WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear a case over state restrictions on which school sports teams transgender students can join.
Just two weeks after upholding a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth, the justices said they will review lower court rulings in favor of transgender athletes in Idaho and West Virginia.
The nationwide battle over the participation of transgender girls on girls sports teams has played out at both the state and federal levels as Republicans have leveraged the issue as a fight for athletic fairness for women and girls.
More than two dozen states have enacted laws barring transgender women and girls from participating in certain sports competitions. Some policies have been blocked in court.
At the federal level, the Trump administration has filed lawsuits and launched investigations over state and school policies that have allowed transgender athletes to compete freely. This week, the University of Pennsylvania modified a trio of school records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and said it would apologize to female athletes “disadvantaged” by her participation on the women’s swimming team, part of a resolution of a federal civil rights case.
Republican President Donald Trump also has acted aggressively in other areas involving transgender people, including removing transgender troops from military service. In May, the Supreme Court allowed the ouster of transgender service members to proceed, reversing lower courts that had blocked it.
The new case will be argued in the fall.
West Virginia is appealing a lower-court ruling that found the ban violates the rights of Becky Pepper-Jackson, who has been taking puberty-blocking medication and has publicly identified as a girl since she was in the third grade. Pepper-Jackson sued the state when she in was middle school because she wanted to compete on the cross country and track teams.
This past school year, Pepper-Jackson qualified for the West Virginia girls high school state track meet, finishing third in the discus throw and eighth in the shot put in the Class AAA division.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for Pepper-Jackson in two areas, under the Constitution’s equal protection clause and the landmark federal law known as Title IX that forbids sex discrimination in education.
Idaho in 2020 became the first state in the nation to ban transgender women and girls from playing on women’s sports teams sponsored by public schools, colleges and universities.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the women’s rights group Legal Voice sued Idaho on behalf of Lindsay Hecox, who hoped to run for Boise State University.
The state asked for Supreme Court review after lower courts blocked the state’s ban while the lawsuit continues.
The justices did not act on a third case from Arizona that raises the same issue.
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The Webster City Street Department will be picking up Christmas trees on Monday, weather permitting.
Trees should be placed at the nearest street corner prior to 7 a.m. on Monday as only one trip will be made through the city.
Please remove all stands and decorations and place these trees so they will not obstruct sight distance and not blow into the street to create a traffic hazard.
Bagged trees or trees with a stand will not be picked up.
Kendall Young Library will be hosting a Resume Workshop, presented by Iowa Works, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday …
On Monday, the Fuller Hall staff organized an eight-ball pool tournament for students over the holiday break. Mark …
The Webster City Street Department will be picking up Christmas trees on Monday, weather permitting.
Trees should …
Teen Lounge – Patrons in sixth-12th grades are invited each Tuesday in January from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Join us …
The Fuller Hall Holiday fun week free throw contest was held on Dec. 23.
Stockton students are making an impact in their community by participating in a police program that gives them opportunities to do community outreach and learn the ins and outs of what it takes to work in law enforcement.
From getting an athletic scholarship to joining the military to becoming police officers, the Stockton Unified School District Police Explorers’ mentors are helping students accomplish their dreams.
“It’s definitely an outlet,” Officer Anthony Tacardon said. “Coming up, growing up in Stockton, there’s not much to do. I mean, you can go around and hang around at the mall, but for how long does that get boring and a safe place…yeah, this place (Explorers) you just come in, you enjoy yourself, you learn, you not only build connections with people that you meet here, you build connections outside of it with the community engagement. And that’s one of the best things. You get to speak with people in your community besides being at home, stuck, locked up in your room.”
That’s where the Stockton Unified School District Police Explorers come in. CBS Sacramento was given access to a day-in-the-life of what a Stockton Police Explorer goes through and how they help in the community.
“Some kids have sports, some kids have clubs, but we have this,” explorer and sophomore Kylah Cadman said.
Since its inception in 2013-14, Captain Roberto Marquez said it’s the largest Explorer program in San Joaquin County. The program and its mentors are making an impact with students, like Officer Anthony Tacardon, who is an explorer alumnus.
“When I graduated, that was the best feeling,” Officer Tacardon said. “All the hard work I had put in, in the Explorer program that ultimately helped me better prepare for the Academy, graduating and getting to see my mentor.”
Officer Tacardon’s mentor through the academy and the program was Captain Marquez.
“I didn’t have anyone to teach me this stuff as I was growing up in south Stockton, and I know there are some other kids here that don’t have that type of upbringing, but having this program here, it allows us to be our role models for our youth,” Captain Marquez said.
That includes the 24 explorer cadets who are in the program now, who learn life skills, are given real-world police training, are able to learn from sworn officers and non-sworn staff, and volunteer at community events.
Heriberto Garcia graduated from high school and is an Explorer. Ever since he was a kid, he’s dreamed of becoming a police officer. He said before this program, he was shy, and now, he was leading his comrades in the roll call excellently and his peers wouldn’t even know he used to be shy.
“Some students, they be like, ‘Oh, there’s nothing to do in high school or like there’s nothing to do in Stockton, right?'” Garcia said. “But, when you engage to a program like this, most likely weekend, we’ll have a community service that we have to go and we will attend because we like what we do in this program. So, it’s nothing that they force us to do but it’s something that we like to do.”
Cadman said this program has helped her grow as a person and she enjoys being able to help people to better their community.
“I like the social aspect of our program, in that we get to help the community, we get to help fellow students and it’s just really nice to get to know people and to help out however we can,” Cadman said.
Freshman Madalyn Westervelt was inspired by her big brother, who was also a part of the program.
“It really helped me with my confidence, public speaking, my socializing skills…,” Westervelt said. “That was a really big part of me, going to the high school that I was going to and it just helped me succeed a lot with making friends and being able to introducing myself without being like stuttering or being uncomfortable around other people. It’s just a very big focus for me, like it helped a lot.”
Even for students who aren’t necessarily interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement, this program also gives students the opportunity to learn crucial life skills that are crucial and transferable to any career they dream of pursuing.
“The discipline that we learn from them, the leadership skills, the responsibility, it’s all taught all of us to become greater in our own personas,” Maritza Matias-Pablo, a junior and explorer, said.
Captain Marquez is proud of these explorers, including knowing how the community gets to see the positive work they do.
“I think a program like this makes them realize that it’s a person that makes themselves and it’s not where they came or where they grew up or people around them,” Captain Marquez said. “It’s the actual person and what’s inside of you. If you want to be positive, if you want to be a good leader, a good role model for other students, you can do that.”
The camaraderie, communication, and connection to mentors, peers after school, and throughout the community have led these explorers to some healthy competition, winning multiple awards conducting mock real-life scenarios. They have around 30 trophies they’ve won at competitions against other explorer teams throughout California, where police officers give out the scores.
They’re looking to add more trophies, along with more explorers. If you or your kids are interested, you can stop by their police station at 640 N San Joaquin St. in Stockton on Thursdays from 6-8 pm, where you can shadow what their classes are like and learn more.
Las Vegas Golden Knights to host autographs, photos with Deryk Engelland, and mascot on Jan. 4
By Jen ClanceySTAFF WRITER
Youth hockey players will have the opportunity to learn to play, or sharpen their skills in the game starting Sunday, Jan. 4 at the Marty Pavelich Ice Rink in Big Sky. The Las Vegas Golden Knights team, on their 10th season in the National Hockey League, will lead a five-week clinic, teaching players from ages 4-11 how to play hockey each Sunday from Jan. 4 to Feb. 1. The Golden Knights will also hold a free clinic for players aged 9-13 on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 11 a.m.
For both clinics, players need prior skating experience. Those who registered for the paid clinic for ages 4-11 will receive a full set of complimentary hockey equipment shipped to them ahead of the first session. Participants in the free clinic should bring full gear to use.
Steven Reid, recreation manager for Big Sky Community Organization, the nonprofit that operates and maintains the ice rink, estimates that between 20 and 25 kids are registered for both the five-week session and the free clinic. Families pay $275 for the five-week session with new hockey gear included, which is subsidized by the NHL to keep costs low for participants.
“You know, anyone who’s been around the sport of hockey knows that hockey gear is not cheap,” Reid said. “And to get that much brand new hockey gear out to these kids, that’s huge and hopefully will get them interested in playing the sport.”
Reid is glad to see families signed up for the five week session.
“The fact that we have 20 to 25 kids signed up for that alone means that’s a potential 20 new hockey players in our community right there and the hope is that they feed into the local youth hockey program and continue to grow there with those coaches,” Reid said. The local youth hockey program is organized by the Montana 64’s Hockey Association, which recently formed as a nonprofit.
Deryk Engelland at a Las Vegas Golden Knights youth clinic. PHOTO COURTESY OF LAS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Sheri Hudspeth, director of youth programs and fan development with the Las Vegas Golden Knights, reached out to BSCO with the hopes of scheduling the youth clinic in Big Sky to engage younger kids in the sport and reach further audiences for the Golden Knights. From there, BSCO and the Golden Knights sorted out use of facilities and local involvement.
Outside of youth learning, the clinic will also train coaches on how to teach hockey, with local community members Cassie Dietz, Keelan Grupe, Brandon Maki and Jack Murray participating in coaching the clinics, learning practice plans and leading kids throughout the five-week session.
BSCO hopes this clinic can become an annual tradition with the Golden Knights.
“My hope is to not only bring new kids into the sport of hockey, but get some adults interested in coaching and being good role models in that sport for the kids,” Reid said.
From 9-10 a.m. on Jan. 4, Deryk Engelland, a former ice hockey defenseman for the Golden Knights will be at the rink to meet fans and give autographs. Chance, the team’s mascot will also be there as well as Hudspeth, who has more than 30 years in playing and coaching hockey. Reid said Sunday’s events will be a fun atmosphere for families and participants.
Tacoma’s
signature winter arts event returns with illuminated installations, interactive
displays, and neighborhood-based light art spanning downtown and Hilltop. The
trail draws thousands of visitors nightly and encourages self-guided
exploration throughout the city. Installations are spread across multiple
districts, making it one of the region’s largest winter events.
The parents of Aidan Zingg, a 16-year-old motocross star who died June 28 during a race in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., submitted a wrongful death and survival lawsuit to the Superior Court of California in Riverside County for filing against the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and other entities involved in the race, according to an electronic confirmation generated by the court Tuesday, Dec. 30.
The parents alleged the fatal collision was preventable and resulted from careless race operations and defective safety equipment, according to a copy of the complaint reviewed by USA TODAY Sports.
After initially going down on the track, Aidan was conscious and alert as he made attempts to regain his feet, according to the complaint, which states no caution flags or warnings were raised by race operators as the race continued at Mammoth Mountain Motocross.
According to the complaint, Aidan’s jersey and equipment showed visible signs of being struck by at least one other rider, according to the complaint, which says the chest protector Zingg wore during the race was punctured.
Despite efforts to perform life-saving measures on Aidan, he was pronounced dead at Mammoth Hospital later that day, according to the complaint.
According to the electronic confirmation of the filing, the documents submitted to the court by the Zinggs’ attorney will be accepted, partially accepted or rejected by the Clerk of Court. The confirmation provides no timetable for the process to be completed.
A wrongful death lawsuit seeks compensation for surviving relatives based on the economic and emotional impact of the death. A survival action lawsuit seeks compensation for costs the deceased person may have incurred before death and compensation for the deceased person’s conscious pain and suffering from the time of injury to death.
“Most of all, the Zingg family is seeking transparency and accountability wherever it is fair and just,” attorney Kevin Biniazan, representing the family, said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports. “If this legal action motivates safer operations of these races and equipment that these riders wear in a way that saves another family from enduring what the Zinggs have endured and will continue to endure, it will have been a success.”
Is Motocross the deadliest sport for youth? An Investigation
Aidan is one of at least 158 children and teens who have died on dirt bikes and at motocross tracks since 2000, according to a USA TODAY Investigation. That makes it the deadliest sport for young people – roughly seven times greater than tackle football.
During the USA TODAY investigation, a spokesperson for the AMA said it has longstanding safety protocols for its sanctioned events and can’t control unaffiliated tracks.
But the lawsuit filed by Aidan’s parents, Robert and Shari, says Mike Burkeen, Deputy Director of Racing for the AMA, was present at Mammoth Motocross June 20-29 and “possessed the responsibility and authority to manage the racing activities to preserve the safety of riders.’’ The races were sanctioned by the AMA.
In addition to the AMA, other defendants named in the lawsuit include 2XP LLC, a California-based company that worked with the AMA to promote the annual amateur races; Alterra Mountain Company U.S. Inc., a hospitality company in Denver that owns Mammoth Mountain; and Revelyst Adventure Sports that does business as Fox Racing and manufactures motocross protective equipment, including the chest protector Aidan wore during the fatal crash, according to the complaint.
The AMA and 2XP, according to the complaint, entered into a joint venture and agreement “to plan,organize, operate, promote, and oversee the motocross racing at Mammoth Motocross.”
The defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment USA TODAY Sports submitted by phone, text message and email.
Aidan Zingg’s death timeline, according to complaint
The day of the race, Aidan, a prodigy with Kawasaki’s prestigious Green Team program, was participating in the morning 250B class race, according to the complaint. The complaint says Aidan went down after rounding the corner at Turn 9, which was the furthest from the start line where most spectators were located, according to the complaint.
The corner was left unmanned by flaggers, who raise and wave flags to communicate cautions and dangers, including when a rider goes down, according to the complaint. The complaint described that decision to leave the turn unmanned as a, “particularly reckless decision.’’
No caution flags or warnings were raised by race operators when Aidan went down and, according to riders, he was conscious and attempted to regain his feet. He was found later face down on the racetrack.
The race had continued for approximately three more laps before it was stopped, according to the complaint, which says Aidan’s father became alarmed when he did not see his son lap the track with the other riders, according to the complaint.
Making his way to the back of the track, Aidan’s father saw his son on the track, according to the complaint, which says Aidan’s father and others “swarmed’’ to render aid, but Aidan was pronounced dead at Mammoth Hospital later in the day.
The complaint also cited design, construction, and maintenance or some combination thereof, in creating “a dangerous condition at Turn 9 because of a near hairpin turn coming out of a jump and into another.”
“The design, construction, and maintenance of Turn 9 increased the risk of riders crashing into each other while riding or crashing into a rider who had fallen on the track and created a heightened risk of injury by participating in Mammoth Motocross as compared to other motocross races or tracks,’’ according to the complaint.
The AMA and 2XP “coordinated and approved a crowded field of 29 riders’’ who competed in the 250B class race.
Aidan’s parents have demanded a jury trial and are seeking damages, including but not limited to, pain, suffering, and disfigurement and other losses or damages that the decedent sustained or incurred before death, according to the complaint.
Richmond will open a new downtown ballpark and host relocated statewide games while the region welcomes back professional golf and NASCAR among a packed calendar of sporting events in 2026.
The Richmond Flying Squirrels will play their first game at CarMax Park on April 7, marking the end of a decades-long effort to replace The Diamond. The 10,000-seat facility cost about $115 million and features a 360-degree concourse, wider seats and a 32-by-115-foot video board. The ballpark will host 69 Flying Squirrels games as well as concerts and festivals throughout the year.
The Virginia Commonwealth Games will move to the Richmond region in 2026 after 10 years in Lynchburg. The multisport event draws athletes of all ages across more than 30 sports at venues in Chesterfield and Henrico counties. More than 310,000 people have participated since the games began 36 years ago. Richmond has committed to hosting the event for three years.
Henrico will host the DIII Champions Classic on Dec. 28-29 at the Henrico Sports & Events Center, a new regular-season showcase featuring past NCAA Division III men’s basketball national champions. The inaugural field includeds Randolph-Macon College, the 2022 national champion; Christopher Newport University, the 2023 champion; Babson College, the 2017 champion; and the University of Scranton, which won titles in 1976 and 1983. The two-day event is designed as a national in-season destination for Division III programs.
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame will induct six people on April 25 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump. Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick and former NBA player Grant Hill headline the class. University of Virginia men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett, youth basketball coach Marcellus “Boo” Williams and former WNBA player Kristi Toliver will also be inducted. Businessman Bobby Ukrop will receive the Distinguished Virginian award.
LIV Golf will hold its Virginia tournament May 8-10 at Trump National Golf Club Washington, D.C., in Northern Virginia. The field includes major champions Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson. The event drew large crowds when it debuted at the venue in 2023.
Richmond Raceway will host NASCAR races on Aug. 14-15. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series runs Friday night at 7:30 p.m., with the Cook Out 400 Cup Series race scheduled for Saturday evening at 7 p.m. The raceway sold out its 2025 race weekend.
Other events included the 4 Tha Culture Holiday Hoops Classic women’s basketball tournament Nov. 25-28 at the Henrico Sports & Events Center; the U.S. Youth Futsal National Championships, also at the Henrico facility; and the Allianz Richmond Marathon on Nov. 14.
A rendering of an aerial view of CarMax Park, Richmond’s $90 million downtown ballpark opening April 7, 2026. The 10,000-seat stadium will host Flying Squirrels games, concerts and festivals throughout the year. (Photo courtesy Richmond Flying Squirrels )
