
Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretariesNORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Wenkers Wright ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns and No. 13 Illinois State knocked off North Dakota for the first time, 35-13 in the regular season finale for both teams Saturday. The Redbirds are 9-2 (6-2 Missouri Valley Conference) and are looking to reach the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2019 and sixth time in Brock Spack's 16 seasons as head coach. Illinois State opened the game with some trickery. Eddie Kasper pulled up on a fleaflicker and launched a 30-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Loyd to cap a seven-play, 70-yard opening drive. Simon Romfo tied it on North Dakota's only touchdown of the day, throwing 20 yards to Nate DeMontagnac. Wright scored from the 10 to make it 14-7 after a quarter, and after C.J. Elrichs kicked a 20-yard field goal midway through the second to make it 14-10 at intermission, Wright powered in from the 18 and Mitch Bartol caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Rittenhouse to make it 28-10 after three. Seth Glatz added a 13-yard touchdown run to make it 35-10 before Elrichs added a 37-yard field goal to get the Fighting Hawks on the board to set the final margin. Rittenhouse finished 21 of 33 passing for 187 yards for Illinois State. Loyd caught eight passes for 121 yards. Romfo completed 11 of 26 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown with an interception for North Dakota (5-7, 2-6). Illinois State faced North Dakota for just the fourth time and third time as Missouri Valley Conference opponents. The Redbirds lost the previous three meetings. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballKylian Mbappe’s spot-kick woe goes on as Real Madrid lose at Athletic Bilbao
Forex reserves record biggest weekly drop as RBI moves to support RupeeMONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Brandon Gilliam made field goals of 42, 29 and 30 yards and Alabama State beat Prairie View A&M 9-6 on Saturday to secure a third straight winning season under coach Eddie Robinson. The last time Alabama State had three straight winnings seasons was under coach Reggie Barlow, who had five consecutive from 2010-15. The teams combined for 22 first downs, 428 total yards and five turnovers. Daquon Kincey rushed for 94 yards for Alabama State (6-5, 5-3 SWAC). Kareem Keye completed 6 of 14 passes for 71 yards with an interception. Jaden Johnson was also intercepted for Prairie View (5-7, 3-5). He was 13 of 23 for 122 yards. Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez had two field goals, including a 50-yarder. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Aidan Bouman threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Javion Phelps with 12 seconds left and South Dakota defeated FCS top-ranked North Dakota State 29-28 on Saturday to claim a share of its first Missouri Valley Football Conference championship. The Coyotes (9-2, 7-1) trailed 28-17 when Bouman threw deep to Jack Martens for a 40-yard touchdown with 3:22 remaining. They got the ball back with 1:16 left and six plays later Bouman was sacked. The Coyotes quickly lined up and Bouman found Phelps alone 2 yards shy of the end zone along the left sideline and he easily scored.
Police hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's masked killer after 'brazen, targeted' attack on NYC streetPump.fun , a decentralized platform for creating Solana-based memecoins, has recently come under intense scrutiny due to the misuse of its livestream feature by some users. The platform, which has been a significant player in the cryptocurrency industry, is facing backlash as instances of explicit and harmful content broadcasted during token livestreams have surfaced. The Controversy Surrounding Livestream Misuse Reports have emerged of users engaging in dangerous content and financial scams on Pump.fun’s livestreams, sparking safety concerns and calls for moderation. The platform hit a new revenue milestone, but not without criticism over its live stream feature, which has become a hotspot for disturbing activities. From threats of self-harm to violent acts, the misuse of the livestream feature has raised alarms within the crypto community and beyond. Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025 ) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts. Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here. Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and i nvest in Africa’s finest startups here . In response to these incidents, community members have called for stricter moderation or the shutdown of the livestream feature. A notable incident involved a user threatening suicide if their token did not reach a specific market capitalization, prompting urgent calls for Pump.fun to intervene and disable the livestream. Other disturbing reports include threats of violence, such as a person firing a gun each time their coin’s value increased, and a child threatening to harm family members over token price goals. Pump.fun’s Response Alon , the pseudonymous leader of Pump.fun, acknowledged the community’s concerns and defended the platform’s moderation efforts. He stated that the team moderates’ images, videos, livestreams, and comments, with a large team of moderators working around the clock alongside an internal team of engineers addressing the increased scale of coins, streams, and comments. The Future of Pump.fun While Pump.fun claims it is actively addressing illicit content, the community has called for more transparency and immediate measures to prevent harmful broadcasts. The platform has yet to announce whether additional safeguards or changes to its livestream feature will be implemented. For those looking for alternatives to Pump.fun, the market offers several options that cater to different needs and preferences. DexScreener: A real-time price chart and trading history platform that supports multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, BSC, Polygon, and more. It’s a comprehensive tool for traders who want to stay on top of market movements. Solscan.io: This user-friendly tool provides real-time updates for the Solana ecosystem. It’s ideal for tracking transactions, blocks, and token details, making it a valuable resource for Solana token holders. Jupiter (Jup.ag) : Known as one of the largest decentralized trading platforms, Jupiter boasts an active governance community and aims to be the ‘everything exchange’ for all users. Dextools.io: Serving as a gateway to DeFi, Dextools offers real-time charts and token information directly from the blockchain. It’s a favorite among traders who require in-depth analysis tools. Birdeye.so : Birdeye provides traders with crypto data tracking tools across various decentralized exchanges and automated market makers on multiple chains, aiding in the identification of trading opportunities. Moonshot: A new platform for launching and investing in meme coins on the Solana blockchain, marketed as a security-focused alternative to Pump.fun. It promises better security features to attract investors seeking safer investment avenues. Other notable mentions include Base.Fun, PinkMoon, KickPad, TrustSwap, BSCPad, Solanium, DeFiDrop, and PEAKDEFI Launchpad . These platforms offer a range of services from launchpads to trading and investment tools, each with its unique features and community. The situation at Pump.fun highlights the broader challenge of content moderation on decentralized platforms. As these platforms grow and attract more users, the need for effective moderation tools becomes increasingly critical to ensure user safety and maintain credibility. The crypto community will be watching closely to see how Pump.fun and similar platforms navigate these challenges in the pursuit of innovation while upholding community standards and safety. The world of toys is ever evolving, with trends coming and going, but some characters capture the hearts of children and adults alike, ensuring their return season after season. One such beloved series is the Pudgy Penguin toys , which have announced their much-anticipated return to Walmart for a third season in 2025. The Pudgy Penguin series, which initially captured attention through its unique blend of physical toys and digital experiences, has become a staple in the toy industry. The toys, inspired by a collection of 8,888 non-fungible tokens (NFTs) , offer children not just a toy but an entry into a digital world where their physical toy can be registered online. This innovative approach has allowed kids to enjoy their Pudgy Penguins in both the real world and a digital landscape, fostering creativity and community engagement. Walmart’s decision to bring back the Pudgy Penguin toys for a third season comes as no surprise. The retail giant has been at the forefront of embracing the intersection between traditional retail and the burgeoning digital marketplace. By offering exclusive items such as Ice Chrome and Gold Chrome collectible figures , Walmart has set itself apart, providing unique experiences for its customers. The success of the Pudgy Penguin toys can be attributed to their adaptability and the brand’s commitment to staying current with technological advancements. The toys’ integration with blockchain technology, like Ethereum and zkSync, has not only provided a secure way for kids to engage with their toys online but has also introduced them to the concept of digital ownership and collectability. As we look towards 2025, the excitement for the third season of Pudgy Penguin toys at Walmart is palpable. The brand has promised to continue its tradition of offering a diverse range of toys, including Plush Buddies, Clip-on Plushes, Igloo Collectibles, and Action Figures. With new Walmart exclusives on the horizon, the anticipation for what’s to come is building. The Pudgy Penguin toys are more than just playthings; they represent a shift in how consumers, especially younger ones, interact with brands and experience play. As we await the arrival of season 3, it’s clear that Pudgy Penguins and Walmart are not just riding the wave of digital integration into retail but are actively shaping the future of the toy industry. The Pudgy Penguins series has been a unique addition to the toy market, blending the worlds of digital and physical play. Each toy comes with a digital adoption certificate, allowing children to unlock their Forever Pudgy in the digital realm of Pudgy World. This innovative approach has not only provided a new way for kids to engage with their toys but has also introduced them to the concept of digital ownership and online communities. For those eager to add to their collection or start a new one, the countdown to 2025 begins. With Pudgy Penguins’ proven track record and Walmart’s commitment to delivering exclusive, engaging products, the third season is poised to be another hit, further cementing the Pudgy Penguin toys as a mainstay in the world of retail and digital entertainment.Now that he’s stepped back into the role of being a starter, Dalton Risner is working tirelessly to make sure he’s at his best for the Vikings. ADVERTISEMENT That could be easier said than done in the short term. After starting exclusively at left guard since entering the NFL, Risner got the start at right guard for the first time last weekend with the Vikings playing the Tennessee Titans. Though he said he was extremely grateful for the opportunity, Risner also admitted there’s a learning curve now playing a new position. Not that he’s complaining about his place on the offensive line. “It was awesome,” Risner said. “I’m really happy with how I played. A few things to clean up. I think I’ll only continue to get better.” ADVERTISEMENT After rewatching the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell praised Risner for the way he competed in the trenches. “He showed some of that veteran moxie to win some downs that were some hard downs,” O’Connell said. “There are some things he’ll continue to improve with the speed and physicality of it as he finds his groove.” The biggest hurdle for Risner is getting his mind to think in reverse. He has spent so much time at left guard throughout his career that switching over to right guard has forced him out of his comfort zone. “All of it is flip-flopped,” Risner said. “It’s not an easy process.” ADVERTISEMENT It was made even more difficult last weekend with Risner going up against the combination of star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and rookie defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. “That’s about as good of a pair as we’re going to find in the NFL,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. “We knew it was going to be a challenge up front with those guys. There are some things we could’ve done better from a technique perspective. We expect these guys to respond.” That includes Risner as the Vikings prepare for the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. As he gains more experience at his new position, his hope is that it becomes second nature to him at some point soon. ADVERTISEMENT “I don’t know how many reps it’ll be or how many games it’ll be,” Risner said. I know I’ll consistently get more and more comfortable there.” The only player listed as a non-participant on the injury report was tight end Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle). He hasn’t practiced at all this week, so his availability for this weekend is very much up in the air. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
John Fetterman joins Truth Social with post calling for Joe Biden to pardon Donald TrumpGrid Talk: Gators Goin’ BowlingMaking a $1B investment in the US? Trump pledges expedited permits — but there are hurdlesNone