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Shop savings on furniture, cookware and more

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:18:49 +0000

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.

Wayfair's Way Day 2022 sale still has deep discounts on everything from cozy living room furniture to stylish home decor—but only through tonight, April 28. If you're in the mood to update your home without breaking the bank, today is your last chance to do so. We found all the best Way Day 2022 deals on home essentials with wallet-friendly prices before the sale ends.

There’s more where this deal came from. Sign up for Reviewed’s Perks and Rec newsletter and we’ll keep ’em coming every Sunday through Friday.

Whether you want to transform your backyard into a relaxing oasis, brighten up your interiors with new lighting fixtures or whip up restaurant-quality meals at home with new kitchen appliances, these Way Day 2022 Wayfair deals have all your shopping needs covered.

►Mother’s Day 2022: The 73 best Mother's Day 2022 deals on flowers, chocolate, home goods and fashion

►lululemon: Refresh your spring activewear with best-selling lululemon leggings, shorts and hoodies

To help you find all the best savings this year, we're breaking down everything you need to know about Way Day 2022 and letting you in on all our favorite deals before they disappear. Keep scrolling to snag all the best discounts still available and find out everything you need to know about the two-day shopping event.

The best Way Day 2022 deals to shop at Wayfair

Here are our top ten favorite Way Day 2022 deals, including a Kelly Clarkson Home rug, a ClosetMaid organizer, an iRobot Roomba and more.

We’ve rounded up the best patio furniture deals at Wayfair’s annual Way Day 2022 sale including Kelly Clarkson Home rugs, Lark Manor dining tables and Red Barrel Studio outdoor fire pits.

Here are all the top Way Day 2022 kitchen deals on cookware, coffee makers, dinnerware and more. Shop must-have kitchen essentials from Rachael Ray, Staub, Farberware and more.

Save big with these bath and bedding deals at Wayfair. From bathroom storage and shower curtains to bath rugs and sheet sets, these are our top Way Day 2022 bath and bedding deals.

Give your home an affordable makeover with these home décor deals at Wayfair. Save up to 80% on rugs, artwork, lighting fixtures and more below.

Below, we've rounded up all the best furniture deals at Wayfair right now from living room sofas to bedroom dressers. Shop furniture from AllModern, Three Posts, Mercury Row and more.

All the best Way Day 2022 deals

What is Way Day at Wayfair?

Way Day is one of Wayfair's biggest sales of the year. The annual two-day shopping event sees discounts up to 80% off across all categories, including furniture, kitchen essentials, bedding, bath products, home décor and so much more. This Black Friday-level sale offers some of the lowest prices of the year on tons of customer-favorite products. Whatever it is you're shopping for, you're guaranteed to find it during Way Day 2022.

When is Wayfair Way Day 2022?

The two-day Way Day 2022 sales event started yesterday, April 27 and goes through tonight, April 28. In 2021, the shopping event was held on Wednesday, April 28 and Thursday, April 29. Be sure to bookmark this page to stay on top of all the latest Way Day 2022 news.

How long will Wayfair Way Day 2022 last?

Historically, Way Day sales have lasted for just 48 hours. That means, you only have two days to scoop the savings. While the sale is short, it is certainly sweet. The massive markdowns easily make up for the sale's duration. We'll be hunting for all the best Way Day 2022 deals to help you snag the best sales before they're gone.

What are the best Way Day 2022 deals?

There are a slew of sales across all categories at Wayfair. Right now, you can shop incredible Way Day 2022 markdowns on kitchen gadgets, home essentials and furniture.

With Way Day 2022 in its second and fina, you'll be able to tackle all your home improvement projects with markdowns of up to 80% on everything from counter-top appliances and bedding to patio furniture and home décor. Last year, some of the absolute best sales we saw were on patio furniture and lawn and garden products—perfect for sprucing up your curb appeal this spring.

Should I shop Way Day 2022 deals at Wayfair?

If you're in the market for home goods, it doesn't get much better than Wayfair's Way Day sale. Whether you're in the middle of a home renovation or simply want to add a few new statement pieces to our house, garden or kitchen, the Way Day sale is one of the best opportunities to do just that on a big budget.

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The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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Biden asks Congress for $33 billion in new aid

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:18:39 +0000

President Joe Biden on Thursday asked Congress to approve $33 billion in security, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

“The cost of this fight is not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly if we let it happen," Biden said in remarks from the White House. "We either back the Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand by as the Russians continue their atrocities and aggressions in Ukraine."

The request includes $20.4 billion in additional security and military assistance for Ukraine and for U.S. efforts to strengthen European security in cooperation with NATO allies and other partners in the region. The resources would be used to put equipment into the hands of Ukraine's military and police and help NATO defend against Russia in the long run.

The additional assistance will keep more artillery, armored vehicles and other equipment flowing without interruption to Ukraine in the critical weeks and months ahead, Biden said.

"We are not attacking Russia," Biden said. "We are helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression."

Another $8.5 billion would provide economic assistance to help the Ukrainian government respond to the crisis caused by Russia’s invasion and to continue to provide basic services to its citizens, such as food, energy and health care. Some funding targets Russian disinformation, supporting agrobusinesses during the fall harvest and purchasing natural gas by the Ukrainian state energy company.

Some $3 billion in humanitarian assistance would be used to address food security needs around the globe, provide wheat and other commodities to people in need and provide aid to people displaced by or otherwise impacted by the war.

An additional $500 million in domestic food production assistance would support the production of U.S. crops, such as wheat and soybeans, that are experiencing a global shortage because of the war in Ukraine.

The funding request, if approved, would more than double the $13.6 billion package of defense and economic aid for Ukraine and Western allies that Congress passed last month. Biden has nearly exhausted that aid.

"I hope Congress moves quickly on this funding," Biden said. "I think they will."

Latest developments:

►Poland’s border guard agency says that it has recorded 3 million crossings from neighboring Ukraine since the Russian invasion on Feb. 24, including some involving people who crossed multiple times. About 1.6 million refugees have received ID numbers allowing them to work and receive free health care and education in Poland.

Biden to Ukraine refugees: ‘No need to go to the southern border’

President Joe Biden said Ukrainian refugees seeking to come to the United States should not try to the U.S-Mexico border.

"There's no need to go to the southern border,” Biden said. “Fly directly to the United States."

Biden added his administration established a “mechanism whereby they can come directly with a visa.” The administration last week announced a new program to allow Ukrainian refugees to seek temporary refuge in the United States. Biden previously pledged the United States would accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees who fled their homeland after it was invaded by Russian forces.

– Rebecca Morin

Russia says it has right to strike multiple nations aiding Ukraine

Russia has the right to strike military targets in several NATO countries that supply arms to the Kiev regime if Ukraine has the right to strike military targets in Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. Zakharova cited comments from James Heappey, Britain's undersecretary of state for the armed forces, who said this week that Ukraine had a legal right to strike military facilities on the Russian territory to disrupt the logistics of the Russian forces. Not disrupting them would "directly contribute to death and carnage" in Ukraine, Heappey said.

"Do we have the right understanding here? After all, it directly leads to deaths and bloodshed on Ukrainian territory. As far as I understand, Britain is one of those countries," Zakharova said in her Telegram channel.

White House asks Congress for Ukraine aid, easier sanctions process

The Biden administration announced Thursday that it will seek authority to streamline the process for seizure of sanctioned Russian assets, and have the proceeds of the assets be used to help Ukraine in its war with Russia. The White House said it will send the proposal to Congress alongside a supplemental request to Congress to support Ukraine.

According to a fact sheet from the White House, the administration the new streamlined process would involve the Departments of the Treasury and Justice to forfeit property in the United States that is owned by Russian oligarchs that the U.S. has sanctioned.

The United States and allies across the world have sanctioned 21 members of the Russian Security Council and other Putin associates have been sanctioned, along with the 140 oligarchs and Kremlin officials.

The White House is also asking for authority to use forfeited oligarch funds to “remediate harms caused to Ukraine by Russian aggression.”

– Rebecca Morin

May 9 is Victory Day:Putin uses cherished WWII Victory Day to glorify Russia and himself. Now he may use it against Ukraine.

Guterres visits battered Ukraine cities

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres visited Kyiv and other Ukraine cities Thursday, condemning the atrocities in places such as Mariupol and Bucha. He pledged to continue efforts to expand humanitarian support and secure the evacuation of civilians from bombarded cities. Earlier this week Guterres met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and said Putin had agreed "in principal" to allowing evacuation of residents from conflict zones.

"The sooner this war ends, the better – for the sake of Ukraine, Russia, and the world," he tweeted.

100,000 remaining in Mariupol face 'mortal danger'

About 100,000 residents remaining in Mariupol face "mortal danger" because of the shelling, as well as intolerable and unsanitary living conditions, the City Council warns. Threats include cholera, dysentery and E-coli, the council said in a statement. Mayor Vadym Boychenko said the city lacks water and sewer due to unrelenting Russian airstrikes. And he fears the warming weather will speed decomposition of thousands of corpses under the rubble, fueling powerful and deadly epidemics.

"The occupiers are unable to provide the existing population with food, water and medicine – or they are simply not interested in it," he said. "They are blocking all evacuation attempts. Without it, people will die. An immediate and complete evacuation is needed."

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Should Russia be punished for Ukraine war? Global reaction is mixed.

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:18:33 +0000

The horrors of war are rampant in Ukraine, and the U.S. and its allies say Moscow needs to pay. But most of the world isn't joining the plan to punish Putin.

When global leaders voted in early April to punish Russia for human rights violations in Ukraine, diplomats representing the majority of the world's population either sided with Moscow or refused to choose a side.

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Live news, analysis on picks throughout first round

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:18:19 +0000

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Ukraine charges first Russian war crime suspects as Biden sends aid

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:16:02 +0000

Ukraine charges first Russian war crime suspects as Biden sends aid

The first war crimes charges accuse 10 Russian servicemen of holding civilians hostage and mistreating them
Ukraine has opened more than 8,000 war crimes investigations against Russia
The Biden administration is quietly helping Ukraine with its war crimes probes with money and expertise

Ukrainian authorities unveiled their first war crimes charges Thursday against members of Russia's military, as the U.S. and other countries worked behind the scenes to help Kyiv with more than 8,000 criminal investigations connected to potential atrocities in the two-month old war.

The first charges accuse 10 Russian servicemen of holding civilians hostage and mistreating them in Bucha, a Kyiv suburb, in March. Russia's military occupied Bucha for a month, and authorities and witnesses say mass graves and bodies in the streets were found in the town after the Russian withdrawal. Some Bucha residents were found dead with bullet wounds and their hands tied behind their backs.

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How Republicans will fight Biden’s plan

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:15:58 +0000

Student loan forgiveness: How Republicans will fight Biden's plan

Biden said he's "taking a hard look" to forgive some student loans.
GOP Senators this week introduced a bill to prevent Biden from canceling student loan debt.
The Biden administration has canceled roughly $18.5 billion in student loan debt since Biden took office.

WASHINGTON — Even before President Joe Biden potentially rolls out a plan to cancel student loan debt, Republicans are sizing up attacks on an idea wildly popular with young people but less so among other groups of voters.

Biden gave his biggest signal yet he's moving toward canceling some amount of student debt Thursday – though less than the $50,000 coveted by some progressive activists – telling reporters he's "taking a hard look" at using his executive authority and "would have an answer on that in the coming weeks."

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Billionaire sells shares, may cut exec pay

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:15:49 +0000

Elon Musk confirmed earlier this week that he plans to buy Twitter. And he may use proceeds from a stock sale involving one of his other companies to do it.

The billionaire sold 9.6 million shares of Tesla this week, valued at $8.5 billion, which would most likely go toward his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter.

Twitter also announced Monday that Elon Musk was going to buy the social media company. Once the deal closes, which is expected this year, Twitter will become a privately held company.

What happens next? Here's the latest on Musk's plan to buy Twitter.

Apple reports strong earnings:Company warns of supply shortages and COVID shutdowns ahead

Tech and privacy:Google will now let people remove phone numbers, addresses from search results

How many Tesla shares did Musk sell?

During a three-day period after the deal to acquire Twitter was announced, Musk sold 9.6 million shares valued at $8.5 billion, according to filings Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The trades were made at prices ranging from $822.68 to $999.13.

In a tweet Thursday night, Musk said there are "No further TSLA sales planned after today."

What changes might Musk make?

Musk said he could cut executive and board pay to cut costs and find opportunities to monetize tweets, according to a Reuters report.

Other changes to the service might include easing content moderation, which Musk has criticized, cutting back on ads, and introducing an edit button.

What does the deal mean for Twitter shareholders?

If the deal goes through, Twitter shareholders will get $54.20 a share in cash. As of midday Friday trading, Twitter shares are above $49.

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News, analysis on second-, third-round picks

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:15:36 +0000

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The NFL draft's top QBs endured a steep slide – here's what's next for them | Opinion

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:10:28 +0000

NFL teams made it clear their interest in this year's crop of quarterbacks in the draft was tepid at best. But are any of the passers future starters?

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Russia slowed by Ukrainian defense, Western officials say: Live updates

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:10:21 +0000

While Russian forces have continued strikes across Ukraine in its bid to seize the Donbas after refocusing its resources, its progress has been slower than expected, according to Western officials.

A senior U.S. Defense official, speaking to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, said that Ukraine's strong defensive efforts have stalled Russia's advance by "at least several days."

“We also assess that because of this slow and uneven progress, again, without perfect knowledge of every aspect of the Russian plan, we do believe and assess that they are behind schedule in what they were trying to accomplish in the Donbas,” the official said.

The British military also said in a tweet on Friday: “Due to strong Ukrainian resistance, Russian territorial gains have been limited and achieved at significant cost to Russian forces.”

USA TODAY ON TELEGRAM: Join our Russia-Ukraine war channel to receive updates straight to your phone

Latest developments:

►Former U.S. marine Willy Joseph Cancel, 22, was killed while working for a military contracting company that sent him to Ukraine, his family told CNN, making his the first known death of an American citizen while fighting in the war against Russia.

►A Russian missile strike targeting Kyiv killed at least one person following a meeting between U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who called the attack an attempt to "humiliate" the U.N. Vira Hyrych, a journalist for the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe, died in the attack.

►The United Nations General Assembly will hold a vote next month on a country to replace Russia on its human rights council after suspending the nation for its actions in Ukraine.

Russia claims some 1 million evacuated from Ukraine

LVIV, Ukraine — Russia’s foreign minister says Moscow has evacuated over 1 million people from Ukraine since the war there began.

The comments Saturday by Sergey Lavrov in an interview with Chinese state news agency Xinhua come as Ukraine has accused Moscow of forcefully sending Ukrainians out of the country. Lavrov said that figure included more than 300 Chinese civilians.

Lavrov offered no evidence to support his claim in the interview.

Lavrov also said that negotiations continue between Russia and Ukraine “almost every day.” However, he cautioned that “progress has not been easy.”

Lavrov in part blamed “the bellicose rhetoric and inflammatory actions of Western supporters of the Kyiv regime” for disrupting the talks. However, Russian state TV nightly has had guests suggest that Moscow use nuclear weapons in the conflict.

- Associated Press

A matter of hours, not days: Mariupol residents 'begging to get saved'

The situation in Mariupol, the Ukrainian port city that has been under siege by Russian attacks, is like a "Russian concentration camp among the ruins," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Residents and Ukrainian fighters left in Mariupol have been under constant threat of attack and of starvation, as they hold out in a massive steel mill. They are running out of food, water and medicine, according to Mayor Vadym Boichenko on Friday.

AMERICAN KILLED:US citizen Willy Joseph Cancel killed fighting in Ukraine: reports

PUTIN'S CIRCLE:Who are the Russian oligarchs' 'Kremlin kids'? Children of elite face sanctions over Ukraine

People in the Avozstal steel plant, the last holdout still under Ukrainian control in the city, are protected to an extent by underground bunkers in the Soviet-era facility. But Russians have been dropping "bunker buster" bombs, making the situation more dire.

“Locals who manage to leave Mariupol say it is hell, but when they leave this fortress, they say it is worse,” Boichenko said, according to a translator. “They are begging to get saved.”

He added: “There, it’s not a matter of days, it’s a matter of hours.”

Zelenskyy: Russia trying to destroy Donbas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of trying to destroy the Donbas and all who live there.

“The constant brutal bombardments, the constant Russian strikes on infrastructure and residential areas show that Russia wants to empty this territory of all people. Therefore, the defense of our land, the defense of our people, is literally a fight for life,” he said late Friday in his nightly video address to the nation.

He said the cities and towns of the Donbas will survive only if Ukraine remains standing.

“If the Russian invaders are able to realize their plans even partially, then they have enough artillery and aircraft to turn the entire Donbas into stones. As they did with Mariupol," he said.

Ukrainians using cheap drones against Russian forces

Consumer-grade drones, costing about $1,000 and modified to drop explosives on Russian troops and fighting vehicles, have been taking center stage in Ukraine's resistance against the Russian invasion.

Videos of such attacks are widely available on Twitter, proudly shared by Ukrainian fighters and their supporters. Unlike the sophisticated drones that many militaries use, the drones are widely available at stores like Best Buy, easily modified and hacked to turn them into lethal weapons.

And experts say such drones are opening up a new front for both warfare and terror attacks. Now, the Biden administration is renewing efforts to protect domestic infrastructure from potential drone attacks. Read more about the use of drones in the war, and its implications in the U.S.

-Trevor Hughes

Contributing: The Associated Press

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Day 3 news, updates from Rounds 4, 5, 6, 7

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:10:14 +0000

The home stretch of the 2022 NFL draft is here.

Three rounds have already been completed, with plenty of big names coming off the board on both Thursday and Friday. But there is still substantial work to be done for all 32 teams as they look to round out their rosters on Saturday in the final four rounds of the event. And a number of talented players are still out there waiting to hear their names called.

USA TODAY Sports will have live updates of all the picks as they're made, so refresh this page for the latest news and information as the action continues.

For a look back at every first round selection and our analysis of each pick, click here. We also have all of the second- and third-round choices covered here.

NFL DRAFT WINNERS, LOSERS:Bears, Patriots take puzzling paths on Day 2

QUARTERBACKS SLIDE:What's next for top passers in NFL draft?

2022 NFL draft tracker: Round 4 order

106. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Jacksonville Jaguars): TE Cade Otton, Washington

107. Houston Texans (from Seattle Seahawks through Cleveland Browns): RB Dameon Pierce, Florida

108. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans): DT Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma

109. Seattle Seahawks (from New York Jets): CB Coby Bryant, Cincinnati

110. Baltimore Ravens (from New York Giants): OT Daniel Faalele, Minnesota

111. New York Jets (from Carolina Panthers): OT Max Mitchell, Louisiana

112. New York Giants (from Chicago Bears): TE Daniel Bellinger, San Diego State

113. Washington Commanders: S Percy Butler, Louisiana

114. New York Giants (from Atlanta Falcons): S Dane Belton, Iowa

115. Denver Broncos: CB Damarri Mathis, Pittsburgh

116. Denver Broncos (from Seattle Seahawks): DT Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa State

117. New York Jets (from Minnesota Vikings): DE Michael Clemons, Texas A&M

118. Minnesota Vikings (from Cleveland Browns): CB Akayleb Evans, Missouri

119. Baltimore Ravens: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama

120. Carolina Panthers (from New Orleans Saints through Washington Commanders): LB Brandon Smith, Penn State:

121. New England Patriots (from Miami Dolphins through Kansas City Chiefs): CB Jack Jones, Arizona State

122. Las Vegas Raiders (from Indianapolis Colts through Minnesota Vikings): RB Zamir White, Georgia

123. Los Angeles Chargers: RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

124. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia Eagles through Houston Texans): K Cade York, LSU

125. Miami Dolphins (from Pittsburgh Steelers): WR Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech

126. Las Vegas Raiders (from Las Vegas Raiders through Minnesota Vikings): DT Neil Farrell, LSU

127. New England Patriots: RB Pierre Strong, South Dakota State

128. Baltimore Ravens (from Arizona Cardinals): TE Charlie Kolar, Iowa State

129. Dallas Cowboys: TE Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin

130. Baltimore Ravens (from Buffalo Bills): P Jordan Stout, Penn State

131. Tennessee Titans: RB Hassan Haskins, Michigan

132. Green Bay Packers: WR Romeo Doubs, Nevada

133. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: P Jake Camarda, Georgia

134. San Francisco 49ers

135. Kansas City Chiefs

136. Cincinnati Bengals

137. New England Patriots (from Los Angeles Rams through Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers)

138. Pittsburgh Steelers (compensatory selection)

139. Baltimore Ravens (compensatory selection)

140. Green Bay Packers (compensatory selection)

141. Baltimore Ravens (compensatory selection)

142. Los Angles Rams (compensatory selection)

143. Tennessee Titans (compensatory selection)

2022 NFL draft tracker: Round 5 order

144. Washington Commanders (from Jacksonville Jaguars through Carolina Panthers)

145. Seattle Seahawks (from Detroit Lions through Denver Broncos)

146. New York Giants (from New York Jets)

147. New York Giants

148. Chicago Bears (from Houston Texans)

149. Washington Commanders (from Carolina Panthers)

150. Chicago Bears

151. Atlanta Falcons

152. Denver Broncos

153. Seattle Seahawks

154. Philadelphia Eagles (from Washington Commanders)

155. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland Browns)

156. Cleveland Browns (from Baltimore Ravens through Minnesota Vikings)

157. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Minnesota Vikings)

158. Kansas City Chiefs (from Miami Dolphins through New England Patriots)

159. Indianapolis Colts

160. Los Angeles Chargers

161. New Orleans Saints

162. Denver Broncos (from Philadelphia Eagles through Houston Texans)

163. Tennessee Titans (from Pittsburgh Steelers through New York Jets)

164. Las Vegas Raiders (from New England Patriots)

165. Las Vegas Raiders

166. Houston Texans (from Arizona Cardinals through Philadelphia Eagles)

167. Dallas Cowboys

168. Buffalo Bills

169. Las Vegas Raiders (from Tennessee Titans)

170. Houston Texans (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers through New England Patriots)

171. Green Bay Packers

172. San Francisco 49ers

173. New York Giants (from Kansas City Chiefs through Baltimore Ravens)

174. Cincinnati Bengals

175. Los Angeles Rams

176. Dallas Cowboys (compensatory selection)

177. Detroit Lions (compensatory selection)

178. Dallas Cowboys (compensatory selection)

179. Denver Broncos (compensatory selection, from Indianapolis Colts)

2022 NFL Draft tracker: Round 6 order

180. Buffalo Bills (from Jacksonville Jaguars through Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

181. Detroit Lions

182. New York Giants

183. New England Patriots (from Houston Texans)

184. Minnesota Vikings (from New York Jets)

185. Buffalo Bills (from Carolina Panthers; conditional)

186. Chicago Bears

187. San Francisco 49ers (from Denver Broncos)

188. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Seattle Seahawks)

189. Carolina Panthers (from Washington Commanders)

190. Atlanta Falcons

191. Minnesota Vikings (from Baltimore Ravens through Kansas City Chiefs)

192. Indianapolis Colts (from Minnesota Vikings)

193. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland Browns)

194. New Orleans Saints (from Indianapolis Colts through Philadelphia Eagles)

195. Los Angeles Chargers

x Choice forfeited (New Orleans Saints)

196. Baltimore Ravens (from Miami Dolphins)

197. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Philadelphia Eagles)

198. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Pittsburgh Steelers)

199. Carolina Panthers (from Las Vegas Raiders)

200. New England Patriots

201. Arizona Cardinals

202. Cleveland Browns (from Dallas Cowboys)

203. Buffalo Bills

204. Tennessee Titans

205. Houston Texans (from Green Bay Packers)

206. Denver Broncos (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers through New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles)

207. Houston Texans (from San Francisco 49ers through New York Jets)

208. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Kansas City Chiefs)

209. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati Bengals)

210. New England Patriots (from Los Angeles Rams)

211. Los Angeles Rams (compensatory selection)

212. Los Angeles Rams (compensatory selection)

213. Atlanta Falcons (compensatory selection)

214. Los Angeles Chargers (compensatory selection)

215. Arizona Cardinals (compensatory selection)

216. Indianapolis Colts (compensatory selection)

217. Detroit Lions (compensatory selection)

218. Los Angeles Rams (compensatory selection)

219. Tennessee Titans (compensatory selection)

220. San Francisco 49ers (compensatory selection)

221. San Francisco 49ers (compensatory selection)

2022 NFL draft tracker: Round 7 order

222. Jacksonville Jaguars

223. Cleveland Browns (from Detroit Lions)

224. Miami Dolphins (from Houston Texans through New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens)

225. Pittsburgh Steelers (from New York Jets)

226. Cincinnati Bengals (from New York Giants)

227. Minnesota Vikings (from Carolina Panthers through Las Vegas Raiders)

228. Green Bay Packers (from Chicago Bears through Houston Texans)

229. Seattle Seahawks

230. Washington Commanders

231. Buffalo Bills (from Atlanta Falcons)

232. Denver Broncos

233. Kansas City Chiefs (from Minnesota Vikings)

234. Denver Broncos (from Cleveland Browns through Detroit Lions)

235. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Baltimore Ravens)

236. Los Angeles Chargers

237. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints)

238. Los Angeles Rams (from Miami Dolphins)

239. Indianapolis Colts

240. Washington Commanders (from Philadelphia Eagles through Indianapolis Colts)

241. Pittsburgh Steelers

242. Carolina Panthers (from New England Patriots through Miami Dolphins)

243. Kansas City Chiefs (from Las Vegas Raiders through New England Patriots)

244. Arizona Cardinals

245. New England Patriots (from Dallas Cowboys through Houston Texans)

246. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo Bills)

247. Miami Dolphins (from Tennessee Titans)

248. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

249. Green Bay Packers

250. Las Vegas Raiders (from San Francisco 49ers through Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings)

251. Kansas City Chiefs

252. Cincinnati Bengals

253. Los Angeles Rams

254. Chicago Bears (compensatory selection, Los Angeles Chargers)

255. Chicago Bears (compensatory selection, from Los Angeles Chargers)

256. Arizona Cardinals (Compensatory selection)

257. Arizona Cardinals (compensatory Selection)

258. Green Bay Packers (compensatory selection)

259. Kansas City Chiefs (compensatory selection)

260. Los Angeles Chargers (compensatory selection)

261. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (compensatory selection)

262. San Francisco 49ers (compensatory selection)

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Georgia makes history with record 15 players selected in NFL draft

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:10:03 +0000

Georgia set an NFL record Saturday for a seven-round draft when it had 15 players get selected, toppling the previous mark before the final round even arrived.

It happened with back-to-back picks in the sixth round.

First, the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams selected cornerback Derion Kendrick, the Clemson transfer at pick 212, and the Atlanta Falcons selected tight end John FitzPatrick with pick 213.

Travon Walker, (first overall), Jordan Davis (13th), Quay Walker (22nd), Devonte Wyatt (28th) and Lewis Cine (32nd) all went in Thursday's first round. George Pickens, James Cook, Nakobe Dean and Channing Tindall were Day 2 picks. Zamir White, Jake Camarda, Justin Shaffer, Jamaree Salyer, Kendrick and FitzPatrick came off the board on Day 3.

The 15 selections tops LSU in 2020 and Ohio State in 2004 for the most picks since the draft went to seven rounds in 1994. Texas had 17 in 1984 when there were 12 rounds.

2022 NFL draft picks:Team-by-team look at all 262 selections

Quarterbacks fall:The NFL draft's top QBs endured a steep slide – here's what's next for them | Opinion

Back in February, Georgia coach Kirby Smart said it would be “unrealistic,” to think Georgia would reach 15.

“Our job is to develop them and make sure they're better people when they leave,” Smart said at UGA Pro Day in March. “I think each one of these kids will tell you they're more successful because of the work ethic they were able to achieve here. We had some really good coaches to help coach them up and some really good players to help play. And I think it's very unique to have this kind of collection of talent. You don't have that every year.”

Georgia set its program record with 10 when White went in the fourth round to the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Which teams had best, worst overall picks?

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:06:56 +0000

The 2022 NFL draft is already fading into Mr. Irrelevance, 262 college players now on their way to the League.

Three years (or so) from now, we'll have a solid idea how things turned out for them, that passage of time a pretty good barometer for the trajectory of an NFL career. For instance, just consider the Oakland Raiders' 2019 draft, which featured the promise of three first-round players: DE Clelin Ferrell, RB Josh Jacobs and S Johnathan Abram. At that point in time, it was hoped the trio would spark a franchise revival.

In the years since, the Raiders got incrementally better, moved to Las Vegas (site of this year's draft) and just made the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Alas, Ferrell and Abram contributed little to that effort. And though Jacobs made the Pro Bowl in 2020 and has been an effective player overall, he's often banged up, and his production has steadily declined – he rushed for a career-low 58.1 yards per game in 2021. Now under new management, the Raiders declined the fifth-year contract options for all three players.

Back in 2019, I graded that draft a "B" – fourth-round DE Maxx Crosby and fifth-round WR Hunter Renfrow turned out to be the keepers – giving it a bump because the team used its Round 3 selection to trade for All-Pro WR Antonio Brown.

More succinctly said, it's a very apt example of the folly of grading a draft in its immediate aftermath.

But first impressions are what they are – we'll call them grades if we must – and who am I to not give the people what they want? (However, let's strive to pull back for a big-picture look at each club's draft rather than judging them in a vacuum that doesn't include trades and other considerations that more accurately frame each haul.)

So, with that in mind, here are your ridiculously premature 2022 NFL draft grades, with team classes ranked from best to worst:

BEST UNDRAFTED PLAYERS:Who were top players who didn't hear their names called?

NFL DRAFT WINNERS, LOSERS:Bears, Patriots take puzzling paths on Day 2

MORE:The NFL draft's top QBs endured a steep slide – here's what's next for them

New York Jets

It may seem easy or even lazy to praise the team that had three-first round selections, and that's partially attributable to the Jets being a bad club in 2021. But it goes deeper than that. GM Joe Douglas fully reaped the rewards this year of offloading S Jamal Adams and QB Sam Darnold – players he didn't draft – which is really why the Jets had so much draft capital at their disposal. And it sure appeared that Douglas leveraged it wisely. CB Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (No. 4 overall), WR Garrett Wilson (No. 10) and RB Breece Hall (No. 36) were each arguably the best players at their respective positions this year. And by trading back into the first round at No. 26 for Florida State pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II, Douglas might have scored one of the great value selections given Johnson was regarded as a top-10 pick in some circles. If the Jets are ever going to get off the tarmac, Douglas' past two drafts will almost certainly be the primary reasons why. Grade: A+

Los Angeles Rams

(Expletive) them picks. They traded a future one to Cleveland to reacquire Troy Hill, who'd distinguished himself in the slot for the Rams before getting paid by the Browns last year. Wisconsin G Logan Bruss arrived courtesy a compensatory Round 3 slot and could take over the job vacated when Austin Corbett signed with Carolina. But the Rams didn't have their first-, second- or organic third-round pick because they wanted QB Matthew Stafford and since departed OLB Von Miller instead. We'd say winning their first Super Bowl while based in Los Angeles with those guys – and Stafford has since been extended – was worth the price. Grade: A

Detroit Lions

On the flip side of the Stafford coin, coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes seem to be putting the draft capital obtained from the Rams to good use as the Motown rebuild rolls on. Probably a gift that Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson, arguably this year's best incoming player, "fell" to Detroit at No. 2 before Holmes and Campbell vaulted up 20 spots from No. 32 in order to get highly touted Alabama WR Jameson Williams. And with two first-rounders at the ready for 2023, probably smart the Lions didn't roll the dice on one of this year's quarterbacks – opting instead on Day 2 for Kentucky DE Joshua Paschal and Illinois S Kerby Joseph, players who can contribute immediately. Grade: A

Philadelphia Eagles

GM Howie Roseman, as he loves to do, continuously worked the board – really over the last year – and winds up with beaucoup assets for the present and future. The trade for Titans WR A.J. Brown should continue to facilitate the development of QB Jalen Hurts. Talented second-round C Cam Jurgens should take over for Jason Kelce in 2023. And a 10th-ranked defense gets elevated by Georgia Bulldogs stars Jordan Davis (Round 1) and Nakobe Dean (Round 3). And Roseman still has two first-round chips for next year and an extra second in 2024 in case things go awry with Hurts ... or not. Grade: A

Baltimore Ravens

Their first selection was spent on Notre Dame's multi-talented Kyle Hamilton, who might have been a top-five pick if he didn't play safety. GM Eric DeCosta followed that up with a stunning trade of WR Marquise Brown, one that brought another first-rounder back to Baltimore and was ultimately used on highly regarded C Tyler Linderbaum. Third-round DL Travis Jones could be a steal. Then a team crippled by injuries last season reloaded with scads of quality depth in the middle rounds. But you really had to like the fit of second-round pass rusher David Ojabo, who only fell that far because of an Achilles injury suffered at Michigan's pro day. Prior to that, Ojabo blossomed into a star in 2021 under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who returned to Baltimore this offseason to assume the same job. Who better than Macdonald to optimize a somewhat raw – but Round 1-caliber – talent like Ojabo once he's ready to play again? Grade: A

Buffalo Bills

A team that may enter the 2022 season as the prohibitive AFC favorites didn't necessarily have a lot of needs but came away with really good players who should pay immediate dividends. First-round CB Kaiir Elam has ideal physical traits (size, speed) for the position, and his presence could ease any pressure on Pro Bowler Tre'Davious White to return too quickly amid his recovery from an ACL tear. Second-round RB James Cook will bring needed juice to the ground game and maybe reduce some of that load on QB Josh Allen. Even fifth-round WR Khalil Shakir might soften the departure of slot WR Cole Beasley. The Round 6 choice spent on Matt "Punt God" Araiza, whose booming leg will cut through those Lake Erie winds, was the cherry on top. Grade: A

Denver Broncos

They might've drafted only one impact player, second-round pass rusher Nik Bonitto arriving after giving the Oklahoma Sooners 16 sacks over the past two seasons. You don't need to be Miller, Nik, just do your thing. But this draft (and next year's) was effectively swapped for QB Russell Wilson, who should finally resolve a position that's been a dumpster fire since Peyton Manning retired. Enough said. Grade: A

Las Vegas Raiders

They needed to improve the blocking in front of QB Derek Carr and obtained Memphis G Dylan Parham in Round 3. Georgia RB Zamir "Zeus" White arrived in the following round and might be taking over for Jacobs in a year. And, incidentally, the Silver and Black also got the best receiver in the game – All-Pro Davante Adams – for their first- and second-rounders, and that's really what Carr and Co. care about. Grade: A-

Cleveland Browns

Mid-round DE Alex Wright (Round 3), WR David Bell (Round 3), DT Perrion Winfrey (Round 4) and K Cade York (Round 4) could all pay off right away. And don't forget they essentially surrendered a fifth-rounder to get WR Amari Cooper. But this draft and future ones will ultimately be defined by what QB Deshaun Watson, and all the baggage he comes with, provides to this franchise. Grade: A-

Miami Dolphins

They had a draft-low four choices, though did pick up LB Channing Tindall (Round 3) from that championship Georgia defense. But GM Chris Grier spent this year's assets to pry WR Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs after previously ensuring he'd have a pair of first-rounders for a QB-rich 2023 draft ... just in case. Grade: A-

New York Giants

Rookie GM Joe Schoen, the beneficiary of the extra first-rounder obtained in predecessor Dave Gettleman's final draft, appeared to put his first one pretty much in the fairway. No guarantee QB Daniel Jones returns in 2023, but Schoen set him up to succeed in 2022 with the selection of first-round OT Evan Neal, productive second-round WR Wan'Dale Robinson and G Joshua Ezeudu. Defensive holes were also addressed with slot corner Cordale Flott in Round 3, S Dane Belton in Round 4 and LB Micah McFadden in Round 5. But No. 5 overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon's massively talented pass rusher, is on top of the marquee – which is exactly where he wants to be. If he turns out to be a Broadway success story, Big Blue could be back soon. Grade: A-

Houston Texans

LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr. (No. 3 overall pick), Texas A&M OL Kenyon Green (15th overall), Baylor S Jalen Pitre (Round 2), Alabama WR John Metchie III (Round 2), Alabama LB Christian Harris (Round 3) and Florida RB Dameon Pierce (Round 4) could all be opening-day starters for an organization that markedly improved its roster's nucleus. If his injury issues are behind him, Stingley might emerge as this draft's best player. It's all couched by the fact Houston is (and will be in the future) using assets obtained in the trade of Watson, but GM Nick Caserio had no choice but to move on. Grade: B+

Washington Commanders

Their first draft as the rechristened Commanders didn't start out well given that panicky trade for QB Carson Wentz cost them their third-rounder and probably a future second. But they recovered, recouping some capital before spending that first selection on Penn State WR Jahan Dotson, who should be quite a help to Wentz and maybe the special teams, too. Washington also got its annual complement of Alabama studs (DT Phidarian Mathis, RB Brian Robinson). But fifth-round QB Sam Howell could be the story here. He was taken late enough that he shouldn't pose an immediate threat to Wentz, yet Howell might also provide Day 3 Kirk Cousins-level returns down the road if circumstances force him into the lineup. Grade: B+

Los Angeles Chargers

First-round OL Zion Johnson will improve the care of QB Justin Herbert, just as fourth-round RB Isaiah Spiller will help take care of Austin Ekeler. But the big win could be getting OLB Khalil Mack, assuming he's healthy, for a second-rounder. Grade: B

New Orleans Saints

In a post-Brees, post-Payton world, you have to admire their chutzpah, going all in to stock this depth chart while sacrificing a 2023 first-rounder and 2024 second-rounder to Philly. GM Mickey Loomis targeted two premier positions in Round 1, getting Trevor Penning to replace departed LT Terron Armstead after drafting Ohio State WR Chris Olave – who just might have the goods to take this offense to another level. Maybe this draft doesn't end up aging well ... or maybe it positions the Saints to reclaim the NFC South crown they wore for so long. Grade: B

Tennessee Titans

A lot to unpack here. Dealing Pro Bowl WR A.J. Brown and trading up for Liberty QB Malik Willis strongly suggests this is a franchise trying to navigate a transition without descending into a rebuild. (And don't be surprised if fourth-round RB Hassan Haskins inherits Derrick Henry's job one day.) The AFC South champs will still run it back with Henry, QB Ryan Tannehill and Co. in 2022 – their ranks augmented by first-round WR Treylon Burks and second-round CB Roger McCreary – but also definitely the potential things get ... awkward? Grade: B

Jacksonville Jaguars

Roll of the dice with the No. 1 pick, and the Jags opted for DE Travon Walker's potential ahead of Hutchinson's production. Time will tell. But you had to like GM Trent Baalke coming back into the bottom of Round 1 to snag LB Devin Lloyd 27th overall. He and QB Trevor Lawrence could/should lead this franchise for the next decade-plus. Third-rounders Luke Fortner and Chad Muma are, at center and linebacker, respectively, both immediate starters. Grade: B

Minnesota Vikings

New GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's first draft was short on sex appeal but arguably just what the Vikes needed. Perfectly content to swing trades with the division rival Packers and Lions, Adofo-Mensah worked the board on the way to adding S Lewis Cine, CB Andrew Booth, G Ed Ingram and LB Brian Asamoah in the first 66 picks. All project as opening-day starters, especially important for a Minnesota defense that consistently betrayed this offense in recent seasons. Grade: B

Cincinnati Bengals

They so thoroughly revamped their offensive line during free agency, the Bengals didn't draft a blocker (Cordell Volson) until Round 4. First-round DB Daxton Hill is a versatile player who should contribute early and might replace FS Jessie Bates III in a year if the franchise-tagged standout doesn't get extended. Yet you wonder if the AFC champs, who admittedly didn't have any needs in their starting lineup, should've spun some of those picks forward into 2023. Grade: B

Pittsburgh Steelers

A franchise that knows how to mine receiving diamonds might have found two more gems in second-rounder George Pickens and fourth-rounder Calvin Austin III. Round 3 D-lineman DeMarvin Leal could reach his vast potential amid the Steel City culture. And how about taking All-Pro DL Cam Heyward's brother, Connor (a Michigan State tight end/H-back) in the sixth? However, going back to the domestic angle, this crop will be defined by the selection of Pitt QB Kenny Pickett. The Steelers could have had any passer in this draft – any two as it turned out – as they tried to move on from retired Ben Roethlisberger. But they went with the guy who was already in their building, a football training facility shared with the Pittsburgh Panthers, and coach Mike Tomlin already believes Pickett could be his Week 1 starter despite the presence of newly signed Mitchell Trubisky. Skeptics could say Pickett, who turns 24 in June, is close to maxing out his ability and might not be much more than a lateral move from Trubisky, especially given the tantalizing potential that was available with Liberty's Malik Willis. Clearly Tomlin and retiring GM Kevin Colbert are banking on much more. Grade: B

Kansas City Chiefs

They got a heavy return from Miami in the Tyreek Hill blockbuster – and the Cheetah had backed them into a financial corner – but QB Patrick Mahomes no longer has his most dangerous weapon. Yet interestingly, the perennial AFC West champs emphasized the other side of the ball with their acquired selections, five of their first six picks – including Round 1 CB Trent McDuffie and DE George Karlaftis – spent on a defense that will soon be facing far more formidable offenses in the AFC West. Second-round WR Skyy Moore should be a productive player straight away ... but, again, no Tyreek Hill here. Less is more? More is less? If the Chiefs are lucky, more will mean more. Grade: B

Indianapolis Colts

Good odds GM Chris Ballard found four starters on Day 2, when he picked WR Alec Pierce in the second round and TE Jelani Woods, LT Bernhard Raimann and S Nick Cross in the third. Of course, any enthusiasm must be somewhat tempered by the loss of Indy's first-round pick amid the failed Wentz experiment. Still, given the path the Titans took this weekend, the Colts may have closed the gap in the AFC South. Grade: B-

San Francisco 49ers

Second-round USC edge rusher Drake Jackson is the headline player and should bolster the depth the Niners like to feature on their defensive line. Perhaps the real headline is that Niners brass didn't cave to All-Pro WR Deebo Samuel's trade request – not yet anyway – and it now appears there's time to salvage the relationship with a player who's certainly critical to the development of young QB Trey Lance. But this is one of those drafts that's hard to assess holistically given the first-round pick (along with next year's) was spent on last year's investment for Lance with the No. 3 overall selection. Probably gonna be at least a few seasons before anyone knows if he makes this all worth it. Grade: B-

Green Bay Packers

This is an eye of the beholder situation. Hard to spin the loss of Adams as any sort of positive, especially when the Pack weren't in position in Round 1 to get an approximate replacement from a talent perspective. GM Brian Gutekunst got aggressive in Round 2, dealing up for North Dakota State WR Christian Watson – though it remains to be seen how quickly he'll earn QB Aaron Rodgers' trust. Yet it's also fair to posit the Packers had gone as far as they could with the Rodgers-Adams connection, and their Super Bowl aspirations are better served by loading up the defense with stars from Georgia's defense like first-rounders Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt. Third-round OL Sean Rhyan could also fortify the protection of Rodgers. So maybe Green Bay got better ... but probably not. Grade: C+

Seattle Seahawks

The trade of Wilson and release of LB Bobby Wagner signaled a new (throwback?) era in the Emerald City. Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider went to work investing in assets Wilson might have liked – a pair of young tackles, Charles Cross (Round 1) and Abraham Lucas (Round 3) – plus potential building blocks for the next iteration of the Legion of Boom in promising pass rusher Boye Mafe (Round 2) and underrated CB Coby Bryant (Round 4). Second-round RB Kenneth Walker III could eventually define this ground attack similar to the way Marshawn Lynch once did. But it's really tough to grade this haul given the loss of Wilson is attached to it, and it will be another year before the Seahawks use the other first- and second-rounder obtained in the package for the best passer in franchise history. (And how far are Drew Lock and/or Geno Smith taking you?) Then there's the 2020 trade for Jamal Adams, one that cost two first-round picks (including this year's) and his massive extension – a decision that perspective has been unkind to. Seattle fans should be enthused about this year's incoming players, but they'll miss the former ones ... and those they would have welcomed if not for the Adams freight. Grade: C

Carolina Panthers

Getting N.C. State's Ickey Ekwonu at No. 6 could prove larcenous, particularly for a team that desperately needed a left tackle. GM Scott Fitterer and coach Matt Rhule also maneuvered back into Round 3 for Ole Miss QB Matt Corral. But they probably wish they hadn't spent their original second-rounder on Darnold nor their third on CB C.J. Henderson. And though this franchise has desperately pursued solutions under center, Corral is another significant gamble ... one from which Rhule may not recover. Grade: C

Atlanta Falcons

Considering how important this draft likely is to their anticipated resurrection – including less-than-face-value picks they got for WR Julio Jones (2nd) and QB Matt Ryan (3rd) – the results feel a little ... meh? WR Drake London at No. 8 might be the next Mike Evans, moving the chains and terrorizing the red zone. But he's unlikely to be a game breaker, and those kind of receivers seemed to be on the table. And there simply appear to be a lot of bets on upside here with a one-year wonder like Penn State DE Arnold Ebiketie and mid-rounders lacking Power Five bona fides. One was QB Desmond Ridder. Maybe the Cincinnati star blossoms while marinating behind Marcus Mariota ... or maybe he becomes part of a roster that may still lack the foundational pieces it really needed to add. Grade: C-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Second-round DL Logan Hall might energize that interior pass rush, and maybe third-round RB Rachaad White offers more than departed Ronald Jones II did behind RB1 Leonard Fournette. But all things considered, it seemed like the Bucs could've been more aggressive given they're clearly in a Super Bowl-or-bust circumstance. Grade: C-

Chicago Bears

The jury should be out for a while on QB Justin Fields, whose arrival in 2021 also came at the expense of this year's first-rounder. But you would've thought rookie GM Ryan Poles would have done more to find players in this draft – specifically weapons and blockers – to accelerate Fields' development. Nope. Make no mistake, second-round DBs Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker are really good players ... but you wonder if that defense will be on the field a lot in 2022 considering the way things have gone for Fields. Grade: C-

New England Patriots

Time was, you didn't question anything Bill Belichick did in the name of The Patriot Way. Time is ... well, BB hasn't won a playoff game for New England without Tom Brady and, even before TB12's departure, his draft record was spotty at best – especially at receiver and corner. But the Pats took speedy Baylor WR Tyquan Thornton in the second round followed by CBs Marcus Jones (Round 3) and Jack Jones (Round 4), a need clearly existing after Pro Bowler J.C. Jackson left in free agency. Beyond that, the first-round selection of Tennessee-Chattanooga OL Cole Strange – a very good player by most accounts – also seemed, well, strange ... and perhaps quite premature. A fourth-round pick was spent on record-setting Western Kentucky QB Bailey Zappe (5,967 yards and 62 TDs in 2021), whose numbers are far more impressive than his physical attributes. Marcus Jones might bear the most watching since he's an exceptional kick returner and can moonlight as a receiver – so maybe he's an optimal Patriot. Grade: D+

Dallas Cowboys

First-round LT Tyler Smith was their guy ... but they probably could've gotten him later than No. 24. Second-round DE Sam Williams brings production – and a checkered past. And the middle of the defensive line still looms as a significant problem. Grade: D+

Arizona Cardinals

Mackey Award-winning TE Trey McBride (Round 2) is a sweet player, but are the Cards suddenly going base double-tight after re-signing Zach Ertz for three more years? But far more head scratching was sacrificing their first-round pick to get "Hollywood" Brown, a teammate of QB Kyler Murray at Oklahoma, both former Sooners heading into their fourth seasons. Brown has scary speed and maybe didn't get to showcase it enough on a Baltimore offense that wanted to run the ball. But hard to believe that GM Steve Keim didn't severely overpay – especially since he'll also presumably be on the hook for extensions for Brown and Murray any minute. Grade: D

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.

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How child sex abuse grooming rhetoric impacts LGBTQ, abuse survivors

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:06:51 +0000

How child sex abuse grooming rhetoric impacts LGBTQ, abuse survivors

Some conservatives have begun using words like "grooming" often associated with child sex abuse.
Such rhetoric hurts the LGBTQ people, particularly gay men who have long been accused of predatory behavior.
Careless use of words connected to child sex abuse diminishes the experience of survivors, advocates say.

Grooming, a term associated with adults who sexually abuse children, has become an attack word in today’s battle over anti-LGBTQ legislation and is spilling out into the broader culture wars.

The term, coined in the 1980s, describes a process used to gain access to a potential victim, coerce them to agree to the abuse and reduce the risk of being caught, according to RAINN, a national anti-sexual violence organization.

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Pelosi visits Kyiv, Zelenskyy; evacuation of Mariupol

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:06:44 +0000

The evacuation of Ukraine's war-battered city of Mariupol is finally safe and residents are urged to flee to Zaporozhye, 140 miles to the west, authorities said Sunday.

"It's official. Today it is possible to evacuate the civilian population from Mariupol," city council said in a statement. "If you have relatives or friends in Mariupol, try to contact them by all means. Call, write and say that there is an opportunity to travel to Zaporozhye, where it is safe.

"We pray that everything will work out."

Scores of civilians, including some women and children, were evacuated over the weekend from in and around the Aozvstal steel plant in Mariupol, the Russian state-run Tass media outlet reported Sunday. A top official with the Azov Regiment, the Ukrainian unit defending the plant, has acknowledged that some civilians were evacuated during a cease-fire. Many more require a safe exit, Sviatoslav Palamar said.

Up to 2,000 Ukrainian fighters and an estimated 1,000 civilians remain in and around the plant, the last major holdout in the city. About 100,000 residents remain trapped in Mariupol with little food, water or utilities, authorities say.

USA TODAY ON TELEGRAM: Join our Russia-Ukraine war channel to receive updates straight to your phone

Other developments:

►Undeterred by air raid sirens and warnings to shelter at home, people in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia visited cemeteries Sunday, when Ukrainians observed the Orthodox Christian day of the dead.

►In Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, about 20 older adults and children clutching bags along with their dogs and cats boarded a minivan Saturday in the town of Lyman, where at least half the population has fled Russian shelling.

►Ukraine’s national grid operator says it has restored “reliable” power supply in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, around the site of the 1986 nuclear reactor disaster.

►Actress Angelina Jolie made a surprise visit to displaced people in Lviv, Ukraine, on Saturday, the Lviv regional governor said on Telegram. Jolie has been a United Nations special envoy for refugees since 2011.

►The bodies of three civilians found in another mass grave in Bucha outside Kyiv show that they were tortured, the head of the regional police force Andriy Nebytov said Saturday.

Pelosi meets with Zelenskyy in Kyiv

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a congressional delegation that met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv as Ukraine continued to weather bombardment by Russia military forces on its southern coast and eastern parts of the country.

Pelosi, second in line to succeed the president, provided the latest U.S. show of support for embattled Ukraine. She is the most senior American lawmaker to visit the country since Russia launched the war more than two months ago.

The visit came as some women and children were evacuated from a steel plant in Mariupol and as a Russian rocket attack destroyed an airport runway in Odesa, a Black Sea port on Ukraine's southern border.

Pelosi posted a video to her Twitter account Sunday that showed her standing shoulder to shoulder with Zelenskyy, members of Congress – including representatives Jim McGovern, D-Mass., Adam Schiff, D-Calif.; Jason Crow, D-Colo., Barbara Lee, D-Calif.; Gregory Meeks, D-New York and Bill Keating, D-Mass. – and other Ukrainian officials.

“We are here to say to you that we are with you until the fight is over,” Pelosi said in the video.

Zelenskyy thanked Pelosi for the support, saying “we’ll win together.”

Pelosi responded: “We are here until victory is won.”

Ukraine ambassador lauds Pelosi visit

Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit symbolized U.S. support for her besieged country at a time when President Joe Biden’s $33 billion aid proposal is pending in Congress. The visit came less than week after Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

“I think it’s yet another sign of very, very strong support that Ukraine has here in the United States,” Markarova Markarova told "ABC This Week with George Stephanopoulos." “We feel and we know that Americans are our brothers and sisters in this fight for freedom, for democracy.”

After 67 days of resistance to the Russian invasion, Markarova said the world has witnessed war crimes of rapes, torture and the siege of Mariupol. She said Russian behavior hasn’t changed, despite failing to meet its goals from its 2014 invasion or the latest attack that began Feb. 24.

“We do not see the change in their behavior yet,” she said. “They are trying to scare Ukraine. They are trying to scare the world. But the fact and the truth is that Ukrainians are not afraid and our president and all Ukrainians are bravely defending our country. The world is not afraid.”

Schiff warns 'horrific toll' of Putin's invasion is mounting

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said Sunday the three-hour discussion with Zelenskyy reviewed military, economic and humanitarian assistance Ukraine needs.

“The horrific toll of Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked aggression is mounting: missile strikes continue against large population centers, refugees are fleeing for their lives, while bodies are piled in mass graves,” Schiff said in a statement. “Thousands of innocent civilians have been killed or injured, and the entire world is feeling the reverberations of a global food shortage and skyrocketing energy prices – all due to Putin’s bloodlust.”

Food shortages in Middle East, Africa a 'catastrophic effect' of invasion

Samantha Power, administrator of U.S. Agency for International Development, said a broader concern from the war in Ukraine is food shortages in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, where countries rely on Ukraine for 80% to 90% of their wheat and grain. Global food prices are up 34% from a year ago, she said on “ABC This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”

“It is just another catastrophic effect of Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” Power said.

She said the horrors of war are visible in the displacement of millions of refugees and the starvation of people in the siege of Mariupol.

“The courage is breathtaking and has inspired the world,” Power said. “Those are true horrors being perpetrated right now.”

Ukrainian women trained to clear land mines

A group of Ukrainian women is learning how to identify and defuse explosives, a need brought about by Russian forces leaving booby traps behind in the streets of Ukraine's cities. While it is impossible to assess how littered with mines and unexploded ordnance Ukraine is at the moment, the aftermaths of other conflicts suggest the problem will be huge.

“In many parts of the world, explosive remnants of war continue to kill and maim thousands of civilians each year during and long after active hostilities have ended. The majority of victims are children,” the International Committee of the Red Cross testified at a December U.N. conference.

Meanwhile, just outside Lviv on Saturday, volunteers in the Territorial Defense Forces were learning battlefield first aid and combat skills, The New York Times reported.

Contributing: The Associated Press

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Bucks beat Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:06:36 +0000

The Milwaukee Bucks opened their second round Eastern Conference playoff series with the Boston Celtics with an emphatic 101-89 victory at TD Garden, with the defending NBA champions putting on an extraordinary defensive effort in the home of the league’s top-ranked defensive unit.

Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s second career playoff triple-double (24 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists), the Bucks won their fourth straight game without injured all-star Khris Middleton by once again going “big” with Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis in the starting lineup.

But rather than rotate in a four-wing substitution pattern as he did against Chicago in the first round, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer kept at least one big man in the game throughout to offset Boston’s strong interior presence of Al Horford and Robert Williams III. The bigger bodies and active perimeter defense led by Jrue Holiday and Wesley Matthews harassed Celtics stars Jayson Tatum (21 points on 6 of 18 shooting) and Jaylen Brown (12 on 4 of 13) all afternoon.

Portis had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Lopez added 10 rebounds, six points and three blocked shots.

Grayson Allen continued his strong play on both ends of the court for the Bucks with 11 points and three steals while Pat Connaughton (8 points) and Jevon Carter (7) joined him off the bench.

BOX SCORE: Bucks 101, Celtics 89

Game 2 is in Boston on Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

The Bucks closed out the victory by stretching a 78-70 lead at the start of the quarter to as many as 17 in the opening 5 ½ minutes thanks to a 14-5 run that saw them shut out Tatum and Brown in that period. From there, the Celtics just couldn’t muster up enough firepower – nor make enough stops – to mount a legitimate comeback.

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Gilded Glamour theme details, attendees, how to watch

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:06:29 +0000

Invitations have been sent, the custom gowns and outfits are selected and the stars are ready to dazzle photographers on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art at this year's Met Gala.

The gala is an annual fundraiser for the Met’s Costume Institute and calls on designers to adorn stars, models and sometimes influencers in the fashions of a selected theme to match a wing of the museum's exhibit. This year's exhibit is a continuation of last year's theme of American fashion and will include "cinematic vignettes" created by top Hollywood directors congruent with the "In America: An Anthology of Fashion” theme.

While each year the event, largely considered the Oscars of fashion, has selected co-hosts and honorary hosts, Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna Wintour has been at the helm of the Met ball since 1995 curating a tight-knit invite list, seating arrangement and dress code — which is gilded glamour.

Met's best:Our favorite Met Gala looks of all time, from Rihanna to Princess Diana

Last year's Met Gala, though pared down, occurred in September after being delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Stars including Frank Ocean, Kim Kardashian, then-co-chair Billie Eilish and many more showed up with their take on "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion."

Back on schedule on the first Monday in May, the 2022 Met Gala is expected to be a larger event as high-profile celebrities circle around to show off their best Gilded Age looks (thank you, HBO, for the style inspiration).

Met Gala's most outrageous looks: Kim K sparks 'Harry Potter' memes, Grimes wields a sword, more

Ahead of the grand event, here's all to know about fashion's biggest night.

When is the 2022 Met Gala?

The Met Gala will take place Monday, May 2, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's the first time the museum has seen the in-person fundraising event at its scheduled time since May 6, 2019. In 2020 the exhibit went virtual, and in 2021 it took place in September.

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How can I watch the Met Gala?

Vogue, owned by one of the Met Gala sponsors Condé Nast, will be live streaming the event on its website starting at 6 p.m. ET. LaLa Anthony, Vanessa Hudgens and fashion journalist Hamish Bowles will sit as co-hosts as they interview the stars and designers upon their arrival.

E! News will also host two live streams with their TikTok stream that will capture celebrities as they leave from The Mark Hotel, a popular launching point for the invitees. The entertainment outlet will also host red carpet coverage on "Live from E!" beginning at 6 p.m. ET.

What is the Met Gala 2022 theme?

For the gala itself, attendees will be asked to dress in white tie and "gilded glamour," referring to late 1800s America that was led by industrialization and innovation. While we don't have any sneak peeks of the outfits to come we can expect gold embellishments, excessive ruffles, velvet, tulle, undergarment bustiers and corsets.

Met Gala co-chairs:Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Regina King and Lin-Manuel Miranda tapped for Met Gala

As for the exhibit, "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" is slightly different from last year's "Lexicon of Fashion" display.

September's "lexicon" portion of the museum featured "approximately 100 men’s and women’s ensembles by a diverse range of designers from the 1940s to the present" while according to the museum's website, the May opening will feature garments dating back to the 18th century with "vignettes installed in select period rooms."

Who are the Met Gala co-chairs?

Director and actress Regina King, Hollywood's favorite couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds and director and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda will serve as co-chairs of the 2022 Met Gala.

The actors and moviemakers are taking a turn in the Met Gala spotlight as the theme will have a focus on film. Star museum curator Andrew Bolton said eight directors will create what he calls “cinematic vignettes” in the period rooms of the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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King, Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Chloé Zhao, Tom Ford, Janicza Bravo, Julie Dash and Autumn de Wilde will be key parts of launching the exhibit.

Ford, head of Instagram Adam Mosseri and Wintour will continue their Met Gala roles as honorary co-chairs.

LOL, 'House of Gucci':Tom Ford 'often laughed out loud' watching the film, calls out some 'absolute hams'

Who can we expect to attend Met Gala?

Well, the invite list is typically kept top secret. The gala's co-chairs King, Lively, Reynolds, Miranda and the live stream co-hosts are almost certain to be present.

Other stars have been mum's the word about their presence. When asked about the event in an interview with The Cut, influencer and entrepreneur Lori Harvey replied: "Oooo, am I? We shall see, we shall see."

Zendaya, who was named CFDA's 2021 fashion icon and who has taken the Met ball carpet by storm in years past, has confirmed to Extra TV that for the second year in a row she will not be at the gala.

"Sorry to disappoint my fans here, but I will be working," she said. "I'll be back eventually."

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Katy Perry channels Ariel, top 7 picked

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:00:28 +0000

Sunday night’s episode of “American Idol” was covered in pixie dust.

As part of Disney Night, the top 10 contestants tackled iconic songs from the Walt Disney canon, kicking off the episode with a spirited ensemble performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from “Encanto,” which featured appearances from cast members Adassa and Rheny Feliz.

Even the judges got into the Disney spirit, with judge Katy Perry dressing up as Ariel from “The Little Mermaid” and Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan wheeling her to the judges’ table. But Perry may want to reconsider mermaid life, as she fell over in her chair shortly after sitting down.

“Are you okay? Are you all right?” host Ryan Seacrest asked Perry.

Perry playfully shook off the fumble, taking a swig of her drink while the audience chanted her name in support.

Here’s what else went down, including “Dancing with the Stars” alum Derek Hough mentoring the contestants in Disneyland for their performances.

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Lady K

Lady K was gunning for redemption with her performance Sunday night. After landing in the bottom two last week, the 25-year-old singer’s confidence was shaken.

“It was scary,” Lady K told Hough during rehearsal. “I instantly went to, ‘What did I do wrong?’ ”

Hough reassured a tearful Lady K of her place on the show. “You deserve to be here,” he said. “Your tears are beautiful.”

Lady K channeled her soulful vocals for a stirring rendition of “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana.” Richie praised Lady K for the progress she’s made.

“You look like a star, you sound like a star,” Richie told Lady K. “More importantly, I want you to know that your growth from that beginning to now is unbelievable.”

Bryan said the performance “validated” the judges’ previous decision to save Lady K from elimination: “We’re so glad we had the opportunity to save you.”

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Noah Thompson

Noah Thompson gave a heartfelt performance of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story,” which he dedicated to his friend Arthur, who encouraged him to audition for “Idol.”

“One of Noah’s greatest strengths is his personality,” Hough said in a prerecorded interview. “If he can capture that onstage, it’ll make America feel like we’re just one of his buddies singing along with him as well.”

Perry loved the way the 19-year-old construction worker reinvented the Disney classic.

“You gave it so much character and color and country crooning,” Perry told Thompson after his performance. “It was some of your best vocals ever.”

Bryan chimed in: “If you can, on the fly, put your little sparkle on that song, the sky’s the limit on what you can do throughout your whole career.”

'American Idol': Katy Perry wants 'extra hour of therapy' after Noah Thompson covers her ex John Mayer

Emyrson Flora

High schooler Emyrson Flora delivered a sweet performance of “Carried Me With You” from “Onward.” Perry said she appreciated how Flora elevated her stage presence for the performance.

“You’ve come so far,” Perry told Flora. “I love when you connect with your body language and your eyes and come out of your shell.”

Richie also noted the 16-year-old’s growing command of the stage.

“Stage presence only comes with experience, so don’t worry about it so much,” Richie said. “Your voice and your presence onstage is really top-notch material.”

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HunterGirl

HunterGirl served up an enchanting performance of “I See the Light” from “Tangled,” earning a standing ovation from the judges.

“If this is how you sound when going to Disneyland, I recommend going at least once a week,” Perry told HunterGirl after her performance. “You have never sounded better, held notes in such a spectacular way; you pushed that vocal.”

Bryan said the performance signaled the 23-year-old singer’s potential.

“Obviously, you are a country girl from Tennessee, but the elegance and the beauty in that performance, like, I can see award shows in the future where you have the spotlight,” Bryan said.

'American Idol' judges reveal they're 'heartbroken' over Kenedi Anderson, but optimistic for Top 14

Jay

Jay slowed things down with an earnest performance of “Remember Me” from “Coco.”

Perry gave the 23-year-old medical receptionist props for his captivating showmanship.

“You’re the only one so far that has really used the stage to their advantage,” Perry told Jay. “We want the stage to be used up, we want that energy, and you did it.”

Richie complimented the range Jay showed with his performance.

“You are a star, automatically,” Richie said. “What I want you to understand now is how far you will go, not in this competition, but in the career of this music business. That was levels you showed us tonight.”

Luke Bryan 'shocked' Mike Parker didn't make 'American Idol' top 10: 'You’re gonna see some inner turmoil'

Leah Marlene

Leah Marlene kept things intimate with a tender performance of “When She Loved Me” from “Toy Story 2,” which Bryan called “incredible.”

“You’re just a great singer,” Bryan told Marlene after her performance. “You’ve yet to hit a bad note in this competition. You always tell the story perfectly, and you just did it with that song.”

Perry also praised Marlene’s narrative singing style.

“You just really have that storytelling voice, and I’m just hooked on every single word that you sing,” Perry said.

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Nicolina

Nicolina went for a dramatic flair, delivering a campy rendition of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from “The Little Mermaid.”

“That was a presentation,” Richie told Nicolina after her performance. “You scared Katy to death,” he added jokingly, referring to Perry, who was crouched behind the judges’ table.

Perry was floored by Nicolina’s performance, saying the 18-year-old college student stole the show.

“That is how you do it: That’s how you do show business,” Perry said. “That was the best performance of the night so far.”

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Mike Parker

Mike Parker gave a powerhouse performance of “You’ll Be in My Heart” from “Tarzan,” which the 27-year-old carpenter dedicated to his mother, who’s battling leukemia.

“If he can connect his personal story in those first few lines, we’re gonna be with him and it’s gonna be a powerful moment,” Hough said in a prerecorded interview.

Perry and Bryan were moved by Parker’s heartfelt performance. “You sang that with your mother in your heart, and we could feel every moment of that,” Perry told Parker.

Bryan added: “What a tough song to get through and navigate, and you navigated it amazingly.”

More:'American Idol' shocker: Kenedi Anderson, frontrunner who won platinum ticket, quits show

Christian Guardino

Christian Guardino offered a soaring performance of “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.” Richie gushed over Guardino’s unshakeable stage presence.

“Tonight, you were standing totally in your light,” Richie told Guardino. “You actually were shining bright.”

Perry said while she initially had her doubts, the 21-year-old kitchen worker’s rendition was his best performance.

“Before you started the song, I was like, ‘Oh, this is a whole bit,’ and I hope he doesn’t overdo it,” Perry said. “It was perfect.”

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Fritz Hager

Fritz Hager lit up the “Idol” stage with a passionate performance of “Go the Distance” from “Hercules.”

Richie praised Hager as the dark horse of the competition.

“You have always been our surprise package on this show,” Richie told Hager. “Tonight, you stepped again into your light…I’m so proud of you.”

Bryan gave the 22-year-old props for the consistency of his performances.

“You always nail it,” Bryan said. “You understand the dynamics of taking the song and creating these moments within the songs. You’re not surprising me anymore.”

'American Idol' singer storms out when duet partner forgets lyrics, Kelsie Dolin makes Lionel Richie cry

Who went home?

After America’s votes were counted, Flora, Parker and Lady K were sent home, leaving contestants Leah Marlene, Jay, Noah Thompson, Fritz Hager, HunterGirl, Nicolina and Christian Guardino to advance to the top 7.

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Will starter homes soon become extinct ?

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:00:20 +0000

There were smiles aplenty at the ribbon-cutting event at the Village Gardens in Seattle.

The occasion? To celebrate the completion of 16 new modern-looking starter townhomes not too far from Jimi Hendrix Park in the city's Central District neighborhood.

About eight homes will be available to households who make less than 80% of the area’s median income and two will be for those considered homeless or who had financial problems keeping a home.

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Warrant issued for officer in inmate’s escape

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 03:16:33 +0000

Authorities on Monday issued an arrest warrant for a missing corrections officer who disappeared with an inmate from a northern Alabama jail last week.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said Vicky White, who disappeared with inmate Casey Cole White Friday morning from the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Florence, Alabama, "participated" in the escape.

In an appearance on CNN Monday, Singleton said authorities have notseen evidence that Vicky White was kidnapped or forced into helping Casey White escape.

"She’s certainly an accomplice," the sheriff said. "It’s obvious from the evidence we have gathered that this was not – that he didn’t kidnap her or force her or anything as far as in the car once they left the facility," Singleton said.

But, he added, investigators are keeping an open mind. "She absolutely assisted him. We still don't know 100% for sure that it was willful, but it's certainly looking that way," Singleton said.

The charges against the officer include permitting or facilitating escape of the inmate, Singleton said.

The U.S. Marshals Service was offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the inmate and the location of the "missing and endangered" corrections officer. The pair planned to travel to a local courthouse when they vanished. Police say the two are not related.

Casey White, 38, was serving time after being convicted on kidnapping and attempted murder charges. While being held, he also confessed to the 2015 killing of a woman who was stabbed to death in her home.

“Casey White, as you’ve heard me say over and over and over is an extremely dangerous person and we need to get him located and get him off the street,” Singleton said Monday. "Don't take any chances with him. He's extremely dangerous."

The pair wasn't discovered missing until 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, six hours after they left the jail. The police vehicle they left in was found in the parking lot of a nearby shopping center.

Here's what we know.

What are police saying?

Vicky White was armed when she left the jail with Casey White for a mental health evaluation for Casey at a courthouse Friday morning, Sheriff Rick Singleton said at a press conference Friday.

But no mental health evaluation was scheduled at the courthouse for Casey White that day, Singleton said.

He said the inmate was handcuffed and shackled when he and the officer left the jail Friday. Singleton said the officer was transporting the inmate alone – a violation of department policy. The policy was instituted when White was jailed two years ago and authorities believed he was planning to escape.

Deputies had attempted to contact the officer once they realized she and the inmate were missing, but her phone repeatedly went to voicemail.

Singleton said video showed the pair left the jail and went straight to the parking lot where the officer's vehicle was found.

It is not clear whether the incident was an attempted escape, or if Vicky White was possibly overpowered and kidnapped, according to Singleton. He said investigators are trying determine whether there were any previous significant interactions between the pair.

Who is Casey Cole White?

Casey White was sentenced in 2019 to 75 years in prison after being convicted of two counts of first-degree kidnapping and attempted murder, according to a report from The News Courier in Athens, Alabama.

White also confessed to the killing of Connie Ridgeway, 58, and was set to go to trial next month in the case. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. Ridgeway was stabbed to death in her home in 2015.

He stands at 6-foot, 9-inches and weighs about 260 pounds, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. He has brown hair, hazel eyes and has tattoos on his back and left shoulder blade.

At the Monday press conference, authorities said he may have attempted to change his appearance but his height and build make him easy to identify.

He is believed to be a "serious threat to the corrections officer and the public," according to Marty Keely, the U.S. marshal for northern Alabama. Authorities advised residents not to approach him if he is spotted.

Who is Vicky White?

Vicky White worked as assistant director of corrections at the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and has been with the department for 16 years. Singleton described her as an "exemplary employee."

White was working her last day at the Sheriff's office Friday, having turned in paperwork to retire, Singleton said Monday. He also said she had sold her home around a month ago and “talked about going to the beach.”

The sheriff said they were shocked by the events that transpired.

“This is not the Vicky White we know, by any stretch of the imagination,” the sheriff said.

Singleton said fellow jail employees were “just devastated.”

The Marshals Service said people with information about Casey White’s location or Vicky White’s disappearance can call 1-800-336-0102. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the U.S. Marshals Tip App.

Contributing: The Associated Press; Miranda Prescott, The Gadsden Times

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I was told that I ‘wasn’t worthy of traveling’ as a fat person

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 03:16:26 +0000

I was told that I 'wasn't worthy of traveling' as a fat person

News Sports Entertainment Life Money Tech Travel Opinion

Chaya Milchtein

Special to USA TODAY

Before fat people even get to our destination, we have to figure out how we're going to get through the flying part.

Somehow our fatness makes us undeserving of a very basic level of human decency.

When we finally do get to our destination, many of us don't get to have the experiences we want.

I'm a fat woman. Like most fat people, I face a myriad of challenges traveling and adventuring the way that I want to. Being fat truly extends to every single part of traveling from flights, to buses, hotels and restaurants. Even where we do "fit," the treatment we face from other people around us and sometimes the staff – It's indescribable.

Help Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy Our Ethical Principles Site Map

© 2022 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC.

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In leaked opinion court considering upending abortion law

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 03:16:11 +0000

The draft opinion leaked to Politico appeared to show Justice Alito's argument on abortion.

The unprecedented leak was likely to raise questions about the court's process.

The draft opinion prompted swift and visceral reaction from both sides of the abortion debate.

WASHINGTON – A draft Supreme Court opinion published by Politico on Monday suggested the court is considering a decision that would overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established a constitutional right to abortion.

The stunning leak of a draft opinion, which USA TODAY could not independently verify, set off an unexpected firestorm around one of the nation's most divisive culture war issues and simultaneously raised questions about the court's deliberations and its ability to keep those discussions secret.

"Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the draft obtained by Politico. "We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled."

A Supreme Court spokeswoman declined to comment.

Though Supreme Court deliberations have leaked before, including during President Richard Nixon's administration, the release of a draft opinion from the closely guarded high court was highly unusual in modern times. Politico said the draft was circulated in February, about two months after oral argument in the blockbuster case.

If the opinion is what the nation's highest court actually hands down, it would represent a profound change in how reproductive rights have been understood in the United States for decades. Such an outcome would largely turn abortion over to individual states, about half of which are expected to ban or place severe limitations on the procedure.

About 49% of the nation said that abortion should be "legal and accessible" in USA TODAY/Ipsos poll published this month. Only about a third of Republicans felt that way, compared with 73% of Democrats.

The report of the draft opinion drew a visceral reaction from both sides of the abortion debate.

"If the Supreme Court does indeed issue a majority opinion along the lines of the leaked draft authored by Justice Alito, the shift in the tectonic plates of abortion rights will be as significant as any opinion the court has ever issued," said American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony Romero.

Anti-abortion groups, many of which have fought against the Roe opinion for more than a generation, praised the draft.

"We are encouraged by the categorical boldness of the draft that corrects the erroneous precedent of Roe," said Kimberlyn Schwartz, a spokeswoman for Texas Right to Life. "We prayerfully anticipate the complete reversal of Roe."

Abortion:Four clues the Supreme Court is heading toward a major shift on Roe

Justices often circulate drafts and it was not clear, based on the document Politico posted alone, how much support Alito's writing currently has. Citing a "person familiar with the deliberations," Politico said four of the other Republican-appointed members – Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett – had voted with Alito during the justices private discussion after oral arguments in the case in December.

The circulation of drafts is one part of the court's process. As those drafts circulate, justices write dissents and concurrences to try to convince their colleagues of other points of view. The process is fluid and votes can and often do change. The court's opinion was not expected until the final day of its term, in June or July.

Citing unnamed sources, CNN reported Monday that Chief Justice John Roberts did not want to completely overturn Roe, a position he seemed to signal during oral arguments in December. Roberts was willing to uphold the Mississippi law, according to CNN.

"This is an earthquake – for what it portends for the future not only of Roe, but of all implied fundamental rights, and for the stunning breach of the court’s norms of confidentiality," tweeted Stephen Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law.

The justices are considering a direct challenge to Roe from Mississippi, which passed a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

A majority of the court signaled during oral arguments that it would uphold Mississippi’s ban. In nearly two hours of debate, the justices wrestled with the potential impact of overturning Roe on people seeking an abortion, as well as how a heavily divided nation might perceive the Supreme Court if it abandons the watershed ruling from 1973.

Each of the six conservative justices asked questions that suggested at least some skepticism with the position taken by abortion rights groups – and the Biden administration – that allowing Mississippi's ban would not only violate the Constitution but also raise questions about the court's neutral interpretation of the law.

The White House declined to comment on the Politico report.

Contributing: Joey Garrison.

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Roe v. Wade draft opinion leak upends legendary Supreme Court secrecy

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 03:16:00 +0000

Experts could not recall a similar case of a draft opinion leaking into public view.

One expert suggested "heads must roll" after a thorough investigation.

Another court-watcher likened the reported leak to the release of the Pentagon Papers in the early 1970s.

WASHINGTON – What happens behind the curtains at the Supreme Court is supposed to be secret.

But that tradition – and the principle of justices being able to deliberate in private – was upended Monday when Politico published what it said is a draft opinion it obtained in one of the most significant cases before the nation's highest court in decades. That opinion showed that the court may overturn its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

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Pregnant people of color to be most impacted if Roe v. Wade overturns

cincylink — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 03:14:06 +0000

People of color and other marginalized, low-income people will be most affected by an overturning of landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade, health and policy experts said after a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion was published by Politico Monday.

In the draft opinion, Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote, "We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled." He said Roe was “egregiously wrong from the start,” and called its reasoning “weak.”

About half of U.S. states, concentrated in the South, Midwest and Plains, have restrictive abortion laws set to go into effect should the reversal take place. Experts say those who disproportionately have trouble accessing health care, often people of color, will be most impacted.

More than half of the nation’s Black population lives in the South, where women of color, including Hispanic women, make up a significant proportion. The Plains states also have a large Indigenous population. Days ago, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a six-week abortion ban similar to one adopted by Texas last year.

WHERE THE STATES STAND: If Roe v. Wade is overturned, here's how abortion laws in each state will stand

“We know that it's going to impact those who already have barriers to health care, even before an abortion ban,” said women's health and reproductive rights policy expert Fatima Goss Graves, an attorney and president of the National Women’s Law Center. “Those who live in rural areas, women of color, those who have low income.”

If Roe is overturned, people may travel hundreds of miles to get to states where abortions are still allowed. Young and low-income people, who are disproportionately of color, may not be able to afford the cost of travel.

“This will be a giant and larger hurdle placed in front of them,” Graves said. “Most people who seek abortion care already have children. And they may not have time off work, access to child care, the things they need to be able … to leave their community to get constitutionally protected health care.”

Center for American Progress attorney and women’s health policy analyst Elyssa Spitzer noted women of color and LGBTQ people already experience bias and discrimination in health care.

“It is very concerning, and very alarming and would devastate access for many millions of women in the United States,” she said. Subjecting women to carry an unintended pregnancy to term "is immensely painful, and arduous and a violation of human rights.”

LEAKED DRAFT:Explosive leaked draft in abortion case reveals Supreme Court on verge of overturning Roe

STATES POISED TO BAN:26 states plan to ban abortion in some form if the Supreme Court OKs Mississippi's ban.

Citing the Turnaway Study, which found significant harms after abortion denials, Spitzer said carrying a pregnancy to term also can pose financial barriers and well-being.

“It makes it much more difficult for women to escape poverty, for women to pursue the careers that they want, it imposes a change on a family structure that women might not want to undertake,” she said.

Those hurdles include increased chances of economic hardship and insecurity following birth, staying with a violent partner or raising a child alone, and threats to the well-being and development of children already in the home, the study found.

Lead study author Diana Greene Foster, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, said, “Abortion is an issue which disproportionately affects people of color,” subjecting them to “totally underappreciated risks of pregnancy.”

A study estimating the effects of an abortion ban on maternal death by the University of Colorado, Boulder, found that among Black women, maternal deaths could increase by one-third. Black women are already three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than white women.

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s Dr. Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine and high-risk pregnancies, said racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes are exacerbated by restrictions to reproductive rights.

“It creates a bias in who is able to get care and who cannot get care,” she said. “There are some medical conditions in which a pregnancy is very, very dangerous to the mother."

A VICTORY FOR ANTI-ABORTION GROUPS: They aren't stopping there.

More than 80% of callers to Access Reproductive Care-Southeast, which offers financial and logistical support to abortion seekers in the region, were Black, uninsured or on public insurance, and about 77% had one child already, according to a joint study last year by the organization and Emory University. The study analyzed characteristics of 10,000 callers from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi.

“We must acknowledge that Roe never guaranteed that abortion would be accessible, because for so many people that we work with, the ability to access abortion care has already been pushed out of reach for decades," ARC co-founder and executive director Oriaku Nijoku, who co-authored the study, said at a media briefing Tuesday. This is our daily lived reality."

Dr. Bhavik Kumar, medical director at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, is a physician and abortion provider in Texas, where a restrictive abortion law was passed last year, and a total ban is set to go into effect if Roe is overturned.

“Though I’m trying to assist many patients as possible, I’m still stunned that I’ve been asked to turned my back on the health and well-being of my patients,” Kumar said during a debriefing with Njoku and others. “As a family medicine physician, I see this firsthand in my patients’ stories and lived experiences.”

Supreme Court opinion drafts are subject to change, and are part of the high court's deliberative process. But analysts have maintained since oral arguments last year that it appeared likely the high court would overturn Roe. the landmark 1973 decision. A decision is expected this summer.

Reach Nada Hassanein at nhassanein@usatoday.com or on Twitter @nhassanein_.

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