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PENNSYLVANIA
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Democratic governors press US Postal Service to drop plan tied to Trump's election order
SUMMARY: A group of Democratic governors is asking the U.S. Postal Service to withdraw its proposed rule to comply with an executive order that seeks to create a federal list of eligible voters, including those eligible to receive a ballot by mail. Under the order, signed by President Trump, federal agencies would create voter lists for each state and the Postal Service would limit mailed ballots to those on the lists. The Democratic governors, in their letter sent Thursday, said the Postal Service’s proposed rule undermines trust in elections and complicates voting. The Postal Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
WORDS: 510 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 9:34 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/DemocraticgovernorspressUSPostalServicetodropplantiedtoTrumpselectionorder/5ba0c8c7c2ffa5a8c6ae4fc32be8f1ab/text——————————
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SPORTS
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MARYLAND
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Alex Ovechkin declares 'I'm back!' and re-signs with Capitals to return for a 22nd NHL season
SUMMARY: Alex Ovechkin is returning for a 22nd NHL season after re-signing with the Washington Capitals. The league's career goal-scoring record holder inked a deal with a $1 million salary and bonuses worth an additional $8 million. Ovechkin turns 41 in September. He has 929 goals after scoring 32 in his 40-year-old season. The Russian superstar broke Wayne Gretzky's mark of 894 goals in April 2025. He had said in recent months he was waiting until the offseason to decide whether to return or retire. Ovechkin in a news release sent out by the Capitals declared, “I'm back.”
WORDS: 736 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 12:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AlexOvechkindeclaresImbackandresignswithCapitalstoreturnforandNHLseason/2f1410cc72e150169fe3b07cc51eb574/text——————————
How 'Country Roads' became the soundtrack of the US team's World Cup run
SUMMARY: John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” has become the unofficial anthem of the U.S. men’s national soccer team at the World Cup, with players and fans singing it together after victories. John Denver's estate says the song’s simple, relatable message has helped it transcend its lyrics, which focus on West Virginia. The song was actually inspired by a drive through Maryland and could have gone to Johnny Cash before Denver recorded it in 1971. “Country Roads” cowriter Bill Danoff told The Associated Press that he’s honored that the U.S. team has embraced the song, and that Denver, who died in a plane crash in 1997, would have relished watching the most recent match.
WORDS: 996 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 5:45 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/HowCountryRoadsbecamethesoundtrackoftheUSteamsWorldCuprun/0809693fbe3fd71f9539633ea16675ac/text——————————
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NEW JERSEY
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Jaylen Brown set to form All-Star trio with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia
SUMMARY: Jaylen Brown is now a Philadelphia 76er after a surprising trade from the Boston Celtics. The deal pairs him with Joel Embiid, despite past tensions between the two. The 76ers, aiming for their first NBA title since 1983, traded Paul George to Boston in exchange for Brown. George's contract was seen as immovable due to his age and injury history. Brown, a five-time All-Star and recent NBA Finals MVP, joins Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe as key players for the Sixers. The trade positions Philadelphia as a strong contender in the Eastern Conference.
WORDS: 1080 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 12:47 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JaylenBrownsettoformAllStartriowithJoelEmbiidTyreseMaxeyinPhiladelphia/d0bbd171e23e4e8a6dfec75752bd99f4/text——————————
Is 2 better than 1? Teams around the NHL look to embrace the notion of shared goaltending
SUMMARY: The Vegas Golden Knights are set to rely on both Adin Hill and Carter Hart as their goalies for the upcoming season. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon expressed confidence in their goaltending. Last season, Vegas had to use multiple goalies, including Akira Schmid, who has since been traded to the Panthers. Hill, who helped Vegas win the Stanley Cup in 2023, struggled with injuries and inconsistency last season. Hart also faced challenges but finished strong. Florida, New Jersey and Philadelphia also could be splitting time at goalie as the season expands from 82 to 84 games.
WORDS: 839 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 4:52 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/IsbetterthanTeamsaroundtheNHLlooktoembracethenotionofsharedgoaltending/07236b854319b22101425bd6bb818c42/text——————————
A's prospect Ryan Lasko says he faces a 'lengthy' recovery after a frightening on-field collision
SUMMARY: Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko, who broke his back in a frightening collision with a minor league teammate Tuesday, posted on social media Thursday he faces a “lengthy” recovery but hopes to return to baseball. Lasko had surgery Tuesday night, a spinal decompression and stabilization procedure at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano to address a fractured C6-C7 vertebra. The outfielder was in stable condition Wednesday, according to the A’s. Lasko collided with Double-A Midland teammate Devin Taylor during a game in Frisco, Texas. Both dove for a flyball, and Lasko remained motionless on the field after the play.
WORDS: 254 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 6:59 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AsprospectRyanLaskosayshefacesalengthyrecoveryafterafrighteningonfieldcollision/4c64b9e8094e653e3e1e17e5db09245e/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Winners and losers of the NHL offseason include teams in big markets spending and improving
SUMMARY: NHL teams committed over $862 million in salary on the first day of free agency, not counting entry-level or minor-league contracts. Some of that money will be well spent, and other dollars will be regretted for years to come. The early returns look like the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks are among the big winners. The Detroit Red Wings are losers for not being able to pull together a deal for Dylan Larkin and making a couple of questionable goaltending moves. The jury's still out on the Buffalo Sabres and others.
WORDS: 890 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 2:12 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/WinnersandlosersoftheNHLoffseasonincludeteamsinbigmarketsspendingandimproving/c68dc2fd6040ed22adf7a50dfd430612/text——————————
Another blockbuster: Jaylen Brown getting traded by Celtics to 76ers for Paul George, draft picks
SUMMARY: The Boston Celtics are trading 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and a slew of draft capital in yet another blockbuster offseason move in the NBA, a person with knowledge of the terms said Wednesday. Boston also gets two first-round picks and two second-round picks, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not received the required league approvals.
WORDS: 996 - MOVED: 07/01/2026 6:49 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AnotherblockbusterJaylenBrowngettingtradedbyCelticstoersforPaulGeorgedraftpicks/5ecadfddba89a65c960d4742e2b9463c/text——————————
Jaylen Brown still processing how he became a former Boston Celtic after stunning trade with 76ers
SUMMARY: Jaylen Brown says he's still processing his trade from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers. Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP and a five-time All-Star, is being traded for Paul George and draft picks. The deal was revealed Wednesday but still needs league approval. Brown expressed mixed emotions, highlighting his respect for Boston and its fans. He also noted feeling underappreciated after being included in previous trade talks. The 76ers gain a star to pair with Joel Embiid, alongside Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Brown looks forward to earning respect in Philadelphia.
WORDS: 439 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 3:17 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JaylenBrownstillprocessinghowhebecameaformerBostonCelticafterstunningtradewithers/b06616ec92312054b299414a2114b0f9/text——————————
Jaylen Brown set to form All-Star trio with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia
SUMMARY: Jaylen Brown is now a Philadelphia 76er after a surprising trade from the Boston Celtics. The deal pairs him with Joel Embiid, despite past tensions between the two. The 76ers, aiming for their first NBA title since 1983, traded Paul George to Boston in exchange for Brown. George's contract was seen as immovable due to his age and injury history. Brown, a five-time All-Star and recent NBA Finals MVP, joins Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe as key players for the Sixers. The trade positions Philadelphia as a strong contender in the Eastern Conference.
WORDS: 1080 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 12:47 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JaylenBrownsettoformAllStartriowithJoelEmbiidTyreseMaxeyinPhiladelphia/d0bbd171e23e4e8a6dfec75752bd99f4/text——————————
Valdez helps Pirates beat Phillies 6-1 to split their four-game series
SUMMARY: Esmerlyn Valdez tripled, singled and knocked in two runs, Endy Rodriguez and Nick Gonzales homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 on Thursday. The Pirates split their four-game series in Philadelphia, closing with a win against a Phillies team that had won 11 of its previous 15 games at Citizens Bank Park. Jake Mangum had three hits and a run scored, while Brandon Lowe had a pair of hits, scored a run and reached safely three times for Pittsburgh. The Pirates had 14 hits and limited the Phillies to four.
WORDS: 355 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 3:56 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ValdezhelpsPiratesbeatPhilliestosplittheirfourgameseries/49dc203ca47bf9c1b139ae33614c393b/text——————————
Is 2 better than 1? Teams around the NHL look to embrace the notion of shared goaltending
SUMMARY: The Vegas Golden Knights are set to rely on both Adin Hill and Carter Hart as their goalies for the upcoming season. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon expressed confidence in their goaltending. Last season, Vegas had to use multiple goalies, including Akira Schmid, who has since been traded to the Panthers. Hill, who helped Vegas win the Stanley Cup in 2023, struggled with injuries and inconsistency last season. Hart also faced challenges but finished strong. Florida, New Jersey and Philadelphia also could be splitting time at goalie as the season expands from 82 to 84 games.
WORDS: 839 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 4:52 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/IsbetterthanTeamsaroundtheNHLlooktoembracethenotionofsharedgoaltending/07236b854319b22101425bd6bb818c42/text——————————
Jacob Misiorowski's starting schedule with Brewers makes him unlikely to pitch in All-Star Game
SUMMARY: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski says he wants to play in the All-Star Game but understands why that’s unlikely to happen. The Brewers are currently planning to have Misiorowski start Tuesday at St. Louis and again July 12 at Pittsburgh. July 12 is the last day before the All-Star break. Pitchers with starting assignments on that Sunday before the break are ineligible to pitch in the All-Star Game two nights later. Misiorowski has a 1.47 ERA and 156 strikeouts to lead the major leagues in both categories.
WORDS: 511 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 6:23 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JacobMisiorowskisstartingschedulewithBrewersmakeshimunlikelytopitchinAllStarGame/1dfb071b8dcba0bc3ff8404ed1e12232/text——————————
Eastern heat on July 4 threatens World Cup players and fans
SUMMARY: Forecasters say the hottest World Cup tournament match so far this year could hit Saturday afternoon, during the knockout round game between France and Paraguay in Philadelphia. Scientists with the World Weather Attribution say Friday that the humid heat engulfing the country, as well as parts of Canada, would have been “virtually impossible” without climate change. The weather has been dangerous to athletes and tens of thousands of fans. The heat wave is expected to continue across the eastern and central U.S. through the end of the week. Peak heat indexes that combine air temperature with humidity are forecast between as high as 115 F.
WORDS: 1002 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 3:08 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/EasternheatonJulythreatensWorldCupplayersandfans/e88edfc869146a2898928177e8c52286/text——————————
What we know: LeBron James considering a slew of options in free agency
SUMMARY: LeBron James is at the center of NBA attention despite a wave of trades. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, and others have moved teams, but all eyes are on James. His agent, Rich Paul, says James remains the league's face. James, turning 42 in December, will play his 24th season, but not with the Lakers. Paul hinted at possible teams, including Philadelphia and New York, on the “Game Over” podcast. James' decision timeline is unknown, and money isn't a major factor. He seeks a title-contending team that suits his lifestyle. The wait for his choice continues.
WORDS: 640 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 12:34 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/WhatweknowLeBronJamesconsideringaslewofoptionsinfreeagency/2495884fabe237c5d27af83c1b97ba9f/text——————————
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