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UPCOMING

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BBO--YANKEES-LIGHTS OUT

DESCRIPTION: Some lights atop Yankee Stadium briefly went dark a couple of times Wednesday night. A full-blown power outage might have been more fitting. Missing a trio of injured sluggers in the middle of their fizzling lineup, the punchless New York Yankees were limited to four hits in a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the latest empty performance for a Bronx Bombers offense that’s mustered two runs or fewer in six of the past seven games. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick. 700 words, with photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--HALL OF FAME-KUECHLY

DESCRIPTION: Luke Kuechly is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Known for his incredible preparation, Kuechly’s dedication to studying game film started in high school and continued through his NFL career. He played eight seasons with the Carolina Panthers, earning numerous accolades, including NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. His ability to anticipate plays made him a formidable opponent. Despite his career being cut short by concussions, Kuechly’s impact was profound. He retired in 2020, leaving a legacy of excellence and preparation. Kuechly says he feels fortunate to have lived his childhood dream. By Steve Reed.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--COMMANDERS-WHY DIGGS

DESCRIPTION: Finding a No. 2 receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin was a glaring need for the Washington Commanders that they hope they filled by signing Stefon Diggs to a contract for the upcoming season. By Ethan Cadeaux. Text, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--VALKYRIES-BURTON’S COMEBACK

DESCRIPTION: SAN FRANCISCO — Veronica Burton took the microphone after a 20-point win against the Sparks in June and thanked her parents who were there watching. What a two years it has been for Burton since Dallas let her go and she landed with the expansion Golden State Valkyries last season. And, like her mom and dad, she knows everything about supporting roles as the team’s do-everything point guard alongside star newcomer Gabby Williams. On Friday, reigning WNBA Most Improved Player Burton will play at Dallas against the Wings team that cut her. By Janie McCauley.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--WAKE FOREST-LOPEZ

DESCRIPTION: WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Gio Lopez has gone from playing quarterback at North Carolina in Bill Belichick’s rough debut college season to transferring to Wake Forest, where he’ll play under a former offensive coordinator. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--COLORADO-SANDERS

DESCRIPTION: FORT CARSON, Colo. — Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders opens his fourth camp with the Buffaloes, this time far from Folsom Field. By AP Sports Writer Arnie Stapleton. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 4:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: GREENSBORO, N.C. — Opening roung of the Wyndham Championship, the final regular-season event on the PGA Tour decides the top 70 who reach the postseason. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN--RAIDERS-ROOKIES

DESCRIPTION: All eyes are on quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but a number of rookies have stood out in training camp for the Las Vegas Raiders.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--ACES-FEVER

DESCRIPTION: The Indiana Fever return home to face the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday. Indiana won the first two games of the season series in Las Vegas and will try to seep the defending WNBA champs in their final regular-season matchup. By Michael Marot. 300 words, more on merit. Game time is 7 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--RAMS-TRAINING CAMP

DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — The Rams hold their last full practice of training camp at Loyola Marymount University. By Greg Beacham.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 10:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--PANTHERS-CARDINALS

DESCRIPTION: CANTON, Ohio — The Carolina Panthers face the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL preseason opener. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.

UPCOMING: By 08/06/2026 11:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--METS-YAN STRIKEOUT CELEBRATION

Mets rookie Jefry Yan has viral high-flying celebration after striking out his 1st MLB batter

SUMMARY: New York Mets rookie Jefry Yan had an emphatic way to mark striking out the first batter he faced in the major leagues. The 29-year-old left-hander jumped high in the air with his feet spread apart, landed on the front of the mound and then slapped the grass with his left hand. It came in the Mets’ 6-5 win at Cleveland on Wednesday night. Pinch-hitter Angel Martínez took an 88.7 mph slider for a called third strike to open the sixth inning.

WORDS: 367 - MOVED: 08/06/2026 1:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e203c961e9d009332b8620b76322f4ea&mediaType=text

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US--TRUMP-INDYCAR

Trump’s IndyCar race: Doing 200 in a 25 mph zone with manhole cover-displacing torque

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump is hosting an IndyCar street race in Washington, D.C., as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, set for Aug. 22 and 23, will see cars speeding down Pennsylvania Avenue at up to eight times the usual 25 mph speed limit. It is the latest — and the fastest — of the major events Trump has hosted against the backdrop of America’s birthday. The IndyCar event will be 250 miles over 147 laps on a 1.66-mile track featuring seven turns. Race chair Bud Denker says Penske Corporation is paying for the “vast majority” of the race, while the city handles “very limited” repaving.

WORDS: 1273 - MOVED: 08/06/2026 12:01 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b09186775bf2788380c49df9a29774e8&mediaType=text

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SOC--LEAGUES-CUP-SAN LUIS-MIAMI

Lionel Messi scores his first 2 goals since the World Cup as Inter Miami beats San Luis 4-2

SUMMARY: Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since the World Cup and took the career scoring lead in the Leagues Cup as Inter Miami overcame an early deficit to beat Atlético San Luis 4-2. The match at Nu Stadium was delayed 30 minutes in the second half because of lightning in the area. Messi scored in the 11th and the 44th minutes. He has 14 goals in 12 Leagues Cup matches — one ahead of Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga for most in the tournament’s four-year history. Messi did not score in his first match since the World Cup, a 2-2 draw against Columbus on Saturday.

WORDS: 354 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 10:19 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8bd9cee472bc664335ac5e460c298598&mediaType=text

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BKN--SUNS-BROOKS

Suns forward Dillon Brooks agrees to $73 million, three-year extension, AP sources say

SUMMARY: Two people familiar with the deal say the Phoenix Suns and veteran forward Dillon Brooks have agreed to a $73 million, three-year extension that will keep him with the team through 2030. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal hasn’t been announced. The 30-year-old Brooks averaged a career-high 20.2 points last season, his first with the Suns. He provided scoring and a hard-nosed defensive personality that helped the team make a surprise run to the playoffs. Brooks is entering the final season of an $86 million, four-year deal he signed with the Houston Rockets in 2023.

WORDS: 179 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 10:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:95cc0e9d3205d147257755933a45477f&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAMS-DONALD COMEBACK

Aaron Donald works out for the Rams in latest step on comeback path

SUMMARY: Aaron Donald has formally worked out for the Los Angeles Rams. That’s presumably one of the final steps before the superstar defensive tackle decides whether to end his 2 1/2-year retirement. Donald has been training at the Rams’ Woodland Hills training complex and at home for several weeks in his attempt to return to NFL shape. While the Rams have emphasized their willingness to wait indefinitely for Donald to decide, coach Sean McVay has expressed cautious optimism in the past week about the prospect of lining up Donald and Myles Garrett together on a remarkable defensive line.

WORDS: 659 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 10:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:76ca8e418dcd11ada8e820378933a3b6&mediaType=text

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BBO--YANKEES-JUDGE

Yankees star Aaron Judge cleared for light activity and says he will return from injury this season

SUMMARY: Aaron Judge has been cleared to begin light workout activity, and the New York Yankees captain said he will return this season from the broken rib that’s sidelined him since May 31. The three-time AL MVP was on the field at Yankee Stadium in baseball gear Wednesday afternoon, stretching, jogging and doing shuffle slides with a resistance band. He was given the green light to take a step forward in his recovery progression after undergoing his latest scan Tuesday. Still, it will be a while before Judge is back in the lineup. He must first advance to taking swings, and neither he nor Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered a target date for the slugger’s return.

WORDS: 824 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 9:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c02cd409ec07d0267f91069964cbe73a&mediaType=text

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SOC--INFANTINO-FIFA MEETING

Gianni Infantino gets internal support at crisis meeting to remain as FIFA president

SUMMARY: FIFA says it has apologized for errors made over Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and that senior staff in attendance at a summit held in Morocco “reaffirmed their full support” for his presidency. World soccer’s governing body attempted to present a unified front amid the turbulence caused by Infantino’s controversial plans, with calls for him to step down. In a statement FIFA said secretary-general Mattias Grafström and members of the management board in attendance at the meeting had given their support to the embattled president.

WORDS: 743 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 8:14 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:98cacb47356cb365346ae998d1d38c49&mediaType=text

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BBO--CUBS-CROW-ARMSTRONG

Pete Crow-Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani star as NL MVP race moves to another level

SUMMARY: Pete Crow-Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani have ramped up their increasingly compelling race for the NL MVP award. Crow-Armstrong homered twice and drove in four runs to help the Chicago Cubs beat Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 for a sweep of their three-game series. But Ohtani also went deep twice and finished with three hits. Crow-Armstrong is Chicago’s regular center fielder, but he served as the designated hitter for the finale against LA. That gave him an opportunity to take a closer look at Ohtani’s brilliance at the plate. Crow-Armstrong says he enjoys watching Ohtani play.

WORDS: 777 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 7:50 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5d186bb5f05b5d2324eb2a1f20b82940&mediaType=text

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BBO--PIRATES-OZUNA

Pirates cut ties with veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna after a nightmarish slump amid playoff chase

SUMMARY: The Pittsburgh Pirates have cut ties with veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna as they gear up for a playoff push. The club released the 35-year-old Ozuna following a nightmarish stretch in which the three-time All-Star could never seem to get on track. Ozuna hit eight homers and drove in 29 runs while batting .203 in 70 games with Pittsburgh. The Pirates, who are chasing their first postseason berth in more than a decade, promoted outfielder Ronny Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Ozuna’s roster spot.

WORDS: 386 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 6:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4d96bb9efb787a0f36e783f177dd200d&mediaType=text

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RAC--TRIPLE CROWN-EXPLAINER

Big changes in horse racing create new questions about the future of the Triple Crown

SUMMARY: Two big changes in horse racing unveiled this week create more questions than answers about the future of the sport’s most recognizable product, the Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes is moving to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby in the hopes of getting more horses to run in each of the first two Triple Crown races. For at least one year, that creates just a 13-day gap before the Belmont Stakes and makes it even more likely owners and trainers skip the Preakness. A new championship series for 3-year-olds also includes the Derby and Belmont but leaves out the Preakness in 2027.

WORDS: 1162 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 6:30 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ea7ac551a6805b982c5c25825b7fa7b1&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-CUBS

Crow-Armstrong goes deep twice as the Cubs sweep Ohtani and the Dodgers with a wild 7-6 win

SUMMARY: Pete Crow-Armstrong homered twice and drove in four runs, and the Chicago Cubs swept Shohei Ohtani and the struggling Los Angeles Dodgers with a wild 7-6 victory. Nico Hoerner added three hits as Chicago won for the fourth time in five games. The Cubs also improved to 32-15 since June 11. Los Angeles was swept for the second straight series. The two-time defending World Series champions have dropped six in a row for the first time since a seven-game skid in July 2025. Ohtani went deep twice for the Dodgers, and Max Muncy connected for a three-run homer in a five-run eighth inning.

WORDS: 390 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 6:20 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e5a71f1642cb2d26ff1f899a0ca3d3cd&mediaType=text

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FBC--INDIANA-DALEY

DE Stephen Daley makes surprise return as defending national champion Indiana opens practice

SUMMARY: Indiana Hoosiers defensive end Stephen Daley thought his college career ended in December when he suffered a season-ending knee injury during the Big Ten championship postgame celebration. Now, he’s back. Four days after a U.S. District Court judge in Colorado ruled high school players from the 2022 graduating class could play in a fifth college season, Daley returned to the practice field for the defending national champions. He’ll be limited in early workouts, but coach Curt Cignetti remains hopeful it will not take long for one of the nation’s most disruptive defensive linemen in 2025 to get back to full speed.

WORDS: 840 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 4:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9e0c5caaef3917c753a8a0e2120281a9&mediaType=text

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FBN--COMMANDERS-DIGGS

Stefon Diggs is signing with the Washington Commanders, AP source says

SUMMARY: Stefon Diggs is signing with the Washington Commanders, a person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press. The move gives quarterback Jayden Daniels and the offense a proven, experienced wide receiver. Diggs joins Washington for a 12th year in the NFL after playing last season with New England. Diggs had 99 catches for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns in 21 games, counting the Patriots’ playoff run to the Super Bowl. Diggs previously played for Minnesota, Buffalo and Houston during a career that included him being an All-Pro selection in 2020.

WORDS: 596 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 4:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:16ff7e821d1e79e45a40c1b6c2d9bf3e&mediaType=text

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RAC--TRIPLE CROWN-PREAKNESS

Preakness shifting back to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby, to be run on a Sunday

SUMMARY: The Preakness Stakes is moving to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby to be run on a Sunday for the first time. No Triple Crown race has ever been run on a Sunday in the history of the series. The shift marks a major change on the horse racing calendar after three-quarters of a century of the Preakness taking place two weeks to the day after the Derby is run on the first Saturday in May, with the lone exception of 2020 because of the pandemic. For at least one year, it will mean just a 13-day gap between the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

WORDS: 827 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 3:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:53923abcb96ebaa37cb8c5597d57736c&mediaType=text

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BKL--FOCUSED FEVER

Indiana Fever continue to thrive on the court despite constant barrage of off-court distractions

SUMMARY: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham walked into practice Wednesday with every intention of talking basketball and only basketball. She still couldn’t completely avoid the latest off-court firestorm — her belief trans women should not be competing in women’s sports. While Cunningham declined to directly address the issue that’s created another circus-like environment for the WNBA’s most visible team, the former Missouri star addressed her pregame conversation with Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve and challenged media members to find better stories than just the latest controversy. But through it all, the Fever have thrived, going 9-3 since July 1.

WORDS: 1013 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 3:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ffdc4b1ebfda1c2eafaeac0a752c6baf&mediaType=text

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GLF--LIV GOLF

LIV Golf has lead investor and planning ahead for another season

SUMMARY: LIV Golf says it has a lead investor that will allow the league to plan ahead for 2027 and beyond. The rival league has been in survival mode since March when the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia announced it would no longer pay for LIV after 2026. Saudi money is what allowed the league to pay nine-figure bonuses to lure top players away from the PGA Tour and created $20 million purses. LIV CEO Scott O’Neil did not identify the lead investor. But he says the new league would have players as majority equity holders.

WORDS: 762 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 3:04 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:169ca9da22ea74151b370b4ff6426617&mediaType=text

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FBN--BEARS-WRIGHT EXTENSION

Chicago Bears tackle Darnell Wright dishes out credit after signing huge contract extension

SUMMARY: Bears tackle Darnell Wright received the largest four-year contract ever paid out by the Bears and was doling out credit Wednesday after practice, starting with GM Ryan Poles and including both line coach Dan Roushar and coach Ben Johnson. Wright was Poles’ initial first-round draft pick, selected over Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, and the second-team All-Pro tackle said his GM found ways to get coaches to invest more time in him early in his career. Wright calls Johnson’s system a fit, but especially how he features particular players on plays, including linemen who are so often obscure.

WORDS: 693 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 3:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a72e76a76c3a5450b8a7cd3a1d705b7d&mediaType=text

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FBN--PRESEASON-PREVIEW

It’ll be Carson Beck vs. Kenny Pickett when Cardinals-Panthers open the NFL’s exhibition season

SUMMARY: Carson Beck makes his NFL debut and Kenny Pickett starts for his fifth team in four years. Welcome to the NFL preseason. If you want to see starters play, wait until next month when the games count in the standings. Or watch joint practices. The exhibition schedule kicks off Thursday night with Beck and the Arizona Cardinals facing Pickett and the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The preseason is an opportunity for rookies, backups and players fighting for roster spots to get snaps and showcase what they can do. Most first-round picks won’t play much.

WORDS: 900 - MOVED: 08/05/2026 2:06 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0025eae3f82b122182b0db0a11ebff3c&mediaType=text