Democrats propose strict rules on sports betting, including limits on deposits
Sports betting exploded into an $11 billion a year industry since the Supreme Court effectively legalized it in 2018. Two lawmakers on Capitol Hill say sports betting has gone too far without proper safeguards, and they want to treat it like an addictive product that is no different from alcohol or tobacco.
Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., introduced the Safe Bet Act, which creates federal safety standards for states that allow sports betting.
They call it a comprehensive public health law.
“Every single solitary moment of every sporting event across the globe has become a betting opportunity,” Rep. Tonko said. “This relationship between the gambling industry and sports has reached intolerably dangerous levels, and it’s well past time for Congress to just to step up and make a difference.”
The Safe Bet Act covers three main categories: affordability, artificial intelligence and advertising.
The bill would require operators to conduct affordability checks, limit deposits to five times in 24 hours and prohibit deposits by credit card. It puts the responsibility on the sports books to not serve customers who are chasing losses.
In addition, the bill prohibits sports books from collecting data on customers and offering custom promos and deals based on their habits. It also bans micro bets and prop bets.
The bill also requires that advertisements be played only in times and spaces when children are unlikely to be in the audience. It limits the ads to brand awareness rather than inducement. In other words they cannot show audiences how to gamble.
“Just like you don’t see people drinking in alcohol ads, we shouldn’t see celebrities teaching you their favorite parlay in sports book advertising,” Tonko said.
The bill also creates a general nationwide prohibition against sports betting unless states get an application approved by the Department of Justice.
The lawmakers tried to get ahead of likely claims that the bill goes too far. They said they are not telling states what to do, they are just setting a floor of minimum standards.
“We’re not banning gambling,” Blumenthal said. “We’re banning practices that exploit and abuse people who legitimately want to gamble.”
Gordon Douglas shared his son Andrew’s story in support of the bill.
Andrew Douglas was 28 when he became addicted to sports betting. It started as a way to relieve stress but he got hooked on the feeling and would do anything to get the money he needed to place bets.
“It destroyed our relationship, because, like any addiction, he needed more and more to fuel it,” Gordon Douglas said. “He became a different person that would say anything to get money to gamble.”
US cyclist Lael Wilcox shatters world record with 108-day round-the-world ride
Lael Wilcox has just broken the Guinness World Record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle. In a record-breaking time of 108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes, the 37-year-old cyclist from the U.S. shattered the previous record, set in 2018 by Scottish cyclist Jenny Graham, cutting it by nearly 16 days.
At exactly 6:14 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, Wilcox arrived back at Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, smiling ear to ear as she officially claimed the women’s record.
She was able to document her journey with Wahoo Fitness. Wilcox covered 18,125 miles, crossing four continents and 21 countries. She started her journey in Chicago on May 26, and averaged 175 miles per day. On one particular day she covered 271 miles to escape a heatwave in California.
To meet the Guinness World Record criteria, Wilcox had to ride at least 18,000 miles in one direction, stay within a five-degree margin of course, and pass through two points that are diametrically opposed.
Wilcox said the trip was like running a marathon every day. But the competition isn’t over yet, a cyclist from India is already 65 days and 5,000 miles into her own attempt at the record. If successful, Wilcox’s record could be short lived, but for now she holds the title.
NFL sets record with most watched week 1, averaging 21 million viewers
The NFL had an opening week that surpassed last year’s, with a large increase of viewership across the board. Around 21 million viewers watched the games, a 12% increase from 2023.
Nielsen says 123 million people tuned in to at least part of a game, the highest total since 2019. NBC’s game featuring the Chiefs and the Ravens led the way, drawing 29.2 million viewers, making it the second most watched regular season game since 2006.
Fox also had a big week, with Tom Brady’s debut as an analyst pulling nearly 24 million viewers for the Cowboys-Browns game, and CBS had its strongest week since 1998.
There were some regional rules in play too, cities like New York, Chicago and Atlanta couldn’t air games opposite their home teams. Peacock’s Friday night Eagles-Packers game drew 14 million viewers, the second most watched live event in its history.
Even with some blackouts, Monday night football on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+ still averaged 20.4 million viewers.
French authorities reveal they foiled 3 terror plots targeting Olympics
The 2024 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Paris went on without any major act of terror, and reports on Wednesday, Sept. 11, seem to indicate that is likely due to the work of French intelligence. France’s National Counterterrorism Prosecutor Oliver Christensen has announced that the country’s authorities foiled three terror plots targeting the Games in Paris.
The plots reportedly included plans to strike “Israeli institutions or representatives,” but Christensen said the threats did not directly involve the Israeli Olympic team. Five people were reportedly arrested in connection with the thwarted terror plots, including a minor.
The Games took place as wars in Gaza and Russia’s war in Ukraine continued.
Meanwhile, France went on high security alert months before the Olympic Games, performing 936 house searches so far this year, which is up from 153 in 2023. The country also strengthened its air defenses over Paris with attack helicopters and surveillance aircraft.
France’s interior minister repeatedly warned of threats from Islamic extremists and cyberattacks from Russia or other enemies.
In May, an 18-year-old man from Chechnya was arrested for allegedly planning to attack Olympic soccer events just outside of Paris. He reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.
French authorities said that the majority of the threats they stopped were from Jihadists, and Christensen cautioned that the Islamic State group is continuing to “spread propaganda” in France.
Tyreek Hill’s agent calls for police officers who detained the NFL player to be fired
Following the detention of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill during a traffic stop prior to the team’s game on Sunday, Sept. 8, the star player’s agent is now calling for the officers involved to be fired. Since the incident, Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has been vocal in defending his client, expressing concern over the police’s handling of the situation.
Appearing on ESPN shortly after the arrest, Rosenhaus voiced his dismay, stating, “How things escalated into the situation that they were in, in handcuffs and being held on the ground with police is mind boggling to me. I’m deeply concerned by that. Very troubled, we will be looking into it. We will look out for Tyreek.”
Rosenhaus pledged to investigate the matter further, voicing support for his client.
Two days later, Rosenhaus has continued to publicly address the incident, now calling for the termination of the officers involved.
“I think the police officers that did that to Tyreek shouldn’t be in that position,” Rosenhaus said. “They should be let go. Look at the guy that just kicked him right there. That guy should be fired. That’s out of control. The guy that that jumped him, put him in a chokehold, there’s no place for a police officer to have a badge that operates like that.”
Rosenhaus, a well-known and highly influential sports agent, has negotiated over $7 billion worth of NFL contracts during his more than three-decade-long career. Throughout that time, he has often defended his star clients in the face of off-field issues.
Notably, he stood by Antonio Brown amid sexual assault allegations in 2019, referring to the claims as a “money grab” by the accuser. He also supported Plaxico Burress during his prison stint following a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a nightclub in 2008, telling NFL teams that his client was in good enough shape to help their squads upon his release.
Rosenhaus was similarly an advocate for Warren Sapp in 1995, after his draft stock plummeted due to drug-use allegations, over which the agent threatened legal action against the entire NFL.
Now, as Rosenhaus takes a strong stance on Hill’s arrest, calling the police officers’ actions an abuse of authority, the legal defense for one of the officers involved has also spoken out.
Attorneys representing the officer have criticized the department’s decision to place the officer on administrative leave, arguing that it was premature and pushing for his reinstatement.
Police release bodycam video of Tyreek Hill being handcuffed
Newly released police body camera footage shows what unfolded when Miami-Dade County officers pulled over Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The NFL star found himself in handcuffs a block away from Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8, just hours before his game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In the bodycam video, Hill doesn’t comply with the officer’s orders to lower his window and that’s when things begin to escalate. Hill is seen dragged out of his car and forced face down onto the ground along the roadway in the video. The footage also reveals Hill was originally stopped for speeding.
It takes approximately one minute from when the officer leaves his motorcycle to when Hill is pulled out of his car.
“If I wasn’t Tyreek Hill, Lord knows, I probably would have been, like, worst-case scenario, I would have been shot or would have been locked up” and “put behind bars, you know, for a simple speeding ticket,” Hill told NBC News.
His teammates, tight end Jonnu Smith and defensive lineman Calais Campbell, were among those who arrived on the scene. Campbell was briefly detained in handcuffs, as well.
The Dolphins released a statement on the incident- on Monday night, Sept. 10.
“We are saddened by the overly aggressive and violent conduct directed towards Tyreek Hill, Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith by police officers before yesterday’s game. It is both maddening and heartbreaking to watch the very people we trust to protect our community use such unnecessary force and hostility towards these players, yet it is also a reminder that not every situation like this ends in peace, as we are grateful this one did. ‘What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill?’ is a question that will carry with resounding impact.
“We are proud to have a strong and positive relationship with the Miami-Dade Police Department and other law enforcement agencies and recognize that the vast majority of officers do serve the community with the utmost character and desire to protect all citizens. However, as is on full display in the videos released tonight, there are some officers who mistake their responsibility and commitment to serve with misguided power. While we commend MDPD for taking the right and necessary action to quickly release this footage, we also urge them to take equally swift and strong action against the officers who engaged in such despicable behavior.
“We will stand beside Tyreek and our players as they work to use their platform and this situation to make a positive impact in our community. We have always believed that the game of football holds a unique power to bring people together, and we remain hopeful that through the collective work of the players, organization and our community partners, we can create lasting change.”
The South Florida Police Benevolent Association released a statement Monday before the bodycam video was released.
Steadman Stahl, the president of the association, said Hill “was briefly detained for officer safety, after driving in a manner in which he was putting himself and others in great risk of danger.
“Upon being stopped, Mr. Hill was not immediately cooperative with the officers on the scene who, pursuant to policy and for their immediate safety, placed Mr. Hill in handcuffs. Mr. Hill, still uncooperative, refused to sit on the ground and was therefore redirected to the ground.”
Final preparations for tonight’s presidential debate
We’re just hours away from the first presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. And we look back on the legendary career of actor James Earl Jones. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
Trump, Harris prep for first presidential debate tonight
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will take the stage in their first debate Tuesday night, Sept. 10. It’s a big moment and opportunity for both campaigns as battleground polls continue to show the presidential race is a close one.
The debate will also mark the first time Harris and Trump meet in person.
Harris has spent the last few days taking part in mock debates, practicing on stage with lights and sparring with former Hillary Clinton aide Philippe Reines, who even dressed as Trump during his performance against Harris.
“He plays from this really old and tired playbook,” she said. “There’s no floor for him for how low he will go and we should be prepared for that. We should be prepared that he’s not burdened to tell the truth. We should be prepared that he’s going to speak a lot of untruths.”
Meanwhile, Trump has said he doesn’t need formal preparation to debate Harris. Instead, he’s been holding policy sessions and speaking with a small team of advisors which include former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard and Republican Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.
Trump has continued on the campaign trail and made an announcement on his Truth Social platform Monday, Sept. 9, promising no taxes on Social Security benefits.
“To help seniors who are on fixed income who are suffering the ravages of Kamala Harris’ inflation nightmare, it’s a total nightmare, I’m announcing no tax on Social Security benefits,” Trump announced.
As for the rules of the debate: there will be no opening statements, no audience, no pre-written notes or huddling with staff during commercial breaks, and microphones will be muted when it’s not a candidate’s turn to speak.
The Hamas-run government media office in Gaza said more than 40 people were killed in the strike and more than 60 more wounded while many more remain unaccounted for.
Evacuations begin as Francine takes aim at Louisiana
Louisiana’s governor has declared a statewide emergency ahead of the storm’s arrival. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations have been ordered in multiple parishes along Louisiana’s coast, as well as parts of southern Mississippi.
Francine is expected to turn into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall — potentially keeping up that strength when it does.
Police release bodycam video of Tyreek Hill being handcuffed
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill found himself in handcuffs a block away from Hard Rock Stadium Sunday, Sept. 8, just hours before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Newly released body camera footage shows what unfolded when he was pulled over by police.
In the bodycam video, Hill doesn’t comply with the officer’s orders to lower his window and that’s when things begin to escalate. Hill is seen dragged out of his car and forced face down onto the ground along the roadway in the video. The footage also reveals Hill was originally stopped for speeding.
It takes approximately one minute from when the officer leaves his motorcycle to when Hill is pulled out of his car.
Apple unveils iPhone 16 with artificial intelligence upgrade
As anticipated, Apple revealed its latest lineup of tech at the company’s “Glowtime” event on Monday. That included the iPhone 16 series with artificial intelligence capabilities.
“The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “It marks the beginning of an exciting new era.”
Cook said the iPhone 16 “raises the bar for what an iPhone can do.”
James Earl Jones remembered as ‘best of any generation’
Iconic actor James Earl Jones, known for his booming voice, is being remembered by those who knew him after passing away on Monday at 93 years old.
Actor Matthew Broderick, who worked with Jones on the 1994 Disney animated film “The Lion King” told People magazine, “I’m so lucky to have had a chance to work with James Earl Jones, to have had him play my father, my king!”
Broderick also said Jones was “one of the very best of his or any generation.”
Kevin Costner, who costarred with Jones in the 1989 baseball classic Field of Dreams said, “That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy, so I’ll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field fo Dreams.”
Officer put on leave after cuffing Tyreek Hill hours before Dolphins game
Miami Dolphins wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, found himself in handcuffs a block away from Hard Rock Stadium just hours before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 8. The incident led to one Miami-Dade police officer being placed on administrative leave.
Video footage circulating across social media shows four officers surrounding Hill, handcuffed and lying on the ground. In one clip, an officer is seen with his knee on Hill’s back.
In a postgame interview, he mentioned that everybody has bad apples in every situation, so he plans to use his platform to figure out a way to flip this and make it positive on both ends.
He went on to express his respect for law enforcement, saying he still hopes to become a police officer one day. However, Hill also mentioned that he doesn’t know why he was handcuffed in the first place.
The Miami-Dade Police Department is now conducting a review of the body camera footage from the incident. Police Director Stephanie Daniels posted on X, stating her commitment to transparency and accountability.
Hill wasn’t the only player caught up in the situation. Defensive tackle Calais Campbell tried to intervene. Campbell said he was handcuffed as well, but didn’t let the situation affect his focus.
The Dolphins went on to defeat the Jaguars, winning 20-17. After an 80-yard touchdown, Hill made a statement of his own by celebrating in the endzone pretending to be handcuffed.
Father of 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect charged with murder
The father of the 14-year-old suspect in the shooting at a Georgia high school has been arrested and charged in connection to the deadly incident. And in a surprise move, Hunter Biden has pleaded guilty in his federal tax case. What’s next for the president’s son. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
Father of 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect charged with murder
The 14-year-old arrested in connection to the Georgia school shooting is expected to appear in court Friday, Sept. 6. Colt Gray has been charged with murder as an adult.
He’s now not the only one charged in connection to the shooting. His father has been arrested by authorities and charged with second-degree murder.
Colin Gray, 54, is facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter, eight counts of cruelty to children, and two counts of second-degree murder.
Authorities said the charges stem from Colin Gray “knowingly allowing his son” to have a gun. According to investigators, he bought the AR-style gun used in the shooting as a gift for his son.
This comes as we’re getting a clearer picture of what happened inside the school as shots first rang out. An eyewitness says 53-year-old math teacher Christina Irimie died after jumping in front of a student to protect them from gunfire.
We’ve also learned more about an incident report from last year involving the suspect regarding anonymous posts threatening a school shooting. Those threats were made on the social media platform Discord under a username referring to the 2012 Sandy Hook gunman, according to the police file.
Colt and Colin Gray were interviewed at the time. Colin Gray told investigators there were guns in their home, but his son did not have access to them. Colin Gray denied making the threats and authorities say there was no probable cause at the time for an arrest.
Hunter Biden pleads guilty in federal tax case
In a surprise move, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal tax charges Thursday, Sept. 5. It was not part of any plea deal and sets up the possibility the president’s son could spend decades in prison.
The plea was a move to avoid a second criminal trial this year. He was after already found guilty in a federal gun case, which he’s set to be sentenced for in November.
The plea is related to charges alleging Hunter schemed to avoid paying more than a million dollars in income taxes. His attorneys acknowledged the evidence is “overwhelming” and offered a guilty plea — while keeping options open for an appeal.
“Hunter decided to enter his plea to protect those he loves from unnecessary hurt and cruel humiliation,” defense attorney Abbe Lowell said. “Hunter put his family first today, and it was a brave and loving thing for him to do.”
It’s considered an unorthodox and unexpected move in the federal court system. Guilty pleas often come with plenty of warning and after negotiations with prosecutors.
Last year when Hunter Biden was on the cusp of reaching a plea agreement that many critics called “a sweetheart deal” that would have spared him from any prison time. That deal was tossed out over concerns the president’s son was getting preferential treatment.
US announces new controls on chip-related exports to China
As China makes advances in the global chip industry, the U.S. is rolling out new export controls on certain crucial technologies like quantum computing and semiconductor goods.
The Commerce Department cited “national security and foreign policy reasons” for issuing the new rules over worldwide exports. It does, however, make exemptions for countries that adopt similar rules, like Japan and the Netherlands.
In the past, federal investigators have also subpoenaed cell phones belonging to the New York police commissioner and another one of the mayor’s close advisers, Tim Pearson, but it’s also not clear if that was related to the recent searches.
Federal probe targets airlines’ frequent flyer programs
Today, @SecretaryPete opened a probe into some of the big airline points programs. The inquiry seeks to better understand: – Rewards devaluation tactics – Hidden pricing and junk fees – Risks of reductions in competition and choice https://t.co/FQWTbY1Pjc
The Department of Transportation has ordered the CEOs of American, Delta, Southwest, and United airlines to answer detailed questions and provide records on their policies for how passengers can accrue and spend their miles. The probe is focused on how consumers could be affected by the devaluation of earned rewards, extra fees, hidden or dynamic pricing, and reduced competition and choice.
First NFL game of the season ends in dramatic fashion
We’ve heard of winning “by a nose” in horseracing. But last night, in the first NFL game of the season, it came down to winning “by a toe.”
With the seconds ticking down in the fourth quarter, it appeared Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson successfully threw a touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely, giving Baltimore a chance to win the game.
UFC star Conor McGregor announces intention to run for Ireland’s presidency
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has announced his intention to enter the political arena, revealing plans to run for the presidency of Ireland in 2025. The mixed martial artist made the announcement on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, where he has been critical of the nation’s current leadership.
McGregor’s initial hint at a presidential bid came on Wednesday, Sept. 4, when he responded to a video circulating online showing a recently installed bike rack outside the Irish Parliament building which reportedly cost over $370,000. That price tag has sparked criticism over government spending, with McGregor accusing members of Parliament of being “greedy and corrupt,” adding that such expenditures would not occur under his presidency.
“I’ve seen nicer bus stops! Who charged this extortionate price?” McGregor wrote on X about the bike rack. “With me as president this type of carry on that we’ve seen countless times, some more serious than others, would be tore apart on the spot!”
Thursday, Sept. 5, McGregor made a more formal declaration, stating that the people of Ireland deserve a leader who is accountable to them and asserting that he is the “only logical choice” for the role.
The Dublin native also warned that if the government continued to act as “thieves of the working man,” he would consider dissolving the nation’s Parliament if elected as president.
“These charlatans in their positions of power would be summoned to answer to the people of Ireland and I would have it done by day end. Or I would be left with no choice but to dissolve the Dáil entirely,” McGregor wrote. “Ireland needs an active President employed wholly by the people of Ireland. It is me.”
McGregor’s announcement has already garnered support from high-profile figures, including Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk, as well as controversial media personality and former professional kickboxer Andrew Tate. Meanwhile, these political ambitions from McGregor have raised questions about his future in the UFC, where he was expected to make a return to the octagon this year.