SACRAMENTO — In howling winds and choking smoke during the January fires that devastated Altadena and Pacific Palisades, more than 1,100 incarcerated firefighters cleared brush and dug fire lines, some for wages of less than $30 per day.
Those firefighters could soon see a major raise. On Thursday, California lawmakers unanimously approved a plan to pay incarcerated firefighters the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour while assigned to an active fire, a raise of more than 700%.
“Nobody who puts their life on the line for other people should earn any less than the federal minimum wage,” said the bill’s author, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), before the Thursday vote.
Bryan’s legislation, Assembly Bill 247, would take effect immediately if signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Newsom’s office said he typically does not comment on pending legislation. But in July, he signed a budget that set aside $10 million for incarcerated firefighter wages.
Working at one of the state’s 35 minimum-security fire camps is a voluntary and coveted job, giving inmates a chance to spend time outside prison walls, help their communities and get paroled more quickly.
Incarcerated firefighters don’t wield hoses, but clear brush and dig containment lines while working on front-line hand crews and do work such as cooking and laundry to keep fire camps running.
Prison fire crews at times make up more than 1 in 4 of the firefighters battling California’s wildfires, and have drawn international praise during major wildfire seasons. After the January fires in Los Angeles, celebrity Kim Kardashian called them “heroes” who deserved a raise.
The state’s 2,000 or so incarcerated firefighters earn $5.80 to $10.24 per day at fire camps, and an extra $1 an hour during active wildfires, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. That means the lowest-paid firefighters earn $29.80 per 24-hour shift and the highest-paid, $34.24.
Higher wages are not only a key way to recognize the life-risking contributions made by incarcerated firefighters, backers said, but could also help inmates build up some savings before they are paroled, or more quickly pay restitution to their victims.
Republican lawmakers who backed the plan emphasized the life-changing nature of finding work with meaning.
“When we talk about anti-recidivism, when we talk about programs that work, this is one of the absolute best,” said Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Ripon).
Flora said he worked alongside incarcerated and formerly incarcerated firefighters during 15 years as a volunteer firefighter, and said they were “some of the hardest working individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”
Bryan originally had proposed a $19 hourly wage, similar to the wage earned by entry-level firefighters with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. During the summer’s budget negotiations, that wage was trimmed to $7.25.
A lobbyist for the California State Sheriffs’ Assn., which opposed the bill, told lawmakers in July that incarcerated firefighters already are “receiving compensation in different ways.” Prison workers assigned to hand crews have their sentences reduced by two days for each day they serve on an active fire.
State Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta), who co-sponsored the bill, cautioned in July that paying higher wages could lead to hiring fewer incarcerated firefighters overall.
The cost to the state will depend on the number of inmate crews staffed and the severity of the fire season.
From 2020 to 2024, inmate firefighters spent 1,382,117 hours fighting fires for $1 per hour, according to a bill analysis by legislative staff. The state would have paid about $10 million in wages — or about $8.6 million more — had the federal minimum wage been in place over those five fire seasons, analysts said.
Years with more fire activity would be more expensive for the state. In 2020, the largest wildfire season in modern history, the state spent about $2.1 million on inmate firefighter wages at $1 per hour, which would have cost $15 million under the new bill language.
The bill follows years of effort to help improve the working conditions of inmate firefighters.
The number fell off sharply after the California policy known as realignment in 2011, which shifted many people who were convicted of nonserious, nonviolent and nonsexual offenses from California state prisons to county jails.
California bars people with a felony conviction from receiving an emergency medical technician, or EMT, certification for a decade after their release from prison. There is a lifetime ban for those convicted of two or more felonies.
In 2020, Newsom signed a bill allowing formerly incarcerated firefighters who were convicted of nonviolent, nonsexual offenses to appeal a court to expunge their criminal records and waive their parole time.
The Legislature this week also passed AB 218, by Assemblymembers Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) and Sade Elhawary (D-Los Angeles), which would require prison officials to draft rules by 2027 to recommend incarcerated firefighters for resentencing.
A number of other bills dealing with fire issues are still pending in the Legislature in its final week of the year. Those include:
AB 226, which would allow the California FAIR Plan, the state’s home insurer of last resort, to increase its capacity to pay out claims by issuing bonds or seeking a line of credit.
AB 1032, which would require healthcare insurers to cover 12 visits a year with a licensed behavioral health provider, including mental health and substance abuse counselors, to residents affected by wildfires.
Angel City winger Alyssa Thompson left for London on Wednesday afternoon as negotiations continued on a transfer that would send her from the NWSL to Chelsea of the Women’s Super League. But she might be running out of time since the WSL transfer window closes at 3 p.m. PDT Thursday, less than 24 hours after she boarded her flight.
“She wants to go to Chelsea and made it very clear she wants to leave,” said a person close to Thompson, who would speak only on condition of anonymity for fear of disrupting the delicate negotiations. “The rest is out of our hands.”
Thompson’s agent, Takumi Jeannin, declined to speak about the negotiations on the record while Angel City did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
The speedy Thompson, 20, has already said goodbye to her Angel City teammates and did not suit up for the team’s win over Bay FC on Monday. She reportedly spent two days waiting to fly to London, where the transfer would be announced, only to repeatedly be told the deal had hit a snag.
If the transfer is agreed to, the fee for the U.S. international and World Cup veteran is expected to top $1 million and could smash the record $1.5 million the Orlando Pride paid Mexico’s Tigres for Lizbeth Ovalle last month.
USWNT defender Naomi Girma was the first $1-million transfer in women’s soccer history when she went from the San Diego Wave to Chelsea last January. Canadian Olivia Smith broke that record in July, going from Liverpool to Arsenal for $1.3 million.
Thompson was still an 18-year-old senior at Harvard-Westlake High when she became the youngest player taken in the NWSL draft, going to Angel City with the No. 1 pick in January 2023. That summer she became the second-youngest player to appear in a World Cup game for the U.S.
Thompson signed a three-year contract worth an estimated $1 million after the draft in 2023, then agreed to a three-year extension in January. She is the club’s all-time scoring leader with 21 goals in all competitions and she ranks sixth in appearances with 74. Her six goals in 16 games this season ranks second behind Riley Tiernan’s eight and she also has three goals and three assists in 22 games with the national team.
Thompson leaving Angel City would also mean leaving her sister and roommate Gisele, 19, a national team defender who was signed by Angel City in December 2023.
For Angel City, meanwhile, losing Thompson would strike a significant blow to the team’s playoff hopes. The club, which has won two straight and is unbeaten in its last four, is a point out of the league’s eighth and final postseason berth with eight games to play. But Angel City already lost two players — midfielders Alanna Kennedy and Katie Zelem — on transfers to London City of the WSL for undisclosed fees last month. And the week before that it traded forward Julie Dufour to the Portland Thorns for $40,000 in intra-league transfer funds and an international roster spot.
In addition, the club is without Scottish international Claire Emslie, who is on maternity leave, defender Savy King, who is on medical leave, and U.S. World Cup champion Sydney Leroux, who has stepped away from soccer to deal with her mental health.
After Monday’s win over Bay FC, Angel City coach Alexander Straus said the uncertainty over Thompson’s future with the team has been distracting.
“If I’m being honest, the last couple of days, it’s been difficult,” he said.
Straus said he learned Thompson would not be available just a day before the game.
“It’s been hard for me in my position when things change,” he said. “It changes our plans and changes the plans for the players.”
“But none of us is bigger than the club,” he added. “We focus on that, what is our value together. And if somebody leaves at some point — or somebody has left a couple of weeks ago — I think it does something to a group. It’s not easy, but it’s how you manage it.”
While the loss of a player like Thompson would hurt Angel City on the field, the likely seven-figure transfer fee would help ameliorate that. The same might not be true for NWSL, whose success and its marketing has long been built around the personalities playing in the league.
Yet in recent years it has lost Alex Morgan to retirement while national team stars including Girma, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox, Lindsey Heaps (nee Horan), Catarina Macario and Korbin Shrader (nee Albert) have left to play in Europe.
Losing Thompson would be another blow.
As for Chelsea, it is the most successful club in the WSL, having won a domestic treble last season in Sonia Bompastor’s first season as coach. Bompastor replaced Emma Hayes, who left to take over the U.S. national team.
Chelsea will open its WSL season on Friday against Manchester City.
HOMEOWNERS could make easy money ahead of the new Premier League season – simply by having a driveway they’re not using.
A team of experts has analysed postcodes near the nation’s major stadiums to determine where householders could earn the most money by renting out their driveways to fans.
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The start of the Premier League season could be lucrative for those with an empty driveway to handCredit: Getty
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Homeowners living in a host of locations could earn some serious money with their drivewayCredit: Getty
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Postcodes in London, Leeds Glasgow and Cardiff could be quids in
According to Leasing Options, residents living near Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (N17) enjoy the highest earning potential, with an average daily income of £22.25 throughout the year.
Other lucrative areas include postcodes near Leeds‘ Elland Road Stadium, where homeowners can make £22 a day, and Chelsea‘s Stamford Bridge in London, offering £21.50 per day.
For those living near Wembley Stadium, the country’s iconic football venue that hosts the England National Team, cup finals and events like the recent Community Shield, the earning potential is similar at £21 per day.
Likewise, residents near Scotland’s Hampden Park and Wales’ Cardiff City Stadium can expect to earn around £21 a day.
Further down the rankings, homeowners in Liverpool living near Anfield and Everton Stadium can still earn a respectable £13 per day, with prices often more than tripling on matchdays or during special events.
With the Premier League season kicking off this weekend, renting out an unused driveway could be one of the simplest and most effective sidehustles for homeowners looking to make some extra cash.
It isn’t just sporting events either, as some of the highest earners this year so far are music events – including high-profile concerts and festivals.
These events often result in single-day earnings that surpass what would typically be made in a week – making them a particularly lucrative option for those living nearby.
At the top of the list is Oasis at Heaton Park in Manchester, where driveway rentals can fetch an average of £165.67 per day during the event.
Following closely is Beyonce’s tour stop at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with homeowners earning an average of £150.26 per day during her shows.
Shocking moment ‘rude’ dad parks car on STRANGER’S driveway to avoid school run chaos – before furious mum confronts him
Similarly, the Wimbledon Championships in London provide an average earning potential of £101.08 per day for residents near the All England Tennis Club.
Other notable events include Guns N’ Roses at Villa Park in Birmingham, where locals can earn £97.40 daily, and Sabrina Carpenter’s concert at Hyde Park in London, which offers average earnings of £94.92.
Stadiums that can provide income opportunities year-round
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London): £22.25/day
Elland Road (Leeds): £22.00/day
Stamford Bridge (London): £21.50/day
Wembley Stadium (London): £21.00/day
Hampden Park (Glasgow): £21.00/day
Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff): £21.00/day
OVO Arena Wembley (London): £21.00/day
Marshall Arena (Milton Keynes): £15.00/day
Anfield (Liverpool): £13.00/day
Everton Stadium (Liverpool): £13.00/day
Leasing Options analysed data from JustPark to identify the UK’s most profitable areas for driveway rentals.
The study focused on over 25 major cities and key 2025 events, mapping more than 750 postcode districts using public data.
Commercial listings were excluded, location accuracy was verified and districts with insufficient data were removed, leaving over 550 reliable areas.
Median weekday and weekend rates were averaged to calculate daily earning potential, while event-day prices were separately assessed for major fixtures.
Commenting on the data, Mike Thompson, Chief Executive Officer at Leasing Options, said: “With demand for event parking soaring across the UK, it’s clear that homeowners have a real opportunity to turn their unused driveways into a valuable source of extra income.
“Our data shows that locations near major stadiums like Tottenham Hotspur, Elland Road and Wembley consistently attract high rental prices.
“During big-name events, these figures can more than triple.
“It’s a smart, low-effort way for people to benefit from the buzz around them, especially in areas where parking is at a premium.
“As we look ahead to a packed 2025 event calendar, the potential for driveway rentals is only set to grow.”
How to rent out your driveway
For those interested in turning their unused driveway into a steady source of income, there are a handful of steps you can follow.
Check Eligibility – Review your mortgage or lease agreement to ensure renting out your driveway is allowed, and also check with your local council to confirm you don’t need planning permission.
Choose a Platform – Platforms like JustPark, YourParkingSpace and ParkOnMyDrive make it easy to list your driveway.
You can sign up, create a profile and provide details about your parking space, such as dimensions, location and availability.
Set Your Price – Research current rates in your area using the platform’s tools or by browsing other listings.
You can even adjust the price for special events or peak times to maximise earnings.
Add Photos and a Description – Make sure upload clear photos of your driveway and write a good description, highlighting features such as proximity to venues, security and ease of access.
Manage Bookings – Set your availability for weekdays, weekends or specific dates. Also use the platform’s booking system to approve requests and communicate with renters.
Ensure Insurance – Consider public liability insurance to cover accidents or damages while someone is using your driveway.
Track Your Income – You must keep records of your earnings and remember that if they exceed £1,000 annually, you’ll need to declare them to HMRC under the Property Income Allowance.
This comes as Sun Motors recently looked at the family motors that lose the least value over time – with a luxury compact SUV taking the top spot.
New data from the analysis of 40 million UK car sales over a typical three-year ownership period highlights which family models hold their value best.
Experts from Carmoola have recently released their new Car Depreciation Index, developed with vehicle data specialists Brego, which ranks the top-performing family cars for resale value.
They found that the Porsche Macan is the slowest-depreciating family car sold in the UK – losing just 19.9% of its value over three years.
The Macan is particularly popular in the UK due to its blend of sporty performance, SUV practicality and the prestige of the Porsche badge.
It’s championed for being agile and powerful, with a well-tuned suspension that makes it enjoyable to drive on various UK roads, from city streets to country lanes.
Joseph Paintsil had two goals, Matheus Nascimento also scored a goal and the Galaxy beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 on Friday night to snap a three-game winless streak.
The Whitecaps (11-4-5) have lost three of their last four. Vancouver is second in the Western Conference with 38 points, behind San Diego (39).
Edwin Cerrillo flicked a shot from 30 yards outs that was deflected by goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka and Nascimento put away the rebound with a first-touch finish to open the scoring in the second minute.
Paintsil made it 2-0 in the 60th. Gabriel Pec played an long arcing ball to the top of the penalty box, where Marco Reus tapped a first-touch pass to a wide-open Paintsil, who calmly flicked a shot inside the back post from the left side of the area.
Paintsil converted from the penalty spot in the 77th minute for his first career multi-goal game. The 27-year-old forward has three goals and one assist this season after he finished with 10 goals and 10 assists last season, his first in MLS.
Takaoka had five saves for Vancouver. Jayden Nelson was shown a yellow card in the 55th minute and another in stoppage time as the Whitecaps played a man down for the final few minutes.
Novak Micovic had a save for LA. The Galaxy had 55% possession and outshot Vancouver 12-6, 8-1 on target.
The Whitecaps beat the Galaxy 2-1 at home on March 2.
JAKE PAUL’S controversial boxing career rolls on this weekend with the Problem Child facing boxing royalty in Anaheim, California.
Paul will face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, a highly-decorated former world middleweight champion.
The Mexican, 39, has fought just once in the last four years but has the best boxing resume of any fighter to step into a ring with Paul – bar Mike Tyson, who was aged 58 at the time they fought.
Canelo, 34, meanwhile beat William Scull, 32, in Riyadh in May to regain his undisputed super-middleweight world titles.
And he now defends them against unbeaten American Terence Crawford, 37, in their September 13 super-fight in Vegas.
Paul, 28, claimed he was blocked from boxing Canelo in a bid to restrain his earning potential.
He said: “They don’t want him to fight me because I have people who dislike me in the sport and don’t want to see me succeed and win and be the biggest name in the sport.”
Jake Paul says WBC and WBA plan to rank him with victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr to set up controversial title shot
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts quipped before the game that the 35-year-old veteran first baseman had begun to understand the value of an off day as he’s dealt with discomfort in his ankle this season.
But with the go-ahead run on second base in the eighth inning, Roberts summoned Freeman off the bench. Was it time for another magical, Freddie Freeman moment at Chavez Ravine?
Not so fast. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza called for an intentional walk, and up walked Michael Conforto. The 46,364 fans at Dodger Stadium already booed the struggling outfielder after his third-inning strikeout. Hitting .165 entering the game, he was one of the unlikeliest to lead the Dodgers to a comeback victory.
But all Conforto needed was one hit, one chance. And he delivered.
Against Mets setup man Reed Garrett, Conforto ripped a go-ahead RBI single into left field, helping the Dodgers complete a three-run comeback to defeat the Mets 6-5 and salvage a series split against a potential NL playoff opponent.
“It’s been a grind up to this point,” Conforto said. “All I want to do is go up there and help us win. A lot of those situations I’ve come up short, so to come through today was everything.”
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NBA PLAYOFFS RESULTS
All Times Pacific
NBA FINALS
Oklahoma City vs. Indiana
Indiana 111, at Oklahoma City 110 (box score, story) Sunday at Oklahoma City, 5 p.m., ABC Wednesday at Indiana, 5:30 p.m., ABC Friday at Indiana, 5:30 p.m., ABC Monday, June 16 at Oklahoma City, 5:30 p.m., ABC* Thursday, June 19 at Indiana, 5:30 p.m., ABC* Sunday, June 22 at Oklahoma City, 5 p.m., ABC*
*if necessary
FRENCH OPEN
As popular as Coco Gauff is, she knew full well that nearly all of the 15,000 fans at Court Philippe-Chatrier would be against her during the French Open semifinals Thursday. That’s because Gauff, an American, was taking on a French opponent — and one who came from nowhere, 361st-ranked Loïs Boisson.
So the No. 2-seeded Gauff turned to a trick that 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic has talked about using: When the partisan crowd was loudly singing Boisson’s first name, Gauff pretended they were chanting “Coco!” Not that it mattered much, truly, because Gauff was by far the superior player throughout a 6-1, 6-2 victory that earned her a second trip to the final at Roland-Garros.
Three years ago, Gauff missed out on a chance to leave with the trophy when Iga Swiatek beat her. This time, Swiatek won’t be around for the championship match on Saturday because her 26-match unbeaten run at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament ended earlier Thursday with a 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 loss to No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Edmonton vs. Florida at Edmonton 4, Florida 3 (OT) (summary, story) Friday at Edmonton, 5 p.m., TNT Monday at Florida, 5 p.m., TNT Thursday at Florida, 5 p.m., TNT Saturday, June 14 at Edmonton, 5 p.m., TNT* Tuesday, June 17 at Florida, 5 p.m., TNT* Friday, June 20 at Edmonton, 5 p.m., TNT*
* If necessary
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
1919 — Man o’ War wins his first race, a 5-furlong contest over a straightaway at Belmont Park. The 3-to-5 favorite wins by six lengths, covering the distance in 59 seconds.
1924 — Cyril Walker captures the U.S. Open with a three-stroke victory over Bobby Jones.
1936 — Granville, ridden by James Stout, wins the Belmont Stakes by a neck over Mr. Bones. Bold Venture, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, does not run in the race.
1946 — The National Basketball Assn. is founded at the Commodore Hotel in New York.
1966 — NFL & AFL announce their merger.
1969 — Joe Namath resigns from NFL after Pete Rozelle, football commissioner, said he must sell his stake in a bar.
1976 — 30th NBA Championship: Boston Celtics beat Phoenix Suns, 4 games to 2.
1981 — Summing, ridden by George Martins, wins the Belmont Stakes, spoiling Pleasant Colony’s Triple Crown bid.
1987 — Bet Twice, ridden by Craig Perret, breezes to a 14-length victory in the Belmont Stakes to deny Alysheba the Triple Crown. Alysheba is a distant fourth.
1987 — West Germany’s Steffi Graf, eight days shy of her 18th birthday, becomes the youngest women’s champion of the French Open when she beats Martina Navratilova 6-4, 4-6, 8-6.
1998 — Real Quiet is denied the Triple Crown when Victory Gallop edges him at the wire in the Belmont Stakes.
1999 — Andre Agassi rallies to win the French Open and become the fifth man to complete a career Grand Slam. After losing the first two sets, Agassi surges back to beat Andrei Medvedev 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. Agassi won the 1992 Wimbledon, 1994 U.S. Open and 1995 Australian Open.
1999 — Juli Inkster wins the U.S. Women’s Open with a 16-under 272, the lowest 72-hole score in the championship’s 54-year history.
2007 — The Ducks capture the Stanley Cup with a 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, ending the series in five games.
2010 — Rafael Nadal wins his fifth French Open title and avenges his lone Roland Garros defeat, beating Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Nadal improves to 38-1 at Roland Garros, with the only loss to Soderling in the fourth round a year ago.
2011 — The Bowl Championship Series strips USC of its 2004 title, leaving that season without a BCS champion. BCS officials vacated the championship after the Trojans were hit with heavy NCAA sanctions last year for rules violations committed during the 2004 and ’05 seasons.
2015 — American Pharoah leads all the way to win the Belmont Stakes by 5½ lengths, becoming the first horse in 37 years to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. The bay colt, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Victor Espinoza, is the 12th horse and first since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown.
2015 — Serena Williams overcomes a mid-match lull and a third-set deficit to win her third French Open title and 20th major singles trophy by beating Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-2.
2015 — Tiger Woods hits a new low with the highest score of his career — an 85 in the Memorial at Muirfield Village, the course where he has won eight times. Woods ends his front nine of the third round with back-to-back double bogeys and finishes with a quadruple-bogey 8.
2015 — UEFA Champions League Final, Berlin: FC Barcelona beats Juventus, 3-1 for 5th title and second treble (Spanish La Liga & Cup champions).
2018 — LeBron James passes Michael Jordan’s record of 109 for the most 30-point games in NBA playoff history in a 110-102 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
2023 — In a stunning development, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf League agree to unify to create its own for-profit entity to be run by the PGA Tour and funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1918 — Casey Stengel, after being traded by Brooklyn in the offseason, made his return to Ebbets Field a memorable one. In his first at-bat, Stengel called time, stepped out of the batter’s box and doffed his cap. A bird flew out and the fans broke into laughter.
1934 — Myril Hoag hit a major league record six singles in the New York Yankees’ 15-3 rout of the Boston Red Sox.
1939 — The New York Giants hit five home runs in the fourth inning in a 17-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds at the Polo Grounds. With two out, Harry Danning, Al Demaree, Burgess Whitehead, Manny Salvo and Joe Moore connected as the Giants scored eight runs in the inning.
1945 — In the first game of a doubleheader, Boston’s Boo Ferriss scattered 14 hits to beat Philadelphia 5-2. Ferris, 8-0 on the year, tied the AL mark held by Chicago’s John Whitehead for wins at the start of a career.
1975 — Cleveland manager Frank Robinson hit two three-run homers in a 7-5 win over the Texas Rangers.
1986 — San Diego Padres manager Steve Boros was ejected before the first pitch of the game with the Atlanta Braves when he tried to give umpire Charlie Williams a videotape of a disputed play in the previous night’s 4-2 loss to Atlanta.
1992 — Eddie Murray drove in two runs at Pittsburgh to pass Mickey Mantle (1,509) as the all-time RBI leader among switch-hitters.
1995 — J.D. Drew of Florida State hit a record-setting three homers in his final three at-bats in a 16-11 loss to USC in the College World Series. Drew finished 3-for-5 with five RBIs and 12 total bases, also a series record.
1996 — For the second time in major league history and first in the AL, a cycle and a triple play took place in the same game. Boston’s John Valentin hit for the cycle, while Chicago turned a triple play in the Red Sox’s 7-4 victory. In 1931, Philadelphia’s Chuck Klein hit for the cycle in the same game that the Phillies turned a triple play against the Chicago Cubs.
2000 — The Rally Monkey is born, thanks to the Angels’ video crew playing a clip from the 1994 film Ace Ventura, Pet Detective on the JumboTron. With the words Rally Monkey superimposed over a monkey jumping up and down in the Jim Carrey movie, the crowd goes wild as the Angels score two runs in the bottom of the 9th to beat the San Francisco Giants, 6-5.
2003 — Insisting the corked bat, designed to put on home run displays during batting practice, was accidentally used in a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa is suspended for eight games by Major League Baseball. Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president of on-field operations, agrees that the Cubs outfielder’s use of an illegal bat was an “isolated incident,” but one that still deserves a penalty.
2007 — Trevor Hoffman became the first major leaguer with 500 career saves when he closed out the San Diego Padres’ 5-2 victory over the Dodgers.
2017 — Scooter Gennett hit four home runs, matching the major league record, and finished with 10 RBIs as the Cincinnati Reds routed the St. Louis Cardinals 13-1. Gennett became the 17th player to homer four times in one game.
2022 — Eduardo Escobar hits for the cycle in an 11-5 win over the Padres; he is the first Mets player to do so since Scott Hairston in 2012, and the first player for any team to accomplish the feat at Petco Park.
Compiled by the Associated Press
Until next time…
That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at [email protected]. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
Blake Robert has arrived in the UK with no money in his wallet and a unique challenge – and he has been documenting his experience on his social media channel for all to enjoy
He’s only made £5 profit so far (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
An American has flown to the UK for a unique challenge – and he literally cannot return home until it’s completed. Blake Robert, who is known on social media as @theblakerobert, landed in the UK with just a suitcase and his guitar.
Without a penny in his pocket, he aims to earn enough money busking on the streets of the UK to not only support himself while he’s in the country but to also fund his plane ticket home. He has been documenting his challenge on his TikTok channel, sharing exactly how much money he made in Bath on day three of his challenge.
In his video, he said: “I flew to the UK with no money and now I’ll have to survive off the money I make playing my guitar.”
After attending an open-mic night in Bath, he met up with a group of buskers to decide when and where he can play his music in the town centre.
He says the meet every morning to determine who get what spot to give each artist an opportunity to show off their talents while earning money for their performances.
The meeting concluded with him playing in three locations around that – with the first being right outside Bath Abbey.
At this location, he made £24, $5 (£3.70) and was also gifted a punnet of green grapes.
Just 15 minutes later, he was on to his next location slightly around the corner in Abbey Churchyard.
He says he only made £1 because it started to rain during his second set as everyone dodged the downpour in nearby shops, cafes and restaurants.
Finally, set up on Stall Street, he made £18 and pulled in a small crowd who supported his music with praise and a dance.
Hungry and tried, he ended up spending £15.25 on a steak and ale pie before booking himself into a £22 hotel, leaving him with only a £5.75 profit for the day providing he didn’t buy anything else and excluding his $5.
Commenting on his video, one user said: “Very bold move coming to the UK with no money but basically I’m really enjoying the content so keep it coming.”
Another user added: “If you are trying to save money there are much cheaper places you could go – Greggs, Weatherspoon’s, a local café. Pubs are pricey unless they are Weatherspoon’s. What other cities are you going to?”
A third user said: “I’m so invested in your journey! Bath is very expensive though!”
One more user added: “You are very near Bristol, you should go there!”
Jonny Clayton has secured his third European Tour event win with victory over Germany’s Niko Springer in the Dutch Darts Championship final.
Clayton defeated Springer, who is ranked 93rd in the world, 8-6 and secure his first European Tour event win since winning the Austrian Open two years ago.
Earlier in the day Clayton had defeated Ross Smith and Danny Noppert before a 7-5 victory over Luke Humphries.
Bitcoin Hyper is building something real and powerful. It is a Layer 2 solution created specifically for the Bitcoin blockchain. The platform’s core mission is to make BTC faster, cheaper, and more useful.
Bitcoin Hyper uses a custom-built Canonical Bridge that lets users deposit their BTC into the Layer 2 network. Once deposited, an equivalent amount of BTC is minted on Bitcoin Hyper’s sidechain in a trustless and verifiable way. This BTC is now fully usable on the Layer 2 network with near-instant transaction speeds.
All of this is powered by the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM). Solana is known for its speed, and Bitcoin Hyper integrates the same engine to process transactions at high throughput. Users can send and receive BTC, interact with DeFi platforms, use apps, and stake their assets without waiting for long confirmations or paying high fees.
And it doesn’t stop there. Bitcoin Hyper regularly compresses and commits its data back to Bitcoin’s main chain, using zero-knowledge proofs to ensure full security and consistency. That way, you’re always getting the speed of Layer 2 with the security of Layer 1.
The $HYPER token is the native token of the ecosystem. This token does a lot. It’s the fuel for transaction fees, it powers staking rewards, it’s used for governance decisions, and it’s also how developers and early adopters are rewarded.
Holding $HYPER gives users access to network services, special features, early launches, and staking rewards.
Cutting-Edge Technology With Real Use Cases
Bitcoin Hyper is built with real performance and sustainability in mind. The platform runs a proof-of-stake system, which is far more energy-efficient than traditional mining. It processes transactions using batch settlements and smart contract execution that’s both fast and eco-friendly.
Its architecture combines Bitcoin’s security with Solana’s performance. The Canonical Bridge ensures seamless BTC transfers in and out of Layer 2. And the SPL-compatible token standard opens the door to all kinds of DeFi tools, NFT platforms, and web3 applications.
On top of that, Bitcoin Hyper supports everything from high-speed payments to gaming and mobile interfaces. Developers get access to SDKs and APIs, while users enjoy low fees and a fast, fluid experience.
Unique Staking System With High Rewards
Instead of waiting until launch, users can stake $HYPER during the presale itself. The earlier you get in, the more you earn.
The dynamic APY system is designed to reward early participation, with rewards adjusting downward as more people stake. This helps the system remain sustainable over the long run while still giving newcomers plenty of incentive to join.
Staking rewards are tied to network activity and real value creation. These can help the token see lasting adoption.
Tokenomics Designed for Growth
Bitcoin Hyper’s tokenomics are crafted to balance growth, innovation, and community rewards. Here’s how the allocation breaks down:
30% goes to ongoing development, making sure the tech continues to improve.
25% is set aside for treasury and business development.
20% is dedicated to marketing and getting the word out globally.
15% is reserved for rewards, including staking, giveaways, and events.
10% is allocated for listings on major exchanges.
This setup ensures that the platform grows steadily while still rewarding the community along the way.
Roadmap: From Launch to Long-Term Vision
Bitcoin Hyper’s roadmap is detailed and focused. It’s rolling out in multiple phases:
Phase 1 (Q2 2025) kicked off with the website and branding, community growth on platforms like X and Discord, and the release of technical documentation.
Phase 2 (Q2–Q3 2025) is where we are now. This phase is all about the presale and staking. Participants can buy and stake $HYPER right now. Security audits are ongoing, and the team is forming partnerships.
Phase 3 (Q3 2025) will mark the launch of the mainnet, activation of the Canonical Bridge, and deployment of the Solana Virtual Machine. This is when dApps will start going live.
Phase 4 (Q4 2025) will focus on expanding the ecosystem. Developer tools will be released, more partnerships in DeFi, gaming, and NFTs will be announced, and $HYPER is expected to hit major exchanges.
Phase 5 (Q1 2026) will move into decentralization with the launch of a DAO, incentives for node operators, and full community governance.
How to Join the Presale and Start Earning
If you already have crypto in your wallet, head to the project’s website and click “Buy” or “Connect Wallet.” You can choose to buy $HYPER and stake it in the same transaction. This lets you start earning rewards right away.
For those using a card, just connect a browser wallet like MetaMask or a mobile wallet like Trust Wallet. After this, select the card option on the website and follow the steps.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide financial advice. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and the market can be unpredictable. Always perform thorough research before making any cryptocurrency-related decisions.
