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LPGA, USGA to require players to be assigned female at birth or transition before puberty

By KENYA HUNTER, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn’t just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris , many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris’ loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women’s concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution , which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government programs and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people . Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,”’ she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.According to data from Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA), transactions made with Visa credentials during Black Friday in the Dominican Republic registered sustained growth in online and in-store purchases, with an increase of more than 15% in total transactions compared to the same period in 2023. It estimates that consumers in the Dominican Republic demonstrated strong confidence and resilience during the start of this holiday shopping season. This growth was driven by a more than 55% increase in contactless payments, highlighting consumers’ and businesses’ growing popularity and effectiveness in ensuring fast, convenient, and secure shopping in this digital age. “The boo” in contactless transactions during this year’s Byear’sriday in the Dominican Republic underscores the decisive shift in consumer and business behavior, showing a clear preference for this innovative payment technology,” said J “vier Vazquez, Visa Consulting & Analytics leader for Visa Latin America and the Caribbean. He believes these results and the continued growth in Visa transactions during this critical shopping day demonstrate Dominican consumer consumers’ ability to adapt to evolving macroeconomic conditions and their willingness to embrace new digital commerce norms. VCA’s anVCA’ss also found that online transactions during this year’s Friday in the Dominican Republic increased by more than 35% compared to 2023. This performance demonstrates higher growth in this segment than in physical store purchases, which increased by 10%. The increase in e-commerce spending reflects consumers’ preference for shopping and shopping, which is driven by improved connectivity and mobile commerce options. It also highlights the promising digital ecosystem that is consolidating locally. VCA’s collapsing team analyzed data related to consumer transactions that took place through VisaNet during Black Friday (November 24) in 2023 versus Black Friday (November 29) in 2024, excluding Visa Direct-related transactions and spending. These growth percentages relate to transactions in US dollars and local currency. The countries surveyed included Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador, Paraguay, Jamaica, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, and Barbados. Visa (NYSE: V) is a global leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories. Its mission is to connect the world with the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payment network, helping individuals, businesses, and economies prosper.SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks activated center Nico Sturm off injured reserve Monday and made room for him on the 23-man roster by assigning defenseman Jack Thompson to the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. The transactions mean that the Sharks currently have 14 forwards, six defensemen, and three goalies: Mackenzie Blackwood, Vitek Vanecek, and rookie Yaroslav Askarov. Sturm’s return to the Sharks’ active roster was believed to be imminent after he showed signs of improvement last week and practiced with the team on Sunday. He also took part in the Sharks’ morning skate on Monday, when he was officially considered a game-time decision by coach Ryan Warsofsky. The Sharks play the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night in the second game of a four-game homestand. Warsofsky did not say who his starting goalie would be. Warsofsky said he had a few players who were “nicked up” and considered game-time decisions, although it would be a surprise not to see Sturm, a mainstay as the Sharks’ fourth-line center, play against the Kings. Sturm, injured in the Sharks’ game earlier this month against the New York Rangers, is the Sharks’ faceoff leader by percentage and is one of the team’s leading penalty-killing forwards. Thompson has been on the Sharks’ roster for almost the entire season and played in 13 of the team’s 23 games. His five points are third-most among all Sharks defensemen, as he’s averaged just under 16 minutes of ice time per game. The Sharks have had three goalies on their roster since Nov. 18, when they recalled Askarov from the Barracuda. At the time, Vanecek was considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, but Vanecek backed up Blackwood on Saturday in the Sharks’ 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Askarov made his Sharks debut on Thursday, making 29 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues.

The quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff kicks off on New Year's Eve as 3-seed Boise State debuts against 6-seed Penn State . The Nittany Lions reach the quarterfinals fresh off crushing 11-seed SMU 38-10 in one of the top performances of the first round. Penn State forced a pair of pick sixes in the first half to put the game away. Boise State earned a first-round bye after an impressive 12-1 season with the only loss coming against unanimous No. 1 Oregon in Week 2. The Broncos cruised through an undefeated Mountain West schedule and only played three games closer than 14 points in conference play. These two programs have never met, and now they battle on the biggest of stages in the College Football Playoff. Both programs won their most recent Fiesta Bowl appearances. In fact, the Nittany Lions and Broncos are a combined 10-0 in the Fiesta Bowl since the game started in 1971. Penn State vs. Boise State: Need to know Heisman Trophy finalist: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is capping off one of the greatest seasons in college football history with an appearance in the College Football Playoff. Jeanty rushed for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns and is only 131 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders ' all-time rushing record. Penn State has only allowed more than 131 yards on the ground against Oregon and USC this season, so Jeanty will have his work cut out. Do-everything star: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren was one of the breakout players in college football during the 2024 season. Warren emerged as perhaps the best tight end in America, catching 92 passes for 1,095 yards and six touchdowns, while adding another four touchdowns on the ground. He lines up everywhere from inline to slot to center. Boise State's pass defense ranks No. 109 nationally, and they have not met a player the caliber of Warren. Fiesta Bowl history: Boise State's finest moment as a college football program came in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl in a battle against No. 7 Oklahoma . In overtime, Boise State ran a legendary hook-and-ladder play that sprung running back Ian Johnson for a game-winning 2-point conversion. However, Penn State has also put together some historic Fiesta Bowl performances, including a 14-10 win over Miami in 1987 to capture the 1986 AP national championship. Where to watch Fiesta Bowl live Date : Tuesday, Dec. 31 | Time : 7:30 p.m. ET Location : State Farm Stadium -- Glendale, Arizona TV : ESPN | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free) Fiesta Bowl prediction, picks Penn State was able to take advantage of miscues from SMU, but the Broncos rarely make mistakes. In fact, Boise State is tied for No. 2 nationally in turnovers lost with only four fumbles and four interceptions. Even the steady Nittany Lions had 13 turnovers. Ultimately, it means the game will stay closer than expected for four quarters. Pick: Boise State +11 SportsLine's proven computer model is calling for 10 outright upsets during college football's bowl and playoff season. Visit SportsLine now to see them all, plus get spread picks for every game from the model that simulates every matchup 10,000 times.Our Art-World Version of Spotify Wrapped

Opinion: MAGA billionaires have captured the political systemJimmy Carter Dies: Longest-Living U.S. President Was 100

TO all The Legal Mind readers, thank you so much for another year of following this column, exclusively devoted to my education advocacy as a lawyer. And I extend my profound gratitude to the Times for once again giving me this space to connect with our education stakeholders and talk about legal issues on education. Through this column, I was able to answer queries and feature them here for others to learn from. Our discussions on complex education laws and policies have been cited even by policymakers in continuing discussions on education reforms. I also received personal messages of gratitude from administrators who turn to our discussions here to supplement their knowledge in performing their functions in the school. Thank you most especially to all our teachers, both from public and private schools, who continue to follow The Legal Mind. I remember a public school teacher who asked permission to share to her students one of my articles entitled, "The role of parents in the education of their children," for their small group discussion relevant to their MELC, or most essential learning competencies. I will continue with my education advocacy for 2025 even as I juggle other areas of practice at the Estrada & Aquino Law, as its managing partner. I will now be full-time in my private practice at the firm after my stint as chief legal officer of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom 2) from January 2023 to September 2024. As a lawyer of educational institutions and associations, I will still be around for congressional deliberations on education bills as I have been doing for almost 20 years, helping craft measures to improve the quality of education and the promotion of welfare of learners, teachers and educational institutions. I will also continue going around the country for learning sessions with schools. This is something I look forward to doing every week for the rest of the year, as I get to learn a lot from the sharing of teachers, school personnel, students and even parents as well. I can't wait for January to start my speaking engagements, beginning with Laguna, Cagayan de Oro and Pampanga for the first month of 2025. School communities should prepare for at least three emerging issues to update their school policies: administrative and ethical impact of artificial intelligence in schools, schools as safe spaces for students — on protective measures against sexual harassment, bullying and cyber offenses, and gender inclusivity and neutrality — on cross-dressing, haircuts, self-expression and similar issues. Many educational institutions still need to address the recurring issues on the impact of social media and digital technology on their learners and educators, as well as the evolving capacities of minors in navigating these platforms. Moreover, the urgency to acknowledge in school policy environments the teenage psychology and predisposition of this generation of minor students, particularly their attitude toward sex, cannot be overemphasized. In my continuous interaction with schools as counsel, I have observed that there is an alarming prevalence of sex-related misconduct for child learners in schools. Thus, there is a need to recalibrate school interventions and discipline policies to conform with the profile of minor students at this day and age. Fortunately, Republic Act 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-being Promotion Act, was recently enacted into law. This landmark measure aimed at strengthening mental health programs in schools and creating new plantilla positions for guidance counselors will certainly help in addressing these emerging issues surrounding schools and students. For 2025, I also expect the updating of major administrative issuances of the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education (DepEd), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda). DepEd has been reviewing and drafting the revisions to its Manual of Regulations for several years through the change of administrations; and with Education Secretary Sonny Angara now at the helm, I expect that the revision of the manual will finally see the light of day. The Commission on Higher Education, with new commissioners joining the agency governing higher education, would also be introducing reforms in higher education to keep up with global trends and practices, and also with the final recommendations from EdCom 2 coming out this year. Tesda will be introducing more reforms as it continues to rebrand the authority and recalibrate its important role in the trifocalized education sector under the leadership of Secretary Kiko Benitez, most especially with the recent enactment of Republic Act 12063, or the Enterprise-based Education and Training Framework Act, aiming to provide Filipino workers with opportunities to gain new skills and competencies or to upskill for career advancement so they could secure quality jobs or obtain entrepreneurial proficiency. This landmark legislation's implementation falls primarily on the mandate of Tesda. The education sector, particularly the private sector, can count on me this coming year to continue advocating for the promotion of quality education, protection of learners, and in moving the guideposts in the education policy landscape to create more spaces for innovation. Happy New Year greetings and warm wishes to all! [email protected]

Will Riley scored a game-high 19 points off the bench as No. 25 Illinois shrugged off a slow start to earn an 87-40 nonconference victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon in Champaign, Ill. Morez Johnson Jr. recorded his first double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, Kylan Boswell posted 13 points and Tomislav Ivisic contributed 11 for Illinois (4-1). Coming off a 100-87 loss to No. 8 Alabama on Wednesday, the Illini led by as much as 52 despite hitting just 10-of-40 3-point attempts. Jalen Ware paced Maryland Eastern Shore (2-6) with 10 points before fouling out. Ketron "KC" Shaw, who entered Saturday in the top 20 of Division I scorers at 22.3 points per game, went scoreless in the first half and finished with seven points on 2-of-11 shooting. The Hawks canned just 22.1 percent of their shots from the floor. Illinois broke out to a 6-0 lead in the first 2:06, then missed its next six shots. That gave the Hawks time to pull into an 8-8 tie on Evan Johnson's 17-foot pullup at the 12:21 mark. That marked Maryland Eastern Shore's last points for more than seven minutes as the Illini reeled off 17 straight points to remove any suspense. Johnson opened the spree with a basket and two free throws, Ben Humrichous swished a 3-pointer and Tre White sank a layup before Kasparas Jakucionis fed Ivisic for a 3-pointer and an alley-oop layup. Jakucionis set up Johnson for a free throw, then drove for an unchallenged layup to make it 25-8 with 5:15 left in the first. Evan Johnson snapped the visitors' dry spell with a driving layup at the 4:56 mark, but Illinois went on to establish a 35-15 halftime lead on the stretch of 11 offensive rebounds that turned into 12 second-chance points and 13 points off UMES' 10 turnovers. Maryland Eastern Shore needed nearly four minutes to get its first points in the second half as Illinois pushed its lead to 42-15. The Illini margin ballooned all the way to 70-24 on Boswell's driving layup with 8:11 to go. --Field Level Media'Horrifying': Marianne Williamson Earns EPIC Ratio for Take on Daniel Penny Invite to Army-Navy GameST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands (AP) — Javohn Garcia scored 16 points as McNeese beat Illinois State 76-68 on Friday. Garcia also contributed seven rebounds for the Cowboys (3-2). Brandon Murray shot 4 of 10 from the field and 5 for 7 from the line to add 13 points. Sincere Parker shot 4 for 8 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. Ty Pence led the way for the Redbirds (3-2) with 14 points and six rebounds. Malachi Poindexter added 13 points for Illinois State. Logan Wolf had 11 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

The Manhattan district attorney's office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Those options include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won't include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn't sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday that the only acceptable option to them is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. If anything, the immunity statute should require dropping the case altogether, not merely limiting the judge’s sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump" who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend a jury’s finding that came while he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , a friend of Trump’s, is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.After Trump’s win, Black women are rethinking their role as America’s reliable political organizers

Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Sent weekly directly to your inbox!John Fleming Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Treasury Secretary John Fleming announced Wednesday he is beginning a campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, who is up for reelection in two years . In his statement, Fleming highlighted Cassidy’s biggest vulnerability as he seeks a third term in the Senate — his vote to convict former President Donald Trump of inciting an attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. “A number of Republicans walked away from President Trump in the last year of his first term,” Fleming said. “But those who turned their backs on him and America First were not committed to his fight to make America great again. Louisiana citizens did not give up on this fight.” Cassidy took a swing back at Fleming, a fellow Republican. “I thought he wanted to be State Treasurer?” Cassidy’s campaign said. “John Fleming wants to get out of Louisiana. He publicly said he wanted a job in the Trump administration, and apparently they didn’t want him. So after less than a year as state Treasurer, he’s looking for another job to return to Washington.” Fleming becomes the first of perhaps several big-name Republicans who will challenge Cassidy. Other potential candidates include U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, who represents Acadiana; Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, who represents suburban New Orleans; and U.S. Rep. Garret Graves of Baton Rouge, who will leave office in January. Anyone who challenges Cassidy will be betting that Trump will seek to deny him a third term because of the senator’s 2021 vote to convict him. The former president’s critics have called that vote a principled decision. But it angered Trump and his supporters in Louisiana and led the Louisiana Republican Party to censure Cassidy. Cassidy was also the only Republican member of the Louisiana delegation who voted to certify Joe Biden’s election as president in two contested states. Trump has repeatedly ripped Cassidy . “One of the worst Senators in the United States Senate is, without question, Bill Cassidy, A TOTAL FLAKE, Republican though he may be,” Trump wrote in April on Truth Social, his social media platform. Cassidy has given every indication that he is fighting to keep his job. Cassidy has been working steadily to rehabilitate himself among Republicans, endorsing Jeff Landry in last year’s governor’s race and bashing the Biden administration in speeches throughout the state. He also regularly takes credit for many federally funded highway and internet broadband projects because he was one of the seven Republicans who supported Biden’s $1 trillion bill. Cassidy’s campaign and a super PAC supporting him have raised more than $7 million, and he is positioned to raise millions more because he will assume a powerful perch as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Fleming is challenging Cassidy from the right, criticizing him for supporting some major Biden policies. “I will fight to bring real, conservative solutions to the U.S. Senate,” Fleming said. “I will not cut and run on these conservative principles, and I will stand and work with President Trump like I have many times before.” Fleming, a retired family doctor from Minden, represented northwest Louisiana in the U.S. House from 2009-17, giving up his seat in 2016 to make a failed run for a U.S. Senate seat won by then-Treasurer John Kennedy. Fleming went on to hold several senior positions in the Trump administration and was elected treasurer in 2023. One of his opponents in that race , then-state Rep. Scott McKnight, said Fleming only wanted the job as a springboard to run for the Senate. While in the House, Fleming co-founded the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, a group that has attacked successive Republican speakers as being too accommodating to Democrats and for not taking an ax to domestic spending programs. This year, Fleming called on Landry and the Legislature to eliminate the state income tax. But he didn’t detail how to make up the lost revenue, either by raising other taxes or reducing government services. Louisiana will have a closed primary system beginning in 2026, meaning that Democrats will not be able to vote for Republican candidates in that election. Independents can vote in either party primary, however. A spokesperson for Higgins declined to comment on Fleming’s announcement. Skrmetta is expected to decide whether to run during the first half of 2025, a spokesperson for him said. Graves is currently angling to become the next head of FEMA under Trump.MercadoLibre ( NASDAQ: MELI ) shares traded in the green on Monday, making it the seventh consecutive day of gains. The stock closed up 4.8% at $$2,101.19. MELI rose about 38% in the last 12 months. YTD, the stock is trading up 30.7%, compared to the broaderWhy Javier Bardem refused to meet Erik and Lyle Menéndez while filming 'Monsters'

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets running back Breece Hall could play after missing a game with a knee injury. Hall has been dealing with a hyperextension and injured MCL in his left knee that at Miami. But he was a full participant at practice Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. Hall was officially listed as questionable on the team's final injury report. “He looks good right now,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “So it’s promising.” Hall leads the Jets with 692 yards rushing and four touchdown runs, and he also has 401 yards receiving and two scores on 46 catches. A pair of rookies helped New York offset Hall's absence last weekend, with Braelon Allen rushing for 43 yards on 11 carries, and Isaiah Davis getting 40 yards on 10 attempts and scoring his first rushing touchdown. “We’re hopeful and we’ll see how it goes,” Ulbrich said of Hall. The Jets will get star cornerback Sauce Gardner back after he missed a game with a hamstring injury, but New York's secondary appears likely to be without cornerback D.J. Reed because of a groin injury. Reed was listed as doubtful after he didn't practice Thursday or Friday. “It’s been something that’s kind of lingered here and there,” Ulbrich said. “It’s gotten aggravated and then it went away, and then it got aggravated again. So, it’s just dealing with that.” Backup Brandin Echols is out with a shoulder injury, so veteran Isaiah Oliver or rookie Qwan'tez Stiggers could get the start opposite Gardner if Reed can't play. Kendall Sheffield also could be elevated from the practice squad for the second game in a row. Ulbrich said kick returner Kene Nwangwu will be placed on injured reserve after breaking a hand last weekend at Miami. The injury came a week after he was selected the AFC special teams player of the week in his Jets debut, during which he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and forced a fumble in a loss to Seattle. “To put him out there with a broken hand, just thought it’d be counterproductive for him and for us as a team, so it unfortunately cuts the season short and what a bright light he was,” Ulbrich said. “What an amazing future I think he has in this league. With saying that, he’s already been a really good player for quite a while, so (it's) unfortunate, but he’ll be back.” Offensive lineman Xavier Newman (groin) is doubtful, while right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) and RT Morgan Moses (wrist) are questionable. AP NFL:

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