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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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

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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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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.

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

• US: Eastside FC (WA), NCFC (NC), Oklahoma Energy, XF Academy (WA)

• UK: Chelsea FC, Everton, Leeds United, Wrexham AFC

U16 Girls Division

• US: Bay Area Surf (CA), Legends SC (CA), Michigan Hawks, Solar SC (TX)

• 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. 

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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