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Golf pro melts down while carrying own clubs at U.S. Open qualifier

Golfer Max Homa took an unusual step on Monday in an effort to turn his season around.

After falling out of the top 60 in the Official World Golf Rankings, the six-time winner on the PGA Tour had to play his way into the upcoming U.S. Open by taking part in a 36-hole final qualifying tournament.

And do it while carrying his own bag.

After shooting a 77 in the final round of the Memorial Tournament last weekend, Homa showed up without a caddie at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club outside Columbus, Ohio, in his bid to grab one of the six available spots.

Homa did not go into detail when asked why he was flying solo at the qualifier.

‘It seems to be better when someone is not standing next to me, for some reason,’ Homa said. ‘So I might just need to walk by myself more.’

The novel approach nearly paid off as Homa made it into a playoff for the final spot. However, fellow Tour pro Cameron Young edged out Homa, Rickie Fowler and two others to secure a place in the U.S. Open, which will be contested at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh in two weeks.

Homa began the year comfortably inside the top 60 in the rankings, which would have automatically qualified him for the U.S. Open. However, after a string of missed cuts he and long-time caddie Joe Greiner parted ways before the Masters.

When he arrived at Monday’s qualifying event, new caddie Bill Harke was nowhere to be found. And Homa wasn’t in any mood to answer questions about it.

‘I haven’t carried my bag 36 holes in a while, so a little tired,’ Homa said.

He will have one more opportunity to qualify for the U.S. Open − at this week’s RBC Canadian Open. Though he’ll likely have to win the tournament to do so.

This story has been updated with new information.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Elon Musk warns excessive spending will plunge US ‘into debt slavery’

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Billionaire business tycoon Elon Musk, who issued a scathing rebuke of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the House Republicans who voted for it, is sounding the alarm about America’s profligate spending, warning that it will plunge the nation ‘into debt slavery.’

‘This immense level of overspending will drive America into debt slavery!’ Musk declared early on Wednesday in a post on X. 

His warning comes as the U.S. national debt is more than $36 trillion. 

‘Interest payments already consume 25% of all government revenue. If the massive deficit spending continues, there will only be money for interest payments and nothing else! No social security, no medical, no defense … nothing,’ he declared in another post.

President Donald Trump has been supporting the proposal that cleared the House last month, but on Tuesday, Musk blasted both the measure and those who voted for it.

‘I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it,’ Musk asserted in a post on X.

When Fox News’ Peter Doocy brought up Musk’s critique on Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that ‘the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn’t change the president’s opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s stickin’ to it.’

Musk is pounding the drum on the importance of tackling America’s debt and spending problems.

‘Mammoth spending bills are bankrupting America! ENOUGH,’ Musk declared in a tweet.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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UAE AMBASSADOR YOUSEF AL OTAIBA: US and UAE forge groundbreaking high-tech partnership based on AI

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President Donald Trump’s recent visit to the UAE marked a pivotal moment for UAE-U.S. bilateral relations, shining a spotlight on a shared vision for the future. As the UAE and the ‘New Gulf’ pivot from oil to cutting-edge technologies, our partnership with the U.S., rooted in decades of trust, has become a beacon of what’s possible when nations collaborate. 

This trust has paved the way for a bold new chapter: a strategic economic alliance poised to create tens of thousands of high-tech, energy and manufacturing jobs, driving prosperity in both of our countries.  

At the heart of this collaboration lies the new U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership. This initiative will advance cooperation in artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies while spurring investment flows between our nations.  

A cornerstone of this effort is the establishment of a 10-square mile state-of-the-art AI campus in Abu Dhabi, the largest outside the U.S.. With five gigawatts of AI data center capacity, it will act as a vital hub for U.S. hyperscalers or large cloud service providers and large enterprises, serving partners and friends across the region and in the global south.  

To support this vision, the UAE and U.S. governments have agreed on a pathway for the UAE to acquire advanced American AI semiconductors.  

A handful of U.S. voices have begun to raise concerns about the security of this technology. The fact is that we understand these concerns and fully agree that access to sensitive technologies comes with great responsibility.  

Importantly, this new partnership sets a global benchmark for securing advanced U.S. technology. Through the implementation of a ‘Regulated Technology Environment,’ approved UAE organizations acquiring regulated US technologies will adhere to extensive physical and cybersecurity protocols.  

These involve regular audits, third-party validations and active oversight by both nations’ governments. The direct involvement of leading U.S. companies further ensures that advanced AI chips and technologies are fully protected from diversion or unauthorized access. 

This is nothing new. These measures underscore our commitment to a long-term, trusted technology partnership with the U.S. that builds on decades of collaboration. 

The UAE previously established the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation with the mission to enhance export controls and prevent the unauthorized transfer of dual-use military/civilian items and technologies. For over 25 years, the UAE has deployed cutting-edge American defense technologies, from F-16 fighter jets to THAAD missile systems. And the strict safeguards in a landmark 2009 agreement have enabled the UAE access to U.S. civilian nuclear energy know-how and cooperation.  

Further confirming this mutual trust, UAE-backed GlobalFoundries manufactures America’s most classified microchips for defense and advanced computing in upstate New York and Vermont. As a key part of the new partnership, UAE companies will expand these technology investments into new U.S. data centers, digital infrastructure and energy projects, critical to powering the AI revolution. 

These measures underscore our commitment to a long-term, trusted technology partnership with the U.S. that builds on decades of collaboration. 

This partnership is a two-way street. U.S. companies are also doubling down on their presence in the UAE. Microsoft is partnering with G42, Google is launching a Cyber Security Excellence Center in Abu Dhabi, and Raytheon is opening a new UAE production facility. 

Major U.S. financial institutions, including BlackRock and JPMorgan, have set up shop in Abu Dhabi, while Wynn Resorts and Disney are developing landmark projects in the Emirates. From Abu Dhabi to Atlanta, Dubai to Detroit, and Ras Al Khaimah to Reno, investment is flowing, technology is advancing and businesses are thriving.  

The recent meeting between President Trump and UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan wasn’t just a celebration of past achievements, it was a launchpad for what’s next. This partnership isn’t just about quick wins; it’s about building a shared future of innovation, opportunity, and prosperity. Together, the UAE and the U.S. are crafting a legacy that will not only benefit our two nations but also inspire progress around the world for decades to come.  

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Peloton launching resale market for used bikes, treadmills

Peloton on Tuesday launched its own marketplace for reselling used equipment and gear as the company looks to capitalize on the many bikes and treadmills collecting dust in people’s homes.

The platform, dubbed Repowered, will allow members to post listings for their used Peloton equipment and gear and set a price with help from a generative AI tool, the company said.

Sellers have the final say on how much to list the item for, but the AI tool will suggest a price based on information about the product, such as its age, Peloton said.

It said sellers will get 70% of the sales price, while the rest will be shared between Peloton and its platform provider, Archive. Sellers will get a discount toward new equipment, while buyers will see the activation fee for a used product drop from $95 to $45, the company said.

Buyers will be able to see the equipment’s history on the listing and have the option to get the item delivered for an extra fee, Peloton said.

The resale market for used bikes and treadmills is booming. The company said it wants to streamline the sale process for members and offer a safe and comfortable way for prospective customers to buy equipment. It’s also an opportunity for Peloton to reach a wider array of new users as it plots a pathway back to growth.

Last summer, Peloton said it had started to see a meaningful increase in the number of new members who bought used Bikes or Treads from peer-to-peer markets such as Facebook Marketplace. At the time, it said paid connected fitness subscribers who bought hardware on the secondary market had grown 16% year over year, and it believed those subscribers exhibited a lower net churn rate — or membership cancellation — than rental subscribers.

Peloton has plenty of enthusiastic fans who use the company’s equipment every day, but some people have likened it to glorified clothes racks because so many people stop using them. While those owners paid for their exercise machines when they bought them, many have canceled their monthly subscription, which is how Peloton makes the bulk of its money, according to the company’s financial records.

Peloton is already reaping the subscription revenue from people who bought hardware on the secondary market, but now it will get a cut of that market with little upfront cost.

Repowered is a direct challenger to not just Facebook Marketplace but also the burgeoning startup Trade My Stuff, formerly known as Trade My Spin, which sells used Peloton equipment.

Trade My Stuff founder Ari Kimmelfeld told CNBC he previously met with Peloton to discuss ways to collaborate.

But Peloton said Repowered isn’t connected with Trade My Stuff.

Repowered is launching first in beta in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C., with plans to go nationwide in the coming months, Peloton said. The platform will launch first to sellers, and once there’s enough inventory available, it’ll go live to buyers, the company said.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
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Dollar General is shaking off tariff fears and winning over higher-income consumers

Shares of Dollar General jumped nearly 16% on Tuesday after the discounter raised its outlook, saying it drew more middle- and higher-income shoppers amid fears that higher tariffs would hurt consumer spending.

The Tennessee-based retailer beat quarterly expectations for revenue and earnings. The company said it now anticipates net sales will grow about 3.7% to 4.7%, compared to its previous expectation of about 3.4% to 4.4%. It expects diluted earnings per share to range from $5.20 to $5.80, compared to its prior outlook of approximately $5.10 to $5.80. Dollar General anticipates same-store sales will increase 1.5% to 2.5%, higher than its previous guidance of about 1.2% to 2.2%.

Here’s how the retailer did for the fiscal first quarter compared with Wall Street’s estimates, according to a survey of analysts by LSEG:

In the three-month period that ended May 2, Dollar General reported net income of $391.93 million, or $1.78 per share, compared with $363.32 million, or $1.65, in the year-ago quarter.

As of Tuesday’s close, shares of Dollar General have risen about 48% so far this year. That far exceeds the roughly 1% gains of the S&P 500 during the same period. Shares of the retailer closed at $112.57 on Tuesday, bringing Dollar General’s market value to $24.76 billion.

Dollar General’s first-quarter results — and its stock performance — stand out in a retail industry that is already taking a hit from President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Companies including Best Buy, Macy’s and Abercrombie & Fitch have cut their profit outlooks due to tariffs.

On an earnings call Tuesday, Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said the company has worked to reduce its exposure to China — and limit price hikes for shoppers. He said the retailer has worked with vendors to cut costs, moved manufacturing to other countries and made changes to its products or swapped them out for other merchandise.

He said direct imports make up about a mid- to high single-digit percentage of its overall purchases and indirect imports are about double that.

“While the tariff landscape remains dynamic and uncertain, we expect tariffs to result in some price increases as a last resort, though, we intend to work to minimize them as much as possible,” he said.

CFO Kelly Dilts said on the company’s earnings call that full-year guidance assumes that Dollar General will be able to offset “a significant portion of the anticipated tariff impact on our gross margin, but also allows for some incremental pressure on consumer spending.”

Customer traffic dipped by 0.3% in the first quarter compared to the year-ago period, but shoppers spent more when they visited. The average transaction amount rose 2.7%, as sales in the food, seasonal, home and apparel categories all grew.

Vasos added tariffs have also increased U.S. consumers’ desire to find deep discounts. Vasos said the company’s first-quarter results reflect Dollar General’s gains from “customers across multiple income bands seeking value.”

He said store traffic and the company’s market research indicates that more middle- and higher-income customers have come to its stores more frequently and spent more when they visited.

“We are pleased to see this growth with a wide range of customers and are excited about our ongoing opportunity to grow [market] share with them,” he said.

Those gains have helped as Dollar General’s core customer “remains financially constrained,” Vasos said. According to a survey by the company, he said 25% of customers reported having less income than they did a year ago and almost 60% of core customers said “they felt the need to sacrifice on necessities in the coming year.”

Dollar General’s sales largely come from U.S. consumers who are on a tight budget. About 60% of the retailer’s sales come from households with an annual income of less than $30,000 per year, Vasos said last fall at a Goldman Sachs’ retail conference.

In addition to wooing value-conscious shoppers, Dollar General has tried to tackle company-specific problems that drew government scrutiny and tested customer loyalty. The discounter, which has more than 20,000 stores across the country, has paid steep fines to the Labor Department for workplace safety violations due to blocked fire exits and dangerous levels of clutter.

Vasos highlighted some of the ways that Dollar General has tried to improve the customer experience. Among them, it’s worked to reduce employee turnover, and it took about 1,000 individual items off its shelves so it can keep top-selling items in stock, he said.

Dollar General has launched its own home delivery service, which is now available at more than 3,000 stores. Its deliveries through DoorDash have grown, too, with sales up more than 50% year over year in the quarter.

Dollar General has also bulked up its merchandise categories outside of the food and snack aisles, adding more discretionary items like seasonal decor and home items.

Vasos said sales in those categories have also gotten a boost from middle- and higher-income customers shopping its stores.

Its newer store chain, Popshelf, sells mostly discretionary items and caters to consumers with higher household incomes than Dollar General’s typical shoppers. Vasos did not share a specific metric for the chain, but said Popshelf’s same-store sales delivered strong growth in the quarter. The company recently changed the store layout to emphasize toys, beauty and party candy.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
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Knicks make surprising decision by parting ways with Tom Thibodeau

After crashing out in the NBA Eastern Conference finals, their deepest run in a quarter century, the New York Knicks will nonetheless be looking for a new head coach.

The Knicks announced Tuesday that they are parting ways with Tom Thibodeau as coach. ESPN was the first to report the news of Thibodeau’s dismissal, which USA TODAY Sports confirmed, before New York’s official announcement.

Knicks president Leon Rose thanked Thibodeau in a statement but said, in part, ‘Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction.’

The move comes a little less than one year since the Knicks had signed Thibodeau to a three-year contract extension that was supposed to keep him with the franchise through the 2027-28 season.

In five seasons with the Knicks, Thibodeau, 67, posted a 226-174 record (.565) and led New York to the playoffs in four of those seasons. This year marked the first time in 25 seasons that the Knicks had reached the Eastern Conference finals, though the Knicks lost the first two games of the series at home, before bowing out in six games to the Indiana Pacers.

The Knicks had made multiple win-now offseason moves ahead of the 2024-25 season in an attempt to compete with the defending champion Boston Celtics and other top teams in the East. New York traded Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo for stretch center Karl-Anthony Towns and also unloaded a haul of picks for wing Mikal Bridges.

The Knicks went on to win 51 games to finish third in the conference behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston.

New York eventually faced the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, closing out Boston in six games. The Knicks won the first two games of the series on the road, and clinched the series in a 38-point blowout.

Despite the loss in the Eastern Conference finals, New York’s players had expressed confidence that the team was capable of contending for NBA championships. Thibodeau had recently received an unwavering endorsement from New York’s captain and biggest star, Jalen Brunson.

“Is that a real question right now?” Brunson said Saturday, after the Pacers eliminated the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. “Did you just ask me if I believe that he’s the right guy? Yes. Come on.”

Despite that confidence, there were concerning signs in New York’s unraveling in the postseason.

For one, the Knicks repeatedly began first and second halves slowly, marked by sluggish energy and effort. Part of that fell to general struggles the starting lineup faced, often leading to significant deficits. The Knicks were also slow to adapt to adjustments made by opposing teams; it wasn’t until Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals — after New York had already lost the first two games of the series at home — that Thibodeau tweaked the starting lineup and extended his bench to get fresher legs on the court to match Indiana’s athleticism and pace.

Known as a demanding coach who plays his starters deep into games — even blowouts — Thibodeau also has had the reputation of being set in his ways, often chafing with other members of an organization.

After a March 12 game against the Trail Blazers – a 114-113 overtime victory – Bridges revealed to reporters that he had approached Thibodeau, asking that he reduce the minutes starters played. According to the New York Post, Bridges described Thibodeau as being receptive to a change, but that “sometimes I think he just gets in his ways.”

Although he has spent 13 seasons as a head coach in the NBA, Thibodeau has never remained at one stop more than five seasons. His first head coaching stint came in Chicago, where he led the Bulls from 2010-15. Thibodeau oversaw three top-three finishes in the Eastern Conference in his five seasons with the Bulls, including a pair of No. 1 seeds in his first two seasons.

A rift with the Chicago front office, however, spelled Thibodeau’s doom with the Bulls, who eventually fired him in May 2015.

Thibodeau was away from coaching for the following season before the Timberwolves hired him in April 2016. He spent two-and-a-half seasons in Minnesota before being fired 40 games into the 2018-19 campaign.

Thibodeau is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year award winner, following the 2010-11 season with the Bulls and the 2020-21 season with the Knicks, his first in New York.

(This story was updated with more information.)

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Wake Forest coach apologizes for ‘outburst’ during baseball regional

Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter issued an apology on Tuesday after a video clip during Monday night’s season-ending loss to Tennessee appeared to show him using a homophobic slur during an at-bat by Vols infielder Andrew Fischer.

‘I am very sorry for my outburst in frustration last night, and I recognize the hurt and disappointment it has caused,’ Walter said in a statement. ‘I have seen the videos and while I do not remember the specific moment clearly, that language doesn’t reflect my values or the standards of the program. Regardless, I own the consequences and I apologize to the University of Tennessee, to Wake Forest University, and the SEC & ACC.’

Wake Forest’s statement does not indicate whether Walter, who has been the school’s head coach since 2010, will be subject to further sanctions.

The incident occurred during the fourth inning, with Tennessee leading 6-2 in a game it would ultimately win 11-5 to advance to the super regional. It’s unclear to whom Walter was directing his displeasure, but ESPN’s camera cut to him as he was speaking toward somebody on the field. Though there was no audio available, the words he mouthed were obvious enough that the video clip immediately went viral. Strangely, Walter was not asked about it in his postgame news conference even though the clip had already been circulating widely for a couple hours.

Walter has built Wake Forest into one of the ACC’s top programs, with a College World Series appearance in 2023.

‘I am both surprised and deeply disappointed in our head coach Tom Walter for his outburst during last night’s baseball game,’ athletic director John Currie said. ‘I feel badly for those most hurt by such words. I spoke with Coach Walter immediately after the game and again this morning to address this incident, which is completely out of character for him and does not meet the standards of Wake Forest Athletics, Wake Forest University or the Atlantic Coast conference.’

The ACC did not immediately weigh in on the issue. 

This marks the second high-profile incident of the NCAA baseball tournament highlighting poor behavior from a coach. On Monday, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin issued a statement admonishing coach Kevin O’Sullivan, who laced into tournament officials at the Coastal Carolina-hosted regional because the game was delayed for field maintenance, producing another video clip that went viral on social media.

Stricklin said O’Sullivan’s tirade ‘fell well short of expectations of how Gators treat people,’ and O’Sullivan apologized to the site representatives, saying he ‘let my emotions get the best of me and channeled that energy in a way I should not have.’

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Expert speaks out on ‘perfect solution’ to federal hiring issues creating national security concerns

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Fox News Digital sat down with SkillStorm CEO Justin Vianello, who addressed issues the federal government faces hiring workers, sometimes raising national security concerns, and explained what his company is doing to streamline that process.

The federal government has struggled for decades with staffing issues in key roles like cybersecurity, tech and other high-skill areas, an issue flagged as far back as 2001, according to the Government Accountability Office. Vianello discussed how SkillStorm is attempting to solve those issues. 

‘If we look at the procurement process and the way it’s been structured, there’s significant delays,’ Vianello told Fox News Digital. ‘So, it can take years to actually get to a point where a solicitation is actually awarded. And then, ironically or paradoxically, post that award, the agency will expect … the particular company to be able to deliver a team in 10 days. So, this process is inefficient and somewhat outdated.’

Vianello explained that the current hiring process is ‘lengthy’ and ‘laborious,’ sometimes taking years rather than months and creating delays that teams need to properly mobilize and deploy. 

‘One of the solutions to that issue is to actually allow for an on-ramp time where people can spend between two to four months to custom build teams that have the right skills, that have (the) right certifications that are based in the right locations to rapidly deploy teams and to accelerate IT transformation and automation. And that’s really where the SkillStorm model comes in,’ Vianello said. 

Vianello says the company has spent millions of dollars in recent years building a Performance Acceleration Center for Excellence that is essentially a learning management training system with a customized curriculum and content along with a ‘stable of trainers’ in a position to ‘rapidly upskill and deploy people.’

‘How do we leverage that infrastructure to build out a solution for the federal government?’ Vianello said. ‘Well, what we do is we leverage that infrastructure to accelerate and train teams. And the way the model works is we both bring people into our program. We train them for anywhere between 10 and 16 weeks. We pay them while we’re training them. We help them achieve their certification, and then we deploy them. And we recover the investment that we make by billing them hourly.’

That system, Vianello explained, means SkillStorm takes ‘all the risk up front’ and recovers it by billing hourly to the client. 

‘Now this is the perfect solution to being able to custom-build tech teams, create net new talent for the ecosystem and being able deploy these people over time. But the government is gonna have to change the procurement system to not require people to be deployed within 10 days but allow companies to build these teams over two, three, four months.’

Another issue, Vianello told Fox News Digital, is the current hiring process can get tied up with security clearances and become a national security risk. 

‘That’s absolutely part of it, but I think there’s a bigger issue here if you look more generally at our model and some of the issues that are facing the market,’ Vianello said. ‘Well, if you look at SkillStorm’s model, SkillStorm has an innovative cost-effective solution to custom-build U.S.-based tech teams for rapid deployment. 

‘Now, we have a student debt crisis in this country, and, at the same time, what are we doing? We’re offshoring our children’s roles to other countries, and we’re using visa holders to take up the place of entry-level tech roles. Now, if we don’t invest in programs like SkillStorm, if we do invest in these outcome-driven, apprenticeship-type programs, where’s the next generation of cybersecurity experts going to come from?

‘Where’s the new generation of AI innovators going to come from? This is a national security issue that is essential in driving innovation. Right now, there are 500,000 open cybersecurity roles as of January 2025. We are the domestic models, like these apprenticeship models, that can support that gap to make sure that we’re protecting national security.’

Former General Services Administration (GSA) head Emily Murphy, who previously spoke to Fox News Digital about the GSA’s work to streamline government in the era of DOGE, said she has ‘seen firsthand how outdated federal systems have become one of the most serious yet least discussed threats to national security.

‘Agencies charged with safeguarding cybersecurity and digital infrastructure are losing the talent battle to the private sector, and the slow, outdated process for onboarding cleared workers doesn’t match the urgency of today’s threats.’

Murphy explained that the federal government needs a ‘new pipeline’ that ‘delivers clearance-eligible, project-ready professionals trained on mission-specific tools.’

‘SkillStorm is doing exactly that, deploying ‘Stormers,’ technologists trained on specific tech platforms, at a significant discount. It’s a smarter, faster way to secure the talent our government urgently needs.

Vianello told Fox News Digital SkillStorm and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have similar goals in making government more efficient. 

I think DOGE is really focused on IT automation and IT transformation and doing it on an efficient and cost-effective basis,’ Vianello said. 

‘We believe, going forward, there’s probably going to be more of a push to less full-time employees and more of a push towards efficient contractors coming in and accelerating project delivery. So, again, this really does come back in our belief. 

‘To the solicitation process, how do we tighten it up? How do we make sure that once an award is made and that technology is implemented, it’s not outdated? Because, if that continues to happen, how are you going to continue to attract technologists, young technologists who want to be part of the change?’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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What happened to the once great career of Stefon Diggs?

Do you remember when Stefon Diggs was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL?

Do you? Because I do. In 2020, Diggs led all receivers with 127 catches and 1,535 receiving yards. He made four consecutive Pro Bowls while with the Buffalo Bills. He was devastating. Absolutely devastating. There was a time, not so long ago, when an argument could have been made that Diggs was the best receiver in football.

Then slowly, ever so slowly, things started to change. Or, maybe the better way to put it, is things began to reveal themselves. It should be made clear that Diggs was well liked by Bills teammates and was a relentless worker. But cracks started to show in the relationship between Diggs and the team. There was, for example, the time Diggs and quarterback Josh Allen exchanged words on the sideline.

Things shifted for Diggs. The reasons why have never been extremely clear. There are many theories.

One thing is certain. If you remember what Diggs did in 2020, what you’re seeing now is stunning. He did have some nice seasons in Buffalo after that year, but he was traded to Houston, and then tore his ACL. Diggs is now in New England.

Then came the latest with Diggs. New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he was aware of a video circulating on social media that included Diggs.

‘Obviously, we want to make great decisions on and off the field,’ Vrabel said when asked about the video. ‘We’re hoping that with our time here on the field today, that when we don’t have a script and we’re on the call periods, that we’re making great decisions. The message will be the same for all our players, that we’re trying to make great decisions. Any conversations that I’ve had with Stefon will remain between him, I and the club.’

“I came to this show yesterday with the opinion — not opinion, but the knowledge that it is on the table,” Zolak said on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand. “That it is being thought of. And it’s not just the boat. It’s not just the boat. There are some other things that I’ve heard that put some things in question. Are you all-in here?

“The videos look great of him working out. I’ve touted the videos. I know you need diva receivers. I say he shouldn’t be cut, because I think he would help Drake Maye and this offense and Josh McDaniels, because you would have a true viable guy that would set coverage. Right now, you still don’t have a guy who sets coverage. I’m sorry.”

This situation puts Vrabel in a tough spot. He’s trying to institute his culture as a new Patriots head coach, and cutting Diggs would send a message that you have to be ‘all in’ as Zolak said. Yet the team also desperately needs Diggs’ talent.

So, back to the original question.

Do you remember when Stefon Diggs was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL?

It’s impossible to tell where Diggs goes from here. Maybe he can regain that 2020 form (and 2022 wasn’t too shabby, either). You saw parts of the old Diggs last season in Houston where he finished with 496 yards in eight games.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Diggs was at the team’s OTAs on Monday. So that’s good news if you’re the Patriots. Diggs wasn’t there last week. There was also a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Media that New England has no plans to release Diggs. So maybe that’s good news as well.

Something just seems off with Diggs. That doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Maybe he can resuscitate his career. You’d have to think there’s still something left. His success in Buffalo wasn’t that long ago.

Because I still remember. Do you?

All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter. Check out the latest edition: Best fits for remaining free agents.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Energy groups celebrate Trump’s latest move to unleash Alaska drilling

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Conservative energy leaders are celebrating President Donald Trump’s latest effort to unleash American drilling. 

The Department of the Interior announced a proposal Monday to rescind President Joe Biden’s restrictions on oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. 

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said a Biden-era 2024 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule that restricted energy development for more than half of the 23 million acres on Alaska’s North Slope ignored the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976. 

‘The National Petroleum Reserve (NPR), created by Congress over a century ago to secure America’s energy supply, supports responsible oil development on 13 million acres,’ Frank Lasee, president of Truth in Energy and Climate, said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. 

‘President Biden’s drilling ban in Alaska undermined energy security, increasing reliance on foreign oil, raising gasoline prices and fueling inflation through higher transportation costs,’ Lasee added. ‘Resuming drilling puts economic growth and energy independence ahead of climate ideology in a place almost no regular American will ever visit.’

Consistent with Trump’s executive orders, the proposed revision reverts to regulations that were in place prior to May 7, 2024, which Lasee called a ‘commendable’ prioritization of ‘American energy needs and economic well-being while adhering to the law.’

‘President Biden never should have halted congressionally sanctioned oil drilling in Alaska,’ said Sterling Burnett, director of the Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy at the Heartland Institute. ‘Trump is to be applauded, both for putting Americans’ energy needs and our economic well-being first and for following the law by opening these areas back up for production.’

According to the Department of Interior, the 2024 rule provisions lacked ‘a basis in the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act’ and undermined the BLM’s congressional obligation to oversee timely leasing in the region. 

‘President Trump’s move to restore drilling in Alaska’s Arctic region is a bold and necessary step toward reclaiming American energy independence,’ Jason Isaac, CEO of the American Energy Institute, said. 

Trump vowed to unleash American energy on the campaign trail in 2024 and signed executive orders on the first day of his second term to rescind Biden-era climate policies. 

‘By reversing Biden’s disastrous restrictions on 13 million acres, Trump is unleashing the abundant resources that power our economy, lower energy costs and strengthen national security. This is a victory for American workers, consumers and allies who rely on stable, affordable energy,’ Isaac added. 

Steve Milloy, senior policy fellow at the Energy & Environment Legal Institute, called the announcement ‘more good news from the Trump administration in rolling back more of Biden’s war on fossil fuels.’

‘Promises made. Promises kept. But the Trump administration will need to go further to give investors confidence that the Alaska leases will actually be viable. Radical climate activists will resort to the courts and scare off investors. There likely needs to be a legislative solution to that,’ Milloy added.

Trump and his Republican allies are seeking to roll back some of Biden’s green energy initiatives through budget reconciliation on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill.’

‘The National Petroleum Reserve (NPR) was created more than 100 years ago specifically to provide a supply of oil for America’s energy security. That energy security can be achieved by responsibly developing our oil reserves, including in the Gulf of America, our vast shale oil deposits in America’s heartland and, now, thankfully, the 13 million acres of the NPR that are going to be developed,’ said Gregory Whitestone, CO2 Coalition executive director.

‘Continuation of the Biden administration’s drilling ban would have resulted in a greater reliance on foreign supplies of oil (and) increases in gasoline prices and the inflationary spiral across all sectors of the American economy from increased transportation costs,’ Whitestone added. 

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