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UPCOMING

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FBC--CAL-LUPOI

DESCRIPTION: BERKELEY, Calif. — The first few months on the job for new California football coach Tosh Lupoi have been a bit of a whirlwind as he has worked on putting together a staff, retaining and adding players to the roster and building a culture he hopes will turn the Golden Bears into a winner. Now Lupoi gets the chance to get on the field with his team for the first time since being hired in December with Cal set to open spring practice. By Josh Dubow. 700 words, photo.

UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKW--AP ALL-AMERICA TEAM

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press announces its women’s basketball All-America team. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg.

UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKW--MARCH MADNESS

DESCRIPTION: Text coverage of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament (times Eastern): Games(First Four): No. 11 Richmond vs. No. 11 Nebraska at Durham, N.C., 7 p.m. No. 16 S. F. Austin vs. No. 16 Missouri State at Austin, Texas, 9 p.m. Previews/features: BKW--NCAA--UCLA-Mother Bruin -- The 80-year-old mother of UCLA coach Cori Close is the Bruins’ biggest booster. She knits blankets for the players, sits in on film sessions, helps at recruiting dinners and hashes over every game with her daughter. By Beth Harris. Text, photos by noon ET. BKW—-NCAA-Second Chances -- In the era of the transfer portal, a look at some of the top women’s players making the NCAA Tournament for a second (or third) school. By Steve Megargee. Text, photos by 6 a.m. BKW--NCAA-Michigan Sophs -- Unlike many of the top teams in women’s basketball, Michigan’s top four scorers are sophomores. All-Big Ten players Olivia Olson and Syla Swords lead the class that gives coach Kim Barnes Arico confidence the program is in good hands now and in the future. By Larry Lage. Text, photos by 4 p.m. BKW--NCAA-Gamecocks Reset -- South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is treating a 17-point loss to Texas as a useful reset before the NCAA Tournament. Her fourth-ranked Gamecocks lost the SEC title game 78-61 to Texas after a 14-0 first-quarter hole. A similar loss in the SEC titgle game 2022 ended with a national championship.By Steve Reed. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text, DigitalPlans

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BBW--WPBL-WORKOUT

DESCRIPTION: The Women’s Professional Baseball League partnered with the Boston Red Sox for a workout at JetBlue Park in Florida, ahead of the league’s planned launch this summer. By Alanis Thames.

UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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SOC--CONCACAF-NASHVILLE-INTER MIAMI

DESCRIPTION: Lionel Messi and Inter Miami face Nashville in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday night. The teams played to a 0-0 tie last week. By Tim Reynolds. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBI--WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

Venezuela beats US 3-2 on Suárez’s 9th-inning double to win first World Baseball Classic title

SUMMARY: Venezuela has won the World Baseball Classic for the first time, rebounding from a blown eighth-inning lead to beat the United States 3-2 on Eugenio Suárez’s tiebreaking double in the ninth. Maikel Garcia’s third-inning sacrifice fly and Wilyer Abreu’s fifth-inning homer off rookie Nolan McLean built a 2-0 lead before a roaring pro-Latin America crowd in Miami. Eduardo Rodríguez and lights-out relievers limited the Americans to two hits before Bryce Harper’s two-out, two-run homer in the eighth tied it. Daniel Palencia retired the side in order in the ninth, finishing a three-hitter.

WORDS: 1151 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 1:42 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6aee920fd528b59a752e6e2beb7bcb7b&mediaType=text

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BBI--WBC-US-ANOTHER DISAPPOINTMENT

U.S. falls short again in WBC final as Venezuela stuns star-studded roster

SUMMARY: Aaron Judge walked slowly back and forth in the United States’ dugout on Tuesday night while Venezuelan players shed tears and fell to their knees to celebrate the country’s first World Baseball Classic title. Other players from the Americans’ $320 million roster stood frozen for several minutes before finally leaving the field. Team USA brought its most loaded roster ever to baseball’s premier international event, but the Americans lost their second straight WBC final after winning the championship in 2017.

WORDS: 840 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 1:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:52542d1e7a9e8d45ae3667785e913ce0&mediaType=text

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BKL—WNBA-CBA

The WNBA and its players’ union reached a verbal agreement on a transformational new collective bargaining agreement early Wednesday morning. Specifics still need to be finalized over the next few weeks as lawyers on both sides work on the new CBA.

WORDS: 560 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 4:12 a.m. EDT

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BKC--NCAA-TEXAS-NC STATE

Tramon Mark’s late jumper gives Texas a 68-66 win over NC State in the First Four

SUMMARY: Tramon Mark hit a fadeaway jumper from just inside the 3-point line with 1.1 seconds left, and Texas survived a late rally to beat N.C. State on Tuesday night in a First Four matchup of power-conference teams that limped into March Madness. Mark scored 17 points to lead the Longhorns (19-14), who had lost five of six entering the NCAA Tournament. Texas moved into the bracket as the No. 11 seed in the West region and will face sixth-seeded BYU on Thursday night in Portland, Oregon. Darrion Williams led the Wolfpack with 21 points.

WORDS: 681 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 12:51 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:01f7f65ca2714b075fe286c2b4572adc&mediaType=text

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US--SPORTS BETTING STATES

Wisconsin lawmakers take a shot at joining the ranks of states allowing online sports betting

SUMMARY: Wisconsin lawmakers are taking a shot at expanding sports betting in the state. The state legislature gave final approval Tuesday to a measure that could allow tribes to offer online sports betting available to people anywhere in Wisconsin. The move comes just at the NCAA basketball tournaments get underway — one of the most popular betting times in the U.S. But the Wisconsin measure still needs the signature of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. And it would not take effect immediately. Wisconsin would become the 32nd state to allow online sports betting. A total of 39 states already allow at least some type of sports betting.

WORDS: 1047 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 12:01 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:18f1dcbb4bb48a644c379ab3b751c719&mediaType=text

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BBI--WBC-VENEZUELA-US-SCENE

In Miami for the WBC final, Venezuelan fans had plenty to celebrate as their team won the title

SUMMARY: Venezuelan and American fans packed Miami for the U.S.-Venezuela World Baseball Classic final. Venezuela won the game 3-2 on Tuesday night. The crowd turned the Marlins’ ballpark into a sea of flags, face paint and mixed identities. Some fans wore a Venezuela jersey and a U.S. flag at the same time. The tense politics between the countries has stayed mostly outside the stadium. Venezuela’s manager insisted the team was there to play baseball, not talk politics. Fans and players described the game as bigger than sports. They say it united a whole country.

WORDS: 1058 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 11:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:60a306c2a654b24fd27e5b859eef416f&mediaType=text

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SOC--AFCON-TITLE OVERTURNED

Ruling overturns Senegal’s Africa Cup title and declares Morocco the champion. Senegal to appeal

SUMMARY: Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title by appeals judges who overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic final in January. The Confederation of African Football says its appeals board ruled Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the Final” and its 1-0 win in extra time becomes a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco. In the Jan. 18 final in Rabat, Senegal left the field in protest during stoppage time for 15 minutes, and fans tried to storm the field when Morocco was awarded a penalty. Senegal said it would appeal Tuesday’s decision.

WORDS: 725 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 11:14 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:deee4ed18e0f49b5836cf6c672df9193&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA-UMBC-HOWARD

Howard gets its first March Madness win, holding off UMBC 86-83 in the First Four

SUMMARY: Bryce Harris had 19 points and 14 rebounds, and he sank a turnaround jumper with 13 seconds remaining that sent Howard to its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history, 86-83 over UMBC in the First Four. Ose Okojie scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Bison, who entered with an 0-4 record in March Madness and had to hold off a late rally by the Retrievers. Howard heads to Buffalo, New York, to play top-seeded Michigan as the No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region. Jah’Likah King scored 19 points and DJ Armstrong Jr. had 17 for UMBC.

WORDS: 648 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 10:08 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0c0e3c65127d0b934a63e8fab873ed68&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-IRAN-MEXICO

Iran wants to move its World Cup matches from US to Mexico. FIFA is sticking to its schedule

SUMMARY: Iran’s Embassy in Mexico has suggested the country is negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico after President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending the tournament, citing safety concerns. FIFA says it is in regular contact with the Iran soccer federation and it is not changing the match schedule announced last December. Iranian officials have previously said it is up to FIFA and the U.S. to keep the team safe during the World Cup. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was asked about it Tuesday. She said “We’ll see what FIFA decides.”

WORDS: 1000 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 9:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:43f56d6047fb340672dbe64583214228&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA-ALABAMA-HOLLOWAY ARRESTED

Aden Holloway, Alabama’s No. 2 scorer, had 2.1 pounds of marijuana when arrested, authorities say

SUMMARY: Authorities found 2.1 pounds of marijuana in Alabama basketball star Aden Holloway’s apartment when they arrested him Monday on a felony drug charge. That’s according to court records released Tuesday. The Crimson Tide’s No. 2 scorer has been suspended indefinitely and is away from the team as it prepares to face Hofstra on Friday in the NCAA Tournament. Holloway’s attorney, Jason Neff, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. But Neff told ESPN that it could take 18 months for the case to make its way through the Alabama courts. That would jeopardize Holloway’s college and possible NBA career.

WORDS: 659 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 8:06 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:835aa5067c1b66325a9891b87d5a382a&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI

Shohei Ohtani will return to mound for Dodgers in spring training game Wednesday against Giants

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to make his first pitching appearance in spring training on Wednesday for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Francisco Giants. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also said Ohtani will be the designated hitter Friday against the San Diego Padres, as the two-way Japanese star works to get ready for opening day on March 26. Ohtani recently returned to Dodgers camp at Camelback Ranch after Japan was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic. The four-time Most Valuable Player didn’t pitch for Japan at the WBC, but did throw off the mound in bullpen sessions.

WORDS: 280 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 7:08 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6944121dcac4667db8db1335440eb7d5&mediaType=text

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OLY--WADA-TRUMP BAN

WADA delays decision over potential ban of Trump from major sporting events until after World Cup

SUMMARY: The World Anti-Doping Agency has put off a decision about barring government officials from major sporting events if their countries voluntarily withhold dues. Tuesday’s move pushes a potential showdown with President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials until at least after this summer’s World Cup. The WADA executive committee met and said it would consider the new rule in September, two months after the end of the World Cup, which the U.S. is hosting along with Canada and Mexico. If such a rule is adopted later this year, it would presumably go into effect before the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

WORDS: 521 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 6:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:81c01ce41a6f0b5d965abee82aa02af5&mediaType=text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP

Champions League: Real Madrid and PSG advance to quarterfinals. Bodø/Glimt fairytale run is over

SUMMARY: Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have quickly snuffed out hopes of epic comebacks by Manchester City and Chelsea in the Champions League. Instead it is tiny Bodø/Glimt on the receiving end of a historic second-leg fightback in the round of 16. Madrid won 2-1 at 10-man City to advance 5-1 on aggregate and defending champion PSG won 3-0 at Chelsea for an 8-2 aggregate victory. Bodø/Glimt, the Norwegian club from a fishing town of around 55,000 people, had a 3-0 lead from the first leg but was blown away 5-0 by Sporting Lisbon after extra time. Sporting will play Arsenal in the quarterfinals after the Premier League leaders beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0.

WORDS: 718 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 6:33 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a67076a316ce609ad00c989cae8b5fc2&mediaType=text

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OLY--HKO-HUGHES GOLDEN GOAL PUCK

Hockey Hall of Fame has Olympic artifacts. Jack Hughes wants his golden goal puck

SUMMARY: The Hockey Hall of Fame this week unveiled a new showcase of items from the Milan Cortina Olympics. Among the items on display are the pucks scored by Jack Hughes to win gold for the U.S. men and Megan Keller for the U.S. women. Hughes told ESPN on Tuesday that he wants the puck so he can give it to his father, Jim. A stick from American Brady Tkachuk and gloves from teammate Jack Eichel, along with Canada captain Sidney Crosby’s jersey, are all part of the display at the hall in Toronto.

WORDS: 228 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 5:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7d3fe9bf032c20a82a073a050c651fde&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA-CBA

Another marathon WNBA CBA negotiation drags past 3:30 a.m. with no deal done

SUMMARY: Another marathon negotiating session between the WNBA and its players union didn’t end with a new collective bargaining agreement. The two sides met for the eighth consecutive day and while they said progress was being made heading into Monday’s negotiating session, there was still work that needed to be done when the sides ended discussions for the night around 3:30 a.m. EDT Tuesday morning. Revenue sharing continues to be the big sticking point between the sides.

WORDS: 895 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 4:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cec75d071499221196687748fda4e1dd&mediaType=text

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FBN--DOLPHINS-BRONCOS TRADE

Broncos get star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from Dolphins in a blockbuster trade, AP sources say

SUMMARY: The Denver Broncos have acquired standout wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster deal that sends three draft picks to the Miami Dolphins, including a first-rounder, according to two people with knowledge of the trade. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced. The Dolphins will receive the 30th-overall pick in next month’s NFL draft along with picks in the third and fourth rounds. Denver will get Miami’s fourth-rounder along with Waddle. Waddle gives Bo Nix another main playmaker along with Courtland Sutton, boosting a passing offense that finished 11th in the NFL last season.

WORDS: 471 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 4:38 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0b385d35183ba6cad8a8ec83fa51bc54&mediaType=text

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HKN--OILERS-DRAISAITL

Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl out for the rest of the regular season because of injury

SUMMARY: Standout Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the rest of the NHL regular season because of what the team called a lower-body injury. Draisaitl left a game Sunday against Nashville after getting bumped hard by the Predators’ Ozzy Wiesblatt and did not return. It was not immediately clear what the injury was or whether Draisaitl will miss any time once the playoffs begin. The 30-year-old from Germany ranks fourth in the league in scoring with 97 points in 65 games. Draisaitl won the Hart Trophy as MVP in 2020 and was the runner-up last season.

WORDS: 279 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 3:06 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2a2cbc27182b6a27f51e5975945dd4af&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA-MARCH OF THE FRESHMEN

The NCAA Tournament is loaded with top NBA prospects. Consider this the March of the freshmen

SUMMARY: The March Madness spotlight is set to lock on a long list of high-end freshman NBA prospects. This season’s potential draft class is considered to be the deepest in years. That group has now reached the NCAA Tournament with a chance to take center stage. The top freshman prospects are BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson. Others to watch include Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Houston’s Kingston Flemings and Arizona’s Brayden Burries.

WORDS: 1264 - MOVED: 03/17/2026 3:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0e696c2491dbb0460a19c2624f1652d4&mediaType=text

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