuk is a perfect face for it.
He’s skilled, tough, and works hard. He embodies American spirit. Plus, he's actually proud to be an American.
McAfee, naturally, leaned all the way into the American hockey swagger, noting the U.S. won the world title last year and joking that hockey feels like it belongs to America now.
Tkachuk didn’t correct the assertion.
"We won the big one," he said of Olympic gold. "That’s all that matters."
That gold medal win over Canada changed the conversation. The world championship last year was historic, but how many Americans even realize the U.S. won that tournament? But there are few American citizens who aren't aware that the United States captured Olympic gold in a tournament that included nearly all of the world's best hockey players. That’s the one that told the hockey world the Americans weren’t just lurking in the background.
They had arrived.
But, as has been said many times, staying at the top is often harder than getting to the top. Maintaining that attitude and grit when you go from being the chaser to being the chased can be one of the toughest things to do in sports.
The World Championship isn’t the Olympics. It doesn’t generally feature every country’s best roster because the NHL playoffs are still going, players are banged up, and plenty of stars pass for understandable reasons. But winning it again would still matter.
A lot.
Team USA has never won back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF World Championship. The Americans open this year’s tournament against Switzerland on May 15 in a rematch of last year’s gold-medal game.
The U.S. ended a 92-year world-title drought by beating Switzerland last year. Now the Americans get Switzerland again, in Switzerland, with a chance to begin another gold-medal run.
Team USA has spent the last few years turning international hockey into another display of American excellence.
Tkachuk sounds ready to keep it going.
Hantavirus in the US: Where the rare, sometimes deadly disease has been found
As investigations continue into the hantavirus outbreak that originated on the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, concerns swirl about the prevalence of the virus in the U.S.
Among passengers of the ship, which was traveling from Argentina across the Atlantic, there have been three deaths and at least eight reported cases, several of them laboratory-confirmed, according to the World Health Organization and subsequent health reports.
At least five states are now monitoring residents who returned from the MV Hondius, including Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Arizona and California, reports have noted.
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In the U.S., there have historically been around 800 to 900 cases of hantavirus, according to Luis Marcos, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program at Stony Brook Medicine in New York.
CDC data supports this, showing that 890 cases of hantavirus disease have been reported in the U.S. from 1993 through the end of 2023.
"Most of these cases have been west of the Mississippi River, and classically the risk factors are being in contact with feces and urine from rodents," Marcos told Fox News Digital.
The most common strain is called Sin Nombre, which is not transmitted from human to human, the doctor said.
Most strains of hantavirus spread from inhaling contaminated particles from rodent urine, droppings or saliva – or, less commonly, from touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes – and are not transmitted person-to-person.
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Typical scenarios include people who have been camping or hiking in remote areas and were inadvertently in contact with these feces or urine.
"The only proven human-to-human transmission has been with the Andean virus from South America — and that's what's happening now," Marcos told Fox News Digital.
The current cruise ship outbreak reportedly originated with a couple who contracted the virus while traveling in Argentina.
"They were not symptomatic at all — the incubation period can be one, two, three or four weeks," Marcos said.
Most infected people become ill with symptoms that are similar to flu and COVID, such as fever and muscle pain.
"Some people may have mild disease, so not everybody will be very, very sick," the doctor noted.
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In rare cases, hantavirus can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which causes the lungs to fill with fluid and can be fatal, the doctor noted.
"The mortality rate [among those with HPS] is between 30% and 60% — so yes, it's a deadly virus," the doctor added.
In terms of transmission, Marcos emphasized that those at highest risk are the people in "close contact," which typically means living in the same environment where fluids can be exchanged.
"It has to be really, really close contact," he said. "The transmission is not as efficient as other viruses."
While it's possible for the virus to be airborne via droplets, Marcos pointed out that those transmissions are "not as effective" as COVID, influenza or cold viruses.
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"For this cruise, it’s important to have people in quarantine for a period of time," he said.
The virus has a long incubation period, which means the quarantine duration will likely be several weeks. "The longest incubation period has been 56 days or so, so two months, roughly," Marcos said. "But most cases will get sick within two to three weeks."
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There are not currently any antiviral treatments for hantavirus.
"So what happens is the patient will end up in the hospital. We will do supportive care, which means if your lungs are full of fluid, you will require a ventilator until you know the virus runs its course," Marcos said.
Although there is not currently a vaccine for hantavirus in the U.S., Marcos noted that several are in development.
The doctor said he believes the risk of hantavirus leading to a pandemic is "pretty much almost zero."
"I don't feel a strong risk of a pandemic," he told Fox News Digital. "The transmission is not like COVID. It's very different."
"I really think this is going to go away in the next two to three weeks, and we will know exactly the number of cases," he added.
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To prevent hantavirus, Marcos recommends wearing gloves and a mask in environments where mice might be present, such as cleaning a basement.
Proper ventilation and frequent hand-washing can also help curb spread.
Left-wing local leader torched after griping about American flags, pushing ‘more relatable’ replacement
A Washington city councilwoman said she would rather fly a pride flag than the American flag while questioning why a local park displays 27 versions of the U.S. flag, some of which she said represent parts of American history that are "not great."
"To me, a pride flag is way more relatable than an American flag. I would not raise an American flag at my house because I wouldn’t. I wasn’t even born here. But I would raise a pride flag," said Lynnwood council member Isabel Mata on Monday. "As the most diverse city in all of Snohomish County, I don’t think that I’m the only one."
Mata, who identifies as a "queer, neurodivergent writer, advocate, and mindfulness meditation teacher" in her government biography, suggested replacing the flags with commemorative ones in an effort to be more inclusive—while downplaying the symbolism of the American flag.
Mata has since walked back the remarks, telling Fox News Digital that she was speaking "personally, as a queer woman, about what the pride flag means to me."
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At the heart of the argument is Wilcox Park, known as "Flag Park," which features 27 flagpoles displaying various versions of the American flag.
"This community is filled with so many beautiful cultures and diverse backgrounds and all of these things, yet we have 27 iterations of the same flag, some representing parts of American history that, frankly, are not great," said Mata.
The comment set off an outpouring of critical reactions on social media as clips of her remarks spread like wildfire online this week.
"Lynwood, Washington City Councilwoman Isabel Mata says the LGBTQ flag is more relatable than the American Flag and she would never fly an American Flag," popular conservative X account Libs of TikTok posted.
"'I wasn't even born here.' Then shut up," Fox News contributor and New York Post columnist Miranda Devine posted.
Others posted, "WA cooked," "wow" or asked "If you hate America that much, then why are you still here?" in response to the remarks.
Mata walked back her comments when asked by Fox News Digital about her dismissal of the symbolism behind the American flag.
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"I apologize for the way I expressed myself, and I mean that sincerely. The American flag represents the sacrifices of veterans and military families, and the promise that drew immigrants like me to this country," said Mata. "I should have honored that more carefully in my remarks, and I did not. I have deep respect for everyone who has served under that flag."
SCHUMER PUSHES BILL TO GIVE PRIDE FLAG SAME STATUS AS US, MILITARY FLAGS
She added that her comments "were not a formal policy proposal," but to raise "a broader question about how Lynnwood, the most diverse city in Snohomish County, might find additional ways to reflect its community."
"I believe there is room, in a city as diverse as Lynnwood, to celebrate the many cultures, identities, and communities that make it great, alongside the American flag, not instead of it. Any formal changes to public spaces would go through a proper public process with full community input. That is how it should work," she added.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced legislation in February that would make a pride flag a congressionally authorized flag.
The designation would give the pride flag protections similar to those afforded to the U.S. flag, military flags and other flags recognized by Congress.