Yearly Archives: 2025

law, politics, religion, social

Kim Davis seeks Supreme Court review in challenge to marriage equality

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**U.S. Supreme Court Considers Kim Davis’s Challenge to Same-Sex Marriage, While Conversion Therapy Case Sparks National Debate**

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider whether to hear Kim Davis’s latest challenge to same-sex marriage—a case that, if accepted, could have major implications for LGBTQ rights in the United States.

Kim Davis, the former county clerk for Rowan County, Kentucky, made national headlines in 2015 when she defied federal court orders by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and later, to any couples at all. Davis, a Pentecostal Christian, said that signing same-sex marriage licenses would violate her religious beliefs, claiming protection under the First Amendment.

When questioned at the time, Davis told reporters she was acting “under God’s authority” and suggested couples could obtain licenses in other counties. Her refusal came just weeks after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in *Obergefell v. Hodges*, which guaranteed same-sex couples the constitutional right to marry under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.

One of the couples who sought a license from Davis, April Miller and Karen Roberts, filed a federal lawsuit (*Miller v. Davis*) challenging her actions. Around the same time, another couple, David Moore and David Ermold, also sued after Davis again refused to issue them a license despite a court order directing her to do so.

In Kentucky, marriage licenses bore the county clerk’s name and title—something Davis argued forced her to personally endorse a practice she found morally objectionable. It wasn’t until the state legislature changed the law in 2016, removing clerks’ names from marriage licenses, that Davis and her deputies resumed issuing them.

In 2023, a federal jury awarded Moore and Ermold $50,000 each in damages for Davis’s repeated refusals. Davis appealed the decision, but the 6th U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the verdict earlier this year. The court ruled that Davis’s actions were not protected by the First Amendment because she was acting in her official capacity as a government official, not as a private citizen.

“The Bill of Rights would serve little purpose if it could be freely ignored whenever an official’s conscience so dictates,” the court wrote, emphasizing that personal religious opposition cannot be translated into public policy.

Davis has now asked the Supreme Court to take up her case. Her petition, filed in August, argues that *Obergefell* “has no basis in the Constitution” and should be reconsidered. The justices are scheduled to review her petition in a private conference on November 7, where they will decide whether to grant the case a full hearing.

Whether the court will take the case depends on whether at least four justices vote to hear it. Even if there are four votes to grant review, legal observers note that the justices would likely avoid taking up the case unless they are confident there is a fifth vote to overturn *Obergefell*.

Mathew Staver, Davis’s attorney, told *Newsweek* that *Obergefell* “has no basis in the Constitution” and could be overturned “without affecting any other cases.” Legal experts, however, see such an outcome as unlikely.

According to SCOTUSblog, while the case raises important questions about religious liberty and government authority, it centers on Davis’s personal liability rather than a direct challenge to the constitutionality of same-sex marriage itself. Still, the case has reignited debate over the balance between religious freedom and LGBTQ rights—and whether the Supreme Court’s conservative majority might be open to revisiting one of its most significant civil rights decisions of the 21st century.

—

### Conversion Therapy Case Ignites Passion as Supreme Court Hears Arguments

As the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in *Chiles v. Salazar* last week—a case that could overturn bans on conversion therapy in more than 20 states and the District of Columbia—a group of conversion therapy survivors gathered in Washington, D.C., to support one another and ensure their experiences are not ignored.

Members of the Conversion Therapy Survivor Network (CTSN), a nonprofit providing a safe, non-therapeutic space for survivors nationwide, began their day on the steps of the Supreme Court. The small but dedicated group of protesters held signs, waved Pride flags, and shared stories of survival. They were joined by representatives from the Born Perfect Campaign, the Human Rights Campaign, and The Trevor Project—the LGBTQ suicide prevention nonprofit that has worked to save queer lives since 1998.

The case centers on whether parents have the constitutional right to subject their children to conversion therapy under the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom. Dozens of states have banned the practice, citing overwhelming evidence that it does not change sexuality or gender identity and often leads to long-term psychological harm.

Survivors of conversion therapy are at significantly higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide, according to every major U.S. medical association—including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Medical Association—all of which have disavowed the practice.

Kaley Chiles, a Christian therapist from Colorado, brought the case after arguing that Colorado’s 2019 law banning conversion therapy for minors violates her First Amendment rights. Chiles, who offers what she describes as “religiously informed care,” contends that the law restricts her ability to counsel clients in accordance with “biblical understandings of sexuality and gender.”

During oral arguments, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared sympathetic to her claim that the law constitutes “viewpoint discrimination.” Justice Samuel Alito went so far as to say the ban represented “blatant viewpoint discrimination,” signaling that the court may be willing to expand First Amendment protections to cover conversion therapy.

For survivors gathered just blocks away, that prospect was devastating.

Following the hearing, CTSN held a vigil and celebration at As You Are, an LGBTQ bar and café in Southeast D.C. that has become a haven for the queer community. On the bar’s second floor, posters from the protest were propped against the wall—bearing messages such as “I refuse to hate myself for your comfort” and “Conversion therapy hurts kids, hurts families, hurts faith”—as two phones livestreamed survivors’ stories on TikTok.

The testimonies were both wrenching and cathartic. The group began with a moment of silence for those who did not survive their experiences with conversion therapy, setting the tone for the urgent need to end the practice.

Tears welled in the audience and among speakers as they shared how conversion therapy had scarred—and in some cases nearly destroyed—their lives.

“Since when is the freedom of religion more important than ‘do no harm?’” one survivor asked, encapsulating the frustration that ran through the room.

Curtis Lopez-Galloway, founder and president of CTSN, emphasized that the only way to end conversion therapy is through awareness. “The one way we’re going to defeat conversion therapy is by education,” he said before sharing his own story. “The more people that know about the harms, the less likely they are to take their children—or themselves—into it.”

Their commitment to breaking the cycle of harm echoed throughout the afternoon. Survivors from across the LGBTQ spectrum—gay, trans, and asexual—shared their experiences of rejection, isolation, and recovery.

Cairn, who once trained as a youth minister, recalled how their church’s teachings were weaponized against them. “We prayed for the gay to go away,” they said. “The Bible was used as a weapon to make me submissive to the normal gender roles I was destined to fill.”

They remembered being instructed on how to “walk like a lady” to suppress their masculinity. “I was advised how to walk like a lady because I have swagger. I still do,” Cairn added with a small smile, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd.

But the damage ran deep. “That year in Bible school ended my career as a youth minister—but it also ended my personal faith in God,” Cairn said. “When you are told repeatedly that you’re going to hell if you choose this lifestyle, it starts to take a toll on you.”

Years later, they found affirming pastors and began rebuilding their life. “After 35 years,” Cairn said, “I started to live my life unashamed.”

Other speakers shared stories of lives fragmented by fear.

“I lost 20 years of my life,” said Gwen Brossard, a queer and nonbinary person living in California. “It’s hard to settle with the enormity of the grief.”

“The inner conflict and continual effort of examining my attractions while trying to counter them left me emotionally and physically exhausted,” she said. “The therapy radically altered the trajectory of my life. I felt adrift, severed from my previous sense of meaning and belonging.”

For Al Linkskoog, a gay man who subjected himself to the practice due to the insurmountable pressure he felt from societal rejection, conversion therapy’s toll was both spiritual and psychological. “They told me I was broken,” he said. “It’s an interesting, although bogus, way of trying to solve a problem—decide what the problem is before even meeting the person.”

“Being called broken is a dismal diagnosis. It means you’re already in pieces,” he continued. “Every prayer, every determination to change—nothing changed. All the years of trying to change were unnecessary. I was perfectly fine as I was.”

Years later, he said, he finally found peace. “No more need for closets. I have full run of the mansion. So now I can truly say: I am not broken.”

Sarah, who identifies as asexual, reminded the audience that conversion therapy does not only target gay and trans people. “Asexuality is sometimes called the invisible sexuality,” she said. “Many ace folks encounter professionals who believe their lack of attraction is a problem to fix instead of a neutral fact of their identity.”

She challenged assumptions about what love and intimacy should look like. “Our existence doesn’t just challenge compulsory heterosexuality—it questions compulsive sexuality,” Sarah said. “We are here. We are queer. We aren’t going anywhere. We don’t need to be fixed—only to love the way we love and be loved for who we are.”

One of the most harrowing stories of the night was from Caleb Bailar, a transgender man from England who was not in attendance but whose story was read by Samuel Nieves, board director for CTSN.

“My phone was taken away, my messages read daily. I was told I was being misled and was too young to know what I wanted from life,” he recalled.

He described a form of punishment his mother practiced called “kid hell”—a conversion therapy method derived from a manual circulated among anti-trans groups.

“My kid hell was to have no time truly alone,” he said. “I could not use the phone, computer, or journal in private. Whenever I would hyperventilate and scream and beg for it to be over, my mom would hold me and tell me this was for my own good.”

“Every time I expressed myself or was interpreted correctly, I would flinch and brace for punishment,” Nieves read. “Once, she threatened to unalive herself if I got a mastectomy. I found out my experience could be considered conversion torture—the horror I had endured was a map. I can joke about it now,” he added quietly. “The pain is real, but so is the healing,” said one organizer after the stories were shared. “We can’t let the Court forget that.”

For those in attendance, the message was clear: Their survival is their protest.

—

### Supreme Court Hears *Chiles v. Salazar* Case on Conversion Therapy Ban

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in the case of *Chiles v. Salazar*, which could reverse conversion therapy bans across the United States. Kaley Chiles, a Christian therapist from Colorado, works as a counselor specializing in serving clients who often seek “religiously informed care” that aligns with traditional biblical understandings of sexuality and gender.

She has argued that a 2019 Colorado law, HB19-1129—also known as the “Prohibit Conversion Therapy for a Minor Act”—violates her First Amendment rights. The act serves as a regulatory law in the state and was put in place to prevent potential harm that numerous studies by health associations across the country have shown this particular form of “therapy” can cause.

From an increased risk of suicide to being comparable to torture by the United Nations, 23 other states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have passed laws restricting the practice.

Chiles brought forward a pre-enforcement lawsuit against the state, arguing that the law has caused a chilling effect on her ability to provide her “faith-informed” services to clients with religious preferences—often religious parents—and has made her stop any discussions that could be related to sexuality or gender identity. She argues this violates her right to the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment.

A majority of the justices appeared sympathetic to Chiles’s argument that the conversion therapy ban limits her religious rights on the basis of viewpoint, indicating it may infringe on free speech. Justice Samuel Alito went as far as to say that the law was “blatant viewpoint discrimination.”

Other members of the Court, however, raised questions regarding Chiles’s standing, or the right to challenge the law, as the ban was not explicitly enforced, nor was Chiles charged with anything.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted the lack of enforcement undermines the idea of an “imminent threat,” while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson suggested the law’s regulation of professional conduct falls within a state’s traditional authority to oversee medical practices.

Several justices, notably Amy Coney Barrett, seemed to think this case should be sent back down to a lower court for further examination under a stricter constitutional standard.

Justice Elena Kagan pressed the need for scientific evidence, saying, “You need to have studies, not just intuitions that harm exists. You need a scientific showing of causation rather than rely on your intuitions that this causes harm.”

Justice Brown Jackson expressed skepticism over the First Amendment framing, noting the similarity between Chiles and other medical professionals with the same goals but different methods.

Justice Alito raised concerns about politicization within medicine, asking, “Have there been times when the medical consensus has been politicized, has been taken over by ideology?”

Justice Coney Barrett questioned how far a state’s authority should go in cases of medical disagreement, asking whether states can pick sides when there are competing medical views.

James A. Campbell, who represented Chiles, argued that not only is Chiles’s speech being censored, but by not allowing her to provide this type of “therapy,” the government is causing harm to families seeking such treatment.

“There is irreparable harm going on right now. Ms. Chiles is being silenced. The kids and the families who want help are being left without any support,” Campbell told the justices. “This is an ongoing active dialogue where she’s helping them to explore their goals, and that absolutely has to be protected by the First Amendment.”

Shannon W. Stevenson, Colorado Solicitor General, argued on behalf of the state that an overwhelming amount of medical advice cites this type of “therapy” as harmful and that medical restrictions do not allow doctors to give patients incorrect information just because it goes against their religious beliefs.

“The medical consensus has been around for a very long time. Those types of statutes govern medical professionals, and no one has ever suggested that a doctor has a First Amendment defense to say the wrong advice to their patient,” Stevenson said. “The harms from conversion therapy come from when you tell a young person they can change this innate thing about themselves. They try and fail, and then they have shame and they’re miserable.”

Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign—America’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization—issued a statement following the court’s arguments:

“Today’s oral arguments made clear that, as Colorado’s solicitor general stated, history, precedent, and commonsense must allow states to hold licensed providers accountable to the recommendations of every mainstream medical and mental health association in this country. The Supreme Court must uphold the constitutionality of these legal restrictions and stand strongly between our children and these abusive practices.”

While it may be months before a decision on this case is brought forward, the ruling—expected by summer—could have sweeping implications for whether states are allowed to regulate conversion therapy as a form of medical treatment, or if they infringe on First Amendment rights.

—

*The outcomes of these cases will have profound effects on the legal landscape surrounding LGBTQ rights, religious freedom, and the regulation of medical and psychological practices in the United States.*
https://www.washingtonblade.com/2025/10/24/kim-davis-seeks-supreme-court-review-in-challenge-to-marriage-equality/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kim-davis-seeks-supreme-court-review-in-challenge-to-marriage-equality

general

NFL reminds players of league gambling policy in light of federal indictments

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To place an obituary in the Pioneer Press, please send an email including the information from the obituary checklist below to obits@pioneerpress.com. There is no option to place obituaries through our website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our obituary desk at 651-228-5263.

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—

**NFL Reminds Players: No Illegal Gambling or Betting on Games**

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has reminded its players that they are prohibited from participating in any form of illegal gambling or betting on league games.

In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league asked all 32 teams to reiterate key aspects of its gambling policy and ensure players have access to the document.

“We all have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the Shield by ensuring that our game is played fairly, honestly, and to the best of a player’s ability,” the NFL management council wrote in the memo. “NFL players must also take appropriate steps to safeguard the game against gambling-related risks that may undermine the confidence and trust of the fans.”

The reminder follows an FBI investigation into illicit gambling activities that resulted in the arrests of NBA coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and others.

“These developments underscore the risks that all sports are facing in the current environment and serve as a reminder of the need to adhere strictly to the NFL gambling policy,” the NFL wrote.

According to the NFL policy, players must not:
– Place any bet on NFL Football;
– Throw or fix any NFL game or event, or manipulate or attempt to manipulate any play or aspect of an NFL game;
– Share confidential, non-public information about any NFL game, player, or event with third parties.

The NFL Players Association also sent a similar memo, emphasizing that players should avoid:
– Betting on the NFL;
– Gambling at the team facility;
– Gambling while traveling for a road game or staying at a team hotel;
– Having someone else bet on their behalf;
– Sharing “inside information”;
– Entering a sportsbook during the NFL season except to access other parts of a casino;
– Promoting any form of gambling or gambling entities.

However, NFL players are allowed to legally bet on other sports as long as they are off club property and not traveling with the team. They may also participate in traditional fantasy football leagues where prize money does not exceed $250, and legally gamble at casinos during personal time.

*AP NFL*
Originally published: October 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM CDT
https://www.twincities.com/2025/10/24/nfl-gambling-reminder/

football, sports

Jets claim LB Kobe King off of waivers

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The New York Jets have added a linebacker to their active roster ahead of Week 8’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The team announced that they have claimed Kobe King off waivers.

King was recently released by the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday when they activated running back Aaron Jones off injured reserve. Originally a sixth-round pick earlier this year, King appeared in five games, recording four tackles. Most of his playing time came on special teams.

In other roster updates, the Jets could see the return of linebacker Quincy Williams this weekend. Williams has missed the last four games due to a shoulder injury but was designated to return from injured reserve this week. He was listed as questionable to play on Friday.

However, the Jets will be without Cam Jones, who has been ruled out with a hip injury ahead of the game.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jets-claim-lb-kobe-king-off-of-waivers

general

Stream Rolo Tomassi’s Moody, Intense New EP In The Echoes Of All Dreams

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As of right now, the UK post-hardcore band Rolo Tomassi have been around for 20 years. Over two decades, they’ve built a catalog full of fiery, ambitious music that continues to captivate fans.

We last heard from Rolo Tomassi in 2022 with their impressive full-length album, *Where Myth Becomes Memory*. The record showcased their evolving sound and artistic growth.

Today, the band has surprised fans with a brand-new EP titled *In The Echoes Of All Dreams*. This four-song release adds another exciting chapter to their dynamic discography.
https://www.stereogum.com/2327729/stream-rolo-tomassis-moody-intense-new-ep-in-the-echoes-of-all-dreams/music/

general

Ontario quickly caves to Trump and promises to pull the offending Reagan ad that killed Canada trade talks

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The post on former President Donald Trump’s social media site Thursday night escalated tensions between the United States and its northern neighbor, Canada. The controversy stemmed from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada plans to double its exports to countries outside the U.S. due to the threat posed by Trump’s tariffs.

### Trump’s Response and U.S. Government Reaction

White House officials described Trump’s reaction as the culmination of long-standing frustration over Canada’s trade negotiation strategies. On Friday morning, Trump wrote on his social media site, “CANADA CHEATED AND GOT CAUGHT!!!” He accused Canada of fraudulently taking out an ad claiming that former President Ronald Reagan opposed tariffs, when Trump argued that Reagan actually supported tariffs for national security reasons.

Trump also alleged that the ad aimed to influence the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of an upcoming hearing that could decide the president’s authority to impose sweeping tariffs—a cornerstone of his economic policy. Trump expressed a strong personal interest in the case, stating he would like to attend the oral arguments.

### The Controversial Ad and Ontario Premier’s Response

The ad in question was financed by Ontario’s provincial government, not the Canadian federal government. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province sponsored the advertisement, initially refused to back down. On Friday, Ford posted that Canada and the U.S. are allies, emphasizing that Reagan believed both countries were “stronger together.” He included a link to a 1987 speech where Reagan expressed opposition to tariffs.

Ford announced that Ontario plans to invest approximately $54 million CAD ($40 million USD) to air the ad across multiple American television stations, featuring audio and video footage of Reagan speaking against tariffs. Despite the controversy, the ad was scheduled to continue airing over the weekend, including during Game 1 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.

However, after discussions with Prime Minister Carney, Ford decided to pause the advertising campaign effective Monday, allowing for the resumption of trade talks. “Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses,” Ford said. “We’ve achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels.”

### Canadian Government’s Position

Mark Carney emphasized that the Canadian government remains ready to continue discussions aimed at reducing tariffs in specific sectors. “We can’t control the trade policy of the United States. We recognize that that policy has fundamentally changed from the 1980s,” Carney stated before departing for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia, which Trump was also set to attend.

### Reagan Foundation’s Response

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute condemned the ad for misrepresenting Reagan’s 1987 “Presidential Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade.” The foundation stated that Ontario did not have permission to use or edit Reagan’s remarks and is reviewing legal options. The foundation, located in Simi Valley, California, is responsible for maintaining the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and is governed by a board including prominent Republican figures.

Following the foundation’s statement, Trump doubled down, calling the ad “FAKE” and asserting that tariffs are “VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A.” He declared, “Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”

### Historical Context and Administration Insights

Contrary to Trump’s claims, Reagan often criticized tariffs and protectionist policies that interfered with free commerce, as highlighted in his 1987 radio address.

White House spokesman Kush Desai referred to the Ontario ad as the “latest example of how Canadian officials would rather play games than engage with the Administration.” Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, criticized Canada for its “lack of flexibility” and mentioned lingering tensions stemming from relations with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Carney had met with Trump earlier in the month to ease trade tensions as the United States, Canada, and Mexico prepared to review the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which Trump had originally negotiated during his first term but later criticized.

### Economic Stakes and Past Conflicts

More than 75% of Canadian exports go to the United States, with nearly CAD $3.6 billion (USD $2.7 billion) worth of goods and services crossing the border daily.

Initially, Trump appeared unbothered by the Ontario ad, remarking during a lunch with Republican senators that “If I was Canada, I’d take that same ad also.” Ontario had purchased over $275,000 in ad reservations for the campaign, which aired in 198 out of 210 U.S. media markets this month. The ad was broadcast most frequently in New York, Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Previously, Ford had drawn Trump’s attention with an electricity surcharge targeting U.S. states, which led to Trump doubling steel and aluminum tariffs on Canadian goods. In response, Canada imposed retaliatory levies on certain U.S. products in April, although it exempted select automakers through remission quotas.

Trump’s tariffs have significantly impacted Canada’s automotive sector, especially in Ontario. As a result, companies like Stellantis have announced plans to move production lines from Ontario to U.S. states such as Illinois.

—

*Associated Press writers Maya Sweedler and Paul Wiseman in Washington contributed to this report.*
https://fortune.com/2025/10/24/canada-tariffs-tv-ad-trump-carney-ontario-prime-minister-trade-what-happened/

general

Eastern Michigan players refuse to be in NCAA gambling investigation

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**The Growing Concern of Gambling in Professional and Collegiate Sports**

Gambling in professional and collegiate sports is becoming increasingly problematic. At the current rate, this troubling trend shows no signs of slowing down. In recent years, numerous student-athletes and professionals have been implicated in illegal gambling activities, ranging from point shaving and betting on game outcomes to prop betting and even poker. Unfortunately, many involved individuals are facing serious punishments as these cases continue to surface.

Betting has become a major part of sports culture today, with countless people participating. While some anticipated issues arising from this surge in sports gambling, few likely predicted the extent of illegal activities now being uncovered. This raises a critical question: is there any integrity left in sports?

### Recent Developments: Eastern Michigan Basketball Investigation

One of the latest high-profile cases involves Eastern Michigan University’s basketball program. According to an ESPN article by David Purdum, an ongoing NCAA investigation has been launched following suspicious betting activity connected to Eastern Michigan’s January 14 game against Central Michigan.

The investigation centers on three former players — Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson, and Jalen Terry — who have recently completed their collegiate careers. Notably, these players are refusing to cooperate with the investigation.

As reported, “Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry, who are no longer with the program, had their phones imaged on January 29 as part of the NCAA investigation triggered by suspicious betting on Eastern Michigan’s game on January 14 against Central Michigan, according to the findings released Friday.”

However, the players declined to be interviewed and subsequently informed the NCAA through legal counsel that they would not participate in the investigation. They also requested that the images taken from their phones be destroyed.

### Potential Consequences and Broader Implications

Refusing to cooperate with NCAA investigations, especially in cases involving possible integrity violations, is itself a violation. Such actions can lead to significant consequences, including bans from athletically related activities, loss of eligibility, and public naming in infractions decisions.

The Division I Committee on Infractions emphasized this point in their statement:
“When individuals choose not to cooperate particularly when cases involve potential integrity issues those choices can and will be met with serious consequences including prohibitions on athletically related activities, the loss of eligibility and/or being publicly named in an infractions decision.”

Given that the three players involved have exhausted their eligibility to play, the immediate competitive impact may be limited. Nevertheless, the investigation could have lasting consequences on their athletic reputations and eligibility for future involvement in collegiate sports or related activities.

Attempts by ESPN to contact the players for comment have been unsuccessful.

### Expanding the Scope: Other Schools Under Investigation

The NCAA’s probe extends beyond Eastern Michigan. According to Purdum, 10 other student-athletes across five additional schools are also under investigation for similar concerns related to illegal gambling activities.

### Final Thoughts

The increasing prevalence of gambling-related scandals in sports threatens the integrity of both professional and collegiate athletics. As these investigations develop, it remains crucial for governing bodies, institutions, and athletes to uphold transparency and cooperate fully to preserve the fairness and trust that fans expect from the games they love.

—

*Stay tuned for further updates as this investigation unfolds.*
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-basketball/ncaa-basketball-news-eastern-michigan-players-refuse-to-be-in-gambling-investigation

general

Waters Wavelength Ep. 336: Tokenization mania

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**Weekly FinTech Podcast with Wei-Shen Wong and Anthony Malakian**

Wei-Shen Wong, Asia Editor, and Anthony Malakian, Editor-in-Chief of WatersTechnology, host a weekly podcast discussing the biggest stories in financial technology.

To listen to the full interview, use the player above or click the download button. You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

—

### Recent Topics

Over the past few weeks, CEOs from major financial institutions and regulators worldwide have been discussing tokenization, stablecoins, and blockchain. Wei-Shen and Tony unpack the significance of these developments and why they matter to the industry.

—

### Contact Information

We love hearing feedback from our listeners. Feel free to get in touch with us at:

– **Wei-Shen Wong**
Phone: +852 3411 4758
Email: wei-shen.wong@infopro-digital.com

– **Anthony Malakian**
Phone: +1 646 490 3973
Email: anthony.malakian@infopro-digital.com

—

### Past 10 Episodes

– Episode 335: Some tech talk. kinda
– Episode 334: BofA’s Krishnan and McInnes
– Episode 333: Baseball, analytics, and therapy
– Episode 332: DTCC’s Val Wotton
– Episode 331: Cresting Wave’s Bill Murphy
– Episode 330: AI hot takes
– Episode 329: LLMs and the dead internet theory
– Episode 328: FundGuard’s Lior Yogev
– Episode 327: Standard Chartered’s Mo Rahim

Stay tuned for more insightful conversations on the future of financial technology!
https://www.waterstechnology.com/emerging-technologies/7952755/waters-wavelength-ep-336-tokenization-mania

sports

Aaron Rodgers Sends Bold Message on Packers Future Ahead of Week 8 Game

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The great Aaron Rodgers may have to play against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, but when all is said and done, even he admitted he’ll always be part of the Packers organization.

Now about two-and-a-half years removed from Green Bay, Rodgers reflected on his time there and announced he would retire as a member of the Packers when his playing career comes to a close.

Rodgers, of course, started his Hall of Fame career with the Packers after they selected him 24th overall from California-Berkeley in the 2005 NFL Draft. He played his first 18 seasons with Green Bay, winning four MVP awards and earning the MVP title of Super Bowl XLV—his lone championship to date—which came against his current team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This Sunday night, Rodgers will face off against the Packers for the first time in his career, as the first-place Steelers (4-2) host Green Bay (4-1-1), who also lead the NFC North.

### Aaron Rodgers’ Football Career ‘Will End One Day In Green Bay’

Rodgers surely didn’t have rosy feelings about his former home when he left after the Packers effectively pushed him out by choosing quarterback Jordan Love as their starter following the 2022 NFL season. However, bygones are bygones, and Rodgers has had time to reflect on the special moments he experienced in Green Bay.

He said this is why he intends to retire with the Packers at some point in 2026, as he has stated that this, his 21st season, will be his last.

“It was such a tight-knit group for so long, and I outlasted most of them,” Rodgers said. “That’s why I feel so good about my time [in Green Bay], because damn near everything great in my life is because of my football career, and my football career start[ed] and will end one day with Green Bay.

“So we got a lot of love for all of those memories and a lot of great friends that I still carry with me to this day.”

### Aaron Rodgers Shares Memories of His Time in Green Bay

Reflecting on his experience, Rodgers shared some of his general memories, including being on the road and pulling pranks with his former teammates during training camp at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, while playing for then-coach Mike McCarthy.

“We were always messing around [and] having a good time,” Rodgers said. “I mean, some of the shenanigans and pranks that me and Brett Goode pulled on the rookies at St. Norbert’s.

“It got so crazy, some of the pranks that they were pulling, that Mike at one point said, ‘Hey, cut that s–t out,’ because they were doing some wild stuff.”

Rodgers also recalled the plane rides where Packers players would wake each other up with flying pillows and blankets that didn’t always hit the correct target.

“Guys were just flinging the wrapped-up blankets and rolling up the pillows [and throwing them] at people,” Rodgers said. “There were some of the media and [public relations] and community relations—they’d all be on the same plane as us, and they were catching strays on the plane sometimes.”
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/green-bay-packers/aaron-rodgers-retire-as-packer/

business, economy

Deadline looms: YouTube TV warns subscribers they may lose ESPN, ABC, and all Disney channels due to ‘costly economic terms’ proposed in ongoing contract dispute

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**YouTube TV and Disney in Ongoing Negotiations Over ABC and ESPN Content**

YouTube TV is currently engaged in critical negotiations with Disney to continue offering Disney-owned content, including ABC and ESPN, to its subscribers. The outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact YouTube TV users, with the potential removal of popular channels if an agreement is not reached.

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**The Current Situation**

On October 24, YouTube TV released a statement addressing the ongoing talks. The platform emphasized that it has been negotiating “in good faith” to secure a fair deal with Disney. However, YouTube TV claims that Disney’s proposed terms are “costly” and would likely lead to higher subscription prices for customers. They also noted that the deal could limit consumer choices while benefiting Disney’s other live TV services such as Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV.

Disney, on the other hand, accused YouTube TV of “exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers,” according to a spokesperson who spoke with the press. The stakes are high; in addition to popular entertainment channels, major sports programming like the NFL, NHL, and college football could also disappear from YouTube TV if negotiations fail.

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**Deadline Approaching**

Both parties have set a firm deadline to resolve the dispute: October 30 at 11:59 PM ET. If no agreement is reached by then, Disney’s content will be removed from YouTube TV’s lineup. In response, YouTube TV has pledged that if Disney’s channels remain unavailable for an extended period, subscribers will receive a $20 credit.

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**Past Negotiation Challenges**

This is not the first time YouTube TV has faced tough negotiations with major content providers.

– In 2021, during discussions with NBCUniversal, there was a significant risk of losing roughly 14 channels from the platform. After tense deliberations, the parties eventually reached a positive agreement.
– Earlier this year, YouTube TV also had to renegotiate terms with Paramount to keep CBS and CBS Sports available. This process threatened about 30 channels, drawing notable public attention. Although a deal was secured, YouTube TV subsequently raised its subscription price by $10 per month.

These past experiences highlight the recurring challenges YouTube TV faces in balancing content costs with service pricing.

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**What’s Next?**

Subscribers should monitor announcements closely as the October 30 deadline approaches. The potential removal of Disney channels like ABC and ESPN would mark a significant change to YouTube TV’s offerings, especially for sports fans and those who regularly watch Disney’s programming.

Stay tuned for updates on the negotiation progress and any official statements from either company.
https://www.androidcentral.com/streaming-tv/youtube-tv/youtube-tv-may-lose-espn-abc-as-disney-delivers-a-stern-warning