aatm shakti

Lost in the shuffle of the NHL and NBA Playoffs, and MLB labor talks is the fact that the WNBA has started its season and games are in full swing. We still don't have most teams done with a quarter of their season, so it is still early, but we are starting to see some of the teams take shape. I love the league and basketball, so betting on the WNBA is one of my favorite things. Tonight, we do it as the Sparks play the Mystics.

The Los Angeles Sparks are a team that has a lot of potential, but haven't looked great through six games this season. The team, led by Kelsey Plum, is looking to capitalize on its scoring superstar. In basketball, it is very common to succeed if you have one really good player and surround him or her with decent talent. The problem is that Plum will be out due to an ankle injury. That means if they only have decent talent around her, someone needs to step up.

The candidates for improved performance over the next few games are Dearica Hamby and Nneka Ogwumike. Both are already averaging 15 or more points this season. I also should mention that both are probably better than "decent" players. They are strong contributors who make a difference on every team. Someone like Cameron Brink or maybe Ariel Atkins will get more opportunities without Plum on the floor.

Caitlin Clark breaks WNBA assists record to a chorus of boos as Valkyries spoil the milestone

The Washington Mystics are still trying to figure it out. They have some good pieces, but they don't really have everything they need to be true competitors. I'd actually be fairly surprised if they make the postseason. As of right now, they are 3-3 with some inconsistent games. It is still early, so I don't want to put too much judgment on this team or what they could be. But, I'd classify the Mystics as rebuilding or at least building, compared to the Sparks, who are more championship hopefuls.

The main building block of this team is Sonia Citron. She was the third overall pick last year and had a great rookie campaign. She is building off of that this year with 17.2 points per game, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. If they can keep her, she will be the face of the franchise for multiple years. She has had a couple of tough games this season, but the team split those two games. So they are capable of winning despite her struggles, which is a good sign for their future.

In tonight's game, the Sparks probably have the better overall roster. However, without Plum, I think there are reasons to question how efficient they will be. Plum is a dominant ball-handler who is probably classified as a shoot-first point guard. They should still have the talent to score, but it could have some challenges.

The total dropped quite a bit from the opener after Plum was announced out. However, this Sparks team is playing very little defense this season. The Mystics aren't that much better. Combined, they are averaging 182.3 points per game allowed. I expect Citron to bounce back after a bad game, and I think the Sparks will be fine getting to 75+ points without Plum. Give me the over 165.5.

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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 

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Kirk Cameron says he left his native California for Tennessee two years ago because of its liberal policies and high cost of living.

"When you're a kid in California it's great because your parents are paying for everything," the "Growing Pains" star explained to Adam Carolla on his podcast Tuesday. "So, you go to the beach, you're hanging out, you're going snow skiing, you get to eat an In-N-Out burger, you get to get some, you know, hot dogs downtown in Hollywood. It's great. You're having a good time."

But he said once his kids got out on their own, they realized how expensive it is in the Golden State.

GARY SINISE SAYS HE MONEY WOULD BE 'MOVING A LOT FASTER OUT THE DOOR' IF HE STILL LIVED IN CALIFORNIA

"They realize how terrible the politics are and all of the other things that make it difficult to raise a family there," he said. "And so all of a sudden it's like, ‘Oh my gosh, we gotta move. We gotta go someplace where we can actually thrive and maybe even just survive.’"

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After having mentioned earlier that he was missing California’s weather, Cameron said he hoped to return someday, "because pound-for-pound, I think California has just so much to offer. Although Tennessee is getting better."

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He added that people are "coming from New York and California like crazy to Tennessee, especially this middle Tennessee Nashville area. It's pretty cool."

"There's so many creatives here that have good values. They love their family," he said. "They're proud of their country — and the whiskey is great. So, if you like whiskey and hot chicken, Nashville is the place to be."

The 55-year-old grew up in Los Angeles before rising to fame as a teenager on "Growing Pains."

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"60 Minutes" correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi announced Wednesday that CBS News declined to renew her contract months after she lashed out at editor-in-chief Bari Weiss for delaying a segment about allegations of abuses at the El Salvador prison CECOT. 

Liberal critics of Weiss and Paramount CEO David Ellison have accused them of bending the knee to President Donald Trump and trying to curry favor with his administration. Alfonsi, a longtime correspondent for "60 Minutes," insisted late last year that the decision by Weiss to hold the story, "Inside CECOT," was done for political rather than editorial reasons. 

Six months later, Alfonsi said her agent’s attempts to negotiate were ignored by CBS honchos and blasted the network for "abandoning" its mission to prioritize independent reporting. 

"Over the weekend, my contract with CBS News expired, drawing to a close nearly twenty years with the network, including more than a decade at ‘60 Minutes,’" Alfonsi told Fox News Digital. 

'60 MINUTES' CORRESPONDENT LAMBASTS 'CORPORATE MEDDLING' AT CBS, ADMITS SHE COULD BE FIRED

"Following an intense editorial dispute over our CECOT story, repeated attempts by my representation to establish a path forward were met with absolute silence from network executives. The message could not be clearer: my time at ‘60 Minutes’ is apparently over," she continued. "In the coming days, network leadership may attempt to hide behind corporate euphemisms like ‘modernization’ and ‘restructuring’ to explain away my departure. Don't be misled."

Alfonsi, who is technically still employed by CBS News, said that it was "not a routine corporate transition," and instead a "deliberate choice to penalize a journalist for refusing to sanitize factually accurate reporting, and it sends a chilling message to the entire newsroom."

"Fearless, independent reporting has always been the defining standard at ‘60 Minutes.’ Today, CBS management is abandoning that mission, choosing access journalism over accountability and protecting power rather than scrutinizing it," she said. 

'60 MINUTES' REPORTER LASHES OUT AT BARI WEISS AFTER SEGMENT ON EL SALVADOR PRISON YANKED AT LAST MINUTE

"The wall between editorial independence and corporate interest at CBS is being methodically torn down. Journalists willing to challenge authority are being pushed aside in favor of those who will not," Alfonsi added. "If this continues, the result will be a broadcast that looks like ‘60 Minutes’ but lacks the courage and character to produce journalism that matters." 

CBS News did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

In December, Weiss delayed the "Inside CECOT" segment that featured Alfonsi interviewing some released deportees, who described torturous conditions. A CBS spokesperson told Fox News Digital at the time that it was determined the segment needed "additional reporting," reportedly due to concerns about not yet having an on-the-record response from the Trump administration for the newsmagazine segment. 

In a stunning note to fellow "60 Minutes" staffers that quickly leaked to the media, Alfonsi said her segment was being held for political reasons, not editorial ones. Alfonsi told colleagues Weiss had "spiked" the story and not given her a chance to discuss it further.

"Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices," Alfonsi wrote. "It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now, after every rigorous internal check has been met, is not an editorial decision, it is a political one."

WHO IS SHARYN ALFONSI? ‘60 MINUTES’ CORRESPONDENT IS ALLEGING POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN HER STORY ON CECOT

She added that "60 Minutes" made requests for comment to the White House, Department of Homeland Security, and the State Department. Their silence was their statement, she wrote, and allowing that to delay the story was effectively giving them veto power.

"If the administration’s refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a ‘kill switch’ for any reporting they find inconvenient," she wrote.

CBS ended up airing the segment in January. 

Alfonsi previously came under fire in 2021 for a "60 Minutes" segment where she challenged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and painted a narrative that he had given supermarket chain Publix preferential treatment on distributing COVID vaccines because its PAC had donated $100,000 to his campaign.

However, the story came under significant criticism, including from Democrats like Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz. Publix had more than 800 locations in the state, making it an ideal location for distributing the vaccines to a state with a high senior population.

Publix fired back against the notion that it essentially bribed DeSantis, calling the suggestion "false and offensive."

Weiss has seen several high-profile talent exits during her tenure, which has been marked by sharp criticism from liberal media observers.

Fox News Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn and David Rutz contributed to this report. 

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The US president says he believes Iran wants to reach a deal but there is still no agreement on its terms.

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Rescuers in Laos have found five villagers alive inside a flooded cave after they were trapped for a week.

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The 2026 American Music Awards kicked off with a red carpet full of daring fashion risks, as stars embraced everything from disco-inspired shimmer to country style and oversized menswear.

Held Monday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the 52nd annual AMAs delivered a fashion lineup packed with metallic drama, rock-and-roll attitude and sheer fabric as celebrities gathered for one of the industry’s most anticipated nights.

GRAMMY AWARDS 2026: SABRINA CARPENTER AND ADDISON RAE SHINE ON RED CARPET

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model Hilary Duff delivered disco-era glamour in a shimmering silver sleeveless gown dripping in reflective sequins.

Comedian Nikki Glaser turned heads in a silver satin gown featuring a corset-style bodice, side cutouts and a thigh-high slit. The television host paired the glamorous look with pointed black heels and long blonde waves.

Country star Riley Green stayed true to his roots in a dark blue three-piece suit styled with a cowboy hat and tan boots. The polished Western-inspired ensemble balanced traditional tailoring with Nashville flair.

New Kids on the Block members Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Jonathan Knight coordinated in upscale looks. Velvet burgundy jackets, metallic blazers and sleek black tailoring created a cohesive aesthetic for the fan-favorite boy band.

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Paula Abdul embraced futuristic couture in a sculptural white gown adorned with geometric beading, sheer paneling and flowing tulle accents. Dramatic shoulder detailing and fitted long sleeves added architectural flair to the unique fashion ensemble.

Rock legend Billy Idol brought his signature rebellious energy to the carpet in a black leather blazer layered over a fuchsia shirt. He accessorized with silver necklaces and black-and-white loafers, while his iconic platinum blond spikes completed the rock star look.

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"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Lisa Rinna opted for oversized tailoring in a chocolate-brown pantsuit featuring exaggerated shoulders and wide-leg trousers. The actress and television personality added a playful touch with a polka-dot necktie adorned with a printed portrait of President John F. Kennedy.

Singer Tinashe embraced sheer fashion in an off-the-shoulder white lace gown featuring intricate embroidery. Layered diamond chokers, wet-look dark hair and the ethereal silhouette combined for one of the evening’s boldest high-fashion moments.

Host Queen Latifah arrived wrapped in glamour with a dramatic full-length textured silver-gray faux fur coat cinched at the waist with a cream belt. The sophisticated winter-inspired ensemble was paired with sleek hair and bold lipstick.

"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Jessi Draper stepped out in a sleek black sleeveless gown with a fitted silhouette and dramatic cream ruffled hem. She accessorized with a black floral clutch and minimalist black heels, while soft glam makeup and glossy brunette waves completed the red-carpet look.

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Cyril Ramaphosa argues that the authors of the report "misconceived" their mandate.

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