Author: rb809rb

  • Was Trump’s ‘super intelligence’ order a ploy to profit off .si domain names?

    Was Trump’s ‘super intelligence’ order a ploy to profit off .si domain names?

    • A claim that U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to change “artificial intelligence” to “super intelligence” so that he and his associates could profit from the sale of domain names with the top-level domain “.si” circulated in late September 2026 but remains unproven.
    • The rumor stems from a social media thread by independent journalist Adam Cochran, who claimed that a spike in Slovenian domain registrations in May and June 2026, prior to Trump’s announcement, indicated collusion. He suggested Trump may have tipped off associates about the coming change in order for them to “domain squat” — to buy a domain at low cost, then resell at a higher value to meet demand.
    • It was true that there was a spike in registration of Slovenian domain names in May and June, followed by a separate spike shortly before the executive order in September. However, Snopes could not independently verify claims that Trump or his associates financially benefited from the domain purchases, or that he told insiders about the “super intelligence” executive order ahead of time. 

    • Snopes reached out to Cochran asking him to share his evidence for independent review, as well as to Register.si, Slovenia’s domain registrar, to ask if there were any other explanations for the spikes in May and June. We will update this article if we get a response. We also reached out to the White House press office for comment and have not heard back as of this writing. 

    A claim that U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order changing the term “artificial intelligence” to “super intelligence” in order to profit from the sale of domain names with the top-level domain “.si” circulated in late September 2026.  

    People on social media platforms shared the rumor, with some claiming that an “investigation shows that in the past 60 days insiders bought thousands of .si domain names. They’ve profited hundreds of millions of dollars so far.”

    The “.si” domain is for the country of Slovenia — also the home country of first lady Melania Trump, a detail that appeared to help fuel the rumor — and is typically used for businesses operating from that country. 

    The rumor suggested that Trump tipped off associates so that they could purchase Slovenian domains, sit on them, and then resell at a high markup to companies or individuals looking to expand their web presence to the “.si” top-level domain, a practice called domain squatting.

    The claim circulated following Trump’s Sept. 29, 2026, signing of an executive order demanding that any reference to “artificial intelligence” be instead called “super intelligence” within the U.S. government’s executive branch.

    Trump and tech leaders also signed an accord in an effort to assuage fears over AI, which Snopes previously reported featured a misspelling of “United States.” Polls have shown that AI is increasingly unpopular and critics called the move an attempted “rebrand” of AI.

    Prior to the official documents, Trump had previously posted about “super intelligence” on his Truth Social social media page on Sept. 19.

    It was true that there was a spike in registration of Slovenian domain names months before the executive order, but Snopes could not independently verify claims that Trump or his associates either financially benefited from the domain purchases or knew about the “super intelligence” executive order ahead of time. 

    The claim originated with a thread on X by independent journalist Adam Cochran. 

    Cochran cited the Slovenian domain registry Register.si, which operates as part of the Academic and Research Network of Slovenia. The organization’s website says its mission is ensuring a “stable, secure, uninterrupted and reliable operation of .si in the global digital ecosystem.”

    Register.si’s website called the “.si” domain “an internationally recognized top-level domain that represents Slovenia and is the first choice of address on the Internet for all individuals and organizations related to Slovenia.”

    A post on Register.si’s website explained the organization does not directly register domains, but rather works “through approximately 90 domestic and foreign registrars.”

    The same post indicated that there had been a spike in registrations and specifically mentioned Trump’s “super intelligence” announcement as a possible cause, stating his social media post and resulting “discussion quickly attracted the attention of the public and the technology community, including speculation about the impact of the potential new abbreviation on the Slovenian national domain .si.”

    A graph depicting the number of daily “.si” domain registrations shared by Register.si indicated a jump from fewer than 1,000 registrations on Sept. 20 — one day after Trump posted about “super intelligence” on Truth Social — to over 4,000 on Sept. 23.

    (Register.si)

    More broadly, a monthly graph with a range of July 2025 to September 2026 showed a sharp rise from fewer than 2,500 registrations a month to more than 10,000 in September 2026. The graph also showed a spike in May and June 2026, both around 5,000. 

    (Register.si)

    The spikes in May and June appeared to be Cochran’s main evidence that connected the purchases to “Trump’s inner circle.” While it is possible Trump tipped off associates about the coming change and that they were the individuals who bought up .si domains, a theory is not proof. Snopes can only offer a rating after independently verifying primary evidence; therefore, we have left this claim unrated. 

    Further, “super intelligence” as a term predated Trump’s use of it. 

    We reached out to Cochran asking him to share his evidence for independent review, as well as Register.si to ask about any other explanations for the spike in May and June. We will update this article if we get a response. We also reached out to the White House press office for comment and have not heard back, as of this writing. 

    Domain squatting, also called cybersquatting, is nothing new. 

    Typically, it involves parties purchasing a domain that could be confused with an established brand or company, or even a common misspelling or typo of the company’s name. Once the new owner has control of the domain, they can then sell it to the company at a higher price than a typical fresh registration. 

    The World Intellectual Property Organization, a United Nations agency that aims to “protect and promote” intellectual property “across borders and acting as a forum for addressing cutting-edge IP issues,” reported its highest caseload of domain disputes to date in 2025 with over 6,200.

    Register.si’s website stated that their price “is the same for all registrars and amounts to EUR 10,” but that “the final price for domain holders depends on the policy of the individual registrar and Register.si has no influence on it,” according to a Google translation. 

    The organization said that speculation about potential earnings for the country of Slovenia because of the increased interest in their domain “have no real basis” and they advised “holders of trademarks, slogans, companies, … who do not yet have a domain under .si to register it as soon as possible.”

  • Hegseth named Musk, Gingrich to lead ‘Project Meridian.’ Here’s what we know about the plan

    Hegseth named Musk, Gingrich to lead ‘Project Meridian.’ Here’s what we know about the plan

    • On Sept. 30, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered what he called a “State of the Force” address. During it, he announced the launch of “Project Meridian,” which he described as “an effort led by America’s best minds to study the future of warfare.”
    • Hegseth named Tesla and Space X CEO Elon Musk, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Palmer Luckey, founder of defense technology company Anduril Industries, as heads of Project Meridian.
    • In a memorandum published the same day, Hegseth wrote, “Project Meridian’s primary function will be to map the trajectory of future warfare, identify critical capability gaps, and propose actionable solutions in furtherance of the identified goals in the 2026 National Security Science and Technology Strategy.”
    • Snopes will update this report if additional information surfaces about what, specifically, Project Meridian will do. We have reached out to the Department of Defense, Musk, Gingrich and Luckey asking for more details about what the project will entail and are waiting for responses.

    In late September 2026, a rumor spread online that Tesla and Space X CEO Elon Musk and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich had joined a new effort announced by the U.S. Department of Defense called “Project Meridian.” 

    Several social media posts made the claim, including on Reddit and X. One X post (archived) said Musk, Gingrich and Palmer Luckey, founder of defense technology company Anduril Industries, had been recruited to lead the project “to focus on developing future warfare and autonomous weapons systems for battlefields ‘from under the Earth to beyond the moon’”:

    The official X account of the DOD’s chief technology officer confirmed the story (archived):

    “From under the earth to beyond the moon, our warfighters will have technological superiority,” the post read. “PROJECT MERIDIAN: THE FUTURE OF WARFARE.”

    Here’s what we know so far about the initiative, its goals and the people involved:

    Hegseth’s announcement

    On Sept. 30, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered what he called a “State of the Force” address — meant to evoke the State of the Union address, which the president delivers annually to Congress — and announced the launch of Project Meridian, which he described as “an effort led by America’s best minds to study the future of warfare.”

    Hegseth began to describe Project Meridian roughly midway through his address (at 34:45 in the video):

    Today we are leveraging a unique source of American advantage. One our adversaries do not have: our innovators, our senior leaders and our technologists — big thinkers who will forecast the creative solutions for tomorrow’s conflicts. That’s why today at my direction I am announcing Project Meridian, an effort led by America’s best minds to study the future of warfare. Under the leadership of the department’s chief technology officer, Emil Michael, Project Meridian will be co-led by three of our nations best minds. Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich, all of whom are up in the audience with us today.

    Shortly after he named them, Musk, Luckey and Gingrich stood up to applause from the crowd. 

    Musk, Gingrich and Luckey

    Hegseth said the three men would lead a group of “subject-matter experts from across our nation’s unmatched innovation, academic and policy ecosystems.” The goal, he said, would be to develop “absolute technological superiority,” by focusing on, among other things, “autonomous warfare” — in other words, weapons and equipment capable of functioning autonomously.

    Musk was previously involved in President Donald Trump’s administration as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, which spearheaded drastic spending cuts to government programs. (The Government Accountability Office said in August 2026 that DOGE incorrectly reported or failed to substantiate some of its purported savings.) Musk’s xAI technology has reportedly been used by U.S. forces in the Iran war.

    Gingrich has consistently defended the war with Iran (archived), which has proved unpopular with U.S. voters, according to polls.

    Luckey described himself as a “radical Zionist” during “The Shawn Ryan Show” podcast in February 2025, saying he defended Israel’s right to exist. Asked directly by Axios what he thought of the war in Iran, he declined to answer.

    Autonomous warfare

    During the address, Hegseth also announced the creation of a new combatant command: “Today, with Autonomous War Command — AutoWarCom — we institutionalize and we supercharge the era of SI, robotics, and autonomous systems. All in order to win,” Hegseth said. (“SI” refers to “super intelligence,” what the federal government began calling artificial intelligence in September 2026.)

    Hegseth appeared to present Project Meridian as the way to identify the technologies best suited to arm AutoWarCom. He said the group led by Musk, Gingrich and Luckey would render its first conclusions in 120 days.

    The same day, the Pentagon published a memorandum that further outlined the goal of Project Meridian. It read: 

    Project Meridian will leverage critical perspectives from outside the Pentagon, drawing upon a group of top technologists, innovators, business leaders, policy makers, and national security experts. Project Meridian’s primary function will be to map the trajectory of future warfare, identify critical capability gaps, and propose actionable solutions in furtherance of the identified goals in the 2026 National Security Science and Technology Strategy.

    For further reading, Snopes has investigated a number of rumors about Hegseth’s Defense Department, including a claim that the department spent $93 billion in one month.

  • Did Trump say Iowans are ‘really troubled people’?

    Did Trump say Iowans are ‘really troubled people’?

    Claim:

    A video posted online in late September 2026 authentically shows U.S. President Donald Trump saying Iowans are “really troubled people” at a White House event.

    Rating:

    Miscaptioned

    On Sept. 28, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump held an event at the White House to announce the planning of a new steel plant in Iowa. Joining him in the Oval Office for the event were several Iowa state leaders and officials.

    Afterward, some social media users claimed Trump insulted Iowans during the event. For example, an X post (archived) displayed a video clip apparently recorded at the event and asserted, “Trump claims the federal government can ‘supersede’ Iowa and calls Iowans ‘troubled people.’”

    In the clip, Trump can be heard saying this: “And we can supersede the state, right? If we can supersede the state, it’s good. Otherwise, it will never be good. They’re very — they’re really troubled people.”

    Users shared other posts claiming Trump called Iowans troubled people on Instagram (archived) and Threads (archived). Snopes readers searched the site and emailed us asking whether the claim was true.

    It was not true. While the video clip is real and unedited, it omits important context that proves Trump didn’t call Iowans “really troubled people.” Trump was actually referring to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other Democratic leaders in that state. 

    The remark came immediately after an exchange in which Trump asked how Walz was treating the opening of a new iron mine in Minnesota. Given that this context was omitted, we have rated the clip miscaptioned.

    Videos and transcripts of Trump’s remarks at the event were uploaded online by C-SPAN and Roll Call. The conversation that led to Trump making the “troubled people” comment begin at about the 6:20 mark in the C-SPAN video and 6:07 in Roll Call’s Vimeo video.

    At that time, John Jovanovic, the Trump-nominated chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, begins describing the opening of an iron mine in Minnesota that is meant to supply the Iowa steel plant (emphasis ours):

    JOVANOVIC: Thank you, Mr. President. So, what we’re really talking about today is America’s economic security. And Mr. President, it’s your plan in action, but it all starts mining more in America. The mine you mentioned is the first mine opened in America in 50-plus years focused on iron ore. EXIM financed it, but most importantly, it’s found on the Iron Range in America, which for 145 years has been the most prolific iron ore deposit in the world. It helped build America. It helped win two world wars. You’re helping resurrect it, Mr. President, with this first iron ore mine. That is why this plant is possible, because we are creating one American supply chain. And what you see again here today, Mr. President, is private capital flowing in to rebuild America and to build America’s future, so we can assure that the warfighter of tomorrow in America is always well-equipped and that everyday Americans have what they need when they need it most. And this is what it’s going to take to continue to deliver the American dream, Mr. President, for another 250 years.

    TRUMP: And how is the governor treating you? Because I freed up the iron ore in that place, and I absolutely won the election, but they wouldn’t — they cheat like hell. But how is the governor treating you? Because I freed it up and then they closed it, and the people were devastated because it is the finest iron ore in the world, they say. So how is the governor and these other people that don’t — I mean, it’s one of the worst-run places I’ve ever seen. How are they doing?

    JOVANOVIC: You know, Mr. President, we were there only 10 days ago, actually, to initiate the mine. We set off 1.3 million pounds of explosives that put it into operation and that will be the iron ore that feeds this plant and to make steel in America the —

    TRUMP: And we can supersede the state, right?

    COMMERCE SECRETARY HOWARD LUTNICK: Yes.

    JOVANOVIC: [unintelligible, cut off by Trump]

    TRUMP: If we can supersede the state, it’s good. Otherwise, the state will never be good. They’re very — they’re really troubled people. Thank you very much; great job you’re doing, too, by the way. Secretary Lutnick, please.

    The mine Jovanovic referred to is owned by Mesabi Metallics in northern Minnesota, where part of the American Iron Range is located. Mesabi Metallics is the same company investing in the steel plant in Iowa.

    Local news reports on the fraught history of the mine suggest its struggles have largely been tied to the parent company of Mesabi Metallics, Essar. The India-based company first started work on the mine and an accompanying steel mill in 2007 before shuttering its plans for the mine in 2015 and filing for bankruptcy in 2016. Essar still owes Minnesota more than $22 million in infrastructure debt, according to Iowa news channel KWQC.

    As Jovanovic said, Trump administration officials were at the opening of the iron mine in Minnesota about 10 days earlier. If Trump’s concern was about opening the mine, he’d have no reason to call for the federal government to “supersede” Minnesota. According to Essar itself, Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha said in 2024, “After years of uncertainty, it’s encouraging to see Mesabi Metallics breathing new life into this major mining operation.”

    While the context makes it clear that Trump was referencing Walz and his administration in Minnesota, not Iowans, Snopes reached out to the White House to seek confirmation on whom exactly Trump believed to be “really troubled people.” We’ll update this story if and when we receive a response to our question.

    For further reading, Snopes recently investigated a claim asserting Trump’s renaming of “artificial intelligence” to “super intelligence” is a play to profit off of .SI domain names.

  • How to Watch Tonight’s Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves MLB Wild Card Game (Even for Free)

    How to Watch Tonight’s Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves MLB Wild Card Game (Even for Free)

    As summer comes to a close and the air turns crisp, you know what’s coming: the MLB Playoffs. The NFL season is already underway, and if you’re also a baseball lover, this next month is essential viewing. The MLB has been through a number of changes in recent years. From the universal DH and the pitch clock to video replay and an automated strike zone, baseball may look very different if you haven’t been paying attention.

    Today, we have the Phillies vs. the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series. The White Sox, Yankees, and Padres have already advanced. Then, this weekend, the Division Series kicks off. Don’t want to miss a minute of the action? Here’s how you can watch live.


    What Time Is Tonight’s Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves Game?

    The Philadelphia Phillies vs. the Atlanta Braves Wild Card Series Game 3 will take place today, Thursday, October 1 at 8 p.m. ET.


    How to Watch the Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves

    Tonight’s Phillies vs. Braves Wild Card Series game will air on NBC and Peacock. You can also watch it with a live TV or sports streaming subscription from DirecTV, Fox One, Fubo, HBO Max, Hulu, Sling, Sportsnet+ (if you’re in Canada), or YouTube TV.


    How to Watch the Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves For Free

    If you don’t want to subscribe to any of the above platforms, you may be able to sign up for a few free trials to gain access to today’s game. Fox One and Hulu offer three-day trials, DirecTV and Fubo offer five days, and YouTube TV gives you 10 days for free.

    Peacock doesn’t have a free trial, but there is a workaround. Walmart+ allows you to bundle Peacock or Paramount+ with your subscription at no extra charge. By signing up for a $1 trial to Walmart’s service, you can also get 30 days of access to Peacock.

    Unlock Your Streaming Service’s Full Catalog

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    Unlock Your Streaming Service’s Full Catalog


    2026 MLB Playoffs Game Schedule

    MLB’s expanded postseason means more teams on the playoff schedule. The Wild Card Series, the first round of MLB’s playoffs, is best-of-three games. This round began on September 29 and includes the three Wild Card winners for each league, plus the lowest-ranked division winner. Tonight’s Phillies and Braves game will be the final matchup in this round, as the White Sox, Yankees, and Padres have already advanced.

    Next up is the best-of-five Division Series, starting October 3. The Cleveland Guardians, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres will meet them. After this round, the Championship Series extends to seven games to determine the best team in each league, who then advance to a best-of-seven World Series. Who will make it all the way?

    Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves (ATL leads 1-0):

    Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians:

    • Game 1 on October 3 @ 1:00 p.m. ET – TBS/HBO Max

    • Game 2 on October 5 @ 5:00 p.m. ET – TBS/HBO Max

    • Game 3 on October 7 @ TBD – TBS/HBO Max

    • Game 4 on October 8 @ TBD – TBS/HBO Max

    • Game 5 on October 10 @ TBD – TBS/HBO Max

    ATL/PHI vs. Los Angeles Dodgers:

    • Game 1 on October 3 @ 4:00 p.m. ET – Fox/Fox One

    • Game 2 on October 4 @ 8:00 p.m. ET – FS1

    • Game 3 on October 6 @ TBD – Fox/FS1

    • Game 4 on October 7 @ TBD – Fox/FS1

    • Game 5 on October 9 @ TBD – Fox/FS1

    New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays:

    • Game 1 on October 3 @ 6:30 p.m. ET – TBS/HBO Max

    • Game 2 on October 5 @ 8:00 p.m. ET – TBS/HBO Max

    • Game 3 on October 7 @ TBD – TBS/HBO Max

    • Game 4 on October 8 @ TBD – TBS/HBO Max

    • Game 5 on October 10 @ TBD – TBS/HBO Max

    Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres:

    • Game 1 on October 3 @ 8:30 p.m. ET – Fox/Fox One

    • Game 2 on October 4 @ 4:00 p.m. ET – FS1

    • Game 3 on October 6 @ TBD – Fox/FS1

    • Game 4 on October 7 @ TBD – Fox/FS1

    • Game 5 on October 9 @ TBD – Fox/FS1

    2026 MLB postseason brackets

    (Credit: MLB)


    How to Stream the 2026 MLB Playoffs

    This year’s MLB postseason is stretched across multiple networks and streaming services. All Wild Card Series games for the American League and National League will be broadcast on NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock. Additional rounds will be on other networks. ALDS and ALCS games are on TBS/TruTV and HBO Max, while NLDS and NLCS games are on Fox/FS1. For the World Series, all games will be broadcast on Fox and the Fox One streaming service.

    Recommended by Our Editors

    • DirecTV: DirecTV’s MySports base pack costs $45 per month for the first six months to see every game on Fox, FS1, NBC, and TBS/TruTV.

    • Fox One: Fox’s own streaming app lets you watch the NLDS, NLCS, and World Series on Fox and FS1 for $20 per month.

    • Fubo: Fubo’s Sports plan costs $45.99 for the first month to watch the Wild Card Series, NLDS, NLCS, and World Series on Fox, FS1, and NBC/NBCSN.

    • HBO Max: If you pay for the $18.49-per-month HBO Max Standard, you’ll be able to watch the ALDS and ALCS games on TBS/TruTV.

    • Hulu: For $90 per month, you can watch every game on Fox, FS1, NBC, TBS, and TruTV.

    • Peacock: Instead of a live TV service, you’d need to pay $10.99 per month for Peacock Premium to see the Wild Card Series games.

    • Sling: The $60.99-per-month Sling Orange & Blue bundle will let you watch the ALDS and ALCS on TBS/TruTV and the NLDS and NLCS on FS1. Day Passes are also available for Sling Orange, allowing you to watch games on TBS for up to seven days.

    • Sportsnet+ (Canada only): The $30-per-month Standard tier lets you watch every postseason game.

    • YouTube TV: Though the standard plan for YouTube TV costs $83 per month, you can actually now pay for the cheaper $65 Sports package to see all games on Fox, FS1, NBC/NBCSN, and TBS/TruTV.

    Can I Watch Postseason Games on MLB.TV?

    Are you already an MLB.TV subscriber? You can watch the Division Series, Championship Series, and World Series games through MLB’s own streaming service—but there’s a catch. To watch on MLB.TV, you’ll first need to authenticate through a participating pay TV provider. It’s such a sticking point that it makes the entire question moot. If you already have a TV provider, then you wouldn’t need to use a streaming service. If you don’t already have an MLB.TV subscription, don’t pay for one now.

    How can I listen to the 2026 postseason?

    You can also listen to the games via ESPN Radio.


    Which Teams Are In the Playoffs?

    Since MLB expanded its postseason picture in 2022, a total of 12 teams make the playoffs each year. That includes six teams per league, including the three division winners and three Wild Card teams.

    • American League Division Winners: Tampa Bay Rays (1), Cleveland Guardians (2), Houston Astros (3)

    • American League Wild Card: New York Yankees (4), Boston Red Sox (5), Chicago White Sox (6)

    • National League Division Winners: Milwaukee Brewers (1), Los Angeles Dodgers (2), Atlanta Braves (3)

    • National League Wild Card: Chicago Cubs (4), Philadelphia Phillies (5), San Diego Padres (6)


    Upgrade Your Streaming Experience

    If you decide to watch the MLB postseason, there’s still time to get a big-screen television for viewing this beautiful game. Pro tip: Turn on your TV’s motion-smoothing option for the best picture while watching sports. Just remember to turn it off before watching other TV shows and movies to avoid the awful “soap opera” effect.

    About Our Expert

  • Did John Wayne buy 1,200 foreclosed homes for homeless Vietnam veterans?

    Did John Wayne buy 1,200 foreclosed homes for homeless Vietnam veterans?

    Claim:

    Between 1950 and 1979, late actor John Wayne bought 1,200 foreclosed homes for homeless veterans of the Vietnam War.

    Rating:

    False

    In September 2026, a rumor spread that late actor John Wayne acquired 1,200 foreclosed homes between 1950 and 1979 and gave them to homeless Vietnam War veterans.

    Several posts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X made the claim, all sharing the same image with the same text. One X post said, “what a wonderful man he was” (archived):

    The text on the image said the actor had allegedly spent $43 million on these homes:

    After John Wayne died in 1979, bank records revealed: he’d bought 1,200 foreclosed houses from 1950-1979 and gave them to homeless Vietnam vets. Cash purchases. Never signed his name. Just left keys at VA hospitals with notes: “Welcome home. ” One vet said: “I was sleeping in my car. Found an envelope with keys and an address. Thought it was a scam. The house was mine. Paid in full.” Total spent: $43 million. His family didn’t know.

    Meanwhile, several Snopes readers emailed and searched the website to confirm the veracity of the claim.

    In sum, the story was false. Snopes found no evidence that Wayne had done such a thing before his death in 1979. 

    First, no reputable news outlet ever reported such an act of generosity on the part of the actor, according to searches on Google, DuckDuckGo and Yahoo. Neither did a search on Newspapers.com, the largest online newspaper archive. Had Wayne bought homes for Vietnam War veterans between 1950 and his death, this fact would have been widely reported in the intervening decades. This was not the case.

    Further, one 1979 report from the New York Times said his estate was estimated at $6.8 million, casting further doubt on the claim, which said he had spent $43 million on the foreclosed homes.

    A third reason to question the claim is that the meme said Wayne started buying houses for veterans of the Vietnam War in 1950, but the Vietnam War did not begin until 1954 and the U.S. did not start sending ground combat troops until the mid-1960s, according to Britannica.

    The earliest instance of the meme we could find was a YouTube short dated Sept. 7, 2026, from the channel Celeb Glamora, which appeared to share memes about celebrities with the exact same presentation and typeface. Most of them appeared to be fictitious inspirational stories about the celebrities’ generosity.

    We contacted a manager of Celeb Glamora to learn more about the video’s creation, such as what software creators used and their motivations for sharing it. We will update this story if we receive a response.

    Snopes has debunked similar pieces of media before, including the story that musician Eric Clapton once brought a deaf teenager onstage. 

     

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    Only one (1) entry per person is permitted, regardless of the entry method used. Subsequent attempts made by the same individual to submit multiple entries may result in the disqualification of the entrant.

    Only contributions submitted during the Sweepstakes Period will be eligible for entry into the Sweepstakes. No other methods of entry will be accepted. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Entries are limited to individuals only; commercial enterprises and business entities are not eligible. Use of a false account will disqualify an entry. Sponsor is not responsible for entries not received due to difficulty accessing the internet, service outage or delays, computer difficulties, and other technological problems.

    Entries are subject to any applicable restrictions or eligibility requirements listed herein. Entries will be deemed to have been made by the authorized account holder of the email or telephone phone number submitted at the time of entry and qualification. Multiple participants are not permitted to share the same email address. Should multiple users of the same e-mail account or mobile phone number, as applicable, enter the Sweepstakes and a dispute thereafter arises regarding the identity of the entrant, the Authorized Account Holder of said e-mail account or mobile phone account at the time of entry will be considered the entrant. “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned an e-mail address or mobile phone number by an Internet access provider, online service provider, telephone service provider or other organization that is responsible for assigned e-mail addresses, phone numbers or the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Proof of submission of an entry shall not be deemed proof of receipt by the website administrator for online entries. When applicable, the website administrator’s computer will be deemed the official time-keeping device for the Sweepstakes promotion. Entries will be disqualified if found to be incomplete and/or if Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that multiple entries were submitted by the same entrant in violation of the Sweepstakes Rules.

    Entries that are late, lost, stolen, mutilated, tampered with, illegible, incomplete, mechanically reproduced, inaccurate, postage-due, forged, irregular in any way or otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules will be disqualified. All entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

    WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: Sponsor shall select the prize winner(s) (collectively, the “Winner”) on or about Nov. 11, 2026, (“Selection Date”) by random drawing or from among all eligible entries. The Winner will be notified via email to the contact information provided in the entry. Notification of the Winner shall be deemed to have occurred immediately upon sending of the notification by Sponsor. Selected winner(s) will be required to respond (as directed) to the notification within seven (7) days of attempted notification. The only entries that will be considered eligible entries are entries received by Sponsor within the Sweepstakes Period. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to choose an alternative winner in the event that a possible winner has been disqualified or is deemed ineligible for any reason.

    PRIZE: One (1) winner will receive the following prize (collectively, the “Prize”):

    One (1) $250 Amazon.com gift code via email, valued at approximately two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

    No more than the stated number of prize(s) will be awarded, and all prize(s) listed above will be awarded. Actual retail value of the Prize may vary due to market conditions. The difference in value of the Prize as stated above and value at time of notification of the Winner, if any, will not be awarded. No cash or prize substitution is permitted, except at the discretion of Sponsor. The Prize is non-transferable. If the Prize cannot be awarded due to circumstances beyond the control of Sponsor, a substitute Prize of equal or greater retail value will be awarded; provided, however, that if a Prize is awarded but remains unclaimed or is forfeited by the Winner, the Prize may not be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. In the event that more than the stated number of prize(s) becomes available for any reason, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prize(s) by a random drawing among all legitimate, un-awarded, eligible prize claims.

    ACCEPTANCE AND DELIVERY OF THE PRIZE: The Winner will be required to verify his or her address and may be required to execute the following document(s) before a notary public and return them within seven (7) days (or a shorter time if required by exigencies) of receipt of such documents: an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release, and (where imposing such condition is legal) a publicity release covering eligibility, liability, advertising, publicity and media appearance issues (collectively, the “Prize Claim Documents”). If an entrant is unable to verify the information submitted with their entry, the entrant will automatically be disqualified and their prize, if any, will be forfeited. The Prize will not be awarded until all such properly executed and notarized Prize Claim Documents are returned to Sponsor. Prize(s) won by an eligible entrant who is a minor in his or her state of residence will be awarded to minor’s parent or legal guardian, who must sign and return all required Prize Claim Documents. In the event the Prize Claim Documents are not returned within the specified period, an alternate Winner may be selected by Sponsor for such Prize. The Prize will be shipped to the Winner within 7 days of Sponsor’s receipt of a signed Affidavit and Release from the Winner. The Winner is responsible for all taxes and fees related to the Prize received, if any.

    OTHER RULES: This sweepstakes is subject to all applicable laws and is void where prohibited. All submissions by entrants in connection with the sweepstakes become the sole property of the sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Winner assumes all liability for any injuries or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in this sweepstakes or by the use or misuse of any prize.

    By entering the sweepstakes, each winner grants the SPONSOR permission to use his or her name, city, state/province, e-mail address and, to the extent submitted as part of the sweepstakes entry, his or her photograph, voice, and/or likeness for advertising, publicity or other purposes OR ON A WINNER’S LIST, IF APPLICABLE, IN ANY and all MEDIA WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR HEREINAFTER DEVELOPED, worldwide, without additional consent OR compensation, except where prohibited by law. By submitting an entry, entrants also grant the Sponsor a perpetual, fully-paid, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to reproduce, prepare derivative works of, distribute, display, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, televise, digitize, perform and otherwise use and permit others to use, and throughout the world, their entry materials in any manner, form, or format now known or hereinafter created, including on the internet, and for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising or promotion of the Sweepstakes, the Sponsor and/or its products and services, without further consent from or compensation to the entrant. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants consent to receive notification of future promotions, advertisements or solicitations by or from Sponsor and/or Sponsor’s parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, and business partners, via email or other means of communication.

    If, in the Sponsor’s opinion, there is any suspected or actual evidence of fraud, electronic or non-electronic tampering or unauthorized intervention with any portion of this Sweepstakes, or if fraud or technical difficulties of any sort (e.g., computer viruses, bugs) compromise the integrity of the Sweepstakes, the Sponsor reserves the right to void suspect entries and/or terminate the Sweepstakes and award the Prize in its sole discretion. Any attempt to deliberately damage the Sponsor’s website(s) or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be in violation of U.S. criminal and civil laws and will result in disqualification from participation in the Sweepstakes. Should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages (including attorney’s fees) to the fullest extent of the law, including pursuing criminal prosecution.

    DISCLAIMER: EXCLUDING ONLY APPLICABLE MANUFACTURERS’ WARRANTIES, THE PRIZE IS PROVIDED TO THE WINNER ON AN “AS IS” BASIS, WITHOUT FURTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SPONSOR HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL FURTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE PRIZE.

    LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANTS, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES, RELEASE AND HOLD THE SPONSOR its PARENT COMPANIES, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATED COMPANIES, UNITS AND DIVISIONS, AND THE CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF EACH OF THE FOREGOING, AND ALL THOSE ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE FOREGOING, OR ANY OF THEM (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL AGENCIES AND PRIZE SUPPLIERS) (EACH A “RELEASED PARTY”), HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, ACTIONS, INJURY, LOSS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (COLLECTIVELY, THE “CLAIMS”) WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, WHICH ENTRANT EVER HAD, NOW HAVE, OR HEREAFTER CAN, SHALL OR MAY HAVE, AGAINST THE RELEASED PARTIES (OR ANY OF THEM), INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE SWEEPSTAKES OR ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SWEEPSTAKES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS FOR LIBEL, DEFAMATION, INVASION OF PRIVACY, VIOLATION OF THE RIGHT OF PUBLICITY, COMMERCIAL APPROPRIATION OF NAME AND LIKENESS, INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT OR VIOLATION OF ANY OTHER PERSONAL OR PROPRIETARY RIGHT), AND THE RECEIPT, OWNERSHIP, USE, MISUSE, TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE PRIZE (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE). All matters relating to the interpretation and application of these Sweepstakes Rules shall be decided by Sponsor in its sole discretion.

    DISPUTES: If, for any reason (including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes), the Sweepstakes is not capable of being conducted as described in these Sweepstakes Rules, Sponsor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. The Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. The Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, or failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or any combination thereof, including, without limitation, any injury or damage to any entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading any materials in this Sweepstakes. Because of the unique nature and scope of the Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right, in addition to those other rights reserved herein, to modify any date(s) or deadline(s) set forth in these Sweepstakes Rules or otherwise governing the Sweepstakes, and any such changes will be posted here in the Sweepstakes Rules. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Sweepstakes Rules shall not constitute a waiver of any provision.

    As a condition of participating in the Sweepstakes, entrant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between entrant and Sponsor, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes or these Sweepstakes Rules, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court of competent jurisdiction located in New York, New York, and entrant irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in New York, New York with respect to any such dispute, cause of action, or other matter. All disputes will be governed and controlled by the laws of the State of New York (without regard for its conflicts-of-laws principles). Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby irrevocably waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys’ fees, other than entrant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs incurred directly in connection with entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes), and entrant further irrevocably waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased, if any. EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.

    PRIVACY: Information collected from entrants in connection with the Sweepstakes is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy, which may be found here.

    SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION: Although the Sweepstakes may be featured on Twitter, Facebook, and/or other social media platforms, the Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or in association with Twitter, Facebook, and/or such other social media platforms and you agree that Twitter, Facebook, and all other social media platforms are not liable in any way for any claims, damages or losses associated with the Sweepstakes.

    WINNER(S) LIST: For a list of name(s) of prizewinner(s), after the Selection Date, please send a stamped, self-addressed No. 10/standard business envelope to Ziff Davis, LLC, Attn: Legal Department, 360 Park Ave South, Floor 17, New York, NY 10010 (VT residents may omit return postage).

    BY ENTERING, YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO ALL OF THESE SWEEPSTAKES RULES.


  • ‘I was extremely terrified’: Jogger recounts ‘Chucky’ terror as masked man appears in court

    ‘I was extremely terrified’: Jogger recounts ‘Chucky’ terror as masked man appears in court

    By Jesse Bunch, The Philadelphia Inquirer

    PHILADELPHIA — For Blake Fleischer, an early morning jog in Center City last month began like any other.

    But it ended in terror, she said as she recalled running into traffic near City Hall, seeking help as a man wearing a Chucky-style horror mask followed close behind.

    “I was extremely terrified,” Fleischer, 40, testified Wednesday in Philadelphia Municipal Court.

    There, prosecutors presented evidence that they said outlined the way Zymire Hughes scared and harassed more than a dozen pedestrians early in the morning of Aug. 12.

    Fleischer, who entered the courtroom limping and using a crutch, tearfully recounted the pain of tearing her hamstring as she fled the man in the mask, who she feared was armed when he asked if she was “ready to die.”

    “I thought he was going to attack me,” Fleischer said.

    Hughes, 22, was arrested by U.S. marshals in Las Vegas two weeks after the incident. He sat across the courtroom wearing a blue prison jumpsuit and did not speak during the hearing, in which his defense attorney disagreed with many of the prosecution’s findings.

    Municipal Court Judge Karen Simmons held Hughes for trial on charges of aggravated assault, possessing an instrument of a crime, terroristic threats, simple assault, reckless endangerment, and harassment. Simmons dismissed charges of disorderly conduct by engaging in fighting, as well as flight to avoid apprehension.

    The hearing marked the first time that details about Hughes were heard in court after videos of the masked man’s antics went viral across local and national media outlets and social media feeds.

    Authorities said the Tioga resident had connections through an employer in Nevada and California as they sought his capture and told the public he had likely fled Philadelphia. Following Hughes’ Aug. 25 arrest, District Attorney Larry Krasner vowed to charge him with a host of crimes.

    Prosecutors said Tuesday that surveillance footage recovered from cameras throughout the city had tracked Hughes’ travels, capturing him taking a SEPTA bus from his apartment building near North 23rd and West Venango Streets to Center City after 2 a.m. Aug. 12.

    They said Hughes donned the horror mask and began harassing pedestrians in the Suburban Station concourse. He ignored a SEPTA transit officer’s request to remove the mask, they said, briefly flashing his face before putting it back on and leaving the area.

    He encountered Fleischer around 5:30 a.m. as she jogged near the north side of City Hall, she testified to prosecutors.

    The masked man began to chase her, she said, eventually cutting her off as the two got within several feet of each other.

    Fleischer said she found herself caught between the facade of City Hall and the man, who held a phone in his left hand while his right hand was concealed behind his back, and she fled.

    It was not until the next day — when she awoke in “extreme pain” and had trouble walking — that she went to the hospital for her hamstring injury, she said.

    Prosecutors also called on detectives from the Central Police Division to verify surveillance footage of Hughes’ activity. That included a clip in which it appears Hughes is filming himself and gesturing toward his phone before leaving his apartment to head to Center City.

    A SEPTA transit officer later testified that he was able to help detectives identify Hughes because he had interacted with him in 2023 and 2024 while on duty. Detectives added that widely circulated images of Hughes yielded a phone tip that aided their investigation.

    Lauren Zitsch, Hughes’ public defender, told Simmons she took issue with many of the prosecutors’ assertions, particularly the aggravated assault charge.

    “You have to show some form of malice” for that crime to stand, she said, noting that the confrontation between Fleischer and Hughes was not captured on video.

    But Simmons agreed with prosecutors, who argued that by frightening the woman enough for her to flee, Hughes would have understood the “legal and likely consequence” of his actions.

    Hughes is expected to appear in court for a formal arraignment in early October.

    He had not posted the required 10% of his $100,000 bail and remained in custody at the Philadelphia Detention Center.

    ©2026 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

  • Allison Holker honors late husband Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss on his birthday after engagement backlash

    Allison Holker honors late husband Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss on his birthday after engagement backlash

    Allison Holker is honoring her late husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss and making sure his memory lives on. On Tuesday, September 29th, the dancer paid tribute to Boss on what would have been his 44th birthday. She took to Instagram with a carousel of photos and videos with an emotional message about the love they shared and the memories she continues to cherish with their three children.

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: (L-R) Stephen "tWitch" Boss and Allison Holker pose in the IMDb Exclusive Portrait Studio at The Critics Choice Association 5th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television at Fairmont Century Plaza on December 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Rowe/Getty Images for IMDb) © Getty
    The couple got married in in 2013

    “Happy birthday to our Stephen we miss you so deeply. ” Holker wrote on Instagram along with a carousel of photos and videos. “We celebrate you not just with sadness of missing you, but with so much gratitude for every beautiful moment, every laugh, every adventure, and every memory you gave us,” she continued.

    Holker and Boss said “I do” in 2013 and were together until his suicide in December 2022 at the age of 40. Despite his death, she made it clear that his presence remains part of their family.

    Allison Holker faces backlash from 'tWitch' Boss' family over troubling allegations and funeral NDAs© Rodin Eckenroth
    Zaia Boss, Allison Holker, Weslie Fowler, Maddox Laurel Boss, and Stephen “tWitch” Boss

    “You were so deeply loved by me and the kids, and that love continues to live on in all of us,” she wrote. “We carry you with us every day in the stories we tell, the memories we cherish, the little moments that remind us of you.”

    She concluded her message by celebrating the life they built together, adding, “We love you. We miss you. We celebrate you today and always.”

    Allison Holker receives support after tWitch tribute

    Allison Holker faces backlash from 'tWitch' Boss' family over troubling allegations and funeral NDAs© Getty
    Allison’s memoir came with criticism

    Holker’s tribute prompted an outpouring of supportive messages from followers, with several defending her as she continues to navigate life after losing her husband.

    The response comes after Holker faced public scrutiny over her memoir, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light, which included details about Boss’ private struggles that she said she discovered after his death. 

    Some of his relatives, including his mom, blasted her decision to share sensitive information, while Holker maintained that she wanted to be open about her experience and encourage conversations about mental health.

    One follower urged her to ignore the criticism and remember that she was the person most directly affected by the loss. “Please ignore any haters,” the person wrote. “Nobody was more impacted by this loss than you.”

    Others shared their own experiences with grief, including one widow who said her husband had also died by suicide and that Holker’s story resonated deeply with her.

    Another commenter praised Holker for keeping Boss’ memory alive for their children, writing that she had done an amazing job as a mother while allowing the family to move forward.

    Allison Holker is engaged to Adam Edmunds

    Allison Holker and Adam Edmunds announced their engagement earlier this year© Deadline
    Allison Holker and Adam Edmunds announced their engagement earlier this year

    The messages of support come as Holker prepares for a new chapter in her personal life. Earlier this year, in February 2026, Holker announced her engagement to technology executive Adam Edmunds, nearly three years after Boss’ death.

    Allison has dealt with public scrutiny © Getty
    Allison has dealt with public scrutiny

    The couple had gone public with their relationship in September 2024. Her engagement game drew a lot of backlash and opened up a public discussion about grief and love. Some people believed it was too soon and were still upset with her memoir, while supporters emphasized that finding love again does not mean forgetting a partner who has died.

    The conversation also unfolded alongside a separate dispute involving Boss’ family. His mother, Connie Boss Alexander, and brother Dre Rose publicly discussed tensions with Holker in 2025.

     Alexander also pursued grandparent visitation through the courts, but that petition was dismissed in February 2026 on jurisdictional grounds, according to reporting by Us Weekly.  The dismissal did not establish that the family’s personal differences had been resolved.

    Despite the public scrutiny, Holker’s birthday message focused on remembering Boss and the life they shared.  “Today is about celebrating you and the beautiful life we were blessed to share with you,” she wrote.

  • How to Watch the Las Vegas Aces vs. the Indiana Fever WNBA Playoff Game Live, Even for Free

    How to Watch the Las Vegas Aces vs. the Indiana Fever WNBA Playoff Game Live, Even for Free

    The NBA playoffs ended in June with the New York Knicks winning the championship for the first time in more than 50 years. Now it’s time for the WNBA to make history as the Las Vegas Aces continue their active postseason appearance streak. The Minnesota Lynx, meanwhile, has the chance to become the winningest team in league history, but they were eliminated by the New York Liberty.

    If you’re fresh off the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and want to keep track of Caitlin Clark and company, 11 of the 12 players on the US Women’s Basketball Team will be competing in the playoffs this year. Here’s what you need to know before tuning in.


    2026 WNBA Playoffs Game Schedule

    The WNBA playoffs run from September 27 to October 31. While every matchup in the NBA is a best-of-7 series, the WNBA holds a best-of-3 series in the first round, a best-of-5 series in the semifinals, and a best-of-7 series—for just the second year—in the finals, giving teams a lot less room to maneuver and recover. One bad night could mean the end of everything for your favorite team.

    The first round will continue through October 2, with the New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream already advancing. After that, the semifinals will begin on October 4, and the finals start on October 17.

    Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever – Series tied 1-1

    Golden State Valkyrie vs. Dallas Wings – Series tied 1-1


    How to Watch the Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever Playoff Game

    This year’s playoff schedule is tricky. It will be split across multiple networks and streaming services, even within the same series. ABC, ESPN, Prime Video, and USA will carry the first round. ABC, NBC, NBCSN, Peacock, and ESPN will have the semifinals. NBC, USA, and Peacock will be options for the Finals. This means a single cable subscription or Live TV streamer might not be enough to watch everything.

    • DirecTV: DirecTV’s MySports base pack costs $45 per month for the first six months and offers ABC, ESPN, NBC, and USA.

    • Fubo: Fubo’s Sports plan costs $45.99 for the first month to watch games broadcast on ABC, ESPN, NBC, and NBCSN.

    • Hulu: For $90 per month, Hulu + Live TV lets you watch games on ABC, ESPN, NBC, and USA.

    • Peacock: Instead of a live TV service, you’d need to pay $10.99 per month for Peacock Premium to see the Wild Card Series games.

    • Prime Video: Prime’s $14.99 monthly or $139 annual cost grants subscribers access to the three first-round games on Amazon’s platform.

    • Sling: Sling’s $45.99-per-month Sling Orange plan will let you watch games on ESPN. Day Passes are also available for up to seven days. You’ll need the Orange $ Blue bundle for $60.99 to also watch games on USA.

    • YouTube TV: Though the standard plan for YouTube TV costs $83 per month, you can actually now pay for the cheaper $65 Sports package to see all games on ABC, ESPN, NBC, NBCSN, and USA.


    How to Watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever For Free

    If you don’t have a streaming subscription, you may be able to catch some of the action without spending a dime by signing up for a free video streaming trial. Here are your options:

    Peacock doesn’t offer a free trial, but there is a workaround. Walmart+ allows you to bundle Peacock with the subscription at no extra charge. By signing up for a $1 trial to Walmart’s service, you can also get 30 days of access to Peacock.

    Recommended by Our Editors

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    Unlock Your Streaming Service’s Full Catalog


    Which Teams Are In the Playoffs?

    Unlike other sports leagues, the WNBA doesn’t care about conferences. Out of 15 teams, eight squads make it to the playoffs, regardless of where they come from. This year, there are an even four teams from the Eastern Conference and four from the Western Conference. Here they are, listed in order of seeding:

    1. Minnesota Lynx

    2. Golden State Valkyries

    3. Las Vegas Aces

    4. Atlanta Dream

    5. Indiana Fever

    6. Washington Mystics

    7. Dallas Wings

    8. New York Liberty


    Upgrade Your Streaming Experience

    If you decide to watch the WNBA Playoffs, there’s still time to get a big-screen television for viewing this beautiful game. Pro tip: Turn on your TV’s motion-smoothing option for the best picture while watching sports. Just remember to turn it off before watching other TV shows and movies to avoid the awful “soap opera” effect.

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  • Rosalía’s Paris outing brings her surprisingly close to ex Jeremy Allen White

    Rosalía and Jeremy Allen White came surprisingly close to crossing paths in Paris. The former couple was photographed separately on September 30, with the singer walking past a store moments before the actor emerged following a shopping trip.

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    Rosalía steps out in Paris wearing a charcoal hooded cape, black capri pants and pointed lace flats.© Grosby Group/BACKGRID
    Rosalía steps out in Paris wearing a charcoal hooded cape, black capri pants and pointed lace flats.

    According to paparazzi, White left the establishment shortly after Rosalía passed along the street outside. Although the timing put them close to a possible encounter, the photographs do not establish that they saw each other or exchanged a greeting.

    Jeremy Allen White leaves Charvet in Paris after a shopping trip on September 30, moments after Rosalía walked past the store.© Grosby Group/BACKGRID
    Jeremy Allen White leaves Charvet in Paris after a shopping trip on September 30, moments after Rosalía walked past the store.

    For her outing, Rosalía wore a charcoal hooded cape featuring oversized buttons and a bow detail at the front. She paired the statement piece with fitted black capri pants and pointed lace flats, carrying her phone as she walked along the rain-soaked street.

    Jeremy Allen White keeps his Paris shopping look casual with a striped shirt, light-wash jeans and a gray baseball cap.© Grosby Group/BACKGRID
    Jeremy Allen White keeps his Paris shopping look casual with a striped shirt, light-wash jeans and a gray baseball cap.

    White took a more casual approach, wearing a blue striped shirt layered over a white tank top, light-wash jeans, dark shoes, and a gray baseball cap. He was photographed leaving Charvet with a shopping bag in hand.

    Rosalía was photographed walking along the same street where her ex Jeremy Allen White was shopping, although no interaction between them was documented.© Grosby Group/BACKGRID
    Rosalía was photographed walking along the same street where her ex Jeremy Allen White was shopping, although no interaction between them was documented.

    Their romance began in 2023:

    The singer and the actor were first romantically linked in October 2023, when they were spotted together at a Los Angeles farmers market. 

    More outings followed, including affectionate date nights and appearances in coordinated outfits. In July 2024, Rosalía also joined White at an event celebrating ‘The Bear.’

    Rosalía opens up about Jeremy Allen White romance that delayed her album LUX© Backgrid/The Grosby Group
    The singer and actor kept their romance largely private, despite being photographed together on several outings.

    Paris became part of their relationship history that summer. They attended a pre-Olympics celebration in July 2024, where Rosalía was among the hosts. Although they walked the red carpet separately, they were seen spending time together inside.

    By October 2024, Us Weekly reported that the pair had quietly separated. A source told the publication their relationship had begun to cool and described the breakup as a mutual decision. Neither Rosalía nor White publicly announced the split at the time.

    
Singer Rosalía and 'The Bear' star Jeremy Allen White are spotted shopping for flowers.© Backgrid/The Grosby Group
    Rosalía and Jeremy Allen White reportedly went their separate ways in 2024, with a source describing their breakup as mutual.

    Jeremy later praised his ex:

    White subsequently offered a warm comment about Rosalía while promoting ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’ in Madrid in October 2025.

    Asked about his favorite Spanish artist during an interview with LOS40, he responded, “Rosa, Rosalía, I love so much, she’s wonderful.” His words offered a rare public acknowledgment of the singer following their separation.

    Rosalía’s Paris outing brings her surprisingly close to ex Jeremy Allen White© Grosby Group
    Rosalía and Jeremy Allen White were first romantically linked in October 2023.

    This week’s photographs place them back in the same Paris neighborhood, more than two years after their romance. Whether either realized how close they came to crossing paths remains unclear.