By Hayley Fowler ( December 22, 2025, 3:36 PM EST) — A trio of nonprofits that advocate against gambling are fighting betting company Kalshi’s efforts to curb Maryland gaming regulators’ oversight, telling the Fourth Circuit that health consequences and threats to elections and youth sports would be significant if Kalshi succeeds….
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Millikan Alum Sierra Sythe Overcomes Injury to Shine in 2025 – The562.org
The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
For some athletes, injuries can create massive setbacks and harder comebacks. Some injuries can even end lifelong careers.
But for Sierra Sythe, injuries made her stronger, sharper and better than before. After suffering an ACL tear during her freshman year at Wake Forest University, the Millikan alum just wrapped up an impressive 2025 campaign on the pitch.
“Not only did I get to go to the National Championship last year, which was insane, but also to get called in individually to a National Team camp just felt so good,” Sythe said. “I’ve gotten myself onto the right path, and everything I did in the past year with PT and training and trying to get back to where I was paid off.”
The Road to Recovery
For Sythe, as for many players, coming back from an ACL tear was not easy. After working hard over the summer to earn a starting spot during her first year as a Deac, Sythe suffered the brutal injury 20 minutes into an exhibition game.
Not only was she set up to fight physical battles as she recovered, but the mental obstacles Sythe was facing were a challenge on their own.
“I was like, ‘Why did this happen to me? Why did I have to go through this?’” Sythe said. “I remember thinking after my surgery, when I couldn’t even walk for two months, ‘Am I ever going to get back to where I was?’”
Sythe credits her successful recovery journey to her team at Wake Forest. From physical therapy to her strength coach, everyone in her corner helped her get back on the pitch.
“Once I hit that time where I was able to start running again and start practicing and playing, I felt like that passion really started to come back,” Sythe said.
Sythe’s parents, Maribeth and Andy, said while Sierra’s injury was gut-wrenching to watch, they knew their daughter was going to come back stronger than before. Sierra always had an appreciation for the game and being forced to watch from the sidelines only deepened this connection.
“She had that new hunger to get out there and play, take advantage of her health and all of that,” Maribeth said. “I was very proud of her. That’s not an easy journey for anyone, and it paid off.”
Coming back from her injury, Sythe started 18 matches and played in all 24 games of the 2024 fall season. During this first full season as a Deacon, Sythe transitioned from winger to right back, where she helped Wake Forest to one of the best defensive records in the ACC and the nation.
In the 2025 season, the redshirt sophomore started all 20 games she played in, totaling up 1,746 minutes and playing all 90 minutes for 16 of the matches.
Halfway through her second full season as a Deac, Sythe’s eight assists were tied for 5th in the NCAA and 2nd in the ACC. Sythe finished the 2025 season at Wake Forest in the Top 50 for each ranking, being ranked the No. 10 assist leader in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the No. 40 player in the country on Top Drawer Soccer’s Top 100 Midseason Women’s National Rankings, the highest Deac on the list.
Wake Forest’s defensive strategy is to push outside backs high and wide, getting them involved in the offensive attack, which is what has helped Sythe rack up assists.

Before she started her dominant fall in North Carolina, Sythe represented the United States on the U-20 Youth National Team (USYNT) throughout the summer. She joined a team alongside 23 of the top players from across the country in weeks of May and June.
“It’s a validation of my hard work as a soccer player, not even just my hard work, but everything that I put into the sport,” Sythe said.
The experience Sythe gained at National Team camp contributed to the success she had at Wake Forest this fall. Sythe said training with the best of the best for her age group, even with some teammates being her collegiate opponents, allowed her to grow immensely as a player.
“Being able to share that knowledge and implement some of the skills that I was able to learn at camp with other people on our team was something I really valued,” Sythe said. “When one person gets better, everyone else on the team gets better. Also, the fact I am capable of being called into the National Team camp – having confidence moving forward in myself and in my abilities positively impacts the season and my team at Wake.”
Tino Nuñez, Millikan Girls’ Soccer Head Coach, said it was hard to watch Sythe’s freshman season be taken from her, but her recovery and success after is a testament to the player and person she is.
“Talk about adversity; her having to go through that and then where she’s at now,” Nuñez said. “There’s a story behind it. She came back stronger and continued to work. You see the type of person she is and what this means to her; the passion and love she has for the sport.”
Back to Her Roots
Representing her country for the sport she loves isn’t an honor Sythe takes lightly. Her National Team experience goes back to the U-15 level when Sythe played on Beach FC, but her lifelong passion for soccer started when she was a kid.
“By the time I was able to walk and run, I was in sports,” Sythe said.

She was driven by her parents, who were both collegiate athletes themselves. Maribeth played soccer at Dayton and Wright State while Andy played football at West Valley College and has been the Head Coach of LBSU Track and Field since 1989.
Having been present on the Long Beach sports scene, Andy and Sierra have both earned recognition through their sports. Andy is an 11-time Big West Track and Field Coach of the Year who has won 13 Big West titles; the most of any program in the history of the conference; and 10 MPSF titles, a conference-high record.
“They never took their foot off the gas pedal with helping me,” Sierra said of her parents. “From them to Tino, having them pushing me was obviously a huge help. As I went through my soccer career, I had a lot of different people who were willing to help me and who never gave up on me. I think that was just a really big part of getting me to where I am today.”
Despite their personal careers, the Sythes don’t necessarily credit their own athletic history to their daughter’s success.
“She was just a natural,” Maribeth said of Sierra. “I remember when she was probably eight, she just said, ‘Mommy, I was born to score goals,’ and there was no looking back.”
In a world where club sports are ever growing in popularity, Maribeth and Andy Sythe said Sierra’s introduction to the sport through AYSO Recreation soccer is what has propelled her to continue playing through the years. Starting soccer in a lighthearted environment where fun was the priority helped Sierra grow a passion for the sport.
“It’s important to just keep doing what you love, and everything evolved for Sierra from that,” Andy said. “I think AYSO served a great purpose in that.”
During her first year playing at Millikan, Sierra was named the 2022 Moore League Offensive Player of the Year and earned All-Moore League First Team and CIF Southern Section First Team honors. She wasn’t able to represent the Rams until her junior year when U.S. Soccer terminated the Development Academy (DA) – a club soccer program that had its athletes training at a high intensity year-round and not allowing them to compete at the high school level.
“I’m at this point where I’m really thankful to have been put in high pressure situations my whole life – in high school and club and then now in college,” Sythe said. “I’ve been able to really grow as a player and a person. Seeing where I started when I was four to now, I’ve come a long way.”

After earning individual accolades in 2022, Sythe led the Rams to a Moore League championship with a dominant 11-0-1 record in her senior year. Although Sythe had a late start in Millikan’s program, her impact on the team was immediately evident, Nuñez said.
“She’s just a leader on and off the field,” Nuñez said. “She’s somebody that has always wanted to do the extra and is always trying to get better. She led by example, and she got the girls to believe in what the program wanted to be about.”
When coming back from her injury, Sierra’s long-rooted passion for the game paired with her focus is what fueled her comeback. Andy Sythe, who has coached a fair share of extraordinary athletes and Olympians, said his daughter has always had an impressive level of self-motivation.
“She’s very disciplined, she’s always been that way from an early age,” Andy said. “Her injury, from a parent’s perspective 3,000 miles away, you have those fears that it might be a tougher recovery journey. It was not easy, it was always tough, but she managed it, pushed herself and got through it. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Andy said soccer means everything to Sierra, so he knew this setback wasn’t going to take his daughter down. Although her injury gave her a hard road of recovery, Sierra said she learned more than she could have imagined during the fight to get back on the field.
“If I hadn’t gotten injured, I wouldn’t have learned that I’m capable of more things than I can actually think of,” Sythe said.

While Wake Forest has helped Sythe gain success in her new position as a defender, Sierra said she credits her on-field triumphs and successful recovery to her community, both in North Carolina and Long Beach.
“Being able to go basically my whole career surrounded by not only people in the soccer world who were always encouraging and wanted me to succeed, but also people outside of it was just so good for how I viewed myself as a player,” Sythe said. “I really am surrounded by a community that loves me, and it just felt so great, and I can’t thank all those people enough for how they’ve impacted my life.”
Nuñez said working with alumnas like Sythe is one of his greatest honors as a coach. As these players move on to the next level, their Ram roots run deep.
“As a program, we’re proud of her accomplishments. We’re her biggest fans,” Nuñez said on behalf of his staff. “She’s somebody we refer to when we talk about players that have come through our program, and she will continue to be an example of any Ram for years to come. Players come in and understand what the players who came before them have done, and I think that’s a motivation force to continue to do that.”
But for Sythe herself, the pride she carries goes beyond DeHaven Stadium. As she continues pushing through the rankings and leading Wake Forest as an upperclassman, Sythe said she will always remember her Long Beach community. Without the city behind her, she wouldn’t have been able to get to where she is today.
“I’ll forever be a Long Beach lover,” Sythe said. “I want to be that person and invest in the sports community and just the community as a whole because it’s really a lot of amazing people here. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything else.”
Rec Sports
A celebration of success | News, Sports, Jobs
Photo courtesy Bay College
The Center for Youth Health & Wellness staff outside the new Center on the Escanaba campus in 2024.
ESCANABA – The Center for Youth Health and Wellness opened its doors on the Bay College Escanaba Campus in Fall 2024. The Center has quickly become a vital resource for students and local youth ages 10-21, providing accessible, high-quality medical and mental health services in a welcoming, youth-focused environment.
The Center has demonstrated strong community engagement and meaningful impact. Since opening in 2024, The Center has served 1,045 unduplicated clients. These individuals visited The Center for a wide range of health and wellness needs, including medical visits, mental health visits, and annual wellness exams.
“We are thrilled by the positive response and the number of young people who are choosing to access care right here on campus through The Center,” said Cindy Gallagher, Bay College Vice President of Workforce Innovation and Strategic Partnerships. “This partnership with Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties ensures that students and community youth have the support they need to thrive academically, personally, and socially.”
Since the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2025, The Center’s momentum has remained strong. In the first quarter alone, The Center has provided 99 medical visits and 147 mental health visits.
Since its opening, The Center has become a critical provider for the required high school sports physicals that allow youth to participate in high school sports. Kayla Coltson, Family Nurse Practitioner at The Center, shared that they have provided 755 sports physicals to area youth since August 2024.
These numbers reflect the continued and growing demand for accessible youth-focused health services in the region. The Center’s integrated approach–combining medical care, mental health support, prevention services, and wellness education–helps empower young people to make informed decisions and build healthier futures.
“It’s clear that this collaboration is filling a critical gap in our community,” said Michael Snyder, Health Officer at Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties. “We are committed to providing quality services, reducing barriers, and meeting the evolving needs of youth across Delta and Menominee counties.”
The Center for Youth Health and Wellness remains open to individuals ages 10-21, offering walk-in and scheduled appointments. Services include primary medical care, behavioral health counseling, vaccines, wellness visits, and health education–all provided in a confidential, inclusive, and supportive setting.
The Center employs four staff, including a receptionist, a licensed mental health counselor, a registered nurse, and a nurse practitioner. The Center also has an active Advisory Board consisting of representatives from local K-12 partners, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD, Public Health, Bay College, and local parents.
Funding for The Center is provided through a grant awarded to Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, along with reimbursement from billing public and private insurance plans. No client between the ages of 10-21 will be denied care due to an inability to pay.
Bay College and Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties look forward to building on this strong foundation for years to come as we continue to serve the youth of our community.
For more information, visit the Center’s page at baycollege.edu, contact The Center for Youth Health and Wellness at 906-786-1672 or visit The Center’s Facebook page.
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Advocacy Groups Warn Against Kalshi’s Gambling Push
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Letter: Sports complex at Pendleton would mean higher taxes
Letter: Sports complex at Pendleton would mean higher taxes
Published 4:58 pm Monday, December 22, 2025
Pendleton city officials announced that replacement of condemned stairway on Southwest 13th Street was a top priority, submitting a grant request for funding through the Safe Pathways To Schools Program sponsored by the Oregon Department of Transportation as adequate city funding was unavailable. The request was denied perhaps because the plan was not compliant with the federal American with Disabilities Act, according to the program administrator.
In 2011 the city purchased 40 acres adjacent to Barnhart Road, affectionately known as the “road to nowhere” for $500,000. The current city’s mayor and the economic development director have approved a proposal giving that property to Round-up City Development Corp., an agency masquerading as economic power house for the city, to construct a youth athletic complex. This sounds like a great idea until you consider the city, the school district, Babe Ruth and Little League associations have already established a good foundation of facilities that could be improved for considerably less. For the complex to be completed, a bond would be needed and approved by the voters, meaning property tax hike.
A common excuse from city officials when asked about improving streets is there is no funding. I wonder why.
Rick Rohde
Pendleton
Submit Letter to the Editor
Rec Sports
Orange Bowl Committee and AutoNation Unveil New $600,000 STEAM Center in Miami Gardens
Today, the Orange Bowl Committee, in partnership with Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami Gardens, and AutoNation, officially opened the doors to the new Orange Bowl STEAM Center presented by AutoNation at Bunche Park West Recreation.
The $600,000 legacy project provides local students with a state-of-the-art environment designed to foster innovation, creativity, and technical skill-building. The center features a dedicated workspace equipped with robotics, engineering kits, and maker materials, alongside a high-tech Multimedia Room. This digital hub offers green-screen capabilities, audio-visual tools, and editing stations, allowing students to master digital storytelling and graphic design.
“This center represents a major investment in the future of our youth,” said Henri Crockett, President & Chair of the Orange Bowl Committee. “By providing these resources, we are ensuring that the next generation of leaders in Miami Gardens has the tools they need to excel in a rapidly evolving digital world.”
The unveiling featured remarks from several community leaders, including Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris, and representatives from AutoNation and School Specialty.
A Legacy of Community Impact
The STEAM Center is a cornerstone of the Orange Bowl Cares initiative, specifically falling under its Legacy Programs pillar. These investments are made possible through the Orange Bowl Committee’s leadership of the both the Capital One Orange Bowl and the 2026 Miami Host Committee, which is preparing to host the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium.
For over 90 years, the Orange Bowl has served as a primary civic engine for South Florida, using premier sporting events to fund year-round community engagement, education, and youth sports programs.
Key Features of the New Facility:
- STEAM Lab: Hands-on learning with robotics, 3D modeling, and engineering kits.
- Multimedia Room: A professional-grade digital production suite for video and graphic creation.
- Collaborative Spaces: Intentionally designed areas to encourage group problem-solving and creative thinking.
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Lambda Legal 2025 Recap: 8 Key Moments
Before ringing in another new year, we at Lambda Legal want to take a moment to spotlight some of our achievements and milestones from 2025.
We are proud of all that Lambda Legal has accomplished these last 12 months, and we’re carrying this momentum into 2026 as we continue our fight for full equality for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV.
Find our year-in-review list below, presented in chronological order. It’s worth noting that what’s mentioned here represents just a tiny, tiny snapshot of an incredibly busy 2025. One roundup post — or even four! — couldn’t possibly capture the scope of this year’s work.
Launch of Our Four-Point Plan of Action and Trump Tracker Resource
This year began with Lambda Legal’s team prepared to defend our communities with courage and conviction. The elections of 2024 brought disappointing results, but our legal team had devoted months to prepare for the worst of possible outcomes and contingency plans were in place as we began 2025. Our four-point plan to navigate the challenges we anticipated following the change in administration guided our work – and yielded results.

Since January of 2025, Lambda Legal has filed six major cases challenging unlawful and discriminatory actions by the Trump administration — including executive orders targeting transgender people, gender-affirming care, accurate identity documents, funding for LGBTQ+ community centers, and service in the military for trans people. Check out the latest breaking news on these cases using our Trump Tracker resource: www.LambdaLegal.org/TrumpTracker
Lambda Legal sued the Trump administration to stop executive actions that would erase trans people, defund LGBTQ+ programs, and ban DEI principles in federal grants. In the summer, a judge ruled in our favor, granting us a preliminary injunction that restored $6.2 million dollars in federal funding to these organizations.
Returning to the Supreme Court to Defend Trans Youth in Sports
Early in 2026, Lambda Legal will return to the U.S. Supreme Court to defend the right of transgender students to participate fully and fairly in school athletics. We represent Becky Pepper-Jackson, a teenage track athlete challenging West Virginia’s cruel and unconstitutional ban on trans students in sports. Lambda Legal has represented Becky since 2021, and we could not be more proud to fight for her and all trans youth who just want a chance to play and be part of a team.
Oral arguments in B.P.J. v. West Virginia are scheduled for January 13, 2026 — a pivotal moment for transgender rights nationwide. Join us at our rally in Washington, D.C., that day, or find a rally in a city near you!

The Help Desk Receives Record-Breaking Number of Requests
Every call, email, and message to Lambda Legal’s Help Desk begins with a story from a member of our community. In 2025, the need for the Help Desk has grown exponentially.
By mid-December, the Help Desk has handled more than 7,154 requests for assistance – over 70% of the number we received in all of 2024, and on track to be the highest number we have received ever.
Our Help Desk is averaging 622 new requests per month — the equivalent of 21 new people every single day reaching out for support, information, and hope.
Unstoppable Future Fundraising Campaign Makes History
Lambda Legal wrapped its Unstoppable Future campaign in June with a staggering $285 million raised. This has allowed us to grow our staff and capacity to serve our community.

Building Our Team: Strength in Numbers
To meet growing demand and sustain our litigation momentum, Lambda Legal has strengthened its legal team with at least 10 new attorneys and legal professionals this year. Each brings unique expertise, lived experience, and deep passion for justice.

This infusion of talent expands Lambda Legal’s reach and capacity at a pivotal moment. Together, this growing team is prepared to take on the next wave of challenges – and the next wave of victories.
The Publishing of Vital, Expert Reports
As 2025 draws to a close, two new Lambda Legal publications highlight the twin pillars of our work – reshaping systems and protecting people where the law meets lived experience.
In Judging Our Future: What’s at Stake for LGBTQ+ and HIV Rights in the Federal Courts, Lambda Legal reveals that while there was great progress during the Biden administration, the federal judiciary remains far from reflecting the diversity of the nation it serves. The report also addresses what we can expect from new federal judges during Trumps’s second term.
Our second major publication, Advocating for Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Diverse Youth in Foster Care, equips attorneys and advocates with strategies to support one of the most vulnerable populations in the child welfare system.
The Launch of the All Rise Campaign

Lambda Legal has what it takes to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV: a 52-year track record of landmark victories, bold strategies, and the unwavering support of leaders like you. But this year, our opponents are better funded, more coordinated, and moving faster than ever. They are outspending us in courts and legislatures across the country — and we cannot let them win.
That’s where our new All Rise campaign comes in. Through December 31, all gifts will be DOUBLED through the $250,000 All Rise Match. This is our moment to stand together, fight harder, and rise higher in pursuit of full legal and lived equality. Make a gift today by visiting our donate page.
Rec Sports
PARTICIPATING TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR THE ECNL INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT, POWERED BY COACHES’ VOICE AND IN ASSOCIATION WITH EVERTON INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
RICHMOND, Va. (December 22, 2025) – The ECNL International Tournament, powered by Coaches’ Voice and in association with Everton International Academy, is excited to announce the eight U13 boys teams and eight U16 girls teams that will compete in the event in May 2026 at Everton’s legendary Finch Farm facility.
An exceptional and unique lineup of teams from England, Scotland, Wales and the United States will come together in a ground-breaking new youth competition to challenge some of the best players and teams from each country. The teams competing are listed below:
U13 Boys Division
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US: Eastside FC (WA), NCFC (NC), Oklahoma Energy, XF Academy (WA)
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UK: Chelsea FC, Everton, Leeds United, Wrexham AFC
U16 Girls Division
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US: Bay Area Surf (CA), Legends SC (CA), Michigan Hawks, Solar SC (TX)
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UK: Chelsea FC, Everton, Rangers FC, Welsh National Team
In January, teams will be placed in groups to determine their initial tournament opponents, with each group featuring two teams from the United States and two teams from the United Kingdom. The event will include both group and knock-out play over two days, with the full schedule announced at a later date.
The ECNL International Tournament, powered by Coaches’ Voice and in association with Everton International Academy marks the first time that teams from ECNL Boys and ECNL Girls have qualified for international competition based on their performances in the ECNL. The event reflects a joint commitment from all three organizations to developing and challenging top players while creating meaningful sporting connections and relationships across countries.
The ECNL International Tournament will be led by the elite operations team at Coaches’ Voice Tours, whose reputation for excellence in international soccer travel ensures the highest standards and world-class quality. In addition, the ECNL has subsidized the cost of the event for the United States teams to help make the dream of international competition a reality.
For more information regarding the ECNL International Tournament, powered by Coaches’ Voice and in association with Everton International Academy, click here.
###
About Everton International Academy:
The Everton International Academy is the global development arm of Everton Football Club, designed to bring the Club’s renowned coaching philosophy – known as the Everton Way to aspiring footballers around the world.
Through the Everton International Academy Affiliate Programme, the Academy partners with clubs and organisations across multiple continents to deliver world-class coaching, mentoring, and player development support.
Everton Soccer Schools operate across the globe, predominately across the USA, Canada, and the UK – offering players aged 5–18 the chance to train under official Everton coaching methods, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and confidence. To find out more, visit evertonfc.com/international.
About Coaches’ Voice:
Coaches’ Voice connects players, coaches, and clubs with world-class continuous learning and experiences. Through elite tournaments, player and coach education tours, online learning, specialist courses, and session planning tools, Coaches’ Voice ensures that coaches are fully equipped to create the best possible environment for player development.
For more information, please visit https://learning.coachesvoice.com/.
About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform for America’s top soccer players. The ECNL mission to provide the best youth sports experience in the world drives constant innovations in competitions and experiences for players, parents, families, coaches, referees, and partners. The ECNL has questioned convention and challenged the status quo of youth sport since 2009, pushing boundaries and striving for unmatched excellence. Together with its clubs and club leaders, the ECNL creates unforgettable memories and supports the development of youth players into college stars, professionals, world champions, and leaders.
www.TheECNL.com
ECNL FB: @TheECNL | ECNL IG: @TheECNL | ECNL X: @TheECNL
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