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USA Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
California changes rules for high school track meet after Trump's objections
California changes rules for high school track meet after Trump's objections Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump 'disappointed' with Vladimir Putin President Donald Trump told reporters he was 'disappointed' with Russian President Vladimir Putin, referencing latest attacks on Ukraine. There could be two winners in some girls events this weekend at the California state high school track and field meet − a transgender athlete and a cisgender athlete. The scenario is part of rule changes made after President Donald Trump demanded a transgender athlete not be allowed to compete in girls track and field events. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the state's governing body for high school athletics, clarified the new rules in a press release May 28. A new division will not be created to separate transgender athletes from cisgender athletes. But athletes assigned female at birth will receive medals based on where they would have finished if a transgender athlete had not competed in the same event − part of what the CIF is calling a "pilot entry process.'' Governor Gavin Newsom's spokesman, Izzy Gardon, in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports, said, 'CIF's proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness. The Governor is encouraged by this thoughtful approach.' AB Hernandez, a 16-year-old transgender athlete, won titles in the triple jump and long jump at the southern California regional championship last weekend and is scheduled to compete in those events and the high jump in girls' varsity. On May 27, Trump threatened to withhold federal funds from California if the state does not follow an executive order seeking to bar transgender athletes from women's sports. His post on social media referred to a trans athlete who competes in girls track and field. Later in the day, the CIF changed the rules for the championship, which will be held May 30-31 in Clovis. "The CIF values all of our student-athletes and we will continue to uphold our mission of providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete while complying with California law and Education Code,'' the federation said in a statement. "With this in mind, the CIF will be implementing a pilot entry process for the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships. As part of the changes, additional female athletes were invited to compete in the 2025 state championships. COMMENTARY: 16-year-old girl in harm's way so Trump can score points with his base Medals at the state meet Hernandez, a top contender in the girls triple jump and long jump, could end up standing on the medal podium next to the athlete who finishes second in the overall standings. Both would receive a first-place medal. A duplicate medal would be created to accomodate the two athletes. Hernandez would receive a medal based on her finish in the overall standings while the other athletes will receive medals based on their finish in the standings excluding Hernandez's results. The CIF awards nine medals to the top boys and girls finishers in each event. (By contrast, other states create up to five divisions for each event to accomodate the athletes representing schools with a wide range of enrollments.) Hernandez also is expected to contend for a medal in the high jump. Also, as part of the rule changes, the CIF said in a statement that it would invite "any biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark" to compete in the state championships. 'Under this pilot entry process, any biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark for one of their Section's automatic qualifying entries in the CIF State meet, and did not achieve the CIF State at-large mark in the finals at their Section meet, was extended an opportunity to participate in the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships,' the CIF said in a statement. 'The CIF believes this pilot entry process achieves the participation opportunities we seek to afford our student-athletes.' The CIF did not say how many athletes that could impact. Trump's post on social media Although the CIF did not cite Trump, the rule changes took place hours after his social media post that in part read, "THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS." Trump isn't the only one who has sounded off on the matter. So has Hernandez. 'I'm still a child, you're an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person,'' she told Capital & Main in a story published May 15. Certain things remain unknown. Such as how many female athletes will be impacted by the new rules and whether they'll be applied only in events in which Hernandez is competing. The CIF did immediately respond to requests for information submitted by USA TODAY Sports. In March, Newsom said on his podcast that it is "deeply unfair" to allow transgender girls and women to compete in women's sports. California law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, including at schools. State law also allows trans student athletes to compete on sports teams that align with their gender identity. Last month Democratic state lawmakers blocked two bills that would have banned transgender athletes from girls sports.
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Shawn Kemp pleads guilty to second-degree assault charge from 2023 shooting
Shawn Kemp pleads guilty to second-degree assault charge from 2023 shooting Former NBA player and six-time All-Star Shawn Kemp pleaded guilty to an assault charge after he shot two men inside a Washington state mall parking lot in 2023. Kemp pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in Pierce County Superior Court on Tuesday, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports. Kemp was initially charged with one count of first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement, but prosecutors amended the charges last week to add a second first-degree assault charge with a firearm enhancement, as well as drive-by shooting. Kemp could have served a lengthy prison sentence had he been convicted on the original charges. With the guilty plea, prosecutors recommended Kemp be sentenced to nine months in jail, one year of community service and to pay restitution. He will be sentenced on Aug. 22, when both sides of the case will be able to argue for their preferred sentence, according to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Officials said the standard range for the offense with someone with no criminal history is three to nine months. This was an 'open' plea agreement, so both sides will be free to argue for their preferred sentence on Aug. 22. What Mr. Kemp pleaded guilty to is a felony and a strike offense. "Shawn is committed to moving forward in a positive direction," Kemp's attorney Tim Leary told The Seattle Times. "He was presented with an offer from the state that allows him to take responsibility, but I think also recognizes the self-defense nature of how this transpired." The incident occurred on March 8, 2023 when Kemp said his car was broken into, and several items such as his phone and memorabilia from his basketball career were stolen, according to court documents. Kemp was able to track his phone to a Toyota 4Runner and tried to talk to the driver about his missing phone. Later, he tracked his phone to the Tacoma Mall, where he saw the same 4Runner as before, the defense stated. Court documents said a man in the back seat of the 4Runner fired a gun at Kemp, who then fired back at the vehicle. The two occupants of the 4Runner were not injured but the vehicle was as it fled. Kemp was arrested in connection to the incident and was released a day later. The two men, ages 39 and 35, in the 4Runner are currently serving prison sentences due to other cases. A first-round selection in the 1989 NBA Draft, Kemp became a star for the Seattle SuperSonics, playing eight seasons with the team while forming an on-court combo with Gary Payton. He also had stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic during the course of his 14 seasons in the league.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Where does Auburn-Alabama rank among the best rivalries in the SEC?
Where does Auburn-Alabama rank among the best rivalries in the SEC? Does USA TODAY Sports feel that the Iron Bowl is the best rivalry in the SEC? College football fans from the state of Alabama would agree that the annual Iron Bowl between Auburn and Alabama is the best rivalry not only in the SEC, but in all of college football. Does one expert from USA TODAY Sports agree? With the discussion of the SEC's possible move from eight conference games to nine, USA TODAY Sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer shared his ranking of the SEC's top rivalries and how likely they are to continue should the SEC change its scheduling format. Toppmeyer places the Iron Bowl in a category with the Egg Bowl between Ole Miss and Mississippi State and the Red River Showdown between Oklahoma and Texas as "non-negotioables" and feels that those three rivalries are safe from elimination. Not only does Toppmeyer feel strongly that the Iron Bowl should not be touched with possible expansion, but he feels that it is the conference's best rivalry. He puts the Iron Bowl at No. 1 ahead of Red River, the Egg Bowl, and the World's Largest Cocktail Party, citing implications that are usually at stake when the Tigers and Tide meet on the field. Instate rivalries hit differently, especially when that state is football-crazed Alabama. As an Auburn fan once said, the Iron Bowl isn't life or death. It's much bigger than that. There been national title implications and memorable moments that serve to add to the lore. There are only four SEC rivalries that feature instate teams. Auburn-Alabama and Ole Miss-Mississippi State have been the most intense over the years, with Texas-Texas A&M becoming prominent with the Longhorns joining the conference last year. However, the Iron Bowl takes the cake as far as the magnitude of games it has produced in past years. The 2010 game was special as Auburn stormed back from 24-point deficit to knock off Alabama and keep its national title hopes alive, Auburn won the 2013 game thanks to the infamous "kick six" return, and the Tigers knocked off their second No. 1 team in three weeks when it beat Alabama in 2017. On the opposite end, Alabama snuck away from Auburn in 2009 to stay alive in the SEC title hunt, and used the "grave digger" play to beat Auburn in 2023 with a hail mary on 4th and 31. The game has produced several special memories such as the four-overtime game in 2022 and the 2014 game that saw both teams combine to post 1,169 total yards in Alabama's 55-44 win over Auburn. The Crimson Tide has won five games in a row over Auburn during the Tigers' rebuilding phase. However, Hugh Freeze hopes to begin closing the gap this season when the two teams meet at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 29. 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__
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Legendary gymnast Mary Lou Retton charged with DUI in West Virginia
Legendary gymnast Mary Lou Retton charged with DUI in West Virginia Show Caption Hide Caption Mary Lou Retton refuses to divulge information about public donations Five-time Olympic medal winner Mary Lou Retton refused to divulge information regarding public donations and her recent health issues. unbranded - Newsworthy Former Olympic champion gymnast Mary Lou Retton was arrested earlier this month in West Virginia for DUI. Court records posted online show Retton, 57, was stopped in Marion County, West Virginia, on May 17 and charged with one count of 'driving under influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs.' She was later released after posting $1,500 bond. Retton was in the news last year when her daughter revealed on social media that the 1984 Olympic all-around champion was "fighting for her life" with "a very rare form of pneumonia" and was not insured. That led to a flood of donations totaling over $450,000 – but also to questions about basic details of Retton's illness, whether or not she had health insurance and exactly how the money collected was being spent. Retton did agree to an interview with NBC's "Today Show" in January 2024, appearing with an oxygen tube in her nose and describing a harrowing, month-long hospital stay, including a moment when "they were about to put me on life support," she said. Retton's daughter, McKenna Kelley, told USA TODAY Sports at that time Retton could not get affordable health care because of pre-existing conditions, which she said include "over 30 orthopedic surgeries, including four hip replacements." Retton later told NBC in the interview that she was able to get medical insurance. Retton's family said that any funds remaining after her medical expenses were paid would be donated to a charity of her choice. But no further information was ever revealed.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event live results: Start time, match card, what to know
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event live results: Start time, match card, what to know Show Caption Hide Caption John Cena warns media, he will ruin wrestling, he is the last real champion in WWE After making history at WrestleMania 41, John Cena warns the media that he will ruin wrestling and he is the last real champion in WWE Saturday will be a night for prime-time fighting with another edition of WWE Saturday Night's Main Event. Tampa, Florida, will be the site of the third installment of the revived show that returned in December, and it will be a juicy episode on national television. John Cena won't be defending his Undisputed WWE Championship, but he will have one of the final matches of his career when he goes against R-Truth in an intriguing matchup of veterans. Seth Rollins has been on a path toward destruction ever since his shocking WrestleMania 41 moment. Now, he and Bron Breakker go against stars trying to stop him in CM Punk and Sami Zayn. Will "The Visionary" have his plans thwarted, or will he emerge victorious, with a possible surprise? USA TODAY Sports will provide all the results, highlights and analysis from Saturday Night's Main Event: When is Saturday Night's Main Event? Saturday Night's Main Event will take place Saturday, May 24 at 8 p.m. ET. How long will Saturday Night's Main Event be? It will be a two-hour event. How to watch Saturday Night's Main Event: TV channel, streaming Time: 8 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET Location: Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. TV: NBC NBC Stream: Fubo, Peacock Watch Saturday Night's Main Event on Peacock Where is Saturday Night's Main Event? The newest edition of Saturday Night's Main Event will take place at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. Saturday Night's Main Event match card Matches not in order
