New York Post - 08.10.2026 — 2026-10-07

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SORROW AND SHAME On anniversary of Oct. 7, Mamdani attacks Israel

Israelis gathered to mourn the 1,195 people who were killed three years ago in the Hamas terror attacks, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. But Mayor Mamdani used the anniversary to accuse Israel of “genocide” and war crimes for trying to free the hostages.

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JAG'S BACK IN GEAR

By TAYLOR HERZLICH

Jaguar is shifting gears — away from “woke” weirdos and back to classy babes after an attempted rebrand drew widespread derision.

The British luxury automaker unveiled a \$130,500 electric vehicle Tuesday night at a flashy New York City event featuring bombshell Florence Pugh.

The company's apparent pivot from a failed 2024 marketing campaign featuring androgynous models — followed by a widely panned ad featuring a disastrous "pink Batmobile" — was the latest U-turn from a business whose image suffered after trying too hard to be woke.

Drinkers famously abandoned Bud Light in droves after its ill-fated 2023 partnership with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney

U-TURN: A 2024 bizarre “woke” rebrand (inset) was mocked, so Jaguar has gone back to sleek silver look hawked by Florence Pugh (above).

— a cam-

paign that

the brewer

was quick to

ditch.

Jaguar's new Type 01 model — billed as “the most powerful, aerodynamic and technologically advanced Jaguar ever” — was revealed in a classic silver.

The four-door "grand tourer" has an ultra-long bonnet, low

doors and a camera instead of a rear window. It can go from zero to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and has a 400-mile range.

Orders will open at the start of 2027, and first deliveries are expected in the second half of the year.

It's the first step in Jaguar's unprecedented shift toward becoming a fully electric brand.

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Car 'backfires'

Jaguar revealed parts of its rebrand and posted a 30-second ad online in November 2024, showing several gender-bending models in odd, brightly colored clothing and flashing clichéd phrases like “delete ordinary,” “break moulds” and “copy nothing.”

The clip notably lacked any mention of a car or Jaguar's iconic logo, prompting Elon Musk, who owns the social-media platform X, to snipe sarcastically, "Do you sell cars?"

Backlash intensified two months later when Jaguar released an image of a Type 00 concept, a pink electric vehicle aimed at winning over Gen Zers. The automaker defended its rebrand at the time, with managing director Rawdon Glover telling Sky News, "We want to be bold and disruptive . . . We're clearly in the conversation."

Jaguar Land Rover CEO PB Balaji said Tuesday the Type 01 model represents “an exciting new era” for the company.

Italian carmaker Ferrari and British rival Bentley also launched their first electric vehicles this year, as demand for EVs has declined and competition from cheaper Chinese models has ramped up. Chinese automakers clinched 60% of global electric car sales in 2025, while European and North American brands were responsible for just 15% each, according to the International Energy Agency.

Country bird thinks NYC's 'owl' right

New York's newest celebrity resident is a real hoot.

An American barn owl has been spotted living in the big city — and he's making sure all of Manhattan knows he's here.

The critter — with a distinctive heart-shaped face — has been screeching on the Upper West Side for a month after moving into the neighborhood full-time to take advantage of bountiful rat-hunting opportunities in the area.

The white bird was snapped in a picture (left) this weekend, wowing neighbors who are apparently impressed that he got such a sweet uptown pad without even having to interview with a co-op board.

"It's always fun to see what kind of wildlife we can get living near Central Park, but this was far more unique and exciting," said a woman who snapped a picture of the owl from her West 76th Street and Central Park West patio, who asked to be identified only as Ms. Williams. She said she heard the owl well before she spotted him — she first heard his loud “raspy” screeches over Labor Day weekend.

It wouldn't be until a month later that Williams spotted the bird hanging out on a neighboring ledge. Multiple neighbors also reported seeing the owl flying through their yards in recent weeks, according to the West Side Rag, which first reported the rare visit.

★★

Katherine Donlevy

OCTOBER 7: THREE YEARS LATER

MAM'S MOURNING

Stand up to Hiz lies and hatred Make this bigot pay

F you only read the first 49 words of Mayor Mamdani's statement marking the three-year anniversary of Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks, you might've thought you were witnessing another New York miracle — like the Knicks winning it all after 53 years without a title, or Captain Sully landing that plane on the Hudson.

Here, after all, was the mayor, plainly stating the facts: 1,100 Israelis killed and 251 abducted in an attack that can only be called a horrific war crime.

But the artist formerly known as Mr. Cardamom hasn't really changed his tune since he rapped lovingly about the Holy Land Five, Muslim community leaders indicted for funneling millions to Hamas.

The bit about dead Israelis, it turned out, was only throat-clearing.

The main act was precisely what you'd expect from Mamdani: bluster and bigotry, a perfect crescendo of performative Third Worldism.

Genocide! Apartheid! Starvation! Journalists targeted for telling the truth!

The mayor's statement reads like a greatest-hits compilation of all the depraved lies we've been hearing for the past three years from those whose main passion is cheering for Jew killers.

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Fist bump to base

How to respond to such an intellectually feeble, morally repugnant and utterly pernicious statement?

A normal person's first instinct is to counter Mamdani's fabrications with facts — reminding him, say, that an overwhelming majority of so-called journalists killed by the Israel Defense Forces turned out to be terror operatives.

Or explaining, yet again, that "genocide" is a preposterous term to use considering that

Gaza's population grew by $2\%$ in 2024 alone, and that its elected leaders could've ended the war at any time simply by returning the hostages they brutally kidnapped from their homes.

But Mamdani doesn't care about the facts.

His statement wasn't an ill-conceived blunder: It was a deliberate fist bump to his base, reassuring the terror aficionados marching up and down our streets and waving Hamas and Hezbollah flags that he's still committed to their cause — the cause of Jew and America hatred.

It leaves not only New York's Jews but all New Yorkers in an unimaginably tough spot.

What to do when the man entrusted with your safety and well-being is gleefully siding with the ghouls committed to slaughtering you no matter the cost?

Protests, sharply worded statements, political pressure and all the other tools of civic engagement don't seem to work.

The mayor doubles down on his dedication to demonizing the Jews not only in word but also in deed: This week, we learned that his so-called strategy to combat antisemitism includes handing a cool \$6 million to a group partnered with none other than Linda Sarsour, who had to resign her leadership of the Women's March after blatantly discriminating against its Jewish members.

And with his recent screed, Mamdani gave us the clearest indication yet since assuming office that he remains staunchly on the side of America's sworn enemies, standing with the genocidal jihadis rather than with the West trying to curb their murderous violence.

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Message is clear

Mamdani's made his statement.

It's now time for the rest of us to make ours.

Let's make sure the mayor pays a price for his prejudice.

Let's explore every legal avenue available to hold him accountable for spreading hate and lies.

And, most important, let's build a coalition that gives him and his fellow radicals the boot in 2029.

Shame on Mamdani, for once again showing himself to be a rank little bigot.

But shame on us, too, if we don't do what New Yorkers do best — and give this petty hater an unvarnished and impolite piece of our mind.

Liel Leibovitz is editor at large for Tablet and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

SUPPORT FOR TERRORISTS:

Protesters wearing keffiyehs in Union Square Wednesday evening carry the Hamas flag and pictures of terrorist leaders on the third anniversary of the deadly attack on Israel.

ROASTED: Mayor Mamdani is heckled in Union Square Wednesday night by anti-Israel protesters who say he hasn't been hard enough on the Jewish state.

OCTOBER 7: THREE YEARS LATER

SICKNESS ON 10/7

Hamas

crowd

boos Zo

Mayor Mamdani was berated and booed at an Oct. 7 candle-light vigil in Union Square Wednesday night by anti-Israel protesters who believe he turned his back on Palestinian causes.

Hizzoner, candle in hand, was heckled by the angry mob, including some waving Hamas flags, who marched from an earlier protest at City Hall to crash the event meant to honor Jewish victims killed by Hamas terrorists — and Palestinians in the subsequent war.

"You coward!" some of the keffiyeh-clad agitators shouted at Hizzoner. "How do you let this happen?"

"Zohran you can't hide, we charge you with genocide," the protesters yelled in unison.

Other chants included "Mayor Mamdani take a stand. Stop the sale of stolen land" and "Shame on you."

After remaining stone-faced at the candlelight vigil, Mamdani headed uptown to Hinds Hall by Ayat, a Michelin Guide-featured Palestinian restaurant, to meet with Palestinian families, sources said.

Elsewhere, protesters turned out by the hundreds — with students at NYU and Columbia calling to “keep the intifada alive.” Reuven Fenton,

Jennifer Bain, Ronny Reyes and Ella Morrison

Anniversary. remarks take shot at Israel

By CRAIG McCARTHY, PATRICK REILLY and RONNY REYES

Mayor Mamdani's statement Wednesday marking the third anniversary of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack largely attacked Israel for committing "war crimes" in an "ongoing genocide" — sparking outrage from Jewish advocates who said he was "weaponizing" the tragedy.

Hizzoner dedicated less than a quarter of his written statement to the “unthinkable loss” suffered when “Hamas killed more than 1,100 Israelis and abducted 251 others” on Oct. 7, 2023 — with the vast majority devoted to his ongoing attacks on Israel.

"The suffering did not begin nor end that day. It instead continued through the Israeli government's devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza," he said, citing Hamas statistics as he decried the Palestinian casualties of the war launched in response to the terrorist attack.

“That suffering has intensified with every Israeli bomb dropped on ambulances waiting outside hospitals, every drone strike targeting a residential building or journalist, and every shipment of food aid turned away at a border crossing,” he said.

“Three years later, we must refuse to accept a world in which occupation and apartheid continue, where war crimes are met with impunity, and our federal government continues its complicity with every arms shipment.”

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'Difficult day'

The mayor's words stood in stark contrast to those of other prominent local elected officials, including Gov. Hochul, who noted that Oct. 7, 2023, was the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.

"The pain of that dark day has not faded. But neither has the strength, resilience and enduring hope of the Jewish people," Hochul said in a statement — as she directed flags on state buildings to be flown at half-staff and several landmarks to be illuminated yellow in solidarity with the Israeli people.

"Today we remember the innocent lives stolen, stand with the survivors and the families forever changed, and pray for a lasting peace," she said.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who is Jewish, took a veiled shot at Mamdani in a statement, writing: "Today, on the anniversary of the horrific October 7th terrorist attack, the focus should be on remembering the more than 1,200 people who were murdered by Hamas and the suffering of the 251 people who were taken hostage.

"This is a very difficult day for the Jewish community."

The slanted statement by Mamdani — widely criticized for making Jewish New Yorkers feel unsafe with his anti-Israel stances — was quickly met with blowback.

“What he is trying to do is hijack the only day we have for the victims and survivors. He’s trying to hijack the day to talk about attacking Israel,” Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon told The Post. “It’s like on 9/11 you talked about victims and al Qaeda terrorists.

“It’s basically taking the only day we have for victims and trying to attack Israel with propaganda,” Danon said, noting that Mamdani was set to both attend a vigil marking the attack Wednesday evening and host a sit-down with Palestinian New Yorkers.

"He's dangerous and sophisticated," the ambassador said of the mayor. "He will go to both ceremonies and try to say he feels for both losses of life."

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'Weaponizing'

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, also accused Mamdani of weaponizing the memory of the victims to push his own agenda and undermine the Jewish community.

"Not once do you say 'Jews,' Greenblatt wrote on X. "You are weaponizing a day meant for mourning the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust."

Mamdani's 211-word statement indeed made no mention of the Jewish people — despite a surge in antisemitic attacks in the city.

“Libeling Jews and the Jewish state puts Jewish New Yorkers at risk. The mayor’s own hate-crimes statistics support this,” said Moshe Spern, president of the United Jewish Teachers.

B'klyn memorial push

Big Apple politicians are pushing for a permanent memorial in Brooklyn honoring the victims of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

"Those who were stolen from us will never be forgotten," state Sen. Sam Sutton (D-Brooklyn), who is behind the push, said at a press conference Wednesday.

The 1,200 victims of the devastating attack in Israel included several people with deep ties to the tri-state area, including Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old Long Island native and Israel Defense Forces tank commander killed by Hamas terrorists.

Jewish politicians — including city Comptroller Mark Levine, City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Rep. Dan Goldman — attended the press conference, calling for the roughly 6-by-6-foot memorial to be built at Mickey Kairey Garden in Gravesend.

Matthew Fischetti

CHIP IN FOR FUTURE: Children take part in an Oval Office Trump Accounts presentation Wednesday when the president was joined by members of his administration and tech titan Michael Dell and wife Susan, who pledged to deposit \$250 into 25 million eligible accounts.

By EMILY GOODIN

President Trump issued a call to action Wednesday as he marked the automatic enrollment of all children under the age of 18 into a Trump Account, encouraging more companies to contribute to his signature savings accounts for kids.

He was joined in the Oval Office by tech billionaire Michael and Susan Dell, who have pledged to give 25 million children \$250 for their accounts.

Michael Dell said all 25 million accounts would be funded by the end of the week, while Susan Dell said it wasn't just about the investment, but also a matter of “knowing that someone believes in you, in your future.”

"So, to every child across the country, these accounts are for you. We believe in you, and we want you to dream big because we know you can make your dreams come true," she said.

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Companies on board

Trump praised the Dells as “an exceptional couple, truly an extraordinary couple” for their contributions and noted that several other companies have followed suit, including Uber, Intel, Nvidia and Steak n’ Shake.

"Some of the biggest companies in America are giving hundreds of millions of dollars," he said, urging others to sign on.

This week marks 70 million accounts having been established for all children under 18 with Social Security numbers since the program launched in July, according to the White House.

Since July 4, over \$4.5 billion has been deposited into Trump accounts.

Several children joined the president in the Oval Office for the announcement Wednesday.

Trump handed out his challenge coins and told them: "You're so good looking. Stay there. The press can admire you. That's the way they used to look."

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8M accounts open

The automatic enrollment, however, doesn't mean a child receives the government's \$1,000 seed contribution or that parents control the account.

A parent or guardian must claim the account in order to manage it, allow others to contribute to it, and for eligible children to receive the one-time federal deposit.

Any child born during Trump's second term can receive the \$1,000 contribution.

“Very simply, this money is your child’s future,” Trump said, encouraging parents to get involved.

Even though almost 8 million accounts had been opened, that represented about 10% of all eligible American children. Newborns will be enrolled when a Social Security number is requested for them.

The accounts can grow large balances — up to several thousand dollars — through compound interest and additional deposits. Charity groups, relatives and workplace 401(k)s can all contribute money to the accounts.

But the funds remain locked until Jan. 1 of the year the child turns 18. Then money can be withdrawn by the child penalty-free for specific purposes, like buying a home or paying for college.

\$6.7M perks in the House

WASHINGTON — They can't give themselves a raise — but they can expense the room and the restaurant.

House lawmakers haven't gotten a pay increase in nearly two decades, but a little-known perk is allowing members to push some of the soaring cost of living in the nation's capital back onto taxpayers.

Representatives earn \$174,000 a year — and have since 2009, with Congress repeatedly blocking scheduled cost-of-living raises.

But since 2023, House lawmakers have been able to seek reimbursement for certain hotel and meal expenses incurred while conducting official business in Washington — no receipts necessary.

Instead, elected officials just need to certify the expenses were actually incurred and they haven't been reimbursed elsewhere.

The paybacks are subject to the federal per diem limit — \$178 per day as of fiscal year 2025 — and other House rules.

Reviews by The Boston Globe and Washington Post found that in 2025, 360 of the 435 House members filed for reimbursement, claiming a total of \$6.7 million in taxpayer money — a 21% increase over 2024.

Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) sought the most of any representative, claiming \$72,622.63 for lodging and \$7,291.69 for meals for a staggering \$79,914.32 total.

Closer to home, 37 lawmakers from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut claimed \$672,000 in reimbursements during fiscal year 2025. Ally Goelz

INSIDE TODAY

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AMY JONES

Cursed at kids.

Imposter teacher torment

A bipolar Wisconsin woman impersonated a substitute teacher at her former high school — then called white students “motherf-kers” while asking girls if they wanted to be “strippers or hookers,” according to authorities.

Amy Jones, 23, conned her way into Rufus King High School in Milwaukee on Sept. 24, according to court documents Fox6 obtained.

She went three periods, throwing outrageous abuse at kids before she was reported and found to be an imposter who “just wanted to f--k around,” the docs said.

During those classes, she divided students “by race and gender” — and used “profane language” and “racial slurs,” prosecutors said in court documents also seen by WISN TV.

Doreen Badillo, the school's principal, said officials "did not follow proper district protocol in validating the individual as a substitute teacher." Chris Bradford

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Migrants bust in 'cop-slash'

The illegal migrants wanted for slashing an off-duty NYPD detective during a botched robbery in The Bronx have been arrested while hiding in a basement in Massachusetts, police said Wednesday.

D'Angelo Caraballo, 25, and Sneider Mejia, 24, both from the Dominican Republic, were found by the US Marshals Service hiding in a Lynn, Mass., basement and taken into custody overnight, the NYPD said.

They will be brought back to NYC to face attempted-murder charges. Tina Moore

BRIGHTER DAYS LIE AHEAD

\$235M to fix up Chrysler Bldg.

THE iconic Chrysler Building, Manhattan's Queen of the Night, will get to wear her illuminated crown for a long time to come.

In a stunning deal, Rockefeller Center owner Tishman Speyer bought the Chrysler Building's ground lease and will invest \$235 million to restore and modernize the landmark. The agreement was under discussion for

months, but never a sure thing.

Tishman Speyer will pay ground rent to the landowner,

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, for 150 years. The deal will rescue the Art Deco masterpiece from years of neglect, an office-tenant exodus and fears that it might go dark despite its official landmark status.

While renowned for its stunningly lit, terraced crown, Chrysler fell on hard times as a succession of ground-lease owners balked at rent escalations from \$7.75 million in 2018 to \$31.5 million in 2024 and rising to \$41 million in 2028.

Chrysler's most recent leaseholder, developer Aby Rosen, was evicted in 2023. Hollywood powerhouse Creative Artists Agency is the building's largest and best-known tenant, but sources said the tower is at least $50\%$ vacant, compared to Grand Central-area avera ges of below 10%.

Neither Tishman Speyer nor Cooper Union disclosed terms of their agreement. The company led by Rob Speyer is partners in the deal with global investors led by Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board, or PSP.

Tishman Speyer plans to extensively restore the building's antiquated infrastructure; create an indoor-outdoor amenities center on the 61st floor; and pre-build 75% of vacant floors as ready-to-occupy suites for smaller companies.

CBRE global brokerage chairman Stephen Siegel, who wasn't involved in the deal, called Tishman Speyer's purchase "a brilliant acquisition."

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Short stay at top

"This iconic beauty will get the TLC it deserves from them. The pre-built program is a perfect strategy as the market is full of tenants looking for quick occupancy options," he said.

The 77-story, 1,046-foot tall Chrysler Building was built for the automaker in 1929. Briefly the world's tallest building, its revolving door of owners included late NFL Washington Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke and Tishman Speyer itself for a few years in the 1990s.

Plans to restore the fabled Cloud Club speakeasy and lounge on the 66th to 68th floors and convert part of the building to a hotel went nowhere.

Chrysler has appeared in scores of movies, including 1982's "Q: The Winged Serpent," in which a dragon took up residence behind a nickel gargoyle on the 59th floor.

ICON: A wave of upgrades by new ground lease owner Tishman Speyer will bring the half-empty Chrysler Building back to being a star in the city's real estate universe.

"Tishman Speyer is demonstrating that a treasured landmark like the Chrysler Building can be redesigned for the 21st century so its historic interior can be a match to the energy and glamour of its exterior," said Mitchell Moss, professor of urban policy and planning at New York University.

"Rob Speyer, who single-handedly restored Rockefeller Center, can demonstrate the magic he brings to making the old new again," he added.

Law firm's 'slip' cons bilked city: suit

Slip and fraud!

A personal injury firm has spent years filing phony lawsuits and scamming millions off New York City taxpayers in a bogus slip-and-fall cash grab, says a shocking new lawsuit filed by City Hall.

Asher & Associates wholly invented lawsuits to bilk city coffers — including 15 examples where the firm claimed the city was liable for \$41 million due to sidewalk and roadway trips, court papers said.

One plaintiff claimed they tripped over a sidewalk metal plate, but they were actually beaten with a lead pipe, according to obtained medical records included in the lawsuit.

"Personal injury laws exist to protect actual victims of trauma, not to line the pockets of people looking to make a quick buck off City taxpayers," said New York City Corporation

Counsel Steven Banks.

The firm scored “millions of dollars” in payouts through settlements and judgments over at least a 10-year period, court papers said. And more than 875 cases are now pending against the city, Con Ed and other companies involved in city roadwork.

Asher & Associates reps did not respond to The Post's request for comment. The suit includes over 12 cases that the city says are "fraudulent," where medical records directly contradict what attorneys claimed in court. Peter Senzamici

★★

ELECTION 2026

GOP rival's ‘indictment’ of the AG:

ROAD WARRIOR: GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman rages Wednesday at Roosevelt Avenue.

Ax NY state income tax: survey

taxes for most New Yorkers.

By HALEY BROWN and JORGE FITZ-GIBBON

Bruce Blakeman vowed Wednesday to clean up the drug and sex infested “Market of Sweethearts” in Queens, blaming Gov. Hochul and lefty pols for the soft-on-crime laws that let it happen.

Blakeman, the GOP gubernatorial candidate, said cashless bail and “Raise the Age” statutes have allowed immigrant gangs to thrive along Roosevelt Avenue for years, forcing neighborhood residents to live in fear while Albany does nothing.

"There was a time in this community where you didn't have to worry about walking around at 10 or 11 o'clock at night," Blakeman said at a press conference on the seedy

They've had enough!

New Yorkers are “fed up” with being the most-taxed in the United States, with nearly two-thirds saying it’s time to scrap state income taxes altogether, a new survey reveals.

The Empire Center for Public Policy poll released Tuesday found that 64% of registered voters are ready to back abolishing the state's tax on earnings — and comes after Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman pitched a plan to effectively wipe out income

stretch. "This was a fun, vibrant, energetic community and it still is, but it's being destroyed by politicians who have ignored the people.

"They come here for elections and after the elections you never see them," said

“Regular New Yorkers are fed up and want lower taxes,” said Zilvinas Silenas, president of the right-leaning Empire Center for Public Policy.

“Albany can follow Florida’s example or keep watching New Yorkers leave for Florida.”

Florida is one of nine states that does not have a state income tax, while New York has the highest combined state and local tax burden in the US. Carl Campanile

Blakeman, the Nassau County executive. “We have seen the growth of gangs like Tren de Aragua, MS13 and Triads. These people are preying on our communities, and Kathy Hochul is responsible.”

Roosevelt Avenue has been plagued by open air prostitution, drug peddling and rampant shoplifting for years, particularly after an influx of illegal immigrants were allowed to flood the Big Apple.

Despite a series of raids, calls from elected officials and constant complaints from the neighborhood, gangs continue to thrive along the busy strip.

Meanwhile, the state's bail reform statute, which bars judges from holding suspects on bail on most crimes, means criminals continually get cut loose and return to the streets to strike again. The “Raise the Age” statute means defendants as old as 19 get treated with kid gloves as juvenile offenders.

Blakeman — who'll face Democratic incumbent Hochul on the Nov. 3 ballot as she seeks a second, four-year term — claimed socialist Mayor Mamdani has made it harder to clean up Roosevelt Avenue by holding cops back and not filling vital posts that could take a bite out of crime.

Kathy's up 11 in poll

Gov. Hochul holds an 11-point lead over Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman but is losing ground among independents with just four weeks to go in the race for governor, a newly released Marist poll shows.

The survey sampled 1,361 registered voters across New York state and found the Democratic governor ahead of her Republican rival 53% to 42%.

But Blakeman had a strong showing among independent voters, carrying 49% in the survey compared with 42% who backed Hochul. And the two are in a dead heat in the Empire State's suburbs, split at 48%.

The governor crushed Blake-man in New York City by a 69% to 24% margin, the poll found.

The survey mirrors a Marist 2022 poll that had Hochul with a

10-point lead over her Republican opponent, then-Rep. Lee Zeldin.

Hochul wound up beating Zeldin by 6 points.

Blakeman blasted the poll as "woke" while speaking to reporters at a Queens event.

"The phony Marist poll by the woke university that always favors Democrats over Republicans," he called it. Vaughn Golden and Hannah Fierick

Super PAC Blake push

A super PAC backing Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has launched a multimillion-dollar ad slamming Gov. Hochul for pay-to-play “corruption” after she promptly awarded a donor with a no-bid contract during the pandemic to buy COVID tests.

The \$637 million emergency deal given to Digital Gadgets came just days after its CEO Charles Tebele and other family members held a lavish fundraiser for Hochul ahead of her 2022 re-election. “Kathy Hochul’s corruption is the tax we all pay,” said the ad paid for by the Strong and Safe New York Super Pac, a group bankrolled by Knicks owner James Dolan and casino magnate Steve Wynn.

"Exhibit A. She gave her friends a \$637 million no-bid contract for COVID tests, paying more than double what others were charging," the ad's narrator says. "And we get the bill." Carl Campanile

ELECTION 2026

She hasn't helped everyday NYers

d everyday NYers LEADING CHARGE AGAINST LETITIA

Matthew McDermott

By CARL CAMPANILE

DEBATE DATE: Republican ex-federal prosecutor Saritha Komatireddy (left) will lock horns in a debate on Thursday with incumbent AG Letitia James (below).

Republican state attorney general candidate Saritha Komatireddy dropped a withering 52-count “public indictment” against Democratic incumbent Letitia James — accusing her of “dereliction” of duty ahead of their debate Thursday.

The sweeping accusations were part of a cheeky campaign stunt that Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor, wielded to argue her opponent has been too busy taking aim at President Trump to address the needs of New Yorkers during her two terms.

"The people do not allege that the defendant has been idle. They allege that she has been busy with the wrong things," said Komatireddy, who also listed the "Exasperated People of the State of New York" as plaintiffs.

“While the defendant built a national reputation, much of the work of the office went undone,” she charged.

The "counts" against James in the faux court document included failing to intervene as homeless New Yorkers froze to death last winter, allowing mentally ill and repeat offenders to stab and ki innocent bystanders while supporting New York's controversial cashless-bail law and presiding over an increase in crime and homelessness over her tenure.

---

'Burned alive'

“New Yorkers froze on sidewalks. New Yorkers were shoved onto subway tracks by men every part of the system already knew. New Yorkers were burned alive in train cars,” the indictment states.

"A family of five, three of them small children, died in a fire at an [upstate] Endwell motel that a county used as a shelter. A Buffalo mother was shot in front of her three children by a man a court had released the day before."

The GOP candidate charged that James “did not aggressively prosecute Medicaid fraud and welfare fraud or deed theft or investigate tax-exempt not-for-profit groups including those operating homeless shelters.”

Komatireddy also claimed opioid settlement money won in the name of the dead was “spent on snowblowers and headsets” and that shelter executives were allegedly paid seven figures from grants that James increased.

James failed to push to close government-sponsored drug-injection sites illegal under federal law and that she didn't advocate to close the "involuntarily intoxication loophole" in state law that makes it more difficult to prosecute rape cases, the document noted.

That loophole has faced renewed scrutiny in light of the "Cornell 7" case, and Gov. Hochul recently appointed James as special prosecutor to re-investigate the sexual assault claims — despite critics ripping the AG as biased for her prior statements siding with the accuser.

"When a law keeps prosecutors from charging rape, it is the chief law enforcement officer's job to get it changed," Komatireddy wrote. "The defendant [James] had eight legislative sessions and a Legislature led by her own party. Beyond one social media post, the People have found no evidence that she made the bill a priority."

---

Repeat offenders

Komatireddy's “demand for relief” listed in the document asks that voters boot James on Nov. 3 so that “the office be returned to a prosecutor who will use its powers for the purposes for which they were granted.

"To lock up repeat offenders, to bring dangerously mentally ill

New Yorkers indoors and into treatment, and to root out the fraud that steals from the poor, the sick, and the taxpayer."

James' campaign dismissed the accusations as a campaign stunt.

"Attorney General Letitia James files real lawsuits in real courts every day to protect New Yorkers' rights and their wallets," a James campaign spokesperson said.

"While Saritha Komatireddy spent today writing this press release, the attorney general announced the arrest and indict-

Queens pharmacy owner for de-

frauding Medicaid to the tune of \$31 million."

The most recent Siena University poll from last month showed James leading Komatireddy by 13 points — 52% to 39%, with the incumbent's lead shrinking by 5 points from an August survey.

James, 67, seeking a third term as AG, was set to face Komatireddy on the debate stage Thursday night in a showdown hosted by Spectrum.

As a federal prosecutor in Brooklyn's Eastern District of New York, Komatireddy, 42, handled some of the most high-profile cases involving international terrorism, cybercrime, narcotics trafficking, money laundering and public corruption.

James, meanwhile, has garnered nationwide attention for prosecuting Trump and his namesake company for fraudulent practices and filing numerous lawsuits against the administration.

The killer speaks

Pike recalls hosp, but not death-jab fail

NON-LETHAL INJECTION: Christa Pike, who killed Colleen Slemmer in 1995, survived an execution try last week, was alleged to be brain dead, but has made strides toward recovery, according to sources.

By ALEX DIAZ

Christa Pike can recall her name and has memories of being in a hospital after surviving two botched lethal injections, a doctor who advised her legal team said.

Pike, 50, is conscious and speaking after becoming the first death row inmate believed to have survived lethal injection after the bungled execution last week, her lawyers revealed Tuesday.

“She has some memories of being in the hospital but no memory, I believe, of the execution attempt,” Dr. Joel Zivot, an anesthesiologist who has advised Pike’s lawyers, told the BBC.

Zivot added that Pike is able to communicate in a “basic way” and made an incorrect guess at the date, believing that it was still September, the outlet reported.

He added that she has been taken off a ventilator after being intubated while medical professionals worked to clear the pentobarbital in her system from the lethal injections.

---

Letting her go

Pike's aunt, Carrie Ross, said her family had been told the convict was brain dead and being taken off the ventilator shortly before she regained consciousness.

"We got word that she was brain dead and they were taking her off the ventilator," Ross, a sister of Pike's late mother, told the Daily Mail.

"They were going to let her go — let her die — at 1 o'clock tomorrow. That was yesterday or a day before."

Ross added the family has not spoken with Pike since she made the apparent recovery.

Pike was administered two doses of pentobarbital using at least 7 needles, one of which came out of her arm bent at a 90-degree angle, her legal team claimed.

The convict was initially described as unconscious and in critical condition after being rushed from Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville to the hospital last Wednesday.

“Against all odds, Christa Pike is conscious, speaking and continues to receive critical medical care,” her attorneys said Tuesday.

“Despite the severe damage she endured to her arms, she is still handcuffed and shackled to the bed. Her recovery is medically unprecedented. Her prognosis remains unclear but, at a minimum, we expect a long recovery.”

She was handed a death sentence for brutally murdering her 19-year-old classmate, Colleen Slemmer, in a jealous rage in January 1995.

---

Her lawyers' plea

Pike's attorneys have pleaded with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to commute her sentence, saying she has “endured punishment greater than any other person in the history of the American death penalty.”

They filed a motion in court on Friday for the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) to "protect and preserve any and all evidence" related to Pike's botched execution.

In their motion, they branded TDOC's actions during the bungled execution as "incompetent and reckless."

“Apparently at no point did any member of the execution team realize that the IV lines were not correctly placed or that the veins had blown and that the pentobarbital was, in whole or in part, entering Ms. Pike's body,” they wrote.

AG big can't say if state will try again

Tennessee's assistant attorney general told a court Wednesday that the state does not currently have a pending execution order for Christa Pike, but wouldn't say if an execution will be rescheduled.

Convicted murderer Pike, 50, was due to become the first woman to be executed in Tennessee in over 200 years on Sept.

30, but survived two botched attempts to put her to, death and is awake and speaking in a hospital.

Lawyers for Pike and the state appeared in Davidson County Chancery Court to argue an emergency motion requiring the state Department of Correction to protect and preserve all evidence related to the bungled execution.

"There is no pending execution order for Ms. Pike and there is no allegation that one is coming," Assistant Attorney General Will Ayers told the court.

In the wake of the fiasco, Gov. Bill Lee halted all remaining executions this year and ordered an independent review.

“Without a pending execution order there, at least as we stand here today, there's no showing that Ms. Pike is subject to execution again," Ayers explained.

Judge I'Ashea Myles then asked Ayers if it's the state's position to not revive Pike's execution order.

"I understand that all executions have been suspended for now, is that going to be permanent or is the state prepared to take the position that Ms. Pike will not be rescheduled?" Myles asked.

But Ayers insisted, “I can’t answer that question,” adding that the decision on whether an execution order is presented was “within the purview of the Tennessee Supreme Court.” Alex Diaz

and Georgia Worrell

Strikes at high in strait

Ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz last week were reportedly struck at the highest levels since the war with Iran broke out in February.

Tehran's threats to control the critical waterway, including the use of drone overflights, have continued despite US efforts to negotiate a reopening of the strait, according to the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center.

"These actions continue to demonstrate Iran's intent to assert presence along key transit lanes and maintain pressure on transiting vessels," the JMIC said.

There were at least 12 attacks on oil, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas tankers around Hormuz during the period between Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, according to data from three maritime security sources. That marked the most strikes in a single week on vessels in the waterway since the war began.

India's foreign ministry said 12 crew members were injured after an unknown projectile hit a Panama-flagged oil tanker Tuesday.

The magnitude of attacks last week was only rivaled by the week of July 13, when eight ships were struck, maritime shipping data showed. Christian Falcone

Ceiling his own fate

A shirtless alleged burglar crawled inside the ceiling of a Washington state Macy's before plunging to the floor below, where he was arrested by cops after an hour-long standoff, video shows.

Employees at the Vancouver store saw the man breaking ceiling tiles and damaging lights Sept. 30, cops said.

The second floor of the store was evacuated while cops set up a ladder and a mattress beneath the man.

The roof rat — identified as Gabriel Hideo — eventually stepped onto the ladder but tried to scurry back up before crashing down onto the mattress, cops said.

Ella Morrison

Global K-pop icon LISA left Tuesday's Paris Fashion Week Louis Vuitton after-party all dolled up in a Barbie-inspired pink mini skirt suit, revealing tons of skin. The singer, 29, attended the spring 2027 show earlier in a ruffled Vuitton top and leather skirt.

Flowers, then fatal Bx. push

The dad being sought for allegedly pushing his estranged girlfriend and their 5-month-old daughter from a 15th-floor Bronx balcony had brought her flowers that day to reconcile after he was accused of two domestic-violence attacks, according to sources.

Angel Carrasco (inset), 31, allegedly lost his cool and flew into a rage when the make-up attempt

went south and shoved Nathaly Ramirez, 23, to her death while she clutched the couple's baby, Angel Novalty Carrasco-Ramirez —

leaving the tot fighting for her life at Jacobi Hospital, law enforcement sources told The Post.

Cops responded to the apartment building at 2550 Olinville Ave. around 3:40 a.m. Tuesday to find the tragic scene.

Haunting photos show a diaper and a baby's blanket on the ground outside the 18-story apartment building.

"I heard someone shouting, 'Jump!' It was a male voice," tenant Robin Mendzies said. "Then I heard a big thud and a woman wailing, 'No please, no!' It sounded like she was begging for an inevitable thing not to happen."

Georgett Roberts, Joe Marino and Jorge Fitz-Gibbon

POLS' 2¢ ON NICKEL 'Make 'em cheaper

By NATALIE O'NEILL

Now that's a "change."

Congress may scrap the nickel as we know it after completely killing off the penny.

The federal government stopped minting pennies after more than 200 years because the copper coins cost three times more to make than they're worth.

Now some lawmakers want to focus on making the high-cost nickel piece at a cheaper cost, according to Fox News.

"If it costs 13 cents to make a five-cent coin, Washington should fix the problem instead of wasting more taxpayer money," House GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) told the outlet.

"My bill gives Treasury a path to make nickels at a lower cost without disrupting how Americans use them. It is a simple reform that saves money and brings a little more common sense to government."

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) told Fox: "More and more Americans are paying with credit cards, debit cards and stablecoins for everyday purchases that once would have been made with cash or coins.

"The half-cent coin was retired when it was no longer needed, and the penny has now reached that same point. It's my hope that we can find a cheaper way to produce the nickel so that it remains economically viable for years to come," she said.

Nickels are made at a taxpayer loss of roughly eight cents per coin, according to data cited by Fox.

They are currently made from a mixture of 25% nickel and 75% copper.

The US Mint stopped making pennies last November, but the Congress-backed

now headed to President Trump's desk — will formally end their production after 234 years.

Trump wrote in a social media post last year that the US has produced the 1-cent piece for “far too long.”

In a release on her website, McClain said the legislation “also authorizes a lower-cost nickel composition if testing shows it will reduce production costs without significantly disrupting coin-operated machines.” With Wires

Isaias targets US Gulf

Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane before slamming into the southern US coast early Saturday, bringing heavy rains, storm surges, and possible tornadoes across several states, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm is expected to pass through areas with significant offshore oil and gas production, along with onshore refining facilities, which could pressure inventories and already-high pump prices.

Michael Brennan, the hurricane center director, said Wednesday that Isaias could be a “major” hurricane — Category 3 or higher. The center expects Isaias, which would be the Atlantic’s first 2026 hurricane, to make landfall along the Mississippi, Alabama or Florida Panhandle coast. Reuters

Uzbek migrants overrun Ohio area with

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16866 I-40, Erick, OK 73645 salgysynda ICE bar. Mümkin bolsa, gije geçiň ya-da töwereginden aylanyp geçiň.

Русский

По адресу 16866 I-40, Erick, OK 73645 находится ICE. По возможности проезжайте ночью или объезжайте это место.

English

There is ICE at 16866 I-40, Erick, OK 73645. If possible, pass through at night or take an alternate route.

Türkçe

TRUCKING THE SYSTEM: Dozens of Uzbek-owned commercial trucking companies in Ohio operate out of shared residential addresses and log millions of impossible annual mileage. A screenshot from one chat group shows drivers alerting others of apparent ICE checkpoints.

---

By CHADWICK MOORE

The southern Ohio community made famous by Vice President JD Vance's childhood memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" has been rapidly colonized by thousands of migrants from Uzbekistan who run shady, accident-prone trucking operations with glaring red flags for safety violations, The Post discovered.

Locals say the sudden invasion has rattled the quaint, conservative community. One local school district is now 12% non-English speaking students, with most from Central Asia. A sprawling, multimillion-dollar mosque also is under construction in tiny Maineville, Ohio.

Dozens of Uzbek-owned commercial trucking companies in Butler and Warren counties operate out of shared residential addresses, log millions of impossible annual mileage and claim to own thousands of phantom big rigs. And they're exploiting New York's leftist laws to get away with it.

One company, Badri B LLC, reported on federal Department of Transportation (DOT) paperwork to own 23,001 trucks — all operating out of a single apartment in Loveland.

"It's bad. I first noticed this stuff around 2020, 2021 but it started getting really bad a year or so ago," one local resident told The Post.

Getty Images

"When [a trucking company] has too many violations, and they can't get any more loads because they're flagged as an unsafe carrier, they will just open a new company so they can keep going," the concerned citizen claimed.

---

41M miles in '25!

Maineville — just 25 miles from Vance's hometown of Middletown — became an overnight freight hub with 267 active commercial trucking companies registered in the village of just 1,500 residents.

Twenty-two residential addresses in Maineville hold two or more trucking companies registered. Industry experts said that's a red flag for so-called "chameleon companies," truckers who easily escape their accident-prone, violation-riddled driving record by simply registering a new company through the DOT, usually under the same address and phone number.

Nearby in West Chester, Ohio, one address is home to a whopping 16 companies. Another West Chester company run out of a single apartment unit, Shod Express LLC, claimed 41 million miles in 2025 across 52 drivers according to DOT records.

That's a physical impossibility working out to around 854,000 miles per driver that year. A real hard-running solo year is closer to 110,000 miles, industry experts said.

Phoenix Cargo in nearby Circle-ville claimed nearly 80 million miles in 2026 across 395 trucks on federal reporting documents — another physical impossibility.

"I've never seen it this bad or this blatant. We get videos all the time from drivers at truck stops filming somebody literally tearing off the [vehicle identification] numbers on the side of their truck and putting a new one on," Tom Balzer, president of the Ohio Trucking Association, a nonprofit trade group, told The Post.

"There's an impact there. There's a direct correlation between non-domiciled CDL holders and accidents that they see a significantly higher amount of accidents than those that aren't."

---

Language barrier

Balzer said one reason to inflate mileage or number of trucks is to make a company look safer than it really is as they compete for loads.

"The obvious impact is the detriment to the industry's safety record. Everyone who's a legitimate trucking company in this country wants our industry to be as safe as possible," he said.

In late August, the Trump administration launched a major joint effort through the DOT and Homeland Security targeting non-citizen truckers, also known as non-domiciled CDLs, who are unqualified to drive big rigs.

Officials announced they shut down 270 CDL (short for commercial driver's license) schools for safety violations, lack of facilities, and failing English proficiency requirements.

Federal officials said at least 30 people were killed in crashes involving non-domiciled truckers in 2025.

At 1 a.m. on July 5, Uzbekki trucker Bekhzod Asarov of Maineville smashed his big rig into a Honda Accord on Interstate 71 near Columbus, killing 21-year-old Toby Forsythe, an economics major and men's soccer goalie at UMass Lowell.

According to court documents Asrarov, 42, was unable to communicate in English and faces charges of tampering with evidence after cops said he attempted to hide his dash cam. Asrarov came into the US in 2024 under President Joe Biden's diversity visa lottery and held an Ohio CDL. He has yet to enter a plea.

In February, just over the Indiana state line from Butler County, illegal immigrant Bekzhan Beishekeev of neighboring Kyrgyzstan plowed into a van carrying 15 Amish construction workers, killing four. Beishekeev, 30, obtained his CDL from Pennsylvania, often cited as another oasis for issuing licenses to illegals, and is currently facing multiple felony charges.

scores of shady & dangerous truck firms

Last year, Uzbek national Bekhzod Rakhmatov, 30, also of Maineville, was indicted in a human smuggling scheme that brought aliens to the US-Mexico border. According to feds, Rakhmatov arranged international transit

and border entry and faces up to 10 years

in prison. A source told The Post Rakhmatov was allegedly paid up to \$20,000 per illegal he helped smuggle into the country.

None of those men has yet entered a plea and none of the trucking companies named responded to requests for comment from The Post.

One creeped-out local who spoke to The Post claimed men sit in their big rigs outside a gym and a popular second-hand clothing shop eyeing young girls who go in and out — and have even solicited some for sex.

The town was shocked following the August conviction of 44-year-old Uzbek trucker Shakrat Abshukurov of Maineville, who spoke no English, after he

wheelers parked at rental lot on Grandin Road became such a nuisance the local township halted a planned expansion.

Screenshots from a Maineville Uzbekki trucker group chat shared with The Post revealed drivers frantically warning one another about roadside immigration checkpoints to avoid — especially if truckers are being inspected for English proficiency.

---

Taxi to B'klyn

Ohio requires English proficiency to get a license and does not issue CDLs to non-citizens. Maineville's Uzbeks organize "taxis" to Brooklyn — specifically a DMV in Coney Island — in order to obtain their CDLs, a source in the community told The Post.

The source said because New York freely gives CDLs to illegal immigrants, future truckers from across Butler and Warren counties flock to the Big Apple.

But the source was perplexed why one DMV in Coney Island became such a destination — citing the nearby Uzbek and Central Asian communities in South Brooklyn as one possible reason.

New York's CDL issuance to foreign nationals has been a sticking point between Democrat Gov. Hochul and the Trump administration.

In April, the DOT announced it

In Ohio, trucker Bekhzod Asrarov, who is unable to communicate in English, crashed his rig into Toby Forsythe, 21, killing him.

In Indiana, Bekzhan Beishekeev of Kyrgyzstan plowed into a van carrying 15 Amish construction workers, killing four.

would withhold over \$73 million in federal highway funding from the Empire State for its refusal to revoke CDLs given to foreign nationals.

Last year, 10,000 drivers across the US were pulled out of service for not speaking English, according to data from trucking periodical Overdrive. According to DOT figures, a further 200,000 migrant truck drivers are at risk of losing their licenses after CDL rules were tightened by the Trump administration in March, including stricter enforcement of English proficiency.

In a statement to The Post a spokesman for Hochul said, “CDL policy is set in Washington, not Albany, and New York follows these federally issued rules when issuing commercial drivers licenses, something that even the Trump administration has acknowledged.”

9/11 kin in court vs. ‘complicit’ kingdom

9/11 kin in court vs. OUTRAGE AT THE SAUDIS

By GEORGETT ROBERTS,

BEN KOCHMAN

and PRISCILLA DeGREGORY

Relatives of Sept. 11 victims flooded a New York City courtroom Wednesday — where they ripped Saudi Arabia's bid to avoid blame for aiding the al Qaeda hijackers as "outrageous."

Around 100 people who lost loved ones on that horrific day packed the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in lower Manhattan, just blocks from Ground Zero, and were left fuming at the kingdom's efforts to dodge liability in the long-delayed case.

"It's outrageous, after seeing the evidence of the direct link between the Saudi government agents and hijackers, for them to continue denying their culpability," said Terry Strada, who lost husband Tom in the attacks.

---

Demand for justice

"We're hoping to finally see justice," added Lisa Friedman, whose husband, Andrew, was killed that day.

Riyadh is appealing a lower court's ruling last August that the families can take Saudi Arabia to trial because there's “reasonable evidence” that it ran a support network for some of the terrorists.

Saudi officials deny having any knowledge of the attacks beforehand and claim they're protected from the lawsuit under foreign sovereign immunity — despite a 2016 act of Congress making it easier for Sept. 11 victims' families to sue countries accused of sponsoring terrorism.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never supported its enemy, al Qaeda, against its ally, the United States," said Gregory Rapawy, a lawyer for the oil-rich nation, during the 90-minute court hearing.

Gavin Simpson, who reps the relatives of Sept. 11 victims, countered that the Saudi government has “failed” to prove that it should be removed from the suit that claims it was complicit in the terror attacks.

Several plaintiffs seated in the courtroom gallery applauded after Simpson finished his arguments, earning a light chastising from US Circuit Court Judge William Nardini.

“Please, this is not a moment for such things,” Nardini said of the smattering of clapping.

Following the hearing, family members of the Sept. 11 victims called on President Trump to put pressure on the Saudi government to apologize for its alleged role in the attacks.

"We're all fed up. And it's time that the president defended us," said Aaron Sand, whose dad, Eric, died when planes flew into the twin towers.

“President Trump, I love ya, but you are not doing enough,” Sand added. “You have to prioritize the family members who were harmed, who lost loved ones because of this nation that claims to be an ally but is very much proving the opposite.”

---

'Healing process'

Victims' relatives flew in from around the country to attend the hearing, including Steve Milam, who came from Dallas. His brother, US Army Major Ron Milam, was killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11.

"I'm just hoping the judges will see that it is necessary in order to help the families in their healing process that Saudi Arabia be held liable for the tragic loss of our loved ones," he told The Post.

The suit, first filed in 2004, alleges that suspected Saudi spy Omar al-Bayoumi helped secure California lodging for a pair of American Airlines Flight 77 hijackers, once hosted a “welcome party” for two hijackers, and at one point was seen in a chilling video “casing” the US Capitol building.

Al-Bayoumi, believed to be living in Saudi Arabia, has denied he was a spy.

Appeals judges Nardini, Guido Calabresi and Eunice Lee said Wednesday they'll rule on whether to uphold the lower court's ruling — and clear the way for a trial — in the coming months.

NEVER FORGET: Family members of 9/11 victims speak to the media outside the lower Manhattan courthouse where the Saudi government on Wednesday moved to avoid blame for al Qaeda “complicity.”

Hubby bust in slaying of Brit royal doc

A mother of three who was a doctor for members of the UK royal family was killed while hosting a kids' sleepover, and her husband has been charged with her murder.

Hannah Cain, 45, suffered a “blunt force injury to the right side of her head” and had an injury “that could be suggestive of compression of the neck” from Sunday’s attack at her home in Dersingham, a mile from the royals’ Sandringham Estate, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Cain, whose patients included Queen Camilla, was hosting a sleepover for her children and their friends at the time, officials said, while charging her husband, Mark Cain, also 45, with her murder.

"There were children present in the property at the time," prosecutor Jackie Hanlon told a hearing at

Norwich Magistrates Court.

Dr. Cain, described by one neighbor as a “lovely human being with three gorgeous children,” worked for a year at the Grimston Medical Center, where Camilla and other royals are patients, The Sun reported.

Mark Cain has not entered a plea, and officials have not released a motive. However, Dr. Cain seemed “stressed” and “distracted” during the school run just days before her death, something that was “out of character,” one of her friends told The Sun.

Chris Bradford

Firework hits tot in Paris

A toddler was hit with a firework outside Paris on Tuesday as 450,000 people swarmed the streets in violent clashes with police to join in the raging student protests against France's failing economy.

The 1-year-old was near a school in Santi-Cyr-l'Ecole, in the outskirts of Versailles, when a firework slammed into its stroller, police said. The child was rushed to the hospital and treated for tinnitus, while a high school student taking part in the protests was arrested, France's RMC radio reported.

The incident was the latest in which civilians were caught in the raging unrest.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray told French lawmakers Wednesday that 24 schools had been set ablaze or vandalized to such an extent that they would be shut for several weeks, impacting at least 30,000 students.

At least 2,000 schools were blockaded or closed Wednesday, according to France's students' union, in what has become the largest day of the protests to date.

The unrest, which originated as a call to address poor conditions in France's underfunded school system, has swelled into riots.

Ronny Reyes, Wires

Fatal LI hit-&-run

A Long Island man fatally struck a homeless man with his car and then recklessly sped away from the scene, Suffolk County police said.

Daniel Gomez, 65, struck Erik Ermanovics, 56, who was trying to cross Sunrise Highway at North Indiana Avenue in Lindenhurst just before 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, they said.

But instead of calling po-

lice and attempting to help,

Gomez took off in his 2012

Honda Accord, police said.

Detectives tracked down Gomez and arrested him at his Brentwood home.

He pleaded not guilty in Central Islip court Wednesday. Brandon Cruz

Miranda Devine

mdevine@nypost.com

THE Democrats' latest anti-Trump hoax is their most nonsensical, and yet of course, their media hand-maidens pretend to swallow it hook, line and sinker.

The claim is that President Trump stood up at his rally in Nebraska on Monday and invited Iran to bomb LA and San Diego.

He actually said the opposite, as anyone honest with ears and a functioning brain knows.

He was talking about how a temporary rise in gas prices was “a small price to pay” for stopping Iran from developing nuclear missiles that could annihilate the cities of our allies in Europe and the Middle East, and might one day even strike American cities.

“They can take out a city,” he said in one of his trademark rambling weaves.

“Let them take out Los Angeles; let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay.”

The ridiculous lie parroted by Democrat operatives is a sign that they may be starting to worry that the “blue tsunami” at the midterms that they’ve been prematurely celebrating isn’t inevitable, after all.

Why else would they beclown themselves with absurd hyperbole, unless it were for the greater good of ensuring the rest of Trump's presidency is hobbled by his party losing both the House and the Senate in spectacular fashion.

"Take out' Los Angeles and San Diego? Trump is beyond irresponsible," screeched The Guardian.

"Trump draws backlash after he suggests Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego," sniffed CNN.

"White House defends Trump comment to let Iran ‘take out’ LA and San Diego" was the BBC's take after the White House called out the media for their faux naïveté. They would rather be seen as foolish.

---

Faux outrage

Democrat politicians whipped themselves into faux outrage in a cynical ploy to scare their Trump-deranged constituents to the polls.

"Let's be clear," said Governor Gullible Gavin. "The president is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S. residents in two of America's largest cities. This is not normal ... He is deranged and dangerous."

The Californian gov went on to say he was directing the state "to actively monitor the situation in the event that foreign actors inter-

Desperate Dem bombastic lie

pret the president's remarks as an invitation to target California."

Seriously.

Kamala Harris, the wannabe 2028 candidate, sent out missives to her donors: “Californians’ lives are not expendable in Donald Trump’s unhinged, reckless war in Iran. This is yet another callous comment from the tyrant in the White House.”

Karen Bass, the beleaguered mayor of Los Angeles who is struggling to keep her job, said Trump's statements "are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety."

Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders huffed that “the annihilation of two major American cities . . . is not a ‘small price to pay’ for Trump’s illegal war.”

Sen. Adam "Shifty" Schiff declared with a straight face: "If it means attacks on two major American cities in the process, he is not troubled by the cost."

Oh, come on. How dumb do they think voters are?

It's the same stretch Democrats are using to try to blame Trump for the “Cornell 7” alleged gang rape saga. New York's Kathy Hochul appointed state AG and Trump nemesis Letitia James as “special counsel” to weaponize the sordid case into a political cudgel to wield against Bruce Blakeman in her own gubernatorial race.

It's the same playbook they use time and again when they selectively quote Trump to pretend he said something he didn't, like telling people to "inject bleach," or that he called dead American soldiers "suckers and losers," or that he threatened a "bloodbath" if he lost the 2024 election.

Joe Biden used a fake quote to falsely claim Trump called neo-Na-

THERE THEY GO AGAIN: Dems and several media outlets lied saying President Trump (at the White House Wednesday) was “inviting” Iran to strike LA & San Diego.

zis at Charlottesville "very fine people."

All false, but Dems have to feed fresh meat to crazed Trump-haters who are so brainwashed, they will believe anything.

---

'Confident' Dems?

Are these lies the sign of a confident, optimistic party soaring toward an epic victory on Nov. 3?

Not likely, no matter what the pollsters and the Cook Political Report soothsayers say.

Cook this week is predicting Democrats could scoop up Senate seats in Texas, Alaska, South Carolina, Iowa, Ohio and even Kansas, giving them potentially 54 senators and netting a further 47 House seats for a 35-seat majority.

Pundits point to the fact that Trump is having to fly to Texas to save Ken Paxton and to South Carolina to save Lindsey Graham's sister Darline as evidence that Republicans are on the ropes.

Who knows what will happen almost four weeks out, but Democrats have backed themselves into a corner on “affordability” — which sure takes some chutzpah since it was Biden who presided over the inflation that made everything 20% more expensive.

Yes, gas prices are up across the country, but in deep green California they're a good \$2 higher because that's the Democrat idea of "affordability" — making driving so expensive you get out of your car and walk.

Meanwhile, positive economic indicators, a sharper message from Republicans, a newly energized Trump, resilient candidates in key races and floods of super-PAC cash have quietly changed the Republican mood the past week from gloomy to mildly hopeful.

And the message Trump has started giving at every rally strikes a chord at a time of international turmoil: "America does not belong to those who hate it. America belongs to those who love it."

Just look at the riots in France this week, where socialists have united with an unassimilated underclass of welfare-dependent Muslim migrants and their descendants around their bloodlust for power and mutual hatred for the country that has given them everything.

France is a warning for Americans of what lies ahead if we go back to left-wing policies that never work: open borders, migrants who hate us, choking off energy resources in the name of climate alarm, socializing medicine, dismantling law and order, and reimposing all the woke social prescriptions. It's a recipe for bankruptcy, misery and ultimately even civil war.

However the midterms turn out, one thing is certain: Dems will overreach over the next two years, no matter what, because they're so blinded by Trump hatred, they can't think straight. It's why Trump is president today.

They will mistake their midterm victory for a 2028 endorsement of their crazy policies and divisive games.

If Abdul El-Sayed wins in Michigan and James Talarico in Texas, they will mistake that for a green light to run AOC as president and maybe Hasan Piker as her VP, or even Kamala again.

Bring on Brat Summer II. It will end in tears for all the right people.

EPA/Shutterstock

In front of the legendary Acropolis in Greece on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave a stirring defense of Western civilization — and why we must fight to defend it. An excerpt:

Rubio in Athens on origin of democracy.

THE Greeks of antiquity have an almost mystical hold on our memory. They call us back to them again and again.

Four-hundred-and-eighty years before Christ, the armies of Xerxes arrived in this city, and they put its sanctuaries to the torch. Most Athenians had by then evacuated by ship to a nearby island. But there was a handful of them that refused to leave their home. So instead they barricaded themselves in the rocky fortress of the Acropolis to fight an extraordinary last stand, heaving massive stones down the cliffs onto the Persian invaders and holding the greatest empire of that age at bay. For days. They were eventually overwhelmed.

The Persians plundered the temples, burned the shrines and razed the Acropolis to the ground. But when the Athenians returned, they gathered the broken remains of the old Acropolis and buried them in the hill where it had stood, and decades later, under Pericles, they raised the Parthenon.

For 25 centuries since, the Parthenon has stood. Empires have risen and fallen beneath its shadow, and the progeny of the men who built it, the sons of Athens and Rome, have carried their civilization with them to the ends of the earth — two and a half centuries after the founding of the American republic, halfway across the world from where I stand now.

---

Common culture

Athens gave us democracy. Plato and Aristotle gave us Western philosophy, our ideas of law, of virtue, of citizenship and republican government were shaped in the Greek city-states.

Even much of our political vocabulary — words like “democracy,” “tyranny,” the word “politics” itself — found its origins here.

Now all of that is true. But the things we owe to this place as Americans and as Westerners are actually far, far deeper. These institutions and ideas were the outward expression of more fundamental qualities we see in the ancient Greeks, qualities that can't be reduced to any particular political system or theory.

Here in Athens, we found the first full realization of all the essential traits that would come to define the West: fierce individuality and relentless ambition; daring exploration and invention; a yearning for discovery, for adventure, risk and glory; an insatiable curiosity about the world and the principles by which it operates, a hunger to know the mysteries of nature and grasp the secrets of the cosmos; an impatience with the notion of impossibility, chafing at all boundaries, at all limits, straining to peer into the depths of the unknown.

The Greeks did not just shape history. The Greeks gave us history itself. Much of what we know about many ancient civilizations comes almost entirely from the records of Greek explorers and historians, explorers and historians who didn't just chronicle the histories of their own people, but ventured outward to observe and record the sagas of foreign peoples and cultures all across the world.

This was the foundation of the Western mind: our math, our science, our medicine — our philosophy, ethics and religion. It paved the way for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to find fertile soil in Europe and flourish into the empire of Christendom. It was the foundation of the riches of Christian theology, of Augustine and Aquinas, and the whole tradition of natural law.

It gave birth to a civilization marked not just by a common culture. It was marked by a common anthropology, a common view of man and of his place in the universe. Its descendants would share not just the idea of a natural order but a distinctive understanding of virtue, of destiny, of fate, of truth, goodness, and beauty, of a code that dictates how men ought to live, of objective standards and ideals to strive towards.

The ancient Greek city-states were filled with intense passion and rivalry and faction and conflict. But from that constant struggle for distinction, from that came the great flowering of art and philosophy, and political and intellectual energy that would transform a collective of Mediterranean cities to the birthplace of the greatest civilization in the world.

The thumos — as the ancient Greeks called it, the fire of passion, strength, courage, pride — is the heart of great civilization. Without it, nations lose their will to fight, the will to strive, the will to survive.

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Ashamed of legacy

Today, too much of the West has forgotten this quality. Over time, we in the West came to feel ashamed of the very things that made us exceptional. We felt embarrassed that our achievements set us apart from the rest of the world. Our prosperity somehow became a source of guilt. We no longer believed we deserved and had earned our greatness. "Nationalism" became a dirty word.

And so we tore down our monuments. We condemned our own history, and in too many places, we taught our children to be ashamed of the countries they would inherit. In the process, we opened our borders and outsourced our industry and allowed our militaries to wither and to decay.

And with every passing year, we seemed to outsource more of our sovereignty, transferring our decisions to global bureaucracies far beyond the reach of our control.

But others were all too happy to fill the vacuum left behind by our weakness. And as the West's confidence faltered, its adversaries and its rivals only grew more assertive, building up their own wealth and their own power in our stead. Today, we find ourselves at a

'CIVIL' SERVANT: Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a state visit on Wednesday meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (above) and delivers an address in front of the Acropolis in Athens, where he gave a defense of Western civilization.

FIGHT FOR OUR CIVILIZATION

crossroads. Because the next decade and the decisions we make will write the story of the next century. The course we take will determine whether the West maintains its place at the head of the world or resigns itself to a future of atrophy and servitude and decline. We will either choose to act now or lose the choice to act at all.

---

National pride

Under President Trump, the United States has made its choice. We choose the unapologetic pursuit of national power: to take back control of our critical supply chains, to re-industrialize our economy, to rebuild our defense, to fight for dominance of the technologies and industries of the future.

We choose to reach for new frontiers in advanced manufacturing and superintelligence; in drones, weapons and warfare; in chips, minerals, cyber and every other domain of human possibility; to unleash our energy, to rebuild our factories, to return our astronauts to the moon and launch a new age of exploration in space.

Now it's become fashionable today to believe that enlightened foreign policy means prioritizing the global community over one's own people. And I think here, too, we have much to learn from the men of ancient Greece, because they knew that there was nothing selfish or wrong about loyalty to your nation, nor anything selfish or wrong about fighting to defend its interests above all else.

They believed fiercely in the ideal of the great man, the exceptional individual who obtains immortality through his own deeds. But they believed that glory and fame — those things were won through striving, sacrificing and achieving greatly for something larger than yourself.

We must fight to defend civilization today with the same passion as our forefathers did.

We are at an inflection point, an inflection point not only in the history of my nation, but an inflection point in the whole of our civilization.

The threats we face today are every bit as real as they were on the dramatic stage of antiquity. National interest did not vanish in the face of international institutions. War did not disappear simply because we preferred peace. Other states continued to arm, to seek influence, to compete for territory and technology and resources and markets and energy and power. And now there is war again. There is new competition between great powers. Again, there is vulnerability, aggression, terrorism, a whole universe of new threats and attacks again.

And so we must rebuild our institutions and our alliances to face these threats together, understanding that the purpose of these things is not to abolish the sovereignty of the nations that constitute them; it is to defend them — and that nations need not abandon their distinct identities in order to recognize their common interests.

We have built a model of that with our partners here in Greece, in our defense partnerships, in energy and technology, in our shared ambition to secure Europe's borders from the threats of mass migration.

Our friendship dates back to the earliest years of my nation, when Greece rose in 1821 to recover its independence after centuries of Ottoman rule. Americans recognize something familiar in that struggle. Three years later, the great American statesman Daniel

Webster delivered a famous address to Congress helping bring the cause of the Greek Revolution before the representatives of the young American republic. And he began by calling their attention to everything around them.

This is what he said in the speech: “This free form of government, this the popular assembly, this practice of free debate and public discussion, the contest of mind with mind, even the edifice in which we assemble these proportioned columns, these ornamented architecture, all remind us that Greece has existed and that we, like the rest of mankind, are greatly her debtors.”

Those words are as true today as they were when he said them. And all of us, not just Americans, but Europeans and our friends across the West, must relearn the lessons our forefathers took from this place and from its history.

RIKKI SCHLOTT

E need to stop reprimanding people for "victim blaming" when they're exercising common sense.

LESSONS: Gals can learn to protect themselves better from tale of alleged horrific Cornell gang-rape.

An alleged gang rape at Cornell University has set the internet ablaze with debate. But whenever anyone asks what the victim did to find themselves in that situation, they're chastised.

Yet these are exactly the kinds of conversations we need to have to protect other women from similar fates. Pointing out a woman's missteps does not mean one believes she deserves what happened. It helps stop the same thing from happening again.

It goes without saying that what allegedly happened to "Jane Doe" at Cornell is horrific.

In October 2024, an apparently extremely intoxicated young woman showed up to a fraternity house and agreed to have sex with two frat brothers.

Unbeknownst to her, one of the men had sent a Snapchat message out to 57 members of the fraternity bragging that they had “free pu-y” available and that they could come in and “whip it out.”

---

10 shots at bar

Obviously disgusting behavior. Asking how Jane Doe ended up there in the first place doesn't excuse it.

At the same time, the story she tells in court filings and police interviews reveals some catastrophic missteps on her part.

Her evening started, she says, with 10 shots at a local bar — 10 shots — before she showed up at a frat house to meet one member she knew. She then says she agreed to a threesome at their dorm and took ketamine — some of which she reportedly snorted off one of their genitals.

There's no question that a purported 10 drinks and a helping of ketamine would make someone far too incapacitated to think clearly. But we must be able to ask: what could she have done differently to prevent this situation?

It's not blaming the victim to acknowledge that she, too, had a part in ending up alone with multiple men, under the influence of multiple substances. There's no getting around it: everyone involved here made terrible decisions.

We should be able to say as much, because pretending she had nothing to do with what happened to her is implying that women have no agency — which is, frankly, quite sex-ist.

Camille Paglia said it best herself, in a 2017 interview with the CBC, where she called the parsing of gray-area encounters “infantilizing to women.”

"If you go to a fraternity-house party, with the chaos going on in the living-room area, and a young man says to you, 'Would you like to go up to my room?' I'm sorry — you are consenting to sex," she said. "Women must realize they are now free. The sexual revolution has been won."

She went on, “Why are we coddling young women, saying, ‘Go on being children, because Mommy and Daddy will be there to pick up the pieces for you afterward?’”

Young women raised to believe that any nuance is “victim blaming” are being implicitly taught that they move through the world with no control whatsoever over their safety or their sexual well-being.

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Cautionary tale

That's why so many young women think the world is fraught. If you subscribe to the anti-victim blaming narrative, then there may as well be roving crews of gang rapists on Ivy League campuses drugging women at random.

Of course, that isn't true.

There's little upside to a sick story like this. But, if there is any good that can come from it, perhaps it can be a precautionary tale for other young women and prevent even just one from ending up in similar circumstances.

Otherwise, a generation of young women raised to believe that any nuance is “victim blaming” are condemned to repeat the mistakes of their predecessors.

Jane Doe facing death threats

The “Cornell 7” Jane Doe has been barraged with death threats since going public with her gang-rape allegations — including texts and phone calls vowing to “shoot . . . different people in your family” if she doesn’t drop her lawsuit, The Post has learned.

"Would you like to see [redacted]'s brains in front of [redacted]?" read one message sent to Doe's phone and containing specific names and addresses.

"If so, don't withdraw the case," the message obtained by The Post continued. "If you care about your family [redacted] withdraw the case."

That sender claimed to be related to Jonathan Newell, one of the seven Cornell Chi Phi members Doe named in her September lawsuit, and accused her of spreading lies about "something he didn't do."

There was no indication the creep is actually related to Newell. He confusingly referred to the expelled Cornell student as both his “brother” and “cousin” across various messages.

The sickening threats also included a three-minute phone call where the same person coolly identified Doe and addresses and people she knew while threatening harm.

"Yoooo. Yo," that chilling phone call started. "To be honest, man, I'm probably just gonna like pull up to your house and like shoot . . . different people in your family. I don't really care anymore. Now you're pissing me off by ignoring me."

Doe's attorney, Thomas Giuffra, said "it's time to lower the temperature because people are acting dangerously," he said.

Peter Senzamici and Alex Oliveira

Cornell frat ‘coverup’ talks 2 campus ‘rapists’ still in class

Cornell University's Phi Chi fraternity held emergency meetings to coordinate how to cover up allegations that a student was drugged and gang-raped at their house, says the accuser's attorney.

Thomas Giuffra, Jane Doe's attorney, told CNN's Anderson Cooper that after she reported the alleged sexual assault to campus police, the “whole fraternity had meetings to try and cover this up and to be part of the conspiracy of silence.”

“That’s really frightening that . . . there were 57 people who got that group chat and not one of them — other than the person who leaked it to her — did anything.”

Patrick Reilly

Two of the “Cornell 7” frat bros accused of gang raping a classmate are still on campus — and professors at the prestigious university admitted they’re struggling to do their jobs with the explosive case in the spotlight.

Both students have been attending classes since being identified in an explosive September lawsuit from Jane Doe, who claimed they were among seven Chi Phi fraternity brothers who drugged and took turns raping her during an hours-long assault at their house in 2024.

Cornell confirmed the two brothers were still on campus during a recent faculty webinar in which professors expressed concerns about teaching during such a fraught time, according to CNN.

Faculty voiced concern about how to simultaneously accommodate both the accused and their classmates. Alex Oliveira

Nader

nuder

in lace

"Baywatch" reboot star and model Brooks Nader leaves little to the imagination with a sneaky-peeky lace dress at a fashion fete this week at London's Tate Museum.

此例

Memphis data-vote mayhem

Chaos erupted at the end of a Tennessee city council hearing when officials postponed a vote on Elon Musk's data centers, sparking a fistfight and protesters taking over the meeting hall.

An enraged mob harassed Memphis City Council members Tuesday night after a 7-5 decision to delay the vote on a moratorium on city data centers.

Council members tabled the remaining agenda items for a later date before the meeting devolved into shouting between council members and the residents.

One protester broke out a bull-horn and began to lead a chant of “ain’t no power like the power of the people.”

Council Chairwoman Jana Swearengen Washington had called for a recess and ordered police officers to clear out the hall, according to a livestream.

The frenzied mob worked its way to the dais and began shouting at the council members who were huddled around.

The protesters accused the elected officials of being "sell-outs," according to video from KWAM News Radio.

Officers had successfully removed the protesters from the meeting hall as the mob continued to shout “this is our city” and “show me what democracy looks like.” Nicholas McEntyre

AMERICAN DREAM IS \$2M MORE Lifetime cost spike

By GEORGIA WORRELL

The price of the American Dream has soared to over \$5.3 million this year, almost \$2 million more than just a few years ago, according to a report.

The eye-watering sum represents the estimated lifetime tab for typical American milestones, including paying for a wedding, paying for healthcare and retirement, raising two kids and putting them through college, buying new cars and owning a home.

The dream cost \$5 million last year, \$4.4 million in 2024 and just \$3.4 million in 2023, according to the report by Investopedia.

It's now outpacing Americans' paychecks, the report found.

While the cost of achieving the dream rose 4% over the past year, private-sector wages and salaries grew a measly 3% during the same period, according to the investment site's analysis of Bureau of Labor statistics.

The widening gap is bad news for the average full-time worker with a bachelor's degree, who can expect to earn a median of \$3.6 million over a career spanning from age 25 to 64 — nearly \$2 million short of the “have it all” dream.

Owning and maintaining a home is the biggest expense, \$1.28 million — up from the \$1.18 million last year, Investopedia.

Keeping two new-model cars — replaced every five years — is expected to set one back nearly \$1.21 million, while retirement will likely cost roughly the same amount, Investopedia found.

The smaller milestones aren't exactly cheap, either.

In 2026, the average American is expected to shell out \$38,800 on a wedding, \$40,772 to take care of a cat and a dog and \$186,999 on annual vacations over a lifetime.

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Still hopeful

The cost of raising two kids and putting them through college skyrocketed 9% in a single year — jumping from \$876,000 in 2025 to \$954,000 today — thanks to pricier childcare and in-state tuition.

Healthcare was the only category that got slightly cheaper, with lifetime costs estimated at \$413,000, down slightly from \$414,000 in 2025 — after people ages 22 to 85 reported spending an average of about \$900 less on healthcare over the last year, the report found.

Still, hope in the American Dream is alive and well — with nearly seven in 10 US adults saying they believe they will personally achieve it, according to the results of a June Gallup poll.

When asked what comes to mind when they think of the American Dream, the most respondents — 33% — picked the option: “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” But a close second was financial security.

NJ 'more pricey' than NYC

Moving from New York City to the Garden State with kids won't save you much green.

New Jersey's cost of living has risen by \$40,800 for families since the pandemic, new data shows.

Massive spikes in childcare, housing and healthcare costs are hurting families in New Jersey — where costs have soared by nearly 40% over the past six years, said the Living Wage Institute.

By contrast, the cost of living rose 25% in New York and 30% in Pennsylvania in the same time period, according to the data.

"At this phase, it's more expensive for us to raise kids in New Jersey than New York," Kristyna Frantz, who moved from Washington Heights to Fanwood, NJ, in 2024, told Bloomberg.

"We're paying more in child care, commuting costs and our mortgage is more than our rent in the city." Natalie O'Neill

Disney world sick of Kimmel

Ian Mohr

imohr@nypost.com

Oli Coleman

ocoleman@nypost.com

Mara Siegler

msiegler@nypost.com

Carlos Greer

cgreer@nypost.com

Martha Williams

mwilliams@nypost.com

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Twisted 'Street' sign

MICHAEL Douglas revealed Charlie Sheen taped a sign on their "Wall Street" co-star Sean Young's back that said "Biggest c--t in the world" on the set of the 1987 film. In his new memoir, "One Helluva Ride." Douglas says Young, who played his on-screen wife, "had a terrible relationship" with everyone involved in the film, including director Oliver Stone. While shooting one scene, he cut all her lines, prompting her to ask, "What's the point of me being here?" Stone saw her point and fired Young on the spot, Douglas claims.

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He's no 'Gone Dad'

BEN Affleck detailed his and ex-wife Jennifer Garner's custody agreement for their three kids. "I work hard, and then I go home and pick up the kids from school," Affleck told Variety of Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14. "We have dinner if they agree to hang out with me. They're with me for a week, then with their mom for a week." Affleck (above) said they motivate him to advocate for more projects to be based in Los Angeles. "My kids are here, and their life is flying by," he said. "I don't want to have to be in Shreveport or New Mexico in order to work."

JIMMY Kimmel's time at Disney is drawing to a close, and their fraught relationship is coming to light.

As Page Six previously reported, the late night host is expected to end his show in May 2027 after 24 years on the air. And sources tell Page Six he's partially to blame because he's "never played well in the sandbox."

For example, he's seldom appeared on the company's ABC shows like "Good Morning America" and "The View" because, we're told, "he doesn't want to be a shill."

"And when he does, he's a complete a--hole," according to one source.

The insider said Kimmel expects Disney shows to “prop up the stuff” he does, “but he would never reciprocate. He would never have anyone on from ABC News . . . People would get upset.”

Another source also noted he seldom invites New York talent to “Jimmy Kimmel Live” when he brings it to Brooklyn every year.

"He's unmanageable," another source said, pointing out how he roasted Disney brass at the upfronts in May. "It was uncomfortable, to say the least."

Other insiders pushed back, saying Kimmel has welcomed “66 synergy guests” since October of last year and noted his appearances on “GMA” and “Live With Kelly & Mark,” and his obligatory taped messages to ABC’s local affiliate stations. Kimmel has also hosted the Oscars, which airs on ABC, four times.

And even though they insist he's been a team player for all of his 25 seasons, our first source jeered: "He's being a better corporate partner because he was on thin ice." They referred to Kimmel's antagonistic relationship with President Donald Trump that got him temporarily pulled from the airwaves last year.

We're told Kimmel felt unprotected by the network during the episode, despite being one of the longest-running late night hosts in TV history.

A spokesperson for Kimmel and ABC Entertainment did not comment on this story.

Back-stage party: Candieace Dillard Bassett gets a ride from her Bravo network buddy Lindsay Hubbard as they celebrate after the Virtual Reali-Tea Awards in Times Square.

Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six

Scream queen Mia kills off marriage

MIA Goth has filed for divorce from Shia LaBeouf after 10 years of marriage, citing “ir-reconcilable differences,” Page Six can confirm. The “Pearl” actress, 32, listed their separation date as July 28, 2025, and is asking for primary legal and physical custody of their 4-year-old daughter, Isabel, per the docs, obtained by PageSix.com’s Jolie Zenna. Goth also asked that neither she nor the actor receive spousal support. TMZ first reported the news. Page Six exclusively reported in February that the two had been separated since last year. That same month, LaBeouf, 40, was arrested after getting into a drunken brawl during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. In March, he admitted to YouTuber Andrew Callaghan that he “failed” his marriage and “violated trust in a big, big way.” However, he gushed that Goth is “one of the best girls that ever lived.” They have been together on and off since 2012 and got married in 2016.

Party goes past Tea time

THE party doesn't stop on Page Six. Immediately following the second-annual Virtual Reali-Tea Awards, the biggest stars in reality television kept the fun going at the exclusive after-party on the Edison Ballroom rooftop until the wee hours. Guests — including Hilaria Baldwin, Scheana Shay, Meredith Marks and the entire “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” cast — joined “VRT” hosts Evan Real and Danny Murphy to let loose with killer tunes by “Summer House” star Kyle Cooke, an espresso martini bar by Kahlúa and nonalcoholic treats from Mingle Mocktails. “Love Island USA” alum Kaylor Martin stopped by for a touchup at CoverGirl's beauty bar. The crowd, including PDA-heavy Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa, flocked to Cadillac's LED wall to commemorate the night the way they know best — with selfies.

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Anchor sinks job for beau

AMY Robach is putting her man first, even if it's at the cost of her career, reports PageSix.com's Lanae Brody. A source told us the former "GMA" anchor (above), ousted in 2022, was "in talks to take over" Deborah Norville's role at "Inside Edition" when she left the show last year. Robach "was the front-runner," the insider claimed of the position, which ultimately went to Robach's ABC News colleague Eva Pilgrim. "They really wanted her, but it didn't work out." While it's unclear why it didn't happen, a second source told us Robach turned down job offers because her fiancé

and former “GMA3” co-host, T.J. Holmes, wasn’t involved. “She wanted to do something with him,” the insider said. Page Six reached out to “Inside Edition,” Robach and Holmes for comment. Robach and Holmes were first seen getting close to one another in November 2022, when they were both married to other people.

STREAMING NOW

ON YOUTUBE

Open gov't failing Hizzoner

SEEMS a hole in Crapdammy's tight — now loosening — circle. Stuff around him is opening. Not tight as it was. Forget the buses, rent freezes, filthy streets, bicycles, dislike for citizens of this planet's greatest city. A devotee once said: "Crapdammy got more attention from my wife than I did."

His witchery is reaching non-Commie ears. His people who get an A for hatred are whispering.

He told staff that Darializa Avila Chevalier, someone he endorsed, could become a problem. This woman who will replace Congressman Adriano Espaillat said she uses the American flag as a napkin. She was recently at a secret meeting on the West Side with other DSA members. They discussed plans to get arrested at the UN. (A goal she achieved Sept. 24 while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was at the UN.) Members plan to pressure the mayor if he goes off-script and softens his socialist tone. Some say he's kind to business.

Fret not. Little Crapdammy will get louder. November

cometh. He will get louder — even if not taller.

Might someone look into what those folks close to him are doing and who might be babysitting for his honor.

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Socially unskilled

BACK to our little mayor: Chats of his influencers are so poorly monitored that in one they pitched ideas for his cockamamie videos. His staffers debated ideas about raising taxes. They even bashed the governor.

OVERHEARD in the State Department: "You know the stock market is in bad shape when the Dow Jones and your cholesterol are the same number."

Repeated only in New York City, kids, only in New York City.

Politicians yak instincts

POLS are not always orators. As recounted in “The Stupidest Things Ever Said by Politicians,” in 1987, Sen. Daniel Inouye, the Iran-Contra committee chairman, said on Oliver North’s testimony: “If intent on submitting a final report that makes sense, his testimony becomes essential but not absolutely necessary.”

Same book: Jeb Bush announcing for Florida governor: "I am running not because I am George and Barbara Bush's son. I am running because I am George P. and Noelle and Jeb Jr.'s father."

The book "Anything for a Vote" has Bill Clinton inscribing an official copy of his speech to a friend. He wrote: "To Monica Lewinsky with best wishes, Bill Clinton."

Jesse Ventura's "S--t Politicians Say" on John Kerry's

2013 first trip overseas as Sec'y of State saying: "In America you have the right to be stupid . . . And a right to be disconnected to somebody else if you want to be. And we tolerate that. We somehow make it through that."

Alexander Hamilton on Thomas Jefferson: "He is not scrupulous about the means of success, not very mindful of the truth, and he is a contemptible hypocrite."

Same book VP Dan Quayle: "Bearing a child alone mocks the importance of fathers."

In Cormac O'Brien's "Secret Lives of the US Presidents," it's reported that Calvin Coolidge was never without a cigar — admirers sent him over 10,000 boxes of cigars — "and he smoked them all."

Ask not how I know. I know.

AccuWeather® Proven Superior Accuracy™ Get the AccuWeather app | New York Tides | TODAY | TOMORROW | High Tide for | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | Coney Island | 6:36a | 6:52p | 7:21a | 7:37p | Fire Island | 6:39a | 6:59p | 7:25a | 7:44p | Hempstead | 10:37a | 11:03p | 11:21a | 11:47p | Huntington | 10:22a | 10:49p | 11:07a | 11:34p | Jones Inlet | 6:20a | 6:36p | 7:05a | 7:21p | Montauk Point | 7:39a | 8:02p | 8:23a | 8:46p | Port Washington | 10:45a | 11:11p | 11:29a | 11:56p | Sandy Hook | 6:40a | 6:56p | 7:25a | 7:41p | Regional cities | TODAY | TOMORROW | Albany | 68/46/pc | 64/39/pc | Danbury | 73/44/s | 68/41/s | Glens Falls | 67/40/sh | 63/34/pc | Gr Barrington | 69/42/s | 64/40/s | Kingston | 74/43/s | 69/40/s | Liberty | 66/41/s | 61/38/s | Monticello | 67/42/s | 64/38/s | Newburgh | 74/44/s | 69/42/s | Poughkeepsie | 74/43/s | 69/40/s | Saratoga Springs | 67/45/pc | 63/39/pc | Stroudsburg | 74/40/s | 70/40/s | Torrington | 72/42/pc | 68/41/s | Syracuse | 66/46/sh | 62/39/sh | World cities | TODAY | TOMORROW | Athens | 78/60/s | 79/60/s | Baghdad | 96/79/pc | 97/78/pc | Beijing | 80/49/pc | 80/55/s | Berlin | 65/46/r | 57/50/pc | Calro | 86/67/pc | 85/68/pc | Dublin | 59/53/r | 60/47/pc | Geneva | 59/45/sh | 60/50/r | Hong Kong | 87/78/pc | 88/78/s | Jerusalem | 78/63/s | 79/62/s | Kabul | 79/55/pc | 78/55/pc | London | 60/52/s | 66/47/sh | Madrid | 71/45/s | 69/49/s | Mexico City | 72/57/r | 69/55/t | Montreal | 63/46/sh | 57/37/sh | Moscow | 59/45/c | 62/44/c | Paris | 60/44/s | 60/53/r | Rio de Janeiro | 80/72/pc | 84/75/t | Rome | 77/64/sh | 73/56/pc | Sydney | 67/53/pc | 75/63/s | Tokyo | 79/58/s | 80/60/s | # 2 aides facing Don ire

President Trump threatened Wednesday to “terminate” two key advisers after they were revealed to have raked in “hundreds of thousands of dollars each” advising a pro-Russian political party in Bosnia, as Republicans brace for a potential bloodbath in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

“Chris LaCivita and James Blair are outside consultants. They do not work for me, other than as outside consultants. They most likely have numerous clients, but for that, you would have to ask them,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"They are allowed to do work for others, just like all consultants in Washington, D.C. I do not have any idea who else they work for but will, on reflection, ask them and, if there's a conflict, I will terminate them, immediately!"

Blair formerly worked as Trump's White House deputy chief of staff.

LaCivita led Trump's 2024 campaign alongside Susie Wiles, who is now White House chief of staff.

Their side hustle was revealed Tuesday by The New York Times, drawing stunned reaction because the men were focusing overseas rather than on struggling US Republican candidates.

Steven Nelson

Hearst thug dies

A member of the radical domestic terrorist group that kidnapped newspaper heir-ess Patricia Hearst has died at the age of 81.

Bill Harris died of a heart attack in San Francisco on Sept. 10, his wife, Rebecca Young, told The New York Times on Tuesday.

Harris and two others broke into Hearst's Berkeley, Calif., apartment Feb. 4, 1974, and dragged her away, according to the FBI.

Hearst was then a 19-year-old UC Berkeley sophomore.

Soon she went from kidnap victim to crook, taking part in a holdup of a bank in San Francisco.

Richard Pollina

CHINA SPY-DER WEB

CAUGHT: Wanying "Heather" Zhang (above, and being busted Sunday, left) is the latest alleged Chinese agent to be charged with spying in the United States.

Beijing grows espionage net: intel experts

By KAMAL SULTAN

Wanying “Heather” Zhang, the jet-setting Southern California Realtor who was arrested by the FBI at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday for allegedly spying for China, is just the tip of the iceberg of a growing network of US-based individuals doing the Chinese Communist Party’s bidding, security and intelligence sources told The Post.

In the past year alone, Beijing has been accused of recruiting at least 10 people to spy for the regime.

"We are seeing a genuine increase in Chinese espionage activity in the US," Andrew Harding of The Heritage Foundation told The Post.

---

'Industrial scale'

The policy analyst believes the People's Republic of China's Ministry of State Security is conducting espionage in the US on an “industrial scale.”

“Businesses are being targeted, Chinese students are pretending to come in for education to get into specialized courses so they can translate it back and so called tourists are finding their way to sensitive military sites and sending photos,” he told The Post.

"A key way they will conduct espionage is through Chinese-American communities and groups which are sympathetic to the state . . . this is just the start. Stealing trade secrets and academic research are all part of the Chinese playbook," he noted.

"It is a whole party effort by the CCP to undermine the American way of life and threaten American innovation and dominance."

---

Other cases

Zhang's arrest comes just five months after a former mayor of Arcadia, Calif., Eileen Wang, 58, pleaded guilty to illegally acting as an agent for the CCP. She faces up to 10 years in prison.

She laid the blame on her former fiancé, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 65, for deceiving her after they worked with China to boost propaganda with a fake news website on US soil aimed at Chinese Americans between 2020 and 2023. He was sentenced to four years in prison in February.

At the direction of CCP officials, he helped “orchestrate” Wang’s 2022 election victory and subsequently submitted detailed reports to Chinese intelligence detailing how they had successfully “cultivated” a new “political star” friendly to the Chinese government, according to his plea agreement.

Last month in Virginia, American journalist and Texas native Thomas Weir Pauken II, 51, was sentenced to two years in prison for acting as an agent of the Chinese government inside the US.

According to prosecutors, Pauken, who received at least \$100,000 from China for his work, attempted to supply a potential spy seeking a job in the Trump administration with a laptop, phone and \$10,000 to write reports to be read by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

At the beginning of the year in San Diego, former Navy sailor Jinchao Wei was sentenced to 16 years in prison for selling sensitive ship information to the Chinese government for \$12,000 under the encouragement of his mother.

In 2025, Chinese-American pro-democracy activist Yuanjun Tang, 69, pleaded guilty to spying on fellow dissidents in New York for the Chinese government. That same year, British businessman John Miller, 64, and his Chinese "handler" Cui Guanghai, 44, were charged with stalking, smuggling and illegal arms export after they tried to silence a Chinese expat living in Southern California who spoke out against Xi.

Miller and Cui fled to Serbia, where they were apprehended by authorities and forced to wear ankle monitors under house arrest before they somehow escaped while awaiting extradition to the US.

Former CIA officer and acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency David Shedd insists China's spy network in the US is "very widespread."

---

'Brazenness'

"The brazenness of the Chinese is on the increase," he told The Post. "So much is at stake for them to surpass us as an international power. [Chinese agents] are at the federal, state and local levels because influence matters."

Shedd said he has seen China “become a first-world intelligence espionage service” as they’ve “significantly improved” their spying techniques.

"I am most worried about their flexibility and nimbleness to conduct espionage in all sorts of forms and the commitment from them to inherently go after us," he said.

"We are underestimating the scale of China's intelligence network in America," Shedd added. "They are interested in every aspect of American life and penetrating it."

Leftist's arrogance

ISAAC SCHORR

RIDE cometh before the fall, but in the vainglorious' defense, there's typically something to be proud of.

Abdul takes core Dems for granted

Not so in the case of Abdul El-Sayed, the Michigan Democrat running — in the telling of a new dispatch from CNN — one of the most arrogant campaigns in recent memory.

an entirely different story?

El-Sayed is calling his shot and prognosticating a seven-point victory over Republican Mike Rogers in the state's US Senate race.

The picture being painted by insiders, however, is of a hypercompetitive contest with a number of outstanding questions that will ultimately decide it.

INSULTING HIS

BASE: Many

prominent

Michigan

liberals are

upset that

Democratic

Senate

candidate

Abdul El-Sayed

is all but

ignoring them.

Chief among them: Has El-Sayed done enough to allay the concerns of the Democratic-leaning groups most skeptical of him?

Many of his peers have their doubts — and for good reason.

"Black and Jewish leaders are warning that they and many in their communities need more outreach," reported CNN.

Boy, do they have the stories to prove it.

---

Snubbed activist

In all-important Detroit, where El-Sayed must run up the score to beat Rogers, he gave one black community leader the impression that he thinks “they don’t necessarily need to work as hard to get the black vote,” then snubbed him on a roundtable event in which they had promised to include him.

The spurned activist subsequently met with Rogers' campaign — "felt bad," he texted El-Sayed, and got left on read.

“F--k him,” the activist ended up concluding.

Prominent members of the Jewish community (surprise, surprise) have had a similarly dismal experience.

Andy Schor is the Democratic mayor of Lansing, the capital of and sixth-largest city in the state.

Election Day is less than a month away, and El-Sayed hasn't so much as touched base with him.

"If he doesn't need me, he doesn't need me. And that's their strategic decision," mused Schor, who said he won't vote for Rogers, but also can't back El-Sayed before they have a conversation about the candidate's attitude toward Jews and unhealthy obsession with the only nation in which they constitute a majority.

As for Él-Sayed, though, he has every confidence in his outreach efforts.

"Every community that I've met with, I've said, 'Leading for and with your community is a concern and a key consideration for me,' he insisted.

---

Vacuous pledge

"People deserve a US senator who's going to show up and listen, but I've showed up and listened."

More pride, and more talk.

Does he really believe that such an uninspiring, vacuous pledge will suffice?

Particularly when his actions tell

CNN also revealed that he's made a request of Hasan Piker, the antisemitic al Qaeda apologist he bro'd out with on the campaign trail during the Democratic primary.

Apparently the candidate called the streamer to tell him “his rhetoric was costing El-Sayed votes” and to ask him “to stop.”

What a sorry excuse for a Sister Souljah moment.

El-Sayed happily used Piker to rev up his Islamist-adjacent, anti-American base and has refused to disavow him, castigating his opponent and the press for even bringing up the scoundrel that he first introduced into the race.

Now, behind the scenes, he's pleading with him to shut up.

Not because he's revolted that Piker believes the United States had it coming on 9/11.

Not because he's disgusted that Piker believes Zionist Jews bring acts of antisemitic hatred upon themselves.

And not because there's any ideological daylight between the two.

After all, El-Sayed is the guy who could muster only a lament that “hurt people hurt people” after a terrorist rammed his truck into a synagogue with the intention of shooting up the more than 100 children and staff inside.

No, only because it might cost him votes.

---

Egotistical message

The through line in El-Sayed's campaign is its principal's immense self-regard.

Before primary night in August, he thought he'd trounce Rep. Haley Stevens by double digits.

His margin of victory was just 1%.

And his egotistical message for the divided party he's supposed to be trying to unify now?

"I'm not the Democrat the Democrats want, but I am the Democrat that Democrats have. And I am decidedly not a Republican. But this is what I'll tell you: I am a Democrat that Michiganders want."

Well, voters will render their verdict on that pronouncement soon enough, and he's overestimated their estimation of him before.

Bronx e-biker dead in pickup truck smash

A man riding an e-bike was fatally struck by a pickup truck in The Bronx during the Wednesday morning rush, cops and sources said.

The 50-year-old biker was heading west on East 145th Street when the truck traveling south on Brook Avenue in Mott Haven hit him around 8:25 a.m.

He was taken with head and body trauma to Lincoln Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The 55-year-old truck driver stayed at the scene and did not immediately face charges, police said.

The victim's name was withheld.

The tragedy took place two days after a 71-year-old bicyclist was killed when he crashed into a dog running free in Central Park.

Douglas Adams was riding north on the East Drive near East 84th Street around 8:20 a.m. Monday when he struck the unleashed golden retriever that darted into the roadway, police and sources said.

The impact sent the senior headfirst into the pavement. He was rushed to Weill Cornell Medical Center, but could not be saved.

Amanda Woods

Spa 'doc' murder rap in Bx.

The dodgy ‘doctor’ accused of causing the death of a patient he injected with a trendy anti-aging treatment over the summer has been charged with murder, the NYPD said this week.

Unlicensed Bronx spa operator Luis Rojas Cabrera, 55, was slapped with the upgraded charge of depraved indifference murder after the city's medical examiner ruled the death of Elizabeth Baron, 27, a homicide in late September, cops said on Tuesday.

Baron, a Bronx local died after Rojas Cabrera allegedly injected her with air by accident during a treatment of NAD+ at his Bereshit Lifestyle Center on July 19.

The woman immediately went into cardiac arrest after the injection, which prompted Rojas Cabrera to admit to a police officer, "I made a very big mistake," court documents allege.

Rojas Cabrera was previously charged with reckless endangerment and unauthorized practice of a profession, while prosecutors awaited autopsy results to determine whether his injection directly caused Baron's death.

NAD+ is a molecule that is hyped in woo-woo health circles and by celebrities for its supposed anti-aging properties. Ella Morrison

---

Speedy cops hit cyclist

A shocking video captured NYPD officers in an unmarked car running a red light and hitting a cyclist on a bustling Brooklyn avenue.

A woman on an electric Citi Bike was traveling down a crosswalk around 5 p.m. at Hoyt Street and Atlantic Avenue on Monday when a cop driving an unmarked white sedan blew through a red light and clipped her, according to security footage obtained by The Post.

The victim, who wished not to be identified, went to the hospital after being hit and told The Post she is recovering from injuries and suffered “multiple bruises.”

Zoe Hussain

MATTHEW AMMEL

Bodyguard beau berzerk.

Sinema guy jail drama

Kyrsten Sinema's ex-body-guard turned lover called on her to pay his jail bond — despite allegedly threatening to “take down” the former Arizona senator after trashing her home and causing \$200,000 worth of damage.

Army veteran Matthew Ammel's request emerged in court documents filed Monday — a week after his Phoenix arrest in which police said he breached a no-contact order, the Arizona Republic reported.

Ammel, 39, is currently in an Ohio jail on a \$25,000 bond, and he's due to appear in court on Oct. 15 for allegedly trashing Sinema's home in late August, attributing his rage to anger at the US political system.

Ammel joined Sinema's security team in 2022 and they began a relationship. Ammel allegedly said he trashed Sinema's home after she refused to post a video of soldiers helping a wounded man in Iraq. Chris Bradford

---

Threat vs. candidate

An upstate lunatic allegedly threatened to kill Georgia Rep. Mike Collins over what he claimed was an “inaccurate” online article, federal investigators said.

Anthony Lantrell Bennett was arrested in Buffalo after he apparently sent a threat to the Peach State Republican, who is running for a US Senate seat, and his son-in-law last week, the FBI and the Butts County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

There is a line that cannot be crossed," said Butts County Sheriff Gary Long.

Brandon Cruz

PARTY ON: A penthouse with plenty of entertaining space owned by Steven Van Zandt — of E Street Band and “Sopranos” fame — is in the old Washington Square Methodist Church (left).

Bruce pal Van Zandt church pad for \$19M

By MARY K. JACOB

Little Steven is taking a big leap of faith.

Steven Van Zandt, the bandana-clad E Street Band guitarist who played mob consigliere Silvio Dante on “The Sopranos,” has listed his Greenwich Village pent-house inside a former church for \$18.995 million, The Post has learned.

The duplex sits at the top of Novare, a boutique condo at 135 W. Fourth St., a short stroll from Washington Square Park. The block lands where three downtown neighborhoods collide, with the West Village and Soho both a few minutes away on foot. Mark D. Friedman and Richard Rosenthal of Brown Harris Stevens are handling the sale.

It's the home's second go-round this year. The same apartment hit the market in June at \$15 million with Philip Hordijk of Leven Real Estate, which makes the fresh ask a roughly 27% jump in less than four months.

Van Zandt, 75, and his wife, actress Maureen Van Zandt, paid \$6 million for the pad in 2008, not long after the HBO mob drama wrapped. The Post reported at the time that the couple had put in an offer. At the new number, a sale would fetch more than triple what they spent.

---

In Village church

The building has a past as colorful as its owner. It went up in 1860 as the Washington Square Methodist Church, nicknamed the Peace Church.

Developer Flank reworked the house of worship into eight apartments in 2006, preserving its stained glass and a 50-foot atrium.

Van Zandt's unit measures about 3,500 square feet, or roughly \$5,400 a foot. The top floor is the party deck, with ceilings that climb 20 feet, old wooden rafters, jewel-toned church windows and steel ductwork left in plain view. A kitchen with a checkerboard backsplash anchors the room, and a folding glass wall leads to

a 500-square-foot terrace with its own outdoor cooking setup.

"This duplex has one of the most inspired outdoor spaces in the city," Friedman told The Post.

The listing counts three bedrooms and three baths, though the third bedroom is currently a media den sandwiched between two suites downstairs. The salvaged church glass carries through to the lower floor, and the layout leaves room for a studio or extra lounge.

Van Zandt joined Bruce Springsteen's band in 1975, walked away in 1984 and came back for good in 1999.

He landed the Silvio role with no acting experience, and HBO turned his life into the 2024 documentary "Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple." He also fronts his own outfit, the Disciples of Soul.

He isn't the first boldface name in the building. Jude Law once rented a different pent-house there, a unit that went on to seek \$12.5 million in 2015. The neighborhood is

having a rock-star moment, too. Pink paid \$21.5 million for a townhouse on West 11th Street this year, while Gracie Abrams picked up a second penthouse at 1 Fifth Ave. for \$4.5 million.

"The sellers hope the next owner will enjoy this unique slice of NYC as much as they have over the last 18 years," Friedman said.

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Farely big MTA gate plan

The MTA is doubling down on its new glass fare gates, expanding them to 20 more subway stations, touting a $35\%$ reduction in fare evasion and projected savings of \$100 million annually.

The expansion will replace every set of turnstiles at the stations, rather than just one turnstile as had been the case for the first 20 gates installed under a pilot program launched last year.

The pilot gates cut into fare evasion by an average of 35% and could boost revenue by \$100 million a year, officials said Wednesday.

"When something works, we double down," Gov. Hochul told reporters at the MTA's. Consolidated

new fare gates have created a better riding experience for customers and made it harder for would-be fare evaders."

The MTA loses roughly \$350 million annually from fare beaters.

Hochul said the MTA plans to add 50 more gates by the end of the year and eventually install them at all 472 of its stations.

Hannah Fierick and Haley Brown

Bike-crash vic hailed

A 71-year-old Manhattan man who was thrown to his death when his bicycle slammed into a Golden Retriever was a well-liked Upper West Side biking enthusiast, a neighbor said.

"He was very active on his bike," Charlie, resident manager at the West 89th Street building where Douglas Adams lived before the fatal mishap, told The Post on Wednesday. "It's unfortunate. The headlines kept saying 71 years old but he wasn't in bad shape. He wasn't like an old man.

"He was a great resident of the building, liked by all," he said. Steven Vago and Jorge Fitz-Gibbon

FDNY hero takes doomsday head-on

READY: The FDNY's Jason Charles is an emergency prepper, while fellow dooms-day enthusiast Larry's closets are stocked up on guns and food (right).

The Bronx

is Burning

PREP FOR WHEN HELL BREAKS LOOSE

By AURIELLE WEISS

Despite his shoebox Manhattan apartment, FDNY firefighter Jason Charles has somehow squeezed in \$10,000 worth of doomsday supplies — enough to survive hurricanes, devastating floods, a second pandemic and, if things really go off the rails, the end of the world.

Charles has never actually experienced a life-altering catastrophe. But that hasn't stopped him from preparing for one.

Thirteen years ago, after reading William Forstchen's "One Second After," a novel about a post-apocalyptic America, he decided the apocalypse was probably worth preparing for.

Now, Charles is ready for anything. Well, almost anything.

"Those are things that you just hope don't happen because there is no preparing for it. You know, being sucked into a black hole, we're all pretty much dead," he told The Post.

His preparedness has even made its way to YouTube, where he runs a channel devoted to doomsday prepping for other New Yorkers, recently posting a video in which he called AI's threat to humanity “the most asinine thing going on right now.”

"We're developing a God AI that is undoubtedly going to destroy humanity and the entire world," he said in the video.

Charles is preparing for the worst.

He's made the most of every inch of his apartment, adding shelves and filling closets — and eventually renting a storage unit — to accommodate a year's worth of supplies, from freezedried food to a water jug and a solar power generator.

Across the country, preppers like Charles are bracing for an ever-expanding list of threats stockpiling food, water and gear they believe could keep them alive when modern life grinds to a halt.

---

Build the skills

For Kansas resident Abigail, prepping isn't simply about accumulating supplies. It's about building the skills — and the community — she believes will matter when "s--t hits the fan."

"My friends, some of them feel as if we are totally and completely f--ked no matter what we do, and so haven't bothered to prepare for anything at all," she revealed. "[But] I firmly believe that if or when things get bad, each person's likelihood of survival will depend on the strength of their community."

That emphasis on preparedness as a practical, learned skill is shared by Larry, a 70-year-old Navy veteran.

"The basic premise of prepping is like being a Boy Scout or a Girl Scout," Larry told The Post.

He insisted he's ready for anything as his supplies list consists of pantries full of food, water — and weapons, lots of them.

“What I have is I have at least one pistol and one rifle in the most common calibers. That would be a .22, .45 and a 9 mm,” he told The Post.

Larry also has an AR-1556, 12 gauge shotgun and an M14.

"That'll pretty much take down a moose," he said.

aweiss@nypost.com

'ABE'SOLUTELY GREAT!

'ABE Pete in praise of Lincoln

By RYAN KING

WASHINGTON — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave a hero's welcome to the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln as they returned to San Diego after spending some 300 days at sea — and at one point dropped down for push-ups to pay for a mistake.

Hegseth extolled the crew, commending them for weathering a lot of adversity and carrying out complex missions against Iran, while briefly acknowledging the mental health struggles many of the sailors faced.

"I realize I'm the only thing standing between you and home," Hegseth told them. "I'm the one who signed that orders

PUMPED: War Secretary Pete Hegseth does push-ups on aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln as it returns to San Diego.

book twice to extend you . . . [I] plead guilty because of the incredible effectiveness that you showcased on the battlefield and the necessity."

---

'Arc of history'

He later added: “I draw inspiration from the mission that you executed so successfully. You have changed the arc of history, ensuring that crazy people, theocrats, never get a nuclear weapon.”

The crew cheered Hegseth as he boasted about their achievements. But at one point, he fumbled a statistic about claiming they did 60 hours of constant combat flight ops. He was told it was 160.

"Excuse me, I'll do two push-ups," the chest-thumping war secretary said before dropping down and pumping out the two push-ups.

"The level of excellence, the level of skill, the level of preci-"

sion, the only reaction the American people and the American media should have is pride," he later added

---

Worthy of medal

To cap off his hype and thank-you speech to the Lincoln crew, Hegseth announced it was being honored with a Presidential Unit Citation, among the highest awards a military unit can receive in the US.

During its record-breaking deployment, members of the roughly 5,000-strong Lincoln crew reportedly dealt with mental health challenges as they were kept away from their families for an extended period of time while facing issues with dwindling hygiene products and other critical supplies.

Some of them reportedly attempted to jump overboard as they grappled with those brutal conditions.

The supply shortages are believed to be the result of Iran's retaliatory attacks that were aimed at disrupting supply lines, particularly a base in Bahrain.

Hegseth blamed the media for exposing those issues.

"There were a few folks in the media who tried to turn the USS Abraham Lincoln into some sort of a symbol, a symbol of dysfunction, or a symbol of low morale, or a symbol of a failed mission," he said.

"I know it's the exact opposite," he added. "Instead, what makes the US military, the US Navy, and all these sailors different is that you adapt and that you're resilient and you overcome.

Sally Brompton Daily Horoscope

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS AT SALLYBROMPTON.COM

LIBRA (Sept. 24-Oct. 23) Stand back from what you are working on and try to see it from both a higher and a wider perspective. It's not that you are doing it wrong, but if you give yourself more options, the results will far exceed what you managed to get done before.

m. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

If someone comes to you for advice about a personal matter today, don't turn them away. The ins and outs of their private life may not interest you much but clearly they trust your judgment, which you should really take as a compliment.

---

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21)

Speak from the heart today and leave no one in any doubt what you believe, what you will and will not put up with, and what they must do to stay in your good books. You don't have to be fierce but you do have to be honest.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)

Events on the work front over the next few days may be disruptive, but they will also throw up new opportunities for someone as ambitious as you. Don't look at what happens as either "good" or "bad" but as the next natural step in your journey.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19)

Your mind may be full of brilliant ideas but not everyone has the intellect or the imagination to keep up with you, so accept that some people simply won't "get it" and move on without them. You don't need company, and you certainly don't need approval.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)

If you have been worried about your finances of late, then the upcoming new moon will offer you a solution. Keep your eyes and ears open over the next few days and, if an opportunity to make some extra cash arises, seize it with both hands!

PARIES (March 21-April 20) You can be overly blunt at times and if you say something that more sensitive types find offensive today, you could find yourself in a bit of bother. Not everyone wants to be told what their faults are, so maybe keep your thoughts to yourself.

H TAURUS (April 21-May 21) There has been a lot of drama in your world of late, but very little of it has touched you personally. The reason for that is you can't see the sense in getting worked up about matters that cannot be changed.

Help others see that as well.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Someone you work or do business with may have an outlook on life that is very different to your own but that does not mean you cannot get along. Ignore your obvious differences today and focus on the more subtle things on which you can agree.

CANCER (June 22-July 23) If there are too many voices coming at you today then make your excuses and leave. Find a place where you have time and space to think. Others may be entitled to have their say but it's up to you whether or not you choose to listen.

LEO (July 24-Aug. 23) If you get the chance to let a friend know how much you appreciate what they are doing for you, then grasp it with both hands. The fact that you made an effort to say thank you when most people don't will make your friendship even stronger.

mp VIRGO (Aug. 24-Sept. 23) The approaching new moon will help you focus on what you own and earn and indicate ways you can improve your cashflow situation. You may be frugal by nature, but if you can make a few extra dollars today, they could come in handy.

BIRTHDAY THURSDAY

A new relationship could shake up your private life this year, but however it turns out, it will be a lot of fun, so embrace it and enjoy it. You are at your best when dealing with people one-to-one, but group activities will be a lot of fun too.

POSTOPINION Campus Farce FASTTAKES

'Cornell 7' hysteria feeds off faux rape panic

Getty Images

True believers: Cornell students staged a sit-in this week.

BELIEVE survivors," the campus activists and leftist politicians admonish us. But which

“survivor” statements are we supposed to believe?

In the weeks following her alleged gang rape at a Cornell University frat house in 2024, “Jane Doe” was unequivocal: She had not been raped. A day after the incident, she texted one of her sex partners, saying “non (sic) of the sexual stuff was illegal and honestly I really liked being with u”—and she suggested another get-together.

The next day she texted him again, including an affectionate note: "I luv you king." She angled an invitation to the annual Halloween party at the frat where she was allegedly raped.

Up to that point, Doe's statements and behavior had been consistent: She considered herself a voluntary participant in group sex, after she'd deliberately downed 10 shots of alcohol. After the alleged assault she solicited

further contact with her rapists, considered them her friends and sought to revisit the crime scene for more partying.

For an actual rape victim, such behavior is inconceivable. But then Jane Doe's sorority mentor told her people were shaming her as a "slut." The frat's president disinvited from the party "for her own good."

Doe was furious. That's when she played the assault card, nearly a month after the incident.

The campus rape industry cannot tolerate Doe's earlier honest self-evaluation. If females take full responsibility for their own behavior, the lucrative, bureaucracy-bloated grift will come crashing down.

So the college assault complex has a surefire method for erasing such moments of clarity: Don't believe those "survivor" statements. Females are only credible as purported victims.

As NPR put it last week, a victim's initial statements “often cannot be taken at face value” because they are the product of her “trauma.” That means the only statements from a “survivor” that can be believed are statements claiming that she has been raped. College rape allegations, in other words, are unfalsifiable: Heads the campus rape complex wins, tails the truth loses.

The seminal surveys of campus rape that jump-started the assault complex depended on this double standard. Go back to the

1987 study that produced the fantastical statistic that up to one in four co-eds will be sexually assaulted in college.

To generate that finding, researchers did not ask “survivors” outright if they had been raped — because doing so yielded disappointing results. Rather, the researchers decided whether or not an alleged victim had been raped, based on her description of her (overwhelmingly consensual) sexual encounters.

When asked directly, 73% of the survey respondents whom the academics classified as victims said they had not been raped at all. The academics chose not to believe them.

Even more damningly, 42% of the college women whom the researchers classified as sexual-assault victims went back for more sex with their putative assailants. Again, inconceivable behavior after being subjected to such a heinous crime as rape. Subsequent feminist rape studies have repeated this same discrepancy.

If college campuses were the hotbeds of sadistic sexual crime that Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, the mainstream media and the progressive left allege, one would expect female students to be taking some precautions. At the very least, they would avoid the frat-house parties that we are told are filled with sexual predators. They might demand more single-sex schools, where they could study in safety.

But no: Female enrollment at elite co-ed colleges continues to rise — going from under 50% at Cornell in 2005, for example, to nearly 54% in 2025. And astonishingly, college women continue trooping voluntarily every weekend to the Greek houses where predation allegedly awaits.

If females are too cognitively challenged to take such simple protective measures in the face of clear danger, they do not belong in college. Alternatively, the campus rape crisis does not exist — and women, at some level, know it.

The only good news to come out of this sordid affair is that the stigma against promiscuity still exists among college students. Jane Doe's peers viewed her as a "slut," a word that one would have thought had disappeared from campuses decades ago.

Cornell president Michael Kotlikoff promised on Saturday that the university will roll out yet more redundant sexual-assault programs, undoubtedly accompanied by more bureaucracy. They will accomplish nothing.

The only thing that will halt the campus bacchanal is the restoration of sexual restraint, female modesty and male chivalry — everything the hypocritical feminist movement has battled to erase.

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Ex-Green: A Terrifying Turn to Antisemitism

“Let us be clear and unequivocal: Zionism is not racism,” grumbles Shahrar Ali at Spiked, and it was “profoundly anti-Semitic and racist” for the UK Green Party to declare that it is. Establishing a Jewish homeland, arising from the “unconscionable atrocities endured by the Jewish people,” is fundamentally “an anti-racist” project. The Green declaration echoes “Hamas’s stated objectives,” as “the logical endpoint of the party’s new policy is the disappearance of Israel as a sovereign state.” “I am deeply saddened and ashamed of what has become of the party that I have served for the best part of two decades” and “terrified of what hard-left authoritarianism, now firmly installed within the Green Party, has unleashed upon us.”

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Arab view: Free Palestine — From Hamas

Three years ago, Hamas triggered “the most catastrophic chapter in contemporary Palestinian history,” thunders Ahmed Alkhatib at The Free Press, with no explicit condemnation from “pro-Palestine” activists, advocates, or organizations.” “In initiating October 7, Hamas turned Gaza into the fulcrum for instability, devastation, and conflict in the Middle East”; Israelis “who once believed in peace are now increasingly suspicious of the prospect of coexistence with the Palestinians.” “The majority of Gazans” now “recognize that the terror group has wreaked unimaginable destruction on their lives, even if they hold grievances toward Israel.” Yet in the West, “the ‘pro-Palestine’ industrial complex has hidden under misinformed slogans, pushed ugly sentiments, and fueled antisemitism across the world, all while Hamas continues to run rampant over Palestinians’ futures.”

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Conservative: Press Fawns Over Debunked Doc

“NAZA,” the documentary that purports “to show Israeli disregard for human life” has multiple serious “methodological problems,” with many of its key claims “debunked,” fumes Commentary’s Seth Mandel, yet prestige outlets review it as if that info didn’t exist. The film “provides anonymous and unverified claims” about the use of AI in targeting and collateral damage assessment “that have been picked apart by experts who have gone on the record.” E.g., it gives the “impression” that AI systems “are choosing when and where to strike” rather than “simply letting IDF officials know” when and where a target is. “Major general-interest news outlets” have become “versions of the single-perspective, ideologically driven websites they once decried.”

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Moderates: Where Do Democrats Lead?

“If the Democrats win” control of Congress next month, “what will they do to best position themselves for 2028?” ask Douglas Schoen & Carly Cooperman at The Hill. Their midterms victory would come “from collecting protest votes, not from offering solutions,” and polls show the Democratic brand struggling as “voters like Republicans more.” Dems’ advantage going into November rests on “Trump, inflation, affordability,” yet they haven’t offered “an agenda addressing these issues.” Worse: “There is no true standard bearer or clear direction amid the party’s ideological split”—and winning Congress “won’t allow Democrats to do many of the things they’re campaigning on.”

President Trump

“Frustration with the president” may hand Dems the House majority, but winning the White House in 2028 requires telling “voters why they’re the right party to lead — not only that the other party can’t be trusted.”

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From the right: Hope for Faster Energy OK's

“Miracle of miracles, a draft bipartisan permitting bill emerged in the Senate last week that — dare to hope — could pass,” cheers The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board. “Under the National Environmental Policy Act, projects that receive federal funds or take place on federal land typically require lengthy environmental reviews.” The Mountain Valley Pipeline took a decade, thanks to lawsuits. Republicans have long sought reform; now “Democrats have finally come around,” too, to push their green-energy projects along. The bill imposes strict review deadlines, requires permit challenges within 150 days instead of six years, lets agencies correct lapses rather restart the process and exempts many projects from the review requirement altogether, among other fixes. “The country urgently needs permitting relief”; “if this deal sticks, it’s worth passing.”

— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board

NEW YORK POST

America's oldest continuously published daily newspaper

The AG Difference

Get set for an unmistakable contrast in Thursday's debate between Attorney General Letitia James and challenger Saritha Komatireddy.

Komatireddy, a Harvard-trained federal prosecutor, has a brutal 32-count “political indictment” of the AG.

The top “charge”: abandoning her official duties and abusing her office to play politics. Mainly, by endlessly slapping Team Trump with meritless lawsuits — 66 in just two years — which win her headlines but inevitably get shot down in court.

This follows her trash civil case against President Trump, accusing him of defrauding banks — banks that made money, never complained and hope to do more business with him: some reasons the case failed in the end.

All that, of course, was to keep a campaign promise to prosecute Trump — for what crimes, she couldn't say.

This summer, a whistleblower in her office, former prosecutor Daniel Wiesenfeld, reported he was ordered to target Trump, despite the lack of “a credible reason.” He now alleges her office is threatening him into destroying his evidence.

Worse: She set's to abuse her power to play politics again in the Cornell 7 case, where she's already concluded "what the young woman has been forced to endure is horrific" and has vowed "to stand" with her.

Komatireddy, for her part, highlights the crime and fraud James has ignored. Average “New Yorkers don’t feel safe,” she charges.

James claims the office lacks the power to do much on crime; Komatireddy outlines the powers an AG can use . . . if she wants to.

James has ignored other powers and duties, like probing fraud — and so allowed the theft of billions meant for the sick and needy.

As a federal prosecutor, Komatireddy brought down terrorists, cartel members, cybercriminals and more, prompting President Joe Biden to name her chief of staff at the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Along with cracking down on crime and corruption, she aims to set up an Office of Civil Commitment to get mentally ill homeless off the streets and into programs.

Her record, and agenda, couldn't be more different than James'. New York can stick with a political panderer — or hire a true crime-and fraud-fighter as the state's top lawyer.

Mamdani's Puerile 10/7 Preaching

Mayor Mamdani used the anniversary of the Oct. 7 atrocities to again spew lies about the massacre and its aftermath.

The mayor's statement offers a few empty platitudes about “unthinkable loss” but avoids details of Hamas' barbarism and relabels its terrorism as “war crimes.”

But war crimes happen in war; there was none on Oct. 6, 2023: The invasion — the killings, the rapes, the kidnappings of civilians — caused the war.

Mamdani moves on to what he calls Israel's war crimes, which he pretends are far worse, a "devastating, ongoing genocide." Israel "killed more than 74,000 Palestinians — including more than 21,000 children," he lectures, numbers even Hamas and its puppet Gaza Health Ministry no longer claim.

This is the first "genocide" to mostly kill military-age males as the “devastated” overall population continued to grow.

Mamdani lingers over the “suffering” caused by “every Israeli bomb dropped on ambulances” and the “targeted” murder of “journalists,” when Hamas uses ambulances for military purposes and routinely disguises its soldiers as press. The terrorists’ central defense is hiding behind civilians.

He's blared out all these lies points ad nauseum; why does he feel compelled to play Hamas spokesman on this anniversary?

Well, he's also seized on Independence Day and the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and even on St. Patrick's Day to preach his propaganda on the evils of America and its allies.

Mamdani plainly thinks he's honoring these occasions by trotting out his mastery of his tinker-toy ideology; he's really that smug.

Time To Take a Truce, Vlad

Vladimir Putin is losing his war on Ukraine; what will make him accept a truce?

Kyiv's "Operation Vivaldi" keeps pounding away, driving Russian forces back and liberating villages in the Donetsk region, erasing most of Moscow's (meager) gains of the last year. Ukraine's drones are striking deep inside Russia, disrupting supplies to the front and slamming Putin's oil refineries.

So Vlad is falling back on terror — targeting airstrikes on innocents far behind the lines and bombing energy infrastructure to maximize civilian suffering this winter — in a desperate hope it finally breaks Kyiv's will.

He's also hoping elections in Western Europe end those nations' support for Ukraine, but so far his war has only united Europe against him, with defense outlays growing and NATO expanded to his doorstep.

If he keeps it up, Lithuania will wind up hosting US military base, with nuclear deployment; does he want one in Finland, too?

After the Nov. 3 elections, President Trump can be more aggressive in pushing Putin to the table, including use of his powers under the bipartisan Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.

The longer Putin waits, the greater the risk of more unpleasant surprises, including an economic collapse that would leave him far more vulnerable to some kind of coup.

His generals, his spies and his diplomats have failed him for five years; nothing has worked out for him as promised. He can stop the conflict now, even holding his gains, and have peace now — or keep pretending some miracle is around the corner, while risking even greater humiliation . . . or worse.

letters@nypost.com

Chaos on Canal Street: Is It Worth Controlling?

THE ISSUE: Illegal vendors' occupation of the sidewalks along Canal Street in Lower Manhattan.

●These dealers have existed around Canal Street for decades (“Canal needs street sweep,” Oct. 3).

It's illegal, but not very high on anybody's radar compared to violent crime or illegal narcotics.

What's wrong with allowing the general public access to knock-off products when they can't afford the actual prices?

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Anthony Nannetti Philadelphia

●The only way to put a stop to the illegal vendors on Canal Street?

Go to the source: Close the shops that are importing the products from China, confiscate their goods, and make arrests.

Harve Kaye

Brooklyn

●My children and I are sick of having to avoid that stretch of Canal Street to get to our place on Franklin Street.

My mortgage payments are enough without having to run that gauntlet every day. It's like an open-air landfill, with trash, congestion and marijuana stench.

If I wanted to visit the "Heart of Darkness," I'd pick up the book.

Michael Sottile

Manhattan

\- The vendors on Canal Street have grown to be one of New York's greatest tourist attractions, where immigrant entrepreneurs — like our Jewish and Italian ancestors — sell inexpensive versions of designer goods.

These products are otherwise only available at very high prices.

consistent political philosophy, it would defend these pro-consumer entrepreneurs.

John Kleeberg

Manhattan

If The Post followed a ●The wasted hours of police officers removing counterfeit goods only protects the fools who are so gullible as to purchase merchandise from the vendors.

Jonathan Kiddrane Glendale

\- They certainly aren't collecting any sales tax, which should attract law enforcement.

Perhaps the FDNY could clear out the sidewalks with fire hoses.

Peter Gray

Newtonville

●Nothing is going to change as long as the NYPD is limited on what it can enforce. The illegal vendors know this.

More has to be done to keep them off the streets.

Rob Johann

Woodhaven

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Insane Privileges for E-Bikes

THE ISSUE: The City Council's failure to prioritize pedestrians during its hearing on e-bike and street safety.

\- It became clear at the City Council hearing on e-bike and street safety that this city has a bias against its own citizens ("Injured blast cycle of harm," Oct. 1).

The victims — many of whom have life-altering injuries and are still paying off hospital bills from crashes for which no one was held accountable — appeared to be of little concern to anyone, but especially Councilman Shaun Abreu.

I can think of one big reason: the fact that Uber's PAC spent more than \$250,000 to support his run for the council.

Perhaps Abreu and others need to be reminded that it's those citizens who pay their salaries and vote them in or out of office.

This is a betrayal of the public good, and the unnecessary deaths and injuries of innocent New Yorkers should not be excused. Susan Simon Manhattan

●How many fatalities or life-altering injuries must occur before the city can enact regulations against e-bikes and scooters?

Unlicensed e-bicyclists regularly exceed the speed limit of cars in certain zones, and New Yorkers commuting in the same zones are fined for speeding.

It's perplexing that the city prioritizes delivery drivers while disregarding the interests of its taxpaying citizens.

Mary Harkins

Manhattan

E-MAIL: letters@nypost.com or WRITE to The Editor, The New York Post, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036. Include name, address and daytime phone number. No unverifiable letters will be published. The Post reserves the right to edit all letters.

The New York Post is published by N.Y.P. Holdings Inc., 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036. Lachlan Murdoch, Chair; Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus; Sean M. Giancola, Publisher; Keith Poole, Editor-in-Chief; Stephen Lynch, Print EIC; Mark Cunningham, Editorial Page Editor.

POLS VERSUS PARENTS

WHO gets the final say over who can see your child? At a Florida campaign event last week, Republican Rep.

Byron Donalds was confronted by a weeping grandmother who asked him to intervene so she could get access to her grandson.

The woman said she hadn't seen the child since Aug. 7 — not quite a two-month span — and begged Donalds, who's running to become the Sunshine State's next governor, to uphold “grandparents' rights” if he wins. The video went viral, driven in part by the sad trend of family estrangement, often over political disagreements.

In the last decade or so, more and more adults seem to be cutting off their parents, “going no contact” on the advice of therapists, friends or social-media kibitzers. A major survey this spring found that 38% of the adult Americans polled had deliberately shunned a friend or family member in the last year.

That's heartbreaking and awful: Families shouldn't let political opinions poison otherwise healthy relationships. But asking government to step in and solve that problem is a dangerous remedy.

And despite the assumptions of many commenters, politics had nothing to do with the plight of the grandmother pleading for Donalds' help. The woman tearfully blamed a babysitting dispute for her daughter's choice.

Then came a kicker that should set off every parent's alarm bells: The woman said she was working with her representative in Congress,

Republican Randy Fine, “to see if we could do a federal law so it could be nationwide.” (Messages to Fine’s office requesting confirmation went unanswered.)

The crying woman pulled at the heartstrings, and Donalds promised to “look into” the issue. For a politician on the stump — especially one running in a state full of grandparents — he did the right thing by empathizing with the sad grandma and then moving on.

Others might be less canny. With senior voters a major force in American politics, lawmakers may well be tempted to try to legislate our

way toward family reconciliation.

In state after state, they're giving it a try: Last year, legislators in Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri and Minnesota introduced bills that would force parents to give an estranged grandparent access to their children.

None of these bills has yet become law. And with good reason: The reality is, parents must have the power to make decisions in the best interest of their child.

Consider a case out of Rhode Island this year, when a judge found in favor of a father who didn't want his deceased wife's parents to see his children. The turning point came when the father introduced evidence that the grandparents had secretly recorded him as he voiced concerns about how far they'd go to get what they wanted. Judge Felix Gill said the tape "reinforces the reasonableness" of the dad's decision.

The landmark “grandparents’ rights” case, which reached the US Supreme Court in 2000, found that fit parents should get “deference” when deciding what’s best for their child. That case challenged a Washington state statute that allowed “anyone” to request access to a child — and permitted courts to “order visitation rights for any person when visitation may serve the best interest of the child.”

Yet in the last few years parents across the country have successfully mounted a defense of parents' rights. They've won court battles to require parental notification and consent for transgender transitioning in schools, and fought for their ability to opt their kids out of questionable lessons.

National groups like Moms for Liberty have mobilized to make sure that parents have authority over their children's education, associations and medical decisions. These hard-won gains shouldn't be dissolved by a grandmother's tears.

Parents are the final say in what happens with their children, period. Any attempt to breach that barrier will erode their rights and bring on legal and financial torture.

Grandparents, important and loving as they may be, can't claim the same bonds and don't bear the same responsibilities that parents do — and politicians should stay out of these family disputes.

Tish James' Bias Tortures Hero Cops

O N Dec. 19, 2025, a terrified woman in Rochester called 911 as her estranged partner, armed with a gun, tried to break into the house where she and her children were living. Two officers responded; the ex, Eric Davis, shot and wounded them both and fled. A few blocks away, Davis shot and wounded another police officer and a civilian.

When Officer Nicole Amatore arrived at the scene, she took cover behind a tree and ordered Davis to drop his gun. He fired at her, striking the tree — and she returned fire, killing him.

The entire incident took just 61 seconds, from the moment the first officers arrived, and Amatore was on the scene for a total of 10 seconds. All of it was captured on the four police officers' body-worn cameras. In September, Gov. Hochul gave Amatore the 2026 Police Officer of the Year

Award, the state's highest law-enforcement honor, for acting "quickly and decisively in the face of a deadly threat."

But in yet another example of the clown show that is Albany, state Attorney General Letitia James has not yet completed her investigation of the shooting — after nine months of probing.

Saritha Komatireddy, the former federal prosecutor and underdog Republican candidate who's running against James in November's election, is rightly making a campaign issue of this dereliction of duty. But it's been flying under the media's radar — because the scandalous dysfunction of James' office is no longer newsworthy.

The attorney general's authority to investigate any police-involved death is another gift of the last decade's anti-cop craziness. But as an ideologically driven anti-police politician, James is needlessly slow-walking these investigations, leav-

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JIM QUINN

County, a state trooper arrived at a house on Sept. 28, 2025, to find Nathan Novakowski standing over his cowering, screaming mother with a pair of scissors, threatening to kill her. Footage from the officer's BWC shows him ordering Novakowski to drop the knife.

Instead, Novakowski turns and starts to stab his mother — and the officer fires, killing him and saving the woman's life. The entire incident lasted 87 seconds, yet it took James' office seven months to file a three-page preliminary report stating that it "could not disprove that the officer was justified." Over a year later, the final report is still not complete.

And note the phrasing: James' office consistently refuses to determine that a police shooting is "jus-

If the process is the punishment, perhaps that foot-dragging is her goal.

ing cops twisting in the wind for months and even years on end.

The Office of Špecial Investigation's annual report, which James issued last week, contained 41 investigative reports on all deaths caused by police — from shootings to car accidents to in-custody deaths. It took James' office 16 months on average to complete these investigations — and 17 of the 41 cases completed in the past year occurred much earlier, from 2022 to 2024.

In many of these cases, body-worn camera videos show the entire incident. Take the case of Djamshed Nematov: On March 8, 2024, Nematov charged at Queens cops with a 13-inch knife after stabbing his wife.

They had literally seconds to respond when Nematov surprised them in a narrow hallway, ran at them brandishing the knife, and was shot just feet away from the officers. Yet it took James' office 2½ years to issue a 12-page report conceding that it couldn't prove the cops were wrong — this for a 5-second incident that was entirely caught on three different BWCs and a building security camera.

In another case, from Chemung tified." Its reports will only say that James can't prove it wasn't justified — implying her belief in cops' inherent guilt under life-or-death circumstances.

She all but states as much in last week's report, which includes the line: "When OSI determines that criminal charges are not warranted, it is not a determination that no wrongdoing has occurred." How does that give other officers guidance for the future — or give them confidence that the AG isn't out to get them?

James' office doesn't seek to defend any police defensive action, no matter how proper or justified. In the meantime, these officers' lives are disrupted, their careers are put on hold — and some are put on modified duty, reducing the force and potentially putting the public at risk.

James' attorneys can sit in their offices and ponder for an average of 16 months if there's any way to pick apart an officer's split-second life-or-death decision. If the process is the punishment, perhaps that foot-dragging is her goal.

Jim Quinn is a retired career prosecutor in the Queens DA's office.

The Post Puzzle Page

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SCRABBLE G $_{2}$ G $_{1}$ R $_{1}$ A $_{1}$ M $_{3}$ S $_{1}$

Hasbro and its logo, SCRABBLE®, associated logo, the design of the distinctive SCRABBLE brand game board, and the distinctive letter tile designs are trademarks of Hasbro in the United States and Canada. ©2026 Hasbro. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

$I_{1}$ $U_{1}$ $T_{1}$ $T_{1}$ $H_{4}$ $P_{3}$ $G_{2}$ 2nd Letter Double | SCRABBLE | GRAMS | SOLUTION | $U_1$ | $P_3$ | $T_1$ | $I_1$ | $G_2$ | $H_4$ | $T_1$ | RACK 1 = $\underline{66}$ | $C_3$ | $A_1$ | $N_1$ | $D_2$ | $I_1$ | $D_2$ | RACK 2 = $\underline{10}$ | $N_1$ | $A_1$ | $I_1$ | $V_4$ | $E_1$ | $T_1$ | $Y_4$ | RACK 3 = $\underline{63}$ | $S_1$ | $U_1$ | $B_3$ | $G_2$ | $O_1$ | $A_1$ | $L_1$ | RACK 4 = $\underline{80}$ | PAR SCORE 150-160 | TOTAL $\underline{219}$ | PAR SCORE 150-160

BEST SCORE 219

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Bridge

South dealer Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

♠ 8762

♡ AJ83

◇ 873

♣ 74

WEST

♠ Q J 4

♡ Q 10 7 4 2

◇ K 9

♣ J 3 2

EAST

♠ 5

♡ K 9 5

◇ A Q 6 4 2

♣ Q 9 8 5

SOUTH

♠ A K 10 9 3

♡ 6

◇ J 10 5

♣ A K 10 6

South West North East

1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass

4♠ All Pass

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Opening lead - ♥ 4

©2026 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

"We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities." — Pogo.

Declarer's task at today's four spades seems insurmountable: He has three diamonds and a trump to lose. A diamond opening lead would let the defense prevail, but West isn't up to leading the king from K-9; he leads a low heart.

In my club's penny game, South took the ace of hearts and cashed the A-K of trumps. East discarded, so South went down one. Could he surmount his problem?

South can compress his four losers into three. He must ruff a heart at Trick Two, then cash the top trumps. When East shows out, declarer takes the A-K of clubs, ruffs a club in dummy, ruffs a heart and leads his last club.

West can't gain by ruffing with his high trump — dummy would pitch a diamond — so West discards, and dummy ruffs. South has won nine tricks. He ruffs dummy's last heart, winning his 10th trick when West must follow. The defenders' trump trick and diamond tricks clash on the last three tricks.

Triple Word Score

RACK 1

RACK 2

RACK 3

FOUR RACK TOTAL

TIME LIMIT: 20 MIN

RACK 4

Directions: Make a 2 to 7 letter word from the letters in each row. Add points of each word using scoring directions at right. 7 Letter words get 50 point bonus. "Blank" used as any letter have no point value. All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE players Dictionary, 4th Edition.

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Word Force

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BACKPEDAL

From the word or phrase above, form AT LEAST 16 five-letter words, without using more than one form of the same word. For example, drink or drank (not both).

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW'S POST

Yesterday's word:

TURBULENT

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Wonderword

How to play: All the words listed below appear in the puzzle -- horizontally, vertically, diagonally, even backward. Find them and Circle their letters only. Do not circle the word. The leftover letters spell the Wonderword.

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WIND CREEK CASINOS | MIND CREEK CASINOS | R | M | M | O | N | T | G | O | M | E | Y | R | T | U | A | O | E | A | I | N | A | V | L | Y | S | N | N | E | P | C | K | U | H | I | O | R | E | B | M | E | M | E | M | E | S | S | A | E | P | L | E | P | A | I | E | C | I | D | M | T | C | R | R | W | M | E | L | R | C | T | R | I | P | A | A | A | L | I | O | S | O | U | T | H | L | A | N | D | C | N | U | L | B | M | E | T | H | T | T | T | V | R | B | H | R | R | E | B | T | M | D | A | L | E | E | E | A | U | I | U | A | O | E | A | A | R | U | B | A | W | L | B | F | C | O | N | G | A | Y | G | X | R | K | L | A | E | A | F | A | T | T | O | N | S | U | I | T | E | B | E | M | E | E | G | R | H | U | R | R | P | S | P | A | S | E | L | E | T | O | H | R | R | Y | M | I | A | M | I | N | O | S | H | O | W | S | I | M | A | Q | U | A | R | I | N | O | M | R | M | E | T | I | L | E | T | A | R | A | C | C | A | B | S | T | O | L | S | L | T | © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication www.wonderword.com

Alabama, Aquarium, Aruba, Atmore, Baccarat, Bethlehem, Birthday, Bowling, Buffet, Caribbean, Chicago, Cinema, Craps, Curaçao, Dice, Elevate, Elite, Game, Gourmet, Hotel, Luxury, Member, Miami, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Resort, Restaurant, Rooms, Roulette, Shows, Slots, Southland, Spas, Suite, Table, Thrill, Tournament, Trip, Upscale, Wetumpka

Yesterday's Answer: Hooks

For WONDERWORD apps, books & more, visit Wonderword.com, or call 1-855-232-2367.

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POST SUDOKU

To solve a Su Doku, you must put a number from 1 to 9, in each empty box.

Each number must appear once in each horizontal row, as well as in each vertical column and in each of the 3-by-3 grids. Impossible? Not once you get the hang of it. Tips and in depth strategies at

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www.SudokuWiki.org

NYPOST.COM/GAMES

Solutions on Page 38

© Syndicated Puzzles

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Quick Crossword

1 Hydrocortisone target

5 Glissade garb

9 "Wanna hear a secret?".

13 Animated blue tang of film

14 Heavy burden

15 Behind schedule

16 Christ the Redeemer veneer material

18 Gets lawyers Involved

19 Sound heard around a crib

20 Places that are all fun and games

22 Verbal finger wag

24 Hoppy brew with a low ABV Cut with an axe

28 Tree in the name of a Bay Area city

29 Palindromic family member

30 Line of symmetry

32 Palindromic family member

34 Part of a routine

37 "Why must you overcomplicate everything?", or what can be said out: 16-, 24-, 49-, and 58-Across

41 Perceived

42 Instrument in a "Baker Street" riff

43 Body image?

44 Brain scan letters

46 Spider's spinning

48 SG predecessor

49 Contents of a cheese pull, often

53 "You know it!"

54 Surf shop?

55 "Well, whaddays know!"

56 Whip frozen pineapple treat

58 Genre originally known as the West Coast sound

63 College town in Iowa

64 Stings that may be delayed by weather

65 Territory "where America's day begins"

66 Lean to one side

67 Gum

68 Blows it

1 Cards at a casino?

2 Also

3 Act the class clown

4 Prefix with -dermic or -thermic

5 Little one

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Very Easy #7,425

6 Spanish one

7 Bluefin, yellowfin, and blackfin

8 Password preceder

9 Texting etiquette?

10 Riyadh resident

11 Pricey

12 Thompson of "Hedda"

13 Not great, not terrible

21 Take the path of least resistance, say

22 Pad see ew cuisine

23 Suggestive messages

25 Only cardinal direction not in a state name.

26 Funny sketches

31 Most susceptible to collecting dust?

33 Prayer

35 Four or five, maybe

36 Ramble on

38 Lakers legend Shaquille

39 Rink leap

40 Lends color

45 Lost colour

47 22-Down currency

49 Wearable prize

50 Some indigenous Mexicans

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 63 64 67 68 69 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | Difficult #7,215 ▼ | 1 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 3 |

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER (C) 2026 Tribune Media Services

51 Diamond chain

52 Muse of poetry

56 Spur to action

59 Murder-ous cry

60 Sales channel

61 Vehicle that may be self-driving

62 Tour de France distances, informally

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

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Shaky marts

Stocks pulled back from their records Wednesday as volatility in Treasury yields sparked concerns about mortgage rates and corporate credit costs. The Nasdaq notched its first down day in six, while four-day winning streaks were snapped by the Dow and S&P 500.

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Traders cleared

A British court overturned the convictions of five former Barclays traders accused of manipulating benchmark interest rates, in one of the biggest banking scandals to come out of the 2008 global financial crisis.

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Diesel ban warn

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth warned it would be “unwise” of the US to impose a ban on diesel exports, saying such a policy could actually make the global energy crisis worse.

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Pricey AI laptop

Microsoft and Nvidia unveiled the Surface Laptop Ultra, a \$2,599 personal computer the companies say is designed for artificial-intelligence workloads.

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Holiday prep

United Parcel Service said it would hire 100,000 seasonal employees across the US, as it prepares for a spike in parcel volumes for the upcoming holiday season.

Sources: Reuters, Dow Jones, AP

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Follow us on

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Watchdogs wary

Kid-safety experts reacted with skepticism to Sam Altman's (left) claim that the average teen uses OpenAI's ChatGPT less than 15 minutes per day — and, thus, isn't being damaged by the controversial AI chatbot.

Potentially hundreds of thousands of kids being harmed on ChatGPT.

– lawyer Brendan Bouffard

Slam Sam for Al kid-safe claims

By THOMAS BARRABI

Online safety watchdogs slammed Sam Altman's OpenAI for claiming the average teen uses ChatGPT less than 15 minutes per day — with one critic saying the data "rings hollow" without outside confirmation.

The AI giant released the 15-minute figure in its first report on “ChatGPT for Teens” — a limited version of its chatbot for kids ages 13 to 17. The program was OpenAI’s answer to mounting scrutiny about how AI chatbots are affecting children’s mental and emotional health — with some critics linking chatbots to declining grades, suicidal thoughts and even self-harm.

OpenAI said research showed teens spend “under 15 minutes a day on ChatGPT” on average, with less than 2% of teen users spending more than three straight hours on the chatbot. The company’s blog post didn’t contain specifics about those data points or how they were determined.

The lack of transparency and independent verification of OpenAI's claims is cause for concern, according to Sebastian Mahal, co-chair of the kids safety group Design It For Us.

Mahal said “we’ve seen this playbook before” from Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, which has faced severe criticism over the effectiveness of its Instagram teen account feature.

"OpenAI's claim that teens are safe on its products rings just as hollow unless backed by independent verification, especially as the company faces lawsuits and mounting scrutiny over harms to young users' mental health and safety," Mahal said in a statement.

OpenAI said the company is working with independent third-party researchers to compile teen ChatGPT usage data. OpenAI plans to publish a more complete version of its research in the coming months.

“Even if OpenAI is telling the truth, we are still talking about potentially hundreds of thousands of kids being harmed on ChatGPT,” said Brendan Bouffard, the nonprofit Fairplay’s counsel for AI and privacy issues.

WELLS FARGO PROBE Feds eye DEI plan

By ARIEL ZILBER

Wells Fargo stock slipped Wednesday as federal housing officials announced a probe into its mortgage programs aimed at boosting black and minority homeownership, with Housing Secretary Scott Turner blasting the bank's race-based approach as "immoral" and "un-American."

The investigation from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which put Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf on notice in a Wednesday letter, marked the latest Trump administration effort to crack down on DEI programs and similar efforts.

“Even if Wells Fargo did not violate the law, its practice of dividing Americans based on race is immoral, unethical and un-American,” Turner said. “Wells Fargo and all of its employees that engaged in race-based decision-making should be ashamed of themselves.”

News of the probe, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, sent the bank's shares sliding 1.55% to \$80.26.

The examination comes four years after Wells Fargo unveiled a \$210 million push aimed at narrowing racial gaps in homeownership, including a Special Purpose Credit Program tied to mortgage refinancing.

Wells said in 2022 that the effort would begin by locating black borrowers in its servicing portfolio who might qualify for refinancing assistance. It set aside \$150 million for reduced rates and other refinancing costs, along with \$60 million in grants intended to support homeowners of color.

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Policy switch

The Biden-era policy came in the wake of a Bloomberg report finding Wells turned down half of all refinancing applications by black families in 2020. Back in 2017, the bank committed to providing \$60 billion in mortgages intended to help create at least 250,000 African-American homeowners by 2027.

But recent years have seen the feds' stance on race-conscious lending shift dramatically.

HUD said in 2021 that SPCPs complying with federal lending requirements generally did not violate the Fair Housing Act.

A year later, it joined seven other agencies in encouraging creditors to explore them.

That position changed earlier this year.

A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule effective July 21 prohibits for-profit SPCPs from using race, color, national origin or sex as an eligibility criterion.

Wells Fargo declined to comment.

azilber@nypost.com

New uniform's off-Target

Target is rolling out a new dress code for its grocery workers, sparking staff gripes that the duds will hamper their work and make them look like dorks.

Food-and-beverage staff will be required to wear branded aprons and hats (right) during every shift starting Nov. 1 in an effort to make them easier for shoppers to identify, according to a company memo reviewed by Bloomberg.

"Are these guys f--king stupid?"

I'm literally moving and pushing boxes. Why the f--k do I need an apron?" one commenter identifying as a Target worker fumed on the retailer's employee-focused Reddit forum.

“Why are they putting us through humiliation rituals,” another user wrote.

The accessories will bear the logo of Good & Gather, Target's private-label food brand, Bloomberg reported.

The new gear comes on top of Target's existing requirement that store workers wear red shirts with blue jeans or khakis, which the Minneapolis-based retailer tightened earlier this year.

Target told Bloomberg that the move is part of the company's strategy to "elevate the guest experience" and described the new accessories as "functional and distinctive."

Ariel Zilber

British are coming!

UK firms make inroads into NYC hospitality

By EMILY LANG

deagreez - Adobe; Getty Images

"London calling!"

A swanky hospitality brand's plans for a new hotel and exclusive nightclub in Midtown mark the latest in a growing British invasion of Big Apple nightlife.

Minor International — which owns the Wolseley, a posh restaurant in London's Piccadilly Circus, where an afternoon tea service runs north of \$65 — is renovating the landmark Lambs Building for its latest project, expected to open next year.

It's part of a growing number of exports from across the pond. A private club company from London, Maison Estelle, is reportedly setting up shop in Flatiron as soon as next year. And Annabel's, a posh British club known for catering to royals and celebs, is opening a branch a few blocks away.

Minor International is taking over the former home of the Chatwal Hotel at 128–130 W. 44th St. The 10-story, 75,000-square-foot establishment is expected to offer the same kind of luxury for which London's Wolseley, which Minor bought in 2022, is famous.

A spokesperson for the hospitality group, which is based in Bangkok, Thailand, declined to share pricing or other details about the new “members club,” which will be inside the hotel.

Whatever form the club takes, it will inherit a rich historic legacy.

Built in 1905 by notorious Gilded Age architect

Stanford White, the space was designed as a clubhouse for a theater group that counted Charlie Chaplin, Fred Astaire and George Gershwin as members.

While the group, called the Lambs, has not occupied the building for about 50 years, the latest tenants called on that legacy to draw customers for years. The Lambs Club Restaurant & Bar, once known as a spot with “retro glamour,” closed over the summer.

Minor's CEO Dillip Rajakarier seems keen to continue the tradition, saying: "What excites us most is bringing together people who might not otherwise find themselves in the same room: founders and artists, producers and investors, hoteliers and philanthropists, established voices and emerging talent."

elang@nypost.com

Fed bigs eye rate hike | Porsche revs biz model

Most Federal Reserve officials expect that another interest rate increase will likely be needed this year to combat inflation, according to minutes released Wednesday from the central bank's most recent meeting.

The officials unanimously agreed that inflation was still elevated and had not made much progress toward their 2% target in recent months, the minutes said.

But officials disagreed about whether the move to hike rates, the first increase in three years, was largely precautionary or represented a shift toward significantly tighter monetary policy meant to curb investment and spending.

Investors see the Fed keeping its policy rate in the 3.75%-4% range at its meeting later this month but hiking it at the Dec. 8-9 gathering.

Wires

Porsche is reshaping its business for a future with lower sales volumes, the sports car maker said Wednesday, betting that a greater focus on high-end models will help restore its profit margins despite subdued demand.

The German company, a unit of Volkswagen, said it will aim to increase the average selling price of these models by about 20%.

By 2030, it plans to launch at least one “brand-defining” new product every year, it said.

"We want to reinforce Porsche as the world's most desirable sports car manufacturer," CEO Michael Leiters said, pitching a luxury shift to place the brand alongside the likes of Ferrari.

Mercedes-Benz car sales fell by 8% in the third quarter as a hefty drop in China offset growth in Europe and the US. Wires

Webull China ties 'red' alert

Webull, a digital brokerage platform, is quietly "tied in structural ways" to the Chinese government, representing a national security threat to US finances, according to reported findings from US lawmakers.

Shares in Webull, a trading app similar to Robinhood that boasts 28 million global users, plummeted 19% after CNBC reported the House Select Committee on China found its data flows “may remain exposed to the Chinese Communist Party’s” demands.

In a report, the committee identified “a profound gap” between Webull marketing itself as “an American company” based in St. Petersburg, Fla., and its actual compliance with Beijing’s laws.

A spokesperson for Webull defended the company, claiming it conducts business from its global headquarters in St. Petersburg and operates an office in New York City, adding that US customer data is stored in the US.

The committee noted its concerns have “escalated” since October 2025, when Webull started carrying customer cash directly, exposing “billions of dollars in American capital,” CNBC reported.

Taylor Herzlich

FTC probes hotel ads

The Federal Trade Commission is gearing up to take action against Priceline owner Booking Holdings over online ads that appear to direct consumers to a hotel's site but send them to a third-party site where they are often charged extra, sources said.

The FTC has been looking into Booking's relationship with Guest Reservations, a third-party website that advertises stays at specific hotels, the sources said. The case carries more than \$500 million in potential penalties.

Priceline declined to comment, and Guest Reservations didn't respond to a request for comment. Reuters

DAVID ELLISON

HBO-Paramount combo.

Big Sky's stream dream

Skydance CEO David Ellison doubled down on his plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single streaming service — sparking questions about how much the mega-streamer could cost fans.

Ellison's \$81 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery officially closed Tuesday, forming a new media behemoth called Skydance, after months of antitrust roadblocks.

In the “long term,” the company plans to “bring [HBO Max] and [Paramount+] together” as one streaming service,” the exec told reporters Tuesday on his first day running the new Hollywood giant.

He declined to comment further on the bundle options.

The combined streamer — which would merge the country's third- and fifth-largest services — would boast about 200 million total subscribers, according to Ellison. Taylor Herzlich

Squeezing Lululemon

Lululemon's new CEO is shaking up management as the retailer struggles with slumping sales and a stock price that is down more than 50% this year.

In one of her first major moves since becoming CEO last month, Heidi O'Neill ousted two executives and hired former Nike and Walmart executives.

Ex-Nike exec Maggie Gau- ger was named president and chief product officer. Joseph Godsey from Walmart will be chief operating offi- cer. Dow Jones

DICEY SITUATION

By MARC VARTABEDIAN

Taking a gamble

Four Native American tribes are splitting from the Indian casino establishment to partner with Kalshi to create new gambling apps — widening a bitter rift as the prediction-markets giant woos tribal leaders in an escalating turf war.

Three tribes in California and one in Oklahoma are launching tribal-branded prediction-market apps powered by Kalshi, saying the tie-ups would allow them to capture a slice of revenue in the booming business of prediction markets — which offers wagers across a slew of real-world events, from sports and the Oscars to the weather.

Each tribe will own its app and control the customer-facing part of the business while Kalshi operates the underlying exchange, including clearing the trades, Kalshi said Wednesday.

Bloomberg via Getty Images, GC Images

“Prediction markets and tribal economic development don’t have to be at odds,” Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said in a statement. “It can be organized around opportunity.”

---

Smaller targets

Tarek Mansour, CEO of Kalshi, held talks recently with leaders of several small Native American tribes in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, and formed prediction-market partnerships with four of them, which angered traditional Indian casino leaders.

Tribal gaming officials — who have thrown their weight behind a trio of lawsuits aiming to cripple Kalshi's business, claiming it's siphoning money away from Indian casinos — slammed the partnerships.

4 tribes bet on Kalshi partnership

"Kalshi is clearly targeting smaller tribes that have limited, if any, options and selling them snake oil," Jason Giles, executive director of the Indian Gaming Association, which represents tribal gaming interests, told The Post on Wednesday.

The IGA has warned member tribes against Kalshi's overtures to offer its wagers on casino floors, concerned that any agreement could amount to an endorsement of Kalshi's allegedly illegal products — a potential Trojan horse — that could undercut tribes' ability to fight Kalshi in court down the road.

Last week at the Global Gaming

Expo in Las Vegas, Giles said he got wind that Kalshi representatives were taking leaders of small tribes into its suite at the Venetian Hotel to hash out agreements or pitch them on partnership potentials.

Victor Rocha, a member of the powerful Pechanga Band of Indians and conference chairman for the Indian Gaming Association, fumed on social media about the Vegas meetings — posting that Kalshi had sent a “coffee boy” to court new tribal partners and encouraged

tribes to no-show.

A Kalshi spokeswoman confirmed the Vegas meetings were formal meet-and-greets to add partnerships with tribes. The company hosted other gaming and financial companies in its Venetian suite, too.

To hammer out agreements with the four tribes announced Wednesday, execs from the New York-based startup flew to California and hosted talks with tribal leaders in numerous cities, a source said.

"Geography has kept many tribes from sharing in the prosperity that gaming created," said Chief Wilson Yargee of the Alabama-Quasarrete Tribal Town, a tiny Oklahoma-based tribe with under 400 members. "Prediction markets offer an opportunity to reach beyond those limits."

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana was the first tribe to partner with Kalshi, striking a similar agreement last month — drawing ire from Giles, who said at the time he was “blindsided” by the tribe’s announcement.

PETA growls over wooly bully H&M meet

H&M executives met with animal-rights reps last month in the wake of a bizarre incident in which high-level fashion executives, including an H&M honcho, appear on video to rough up an activist at a New York Fashion Week show, The Post has learned.

As a result of the fracas, the Swedish fashion giant agreed to a meeting with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to discuss the group's investigation into the underbelly of the wool industry.

But the Sept. 25 Zoom call was a big disappointment, said Anne Brainard, PETA's senior director of strategy.

"It felt like they were checking the box to meet with PETA," she told The Post. "They made no commitments. They acknowledge the use of animals is unacceptable. But they don't change."

H&M and its upscale brand COS "is our most public target at the moment regarding wool," Brainard added. "We are going to continue our work [disrupting] shareholder meetings and doing public demonstrations."

Last month, PETA activists disrupted a COS fashion show in Manhattan and one protester was grabbed off of the runway and restrained by Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Kolb later apologized for covering the protester's mouth with his hand to stifle her shouts about the wool industry's allegedly cruel treatment of sheep.

The company declined to comment on its discussion with PETA or whether it's taking further action to address the incident at the fashion show.

Lisa Fickenscher

NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

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NOTICE OF SALE OF COOPERATIVE APARTMENT SECURITY BY VIRTUE OF A DEFAULT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: By virtue of a default under a Security Agreement 5/19/2011, executed by HOWARD "WEITZMAN" ("Debtor"), as assigned to NEWREZ LLC 7/D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING ("Secured Party"), said Secured Party, by Directly Published in New York, NY 10007, and the following described herein is subject to the National Bank of New York, Montreal, will conduct a public sale of the security consisting of two hundred thirty eight (238) shares of the capital stock of 160 West End Avenue Owners Corp., and all right, title, and interest in and to a Proprietary Lease between said Corporation and Debtor for the exercise of the said company. The full name of the said company is 10023, together with all fixtures and articles of personal property now or hereafter affixed to or used in connection with said apartment on OCTOBER 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM, the Portico of the New York county Courthouse, 60 Centre St, New York, NY 10007, in accordance with Section 4 of the Business District of New York, NY 10007 and the said principal amount of \$243,384.51, plus interest, late fees, attorney fees, maintenance in arrears, and all other advanced charges.

The apartment is sold "AS IS" AND POSSESSION TO BE OBTAINED BY THE PURCHASER. Said sale is subject to residency requirements of the Corporation, payment of all sums due, if any, to 160 West End Avenue Owners, and the consent, if necessary, of said Corporation; any existing tenancy; payment of all expenses and fees of the secured party with respect thereto; terms of sale and auctioneer's fees; flip-tax; State, City, and County transfer tax. The Secured Party reserves the right to bid.

Terms: an official bank or certified check made payable to Leopold & Associates, PLLC, as attorneys for the Secured Party for ten (10%) percent of price bid. No cash accepted. Balance shall be due within thirty (30) days.

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Dated: August 18, 2026

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Firm File No. 10801694

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NEW YORK COUNTY (MANHATTAN) LEGAL NOTICE

An application to organize a national bank has been filed on the date of this publication with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

The organizers, identified below, intending to organize and operate a national bank according to the provisions of the National Bank Act, as amended, submit an application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for permission to organize a national bank, and propose as follows:

1. That the main office of the national bank will be located at 130 Mercer Street, New York, New York, 10012, in the city of New York in New York county in the state of New York.

2. That the national bank will have the following title: Rain National Trust Bank.

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Organizers

The organizers and sponsoring organization of Rain National Trust Bank are:

Farooq Malik, (San Antonio, Texas)

Charles Yoo-Naut (New York, New York)

Brandon Soto (Draper, Utah)

Kevin Carr (Washington, DC)

Chris Lee (Cypress, Texas)

Signify Holdings, Inc. 2810 N Church St, Suite 59466, Wilmington, Delaware 19802

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Notice of formation of Jojou NY LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/14/2026. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Xiao Ting Zhou: 118 Secagogue Ave. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

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NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

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MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

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NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

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Friday: Thursday 2:30PM

A person who wishes to view the public file should submit a request to Director for Licensing, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th St., NW, Washington, DC 20219 or by emailing Licensing@occ.treas.gov.

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Notice of Qualification of Creative Beauty Brands, LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/26/2026. Office location: Nassau County. Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed in MN on 1/28/2025. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Cogency Global Inc.: 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201, Saint Paul, MN 55101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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October 22, 2026

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

I'm trying to find the person who previously volunteered to donate a kidney for my sister who is blood type O. My email crashed and I lost contact. I would appreciate if you would contact me at my new email: target1950@hotmail.com. I want to thank you for your compassion and humanity. May God bless you. Sincerely Robert Simone.

My sister Is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. She is suffering on dialysis, which will eventually end her life; blood type is O+. Average wait time in NY 1s 7 years. If anyone wants to help by being a kidney donor, Please email me at simoner451@outlook.com. God bless you.

Past two weeks provide USMNT lots of optimism

LOST AMID the anger and the Folarin Balogun-related outrage amid the national postmortem following the World Cup was that, not counting a meaningless group-stage finale, Mauricio Pochettino made just one change to his starting 11 across the U.S. team's other four World Cup games.

That change, starting Ricardo Pepi against Australia, happened because Christian Pulisic was unavailable due to injury.

And the best thing you can say about the team's kid-fueled four

straight wins in the international window that wrapped up Tuesday night with a victory over Canada is that the past two weeks marked a significant step toward solving the depth issue that hung over them all summer.

The best 11 for the U.S. is no longer a fait accompli, and should the Americans face adversity in the CONCACAF Nations League that starts next month with a two-leg quarterfinal against Haiti, the manager won't feel like his bench can't turn a game in his favor.

Not every teenager the Americans brought in looked good enough to be on the roster for a high-stakes tournament right away, but that's only to be expected.

That Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall very much did, influencing every game in which they appeared, getting on the scoreboard and establishing immediate chemistry with their veteran teammates, is a game-changer unto itself.

Should Sullivan start over, say, Pulisic, or Hall over Balogun when the games matter? It would be a bold move from Pochettino, but both of the more established players are still working their way into club seasons. Remember, too, the way Pochettino — again and again — has talked about the meritocracy by which he wants to build the program.

"I think that is an open system," he said at the start of this camp. "That is about opportunity: give the opportunity and take the opportunity. And now it's a great opportunity for everyone that is going to be involved to keep their place. ... If I come, I need to feel that if I perform and give to the team what the team expects from me and the coaches expect from me, I'm going to have a high percentage of [chance] to come back. ... It's a fresh start, it's a new start. Of course, all have the doors open, but it's not what I did in the past."

That, by the way, is not only about the new faces.

Sebastian Berhalter's game jumped up a level in this window. Off the back of an overseas move to Middlesbrough, he looked like an on-field leader and the best set-

piece taker the Americans have. Gio Reyna has finally found a club that can give him playing time in Strasbourg, started all four games for the U.S. and was one of their best attackers. Malik Tillman and Alex Freeman both started at the World Cup but played slightly different positions in this window with total comfort.

In other words, Pochettino suddenly has a plethora of options at his disposal. That's not how it seemed just three short months ago.

Berhalter, Reyna, Sullivan and Hall are — without much doubt — the four players whose stocks rocketed up this camp to the point that they should be in a hypothetical best 11 discussion. Goalkeepers Brian Schwake and Diego Kochen might be there too, though that is more because Matt Freese continued to struggle than because either of them was particularly excellent.

There's a laundry list of others, young and not so old, who did more than enough to earn another chance, and soon: Justin Ellis, Mathis Albert, Yunus Musah, George Campbell, Neil Pierre, Adri Mehmeti and Brooklyn Raines, to start.

It's easy to get overly optimistic after four friendlies, and easier still to caution that a seamless two weeks might prove a false dawn in a long, up-and-down four-year cycle before the 2030 World Cup.

Throw those caveats in, sure. But it's hard to imagine the past two weeks could have gone better for a national team that needed nothing more than some fresh faces and new hope.

esears@nypost.com

NEW YORK POST ACTION

Belmont

Post Time: 1:10 p.m. vcangialosi@nypost.com

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1 mile; \$100,000; mdn; 3up(f)

closer 4th. Saffie Joseph stretches the Gun Runner filly to a mile; gets Davis to ride. Clement's MOONLIT was 4th as fave behind Barerra's FULL OF TACT who war 3rd at 26-1. Moonlit broke badly; gets a rider change to Marin; blinkers off. Full of Tact now 0 for 9. | PN | Horse Wt. | Jockey | Last 3 | Trainer | Odds | 1 | Hedge Book(L),122 | M Franco | 4-5-7 | C Brown | 3-1 | 2 | Moonlit(L),122 | S Marin | 4-3-2 | Clement | 2-1 | 3 | Flying Hawley(L),122 | E Zayas | 5-4-x | McGaughey III | 8-1 | 4 | Noble Glow(L),122 | F Prat | 7-2-6 | C Brown | 7-2 | 5 | Full of Tact(L),122 | J Lezcano | 3-6-4 | Barrera III | 5-1 | 6 | Guns of Roses(L),122 | D Davis | 4-2-x | Joseph | 4-1 |

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1 1/8 miles(T); \$100,000; mdn; 3up

On the turf to back-end the double. ROYALS PRIDE races off the 15 month layoff for Mott. In the money once from 4 starts. Worked a sharp 5/8th for return. Does he need a race? Santana will know. Chad Brown's PAY THE PIPER is the M/L fave after a clear 2nd at the Spa. LANGUID Dirt to turf for Dutrow. Board hitter all 3 on grass. Using the longshot in deep exotics with the debuting MAJORITY INTEREST (Klaravich/Brown/Franco/Dubawi). | PN | Horse Wt. | Jockey | Last 3 | Trainer | Odds | 1 | Pay the Piper(L),122 | F Prat | 2-4-3 | C Brown | 5-2 | 2 | Languid(L),122 | J Lezcano | 2-2-8 | R Dutrow | 20-1 | 3 | Let's Be Frank(L),122 | A Fresu | 5-5-5 | McCarthy | 9-2 | 4 | Donnadoyawanna(L),122 | K Carmouche | 4-2-5 | Pletcher | 8-1 | 5 | Old Time Rocknroll(L),122 | J Castellano | 3-3-6 | Rice | 15-1 | 6 | Majority Interest,122 | M Franco | x-x-y | C Brown | 4-1 | 7 | Pax Mundi(L),122 | S Marin | 4-2-4 | D'Angelo | 8-1 | 8 | Royal's Pride(GB)(L),126 | R Santana, Jr | 4-2-6 | Mott | 6-1 | 9 | Ollie Luke Out(L),122 | D Davis | 3-4-3 | R Dutrow | 6-1 |

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11/16 miles; \$75,000; alw; 3up

Wide around the clubhouse turn, SEQUENTIAL turned in 3rd of 5. Tightens to one turn. Scored racing a mile at Aqueduct previously. Prat replaces Davis. Stays on EZ ROLL who has been 2nd best last 3 starts. Again? SIDEARM (7th start) and FRANKLIN DELANO (6th start) load off maiden breakers. Both competitively spotted but may have issues with the longer distance. | PN | Horse Wt. | Jockey | Last 3 | Trainer | Odds | 1 | Get a Job(L),126 | S Marin | 3-1-8 | Abreu | 8-1 | 2 | La Houligan(L),126 | J Lezcano | 1-7-1 | Compton | 20-1 | 3 | Ez Roll(L),126 | D Davis | 2-2-2 | Handal | 5-2 | 4 | Paul's Recovery(L),122 | O Hrndz Mrno | 7-3-1 | Quick | 30-1 | 5 | Nuanced(L),124 | M Franco | 6-2-1 | C Brown | 4-1 | 6 | Sidearm(L),126 | K Carmouche | 1-5-2 | Barker | 9-2 | 7 | Sequential(L),126 | F Prat | 3-10-1 | Noda | 9-2 | 8 | Luz de Guia(L),126 | K Davis | 5-1-8 | Zito | 12-1 | 9 | Franklin Delano(L),122 | R Santana, Jr | 1-6-4 | Pletcher | 5-1 |

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1 1/16 miles(T); \$100,000; mdn; 3up

We watched TIZIO debut 3rd, a length back of KOTLIKOFF who was 2nd. Tizio may be better 2nd time around getting more ground. Kotlikoff is now 0 for 4 and 0 for 2 at this longer distance. MY TOGO was 7th, but only 3 lengths back of top pair after getting shuffled wide. PROFESSOR PROTON made turf debut upstate. Led, nailed late. Must be considered, same distance. | PN | Horse Wt. | Jockey | Last 3 | Trainer | Odds | ---

Analysis by Vic Cangialosi | 1 | Brilliant Fury(M),122 | L Rivera, Jr | 3-7-x | Duggan | 10-1 | 2 | My Togo(L),122 | R Santana, Jr | 7-5-x | C Brown | 9-2 | 3 | Tizio(L),126 | E Zayas | 3-x-x | James Bond | 3-1 | 4 | Before the Wind(L),126 | J Castellano | 2-9-5 | Merryman | 8-1 | 5 | Tango Tango(L),126 | D Davis | 4-3-7 | Hooper | 5-1 | 6 | Kotlikoff(L),122 | M Franco | 2-4-6 | Mott | 5-2 | 7 | Nothingbutnitro(L),126 | K Davis | 12-8-5 | Davis | 50-1 | 8 | Professor Proton(L),122 | R Gutierrez | 3-4-6 | Hennig | 5-1 |

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1 mile; \$59,000; mdn clm(\$55,000); 3up

SALVATION dropped to this height at sloppy Saratoga and came home a dissipating 3rd of 6 as 6-5 favorite. Another try racing for new team Kantarmaci/Santana. FIGHTFORALLEGIANCE moves lower for Rice off the 6 month breather. Runnerup, this distance prior to the break. Rice also enters STREAM IT. Ran 4th behind stable-mate, then 2nd next out. KNOWLEDGE SHARING led late, outkicked. Chad Brown shaves a 1/16th; gets Prat back. | PN | Horse Wt. | Jockey | Last 3 | Trainer | Odds | 1 | Salvation(L),126 | R Santana, Jr | 3-4-2 | Kantarmaci | 5-2 | 2 | Knowledge Sharing(L),122 | F Prat | 2-8-11 | C Brown | 8-1 | 3 | Chili Palmer(L),122 | L Rivera, Jr | 6-3-x | Summers | 10-1 | 4 | Instantly(L),122 | S Marin | 4-4-7 | Kantarmaci | 15-1 | 5 | Private Flight(L),126 | K Carmouche | 3-3-2 | Samsundar | 20-1 | 6 | Thatboyain'tright(M),122 | D Davis | 11-x-x | Handal | 20-1 | 7 | Mr R T(L),126 | R Silvera | 7-3-3 | Samsundar | 30-1 | 8 | Stream It(L),122 | M Franco | 2-4-3 | Rice | 5-2 | 9 | Fightforallegiance(L),122 | J Lezcano | 2-2-5 | Rice | 2-1 |

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1 1/8 miles(T); \$105,000; alw; 3up

Look for COACH RYAN to rebound for Chad Brown. Raced wide, closed well only to miss by a length. Scored 2 back under Franco. Gets up stretching to 9 furlongs. HONOREE was 8th behind Coach Ryan. Close 3rd at this longer distance this summer. BLUE PILL is 1 for 18. Outrun at 36-1 after getting parked wide. May get up with a better trip under Katie Davis to spice the trifecta. | PN | Horse Wt. | Jockey | Last 3 | Trainer | Odds | 1 | Willpowered(L),126 | F Prat | 3-3-2 | Clement | 3-1 | 2 | Coach Ryan(L),122 | M Franco | 3-1-2 | C Brown | 9-5 | 3 | Sweet Tone(L),126 | J Cruz | 3-6-1 | Rohena | 50-1 | 4 | Crescendo's Rein(L),126 | A Fresu | 2-1-5 | Baker | 6-1 | 5 | McDiesel(L),126 | C Elliott | 4-3-10 | Rodriguez | 20-1 | 6 | Charles J(L),124 | R Santana, Jr | 4-4-8 | Lee | 6-1 | 7 | Blue Pill(L),126 | K Davis | 9-5-6 | Ferraro | 30-1 | 8 | Honoree(L),122 | J Lezcano | 8-2-3 | McGaughey III | 5-2 |

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1 1/16 miles(T); \$80,000; mdn; 2YO

Two-year-olds on the turf. SUN GATE lost by thismuch at Kentucky Downs. Walsh give him another 1/16th. GEORGE ST was 2nd of 11, this distance at the Spa. PROPER JACK debuted 3rd on dirt. Quick switch to the grass for Chad Brown. Prat up. And Franco rides first-time starter HUNTING GOODWILL. DePaz trains the Essential Quality gray. | PN | Horse Wt. | Jockey | Last 3 | Trainer | Odds | 1 | Nodin,123 | J Lezcano | 9-2-9 | Barrera III | 30-1 | 2 | Hetch Hetchy,123 | A Fresu | 8-x-x | Clement | 6-1 | 3 | Jersey Guy,123 | K Davis | 4-7-3 | Giddings | 10-1 | 4 | Sun Gate,123 | R Santana, Jr | 2-4-x | Walsh | 7-2 | 5 | Best Screenplay,123 | K Carmouche | 3-6-x | Sisterson | 8-1 | Lock of the Day Im Worthy (9th) Lock Record: 4 for 10 (40%) Meet Record: 24/100 \$175.72 | 6 | Hunting Goodwill,123 | M Franco | x-x-x | De Paz | 6-1 | 7 | Raging Bullet,123 | C Elliott | x-x-x | Potts | 20-1 | 8 | George St.,123 | S Marin | 2-6-x | Cox | 5-2 | 9 | Executive Force,123 | R Gutierrez | 10-x-x | Hennig | 30-1 | 10 | Proper Jack,123 | F Prat | 3-x-x | C Brown | 5-1 |

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6 fur; \$108,000; alw; 3up

BOLD FORTUNE didn't load the gate well and didn't finish well racing off the extended 21 month layoff for Weaver. Better 2nd off the shelf tightening to distance where he's 2 for 3. RADIO RED was last of 12 in the Morrissey. Won a stake earlier this year; 2 for 9 racing 6 furlongs. Carmouche replaces Davis who stays on Bold Fortune. PARTY IN THE ARMY and VEKINDA are both 2 for 9 and have never been off the board. Party in the Army was a length shy, this level/distance at Saratoga. Vekinda enters off an allowance win. GRAND OPENING exits a non-threatening 4th but is 2 for 2 at this distance. | PN | Horse Wt. | Jockey | Last 3 | Trainer | Odds | 1 | Unbroken Chain(L),126 | S Marin | 7-5-7 | Barker | 20-1 | 2 | Party in the Army(L),123 | F Prat | 2-3-3 | Engiehart | 3-1 | 3 | Vekinda(L),126 | M Franco | 1-2-3 | Weaver | 4-1 | 4 | Grand Opening(L),124 | K Davis | 4-4-1 | Bailes | 5-1 | 5 | Radio Red(L),126 | K Carmouche | 12-3-4 | Gargan | 5-2 | 6 | What's Up Bro(L),126 | H Harkie | 10-2-7 | Follett | 12-1 | 7 | Bold Fortune(M),124 | D Davis | 6-7-1 | Weaver | 8-1 | 8 | Factually Correct(L),126 | C Elliott | 3-1-3 | Samsundar | 6-1 |

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1 mile; \$37,000; clm(\$20,000); 3up

Believe IM WORTHY truly is, moving lower for Rice. Midpack 4th after lunging at the break. Carmouche stays on; so do we. JETER Turf to dirt for Gorham. 1 for 3 on dirt. Distant 5th racing for 50k last try. And LEXINGTON PIKE returns to the dirt as well. 1 for 5 there. 5th of 8 with similar last try. Atras gets Franco back. | PN | Horse Wt. | Jockey | Last 3 | Trainer | Odds | 1 | Mentor(L),122 | L Rivera, Jr | 7-3-1 | Breen | 12-1 | 2 | Red Miller(L),126 | E Zayas | 3-2-4 | Terranova II | 8-1 | 3 | Monte Avi(L),126 | C Elliott | 6-4-6 | Hennig | 20-1 | 4 | I'm Worthy(L),122 | K Carmouche | 4-6-1 | Rice | 8-5 | 5 | Rebalancing(L),122 | D Rivera | 8-1-7 | Potts | 15-1 | 6 | Lexington Pike(L),122 | M Franco | 5-5-1 | Atras | 6-1 | 7 | Good Ball(L),119 | P Pena | 5-6-6 | Shivmangal | 30-1 | 8 | Jeter(L),122 | S Marin | 9-7-5 | Gorham | 5-1 | 9 | The Obliterator(L),122 | D Davis | 5-2-5 | DiPrima | 10-1 | 10 | Whitby(L),126 | R Santana, Jr | 3-4-4 | Hennig | 8-1 | 11 | Magnum's Macrobrst(L),122 | R Silvera | 5-5-1 | Donk | 15-1 | ---

PLAY OF THE DAY

Maximun Heat (11-1) ran cold and Lucky Louisa (12-1) wasn't so lucky. Both finished off the board. Loss of -\$48.

Two for Thursday. Play \$4 across the board on Bold Fortune in Race 8. \$30 to win on I'm Worthy in Race 9 and a \$4 double using both.

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Belmont Results

FIRST-1 mile 2 fur; \$108,000; alw; 3upf

3 Weghtd Avrg (Prt) 2.92 2.28 2.10

6 Am's Symphony (Cstlln) 5.84 4.10

4 Lady Firefoot (Zayas) 3.90

● \$1 Exacta (3-6) \$10.23 ● \$0.1 Superfecta (3-6-4-1) \$18.80 ● \$0.5 Trifecta (3-6-4) \$29.59

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Winner picked by Vic C (Lock)

SECOND-1 mile; \$100,000; mdn; 2YO F

7 Mioruilt (Prat) 7.14 4.44 3.78

1 Badittude (Santana, Jr.) 4.50 3.42

3 Ready Set Roll (Davis) 4.40

Scr: Boxajoe N Tootzrol

● \$1 Daily Double (3-7) \$6.27 ● \$1 Exacta (7-1) \$14.19 ● \$1 Quinella (1-7) \$8.15 ● \$0.1

Superfecta (7-1-3-6) \$9.72 ● \$0.5 Trifecta (7-1-3) \$25.30

THIRD-6½ fur; \$40,000; cl(\$20,0); 3up

7 Scrmng Uncl (SntnJr.) 4.96 3.38 3.26

6 Superpower (Elliott) 20.10 10.82

8 Strategicoperation (Hargrove) 5.32

● \$1 Pick 3 (3-7-7) \$20.83 ● \$1 Daily Double (7-7) \$13.54 ● \$1 Exacta (7-6) \$36.71 ● \$0.1 Superfecta (7-6-8-5) \$103.97 ● \$0.5 Trifecta (7-6-8) \$64.24

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Winner picked by Vic C

FOURTH-1 5/16 mile; \$105,000; alw; 3up

6 Iron Sight (Prat) 3.44 2.20 2.10

4 Urgency (Franco) 3.86 2.88

8 Harrow (Zayas) 2.58

Scr: Promissio, Frosted Over

●\$1 Consolation Pick 3 (7-7-3) \$11.44 ●\$1

Pick 3 (7-7-6) \$23.96 ●\$1 Daily Double (7-6)

\$5.66 ●\$1 Exacta (6-4) \$5.75 ●\$1 Quinella

(4-6) \$3.85 ●\$0.1 Superfecta (6-4-8-1)

\$2.84 ●\$0.5 Trifecta (6-4-8) \$7.31 ●\$1

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Consolation Double (7-3) \$2.66

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Double picked by Vic C

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FIFTH-6½ fur; \$45,000; cl(\$30,0); 2Y

2 Uncle Gen (Mrgh) 25.8 11.18 7.32

1 Max O Nidas (Franco) 4.14 3.58

5 Ogugua (Rivera) 6.20

Scr: Audible Johnny, Negril Badness

●\$1 Consolation Pick 3 (7-3-2) \$44.14 ●\$1

Pick 3 (7-6-2) \$80.18 ●\$0.5 Pick 4 (7-7-

3/6/7-2) \$164.92 ●\$0.5 Pick 5 (3-7-7-3/6/7-

2) \$248.79 ●\$1 Daily Double (6-2) \$36.16 ●

\$1 Exacta (2-1) \$57.10 ●\$0.1 Superfecta (2-

1-5-11) \$120.28 ●\$0.5 Trifecta (2-1-5)

\$124.48

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SIXTH-1 1/16 mile; \$75,000; alw; 3up

9 Hmmerhed (Frsu) 36.918.20 9.62

2 In the Dark (Santana, Jr.) 10.58 6.12

3 Hard Circle (Prat) 3.12 ● \$1 Pick 3 (6-2-9) \$563.00 ● \$1 Daily Double (2-9) \$181.25 ● \$1 Exacta (9-2) \$223.40 ● \$0.1 Superfecta (9-2-3-6) \$551.37 ● \$0.5 Trifecta (9-2-3) \$351.18

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SEVENTH-1 mile; \$65,000; alw; 3up

8 Cm Full CrcI (Fmc) 13.54 4.72 2.96

1 Salt Spartan (Prat) 3.56 2.72

7 Smilensaycheese (Castellano) 2.86

Scr: Big Brooklyn

● \$1 Pick 3 (2-9-8) \$1782.52 ● \$0.5 Pick 5 (7-3/6/7-2-9-8) \$4785.58 ● \$1 Daily Double (9-8) \$151.81 ● \$1 Exacta (8-1) \$29.66 ● \$0.1 Superfecta (8-1-7-6) \$47.50 ● \$0.5 Trifecta (8-1-7) \$48.16

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EIGHTH-6½ fur; \$65,000; alw; 3upf

4 Apertf (Castellno) 12.78 6.72 4.38

1 Mobile (Franco) 4.34 3.84

9 Garden of Grace (Prat) 4.70 - \$1 Grand Slam (1/2/4/5/9-2/3/9-1/7/8/11-4)

\$22.23 - \$1 Pick 3 (9-8-4) \$2227.50 - \$1 Daily Double (8-4) \$85.29 - \$1 Exacta (4-1)

\$37.84 - \$0.1 Superfecta (4-1-9-12) \$38.19

• \$0.5 Trifecta (4-1-9) \$85.82

NINTH-1 mile; \$75,000; atw; 3up (f&m)

12 Ori (Castellano) 6.04 3.50 3.50

5 Money Trail (Davis) 13.2 13.3

10 Cravings (Santana, Jr.) 3.92 4.10

Scr: Salt Princess

● \$1 Pick 3 (8-4-12) \$226.57 ● \$0.5 Pick 4 (9-8-4-11/12) \$2535.92 ● \$0.5 Pick 5 (2-9-8-4-11/12) \$18109.48 ● \$1 Daily Double (4-12) \$28.13 ● \$1 Exacta (12-10) \$13.60 ● \$1 Exacta (12-5) \$45.15 ● \$0.1 Superfecta (12-10-5-4) \$139.36 ● \$0.1 Superfecta (12-5-10-4) \$293.47 ● \$0.5 Trifecta (12-10-5) \$137.22 ● \$0.5 Trifecta (12-5-10) \$268.12

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Yonkers entries for Thursday

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Post Time: 6:45 p.m.

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FIRST: Mile trot; \$13,100; Naada | 1 | BigCharlieMoran (ABeltrami) | 6-5-5 | 2-1 | 2 | Meetmeatthebr (AADmczyk) | 3-1-3 | 7-5 | 3 | Mamy Wata (PMinore) | 4-7-4 | 5-1 | 4 | All Too Well (NSheridan) | 7-7-6 | 8-1 | 5 | Ima Standup Guy (JFaraldo) | 2-4-5 | 15-1 | 6 | Masster Blue (JLee) | 6-1-6 | 20-1 | 7 | Barn Credit (JCalabrese) | 5-6-3 | 20-1 | 8 | Bontoni Degato S (RFranco) | 8-6-2 | 20-1 | SECOND: Mile trot; \$13,400; Naada | 1 | Warrior One (AAAdamczyk) | 3-5-X | 3-1 | 2 | Call Option (ABeltrami) | 1-3-4 | 1-1 | 3 | Pc Free Wheeling (RFranco) | 3-2-5 | 7-2 | 4 | KountryExpress (Herndez) | 4-3-5 | 15-1 | 5 | Certify (MPolansky) | 2-4-2 | 8-1 | 6 | My Secret Ability (JLee) | 7-3-4 | 20-1 | 7 | Bacardi (NSheridan) | 1-8-5 | 20-1 | THIRD: Mile pace; \$18,000; claiming | 1 | Ain't Nostopn Time (CKelly) | 6-6-5 | 10-1 | 2 | Onyx Bovino (TButer) | 2-3-3 | 6-1 | 3 | Captain Awesome (Marohn) | 4-7-1 | 4-1 | 4 | Down The Line (DDube) | 2-6-8 | 8-1 | 5 | Over The Horizon (Holland) | 3-5-1 | 5-2 | 6 | Spooky Lou (JBartlett) | 2-1-2 | 6-1 | 7 | Happy Hour Blues (Stratton) | 1-2-2 | 6-1 | 8 | TrickyCaptainN (Herndez) | 1-1-3 | 12-1 | FOURTH: Mile trot; \$22,000; claiming | 1 | Walkwhileyourtalkn (JStrttn) | 3-8-1 | 9-2 | 2 | Bo Silas (JMarohn) | 5-1-6 | 8-1 | 3 | Jas Bluestone (BHolland) | 8-2-3 | 5-2 | 4 | Chulo (JBartlett) | 2-2-6 | 2-1 | 5 | The Brodster (TButer) | 3-1-2 | 9-2 | 6 | P L Oscar (CKelly) | 3-4-2 | 15-1 | 7 | Radio Lab (GBrennan) | 6-3-3 | 20-1 | 8 | WindsongPioneer(Lachnce) | 2-1-7 | 20-1 | FIFTH: Mile pace; \$15,000; claiming | 1 | Shake It | (TButer) | 2-6-1 | 9-5 | 2 | Acapulco Sunburn (DDube) | 2-2-6 | 7-2 | 3 | Ferragamo Hanover (Kelly) | 6-5-8 | 20-1 | 4 | Gothic Rock (ASiegetman) | 7-2-4 | 20-1 | 5 | Southwind Iron (JBartlett) | 5-2-8 | 8-5 | 6 | Aladdin (PLachance) | 6-7-1 | 20-1 | 7 | BarbossaHanover (Stratton) | 7-3-5 | 20-1 | 8 | He's Special (JMARohn) | 5-3-4 | 20-1 | SIXTH: Mile trot; \$22,000; claiming | 1 | I'm Out | (BHolland) | 5-1-8 | 4-1 | 2 | Diplomacy | (JBartlett) | 5-1-8 | 3-1 | 3 | Ritson | (JStratton) | 8-1-3 | 10-1 | 4 | Marin County (ASiegelman) | 1-3-3 | 8-1 | 5 | Smoking Jet | (DDube) | 4-4-2 | 20-1 | 6 | B Nicking | (CKelly) | 3-2-2 | 5-1 | 7 | Bellissimo Face S | (TButer) | 1-1-4 | 5-2 | 8 | Global Twist | (JMarohn) | 4-7-7 | 20-1 | SEVENTH: MI pace; \$20,000; claiming | 1 | Theflyingrock | (BHolland) | 2-1-4 | 1-1 | 2 | Yorokobi N | (JMarohn) | 7-7-3 | 6-1 | 3 | Komodo Beach | (JBartlett) | 6-5-2 | 5-2 | 4 | Lindy The Brave | (TButer) | 2-5-1 | 8-1 | 5 | Park Street Blues | (CKelly) | 2-1-1 | 12-1 | 6 | Caviart Sargent | (GBrennan) | 8-3-1 | 20-1 | 7 | Taste Of Honey | (JStratton) | 7-2-2 | 20-1 | 8 | Darknstormy Deo | (DDube) | 7-8-6 | 20-1 | EIGHTH: Mile trot; \$28,000; cond | 1 | Warrawee Yang | (TButer) | 4-5-4 | 9-2 | 2 | Mississippi Storm | (Holland) | 1-2-5 | 9-2 | 3 | Vandy Lane | (JStratton) | 5-6-4 | 8-1 | 4 | Aquarius Face S | (Lachance) | 3-4-6 | 8-1 | 5 | Bronzer | (GBrennan) | 6-3-4 | 20-1 | 6 | Kildare King | (JBartlett) | 1-2-1 | 8-5 | 7 | Yo Sheldon | (CKelly) | 1-1-2 | 20-1 | 8 | Massive Desire | (JMarohn) | 1-1-8 | 6-1 | NINTH: Mile trot; \$33,000; cond | 1 | Royal Comet (BHolland) | 4-1-3 | 3-1 | 2 | Full Of Muscles (JMarohn) | 3-1-1 | 7-2 | 3 | My Man Peter (JBartlett) | 2-X-5 | 5-1 | 4 | Hot Flash Kimmy (JStratton) | 2-2-1 | 6-1 | 5 | Camera Man (SSmith) | 2-1-3 | 6-1 | 6 | Always A Story (CKelly) | 6-2-1 | 6-1 | 7 | Uncle Rat (GBrennan) | 5-8-x | 20-1 | 8 | Southwind Coors (TButer) | 4-7-2 | 6-1 | TENTH: Mile trot; \$28,000; cond | 1 | Oliver The Great (JMarohn) | 3-4-4 | 5-1 | 2 | Ari Ferrari J (TButer) | 7-6-2 | 5-2 | 3 | E-Pass (BHolland) | 2-8-1 | 6-1 | 4 | Dribbling Bi (CKelly) | 6-2-2 | 8-1 | 5 | LaferraridmncheS (Brennn) | 1-1-3 | 9-2 | 6 | Onajetplane (JStratton) | 8-2-4 | 20-1 | 7 | Devilish Hill (JBartlett) | 2-5-1 | 7-2 | 8 | Bjm's Lil Man (PLachance) | 3-1-7 | 20-1 | ELEVENTH: MI pace; \$18,000; claiming | 1 | Two Pistol Annie | (SSmith) | 6-5-2 | 4-1 | 2 | Dw's Darlene | (CKelly) | 4-2-4 | 2-1 | 3 | Milagro | (TButer) | 5-3-5 | 7-2 | 4 | Onederfulbeach | (Lachance) | 8-6-6 | 20-1 | 5 | Two Bean Dream | (DDube) | 2-1-8 | 9-2 | 6 | Bettor's Ticket | (JStratton) | 7-6-5 | 20-1 | 7 | Odds On SaraSara | (Marohn) | 3-7-5 | 20-1 | 8 | Fighting Evil | (JBartlett) | 6-4-2 | 6-1 | ---

NHL

EASTERN CONFERENCE | Atlantic | W | L | OL* | Pt | GF | GA | Florida | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 8 | Ottawa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 8 | Tampa Bay | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 7 | Buffalo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 11 | Toronto | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 11 | Boston | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 11 | Montreal | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 14 | Detroit | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 | Metropolitan | W | L | OL* | Pt | GF | GA | Rangers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 16 | 8 | Carolina | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 12 | Washington | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 8 | Pittsburgh | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 13 | Columbus | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | Islanders | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 7 | Devils | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 13 | Philadelphia | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 17 | WESTERN CONFERENCE | Central | W | L OLa | Pt | GF | GA | Utah | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 17 | 8 | Winnipeg | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 10 | Minnesota | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 5 | Colorado | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 8 | Nashville | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 9 | Dallas | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | St. Louis | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | Chicago | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 17 | Pacific | W | L OLa | Pt | GF | GA | Edmonton | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 22 | 16 | Vegas | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 17 | 10 | Anaheim | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 10 | San Jose | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 12 | Seattle | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 11 | Vancouver | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 18 | Los Angeles | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 15 | Calgary | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 | OL\*: Lost in OT (for 1 point)

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Wednesday

Washington 5, Pittsburgh 3

Winnipeg 3, Colorado 2

Edmonton 5, Anaheim 2

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Thursday

Chicago at Islanders, 7:30pm

Dallas at Buffalo, 7pm

Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 7pm

Nashville at Montreal, 7pm

Philadelphia at Ottawa, 7pm

Utah at Boston, 7pm

Vancouver at Carolina, 7pm

San Jose at St. Louis, 8pm

Colorado at Calgary, 9pm

Toronto at Vegas, 10pm

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Oilers 5, Ducks 2 | Edmonton | 0 | 5 | 0— | 5 | Anaheim | 2 | 0 | 0— | 2 | First Period: 1, Anaheim, Sennecke 2 (Granlund, Carlsson), 4:11 (pp). 2, Anaheim, Sennecke 3 (Carlsson, LaCombe), 15:28 (pp).

Second Period: 3, Edmonton, Bouchard 5 (Draisaitl), 0:11. 4, Edmonton, Kapanen 2 (McDavid, Bouchard), 6:30 (pp). 5, Edmonton, Bouchard 6 (Draisaitl, McDavid), 14:12. 6, Edmonton, Podkolzin 4 (Draisaitl), 16:49. 7, Edmonton, McDavid 3 (Draisaitl, Ekholm), 19:08.

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Third Period: None.

Shots on Goal: Edmonton 6-11-2—19. Anaheim 16-5-10—31.

Power-play opportunities: Edmonton 1 of 4; Anaheim 2 of 7.

Goalies: Edmonton, Levi 3-0-0 (31 shots-29 saves). Anaheim, Dostal 2-1-0 (17-12), Anaheim, Husso 0-0-0 (2-2). A: 0 (17,174). T: 2:38.

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MLB Playoffs

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Division Series

(Best-of-5) (x-if necessary) American League

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Rays win series, 3-0

Gm. 1: Tampa Bay 1, Yankees 0

Gm. 2: Tampa Bay 5, Yankees 2

Gm. 3: Tampa Bay 4, Yankees 3

White Sox lead series, 2-1

Gm. 1: Chicago 3, Cleveland 0

Gm. 2: Chicago 4, Cleveland 3

Gm. 3.: Cleveland 9, Chicago 3

Thurs.: at Chicago, 8 p.m.

x-Sat., Oct. 10: at Cleveland, TBD

National League

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San Diego Padres vs. Milwaukee Brewers Brewers wins series, 3-1

Gm.1: Milwaukee 3, San Diego 2

Gm.2: Milwaukee 4, San Diego 3

Gm.3: San Diego 4, Milwaukee 3

Gm.4: Milwaukee 3, San Diego 1

Los Angeles wins series, 3-1

Gm. 1.: Los Angeles 5, Atlanta 3

Gm. 2: Atlanta 3, Los Angeles 2

Gm. 3.: Los Angeles 3, Atlanta 1

Gm. 4.: Los Angeles 4, Atlanta 1

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Capitals 5, Penguins 3 | Pittsburgh | 1 | 2 | 0—3 | Washington | 2 | 2 | 1—5 | First Period: 1, Washington, Beauvillier 1 (Strome), 0:23. 2, Pittsburgh, Rust 1 (Kindel, Girard), 1:19. 3, Washington, Wilson 1 (Dubois), 11:51.

Penalties: Kolvunen, PIT (Tripping), 5:31; Robertson, PIT (Delay of Game), 6:47; Leonard, WSH (Roughing), 13:45.

Second Period: 4, Washington, Dubois 1 (Wilson), 4:42. 5, Washington, Tuch 3 (Wilson), 13:14. 6, Pittsburgh, Novak 3, 14:05. 7, Pittsburgh, Robertson 3 (Korczak, Lizotte), 18:01.

Penalties: Chychrun, WSH (Holding), 18:53.

Third Period: 8, Washington, Leonard 2 (Kyrou, Hutson), 3:55 (pp).

Penalties: van Riemsdyk, PIT (Hooking), 1:58; Lizotte, PIT (Tripping), 6:56; Dubois, WSH (Boarding), 10:38; Chychrun, WSH (Slashing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal: Pittsburgh 4-13-13—30. Washington 14-5-8—27.

Power-play opportunities: Pittsburgh 0 of 3; Washington 1 of 4. Goalies: Pittsburgh, Silovs 2-1-0 (27 shots-22 saves). Washington, Thompson 2-0-0 (30-27).

Referees: Garrett Rank, Kelly Sutherland. Linesmen: Kilian McNamara, Libor Suchanek.

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Jets 3, Avalanche 2 | Colorado | 0 | 1 | 1— | 2 | Winnipeg | 0 | 2 | 1— | 3 | First Period: None. Penalties: Samberg, WPG (Hooking), 9:26; Svechkov, COL (Delay of Game), 16:39.

Second Period: 1, Colorado, Schwartz 1 (Burns, Svechkov), 2:51. 2, Winnipeg, Connor 4 (Samberg, Pionk), 4:01. 3, Winnipeg, Perfetti 3 (Scheifele, Samberg), 18:16. Penalties: None.

Third Period: 4, Colorado, Svechkov 1 (Schwartz, Kulak), 12:35. 5, Winnipeg, Connor 5 (Scheifele), 19:00. Penalties: Nelson, COL (Cross Checking), 8:19.

Shots on Goal: Colorado 17-10-7—34. Winnipeg 6-11-2—19.

Power-play opportunities: Colorado 0 of 1; Winnipeg 0 of 2.

Goalies: Colorado, Blackwood 2-1-0 (19 shots-16 saves). Winnipeg, Skinner 2-0-1 (34-32). A: 14,006 (15,321). T: 2:35.

Referees: Graham Skilliter, Furman South. Linesmen: Trent Knorr, Jesse Marquis.

POST SU DOKU Puzzles on Page 32 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 2 | Solution to Very Easy #7,425 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | Solution to Difficult #7,215

ALDS Game 3

Rays 4, Yankees 3 | Tampa Bay | AB | R | H | BI | BB | SO | Avg | Díaz dh | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.250 | Aranda 1b | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.333 | Caminero 3b | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.300 | Mesa lf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2.200 | Vilade rf | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.500 | Mullins ph-cf | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | Hicks c | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.100 | DeLuca cf-rf | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.200 | Palacios 2b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.200 | Walls ss | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.100 | Yankees | AB | R | H | BI | BB | SO | Avg | Grisham cf | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.000 | Rice dh | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2.300 | García 1b | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.100 | Goldschmidt ph-1b | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | Bellinger lf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.083 | Lombard ss | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0.200 | A.Wells c | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.222 | Stanton ph | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Sánchez c | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | --- | Volpe 2b-3b | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2.500 | Jones rf | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.111 | Caballero 3b | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Chisholm ph-2b | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | Totals | 34 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 12 | Tampa Bay | 001 | 102 000 — | 4 | 7 | 1 | Yankees | 001 | 101 000 — | 3 | 7 | 0 | E: Caminero (1). LOB: Tampa Bay 2, New York 7. 2B: Jones (1), Volpe (1). HR: Vilade (1), off Fried; Mesa (1), off Fried; Volpe (1), off Jax. RBIs: Aranda (2), Vilade (1), Mesa 2 (2), Rice (3), Jones (1), Volpe (1). SB: Chisholm (2). Runners left in scoring position: Tampa Bay 0; New York 4 (Jones, Grisham, Bellinger, Caballero). RISP: Tampa Bay 1 for 2; New York 1 for 6. Runners moved up: Caballero. GIDP: Aranda, A.Wells. DP: Tampa Bay 1 (Aranda, Walls, Aranda); New York 1 (Lombard, Caballero, Garcia). | Tampa Bay | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | NP | ERA | Martinez | 3.2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 63 | 4.91 | Seymour, W, 1-0 | 1.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 2.08 | Jax, H, 1 | 2.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 32 | 4.50 | Booser, H, 1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0.00 | Kelly, H, 1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.00 | Baker, S, 3-3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 0.00 | Yankees | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | NP | ERA | Fried, L, 0-1 | 5.2 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 80 | 6.35 | Blackburn | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0.00 | Bednar | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 0.00 | T: 3:04. A: 48,865 (47,309).

ALDS Game 3

Guardians 9, White Sox 3 | Cleveland | AB | R | H | BI | BB | SO | Avg | Kwan cf-lf | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .154 | Ramírez 3b | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .200 | DeLauter rf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .250 | Adell dh | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .273 | Lowe 1b | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .125 | Martinez lf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .000 | Halpin cf | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | --- | Bazzana 2b | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .111 | Genao 2b | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 | Bailey c | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .333 | Rocchio ss | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .222 | Chicago | AB | R | H | BI | BB | SO | Avg | Antonacci dh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .143 | Vargas 3b | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .375 | Murakami 1b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .250 | Teel c | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .182 | Meidroth 2b | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .250 | Peters cf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .250 | B.Montgomery rf | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .100 | Grichuk lf | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .143 | C.Montgomery ss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .222 | Totals | 32 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 19 | Cleveland | 004 | 010 | 022 | — | 9 | 11 | 0 | Chicago | 100 | 101 | 000 | — | 3 | 6 | 0 | LOB: Cleveland 10, Chicago 8. 2B: Ramírez (1), Genao (1), Teel (1), Meidroth (1), Peters (1). 3B: Adell (2), Ramírez (1). RBIs: Kwan (1), Adell 3 (4), DeLauter (1), Ramírez 2 (2), Genao (1), Rocchio (1), Teel (1), Peters (1), Antonacci (1). SB: Ramírez (1), Rocchio (1). S: Rocchio. Runners left in scoring position: Cleveland 5 (Martinez 3, Adell, Kwan); Chicago 5 (Vargas 2, Peters 2, C.Montgomery). RISP: Cleveland 5 for 17; Chicago 2 for 11. DP: Cleveland 1 (Bazzana, Rocchio, Buzzana); Chicago 3 (Vargas, Murakami, Vargas; Meidroth, C.Montgomery, Murakami; Vargas). | Cleveland | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | NP | ERA | Espino | 0.2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 6.75 | Griffin, W, 1-0 | 2.2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 53 | 3.38 | Armstrong, H, 1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.00 | Cantillo, H, 1 | 1.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 25 | 5.40 | Gaddis, H, 1 | 0.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0.00 | Herrin, H, 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 0.00 | C.Smith | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 19 | 0.00 | Chicago | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | NP | ERA | Newcomb | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 0.00 | Hudson, L, 1-1 | 0.1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 40.50 | H.Smith | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 2.70 | Schultz | 3.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 45 | 3.00 | Davis | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 0.00 | Sandlin | 1.0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 18.00 | Martin | 1.0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 18.00 | T: 3:16. A: 40,590 (40,241).

NLDS Game 4

Dodgers 4, Braves 1 | Los Angeles | AB | R | H | BI | BB | SO | Avg | Betts ss | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .214 | Freeman 1b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .267 | Smith c | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .063 | Ohtani dh | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .154 | T.Hernández lf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .188 | Hy.Kim 2b | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | --- | Muncy 3b | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .250 | E.Hernández 2b | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 | De Paula ph | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | Edman pr-2b-lf | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | Tucker rf | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 | Pages cf | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .286 | Totals | 32 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | Atlanta | AB | R | H | BI | BB | SO | Avg | Harris cf | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1.375 | Acuña rf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2.133 | Olson 1b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.125 | Albies 2b | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.200 | Baldwin dh | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.071 | Yastrzemski lf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | Thomas ph-lf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.143 | Tellez ph | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Dubón ss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.154 | Riley 3b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | Murphy c | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.143 | Totals | 30 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 | Los Angeles | 010 000 201 — 4 5 0 | Atlanta | 100 000 000 — 1 3 2 | E: Murphy (1), Dubón (1). LOB: Los Angeles 4, Atlanta 7. 2B: Albies (2), Harris (2). HR: Muncy (3), off Iglesias. RBIs: Pages 2 (2), Muncy (3). SB: Harris (1). Runners left in scoring position: Los Angeles 1 (Betts); Atlanta 3 (Dubón, Olson, Acuña). RISP: Los Angeles 1 for 3; Atlanta 0 for 7. Runners moved up: Muncy, Olson. GIDP: E.Hernández. DP: Atlanta 1 (Albies, Olson). | Los Angeles | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | NP | ERA | Glasnow | 4.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 78 | 1.93 | Vesia | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0.00 | Henriquez, W, 1-0 | 1.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3.38 | Scott, H, 2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 6.75 | Díaz, S, 2-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0.00 | Atlanta | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | NP | ERA | Mahle, L, 0-1 | 6.1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 85 | 1.42 | Fuentes | 0.1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 4.50 | Suarez | 0.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0.00 | Lee | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 0.00 | Iglesias | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 3.86 | T: 2:54. A: 41,173 (41,149).

(Best-of-5) (x-if necessary)

No. 4 Atlanta vs. No. 8 Liberty

Atlanta leads series, 2-0

Gm. 1: Atlanta 92, Liberty 82

Gm. 2: Atlanta 101, Liberty 98, OT

Friday: at Liberty, 7:30pm

x-Sunday, Oct. 11: at Liberty, TBD

x-Wednesday, Oct. 14: at Atlanta, TBD

No. 2. Golden State vs. No. 3 Las Vegas

Golden State leads series, 2-0

Gm. 1: Golden State 71, Las Vegas 60

Gm. 2: Golden State 83, Las Vegas 81

Friday: at Las Vegas, 9:30 p.m.

x-Sunday, Oct. 11: at Las Vegas, TBD

x-Wednesday, Oct. 14: at Golden State, TBD

WNBA Finals (Best-of-5)

Saturday, Oct. 17: Game 1, TBD

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Tennis

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WTA China Open

At National Tennis Center; Beijing; Purse: \$9,415,725; Surface: Hardcourt outdoor; Wednesday seedings in parentheses):

Women's Singles - Round of 16

Iga Swiatek (8), Poland, def. Iva Jovic (10), United States, 6-1, 6-3.

Elise Mertens (13), Belgium, def. Coco Gauff (3), United States, 6-3, 6-3.

Zheng Qinwen, China, def. Alina Charaeva, Russia, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.

Elina Svitolina (6), Ukraine, def. Ann Li (21), United States, 6-2, 6-3.

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ATP Rankings

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Singles

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Through Tuesday

1. Jannik Sinner, Italy, 11000

2. Alexander Zverev, Germany, 9720

3. Carlos Alcaraz, Spain, 5560

4. Ben Shelton, United States, 4680

5. Felix Auger-Aliassime, Canada, 3890

6. Daniil Medvedev, Russia, 3860

7. Flavio Cobolli, Italy, 3680

8. Novak Djokovic, Serbia, 3480

9. Alex de Minaur, Australia, 3430

10. Frances Tiafoe, United States, 3380

11. Arthur Fils, France, 3275

12. Taylor Fritz, United States, 2880

13. Rafael Jodar, Spain, 2659

14. Valentin Vacherot, Monaco, 2450

15. Jakub Mensik, Czechia, 2445

16. Jiri Lehecka, Czechia, 2440

17. Learner Tien, United States, 2395

18. Tommy Paul, United States, 2375

19. Brandon Nakashima, United States, 2335

20. Francisco Cerundolo, Argentina,

2220

21. Luciano Darderi, Italy, 2200

22. Alexander Bublik, Kazakhstan, 2185

23. Andrey Rublev, Russia, 2175

---

WNBA Playoffs

---

Semifinals

---

WNBA Playoffs, Game 2 Dream 101, Liberty 98, OT

Liberty | Min | FG | FT | O-Rb | A | PF | Pts | Fiebich | 42:47 | 2-5 | 0-0 | 0-5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | Stewart | 43:01 | 11-21 | 11-13 | 1-11 | 6 | 3 | 35 | J.Jones | 38:00 | 8-11 | 3-4 | 3-8 | 0 | 5 | 21 | Astier | 14:07 | 2-6 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | Ionescu | 38:20 | 3-8 | 2-6 | 0-4 | 7 | 3 | 10 | Fauthoux | 30:49 | 8-10 | 0-0 | 1-6 | 4 | 6 | 20 | Xu | 6:56 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Gardner | 5:49 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Johannes | 3:13 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Allen | 2:00 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Totals | 225:00 | 35-64 | 16-23 | 5-36 | 23 | 25 | 98 | Percentages: FG .547, FT .696. 3-point goals: 12-25, .480 (Fauthoux 4-6, Ionescu 2-4, J.Jones 2-4, Stewart 2-4, Gardner 1-1, Astier 1-2, Johannes 0-1, Fiebich 0-3). Team rebounds: 7. Team turnovers: 1. Blocked shots: 7 (J.Jones 4, Stewart 2, Xu). Turnovers: 16 (J.Jones 6, Fauthoux 3, Fiebich 2, Ionescu 2, Astier, Stewart, Xu). Steals: 6 (Fauthoux 2, Fiebich, Ionescu, J.Jones, Stewart). Technicals: None.

Atlanta | Min | FG | FT | O-Rb | A | PF | Pts | Bonner | 34:27 | 2-11 | 5-6 | 1-4 | 3 | 1 | 10 | Hillmon | 43:30 | 5-11 | 1-1 | 2-8 | 5 | 1 | 12 | Reese | 39:06 | 8-16 | 6-6 | 5-7 | 2 | 5 | 23 | Canada | 39:20 | 9-15 | 2-2 | 0-5 | 8 | 2 | 23 | Howard | 43:39 | 5-20 | 6-6 | 1-7 | 4 | 4 | 18 | Borlase | 13:38 | 4-9 | 0-0 | 2-4 | 0 | 3 | 11 | Paopao | 10:24 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | Okot | 0:57 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Totals | 225:00 | 34-84 | 21-23 | 11-35 | 22 | 18 | 101 | Percentages: FG .405, FT .913. 3-point goals: 12-30, .400 (Borlase 3-5, Canada 3-6, Howard 2-6, Paopao 1-1, Reese 1-2, Bonner 1-4, Hillmon 1-6). Team rebounds: 10. Team turnovers: 2. Blocked shots: 2 (Reese 2). Turnovers: 7 (Canada 4, Reese 2, Paopao). Steals: 7 (Howard 2, Bonner, Borlase, Canada, Hillmon, Reese). Technicals: None. | Liberty | 26 | 28 | 20 | 14 | 10— | 98 | Atlanta | 26 | 30 | 19 | 13 | 13— | 101 | A: 9,574 (18,118). T: 2:26.

---

NBA Preseason

---

Wednesday

Indiana 123, Minnesota 112

Orlando 122, Memphis 118

Milwaukee 128, Oklahoma City 126

Chicago 124, Phoenix 117

Portland 123, Golden State 118

---

Thursday | EAST | W | L | D | Pts | GF | GA | Nashville | 18 | 3 | 6 | 60 | 55 | 21 | New England | 14 | 9 | 4 | 46 | 45 | 36 | Inter Miami CF | 12 | 5 | 10 | 46 | 64 | 50 | Chicago | 13 | 8 | 6 | 45 | 49 | 39 | Charlotte FC | 12 | 8 | 7 | 43 | 47 | 38 | Philadelphia | 11 | 10 | 6 | 39 | 54 | 44 | Orlando City | 10 | 13 | 4 | 34 | 48 | 64 | Red Bulls | 9 | 12 | 6 | 33 | 34 | 51 | NYCFC | 8 | 10 | 9 | 33 | 41 | 36 | Cincinnati | 8 | 9 | 9 | 33 | 55 | 64 | D.C. United | 6 | 8 | 12 | 30 | 34 | 42 | Columbus | 8 | 14 | 5 | 29 | 39 | 43 | Toronto FC | 6 | 10 | 11 | 29 | 39 | 51 | Atlanta | 7 | 14 | 6 | 27 | 32 | 45 | CF Montréal | 6 | 15 | 6 | 24 | 34 | 54 | Washington at Knicks, 7:30pm

Philadelphia at Nets, 7:30pm

Boston at Cleveland, 7pm

New Orleans at Miami, 7:30pm

Atlanta at San Antonio, 8pm

Sacramento at L.A. Lakers, 10:30pm

---

MLS | WEST | W | L | D | Pts | GF | GA | Vancouver | 15 | 7 | 5 | 50 | 60 | 29 | St Louis City | 13 | 6 | 8 | 47 | 48 | 36 | FC Dallas | 13 | 6 | 8 | 47 | 50 | 42 | San Jose | 13 | 8 | 6 | 45 | 49 | 39 | Houston | 13 | 9 | 5 | 44 | 34 | 32 | Los Angeles FC | 11 | 9 | 8 | 41 | 43 | 30 | Seattle FC | 10 | 9 | 8 | 38 | 35 | 35 | Colorado | 11 | 13 | 3 | 36 | 38 | 38 | LA Galaxy | 9 | 10 | 9 | 36 | 37 | 44 | Portland | 9 | 13 | 5 | 32 | 48 | 51 | Real Salt Lake | 9 | 13 | 5 | 32 | 40 | 44 | San Diego FC | 8 | 11 | 8 | 32 | 47 | 47 | Austin FC | 7 | 10 | 10 | 31 | 35 | 47 | Minn. United | 7 | 12 | 8 | 29 | 40 | 49 | Sporting K.C. | 6 | 18 | 3 | 21 | 32 | 65 | Note: 3 pts. for win, 1 for tie

---

Saturday

NYCFC at Chicago, 2:30pm

San Diego FC at Red Bulls, 7:30pm

CF Montréal at Toronto FC, 1pm

Cincinnati at Atlanta, 7:30pm

FC Dallas at Charlotte FC, 7:30pm

D.C. United at Miami, 7:30pm

Seattle FC at New England, 7:30pm

Columbus at Orlando City, 7:30pm

Salt Lake at Philadelphia, 7:30pm

Nashville at Austin FC, 8:30pm

Portland at Sporting K.C., 8:30pm

Houston at Minnesota, 8:30pm

San Jose at Colorado, 9:30pm

Vancouver at Los Angeles FC, 10:30pm

---

Sunday

LA Galaxy at St Louis City, 7pm

---

Wednesday, October 14

Red Bulls at D.C. United, 7:30pm

NYCFC at Miami, 7:30pm

New England at Cincinnati, 7:30pm

Charlotte FC at Columbus, 7:30pm

Atlanta at CF Montréal, 7:30pm

Orlando City at Toronto FC, 7:30pm

Philadelphia at Chicago, 8:30pm

Seattle FC at FC Dallas, 8:30pm

Sporting K.C. at Nashville, 8:30pm

Vancouver at St Louis City, 8:30pm

Minnesota at Colorado, 9:30pm

San Jose at Salt Lake, 9:30pm

Portland at LA Galaxy, 10:30pm

Austin FC at Los Angeles FC, 10:30pm

Houston at San Diego FC, 10:30pm

---

Soccer

Women's International Friendly Armenia 2, Jordan 1

Liechtenstein vs. Gibraltar, canc.

Brazilian Serie A

Internacional 2, Corinthians 1

Red Bull Bragantino 1, Mirassol 1

Remo 1, Gremio 1

Vitoria 4, Chapecoense 0

Vasco de Gama 2, Botafogo 1

Cruzeiro 2, Sao Paulo 0

---

NFL

AMERICAN CONFERENCE | East | W | L | T | Pct. | PF | PA | Buffalo | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 127 | 107 | New England | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 65 | 77 | Jets | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 76 | 84 | Miami | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 46 | 101 | South | W | L | T | Pct. | PF | PA | Jacksonville | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 104 | 53 | Indianapolis | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 102 | 104 | Tennessee | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 55 | 83 | Houston | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 84 | 109 | North | W | L | T | Pct. | PF | PA | Cleveland | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 81 | 95 | Baltimore | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 116 | 96 | Pittsburgh | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 77 | 87 | Cincinnati | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 97 | 85 | West | W | L | T | Pct. | PF | PA | Kansas City | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 118 | 77 | Las Vegas | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 115 | 84 | Denver | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 74 | 94 | L.A. Chargers | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 67 | 106 | NATIONAL CONFERENCE | East | W | L | T | Pct. | PF | PA | Giants | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 82 | 79 | Philadelphia | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 75 | 93 | Dallas | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 122 | 112 | Washington | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 88 | 122 | South | W | L | T | Pct. | PF | PA | Carolina | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 121 | 109 | Atlanta | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 96 | 92 | New Orleans | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 105 | 128 | Tampa Bay | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 76 | 96 | North | W | L | T | Pct. | PF | PA | Minnesota | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 86 | 51 | Chicago | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 112 | 65 | Detroit | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 119 | 127 | Green Bay | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 73 | 105 | West | W | L | T | Pct. | PF | PA | San Francisco | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 122 | 64 | Seattle | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 105 | 73 | L.A. Rams | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 85 | 83 | Arizona | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 87 | 117 | GIANTS: DNP: WR Malik Nabers (Knee Soreness), DE Chauncey Golston (Neck), S Jason Pinnock (Concussion Protocol), T Andrew Thomas (groin), RB Najee Harris (NIR/personal). LIMITED: TE Isaiah Likely (knee/groin), TE Chris Manhertz (shoulder), RB Cam Skattebo (shoulder). FULL: CB Deonte Banks (Calf) OL Bryan Hudson (ankle).

---

Thursday-Week 5

Tampa Bay at Dallas, 8:15pm Sunday

Giants at Washington, 1pm

Philadelphia vs Jacksonville at London, GBR, 9:30 a.m.

Chicago at Green Bay, 1pm

Cincinnati at Miami, 1pm

Houston at Tennessee, 1pm

Indianapolis at Pittsburgh, 1pm

Las Vegas at New England, 1pm

Minnesota at New Orleans, 1pm

Denver at L.A. Chargers, 4:05pm

Detroit at Arizona, 4:25pm

San Francisco at Seattle, 4:25pm

Baltimore at Atlanta, 8:20pm

River Kansas City, Carolina

---

Monday

Buffalo at L.A. Rams, 8:15pm

Thursday, Oct. 15- Week 6 Seattle at Denver, 8:15pm

---

Sunday, Oct. 18

Jets at New England, 1pm

New Orleans at Giants, 1pm

Houston vs Jacksonville at London, GBR, 9:30 a.m.

Baltimore at Cleveland, 1pm

Carolina at Philadelphia, 1pm

Chicago at Atlanta, 1pm

Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay, 1pm

Tennessee at Indianapolis, 1pm

Arizona at L.A. Rams, 4:05pm

Buffalo at Las Vegas, 4:25pm

L.A. Chargers at Kansas City, 4:25pm

Dallas at Green Bay, 8:20pm

Bye: Cincinnati, Miami, Detroit, Minnesota

Monday, Oct. 19

Washington at San Francisco, 8:15pm

---

NFL Injury Report

The National Football League injury report, as provided by the league. (OUT: Player will not play; DOUBTFUL: Player is unlikely to play;

QUESTIONABLE: Player is not certain to play; DNP: did not practice; LIMITED: limited participation; FULL: Full participation):

---

Week 5

---

Thursday

---

BUCCANEERS at COWBOYS

TAMPA BAY: OUT: OLB Rueben Bain Jr. (groin / shoulder), LB SirVocea Dennis (ankle / Foot), QB Baker Mayfield (right thumb), CB Benjamin Morrison (quadriceps), S Antoine Winfield Jr. (Rib). FULL: K Chase McLaughlin (right groin / Hip), OLB Anthony Nelson (illness), LB Josiah Trotter (knee).

DALLAS: OUT: CB Cobie Durant (hamstring), LB DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring), T Drew Shelton (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: WR Jonathan Mingo (illness), G Tyler Smith (Thumb). FULL:S Elijah Clark (ankle), RB Tyler Goodson (ankle), S Malik Hooker (Forearm), OLB James Houston (shoulder) WR CeeDee Lamb, (Thigh) CB Joey Porter Jr. (ankle).

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Sunday

---

GIANTS at COMMANDERS

WASHINGTON: DNP : S Percy Butler (hamstring), WR Stefon Diggs (hamstring), QB Marcus Mariota (knee), WR Terry McLaurin (hamstring), DE Charles Omenihu (groin / ankle), S Tyler Owens (hamstring). LIMITED: C/G Nick Allegretti (hip/achilles), CB Trey Amos (ankle), G Samuel Cosmi (concussion), RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin), LB Frankie Luvu (groin), RB Jeremy McNichols (quad), TE Chigoziem Okonkwo (hamstring), TE Ben Sinnott (Rib), LB Sonny Styles (groin), RB Rachada-White (shoulder), DE Deatrich Wise (quard), FULL: Troyellon Burkts (shoulder), S Nick Cross (illness), QB Jayden Daniels (Left Elbow), DT Javon Kinlaw (shoulder), CB Fabian Moreau (knee), S Jeremy Reaves (Finger).

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JETS at BROWNS

CLEVELAND: DNP: DE Derek Barnett (ankle), DT Mason Graham (knee, ankle), DT Mason Hall (ankle), G Teven Jenkins (back), WR Tre Wallace (knee). LIMITED: DT Kalia Davis (quad), S Grant Delpit (shoulder). FULL: QB Dillon Gabriel (back), C Elgton Jenkins (concussion).

JETS: DNP: CB Ji'Ayir Brownlee Jr. (concussion), RB Breece Hall (quad), LB K.J. Mauigoa (quad), WR Adonai Mitchell (finger), OL Dylan Parham (knee). LIMITED: EDGE Kingsley Enagbare (knee). FULL: WR Tim Patrick (groin), TE Mason Taylor (thumb).

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EAGLES vs. JAGUARS (In London)

PHILADELPHIA: DNP: RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring), WR Hollywood Brown (ankle), LB Jihaad Campbell (knee), S Marcus Epps (groin), DE Jonathan Greenard (ankle), C Drew Kendall (knee), WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring). LIMITED: LB Zack Baun (concussion), TE Dallas Goedert (knee), OL Fred Johnson (knee), CB Quinyon Mitchell (knee).

JACKSONVILLE: DNP: S Eric Murray (concussion). LIMITED: CB Montaric Brown (hamstring), DT DaVon Hamilton (foot), OT Anton Harrison (elbow), DE Josh Hines-Allen (groin), CB Jarrian Jones (foot), CB Jourdan Lewis (hamstring), G Cole Van Lanen (knee). FULL: LB LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip), WR Jakobi Meyers (thumb).

---

BEARS at PACKERS

CHICAGO: DNP: OL Jonah Jackson (ankle), DL Grady Jarrett (NIR/rest), RB Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe), RB D'Andre Swift (hip/knee), OL Joe Thuney (pectoral), QB Caleb Williams (hamstring), OL Darnell Wright (ankle). LIMITED: LB Keyshawn Elliott (quadricep), LB Noah Sewell (achilles), DL Shemar Turner (knee). FULL: DB Kyler Gordon (calf), DB Cam Lewis (hip).

GREEN BAY: DNP: G Aaron Banks (knee/toe), RB Chris Brooks (ankle), C/G Jager Burton (back), C/G Jacob Monk (quadricep). LIMITED: G/T Anthony Belton (knee), DT Anthony Campbell (ankle), EDGE Lukas Van Ness (shoulder), WR Savion Williams (ankle), DT Devonte Wyatt (ankle). FULL: CR Brandon Cisse (neck)

---

COLTS at STEELERS

INDIANAPOLIS: DNP: C Tanor

Bortolini (ankle), LB Jaylon Carlies (ribs), LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee), WR Ashton Dulin (hamstring), DE Arden Key (hamstring). LIMITED: WR Keenan Allen (NIR/rest), RB Jonathan Taylor (NIR/rest). FULL: TE Will Mallory (thumb).

PITTSBURGH: DNP: CB Jamel Dean (ankle), DT Cameron Heyward (NIR/rest), CB Jalen Ramsey (wrist). LIMITED: RB Rico Dowdle (toe), WR Michael Pittman Jr. (foot).

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TEXANS at TITANS

HOUSTON: DNP: T Trent Brown (NIR/Rest), DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), LB Jamal Hill (knee). LIMITED: WR Nico Collins (NIR/Rest), WR Tank Dell (knee). FULL: RB Joe Mixon (Foot).

TENNESSEE: DNP: DL John Franklin-Myers (back), CB Marcus Harris (knee/ankle), S Amani Hooker (concussion), RB Tony Pollard (foot), DT Jeffery Simmons (back). LIMITED: S Kevin Winston Jr. (shoulder). FULL: TE David Martin-Robinson (hamstring), CB Joshua Williams (pec).

---

LIONS at CARDINALS

DETROIT: DNP: G Ben Bartch (foot), DT Tyleik Williams (foot), CB Rock Ya-Sin (hamstring). LIMITED: DB Brian Branch (achilles), C Cade Mays (wrist), DE D.J. Wonnum (back).

ARIZONA: DNP: OT Paris Johnson Jr. (Biceps), G Isaiah Adams (ankle), S Andrew Wingard (knee). LIMITED: RB Trey Benson (ankle), S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Back), FULL: TE Hunter Long (knee).

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RAIDERS at PATRIOTS

LAS VEGAS: DNP: WR Jalen Nailor (concussion). LIMITED: TE Brock Bowers (knee), G Spencer Burford (knee), DT Florus Fatukasi (shoulder), G Jackson Powers-Johnson (groin), WR Cody White (ankle), G Trey Zuhn (knee). FULL: RB Ashton Jeanty (ankle), LB Segun Olubi (wrist), WR Dont'e Thornton (hamstring).

NEW ENGLAND: DNP: CB Carlton Davis III (neck), CB Christian Gonzalez (shoulder), WR Mack Hollins (calf), CB Karon Prunty (hamstring). LIMITED: DT Christian Barmore (shoulder), CB Channing Canada (hamstring), LB Christian Elliss (chest), FB Reggie Gilliam (ankle/knee), LB Dre'Mont Jones (shoulder), T Morgan Moses (foot), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (knee), CB Charles Woods (shoulder), S Craig Woodson (shoulder). FULL: QB Drake Maye (right shoulder), S Brenden Schooler (back).

---

VIKINGS at SAINTS

(ankle). LIMITED: DL Zach Allen (NIR/rest), OLB Dondrea Tillman (hamstring), TE Adam Trautman (shoulder). FULL: RB Tyler Badie (foot).

MINNESOTA: DNP: WR Jordan Addison (hamstring), T Christian Darrisaw (concussion), CB Charles Demmings (hamstring). LIMITED: WR Justin Jefferson (ankle), RB Aaron Jones (NIR/rest), T Brian O'Neill (knee). FULL: C Michael Jurgens (elbow), P Brett Thorson (right hamstring), TE Ben Yurosek (ankle).

NEW ORLEANS: DNP: WR Barion Brown (thigh), LB Kaden Elliss (calf), LB Anfernee Jennings (knee), RB Alvin Kamara (back), WR Chris Olave (NIR/rest). LIMITED: S Julian Blackmon (shoulder), TE Noah Fant (abdomen), LB Carl Granderson (ankle), S Mike Reid (ankle), QB Tyler Shough (left hand). FULL: LB Jaylen Ford (ankle), DT Davon Godchaux (groin), CB Lorenzo Styles (calf).

---

BRONCOS at CHARGERS

LOS ANGELES: DNP: T Joe Att (neck), G Kayode Awosika (fibula), CB Dante Jackson (hamstring), S Derwin James Jr. (hamstring), OLB Khalil Mack (NIR/rest), WR Ladd McConkey (foot), OL Trevor Penning (concussion), T Rashawn Slater (ankle). LIMITED: CB Cam Hart (knee), FB Alec Ingold (shoulder), WR Quentin Johnston (chest), TE Charlie Kolar (forearm), QB Trey Lance (groin), DB Deane Leonard (rib), FB/DL Scott Matlock (foot), G/T Branson Taylor (neck), WR Brenen Thompson (quadricep), DL Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring).

DENVER: DNP: WR Pat Bryant (ankle), CB Riley Moss (ribs), CB Pat Surtain II

---

49ERS at SEAHAWKS

SAN FRANCISCO: DNP: DE Nick Bosa (knee/calf), WR Mike Evans (ribs), LB Dre Greenlaw (NIR/rest), FB Kyle Juszczyk (knee), RB Christian McCaffrey (NIR/rest), S Marques Sigle (ankle), CB Upton Stout (shoulder), DT James Thompson (ankle), T Trent Williams (NIR/rest). LIMITED: RB Kaelon Black (illness), DE Myket Williams (knee). FULL: LB Jaden Dugger (shoulder), DE Romello Height (hand).

SEATTLE: DNP: CB Nehemiah Pritchett (ankle), WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (NIR/rest), LB Chazz Surratt (calf). LIMITED: RB Zach Charbonnet (knee), WR Irvin Charles (knee), RB George Holani (ribs), LB Tyrice Knight (ankle), G Beau Stephens (knee), DT Leonard Williams (ankle). FULL: LB Patrick O'Connell (thumb), S Ty Okada (hamstring).

---

RAVENS at FALCONS

BALTIMORE: DNP: DL Calais Campbell (NIR/rest), OLB Trey Hendrickson (finger), CB Marlon Humphrey (hamstring/calf), QB Lamar Jackson (ankle), TE Durham Smythe (achilles), T Ronnie Stanley (NIR/rest/toe/ankle), G Andrew Vorhees (foot). LIMITED: WR Rashod Bateman (shoulder), WR Zay Flowers (foot), S Kyle Hamilton (groin), WR Chris Moore (ankle), G John Simpson (groin). FULL: TE Mark Andrews (hand).

ATLANTA: DNP: LB Yasir Abdullah (hamstring), LT Jake Matthews (groin), DE Za'Darius Smith (concussion/neck). LIMITED: OT Michael Jerrell (ankle), DE Cam Thomas (shoulder)

---

NWSL | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA | Gotham FC | 16 | 4 | 7 | 55 | 35 | 21 | San Diego | 16 | 8 | 3 | 51 | 40 | 28 | Washington | 15 | 8 | 4 | 49 | 39 | 26 | Utah Royals FC | 14 | 9 | 4 | 46 | 44 | 35 | Kansas City | 13 | 9 | 5 | 44 | 48 | 38 | Angel City | 12 | 8 | 7 | 43 | 45 | 29 | Portland | 12 | 8 | 7 | 43 | 45 | 39 | North Carolina | 13 | 11 | 3 | 42 | 50 | 39 | Seattle | 12 | 11 | 4 | 40 | 33 | 32 | Denver Summit FC | 10 | 9 | 8 | 38 | 45 | 37 | Orlando | 10 | 14 | 3 | 33 | 36 | 43 | Houston | 8 | 13 | 6 | 30 | 34 | 39 | Boston Legacy FC | 8 | 14 | 5 | 29 | 36 | 46 | Bay FC | 7 | 15 | 5 | 26 | 28 | 42 | Louisville | 7 | 17 | 3 | 24 | 36 | 52 | Chicago | 5 | 20 | 2 | 17 | 15 | 63 | NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie.

Friday, October 16

Louisville at Boston Legacy FC, 8pm

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Saturday, October 17

Gotham FC at Washington, 12:30pm

Kansas City at Utah Royals FC, 6:30pm

San Diego at North Carolina, 7pm

Angel City at Denver Summit FC, 8:45pm

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Sunday, October 18

Orlando at Houston, 1pm

Portland at Bay FC, 5pm

Seattle at Chicago, 7pm

---

College Football

---

Wednesday

---

SOUTH

Jacksonville St. 27, Kennesaw St. 26

FIU 22, New Mexico St. 3

Rahm leaving LIV Golf after bankruptcy

By JENNA LEMONCELLI

The proposed launch of LIV Golf 2.0 looks bleak.

During a U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing in New Jersey on Wednesday, Jon Rahm's lawyer, John Beck of Dentons U.S. LLP, said the two-time major champion will not participate in the league after he independently reviewed the terms of LIV Golf 2.0 and deemed them "unacceptable," according to Front Office Sports.

LIV 2.0 is the proposed scaled-back restructuring of the LIV Golf league after its funding by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) ended at the conclusion of the 2026 season.

Rahm, 31, is reportedly owed more than \$300 million on the multiyear contract he signed ahead of the 2024 season.

Rahm's lawyer said the Spanish pro and LIV Golf are in advanced discussions for a consensual separation agreement.

Beck added that his client hopes to finalize that separation agreement by Oct. 15, to be heard at the Nov. 5 hearing.

“If the parties, for whatever reason, are unable to reach a consensual separation agreement, Mr. Rahm intends to press his objection to the rejection motion, which we have shared already in draft form with debtors counsel, and we will be back before Your Honor on Nov. 5 to address the scope and applicable provisions of any order seeking to reject Mr. Rahm’s contract,” Beck said. “So, with that, Your Honor, unless you have any questions, I will cede the podium back to debtors.”

Rahm is eligible to return to the DP World Tour in Europe after paying fines and agreeing to play in at least five events.

His return to the PGA

JON RAHM

Tour is murkier after passing on the Returning Members Program that Brooks Koepka took, which is now closed.

Rahm's lawyer did not elaborate on the LIV terms his client deemed unacceptable.

With LIV 2.0, the focus will be on trying to finalize a deal with investors for a 10-event league in 2027 with smaller purses and players taking on equity stakes, according to The Athletic.

LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy Sept. 8.

In August, LIV informed employees of massive layoffs, which included most of its U.S. and U.K. workforce, in an effort to scale back as the league looked for new investors.

BC Partners Credit announced an investment in LIV's next iteration Monday.

Mobii Systems Group Limited and Fresh Tape Media, two of LIV's digital media vendors, filed lawsuits against the league for unpaid invoices, seeking more than \$1 million each.

Rahm won the 2021 U.S. Open and 2023 Masters.

He won LIV Golf's Individual Championship in each of his first three seasons — and he pulled in more than \$106 million in prize and bonus money at LIV, according to Spotrac.

jlemoncelli@nypost.com

The POST Line

NFL Thursday | Favorite | PTS (O/U) | Underdog | COWBOYS | 8.5 (47.5) | Buccaneers | Favorite | Sunday PTS (O/U) | Underdog | JETS | 1.5 (40.5) | Browns | COMMANDERS | 3.5 (43.5) | Giants | JAGUARS | 7.5 (42.5) | Eagles | Texans | 7.5 (37.5) | TITANS | PATRIOTS | 3.5 (45) | Raiders | Bears | 2.5 (45.5) | PACKERS | Vikings | 1.5 (42.5) | SAINTS | STEELERS | 2.5 (44.5) | Colts | Bengals | 6.5 (42.5) | DOLPHINS | Broncos | 3.5 (42.5) | CHARGERS | Lions | 5.5 (54.5) | CARDINALS | SEAHAWKS | 3 (46.5) | 49ers | FALCONS | 3.5 (43.5) | Ravens | Favorite | Monday PTS (O/U) | Underdog | RAMS | 3 (54.5) | Bills | ---

College Football

Thursday

NHL Thursday | Favorite | Money Line | Underdog | ISLANDERS | $150-185 | Blackhawks | CANADIENS | $149-184 | Predators | SABRES | -109-113 | Stars | SENATORS | $118-145 | Flyers | Mammoth | -101-121 | BRUINS | HURRICANES | $260-336 | Canucks | LIGHTNING | $122-151 | Wild | BLUES | $121-150 | Sharks | Avalanche | $188-237 | FLAMES | VEGAS | $137-167 | Maple Leafs | MLB Thursday | Favorite | Money Line | Underdog | Guardians | -107-113 | WHITE SOX | WNBA

Friday-Semifinals | Favorite | PTS (O/U) | Underdog | LIBERTY | 3.5 (172.5) | Dream | ACES | 4.5 (157.5) | Valkyries | NBA-Opening Nights

Tuesday, Oct. 20 | Favorite | PTS (O/U) | Underdog | KNICKS | 5.5 (231.5) | 76ers | PISTONS | 1.5 (221.5) | Celtics | SPURS | 2.5 (230.5) | Thunder | Wednesday, Oct. 21 | Favorite | PTS (O/U) | Underdog | LIBERTY | 13.5 (52.5) | Sam Houston | W. KENTUCKY | 2.5 (56.5) | Missouri State | ARKANSAS ST. | 1.5 (60.5) | So. Alabama | UTSA | 7 (50.5) | South Florida | Friday | Favorite | PTS (O/U) | Underdog | LOUISVILLE | 3.5 (59.5) | Florida State | SAN JOSE ST. | 6 (43.5) | Wyoming | WASHINGTON | 3.5 (41.5) | Iowa | UTAH STATE | 5.5 (44.5) | Washington St. | BYU | 10.5 (46.5) | Iowa State | Saturday | Favorite | PTS (O/U) | Underdog | BOWL. GREEN | 7.5 (44.5) | Sacramento St. | Arizona | 3 (61.5) | W. VIRGINIA | Indiana | 7.5 (49.5) | NEBRASKA | W. Forest | 3.5 (59.5) | NC STATE | OKLAHOMA ST. | 10.5 (53.5) | Ucf | PITTSBURGH | 3.5 (47.5) | Unc | ARMY | 3.5 (48.5) | Tulane | MISSOURI | 3.5 (48.5) | Texas A&M | N'WESTERN | 36.5 (52.5) | Ball State | FLORIDA | 12.5 (60.5) | S. Carolina | APP. STATE | 9.5 (49.5) | Old Dominion | Miami (Oh) | 2.5 (47.5) | UMASS | Ole Miss | 8.5 (56.5) | VANDERBILT | E. Michigan | 6.5 (52.5) | AKRON | Va. Tech | 9.5 (53.5) | CAL | KANSAS ST. | 2.5 (55.5) | Houston | Illinois | 2.5 (48.5) | MICHIGAN ST. | W. MICHIGAN | 13.5 (43.5) | Kent State | TOLEDO | 21 (54.5) | Buffalo | Duke | 6.5 (44.5) | GA. TECH | Texas | 7.5 (39.5) | OKLAHOMA | NOTRE DAME | 38 (54.5) | Stanford | N. TEXAS | 28.5 (57.5) | Charlotte | NAVY | 2.5 (48.5) | Tulsa | OREGON | 11.5 (58.5) | Ucla | OHIO | 3 (46.5) | C. Michigan | TEMPLE | 3.5 (54.5) | Uconn | E. CAROLINA | 10 (47.5) | Rice | OHIO STATE | 34.5 (56.5) | Maryland | Tennessee | 13.5 (51.5) | ARKANSAS | OREGON ST. | 14.5 (53.5) | San Diego St. | MARSHALL | 3 (58.5) | Co. Carolina | Nevada | 9.5 (49.5) | UTEP | Lsu | 8.5 (51.5) | KENTUCKY | MEMPHIS | 14 (53.5) | Uab | N. Dakota St. | 3.5 (48.5) | UNLV | Air Force | 7.5 (46.5) | NO. ILLINOIS | LA. TECH | 3 (47.5) | Louisiana | VIRGINIA | 9.5 (50.5) | Syracuse | PENN STATE | 1.5 (54.5) | Usc | James Madison | 7.5 (51.5) | GA. SOUTHERN | ALABAMA | 1.5 (51.5) | Georgia | Minnesota | 2.5 (50.5) | PURDUE | UTAH | 15.5 (51.5) | Kansas | Boise State | 6.5 (48.5) | FRESNO ST. | ARIZONA ST. | 20.5 (50.5) | Hawaii | Hornets | 2.5 (223.5) | NETS | WIZARDS | 6.5 (238.5) | Bucks | MAGIC | 2.5 (233.5) | Hawks | RAPTORS | 8.5 (235.5) | Bulls | HEAT | 1.5 (243.5) | Twolves | Jazz | 2.5 (241.5) | GRIZZLIES | Pacers | 3.5 (243.5) | PELICANS | ROCKETS | 8.5 (227.5) | Mavericks | LAKERS | 5.5 (235.5) | Warriors | TRAIL BLAZERS | 4.5 (235.5) | Suns | CLIPPERS | 4.5 (230.5) | Kings | TOP PLAY

Go low on S. Florida-UTSA

By MICHAEL LEBOFF

It may not register with the masses, but Thursday's tilt between South Florida and Texas-San Antonio could be one of the Group of 6's most important games this season.

Both teams are 4-1 overall and have legitimate aspirations of winning the AAC and perhaps gatecrashing the College Football Playoff as the Group of 6's representative.

There were tempered expectations for USF. The Bulls fell just short of the AAC Championship game last season. Rather than rebuild the program with an internal candidate, the Bulls brought in Brian Hartline from Ohio State to run the show. Hartline's recruiting acumen was legendary in Columbus, and the hope is that some of that could rub off on USF.

A 4-1 start to Hartline's tenure looks good on paper, but the numbers aren't all that encouraging. The offense has been mundane, especially in terms of explosiveness. Former SEC quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. has kept the Bulls out of turnover trouble, but he's managed only three touchdowns and has yet to connect for a 40-yard passing play.

Against other opponents, the Bulls can lean into their ground game and bully teams on the line of scrimmage, but that won't be an easy thing to accomplish against UTSA.

The Roadrunners also possess some underwhelming offensive numbers and are struggling to impose their will on defenses.

Given the stakes and the form of these two offenses, Under 49.5 seems like a safe bet.

THE PLAY: South Florida-UTSA Under 50.5

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Pitching Form | | (Game time) | 2026 | '26 vs OPP | CAREER vs OPP | LAST 3 STARTS | W-L | ERA | *REC | W-L | ERA | W-L | IP | ERA | Guardians | Messick (L) | 0-1 | 4.15 | 0-1 | 2-2 | 3.00 | 3-1 | 0-1 | 12.1 | 2.92 | White Sox | Smith (L) | (8:00pm) | 3-2 | 1.29 | 0-1 | 1-0 | 3.46 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 2.0 | 0.00 | \* REC: Won-lost record of pitcher's team in games he has started.

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SPORTS SHORTS

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NFL: Jackson misses practice

Lamar Jackson missed practice for the Ravens, three days after injuring his ankle in a win over Tennessee. Jackson also wasn't available before practice Wednesday, when he usually talks to the media.

Head coach Jesse Minter said Jackson is getting treatment for the injury and will determine if he is available for Sunday night's game against Atlanta.

Kyle Juszczyk won his appeal over the fines issued by the NFL for his "Juice" celebration and the league later ruled that all drinking celebrations will be allowed going forward. Juszczyk was initially fined \$29,852 for two violations of the league's sportsmanship rules after celebrating two catches in the third quarter of a Week 2 win over the Dolphins.

● The Eagles traded offensive lineman

Cam Jurgens to the Ravens and Philadelphia receives a fifth-round selection in 2027 and a second-rounder in 2028. Baltimore also gets a seventh-rounder in 2027 in the deal.

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NHL: Capitals top Penguins

Tom Wilson had a goal and two assists, and the Capitals held on for a win in Alex Ovechkin's final home opener, 5-3 over the Penguins in Washington.

● In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kyle Connor broke a tie with a minute left with his second goal of the game and the Jets beat the Avalanche 3-2 for their third straight victory.

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WNBA: Valkyries go up 2-0

Veronica Burton hit a deep 3-pointer that put Golden State ahead with 41 seconds left and converted two free throws in the closing seconds, and the Valkyries held off the Las Vegas Aces 83-81 in San Francisco for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five WNBA semifinal series.

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STITCHES

Don't be Chi ... take Sox

Is the White Sox's magical carriage turning back into a pumpkin?

The Cinderella Sox couldn't finish the job in Game 3, losing 9-3 to the Guardians. They get another golden opportunity to advance Thursday.

The Guardians' Parker Messick took the loss in Game 1 when he gave up a towering two-run homer to Munetaka Murakami. Messick will try to rebound in Game 4 and send this series back to Cleveland.

The White Sox have listed their starting pitcher as TBD. Another bullpen game? Maybe. Chicago has had success utilizing its stable, but that plan did not go well in Game 3. Seven pitchers gave up nine runs. We have the White Sox winning the series, so there is no turning back now. Play \$50 on the Chisox.

Hit it, Sinatra. "Start spreadin' the blues." No Judge. No help from the outfield walls. No wins. No Game 4. Rays win the series 3-0. Heavy loss. Down -374 billymartins.

stitches@nypost.com | Home Team Lineups | HOME | AWAY | TODAYOct. 8 | FRIOct. 9 | SATOct. 10 | SUNOct. 11 | MONOct. 12 | | Preseason Washington7:30MSG | NO GAME | NO GAME | NO GAME | Preseason Minnesota7:30MSG | | Preseason Philadelphia7:30YESDAZN | NO GAME | NO GAME | NO GAME | Preseason Washington7:00DAZN | | NO GAME | Semis Gm. 3Atlanta7:30ESPN2 | NO GAME | Semis Gm. 4(if nec.)AtlantaTBDABC | NO GAME | | NO GAME | Washington7:00MSG880 AM | NO GAME | Vancouver6:00MSG880 AM | NO GAME | | Chicago7:30MSGSN88.7FM103.9 FM | NO GAME | Tampa Bay7:30MSGSN88.7FM103.9 FM | NO GAME | NO GAME | | NO GAME | NO GAME | Vancouver3:30MSGSNDHN Radio | NO GAME | Ottawa7:00MSGSNDHN Radio | Sunday | Sunday | | Washington1:00Fox660 AM/101.9 FM | | Cleveland1:00CBS104.3 FM |

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Today's Sports on the Air | MLB BASEBALL | 8 p.m. | ALDS: Guardians at White Sox, Game 4 | TBS | NBA BASKETBALL | 7:30 p.m. | Preseason: Wizards at Knicks | MSG | 7:30 p.m. | Preseason: 76ers at Nets | YES, DAZN | 10:30 p.m. | Preseason: Kings at Lakers | ESPN2 | NHL HOCKEY | 7:30 p.m. | Blackhawks at Islanders | MSGSN, 88.7 FM, 103.9 FM | NFL FOOTBALL | 8:15 p.m. | Buccaneers at Cowboys | Prime Video, 101.9 FM, 660 AM | COLLEGE FOOTBALL | 7 p.m. | Missouri St. at W. Kentucky | CBSSN | 7 p.m. | Sam Houston St. at Liberty | ESPNU | 7:30 p.m. | South Florida at UTSA | ESPN | 7:30 p.m. | South Alabama at Arkansas St. | ESPN2 | GOLF | 8 a.m. | DP World Tour: Open de España presented by Madrid, 1st Round | Golf | 3 p.m. | Korn Ferry Tour: Korn Ferry Tour Championship, 1st Round | Golf | 11 p.m. | PGA Tour: Baycurrent Classic, 2nd Round | Golf | TENNIS | 6 a.m. | WTA Beijing, Quarterfinals; ATP Shanghai, 1st Round | Tennis | 12 a.m. (Fri.) | WTA Beijing, Quarterfinals; ATP Shanghai, 2nd Round | Tennis | AUTO RACING | 4:30 a.m. (Fri.) | Formula 1: Singapore Grand Prix, Practice | Apple TV | MEN'S COLLEGE HOCKEY | 7 p.m. | Niagara at Notre Dame | NBCSN | WOMEN'S SOCCER | 7 p.m. | Virginia at Notre Dame | ACCN | 7 p.m. | Alabama at Florida | SECN | WOMEN'S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL | 6:30 p.m. | Nebraska at Indiana | BTN | 8:30 p.m. | Wisconsin at Illinois | BTN | HORSE RACING | 1 p.m. | America's Day at the Races | FS2 | AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL | 4 a.m. (Fri.) | Women: Essendon at Western | FS2 | # NEW YORK POST ACTION

Line: Cowboys -8.5 ● 0/U: 47.5

PICKS

Blezow: Cowboys

Cannizzaro: ★Cowboys

Costello: Cowboys

Dunleavy: Cowboys

Kussoy: ★Cowboys

Loftis: ★Cowboys

Ms. Charleen: Buccaneers

Schwartz: Cowboys

Serby: Cowboys

Stitches: Buccaneers

★Best Bet

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ODDS & ENDS

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NFL Thursday Buccaneers at Cowboys odds and props | MONEYLINE | ODDS | Buccaneers | +370 | Cowboys | -480 | PASSING YARDS | ODDS | Dak Prescott | 263.5 | Jalon Daniels | 181.5 | RUSHING YARDS | ODDS | Javonte Williams | 73.5 | Bucky Irving | 51.5 | Jalon Daniels | 44.5 | RECEIVING YARDS | ODDS | CeeDee Lamb | 80.5 | George Pickens | 61.5 | Emeka Egbuka | 33.5 | Ryan Flournoy | 31.5 | Chris Godwin Jr. | 27.5 | FIRST TD | ODDS | Javonte Williams | +330 | CeeDee Lamb | +600 | George Pickens | +750 | Bucky Irving | 11/1 | Jake Ferguson | 12/1 | Ryan Flournoy | 15/1 | Jalon Daniels | 17/1 | Emeka Egbuka | 18/1 | Sean Tucker | 22/1 | ANYTIME TD | ODDS | Javonte Williams | -230 | CeeDee Lamb | -110 | George Pickens | +115 | Bucky Irving | +195 | Jake Ferguson | +230 | Emeka Egbuka | +270 | Jalon Daniels | +280 | Ryan Flournoy | +290 | Sean Tucker | +350 | 1+ SACKS | ODDS | Rashan Gary | +154 | Quinnen Williams | +220 | Rueben Bain Jr. | +250 | Al-Quadin Muhammad | +270 | # BET SMART

HIGH-YIELD CEEDEE: CeeDee Lamb (above), coming off 17 catches for 189 yards in Houston, will have another big game and the Cowboys will throttle the winless Bucs on Thursday, predicts The Post's Sean Treppedi.

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By SEAN TREPPEDI

"Thursday Night Football" is notoriously a minefield for bettors.

The popular belief is that the short rest forces stagnant offense and games devolve into defensive slugfests: Words that could have nothing to do with the 2026 Dallas Cowboys.

“America's Team” has hung 30 points in three straight games heading into the Week 5 opener against the Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. Since Dallas opened as 9.5-point favorites, the line is steaming toward Tampa after the market noticed heavy public and sharp action on the Buccaneers. It seemingly overweighted Baker Mayfield's injury and the Buccaneers' season sinking to 0-4.

The fact is that all four of those losses have been one-possession scores and the undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels showed enough dual-threat ability in his debut to give a shaky Dallas run defense some challenges.

But that still doesn't erase Tampa Bay's bottom three ranking in EPA per play. It doesn't erase the offense failing to have topped 20 points in all of those games or hide the highest sack rate allowed in the NFL.

If there's any defense that would fail to take advantage of that, it would be Dallas', having generated only four sacks through four games.

The question becomes whether Daniels can keep pace with Dak Prescott and one of the most prolific units in the game — in his first road game, no less.

Daniels showcased both promise and mistakes. While he raked in 55 yards with his legs, the Kansas product aired only 148 passing yards and the two picks he threw were converted for 10 points. The Bucs have now forked over

40 points on turnovers.

The scoring has incrementally dropped each week by first-year offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's unit. Even aside from the offensive line woes, the attack can't execute chunk plays and it is plagued by flags.

Let's contrast that just to CeeDee Lamb, who caught 17 balls for 189 yards and a touchdown against Houston last week. Lamb is moved frequently between the slot and the outside, which can give a Tampa Bay secondary that's already banged up trouble covering him. He can serve as all the difference, now leading the NFL in receptions (37), receiving yards (498) and first-down catches (28).

Prescott is finding ways to get the ball into playmaker's hands as the remaining five of his pass catchers went for 146 yards in that game. And, George Pickens is still waiting for an eruption any day the balls come his way.

The Cowboys' 34-30 escape felt like the first time in a while that they won a game in which the opponent outpaced them and they struggled to get the stops. The defense bent, but didn't break, staying alive to trail by 10 points at the half.

Tampa Bay isn't much better than Dallas at administering pressure. It has sacked the quarterback six times, a result of their bottom five rank in pressure rate. So, Prescott will be nice and cozy making decisions behind an offensive line that's sixth in sacks-per-pass-play.

The Buccaneers are playing in close games, yes. They have also failed to cover the spread in their last 13 games dating back to last season.

No matter which day of the week this game is played, Dallas will hit the gas pedal.

By ANDREW CRANE

The phrasing, in the middle of a preseason broadcast interview, was notable from Tye Kartye. It would've been understandable if he wanted to prove the Kraken wrong, and publicly stated as such, after the organization who inked him to an entry-level deal as an undrafted forward — and then watched him get named the AHL's top rookie and climb his way to the NHL — dumped him on waivers in February.

But, Kartye said that night during the intermission interview, he wanted to prove the Rangers right for taking a chance on him instead of proving Seattle wrong. And after a strong training camp bled into the opening five games of the regular season, where the 25-year-old has already been promoted from the fourth line to the second line, Kartye has started to validate their decision to claim him. Head coach Mike Sullivan called him a “dog on a bone on the puck,” and Kartye’s ability to win possession — something shaping his game since juniors — has allowed him to seamlessly mesh with Pavel Dorofeyev, their \$77 million offseason splash, and J.T. Miller.

"When it happened," Kartye told The Post on Monday of getting waived, "I kinda move from the last team that I was on and I focus on the team that I'm on now — and doing everything that I can to be successful here and help the team win here."

Kartye skated in 24 games with the Rangers last season after arriving, building some initial chemistry with Miller while collecting five goals and 14 points. He opened training camp last month on the fourth line, producing a goal in multiple training camp scrimmages and flashing his offensive instincts again in the final exhibition — when he sent a shot past the Islanders' Semyon Varlamov. Then, during the win in Detroit last week, Sullivan swapped Kartye and Oliver Bjorkstrand, attempting to ignite his second line with the speed and tenacity of Kartye.

They've become the Rangers' top forward combination in terms of expected goals for percentage (69.79), according to Evolving-Hockey, and sit 10th leaguewide among forward lines with at least 20 minutes together. Kartye doesn't want to change his identity, either. He's relied on it since his first year in juniors with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds, when he went from not making the team to trying to carve out a role — with his goal to

TYE, Kartye making most of shot with Rangers after being waived by Kraken TRY AGAIN

tals climbing from four to 25 and then 45 in his three seasons there.

The Greyhounds worked to enhance his shot, Jamie Tardif, a former Greyhounds assistant and an assistant with AHL Hartford from 2022 through last season, told The Post. They helped it become one that could thrive

in tight and high-danger areas of the ice. And along the way, Kartye developed the type of game that “can move up and down your lineup,” Tardif said.

“Whether Tye’s on a top line or a fourth line, his role and his identity as a

player does not change," Tardif said. "So everyday, Tye is a very predictable hockey player. ... To me, it's no secret why he's in that role, he's in the top six, because he's predictable, he's dependable and guys want to play with him."

Across three years with the Kraken, Kartye skated in 180 games and collected 20 goals and 41 points while also getting his first taste of postseason hockey during the 2023 playoffs. He went from undrafted to one of the

sport's biggest stages before, less than three years after those playoff games, hitting waivers in the middle of February with his hockey career again uncertain.

Then the Rangers gave him a fresh start. As a restricted free agent in the offseason, Kartye's opportunity to be in the top six also doubles as an audition to play his way into the future of the organization. Kartye likely won't re-

PUT IN THE WORK: Tye Kartye has already made his mark on the Rangers with his energy. Imagn Images

capture the 40-goal output from his final year of juniors. He might not score with the same consistency as he did in those scrimmages and exhibitions, either.

But the Blueshirts don't need that from him. They just need the version of Kartye that prompted Sullivan's first tweak of the top six this season in the first place. The puck pursuit. The forecheck. The under-the-radar variables that, in turn, can help unlock the rest of the line.

“Without a doubt, we always have conversations with players like that that get moved up the lineup,” Sullivan said Monday. “Don’t change your game just because you moved up the lineup. You got moved up the lineup because of the game that you’re playing. Bring that element to the line, and everything will work.”

acrane@nypost.com

Sullivan trusting Lafrenière to take next step

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By ANDREW CRANE

The first goal in Alexis Lafrenière's eventual hat trick Tuesday showcased what the Rangers have known, the offensive flashes they've always tried to make sustainable with the No. 1 pick in 2020.

But the final two, which occurred 32 seconds apart in the third period of their 5-2 win, captured another step for Lafrenière. His defensive game has earned the trust of head coach Mike Sullivan in 5-on-6 situations — when opponents have their goaltender pulled while trailing late — recently, and during the past two wins, Lafrenière has rewarded that belief.

"It means a lot," Lafrenière said postgame of Sullivan's trust in those situations. "You always want to be out there late in games, either when you're down one, up one, whatever it is."

That serves as another layer of the phrase Sullivan used Monday, when he said that Lafrenière — after a strong finish last year to a 24-goal, 57-point campaign — still has “untapped potential.” There’s more that the Rangers coaching staff will “try to pull out of him,” Sullivan said.

The offensive potential has always been evident with Lafrenière. That was the case again Tuesday, when Mika Zibanejad slid a pass to him from his knees early in the second period and Lafrenière ripped a shot past Semyon Varlamov, off the crossbar and in. Those moments have been fleeting for most

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RANGERS NOTES

of his Blueshirts career, but Sullivan stuck by his top line of Lafrenière, Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault early in the season in hopes of capturing what made them the Rangers' most dynamic group to end 2024-25. Their production Tuesday, which helped extend their winning streak to four games, was another sign that Sullivan's strategy has started to pay off.

But then there's the 5-on-6. The late-game situations. The chance that Sullivan described as an earned responsibility. He flipped the pair of pucks into the Islanders net after the Rangers cleared their zone, and with just over 40 seconds remaining Sunday, Lafrenière blocked a shot by Utah's Dylan Guenther before drawing a penalty. Through five games, he sits in a tie for third in the NHL with four penalties drawn.

“We think that he's a guy that's very capable there, so we're challenging him there to bring a defensive conscience in those situations — and he gets rewarded with some empty-net opportunities,” Sullivan said postgame Tuesday. “We're not just handing that stuff to [Lafrenière]. We think he's earned that, and that's why we've given him that opportunity. ... His complete game on both sides of the puck continues to grow and develop.”

Rangers legend Mark Messier dished out plenty of praise for 18-year-old defenseman Alberts Smits — the No. 5 overall pick in June's draft who proceeded to make the opening night lineup — during the second intermission Tuesday.

“He’s played four games in the National Hockey League,” Messier, now an NHL analyst, said on ESPN, “and he’s looked like he’s playing 400 games in the National Hockey League. His nuances and the subtleties of his game are unparalleled for anybody I’ve seen play this position. ... He’s not gonna be on the highlight offensive reels there, but this is the kind of guy you win Stanley Cups with because he does all the subtleties — he’s a shutdown defenseman that’s only 18 years old.” | THE LINE | CHRIS SHAW | HOWIE KUSSOY | ZACH BRAZILLER | TED HOLMLUND | ERIC RICHTER | STITCHES | ETHAN SEARS | WASHINGTON 3.5 (41.5) Iowa (Fri., 9:00, Fox) | Iowa | ★ Iowa | Washington | Washington | Iowa | Washington | Washington | BYU 10.5 (46.5) Iowa St. (10:15, ESPN) | BYU | BYU | BYU | Iowa St. | ★ BYU | BYU | Iowa St | Indiana 7.5 (49.5) NEBRASKA (Sat., noon, Fox) | ★ Indiana | Nebraska | Indiana | Indiana | Indiana | ★ Indiana | ★ Indiana | MISSOURI 3.5 (48.5) Texas A&M (Noon, ABC) | Missouri | Texas A&M | ★ Missouri | Texas A&M | Texas A&M | ★ Texas A&M | Missouri | OKLAHOMA ST. 10.5 (53.5) Ucf (Noon, ESPN2) | Okla. St. | UCF | UCF | UCF | UCF | UCF | UCF | FLORIDA 12.5 (60.5) S. Carolina (12:45, SECN) | Florida | Florida | ★ Florida | Florida | Florida | S. Carolina | S. Carolina | Ole Miss 8.5 (56.5) VANDERBILT (3:30, ESPN) | Ole Miss | Vanderbilt | Ole Miss | Ole Miss | Vanderbilt | Vanderbilt | ★ Ole Miss | NOTRE DAME 38 (54.5) Stanford (3:30, NBC) | Notre Dame | Stanford | Notre Dame | ★ N. Dame | Stanford | Notre Dame | Stanford | OREGON 11.5 (58.5) Ucla (3:30, CBS) | UCLA | ★ UCLA | Oregon | UCLA | Oregon | ★ Oregon | Oregon | x-Texas 7.5 (39.5) Oklahoma (3:30, ABC) | ★ Texas | Oklahoma | ★ Texas | ★ Texas | ★ Oklahoma | Oklahoma | ★ Texas | OHIO ST. 34.5 (56.5) Maryland (4:15, BTN) | Ohio St. | ★ Ohio St. | Ohio St. | ★ Ohio St. | Ohio St. | Ohio St. | Ohio St. | TENNESSEE 13.5 (51.5) Arkansas (4:15, SECN) | Tennessee | Tennessee | Tennessee | Tennessee | Tennessee | Tennessee | Arkansas | Lsu 8.5 (52.5) KENTUCKY (7:00, ESPN) | ★ LSU | LSU | LSU | LSU | LSU | LSU | Kentucky | PENN ST. 1.5 (54.5) Usc (7:30, NBC) | USC | USC | Penn St. | Penn St. | USC | USC | Penn St. | ALABAMA 1.5 (51.5) Georgia (7:30, ABC) | Alabama | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | ★ Georgia | Alabama | Georgia | Home team in CAPS ★ Best Bet x-in Dallas

T IS the rivalry that consistently carries the biggest stakes, a battle between the defining team of the 2010s and the best team of the 2020s, a rematch of so many championship games and a potential shootout between the two highest-scoring teams in the nation.

All that's missing is Nick Saban.

Rare under-Dawgs

Even if another team in the SEC currently holds the No. 1 ranking in the nation, there is no bigger game in the best conference than a meeting between No. 2 Georgia (5-0) and No. 6 Alabama (5-0).

The biggest change in the series is perception.

Alabama is favored for the first time in the past seven meetings — following a three-point movement from the opening line — coming off a statement blowout at Mississippi State. Quarterback Keelon Russell has been magnificent in his first season as the starter, but the 19-year-old dual threat has thus far only faced a series of lackluster defenses: East Carolina (ranked 95th in points allowed), Kentucky (93rd), South Carolina (102nd), Florida State (59th) and Mississippi State (79th).

Next comes Kirby Smart's Bulldogs, who

Despite 'Bama being slight favorite, Georgia still team to beat in SEC

rank first nationally in yards allowed per play (3.89).

Though Georgia's quarterback, Gunner Stockton, isn't the flavor of the month anymore, he currently has the nation's fourth-best passer rating and is 4-2 all-time against top-10 teams after going 20-of-26 with three touchdowns in last season's 28-7 conference title game win over Alabama.

Georgia (+1.5) remains the team to beat in the SEC.

Iowa (+3.5) over WASHINGTON: Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. looks less confident every week, leading a team that is 0-3 against the spread as a favorite and an offense that has averaged 21.3 points against power conference opponents. The Hawkeyes are the first elite defense that Washington will face this season, having gone 5-2-1 against the spread as an underdog since 2024.

BYU (-10.5) over Iowa State: Kalani

POST STANDINGS

BEST BETS | W | L | T | Pct.GB | Kussoy | 43 | 32 | 0 | .573 — | Holmlund | 42 | 33 | 0 | .560 1 | Sears | 39 | 36 | 0 | .520 4 | Stitches | 39 | 36 | 0 | .520 4 | Braziller | 38 | 37 | 0 | .507 5 | Richter | 34 | 41 | 0 | .453 9 | Shaw | 33 | 42 | 0 | .440 10 | W | L | T | Pct.GB | Kussoy | 10 | 5 | 0 | .667 | — | Sears | 9 | 6 | 0 | .600 | 1 | Shaw | 9 | 6 | 0 | .600 | 1 | Holmlund | 6 | 9 | 0 | .400 | 4 | Richter | 6 | 9 | 0 | .400 | 4 | Stitches | 6 | 9 | 0 | .400 | 4 | Braziller | 4 | 11 | 0 | .267 | 6 | Sitake's vampire Cougars are 39-4 in night games since 2019. They are also unbeaten against the spread this season and have won their past five home games against unranked power conference opponents by an average of 20 points.

NEBRASKA (+7.5) over Indiana: It is easy to forget how close the Hoosiers' perfect season came to crashing down. Even with a Heisman Trophy winner and a loaded supporting cast last season, Indiana trailed in the fourth quarter at four-loss Iowa and needed a last-minute touchdown on an all-time catch to win in State

College against a team that didn't finish the regular season with a winning record. The Huskers (5-0) have hope at home, facing a quarterback (Josh Hoover) who has historically struggled with turnovers on the road.

Texas A&M (+3.5) over MISSOURI: Ole Miss

earned one of its most important wins ever against Lane Kiffin and LSU. One week later, Trinidad Chambliss lost his place as the Heisman favorite in a blowout loss at Florida. One week after that, the Gators suffered their first loss of the year in a blowout to Missouri. Now, the Tigers take the torch.

Ucf (+10.5) over OKLAHOMA STATE: The Knights' defense travels, previously putting the team in position to steal road wins against a pair of teams that are currently ranked (Pittsburgh, Houston). Drew Mestemaker may light it up, but the Big 12's co-leader in interceptions could find trouble against a team that is tied for fifth in the nation in picks.

FLORIDA (-12.5) over South Carolina: It wasn't surprising to see the Gators struggle with their first dose of rat poison. But following the wake-up call at Missouri, Florida is set to bounce back against a program in disarray, returning to the form of the team that put up more than 53 points per game in September.

VANDERBILT (+8.5) over Ole Miss: The Commodores have been outscored by a total of just 16 points in nine games against top-15 teams since 2024. Clark Lea is 13-3-1 against the spread as an underdog in the past three seasons.

Stanford (+38) over NOTRE DAME: It will be hard for the Irish to be laser-focused against an opponent that has been outscored 92-10 in two road games this season, especially while looking ahead to next week's top-10 clash at BYU.

Ucla (+11.5) over OREGON: Curt Cignetti — who went 52-9 at James Madison, then reached the playoff in his first year at Indiana — didn't have many believers until last season's title run. There's still time to board the Bob Chesney bandwagon early. Cignetti's successor at James Madison — which reached last season's playoff under Chesney — is an improbable postseason contender in Year 1 with the unbeaten Bruins, averaging nearly 45 points per game, behind the nation's fourth-ranked ground game.

OKLAHOMA (+7.5) over Texas: John Mateer may go from Heisman candidacy to the bench in just over a month, committing six turnovers while failing to lead the Sooners offense to more than 17 points in any of their past three games. But Arch Manning hasn't been that much better, leading a unit that ranks 108th in yards per play, entering a matchup against the nation's fifth-ranked defense.

OHIO STATE (-34.5) over Maryland: The Buckeyes have averaged nearly 55 points per game in four meetings against Mike “there is no bottom” Locksley. The next humiliation will drop the Terps to 0-40 against ranked opponents in the Big Ten. You’d have thought they’d have the money to buy out the contract of their eighth-year coach after selling their souls.

Tennessee (-13.5) over ÄRKANSAS: George MacIntyre gets a soft landing in his first start under center, facing a defense that has a subpar pass rush and ranks 126th in completion percentage allowed (70 percent). The sophomore may not even be needed much, considering the Hogs have surrendered over 208 yards rushing per game against power conference opponents.

Lsu (-8.5) over KENTUCKY: Home field couldn't help the Wildcats avoid being outscored 32-0 in a loss to Alabama. Outside of a road loss in an emotionally charged atmosphere to a top-10 team with perhaps the best quarterback in the nation, the Tigers — currently boasting the top-ranked offense and defense in the SEC — have won four games by an average of 40 points.

Usc (+1.5) over PENN STATE: Iowa State East was handed the easiest schedule imaginable in Matt Campbell's first season, but his first two games in the Big Ten have been a lesson in the jump from the Big 12. USC has struggled after traveling east — serves them right for helping destroy the Pac-12 — but Lincoln Riley has the significantly more talented team, featuring an experienced and elite quarterback (Jayden Maiava) who won't be bothered by the Beaver Stadium "White Out."

Best bets: Iowa, Ohio State, Ucla

This season: 43-32 (10-5 best bets)

hkussoy@nypost.com

TIME(OUT) BANDITS Officiating confusion helps put Liberty in 2-0 hole vs. Dream

By MADELINE KENNEY

ATLANTA — With Angel Reese on the free-throw line in a one-possession game with 4.3 seconds left in overtime Wednesday night, the Liberty were looking for answers.

Breanna Stewart asked official Kevin Fahy if the Liberty had a reset timeout, which would allow New York to advance the ball to the frontcourt and potentially make substitutions. She said she asked another official, too.

Fahy wasn't entirely sure. He said he'd check with the scorer's table. The Liberty were told no.

DREAM 101

LIBERTY 98

Game 2, Boxscore Page 38

New York's final attempt fell short. Stewart's 3-pointer was off the mark. The Liberty ultimately fell to the Atlanta Dream 101-98, putting New York's season on life support.

The Liberty, now trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five semifinals, learned after the game they had a reset timeout after all and could've advanced the ball on the final possession.

"This is not blaming the refs, but when I ask both refs if we have a reset timeout at the end and they tell us no, and then we leave the game with the reset timeout, it's pretty frustrating," said Stewart, who had 35 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. "Like yeah, OK, I kind of got a good look at the end, but would just love to have some clarity on that situation as well."

Sabrina Ionescu said she also inquired about the reset timeout. So did members of coach Chris DeMarco's staff.

All claimed to have been told they didn't have one.

The league's pool report, though, told a different story.

Crew chief Fatou Cissoko-Stephens said there was “no direct communication” with New York’s staff about the reset timeout.

Asked why Stewart was told they didn't have one, Cissoko-Stephens said, "Stewart was standing beside referee Fahy when he confirmed with his partner between Reese's penalty free throws that New York did indeed have a reset timeout remaining."

The officials nor the league offered any additional explanation when pressed.

Ionescu acknowledged an egregious officiating blunder “can cost the game for sure.”

"I just feel like that's unacceptable for the fact that we asked multiple times and they were telling us no," Ionescu said. "So I mean, nothing we can do about it now. Mistakes happen, but obviously that's a costly mistake."

The Liberty submitted an inquiry with the league immediately after the game, a source told The Post.

Leonie Fiebich didn't blame officiating for the loss.

"It sounds like a big drama, but I don't think that's the reason why we lost," Fiebich said. "Of course, it's unfortunate, but I think we could have won before that, didn't let it come that far."

The Dream knew the Liberty were going to come out guns blazing after Atlanta won Game 1. New York called Wednesday a “mustwin.”

Game 2 featured 17 lead changes and eight ties.

Rookie Marine Fauthoux drained a game-tying 3 with 9.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Rhyne Howard's potential game-winner rolled off the rim.

The teams needed an extra five minutes to determine the winner. But the final minute of overtime featured some costly errors.

With the Liberty trailing by one, Jonquel Jones tried to back her way into the paint, but was swarmed by three Dream players, forcing a jump ball with 14.1 seconds left.

New York retained possession, but the Liberty's hopes of tying the series flew off with Ionescu's errant pass into the second row.

There's no guarantee if the Liberty used a reset timeout that the final possession would have yielded a different outcome. But New York was peeved by the error.

After the game, Ionescu accepted fault for her shaky performance.

"This loss is on me," said Ionescu, who missed four of her six free- throw attempts. "I got to take it on the chin and I got to be better."

The Liberty's luck may be running out. New York made history with an impressive sweep of the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first round.

But the Liberty came to Atlanta to face a red-hot Dream team.

Atlanta hasn't lost since before the FIBA break. Wednesday extended the team's win streak to eight.

No WNBA team has ever overcome a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five series. The Liberty will return to Brooklyn for a win-or-go-home Game 3 on Friday.

“Quick turnaround,” Stewart said. “Knowing that we’re not focused on winning three straight right now. We’re focused on winning one game, and that’s Friday.”

mkenney@nypost.com

BROOKLYN

30

Liberty Mutu

ON THE BRINK: Breanna Stewart and the Liberty face a win-or-go-home nightmare scenario against the Dream on Friday after falling in overtime in Game 2 on Wednesday night in Atlanta. Getty Images

Point guard's career game all for naught

By MADELINE KENNEY

ATLANTA — The Liberty were down three with 14.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game.

Leonie Fiebich inbounded the ball to Breanna Stewart. It was going to be either Sabrina Ionescu's or Marine Fauthoux's shot to take.

Fauthoux came off a screen, caught the ball and without hesitation let it rip.

Fauthoux hit the biggest shot of her young WNBA career to tie Game 2 of the semifinals. It was the type of late-game, high-stakes bucket that kids practice making in their driveways.

Fauthoux's 3-pointer ultimately forced overtime, where the Liberty couldn't get the job done. They fell short 101-98 and dropped 2-0 in the best-of-five series against the Atlanta Dream.

The outcome of the game overshadowed Fauthoux's success. Basketball is a team game, after all. One player's performance doesn't single-handedly yield the game's outcome.

But Fauthoux was a major bright spot on a night that ended in disappointment for Liberty fans.

Fauthoux has been patiently waiting for her opportunity. She would often break down the game in real time as she watched from the team's bench.

She'd go over to countrywoman Pauline Astier to offer words of encouragement and feedback on what she saw from her vantage point.

She eagerly waits for her name to be called.

"I want to win," Fauthoux told The Post, "whatever it costs."

Fauthoux backed her words with actions Wednesday. It just wasn't enough to get the team over the finish line.

After providing an offensive spark in the second half of Game 1, Fauthoux earned a much larger role in Game 2.

She played nearly 31 minutes, scored 20 points, drained four 3-pointers, grabbed six rebounds and handed out four assists.

"I'm not surprised," Leonie Fiebich said. “I’ve watched her in Europe perform at the highest level. I actually played against her. I think it was two years ago with Valencia, we played Mersin, she killed us. She had like 30 points or something. So I’m not surprised. I know what she’s capable of. I’m just really happy that she could show it tonight.”

Fauthoux provided a jolt in Game 1 after witnessing what went wrong for the Liberty for most of a bad third quarter.

The ball had stopped moving. The energy tanked. The turnovers amassed.

"When [coach Chris DeMarco] called me, I wanted to help the team to bring my energy," Fauthoux said. "I was fresh and we had a lot of turnovers right before, so as a point guard I wanted to fix it. It was my priority."

Fauthoux provided the jolt. She was poised, organized the offense, pushed the ball and helped the offense rediscover its flow.

“She will just play hard,” Marine Johannes said. “I think she’s looking more for everyone else so it can add something different to the team.”

Fauthoux did that again Wednesday.

It's hard to imagine, but without a new addition in the latest collective bargaining agreement, there's a chance Fauthoux wouldn't have been with the Liberty.

The 2021 third-round pick signed with New York on a developmental contract as she worked her way back from knee surgery. Under the deal, Fauthoux was allowed to play 11 regular-season games and wouldn't be available in the postseason.

Fauthoux earned a spot on the team's 12-player roster over the summer, ultimately replacing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton after she was waived in August following a tumultuous three months.

Fauthoux signed a two-year deal, making her potentially part of the team's long-term plans.

Wednesday marked career highs for Fauthoux in points, 3-pointers and minutes.

COMING OF AGE: Marine Fauthoux has made an impression on her teammates during the WNBA semis.

Imagn Images

TOUGH BLOW: Alexander Romanov's return from shoulder surgery was halted by an ACL tear suffered Tuesday. Imagn Images

Romanov tears ACL; out for year

By ETHAN SEARS

It is the worst news possible for Alexander Romanov and the Islanders.

Just three games into his return from shoulder surgery, Romanov tore the ACL in his right knee against the Rangers on Tuesday night, the Islanders announced. He will undergo surgery to repair the injury and will miss 6-8 months.

One week into the season, it puts the Islanders defense into a bind.

Flipping Matthew Schaefer to the right side during training camp happened in part for long-term reasons — prospects Kashawn Aitcheson and Malte Gustafsson are lefties, so if Schaefer can play the right, it will help down the line — but the main two considerations were short term.

The Islanders wanted Isaiah George to win a lineup spot on his natural left side. And they wanted Romanov to play in the top four.

George did not win a spot, prompting the Islanders to sign Logan Stanley. And now Romanov is most likely done for the season.

The question now is, do the Islanders stick with Schaefer on the right and call up a lefty — either George or Aitcheson — or flip him back to the left, and insert one of the two righties who have been healthy scratches: Scott Mayfield or Matt Kessel?

Neither Mayfield nor Kessel has practiced on the left, so while that is technically possible, it would seem to be the worst of the options at the Islanders' disposal.

George and Aitcheson have both played the first two games for AHL Hamilton, with Aitcheson recording an assist in the opener.

Aitcheson surprised the Islanders with how ready he looked at camp, but general manager Mathieu Darche is wary of rushing prospects, particularly given that the 20-year-old was in juniors last season. It does seem like a matter of time before Aitcheson gets a shot, but the Islanders may see this as too soon.

"Aitcheson had a great year in the OHL but it's a step from the OHL to the NHL," Darche said a week ago, before opening night. "The way he showed in the games — as well as he did, they both [Aitcheson and Cole Eiserman] showed that they need time. Is that time gonna be in a month, two months? Later, after Christmas, next year? Let's see how they go."

There's a long-term element to this too, with the injury complicating a situation the Islanders needed Romanov's play to help solve.

With Romanov's full no-trade clause set to kick in July 1 of next season, Darche had to decide by then whether he saw the 26-year-old as enough of a cornerstone to justify a \$6.25 million annual salary that extends through 2033.

It's believed that there would have been interest in Romanov around the league should Darche have decided to move him, in part because that salary number is suddenly attractive for a defenseman in the top four.

Now, though, chances are that Romanov's no-trade clause will kick in with him having played just 18 games in two seasons. So not only will the Islanders be unsure what they have in him, but his injury history will put a dent in his trade value.

esears@nypost.com

Glenn: Talks with Woody all 'positive'

By BRIAN COSTELLO

Jets coach Aaron Glenn is not very popular with Jets fans right now, but he said he still is having "very productive" talks with Jets owner Woody Johnson.

The Jets are in the midst of a three-game losing streak and have lost eight of their past nine games dating to last year. Glenn is 4-17 in his two seasons as head coach. There are still questions about whether Glenn can keep his job in 2027. But Glenn said he and Johnson are still good.

---

JETS NOTES

“[They're] very positive conversations,” Glenn said of his talks with Johnson during the losing streak. “I can say we speak after the games all the time and he gives me his thoughts. I give him the rundown of how things go and I mean, that's the beauty of our relationship is being able to have open dialogue with each other, throwing everything on the table. There's also a trust factor there.”

Glenn is a bit different from previous Jets coaches because he and Johnson have known each other since 2000, when Johnson bought the team and Glenn was still a player. Glenn later returned as a scout and then Johnson hired him in 2025 to be the head coach.

Johnson fired Robert Saleh after five games in 2024, and it was clear that Johnson was never a fan of Saleh, who was hired by his brother Christopher while Woody was U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.

"I'm fortunate to be able to have the relationship I do have with the owner of this football team," Glenn said. "He's one of the reasons why everybody, players, everybody wants to do everything they can, bust their asses in practice to try to accumulate these wins because of how he operates with us."

Glenn changed the team's schedule Wednesday, canceling practice and instead opting for a walk-through. Glenn made the move because the Bears ran 89 plays against the Jets on Sunday and he was concerned about players recovering from that workload.

"[The] defense had a good amount of plays," Glenn said, "and plus I want this to be a recovery day anyway, for everybody, just to make sure we take care of our bodies and get ready to go through this week on a good note to play against a good team."

OF THE

Bailey faces pressure of big expectations as Jets await signature moment

Not yet.

THE EXPECTATIONS are there, but the numbers are not for David Bailey.

"We have a ton of games left," Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said on Wednesday, "and he will make impact plays."

To be clear: Bailey, the Jets rookie edge rusher who was drafted No. 2 overall, has not played poorly in the first four games of his NFL career.

He just hasn't delivered that first "wow" moment high-impact play after delivering a handful of them in the summer that now serve as a tease of sorts.

Bailey has two sacks, but neither was a beat-your-man, game-impacting sack.

That, however, doesn't mean Bailey has not been beating the man in front of him. According to Glenn and several of Bailey's teammates, his "win rate" has been impressive.

Bailey has 11 quarterback pressures, which is tied for the most among all NFL rookies. When you watch him on film, you see how close he's come to making sacks but has been just a split second too late before the ball has been released.

But because of where he was drafted and the expectations for immediate star power that come with that, Bailey's quiet first quarter of the season has raised some eyebrows.

"We want to turn those 'almost' plays into 'made it' plays," Glenn said. "I'm totally confident he'll make that transition. He's still learning and growing, and he's going to be a damn good player in this league."

Glenn was a first-round draft pick in his day, selected No. 12 overall by the Jets in 1994. He understands the pressures that come with the expectations, partic-

ularly in the New York market, even though he played in a very different era — one without social media littered with couch-potato wannabe GMs, coaches and talent evaluators.

"In any sport, the two things you always have to handle are criticism and expectations," Glenn said. "It makes you stronger, and you see people start to overcome it when they stop worrying about what's going on outside. [Bailey] is doing a good job of that, and that's what gives me confidence he'll make the turn."

It hasn't helped the outside perception of Bailey that Arvell Reese, the Ohio State linebacker the Giants

Smith, Gang Green offense desperate to

By BRIAN COSTELLO

Geno Smith followed up one of the best statistical games of his career with a shaky one. Now he'll try to bounce back.

In one of the stranger games you'll ever see, Smith was 8-for-15 passing for 119 yards and one touchdown. Fifty-eight of those yards came on the fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Isaiah Williams.

Smith completed only 53.3 percent of his passes. It was a surprise to see how inaccurate Smith was because his accuracy had been his strength in the first three games of the season.

There were so many things that

went wrong in Chicago, it's unfair to pin the 23-12 loss on Smith but he was one of the culprits. The Jets need him to rebound against the Browns at MetLife Stadium this Sunday to end the three-game losing streak and keep the Jets season alive.

Jets coach Aaron Glenn chalked

Smith's performance up to life in the NFL.

"I wish this was fairy land and

every week is going to be [perfect],” Glenn said. “You have to fight through some things and that’s one thing, and I’ve told you guys this before, that's one thing that attracts me to him because he's been through so much and he's able to overcome.

"[In] this game, was he at his best? Probably not. But I think what he did was somebody's best, you know, if you look at it that way. But I know that he's going to get right back to who he is, and that's completing a high percentage of throws, but I have no concern with that with this player because of who he is and his career and how he's operated."

While it is fair to view the Bears game overall as an outlier, there is one troubling trend that Smith and the Jets offense has shown in the three-game losing streak. They have gotten off to slow starts. In Chicago, the Jets only had four plays in the first quarter

WORLD

drafted with the fifth overall pick, has already made his presence felt to the point that he's becoming a team leader in short order.

Reese, whom the Jets passed on to take Bailey, had a breakout game last week against Arizona with his first career interception, a quarterback pressure that led to an interception, a team-high nine tackles and three passes defensed. The previous week, in a win over the Titans, Reese had a team-high 13 tackles.

The Bailey-Reese comparisons, considering they essentially play the same positions in the same town and where they were drafted, will be inevitable.

Armand Membou was the seventh overall player picked in the 2025 draft by the Jets and became the immediate starter at right tackle. He has not only played well but handled the pressures of expectation for a draft pick that high with aplomb.

"It's very hard, because at the end of the day you're still a college kid coming into this grown-man league, trying to adjust to everything," Membou told The Post on Wednesday. "David's a hell of a player. I see it in the games. I know the sacks are going to come. He's just got to block the noise out, keep going to work and remember why he's here."

Veteran edge rusher Joseph Ossai said Bailey “doesn’t strike me as a guy who’s too focused on what everyone else is thinking,” adding, “He’s very cool with himself. What I’ve seen from him is that he likes to work. As long as he has that, no matter what,

he'll be OK."

Veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said the back end needs to be "more sticky" in coverage to make quarterbacks hold the ball for that extra half-second and then Bailey's sacks will come more readily.

"He's a rookie going into his fifth

game who's been playing good football; it just hasn't been extraordinary football yet," Fitzpatrick told The Post. "That perception is coming from people outside this facility. I think he's doing a great job for us. Sometimes he's literally half an inch away from sacks, even sack-fumbles."

Safety Andre Cisco, who used to play in Jacksonville, compared Bailey to Jaguars edge rusher Travon Walker, who was drafted first overall in 2022. Walker had $3 \frac{1}{2}$ sacks in 2022, then 10 in 2023 and $10 \frac{1}{2}$ in 2024.

“Similar situation: a guy drafted high at edge rusher, expected to take the top off the league Year 1,” Cisco told The Post. “We’ve already seen flashes of really great talent, great athleticism and a great feel for the position from [Bailey]. You can see him continuing to find his niche, and hearing how the coaches coach him, I can tell he’s super close. I’m excited about his future.”

mcannizzaro@nypost.com

BAILEY MAKING A DENT: Giants rookie Arvell Reese (left), the No. 5 pick in the draft, has had strong back-to-back games, including his breakout performance against Arizona last Sunday. But the Jets are still waiting for a similar type of breakout performance from David Bailey, the second selection in the draft. Getty Images (2)

reverse troubling trend of sluggish starts

and they came in the shadow of their own goal post. But it was not just against the Bears where they struggled early.

The Jets scored on their first possession of the season in Tennessee, with rookie Kenyon Sadiq rushing for a touchdown. Those seven points are the only ones the Jets have scored in the first quarter this year. The Jets have punted seven times in the first quarter and they gained 43, 45 and 15 yards, respectively, in the last three games.

Smith's statistics have gotten better as games have gone along.

He is completing 63 percent of his passes in the first quarter. That percentage goes up to 68 percent in the second quarter, 75 percent in the third quarter and 85 percent in the fourth. Three of Smith's five touchdown passes have come in the fourth quarter. He has one in the first half, none in the first quarter.

Jets players said there has been an emphasis placed on getting off to better starts this week. Smith was asked what the key is to having early success.

"Executing better," Smith said. "That's really it; we've got to execute down in, down out, and whether that's the first or the fourth quarter, you've got to do your assignment. That's the key; us playing ll as one and going out there and doing our assignments and just having that mindset to go score every single time."

The Browns have allowed 27 points in the first quarter, tied for the fourth most in the NFL. So, it seems like this is an opportunity for Smith and the Jets to do something early in the game.

Smith said he has moved past Sunday's performance in Chicago. "I just stay in the moment,"

Smith said. “Not think ahead, not think behind and just focus at what’s at hand, which today we got to go out there and have a great practice. I think you want to develop good camaraderie throughout the week and just have a great feeling about the game plan, so when you go out there on Sunday, you’re not thinking about it, you’re executing, you’re reacting and just going and playing your game. For me, it’s all about the process and that’s something I continue to focus on.”

brian.costello@nypost.com

ODELL BECKHAM JR.

Ex-Giant OBJ signs with Vikes

By ERICH RICHTER

OBJ is getting another chance in the NFL.

Odell Beckham Jr., who was buried on the Giants depth chart and played just 20 snaps during three regular-season games before being released last week, is signing with the Vikings, the team confirmed, and will join their practice squad.

Beckham was expected to be a key contributor for the Giants after Calvin Austin III went out with an injury, but that did not materialize.

With the Vikings dealing with their own injuries — Justin Jefferson has a high ankle sprain — Beckham could get more playing time catching passes from Kyler Murray.

The Vikings quickly locked in the former star receiver after Beckham chose not to go to the Giants practice squad.

After his departure from the big city, Beckham appeared outraged in a social media rant of how the Giants handled him.

"I'm super smart, but I didn't see this one my brotha," Beckham wrote to an Instagram user with the account name Bcas. "They got me!!!"

"I came in HUMBLY, took [the] vet min then EARNED my spot n didn't say nothing bout no \$\$\$," Beckham added. "It didn't hurt me but it did when they cut me like that, cause part of me is like I shoulda known better."

The Vikings, who do not play the Giants during the regular season, are off to a surprising 4-0 start, though, that is mainly due to a dominant defense as the offense has largely struggled with Murray and Carson Wentz under center.

Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings are Minnesota's top receivers while Jefferson is out. Tai Felton and Myles Price, youngsters with six career catches between them, are currently the backups.

erichter@nypost.com

APPEAL PLAY

Nabers tells Harbaugh he wants more targets — and he should get them

UST give Malik Nabers the damn ball.

That was Nabers' demonstrative second-half plea to John Harbaugh on Sunday, and that was Nabers doubling down on his plea Wednesday.

“I felt like I didn’t get targeted much after halftime,” Nabers said. “I felt like creating explosives down the field is just helping us get in better position to score touchdowns, and some of those plays didn’t come my way, so just trying to figure out why.”

After Nabers had come to the sideline following his 25-yard TD catch in the first half against the Cardinals, he made it clear to Harbaugh that he could not be stopped. Harbaugh told OC Matt Nagy up in the booth: "Hey, Malik said, and that's OK, 'Just keep giving me the ball, please,' and chuckled.

Nabers had five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown in the first half, but had just one 28-yard reception after halftime. He needed to talk to Harbaugh afterward and Harbaugh needed to talk to him.

“I talked to him just about just trying to clarify I think we need to implement more things after half-time,” Nabers said. “Also trying to give me the ball down the field to create some of those opportunities for us to get more points. I felt like the offense needed a spark, and I wanted to be that spark, so I was just trying to figure out what was going on and what was the talk that he had with the coaches in implementing things down the field."

Harbaugh recognizes that Nabers gives the Giants the best chance to win now that he feels more like his

rookie self post-knee surgery.

Harbaugh also doesn't want any kind of distraction or disharmony.

Harbaugh, a master at solving problems and de-

fusing potential powder kegs, walked the tightrope this way Mon-day: "He's definitely a high-energy, emotional self-motivator. ... If it's helping us, we want more of it, and if it's hurting us, we want less of it."

That was the message Harbaugh had running back coach Willie Taggart relay to Nabers in the postgame locker room.

"He was just telling me how to just use my voice," Nabers said. "I have a huge voice in the offense, so the more and more I'm reserved and not really saying a lot, it kind of can be either taken as the wrong way or a positive way. Like I say, I'm really quiet and I stay to myself, so everybody can take that which

HE WANTS MORE: Malik Nabers made it clear to coach John Harbaugh he should be getting the ball more in the Giants attack — and the head coach isn't bothered by it. Corey Sipkin; Robert Sabo

way they want — but just using my voice and just knowing how to use my voice the right way. I would say everything doesn't have to be an outburst or anything like that. Just simply having a one-on-one conversation or getting the offense going like, 'Let's go.' Just using my voice as a leader and being that guy that everybody wants me to be. Right now, since we're down a couple of people, I'm just trying to lead the team to get more wins. $^{57}$

Nabers did not practice because his knee was sorer than usual Wednesday. A stormy forecast for Sunday in Landover, Md., could leave him frustrated again and searching for more answers, but in the meantime, he can be heartened that Jameis Winston has gotten the memo.

Asked how to find more explosive opportunities for Nabers, Winston said: "Find him. I think it's as simple as that. Find him and make sure that I'm intentional with letting him touch the ball, we're intentional with letting him touch the ball. He had an amazing first half. We've got to keep building off that and make sure that — I've got to do a better job of making sure our best players are touching the ball consistently."

Winston didn't need to talk about the explosive rookie-version Nabers.

"I see him every day," Winston said. "I believe he's an incredible player. His rookie year, he's gotten so much better from that. Obviously, he's overcoming a significant injury that I faced, and he's getting better and better each week. I like to focus on what he's capable of doing right now, and he's an amazing football player. I think we all know what he's capable of doing.

"He's capable of being the best receiver in the NFL."

Nabers has clearly overcome his post-surgical mental hurdle.

"I wouldn't call this a break-out," Nabers said. "I think everybody's saying it's a break-out because I scored and got 100 yards. I could have done that Game 1, but I just slipped a couple times, and the ball just didn't come my way, or we just didn't complete on some routes. ... I could have done more."

Just give him the damn ball.

steve.serby @nypost.com

But star receiver could miss Sunday's game

By RYAN DUNLEAVY

The Giants' top three offensive weapons are on the injury report, and receiver Malik Nabers appears to be more in jeopardy than the others.

Nabers (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, while tight end Isaiah Likely (knee/groin) and running back Cam Skattebo (shoulder) were limited. Skattebo was in a red noncontact jersey.

"A little sore," Nabers said.

Nabers is coming off his best game of the season — six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown on seven targets — but made it clear to quarterback Jameis Winston and head coach John Harbaugh during the game that he wanted to be more involved in the second-half play-calling.

Of course, to get more targets Sunday against the Commanders, Nabers has to

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GIANTS NOTES

be on the field. And he can't guarantee that will be the case — not because of the shoulder that he banged up landing after a contested catch against the Cardinals but because of the knee that underwent reconstructive surgery in September 2025.

"We'll see how the next day goes, but through the week I'll usually be sore," Nabers said. "But this one was kind of a little bit more sore. But I always continue to fight through it."

Nabers and close friend Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels have both had a “tough” year of “ongoing” injuries but are looking forward to catching up.

"They kind of told me getting back into this football form ... there's going to be up days, there's going to be down days, there's going to be things I have to work through," Nabers said. "Attacking it head-on and just trying to get through this so I can play."

Other nonparticipants included DL Chauncey Golston (neck), RB Najee Harris (personal reasons), S Chauncey Golston (concussion) and LT Andrew Thomas (groin).

Golston is getting second opinions on what “could be” a long-term injury, Harbaugh said.

QB Jake Haener was signed to the 53-man roster despite having two practice-squad game-day elevations available. Carrying three QBs allows the Giants to designate either Haener or J.J. McCarthy as the emergency third-stringer and keep him inactive unless both Winston and the second-stringer are unable to return to the game. If Haener were still on the practice squad, the Giants would have had to activate all three quarterbacks among their 46 game-day players.

So, signing Haener essentially allows the Giants to get an extra backup at another position into the game.

CB Deonte Banks was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his victory-clinching pick-6.

C Bryan Hudson was working with the first-team offensive line ahead of John Michael Schmitz Jr. during the media-viewing period of practice.

SUNDAY GIANTS AT COMMANDERS

1 p.m.

Fox

WFAN (660 AM,

101.9 FM)

Line: Giants +3.5 ● O/U: 43.5

By RYAN DUNLEAVY

The highest-graded pass rusher in the NFL last week didn't have a sack.

In keeping with the Giants' early-season messaging that sacks don't tell the full story of a pass rush, Abdul Carter made his impact felt during a win against the Cardinals with three quarterback hits, earning a league-best 90.1 grade from Pro Football Focus.

The most encouraging part of the Carter-created disruption was that it came against a significant uptick in double teams because the extra attention usually sent toward Brian Burns was redirected his way with Burns (torn ACL) out for the season.

"He's been disruptive every game — run and pass," head coach John Harbaugh said. "He probably had his best game this last game, no question about it.

"If they do that [more double teams], to whom much was given much is required, right? So, he'll have to take on the responsibility of more attention. But I would guess that Abdul relishes that. That's what he wants. I'd be willing to bet that he'll rise to the occasion."

Freed from the admitted pressure of a 12-game sack drought like he had to begin his rookie season, Carter is playing up to his potential as the former No. 3 pick, even though he only has one sack and the Giants only have three.

Since entering the league, Carter leads all NFL players with 57 quick quarterback pressures (under 2.5 seconds). The eight that he tallied against the Cardinals were tied for the fifth most by any player in a game since 2019, per NextGenStats.

"Before the game, I had seen that when Jacoby [Brissett] is not being pressured and everything is clean he is very accurate, high passer rating,

IN A

HURRY:

Abdul Carter

gets set to drill

Cardinals QB

Jacoby Brissett on

Sunday, when

Carter was credited

with eight quick QB

pressures (under

2.5 seconds), the

fifth-best single-

game total since

2019.

AP

Carter putting quarterbacks in pressure cooker

high completion percentage," Carter said. "When you hit those guys, all that stuff goes down. You want to pressure them and hit them as much as possible."

On the Green Light podcast, retired NFL brothers Chris and Kyle Long referred to Carter as a “pressure generator,” a “maniac” and “someone who [will] go anywhere, loop from anywhere, end up anywhere.”

"This dude is, case in point, sacks are overrated," said Chris Long, who recorded 70 career sacks. "He has one sack this year. He is one of the best rushers in the league when it comes to winning rushes and winning them fast. [Sunday's] tape, watch it. He's up and down the line just beating the dogs--t out of people."

Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson heavily increased his blitz rate, and the confusion it created for the Cardinals seemed to unleash Carter.

“Trusting the scheme,” as Carter said, is key and might be the difference again Sunday against a Commanders offensive line that has allowed the second-fewest sacks in the NFL (five) in front of a quarterback (Jayden Daniels) who is happy to scramble when overpursued.

"We're going to have a plan for that," Carter said. "With the in-

t," Carter said. "With the injury he has [dislocated left elbow], we want him to run. We're trying to encourage it to see how he reacts and if he's going to play comfortably. At the end of the day, it's about rushing smart and rushing together."

Kayvon Thibodeaux — Burns' replacement in the lineup — is off to a slow start this season, but the versatility of rapidly improving rookie linebacker Árvell Reese could ease the pass rush burden on Carter.

"The better he plays, the more it helps me," Carter said. "The better I play, the more it helps him. It goes hand in hand. If you play hard and take on two people, somebody else is going to have [an] opportunity. So, you take advantage of that."

Burns sent Carter a text message before last game that was "much appreciated and needed."

"It was just hyping me up to make sure I play hard," Carter said. "Knowing that Burns came out there [to play in Week 3] while he was hurt, it makes me want to play harder just for him."

One of the final acts of Carter's up-and-down ride on the maturity roller coaster as a rookie was to say in the locker room that Giants owner John Mara "deserved more" than just a commemorative game ball after a meaningless victory while he fights cancer.

Carter had a playoff berth in mind.

The Giants are 3-1, and his play has backed up his words.

"It juices us up a lot," Carter said. "All the guys who were here last year, you can see it just means a little bit more knowing that we went through (4-13) last year. We're starting to stack some wins. We like this feeling. We've got to keep this feeling."

rdunleavy@nypost.com

BRIDGE' THE GAP: Mikal Bridges, who endured plenty of criticism after the Knicks gave up five draft picks to acquire him from the Nets, said he's not sure whether Knicks fans appreciate him yet, but he said he's "appreciative of the fans." Imagn Images

STRESS-FREE?

Criticism of Bridges, trade should come to an end after Knicks title

By JARED SCHWARTZ

Mikal Bridges could not escape it.

The intense scrutiny on him, given the five first-round picks the Knicks traded to the Nets to acquire him. The immense pressure to live up to the price the Knicks paid. The heavy criticism when fans felt he was underachieving and not worthy of that price.

“I got a phone,” Bridges said after practice Wednesday. “Even if I don’t want to see it or anything, it’s always there. That’s just life. People talk about anything and that’s all right, you just gotta go about your business. People can think however they want to think, I just know that I’m gonna work hard and try to be the best teammate that I can be and best player that I can be and continue to try and help win as much as I can.”

A championship should put to bed any debate over the trade. It should validate the deal, given how important Bridges was throughout the playoffs. It should bring long-awaited — and much-deserved — recognition from fans.

“F--k them picks” became a rallying cry among those fans after the championship regarding the Bridges trade, one he even repeated after they clinched the title, saying, "You talking about f--k them picks? F--k 'em ... I'm still here."

It feels like entering his third season with the Knicks, fan sentiment around him should be at an all-time high. But does he actually now feel fully appreciated by Knicks fans?

“I don’t know,” Bridges said. “I’m not sure about that. Can just say that I’m appreciative of fans. If I see them when I’m walking my dog or something like that, just a lot of nice things to say. That’s foremost, kind of more like a human on human interaction, just very nice and grateful to be in this position. I don’t need to feel like there’s validation and there’s like, ‘OK, now he can...’ No, I hold myself accountable at all times.”

Looking back, Bridges has an important perspective about the scrutiny and the pressure and the criticism. They weren't pleasant, but he is not bitter.

He believes they brought out

the best in him.

“That’s the thing that I do love about this organization and the fans, even though some might be a little more crazy than others, they want the best out of you,” Bridges said. “I never take that for granted. I talk to myself a lot when I go through a lot of things and I got people that help me as well, but that’s one thing that I do take from it, is that they get the best out of me. When I’m struggling and I know I gotta be better, I can’t hide from it sometimes — even though I know internally, the people let me know as well. As much as you get frustrated about it, the only thing it does is drive me and I continue to try and get better. I’m always appreciative of it.”

Bridges may not necessarily say so himself, but having proven his critics wrong and with tangible evidence of a championship to illustrate his worth, there could be a freeing feeling where there is less weight on his shoulders. He has already helped deliver the prize that was mandated when the Knicks gave up so much for him.

Perhaps it can bring out an even better version of Bridges. Maybe it can help Bridges elevate to an All-Star level for the first time in his career.

“It definitely can be freeing,” coach Mike Brown said Wednesday. “It can definitely help with the validation that every human being looks for in life or in whatever they do. But at the end of the day, everybody has a short-term memory. It’s ‘what can you do for me lately?’ Nobody can ever take that away from any of us because we were all a part of it. But if you want to stay on top, it’s gonna be hard. It’s gonna be even harder. ...There’s gonna be more scrutiny. And that scrutiny might even be at a higher level.”

Nobody knows scrutiny better than Bridges.

"I think," Bridges said, "we all still have something to prove."

jschwartz@nypost.com

Unhappy Brown delivers message

By JARED SCHWARTZ

Wednesday's Knicks practice wasn't up to coach Mike Brown's standard.

And he let them know — sending a pointed message to the bench players and those battling to earn the last roster spot, in particular.

“I specifically went down the line talking about Jalen [Brunson], Mikal [Bridges], OG [Anunoby], KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns] and Josh [Hart],” Brown said after Wednesday’s practice. “I said, ‘Those five, they gonna play. If they do something wrong, I’m gonna get on them and we’re gonna figure it out, but they still gonna play.’ I said, ‘Everybody else in this gym, you fighting. You fighting either to make the team or you fighting for minutes.’ I said, ‘Look around. This is not just because we won last year. This has nothing to do with last year’s team. Those five guys are the same. But everybody — this is a new year, a new team. We gotta look forward. Every day, it’s a competition.’

"We weren't practicing well, and I said, 'We gonna practice like that, you gonna see at the end of the day, it's not gonna be in your favor. We should be pushing each other to get better while competing for minutes and or to make the team.'"

Avoiding complacency after winning a championship is something the Knicks have spoken extensively about throughout training camp. It seems they needed a reminder.

“I think throughout the year, we're gonna have our ups and downs,” Jordan Clarkson — who is battling for minutes off the bench — said of Wednesday's practice. “The first week, second week of training camp, we'll have days like that, but we just don't want to get complacent at all. If we continue to try to win every single day, we try to compete every single day — for us [during] training camp, we just wanna pick up the level and be ready for the home opener in two weeks and get it rolling for the regular season. We just wanted to pick the energy up, keep continuing to play at a high level and pick the physicality up. I think that was a big thing that he said from last game.”

Associated Press

Dodgers bury Atlanta; Brewers top Padres to set up NLCS clash

GOING FOR THREE: Tommy Edman comes around to score the go-ahead run in the seventh inning of the Dodgers' 4-1 win in Game 3 of the NLDS in Atlanta to eliminate the Braves. Getty Images

With one pivotal swing, Andy Pages sent the Dodgers into the National League Championship Series and transformed his postseason legacy.

Pages drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the seventh inning to give Los Angeles the lead, and the Dodgers beat the Braves 4-1 in Atlanta on Wednesday night to clinch their NLDS.

The Dodgers won back-to-back games in Atlanta to take the best-of-five matchup 3-1 and advance to the NLCS as they seek to become the first National League team to win three straight World Series.

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NLDS ROUNDUP

Pages lined a full-count pitch from Robert Suarez up the middle to drive in Teoscar Hernández, who singled off starter Tyler Mahle, and pinch runner Tommy Edman for a 3-1 lead. Didier Fuentes walked pinch hitter Josue De Paula and Kyle Tucker to load the bases. Edman ran for De Paula.

It was an uplifting moment for Pages, who had two hits in the series-clinching win. A year ago, he went 4 for 51 (.078) in the postseason and lost his starting job in the outfield as the Dodgers beat Toronto in the World Series.

"I've been preparing myself all series for a moment like that, give myself an opportunity, get a good pitch to hit," Pages said. "And luckily I was able to put a good swing on a pitch."

Max Muncy's solo shot off Raisel Iglesias in the ninth padded the lead and gave the slugger 19 postseason homers with the Dodgers, extending his franchise record.

Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow, making his first start since Sept. 24, allowed only one hit but walked five batters in 4 2/3 innings. After he issued two walks in the fifth, left-hander Alex Vesia ended the inning on Matt Olson's groundout to second base.

Mahle, a native of Newport Beach, California, who grew up a Dodgers fan, allowed two runs — one earned — in 6 1/3 innings.

Michael Harris II hit Glasnow's first pitch for a single before stealing second and eventually scoring from third on a wild pitch that bounced off catcher Will Smith's chest protector.

The Dodgers pulled even in the second with the help of two Atlanta errors. Shohei Ohtani walked, stole second and advanced to third on catcher Sean Murphy's errant throw into center field. Muncy's pop fly into shallow left field was dropped by shortstop Mauricio Dubón for another error, allowing Ohtani to score.

The missed opportunity left the Braves with 18 walks in the series, and none scored. Atlanta hitters finished 1 for 23 with runners in scoring position.

"The Dodgers had something to do with that," manager Walt Weiss said. "They're going for their third straight world championship for a reason. Their arms just keep coming at you.

"But that's the postseason. You never know what you're going to get. It's very unpredictable."

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Brewers 3, Padres 2

In San Diego, Garrett Mitchell tripled and scored the tiebreaking run in the fifth inning before making a pivotal catch on Manny Machado's drive to the wall in the eighth, and the Brewers advanced to the NLCS for the second straight season, winning their best-of-five division series in four games.

Mitchell also drove in Sal Frelick with Milwaukee's first run as the Brewers snapped their 12-game postseason road losing streak since 2018 and reached the team's fifth league championship series.

Machado nearly tied Game 4 with a 406-foot drive off reliever

Abner Uribe, but Mitchell coolly tracked it down and reached just above the short wall in right-center to keep it in the yard.

Second baseman Brice Turang then ended the eighth with an acrobatic catch of Ty France's tailing popup in foul ground.

After fending off the surging Padres in four tight games decided by a combined five runs, the 103-win Brewers will get an NLCS re-match with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who eliminated Atlanta on Wednesday.

The Dodgers swept Milwaukee last October on the way to their second consecutive World Series title.

Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a 429-foot homer on an otherwise tepid offensive night for the Padres, who repeatedly tested the majors' best regular-season team before falling short of only the fourth NLCS appearance in team history.

Guardians stay alive with rout of Chisox

By JAY COHEN

CHICAGO — Jo Adell and José Ramírez powered Cleveland with a pair of two-out triples, and the Guardians avoided an AL Division Series sweep by cooling off the Chicago White Sox with a 9-3 victory in Game 3 on Wednesday.

Adell's three-run triple gave

9

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GUARDS W. SOX

ALDS, Gm. 3 Box. Page 38

Cleveland a 4-1 lead in the third inning. Ramírez's three-bagger drove in Travis Bazzana and Patrick Bailey for a 7-3 advantage in the eighth.

The Guardians recorded two triples in a postseason game for the first time in franchise history. They became the first major league team to accomplish the feat since the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series.

Adell, Ramírez, Bailey and Brayan Rocchio each had two of the team's 11 hits — a complete turnaround for the AL Central champions after they managed just three runs and seven hits in the first two games of the series combined.

Game 4 is on Thursday.

Chicago won its first four games in a surprising postseason appearance after going 60-102 last year. It was backed by a frenzied crowd of 40,590 for the franchise's first home playoff game since 2021, but there wasn't much for the fans to cheer in the final innings.

The White Sox struck out 19 times and went 2 for 11 with runners in position. Their bullpen faltered after coming up big in their fast postseason start. —AP

Wells moves up in lineup, but results don't follow

By GREG JOYCE

Austin Wells' baserunning blunder in Game 1 of the ALDS understandably loomed over everything else he had done this postseason coming into Wednesday.

But otherwise, the Yankees catcher had spent the playoffs performing like the player the club was banking on all along even after a largely brutal regular season.

Entering Game 3 with the season on the line, Wells was 5-for-12 with two doubles, four RBIs and two sacrifice flies in four playoff games, which earned him a jump up the lineup Wednesday against the Rays.

As part of a slight shakeup to his lineup, Aaron Boone batted Wells sixth, which he had only done one other time this season, matching the highest he has hit in the order this year.

The move did not pay off as Wells went 0-for-3 before lifting for pinch hitter Giancarlo Stanton with a runner on and two outs in the eighth. Stanton, though, struck out as the Yankees headed for a 4-3, season-ending loss.

Wells had been a staple in the bot-

tom third of the lineup all season, including batting eighth or ninth in each of his four playoff games before Wednesday. But in addition to the results, he had been putting together the kind of tough at-bats that he is capable of but did not always show during a regular season in which he hit .186 with a .624 OPS (much more of a

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YANKS NOTES

threat in the second half than in the first).

Through all the offensive ups and downs, Wells has continued to handle his pitching staff well and earn their adoration.

"I think when baseball players talk about pros' pros and guys really handling their business, [there is] a lot of respect inside the room for how Austin has gone about it and how he's really continued to get better throughout the regular season," Gerrit Cole said earlier in the series.

Boone also dropped Spencer Jones — the Yankees cleanup hitter in each of the prior three playoff games — down to batting eighth in the lineup, the lowest he has hit against a right-hander since May 19 (facing Dylan Cease). Jones entered Game 3 batting 2-for-15 with a walk and seven strikeouts in the postseason. Jones went 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored.

Before Game 3, a handful of Yankees took bunting practice against a pitching machine — something they have done from time to time this year.

★★

R

Jon Heyman

jheyman@nypost.com

BOONE ENOUGH

F THE Yankees listened to public opinion, manager Aaron Boone would have been fired between Games 2 and 3 of the division series. Of course, radio callers and their ilk have no power, nor should they.

The decision regarding Boone is entirely up to owner Hal Steinbrenner, who loves Boone and is super loyal to him (and most everybody else). George Steinbrenner's son obviously also doesn't adhere to his father's maxim that a season without a World Series title is a failure.

Charles Wenzelberg / NY Post

If he agreed with his father, Boone might have been gone long ago.

It's an interesting call again. Boone had a great regular season, helping the Yankees to the second-best record in the American League despite losing superstar Aaron Judge for half the season. But after whipping the rival Red Sox in the wild-card round, they put themselves in jeopardy of a second-round exit with a weak initial two-game showing vs. Tampa Bay.

Since the call will be made by Steinbrenner, the belief is that Boone's chances to stay remain high. If the Yankees go out in the division series a second straight year, I do hear there will likely at least be a conversation. It may be a short one, however.

The call is Steinbrenner's, but GM Brian Cashman, assuming his own contract is extended (a fairly safe assumption with this stacked roster), has advisory capability. Cashman's a strong, consistent supporter of Boone, ever since Cashman hired him a decade ago over Hensley Meulens, Carlos Beltrán, Rob Thomson, Eric Wedge and Chris Woodward. And he endorsed Boone again Wednesday.

"I think Boone's a really good manager," Cashman said before the Yankees were eliminated as the Rays completed the division series sweep, 4-3, at The Stadium. "We're here for a reason. There's a lot of reasons behind that. And he's certainly part of that."

When asked after the game if he wants and expects to be back, Boone responded, "Yeah, of course ... That's for another day.

Skipper's success in the regular season likely enough for him to keep the job

FIND A SECURE: Yankees fans were calling for Aaron Boone's job after the Game 2 debacle, but though there might be a brief discussion by ownership about whether he stays, he's likely to be back.

Those conversations are for another day."

Word, though, is some club personnel were disappointed with the team's Game 2 readiness. Does that reflect on Boone? Maybe some.

At the very least, the Yankees didn't look like themselves in Game 2.

"There's ups and downs, good performances and bad performances along the way. It's all part of the journey," Cashman said.

“Let’s hope we bring our A game tonight,” Cashman also said before the game. “It’s time to flush the toilet on that one.”

The Yankees made four errors in that toilet-worthy game, which triggered the Boone issue.

One scout noted the “indecision” and “rushed nature of play.”

"You play this team 13 times a year and to not be familiar with their behavior is alarming," the scout said.

If Boone, who has a year to go on his contract at around \$5.5 million, does stay, he will extend the longest Yankees managerial tenure without a World Series title. But Steinbrenner's loyalty to Boone isn't especially likely to be dented by one bad defeat, or one more disappointment.

Steinbrenner likes the eight postseason appearances in nine winning years.

He likes the .583 overall winning percentage.

He likes Boone's ability to operate in a difficult market.

He likes his winning personality and his ability to get along with suits and players alike.

He also surely loves that he's an effective front man because, heaven knows, Steinbrenner doesn't want to be it.

One other complicating factor: The lockout is coming. A new manager would mean extra pay for a potentially shortened or lost season, and a tough transition.

The other issue is: Who can they hire who's better?

They probably made the right call naming Boone nine years ago. But hiring a manager is more of a crapshoot than the playoffs.

Alex Cora is one unattached manager with a bigger résumé and reputation. But he's told the Phillies he's taking the year off. "I'm enjoying my life. To be present for my daughter and boys is priceless," Cora told me.

One person who knows Cora speculated that if one team could possibly lure him back, that could be the Yankees. But even that person didn't see that as likely.

Some obvious outside managerial candidates include ex-Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, ex-Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, ex-Cubs manager David Ross, Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, future Hall of Famer and Dominican Republic manager Albert Pujols, Yankees icon and Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly (who could be retained by the Phillies) and Astros manager Joe Espada (if he isn't retained). But an opening still isn't seen as especially likely.

Cashman: Judge just not ready

YANKEES GM Brian Cashman explained for the first time why Aaron Judge wasn't included on the division series roster.

"He's just not ready. In the end, he wasn't physically able," Cashman told a few writers before the Yanks were eliminated. "I know what he would like to do. ... That's the warrior in him. But physically, he wasn't a choice. The grade he suffered was pretty impossible."

Judge's inability to run the bases or play the outfield ultimately made the choice easy. ...