More threats to the freedom of speech

September 18, 2026

The freedom of speech and of the press is not a gift bestowed by a president, Congress or a federal agency. It is a natural right of all persons. The First Amendment does not create that right; it prohibits the government from infringing upon it. The ability to think, speak, write, criticize, ridicule, persuade, offend, dissent and challenge those in government is among the most fundamental preconditions of the exercise of human liberty. It is also indispensable to personal happiness. A person who cannot speak his mind, question authority, express unpopular ideas or tell the ...

Pro Picks: Rams will rebound but Giants will cover the spread

September 17, 2026

Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo and the rejuvenated New York Giants gave John Harbaugh a successful debut. A sleepy effort in Australia has the Super Bowl favorites reeling after one game. Now the Los Angeles Rams won’t have Myles Garrett for a month. And, Aaron Donald’s status is ...

Konnor Griffin’s 2-run double highlights a 5-run second inning as Pirates hold off Brewers 7-4

September 17, 2026

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Konnor Griffin hit a two-run single to key a five-run second inning and Henry Davis tacked on a two-run homer to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates over the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers 7-4 on Thursday. Milwaukee, a major league-best 95-58, leads the Los Angeles Dodgers by two games for the top NL seed and holds the tiebreaker. Pittsburgh (76-77) is closing in on missing the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season. Since 1992, the Pirates' only postseason appearances were from 2013-15. Griffin's opposite-field liner to left to put the Pirates ahead 2-1. Oneil ...

College football picks: LSU defense will be difference against Ole Miss in weekend’s showcase game

September 16, 2026

Even beyond the storyline about Lane Kiffin's much-anticipated return to Oxford, it's easy to see why No. 7 LSU's game at No. 8 Mississippi is overshadowing everything else going on in college football Saturday. There is a shortage of compelling games involving Associated Press Top 25 ...

Djokovic’s drop in rankings marks 1st time since 2002 no member of the Big 3 in top 10

September 15, 2026

George W. Bush was president. The Euro currency had just gone into circulation. Tom Brady was coming off the first of his seven Super Bowl titles. And Ronaldo had just led Brazil to the World Cup trophy. It’s been nearly a quarter century since no member of the Big Three — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — appeared in the top 10 of the men’s tennis rankings. With the 39-year-old Djokovic — the last member of the trio still competing — dropping from No. 5 to No. 12 when the latest rankings were released on Monday, it's the first time since October 2002 that ...

NFL offenses provide one of the highest-scoring opening weeks in history

September 15, 2026

Offenses didn’t need any time to shake off the rust. They lit up the scoreboard in one of the highest-scoring opening weeks in NFL history. The Bears beat Carolina 59-37, falling three points shy of tying Atlanta’s 53-year-old record for the most in Week 1. The game featured 1,030 total yards and the most combined points (96) ever in an opener. Josh Allen led the Bills to a stunning performance against Houston’s once-stingy defense in a 36-31 road win. The Texans allowed the second-fewest points (17.4 per game) and fewest yards (277.2 per game) in 2025. But Allen threw for 334 ...