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Republican lawmakers in Illinois want to ban transgender athletes from women sports through legislation and Trump administration

Republican state lawmakers have signaled they want to ban transgender girls from competing on girls school sports teams in Illinois. This comes after President Trump signed an executive order to narrow the definition of women protected by Title IX to include only cisgender women. The Illinois High School Association said it allowed three transgender girls […]

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Republican state lawmakers have signaled they want to ban transgender girls from competing on girls school sports teams in Illinois.

This comes after President Trump signed an executive order to narrow the definition of women protected by Title IX to include only cisgender women.

The Illinois High School Association said it allowed three transgender girls to compete in girls sports last year.

Illinois Senate Republicans sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi asking for guidance on Illinois’ policy on transgender athletes’ ability to play girls sports under Title IX, the landmark federal law that bars gender discrimination in public education.

Republicans said they got a confusing statement from the IHSA. The association says it can’t follow the federal executive order since the Illinois Human Rights Act dictates transgender athletes cannot be restricted from playing in sports with their chosen gender.

Republican lawmakers consider that unfair.

State Sen. Sally Turner of Beason interprets women in Title IX to only include cisgender women, arguing that transgender people have a different biological makeup.

“And this isn’t anything political,” Turner said. “This is just the way people should recognize that women need to have their own area in sports, and I think that’s the right thing to do. It’s about protecting people and making sure that they’re getting the safety that they need in order to play sports fairly.”

Turner said she wants to protect the legacy of female athletes who paved the way for Title IX.

 Sally Turner

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Illinois Senate Republicans

Republican State Sen. Sally Turner represents southeast Bloomington and smaller communities such as Downs, LeRoy and Heyworth.

“I will say that we as women fought hard for Title IX to be recognized in this sports field, and we fought very hard for that, and I think that’s really important that we continue to look at that in that fashion, that women’s sports is something that women need to be participating in,” Turner said.

Turner said people in her mostly rural district support banning transgender girls from competing in girls sports. Turner’s district includes parts of Bloomington-Normal and stretches to near Peoria, Springfield and Decatur.

Opposition from Central Illinois Friends

A few miles from Turner’s district, an organization based in Bloomington-Normal and Peoria that provides a space and support for people in the LGTBQ+ community vehemently opposes the message Republican lawmakers are sending.

Selena Pappas, a spokesperson for Central Illinois Friends, said the letter is meant to bully the trans community and distract from real issues affecting women.

“We are focusing on this tiny subset of people, on isolating them, on removing them from public existence, on keeping them down when there are far more important issues,” Pappas said.

Pappas said trans teenagers are already marginalized on top of the anxieties that often come with growing up.

“When you isolate a person, that has a negative effect on their emotional development, right?” Pappas said. “There are numerous studies that you can go out there and find about how laws like this negatively affect the mental health of transgender youth, right? Again, transgender people, for the portion of the population that they make up, are targeted extremely disproportionately by some of the most powerful people in the nation.”

Forty-eight percent of transgender youth in Illinois seriously considered suicide and 15% attempted to last year, according to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit group.

Pappas says sports are not only a space to compete but also to develop as a person.

“The positive effect of a transgender person being able to participate in youth sports is the same reason that all youth participate in in sports,” Pappas said. “Kids go to sports for socialization, and that is the that is the same for kids, whether they are cisgender or whether they are transgender, right? It’s about being able to build community.”

A couple days after Republicans sent the letter to the attorney general with no response, Republican state Rep. Regan Deering called for a legislative fix.

Deering, who represents parts of Bloomington-Normal, pushed a bill to ban transgender girls from playing on girl sports teams.

“What we’re talking about today is protecting all athletes, and if we have gender confused athletes that are looking to compete, there are opportunities for them,” Deering said. “But our legislation talks about sanctioned sports, and we’re trying to create an opportunity to maintain these biological females’ right to compete in their sports, to win awards, to gain scholarships and continue to have a career and a camaraderie.”

Deering’s bill would create co-ed teams for transgender athletes. She filed the bill soon after she took office in January. It’s never been given a hearing.





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Brain protein associated with aging not linked to youth contact sports

In recent years, some scientists and advocates have warned that playing contact sports like football and hockey may increase the risk of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) due to a buildup of a specific protein in the brain. But a new Northwestern Medicine study of 174 donated brains, including some […]

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In recent years, some scientists and advocates have warned that playing contact sports like football and hockey may increase the risk of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) due to a buildup of a specific protein in the brain.

But a new Northwestern Medicine study of 174 donated brains, including some from former high school and college football players, pumps the brakes on that theory. 

The long and short of it is no, this protein in this specific brain region is not increased in people who played football at the amateur level. It throws a little bit of cold water on the current CTE narrative.”


Dr. Rudolph Castellani, corresponding author, professor of pathology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine neuropathologist

The study was recently published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. It raises important questions about how scientists interpret subtle brain changes associated with aging, Alzheimer’s disease and repetitive head impacts.

How the study worked

The study analyzed brain tissue from the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, which collects brain donations from people who had psychiatric conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, major depression, general anxiety, substance use disorder, etc.) throughout their life. Of the 174 samples collected from older adult men (with a median age of 65 at death), 48 men participated in football in high school or college while 126 had no history of playing a contact or collision sport. 

The study did not include brains from professional athletes. 

The scientists focused on a small memory-related brain region called CA2, part of the hippocampus. This region has been shown to accumulate phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein – which is often present in neurodegenerative disease – in a variety of contexts, including normal aging, Alzheimer’s disease and in individuals with a history of repetitive head impacts.

But the findings suggest p-tau buildup in CA2 isn’t specific to contact sports. The scientists found no over-representation of CA2 p-tau in individuals with a history of youth football participation. Instead, the presence of p-tau in this region was statistically associated with age.

“What’s novel here is a return to the null hypothesis – that there may be no link between repeated head injuries and p-tau buildup in this location,” said Castellani, who also is the neuropathology core director of the Northwestern University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. “Rather than assuming p-tau in CA2 is inherently pathological, we’re asking whether it might be part of normal aging or a non-specific response to environmental factors.”

The study also highlights broader challenges in the field of neurodegeneration research. In particular, the authors point to the difficulty of assigning clinical meaning to subtle pathological findings. The paper’s section, “Knowledge gaps and implications for future research,” underscores how even expert consensus groups struggle to define CTE in clinically meaningful terms.

“Modern studies on CTE may be expanding the boundaries of what’s considered normal variability in the human brain,” Castellani said. “This work reminds us to be cautious in interpreting pathology without clear clinical correlation.”

The authors call for larger studies to better understand how p-tau relates to aging and head injuries, while urging the scientific community to critically evaluate assumptions about what constitutes neurodegenerative disease.

The study is titled “Postmortem tau in the CA2 region of the hippocampus in older adult men who participated in youth amateur American-style football.” 

Source:

Journal reference:

Iverson, G. L., et al. (2025). Postmortem tau in the CA2 region of the hippocampus in older adult men who participated in youth amateur American-style football. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. doi.org/10.1177/13872877251351524.



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Northbrook Park District offers a lineup of classes, programs and events this fall

The Northbrook Park District’s fall programs include youth sports like baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball and more. Courtesy of the Northbrook Park District This fall will mark the start of the $12.1 million renovation of the Northbrook Park District’s Leisure Center. This carefully planned project will extend the life span of the facility — […]

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The Northbrook Park District’s fall programs include youth sports like baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball and more.
Courtesy of the Northbrook Park District

This fall will mark the start of the $12.1 million renovation of the Northbrook Park District’s Leisure Center.

This carefully planned project will extend the life span of the facility — originally built in the 1960s as a school — with improvements geared to users of all ages.

While the Leisure Center construction takes place, classes and programs will be moved to other park district facilities. For details, check the Autumn Guide (mailed to all park district residents and available at nbparks.org).

Fall is a great time for children and adults to try out a new sport, or perfect their skills for competition.

Youth sports include baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball, along with martial arts and introductory classes for cyclo-cross and skateboarding.

Families can save 10% if they register their children by July 25 for soccer and flag football leagues in the fall.

Adult sports include pickup basketball, pickup soccer and softball leagues, along with classes and clinics for paddle- and pickleball. Tennis lessons are offered for youth and adults.

The Northbrook Sports Center’s year-round indoor ice rinks welcome young skaters of all levels, from toddlers up to 17-year-olds, with a Skating School that follows the official Learn to Skate USA class curriculum. Also, on Aug. 23 and Dec. 6, the park district will offer a free skating class for children who are interested in learning to skate, to help determine class readiness. (Three-year-olds must be potty trained.)

The park district’s senior center offers trips to a variety of destinations, with round-trip transportation provided.

This fall, seniors can check out the Chicago Premium Outlets Mall on Sept. 4; lunch and shopping in picturesque Long Grove on Sept. 17; lunch and shopping in Chicago’s Greektown on Oct. 1; a performance of “Catch Me If You Can” at Marriot Lincolnshire on Oct. 9; and Gurnee Mills Mall on Oct. 30.

As always, the park district will be presenting a lineup of events for families and people of all ages as summer winds down and fall swoops in.

September marks the return of Northbrook Brewfest, an adults-only event held in conjunction with the village of Northbrook on Sept. 6 at Village Green Park, and Touch-A-Truck on Sept. 20 at Underwriters Laboratories, always a gracious partner for this fun and educational event for children.

The Northbrook Park District’s Autumnfest on Oct. 5 at Meadowhill Park will offer family entertainment like a petting zoo, horse trolley, pumpkin picking, arts and crafts, music and more.
Courtesy of the Northbrook Park District

Autumnfest will return on Oct. 5 at Meadowhill Park with all its customary family entertainment, including a petting zoo, horse trolley, pumpkin picking, arts and crafts, music and more.

In November, grab the spookiest Halloween costumes for the pooches and runners in your family for the Halloween Pet Parade on Oct. 23 and the Halloween 3K/Fun Run on Oct. 24, both at Techny Prairie Park and Fields.

The park district also offers the Turkey Shoot free-throw contest on Nov. 12, when winners of each age division can take home a turkey, and the Thanksgiving Lego Party on Nov. 26, when the little ones can build to their heart’s content with more than 100 pounds of Lego elements.

A new offering this year in December is Santa Paws on Dec. 20, a special event where dogs can take photos with Santa at Village Green Center.

Also in December, families can enjoy the traditional Holiday Craft Fair on Dec. 6, a Hanukkah Celebration on Dec. 7 and Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13.

Registration for the Northbrook Park District’s fall programs opens July 30 for residents and Aug. 7 for nonresidents.
Courtesy of the Northbrook Park District

Registration for fall programs and classes begins at 9 a.m. July 30 for residents and 9 a.m. Aug. 7 for nonresidents. For more information and to register, visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2993.

Established in 1927, the mission of the Northbrook Park District is to enhance the community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.



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Bismarck Youth Basketball Camp 2025: Pee Wee Lions, Lady Lion hoopsters learn fundamentals | Sports

BISMARCK — The Bismarck Lions basketball program hosted its pee wee youth fundamental skills camp Thursday, Friday July 11-12  in Bismarck. Preston Crowder, Bismarck basketball boys head coach assisted by Lion team members and retired coach Garry Crowder instructed campers on proper shooting, ball-handling, passing skills and techniques; as well as perfecting the defensive structure, […]

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BISMARCK — The Bismarck Lions basketball program hosted its pee wee youth fundamental skills camp Thursday, Friday July 11-12  in Bismarck.



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Register Now for Mesa Parks and Recreation Fall Programs

Text to speech audio articles made possible by CAST11 Talking Glass Media Despite our triple-digit temperatures, fall is around the corner, and so is registration for Mesa Parks and Recreations fall programs. (City of Mesa Photo) Registration is now open for Mesa residents for the 2025 fall season (August, September, October). Mesa offers programs and […]

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Text to speech audio articles made possible by CAST11 Talking Glass Media

Despite our triple-digit temperatures, fall is around the corner, and so is registration for Mesa Parks and Recreations fall programs.

Register Now for Mesa Parks and Recreation Fall Programs

(City of Mesa Photo)

Registration is now open for Mesa residents for the 2025 fall season (August, September, October). Mesa offers programs and activities to people of all ages and abilities:

– Adult Sports: Kickball, cornhole, softball, volleyball, pickleball and Recess for Adults, which offers a new sport or game each week

– Youth Sports and Clinics: Co-ed flag football and all-girls flag football, NFL flag kinder clinic, cheer clinic, lacrosse clinic, soccer clinic and Playball multi-sport

– Teen Recreation: Flag football, junior tennis camps, Super Smash Bros E-Sports Tournament and Teen H.Y.P.E. (Helping Youth Produce Excellence) teen leadership initiative

– Adaptive Recreation: Swimming, bocce, rock climbing, yoga, fashion show

– Hobbies and Special Interests: Youth beginners ice skating (ages 7-12), all-star gymnastics (ages 1-4), Dungeons & Dragons (ages 8-14), judo (ages 10+), belly dance basics (ages 16+) and tai chi for wellness/beginners (ages 16+)

Additional offerings include lap swim at Skyline and Kino Aquatic Centers, Drop-In Pickleball for ages 18+, tennis clinics and leagues, after-school programs and fall break camps.

Mesa Parks and Recreation will also host special events such as the Dive-In Movie Aug. 16, Skate Party @ The Plaza Sept. 27, Celebrate Mesa, Oct. 11, Fall Carnival Oct. 24 and Pumpkin Splash Oct. 25. A full list of programs and activities is available in the fall PLAYBOOK Magazine.

All of these popular activities are the perfect way to keep families active while having fun. Non-residents can begin registering on Monday, July 14 at 8 a.m.

How to Register:

– Online using the Active Net Registration System

– Email: Send a completed registration form to ParksRecInfo@MesaAZ.gov

– Phone: Call 480-644-PLAY (7529)

– In-person: Visit the Mesa Parks and Recreation Office at 708 W. Baseline Road. Office hours are Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Registration forms are available in English and Spanish. For questions, call 480-644-PLAY (7529). Some Mesa residents may qualify for the Mesa Recreation Scholarship MRS Discount, which provides 50% off youth and adaptive programs.

Read more stories from the Phoenix Area on Signals A Z.com.


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On the fast track: Carrollton 12-year-old headed to Junior Olympics, 10th grade – Smithfield Times

On the fast track: Carrollton 12-year-old headed to Junior Olympics, 10th grade Published 1:11 pm Friday, July 11, 2025 Akaido “Jig” Mohammed of Carrollton flexes his muscles after placing in the top five in the 200 meter and 400 meter events at the AAU Track & Field Region 5 qualifier. (Photo courtesy of Candace Mohammed) […]

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On the fast track: Carrollton 12-year-old headed to Junior Olympics, 10th grade

Published 1:11 pm Friday, July 11, 2025

Akaido “Jig” Mohammed isn’t your typical 12-year-old.

The budding track and field standout, who recently qualified to compete in the Amateur Athletic Union’s Junior Olympics, begins every morning with a 2-mile run. Then he gets right to his schoolwork without being prompted.

The Carrollton resident is already a rising sophomore in high school. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, his mother, Candace Mohammed, enrolled him in the Acellus Academy of Science and Technology, an online self-paced private K-12 school that prepares students for STEM-related careers.

“He was able to fly through a lot of his elementary and middle school courses pretty quickly,” Candace said.

He’s only in his first full year of participating in track and field competitions.

Last year, Jig joined Smithfield Packers Youth Sports’ track team, but an injury he sustained during his second meet took him out for the remainder of the season. He now trains with Chidi Okezie, a U.S.-born sprinter and Hampton University graduate who competed for Nigeria in the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was Okezie who recommended that Jig join the Technique Track Club in Hampton.

As a member of Technique, Jig earned two silver medals and one gold at the AAU district level. He then completed the 200 meter dash in 25.62 seconds and the 400 meter dash in just over a minute at the AAU Track & Field Region 5 qualifier June 28 in Newport News, qualifying in both events for the Junior Olympics, which will be held July 22 through Aug. 2 in Houston, Texas. Athletes with the five fastest scores qualify.

The 200 meters, we weren’t expecting that one at all. He snuck in there on that,” Candace said.

According to the Houston Sports Authority, the AAU Junior Olympic Games are the largest youth multi-sport event in the nation. There, 15,000 youth athletes from across the country will compete in more than a dozen sports. This summer marks the 59th anniversary of the event and the fourth time Houston has hosted the games.

“He’s always been athletic,” Candace said of Jig, who has participated in soccer and basketball through Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation. He also boxes in the off-season and has started training with Jerry Forrest, a professional heavyweight boxer in Newport News, but recently decided to focus on track.

“One thing about Jig, he’s a very shy, quiet, mild kid, so it’s hard because he’s not really going to express what he likes,” Candace said. But then “he smiles, and that’s when you know.”

During the pandemic, “it was hard for him to get excited about anything,” but “track is starting to give me my kid back,” she said. “He’s growing into something that you can see that he’s proud of himself.”

Candace said Jig hopes to one day compete for Isle of Wight County Schools, but his accelerated homeschooling has put him in an unusual situation. 

In Virginia, public schools aren’t required to include homeschooled students in athletics or other extracurricular activities, but Isle of Wight County Schools has a policy allowing participation if homeschooled students enroll in at least two classes for the semester their sport or activity is in session, IWCS spokeswoman Lynn Briggs said.

But “I won’t make him repeat courses he’s already taken and I don’t want my 12-year-old among high-schoolers yet,” Candace said.

Candace said Jig’s dedication to his schoolwork and sport has inspired her to return to school. She started her first week at Norfolk State University this month, pursuing a psychology degree in hopes of becoming a licensed counselor.

 



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A2R Performance Development Brings Elite Youth Basketball Training to Hesperia

HESPERIA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Local athlete and coach Aaron Alston is set to open his new basketball training facility, A2R Performance Development, in Hesperia with a grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The facility, located at 10968 I Ave, STE C, Hesperia, 92345, will host the community […]

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HESPERIA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Local athlete and coach Aaron Alston is set to open his new basketball training facility, A2R Performance Development, in Hesperia with a grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The facility, located at 10968 I Ave, STE C, Hesperia, 92345, will host the community event featuring complimentary hot dogs while supplies last, free merchandise for the first 10 children, and additional branded items available for purchase in support of the new small business.

Alston, a 2011 graduate of Hesperia High School and a long-time High Desert resident, said the launch of A2R Performance Development marks a significant milestone in his lifelong commitment to the sport and local youth.

“I’ve been training athletes of all levels since 2016, and for the past three years, I’ve been contracted by the City of Hesperia to run weekly basketball classes,” Alston said. “Opening this facility is a long-time dream that allows me to continue mentoring and inspiring young athletes in the community I love.”

The facility will offer one-on-one, small group, and large group basketball training, along with sport-specific conditioning and plyometric programs designed to boost speed, agility, and vertical performance. A2R is also home to the competitive AAU basketball team, A2R Elite.

Alston’s decorated basketball background includes leading Hesperia High to two Mojave River League championships and earning accolades such as First Team All-League, Mojave River League Athlete of the Year, and Citrus Belt Athlete of the Year. He went on to play collegiate basketball at Lower Columbia College, Southern University A&M, and Cal State Los Angeles, and has competed in elite Pro-Am leagues such as The Drew League and The Mecca.

In 2023, Alston was honored with a mural at the Hesperia Epicentre, recognizing his contributions to local sports and youth development.

📢 Stay connected with the High Desert’s largest news community!

🔗 For more local news, visit VVNG.com.





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