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Golden State Valkyries erase 16-point deficit, stun Dallas Wings to reach WNBA semifinals
The Golden State Valkyries’ second season has brought historic success on and off the court. The WNBA expansion franchise received the league’s highest valuation from Forbes, just before the WNBA tipped off its milestone 30th season.
In 2025, the Valkyries became the first expansion franchise in league history to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season. They also sold out every regular season home game and set a league attendance record, averaging more than 18,000 fans per contest. The Valkyries built on that successful debut Friday night, rallying past the Dallas Wings in Game 3 to secure the first playoff series victory in franchise history.
Valkyries forward Gabby Williams scored 19 points as Golden State rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat Dallas 77-73 in a dramatic, winner-take-all Game 3.
ATLANTA DREAM ADVANCE TO WNBA PLAYOFFS SEMIFINALS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2018 WITH GAME 2 WIN
The game’s decisive moment came with 13.1 seconds remaining and Golden State holding a one-point lead. Williams leaped back inbounds to secure her own miss on a play initially ruled Dallas’ ball, but Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase successfully challenged the call.
Nakase had fallen to her knees moments earlier and needed help getting up before being escorted off the court by a staff member after the final buzzer as her team celebrated at midcourt.
Arike Ogunbowale knocked down an off-balance jumper with 3:13 to play that put Dallas up by five and finished with 30 points to follow up a 45-point performance in the Wings’ overtime win Wednesday night at home.
Williams scored all but two of her points after halftime. Veronica Burton had 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Burton’s layup with 8:19 to play pulled the Valkyries within 61-59, Williams hit two 3-pointers late in the third and they both willed Golden State into the best-of-five semifinals against the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.
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Tiffany Hayes scored 18 points off the bench, Kaila Charles hit a tying 3-pointer with 6:51 left and Kiah Stokes pulled down 13 rebounds.
Paige Bueckers had 17 points with six assists but shot only 3 for 14 for Dallas, making all 10 of her free throws.
Before the hard fought game, Nakase challenged the Valkyries to deliver a complete performance. "We made a promise to ourselves we are going to play the best four quarters of our lives."
The Valkyries are scheduled to host the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Sunday in Game 1 of the semifinals. The Atlanta Dream will host the New York Liberty in the other semifinal matchup.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Northwestern Wildcats christen new Ryan Field with impressive win over Penn State Nittany Lions
After spending some time playing in a (very cool) makeshift stadium on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Northwestern Wildcats finally christened the new Ryan Field in an important Big Ten clash with Penn State.
Both teams came in with one loss, and another would almost certainly tank any hopes of getting into the Big Ten Championship conversation.
The Wildcats came in off of an impressive showing against Indiana, and it became evident that that was no fluke, thanks to a 34-13 win over the Nittany Lions.
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But before the game, Northwestern took a second to show off their new $875 million home — which opened its doors 100 years to the day after its predecessor debuted — and it was spectacular.
The first points at the new Ryan Field went to — fittingly enough — the Wildcats when Jackson Kleather booted a 50-yarder between the uprights to cap off Northwestern's maiden drive in their new home.
The Nittany Lions were forced to punt on their opening drive, and OC Chip Kelly's Wildcats offense went right back to work.
Running back Joseph Himon II threw down a massive 47-yard run to put the Wildcats on the Penn State 4-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Aidan Chiles used his legs to power into the end zone for six.
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The Wildcats couldn't have asked for a better opening quarter with 144 yards of total offense, 109 of those coming on the ground.
However, in the second quarter, Penn State forced a fumble on the Wildcats' second drive and recovered, giving them prime field position.
That eventually led to an 8-yard rushing touchdown for running back Carson Hansen.
Northwestern struck right back with a quick touchdown on the ensuing possession, which stood after a flag for a block in the back was picked up.
Northwestern tacked on another touchdown to go up 24-7.
On their final drive of the half, Penn State looked like they were going to at least put three points on the board; however, kicker Ryan Barker — who was staring down the barrel of Northwestern's new, European soccer-style "Wildcat Wall" — missed a crucial 45-yard field goal attempt.
David Braun's Wildcats dominated in that first half with 278 yards of offense.
That trend continued in the second half. The Nittany Lions continued to struggle to get anything going offensively, while on defense, they couldn't find a way to contain the Wildcats' running game.
If you thought it couldn't get worse for Penn State, it did. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht threw an interception at midfield, leaving a possible scoring opportunity on the table.
While Penn State was able to put some points on the board, there was never a doubt that the Wildcats were in control.
While the 34-13 final is enough to get the Wildcats some attention, the fact that they put up 506 yards of total offense, 413 of them on the ground, is going to make defensive coordinators a bit nervous moving forward.
Penn State will head home to host USC next weekend, while Northwestern will spend another week at their new digs and will welcome Ball State.
Three college students face federal charges over alleged threats against Trump ahead of campus rally
Three University of South Alabama students were arrested Friday over alleged threats against President Donald Trump ahead of his evening rally on the Mobile campus, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News.
The students were each charged with threatening the president over social media posts allegedly made in the days leading up to Trump's visit, according to the Lagniappe Daily.
The federal cases were unsealed Friday afternoon, just hours before Trump was scheduled to take the stage at the university's Mitchell Center, the outlet reported.
OHIO MAN CHARGED OVER GRAPHIC THREATS TO KILL TRUMP, BEHEAD GOP LAWMAKER
Federal investigators discovered the posts while conducting social media intelligence searches ahead of the president's visit and used emergency disclosure requests and information from University of South Alabama police to identify the individuals, according to FBI affidavits cited by Lagniappe.
One student allegedly wrote a threatening remark toward Trump under a TikTok post about the president's planned visit to the campus, according to an FBI affidavit cited by the outlet.
Another student allegedly posted on X that people would "remember the University of South Alabama the same way they remember Utah Valley University," according to the outlet’s account of the FBI affidavit.
Investigators noted that Utah Valley University was where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot last year.
A third student allegedly replied to a TikTok post about Trump’s appearance.
Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said earlier in the week that his office was assisting federal authorities as they monitored social media activity related to the president's upcoming appearance.
The University of South Alabama said ahead of the event that the rally was not university-sponsored and that the Mitchell Center had been rented by the Republican National Committee (RNC).
"The University of South Alabama unequivocally condemns any form of threats directed at elected officials or any individual with whom we disagree," the university said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We encourage open dialogue and active civic participation, and having a difference of opinion is a natural part of any vibrant community.
"However, there is a clear line between exercising free expression and engaging in intimidation or unlawful conduct."
PROSECUTOR DROPS CASE AGAINST WOMAN ACCUSED OF THREATENING TRUMP ON TIKTOK
Trump took the stage for the midterm campaign rally Friday evening as scheduled, returning to Mobile roughly 11 years after his 2015 rally in the city during the opening months of his first presidential campaign.
"It sort of all began here," Trump told the crowd Friday, recalling the 2015 event.
He also recognized Burch and University of South Alabama President Jo Bonner from the stage.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Justice, FBI, Secret Service and the University of South Alabama for additional information.
Rams lose Aaron Donald to back soreness for Eagles game, Sean McVay says he’s protecting star 'from himself'
The Rams' revamped defensive front will be shorthanded Sunday when Los Angeles faces the Philadelphia Eagles without its two most notable offseason additions.
Myles Garrett remains on injured reserve after sustaining an injury during Week 1 in Australia. Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement in late August to rejoin the Rams, will also be sidelined Sunday. Donald did not travel with the team for the season opener because, according to coach Sean McVay, he had not yet progressed far enough in his ramp-up process.
Donald's latest setback is notable because he is now dealing with what the team described as back issues. According to McVay, Donald "felt some soreness" after last week's loss to the Denver Broncos.
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McVay said the Rams had a responsibility to protect Donald, regardless of his desire to play.
"I think our job as coaches is [to] put our players in positions to have successful outcomes," McVay said. "He's as tough as it gets, just not feeling good enough. And I think it would be irresponsible on my part — and obviously talking with [team doctor] Reggie [Scott] — to ask him. He would do it and he could probably go be productive, but part of our job is to protect these tough dudes like him from themselves."
"... He's working as hard as he can to get himself feeling as good as possible. And we're hopeful and optimistic that good days are ahead."
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On the other side of the ball, the Rams will welcome back a key offensive weapon Sunday, with wide receiver Puka Nacua set to return after sitting out the past two games with a hip injury.
McVay said Nacua "looked sharp" during practice this week, particularly through the session’s more physically demanding portions.
Nacua finished Week 1 with five receptions for 74 yards. Los Angeles, a pre-season Super Bowl odds-on favorite, enters Week 4 at 1-2.
Airport X-ray exposes dangerous weapon illegally concealed in passenger's carry-on
A routine security screening at upstate New York's Watertown International Airport (ART) took a startling turn when TSA officers discovered a spent smoke grenade hidden inside an aerosol container in a passenger's carry-on bag.
The discovery was made by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers recently, according to a Sept. 24 release from the agency.
During inspection, officers found the spent M18 smoke grenade.
SHARP WEAPON DISCOVERED BY TSA TUCKED INSIDE UNUSUAL ITEM IN PASSENGER'S CARRY-ON BAG
In a statement, TSA Officer Yessenia Alvarez, who was operating the X-ray machine at the time, said she "didn’t like how the item appeared," referring to the unusual-looking aerosol container.
"I called over Lead TSA Officer Melissa Graffam and told her I did not have a good feeling about it," said Alvarez.
"I was very stunned when I saw the item on the screen."
The officer added that she had "seen these types of items in training scenarios."
AIRPORT X-RAY REVEALS SHOCKING ILLEGAL STASH CONCEALED BESIDE PASSENGER'S XBOX
Graffam said the item "looked funny" when she saw it on the X-ray screen.
"I saw from the image that the top of the can didn’t look right but appeared to be empty," she said.
"It was located in the side pocket of the bag, so I opened it and saw it was an M18 smoke grenade."
Graffam said the discovery was particularly unusual for the small airport, where officers typically encounter prohibited items such as knives and oversized liquids.
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When she asked the passenger why the smoke grenade was in his bag, he told her he had forgotten it was there, according to the TSA.
"I found [that] strange because his bag only had a few items in it," Graffam said.
Lead TSA Officer Debra Alcock, who was serving as acting supervisor, then notified the Syracuse TSA Coordination Center and a TSA explosives expert — who confirmed the grenade was not live.
The smoke grenade ranked among the most memorable finds Alcock has seen during her time with the agency, the release said.
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"The teamwork in resolving this issue was excellent," said Alcock.
"Everyone did their part to help control the checkpoint while we resolved the situation."
Brian Bushnell, TSA's federal security director for upstate New York's airports, said the incident serves as a reminder for travelers to check their bags before leaving home.
"Spent, inert or replica explosive items are not allowed through the checkpoint and can cause delays, disrupt operations and prompt a law enforcement response," said Bushnell.
"When in doubt, travelers should leave the item at home or check TSA’s resources, such as TSA.gov, before packing."
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Though many people believe that spent grenades are not hazardous, officials warn that they can still pose risks.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has issued public safety alerts regarding vintage grenades in particular.
Recently, at Tampa International Airport, TSA officers discovered another alarming object.
TSA Officer Andrew Carter was screening the passenger's carry-on bag with an X-ray machine when he noticed something unusual about the flashlight — and flagged the bag for a closer look.
He ultimately found a 4-inch, double-edged knife concealed inside a baseball bat-shaped flashlight, according to an employee story published on the agency's website.
"Do not try to test the system," Keith Jeffries, the Florida-based vice president of K2 Security Screening Group and a former federal security director for TSA at Los Angeles International Airport, told Fox News Digital about the knife incident.
"If you do, you will be caught."
Kelly McGreal of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
Fox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: Christianity rejected, socialist streamer speaks, violence glorified
CAMPUS UPROAR: Harvard Medical School artist-in-residence calls to ‘Free Luigi’ Mangione during ‘fat liberation’ panel
CLASS DISMISSED: California college lecturer removed after erupting at student question on Native Americans
AUSTIN UPROAR: Hasan Piker speaks to UT Austin students after backlash from Texas lawmakers
FAITH FIGHT: Marine turned homeschool mom sues Oregon district over denied reimbursement for Christian curriculum
RELIGIOUS RIFT: Virginia State University accused of suppressing Christian student ministries while Muslim groups are exempt
SCAM U: How a hidden scam plaguing college campuses has racked up a multimillion-dollar price tag
TROUBLING TEXTS: College professor accused of sending explicit Snapchat messages in child solicitation case: sheriff's office
FBI's first cyber fugitive on Ten Most Wanted list returns to US after capture in Venezuela
A Venezuelan alleged Tren de Aragua leader who became the FBI's first-ever cyber fugitive on its Ten Most Wanted list is back on U.S. soil after being captured overseas last month.
Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, 50, also known as "Prometheus" and "The Engineer," appeared in a Nebraska courtroom Friday to face charges tied to a multimillion-dollar ATM "jackpotting" scheme.
He pleaded not guilty to four federal conspiracy charges during his initial court appearance and will remain detained in Nebraska while awaiting trial, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
FBI Director Kash Patel touted Aguirre's return as the 10th Ten Most Wanted fugitive captured since the beginning of the Trump administration and the first cyber fugitive ever placed on the list.
"Now he’s back in the United States to face justice," Patel said. "This FBI is running on supercharged horsepower — and there is nowhere on this planet criminals can hide."
Patel said the 10 captures are more than 2½ times the total recorded during the previous four years.
Aguirre was apprehended last month in Venezuela, and Patel subsequently told lawmakers the FBI had captured one of the nation's top fugitives.
The FBI previously told Fox News Digital that Aguirre led "a large international conspiracy to steal millions of dollars from financial institutions in support of the Tren de Aragua, through an ATM jackpotting scheme since at least 2024."
FBI STRIKES BACK AT HACKING GROUP WITH OVERSEAS ARREST OF ALLEGED LEADER
An ATM "jackpotting" attack is a type of cyberattack in which criminals exploit vulnerabilities in an ATM, including through the use of malware, to force the machine to dispense cash, according to the DOJ.
Prosecutors say Canelon Aguirre developed malicious software and was one of the leaders of the alleged ATM jackpotting conspiracy.
The DOJ says the broader ATM jackpotting conspiracy has been linked to Tren de Aragua, which the U.S. has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said DOJ has charged nearly 350 alleged TdA members and associates since the designation.
"The capture and arrest of Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre marks yet another success for the Homeland Security Task Force and Joint Task Force Vulcan," Blanche said.
"We will continue to break up narcoterrorist finance networks, prosecute violent criminals, and keep American neighborhoods safe."
Aguirre faces four conspiracy counts involving bank fraud, bank burglary and computer fraud, money laundering and providing material support to terrorists.
The bank fraud conspiracy charge carries the highest maximum penalty at 30 years in prison, according to DOJ.
Fox News Digital's Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.
Trump says he will attend Alabama vs Georgia college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium
President Donald Trump announced Friday that he plans to attend next week’s marquee college football matchup between No. 7 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia.
Trump revealed his plans during a midterm campaign rally at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. The president is expected to be at Bryant-Denny Stadium when No. 7 Alabama hosts No. 2 Georgia on Oct. 10.
Both teams are undefeated and considered national championship contenders. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and air nationally on ABC.
TRUMP TO ATTEND TEXAS VS TENNESSEE IN HIGH-STAKES COLLEGE FOOTBALL SHOWDOWN
The SEC rivals met twice last season. Alabama earned a 24-21 regular-season victory in Athens before Georgia responded with a dominant 28-7 win in the SEC Championship Game. Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart improved to just 2-7 against the Crimson Tide with the conference title victory.
Trump also attended the teams’ memorable 2024 meeting in Tuscaloosa, when Alabama built a 28-point lead and held on for a 41-34 victory. He watched that game from a suite alongside several prominent Republican figures.
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Next week’s visit will mark Trump’s third trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium for a football game. He also attended Alabama’s 46-41 loss to LSU in 2019 and returned to the university to deliver its commencement address in May 2025.
Trump has made frequent appearances at major sporting events throughout his second term. His Alabama visit will come only two weeks after he attended Texas’ 20-17 victory over Tennessee at Neyland Stadium, where Air Force One performed a low-altitude flyover before kickoff.
Trump also attended the College Football Playoff National Championship in January, Game 3 of the NBA Finals in June and the FIFA World Cup final in July, where he participated in the trophy ceremony.
In 2025, Trump became the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl. He also appeared at the Daytona 500, the U.S. Open men’s final, the Ryder Cup, the Army-Navy game and multiple UFC events.
Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko changes jersey to honor late father killed in bear attack
Pittsburgh Penguins player Andrei Kuzmenko returned to the team on Friday after taking some time in the wake of his father's tragic death in a bear attack last month in Siberia.
Now, the 30-year-old, who is in his first season with the Penguins, has decided to honor his father, Alexander, by switching his jersey number.
Kuzmenko addressed the media at the team's practice facility ahead of Saturday's game against the Montreal Canadiens.
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An impressively composed Kuzmenko, given the circumstances, told the media that he wanted to speak to them because he understood that reporters have a job to do.
From there, he explained the circumstances of his father's death, which occurred on a fishing trip.
"My father go permit fishing with friends, and he stayed in the water," he said. "And bear (stand) behind him and attack. And my father fight (the) bear one hour, 10 minutes and he still lived after two days."
He also thanked everyone for the support he received in the wake of the tragedy.
As for his sweater number, Kuzmenko had worn No. 96 in all of his previous NHL stops with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.
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Upon signing with the Penguins, Kuzmenko was preparing to use No. 10.
Now, he will wear No. 62, which, according to the Associated Press, carries a lot of personal significance.
His late father was 62 years old at the time of his death, while his mother was born in 1962.
Kuzmenko spent time in the KHL before arriving in the NHL ahead of the 2022-23 season, and has gone on to play in 271 games. In that time, he has racked up 182 points (85G, 97A).
Blue state councilman mocked after claiming self-driving cars are 'murdering' pets: 'Hide your cats'
One Minneapolis city council member prompted widespread mockery on social media after going to bat for "cat lovers," claiming Waymo cars are killing cats and urging officials to require humans in the self-driving vehicles.
"I will say cats have been killed and cats have been killed by these autonomous vehicles," Jason Chavez told fellow council members. "I have a cat. I don't want my cat getting killed because of these autonomous vehicles.
"So, to those cat lovers out there, just know that these Waymo vehicles, these autonomous vehicles have killed cats and that's unfair.
"I just watched a video sitting here from the dais, and it was really hard to watch. Literally, cats being murdered by these vehicles."
The ordinance, which narrowly passed Thursday, would mandate a human operator and a special license for all autonomous vehicles. But its future remains uncertain.
Mayor Jacob Frey announced he plans to veto the proposal in a statement to multiple Minnesota outlets, saying it "doesn't make sense," and the city will continue its efforts to embrace "innovative technology," including transportation options. Despite acknowledging the safety concerns, Frey added he would not support a "backdoor ban" of the vehicles.
As Waymo vehicles with rooftop sensors and empty seats become a more common sight, supporters argue requiring a human operator would effectively ban autonomous taxi services and result in higher fares, while opponents insist the technology poses safety risks and takes away jobs.
Social media users were quick to pile on Chavez's remarks about the potential threat to cats, accusing him of blowing the issue out of proportion and shifting focus from more pressing priorities in Minneapolis.
"The Minneapolis City Council wants to require a human in driverless vehicles because cats are being 'murdered' by them," Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X. "This guy's salary is $110,000/year, by the way."
Grage took more swipes at Chavez in separate X posts, writing, "They're calling it the cat genocide" and, "Hide your cats. The Waymos are coming."
In another post on X, conservative commentator Gunther Eagleman wrote, "LOL! MINNEAPOLIS HAS FOUND ITS REAL CRISIS, AND IT'S ROBOT CARS 'MURDERING' CATS."
Eagleman also argued the city should be addressing larger issues such as crime and fraud, describing the situation as a sign of failed leadership.
"A council member in a city that let rioters burn down a police precinct and watched a $250 million fraud scheme happen under its nose now wants a human in every driverless car to protect the cats," he wrote.
"He's pulling down $110,000 a year of taxpayer money to say this with a straight face. Minneapolis doesn't have a driverless car problem. It has a leadership problem."
"They're driving over the cats, they're driving over the dogs!" Fox News Digital columnist David Marcus posted on X.
"Why is a city council member making 110,000 when families and seniors are getting priced out of their homes in Minneapolis and taxes are sky rocking????? That's absurd - where is the equality in that???" Three Rivers Park Commissioner Jennifer DeJournett posted on X.
TERRIFIED PASSENGERS FILM WAYMO AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE DRIVING INTO LIVE FIREWORKS IN SAN FRANCISCO
"Fwiw I've been in a self-driving Tesla that stopped for cats to cross the road and Waymo is a lot more advanced," journalist Zaid Jilani posted on X.
"My FSD Tesla avoids animals on the road. He is full of it," Dealer Teamwork CEO and co-founder Sean Stapleton posted on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to Chavez for comment.