In the bitterly partisan fight over transgender policy, there appears to be a dispute looming among Republicans in Concord, but GOP majorities continue to move bills through the Legislature.

This week, the Senate GOP majority passed another bill allowing the separation of sexes in bathrooms, youth sports and correctional facilities.

“Women are being marginalized in this environment, and as far as I’m concerned, this has to stop,” said Majority Leader Regina Birdsell.

Democrats continue to compare bathrooms divided by sex rather than gender identity to Jim Crow racial segregation in America’s past.

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“Separate but equal became the legal fiction that upheld decades of state-sanctioned discrimination,” said state Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham.

While Republicans are united on gender classification bills, a disagreement is developing over legislation to ban the prescription of puberty blockers to minors for purposes of gender transition.

This week, Senate Republicans amended House Bill 377, removing felony charges as the penalty for doctors who might violate the law.

“The other thing is, is this essentially grandfathers anybody who’s on these treatments now. That won’t be taken away from them. They can continue on that,” said state Sen. David Rochefort, R-Littleton. “Previously, there was a date of Jan. 1 where they would have to stop therapy.”

House Republicans are not in favor of that amendment.

“We understand the concerns for those children who have already initiated these interventions, but believe their long-term health is best supported by safely discontinuing them,” the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Lisa Mazur, R-Goffstown, said in a written statement. “Tapering off under medical supervision is safer than continuing indefinitely, and qualified providers are ready to offer compassionate, evidence-based support throughout the process.”

If the bill passes the Senate, representatives and senators will have to sort out their differences regarding that change.

ASHWAUBENON (NBC 26) — A well-known football term is becoming a catalyst for change in the lives of many young athletes in the Green Bay area.

Avery Rhenwrick, an Ashwaubenon native, has transformed his passion for football into a mission to help young athletes overcome financial barriers through his clothing brand “4th N Long” and nonprofit “4th N Goal.”

“Being in the city, seeing the fans surround the team of the Packers is kind of what brought me the passion of the game,” Rhenwrick said.

The 28-year-old’s own football journey was cut short by injuries.

After breaking his shoulder during his freshman year of high school and suffering another injury the following year, Rhenwrick decided to leave the sport.

“At the time I was like, I’ll find another way to be around the game someway, somehow,” Rhenwrick said.

In 2020, he established his clothing brand “4th N Long” after recognizing that many families couldn’t afford the costs associated with youth sports.

“And that really hit home to me, coming from a single mother household myself, it was a struggle to play when I was younger,” Rhenwrick said.

Through 4th N Long, Rhenwrick uses 20% of proceeds to fund sports-related costs for young athletes.

The brand name carries special significance.

“I felt like it fit perfectly. Not only to the kids we’re helping but also in life in general,” Rhenwrick said.

In football, “4th and long” refers to a team needing to gain a significant amount of yards to get a first down, requiring belief even when facing a difficult task.

In 2023, Rhenwrick launched 4th N Goal, a nonprofit that serves young athletes like fourth graders Anshawn Skenandore and Kingston Haas, who both dream of playing professionally and giving back to their communities.

“Since I was four, that’s when I started playing football. I got cut but I never stopped,” Skenandore said.

“My goal is to always trust in God and go the route He’s taking me. I want the next generation to be great just like the generation of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Brett Favre,” Haas said.

Rhenwrick’s work extends to football camps hosted by 4th N Goal.

His efforts earned him the title of “2024 Young Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Greater Green Bay Chamber.

“I want them to look at me as somebody, that came from Green Bay — that had a dream, that had a passion for something which is sports, and was able to find a way to make a difference in that avenue,” Rhenwrick said.

The 4th N Goal annual youth football camp will be held on May 31 at East High School starting at 11 a.m.

Kids in attendance will have the opportunity to learn from and meet Packers lineman Elgton Jenkins.
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AEG’s LA Galaxy, hosted a fireside chat with team Defender and former captain of the Japanese National Team, Maya Yoshida, designed to inspire local Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth about career paths with the sports industry.

The event was held at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA, on May 1, 2025 in collaboration with the Little Tokyo Service Center and Terasaki Budokan, as part of API Desi Heritage Month.

The discussion centered on the role that cultural identity plays in shaping careers and personal journeys, particularly within the high-performance world of Major League Soccer.

Yoshida, who joined the Galaxy in 2023, shared insights into his experience representing Japan on the international stage, navigating cultural expectations, and the importance of representation for young athletes of AANHPI descent.

“This event is about creating a space where AANHPI youth can see themselves reflected in sports—on the field and behind the scenes,” said Yoshida. “I and the LA Galaxy are proud to honor and uplift my community by sharing these stories.”

Following the fireside chat, attendees participated in a dynamic soccer clinic at Galaxy Park in Carson, CA, where they had the opportunity to train with Galaxy coaches and play alongside their peers.

The event is part of the LA Galaxy’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the diverse communities that make up the fabric of Southern California, and to providing meaningful opportunities for youth engagement, cultural appreciation, and community building.

For more information about LA Galaxy’s community initiatives, visit www.lagalaxy.com/community.

AEG

AEG

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. With offices on five continents, AEG operates in the following business segments: AEG Facilities, which with its affiliates owns, manages or consults with more than 120 preeminent venues around the world including The O2 Arena, the Sprint Center and the Mercedes-Benz Arenas;   AEG Presents, one of the largest live music companies in the world dedicated to producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals; AEG Sports, the world’s largest operator of sports franchises and high-profile sporting events;   AEG Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships; and AEG Real Estate, which develops world-class venues and  sports and entertainment districts like STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands, AXS.com ticketing platform, AXS cable television channel and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.

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DENVER — Youth sports can be expensive. A Denver martial arts program believes every child should have access to training, no matter their family’s financial abilities.

“If finances are preventing your children from training, we want to make sure we change that,” said Alisha Bielak, an ambassador for the Martial Arts Moves program at the Easton Training Center in Centennial. “We never want that to be the reason you’re not giving this power to your children.”

Bieliak experienced the impact of self-defense training first-hand when she enrolled her daughter in classes at 4 years old.

“I have a wonderful, strong-willed child,” said Bielak. “About a month in, we almost quit because she tackled a kid at school.”

Eleven years later, Bielak and her daughter have become symbols of the positive benefits martial arts training can have in the lives of Colorado kids.

“You carry yourself in a different way when you know you can defend yourself, when you know you can defend others, when you see something wrong happening and you know you can put a stop to it,” said Bielak.

For almost a decade, in association with Easton Training Centers all over the Front Range, Bielak and Martial Arts Moves has opened doors for kids interested in or in need of self-defense training.

“It’s not a charity program,” said Bielak. “We’re not treating them any differently. They’re here, we want them here, and we’re able to share that so we do.”

Martial Arts Moves provides scholarships so kids can attend training classes, but that money requires commitment.

“The kids promise to be the best examples in class and a future leader,” Bielak explained. “The goal at the end of the three-year scholarship is that they become a coach and then they share their gift with the next generation of students.”

At the moment, the program serves roughly 35 students, but Bielak said they’re always looking for opportunities to grow.

“Giving kids a way up that they own, that they control, that they’re in charge of, it’s so empowering and it’s something I wish we could give every child,” said Bielak.

If you’re interested in applying to the Martial Arts Moves program, click here. You can also donate to the program through this link.

UNION, Ky. — Cooper High School named former girls basketball head coach Justin Holthaus on Thursday afternoon as the Jaguars’ boys basketball head coach.

“I am confident that Coach Holthaus will bring the same level of excellence, energy, and vision to the varsity boys basketball program as he has consistently demonstrated throughout his career,” Cooper athletic director Randy Borchers said in a news release.

Borchers said the girls basketball head coaching position should be posted on Friday.

Holthaus, a former Cooper boys basketball assistant coach, succeeds former longtime Cooper boys basketball head coach Tim Sullivan, who accepted the St. Henry District High School boys basketball head coaching position May 14.

Sullivan, who had been Cooper’s head coach since the program started in 2008, said May 13 his Cooper coaching contract was not renewed for the 2025-26 season.

The development occurred less than two months after Sullivan led Cooper (24-6 record in 2024-25) to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association state quarterfinals at Rupp Arena in Lexington. The Jaguars lost to eventual state champion Great Crossing in a quarterfinal March 28.

Holthaus, a fixture in Northern Kentucky high school basketball, is Cooper’s all-time winningest girls basketball coach with a 128-30 record. He transformed the girls team into a state powerhouse.

“With a proven record of success, a deep understanding of the game, and a heartfelt commitment to the school, Coach Holthaus is poised to elevate the program to new heights,” Cooper High School said in a news release.

Holthaus has led Cooper to four consecutive Ninth Region championships, becoming the girls basketball team in regional history to accomplish such a feat. He also led the Jaguars to four consecutive 33rd District titles, four Kentucky High School Athletic Association Sweet 16 appearances, two state Final Fours and an Elite Eight finish.

The Cooper girls basketball team (26-6 record in 2024-25) was a state quarterfinalist this past season. Holthaus has earned a great deal of coaching honors, including being a three-time Greater Cincinnati Basketball Hall of Fame Kentucky Coach of the Year.

“Beyond the accolades, Holthaus has been a consistent force in preparing student-athletes for collegiate competition, with multiple recruits advancing to play at the NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA levels,” Cooper High School said in a news release. “His leadership is a testament to his emphasis on skill development and student-athlete success on and off the court.”

Holthaus previously helped to lead the boys basketball program to success as an assistant coach, including being a part of the 2017 state runner-up team. His earlier tenure also included six 33rd District championships and other tournament titles.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to be named the head coach of Cooper boys basketball,” Holthaus said in a news release. “This program has a proud tradition and I’m committed to building on that foundation. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Cooper’s elite student-athletes, supporting their growth on and off the court, and representing the Cooper community with pride.”

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LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Raiders made a big announcement that had nothing to do with its play on Sundays.

The Silver and Black are partnering with Clark County School District and its middle school athletic department to form the Silver and Black League for middle school flag football, the team announced Thursday at Sig Rogich Middle School in Summerlin.

Channel 13 sports reporter Nick Walters was there for the event to meet with the Raiders representative and catch up with the kids participating in the skills combine that the team hosted afterwards.

VIDEO: Nick Walters catches up with kids participating in flag football

Raiders partner with CCSD to launch middle school flag football Silver & Black League

“That is to elevate flag football that’s already going on in the district,” Raiders director of football development Myles Hayes said. “Flag football is continuing to grow across the country. We especially wanted to highlight the middle school athletes to continue their development and put them on a special platform that we can do as the Raiders.”

Since Nevada middle schools don’t have their own tackle football teams, flag football teams have been formed in recent years as the sport has grown nationally.

No stranger to hosting events to raise awareness of flag football in the valley, the Raiders are stepping in to make a difference.

“There’s going to be some equipment donations, obviously some branding, we’re going to have some player interaction at Raiders game days, we’ll be here celebrating them at their game days and be a part of their championship game,” Hayes added.

“Nevada was number 2 in girls’ high school football; we’ve been the leaders in this realm for a long time,” Hayes went on. “What’s special about it is this is a city that welcomes all sports. It’s the Mecca of sports. What better to highlight flag football and the growth of it than here in Las Vegas?”

The Silver & Black League can be a game-changer that adds more legitimacy to youth flag football in southern Nevada.

“It’s really exciting because I’ve been in this program for three years now, and it’s already getting better and better,” Sig Rogich 8th grade player, Savannah said. “Now with this new partnership, I know it’s going to go above and beyond.”

“That’s very nice of (the Raiders) and I’m sure it’s going to get a lot of kids better and help them grow and give them exposure,” Sig Rogich 8th grade player Koi said.

An Olympic sport starting in 2028, flag football is allowing boys and girls who play other sports to try something new.

“I started playing basketball, but it became a hobby and I just fell in love with the sport,” Sig Rogich middle schooler Elijah said.

VIDEO: Here’s how to play flag football

Here’s how to play flag football

“It’s a mix of things,” Sig Rogich middle schooler, Annalise, said about the value of flag. “I think overcoming adversity is a part of it. I really enjoy football because it helps me get out of my comfort zone, and what I like too.”

“There’s so many athletes out there that just want to try something new, and this is like the perfect thing to try because there’s a mix of so many skills you can use,” Savannah added. “I really think it piques everybody’s interest.”

Coronado graduate Maci Joncich, who became the youngest player ever selected to the U.S. Women’s National Flag Football team last year at age 17, is back on the team this year chasing her Olympic dreams. She says the Silver & Black League can help others follow in her footsteps.

“When I was in middle school, I was already playing flag, but they didn’t have anything like that,” Joncich told Channel 13’s Nick Walters. “We had one team in the whole Las Vegas Valley that would travel around the country. It gives a pipeline for the Olympics, for sure. These little girls now have this goal in mind: I want to be an Olympian one day. It’s really special for them to dip their toe in the water of flag football early on.”

The NFL announced this week that it would allow active players to participate in the first-ever flag football event in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

It’s the most recent news of a flag football hype train that’s gained steam since Joncich started playing in middle school.

“In 2021, everybody that was at tryouts was pretty much everybody who played flag,” Joncich said. “Everyone knew each other in the world of flag football. A tight little group. But now, I don’t know half the people that play the game. That’s so cool to be in such a rapidly growing sport.”

“Professional athletes on the men and the women’s side are interested in playing the game now,” Joncich added. “Who would’ve thought? This wasn’t even a college sport just a few years ago.”

The Silver & Black League will begin play this fall and will feature boys and girls teams from middle schools across the Las Vegas Valley.