IJR News

Nevada Coach Steve Alford Plans Retirement After 2026-27 — 2dSteve Alford will retire after the 2026-27 season at Nevada, ending a 36-year career with a 724-386 record that ranks 10th among active Division I coaches.

Maya Lindstrom Moving through six programs and still hitting those win totals takes consistency most coaches never reach.

Steve Belichick Resigns as UNC Coordinator After Investigation — Sep 17, 2026Steve Belichick resigns as UNC defensive coordinator effective Oct. 27; university probe found isolated disregard for Carolina values, Stoyer said.

Marcus Bell Stepping down over even one lapse in values keeps the program from looking like it tolerates shortcuts.

Jonathan Karl, Scalise Spar Over Media Ban — 6dHouse Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) defended President Donald Trump’s ban on three news organizations from the White House, which led to a war of words with ABC’s Jonathan… — by Sandra Rhodes

Tom Gallagher Both men came off looking defensive in that exchange instead of addressing the actual issues.

Clippers name LA attorney John Gibson interim CEO amid Ballmer ban — 5dClippers named attorney John S. Gibson interim CEO on Sept. 21, 2026, as Steve Ballmer serves a one-year NBA ban after a $30 million fine and five forfeited first-round picks.

Priya Raman This interim CEO pick looks like a practical step for the Clippers while Ballmer sits out.

UNC GM Lombardi Resigns Amid Football InvestigationSports — 4dNorth Carolina’s offense has struggled, with quarterback Billy Edwards near the bottom of ACC passing rankings and the line giving up frequent sacks, though the Tar Heels have a productive group of running backs. The program is also navigating upheaval after General Manager Michael Lombardi and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick resigned; details of a university investigation have not been released, and one account argues Lombardi’s departure could benefit the team.

Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

Dudamel in Command, a ‘Macbeth’ Opera and Steve Reich Coming This FallEntertainment — Sep 8, 2026

Kushner, Witkoff Accused of ‘Total Malpractice’ in Iran Talks — Sep 15, 2026U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have been accused of “total malpractice” regarding their handling of talks with Iran. A former White House official accused the pair, s… — by Sandra Rhodes

Maya Lindstrom These talks were already fragile and poor handling by unqualified envoys only makes reaching any agreement harder.

Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell announces cancer diagnosis after surgery — Sep 9, 2026Rutgers men's basketball coach Steve Pikiell announced he has cancer, underwent successful surgery, and will undergo chemotherapy, with plans to stay involved while Brandin Knight serves as interim leader if he cannot be on the bench. There is no set timeline for his full return, and the program will navigate the season with Knight guiding the team during Pikiell's absence.

Kawhi Leonard Returns to Raptors in Trade — Sep 11, 2026The proposed Kawhi Leonard trade between the Clippers and Raptors remains in flux as the Clippers’ front office lacks an interim governor after the NBA imposed a $30 million fine and suspensions on owner Steve Ballmer, Gillian Zucker, and Lawrence Frank for a salary-cap circumvention investigation, complicating league approval of the deal. Despite assurances there is no league-level holdup, internal governance issues and ongoing investigations continue to delay finalizing Leonard’s return to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple draft assets.

White House reviewed replacing Pentagon deputy Feinberg, officials deny report — Sep 5, 2026The White House has been reviewing potential replacements for Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, a process that began in June and signals rising leadership turnover at the Pentagon under Secretary Hegseth. Officially no decision has been made to remove Feinberg, with discussions involving Senate support, while White House and Pentagon spokespeople deny any replacement process and reiterate Feinberg’s continued backing.

Chris Dalton Revolving door at the Pentagon lately. Hard to run a stable defense department when leadership keeps getting shuffled around like this.

Federal Prosecutors Reportedly Probe Clippers Over Leonard Deals — Sep 11, 2026Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation in Brooklyn into whether the Los Angeles Clippers secretly arranged endorsement deals to circumvent the NBA salary cap, a probe that follows the league’s $30 million penalty, loss of five first-round picks, and ballpark suspensions for owner Steve Ballmer. While at least one subpoena has been issued and details remain unclear, the case is unfolding alongside ongoing NBA sanctions and prior independent findings, with the team denying wrongdoing and weighing legal challenges, and related SEC inquiries into involved contractors such as Daktronics.

Elena Vasquez Ballmer's team should face real consequences if they broke rules to keep Leonard under the radar.

Soccer vs American FootballYourlist — VS BattleThe world's game versus America's obsession — simplicity against spectacle.

Syracuse Opens Season With 66-3 RoutSports — Sep 3, 2026Syracuse opened the 2026 season with a dominant 66-3 win over New Hampshire, and quarterback Steve Angeli looked sharp in his return from injury as the offense clicked early. With a crowded QB room featuring Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson, Syracuse hasn’t named a backup, signaling ongoing competition even after a strong performance and heightening attention on the team’s depth and development.

Utah Man Dies in Florida Jet-Ski Lightning Strike — Aug 30, 2026A jet skier was struck by lightning near Fort De Soto in Pinellas County Saturday evening, with the victim identified as Steve Matheson and reported dead by several outlets as officials noted the strike occurred around 6:30 p.m. Ongoing storms prompted warnings about outdoor hazards as investigators gather details.

UNC football GM Lombardi resigns as investigation reaches coaching staff — Sep 3, 2026Michael Lombardi has resigned as UNC football general manager amid an ongoing university investigation sparked by an HR complaint, with reports of drug use and sexual misconduct allegations involving players and staff. The probe has also drawn attention to Bill Belichick’s son Steve Belichick and the broader front-office dynamics, prompting UNC to continue reviews while the Belichick-linked program faces upheaval.

Derek Foss If this investigation is creeping toward the coaching staff, UNC has a much bigger mess on its hands than one resignation.

EQT agrees $2 billion McGill majority stake deal — Sep 4, 2026Private equity firm EQT X has agreed to acquire a majority stake in McGill and Partners from Warburg Pincus for about $2 billion, with Warburg Pincus selling entirely and management reinvesting while Steve McGill remains CEO and John Lloyd stays involved. The London-based broker, employing 600+ staff across seven countries and generating over $250 million in revenue, will use the deal to accelerate global expansion, invest in technology and data, and offer an equity participation plan to staff as part of its growth strategy.

Priya Raman $2 billion for a broker with 600 staff shows how hot the specialty insurance space still is right now.

Spreadsheet wizard or formula fraud?Quizie — QuizFifteen questions that separate the people who USE spreadsheets from the people spreadsheets happen to. Rank at the end.

U.S. Envoys Seek Momentum in Ukraine War Talks — Aug 31, 2026Putin appears to be seeking ways to prolong or broaden the war in Ukraine, despite diplomatic pressure and war-weariness at home, with warnings of possible escalations toward NATO states. Zelenskyy says Putin personally wants the conflict to continue, while noting that Moscow's mood could shift and that U.S. envoy efforts—Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—are being organized to push for peace, with September potentially altering the war’s trajectory as Ukraine and its partners pursue steps to protect civilians and achieve peace.

UFC 333 Title Fights Headline Abu Dhabi Press ConferenceSports — Sep 16, 2026UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on October 24 features Volkanovski defending his featherweight title against undefeated Movsar Evloev, with Petr Yan facing Merab Dvalishvili in a co-main event, as the four fighters and other key card participants attended a media press conference. In addition to UFC 333 coverage, MMA outlets preview UFC 331 with faceoffs among Tsarukyan, Ruffy, Steveson, Sharaf, Freire, and Choi, highlighting the ongoing build-up to the events and the variety of main-card matchups discussed at the official press events.

Bears win boosts Caleb Williams MVP odds after record Week 1 scoring — Sep 17, 2026BetMGM prop odds move for Tony Pollard, Jacoby Brissett, and Rhamondre Stevenson shape early-season betting markets, while prediction markets evaluate the Los Angeles versus Denver game and related settlement rules. Chicago’s Week 1 offensive surge under Ben Johnson has boosted Bears scoring and Caleb Williams’ MVP chatter, fueling shifts in futures and Week 2 expectations.

Marcus Bell The new offensive scheme under Johnson is already paying off big for Chicago but one week won't decide if Williams stays in the conversation.

Block leads Ally Challenge by two — Aug 29, 2026Michael Block surged to a two-shot lead at the Ally Challenge with a bogey-free 65, matching Steven Alker who sits two back after carding a 65 as well, as Block contends for his first PGA Tour Champions title on a sponsor exemption. The crowd-favorite, who has been climbing the senior circuit with consistent results, faces a final round that could cement his rising status amid ongoing scrutiny of his high-profile journey.

Cincinnati Assistant Principal Charged With Sexual BatteryPolitics — Aug 28, 2026Across Cincinnati and nearby communities, multiple school administrators have been charged in separate cases involving sexual conduct with students: Steven Barton, an assistant principal at Aiken New Tech High School, is accused of sexually touching a 16-year-old student with corroborating video and statements and has been removed from duty as investigations proceed; another case involves Sherman Bellmyer, a former Carney Middle/Elementary principal, charged with lewd acts with a student amid allegations of grooming, with potential additional charges under investigation and his termination from Carney Public Schools.

Patriots Acquire Corey Kiner for Depth — Aug 29, 2026The New England Patriots acquired running back Corey Kiner from the Arizona Cardinals for a 2028 seventh-round pick, adding him as a potential third option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson as rosters are trimmed. Kiner, a 24-year-old with college production from LSU and Cincinnati, has NFL experience but will compete for carries and special-teams roles in New England.

STEVE MILLOY: ‘All Of The Above’ Is DEI For Energy — May 11, 2025Editor’s note: Big Tent Ideas always aims to provide balancing perspectives on the hottest issues of the day. Below is a column from Steve Milloy, where he argues that wind is hopelessly useless as an energy source and…

RICK MANNING: Steve Bannon’s Imprisonment Was All About Politics — Oct 30, 2024Steve Bannon’s release from federal prison on Oct. 29 after serving four months on the political charge of contempt of Congress is a stark reminder of the rules that the Democrats chose to enforce. It is galling to…

Steve Buscemi Punched in the Face in ManhattanReporting — May 13, 2024Steve Buscemi, star of “Boardwalk Empire,” is reportedly OK after was punched in the face by an unknown assailant in Manhattan. Buscemi, 66, was treated at a New York hospital for an injury to his left eye, including…