USA Today Thursday

0:00The following program is intended for listeners who are blind, have low vision, or another print disability that makes reading, holding a book, even turning a page difficult, if not impossible. The content is copyrighted by the respective publishers. For more information, please visit us on the web nfradioreading.org. The Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service now presents a reading of articles and features from USA Today for Thursday, September 10, 2026. Your readers today Jim Duffy and Ken Drossed. And opening with the front section, Texas Mom's Ice Map takes off. The current tracking website draws department of Homeland Security scrutiny. Nick Penson-Stetler of USA Today writes,

1:00Laura Berlin watched images of immigration agents rounding up people and flying them to a Latin American prison without due process. She knew she had to do something. That situation really haunted me, she said. She asked herself, who owned these chartered airliners that were flying the men to a Salvadoran prison? Who owned these detention centers where men were being held along the way? In short, what companies were taking money from the government to help deport people? She needed to know. Using her background in nonprofit communications, she built an interactive Google map titled, Who is Profiting from Ice? Now it plots the contractors across the country who work with immigration and customs enforcement to carry out the Trump administration's deportation policies. Activists found her online database and have used it to organize hundreds of protests across

2:04the country against these companies, shaming them into cutting ties with ice. In one case, an East Coast bank broke with two prominent detention center contractors after account holders, including Jersey City, New Jersey, withdrew more than $350 million. The United States government found her website too and labeled it a tool for domestic terrorism according to a secret intelligence bullet obtained by USA Today. As the latest example of the Trump administration cracking down on dissent, it says could veer into political violence. The egregious, dehumanizing rhetoric, the administration and its allies have relied on to manufacture support for cruel and ill-advised policies was always going to ripple out and hurt people, including kids in all kinds of ways according to Berlin.

3:07The anonymous Texas mother of two teenagers has been pulled out from behind her laptop into an uncomfortable spot flight. When Berlin began her research in April of 2025, two big names immediately caught her attention, GEO Group and Corus Civil, for awarded nearly $1 billion combined by ice in the first year of the Trump administration's crackdown in 2025. The two companies provide staff for detention centers, beds to house detainees and ankle monitors to surveil those on bond awaiting their hearings. Berlin went down the research rabbit hole and discovered that Wells Fargo and Bank of America had pledged to stop working with the pair. So she wondered who's still lending to these companies.

4:08She scoured corporate filings and found her answer. Citizens Bank, a Rhode Island institution with more than 1,000 branches on the East Coast. She posted her research on boycottcitizens.org and included a detailed Google map that shows the nationwide web of companies, law enforcement agencies, and politicians with ties to ice. It attracted a trickle of attention at first. But one group of organizers had bought some founder website and created Deice Citizens Bank Coalition. The group had already successfully pressured available airlines to end its ice contract for deportation flights in January. Deice planned its first protest against citizens bank on a cold January 7th. That same warning on a snowy side street in Minneapolis and ice agents shot and killed Renee Good. Berlin's obscure website exploded.

5:12Website traffic surged from a few thousand visits to nearly 10 million hits. Deice Citizens recruited dozens of new volunteers and it launched three dozen protests. Days later, January 24th, Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Prety, 37-year-old male nurse, fueling further outrage. March by March, 70 protests were planned at Citizens Banks. By June, it was up to 140 spanning 17 states. The group collected withdrawal pledges from citizens customers totaling $25 million. They attended Citizens Annual Board meetings in person. They bought billboards in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. They even hired a pilot to drag a banner over Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia during the major league baseball All-Star game in July. For decades, Citizens Bank had a hard-earned reputation on the East Coast as a socially responsible

6:17lender, said Peyton Fleming, a spokesman for Deice Citizens, which partnered with Berlin. He appointed to a Citizens Program to work with low-income borrowers. That standing was stained by the chorus of the congeal loans, according to Fleming. The reputation damage was part of the strategy and clearly the bank was upset with tarnishing their reputation. The strategy worked. In June, Jersey City officials said they were going to pull $265 million from the bank, citing Geo's operation of Delaney Hall, a detention facility that had drawn widespread condemnation. July 14, Montclair voted to pull an additional $90 million. The bank gave in. Three days later, Citizens posted a long lamenting—I'm sorry, a blog lamenting being targeted by activists and wrote that it would cut off the two contractors.

7:22It insisted it was not a decision influenced by the political campaign. This is a business decision based on changed commercial circumstances and does not reflect any change in our view regarding these companies' business models and operations. The unsigned blog read, Citizens Bank declined a USA Today interview request. Days earlier, Core Civic announced it had sold two California facilities back to the Department of Homeland Security, freeing up more than $1.5 billion to inject into the company and lowering the need for bank credit. Citizens said it felt squeezed by the debanking effort. The Trump administration's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued controversial guidance to banks, warning of fair access violations for those that cut off loans to fossil fuel providers, gun manufacturers, and private prisons.

8:24Berlin didn't stop there. Her research includes a searchable map of ISIS contracts with other major US companies across the nation. AT&T, Comcast, Del, Delawah, FedEx, Motorway, Rala, I'm sorry, Motorola, and Pell and Tear. That caught the attention of the Department of Homeland Security. To Berlin, her database is an important tool for transparency protected as free speech. To the DHS, it's information that could be used by anarchist extremists. So that's according to a secret intelligence bulletin, DHS sent to local and federal law enforcement in February, specifically targeting Berlin's website. Anti-ice thread actors, including local anarchist extremists, may escalate otherwise peaceful

9:25direct action by carrying out acts of vandalism, often using spray paint projectiles, blunt and edged objects, and improvised incendiary devices according to the bulletin. DHS used the same alert for Berlin's website that it reserves for domestic terrorists. In the past DHS has used this code, H-S-E-C-S-I-N-8, which stands for Homeland Security Standing Information Need 8. To flag information on Islamic State videos of beheadings and pipe bombs in cities. Berlin says she was unaware of her site was the subject of a law enforcement intelligence bullet. And first, my stomach dropped, she said. But that couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it. The bulletin concedes in red letters that some of this information describes First Amendment

10:27protected activities. Homeland Security warnings against Berlin echo the administration's pressure on Apple to remove the app Ice Block, from which anonymous users could crowdsource ice activity. DHS investigated left-leaning labor unions and climate change groups in Minnesota. It described as violence opportunists and agitators. And a New York man was investigated for criminal activities after he emailed Ice Director Todd Lions. A spokesperson for the department did not address the specific bulletin but said information from local partners helps sharpen the national threat picture. A spokesman for the Philadelphia Police Department, which sent the information to DHS said the bulletins are compiled to identify emerging threats and hazards, aimed at situational awareness,

11:28not to characterize lawful activity or constitutionally protected speech as criminal conduct. This from Sargent Eric Krip. DHS is targeting even the mildest anti-ice dissent as extremism and terrorism said Ryan Shapiro, executive director of the open government group Property of the People, which obtained the document. This has nothing to do with public safety Shapiro said. It's about deploying law enforcement as a taxpayer funded security force. Excuse me. For Ice's corporate enablers and profiteers. For their part, the protests groups maintain they have two rules, remain peaceful and abide by all laws. Colonel Lynn says she's not backing down. For Berlin, this work is personal. The images that sparked her into action.

12:29Ice has rough treatment of people of color being rounded up. Former DHS, Christy Knome posing in front of shirtless men in a Salvadoran prisoner. Hit close to home. Her sons are part quite a mollum. She has seen how differently the world sometimes treats them, especially the one who has the darker skin. I'd be lying if I said I'm not angry about all of this, or afraid about what it means for my own kids for Lynn said. He just says she will continue her website's goal of highlighting companies that work with ice. Next up, she's researching companies that gather data to help identify and locate immigrants. This information is available from the government's own databases, Berlin said. It's troubling the DHS would portray a tool meant to make public records more accessible as potentially threatening. She says she's motivated to change the nation into a better place for children like hers.

13:33And if the government insists on a bare-knuckle approach against political dissent, she said she has the first amendment on her side. She went back to work on 912. She's still paying for it now. This is an article regarding the 911 attack 25 years later. Her suffers from toxic exposure at the Pentagon from Carissa Wettich of Vio. Today, Blexus quoted the hallways Lennonium tiles. So thick Susan Lucas could see her footprints. Her throat burned as she climbed the stairs to her office. Hot stinging tears rimmed her eyes. When she got there, a layer of dust and debris blanketed her desk. She wiped it away, sat down and began to work. By lunchtime, her head throbbed.

14:33On the opposite side of the Pentagon, emergency responders searched through rubble for victims. They fought jet fuel flamed infernos, moldering along the building's roof. During her drive in, along interstate 395 on September 12, 2001, Lucas caught an unwanted glimpse of the site. You're listening to a reading of today's USA Today on the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. The time is 1215. Continuing American Airlines Flight 77 had struck the Pentagon the day before, killing all 64 people on board in 125 inside the building. She tried to push the image out of her mind, tried not to remember the feeling of the plane's impact. The uncannily quiet evacuation and the day's woman in the parking deck. Speaking at the Pentagon on September 11, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfield told the

15:36world that the United States government was functioning in the face of the horrific terror attacks. The Pentagon said it would be back in business the next day. Nobody knew whether the building was safe to occupy. Rumsfeld said it was not possible to give guarantee, but commended Pentagon workers for being brave people. Lucas, two children, begged her on September 12 not to go back to the office, but she had to. Then a major in the Air Force, she was not about to disobey orders. Twenty-five years later, Lucas believes she's paying the price. She is among thousands of current and former service members, whom the Reserve Organization of America estimates, are suffering toxic exposure-related health consequences from working at the Pentagon in the days after 9-11. While Congress provided health care for 9-11 responders through the World Trade Center Health Program and expanded benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits through the PECC Act, the Reserve Organization of America says Pentagon personnel who breathed toxic

16:40air after 9-11 have been left out. Lucas is the begrudging namesake of a federal bill aimed to change that. The Susan E. Lucas 9-11 Service Member Fairness Act would extend Department of Veterans Affairs health care and disability benefits to those who went back to work inside the building. It affects my life every day, Lucas said during an interview at her home in Gainesville, Virginia. People don't understand that. They think you were exposed, you had problems, you got over it. It doesn't work that way. September 11th started like any other day for Lucas. Inside the Air Force Office of Legislative Leiazon on the north-eastern side of the Pentagon, she kept one eye on the tiny corner television as she prepared for the days meetings on Capitol Hill. Lucas was escorting commanders from Barxtail Air Force Base. They had to be ready for questions from federal lawmakers on the latest headlines. Lucas looked up at about 8.50 am, she couldn't believe what she saw on the screen.

17:41She thought it was a movie. On screen, black smoke billowed from one of the twin towers at the World Trade Center in New York City. CNN anchor Carol Lynn said an aircraft had flown into the building. The Air Force officers knew something was off. A plane would not have accidentally veered that fire off course. Minutes later, they watched the United Airlines flight 175 crash into the South Tower. I don't understand why they hit the twin towers and didn't hit us. Lucas remembers saying to her colleagues, as she left for a meeting down the hall. We've got all the leaders. At 9.37 am, a thunderous boom echoed through the conference room, followed by a violent earthquake-like shake. Lucas was the only person who could see the window. She watched a plume of black smoke rise outside. We've been hit, she told the room. They never practiced evacuations. The Pentagon is amazed of hallways. 17.5 miles of them all interconnected. They had no way to know which side of the building had been hit or which pathways were

18:43safe. They had watched a second plane fly into the World Trade Center. Was another coming for them. Lucas navigated the group of out-of-town commanders to the closest door. They walked past the concrete parking lots toward the shopping complexes of Pentagon City, at least a mile to a Starbucks, far from tall buildings. They passed a woman wandering in a day's sobbing. I think my whole office just got killed. The stranger told them. She left her office to grab a coffee with a friend that morning, something she never did. As she walked down the hall, passing into the interior rings of the building, the woman said she heard a roar, turned and saw a fireball blazing down the corridor. She thought she'd lost everybody because it was a direct impact. Lucas remembered. Nearly three hours later, Lucas arrived home in Springfield, Virginia. Her two children were crying on the couch, watching the news of the day's tragedies on television. They huddled together that evening, watching as Ronsfeld told the world that the Pentagon

19:46would be in business on September the 12th. Fire burned inside the Pentagon for nearly three days, leaping along the roof. Firefighters heck through wood, slate and concrete trench lines. A process, the Reserve Organization of America, says likely generated silica containing dust. Those who breathe the contaminants, they argue, could have sustained permanent lung damage. The smell of burning plastic filled hallways, yellow police taped cordoned off sections of the building. Hours after cleaning workers cleared air ducts of debris, they would find them covered with soot again. Arlington County Fire Chief Edward P. Plowher posed Ronsfeld's directive. Worried that gases and debris from the fire would spread in the building according to a 2007 Pentagon report. A crew of 50 from the service, Mr. arrived on September the 12th to prepare the building for workers. They began wiping down as much as they could in the hallways, doors, window, sills, trophy cases,

20:49picture frames, light fixtures and vents. Environmental samples tested before the cleanup found most contaminants were below occupational health or environmental standard. Though some led in asbestos samples exceeded the healthy limit according to a 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Sometimes they will clean things two or three times because the dirt was so heavy in some areas. Linda Luzek, who worked on the Yav facilities team in the office of the Secretary of Defense said in November 7th of 2001, recounting the weak long cleaning effort, particularly on the 4th and 5th floors of the building. Thousands reported to work at the Pentagon on September the 12th. Two-thirds of the building was preoccupied by September 24th, or I said reacupied, I should say, by September 24th. Lucas felt like she was sleepwalking in those days immediately after the attack. People in the office rarely spoke if they did. It was to share stories of the evacuation.

21:54Her headaches and throat pain persisted. About a month later, she saw a doctor inside the Pentagon for respiratory related issues. She talked, she talked it up to a lingering cold. It's funny how we just did not connect any of that, she said. On the anniversary of the September 11th terror attack this year, Lucas will do what she always does. Hide! She turns off her television and radio and avoids reading the news. To keep her mind busy, she'll put her around the house. If I never have to talk about 9-11 again, I'd be fine with it, she said. I do it because of all the people that don't realize that they're struggling with toxic exposure. Forgetting is not an option. I'm one of the few people that maybe know exactly what's going to kill me, she said. It makes me appreciate every day. Schools are turning away special needs child. A lack of residential school spots leaves families with few options. Madeline Mitchell of USA Today writes this informative piece.

22:59On his daughter's first day of fifth grade, Matthew Lang Geiss got her dressed and fed before heading outside with 10-year-old Charlotte to wait for the bus. The bus was late, as it often is on the first day of school, while drivers and students adjusted new routes and routines. Charlotte cannot speak, but Lang Geiss could tell she was anxious until she saw the bus drive up. When he helped her up the steps, he said she was happy as a clam. Lang Geiss watched the bus drive off to Maryland's Bethesda Elementary School, hoping Charlotte would have a good first day back. Good day for Charlotte means no tantrums, no behaviors that cause harm to herself or others, and hopefully some positive interactions with her peers. Charlotte has Ogden syndrome, as a rare condition that can cause severe developmental delays and pica,

24:02which is an eating disorder that prompts her to try to eat anything within reach, including non-food items. Her parents said she has the mental capacity of a 12-18 month old and likely will for the rest of her life. She is a very social Lang Geiss said. It's one of the reasons why he and his wife, Christina Hartman, sent her back to Bethesda Elementary this year, even though the public school district recommended months ago that Charlotte switched to a private residential school that can meet her educational and care needs. Lang Geiss and Hartman agreed to pursue residential programs and followed up on referrals to seven residential schools in their home state, even across the northeast. But none of them could take Charlotte for the new school year.

25:03After talking with other parents and experts, Lang Geiss and Hartman now understand it could take several more months, maybe even years, before they would find a school with an open seat that can serve Charlotte. There's just no place for her, Hartman said. None of them have spots. Parents of children with disabilities often find themselves advocating to get their kids the support they need to thrive. While the vast majority of the 7.5 million special ed students in the United States stay enrolled in regular schools, according to the National Center for Education's stats, experts say some children can benefit from programs dedicated to students with disabilities. But because these programs are rare and many have years along waiting lists, some families are left with nowhere to go. Some students like Charlotte continue in the public school system,

26:04while parents search for a solution. Others with more extreme behaviors are just sent home. No educational pathway at all. Michael Greglia of California said, his 12 year old son Tony was out of school for months at a time while they searched for a program that would take him. Tony has S-Y-N-G-A-P-1 related disorder, which has led several neurological issues, including epilepsy and profound autism. When he gets upset, Greglia said, Tony can be violent, which has become more challenging, both at school and at home, as Tony has grown older and stronger. My wife could not take him. If he got mad at her, she would be on the ground screaming with him, pulling her hair, Greglia said, adding that they were worried for their younger son's safety as well. I couldn't leave the house unless the one male caregiver we had was there. I was essentially homebound.

27:10Rita Gardner has worked in the industry for decades and knows how difficult this process can be for families. She's the president and CEO of Millmark, a human service provider that operates private special ed schools in several states. Spots are hard to come by, she said, because students and programs like Millmarks do not graduate at the same rate as at traditional schools. One family was on Millmark's waiting list for seven years. That's before just a spot opened up, she said, as a parent, none of us likes to see a time when our children don't do well, right? Well, imagine that being every day, all day long, when you can't access the resources to help your child be successful. Gardner said, it's devastating. Charlotte School District recommended residential after years of back and forth with her parents on Charlotte's individualized education program.

28:12Or IEP, a legal document that outlines accommodations and learning goals for students with disabilities. Charlotte does not have a designated one on one aid at school. Her parents said, she is in a school community based program with other special needs kids, which they said offers a little inclusion with non-special education students. Charlotte is not likely to ever learn to read or solve a math problem. Her parents said, but she wants to be engaged and could work toward basic life skills like toilet training and emotional regulation, both of which a school for students with disabilities can focus on. Montgomery School Public Schools declined to comment on Charlotte's IEP or school placement journey because of family education rights and privacy act restrictions.

29:13Neither Charlotte's nor Tony's parents wanted their children to go away for school so young. Both told USA Today they tried to find private day programs near their homes, but could not find sustainable spots at these facilities either. One after another, after another, after another. They all said no, Gregorius said. He eventually found a special needs day school for Tony, but that school asked him to leave after about a year because of aggressive behavior. In the interim, Tony did not have a school to go to. He needs routine and structure, clear expectations. And, you know, we are not trained medical, psychological professionals, or parents, Tony's mother Ashley Evans said, we love them. We want the best for them. And we both have full time jobs. That was challenging. You're listening to a reading of today's USA Today on the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. The time is 1230.

30:20After several months at home, Gregorius said he and his wife hired a consultant to see which district approved schools they could drive. She gave us a list of six schools in the entire country that she said could handle Tony. The closest was in Kansas. Luckily, the psychiatric residential treatment facility and special ed school in Kansas had a spot open. And Tony started attending in April of this year. While Gregorius said Tony is making progress, it's difficult to send his 12 year old off to a school 1,800 miles away from home. Gregorius dropped Tony off at the residential program in early August for the new school year. Broke his heart. He said to leave his son there. While Tony begged to come home. Not only do I not have people in place right now to bring you home, Gregorius told him, I don't have a school to send you to. The ripple effect of not providing good early education and care is that as a society, we're paying for that as caretaking needs that are much more intense in adult services.

31:33Gardener said, for now Tony's parents are focused on keeping them at the residential school in Kansas until the end of the 2026, the 2026, 27 school year. Hopefully he will continue to improve his behaviors. Gregorius said, and then they can revisit conversations with schools closer to home. We do not lack for financial resources, he said. This is the best we can do. It's a failure of the special ed system. The few places that can take kids like this are completely overburtoned. New Hampshire is a key for both parties. The GOP looks to flip the state amid a blue wave outlook from Philip M. Bailey of USA Today. New Hampshire voters on both sides of the aisle made this safer bet September the 8th and what could be a quietly consequential battle for the US Senate this fall.

32:36Within minutes of the polls closing results were called for the Democratic and Republican nominations for Senate which easily went to representative Chris Pappas and former senator John Sannoon respectively. The GOP hopes to fortify its 53 to 47th Senate majority against a forecast and blue wave in the 2026 bid terms and many believe one of their best options is in the Granite state where retiring Democratic incumbent Jean Shebin has left a purple state wide open. Recruiting Sannoon was a big get for the GOP which is promising to spend $17 million in the state this year to flip the seat. He comes from a popular family in the state and has served in the Senate. He defeated Jean Shaheen in 2002 before losing their rematch six years later. We need to shake up Washington with real reforms the news said in his victory speech Tuesday.

33:37Pappas alluded to Democratic anxiety about the race during his speech saying it will be a tough contest over the next eight weeks. They will require everyone under the tent to win this fall. Kyle Condick, a managing editor of the nonpartisan Sabattos Crystal Ball newsletter at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics said Democrats still are favorite to hold the seat in November. This is ultimately a Democratic leaning state and federal races and this is a Democratic leaning year he said. That is a lot for Sannoon to overcome. Further down the bail was a race to fill Pappas's seat which on the Democratic side featured a familiar name with Stephanie Shaheen. Daughter of the outgoing senator taking on Morris Sullivan a retired marine for the nomination in one of the country's swingiest districts. Weeks before the primary election Pappas and Sannoon who already were acting as if the general election were the only contest by largely ignoring their intraparty rivals.

34:38That's in part because both sides understood the importance of New Hampshire which former vice president Kamala Harris won by a little less than three percentage points in 2024. The GOP is defending six Senate seats this year including places president Trump won decisively such as Texas and Iowa. Flipping the grand state would ease the heartburn consuming Republicans. Sannoon who had the tougher task in defeating Scott Brown a former Republican senator from Massachusetts who gained national fame in 2010 for winning the seat once held by Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy a liberal lion. With Trump's endorsement Sannoon who breathed through despite publicly disagreeing with the administration's foreign trade wars and calling the president a loser in an op-ed in 2024. He mentioned term limits and members of Congress paying for their own health insurance in his victory speech Tuesday before calling out Pappas's vote last year against ending the government shutdown. No more career politicians Sannoon who said Pappas who would be the first to openly gave male Senator if elected won his primary by holding off elite surge from a more progressive fall.

35:50Karisma Manzor a medical scientist and first time candidate supported Medicare for all in abolishing ICE while declining money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee or AIPAC. The Karisma and also outpaced Sannoon who in Brown combined in terms of fundraising federal campaign records show while being considered the more electable candidate in November by most experts and strategists. He served four terms in the House representing New Hampshire's first congressional district. Pappas he vote Trump in an attack he had released Tuesday and in his victory speech he called out how the president has seen his personal wealth ballooned by billions since returning to power. In fact he says we're living in a golden age well I think he's living on another planet because does this feel like a golden age to you Pappas asked. Forecasters rate New Hampshire as leaning Democratic but polls of a general election match up between the two show a virtual tie which means both parties are expected to invest in this state.

36:54Pappas running for Senate left his house seat vacant and that drew a seven person feel with Sullivan and Stephanie Shaheen at the top in a tie race. With 91% of votes counted on September the 9th Shaheen with 37.2% of the vote to Sullivan's 35% was declared the winner. Sullivan and Iraq war veteran and she and a former city counselor in the course of month. Agreed on abolishing US immigration and customs and pushing to impeach Trump should Democrats take back the House. But the two jousted over other differences such as Medicare for all during one of their debates Stephanie Shaheen called out Sullivan who served in the Obama administration for supporting a planet would keep private insurance as an option. On the GOP side businessman Anthony D. Lorenzo a first-time candidate whom Trump endorsed easily prevailed over Holly novelletsky covering the southeastern part of the state New Hampshire's first congressional district has been a presidential election bellwether since the year 2000.

38:02Pappas Sullivan's a text strategy was going after Stephanie Shaheen's lineage as too privileged. One 30 second TV spot featured a New Hampshire voter saying he wanted a fighter not a fancy last name. Stephanie Shaheen walked a tightrope throughout the campaign saying at the outset that she was very proud of my mom's service. Then later criticizing her mother's role as one of eight Senate Democrats who approved a deal ending the 2025 government shutdown. Other candidates with well-known family needs have run in this year's primaries with mixed results including Sunoon who's winning at the top of the ticket. He is the son and brother of former New Hampshire governors. Most recently sent our darling Graham Republican from South Carolina when a special runoff in August after taking the seat held by her brother Lindsey Graham who died in July. But other contenders connected to political dynasties such as J. X. Schlazberg a grandson of former president John F. Kennedy have lost their bids.

39:03Those with family ties to politics still on the belt include 30 year old bow by it. The son and grandson of two popular Democrats who won the party's nomination for Secretary of State and Republican a representative Tom Keane a Republican from New Jersey son of a former governor. Moving into the money section mailing paper checks is a bad idea. Fraud grows even as check writing is dropping. Daniel Davies of USA Today writes. Every time you send a paper check in the mail consumer advocates say you're putting your bank account at risk. Check fraud is rising even as the number of checks and circulation is declining by 2025. Federal data shows Americans lost more money to check fraud than to debit card or gift card scams.

40:03Consumers are writing fewer checks these days but the amounts are larger and thieves know it. Criminals know that when they see a check in the mail it's less likely to be a $10 check more likely to be a $10,000 check. According to Scott Anchin senior vice president of strategic initiatives and policy at the independent community bankers of America. Now paper checks used to be everywhere. By 2024 however they represented just 3% of all payments in the US. According to Fed. Consumers used to write checks to pay bills by groceries. Reup at the gym. Now today people often write checks for larger one-time transactions like paying a contractor or a tax bill. Larger checks mean higher stakes for thieves. Check fraud has been around for ages but modern tech gives fraudsters new and more powerful tools.

41:0720 years ago 30 years ago we were talking about solo operators Anchin said now you have real organized criminal gangs who engage in check fraud. They steal checks on moss and then they have an incredible amount of technology that they can use to alter the check or to create new checks out of whole cloth. While electronic payments have grown increasingly sophisticated in recent years the paper check has not really evolved. It's still fundamentally the same said Joe Bernardo had a fraud and claims it was fargo and fraudsters are always looking for weak points in the process to exploit. Thieves pulled checks from residential mailboxes. Fished them out of USPS post drop boxes. Larger operations steal entire bags of mail.

42:08Once the criminals have your check they can wash your name off with acetone, bleach or rubbing alcohol. According to Adam Ross director of financial services I had the consumer fed of America. The thief can change the amount and the payee and deposit the check themselves or they can leave it blank and sell it on the dark web. The information on your check alone puts your finances at risk. Your account number, routing number appear on the check. Ross said that's very personal, very sensitive. Chuck Bill, programs director for advocacy, became a victim of check fraud himself in 2021. Thieves found his heating bill in a collection box. Dr. DeCheck and cashed it for $25,000. He recovered the money a few weeks later.

43:08So, can we all just stop writing checks? The obvious solution Bill said is for consumers to stop writing checks. In 2025 President Trump issued an executive order to phase out paper checks to and from the federal government. But not everybody's happy about the alternatives. Some Americans have never become comfortable with making payments on the phone or on the computer. Bill said, if you want to move the whole country to digital it's not as simple as it looks. The safest way to pay somebody consumer advocate say is online with a credit or debit card or electronic check. Most businesses, government agencies and medical practices have secure portals for online payments. Your bank's automatic bill pay app is another relatively secure option. The bank sometimes resorts to a paper check and should set.

44:10But it's much safer than sending your own check in the mail. Payment apps present security risks of their own. The banking industry is partial to Zell. That's a money transfer service that lets you send cash directly through your bank account. Because the service is embedded on your banking app industry leader's reason it's relatively secure. In an extensive 2023 analysis consumer reports compared Venmo, Zell, Cash app and Apple Cash on safety privacy and transparency. Now Cash app and Apple app or Cash app and Apple rated high for safety. Apple got the highest marks for privacy. On the whole engine said, I think an electronic payment is always safer than a check. So tips for keeping your check safe. And if you have to send one, you're some tips.

45:11Ask your bank for secure checks. Not all checks are created equal consumer reports and prices. Write the check with permanent ink. It's a lot harder to wash or check. Meet out a permanent ink or made out in permanent ink. Don't leave blanks. When you're right to check, don't leave a space for a fraudster to add zeros or a second name. Fill it in yourself. Mail the check as securely as you can. Leaving a check in your mailbox overnight. Bad idea. Consumer rad could say. You're better off finding a United States postal box or better still take it right to the post office. Next, track the check through the system. Review your bank account to verify that your check has been deposited. Examine the check image to ensure the payee has not changed. And finally, report suspected fraud immediately.

46:12You should contact both your bank and the police about potential fraud according to the ABA. A freeing alliance. Canadian tariffs on US imports take effect. Who wins in trade war? From Rachel Barber of USA today. Canada's retaliatory tariffs on American goods took effect after midnight and September 8th. Marking another escalation in a trade war between the United States and its second largest trading partner. After negotiations fell partly this month and President Trump's administration imposed 50% tariffs on an estimated 5% worth of Canadian imports, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Karni announced counter tariffs. You're listening to a reading of today's USA Today on the Niagara Frontier Radio reading service. The time is 1247.

47:13Continuing, they cover about $20 billion worth of US products exported to Canada and range from 15% to 50% across an array of goods. For the Canadian economy, the new tariffs create a meaningful but manageable headwind, although their effects will be felt unevenly across provinces and sectors. According to Angel Korakafas, Edward Jones, senior goal strategist of investment strategy. The Canadian tariffs on US goods are not expected to make a significant dent in most American budgets, as they are a text Canadian based importers will need to pay. However, US producers who regularly export products to Canada likely will face lower demand and need to rethink their supply chains to serve other countries or more domestic consumers. She, she, she, how Jane, a Simon Kutcher partner and the lead of the consumer sector for North America

48:14told USA Today. What really matters for the US consumer is the tariffs that the US importers have got to pay. Pedreik Garvey, head of research at Dutch Bank ING said, entities that import goods and pay the tariff have a choice to make. Do they suck it up or do they do they pass it on to the consumer? Canada's new retaliatory tariffs target a list of hundreds of US products. They are concentrated in a few sectors including dairy appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics and electronics. Canada also increased its existing counter-terrorist on US steel and aluminum, from 25% to 50% to match American rates. Among the items hit with 50% tariffs are American milk t-shirts, perfume, smartphones and some furniture. Facing 25% tariffs are USGs, toilet paper, carpets and some appliances. American air conditioners and some machinery parts are subject to 15% tariffs.

49:18Garvey said the impact of the Canadian tariffs on US goods is likely to be relatively minimal for everyday Americans. However, because both countries production relies on imports from the other from the other prices could still rise. Say Canadian manufacturers need to pay more for materials imported from the United States due to tariffs. If they use those materials to make a product that exported back to the United States, that product could face another tariff further driving up its cost. You end up with a decrease in efficiency when it comes to Canadian US trade and any decrease in efficiency is probably going to result in higher prices according to Garvey. Now what goes are affected by American tariffs on Canada. The US tariffs on Canadian imports primarily target Canada's auto, alcohol and dairy industries. It's oil, natural gas and critical minerals remain exempt. The White House's list of goods

50:20affected by the new tariffs is 18 pages long. It includes everything from toys and hockey equipment to silver and cameras. Also included are honey, flowers, golf equipment, video game consoles, gold necklaces and clothes. While consumers can buy American products to avoid these tariffs, those who rely on purchasing Canadian imports can expect most retailers to raise their prices over the coming months. Jane said, because US home builders have historically sourced some building materials from Canada that made the list. Experts said the already pricey process of building new homes in the United States may also get more expensive. The day before Canada's new tariffs took effect, Trump threatened to stop Canadian aircraft company Bombadier from selling in the American market, unless it moves its manufacturing to the United States. Over 50% of their revenue comes from the United States. They live off American buyers, American companies, American airports and American

51:23service, all while Canada blocks our great American banks and companies throughout the USA. Trump wrote in a post to Truth Soso, that era is over. If they want our market, they must build here and stop treating America like a piggy bank. Death threat came after Trump last month, also threatened to double US tariffs on Canada's auto industry to 50% beginning January 1st of 2027. If he falls through on the death threat, experts said Americans are likely to see higher prices when shopping for a new car. As major automakers rely on Canadian manufacturing plants before importing vehicles to sell to US consumers. Trump isn't the only one making threats, and August currently appeared to threaten that Canada could halt its energy exports to the United States, a move that would limit US oil supply and could further drive up gas prices for American consumers. It's unclear whether that threat is credible, as Jane told USA Today, that would be difficult

52:24for Canadian supply chains to adapt and replace the United States as a customer. That actually brings it into a war type scenario where you're actually hurting the infrastructure of the US, and secondly, it would hurt Canada even more, Garvey said. I don't expect to get there to be honest, and if we do get there, we are in a bad place, a much worse place than where we are today. Who wins and who loses? There may be no true winner in the US Canada trade war. It's more of a case of who loses least, Garvey said. He said most metrics show the trade war appears more damaging to Canada, whose economy has performed worse over the past decade. Garvey added, however, that both countries absolutely do need each other. Carnegie said in August that Canada fuels American growth by supplying a majority of US natural gas, electricity, and crude oil imports. And United States was Canada's dominant export market in 2025, accounting for about 72.5%

53:26of Canadian goods exported, and about 17% of the nation's nominal growth domestic product. Core coffees said. Ultimately, the two AE economies are too deeply intertwined for this conflict to continue indefinitely, but the path to a resolution is likely to be volatile, costly and difficult to predict. Mario LaFever, co-starred groups can achieve the economy said in a note to USA today. The United States Postal Service is pushing for higher shipping prices. Increase, if approved, takes effect October 4. Gabe Hari of USA Today writes, shipping a gift to a loved one this holiday season could cost a little more than usual. The US Postal Service announced August 25 that it filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission regarding a temporary price change for some package products for the 2026 peak holiday season.

54:35The agency says the price increases to help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season. The adjustment would affect prices for the following retail and commercial domestic parcels. Priority mail express, priority mail, USPS ground advantage, and parcel select. The Postal Service said no other products or services would be affected. If approved, the new rates would take effect at midnight October 4 and remain in place until midnight. January 17, 2027. The Postal Service said no other products or services would be affected. Companies plan to hold line-on-pay raises. Forecast delivers underwhelming news to workers. From Mador Ali of USA Today,

55:37workers were likely find it hard to make ends meet again in 2027 because for now, companies are planning to hold the line-on-pay raises for a fourth straight year, a recent survey shows. An average employer's plan salary increases of 3.2 percent based on merit and total salary increases of 3.5 percent in 2027, according to the Mercer Quick Pulse US Compensation Planning Survey of 2001 US Organizations. Total salary increases include merit, promotions, cost of living, and other adjustments. These increases are about the same as the actual increases in the past three years, or since 2024, 25, and 26. For Americans, these relatively flat increases are making it harder to keep up with the elevated inflation of the past several years. In July, annual inflation rose 3.4 percent, basically swallowing the average pay hike and potentially making it harder for Americans to get ahead. If inflation went up after wages went up, everyone would love inflation,

56:43said Michael Aston, managing principal at Enduring Investments, LLC. But we all know that inflation sucks. Since prices go up and then, if we're lucky, the bossman will give us a cost of living adjustment. It does not happen proactively. You're listening to a reading of articles from USA Today for Thursday, September 10th, 2026 on the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. We will return for more readings after the short break. Your readers today, Jim Duffy and Ken Drossed. If you're listening to this publication online, you're probably using our website, a podcast player like Spotify or iTunes, a streaming service like Zero or a smart speaker. Did you know that we now have a dedicated app that can be downloaded to any mobile device, like a smartphone or tablet for free? App users can conveniently access our live stream in any episode of our podcast easier than ever. To download the app just type NFRS in the search window,

57:50in the Apple App Store or in the Google Play Store. Contact us anytime if you have any questions by calling 716-821-5555-extension-5. Thank you.

59:51We'll continue now. We'll continue now with our reading of articles from today's issue of USA Today. Your readers are Ken Drossed and Jim Duffy and turning to our sports page, knockout changes. Will USA's Caitlin Clark finally get a game start in the women's world cup from Megan L Hall of USA Today? After three victories in group stage play, Team USA is moving on to the FIBA Women's World Cup knockouts. The Americans completed a group de-sweep with a QB with a 105-64 route of Czechia in Berlin on September the 7th. The 41-point victory was USA's 33rd consecutive World Cup win. With group play in the books United States will face Dorka, Ju-Juhaz and Hungary in the quarterfinals on September the 10th, 530 AM Eastern time.

1:00:59Ahead of the game USA Today Studio 9 is pondering three questions, including if Caitlin Clark, who leads the team in assists with 6.3 per game, will be the starting point guard. Here are three burning questions. First, would Lawson consider starter changes. Chelsea Gray will likely get the nod as starting point guard for Team USA Today because of her overall experience, particularly on the senior national team. However, her production as one of the first guards on the floor has been underwhelming. Through three games, Gray is averaging 3.6 points on 31% shooting and one assists in roughly 16 minutes of play. Admittedly, those numbers are jarring in our drop from the 5.6 points and 4.8 assists per game she had during the FIBA qualifying tournament in March. Caitlin Clark, who was typically brought into a relief gray and run the offense, is averaging 8 points on 27.3 points on shooting and 6.3 assists per matchup. Clark opened with a 14.11 assists

1:02:04double double against China. However, she had an uncharacteristic shooting day against Italy in September 6th. A mid-team white offensive struggles. Clark didn't register a field goal. With Gray struggling more than Clark, the question should be asked, will Coach Kara Lawson change up the starting line up? It's hard to tarry to say and then here's why. Starting Clark makes a ton of sense and would boost the starting unit. It's clear the ball and the offense move when she's on the floor. There's a definite change in pace and tempo. But here's where things get interesting. When the Italy game was tight at the end, Lawson leaned on her veteran starting line up including Gray. Gray ultimately drew a timely offensive charge with about three minutes remaining that changed the game's momentum. She also delivered the game winning basket with just over a minute remaining to secure a 55-52 win. This isn't to say Clark can't do the same. She has more than enough examples throughout her

1:03:07career. Still, Clark wasn't the only young player who didn't seek time late. Eli Aboston, a page of bucars and Angel Reese also were down on the floor, which could signal that Lawson might not yet feel comfortable tinkering with starting and closing rotations. Beyond the veteran heavy unit, she has already deployed. That said, Clark's time could be on the horizon. If she continues to play well and elevate her teammates as the competition grows in the tournament, who has been underrated? If people haven't been paying attention to what Angel Reese and Paige Bucars have been doing at the World Cup now is the time. Reese and Bucars have made the most of their minutes, especially defensively. Reese has been garnering a lot of attention in the paint. And when she isn't finishing at the cup, she's drawing falls, which has helped the United States keep us from the gas offensively. She has also been vocal on both ends of the floor, calling out plays as she sees them, which has led to momentum shifts. Reese has been exceptional

1:04:11defensively, causing disruption. She has four steals and two blocks through three matchups, plus multiple jump balls and deflections. Bucars has earned the name Paige Blockers. The young guard had 14 points during the United States opening matchup against China, all in the second half. She also had four assists and two steals. In her last two games, she has stuffed the stat sheet, averaging 8.5 points, three rebounds, and two blocks in a steal. What team we should worry the USA? The biggest threat to the United States is France and has been since the 2024 Paris Olympics. History looks favorable upon the United States because it won an eighth consecutive gold medal, but it wasn't a kick-lock by any stretch. France was trading baskets with the US in the waning moments of the game, setting up a wild finish. Forward Gabi Williams hit a would-be three-point shot with one second remaining to send the game to overtime, but her foot was on the line, giving the United States a 67 to 66 win. It's more than reasonable to think the French haven't

1:05:17forgotten about that moment and could use it as fuel at the World Cup. They have looked absolutely dominant in their three matchups, averaging more than 100 points of offense. Williams, Dominique, Malanga, and Marine Johannes have helped lead the charge. France has also been a nightmare defensively, causing 21 turnovers of game and holding teams to 34.1% shooting from the floor. Something unusual here on the front page, Scooby X and a USA today writes a commentary, rather than a report piece. It's called Real Loser of Insamely Late US Open. Common Sense. Quick question for you. Have you ever done anything productive in your life at 3.30 in the morning? Before you think long and hard, chances are the answer is not even close to yes. And in this case,

1:06:23sleep and other nighttime activities that can't be mentioned here do not count. The only two people on earth who can answer that question confidently in the affirmative are Ben Schulten and Carlos Alcaras, whose five-set quarter-final thriller, the night of September 8th at Arthur Ashe Stadium, had the tennis world buzzing. And those who did not stay up were probably shocked to find out when the match ended. When Schulten's serve on match point found a place that Alcaras couldn't reach, the time was 3.33 in the morning, Eastern. After four hours and 28 minutes, the number eight seats, 6.1 and 6.3, 1.676, victory came along with the headline of the match having the latest finish in US Open History. Like some great accomplishments or

1:07:27something to be proud of. Well, to reiterate, no sporting event should start at 11 at night, or 12, 13 am, as Venus Williams first round match with Sophia Kenanbaek and last week. But when you have matches ending in the wee hours of the morning, it is not only a scheduling problem, it's a respect problem. The United States tennis association. Okay, United States tennis association and its television partners, mainly ESPN. Discuss the scheduled length to maximize great entertainment value and are certainly getting more bang for their buck. Well, how else do you get a double-lil match with Venus and Serena Williams who had to accept wild cards just to enter the tournament? How do you get them in a prime time national television spot on a Friday night and played in the world's biggest tennis stadium?

1:08:31Well, those two corporate entities have already collected your time and your money. So they should they care about anything else that has to do with nuisances of using common sense to benefit everybody involved? Do they care that thousands of fans, the people who stayed up late at night watching on television, most important, the players are probably walking around today, looking like extras in the walking dead or Michael Jackson's Thriller. This is not about a signing plane. They can answer those questions when they're good and ready, honestly, but make no mistake. This is not a 2026 problem. This has been going on for years. The irony is that after all the soapbox jumping on social media, the real story should have been that two black Americans will be

1:09:33playing in the semi-finals of a major and one is guaranteed to be among the final two players standing, September 13th. That's pretty simple. You can complain all day about the schedule and the whiny tennis purists certainly couldn't have predicted that each of the quarter final matches on ash would go the distance. Well, here's the thing about complaining. Nothing will change unless the right people complain and in doing so get things done. In other words, the power brokers of this sport. Regular people like us, we don't matter at all. In that regard, we never have. The players who need to be the louder voices in the room. When it came to equal pay or higher price money at major tournaments, you best believe they spoke up. It got so bad that the players were threatening a media boycott if things did not change. The US opened had no choice but to give

1:10:37into their demands. Now the tournament has the highest purse of any of the four grand slams. Each of the singles winners collecting $5.5 million for their triumph at flushing medals. You see how that works? Pick and choose the battles you can win. Otherwise, you're blowing hot air of the highest order. American Francis Tiffel, who spent four hours and 39 minutes on the court in his quarter final victory over Alex Michelson, does not want to see changes, especially to match length. I think for the men's, we should stick with three out of five. GFO said, I don't know where the conversation is going. What people are leaning to. Everybody's going to have an opinion. Everybody's different. Everyone has their opinion. We've seen so many epics in five setters. Do I love a five-seller? Absolutely not. A lot of time

1:11:44where I'm up two sets to love. I would love to shake hands and go home. But it's tennis, man. I grew up watching so many incredible five sets. Novak, Rafa, Federer, Rafa, epic five setters that go on for hours and hours. That's the history of the game. You do that. I feel like your slam doesn't mean as much personally if you get it done in a two out of three four mat. There is a solution and until somebody floats a substantial paycheck over here to help figure it out, the USDA should institute a stopping time to avoid extremely late nights at the very least. Not entirely there are fault. Caring is certainly part of the USDA's mission statement and its efforts to grow the game can be applauded. But arguably not above the price of doing business. This next article is an opinion piece from Michael Bittelher Schwartz of USA Today

1:12:52just a reminder that I'm not reading the Buffalo News for this article. This is a national publication. Super Bowl Front Runner, not our pick for champ. The NFL's regular season opener on September the 9th. The serve as a reminder of just how precarious preseason predictions can be. The rare midweek match up pitted the New England Patriots against the defending Seattle Sea locks and the highly anticipated Super Bowl 60 rematch. A year ago those two teams meeting for the title might have seemed unfathomable. Neither made the previous playoff field and each was far off the radar of popular picks to make a deep postseason run. Does the 2026 campaign have another major surprise in store? Would the league's extensive history of worse to first turn around and other rapid as since as well as downfalls? It would be foolish to rule out the possibility of a few unexpected turns. But several powerhouses

1:13:55loom large over the current landscape and toppling the top contenders and either conference could be exceedingly difficult for even the most promising upstart teams. Here are my final precedence season predictions for the division winners Wild Cardbirds, conference title games and Super Bowl outcome. Beginning with the NFC a division winner predictions. The NFC East, the Eagles. A division once known for its year-to-year upheaval now seems to have a rather established pecking order. Perhaps the Cowboys can upend that or maybe the commanders or giants are capable of an odd defying search from the bottom of the standings. But Philadelphia's defense looks to be on the verge of rejoining a league's elite, which should afford the new look offense some much needed margin for error with its unfamiliar setup. You're listening to a reading of today's USA Today on the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service the time is one fifteen. Continuing the NFC North, the Lions. It should come as no

1:15:00surprise that the leagues only for for some of above five hundred teams from 2025 remain just most cutthroat grouping. Though anyone could emerge as a division winner the Lions should be able to rain down a barrage of points on a soft schedule facilitating another worst to first transformation. From the NFC West the Rams General Manager Les Sneed wasn't merely pontificating when he posited in February that the Rams needed to make the most with the team we have. With the reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford with Miles Garrett, Aaron Donald, Trent McDuffie and Jalen Watson joining an already imposing collection of defensive talent. The Rams seized the offseason spotlight as well as the title of Super Bowl Frontrunners. There won't be much room to falter with the defending champion Seahawks and for any plight off contender forty-nineers poised to capitalize on any missteps. But even though this race could go down to the wire Seattle and Los

1:16:04Angeles meet twice in the final three weeks Sean McVase crew has more firepower and fewer questions than any other outfit. From the NFC South to Saints time for a bit of a twist the Buccaneers have the strongest overall roster in the division and Baker Mayfield's resurgents from last year's downturn could propel Tampa Bay back to the top of the standings. Still New Orleans could leverage a highly favorable schedule and a year to break out for Kellan Moore's offense into the Saints first NFC crown since 2020. The NFC Wildcard teams number one Seattle. Seattle Seahawks, the reigning champions deserve more respect than they've been granted on a national scale. Even with Clint Cubiac and Kenneth Walker the third gone among others. The offense should maintain its big-play DNA. Mike McDonald's defense meanwhile figures to be as vexing as ever for the league's top attacks. But with Brian Flurry figuring things out as a first-time play collar

1:17:09while rookie Jadari and Price is called on to shoulder a significant workload in the ground game. There's a bit more of a boom or bust element in play. Seattle should ultimately find a comfortable setting point or settling I should say point but that weight entails sliding to a wild card slot rather than defending the division crown. Number two the 49ers. Is this the year of the long-awaited reset to return Saint Francisco to his perennial Super Bowl contender's status? Setback seemed inevitable for a franchise that has been accustomed to forging ahead without several offense star players. Yet few groups have proved themselves more persistent in the face of adversity with the offense a seldom wavering with Kayao Shanahan's steady hand at the wheel. Still, Saint Francisco can only go as far as his defense doesn't claw closer to his previous sky-high standards after two years of significant slippage. Number three the Cowboys.

1:18:09Omitting a second NFC North team from the postseason field might seem like a stretch. Given the competitive layout of the division but that quartet could beat up on one another, whereas the Cowboys could stand to benefit from the NFC East wider disparity in competitive credentials. If Christian Parker's reconfigured defense approaches a level of mere competence that escaped last year's unit, the deck, Prescott, the helmet attack, should be more than potent enough to avoid Dallas first three year postseason drought since 2010 through 13. Now the AFC division winner predictions the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills. Losing his perch atop the division was one of several setbacks last year that clearly didn't sit well with Buffalo brass. In handing Joe Brady their range as head coach however, the bills might be embracing just enough change to reposition and already outstanding core. With DJ Moore added into the receiving core, Josh Allen might finally have a sufficient level

1:19:13of support in an attack that has too often reverted to having him go hero mode. The defense might be caught midway through a fairly extensive transition under New Corps or in the Inter-Germany Leonard, but the changeup could still produce meaningful gains for a group that had been merely hanging on under Sean McDermott. AFC North, the Ravens. Beyond Buffalo, Baltimore stands out as a clear choice for a first year head coach to flourish. In contrast to the bills however, the Ravens are opting for more widespread change, which could take longer to take root. But Jesse Mentor's neck of bringing about cohesion and defense might enable the unit to make a rapid turnaround. Even if Lamar Jackson and company need more time to get settled, under first time play color Declan Doyle, there's a distinct sense of uncertainty at play, but few teams in the AFC have a higher ceiling. AFC West, the Broncos. Denver would be well within this right to feel overlooked if not

1:20:15downright disrespected. Yes, matching or improving opponents 11 and 2 mark in one score game seems exceedingly unlikely, which naturally indicates a regression from last year's 14 and 3 record, but with inviolable consistency almost across the board, the Broncos could be better position to break away from opponents rather than depending on a photo finish. Though a trying early slade could put Sean Payton in company in another hole, the Broncos still have enough to stave off the chargers and the chiefs. The AFC South detectives. With the league's most dominant defense almost certain to resert its standing, Houston has a considerably higher baseline than almost all of its competitors. CJ Stroud might have enhanced support in his past protection and with the ground game, though neither is likely to break into the league's upper echelon. But even incremental growth in each area should allow the Texas to create some separation in the AFC South for the franchises

1:21:193rd division title in 4 years. Now, AFC Wildcard Seeds. First of Patriots, don't get caught up in the notion of a Super Bowl hangover for the reigning AFC champions. They're still room for NFL MVP runner up Drake May to grow and the tantalizing new receiver Tantum of AJ Brown and Romeo Daubs could help the quarterback access those next levels in short order. Still, there's some states you'll concern about how New England will keep opposing cash registers at bay as well as whether it can effectively create its own spark off the edge. The Patriots shouldn't fall out of the conference's contending class, but things likely will be markedly more difficult than they were during the franchises rather for two of us run to the title game last year. Number two chargers. Mike McDaniel's arrival brings considerable excitement to an attack that seemed due to be kicked into high gear. Still, the lack of stability on the interior

1:22:23creates a good deal of volatility for the bolts. Los Angeles should be able to secure a third consecutive wildcard birth if the defense and standard doesn't slip too far from the bar set by mentor, but things could get daisy if the unit takes a significant step back. Number three, the Bengals. A sizeable leap of faith might be required to believe the Bengals bounce back campaign will prove more successful than that of the chiefs. Nevertheless, the path back to the postseason for Cincinnati is straightforward. Between the disruption, Dexter Lawrence can create a front and the rest of a young group coming into its own, last year's Siv of a defense figures to be notably more stout. Of course, any further injuries to Joe Burrow would render this prediction moose, but more under center work and an accompanying recalibration of the offense could better help better safeguard the quarterback. NFC Playoff Prediction. The NFC title game Rams defeat Eagles

1:23:26in a playoff landscape in which seating wasn't a consideration, an NFC title game rematch between the Rams and Seahawks would have been the clear choice. Perhaps the two NFC foes, West foes can find a way back to the stage, but barring a wildcard upset, a tilt in the divisional round seems like the more reasonable outcome in that scenario Los Angeles gets the nod as the more complete team. And one that could hit its stride down the final stretch after tripping itself up late last year, meanwhile the acclimation to Sean Manion's offense might be a season long endeavor for Philadelphia, but a lockdown defense gives the Eagles an edge over the field of potential NFC contenders. Still, unless it loses a key skill position figure or has its offensive line depth put to test, Los Angeles looks like the clear class of the conference. Now the AFC Playoff Prediction. AFC title game Buffalo Bill's defeat to Yav Baltimore Ravens.

1:24:33In a sharp contrast to the NFC, the AFC looks like a potential free-for-all. No fewer than 16s look capable of seizing the conference crown, while nearly twice as money could be in the playoff mix. That might transform the postseason into a war of attrition, decided by a few key circumstances. As was the case last year when the Patriots conquered the Bowenick's less Broncos in a blizzard to conquer the conference. With the Ellen in opposing offensive line instead of your on-game, the bills are built to persevere, even though they've repeatedly been dealt bad breaks and come up short in the playoffs in recent years. A new mindset and clean bill of health could carry Baltimore a long way, but reaching the Super Bowl summit will make for a steep climb. And finally, the Super Bowl 61 Prediction. Buffalo Bill's defeat to Los Angeles Rams. There's no glory in rolling with the overwhelming preseason favorite, so here we go. Four years ago, the bills opened the NFL regular season by rolling the defending champion Rams

1:25:37at Sofist Stadium. Now they could close out a campaign by again spoiling things for Los Angeles in the team's home confines. Between Ellen and the robust line, the bills are one of the few teams capable of not allowing the Rams defensive front to dictate terms of a game that could be sufficient to keep things close enough in a Super Bowl clash and give Buffalo a long-awaited title breakthrough. Amen. Amen. Yes. The NCAA is changing replay after an end game fiasco. John Bryce of USA Today Rights. The controversial ending of the Western Michigan Michigan game is causing the NCAA to change its review process. According to a memo obtained by USA Today Sports, the NCAA is implementing a more standardized process for replay reviews involving game clock adjustments. The NCAA clarified the stadium

1:26:42clock remains the official game clock while establishing a uniform replay protocol that relies on embedded broadcast timing data when officials need to restore or adjust time. The clarification stems from the final sequence of Michigan's season opening victory, September 5, in Coach Kyle Wittingham's debut. Western Michigan appeared poised for a stunning 12-7 offset. When Michigan's quarterback Bryce Underwood watched a hail marry into the end zone as time expired. However, replay officials determined a Western Michigan defender who had stepped out of bounds was the first player to touch the ball. Excuse me. Under NCAA rules, the clock should have stopped the moment he touched it. After reviewing multiple synchronized timing feeds, the Big Ten replay crew concluded one

1:27:47second remained on the clock and award Michigan a final play. On that extra snap, Underwood connected on another hail marry, throwing an apparent defeat into a dramatic 13-12 walkoff victory. The decisions sparked days of controversy with critics questioning which clock should have been considered official and whether replay officials correctly applied the timing rules. The NCAA's new guidance appears designed to eliminate similar confusion in future end-of-game reviews. On September 8, the Mac reversed course after originally accepting the Big Ten's explanation for adding more time on the clock. In Tuesday's statement, the Mac claimed Big Ten officials and the replay booth did not use the proper protocol when adding one second of clock back to the game. As a result, the Mid-American conference has submitted formal appeals to the

1:28:52NCAA of PS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff. Mac Commissioner John Steinbrucker said in statement, the Mac is requesting that those bodies recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner of the game for purposes of their respective rankings, evaluations, and selections, deliberations, and take such other corrective action as may be within their authority. According to the NCAA document, recognizing that replay technology and available broadcast resources may vary among institutions, conferences, game sites, it is necessary to establish a standard timing protocol that ensures consistency in the administration of all college football games. The official time for all college football games is the time displayed on the in-stadium game

1:29:55clock. If the stadium clock becomes inoperable, the official time will be maintained on the field by a designated game official. When a replay review requires time to be restored or otherwise adjusted, the replay official's decision will be based on the embedded game clock contained within the program feed. If the broadcaster is unable to provide an embedded game clock, the replay official will use the game clock graphic displayed as part of the broadcast feed. Moving forward, this timing protocol should be followed consistently, consistently by all institutions and game sites. Now the NCAA is not eliminating replays ability to restore time. Instead, it is creating a clearer and nationwide standard for how replay officials determine timing during reviews, reducing the likelihood of future controversies over which clock or timing

1:31:00source there should be considered authoritative. But for Western Michigan, little too late. You're listening to a reading of today's USA Today on the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. The time is 131. Kelly Cordes overseas record can't be reached. From Bethan Nichols of Golf Week in the USA Today Network. Kelly Cordes' Soul Hime Cup record has quietly gotten quite strong because she has only been part of one winning team in four appearances that puts a damper on her 10, 5, and 1 record. Plus, fans are quick to remember how Charlie Hall smoked America's best six and four or two years ago in singles. But on four in soil, Cordes is 5, 2 and 1, which gives her a 0.688 winning percentage. The highest of any American player who has played at least five matches overseas according to Elias Sports Bureau. That's important this week in

1:32:01the Netherlands, given that the Americans are trying to win overseas for the first time since 2015. Cordes was on the junior Soul Hime Cup team in Germany that year, which happened to be the first US team to win in Europe. It's actually rare for a World No. 1 to even be at the Soul Hime. The Rolex rankings debuted in 2006 when Enicus Sorenstam was at the tail end of her LPGA career. She would have played several Soul Hime cups as the World No. 1, but over the past 20 years, only Lily Avue in 2023 and Cordes in 2021 and in 2004, have competed in the biennial event while atop the rankings. Cordes is by far the winningest player in the competition, owning 19 of the US team's 34 LPGA victories. Team Europe has it combined 22 LPGA titles. Cordes four majors account for a quarter of Team USA's major victories. It's nice to have her in the room,

1:33:02said US kept an angel of Stanford. That's probably the understatement of the year. While it has, it's times been difficult for dominant American players to find a stronger partner at the right or cup. Cordes has had no such trouble. She started out alongside her sister Jessica and then three years ago in Spain found a dream force partner in Ellison Coupres. Cordes and Coupres are stunning four and all in four sums over the past two cups. In four Soul Hime cups, Cordes has won six four sums matches, tying Julie Inxter and trailing only Paul Cramer and seven. With seven, I should say, the undefeated Cordes Corp. Poo's duel has been key to Team USA's recent foursome success, having bested Europe in the format the past two cups. In four, both Cordes enjoyed a six and four victory alongside close friend Megan Kang in Virginia. Not, but it's only the points that matter. Cordes set the tone for Team USA's

1:34:042024 victory at Robert Trent's Jones Golf Club by quite literally bringing the tunes. The 40-minute bus ride from the hotel to the course needed some juice. And Cordes found the speaker that led to epic jams to Whitney Houston's. I want to dance with somebody all the way into the hotel lobby. This was probably the most fun I've had on a golf course ever, declared Cordes last year after taking part in her first Soul Hime Cup team victory. The 28-year-old began her Soul Hime Cup experience seven years ago in Scotland as Jessica's little sister and has since become the face of American golf. The thing that I'm most proud of with Nelly, said Stanford, is that she has really grown into this. You know, she's really comfortable with who she is and she loves being in that team room. And look, she carries the weight of our tour quite a bit and to carry that still play really well. I feel like she's grown into that and I'm really proud of her for that. Five, five that could race to strong starts. Michael Middlehurst

1:35:10shorts of USA Today writes, a strong start to the season can set NFL teams on the right foot toward long deliberate mark toward the playoffs or provide a full on illusion. Figuring out what to make of a good early impression can be difficult with any given team's long term viability often not coming into focus until far deeper into the fall. Still, there's no question that coaches covet building an initial advantage in the standings rather than falling into a hole. With fortuitous schedules and the components to click in the opening weeks, several organizations are on track to pull ahead of their competition in the first month or two. Now here are the five NFL teams that could be poised to start the new season strong with an early season run. First, Detroit Lions. Now last season's crash landing to the bottom of the NFC North

1:36:15standings was a particularly painful outcome for a franchise that had already begun to question how long its competitive window would remain a jar. It did, however, confer one major benefit. A schedule that some might view as the league's softest setup. If Detroit can emerge unblemished after its week two prime time showdown with the bills, there is a solid chance for the organization to secure just its second five and no start in the Super Bowl era. Prior to the week six by, that contest in Buffalo will be the long one against a team that had a winning record last season. With a new offensive coordinator and drew Betsing and a reshuffle offensive line counting on several young starters to step up in short order. The Lions might seem like an odd candidate to find their footing right away, but last year's offense, which finished fourth in scoring, proved that it still has plenty of

1:37:21firepower, even when it lacks the consistency, Betsing was hired to weave into the attack. The more troublesome vulnerability might be in a secondary that figures to be without safeties, Brian Branch and Kirby Joseph for a while, but few teams on the early schedule beyond the bills look capable of exploiting that weakness. Next, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Embracing change is an exactly a strong suit for a franchise that has been the NFL's foremost example of staying the course. Yet even with a new day thrust upon it by Mike Tomman's resignation, Pittsburgh looks positioned to weather any turbulence brought about by the transition to new coach Mike McCarthy. A bespoke offense figures to keep Aaron Rogers well within his comfort zone, regardless of how much a limitation that configuration later proves to be.

1:38:23So long as extension negotiations with Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. don't reach a boiling point, the league's highest paid defense could be invigorated by defensive coordinator Patrick Graham's new scheme, which features to be far more dynamic than a long static approach that bordered on becoming stale. And while the staying power of a roster that ranked as the NFL's oldest after cut down day could become a concern down the stretch, the Steelers should stand to benefit out of the gate from an experience advantage. The real boom, however, is the scheduled configuration. Prior to its week 9 by, Pittsburgh will have just one major test in a week to showdown with the Patriots. Beyond that, first half of the season doesn't feature any games against teams that had a winning record last year. Next, Dallas Cowboys. Now a year ago Dallas was navigating a good

1:39:25deal of uncertainty as it began its inaugural season under first time head coach Brian Shottenheimer. Now the Cowboys have all the vital pieces back in place for one of the league's most electric offenses, which still has room to level up thanks to the continuity that could be unlocked in year two of the system. The obvious area concern, however, is last year's dilapidated defense, which might remain a grab bag after a massive offseason overall under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. But the Vic Fangio protege figures to significantly enhance the diversity of coverage looks, which will no doubt aid a secondary defined by its frequent short circuiting. Between the expected frangio-esque boost in the schematic safeguards against deep passes and clearer communication on the back end, there's a clear path to significant improvement for

1:40:27the defense, even if that only leads to somewhere near the middle of the back at first. Dallas also stands to benefit from a September schedule that will bring matchups against three teams sorting out significant shifts, the Giants, Commanders, and the Ravens. The loss of three-time tour bowl left guard Tyler Smith for several weeks is a notable hit to the team's stability caution, but his absence might not be much of an impediment until contests with the Texans and the Buccaneers in weeks four and five. Still, this is a rare start to build some confidence in the early going for a franchise that has had just one three and oh start back in 2019 since 2009. The 49ers. For a franchise that has almost annually been without peer in its injury misfortune, the 49ers largely seem to be trending in the right direction with their most critical contributors.

1:41:34Defensive and Nick Bosa is set to play in the season opener in Australia against the ramps. Defensive Coordinator Raim Morris said, and just eight months removed from tearing his Achilles, tight end George Kiddell appears like Lee to follow suit. Now, it's not to say that San Francisco won't be operating at a significant personnel deficit against its loaded rival. The outlook at receiver is still tenuous, as is the depth at defensive end with Michele Williams remaining on the physically unable to perform lists to open the season. Still, nobody understands how to push forward while short-handed, quite like Kyle Shanahan does. His deeply rooted system and singular play-calling acumen should enable the offense to get up to speed faster than competitors that are at a much closer to full strength.

1:42:36After the opener, the 49ers could be primed to go on or run a three-game homestand follows with meetings against the dolphins and cardinals likely serving as mere tune-ups. The stretch again entering mid-season is also highly manageable, tilts versus the commanders and falcons await before week eight by and the Raiders await coming on. And finally, the Baltimore Ravens. There's a good amount of upheaval afoot for Baltimore, which ended John Harbaw's 18-year run to embrace the unknown with first-time head coach Jesse Mentor. Yet even if the Ravens might be more unpredictable than others on this list, in establishing an early trajectory, their blemishes could be covered by a forgiving first half-slate. Through the first seven weeks, the Ravens will not square off against a team that had a winning record in 2025. That stretch also turns up three opponents that finished in the last place in their division.

1:43:44And Baltimore will have to leave home just once in the opening four weeks. How fast, then, can the team get up to speed given the radical changes on both sides of the ball? If his previous work with the Charger serves as any indication of what's to come, Mentor's defense might not take long to coalesce. Thanks in a large part to his knack for creating buy-in from players to a detailed focused approach. First-time offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle, might require a lengthier timeline to find his way as a play-caller. But his expected scheme should suit the Lamar Jackson well by catering to his underutilized strength of working the middle of the field. You're listening to a reading of today's USA Today and the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. The time is 145. Trinity Rodman's hilarious reaction to Shelton's post-Mex omission.

1:44:48From Seth Vertelny of USA Today. You can't fully blame Ben Sheldon for omitting his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, in his post-Mex interview after defeating Carlos Elkarez at the U.S. Open after all. It was nearly 4 a.m. Eastern time. Sheldon outlested Elkarez in five sets in an epic quarter final, advancing to the last four in a match that did not end until 333 a.m. on September 9th. In his post-Mex interview, Shelton noted that his sister and best friend and the crowd may not get much sleep if they had to work early in the morning. I'm just hoping my best friend and sister over there don't have to be at work at 6 a.m. and 3 hours, Shelton said. It would be huge for their employers to let them have the day off today. As he was talking, the camera found a miffed Rodman in the stands. While laughing, the Washington Spirit and U.S. women's national soccer team star could be asking, what about me? Rodman has been a fixture at Shelton's matches as at the U.S. Open thus far. With her home base in nearby Washington DC, the Spirit forward has

1:45:55been able to shuttle back and forth over the past two weeks. Shelton and Rodman went public with their relationship in 2025, instantly becoming one of American sports power couples. Shelton, the number 8 seed at this year's U.S. Open, is chasing his first grand slam title and will face fellow American Francis Tiafou in the semifinals on September 11th. Shelton and Rodman may be forced to skip his final match. The Spirit played a Boston legacy at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday. That game in Washington begins just an hour before the men's U.S. Open final in New York, which is set for 2 p.m. Eastern time. If Shelton's potential goes as long as Tuesday night's match, however, Rodman could still make it in time for the end. Tillis LSU's roster move could end a fight. Greg Meyer, U.S. A Day Network Rice. The eligibility case that has gripped the befuddled and frustrated much of the college football

1:47:00world might soon be nearing a conclusion. LSU is adding two players to its roster, Aidan, Anding and Gabriel Rellaford. To get it to the NCAA mandated maximum of 105, the University confirmed USA Today Sports September 8th. With the Tigers roster locked, the program will not be adding. Tied in Dequan Wright and defensive lineman, Xavier Harris to the team, potentially ending a prolonged standoff between the school and the SEC. Now ESPN first reported the development. It doesn't necessarily close the door to write in Harris joining LSU at some point this season. There are instances in which a roster spot can come open, like a player getting suspended or declared permanently ineligible. Wright and Harris were attempting to return to college after signing with NFL teams over the offseason. Both players were

1:48:05seniors last season and joined NFL teams earlier this year before ultimately being waived. But after the NCAA implemented a five or five eligibility model, Wright and Harris were part of a lawsuit in Louisiana that ended with a judge granting a temporary restraining order that would have allowed them to play at the college level. Both had committed to LSU and Coach Lane Kiflin for whom they had previously played for Ole Miss. Now this news comes the same day as the SEC planning a vote on September 10th to discuss the possible expulsion of LSU from the conference. It's unclear whether that vote will still take place after the roster moves. Wright and Harris's efforts to get back to a college roster may not be over. Ryan Doutin, the attorney for the plaintiffs in Louisiana eligibility case, said to Yahoo Sports that the players are reviewing their legal options. After Wright and Harris committed to the Tigers,

1:49:12the SEC passed a measure that would ban former NFL players from competing at member institutions with LSU reportedly abstaining from the vote. But shortly after that, Louisiana judge approved preliminary injection that prohibited the NCAA and the SEC from punishing a school for playing such players. Despite Wright and Harris being cleared, Kiflin didn't add either player to LSU's roster for its 2026 season opener against Clemson. Without them, the Tigers easily won in Kiflin's debut, dropping Clemson 51-10. At the end of halftime interviews with ESPN and with his team leading by 28, Kiflin said, imagine if we had pro players. It wasn't easy. Kiflin said on ESPN's college game day last Saturday about his decision to not include them on the roster for the opening game.

1:50:15As much as I feel for the players and I believe that you fight for what you believe in, and I believe that you know these kids have an opportunity to play just like all the other kids around the country that are winning court cases and being put on rosters. But same time, I'm the head coach at LSU and I had to make a decision that is for the big picture of LSU and their football program, with the uncertainties of what potentially could have come by adding them to the roster. So after the dominant win over Clemson, LSU moved up from number 13 to number 8 in the US LBM coaches poll. The Tigers host Louisiana Tech, September 12. Turning to the life section of USA Today, Jacqueline Smith revisits her real-life angels from Brian Alexander of USA Today for Charlie Angels TV legend Jacqueline Smith looking back over her

1:51:18life for her memoir is still taking an emotional toll. Even detailing and loving used and upbringing, superstar 1970s fame with Charlie's Angels, a pioneering fashion empire, motherhood and a lasting fourth marriage also meant revisiting painful chapters for I once knew a guy named Charlie, a memoir out now from Simon and Schuster and Gallery books. Speaking from the sprawling Georgian Beverly Hills home where she has lived for 35 years Smith who is 80 says those powerful memories resurfaced again in the studio when she recorded her memoirs at audio book. I was crying so much sometimes that we'd have to stop Smith tells USA Today it was difficult and exhausting. You think you're at a certain place and you go right back there. Smith says she's been working on the memoir since long before this year's 50th anniversary celebrations around Charlie's Angels producer Aaron Spelling's pop culture phenomenon that began his fame five season ABC run on September 22nd

1:52:211976. Their reflections stirred up the powerful memories of playing impossibly glamorous private detective Kelly Garrett alongside Vera Fossett's Gilman role and Kate Jackson Sabrina Duncan. I've been working on this book for a long time but I've stopped since it was so hard says Smith the only original angel to mention I'm sorry to remain on the case and answer to the mysterious disembodied voice of the detective agency owner Charlie who was never seen actor John 4th site for all five seasons. Smith was disappointed when Fossett majors then married to the 6 million dollar man 70 superstar Lee majors left Charlie's Angels after the first season sending shockwaste through the pre-internet world but Smith understood the decisionary main lifelong friends with Fossett as well as with Fossett's full-time TV replacement Cheryl Lidd who played Monroe's younger sister Chris for the show's final four seasons there isn't a normal success with

1:53:24that show there wasn't a normal success I should say all of a sudden they wanted you for every magazine cover says Smith who appeared on Time Magazine twice with her co-stars we were like rock stars we had to have security and guards that bonded us fair and I were Texas girls Kate was from Alabama it was suddenly very different we were truly friends that first season Jackson is godmother to Smith's daughter Spencer Margaret Richmond born in 1985 to Smith and her third husband British cinematographer Tony Richmond Smith returned the honor as godmother to Jackson's son Charles Taylor Jackson whom Jackson adopted in 1995 the original TV angels were bonded by experiencing instant stardom together and all the perils that came with it along with high profile individual battles with cancer Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 discovered during a

1:54:28routine mammogram undergoing a lump a lump act to me and radiation when led was just diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer revealed in 2026 Smith began sending over wigs of various lengths that support started lift after led sent her bald photos from the oral chemotherapy and radiation treatments she'd send me pictures and say now destroy these pictures I don't have any hair Smith I thought how brave of her but that's called trust she trusted me with everything and she looked beautiful even then two-time breast cancer survivor Jackson who was 77 was the first of the angels diagnosed battling the disease in 1987 and again in 89 when she on her went a partial mastectomy and reconstructive surgery faucet was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006 and declared cancer-free in early 2007 but the cancer returned and spread to her liver faucet presented Smith with a brown sculpture she had made the Christmas before she died in June of 2009 possibly of her own

1:55:33torso the artwork sits prominently in Smith's son-filled living room it was accompanied by a deeply personal letter that Smith highlights fully in her memoir for the first time she said that fear is a funny thing Smith says of of Ferris letter she wrote I have never feared anything now fears around the corner there was no control around this one you live in this limbo state of fear you've been listening to a reading of USA Today for Thursday September 10th 2026 we read USA today weekdays at noon for more information called 716 821 5555 your readers today have been tendros and gymduffy if you or people you know sharpen any of the dashes supermarkets please save dashes registered tapes for radio reading our agency receives two dollars for every hundred dollars and dashes registered tapes radio reading has raised thousands of dollars so far

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