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| Broncos QB Bo Nix leads two scoring drives, sharp in preseason debut against Pac |
| Posted on Saturday, August 22 @ 00:02:20 PDT (11 reads) | |
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Denver, co
broncos qb bo nix leads two scoring drives, sharp in preseason debut against packers
published
22 seconds agoon
by
press room
broncos offensive coordinator davis webb had a simple checklist for bo nix in his return to the field for the first time since fracturing his ankle in january.
feel the game-day feels. Knock the rust off. Play clean football.
it didn’t take denver’s third-year quarterback long to check all those boxes — and more.
nix and the broncos’ starting offense scored points on both drives they played friday night in a preseason game against green bay at empower field, including an opening touchdown.
nix finished his night 6-of-9 passing for 76 yards and a 21-yard touchdown pass to second-year running back rj harvey.
“for the first time back where he’s actually going against a different defense, i thought he was efficient,” head coach sean payton told the broadcast at halftime. “He’s been moving well at practice and that’s really been the key evaluation. No restrictions. He’ll be ready to go to start the year.”
nix showed the ability to escape pressure and avoid bad plays.
he attacked down the field.
he took his new top-tier offensive weapon, wide receiver jaylen waddle, out for a third-down spin, too.
it all added up to a productive night for nix, who had offensive coordinator and new broncos play-caller davis webb as his voice in the helmet for the first time in a game.
webb dialed up a good one on third-and-5 from the denver 40. Waddle, courtland sutton and pat bryant all lined up to nix’s right. At the snap, sutton took off up the sideline and bryant worked his way across waddle, who was in the slot.
that pair of routes from the broncos’ pair of physically imposing receivers left waddle with all kinds of room to operate as he started up the field. He made a quick cut vertically and left all-pro safety — and former college teammate at alabama — xavier mckinney in his dust. Nix hit him for a 35-yard catch-and-run to set the broncos up in scoring territory.
three plays later, nix saw harvey beat another terrific packers defender, inside linebacker edgerrin cooper, on a wheel route and put a good throw between the numbers on his jersey for a touchdown.
the broncos’ second drive and the starting offense’s night ended in a 53-yard wil lutz field goal.
that constituted a fine night of work over 14 plays for the group. They played mostly clean, except for a garett bolles false start. They scored on both drives. The playmakers they’re going to count on this year beat premium players on the other side.
denver didn’t operate entirely at full strength, though nearly every player dressed for payton’s team in its home preseason debut. Center luke wattenberg, running back j.K. Dobbins, and wide receiver marvin mims jr. Were dressed but did not play. Calvin throckmorton started at center for denver.
with dobbins watching from the sideline, harvey got the first drive with the no. 1 offense and rookie jonah coleman handled the second.
neither saw any playing time once the starting offensive line was out of the game.
nix said tuesday that he was “super excited” to get back on the field almost seven months to the day after he fractured his right ankle in overtime of denver’s postseason win over buffalo.
“it’s always a blast to play at home,” he said. “It’s great to get in front of our fans. It’ll be fun to get out there for the first time this year, put the pads on and go out there and play a game.
“for me, all the games feel the same and so it’ll be good to get some work in.”
the night did not go as smoothly for vance joseph’s top defense. The group looked like it had forced a turnover on the second play of the night when pat surtain ii stripped packers receiver christian watson, but the fumble was overturned and quarterback jordan love led a 12-play touchdown drive on his only possession of the night.
eyioma uwazurike continues to push for a starting role along the denver defensive line. He got the nod in base defense, while malcolm roach played in nickel and when joseph had his pass-rushing groups in the game.
roll call: the broncos that didn’t dress were mostly players that have been out recently with injuries: olb drew sanders, c alex forsyth, wr michael bandy and te caleb lohner. Veteran safety taylor rapp also did not dress because he just signed with denver on thursday.
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denver, co
broncos vs. Packers preseason: how to watch, game time, tv schedule, game preview and more
published
12 hours agoon
august 21, 2026by
press room
the denver broncos will have their first preseason home game tonight when they host the green bay packers in their second preseason game. We’re just a few weeks away from week 1 now.
it might surprise some, but the broncos currently have an eight-game win streak in the preseason. It’s the longest active streak in the nfl currently. It’s too bad these games don’t actually mean anything.
the big news is that bo nix will be playing in this game. It’ll be his first live game action since injuring his ankle in the postseason win over the buffalo bills. When asked how much he’ll play, head coach sean payton noted that he’ll likely get the same 10-15 snaps the starters got last week.
“we’ll look at the pitch count, maybe similar to last week for him with that 14-snap count,” payton said. “When we do that tonight, we go through each phase and who might be the early outs and then who might play a little bit more.”
that figures to be a couple of drives worth of snaps for bo nix. It’ll be good to see him on the field again.
who: green bay packers at denver broncos
when: friday, august 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.M. Mile high time
where: empower field at mile high in denver, colorado
tv channel: 9news (kusa-tv) / espn
broncos preseason schedule
denver, co
to the heights of priesthood: into the wilderness with denver’s seminarians
published
1 day agoon
august 20, 2026by
press room
heavy packs, mountain storms, eucharistic adoration and 74 miles in the wyoming wilderness taught 11 denver seminarians powerful lessons in fraternity, leadership and trust in god.
by father matteo invernizzi, f.S.C.B.
nativity of our lord parish, broomfield
have you ever considered backpacking in the wilderness for 21 days?
before last december, i hadn’t. It sounded crazy — and definitely intense.
nonetheless, it is exactly what the archdiocese of denver offers the seminarians in their spirituality year at the end of their formation. In partnership with cor expeditions, a catholic outdoor organization based in lander, wyoming, eleven young men spent three weeks in july hiking through the wind river range wilderness with 60-pound backpacks, accompanied by three guides and a priest. That priest was me.
the preparations
we drove from the seminary in denver to lander, wyoming, on june 28. Once we arrived, we were assigned rooms in the dorms at wyoming catholic college and looked around for the cafeteria. Instead, our guides informed us that for the next 21 days, we would be cooking every meal ourselves using camp stoves and bags of dehydrated food provided by the organization. Every six days, our food supply would be replenished by a mule train deep in the wilderness.
meanwhile, the seminarians split into three teams and cooked their first dinner: macaroni and cheese with beans. The rest of the food wasn’t much different: pasta, rice and flour for a delicious pizza in the frying pan…
the following morning, we began a routine that would last throughout the entire expedition: mass at 6:30 a.M., Followed by a holy hour, breakfast, and training. Over three days, we completed wilderness first aid (wfa) and cpr certification and learned all the regulations and safety protocols necessary for backcountry travel: bear mitigation, lightning procedures, river crossings and much more.
baptism by fire and water
the anticipation — and the anxiety — for the upcoming trip grew day by day. We spent our final day, july 1, checking our gear and packing the food we would carry on our backs for the first week until the next resupply.
on july 2, we reached the trailhead at new fork lake, where our adventure officially began. It was already late afternoon, so we planned to hike only a few miles before making our first camp. Unfortunately, the designated campsite turned out to be a swamp filled with fallen trees.
as soon as we started cooking dinner, a violent lightning storm hit. For more than an hour, we stood on top of our backpacks as rain poured down and water rose beneath our feet. When the storm finally passed, we were soaked and cold. Thankfully, we found a dry campsite not far away and were finally able to pitch our tents for the night.
i often thought about that first night during the days that followed. It truly was a baptism by fire and water. God tested us and asked us to trust him as he led us through one of the most dangerous experiences one can face in the wilderness: a lightning storm. He kept us safe and showed us that he was walking with us.
the following morning, we celebrated mass as the sun rose before us. It was a beautiful reminder that god had given us another day to contemplate his glory.
to the heights of fraternity
over the next several days, we climbed to higher elevations. Most of our campsites were above 10,000 feet, where we constantly purified water from streams and lakes and continued learning the skills necessary to thrive in the backcountry. The nights were cold, and on a couple of occasions, i woke to find icicles hanging inside my tent. The days, on the other hand, were hot and dry, so we carried two full water bottles and refilled them whenever possible.
each day, two seminarians were appointed leaders of the day (lods). Their responsibility was to plan the route, assess the risks and safely lead the group to the next campsite. To build their confidence, the guides would occasionally encourage them to leave the established trail or attempt to ascend a nearby summit. At first, these challenges seemed impossible. Yet trusting the guides allowed everyone to discover strengths and abilities they did not know they possessed. After the first week, the weight of the backpack became more manageable. Blisters continued to form, but they no longer affected our morale as they had during the first few days. Slowly, we found the rhythm of the pilgrim.
we rose at sunrise, offered the first fruits of the day to the lord through mass and eucharistic adoration, walked until evening and repeated the same pattern the next day.
twice each day, during lunch and dinner, one member of the group shared a deeply personal witness. For me, these talks became the highlight of the entire expedition. Each of us spoke about our past, our vocation, the struggles and consolations we had experienced and our hopes for the future. Day by day, the bond among these young men grew stronger.
a eucharistic experience
on july 11, we stopped at elbow lake, at an elevation of 10,800 feet. Jacob, the leader of the expedition, announced that we would have 24 hours of eucharistic adoration. I exposed the blessed sacrament, and we maintained silence for the entire day while the seminarians took turns keeping watch before our lord.
during the shift in the middle of the night, the sky was so filled with stars that they reflected clearly on the surface of the alpine lake. It was an unforgettable experience of grace and beauty.
spiritual fatherhood
by the final five days, the seminarians had acquired all the skills needed for their last challenge: independent travel. They had to submit their travel plans and campsite locations to the guides in advance. Then the guides and i withdrew, allowing them to travel on their own throughout the day, meeting them again only for mass the following morning.
of course, we remained close enough to ensure their safety, and we occasionally heard their voices. But for most of the day, they were entirely on their own, responsible for navigating, making decisions and leading one another.
in many ways, this was the purpose of the entire experience: to give these young men the confidence and skills to take ownership of their own lives, to step forward as leaders, to correct one another with charity and to strive for excellence together. Watching them embrace this responsibility with joy during the final days was deeply moving.
it was also the period i enjoyed the most because it gave me more time for prayer and personal reflection. It’s the joy of a father who sees his children growing up and becoming ready to assume their responsibilities in the world.
blessings and joys
on july 18, we finally reached the boulder lake trailhead. In seventeen days on the trail, we had hiked a total of 74 miles. We lost more than a few pounds, but we deepened both our friendship and our commitment to god. We returned scratched, dusty and smelling far from pleasant. Yet our smiles were bright, and our hearts were light.
i will always be grateful to god for the opportunity to accompany these young men on their journey toward the priesthood through such an extraordinary experience. Although my primary role was to celebrate the eucharist and provide spiritual support, i found myself growing alongside them, carrying the same burdens and receiving the same consolations.
the experience reminded me of my years as a formator in the seminary. Leadership is never exercised from a distance. You lead by example. You carry the burdens of those entrusted to your care, and in doing so, you discover that christ has been carrying yours all along.
father matteo invernizzi, f.S.C.B., Is a missionary priest of the priestly fraternity of st. Charles borromeo (www.Sancarlo.Org/en). He has served at nativity of our lord parish in broomfield, colorado, since 2019. He is scheduled to begin serving at st. Joseph catholic church in kahawa sukari, nairobi, kenya, in september 2026.
denver, co
nuggets reveal new altitude sports broadcast team
published
2 days agoon
august 20, 2026by
press room
peyton watson is out, lauren gardner is back in.
the nuggets’ very newsy wednesday began with news from the broadcast booth. The franchise announced its new team for altitude sports broadcasts, with noah reed joining the lineup as the play-by-play announcer and nba veteran jason richardson joining the studio team to provide analysis.
reed, a native of indiana, had spent the previous five seasons calling football and college basketball for espn, fox sports and nbc/peacock. His resume includes stints based in indianapolis, bismarck, n.D., And peoria, ill. He’ll be joined by katy winge, a longtime kroenke sports & entertainment fixture who will take the role of lead analyst, becoming just the third full-time female analyst on an nba regional network.
“this is a dream come true for me and something i’ve spent so much time and effort striving toward,” reed said via a nuggets news release. “I am thrilled to make denver home and begin connecting and interacting with nuggets fans everywhere.”
the duo of reed and winge replaces chris marlowe (play-by-play) and scott hastings (analyst), who were let go earlier this summer, along with reporter and studio analyst chris dempsey, a former sports reporter for the denver post.
gardner, a front range favorite, is returning to altitude, the company announced. The denver native and cu/northglenn alum will serve as a host/reporter on nuggets broadcasts, as well as fulfill “other roles for the network,” per the kse release. Gardner spent the last seven years based in new york city as a host with the mlb network, nhl network and dazn, following roughly three years with altitude prior to that.
richardson, 45, will serve as studio analyst and as a second game analyst for “select” home games, per kse. He played 14 seasons in the nba (2001-15), primarily with golden state, with whom he won nba slam dunk contest titles in 2002 and 2003. Richardson will be joined in the studio by another kse fixture, vic lombardi. Altitude veteran and former nuggets coach bill hanzlik will also serve as a studio analyst for “select” games, per kse.
the new team’s regular-season debut will be the nuggets’ home opener on oct. 24 vs. The new orleans pelicans. Altitude will carry 67 nuggets regular-season basketball games this season on both altitude tv and altitude+.
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| Manny Rodriguez to rejoin Rays; Tyler Wells gets closure with Orioles - NewsBrea |
| Posted on Saturday, August 22 @ 00:02:20 PDT (7 reads) | |
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3 hours ago rays reliever tyler wells, shown pitching against the orioles last week, was honored during pregame introductions friday when the team for which he had played since 2021 showed him on the video board. [ Hannah walls | times ] baltimore — so, two relievers walked into a baseball stadium on friday …
for manny rodriguez, it was the next to final step in returning to the majors for the first time since june 2025, as the rays plan to activate him this weekend.
for tyler wells, it was a chance to get closure from the aug. 3 trade that sent him, surprisingly, to the rays from the orioles, where he’d played since 2021.
rodriguez, 30, had right elbow surgery on aug. 8, 2025. Over a 30-day rehab assignment that ended friday, he pitched in 10 games across three minor-league levels, posting a 9.00 era in eight innings. He allowed eight earned runs, 10 hits and four walks while striking out 14.
the rays have until the start of sunday’s game to activate him. Because rodriguez has been on the 60-day injured list, the team will have to make room on both the 40-man and 26-man active rosters.
“he’s here. He’s on the il,” manager kevin cash said. “Pleased with the way his rehab has gone to date, and we’ll just see what circumstances allow him to get active here soon.”
wells, who started his big-league career with the orioles, said returning to camden yards in a different uniform felt odd and a “bit shocking” at times.
manny rodriguez, shown before a game against the reds in april, is set to return to the major leagues for the first time since june 2025. He had right elbow surgery on aug. 8, 2025. [ Jefferee woo | times ] “whenever you walk in here and you kind of think about all the memories that you’ve had here from a personal perspective, from a professional perspective, it’s really special,” wells said. “Obviously, camden yards is such an iconic stadium, and it was a blessing to be able to call this my home for six years.
“being able to come here and be on the other side of the fence — it’s a little weird. But at the same time, too, i’ve been saying it, it’s closure. Being able to close the yearbook and really just continue to move on after we leave here, it’s going to be really nice and really important to be able to kind of just continue to focus on what’s most important, and that’s helping this team win a world series.”
the orioles said their goodbye by showing wells on the video board during pregame introductions.
the visit also allowed wells to help his wife, melissa, and 17-month-old daughter, ava, pack up the last boxes at their rental house and, with the help of melissa’s parents (who have baltimore roots), head south for the rest of the season.
“they’ve been back and forth,” wells said. “I wanted to make sure this transition was as easy as possible on them. So, after this series, it’s kind of like full closure for them as well.”
express yourself yandy diaz’s players’ weekend cleats honor his favorite cartoon, tom and jerry. [ Marc topkin | times ] the best part of players’ weekend is to see how creative some players get with their with equipment. Among the more interesting items in the rays clubhouse friday:
• yandy diaz had cleats featuring the characters from his favorite cartoon, tom and jerry. Another set, plus a bat, featured a spider, which he said was his childhood nickname.
• ryan vilade had one bat with his “big rig” nickname in the colors and pattern of the texas state flag. Another included character drawings of the rays clubhouse staff, labeled “kings of the trop.”
• chandler simpson had three custom bats — paying tribute to his hometown of atlanta, acknowledging his college fraternity and tying in “the simpsons” show motif.
• casey legumina had cleats featuring scenes from his home state of arizona and lego pieces.
miscellany cash was ejected for the first time this season and 21st overall. ... After starting the season 19-7 vs. Al east teams, the rays are 5-12. … After throwing 57 pitches over three-plus innings monday in his return from the injured list (back tightness), shane mcclanahan said he expects to be back to a normal workload saturday. Cash said the rays would “take it inning by inning but obviously look to put more pitches on him than what he did the other day.”
• • •
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| The Bs That Taught Me How to Succeed in College |
| Posted on Saturday, August 22 @ 00:02:20 PDT (8 reads) | |
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My alma mater is the latest college to lower the bar of academic excellence by piloting a “pass or no credit” policy for incoming freshmen this fall, the purpose of which is to “acclimate” new students “to the demands of college” and “allow intrinsic motivations to guide” their “personally meaningful academic journey.” The university of michigan thus joins other august institutions of higher learning such as the massachusetts institute of technology and the california institute of technology in attempting to address the alarming mental health crisis on campus by alleaviating the pressure of earning high grades.
although i’m unfamiliar with the empirical evidence suggesting that such a program will actually work, i can rely on anecdotal evidence to surmise that it may backfire—at least for a certain type of student like myself.
perhaps the new policy at michigan will alleviate the stress of adapting to college life. But in my case, i needed the stress of those b’s to change my habits.
when my parents drove me to ann arbor in the late 1980s, i hadn’t a clue about what courses i should take, let alone what i should do with my life. That led to a 12-credit load my first semester with no stem courses and the freedom to stagger back to the dorm at 2 a.M. Every friday and saturday night. Fraternities were still “wet” and bouncers weren’t checking ids too closely. I generally kept up with the reading and writing, but my “slacker” lifestyle was not without consequences. I earned two b’s, one b+ and an a- that first semester.
not bad, but definitely not good enough, and no one had to tell me that. Most of my tuition was covered by scholarships with my parents paying the rest. Even though the overall cost of higher ed. Was a fraction of what it is today, i had worked hard in high school and i knew the value of money.
things changed drastically when i returned to campus the following january. I adopted simple steps to discipline myself and practice better study habits without sacrificing my social life. I forced myself to take 8 a.M. Classes so as to avoid sleeping until noon, sought help with my dismal writing skills, and found healthier ways to engage with friends on weekends. The efforts paid off. Four a’s and one a- on my transcript in classes that were significantly harder than those in the first semester.
it all came down to drive and self-mastery, two things i never would have sought or gained if it weren’t for my first-semester report card. If i had earned four “passes” (and i certainly would have), i am absolutely sure i would have put no more effort into the second semester than i had the first.
i admit that my story was quite boring in comparison with a few hallmates that year.
less than four weeks into the semester, alejandro got hauled away in handcuffs for peddling cocaine out of his room. After being put on academic probation, my high-school valedictorian, jason, packed his bag and boarded a bus for the upper peninsula to shack up with a girl he met at a party. Mark, one of the brightest guys i ever met, literally failed every class and enlisted in the air force.
all these men taught me an important lesson: it is entirely possible to be a “straight-a” student and flunk out of college. When i say “straight-a,” i mean high school. Mark, jason — even alejandro — belonged at the university of michigan. They earned it. Their high-school gpa’s and act scores were higher than mine. Their presence on campus in september was no mistake of the admissions office, and their dismissal/suspension by the academic dean in december was their mistake and their mistake alone. Just like today, most students at the university of michigan in the 1980s were used to straight-a’s in high school, and that was before grade inflation. Getting a few b’s was a wake-up call. Working harder might not guarantee you better marks, but at least you knew you had no chance of getting them unless you actually worked harder.
more importantly, you knew exactly where you stood at the end of the first semester. “Passes,” it seems, give you little indication whatsoever. You might be in the low-b range, but you might be in the upper-a range. And in 1988, there was a huge difference between the two.
i can’t speak for women, but men were fiercely competitive in the 1980s. If you got a b in calculus, you lost to the guy down the hall who got a b+. For all their imperfections, grades were a fair indicator of performance and ability. If you got a bunch of b’s one semester, it was probably because you hadn’t put in the effort. But if you did put in the effort semester after semester and kept earning b’s, you were essentially a “b-student.” In most — though not all — cases, a string of c’s and c+’s was a pretty sure sign you just weren’t capable of anything higher.
my hope is that college men today are just as desperate for a challenge as they were 40 years ago. If they are anything like me, they yearn to feel the difference between life as a straight-a student and life as straight-b student. I could nurse a wicked hangover until late tuesday evening and still maintain b’s. I knew i was a slacker even though i wasn’t failing. In the second semester, i discovered it wasn’t hard to earn a’s and that it involved more than just studying harder. It was a matter of getting up at six, going for a jog, eating a good breakfast, and putting on something other than sweatpants and a t-shirt for class.
i can’t speak for the average male student at the u. Of m. Today, but my “academic journey” would have been entirely different if it weren’t for my lackluster — albeit “passing” — performance in the first semester — a performance only b’s could indicate.
mlive reports that nearly 75 percent of grades assigned at the u. Of m. In 2022 were in the a-range: a rise of 18 percentage points over a decade. Grade inflation is real, and it affects every aspect of college life.
mind you, the grades you earned in the 1980s often depended on the classes you took. There were “easier” courses and “softer” profs. In my day, all of us took astronomy since, for some strange reason, it was an easy a. Only the brave took biochemistry because you invariably earned a b. But you would never even think of embarrassing yourself by earning a b in astronomy, just as you were determined to work your butt off to be the first to earn an a in biochemistry.
it’s not that a pass/fail system is without its merits. When used judiciously, it can make students aspire to the same level of achievement a grade-point system does. Ralston college, where i currently teach, utilizes a pass/fail system, but we set the bar high. Very high. So high that ranks of “pass with distinction” and “pass with highest distinction” are extremely rare and (dare i say) relative.
relative to what? To the performance of one’s peers. It’s conceivable that an entire cohort perform at the level of “pass with distinction” when compared with another cohort but receive diplomas that say “pass” simply because no one distinguished himself or herself from the pack in that particular year.
harsh? Not really, since the goal is simple: perform at an a-level and earn a “pass” or perform at a b-level or below and run the risk of “fail.” “With distinction” is just icing on the cake, and using it sparingly is the perfect recipe for grade deflation.
my point is that even if grades have lost their meaning, effort, performance, and ability have not. That’s what grades are meant to reflect, be it in a point system, be it in a pass/fail system.
perhaps the new policy at michigan will alleviate the stress of adapting to college life. But in my case, i needed the stress of those b’s to change my habits. I needed them to help me “acclimate to the demands of college” and “allow intrinsic motivations to guide” my acadmic journey — “intrinsic” because i knew i had a lot to change within myself to start earning a’s.
if i were starting at the u. Of m. This fall, i’m afraid it wouldn’t make much difference whether i was nursing a hangover until tuesday or getting out of bed for a 6 a.M. Jog. I would still be earning a string of “passes” while worsening whatever mental-health problems i brought to campus in the first place.
daniel b. Gallagher teaches philosohpy and literature at ralston college in savannah. |
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| Smokin for the People: Smokin Dicks Feast with Friends kicks off Chautauqua Food |
| Posted on Saturday, August 22 @ 00:02:20 PDT (8 reads) | |
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Sam huffman / staff photographer
chautauqua institution director of accounting dick erickson, center, sits on bestor plaza with his wife, lisa erickson, and friends, tim renjilian and mike dawson saturday, aug. 15. The ericksons spent the night camping and tending to the smoker ahead of the “feast with friends: smokin’ dick’s community bbq” event last sunday. Erickson has been smoking meats since he was 16 years old, and while he normally cooks for family and friends, he decided to smoke meats for the community during a barbecue in which he fed more than 500 chautauquans. Sam huffman
staff photographer
on the afternoon of sunday, aug. 16, as more than 500 chautauquans enjoyed a community barbecue on bestor plaza, dick erickson lived out his lifelong dream.
the director of accounting has served chautauqua institution since 2004 and has made lifelong connections with the community during his time here. While returning to the grounds each summer to work with colleagues and guide interns in his department is rewarding, his true passion in life has always been cooking.
erickson began his cooking journey at 16 years old, working for various catering businesses. He became proficient in cooking various barbecue staples, such as chicken, pork and mac and cheese. In college, he would barbecue for his fraternity brothers. Through spending his years mastering his craft, the true rewards of his cooking are the connections he made with family and friends who have gathered throughout the years, thanks to his passion.
“food is really a gathering,” erickson said. “I love the people.”
sam huffman / staff photographer erickson monitors pork butts in his custom-built meat smoker saturday night while camping on bestor plaza during a cooking process that takes more than 20 hours. Sam huffman / staff photographer erickson woke up each hour to restore the flames to maintain a temperature of 250 degrees. Skylar seavey / staff photographer erickson chats with customer fred petitt while prepping the pork sunday. Sam huffman / staff photographer erickson oversees trays of smoked barbecue and mac and cheese prior to the community barbecue sunday. Sam huffman / staff photographer from left, lisa erickson, dick erickson, kayleigh erickson, tony marino, tina cochran and derek abbey pose next to the “feast with friends” sign following the barbecue. Skylar seavey / staff photographer alex medlicott, david savage, jean frogge, lis faulstich, laurie medill and kristie medill raise a toast while enjoying erickson’s barbecue during the “feast with friends.”
for a number of years, erickson put his passion on hold, during which he only cooked for family and friends. When he isn’t in the office overseeing the department of accounting and working to support his wife lisa and his three children, he said he likes to spend time outdoors, hunt and, of course, smoke barbecue meats. Without a traditional smoker at his disposal, erickson practiced alternative smoking methods, such as assembling wooden planks into a makeshift meat rack or using old wooden cabinets, techniques that impressed his friends and family.
in the past year, erickson made the decision to pursue his lifelong dream of cooking again; he bought a custom-made meat smoker and created his barbecue catering business, “smokin’ dick’s bbq,” a venture that has since brought him closer to his community, even if said community teases him on the business name from time to time.
“it’s a name that’s been with me for a number of years,” erickson said, “this is something i’ve always wanted to do.”
erickson and the smokin’ dick’s crew catered to chautauqua institution staff ahead of the 2026 season during a staff celebration, but made their community debut at the “feast with friends” community barbecue event last sunday to kick off the first week of the chautauqua food festival. After being asked by director of business development sam nelson to bring his thoughtfully prepared dishes to chautauquans, erickson and his wife, lisa, set up camp on bestor plaza to smoke pork butts, brisket and mac and cheese for more than 20 hours. During their campout, the ericksons were met by friends who showed up to keep them company, catch up on their lives and tell stories of their friendship. They were also met with curious, late-night chautauquan visitors who came to their campsite to talk about the barbecue. Through these late-night conversations under the stars and connecting with his community, erickson knew that his lifelong dreams would soon come true.
“cooking is really a story,” erickson said. “You show people (the food), and they see the passion, and they can see and smell it, they’ll begin to believe in it.”
the next morning, after getting little to no sleep, the smokin’ dick’s crew served pulled pork sandwiches, smoked mac and cheese, coleslaw and ears of corn to hungry chautauquans, who connected and shared space over the meal. Erickson said he sees it as the first of many more smokin’ dick’s bbq ventures to come.
“we’re inviting all of our neighbors, we’re cooking out, having a gathering and having a good time,” erickson said.
skylar seavey / staff photographer dick erickson, owner of smokin’ dicks bbq, stands with his smoker at the feast with friends: smokin dicks community bbq sunday, aug. 16, 2026, on bestor plaza. Skylar seavey / staff photographer tony marino serves chautauquans pulled pork bbq sandwiches during the feast with friends: smokin dicks community bbq sunday, aug. 16, 2026, on bestor plaza. Skylar seavey / staff photographer colleen wheeler dress her pulled pork sandwich with barbecue sauce during the feast with friends: smokin dicks community bbq sunday, aug. 16, 2026, on bestor plaza. Sam huffman / staff photographer director of accounting dick erickson slides a tray of smoked mac n’ cheese into his custom built smoker before smokin’ dicks barbecue’s feast with friends community barbecue kicking off the 2026 chautauqua food festival sunday, august 16, 2026 on bestor plaza. |
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| Father charged in PSU bust is misunderstood, lawyer says |
| Posted on Saturday, August 22 @ 00:02:20 PDT (8 reads) | |
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August 21, 2026 at 22:15 edtpa homepage
state college, centre county (wbre/wyou) — a pittsburgh attorney is facing charges of tampering with and concealing evidence in connection with an investigation into a penn state fraternity cocaine trafficking ring involving his son. Police charged paul robinson, 59, with tampering with and concealing evidence, specifically a safe that law enforcement officials say contained cash [...] |
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| Neighborhood Association Wants Forum With Penn State, Local Officials After Coca |
| Posted on Saturday, August 22 @ 00:02:20 PDT (7 reads) | |
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Updated 6 p.M. Friday, aug. 21, with comment from a penn state spokesperson.
the president of a state college neighborhood association this week called for penn state and borough officials to address questions and concerns from residents about an alleged cocaine trafficking ring that operated out of two off-campus fraternity houses.
mark huncik, president of the highlands civic association, said during monday’s borough’s council meeting that he was requesting a public forum, and that he also would like state college police and representatives of the penn state fraternity system to participate.
“we really need to understand the significant breadth of this security issue on the safety of our neighborhood,” huncik said. “This was significant and happened right in the heart of the highlands… we don’t know if others were involved, but we know that there were multiple people involved or maybe even knew about this activity.”
investigators on monday filed charges against 14 people — including 13 current or former penn state students — accused of involvement in what pennsylvania attorney general dave sunday said was a coordinated operation trafficking large amounts of cocaine brought from philadelphia and new york to delta upsilon, 229 locust lane, and sigma chi, 400 e. Prospect ave.
both houses, like many penn state fraternities, are located in the highlands neighborhood.
“both of those are in the heart of the highlands neighborhood … they are also within probably feet, if not yards and blocks, of families, retirees, children, other students and other residents of the borough,” huncik said.
six of the defendants are facing felony charges, including corrupt organizations counts against alleged ringleader agostino s. Abbatiello, 24, of new york, who was denied bail after surrendering on tuesday , and thomas m. Robinson, 23, of pittsburgh, who sunday described as the no. 2 man in the operation. Mohammed s. Huraibi, 22, and lars r. Zeepvat, 24, both of new jersey, were also identified as primary dealers facing similar charges, and robert a. Zanolla, 24, of new york, is charged with felony counts of conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.
the investigation began in the fall of 2024 when robinson sold cocaine to confidential informants in five controlled purchases at the delta upsilon house, according to police. When he was taken into custody at the house in december 2024 , police said they had to use a taser on robinson after he resisted being handcuffed and repeatedly said “i’m gonna f— you up,” according to the affidavit filed at the time. As he was being taken into custody, he told police he thought they were fraternity brothers playing a prank on him.
according to a grand jury presentment, robinson told police after his arrest that abbatiello was his source for cocaine, and investigators went on to learn of a coordinated operation that at times used pledges to cut and package cocaine as part of their initiation. Zeepvat, described as a close friend of abbatiello and his original source for cocaine in philadelphia, told investigators that abbatiello lent him $1,500 for a spring break trip and made him sell the drugs to pay it back.
robinson’s father, 59-year-old pittsburgh attorney paul r. Robinson, is the sixth person facing felony charges in the case. He is accused of concealing evidence, including a safe with drugs and cash. His attorney told the new york post that the safe was among items picked up from the house when his son had to move out following the 2024 arrest and he did not know what was inside of it.
the case has drawn significant national attention, providing seemingly endless fodder for outlets like the post, garnering coverage on every broadcast and cable news channel, drawing the interest of documentarians and generating memes like the widely popular and not-particularly-clever “pablo pledgescobar” nickname for abbatiello.
for those living close by, it hasn’t been as entertaining.
huncik said neighborhood residents first began asking for information around the time of thomas robinson’s initial arrest, but received little because it was an ongoing investigation.
now, though, he wants to see a proactive approach.
“we request some type of public forum, so that there’s a sharing of information as far as what the borough understands is going on, what penn state understands is going on, and what will happen as we move towards hopefully a much safer and much more respectful future within the activities that are associated with our fraternity system within our neighborhood,” he said.
“as we know, they’ve had difficulties in the past. And this is just another instance of that. So we really would like to request some type of acknowledgement of the situation and its impact.”
borough council member susan venegoni similarly called for a penn state representative to appear at a council meeting to “give us a presentation on what their obligation is to this community with those fraternities.”
“off campus is not off the radar,” venegoni said. “It’s in our community. It’s in the highlands neighborhood, and i want someone to come and explain to us what we’re doing with the fraternities in this neighborhood, in this community.”
a penn state spokesperson said the university will continue its practice of engaging with borough leaders and residents on issues of concern.
“penn state student affairs has a longstanding relationship and history of working collaboratively with borough officials and community organizations on topics of mutual interest and concern, and we remain committed to that partnership,” the spokesperson wrote in an email. “We are cooperating with law enforcement and taking the appropriate actions within the university’s authority.
“we recognize the broader concerns being raised, and we remain willing to engage directly with borough representatives and community members on broader matters affecting the community and our ongoing efforts to address them.”
the university said on monday that it had placed delta upsilon on interim suspension while penn state’s office of student accountability and conflict response investigates.
sigma chi was suspended by penn state in 2021 and operates without university recognition as a founding member of the independent state college interfraternity council .
the six defendants currently enrolled at the university will face potential discipline through penn state’s student conduct process.
andrea dowhower, vice president for student affairs, said in a new statement on friday , that university administrators remain “horrified by the allegations” and are continuing to work with law enforcement.
“our mission is to create a community in which our students can flourish,” dowhower said. “That only occurs when we stand up to this type of behavior, which is why we continue our important work — in partnership with our fraternity and sorority community — to educate students about hazing, alcohol and other drug prevention and the important obligations of being a recognized student organization. These enhanced efforts, which will be shared in the next several weeks, include a parent education video, a hazing prevention education campaign, our annual messaging to student leaders and outreach efforts for harm reduction related to drug use.
“as the new semester begins, focusing on our mission couldn’t be more important.” |
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| Human Composting Funeral Home open | Page 4 | Paranormal Forum: Where the Parano |
| Posted on Saturday, August 22 @ 00:02:20 PDT (7 reads) | |
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Paintman said: ive had this planned for a number of years so im sorry if im repeating myself.
on my tombstone i want them to bolt a statue of me from back when i used to win bodybuilding shows in the 80s. Maybe about 2 ft tall but not bolted down very well.
i want some prankish college kids to steal it and put it on the mantle of their fraternity house. Where i will spend eternity looking at boobies. Click to expand... Excellent |
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| Fernando Mendoza throws rare pick-6 in second preseason game with Raiders |
| Posted on Friday, August 21 @ 00:03:05 PDT (19 reads) | |
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Ad disclosure
fernando mendoza throws rare pick-6 in second preseason game with raiders
by
sydney hunte
published:
fernando mendoza had a nice outing in his first nfl action on aug. 13, going 10-of-16 for 97 yards and throwing a touchdown in the las vegas raiders’ 27-14 loss to the arizona cardinals in their preseason opener.
thursday’s game against the houston texans hasn’t exactly gone to plan for the no. 1 overall pick out of indiana, though.
with the ball at the texans’ 30 on the raiders’ opening drive, mendoza faked the handoff, stepped back, and threw over the middle, but right into the hands of fellow rookie wade woodaz. The fourth-round pick out of clemson took it down the right side of the field and, despite mendoza in pursuit, raced all the way to the end zone for a pick-6.
here’s video:
seeing a mendoza interception returned for a touchdown is a rare sight. In fact, it only happened once during his college career. That was on oct. 11 during indiana’s 30-20 win at oregon.
outside of that, the heisman trophy winner and national champion did well for himself in his lone season in bloomington. Despite thursday night’s setback, it’s important to note that mendoza’s still a rookie. Moments like this are just part of the growing experience for a first-year player. (Plus, it’s only preseason, so it doesn’t count.)
in his first three drives, mendoza was 3-for-6 for 36 yards. He was sacked once. |
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| DHS sounds alarm after Fairfax County mothers killing, cites other Virginia murd |
| Posted on Friday, August 21 @ 00:03:05 PDT (34 reads) | |
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Virginia
dhs sounds alarm after fairfax county mother’s killing, cites other virginia murder cases
published
7 minutes agoon
by
press room
fairfax county, va. (7news) — the department of homeland security (dhs) is urging virginia governor abigail spanberger to keep a man accused in the brutal killing of a fairfax county mother behind bars, pointing to several other murder cases in the county involving people dhs says were in the country illegally.
alexis cedillos campos, 19, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 42-year-old carmen puch.
campos appeared in prince george’s county district court in maryland thursday morning for a bond hearing and is being held without bond. He is awaiting extradition back to fairfax county.
read related | illegal immigrant accused of killing virginia mom held without bond in maryland
ice has also lodged a detainer for campos.
in a statement released thursday, dhs said campos entered the united states illegally through texas in april 2024, was apprehended by u.S. Border patrol near el paso and was later released into the united states.
dhs is now pointing to his case as it pressures virginia leaders to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
the department also cited four other fairfax county murder cases involving people dhs says were in the country illegally.
in february, dhs said abdul jalloh, a man from sierra leone with more than 30 prior arrests, was charged with murder after the fatal stabbing of 41-year-old stephanie minter at a bus stop in hybla valley.
in march, dhs said anibal armando chavarria muy, a man from guatemala, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after a man was fatally stabbed inside his home in bailey’s crossroads.
in april, dhs said misael lopez gomez, also from guatemala, was arrested and charged with murder and felony child abuse after the death of his 3-month-old daughter in fairfax county.
dhs also pointed to an april court development in a separate oakton murder case. The agency said two people in the country illegally received a five-year plea deal in connection with the murder of a man at a park and walking trail. That killing happened in july 2024.
see also | illegal immigrant detained by ice after tour boat capsizes, killing mom and infant
dhs specifically called on spanberger and fairfax county officials to cooperate with ice and not allow cedillos campos to be released from custody.
but as the case draws new federal scrutiny, those who knew carmen are trying to make sure the focus does not get lost on the woman at its center.
coworkers and family describe puch as a devoted mother who was always smiling and working to build a better life for her young daughter.
puch had moved from new jersey and worked at bitez restaurant in herndon for about six months.
employees at the restaurant could not speak with 7news on camera thursday, but described puch as kind, hardworking, and someone who was constantly talking about her 3-year-old daughter.
coworkers said she was often smiling, making people laugh and checking on those around her. They said much of what she talked about centered on her daughter and the life she hoped to build for her.
campos also worked at bitez alongside puch.
fairfax county police said cedillos campos told investigators that he and puch were involved in an intimate relationship. However, employees who spoke with 7news said they had no idea the two were romantically involved or whether a relationship existed.
police said puch and campos intentionally met near difficult run park in the great falls area early monday.
a jogger discovered puch outside her vehicle shortly before 6:45 a.M. And called 911.
investigators said puch had been stabbed repeatedly. Police chief kevin davis said the killer then poured gasoline on her and attempted to set her on fire.
detectives believe puch was stabbed while sitting in the driver’s seat of her vehicle.
police said surveillance video from the restaurant where the two worked showed cedillos campos taking a large fixed-blade knife, black latex gloves, and a water bottle before leaving. Investigators said the water bottle was later filled with gasoline.
read also | officials shy from answers for fairfax co. Community after accused murderer flees country
within about 48 hours of puch’s body being discovered, fairfax county detectives identified campos as the suspect.
he was arrested wednesday in prince george’s county with assistance from the u.S. Marshals service and prince george’s county police.
davis said campos confessed to detectives after his arrest. Police initially charged him with second-degree murder but said investigators and prosecutors would examine whether the evidence supports a more serious charge because of what davis described as evidence of premeditation.
while investigators continue building their case, puch’s family is focused on caring for her 3-year-old daughter.
relatives traveled from out of state after her death, and friends have launched a fundraiser to help with funeral and memorial expenses, immediate family needs and the child’s future.
puch’s family told 7news she was a happy person and a devoted mother. The fundraiser also describes her as soft-spoken, caring, and always looking out for others.
her loved ones say they are grateful for the support they have received but are asking for privacy as they grieve.
cedillos campos remains in maryland without bond as the extradition process moves forward.
virginia
virginia congressmen announce investigation into ‘ice brutality’
published
12 hours agoon
august 20, 2026by
press room
democratic congressmen from northern virginia announced an investigation into recent encounters people had with immigration and customs enforcement that the lawmakers call “ice brutality.”
u.S. Rep. Don beyer said his office confirmed at least four of what he calls unjustified, violent encounters with ice agents just within the past two weeks.
he and u.S. Rep. Suhas subramanyam introduced the investigation, saying the agents involved should be fired and potentially prosecuted.
“we are announcing an investigation into ice’s misconduct in partnership with reps. Subramanyam and [james] walkinshaw [d-va.], But also with the democratic leaders of the judiciary committee, the oversight committee, and the homeland security committee,” beyer said.
on aug. 10, an ice agent pulled his gun on a u.S. Citizen in falls church while the two argued through her driver side window. Without evidence, the department of homeland security accused carolina molina of trying to run the agents over.
molina joined the congressmen on capitol hill wednesday.
“they should not be in the position that they are as of now if other citizens and other people are at risk,” she said.
in arlington county the next day, 45-year-old jose mejia says ice agents used a taser on him and assaulted him during an arrest.
dhs says mejia is in the country illegally and accused him of attempting to flee the scene, requiring agents to use “necessary force to gain control of the situation.”
according to mejia’s attorney, the violent arrest resulted in injuries to mejia’s face and bleeding and swelling of his brain.
arlington county’s prosecutor said she instructed local police and virginia’s attorney general to investigate the incident involving mejia, saying no one is above the law.
virginia
19-year-old illegal immigrant arrested in virginia mother’s stabbing death | fox news video
published
1 day agoon
august 19, 2026by
press room
fairfax county, va., Police announce the arrest of 19-year-old alexis antonio cedillos-campos, an illegal immigrant accused in the stabbing death of carmen lizet puch on ‘america reports.’
fairfax county police chief kevin davis holds a press conference announcing the arrest of 19-year-old alexis antonio cedillos-campos, an illegal immigrant accused of killing carmen lizet puch near a virginia park. Fox news legal editor kerri urbahn then comments on the ongoing investigation.
virginia
virginia tech turns to james franklin in its bid to elevate football back to beamer era success
published
2 days agoon
august 19, 2026by
press room
virginia tech
2025 record: 3-9
expectations
things unraveled quickly last year, both for virginia tech and james franklin back at penn state.
the hokies started 0-3, leading to the quick firing of brent pry. And franklin found himself out of a job when a team that had been to the college football playoff semifinals in 2024 and opened with a no. 2 ranking in 2025 started 3-3. Virginia tech hired franklin by thanksgiving.
it offered a marriage of a successful coach ready for an immediate challenge with a school that has been hunting for consistent success since the frank beamer era.
“i think it’s been a challenge of a lot of programs across the country that have tremendous history and tradition,” franklin said. “They embrace and hold onto that tradition and history so tight that they haven’t evolved and grown into a modern football program and a modern athletic department. And i think that’s one of our biggest challenges.”
that explains why virginia tech is looking to football as the key piece in a larger effort to elevate sports overall, with the hokies picked to finish eighth in the 17-team acc.
virginia tech will see nearly all of the league’s projected top contenders, facing five of the teams picked to finish in the top six. That includes a trip to preseason favorite and national runner-up miami on nov. 21.
strengths include potential with offensive skill positions and defensive front
the offense sputtered last year, with the hokies ranked 14th in the acc in total offense (348.8 yards) and scoring (21.4). There’s some interesting pieces, at least, for new offensive coordinator ty howle to push the hokies forward.
marcellous hawkins is back after leading the team in rushing (749 yards) while making nine starts, while louisiana lafayette transfer bill davis bolsters a position that includes returnee jeffrey overton jr. Ayden greene (team-high 516 yards) joins takye heath as returning starters at receiver, joined by transfer additions at wideout and tight end.
defensively, the hokies have a preseason all-acc pick to build around in tackle kemari copeland (7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks), backed by a returning part-time starter in elhadj fall (2.5 sacks) and the team’s leading tackler in linebacker kaleb spencer (67).
weaknesses include the need to solidify the offensive line
the good news is there are four offensive linemen back with at least 10 starts last season, including every-game starter kyle altuner at center. But that unit was part of the hokies’ offensive struggles; the team allowed 29 sacks in 12 games, an average of 2.42 per game to rank tied for 105th among 134 bowl subdivision teams.
the hokies went into the transfer portal for help, including bringing in big ten players like michael troutman iii (penn state), justin terry (ohio state) and justin bell (michigan state).
new faces
qb ethan grunkemeyer (transfer from penn state), wr que’sean brown (transfer from duke), te luke reynolds (transfer from penn state), ol logan howland (transfer from oklahoma), db jaquez white (transfer from troy).
key losses
qb kyron drones, ol thomas rimac, lb caleb woodson (transferred to alabama), dl ben bell, lb jaden keller.
biggest games for the hokies
vs. Pittsburgh (oct. 2), vs. Georgia tech (oct. 17), at miami (nov. 21), vs. Virginia (nov. 28). |
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| NASA retiree says pension disappeared as Illinois senator cites broader backlog |
| Posted on Friday, August 21 @ 00:03:05 PDT (24 reads) | |
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Washington
nasa retiree says pension disappeared as illinois senator cites broader backlog concerns
published
13 minutes agoon
by
press room
winfield, ill. (Wls) — a west suburban woman says she has spent nearly two years trying to access a pension she earned while working as an engineer for nasa, and her case may reflect a larger issue involving delays in federal retirement benefits.
dr. Sylvia washington of winfield told the abc7 i-team she has been attempting to collect her nasa pension since 2024.
“it’s a horror story,” washington said.
abc7 chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
washington worked at the nasa lewis research center, now known as nasa glenn research center in cleveland, ohio, from august 1987 to october 1992 as an electronics engineer. She said those five years made her vested and eligible for pension benefits.
while pursuing her pension claim, washington said she was told by the government that additional days of service were missing from her record. She later learned those extra days were not required, according to her account.
during an interview, washington discussed the importance of receiving the benefit she earned.
“i did not believe i would be in a situation,” she said.
washington estimates the pension could be worth about $2,000 per month, but she said her frustration now goes beyond the money.
“but it’s never been about the money. I’m serious. It’s not even about the money at this point in time is about the deception. It’s about the runaround,” washington said.
to support her claim, washington provided employment records, a nasa work identification card, photographs from her time at the agency and a pension form she recently completed with the u.S. Office of personnel management, the federal agency that administers pensions and other retirement benefits. She was also featured in a 2022 issue of the oberlin alumni magazine that highlighted her nasa career.
“i’m a real person. I file taxes. The federal government has data from other parts of its system. This shows that i work there. So, to me, why are they doing this?” Washington said.
nasa referred questions about the case to the u.S. Office of personnel management. After several email exchanges, an agency spokesperson told the i-team that staff members understand the case, are actively working on it and will provide additional information if available.
the office of u.S. Sen. Tammy duckworth is also assisting washington.
“my office has reached out directly to the us office of personnel management on behalf ms. Washington inquiring about her case,” duckworth’s office said. The senator’s office added, “we are aware of the significant backlog of retiree pension cases at opm and will continue to do everything possible to help individuals access the benefits they deserve.”
washington believes other retirees may be facing similar problems.
“i do not feel that i’m the only person that this is happening to. I don’t . I think it’s happening to a lot of seniors,” she said.
the i-team also asked the office of personnel management to respond to duckworth’s statement regarding what the senator described as a significant backlog of retiree pension cases. According to the script, opm did not respond.
copyright © 2026 wls-tv. All rights reserved.
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washington
washington state unemployment fell slightly in july, adding over 20,000 jobs
published
1 day agoon
august 19, 2026by
press room
the latest jobs report for washington state shows slight hiring growth and a dip in unemployment for the first time in more than a year and a half. Though unemployment in the state remains higher than the national average, labor economists called the news “bright” and credited world cup-related hiring for the bump.
the unemployment rate dropped from 5.2% in june to 5% in july, according to the state’s employment security department. Unemployment had been rising steadily in washington from a low of 4.3% in january of last year.
the state also added around 21,00 jobs, the largest uptick in hiring that washington has seen since january 2026.
the new report shows growth particularly in the service industry, with the biggest gains in education, health services, and leisure and hospitality.
“this is a sector that we’ve really been watching,” said annelise vance-sherman, chief labor economist for the employment security department.
she added that leisure and hospitality had seen a steady addition of jobs since may, adding a total of around 10,700 jobs, particularly in food and drinking establishments.
“i do think that the world cup had a lot to do with that,” vance-sherman said.
state economists won’t know whether the gains are temporary until august jobs are tallied next month, she said.
state and federal government jobs saw the biggest losses in the last month, shedding about 1,400 positions, followed by cuts in the mining and logging industries.
the employment data comes on the heels of a statewide economic revenue forecast released in late june which predicted slower-than-expected job growth for the year. The fresh jobs report likely wouldn’t sway that economist forecast much, said dave reich, chief economist for the revenue council.
the national unemployment rate also decreased slightly in the past month, from 4.2% to 4.1%.
washington
nps proposes giving control of armory to dc
published
2 days agoon
august 18, 2026by
press room
the national park service proposed giving control of the d.C. Armory campus to the district government as the national guard plans to move out due to construction of the new football stadium across the street.
the 10-acre armory campus on east capitol street has been home to the d.C. National guard since 1941.
last week, the national park service filed notice with the national capital planning commission (ncpc) of plans to transfer jurisdiction of the land to d.C., Washington business journal first reported. The deal would be much like how the federal government transferred the 174 acres of the rfk stadium to d.C. Government.
the armory has hosted sporting events, presidential galas and recently was used by the fbi during america 250 celebrations.
while the building is not on the historic register, whether it could be taken down is unknown. A spokesperson for mayor muriel bowser said the proposal from the federal government requires the building to remain intact. Ncpc would need to grant approval for demolishing the building.
a spokesperson for the mayor’s rfk project management office said the proposed transfer is a first step.
“this step would ensure the district can determine how this site can best serve residents and surrounding communities in a comprehensive plan,” the spokesperson said. “Any future use of the armory site will require additional planning and review, including an environmental assessment and opportunities for public engagement and feedback. These processes will help inform the district’s decisions about the site and its role within the larger rfk campus.”
if approved, the federal government would still own the land, but the d.C. Government would have control of developing it. It’s unclear if the federal government would place any restrictions on use of the property.
the armory site is prime real estate with a metro station and development around the washington commanders’ stadium.
ncpc is scheduled to take up the proposed transfer at its meeting sept. 3. If approved, the transfer could be completed before the end of the year.
washington
“braves on a warpath” returns to washington fight song – daily slop
published
5 days agoon
august 16, 2026by
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editor’s note: each day, hogs haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the commanders, the nfc east, the nfl and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
what we learned from the commanders’ preseason win over the dolphins
the commanders’ defensive line featured all reserves, but sonny styles and leo chenal started at linebacker, and the secondary included safeties will harris and quan martin, along with veteran corner rasul douglas. That they couldn’t stop a miami team lacking in playmakers and depth was alarming, but washington quickly regrouped.
after their opening score (a one-yard run by de’von achane), the dolphins never made it past washington’s 45-yard line and ended their subsequent drives with a turnover on downs, an interception, six consecutive punts and two interceptions.
[quan] martin’s place on the roster remains uncertain, despite starting 32 of the commanders’ last 34 games. Last season, he had a 154.6 passer rating against, the fourth-highest among nfl defenders with at least 200 coverage snaps. He also missed 15 tackles, the second-most on the commanders behind frankie luvu’s 21.
martin was benched in the team’s week 11 loss to the dolphins in madrid, and logged only six defensive snaps in the team’s season-ending loss to the philadelphia eagles.
washington signed veteran safety nick cross as a free agent in march and has another year with will harris. Tyler owens and percy butler are also back and, like reaves, have been core special-teamers for washington.
to say martin needed a strong showing on friday would be an understatement. He delivered with a body-slamming tackle of achane during miami’s first drive, then the interception early in the second quarter.
[o]n friday, the team not so subtly restored one piece of native-adjacent imagery by restoring the line “braves on a warpath” to its fight song. The line had been replaced with “fight for our commanders” after the name change.
to read more of this article, click here
2026 nfl preseason, week 1: what we learned from friday’s games
commanders have battle for final rb spot(s). Jacory croskey-merritt and rachaad white reside at the top of washington’s running back depth chart. Behind them are two veterans, jeremy mcnichols and jerome ford, and two rookies: sixth-rounder kaytron allen and undrafted free agent robert henry jr. Both first-year players scored on friday, perhaps making a push for the final 53-man roster. The more impressive of the two was henry. He had the juice, breaking off a 15-yard run early and later beating everyone to the outside for a 22-yard score. He finished with 75 yards on 12 carries (6.3 ypc). Allen also represented himself well (23 carries for 85 yards), sporting a long of 16 and taking a goal-line plunge to find the end zone. Could either or both supplant a vet on the roster? Croskey-merrit, a 2025 seventh-rounder, shot up the depth chart his first year, so it’s certainly possible.
to read more of this article, click here
5 takeaways from washington’s 20-7 win over the dolphins
2. Robert henry jr. Has some juice
with jeremy mcnichols out, it created an opportunity for the players down the running back depth chart to show off their skill sets. All the running backs had a solid night, but it was henry, the undrafted free agent out of utsa, who stole the show.
henry, who rushed for 2,339 yards in college, showed burst, decisiveness and quickness with the ball in his hands. Although he’s not the biggest player at 196 pounds, he wasn’t afraid to plow up the middle of the defense for dirty yards.
he also knows how to separate from defensive players when necessary, and he showed off his 4.5 speed on the commanders’ opening touchdown. He followed a reach block by sixth-rounder matt gulbin and outran the dolphins’ defense down the sideline for the 22-yard score.
henry ended up leading the commanders in a 174-yard rushing performance from the group, but an even bigger win for the running back was that he made his case to be on the roster for week 1.
to read more of this article, click here
commanders running back battle just took an interesting turn
kaytron allen’s 23 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown are another reason washington’s running back decision remains crowded. Allen handled 45 offensive snaps, more than twice henry’s workload, including 23 rushing snaps, making his performance more about sustaining a heavy workload than producing the same per-snap efficiency henry did. Allen finished with a 56.0 overall offensive grade and 61.7 rushing grade, well below henry’s 72.5 and 73.0 pff grades. Allen just put an exclamation point on a roster case that was already developing during camp, while henry is the player who introduced a new name into the four-back equation.
jeremy mcnichols did not suit up for the dolphins game, nor did he participate in the last few days of camp practice. Mcnichols could lose his spot if his injury lingers, although the trust the team already has in him will likely buy him enough time to compete. Mcnichols carries weight beyond that trust because the team knows his veteran reliability, familiarity with the offense, and proven ability to handle different responsibilities are hard traits to replace.
friday was just one game against another team’s backups, not the weeks of work of this offseason and training camp. It was also a good gauge of where the personnel is currently. That said, the game changed henry’s situation completely because he now owns both productive game tape and a favorable independent film grade to go with the practice evaluation washington already had. The next checkpoint in this battle will be detroit; if henry can add another efficient rushing performance and continued special-teams work, it will be much harder to dismiss miami as a one-night breakout.
to read more of this article, click here
6 winners and 3 losers from the washington commanders’ preseason win
winner: cb antonio hamilton sr.
what can you say about the night antonio hamilton sr. Had? It seemed like every time there was a big hit on defense or special teams, hamilton was leading the way. He finished second on the team with four combined tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup. This is what washington knew it was getting when the commanders re-signed him a few months ago.
hamilton sr. Probably won’t be a starter this year, but he’s a depth guy you can rely upon in tight spots and a good special teams player.
we know what lane can do as a returner. The next key development step for him is to prove he can make plays in the passing game, and he did that on friday night, finishing with a team-leading three catches for 31 yards on four targets with a long of 17. He moved the chains, and that’s an efficient night for a receiver.
this bodes well for the commanders’ receiver room as a whole because, before stefon diggs arrived, there were a lot of questions about who was going to be that guy after terry mclaurin. I’m not saying lane is going to have a breakout season, but it was very encouraging to see him make those plays in the passing game.
two targets, zero catches, zero yards. Mccaffrey looked okay in run blocking, but at this point, his production just has to get better. He hasn’t done anything over his first two seasons in the nfl. He’s got good size, good hands, and the athleticism to play inside and out, but 29 catches for 371 yards and three touchdowns across two seasons is poor. He hasn’t even topped 20 receptions in a single season. Going 0-for-2 in this game is not a good way to start the preseason.
to read more of this article, click here
commanders newest dt byron cowart ‘dominant’ in preseason
“dominant” perfectly describes defensive tackle byron cowart’s debut for the commanders, according to 106.7 the fan’s grant paulsen. He was impressed by how former new england patriots draft pick cowart toyed with the miami dolphins during a 20-7 win for washington on friday, august 14.
it’s a welcome rave review for a journeyman of seven teams who still faces an uphill battle to make the final roster. Cowart recently joined a loaded position group featuring two first-round nfl draft picks and a returning veteran well known to the commanders.
to read more of this article, click here
quick facts, numbers from commanders’ preseason win over dolphins
[each] of the kickers competing for the job [was] successful on [his] only attempt. Incumbent jake moody made his despite hitting the right upright from 29 yards, and then iowa rookie kicker drew stevens made his one attempt from 41 yards.
the commanders defense was one of the worst at creating turnovers in 2024 and 2025. Friday night, they intercepted dolphin quarterbacks three times. Interceptions were made by quan martin, malik spencer, and ale kaho. Linebacker kain medrano also dropped a would-be pick-six.
perhaps the best defensive performance of the night came from dl ricky barber. Barber collected five tackles on the night, three of which were solo. Barber also was credited with a quarterback sack. Nt shy tuttle also looked good, having three tackles, one of which was solo and a tackle for a loss.
te colson yankoff continues to produce in his opportunities. He made two catches and had a very nice block to spring rb kaytron allen.
to read more of this article, click here
chig okonkwo on joint practice, playing w/ jayden daniels & preseason wk1 | next man up | commanders
20 unanswered: commanders depth flips preseason opener vs dolphins
commanders throw dolphins back into the ocean!! – 08.15.26 – w/ felix trammell
eagles-ravens preseason observations: position battle updates, injury news, and more
to no surprise, the eagles barely played any starters in this game. You could say that any football is better than no football but this was mostly a boring game. The eagles’ offense mustered just 100 yards on their first 31 plays before cole payton finally led a scoring drive later in the fourth quarter.
andy dalton got the start on saturday night. The offense ran nine plays for 12 yards and three punts while he was in. Not exactly sharp. He finished 3/6 for 20 yards and 57.6 passer rating.
tanner mckee wasn’t much better. He was 6/10 for 35 yards and a 66.7 passer rating.
this outing reflected what we’ve seen from the qb2 battle in training camp thus far; no real separation between these two.
the eagles are off tomorrow, sunday, august 16 before returning to practice on monday. Then tuesday is a travel day ahead of two joint training camp practices against the new england patriots on wednesday and thursday.
to read more of this article, click here
you know those hypothetical questions that pop up on social media that are like, would you take having a 99 percent chance of winning a billion dollars if it came with a 1 percent chance of dying? Getting offered the eagles offensive coordinator job has to feel a little like that, only with slightly lower stakes. Instead of winning a billion dollars, you could go on to land one of 32 nfl head coaching jobs in a year or two, and instead of dying, you could just become the most hated public figure in philadelphia and suffer enough professional embarrassment that you’ll probably never get a meaningful nfl job again.
historically, philadelphia has mostly kept hurts in the gun, where he poses more of a run threat on option plays. Hurts hasn’t been very productive on option keepers in recent seasons, but the threat that he’ll pull the ball still opens up space for saquon barkley, who led the nfl in epa on “read option” carries last season, per sports info solutions. Mannion says that the eagles will “lean into” hurts’s rushing ability. That suggests philly will still regularly line up in the gun since there are few concepts that get the quarterback involved in the run game from under center (outside of qb sneaks). The 28-year-old qb also showed up to camp looking notably leaner and quicker, which could make those option keepers more effective than they were a year ago.
among quarterbacks with at least 10 option keepers last season, hurts had the lowest success rate, and only bo nix lost more epa on those plays, per sports info solutions. So there’s a lot of room for improvement in that area, and a faster hurts should be more capable of burning defenses that are keyed in on barkley.
it will be interesting to see how mannion incorporates the qb run-option game into the modern west coast offense. We’ve seen coaches from the shanahan-mcvay tree use pistol as a middle ground between under center and shotgun formations, and if that does end up serving as a foundation for philly’s offense in 2026, we’ll likely see it in the preseason, when teams work on their base concepts.
to read more of this article, click here
the cowboys are 1-0 in the preseason for the first time in almost a decade
the dallas cowboys won their first preseason game of the year. It has been almost a decade since that sentence was true.
we all know that preseason results, in terms of wins and losses, are meaningless, but you’d certainly rather win than lose.
to read more of this article, click here
the ny offense is anything but a well-oiled machine so far
the vikings are not a great team to play your first preseason game against. Brian flores’ defense has flummoxed the giants’ offense in regular season games for two consecutive years. Many defensive coordinators run vanilla defenses in the preseason, but not flores. He stacked the box and liberally blitzed jaxson dart in the first half. That’s a good thing in the sense that dart needs reps recognizing the blitz and countering it. It’s a bad thing, though, when you don’t recognize it and your running back (in this case, tyrone tracy) doesn’t pick up the blitzer. The result was dart’s first trip of 2026 to the blue tent.
the larger question, which couldn’t be answered today, is whether the matt nagy offense will be much more conservative than what we’ve gotten used to the past few years. We’ll have to see the giants against a more conventional defense to get a better feel for that. What we do know is that today they passed 21 times (completing 16), but for only 160 yards, while rushing 25 times (not including scrambles) for 70 yards. Not a lot to get excited about.
oh, and…maybe the giants need to go shopping for a qb3. Brandon allen was awful, getting intercepted twice in the second half. On the second one obj was wide open on the other side of the field and allen never looked his way.
to read more of this article, click here
dart threw a beautiful 15-yard touchdown pass to fields. That was an improvised scramble play with dart moving to his left, the kind of unscripted play on which dart excels.
dart found his new favorite target, isaiah likely, for two first downs.
on the negative side, dart took two sacks. The first one bothered me more than the big hit he took on the second one because it appeared to be his fault. He had an opportunity to throw the ball, chose not to, and ended up holding the ball and running himself into a sack. Dart led the league in sacks with the quarterback being at least partially responsible last season, and he needs to get better about not causing negative plays.
to read more of this article, click here
it’s time to throw the red flag on nfl challenges. Why are they needed at all?
a lack of technology may have made them necessary back when replay review was antiquated and cumbersome. We have reached an age when nfl replay officials in new york can monitor every available broadcast angle from every game across the country within seconds.
regardless of who is throwing the flag, the nfl requires teams to spot a mistake, grab a handkerchief, find an official before the ball is snapped again and wager one of their timeouts against whether the referees got a call wrong.
coaches have essentially become trial attorneys: file the right motion, at the right time and on the correct grounds, or have the entire case thrown out.
detroit lions coach dan campbell correctly believed the los angeles rams’ colby parkinson was down at the 4-yard line in a december game last year and challenged the spot when officials instead placed the ball at the 3.
but a spot is only reviewable when it impacts a first down or touchdown. Parkinson caught a short pass from matthew stafford on first-and-10 and turned it into a big play. Since the disputed yard did not affect whether the rams gained a first down, officials ruled the spot was not challengeable and charged the lions with a timeout. Replay assistance corrected the call, and officials placed the ball at the 4 anyway — but still took a timeout away from detroit.
more fundamentally, enforcing the rules should remain the league’s responsibility. A receiver’s foot was either out of bounds or it wasn’t. A runner’s knee was either down or it wasn’t. Those facts shouldn’t change because one coach had a timeout available, recognized the mistake or employed a better replay staff than his opponent.
why should coaches have to weigh whether a first-quarter officiating error is important enough to risk a timeout? Getting a call right shouldn’t depend on whether a coach is willing to make a bet.
the nfl already accepts that principle on scores, turnovers, failed fourth downs, and during the final two minutes. Those plays aren’t automatically reviewed because replay officials suddenly become more capable when the stakes rise. They’re reviewed because the league has decided those calls are too important to leave to coaching strategy. A mistake in the first quarter is no less wrong.
the nfl has tried a booth-driven system before. From 1986 through 1991, replay supervisors decided which plays warranted review. The league dumped it amid complaints about delays and frustration that teams had no way to request a review.
technology has evolved quite a bit since the late 1980s. Video was primitive, and the process was excruciatingly slow. Now replay officials can view synchronized, high-definition angles through hawk-eye innovations and communicate directly with officials on the field. The concept wasn’t necessarily wrong; it just arrived about 35 years too soon.
to read more of this article, click here
stadium-related reporting
federal filings reveal washington commanders’ premium seating plans — and fans in two nfl cities show what the price tag could look like
the team offered one of the first glimpses inside the 70,000-plus-seat stadium during a presentation to a federal approval panel in july: a view from what a designer called the capitol club, overlooking east capitol street with the u.S. Capitol and washington monument on the horizon.
the blueprints identify multiple premium levels throughout the building — the capitol club, a club and suite level, and down at field level: an owners level and a “pocket suite level,” a type of smaller luxury suite increasingly popular in newer nfl stadiums.
[t]he majority of commanders season tickets will come with personal seat licenses, or psls — a one-time fee, often thousands of dollars and sometimes tens of thousands, just for the right to purchase season tickets. Sources say sales will begin in 2027, three years before the stadium’s scheduled 2030 opening. The team has already leased space at 2200 pennsylvania ave. Nw for offices and a sales center modeled on the ones nfl teams have opened in other cities.
commanders fans have never paid a psl. To understand what’s coming, wusa9 interviewed season ticket holders in nashville and buffalo — two fan bases living through it right now.
the tennessee titans are selling psls for their new stadium, which opens next year. Fans told wusa9 club-level licenses ran from $20,000 to $75,000 per seat at midfield. The titans say those premium club psls sold out in three months, two and a half times faster than expected.
with a year to go before opening day, only a handful of licenses remain on the team’s website: almost $13,000 per seat along the side of the end zone, more than $10,000 behind the goal posts, and $3,500 for the upper deck — the cheapest left.
blake reynolds paid $1,500 per seat for club-level psls at the current stadium in 2020. To stay in the club, the cheapest license quoted to him was $20,000 per seat.
two longtime bills fans who spoke on condition of anonymity described harder math. One calculated his first year would top $30,000 for four lower-bowl seats and gave up tickets entirely. The other was quoted roughly $15,000 per seat to keep seats his family had held since the mid-1980s. He declined — and a month later, the team called back with a $1,000 upper-bowl license. He took it.
to read more of this article, click here |
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