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UPCOMING

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GYM--POMMEL HORSE GUY RETURNS

DESCRIPTION: NEW ORLEANS — Stephen Nedoroscik turned a bronze-medal-clinching pommel horse routine in Paris into the kind of notoriety he never imagined was possible. Yet after a long run on “Dancing With the Stars” and its ensuing tour, “pommel horse guy” headed back to the gym to prep for this week’s U.S. Championships, still in glasses, still with “weird” hair, still obsessed with his sport. By Will Graves. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/07/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo, Video

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US-ESPN-MEDIA LANDSCAPE-EXPLAINER

DESCRIPTION: With its recent deals with the NFL and the WWE, ESPN is trying to make a huge splash and position itself with its direct-to-consumer product set to launch later this month. A look at what it means for the viewer and ESPN. By Joe Reedy. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos

UPCOMING: By 08/07/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--GIANTS-PRESEASON OPENER PLAN

DESCRIPTION: EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Will the New York Giants play their starters in the preseason opener Saturday at Buffalo? With experienced quarterback Russell Wilson in his first year running the offense and the desire to build some chemistry, there is a good chance he gets some time before Jaxson Dart and others face the Bills. By Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/07/2025 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--UMPIRE PAWOL

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — Jen Pawol discusses her debut Saturday as Major League Baseball’s first female umpire. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/07/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--SCHERZER VS KERSHAW

DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — It’ll be a rare meeting of the 3,000 career strikeout club when Toronto’s Max Scherzer opposes its newest member, Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/07/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Scottie Scheffler plays for the first time since winning the British Open as the PGA Tour postseason begins at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/07/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN--BRONCOS-49ERS JOINT PRACTICE

DESCRIPTION: SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Former 49ers defensive stars Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga return to the Bay Area for a joint practice between Denver and San Francisco By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/07/2025 7:02 p.m. EDT, Text

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TEN--TORONTO

DESCRIPTION: TORONTO — Fourth-seeded Ben Shelton of the United States seeks the biggest title of his career, facing 11th-seeded Karen Khachanov of Russia in the National Bank Open final. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Match scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 08/07/2025 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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TEN--MONTREAL

Canadian teen Mboko reaches Montreal final, beating Rybakina in 3rd-set tiebreaker

SUMMARY: Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko rallied to reach the National Bank Open final, beating ninth-seeded Elena Rybakina 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4) on Wednesday night. The 18-year-old Mboko dropped to the court after Rybakina’s shot sailed long on match point as the crowd — lined with “Allez Vicky” — erupted. Mboko saved a match point in the third set and broke Rybakina twice to force the tiebreaker. On Thursday night, she’ll face Japanese star Naomi Osaka, a 6-2, 7-6 (7) winner over 16th-seeded Clara Tauson of Denmark in the second semifinal. Mboko is seeking her first WTA Tour title and trying to join Faye Urban (1969) and Bianca Andreescu (2019) as the only Canadians to win the home event in the open era.

WORDS: 522 - MOVED: 08/07/2025 12:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:605418226b66fe449bbb7ff2de21fc5b&mediaType=text

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BBO--RED SOX-ANTHONY

Red Sox sign rookie phenom Roman Anthony to an 8-year, $130 million contact

SUMMARY: The Red Sox signed rookie phenom Roman Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million contract through 2033, spending some of the cash they saved by trading Rafael Devers away on a player they hope will be the centerpiece of the next generation of Boston stars. Anthony is batting .283 with two homers and 19 RBIs in 46 games since making his debut in June. The team is 32-16 since his call-up, including a 10-game winning streak heading into the All-Star break and seven straight wins when he signed his deal.

WORDS: 813 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 10:24 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9b86560f41d18e024ad1346643c8653f&mediaType=text

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SOC--LEAGUES CUP-PUMAS-INTER MIAMI

Luis Suárez leads Inter Miami to 3-1 win over Pumas in Leagues Cup

SUMMARY: Luis Suárez scored and had two assists, and Inter Miami beat Pumas 3-1 on Wednesday night to advance in the Leagues Cup. Miami played the match without Lionel Messi, who is sidelined indefinitely with what the team described as a minor muscle injury in his right leg. Messi was hurt in the opening minutes of Inter Miami’s win over Necaxa on Saturday. He was in attendance for Wednesday’s match and watched from a suite at Chase Stadium. Miami, which has eight points in the Major League Soccer Leagues Cup standings, is the first MLS club through to the tournament’s knockout stages.

WORDS: 250 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 9:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7c512772a20d466b18b2f82cc1f89ac8&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI

Ohtani gets 1,000th career hit with go-ahead homer, strikes out 8

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani hit a go-ahead, two-run homer for his 1,000th career hit. He also struck out a season-high eight over four innings in his longest mound outing this season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. This marks his eighth mound start of the season after recovering from elbow surgery. Ohtani’s 39th homer traveled 440 feet, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead against the St. Louis Cardinals. He retired the side in the first and second innings and touches 100 mph on a fastball in the third. The Dodgers lost 5-3 and dropped two of three to the Cardinals in the series.

WORDS: 613 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 8:17 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cf7e8958cf00cc340b29eca60aaf20e5&mediaType=text

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FBN--SMELLING SALTS-BAN

NFL players can still use smelling salts as long as not provided by teams

SUMMARY: NFL players can continue using smelling salts during games. The NFL Players Association clarified this on Wednesday after the league’s memo on Tuesday. The memo only bans team employees from distributing smelling salts or ammonia inhalants during pregame activities, games and halftime. The NFLPA stated they weren’t informed of this policy change beforehand. The league’s memo prohibits club personnel from supplying these products, citing an FDA warning from 2024. The FDA noted there’s no evidence of the safety or efficacy of these products and they could mask concussion symptoms. Smelling salts have been a staple on NFL sidelines for years.

WORDS: 256 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 8:13 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:90bd1977fcc5710714cc240a370659c1&mediaType=text

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BBO--FEMALE UMPIRE

MLB is calling up its first female umpire, promoting Jen Pawol for Saturday’s Marlins-Braves game

SUMMARY: Jen Pawol is set to become the first woman to umpire in Major League Baseball when she works games this weekend between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. Pawol will work the bases in Saturday’s doubleheader at Truist Park and the plate on Sunday, MLB told The Associated Press. Pawol, a 48-year-old from New Jersey, worked spring training games in 2024 and this year. MLB’s move comes 28 years after the gender barrier for game officials was broken in the NBA, 10 years after the NFL hired its first full-time female official and three years after the men’s soccer World Cup employed a female referee. The NHL still has not had any women as on-ice officials.

WORDS: 737 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:000cf10d7d458329e89d4fa83f8cefcc&mediaType=text

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BBO--GUARDIANS-WILLIAMS

Gavin Williams overcomes frightful first, nearly pitches Guardians’ first no-hitter in 44 years

SUMMARY: Two hard-hit comebackers in the first inning had Gavin Williams worrying about the direction his start would take against the New York Mets. Instead, the Cleveland Guardians right-hander nearly made history. Williams came within two outs of Cleveland’s first no-hitter in 44 years before Juan Soto homered with one out in the ninth. Hunter Gaddis finished the combined one-hitter in a 4-1 win.

WORDS: 618 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 5:54 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ac29b7fda782f0a5aa656e6d89c990e5&mediaType=text

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GLF--ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Scottie Scheffler will take being rested and ready over practice for FedEx Cup playoffs

SUMMARY: Scottie Scheffler has two majors this year. Now the focus is on the final three tournaments of the PGA Tour in the race for the FedEx Cup. Scheffler is prioritizing rest over practice for the playoff events. It starts this week with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind for the top 70. Rory McIlroy is sitting this one out. The playoffs are for the top 70, with the top 50 advancing to the BMW Championship next week. Scheffler feels rested. His time at home in Dallas includes taking the claret jug to his home course at Royal Oaks.

WORDS: 721 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 5:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e21ecb862f76cb2d8059508bc2548fe3&mediaType=text

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FBN--BILLS-COOK

Running back James Cook’s contract standoff with Bills reaches 3rd practice

SUMMARY: The Buffalo Bills and James Cook are in a contract standoff, with the running back skipping his third consecutive training camp practice. Both sides are uncertain about how long this will continue. Negotiations have stalled, and it’s unclear who will make the next move based on what people on each side of discussions told The Associated Press over the past two days. The people spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the talks are private. Cook is seeking a deal in the range of $11 to $12.5 million in guaranteed money, but the Bills are unsure how this fits into their salary cap.

WORDS: 755 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 5:19 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cef0cacc2844525ed9146e75f7ede07c&mediaType=text

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BBO--GUARDIANS-METS

Gavin Williams just misses Guardians’ first no-hitter in 44 years in 4-1 win over Mets

SUMMARY: Gavin Williams came within two outs of Cleveland’s first no-hitter in 44 years before Juan Soto homered with one out in the ninth inning, and the Guardians completed a three-game sweep of the reeling New York Mets with a 4-1 win Wednesday. Williams (7-4) walked three and struck out six, including Francisco Lindor to lead off the ninth. But Soto homered just beyond the leaping grasp of center fielder Angel Martinez two pitches later. The Guardians have not thrown a no-hitter since Len Barker twirled a perfect game on May 15, 1981. Their no-hitter drought is the longest in the majors.

WORDS: 378 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 4:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a74e3d13264763d074dd4262e736ee46&mediaType=text

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FBC--OHIO STATE-QUARTERBACKS

Ohio State’s QB competition between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz remains too close to call

SUMMARY: Ohio State’s quarterback competition between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz remains close after the first week of preseason practices. Coach Ryan Day says both have shown progress and the decision will go down to the wire. Sayin, a sophomore, has shown better arm strength, while Kienholz, a junior, brings more athleticism. Sayin originally committed to Alabama but transferred to Ohio State. Kienholz had a strong offseason and was named an Iron Buckeye. Quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler emphasized the importance of consistency, especially in situational scenarios like third downs and the red zone.

WORDS: 730 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 4:30 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6686bc931ecf1eaa33919bf2976fe471&mediaType=text

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CAR--INDYCAR-O’WARD-DHS POST

IndyCar officials and Pato O’Ward shocked by ICE-related ‘Speedway Slammer’ post

SUMMARY: IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward and series officials are shocked by a social media post from the Department of Homeland Security. The post touts plans for an immigration detention center in Indiana dubbed “Speedway Slammer” and includes a car with the same number as the only Mexican driver in the series. O’Ward says a lot of people were caught off guard. Indiana is home to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and is where the IndyCar Series is based. IndyCar says it was unaware of the planned use of the imagery and says it preferred it not being used.

WORDS: 387 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 3:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:106baa57f854ffcf86c654f0ff8987b7&mediaType=text

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SOC--MLS-VANCOUVER-MULLER

Vancouver Whitecaps sign former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller

SUMMARY: The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller. Müller, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, will join the Whitecaps for the remainder of the season in an open roster spot. Terms of the deal were not released. The agreement includes a Designated Player option for 2026. The 35-year-old Müller has spent the last 17 years with Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga, helping the club win 13 championships during that span. He scored 250 goals with Bayern across all competitions, but his contract was not renewed after last season. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Müller scored five goals.

WORDS: 509 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 2:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0847414c60c7c2f7f21ee5d4712d8ebd&mediaType=text

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FBN--CHIEFS-KELCE

Travis Kelce’s transformation: Chiefs star trims down, gears up for another Super Bowl run

SUMMARY: Travis Kelce has trimmed down considerably since last season, and it has been noticeable in the way he’s been making plays in training camp. Chiefs coach Andy Reid describes the four-time All-Pro tight end as “svelte.” Some had speculated a Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia in February might drive Kelce to retire, but instead he seemed to double down on his efforts. He is leaner, quicker and more athletic than he has been in years. And he’s showing as much focus as ever on the football field, despite the number of side projects vying for his time and attention. The goal, he said, is clear: Win another Super Bowl.

WORDS: 823 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 2:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:70b39c03c195bf2822da5a7707188af6&mediaType=text

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FBN--STEELERS-QUARTERBACKS

Aaron Rodgers is open to playing in Steelers’ preseason opener as rookie QB Howard deals with injury

SUMMARY: Aaron Rodgers isn’t ruling himself out of Pittsburgh’s preseason opener against Jacksonville. Rodgers, who last appeared in an exhibition game two years ago, says he’s on board to play if coach Mike Tomlin asks. The 41-year-old last played in the preseason in 2023 during his first season with the New York Jets. The short-term loss of rookie quarterback Will Howard, dealing with a hand injury, might complicate things. Rodgers has been mentoring Howard since signing with the Steelers in June. Rodgers says he’s seen progress in recent days as he grows more comfortable in the system.

WORDS: 388 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 1:51 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cffbc2312b695eb2a8b5d2807709f058&mediaType=text

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FBN--ROOKIES TO WATCH

Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty are among the NFL rookies to watch this season

SUMMARY: Impressive and fantastic are a couple of the words used to describe Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward as the No. 1-overall pick in April’s NFL draft takes over as the starter for a franchise that won just three games last season. Ward isn’t the only rookie being watched closely to see how his first NFL season turns out. There’s also two-way threat Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, Abdul Carter and, of course, Shedeur Sanders.

WORDS: 846 - MOVED: 08/06/2025 1:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a9e547d68d439c80ed5261abfffda851&mediaType=text