South Korea's president calls for more selfreliant military as questions arise about US commitment HYUNGJIN KIM and KIM TONGHYUNG October 1, 2025 at 1:07 PM 0 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, bottom center, salutes to the national flag during a celebration to mark 77th Armed Forces Day in Gyery...

- - South Korea's president calls for more self-reliant military as questions arise about US commitment

HYUNG-JIN KIM and KIM TONG-HYUNG October 1, 2025 at 1:07 PM

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, bottom center, salutes to the national flag during a celebration to mark 77th Armed Forces Day in Gyeryong, South Korea Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (Kim Hong-Ji/Pool Photo via AP)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's president vowed Wednesday to sharply increase defense spending to introduce a variety of high-tech weapons as part of efforts to build a more self-reliant military, as U.S. President Donald Trump's America-first agenda raises questions about the U.S. security commitment to its Asian ally.

A tariff war instigated by Trump's administration and his transactional approach to security threaten to erode many South Koreans' trust in the U.S. There are concerns that he may demand much higher South Korean payments for the U.S. military presence in the country or possibly downsize America's military footprint to focus more on China.

In an Armed Forces Day ceremony Wednesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung described the South Korea-U.S. military alliance as "solid" and didn't mention any concerns about Trump's policies. But he repeatedly stressed an intention to build a more independent military that can independently defend the country from external threats.

"We should move toward a strong, self-reliant defense, based on our pride and confidence in our military power," Lee said. "To ensure peace and prosperity for the Republic of Korea, we must not depend on anyone else but strengthen our own power."

To boost a self-reliant defense posture, Lee said his government would increase next year's defense spending by 8.2% to introduce advanced weapons systems like AI combat robots, autonomous drones and precision attack and defense missile systems.

The government will also actively foster defense industry and improve soldiers' welfare by upgrading their service conditions and compensation systems, he said.

Lee, a liberal who espouses greater peace on the Korean Peninsula, didn't mention rival North Korea, a likely effort not to provoke the country. But bolstering South Korea's military readiness would clearly be aimed at more effectively deterring potential aggressions from North Korea, which has nuclear weapons.

The North recently has repeatedly rejected Lee's overtures, though it signaled interests in restoring diplomacy with Trump.

A weakening of the U.S. security commitment could seriously shake South Korea's security as it has no nuclear weapons and is under the protection of a U.S. "nuclear umbrella," which has long promised a devastating American response in the event of an attack on its ally. The U.S. also deploys about 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea.

A potentially sensitive issue for the alliance is an implementation of a previous agreement to transfer wartime operational control of the allied forces to a binational command led by a South Korean general with a U.S. deputy. The commander of the U.S. forces in South Korea currently has wartime operational control of South Korea's military.

Many South Koreans view reclaiming their own military's wartime operational control as a matter of national sovereignty but others worry that would result in loosening of the alliance. Some observers say the Trump administration would use the transfer as a way to reduce spending and concentrate on China but it would still want to maintain influence on the Korean Peninsula.

Elbridge Colby, who was confirmed as Trump's under secretary of defense for policy, said at his Senate confirmation hearings in March that he would carefully review the "delicate issue" of transferring wartime operational control.

"I support efforts to bolster South Korea's role in the alliance," he said.

Colby provided more detailed comments in a 2024 interview with Yonhap news agency.

"South Korea is going to have to take primary, essentially overwhelming responsibility for its own self-defense against North Korea because we don't have a military that can fight North Korea and then be ready to fight China," he said.

Lee reaffirmed his support of the transfer Wednesday.

"The Republic of Korea will lead a joint defense posture with Washington by regaining the operational control based on firm ROK-U.S. alliance," Lee said. "Solid combined defense capability and posture will not only bring peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula but also contribute to the region's stability and shared prosperity."

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South Korea's president calls for more self-reliant military as questions arise about US commitment

South Korea's president calls for more selfreliant military as questions arise about US commitment HYUNGJIN KIM ...

New Photo - BenDeLaCreme talked Jinkx Monsoon out of doing a Mario Kart runway on Drag Race All Stars 7

&34;I was like, if you do that, we're over. That is it. I'm breaking up with you. So, I made her a porcupine idea!&34; DeLa tells EW of helping Jinkx with her A

"I was like, if you do that, we're over. That is it. I'm breaking up with you. So, I made her a porcupine idea!" DeLa tells EW of helping Jinkx with her AS7 Spikes on the Runway gown.

BenDeLaCreme talked Jinkx Monsoon out of doing a Mario Kart runway on Drag Race All Stars 7

"I was like, if you do that, we're over. That is it. I'm breaking up with you. So, I made her a porcupine idea!" DeLa tells EW of helping Jinkx with her AS7 Spikes on the Runway gown.

Joey Nolfi, senior writer at

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes *RuPaul's Drag Race* video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

EW's editorial guidelines

July 20, 2022 4:43 p.m. ET

BenDeLaCreme threw a (loving) banana peel under Jinkx Monsoon's tires as she prepared to compete on *RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7*.

The season 6 and *All Stars 3* alum exclusively tells EW's BINGE podcast (below) that she helped shape elements of her longtime friend and collaborator's *AS7* runway collection, particularly her porcupine gown for the Spikes on the Runway theme which, according to DeLa, almost looked very, *very* different.

"I actually designed that porcupine outfit, I just drew out a picture for her because I was like, Jinkx, you cannot do the thing you're planning on, which is that she she was going to dress like the spiky tortoise shell from *Mario Kart*. I was like, if you do that, we're over, that is it. I'm breaking up with you. So, I made her a porcupine idea!" DeLa says. "It's like a thing you throw in *Mario Kart*. I was like, Jinkx, this is such an arbitrary reference and also just the worst color combination."

DeLa says that she and Jinkx worked on other looks she debuted on *All Stars 7* as well, mostly chatting through ideas and concepts.

"I'm so glad that we spent the time brainstorming, because we talked about doing multiple seasons like Jaida did. She wanted to do an *Into the Woods* witch and I was like, I think someone else is going to do it," DeLa recalls. "I'm so glad that we talked through those ideas and she didn't wind up doing the same thing."

Jinkx Monsoon models her AS7 Spikes on the Runway outfit designed by BenDeLaCreme. World of Wonder/Paramount+

Since competing on separate seasons of *Drag Race*, Jinkx and DeLa have worked together to successfully snatch the Christmas crown from Santa across multiple projects, including their traveling *To Jesus, Thanks for Everything* and *All I Want for Christmas Is Attention* tours, guest roles in Clea DuVall's Kristen Stewart-starring Christmas rom-com *Happiest Season*, and a film version of *The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show*, which streamed on Hulu through Christmas in 2020. They return to the stage for *The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show* 2022 tour later this year.

Their work outside of *Drag Race* speaks for itself, but they're also not entirely opposed to competing again — as long as they do it together.

"The answer is, I guess, like, sure, I don't know!" DeLa says when asked about the ongoing fan fantasy involving a "Best Friends" edition of *Drag Race*. "It's not something that either of us are campaigning for. I do think it could be fun, but I would need a contractual guarantee that the same [non-elimination] rules as* All Stars 7 *apply."

JINKX AND DELA, Super Mario Bros. Shell

BenDeLaCreme talked Jinkx Monsoon out of wearing a 'Super Mario Bros.' outfit for Spikes on the Runway. Courtesy of BenDeLaCreme Presents and Randy Phillips; Inset: Nintendo

*RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7* continues Friday on Paramount+. Listen to BenDeLaCreme's full podcast episode above, tune in to the @EW account's *Quick Drag* Twitter Spaces recaps every Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, and listen to past episodes in our *EW's BINGE* podcast feed below.

***Subscribe to*****EW's BINGE* podcast****** for full recaps of *RuPaul's Drag Race*, including weekly *All Stars 7 *recaps and reactions with the cast, special guests, and more.***

**Related content:**

- Yvie Oddly reveals who she would've blocked on *RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7*

- Monét X Change reveals how she and Trinity The Tuck bonded after 'air of savagery' on *All Stars 4*

- Raja explains her *All Stars 7* season 3 tribute and why this might be her last time on *Drag Race*

- EW's Binge Podcast Episodes

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BenDeLaCreme talked Jinkx Monsoon out of doing a Mario Kart runway on Drag Race All Stars 7

&34;I was like, if you do that, we're over. That is it. I'm breaking up with you. So, I made her a porcu...

European leaders gather to discuss security and Ukraine war following drone incidents LORNE COOKOctober 1, 2025 at 7:09 AM 0 1 / 4Denmark DronesA view of a drone flying prohibited sign at Halsskov, West Zealand, Denmark, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.

- - European leaders gather to discuss security and Ukraine war following drone incidents

LORNE COOKOctober 1, 2025 at 7:09 AM

1 / 4Denmark DronesA view of a drone flying prohibited sign at Halsskov, West Zealand, Denmark, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — European leaders are converging on Copenhagen on Wednesday for two summits focused on security, defense and the war in Ukraine, following a spate of troubling drone incidents at Danish airports and military bases over the last week.

Denmark's defense ministry said that a precision radar system has been set up at Copenhagen airport to help keep watch. Unidentified drones forced the closure of the airfield a week ago, causing major disruptions to air traffic.

France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the U.K. also sent aircraft, ships and air defense systems to Denmark ahead of the summits. Ukraine's armed forces have dispatched a mission to the Nordic country for joint exercises, sharing its expertise on combating Russian drones.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Monday on social media that while authorities can't conclude who is behind the hybrid attacks, "we can find that there is primarily one country that poses a threat to Europe's security – and that's Russia."

Russia is the focus of Wednesday's European Union leaders meeting, where discussions are expected to center on how to prepare Europe to fend off Russian aggression by 2030, especially as the United States turns its focus on security concerns in Asia and elsewhere.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to address the EU leaders by videolink.

Leaders and intelligence services believe that Russia could mount an assault elsewhere in Europe in 3 to 5 years, and that President Vladimir Putin is intent on testing NATO as doubts swirl about U.S. President Donald Trump's commitment to the organization.

On Sept. 10, when several Russian drones breached Poland's airspace, NATO aircraft were scrambled to intercept and shoot down some of the devices. It was the first direct encounter between NATO and Moscow since Russia launched its war on Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

The incident jolted leaders across Europe, raising questions about how prepared the alliance is against Russia. Days later, NATO jets escorted three Russian warplanes out of Estonia's airspace.

The EU talks on Ukraine will focus on continued military and financial support for the conflict-ravaged country, as funds, weapons and ammunition once provided by the United States dry up.

A new proposal to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine will be discussed.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other leaders from across Europe will join their EU partners for a dinner of the European Political Community (EPC) on Wednesday evening. Around 40 heads of state or government are due to take part.

The EPC leaders will gather on Thursday for talks also focused on security, as well as trafficking and migration. Critics say the forum — which draws together EU members, aspiring partners in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, as well as Britain and Turkey — is a political 'talking shop' that produces few tangible results.

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European leaders gather to discuss security and Ukraine war following drone incidents

European leaders gather to discuss security and Ukraine war following drone incidents LORNE COOKOctober 1, 2025 at 7...

Trump calls for using US cities as a 'training ground' for military in unusual speech to generals BEN FINLEY, KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and EVAN VUCCI September 30, 2025 at 12:09 PM 7.2k U.S. military senior leadership listen as President Donald Trump speaks at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept.

- - Trump calls for using US cities as a 'training ground' for military in unusual speech to generals

BEN FINLEY, KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and EVAN VUCCI September 30, 2025 at 12:09 PM

7.2k

U.S. military senior leadership listen as President Donald Trump speaks at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 in Quantico, Va. (Andrew Harnik/Pool via AP)

QUANTICO, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday proposed using American cities as training grounds for the armed forces and spoke of needing U.S. military might to combat what he called the "invasion from within."

Addressing an audience of military brass abruptly summoned to Virginia, Donald Trump outlined a muscular and at times norm-shattering view of the military's role in domestic affairs. He was joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who declared an end to "woke" culture and announced new directives for troops that include "gender-neutral" or "male-level" standards for physical fitness.

The dual messages underscored the Trump administration's efforts not only to reshape contemporary Pentagon culture but to enlist military resources for the president's priorities and for decidedly domestic purposes, including quelling unrest and violent crime.

"We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military," Trump said. He noted at another point: "We're under invasion from within. No different than a foreign enemy but more difficult in many ways because they don't wear uniforms."

After calling hundreds of military leaders and their top advisers from around the world to the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Hegseth largely focused on long-used talking points that painted a picture of a military hamstrung by "woke" policies. He said military leaders should "do the honorable thing and resign" if they don't like his new approach.

Though meetings between military brass and civilian leaders are nothing new, this gathering had fueled intense speculation about its purpose given the haste with which it was called and the mystery surrounding it. The fact that admirals and generals from conflict zones were summoned for a lecture on race and gender in the military showed the extent to which the country's culture wars have become a front-and-center agenda item for Hegseth's Pentagon, even at a time of broad national security concerns across the globe.

'We will not be politically correct'

Trump is accustomed to boisterous crowds of supporters who laugh at his jokes and applaud his boasting. But he wasn't getting that kind of soundtrack from the military leaders in attendance.

In keeping with the nonpartisan tradition of the armed services, the military leaders sat mostly stone-faced through Trump's politicized remarks, a contrast from when rank-and-file soldiers cheered during Trump's speech at Fort Bragg this summer.

Trump encouraged the audience at the outset of his speech to applaud as they wished. He then added, "If you don't like what I'm saying, you can leave the room — of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future." Some laughed.

Before Trump took the stage, Hegseth said in his nearly hourlong speech that the military has promoted too many leaders for the wrong reasons, based on race, gender quotas and "historic firsts."

"The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don't-hurt-anyone's-feelings leadership ends right now at every level," Hegseth said.

That was echoed by Trump: "The purposes of America military is not to protect anyone's feelings. It's to protect our republic.″

″We will not be politically correct when it comes to defending American freedom," Trump said.

Several military officials and rank-and-file troops, who all spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation, said they were unsure how the remarks from Trump and Hegseth would affect their daily lives in the service. Some expressed concerns over the framing of domestic unrest as a war, while some also said they found Hegseth's message appealing about more closely adhering to fitness standards and cutting out unnecessary training.

Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the meeting "an expensive, dangerous dereliction of leadership."

"Even more troubling was Mr. Hegseth's ultimatum to America's senior officers: conform to his political worldview or step aside," Reed said in a statement, calling it a "profoundly dangerous" demand.

Trump's u se of the military on American soil

Trump has already tested the limits of a nearly 150-year-old federal law, the Posse Comitatus Act, that restricts the military's role in law enforcement.

He has sent National Guard and active duty Marines to Los Angeles, threatened to do the same to combat crime and illegal immigration in other Democratic-led cities, and surged troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

National Guard members are generally exempt from the law because they're under state control. But the law does apply when they're "federalized" and put under the president's control, as happened in LA over the Democratic governor's objections.

Trump said the armed forces also should focus on the Western Hemisphere, boasting about carrying out military strikes on boats in the Caribbean that he says targeted drug traffickers.

Loosening disciplinary rules

Hegseth said he's easing disciplinary rules and weakening hazing protections, focusing on removing many of the guardrails the military put in place after numerous scandals and investigations.

He also said he was ordering a review of "the department's definitions of so-called toxic leadership, bullying and hazing to empower leaders to enforce standards without fear of retribution or second guessing."

He called for changes to "allow leaders with forgivable, earnest or minor infractions to not be encumbered by those infractions in perpetuity."

"People make honest mistakes, and our mistakes should not define an entire career," Hegseth said.

Bullying and toxic leadership have been the suspected and confirmed causes behind numerous military suicides over the past several years, including of Brandon Caserta, a young sailor who was bullied into killing himself in 2018.

Gender-neutral physical standards

Hegseth used the platform to slam environmental policies and transgender troops. The Pentagon has been told from previous administrations that "our diversity is our strength," Hegseth said, calling that an "insane fallacy."

Hegseth said the military would ensure "every designated combat arms position returns to the highest male standard." He's previously issued directives for gender-neutral physical standards, even though specific combat, special operations, infantry, armor, pararescue and other jobs already require the same standards regardless of age or gender. The military services were trying to determine next steps and what, if anything, may need to change.

Hegseth said it is not about preventing women from serving.

"If women can make it, excellent; if not, it is what it is. If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it," he said. "That is not the intent, but it could be the result."

Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican who served in the Iraq War, said Hegseth was "appropriate" in suggesting that women should be expected to meet certain standards.

"I'm not worried about that," Ernst said. "There should be a same set of standards for combat arms."

Janessa Goldbeck, who served in the Marines and is now CEO of the Vet Voice Foundation, said Hegseth's speech was more about "stoking grievance than strengthening the force."

Hegseth "has a cartoonish, 1980s, comic-book idea of toughness he's never outgrown," she said. "Instead of focusing on what actually improves force readiness, he continues to waste time and taxpayer dollars on He-Man culture-war theatrics."

Hegseth's speech came as the country faces a potential government shutdown this week and as he has taken several unusual and unexplained actions, including ordering cuts to the number of general officers and firings of other top military leaders.

___

Finley and Toropin reported from Washington. writers Eric Tucker, Chris Megerian, Adriana Gomez Licon, Ali Swenson and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.

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Trump calls for using US cities as a 'training ground' for military in unusual speech to generals

Trump calls for using US cities as a 'training ground' for military in unusual speech to generals BEN FINLE...

Hegseth wants 'male standard' for combat roles. Many female veterans say that's already the case ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON and THOMAS BEAUMONT October 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM 9 Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept.

- - Hegseth wants 'male standard' for combat roles. Many female veterans say that's already the case

ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON and THOMAS BEAUMONT October 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 in Quantico, Va. (Andrew Harnik/Pool via AP)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in an address Tuesday to the military's top leaders waded back into a topic that nearly derailed his confirmation early this year and helped elevate his voice as a Fox News commentator — the fitness of women to serve in combat.

Hegseth told hundreds of military commanders at a hastily called gathering in Virginia that there would be new directives to ensure that the requirement for every position in combat "returns to the highest male standard."

He said that "if that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it," while stressing that the military will continue to welcome women into its ranks.

"I don't want my son serving alongside troops who are out of shape, or in combat units with females who can't meet the same combat arms physical standards as men," he said. "This job is life and death. Standards must be met."

The remarks rekindled criticism of the defense secretary that arose after President Donald Trump nominated him to the post last year and renewed concerns about his approach to women in leadership and front-line roles. Hegseth's house-cleaning at the top ranks of the military has included a disproportionate number of women, including an admiral and vice admiral in the Navy and the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Several prominent women who are combat veterans pushed back on Hegseth's remarks to emphasize that women who serve in combat roles already are subjected to the same standards as men. Those standards apply to specific combat special operations, infantry, armor, pararescue and other jobs regardless of age or gender.

Female veterans call out Hegseth

Elisa Cardnell, president of the Service Women's Action Network, said the standards have not been lowered for women serving in combat roles. She said the requirements for serving in the infantry, for example, are the same for men and women, whether it's carrying a certain amount of equipment or marching a certain distance.

Capt. Lory Manning, who served for more than 25 years in the Navy and at times commanded units of over 400 people, said skepticism about women's capabilities is nothing new. During her time in the Navy, the military expanded opportunities for women to serve in air, sea and some ground combat.

"Women have had to prove they were capable before positions became officially open," said Manning, whose responsibilities at one point also included oversight and evaluation of the Navy's physical fitness standards.

Manning said "there would have been some sort of uproar" if women consistently failed to perform or compromised military standards throughout that time. She said the secretary seemed to conflate physical requirements with requirements for specific military roles.

"He hasn't changed anything basic with regards to women," she said of Hegseth. "He's just got it in his head that women are somehow cheating."

Amy McGrath, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel who was the first woman to fly an F-18 fighter jet in combat and lost a Democratic challenge to Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2020, said Hegseth continues to lie about women in the military.

"He claimed the military needs to 'return to the male standard' in combat jobs (of 1990!), but here's the truth: there has never been a separate male and female standard," she posted on X. "When women entered combat roles, one standard was set, and we've been meeting it ever since."

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for New Jersey governor who served as a Navy helicopter pilot, said Tuesday that what she had heard about the speech "comports with everything I've seen from the most incompetent secretary of defense we've ever had."

She questioned the decision to call generals and admirals from around the world for what she said amounts to a meeting "just to kind of show his tough guy creds."

Many Republican women show support

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican and Iraq War combat veteran who grilled Hegseth during his nomination hearing in January before providing a crucial confirmation vote, said his comments Tuesday were "appropriate."

"I'm not worried about that," she said. "So there should be the same set of standards for combat arms. I think that's what he probably was referring to, combat arms."

Ernst noted, however, that women who go through Ranger School or into the infantry are already subjected to the same standards as men.

Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, said she likes Hegseth's approach, specifically his promises to get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the military.

"President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are right: the U.S. military isn't a playground for Left-Wing gender bending ideology. Our military is a fighting force that must return to mission-first readiness," the Republican told AP in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs of South Carolina, a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, said she also supported Hegseth's efforts to change military culture.

Hegseth focused much of his address on eliminating what he has called "woke" policies from the military, saying too many leaders have been promoted based on race, gender quotas and "historic firsts" rather than qualifications. Any leader who disagrees with his approach should resign, he said.

"Returning to standards that prioritize excellence and accountability puts America's security and our servicemembers where they belong — first," Biggs said in a statement.

___ writers Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, Meg Kinnard in Houston, and Joey Cappelletti, Stephen Groves and Ben Finley in Washington contributed to this report.

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Hegseth wants 'male standard' for combat roles. Many female veterans say that's already the case

Hegseth wants 'male standard' for combat roles. Many female veterans say that's already the case ADRIANA...

Aces beat Fever 10798 in OT of Game 5 of semis, advance to WNBA Finals to face the Phoenix Mercury MARK ANDERSON October 1, 2025 at 6:18 AM 1 1 / 5Fever Aces BasketballLas Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) and Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrate after a play against the Indiana Fever d...

- - Aces beat Fever 107-98 in OT of Game 5 of semis, advance to WNBA Finals to face the Phoenix Mercury

MARK ANDERSON October 1, 2025 at 6:18 AM

1 / 5Fever Aces BasketballLas Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) and Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrate after a play against the Indiana Fever during overtime in Game 5 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A'ja Wilson scored 35 points and Jackie Young had 32 to lead the Aces back to the WNBA Finals as Las Vegas held off pesky Indiana 107-98 in overtime in the deciding Game 5 of the semifinal series on Tuesday night after the already-depleted Fever lost another star player to injury.

The second-seeded Aces, who won the league title in 2022 and 2023, will host the fourth-seeded Phoenix Mercury on Friday in the opener of the best-of-seven championship series.

No. 6 seed Indiana made Las Vegas work for it even though the sixth-seeded Fever have been decimated by injuries, with star Kelsey Mitchell going down in the third quarter of Game 5 with an apparent left leg injury. She joined a list of injured Fever players that includes Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham.

Mitchell had scored a team-high 15 points at the time of her injury. Six Fever players reached double digits, including Odyssey Sims with 27 points and Natasha Howard with 16.

The Aces were closer of a three-woman show, with Wilson coming within three points of her playoff career high. Chelsea Gray — who briefly went into the locker room early in the third quarter with an apparent right leg injury — scored 17.

Las Vegas needed every one of those points because the Fever challenged the Aces throughout, including after Mitchell got hurt. Rather than fade away and concede the playoff series to the home team, the Fever battled to tie the game at 84 on two Sims free throws with 52 seconds left.

After Young made two free throws with 27.1 seconds remaining, Sims answered with a drive down the lane for a layup with 22.5 seconds to go to again tie the game. Young missed a layup in the closing seconds and Jewell Loyd the follow to send the game to overtime.

The Aces then took the lead early in OT and didn't give it up.

___

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Aces beat Fever 107-98 in OT of Game 5 of semis, advance to WNBA Finals to face the Phoenix Mercury

Aces beat Fever 10798 in OT of Game 5 of semis, advance to WNBA Finals to face the Phoenix Mercury MARK ANDERSON Oct...

What's next for Indiana Fever? 2026 roster depends on CBA, free agency and Caitlin Clark Heather Burns, USA TODAY October 1, 2025 at 6:20 AM 0 When the Indiana Fever started the season, the vibes were immaculate.

- - What's next for Indiana Fever? 2026 roster depends on CBA, free agency and Caitlin Clark

Heather Burns, USA TODAY October 1, 2025 at 6:20 AM

When the Indiana Fever started the season, the vibes were immaculate.

The had perhaps the biggest superstar in women's basketball, Caitlin Clark, leading a Big 3 that included Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston. They had gone out and signed free agents DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard and sharp-shooter Sophie Cunningham with the goal of making the team a championship contender.

It didn't take long for the mood to change.

Bonner lost her starting job and fell out of the team's regular rotation. She missed two weeks in June due to personal reasons and was released June 25 when the team was unable to find a trade partner.

Clark sustained a series of soft tissue injuries and announced Sept. 4 she would not return this season because of a left groin injury. Backup point guard Sydney Colson (torn ACL), Aari McDonald (broken foot), Cunningham (knee injury) and Chloe Bibby (knee injury) also suffered season-ending injuries.

The Fever pushed through all these obstacles to finish 24-20 and make the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. They advanced to the semifinals before being eliminated by the Las Vegas Aces 107-98 in overtime of Game 5 Tuesday in Atlanta.

Aliyah Boston (7), Caitlin Clark (22) and Kelsey Mitchell (0) make up the Indiana Fever's Big 3.

"It says a lot about this group, how resilient they've been, how tough they've been, how locked in they've been to just putting one foot in front of the other and doing whatever is necessary to position ourselves to win ball games," Fever coach Stephanie White said. "And I think it says a lot about them that they've been able to bring in and we've been able to bring in new players, and they've adjusted and adapted to them."

The Fever had nine different starting lineups and 16 players on the roster this season. Who will return in 2026? Clark, Boston and Makayla Timpson are all on rookie deals but are the only players locked in for next year. The rest of the roster, with the impending collective bargaining agreement, are free agents.

That said, if the new CBA includes core players, the Fever will likely use the designation on Mitchell for a second straight season. She started all 44 games for the Fever this season averaging a career best 20.2 points and added 3.4 assists. Being designated as a WNBA core player means the Fever will have exclusive rights to negotiate with Mitchell for a one-year, supermax contract.

As for the remaining starters, Howard is a free agent after signing a one-year deal for $214,466 in February, returning to the franchise that drafted her in 2014. She has started 44 games, averaging 11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds. Lexie Hull is a restricted free agent after playing under a three-year, $217,502 rookie-scale contract that includes a fourth-year option that was exercised by the team. She started 30 games and averaged 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Odyssey Sims' was signed on a short-term hardship contract after Clark and Colson's injuries. She was initially signed to a series of seven-day contracts, they converted them to rest-of-season contract to make her eligible for the playoffs.

White, who left the Connecticut Sun to return to Indiana in the offseason, is also expected to return.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's next for Indiana Fever? How 2026 roster looks with Caitlin Clark

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What's next for Indiana Fever? 2026 roster depends on CBA, free agency and Caitlin Clark

What's next for Indiana Fever? 2026 roster depends on CBA, free agency and Caitlin Clark Heather Burns, USA TODA...

Aces need OT to top shorthanded Fever, reach WNBA Finals Field Level MediaOctober 1, 2025 at 6:28 AM 0 Sep 30, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) pulls a rebound away from Indiana Fever guard Aerial Powers (23) during the second quarter of game five of the second ro...

- - Aces need OT to top short-handed Fever, reach WNBA Finals

Field Level MediaOctober 1, 2025 at 6:28 AM

Sep 30, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) pulls a rebound away from Indiana Fever guard Aerial Powers (23) during the second quarter of game five of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

A'ja Wilson poured in 35 points, Jackie Young had career playoff highs of 32 points and 10 assists and the Las Vegas Aces punched their ticket to the WNBA Finals with a 107-98 overtime victory over the visiting Indiana Fever on Tuesday.

The second-seeded Aces won the best-of-five semifinal series 3-2 and will face the fourth-seeded Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals, which will begin Friday in Las Vegas. The Aces are making their third trip to the finals in four years after winning the title in 2022 and 2023.

Wilson and Young became the first teammates to each register 30-plus points in a WNBA playoff game.

Chelsea Gray scored eight of her 17 points in overtime for Las Vegas, which won 16 straight games to end the regular season.

The short-handed Fever, seeded sixth, pushed the game to overtime even after losing star guard Kelsey Mitchell to injury and seeing center Aliyah Boston foul out late in regulation. Odyssey Sims led six Fever players in double figures with 27 points while adding six assists. Natasha Howard scored 16 points, and Boston paired 11 points with 16 rebounds.

Mitchell had 15 points before leaving the game in the third quarter with a noncontact leg injury. During the same play on which Boston received her fifth foul, Mitchell signaled for medical attention while grabbing at her left knee.

What appeared to be a potential leg cramp turned into several minutes of trainers working on the leg before Mitchell was able to stand and walk off with assistance.

The Fever made 9 of 14 field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter to dig out of a 77-68 deficit in the last 7 1/2 minutes. Boston sank a layup and Sims hit two free throws to tie it at 84 before Boston was called for a loose-ball foul with 27.1 seconds to go, her disqualifying sixth of the game. Indiana unsuccessfully challenged the call.

Young made two free throws, and the Fever used their reset timeout to advance the ball. Wilson tried and failed to steal the inbound pass to Sims, who took it in for a layup with 22.5 seconds left to tie the game 86-86 and ultimately set up overtime.

Las Vegas' first three field goals of overtime were threes, one by Jewell Loyd and two by Gray. In the final minute, Shey Peddy's trey cut a six-point Indiana deficit in half, but Young's pair of foul shots with 20 seconds left cemented the result.

In the first half alone, there were 13 lead changes and 14 ties while neither team led by more than five points. Las Vegas was up 47-45 at the break.

Wilson scored 13 points in the third period, including the Aces' final seven -- a triple, two free throws and a 2-pointer -- as Las Vegas built a 71-63 advantage with 10 minutes to go.

--Field Level Media

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Aces need OT to top short-handed Fever, reach WNBA Finals

Aces need OT to top shorthanded Fever, reach WNBA Finals Field Level MediaOctober 1, 2025 at 6:28 AM 0 Sep 30, 2025;...

Trump posts deepfake video of Jeffries, Schumer with racist tropes as shutdown looms Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY October 1, 2025 at 3:49 AM 79 President Donald Trump posted an expletiveladen, deepfake video with racist tropes about immigrants after talks with Democrats did not end in agreement to keep...

- - Trump posts deepfake video of Jeffries, Schumer with racist tropes as shutdown looms

Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY October 1, 2025 at 3:49 AM

President Donald Trump posted an expletive-laden, deepfake video with racist tropes about immigrants after talks with Democrats did not end in agreement to keep the federal government open.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met with Trump and Republican leaders on Sept. 29, just over 24 hours ahead of the government funding deadline.

Later that night, Trump posted an apparently AI-created video of Schumer speaking in a fake voice and Jeffries standing next to him with a sombrero, a mustache and mariachi music playing in the background.

"There's no way to sugarcoat it, nobody likes Democrats anymore. We have no voters left because of our woke, trans (expletive)," Schumer's fake voice says. "Not even Black people wanna vote for us anymore, even Latinos hate us. So we need new votes. And if we give all these illegal aliens free healthcare, we might be able to get them on our side so they can vote for us. They can't even speak English, so they won't realize we're just a bunch of woke pieces of (expletive)."

Jeffries and Schumer responded to the video by bringing it back to the fight over government funding.

"Bigotry will get you nowhere," Jeffries posted after Trump's video. "Cancel the Cuts. Lower the Cost. Save Healthcare. We are NOT backing down."

What is a government shutdown? Here's what it means and how it works

Video called racist for stereotypes about immigrants and dig at Black voters

The video is widely considered racist, including by Jeffries himself. Trump shared it on his Truth Social account and X account, where it garnered more than 22.8 million views.

The video contains several pieces of disinformation. About half of all U.S. immigrants speak English according to Pew, immigrants in the U.S. illegally can't vote, and undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federally funded coverage, like Medicaid. Some have characterized the video as satire, mocking or trolling.

"Whether or not it's satirical, it's still racist," said Peter Loge, the director of the Project on Ethics in Political Communication at The George Washington University. He explained how it used Mexican stereotypes with the hat and music, falsely equated every Mexican person with undocumented immigrants, and put down the intelligence of Black and Latino voters.

"The president of the United States has a responsibility to increase trust in the democratic institutions and to bring the American people together," Loge said. "Nobody should be sharing that video. Certainly not the president of the United States who represents all of the Americans, not just a small political base that supports him."

"Anyone who's feigning outrage over a perfect meme should instead focus on the countless Americans who will suffer as a result of the Democrat shutdown," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told USA TODAY in a statement.

Jeffries redirects to Epstein, healthcare funding fight

Jeffries and House Democrats held a press conference on Sept. 30 to highlight their efforts to fight for their healthcare demands as the threat of a government shutdown looms.

"Mr. President, the next time you have something to say about me, don't cop out to a racist and fake AI video. When I'm back in the Oval Office, say it to my face," Jeffries said on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. He went on to blame Republicans for not negotiating to fund the government.

Jeffries also took a hit back at Trump on social media shortly after the AI video went up, pointing to the ongoing controversy over Trump's relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This is real. pic.twitter.com/MSANoEbFCP

— Hakeem Jeffries (@hakeemjeffries) September 30, 2025

"If you think your shutdown is a joke, it just proves what we all know: You can't negotiate. You can only throw tantrums," Schumer posted on Sept. 29 when sharing Trump's AI video.

Schumer also called Trump a 10-year-old trolling the internet in remarks on the Senate floor, according The Hill.

US heads for government shutdown Oct. 1

Funding for the government expires at midnight on Sept. 30 and a breakthrough for an agreement looks unlikely.

"There was a frank and direct discussion with the president of the United States and Republican leaders," Jeffries said after meeting with the president on Sept. 29, but added, "significant and meaningful differences remain."

Republicans want a stopgap solution that would extend funding through Nov. 21, and Democrats want changes to healthcare access and subsidies as part of the deal. Both sides are trying to blame a potential shutdown on each other.

Without funding, staffing at many federal agencies will be significantly reduced and federal services (except those considered "essential") will be halted.

(This story has been with additional information.)

Contributing: Zachary Schermele, Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump posts 'racist' video of Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer on shutdown

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Trump posts deepfake video of Jeffries, Schumer with racist tropes as shutdown looms

Trump posts deepfake video of Jeffries, Schumer with racist tropes as shutdown looms Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY Octo...

Trump administration blames Democrats for shutdown in official government warnings as deadline nears MEG KINNARD October 1, 2025 at 2:33 AM 42 President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington.

- - Trump administration blames Democrats for shutdown in official government warnings as deadline nears

MEG KINNARD October 1, 2025 at 2:33 AM

President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

HOUSTON (AP) — With the first U.S. government shutdown in almost seven years looming, the Trump administration is using official government communications to blame Democrats and promote the president's policies.

At least one agency has posted a public warning blaming "the massive pain" of any shutdown on "The Radical Left," provoking questions about potential violations of the Hatch Act, which restricts partisan political activity by U.S. federal employees.

While furloughs of employees have been part of previous shutdowns, federal agencies under President Donald Trump have also been urged to consider more permanent reductions in force for programs "not consistent with the President's priorities."

Here's a look at the shutdown messaging coming from the federal government:

Housing and Urban Development website

Visitors to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's website on Tuesday were greeted with a pop-up message warning that "The Radical Left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people unless they get their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands."

"The Trump administration wants to keep the government open for the American people," the rest of the message read.

Asked about the banner on HUD's website that accuses Democrats of trying to shut down the government, agency spokesperson Kasey Lovett said in a statement that "the Far Left is barreling our country toward a shut down, which will hurt all Americans."

Some internet users suggested the message would violate the Hatch Act, an 80-year-old law that restricts partisan political activity by U.S. federal employees. HUD officials pushed back on those claims, noting the banner did not refer to an election, and did not mention any party or politician by name.

Messages to federal employees

Employees across the federal government have reported receiving messages noting Trump's general opposition to a shutdown.

Employees at the Departments of Interior, the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice received a message noting that Trump "opposes a government shutdown, and strongly supports the enactment of HR 5371," the GOP-backed bill to fund the government through Nov. 21.

"Unfortunately Democrats are blocking the resolution in the Senate due to unrelated policy demands," the message went on. "If Congressional Democrats maintain their current posture and refuse to pass a clean continuing resolution to keep the government funded before midnight on Sept. 30, 2025, federal funding will lapse."

Some agencies, like the Securities and Exchange Commission, posted more informational notices online, detailing planning for operating status changes "concurrently with the rest of the federal government."

Furloughs and layoffs

Some federal employees would be furloughed during a shutdown, and the White House's budget office has warned agencies to consider permanently cutting staff in some of the areas that would be affected, a new twist on the situation.

In a memo released last week, the Office of Management and Budget said agencies should consider a reduction in force for federal programs whose funding would lapse this week, are not otherwise funded and are "not consistent with the President's priorities." That would be a much more aggressive step than in previous shutdowns, when federal workers not deemed essential were furloughed but returned to their jobs once Congress approved government spending.

A reduction in force would not only lay off employees but eliminate their positions. That would trigger another massive upheaval in a federal workforce that has already faced major rounds of cuts this year due to efforts from the Department of Government Efficiency and elsewhere in the Trump administration.

___

Ali Swenson in New York contributed reporting.

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Trump administration blames Democrats for shutdown in official government warnings as deadline nears

Trump administration blames Democrats for shutdown in official government warnings as deadline nears MEG KINNARD Oc...

Fever's Kelsey Mitchell sustains apparent leg injury in Game 5 of semifinal series vs. Aces MARK ANDERSONOctober 1, 2025 at 5:25 AM 0 1 / 2Fever Aces BasketballFrom left, Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3), Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10), Las Vegas Aces center Megan Gustafson (17), Indian...

- - Fever's Kelsey Mitchell sustains apparent leg injury in Game 5 of semifinal series vs. Aces

MARK ANDERSONOctober 1, 2025 at 5:25 AM

1 / 2Fever Aces BasketballFrom left, Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3), Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10), Las Vegas Aces center Megan Gustafson (17), Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard (6) and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) battle for the ball during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell suffered an apparent left leg injury in the third quarter of Tuesday night's decisive Game 5 of the WNBA semifinal series against the Las Vegas Aces.

Mitchell seemed to sustain the non-contact injury with 5:05 left in the period. Her teammates quickly surrounded her, giving Mitchell privacy. She lay on the court for at least five minutes. A stretcher was brought out, but Mitchell left the floor without it and was helped to the locker room.

Mitchell has been the Fever's top player this postseason, averaging 23.3 points on a team decimated by injuries. They entered this game without six players, including star Caitlin Clark.

Mitchell scored 15 points, making all three 3-pointers, before leaving the game. She averaged 20.2 points in the regular season and was a finalist for WNBA MVP.

The winner of Tuesday's game advances to the WNBA Finals against Phoenix.

___

AP WNBA: https://ift.tt/peyXViT

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Fever's Kelsey Mitchell sustains apparent leg injury in Game 5 of semifinal series vs. Aces

Fever's Kelsey Mitchell sustains apparent leg injury in Game 5 of semifinal series vs. Aces MARK ANDERSONOctober...

Crochet pitches like an ace from bygone days and lifts Red Sox over Yankees 31 in playoff opener RONALD BLUM October 1, 2025 at 5:50 AM 0 1 / 5Red Sox Yankees BaseballBoston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet delivers against the New York Yankees during the first inning of Game 1 of an American League ...

- - Crochet pitches like an ace from bygone days and lifts Red Sox over Yankees 3-1 in playoff opener

RONALD BLUM October 1, 2025 at 5:50 AM

1 / 5Red Sox Yankees BaseballBoston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet delivers against the New York Yankees during the first inning of Game 1 of an American League wild-card baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK (AP) — Garrett Crochet was in Boston's dugout on the day before the playoffs began when manager Alex Cora picked up the phone to the bullpen to contact a member of the front office.

"`Tomorrow you're going to make one call to the bullpen,'" Cora recalled the pitcher telling him.

"I said: `Maybe two,'" the manager responded.

"He's like: `No, no, no. One. It's going to be straight to Chappy,'" Cora said.

Crochet backed up his bravado with his pitches. He threw 117 of them, most in a postseason game in six years, besting Max Fried and the New York Yankees with a throwback performance on the mound.

The left-hander struck out 11 and walked none over 7 2/3 innings while allowing four hits as the Red Sox rallied for a 3-1 victory Tuesday night in an AL Wild Card Series opener. When he was pulled, Cora went directly to All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman. No setup men needed.

"Just being arrogant, to be honest. I didn't actually expect that to be the case," Crochet said.

Anthony Volpe put the Yankees ahead in the second with an opposite-field homer to right on a sinker. Crochet then retired 17 consecutive batters until Volpe's one-out single in the eighth.

By then, Boston had taken a 2-1 lead. As soon as Fried left the game, Ceddanne Rafaela overcome an 0-2 count against reliever Luke Weaver to walk on 11 pitches. Nick Sogard doubled and pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida lined a two-run single.

Crochet saved his hardest pitch for last, a 100.2 mph full-count offering on the inside corner at the knees that froze Austin Wells for a called third strike.

"That's why we call him the beast," Boston shortstop Trevor Story said.

Crochet went to full counts on four batters and struck out all four.

"We had some big 3-2 counts and some hitter's counts and just weren't able to come through," Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt said.

When Crochet reached the dugout after striking out Wells, he was clutched in a bear hug by fellow pitcher Lucas Giolito, his old Chicago White Sox teammate.

"He was aggressive. You could see it in his eyes before the game that he wanted it bad," said Boston's Alex Bregman, who in his 100th postseason game added an RBI double in the ninth off David Bednar.

Victory wasn't assured until Chapman escaped a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the ninth.

The winner of Game 1 advanced in all 12 previous Wild Card Series, 10 in sweeps.

"Hopefully we can continue that," Cora said.

A 26-year-old left-hander, Crochet was traded to Boston in December, escaping a White Sox team that lost 121 games in 2024, a major league record since 1900. He agreed in April to a $170 million, six-year contract that starts next year.

Crochet went 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA this season, leading the major leagues with 255 strikeouts and topping the AL with 205 1/3 innings.

"He's just a guy that wants it bad," Cora said. "He was in a situation last year that he was learning how to become a starter. He got traded to become the ace. He got paid like an ace, and since day one he's acted like that."

Corchet's 117 pitches were the most in a postseason game since Washington's Stephen Strasburg threw 117 over seven innings to beat St. Louis in Game 3 of the 2019 National League Championship Series. Just three outings this year extended to 117 pitches, by Cleveland's Gavin Williams (126), San Francisco's Justin Verlander (121) and Tampa Bay's Zack Littell (117 ).

There hasn't been a postseason complete game since Houston's Justin Verlander against the Yankees in Game 2 of the 2019 American League Championship Series.

Crochet, however, doesn't long for the bygone days of Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson.

"I don't know if it is sustainable with my velocity," he said. "I am not sure how hard they were throwing back then. I like to think I am prepared to do that even in today's game."

Crochet's previous high was 112 pitches on June 1. A converted reliever who missed the 2022 season following Tommy John surgery, he is in just his second season as a starter — earning an All-Star selection in both years.

After the game, Cora told Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow the team had prepared Crochet for the moment.

"There's going to be starts in the regular season that we have to take care of guys for this, 85 pitches against the Mets, skipping a start here and there, the All-Star break, doing all that stuff is for this to happen," Cora said. "For how great he was tonight, I tip my hat to the medical staff because they've done an amazing job with a guy that had never pitched 200 innings, had never made more than 30 starts."

Bregman knows all about aces, having played with Verlander and Gerrit Cole in Houston.

"They're very similar. Very confident, aggressive, prepared, focused and determined," he said. "It brings a confidence to your team that is so important, especially with postseason baseball. I've played with some of the best pitchers ever to do it and Garrett's right up there."

___

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Crochet pitches like an ace from bygone days and lifts Red Sox over Yankees 3-1 in playoff opener

Crochet pitches like an ace from bygone days and lifts Red Sox over Yankees 31 in playoff opener RONALD BLUM October...

Week 5 Data Dump: Eagles still have MAJOR red flags and these WRs are about to TAKE OFF Matt Harmon and Ray GarvinOctober 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM 0 Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy ForecastApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube It's another edition of Data Dump on the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast as we make the pivot fr...

- - Week 5 Data Dump: Eagles still have MAJOR red flags and these WRs are about to TAKE OFF

Matt Harmon and Ray GarvinOctober 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM

Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy ForecastApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

It's another edition of Data Dump on the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast as we make the pivot from Week 4 to Week 5 in the NFL. Ray Garvin joins Matt Harmon to share 10 data points you for this upcoming week. The two dive into some major red flags for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles passing game and a few top-end WRs that might have breakout games pretty soon.

(2:00) - Fantasy Fallout: Reacting to Lamar Jackson injury

(8:40) - Ray's 1st data point: Joe Flacco has been the worst QB in the NFL

(18:25) - Matt's 1st data point: Browns defense is causing fantasy headaches

(23:20) - Ray's 2nd data point: Has Derrick 'King' Henry lost his crown?

(33:00) - Matt's 2nd data point: Drake Maye is an elite fantasy QB right now

(40:00) - Ray's 3rd data point: Eagles passing game continues to struggle

(48:00) - Matt's 3rd data point: Michael Pittman is cooking right now

(52:30) - Ray's 4th data point: We can't overstate the importance of Xavier Worthy's return

(59:00) - Matt's 4th data point: Bucs WR outlook with Chris Godwin's return

(1:06:00) - Ray's 5th data point: Drake London's elite slot usage is back

(1:09:45) - Matt's 5th data point: Deebo Samuel isn't washed

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

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Week 5 Data Dump: Eagles still have MAJOR red flags and these WRs are about to TAKE OFF

Week 5 Data Dump: Eagles still have MAJOR red flags and these WRs are about to TAKE OFF Matt Harmon and Ray GarvinOc...

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