According to a press release, the $50 million gift that will launch the Lurie Autism Institute (LAI) is ‘the largest single donation to U.S. academic medical centers focused on autism research across the lifespan.’

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), perhaps obviously, focuses its efforts in autism research with children, while Penn largely works with the adult community.

One of LAI’s main goals is to combine the work of CHOP and Penn and aid researchers in painting a broader picture of autism’s effects over a lifetime. As LAI Interim Director Dr. Dan Rader put it, the work they do will help researchers ‘better understand the condition, the heterogeneity, and how we can actually ultimately use the research to make a difference in their lives.’

In addition, the new institute and its funding will aim to incentivize other doctors and researchers — those not currently working on autism-related work — to join in supporting the work of CHOP and Penn Medicine. To that end, LAI will launch a certificate program from PhD trainees and postdocs called the ‘Next-Generation Program in Autism Bioscience,’ the press release said.

What are the goals for the Lurie Autism Institute?

‘This is a time when we’ve seen so many advances in neuroscience, genetics, imaging, molecular pathways, processes and artificial intelligence,’ Lurie told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview. ‘It’s opening up an entirely new world of possibilities for autism research.’

Both Rader and Lurie emphasized that a big part of LAI’s work will be determining how translational therapeutics might be effective in treating individuals on the spectrum, in part with the aid of the latest in artificial intelligence.

In other words, LAI’s efforts will consist of collecting data from existing and ongoing research and then, using new technology and AI, figuring out how that data can be translated into a form of treatment. That treatment, according to Lurie, could consist of repurposing certain drugs or gene editing.

‘The complex part of autism is there’s no single gene, there’s no single reason,’ Lurie said. ‘So it’s very research-based in order to get to the therapeutics.’

As LAI focuses largely on research, the clinical efforts at CHOP and Penn will continue and ‘likely expand’ in the wake of LAI’s launch, Rader said. Then, as those two organizations diagnose and work with more individuals on the spectrum, they could ‘recruit’ those individuals as ‘partners in the research to better understand this complex condition.’

In addition, Lurie said one of the main visions he has for LAI is to become a ‘catalyst’ for more worldwide funding and research to tackle the complexities of understanding autism.

As part of those efforts, the institute will host an annual international symposium and award a prize for autism research, according to the press release.

Lurie family has long history of autism research philanthropy

Lurie and his family are not newcomers to advocating for autism research and awareness.

“My brother is autistic. So for my family and me, we’ve been supporting the autism community for … decades,’ Lurie said. ‘That’s really where it all originated from.

‘My mother has really led the way over all these decades as the primary investor in autism research, and the rest of the family has followed suit. What I’ve done is just re-emphasize that over the decades, over the years.’

Lurie’s mother, Nancy Lurie Marks, founded the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation (NLMFF) in 1977 to aid individuals with autism. In 2009, the NLMFF established the Lurie Center for Autism at Massachusetts General Hospital.

In 2018, Jeffrey Lurie started the Eagles Autism Foundation. And in 2019, the Eagles, the NFL team Lurie has owned since 1994, opened the NFL’s first in-stadium sensory room, ‘a dedicated space designed by medical professionals for those who may need a quieter and more secure environment,’ according to the team’s official website.

‘And wherever we go, whether it’s Brazil or the Super Bowl, we bring it along with us,’ Lurie said. ‘And (sensory-inclusive efforts have) become adopted by so many sports teams. It’s gratifying.’

Indeed, many sports teams across various leagues — MLB, MLS, the NBA and the NHL — have adopted similar sensory rooms and other tools. The Buffalo Bills, for example, offer sensory inclusion kits that include things like noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys to help make their games and events more inclusive to their neurodiverse fans.

Said Lurie: ‘I’ve always grown up in an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusivity, so when we have done things with the Eagles like we do with different organizations … we want to try to create inclusive atmospheres for autistic people no matter if they’re young or old.’

Increased efforts in autism research now ‘more important than ever’

The topic of autism research on a national level has gained steam in recent months. That has been inspired in part by U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who in the past has promoted scientifically discredited theories that autism is linked to childhood vaccines — declaring in April that the U.S. will find the cause of autism by September.

As part of those efforts, Kennedy announced ‘a massive testing and research effort’ that will ‘involve hundreds of scientists from around the world.’

An HHS official told USA TODAY in late April that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is using $50 million to invest in autism research. Other efforts headed by NIH — namely launching a real-world data platform using public data from federal agencies and data collected from private sector sources like smart watches and fitness trackers — and lack of clarity surrounding those efforts have resulted in heightened privacy concerns.

‘The use of registries and registry data in general can be a valuable tool in helping to understand the causes of diseases and disorders, but in this case, the lack of clarity around how data will be collected, shared, maintained and tested for accuracy raises red flags,’ a statement from the Autism Science Foundation read.

Despite the relevant timing, the launch of the LAI is not an event that is happening in response to Kennedy and the HHS’s recent initiative, Lurie clarified.

‘This notion of merging CHOP and Penn — I’ve been looking for where to do this for about three years,’ he said.

‘It just came to be probably about two years ago, and we’ve been talking ever since of how to make this great. So, no, it had nothing to do with anything else but trying to impact the lives of those with autism with all these new technologies and discoveries as best as possible.’

That doesn’t take away from the significance of the timing, says Rader.

‘There’s a lot of confusion right now about what are the causes of autism, what should we be doing about it, how might we better prevent it,’ he said. ‘It’s more important than ever to bring this information together in a synthetic way that allows us to really better understand this complex condition.

‘So, I think, yes, the rationale for this got even greater over the last few months.’

Kinsey Crowley contributed to this report.

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final was about as tight as it could get through the first two games.

Two overtime games for the first time since the 2014 Stanley Cup Final. Teams within a goal of each other for all but 77 seconds. Four lead changes for just the second time in the past 42 seasons.

The defending champion Florida Panthers made sure there would be no repeat as they pulled away for a 6-1 rout of the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3. That gives Florida a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series. Game 4 is Thursday, June 12, in Sunrise, Florida.

Brad Marchand scored 56 seconds into the game and the Panthers never gave up the lead. Sam Reinhart scored in the second period to make it 3-1 just 80 seconds after the Oilers got their first goal of the game.

‘Especially what both teams had been through in the first two (games), there is no lead at that point (after the Oilers goal),’ Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. ‘Sam’s goal was very important for us.’

The Oilers pulled goalie Stuart Skinner in the third period after he gave up five goals on 23 shots.

The Panthers’ power play, which had struggling at home at 3.6%, scored three times as the undisciplined Oilers gave them 11 opportunities. Sam Bennett scored his second home playoff goal to go with his record 12 goals on the road. He had two big hits before scoring on a 2-on-0 breakaway to make it 4-1.

‘He’s capable of that, to be a physical player, incredible speed and the hands to finish,’ Maurice said.

Referees began handing out misconducts in the third period as the game got out of hand.

‘I don’t think our best has shown up all series long, but it’s coming,’ said Oilers captain Connor McDavid, whose seven-game point streak came to an end. ‘Shift the focus to finding a way to get a win in Game 4.’

Highlights from Game 3 between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers:

Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final Game 3 highlights

Final score: Panthers 6, Oilers 1

Florida leads the series 2-1 after a dominant game. The plastic rats start flying on the ice.

Score update: Panthers 6, Oilers 1

Evan Rodrigues gets the Panthers’ third power-play goal of the game.

More misconducts

Evander Kane is gone as is Kasperi Kapanen.

Panthers, Oilers square off

Trent Frederic starts it by breaking his stick while cross-checking Sam Bennett. Jonah Gadjovich and Darnell Nurse get involved into an extended fight. Panthers get a power play out of this, but the Oilers kill it.

Oilers power play

Brad Marchand is called for hooking.

Panthers power play

Mattias Janmark goes off roughing. Oilers kill it off.

Stuart Skinner pulled

Calvin Pickard comes into the game after Skinner gave up five goals on 23 shots.

Score update: Panthers 5, Oilers 1

Sam Reinhart makes a great behind-the-back pass to Aaron Ekblad, who has a wide-open net. That’s two power-play goals for Florida.

Panthers power play

Stuart Skinner called for delay of game after putting the puck over the glass.

Third period underway

Stuart Skinner still in the Edmonton net. Oilers kill off the remaining Panthers power play.

End second: Panthers 4, Oilers 1

The Panthers build on their lead with goals by Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett following the Oilers’ opening goal by Corey Perry. Florida was physical in that period with Bennett delivers back-to-back before his goals and Aaron Ekblad knocks down Connor McDavid. Florida will have a power play to start the third period.

Panthers power play

Darnell Nurse cross-checks Anton Lundell. There will be a 1:16 carryover into the third period.

Jake Walman sprays water bottle at Panthers player

Oilers defenseman Jake Walman was caught on camera spraying his water bottle at the Panthers bench. Why? Before that, Florida’s A.J. Greer had ripped off Walman’s glove and dropped it into the bench. Fines coming?

Connor McDavid goes to dressing room but returns

He left after an Aaron Ekblad hit but is now back.

Score update: Panthers 4, Oilers 1

Oilers turn over the puck and Panthers get a 2-on-0 breakaway. Sam Bennett scores his 14th playoff goal. It’s his fourth goal of the series and just his second one at home during the playoffs. He had two big hits before the breakaway. Bennett, a pending unrestricted free agent, is helping his cause this summer.

Score update: Panthers 3, Oilers 1

Sam Reinhart scores 80 seconds after the Edmonton goal. Aleksander Barkov starts the play by checking John Klingberg. Carter Verhaeghe picks up the loose puck and feeds Reinhart. No assist for Barkov, who’s still scoreless in the final.

Score update: Panthers 2, Oilers 1

Edmonton scores on the power play as Corey Perry converts a rebound of a Mattias Ekholm shot.

Second period underway

Oilers starting the period with a power play.

End first: Panthers 2, Oilers 0

The penalties and the power plays piled up in that period. Florida’s Brad Marchand opened the scoring on a delayed penalty. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch told TNT that the constant trips to the penalty box was a ‘recipe for disaster.’ He was right as Carter Verhaeghe scored to give the Panthers just their second home power-play goal of the playoffs. Shots were 12-10 Edmonton, which also led 11-5 in hits.

Things get feisty

Evan Bouchard cross-checks Anton Lundell, who punches the Oilers defenseman. A scrum breaks out. Lundell will be in the penalty box for roughing when the second period begins.

Score update: Panthers 2, Oilers 0

Paul Maurice puts out the second power-play unit out to start. Panthers move the puck quickly and Carter Verhaeghe scores. This is just the second two-goal lead of the Stanley Cup Final.

Panthers power play

Viktor Arvidsson knocks Sergei Bobrovsky into the net and is called for goaltender interference.

Oilers power play

Sam Bennett is called for high-sticking. And this one is killed, too.

Panthers power play/Oilers power play

This time, it’s too many men on the ice (seven players, actually) for Edmonton. Panthers are getting plenty of opportunity to work on their struggling home power play. Again, it comes up short as Aaron Ekblad is called for tripping. There will be 4-on-4. During the ensuing Edmonton power, Sergei Bobrovsky makes a glove save on Evan Bouchard.

Panthers power play

Evander Kane takes another penalty, this time for high-sticking. Edmonton kills that off, too.

Panthers power play

Evander Kane in the box. Panthers’ power play is clicking at only 3.6% at home during the playoffs. Oilers kill it off.

Oilers power play

Anton Lundell called for tripping. Edmonton is dangerous but can’t score. One shot goes off Sergei Bobrovsky’s mask. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins misses the net on a rebound opportunity. Power play ends early when Evander Kane is called for cross-checking.

Score update: Panthers 1, Oilers 0

Brad Marchand stays hot, scoring 56 seconds into the game on a delayed penalty. He had two goals in Game 2, including the double-overtime winner.

Game underway

Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov line vs. the Oilers’ Connor McDavid line. Edmonton outshoots Florida 2-0 with those lines out there.

When is Stanley Cup Final Game 3? Panthers vs. Oilers game time

The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers will face off Monday at 8 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.

What TV channel is Panthers vs. Oilers Game 3 on?

TNT and truTV are broadcasting Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final. Kenny Albert will provide play-by-play, while Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Darren Pang and Jackie Redmond will provide analysis and reporting.

Stream the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on Sling

How to watch Panthers vs. Oilers Game 3

Date: Monday, June 9
Location: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: TNT, truTV
Streaming: Max, Sling TV

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins injury update

Not only is he playing, he’s in the starting lineup. His line, centered by Connor McDavid, will go against the Aleksander Barkov line.

Oilers lines

Of note, the Oilers appear to be going with their Game 2 defense pairings. They had switched up the pairings during their June 8 practice.

Panthers lines

Oilers roster update

The early roster report lists Edmonton’s Jeff Skinner as a scratch, which would indicate that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is playing. Skinner would have been his replacement.

Warmups underway

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is on the ice, as coach Kris Knoblauch said he would be. He’s a game-time decision.

Goaltending matchup

Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky (13-6, 2.21 goals-against average, .912 save percentage) vs. Oilers’ Stuart Skinner (7-5, 2.61, .901).

Edmonton Oilers’ leading scorers

The Oilers have four of the top five scorers in the series: Connor McDavid has a league-best 31 points, followed by Leon Draisaitl (29). Evan Bouchard (21) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (18). Draisaitl has a team-high nine goals.

McDavid has five assists in the final and has three goals and 11 assists during a seven-game point streak.

Florida Panthers’ leading scorers

The Panthers have 11 players with double-digit points, led by Sam Bennett (19) and Brad Marchand, Aleksander Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk (17 each). Bennett is the playoffs’ leading goal scorer with 13.

High-scoring series

The 16 goals through two games are tied with 2023 for the most of a final over the past 42 seasons.

But Panthers coach Paul Maurice said despite the high number of goals, the defense and goaltending have been strong.

‘Everything is contested all over the ice,’ Maurice said. ‘So … it’s more intense. What a wonderful thing to see in the final instead of the first round. These men are going that hard. It’s awesome.’

Oilers change up defense pairings

The Oilers changed their defense pairings during practice on June 8. Per NHL.com, Darnell Nurse moved up with Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm was with John Klingberg and Jake Walman was with Brett Kulak. For Game 2, their pairings were Bouchard-Ekholm, Nurse-Kulak and Walman-Klingberg.

Coach Kris Knoblauch didn’t make a big deal about the change.

‘Throughout Games 1 and 2, we had some changes and throughout the rest of the series, there will be some more,’ Knoblauch said.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins injury update

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins missed practice June 8 with an undisclosed injury but did take part in the optional skate on the morning of June 9. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch says he will be a game-time decision. ‘He’ll take warmup and we’ll decide from there,’ he said.

Jeff Skinner would return to the lineup if Nugent-Hopkins can’t go. He has a goal and an assist in two playoff games.

‘He’s been a true professional and when we’ve needed him, he’s been ready to play,’ Knoblauch said.

A.J. Greer injury update

He’ll return to the Panthers’ lineup in Game 3 and Jesper Boqvist will come out. Greer, who plays on the fourth line with Tomas Nosek and Jonah Gadjovich, missed Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, was limited in Game 5 and missed the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final.

2025 Stanley Cup Finals schedule

All times Eastern; (x–if necessary)

Game 1: Oilers 4, Panthers 3 (OT) | Story
Game 2: Panthers 5, Oilers 4 (2OT) | Story
Game 3: Monday, June 9, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
Game 4: Thursday, June 12, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
Game 5: Saturday, June 14, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
x-Game 6: Tuesday, June 17, Edmonton at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV
x-Game 7: Friday, June 20, Florida at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV

Stanley Cup Final Game 3 odds: Panthers vs. Oilers betting lines

All odds via BetMGM (as of Monday, June 9, 4 p.m. ET

Spread: Panthers (-1.5)
Moneyline: Panthers (-140); Oilers (+120)
Over/Under: 6.5

Odds to win 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final

Oilers -105
Panthers -115

American tennis star Coco Gauff, 21, is fresh off her first French Open win, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the finals on Saturday, June 7. Gauff’s victory marked the first time in a decade that an American had won the French Open. However, Gauff’s moment of celebration was short-lived after Sabalenka made some shocking comments to the media following her loss.

‘I think she won the match not because she played incredible,’ said Sabalenka. ‘Just because I made all of those mistakes, if you look from the outside, from kind of easy balls.’

Although Sabalenka later retracted some of her comments, praising Gauff for how she ‘played with poise and purpose.’

The original comments had already been aired out, and Gauff was certainly taken aback by her statements.

Coco Gauff ‘surprised’ by Sabalenka comments

In response to Sabalenka’s comments, Gauff told ‘Good Morning America’ on Monday, ‘I was a little bit surprised about the comments and everything but I’m gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure it was an emotional day, emotional match.’ Gauff continued, ‘I know she was probably a bit emotional after that match and it was a tough loss.’

Gauff went on to call Sabalenka a ‘fighter’ and ‘a tough opponent,’ noting that the windy conditions during the finals were very tough on both of them. That is something that Sabalenka noted as well, citing that Gauff ‘handled the conditions much better.’

Have Gauff and Sabalenka played before?

Heading into the French Open finals, Gauff and Sabalenka had a career match record of 5-5 against one another. Gauff has now pulled ahead at 6-5. Gauff is 2-1 against Sabalenka at Grand Slam finals.

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