It is said that defending a championship is harder than winning one.
That ls the challenge facing the JSerra High flag football team this fall after the skilled girls from San Juan Capistrano completed a perfect season with a last-second goal line stand to secure their 25-20 triumph over defending champion Orange Lutheran in the Southern Section Division 1 final last November.
The Lions defeated their Trinity League rivals three times on the way to a 28-0 record in 2025 and are the preseason favorites to repeat under the guidance of Brian Ong, the reigning section coach of the year, and USA Flag junior national team members Kate Meier (quarterback) and Tessa Russell (receiver/safety).
Also returning is All-American quarterback Ava Van Heerde, who rotated with Meier last season to give opposing defenses fits attempting to solve their contrasting but equally effective styles. Meier passed for 3,729 yards and 58 touchdowns as a freshman while Van Heerde (also a rising star in softball) threw for 3,460 yards and 44 touchdowns as a sophomore. They will miss throwing to their favorite target as leading receiver and Division 1 player of the year Ava Irwin has transferred to Sierra Canyon for its program launch.
Orange Lutheran’s only three losses last season were to JSerra and if the Lancers are to be title contenders again they must overcome the absence of All-CIF quarterback Makena Cook (who threw for 7,083 yards and 112 touchdowns) and receiver Happy Dubois (129 receptions for 1,747 yards and 21 touchdowns), who are joining Irwin at Sierra Canyon. The Lancers also have a new coach, Dennis Hester, after Kristen Sherman announced in March that she was leaving to be an assistant under her husband, Rod Sherman, at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Mater Dei went 0-6 in Trinity League action one year ago but has picked up two key transfers in junior quarterback Tymane Allen (who threw for 4,925 yards and 56 touchdowns for Cypress) and senior receiver/safety Allyson Schmida (who caught 74 passes for 744 yards at Crean Lutheran).
JSerra High’s Brian Ong was the Southern Section Division 1 coach of the year last fall when the Lions went unbeaten.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Back for the Monarchs is dual-threat quarterback Kendra Hansen, who had 25 touchdown passes and 20 touchdown runs as a sophomore.
Huntington Beach won 25 of 27 games last year, reaching the Division 1 semifinals, and despite the graduation of All-Southern Section receiver Taylor Savage the Oilers are equipped for another deep playoff run behind quarterback Roxie Shaia (6,692 yards and 89 touchdowns), receiver Shelby Nguyen (96 catches for 1,020 yards and 21 touchdowns) and linebacker Mia Aish (133 flag pulls and eight interceptions).
Trying to dethrone the Sunset League champions will be Newport Harbor, which has quarterback Scarlett Guyser (3,371 yards and 42 touchdowns) and receiver Skylie Cid (105 catches for 1,161 yards and 11 touchdowns). Division 2 champion Corona del Mar, which brings back every starter but one, including player of the year Addison Stern and receivers Mia Balabanian and AnnaSofia Dickens.
Dos Pueblos went 24-3 and fell to JSerra in the Division 1 semifinals last season. The Chargers return All-Channel League defensive back Brooklyn Hedricks (203 flag pulls, 18 deflections and 14 interceptions) and receiver Ruby Streatfeild (104 catches for 1,101 yards and 18 touchdowns), who helped power the LA Chargers Conquer club team to the NFL Girls Flag National Championship in Westfield, Ind. in July.
Thanks to its high-profile transfers, Sierra Canyon could be the team to beat in the San Fernando Valley. The Trailblazers will play in the Mission League along with Harvard-Westlake, which has hired professional flag player and prominent club coach Asha Prithiraj to guide the Wolverines through their inaugural season.
All-Southern Section quarterback Makena Cook transferred to Sierra Canyon after leading Orange Lutheran to the Division 1 final last season.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
In addition to new programs emerging in 2026 are new rules, like teams having an extra timeout each half (matching the three per half in tackle football), tighter ball-stripping restrictions, a definition for illegal hurdling and teams giving up a safety putting the ball in play via scrimmage kick from the 20-yard line. The most significant change gives a trailing team that has just scored the option to try a fourth-and-20 pass from its own 20-yard line. Should the play result in a first down, the trailing team keeps possession. If it fails, the opponent takes over at the spot the play ended.
The Northern League appears to have supplanted the Marine League as the best in the City Section after Marshall and Eagle Rock faced each other for the Open Division title and Franklin made the Division I semifinals last fall.
Marshall won 20-0 behind three-year starting quarterback Jaylin Macias, whose departure gives her backup, Diana Sandoval, an opportunity to run coach Shane Gerard’s offense. The Barristers will be tested by 23-game winner Wilson and Eagle Rock, which returns quarterback Nylah Moore (51 touchdown passes as a junior last year) and adds Nylah’s freshman sister Cinzia.
Thirty-two Southern California teams (separated into two divisions) will participate in the fourth annual Chargers x Oakley Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa.
Friday’s pool play matchups include Sierra Canyon-Long Beach Poly; JSerra-Camarillo; Newport Harbor-Aliso Niguel; Huntington Beach-Redondo Union; Oxnard-Orange Lutheran; Woodbridge-Ventura; Dos Pueblos-Classical Academy; Cypress-Agoura; Warren-St. Margaret’s;and Westlake-Torrey Pines.
Corona del Mar High’s AnnaSofia Dickens runs the ball against Westlake in last season’s Southern Section Division 2 final at El Modena.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Teams to Watch this season
JSerra, Huntington Beach, Sierra Canyon, Orange Lutheran, Newport Harbor, Corona del Mar, Trabuco Hills, Dos Pueblos, Camarillo, Santa Margarita, Lakewood St. Joseph, Westlake, Anaheim Canyon, Upland, San Marcos, Mater Dei, Etiwanda, Ventura, Downey, Newbury Park.
Players to Watch this season
Ava Irwin, WR/DB Sierra Canyon Makena Cook, QB, Sierra Canyon Kate Meier, QB, JSerra Tessa Russell, WR/DB, JSerra Addison Stern, QB, Corona del Mar Olivia Elsokary, WR/DB, Westlake Ava Van Heerde, QB, JSerra Scarlett Guyser, QB/DB, Newport Harbor Happy Dubois, WR/DB, Sierra Canyon Brooklyn Hedricks, WR/DB, Dos Pueblos London Lefler, QB/WR/DB Newbury Park Skylie Cid, RB, Newport Harbor Roxie Shaia, QB, Huntington Beach Mia Balabanian, Corona del Mar Tymane Allen, QB, Mater Dei Mia Aish, LB, Huntington Beach Madeline Garcia, QB, Downey Sadie Olivares, WR/DB, Edison Leah Vanderveen, WR/S, Mission Viejo Nylah Moore, QB, Eagle Rock AnnaSofia Dickens, WR/LB, Corona del Mar
Quarterback Nylah Moore will try to pass Eagle Rock back to the City Section Open Division flag football championship game.
People should brush up on this code before heading on their next holiday
The ‘red flag’ system is used around the world to prevent this loss of life on beaches(Image: Getty)
Going to the beach or cooling off in the sea when on holiday is one of the most common activities tourists do – and not think twice about. However, when people enter bodies of water, there is always a risk of injury or even death.
Holiday hotspots – like Spain, Turkey and Greece – all have warnings listed on the official GOV.UK Foreign Office pages that provide advice to travellers swimming abroad. The Foreign Office says every year, “people drown in the sea and in swimming pools”.
People who are holidaying with young children should “always supervise” them around pools and the sea – even if they can swim or a lifeguard is present. Situations can change in an instant, even for experienced swimmers.
On the country’s Foreign Office advice page, it said: “Some beaches, especially around Spanish islands, may have strong undercurrents. Hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. Do not dive into unknown water and do not swim at beaches where a river runs into the sea.”
It adds that most beaches, including those in tourist spots, will use a simple colour-coded flag system to indicate whether an area is safe. These flags follow a standard set of guidelines that are universally recognised, and one should be a clear warning to anyone setting up for a day at the beach.
The Foreign Office said: “Many beaches have a flag system. Make sure you understand the system and follow any warnings (a red flag means you must not enter the water). Take extra care and get local knowledge if there are no lifeguards, flags or signs.”
Beach lifeguards will frequently fly multiple flags at the same time to signal different types of hazards. For example, one flag might be linked to the strength of the water, while another can signal if there is marine life in the area that could sting, like jellyfish.
What do the different coloured flags mean?
Red flag (high danger)
Yellow flag (medium hazard)
Green flag (low hazard)
Purple flag (marine pests)
Black and white checkered flag
Red over yellow (lifeguarded area)
Red flag warns of water conditions that are unsafe, like strong currents, rough surf, or severe undertows. If you see two red flags flying together, the water is completely closed to the public.
Yellow flag warns of moderate surf, light currents, or rougher waters. While swimming is permitted, weak swimmers or children are discouraged from entering, and everyone should take extra care generally.
Green flag signals calm ocean conditions and a low risk of dangerous currents. While it means the water is generally safe, swimmers should still remain aware of their surroundings.
Purple flag warns beachgoers that dangerous stinging marine life is present in the water. This typically means an influx of jellyfish, stingrays, or sea urchins. Crucially, a purple flag is used for smaller marine pests and does not indicate sharks.
Black and white checkered flag designates a specific area reserved exclusively for surfboards, kayaks, and other non-powered watercraft. Swimming or bodyboarding is strictly prohibited inside this zone to prevent dangerous collisions.
Red over yellow flag marks the safest area of the beach. This zone is actively monitored by lifeguards.
The U.K. electronic band Massive Attack has been banned from Singapore because of its pro-Palestinian activism onstage, the group said.
The group unfurled a Palestinian flag during a performance at the Star Theatre in Singapore on July 29. The band said police detained them after the show, and that an investigation led to the band being forbidden from performing in the country.
The nation of Singapore has strict laws against displaying foreign flags or national symbols without a permit.
Massive Attack, which consists of Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall, described the event as a “surreal experience” in a post on Instagram.
“We were surprised and disappointed that our entire band was detained by the police, isolated and separately questioned – with some members subjected to hotel room searches and temporary passport confiscation,” it read.
“Before we set foot on the stage and again at the end of the show, large sections of the auditorium organically led chants of ‘Free Palestine’, presumably aware but undeterred that this spontaneous expression alone could violate their government’s censorship laws.”
“For our part,” the statement continued, “we did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries would violate any law.”
In a statement issued Saturday, cited by the Guardian, Singapore police and the local Infocomm Media Development Authority said that Del Naja and Marshall had been investigated for “their actions of support for a political cause and unfurling of a foreign flag,” violating Singapore’s Foreign National Emblems (Control of Display) Act and the Public Order Act.
The police said they “take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore and urge the public, including foreigners, to refrain from importing foreign politics as this can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law.”
The statement said Del Naja and Marshall would “be banned from re-entering Singapore” and are forbidden from performing there again.
The band did not back down from its onstage gesture or its longstanding pro-Palestinian activism, stating that “On reflection, we are proud to have made this impromptu expression with our fans in Singapore who clearly felt a moral imperative to show solidarity with the people of Palestine in their ongoing reality of illegal occupation, apartheid and genocide, and we salute their courage in doing so. Right across the world, the continued inaction of the ‘international community’ is moving citizens to personal risk.”
Del Naja was recently arrested at a recent protest in support of the group Palestine Action in London.
A POPULAR beach has been partially closed for the remainder of the summer holidays.
Sea dredgers will pump thousands of tonnes of shingle onto the beach to extend part of it by 25m and protect the coastline.
Aerial view of Hove beach and seafront in East SussexCredit: AlamyHove Beach is near to a long esplanade and a cycle laneCredit: AFP via Getty Images
A groyne is also being added at Hove beach, located near Brighton, East Sussex.
Hove was described by The Times as one of the best seaside towns in the UK and “far less crowded and chaotic than Brighton with its relentless stream of boozy day-trippers”.
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The partial closure, which begins today, forms part of a wider project that started earlier in the year, to add nine new groynes – known as a groyne field – to the beach, which is scheduled to reopen at the end of August.
A spokesperson for Brighton and Hove City Council (B&HCC) said: “The new shingle will extend the beach between the King Alfred Leisure Centre and Second Avenue by around 25 metres out to sea.
“Helping to protect the area from flooding and coastal erosion, the larger beach will also reduce the amount of shingle washing up onto the promenade, like we see during storms and windy conditions.”
The spokesperson added that the work is scheduled to take around four weeks and needs to be done around high tide.
“During the work, this section of the beach will need to be closed to keep everyone safe,” they added.
Hove Beach is backed by a long esplanade with a cycle lane as well as a grassy area where visitors can find cafes, an amusement arcade, crazy golf and the King Alfred leisure centre.
As previously reported in The Sun, the leisure centre is set to be demolished to make way for a £65 million “entertainment zone”.
The red-brick building has dominated the seafront of one of the UK’s most popular resorts since the outbreak of the Second World War.
Campaigners vying to save the centre were hoping for a last-minute reprieve from Historic England but B&HCC has now approved the plans.
It just adds to what will be an especially special Games for Marshall, who is joined in the bowls team by his niece Beth Riva.
“It’s a bit nerve-wracking really,” 59-year-old Marshall told BBC Scotland. “It’s not very often I get a bit emotional, but I certainly had a tear in my eye when I came out the lift this morning and all the athletes were there. It’s just a huge honour.”
Resplendent in full kilt on a sweltering day, and proprietorially clutching the flagstick like a child would a favourite toy, the East Lothian bowler was in his element when talking about the news on Wednesday.
Marshall conceded he would have to let it go for the evening before having it returned before the big show.
But he might have to battle with Adlington for first shot of it when that time comes. “And I’d win that fight,” joked the 39-year-old heavyweight.
Adlington, who won judo gold in 2014 and 2022 and is looking to end her career by completing the treble, revealed the two of them have known the news for a few weeks but had been sworn to secrecy.
“That’s been really hard,” she told BBC Sport Scotland. “I was told I could tell my nearest and dearest but for everyone else it will be a massive surprise.
“I’m just so excited. I was so nervous when I woke up this morning, and I think I’ll be even more nervous tomorrow. I might not even sleep tonight but if it’s even half as good as it was in 2014, it will be amazing.”
An Argentina fan waves the Israeli flag during his team’s Round of 16 match against Egypt. Some viewed it as a provocation towards Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, who dedicated Egypt’s first-ever World Cup knockout victory to the people of Gaza.
HOLIDAYMAKERS heading to Spain this summer have been warned to avoid 14 popular beaches.
Environmental organisation Ecologistas en Acción has published its annual report highlighting the areas of Spain‘s coast with the biggest issues.
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There are 14 ‘Black Flag’beaches in Spain including Las Tereitas Beach in the Canary IslandsCredit: Alamy
The report awards ‘Black Flags’ for either pollution or for poor management.
Of the 48 flags awarded, 14 were awarded to beaches – mostly due to pollution problems.
One beach that was awarded a Black Flag is Playa de Maro for pollution, in Malaga.
The popular 500-metre-long beach is known for its dramatic cliffs and underwater caves and was previously said to be of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol.
In Granada, Playa de la Charca, Salobreña was awarded a Black Flag for pollution and Playa de Los Berengueles, Almuñécar was awarded a Black Flag for poor management.
Over in Alicante, the coastal neighbourhoods of Albufereta and Cap de l’Horta both gained Black Flags for pollution and La Almadrava beach gained one for poor management.
Valencia also has a number of coastal spots that were called out including its coastline for pollution and the surroundings of the Port of València and Sagunto for poor management.
In the popular city of Barcelona, the Beach of the Sant Adrià del Besòs was awarded a Black Flag for pollution.
One beach that was awarded a Black Flag is Playa de Maro for pollution, in MalagaCredit: Getty
The stretch of coastline features golden sand and is often less crowded than the main beaches by Barcelona city.
Over in the Canary Islands, the town of El Puertito de Adeje was awarded a Black Flag for poor management, as was Las Teresitas Beach.
On Gran Canaria, the coastline of Telde was also given a Black Flag, as was the coast of Lanzarote due to cruise tourism.
If you are heading to the Balearics, then avoid the town of Port of Pollenca in Majorca and in Menorca, avoid Torrente de Cala Galdana – which is a ravine with a beach.
Other beach destinations that gained a Black Flag include:
DETROIT — Jerry Esters proudly displays the American flag each day on his Detroit home. A few miles away, Yvonne Pistochini says there is no scenario under which she would allow the Stars and Stripes to cast its shadow where she lives.
Both are Black.
For Esters, the flag represents the opportunities that allowed the great-great-grandson of slaves to find success and flourish. Pistochini, 79, simply says the America identified by the flag is not the same country she saw growing up.
Republicans and older, white adults are especially likely to say they fly the American flag, while younger Democrats and Black adults are more likely to say they don’t fly it. Views of the flag — and whether it’s a unifying or divisive symbol — track with other deep divisions among Americans, who see their country’s history and accomplishments very differently.
“A lot of Black Americans see the flag as a symbol of both inclusion and exclusion,” said Matthew Delmont, professor of American history at Dartmouth College. “Black Americans, more so than white Americans, also understand the flag can be used to justify a version of patriotism that is rooted in exclusion, with the flag being used to say ‘you don’t belong here.’”
The survey of 2,596 adults was conducted April 16-20. It suggests that older white Americans, especially Republicans, are more likely to see the flag as unifying.
About half of U.S. adults said they display the flag at home throughout most of the year, or during holidays. About 7 in 10 Republicans and about 6 in 10 Americans ages 60 and older fly the flag at least during holidays.
About 6 in 10 Democrats and independents, on the other hand, say they “never” fly the U.S. flag. That includes the vast majority, 75%, of Democrats under 45.
Opportunities worth fighting for
Esters, a 64-year-old retired clay sculptor for a Detroit automaker, flies three American flags at his Sherwood Forest home on the city’s west side.
“When these homes were built, Black men like me, my mother and my family … we couldn’t even buy these homes,” he said. “To me, that’s one reason I fly the flag. We went through a lot to be able to own nice homes, and this is what we fought for.”
The other reason is Moriah Martin, Esters’ great-great-grandmother, who was born into slavery.
“I’m kind of living out her dreams — what I did for a living, having a business, having a nice home,” he said. “I think that’s the American way, but we got to fight for it and we, as Blacks, fought for it.”
He’s in the minority among Black adults, according to the survey, which found that only about 3 in 10 Black adults say they ever display the American flag, compared with about half of white and Hispanic adults.
Pistochini says current divisions over political leanings and perspectives, and inequality of opportunities for the poor and people of color are not what she believes the flag should stand for. People confuse flying it with being patriotic, she added.
“Just because you fly a flag doesn’t make you a patriot,” Pistochini said. “If there was patriotism, we would not have all this. We can’t look at (what’s going on) and say this is America.”
For country and freedom
Ben Gaskins, chair of political science at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, says the flag is an important symbol of patriotism for many Americans.
“It is those who are older people, who are white and people who are more conservative,” Gaskins said. “They take it as more central to their identity.”
Nancy Hansen, a 73-year-old retired Customs and Border Protection clerk in Culvertson, Montana, believes “you have to be for the country, no matter what” and that the flag means “freedom.”
“Freedom to live where we want to live, travel where we want to travel, raise our kids where we want to raise our kids,” said Hansen, who is white and identifies as Republican.
Each year around July 4, the American Legion posts flags outside businesses and homes in Culvertson, including Hansen’s home.
Linda and Greg Cunningham also equate the flag with freedom.
The white, conservative Pontiac, Michigan, couple are going all out this summer. The exterior of their home northwest of Detroit is awash in red, white and blue. The flag sits atop a flagpole just feet from their door.
“It’s no political thing, at all,” said Linda Cunningham, 63. “It’s our freedom. I love the American flag. I love the whole concept of it. I love America. I know there’s so much going on in the world, right now, and I know everyone has their own views, and I’m just sad that politics have to be brought into the flag.”
Flag as a ‘painful reminder’
Of those who took the survey, 47% see the flag as a “more unifying” symbol. About 16% call it a “more divisive” icon, while 36% say it’s neither divisive nor unifying.
Only 22% of Black adults see the flag as a unifying symbol, compared with 55% of white adults and 42% of Hispanic adults.
“It’s a painful symbol. It’s a reminder of what we could be and how it’s failed to live up to that for Black people, for Indigenous people and people of color,” said Allison Wiltz, a Black author and founder of Writers and Editors of Color.
Paul Walthour, 71, occasionally flies the flag outside his Minneapolis-area home on special occasions and some holidays. Walthour says that when he’s away from home and at his cabin, the flag goes up each morning and is taken down at the end of the day.
“This is antiquated, perhaps,” said Walthour, who is white and a retired advertising agency creative director. “I feel it’s a symbol that you’re proud to be an American.”
“Unfortunately, I kind of think it’s kind of a symbol of dividing more than uniting,” added Walthour, who identifies as a Democrat. “The people who fly it on the far right have one kind of feeling about it, and the people who fly it on the left have a different kind of feeling about it.”
The AP-NORC poll of 2,596 adults was conducted April 16-20 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.
Williams, Sanders and Parwani write for the Associated Press. Sanders and Parwani reported from Washington.
For the second straight year, the City Section is allowing a pilot program of high schools forming a boys flag football league as its popularity grows.
This year’s group of high school participants is expected to double in size between eight and 16 teams, City Section commissioner Vicky Lagos said. All will be small charter schools. Last year, several teams that temporarily dropped 11-man football, Sotomayor and Torres, had flag teams in a league that was played in the fall. Sotomayor and Torres will have 11-man teams this season.
When Lagos mentioned the pilot boys flag football league at an 11-man coaches meeting this month, there was clear skepticism voiced by coaches. If boys flag football ever gets approved, Lagos said schools would have to choose between having an 11-man team or a flag team. When Lagos mentioned having the flag season in the spring, there was concern it would take away participants from track and field teams.
This issue figures to come up around the state as schools in the California Interscholastic Federation have similar discussions. Flag football is likely to gain a boost in exposure when it is played at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Lagos points out that boys flag football participants would be different than 11-man. Middle school students engage in flag football and attract students whose parents don’t want them to play 11-man tackle football for fear of head injuries.
Girls flag football is in its fourth year and rising fast. Adding boys flag football is a debate and issue that will need to be addressed in the future.
Ron Nocetti, executive director of the CIF, said a section must first bring up adding boys flag football as a sport before real discussions can begin.
Nope, it’s not AI. It’s just a really big flag with bright lights, draped on Hoover Dam for the next several weeks.
As a display to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, the states of Nevada and Arizona and the federal Bureau of Reclamation teamed up to hang and illuminate an enormous American flag on the dam on Memorial Day.
The display, scheduled to be in place through July 4, is visible to anyone crossing between Arizona and Nevada on U.S. Route 93, which goes across the top of the dam. The flag is 150 feet tall and 300 feet long, spread on the south-facing side of the dam and lit by 550 LED lights (powered by dam-generated electricity).
A wider view of the illuminated U.S. flag at Hoover Dam.
(Michael Bittle)
It’s a spectacle that comes at a challenging moment for Hoover Dam, as experts warn that Lake Mead’s dwindling water levels could threaten the dam’s ability to generate hydropower. “Slap a flag on it, that’ll fix it,” suggested one of several Reddit commenters who were moved to snarkiness by the flag image.
The dam, a frequent day-trip destination from Las Vegas, stands 35 miles east of the Las Vegas Strip, about 295 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The site features a visitor center and overlook, and guided and self-guided tours.
Installation of the display involved dozens of riggers and two cranes. The flag, which is roughly the dimensions of a football field, has been previously used for celebrations at Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders football games.
Within two days after it was hung, gusts of wind up to 50 mph prompted organizers to lower the flag last Wednesday as the National Weather Service declared a wind advisory for the area. Organizers raised the flag again late Friday.
Strong winds are not uncommon in the area. Organizers said weather “may periodically require the flag to be temporarily lowered.” Updates on the flag’s status can be found on the Hoover Dam Facebook page.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority paid for the display. A spokeswoman said the cost, including flag, production, installation costs and six weeks of lighting, will be between $750,000 and $1 million.
The dam, a five-year construction job that was completed in 1936 during the depths of the Great Depression, is often hailed as one of the nation’s most impressive works of infrastructure. Though this is not the first time a flag has been draped on it, organizers have called the display “the most ambitious long-duration installation ever attempted at Hoover Dam.”
Three Clausen brothers who were quarterbacks — Casey, Rick and Jimmy — have created a fall flag football league for boys and girls in an effort to help youth players learn the game. There also will be six Clausen children playing in the league.
Flag football continues to grow, with the Clausen brothers behind a fall league.
(Los Angeles Times)
Casey is a former head coach at Bishop Alemany. Rick is head coach at Westlake. And Jimmy is a former NFL quarterback.
Casey said the Rising Stars is a 7×7 league that will take place in the fall with focus on rising participation of girls playing. The breakdown of divisions for boys and girls ranges from third grade to eighth grade and will be played on Sundays beginning Aug. 16 at Agoura, Oak Park and Westlake.
Get ready for lots of Clausen cousins, brothers and sisters playing football in the coming years. The oldest is a sixth grader.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
On The Chequered Flag podcast, former McClaren mechanic Marc Priestley and F1 journalist Rebecca Clancey discuss the rivalry between Mercedes team-mates Kimi Antonelli and George Russell in their bid to top the Drivers’ Championship.
Latest Truth Social post comes amid ‘delicate diplomacy’, expert says, as US and Iran indicate progress in talks.
Washington, DC – President Donald Trump has posted a photo of the United States flag covering the map of Iran, with the question: “United States of the Middle East?”
The post on Truth Social on Saturday represented another potentially incendiary message from Trump amid ongoing negotiations for a more lasting ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran, experts said.
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It carries the potential to roil both regional allies and foes alike given Washington’s past intervention in the Middle East, most notably during the US invasion of Iraq from 2003 to 2011, as well as the Trump administration’s push to increase its influence abroad.
The sentiment also appears to run counter to the Trump administration’s repeated statements that it is not seeking a prolonged occupation of Iran. The US has maintained it is not seeking outright regime change in its war, which it launched alongside Israel on February 28, but that it would welcome such change as a byproduct of the military campaign.
Even for a president known for outlandish social media posts and conflicting messaging on the war, the post could have implications for ongoing negotiations aimed at a more lasting ceasefire, according to Vali Nasr, professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University.
He pointed to Trump’s threat in early April that an “entire civilisation will die” if Iran did not agree to a deal at the time. Hours later, both sides agreed to a pause in fighting.
That pause has held since, save for a handful of flare-ups, with the US continuing to blockade Iranian ports and Tehran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz.
“First he declared he wanted to eradicate Iran’s civilisation now he is declaring that he wants to turn Iran into an American property,” Nasr wrote on X.
“It is this kind of grotesque behaviour that undermines diplomacy and unites Iranians in defence of their country,” he added. “In the middle of delicate diplomacy he casts doubts on America’s true intentions.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fragile negotiations continue
On Saturday, both US and Iranian officials indicated a new deal may be within reach.
Trump told CBS News both sides were “getting a lot closer”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an update could be coming shortly, the broadcaster reported.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the two sides were “currently working to finalise” a memorandum of understanding, and that “the opinions have been converging”.
Still, there have been no official announcements related to key sticking points in the standoff, including the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, the fate of its highly enriched uranium stockpile, and its future influence over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump regularly uses his Truth Social account, which he launched after being briefly banned from Twitter, now X, in the wake of the 2020 election, to make major announcements, attack political enemies, and post AI-generated images and videos.
The foreign policy of his second term has been defined by efforts to grow US influence abroad, particularly in the Americas. That has included the military abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, continued threats against Cuba, and vows to take control of Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory in the North Atlantic.
The Trump administration has adopted the term the Donroe Doctrine, a reference to the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, which sought to diminish European influence in the Western Hemisphere.
On Saturday, Trump also posted an image of his face peering over a mountain range in Greenland.
IT’S THAT time of year again when, as the weather warms up, the UK’s Blue Flag beaches have been announced.
In total 61 sites, including beaches, a marina and an inland water bathing area have been awarded the Blue Flag for 2026 across the UK.
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The Blue Flag award recognises beaches that are clean, safe, and well managed, including whether they haves services like lifeguards, first aid, educational activities and so on.
Several Devon beaches have not been included on the list, after Torbay – where previously five Blue Flag beaches were located – decided to create their own awards system.
North East
Whitley Bay on the north east coast has been awarded a Blue FlagCredit: GettyAnd so has Roker Beach in Tyne and WearCredit: Alamy
Five beaches in the North East were awarded a Blue Flag status, including:
In the North West one spot was given a Blue Flag status – Liverpool’s Albert and Salthouse docks, which is even the only Blue Flag marina in the UK.
Yorkshire and Humber
Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski has visited Whitby in Yorkshire and says it has “typical northern charm”Credit: Alamy
In Yorkshire and Humber, three Blue Flag beaches have been named, including one visited by Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski:
She said: “If you’re after that typical northern charm, but in a seaside setting, look no further than Whitby.
“From the shoreline, you can admire the lighthouse in the distance, or grab a pew on one of the benches by the marina to watch the boats sailing in and out to sea.
“Don’t leave without swinging by Magpie Cafe for its famous fish and chips (with curry sauce, of course) – it’s widely known for being the best chippy in the area so get there bang on opening time to avoid the queues.”
Hornsea was also awarded a Blue Flag statusCredit: Getty
The other two Blue Flag beaches in Yorkshire and Humber are:
East Midlands
Three beaches in the East Midlands were awarded the Blue Flag status and include:
Three beaches in the East Midlands were awarded the Blue Flag status, including SkegnessCredit: Getty
East of England
In the East Of England, a total of 15 beaches were awarded a Blue Flag status.
Having explored the area several times, Travel Reporter Alice Penwill said: “After visiting Cromer back in 2024 – my family and I have been back multiple times to enjoy its cute cafes and beautiful beach.
“When the sun is out, Cromer beach is a great place for laying about in the sun, or going for a dip in the sea.
“And for anyone bringing along a furry friend, dogs aren’t allowed on certain sections of the beach, specifically by the pier, but can frolic on the sand further up, just look for the signs.
Alice Penwill has visited the Blue Flag beach Cromer, which is home to a great ice cream parlourCredit: Getty
“Make sure to step off the sand for a few minutes and head to Windows Ice Cream where you can get an enormous soft serve treat from £2.”
Another Blue Flag beach she has visited in the area is Frinton on Sea.
She said: “Not only is Frinton a very pretty spot on the coast, it’s one of the sunniest.
“Along the Essex coastline, Frinton-on-Sea is known for having no noisy arcades, like its more popular neighbour of Clacton.
“I love it for the fact that it has no frills, on the front is just a sweeping sandy beach, the sea and some pretty beach huts too.
“But if you want a bit more excitement, head back to Connaught Avenue for independent shops and boutiques.”
Southwold in Suffolk has a famous pier, lighthouse and beach huts and was also awarded a Blue Flag statusCredit: Getty
She also recommend visiting Southwold in East Suffolk, commenting on how it takes her back to her childhood family holidays where she’d spend hours running about on the sand and in and out of the sea.
She added: “Its pier is 623 feet long and is dotted with shops, cafes and everyone has to head into the arcade.
“As much as I love the beach, you can’t miss a stroll into town either for its great shops and the Adnams brewery.
“At the other end of town by the harbour is my favourite chippy, the Sole Bay Fish Company.”
Other Blue Flag beaches in the East of England include:
Across the South West, a staggering 24 beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag.
Born in the South West, Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding said: “The South West is bursting with beautiful beaches so it is no surprise that many have been awarded a Blue Flag.
“In Dartmouth in Devon, Blackpool Sands has been awarded a Blue Flag for the third year in a row.
“The privately-owned shingle beach stretches across two-thirds of a mile and is often quite wide, making it a great day out even when busy.
“From the beach you can head kayaking or paddleboarding too.”
Also in Devon, one of Cyann’s more local beaches was awarded a Blue Flag for its 27th year.
Cyann Fielding has visited the Blue Flag Blackpool Sands and says it is great for watersportsCredit: AlamyDawlish Warren Beach is another spot in Devon with a Blue Flag statusCredit: Alamy
She said: “Dawlish Warren is the ultimate beach for families.
“Found on Devon’s south coast, the beach is backed by rolling dunes and fascinating wildlife habitats.
“The 1.5-mile stretch is a safer, more sheltered spot for families, compared to a lot of other beaches in the are, a and you’ll even find -go karts, golf and arcades to have fun in too.”
Sophie added: “Stretching for around three kilometres, you’ll never struggle to find a sunbathing patch at Westward Ho!.
“The main beach starts at the busy end of town, where you’ll have no trouble finding a bucket and spade, before blending into the much quieter Northam Burrows Beach, backed by a national park and an excellent links golf course.
“Keep wandering towards the northern tip to find Pebbleridge Kitchen, a tiny cafe that sells fresh crab sandwiches.”
Porthminster Beach in St Ives, Cornwall, was also awarded a Blue FlagCredit: Alamy
She said: “On a sunny day, the white sands and gloriously blue seas of Porthminster could be mistaken for the shores of a Caribbean island.
“It’s not the largest of beaches, but it’s at the quieter end of town, away from the main hustle and bustle of St Ives.
“Pedn Olva, an excellent pub with rooms, is just a short walk away.
“Try the local ales and “crabby fries”, smothered in white and brown meat and drenched in a thermidor sauce.”
She added: “I visited Widemouth Bay with my family and the dogs several years back, on a sunny April afternoon, and we had the entire sands to ourselves.
And Widemouth Bay on the north Cornwall coast near Bude gained the status as wellCredit: Alamy
“The sunset was absolutely spectacular – take advantage of the tall grassy dunes behind the beach for the best viewpoint.
“There are some lovely walks along here, too.”
And another Blue Flag spot is one of her all-time favourite beaches in Cornwall.
She said: “Polzeath is a glorious stretch of golden sands backed by fuss-free restaurants serving hearty toasties and proper Mr Whippy ice cream.
“Make sure to swing by Surfside Polzeath, a rum bar that spills out onto the beach and serves some punchy cocktails – it stays open until 11pm, with people dancing on the sands once the sun sets.”
Other Blue Flag Beaches in the South West include:
Members of Extinction Rebellion France, an environmental and social activism group, scaled the Eiffel Tower on the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, displaying a Palestinian flag in protest against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
