Jody Demling, who has called 11 Preakness winners, reveals his 2026 Preakness Stakes picks for Saturday, May 16 at Laurel Park with Golden Tempo not in the field following Monday's Preakness post draw

GRAND RAPIDS Only one outaway, Grand Rapids Community College softball thought it was destined for a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series(NJCAA)last season. Then heartbreak happened for the Raiders, whofailed tohold onto a one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning and suffered an 8-7 lossto Lansing Community College in athrilling regional final.VANFLEET SOFTBALL FAMILY: Fueled by family support, VanFleet finishing up excellent Cheboygan softball careerBLASKOWSKI WITH GCU BASEBALL: Cheboygan's Kaleb Blaskowski excelling with Grace Christian baseballLibby VanFleet, a former Cheboygan High School softball star andthen-freshmanon that GRCC team,felt thedevastation on the part ofherself and teammates who thought they had it.One year later, VanFleet and her close Raider teammates got to experience the other side of that, as they returned and finished the job in impressive fashion just recently.Now, VanFleet and GRCC softball will begoingto theupcomingNJCAA Division 2 World Series thefirst appearance for the Raiders since 1998 after capturing a 6-1 victoryover Lake Michigan College ina Great Lakes District B championshipgameat the University of Findlay (Ohio) on Saturday, May 9.Honestly, it was one of the most rewarding feelings that Ive ever had in my softball career, VanFleet said. There was so much buildup to that moment, and just being surrounded by my best friends was one of the best feelings.Itsa good feeling that we finally got what we wanted.With the win, the Raiders head to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where they will participate in the NJCAA World Series, May 19-24.Itsbeen a dominant season for the Raiders, who make their way into the tournament witha 41-8 overall record and a current 11-game winning streak.In two seasons at GRCC, VanFleet has been a huge part of the Raiders success. As afreshman, she saw plenty of time at pitcher and earned all-conference honorable mention accolades. But with the Raiders loaded with talented pitchers, VanFleet decided it was best to make her mark on a new position, which is now left field.While saying goodbye to being a pitcherwas difficult, shesfallen in love with left field, where she earned all-conference honors this season. I think I likeit more than pitching, VanFleet said. (The other outfielders)areall so hard working. Everyone is diving for every single ball.Itsjustgoodto have those people around me because I enjoy it so much.Weretogether all the time at practice. Werekind ofjustin our own world,butitsfun.CHEBOYGAN VS. BOYNE CITY SOFTBALL: Cheboygan softball beaten by Boyne City in crucial conference showdownMACKINAW CITY'S BEN STRITTMATTER: Mackinaw City senior's motto drives success in sports and schoolCARPER FOR INLAND LAKES SOFTBALL: Freshman Azalia Carper an emerging star with Inland Lakes softballOffensively, VanFleet has provided a productive bat for GRCC, hitting .337 with 28 hits, 11 doubles, 19 RBIs and 28 runs scored in 2026. VanFleet, along with her teammates,played their roles in lifting GRCC to a Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) title with a 23-2 league record.Prior to graduating from Cheboygan, VanFleetwasntsure if she wanted to keep playing softball. But with encouragement from her parents, she decided to give GRCC a go.For her,itsone of the best decisionsshesever made.I met so many people that I never would have met if I didnt take this opportunity, and its really allowed me to kind of get out of my comfort zone, and now I have 18 new best friends that Im definitely going to stay in contact with for the rest of my life, VanFleet said. With the World Series approaching,it willbe a dream cometruefor VanFleet, who never imagined she would be playing on the national stage likeshesgoing to be on soon.However, the hard part will be when her GRCC career ends. Whileshescurrently an Aquinas College softball commit,shellalways cherish her time with a GRCC program she loves dearly.Saying goodbye to all these girls,itsgoing to be tough because we work together every single day, and building these relationships is somethingIvebeen so blessed to be a part of, VanFleet said.No. 16 seed GRCC will meet No. 17 Bryant and Stratton College (Wisconsin) in a World Series first-round game at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, with the winner to face top-seeded Kirkwood Community College (Iowa) later in the day.Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf atjgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter@sportsCDTThis article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan's VanFleet finishing solid softball career in Grand Rapids

We're just a month away from the 2026 World Cup! How do all the major contenders -- and the three co-hosts -- look in terms of rosters and starters?

LeBron James future is suddenly in doubt after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept 4-0 in the second round by the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, with the 41-year-old openly questioning whether he will return for a 24th NBA season.

The suspect was claimed to have planned his attack, having waited outside of a shopping centre for Torreira to emerge before approaching him after he had taken photos with fans.

Arsenal have announced the death of club legend Peter Simpson at the age of 81, prompting an outpouring of tributes from supporters who remember him as one of the heroes of the club's historic double-winning side.The Gunners great was a central figure in the team that captured both the First Division title and the FA Cup in the 1970-71 season.Simpson made 478 appearances for Arsenal during a distinguished 13-year spell in north London, making him the club's 10th highest appearance-maker of all time.Arsenal confirmed the sad news in a statement on Wednesday.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour Say"Everyone at Arsenal is sad to learn that Peter Simpson has died, aged 81," the club said."Peter was a major part of the 1970-71 Double-winning squad, making 478 appearances during his time at the club."All of us are thinking of his loved ones at this time."Rest in peace, Peter."Simpson's story at Arsenal began in humble fashion.He first joined the club on the ground staff before signing as an apprentice in 1961, eventually developing into one of the most dependable defenders of his generation.Comfortable across the back line, Simpson became a mainstay of the side throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.His finest hour came during the unforgettable 1970-71 campaign, when Arsenal secured the league title before beating Liverpool in the FA Cup final to complete the first double in the club's history.One of the defining moments of that title triumph came at White Hart Lane against Tottenham Hotspur.With Arsenal protecting a 1-0 lead, Simpson made a vital late block from Cyril Knowles to help preserve the victory that clinched the championship.Despite his consistency and longevity, Simpson never earned a senior cap for England national football team.He was named in several squads by World Cup-winning manager Alf Ramsey, but did not make an appearance.After leaving Arsenal, Simpson had a spell in the United States with New England Tea Men before ending his career with Hendon in 1981.Supporters quickly paid tribute to the former defender on social media.One fan wrote: "The League Championship in May 1971. We were winning 1-0 at Spurs, but a score draw would hand the title to Leeds."In the last few moments of the match Spurs' Cyril Knowles shot at our goal. Peter Simpson's shin flicked the ball over the bar. And the rest is history. RIP Peter."Another said: "Very sad news. Saw him many times in the back four at Highbury in the 70-71 season."One of my favourite players and I even had the number 6 on a 71 Cup Final replica shirt."A third supporter wrote: "Gutted. One of my all-time heroes. RIP."And another added: "RIP to this legend. Now it's a must we do the Double this season."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

The ship, which set sail from Belfast on Friday, is at port in Bordeaux after 49 people fell ill from gastroenteritis.

Archaeologists have uncovered ancient Roman graves beneath a thriving Adriatic city, offering a glimpse into life long before it became a tourist destination.The graves were found in the Relja district of Zadar, a coastal city in Croatia. Zadar is known for its coastline and historic charm which includes plenty of Roman ruins.A post shared by the University of Zadar's Department of Archaeology indicated the necropolis dates from the first century B.C. and the fifth century A.D.WARRIORS FOUND STACKED IN ANCIENT WELL REVEAL VIOLENT TALE OF BATTLEFIELD DEFEAT: ARCHAEOLOGISTSThe busy Relja neighborhood stands atop "part of the large ancient necropolis of Roman Zadar," the department said."In Roman times, cemeteries were located outside city walls, most often along main roads, so along one such route the Romans buried their dead here for nearly 500 years," the post noted.Across the wider Relja area, including a major shopping center and various landmarks, archaeologists have uncovered 3,000 graves, according to the department.ANCIENT ROMAN THEATER DISCOVERED BENEATH TOWN HALL THANKS TO MASSIVE EARTHQUAKES"Today, the area where the site is located is one of the most vibrant and fast-developing parts ofZadar," the post said. "However, back in Roman times, when the necropolis was first established, it lay [in] the suburban area."Around 15 ancient burials were found at the site, said Igor Borzi, a professor at the University of Zadar.The burials "clearly illustrate the typical evolution of funerary practices over the centuries," Borzi told Fox News Digital on May 3."In the first and second centuries A.D., cremation was dominant," he said, with grave goods including "items such as glass balsamaria, small glass vessels, ceramic bowls, oil lamps, coins and other offerings."'HERMETICALLY SEALED' ROMAN SARCOPHAGUS FROZEN IN TIME FOR 1,700 YEARS FINALLY OPENED BY ARCHAEOLOGISTSBy the second century, inhumation, or body burials, "became increasingly common.""Over time," he said, "these burials tend to include fewer grave goods, reflecting a gradual shift in attitudes toward the afterlife, as well as broader changes in religious beliefs from pagan traditions of classical antiquity to the eventual dominance of Christianity.""Overall, the finds from these 15 or so graves show that the population of Roman Iader closely followed the cultural and religious trends seen across the wider Roman Empire. This further supports the idea of a highly interconnected, culturally cohesive and trend-sensitive society within such a vast imperial system."While the discovery may seem unusual beneath a modern city, Borzi said such finds are not unexpected in Zadar.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"It is difficult to say that anything truly unexpected has emerged, although every single find tells its own story and deserves to be approached as such," said Borzi."Modern archaeology increasingly relies on a wide range of laboratory analyses," he added, noting they can reveal insights into "origin, diet, health and causes of death.""It is precisely in this area that we believe new and potentially surprising information may still come to light," he said.Key finds include a burial that may predate Roman Zadar, likely from the prehistoric Liburnian period, as well as "carbonized remains" from the second or third century A.D.Borzi said the remains were likely food or grains and will be sent for analysis.TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZThe archaeologist added that artifacts from the site will be "carefully processed and studied" before being temporarily displayed in the Department of Archaeology's collection.The site has yielded 20th-century artifacts from the Italian occupation of Zadar as well, said Borzi which "serves as yet another reminder of the citys enduring importance throughout its history.""That importance largely stems from its strategic position along major maritime routes on the eastern Adriatic, as well as from its exceptionally fertile agricultural hinterland," he said."Together, these factors ensured that Zadar remained a significant center across many different historical periods."

Die Wolfsburgerinnen gehen als klare Auenseiterinnen in das Endspiel am Donnerstag gegen die Titelverteidigerinnen. Aber die Statistik spricht fr den VfL.[mehr]