Latest news with #Faulk
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hope Florida Foundation paid woman who then posted video praising charity
TALLAHASSEE – The Hope Florida Foundation paid a Lakeland physical therapy assistant $588 in March. Days later, a social media video popped up of the woman praising how the organization tied to First Lady Casey DeSantis helped her out of poverty. 'I had no high school diploma,' said Ginger Faulk, a 35-year-old mother of two, describing her circumstances when she contacted Hope Florida in 2021. 'I couldn't pay the rent or put food on the table, until I met my Hope Navigator.' Hope Florida gave her the resources to get an education, Faulk said in the video, adding that she graduated from college with honors 'as a medical practitioner.' The curious payment to Faulk — disclosed among other foundation expenditures in response to a public records request from the Orlando Sentinel — adds to the swirl of questions surrounding the state's Hope Florida program and the Hope Florida Foundation, its associated non-profit. DeSantis administration officials have claimed the program has helped 30,000 people off welfare but have provided scant details about who and how. An earlier report by the Sentinel about the experience of another Hope Florida client, touted in an online magazine, found the claims did not match what the woman said actually happened, overstating the help she was given. Reached by phone, Faulk declined to comment for this story. The Hope Florida Foundation and Department of Children and Families, which oversees the foundation, did not respond to questions about the money sent to Faulk either. Faulk's video was released just as Gov. Ron DeSantis was pushing the Legislature to make Hope Florida an official part of the state government, instead of a loosely affiliated program across more than a dozen different state agencies without a budget of its own. Within weeks, that effort sparked a legislative inquiry into the program. The inquiry, led by a House committee led by Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, soon prompted controversy when it was revealed that $10 million from a $67 million Medicaid settlement meant to pay back Florida for prescription drug overpayments instead landed in the coffers of the Hope Florida Foundation. That money was then quickly redistributed to two nonprofits that in turn gave millions to a DeSantis-backed political committee set up to defeat Amendment 3, the ballot measure that would have made recreational pot legal. The March payment was the second time in two years Faulk received money from the Hope Florida Foundation. She also was given $392 in May 2024. And she appeared to be on the administration's radar. DeSantis mentioned her in his state-of-the-state speech at the opening of the 60-day legislative session in March, using her story to pitch his Hope Florida legislation, which would ultimately be rejected by lawmakers. And last year the DeSantises honored Faulk as a Florida Hero at the governor's mansion. The Florida Heroes brochure said she was a hero for using Hope Florida to get short-term rental and utility assistance from a local charity so she could focus on her education and career goals, pass her GED and enroll in a CareerSource healthcare program. Without knowing why the foundation paid her, Faulk's video casts some doubt over her motive for providing a testimonial, said Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University. 'There is nothing wrong with a recipient expressing gratitude,' Jarvis said. 'But if she was paid, as a paid spokesperson, that should be disclosed.' The payments to Faulk are among the dozens of unexplained payments listed in the foundation's $550,000 worth of expenditures made since its inception in August of 2023. The list of payments provided to the Sentinel did not include any details about the purpose of the spending. The largest single payment was $100,000 to Florida Emergency Management Assistance Inc., also known as the Florida Disaster Foundation, a direct support organization for the Division of Emergency Management created in 2023. Two Panhandle resorts owned by the same company received the next largest amount of money — $55,500 to the St. Joe Resort and $40,000 to Camp Creek Inn. The largest collective expense was the distribution of $1,000 bonuses to each of the 156 state workers who had been reassigned as Hope Navigators. Another half dozen state employees received bonuses of $2,500 each. Mallory McManus, the former deputy chief of staff at DCF, received $7,456. The Hope Florida Foundation and DCF did not respond to questions about these expenditures, either. 'Those expenditures need more clarity and detail,' Jarvis said. The larger sums raise the most questions, including what services those companies provided to receive those funds and how they spent it, Jarvis said. Also, he asked, what is the foundation doing with the remaining $1.5 million? 'What are the plans for that?' Prior to receiving its now controversial $10 million donation from the Medicaid provider, the foundation had only raised $2 million and paid out the $550,000, according to a spreadsheet the Orlando Sentinel received. The records only identify the amount paid, the date and the recipient. Requests for supporting documentation that might explain the purpose of the donations are still pending.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tackling history was no ordinary task for future BYU professor
Marshall Faulk carries the ball during game against UCLA on Nov. 26, 1992, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press The students in his classes wouldn't know it, but back when BYU English professor Frank Christiansen was finding his own way, as a wide-eyed, college kid in Provo, he ran right into history, or at least a football player destined to make some — and paid a painful price. 'Him coming through the line, and the line parting like the Red Sea with me sitting there eight yards deep,' is what Christiansen told the 'Y's Guys' podcast about his encounter with San Diego State running back Marshall Faulk. 'Given how quick he was, the thing you would expect was that he would have tried to side-step me, but I hit him head on.' Frank Christiansen from his playing days as a student at BYU | BYU Photo Faulk was just 5-foot-10 and 211 pounds and he ran with the electric charge of a lightning bolt and for a moment, Christiansen, a 6-2, 205-pound weakside safety at BYU, wasn't quite sure what hit him. Advertisement 'It was the first and only stinger I ever had — just fire down my whole left side and it kind of stunned me,' he said. 'I never saw anybody with that kind of speed, in-pads speed. 'All they needed to do was give him a little bit of momentum. If they could give him four yards, he was already at full speed. Once he had any kind of open field, it was incredibly difficult to track him down.' The future NFL Hall of Famer blistered BYU's defense on that night in 1992 for a LaVell Edwards Stadium record 299 yards rushing on 35 carries. Faulk also scored three touchdowns in the Aztecs' 45-38 victory. The following year in San Diego, he picked up where he left off and ran for 252 yards and three touchdowns against Christiansen and the Cougars, but in a 45-44 defeat. 'For what a running back can do, like as a lethal weapon, he's the one who had the best tools,' Christiansen said. 'He was amazing.' Advertisement Faulk finished his college career with 4,589 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns. As a pro with the Colts and Rams, he ran for 12,279 yards and 100 touchdowns. But, as fate would have it, Faulk wasn't the only future Hall of Famer to collide with Christiansen. When the Cougars rolled into South Bend in 1992, Notre Dame's star runner Jerome Bettis, ran at the BYU defense like a human battering ram. 'I almost made a singular contribution to the outcome of that game,' Christiansen said. 'He tried to run through the line, and I hit him as he was being slowed up and kind of kinked his neck. He had to come out of the game, and I thought, 'I had put Jerome Bettis out!' The bad news for BYU was that Bettis returned. Advertisement 'He came back with a vengeance,' Christiansen said. 'He was making up for lost time (in the second half).' Bettis finished the game with 113 yards rushing and scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to turn a tight 21-16 Notre Dame lead into a 42-16 victory. Notre Dame running back Jerome Bettis rushes for a touchdown against Northwestern in Chicago, Sept. 5, 1992. Others are unidentified. | Barry Jarvinen, Associated Press Christiansen grew up watching his father, James, teach at BYU and after earning his under-graduate and master's degrees in Provo and a doctorate at Brown, he decided to do the same. Christiansen has been teaching American Literature since 2002 and from his seat in the English Department, has watched the football program transition to the Big 12. Advertisement 'It's hard to imagine,' he said. 'We are talking the WAC (when) I was playing. It was a far cry (from today). This is top tier. It's inspiring to see how the program has evolved.' Last season's 11-2 record impressed Christiansen and has made him cautiously optimistic for more success this fall. 'There is reason to (believe) they can repeat and do well. So many of those games could have gone the other way last year. It's hard to know,' he said, before returning to his roots. 'I'm excited for the defense.' For a kid who was schooled by a pair of legends, Faulk and Bettis, Christiansen is proof you can take a player out of the defense and turn him into a professor, but you can't take the defensive mindset out of either of them. Advertisement 'Every defensive back will tell you, if you have a defensive line that can penetrate and contain it makes all the difference in the world,' he said. 'It's everything.' Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts 'Y's Guys' at and is the author of the children's book 'C is for Cougar,' available at
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Early 2026 mock draft has Patriots landing potential breakout prospect
Early 2026 mock draft has Patriots landing potential breakout prospect The dust has yet to settle from the 2025 NFL draft, and there are already mock drafts for the 2026 draft. It is never too early to break down prospective talent and potential moves in the future. That's what ESPN's Jordan Reid did in his recent first-round projections for the 2026 NFL draft. Reid had the Patriots picking at No. 10 and taking Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk. So, a year after going offense with the first-round pick, the Patriots would switch the narrative to the defensive side of the ball with this pick. Faulk has had a stellar career at Auburn, recording 80 combined tackles and eight sacks in two seasons with the Tigers. He could be on the verge of a breakout year in 2025. Reid wrote: "The Patriots went offense-heavy in the 2025 draft after using free agency to bolster their defense. We'll add more to that defense with Faulk, a towering 6-6 edge rusher with a stout base. He can play multiple alignments, and he finished the 2024 season with seven sacks. He's already one of the best run defenders in the country but needs to become more consistent rushing the passer to be picked in this part of the draft." Adding a playmaker like Faulk to the defensive front could help put an already loaded Patriots defense over the top. You can never have too much talent on the defensive front, as the Philadelphia Eagles showed in their Super Bowl blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Building a defensive juggernaut starts in the trenches for New England. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
AI predicts 2026 NFL mock draft. What Auburn Tigers made the first round?
AI predicts 2026 NFL mock draft. What Auburn Tigers made the first round? Which Auburn players will be taken in the first round next year according to AI? Artificial intelligence has progressed quickly in our society. Some use the tool to complete tasks while others use it for entertainment purposes. USA TODAY Sports decided to use the latter method to build a 2026 NFL mock draft using Microsoft Copilot, which includes an Auburn Tiger. Keldric Faulk has had a stellar career by recording 80 tackles and eight sacks through two seasons on the Plains. Mixing his success with his 6-6, 270-pound frame, he fits the description of a quality defensive lineman in the NFL. Most mocks have Faulk going in the first round, including the AI mock draft that USA TODAY Sports published. According to the AI model, Faulk will land with the Miami Dolphins with the No. 15 overall pick. Here is what Nick Brinkerhoff of USA TODAY Sports says about Copilot's connection between Faulk and the Dolphins. Miami appeared to forget that defense was a need for most of the offseason, possessing a roster with just four defensive lineman up until the draft. While still a year away, Faulk would continue to address that need. The chatbot is a fan of Faulk's physical tools who also has great technique and explosiveness. Should Faulk, or any Tiger, be selected in the first round of next year's NFL draft, it would be Auburn's first selection in the round since 2020 when both Derrick Brown and Noah Igbinoghene were taken by the Carolina Panthers and the Miami Dolphins, respectively. This year, Auburn had three players selected in the NFL draft, with Jarquez Hunter being the first by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
2026 NFL mock draft: Beyond Arch Manning, which prospects have the NFL's attention?
Is it too early for a 2026 mock draft? Of course. Instead, consider this more of a watch list for promising prospects in next year's class, one that should feature a stark upgrade in quarterback talent — five passers are included in the mock below (and a few others could push for the first round). Thirteen of the prospects in my way-too-early 2025 mock draft a year ago ultimately were drafted in the first round last weekend (eight more were selected on Day 2; six returned to school). Before anyone gets upset about the projected order, I set it by flipping the current Super Bowl odds. Blame the betting books. The Saints haven't drafted a quarterback in the first round since Archie Manning in 1971, so it would certainly be poetic if his grandson breaks that streak. At this point, scouts believe there is a good chance Manning returns to school for his fourth year in 2026. But first, he needs to turn the hype into on-field production as a first-year starter in 2025. Advertisement With his dual-threat skills, Sellers was one of the most entertaining college quarterbacks to watch last season. It is probably too early to be talking about him this early in the draft, but that will change if he takes another step in his development as a passer. The Evan Neal experiment was a failure in New York, which is why the Giants might be looking at offensive tackle early in next year's draft. Fano has first-round feet and was equally effective in pass protection and as a run blocker last season. Parker is one of those players you can't help but notice when you are studying other players. His quickness off the ball and ability to affect the quarterback are frequent themes on his tape. Had Allar declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he might have been the No. 2 pick (to his hometown Cleveland Browns). But he returned to school to further his development. If he continues to improve, he will be in the top-five conversation next April. It was impossible to ignore Faulk — and his ability to disrupt the quarterback and stuff the run — when studying the Auburn-Cal tape from last season. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, with long arms, Faulk, according to scouts, will be in the conversation to be the first defensive lineman drafted next year. It has been almost a decade since the last top-10 safety selection (Jamal Adams in 2017). Can Downs break that streak? He played like the best safety in the country during his freshman and sophomore seasons, and there is no reason to think he won't continue as a junior. CALEB DOWNS PICKS IT OFF‼️ DAGGER. — ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2025 A mammoth offensive lineman, Proctor appeared dominant early last season before his play diminished late, especially in the bowl game against Michigan. Nonetheless, the talent is there for him to become a top-10 pick, if he continues to improve as a junior. A good-looking athlete at 6-6, 315, Barber shows off his range on pulls and climbs, and he is able to torque defenders off balance once he latches. He could interest a team such as the Browns, who have long-term question marks at left and right tackle. Advertisement The Oregon defensive line was a joy to watch this past season — 75 percent of its starters were drafted this past weekend (Derrick Harmon, Jordan Burch, Jamaree Caldwell). Uiagalelei is the lone returning starter, but he might have the highest ceiling of the group. After playing his freshman season at Oregon State, McCoy enjoyed a breakout sophomore season after transferring to the Volunteers (13 passes defended and four interceptions). His ball instincts consistently stood out when I studied Tennessee's defense last season. The Mike linebacker in Austin, Hill has a well-rounded skill set to make an impact as a blitzer, run stopper and cover man. The Longhorns had five defensive players drafted in the 2025 class, but their defense will be in good shape with Hill, true sophomore Colin Simmons and others. The 2027 draft class should include an epic group of wide receivers, but the 2026 class of pass catchers is a tad underwhelming at this point in the process. Of course, the Buckeyes have another first-round receiver in the pipeline, though — Tate could be Ohio State's sixth first-round receiver in the last five years. Love is the only running back in this way-too-early mock, but he might be the class' most exciting skill player. If he stays healthy in 2025, he will be in the Heisman discussion and cement his status as a first-round player. JEREMIYAH LOVE TAKES IT 98 YARDS TO THE HOUSE!! 😱🚨#CFBPlayoffs — TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 21, 2024 It wouldn't be a proper first-round mock without at least one Georgia defender. Allen was one of the best run defenders in the SEC last season and put several impressive coverage reps on tape. The Steelers might still be looking for a long-term option at quarterback a year from now. Had Nussmeier bypassed his senior year at LSU, teams believe he could have been the second quarterback drafted in this past class. Advertisement Bain burst onto the scene as a true freshman two years ago for the Hurricanes and should again be among the ACC's top defensive players in 2025, if he stays healthy. Despite totaling just 332 receiving yards over his first two seasons in Eugene, Sadiq is poised for a breakout season in 2025 with Terrance Ferguson now in the NFL. The 6-3, 245-pound Idaho native is an athletic pass catcher for his size. Although his impact appeared to tail off last season, Overton put dominant stretches together on his 2024 tape (see South Carolina). He has impressive movement skills for 285 pounds and should lead the Tide in pressures this season. The Clemson defensive coaches would line up the 315-pound Woods at defensive end last season to get the best four linemen on the field — and Woods didn't look out of place. He will move inside to defensive tackle in 2025 and is on a first-round trajectory. After earning Freshman All-SEC honors in 2023, Kilgore tied for the SEC lead in interceptions (five) with Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba in 2024. Another productive season will punch his ticket for next April's early rounds. While studying the Florida defense late last season, I routinely came across Sapp standing out on the Ole Miss and Florida State tapes. At 6-2, 275, he should be the leader of the Gators' defense in 2025. Boise State has consistently produced NFL talent, but it's never had first-round picks in back-to-back years. There is a chance that Casey, who helped open run lanes for 2025 top-six pick Ashton Jeanty, could change that. Advertisement Jaire Alexander might not be in Green Bay much longer, but Terrell — the younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, reminds me a lot of Alexander. He's undersized but an easy mover with natural cover instincts. Weeks was a tackling machine for the Tigers last season and looked like a future early-round pick. He suffered a dislocated ankle in LSU's bowl game, but he'll hopefully return to his 2024 form early this upcoming season. The younger brother of Francisco Mauigoa, who was drafted this past weekend by the Jets, Francis Mauigoa was a big-time recruit for the Hurricanes and has started all 26 games at right tackle over the last two years. With improved consistency in 2025, he will put himself in the conversation to be a potential first-rounder. The fifth quarterback drafted in this mock, Mendoza was a pleasant surprise when watching the Cal offense this past season. He transferred to Indiana in the offseason, and it will be interesting to track his progress under Curt Cignetti. Saka has yet to start a game in college, so this might seem a tad early for him. But he consistently flashed on tape as a subpackage rusher (see the Maryland game), and his traits haven't gone unnoticed by NFL scouts. A transfer from Utah, Tanuvasa missed a good chunk of last season. His strength and physicality was evident when he was on the field, though. He should be one of the Big 12's best defensive prospects this season. A potential top-50 pick had he declared for the 2025 draft, Ramsey is a rangy athlete with a good feel for coverage. He gives scouts a reason to focus on the Trojans' defense in 2025. Advertisement A former five-star recruit, Stewart teases high-level receiving talent (see the Boise State and Ohio State tapes from last season) but needs to string together better consistency to be taken this early. Will 2025 finally be his breakout year? Ozzy Trapilo, who was drafted in the second round over the weekend, locked down right tackle for Boston College while Bowry handled left tackle duties. Bowry's run blocking needs to improve, but his efficiency patterns in pass pro drew scouts' eyes. (Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Photos: Johnnie Izquierdo, Tim Warner, Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
