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Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
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The Dodgers’ backup catcher moonlighted as their designated hitter for a game on Thursday, doing his best Shohei Ohtani impression by smashing a 412-foot grand slam to help sweep the Mets. Another time, he was their first baseman, filling in while Freddie Freeman was on the paternity list and launching two more home runs. Dalton Rushing has only played in nine of the Dodgers’ first 23 games this year, but he has turned those intermittent opportunities into a historic start to the season. Rushing went deep seven times through his first eight games of the year, a number that trailed only Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (1976) for the most home runs through a player’s first eight games of a season. He’s one of many examples of the depth allowing the Dodgers to withstand the early-season obstacles that would otherwise overwhelm most clubs. Mookie Betts hasn’t played since April 4 due to an oblique injury. Blake Snell and Tommy Edman aren’t expected to make their 2026 debuts until next month. Edwin Diaz, seven appearances into a three-year, $69 million contract that gave him the largest annual salary ever for a reliever, has an ERA over 10.00 and is undergoing an elbow procedure that will keep him out until the second half. Kyle Tucker, fresh off signing the largest average annual deal in baseball history, has been a league-average hitter. Roki Sasaki’s command and control issues persist. And yet the Dodgers enter Wednesday with a 16-7 record, tied for the best in MLB. Of course, Ohtani’s two-way skills tend to mask some of the team’s deficiencies. But the supporting cast is also playing a vital role in the club’s success. The Dodgers’ No. 7-9 hitters in the lineup have a combined .943 OPS this year, a total higher than Mike Trout (.939), Aaron Judge (.932) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (.927). Outfielder Andy Pages leads the majors with a .366 batting average and the Dodgers with a 1.009 OPS. Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas, the shortstops with Betts out, are both hitting over .300. Justin Wrobleski, the Dodgers’ sixth starter, is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three starts this month. In the bullpen, Tanner Scott is bouncing back from an abysmal first season in Los Angeles. He has allowed one run through his first 11 appearances in 2026, while Alex Vesia still hasn’t allowed a run through his first 10 appearances. Those two will be crucial now in high leverage with Díaz down. And then there’s Rushing, who has the same number of extra-base hits in 31 plate appearances this year (nine) that he had in 155 plate appearances last year. His seven home runs are tied for the 12th-most in MLB. Every other player with at least that many homers this year has at least 69 at-bats; Rushing has 29. “I think he’s kind of in a better spot mentally — actually, I know he’s in a better spot mentally — to kind of handle this role,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told me. After struggling in his first season to adjust to the sporadic playing time that exists as the backup catcher behind fellow University of Louisville product Will Smith, who’s under contract through the 2033 season, Rushing entered his follow-up campaign this year with a new perspective: Less is more. “Go back and look at last year.” Rushing told me last week, six days after a 4-for-4, two-homer performance in Toronto and three days before launching the first grand slam of his career. “I was over-swinging from the day I showed up. I felt like I had to show them who I was.” The result was suboptimal. Rushing, who excelled as a hitter at every level of the minors with a preternatural and atypical ability to both control the zone and slug, had a .582 OPS and just nine extra-base hits in 142 at-bats for the Dodgers last season. “I would say he didn’t get used to it last year,” Roberts said. “He’s getting used to it now. I think there’s a little bit of trying to mentally adjust to playing two times a week. There’s a physical, mechanical part to the swing, to make it more simple. Maybe even a little bit of expectation, to lower your expectations. And the player never wants to, which I respect, but it’s hard to play twice a week to get in any type of real rhythm.” Added Rushing: “When you’re a part-time player you try to get back in compete mode once every five days, it’s not easy to do.” Admittedly, he’s still in the process of figuring out how to handle that, though he’s clearly doing a better job. With a new mindset, Rushing is displaying the version of the player he knew he could be — and the one the Dodgers envisioned when they took Rushing with their first pick of the 2022 MLB Draft, despite already employing another star catcher from the same alma mater. Rushing has learned to challenge himself to be ready to play, even on the days he’s not in the starting lineup, spending time hitting on either the Trajekt machine or the regular pitching machine to be ready when called upon. And he has learned from the player he’s backing up, despite possessing a much different demeanor from the fellow Louisville product. Smith is stoic and reserved; Rushing is not. “It’s hard for me to play this game low heartbeat,” Rushing said. “I’ve played like my head’s on fire since I was 8 or 10 years old. I don’t think I’m ever going to lose that. I don’t want to lose that. I think that’s what kind of gets me up to play this game.” At the same time, while that feistiness can drive him while he’s riding hot streaks like the one he’s on right now, it can also be detrimental when the inevitable drop-off comes. He admires Smith’s levelheadedness and the belief that demeanor can foster in teammates. “I think the more you can play at a median, low heartbeat, the more it shows to the older guys, ‘This guy looks like he’s been doing it for seven to 10 years, and there’s never a doubt he’s going to get it done,’” Rushing said. So, he’s still working on that. “That’s part of being an everyday guy,” Rushing explained. “You need the median heartbeat, man. Nothing brings you up, nothing brings you down. Throughout this year, that’s going to be my goal. I know if I keep that as my goal, then the hitting and everything else will take care of itself. It always has.” There are nine players with more at-bats than Rushing on the Dodgers roster, yet he ranks second on the team in homers and fourth in RBI. With more success, the Dodgers are finding creative ways to get him opportunities, even beyond giving Smith a breather behind the plate. After Ohtani was hit by a pitch in the back of the right shoulder in the first game of the Dodgers’ series against the Mets last week, the Dodgers elected to keep their two-way superstar out of the DH spot two days later. It was the first time since 2021 that Ohtani pitched but did not hit in a game. The DH role went to Rushing, who doubled and broke the game open with a grand slam. “There’s no more trying to show them,” Rushing said. “Just let your game play for itself.”Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
![<a href="https://countrynow.com/bailey-zimmerman-talks-stagecoach-plans-and-building-a-fanbase-that-feels-like-family-exclusive/" target="_blank">Bailey Zimmerman Talks Stagecoach Plans and Building A Fanbase That Feels Like Family [Exclusive]</a>](https://countrynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bailey-Zimmerman-Photo-Provided-1.jpg)
Bailey Zimmerman is in the midst of a season where everything seems to be clicking, from sold-out shows to a rapidly growing fanbase that feels more like family than anything else. But even with all the success, he’s still holding tight to the things that made him who he is in the first place… including a longtime love for SONIC.
The country hitmaker, who is gearing up for a performance at Stagecoach this weekend, has officially teamed up with SONIC Drive-In in honor of the new Refreshers. For Zimmerman, who grew up in rural Illinois, this isn’t some random brand deal: it’s personal.
A Full-Circle Partnership With SONIC
“It’s a pretty full circle moment. I grew up going to SONIC and I grew up pulling my truck in the stall. I still do it to this day.” Zimmerman revealed while chatting with Country Now from his bus in between shows on his Different Night Same Rodeo Tour. “I love SONIC. That’s why it was so cool when they reached out because I was like, ‘Dude, I actually love SONIC!’ I love going to SONIC. I love hitting the button. I love their corn dogs. I love the ranch. Their Refreshers are insane….And then they actually hit me about doing a thing for their Refreshers. And I’m like, bro, I already drank those. So this is perfect. Let’s go!”
He didn’t hesitate when asked what his go-to order looks like either.
“If I pull up the SONIC right now, I’m pulling in the stall, I’m hitting the button. I’m going. ‘Give me two corn dogs, give me two packets of ranch and give me a strawberry passion fruit refresher.”
Zimmerman has long been open about his hunt for a wife and says SONIC might even make the perfect date night.
“Honestly, it’s the most country way to do a date night. Pull it in, drop the tailgate, get your refreshers, get your corn dogs, and have a nice night at SONIC. Who needs a fancy steakhouse when you got SONIC Corn Dogs? I mean, come on, let’s be real with each other here.”
Heading Into Stagecoach Weekend
SONIC will also be along for the ride as the “Holy Smokes” singer heads to Stagecoach this weekend, where he’s set to perform between fellow superstars Cody Johnson and Ella Langley. Calling it an “honor” to share that slot, he also revealed he’s planning to catch both of their sets while he’s there.
“Ella, I’ve got to see her set. She texted me the other day and we were talking about hanging out at Stagecoach. So yeah, it’s going to be sick though. Got to make it happen…I’ve been jamming that record,” he shared. “I feel like Ella’s really, really crushing and she’s just killing the game and her voice is on point every single time and she’s just crushing it.”
Winning Over Every Crowd, Every Time
Whether he’s taking the stage at Stagecoach or one of the many festivals on his summer schedule, Zimmerman has one goal every time he steps out: to turn every person in the crowd into a fan.
“I would say honestly, that’s my goal every show. Even the ones I sell the tickets to, I’m still trying to get them locked in on me and really supporting me and be here for the rest of my life because I want to do this for the rest of my life. So I would say I’m always trying to win them over, but when I go to a festival, I don’t act like everybody knows who I am,” he explained. “Because when I sell a ticket, they must know who I am because they bought my ticket. But if you’re just coming to this festival, maybe you don’t know who I am or maybe you’ve never seen me before. So I usually just try to explain more about who I am. Not that I don’t do it at my shows, but I explain more about who I am, where I come from, my morals, my values.”
While he tries to “treat every show the same,” Zimmerman recognizes that performing at a festival allows him to get in front of a whole new audience.
“[I’m] definitely trying to get just the festival goers to buy a hard ticket for me and come to the arena to see me on my tour. I feel like when you headline a festival or even direct support or whatever, it’s just a huge opportunity to get a new fan that wants to come to your show.”
Turning Fans Into Family
Once you’re a Bailey Zimmerman fan, you’re basically family. That’s always been the goal for him.
“Honestly, I look around these arenas and I see people that I’ve known for the last five years, people that were at my 10th show, my 11th show all the way to the Morgan [Wallen] dates and then to festivals, I’d see them. And then we’d hang out afterwards,” he said. “Me and Stella did a cartwheel a long time ago…you kind of just start building a family out here. And then after the show, you want to go see those people because you know them and you know their mom and you know their grandma. And so you want to go see them. And I think that’s one of the coolest parts about my shows and my community of people is that it is a real family. And I really do come out and see everybody…and sign everything and say what up to everybody and take the videos. I love it.”
“It’s my favorite part of all this stuff. Other than blowing stuff up,” he added with a laugh.
Still, for him, it goes beyond just putting on a show.
“I love the family aspect of it and feeling like I say this every show, I’m like, man, when you come to a Bailey show, I want you to walk through the doors and feel like, man, I can finally take this mask off. I can finally be myself. I can finally just let loose for the next four hours with me and whoever’s on the tour, we can just let loose. And that’s what I feel like we’ve built here is just, like I said, a family and a community of safety and positivity..and blowing stuff up.”
The post Bailey Zimmerman Talks Stagecoach Plans and Building A Fanbase That Feels Like Family [Exclusive] appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Ready for this summer’s soccer smorgasbord that will be the 2026 FIFA World Cup? You better be because you know I am. I’m ready for 48 teams from around the globe to take part in what will be an epic party spread across three nations, including the United States. But let’s be real. There are teams that are better than others. Some will have a legit shot at winning it all. And some will just enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So now it’s time to rank all 48 teams. And remember, these are my power rankings. If you don’t like them, you can get your own. Odds to win the World Cup: +250000 (48th)Key player: Winger Derrick Etienne Jr. (Toronto FC) Hey, when you’re at the bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up. This will be Haiti’s second World Cup and first since 1974. Group C opponents: Scotland (June 13), Brazil (June 19), Morocco (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +200000 (T-46th)Key player: Midfielder Leandro Bacuna (Iğdır FK) Curaçao is the smallest nation in the World Cup with a population of about 156,000. Size doesn’t matter … until it does. Group E opponents: Germany (June 14), Ecuador (June 20), Ivory Coast (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla (Pumas UNAM) Panama returns to the World Cup after missing out on 2022. It gets a brutal group against England, Croatia and Ghana. The Panamanians will be lucky to score a goal. Group L opponents: Ghana (June 17), Croatia (June 23), England (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +80000 (38th)Key player: Striker Lyle Foster (Burnley) South Africa is going to need a bigger vuvuzela to make an impact at this World Cup. It will have a big chance to shake things up in the opening match of the tournament against Mexico. Group A opponents: Mexico (June 11), Czechia (June 18), South Korea (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Winger Ryan Mendes (Iğdır FK) Cape Verde is an incredible story, but this team will be happy just to be involved in the World Cup and collect the gift bag. Group H opponents: Spain (June 15), Uruguay (June 21), Saudi Arabia (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Striker Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) The Kiwis qualified directly from the Oceania region, which is the weakest confederation in international soccer. I’ll leave it at that. Group G opponents: Iran (June 15), Egypt (June 21), Belgium (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Striker Ayman Hussein (Al-Karma) The good news for Iraq: It’s back in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years! The bad news: The Iraqis will face France, Senegal and Norway in their group games. Group I opponents: Norway (June 16), France (June 22), Senegal (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Forward Akram Afif (Al Sadd) Qatar is back after scoring one goal and losing all three of its games as the host nation in 2022. Group B opponents: Switzerland (June 13), Canada (June 18), Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Defender Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City) Almost the entire Uzbekistan team plays its club soccer in its home country, so I’m not expecting much from it this summer. Group K opponents: Colombia (June 17), Portugal (June 23), Congo DR (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +70000 (37th)Key player: Striker Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis) Congo DR is back in the World Cup after 52 years. Its reward: an opening match against Portugal. It will be hoping to channel Saudi Arabia’s 2022 team, which opened the tournament with a shocking win over Argentina. Group K opponents: Portugal (June 17), Colombia (June 23), Uzbekistan (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +50000 (T-34th)Key player: Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt) Tunisia has never advanced out of the group stage at a World Cup — although it won games at each of the last two tournaments. I’m still not expecting this team to make the knockout stage this summer. Group F schedule: Sweden (June 14), Japan (June 20), Netherlands (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +200000 (T-46th)Key player: Winger Musa Al-Taamari (Rennes) The only parting gift Jordan should expect to get from the World Cup this summer is an autograph from Lionel Messi in its final Group J game. Group J opponents: Austria (June 16), Algeria (June 22), Argentina (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +50000 (T-34th)Key player: Midfielder Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli) There are no stars to be found on this team, but the underdog role suits the Australians. They could be a spoiler in Group D against the United States, Türkiye and Paraguay. Group D opponents: Türkiye (June 13), USA (June 19), Paraguay (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +25000 (33rd)Key player: Winger Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC) The Ivorians didn’t qualify for either of the last two World Cups and have never made it out of the group stage. That will be a tough task this year in a group with Germany and Ecuador. Group E opponents: Ecuador (June 14), Germany (June 20), Curaçao (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +30000 (T-30th)Key player: Winger Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Egypt has never won a World Cup game. That could change this summer with matches against Iran and New Zealand in the group stage. Group G opponents: Belgium (June 15), New Zealand (June 21), Iran (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +35000 (T-32nd)Key player: Winger Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) The Algerian attack is strong, led by winger Riyad Mahrez and a solid supporting cast. This team’s potential downfall: its defense. Group J opponents: Argentina (June 16), Jordan (June 22), Austria (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +25000 (28th)Key player: Striker Edin Džeko (Schalke 04) Did the Bosnians peak by beating Italy to qualify for this tournament? That will be the big question for this team entering the tournament. Bosnia and Herzegovina will face Canada on its home soil and a tough matchup against Switzerland in Group B. Group B opponents: Canada (June 12), Switzerland (June 18), Qatar (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Winger Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal) Just 56 days before its first game of the tournament, Saudi Arabia moved on from manager Herve Renard. It’s a bold move for a team that faces Uruguay and Spain in its first two games of the tournament. Group H opponents: Uruguay (June 15), Spain (June 21), Cape Verde (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +50000 (T-34th)Key player: Winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Dender EH) Iran enters the tournament with a lot of uncertainty, but it can make some noise in a group that is pretty tame after Belgium with Egypt and New Zealand. Group G opponents: New Zealand (June 15), Belgium (June 21), Egypt (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +15000 (24th)Key player: Midfielder Tomas Soucek (West Ham United) Czechia thrives through set pieces, physicality and its size. Those tools will only get you so far against the best teams in the world. Group A opponents: South Korea (June 11), South Africa (June 18), Mexico (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +30000 (T-30th)Key player: Midfielder Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham) Ghana will have a young and inexperienced squad this summer. It’s more of a project capable of making more noise in four years instead of now. Group L opponents: Panama (June 17), England (June 23), Croatia (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +20000 (T-25th)Key player: Midfielder Scott McTominay (Napoli) After a horrible showing at Euro 2024, Scotland is back at its first World Cup since 1998. Scottish supporters are great, but their team will need to win its first game against Haiti to have any success this summer. Group C opponents: Haiti (June 13), Morocco (June 19), Brazil (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +15000 (T-23rd)Key player: Midfielder Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United) If Paraguay is going to have any success this summer, it’s not going to be pretty. The goal for this team will be to muck it up and grind it out in a competitive Group D with the United States, Türkiye and Australia. Group D opponents: USA (June 12), Türkiye (June 19), Australia (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +10000 (T-20th)Key player: Striker Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) Sweden didn’t win a single game in UEFA qualifying but made it to the playoff round thanks to its success in the UEFA Nations League. The Swedes enter the summer coming off impressive wins in March over Ukraine and Poland to qualify. Group F opponents: Tunisia (June 14), Netherlands (June 20), Japan (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +15000 (T-23rd)Key player: Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund) The Austrians are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and they’re sneaky good. Powered by a strong midfield, Austria could give Argentina problems in Group J. Group J opponents: Jordan (June 16), Argentina (June 22), Algeria (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +11000 (22nd)Key player: Winger Sadio Mané (Al Nassr) The African champions (allegedly) come into this tournament as a popular dark-horse pick. Unfortunately, Senegal was paired with France and Norway, so it faces an uphill battle. Group I opponents: France (June 16), Norway (June 22), Iraq (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +20000 (T-25th)Key player: Defender Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) Canada avoided Italy after Bosnia and Herzegovina’s upset in qualifying in late March, but be careful what you wish for. The Canadians have more talent than ever, but it won’t be smooth sailing for them this summer. Group B opponents: Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 12), Qatar (June 18), Switzerland (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +10000 (T-20th)Key player: Midfielder Arda Güler (Real Madrid) A new sense of pragmatism may enable the Turks to live up to the hype around their young team. This team will be the Americans’ biggest competition in Group D. Group D opponents: Australia (June 13), Paraguay (June 19), USA (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +45000 (33rd)Key player: Winger Son Heung-min (LAFC) The Koreans have a good team, but they did not get any luck from the draw. South Korea will play all of its games in the group stage in Mexico. Group A opponents: Czechia (June 11), Mexico (June 18), South Africa (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +20000 (T-17th)Key player: Midfielder Granit Xhaka (Sunderland) The Swiss national team is like the country’s banking system: safe, boring and effective. Switzerland is not going to dominate in attack, but it will be efficient and be a tough out for any opposition. Group B opponents: Qatar (June 13), Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 18), Canada (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +5000 (T-12th)Key player: Midfielder Wataru Endo (Liverpool) Japan beat England at Wembley Stadium in London in late March. It was an impressive victory that saw the Japanese clean up on — and off — the field. Group F opponents: Netherlands (June 14), Tunisia (June 20), Sweden (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +9000 (19th)Key player: Midfielder Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) Ecuador has a golden generation of players here, featuring Caicedo and defenders Piero Hincape and Willian Pacho. Believing in this team, though, is fool’s gold. Group E opponents: Ivory Coast (June 14), Curaçao (June 20), Germany (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +3000 (9th)Key player: Striker Erling Haaland (Manchester City) Norway will be a sexy dark-horse pick after dominating qualifying, which includes two wins over Italy. The Norwegians will need more than just Haaland if they want to really compete this summer, though. Group I opponents: Iraq (June 16), Senegal (June 22), France (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +6500 (T-12th)Key player: Midfielder Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) Uruguay’s golden generation, which was led by strikers Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani, has given way to a bronze-ish generation. That doesn’t mean this team will be a pushover, though. Group H opponents: Saudia Arabia (June 15), Cape Verde (June 21), Spain (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +7500 (16th)Key player: Striker Raúl Jiménez (Fulham) Mexico gets all of its group-stage games on home soil. That’s a positive on paper, but if results don’t go their way, the Mexicans will be in trouble. Group A opponents: South Africa (June 11), South Korea (June 18), Czechia (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +5000 (T-12th)Key player: Defender Achraf Hakimi (PSG) Everyone’s darling from 2022 is no longer a surprise. Morocco is not going to sneak up on opposition this summer. Group C opponents: Brazil (June 13), Scotland (June 19), Haiti (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +6500 (14th)Key player: Winger Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) Nothing beats home cooking, but the United States might need a double helping of it this summer if it wants to contend. The Americans will enter the summer coming off convincing losses to Belgium and Portugal in late March. Group D opponents: Paraguay (June 12), Australia (June 19), Türkiye (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +3500 (10th)Key player: Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) Belgium was drawn into an easy group (Egypt, Iran and New Zealand), so advancing from there won’t be a problem. The sum of the Belgians’ parts will dictate whether they’re a contender in the knockout rounds, though. Group G opponents: Egypt (June 15), Iran (June 21), New Zealand (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +8000 (T-17th)Key player: Midfielder Luka Modrić (AC Milan) Croatia is the favorite of dads and old guys everywhere. Modrić is in the final chapter of his international career and leads a Croatian team that has shown it’s more than capable of beating any team in this tournament. Group L opponents: England (June 17), Panama (June 23), Ghana (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +1400 (7th)Key player: Midfielder Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) Even a mediocre German team is still German. While manager Julian Nagelsmann’s squad lacks truly elite players, it will still be a force to be reckoned with this summer. Group E opponents: Curaçao (June 14), Ivory Coast (June 20), Ecuador (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +2000 (8th)Key player: Defender Virgil Van Djik (Liverpool) While the Dutch have a strong team, it is not quite ready for prime time to truly compete with the top-tiered teams. There is quality around the field in this team, but the Netherlands isn’t among the favorites. Group F opponents: Japan (June 14), Sweden (June 20), Tunisia (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +800 (4th)Key player: Winger Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) It’s rare that Brazil enters a World Cup this low in anyone’s rankings. I like the idea of the Brazilians entering this tournament with low expectations attached to them. That might make them more dangerous. Group C opponents: Morocco (June 13), Haiti (June 19), Scotland (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +1100 (6th)Key player: Striker Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) The dynamic surrounding Ronaldo will make or break this tournament for Portugal. The 41-year-old is missing one major trophy in his career, and that’s the World Cup. Will the attention he draws be a help or a hindrance? Group K opponents: Congo DR (June 17), Uzbekistan (June 23), Colombia (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +850 (5th)Key player: Forward Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) In a vacuum, I’d have Argentina higher, but no team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil way back in 1958 and 1962. There is no doubt, though, that the Argentines remain serious contenders, led by one of the best players ever in Messi. Group J opponents: Algeria (June 16), Austria (June 22), Jordan (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +4000 (11th)Key player: Midfielder James Rodríguez (Minnesota United) I see the heat and environment in the United States favoring South American teams this summer. Colombia has shown it can compete with the best at these big tournaments, and it has a star in attack (winger Luis Diaz) who could lead it to the promised land. Group K opponents: Uzbekistan (June 17), Congo DR (June 23), Portugal (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +650 (3rd)Key player: Midfielder Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) It pains me to say this, but this is the best England team in decades. With striker Harry Kane leading the attack and Bellingham and Declan Rice in midfield, this could be the year that England breaks through and wins a major international trophy. Group L opponents: Croatia (June 17), Ghana (June 23), Panama (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +500 (1st)Key player: Midfielder Pedri (Barcelona) This is not your parents’ Spain, which won the Euros twice and the 2010 World Cup. It’s better. The Spaniards won Euro 2024 and have not lost since March 2024 — plus, only twice since the start of 2023. Group H opponents: Cape Verde (June 15), Saudia Arabia (June 21), Uruguay (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +550 (2nd)Key player: Striker Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) The combination of talent, depth and arrogance in this square … it’s like a lethal French perfume. Manager Didier Deschamps’ team has everything needed to send him off with a win this summer in his final major tournament in charge. Group I opponents: Senegal (June 16), Iraq (June 22), Norway (June 26) 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
Treaty Oak Revival will no longer perform at the 2026 Gulf Coast Jam, according to a statement shared by the band. Festival organizers later confirmed that Jessie Murph has been added to the lineup in their place.
Treaty Oak Revival broke the news to fans via Instagram Stories, explaining that their team was unable to come to an agreement with the festival.
“Unfortunately, Treaty Oak Revival will no longer be performing at this year’s Gulf Coast Jam presented by Jim Beam. Despite good faith efforts on both sides, neither the festival nor the artist’s teams were able to come to mutually agreeable terms in time for the event.”
Following the announcement, Gulf Coast Jam revealed that Jessie Murph will take the stage on Thursday, May 28, performing ahead of headliner Keith Urban.
“Jessie is a truly unique artist who has exploded over the past couple of years, and we’re excited to see her next month,” executive producer Rendy Lovelady shared.
“Jessie Murph is absolutely on fire right now, and we can’t wait to have her hit our stage,” COO Mark Sheldon added.
In response to the change, several fans took to social media to share their disappointment over Treaty Oak Revival’s removal from the lineup.
“I love Jessie but I bought vip for Treaty and Koe to wake up to this is so sad,” one user wrote, while another added, “I bought these tickets for Treaty Oak.”
The 14th annual Gulf Coast Jam presented by Jim Beam is set to take place in Panama City Beach from May 28 through May 31, 2026. The festival will also feature headlining performances from Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, and Riley Green, along with more than 20 additional artists.
Passes are currently available at GulfCoastJam.com.
Gulf Coast Jam 2026 Lineup
Thursday, May 28
Keith Urban
Jessie Murph
Wyatt Flores
Cooper Alan
Walker Montgomery
Gannon Fremin & CCREV
Friday, May 29
Chris Stapleton
Marcus King
Jackson Dean
Brent Cobb
Cole Goodwin
Hueston
Saturday, May 30
Riley Green
Koe Wetzel
Ole 60
Josh Ross
Ashland Craft
Hannah McFarland
Sunday, May 31
Post Malone
Muscadine Bloodline
49 Winchester
Elizabeth Nichols
Them Dirty Roses
Skeez
The post Treaty Oak Revival Will No Longer Perform at 2026 Gulf Coast Jam, Jessie Murph Added to Lineup appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
If you love animal fries from In-N-Out, but you hate how soggy they can get on the ride home from the drive-thru, try this ordering hack instead.
Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips
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We have tragic news to report from the world of reality television today.
Storage Wars star Darrell Sheets has passed away at the age of 67.
News of Sheets’ death comes courtesy of a report from the Lake Havasu City Police Department in Arizona.
A spokesperson says police responded to a call about “a reported deceased individual.”
“Upon arrival, officers located a male subject who suffered from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” read the press release.
“The male was pronounced deceased on scene, and the Lake Havasu City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit was notified and responded to the scene to assume the investigation,” the spokesperson continued, adding:
“The body was ultimately turned over to the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s office for further investigation. The male subject has been identified as Darrell Sheets, a 67-year-old resident of Lake Havasu City, and Darrell’s family has been notified.”
No official cause of death has been revealed, but People and other outlets are reporting that Sheets appears to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A beloved figure among Storage Wars fans, Sheets’ bold approach to auctions earned him the nickname “the Gambler.”
He stepped away from the show in 2023 to focus on running his consignment shop, Show Us Your Junk, in Havasu City.
In a statement, issued to People, the show’s producers mourned Sheets loss.
“We are saddened by the passing of a beloved member of our Storage Wars family, Darrell “The Gambler” Sheets. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” they said.
Always candid with fans, Sheets opened up about a heart attack he had suffered in 2019:
“Well here we go I wasn’t going to say anything, but you all have been the greatest friends and fans. I’ve been very sick for 3 months and two nights ago I had a mild heart attack, found out I have congestive heart failure and a severe issue going on with my lung,” he wrote at the time.
“All your prayers would be deeply appreciated thank you for being there for me it’s been a great ride #storagewars # Romney has been by my side through all of this she is a good women and I love her,” he added of his then-fiancé Romney Snyder.
Sheets is survived by his two children, son Brandon and daughter Tiffany. We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
Darrell Sheets Cause of Death: ‘Storage Wars’ Star Was 67 was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has a strong chance of knowing where he’ll end up in the NFL on Thursday night, the Philadelphia Eagles continue to ask teams to pay a premium price for A.J. Brown and the New York Giants are in love with a top wide receiver prosect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Those are just a few of the things FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer is hearing on the eve of draft night. Appearing on FS1’s “Wake Up Barstool” on Wednesday, Glazer shared a few pieces of intel on what to expect on Thursday night and potentially in the coming weeks. Here’s a bit more on what Glazer’s hearing from around the NFL. Ty Simpson will be a first-round pick Not only have there been questions about how early Simpson could be selected on Thursday night, but there may now be some clarity. Glazer is confident that Simpson will come off the board in the first round. Some potential landing spots for Simpson in the first round include the New York Jets at No. 16, the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21, or a team looking to trade back into the late first round. One team Glazer specifically mentioned as a possibility is the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are unlikely to select Simpson with the No. 3 overall pick, but a trade up from No. 34 is a more realistic scenario. Moving into the back end of the round would also allow them to secure a fifth-year option, which often motivates teams to trade up on draft night. Simpson is coming off just one season as a starter at Alabama after spending two years behind Jalen Milroe in Tuscaloosa. He put together a strong junior season, completing 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. All signs point to Simpson being one of the more intriguing quarterback selections on draft night as teams weigh his upside against his limited starting experience. Eagles holding firm on high asking price for A.J. Brown trade The A.J. Brown saga has been one of the defining offseason storylines, and while a post-June 1 trade to the New England Patriots has been expected, questions remain about the return. Glazer still believes the Eagles are holding firm on their demand for a first-round pick in any deal. “The Eagles are still looking for a first-round pick,” Glazer said. “I know the Patriots aren’t there yet.” Brown, 28, is under contract through the 2029 season and is coming off his least productive year since 2021 with the Tennessee Titans. He finished the season with 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns, including seven games in which he was held under 50 yards. The Los Angeles Rams and Patriots have been the two teams most closely linked to Brown, but all signs point toward him ultimately being dealt to New England, potentially as early as this summer. As talks continue, the final price tag and timing of any deal will likely depend on whether New England is willing to meet Philadelphia’s steep asking price. Both sides appear positioned for a standoff that could stretch deeper into the offseason as the draft approaches. What will Giants do with their two top-10 picks? The New York Giants have been heavily connected to Ohio State safety Caleb Downs in recent days, but Glazer is not sold on him going No. 5 overall. The player he continues to hear is high on the Giants board is Arizona State wide receiver, Jordyn Tyson. “I don’t know if I’m sold on that one as everyone else,” Glazer said on Downs going No. 5 overall. “I think you’re looking at the offensive line or wide receiver and I do know they kind of haven’t hidden their love of the wide receiver from Arizona State.” After trading defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence for the No. 10 overall pick, the Giants now own two selections inside the top 10. That gives them added flexibility to address multiple roster needs on both sides of the ball, if they choose to. “I don’t know if five is too high, maybe 10,” Glazer said of Tyson. “People love him, but he’s just been hurt a lot. But they think he is so dynamic.” Tyson finally found his footing with the Sun Devils after transferring from Colorado, but injury concerns have followed him throughout the draft process. He’s battled multiple injuries during his college career, but has performed well when available. Last season with the Sun Devils, Tyson played in nine games, finishing with 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. With two picks inside the top 10, the Giants are positioned to be one of the most active and unpredictable teams early in the draft.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
Washington is buzzing with the possibility that President Donald Trump might name one or more Supreme Court justices before the November midterm elections.
In a conversation with Fox Business TV host Maria Bartiromo on April 15, 2026, Trump discussed the potential retirement of Justice Samuel Alito, 76, the reliably conservative justice appointed by President George W. Bush in 2005.
Trump praised Alito as “a great justice” and said that he is prepared to appoint a replacement, should Alito retire.
Trump added, “In theory, it’s two – you just read the statistics – it could be two, could be three, could be one.”
Trump didn’t say who the other potential retiring justices are. Speculation from pundits is that he is referring to Justice Clarence Thomas, 77, another solid conservative vote. Thomas, appointed by George H.W. Bush in 1991, is the court’s oldest justice and longest-serving member.
In the same Fox interview, Trump pointed to former Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was under intense pressure to retire during President Barack Obama’s presidency. Ginsburg opted to stay on the bench and died in September 2020.
Republicans blocked Obama’s appointment of Merrick Garland in 2016 after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Then, in 2020, Trump replaced Ginsburg with Justice Amy Coney Barrett, solidifying a 6-3 conservative majority.
As a scholar of the Supreme Court confirmation process, I know the timing of Trump’s comments is closely linked to November’s midterm elections.
If Democrats were to take over the Senate following the midterms, it is very unlikely they would confirm a Trump-appointed Supreme Court nominee. Instead, they would probably follow the precedent set by Republicans in 2020 and block a Trump pick.
The clock is ticking on November’s midterm elections, and Democrats’ chances of taking back the Senate are improving. Assuming a current Supreme Court justice retires, here’s what has to happen for Trump and Senate Republicans to successfully confirm a successor.
The Supreme Court confirmation process
The Constitution says that the Senate provides “advice and consent” on presidential appointments to the Supreme Court. Over the course of the nation’s history, this has developed into a complex process.
Once the Senate receives a nomination from the president, it goes to the Judiciary Committee.
This is where the most public part of the confirmation process takes place: confirmation hearings. These typically last three to four days and feature a high stakes question-and-answer session with the nominee.
Prior to the hearings, senators and the nominee engage in a substantial amount of preparation.
Senators, with their staffs, do extensive background research on the nominee, which helps inform their questioning. Some of this is accomplished through the Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire, to which nominees provide written answers. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s 2022 questionnaire was 149 pages long. It included questions about organizational memberships, public speeches and judicial opinions authored.
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool
Meanwhile, the nominee makes courtesy calls to senators to build support for confirmation.
At roughly the same time, the nominee takes part in hearing preparation, known as “murder boards.” Here, the nominee’s allies play the roles of members of the Judiciary Committee, anticipating the type of tough questions the nominee will face from skeptical senators from the opposition party of the appointing president.
During Jackson’s murder boards, for instance, the focus was on expected Republican attacks that Jackson was soft on crime.
Within a few days of the end of the confirmation hearings, the Judiciary Committee votes on its recommendation to the full Senate. Then the nomination goes back to the full Senate for more discussion and a final confirmation vote. A simple majority is needed to confirm a Supreme Court nominee.
For the nine members of the court, it has taken an average of 70 days between presidential appointment and Senate confirmation, according to data from The U.S. Supreme Court Database. But this number has decreased recently, with Barrett and Jackson taking 30 and 41 days, respectively, to be confirmed.
So, as long as there is roughly a month before the November midterms, it is likely that there is enough time for the Republican Senate to confirm a Trump nominee.
Democrats have limited options
In 2017, Senate Republicans ended the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees. It was a move to secure the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch.
This reduced the threshold for confirmation from 60 votes to 51 votes. Perhaps most importantly, it also severely limited the options available to the minority party to block a Supreme Court confirmation.
With a 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate, so long as Republicans stick together, it will be very difficult for Senate Democrats to block a Trump nominee.
There are some delay tactics available to Democrats – they can perhaps even grind the entire Senate to a halt – but they may pay a political price for these tactics. Republicans, for instance, may try to paint Democrats as obstructionist, potentially motivating a voter backlash against the Democratic Party in the midterm elections.
Nonetheless, Democrats may view this as a fight worth having, since the confirmation of another Republican-appointed justice will ensure conservative dominance on the court for decades – if not generations – to come.
Paul M. Collins Jr. does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Politics + Society – The Conversation
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski sits on a panel at the Arctic Encounter Summit in Anchorage, Friday, April 17, 2026. (Photo by Jenni Monet/Alaska Beacon)
On Friday afternoon in downtown Anchorage, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, arrived at the Arctic Encounter Summit at the Dena’ina Convention Center, an annual gathering of policymakers, business leaders and international officials focused on Arctic strategy.
A day after welcoming news that two additional U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers would be homeported in the state — a development she has sought for decades – Murkowski struck a tempered tone.
“We got what we wanted,” she told an audience at a luncheon. “But not in the way that we wanted it.”
From this ballroom, not far from where polar ice melt is outpacing earlier scientific expectations, Alaska’s senior senator rattled off a litany of concerns — from repeated Russian incursions in the U.S. airspace to President Donald Trump’s musing about leaving NATO. Murkowski also pointed to tensions over Greenland, which have strained relations between the U.S. and its Arctic allies, troubling a region long recognized as a “zone of peace.”
Since taking office, President Trump has pushed for the United States to take control of the semi-autonomous Inuit island under the Kingdom of Denmark, at times suggesting it could be acquired by force, despite repeated rejections from Greenlandic and Danish officials. Last week, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen told NBC News that many Greenlanders “don’t feel safe” amid Trump’s repeated rhetoric to claim the territory.
As these tensions test alliances, new questions were raised at the conference about U.S. strategy in the Far North. Senator Murkowski, arguably the leading congressional voice for establishing U.S. Arctic power, has cast a steady light on the Greenland crisis alongside what she sees as the Trump Administration’s imbalanced Arctic strategy. Despite the administration’s historic investments that are closing the gap on U.S. Arctic engagement — mostly in the form of military and Coast Guard spending — Murkowski expressed concern. “We’re all in on defense,” she said, “But we haven’t prioritized what we need to do with the diplomacy side of things, or the science and research side.”
In January, Murkowski led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Denmark with Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine, followed by a visit to Greenland the next month. The effort to ease rising Arctic tensions would typically fall to the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. But for more than a year, the position has remained vacant.
Meanwhile, changes within the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, including the recent appointment of Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, reflect a broader shift in federal priorities as the agency pivots from its longtime focus on environmental science toward greater emphasis on military and commerce. This shift is one of many now testing the concept of “Arctic exceptionalism,” the region’s long-standing norm of peaceful cooperation, which some speakers at the Anchorage summit say may already be unraveling.
For 13 years, former Murkowski staffers have organized the Arctic Encounter Summit, branded as “North America’s premier Arctic policy and business convening.” Drawing on a network of high-profile colleagues — Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, attended in 2022 — Murkowski has used the annual gathering to advance U.S. Arctic policy, share the stage with international leaders and offer updates from Congress. She has even taken attendees to Utqiaġvik, the nation’s northernmost community and hub for Arctic research and strategy. More broadly, the summit reflects a policy legacy she has carried forward from Alaska’s past — building on the work of previous Alaska Republican Senators like her father, former Sen. Frank Murkowski, and the late Sen. Ted Stevens. Both helped elevate U.S. Arctic interests through science, research and maritime policy.
This year, Senator Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont who traveled to Denmark with Murkowski, joined an international group of Arctic parliamentarians. Together they huddled with the Alaska senator for an afternoon of panel discussions on the last day of the Arctic Encounter.
For months, Murkowski has worked mostly with congressional Democrats like Welch to push back on the president’s Greenland bid in an effort to preserve stability in the Arctic. As a founding member and co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus formed in 2015, she has also noted that neither the White House nor the State Department has sought the group’s input on the issue.
“I think that is a disadvantage to them because we do have a level of connection through the Arctic Caucus,” she said at the luncheon. “I think we should be viewed as a valued asset.”
Welch is a member of the Arctic Caucus and also the Senate Finance Committee. Recently, he pushed back on Trump administration tariffs, including those threatened against NATO allies that sent troops to Greenland in a symbolic show of support for its sovereignty, last January. After his trip to Denmark, he introduced a resolution to block the tariffs targeting the eight Arctic nations. The effort, while not formally passed, helped prompt the administration to back down.
“What’s so disturbing to me is that even many of our NATO allies are internalizing that they can’t count on the United States, and that’s upsetting to me, because we have been so benefited by that level of cooperation,” said Sen. Welch at the conference. “What Russia is doing now in Ukraine is just so violent and vicious and terrible that we can’t afford to be having any friction that is self-made amongst allies who have a shared interest in standing up for the independence of a sovereign nation.”
At the same time, Welch is co-sponsoring the Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2025 which directly challenges Sen. Murkowski’s long-game ambitions to open the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge’s Coastal Plain to oil drilling. To her, the effort represents the “Holy Grail of Alaska politics.” But supporters of the bill describe the extraction plan as a “fictional financial windfall,” citing weak lease sales in 2021 and 2025.
Despite those differences, the two senators united at the summit in their support for maintaining Arctic cooperation and strengthening alliances — a bipartisan approach Murkowski is known for. Days later, they appeared again in Fairbanks for talks hosted by the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region, a biennial forum of eight Arctic nations. Murkowski serves as vice chair of its standing committee, while Welch attended as part of the U.S. congressional delegation.
In Fairbanks, Murkowski stopped short of declaring an end to Arctic exceptionalism, instead broadening the definition of security in a changing North — even as she promotes recent military investments for Alaska, like the future commissioning of the U.S.S. Ted Stevens, a missile destroyer. “Security isn’t just military,” she said, pointing to what she described as other forms of security critical to the Arctic: food, family, education and environmental and energy stability.
A key voice for Welch in that discussion was the Inuit Circumpolar Council, an international organization representing about 180,000 Inuit across Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Chukotka, Russia. At the summit, its Alaska branch released an Arctic Strategy outlining priorities for Indigenous self-determination and governance in the region. Murkowski also invited ICC Alaska delegates to take part in the high-level talks in Fairbanks.
“Their whole culture couldn’t survive without a basic consensus‑oriented and cooperative approach,” Welch said, arguing that Indigenous perspectives must remain central to Arctic governance. And he warned against any agenda that sidelines the Inuit. “There’s an immense amount of anxiety about the new interest in the Arctic where the interests and the values of the Indigenous peoples and everyday Alaskans can be imperiled.”
Murkowski echoed that view, aligning with Welch on the importance of Indigenous leadership in shaping the Arctic’s future.
“Right now, we’re not talking to Russia,” said Murkowski, explaining the impasse as a symptom of the ongoing assault on Ukraine. But she drew attention to how the ICC is still able to maintain dialogue with Chukotka, the Russian region home to the Inuit diaspora there. “They are the only entity that is able to keep a connection with people in Russia – Indigenous people at that level. This is noteworthy,” she said.
Though Murkowski often draws criticism for her middle-way approach in balancing environmental priorities with support for military spending and resource development – a contrast reflected by the League of Conservation Voters, which gives Welch a lifetime score of 95% against Murkowski’s 20% – the senator, nonetheless, described his colleague as an important bridge between Alaska’s old Arctic power brokers and a new generation of leaders. “Your father, Ted Stevens — there’s a real through line,” Welch said.
Across their conversations, the lawmakers seemed to imply that a more assertive congressional role — through funding, diplomatic appointments and Arctic engagement — will be key to restoring stability in the Arctic after the Greenland crisis and shaping whether the region will be governed by cooperation or coercion. That includes the Ambassador-at-large for Arctic Affairs, a position Murkowski codified in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, elevating it to a permanent diplomatic post.
“The role of Congress has to be much more aggressive, assertive and independent,” said Sen. Welch. “What we need is more Lisa Murkowskis who are pushing actively through the appropriations process to do something.”