Defector
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More States Banned Trans Kids From Sports This Week
Four states voted on Tuesday to extend or introduce bans on transgender youth participation in school sports. Arizona and Nebraska aim to tighten existing prohibitions, while Washington and Colorado propose new bans where none existed. Early projections show Arizona, Nebraska, and Washington measures passing, with Colorado leaning toward approval. If all four succeed, the total number of state-level bans would rise to 31, according to TransAthlete.com.
Free Press Dumbass Has An AI Whoopsie
The Defector article critiques The Free Press’s internal culture after Abdul El‑Sayed’s U.S. Senate win, highlighting a rivalry between staff writer Olivia Reignold and reporter Maya Sulkin. Sulkin posted a video trembling at El‑Sayed’s name, while Reignold used AI to create a bizarre image of a woman's feet and listed luxury items she spotted at his election night event, including Valentino heels and a Chanel bag. The piece argues the outlet’s treatment of Arab subjects fuels toxic competition among its journalists.
Broadcast This Wemby Performance Into Space
Victor Wembanyama dazzles with a historic 52‑point, 24‑rebound, eight‑block line‑up as the San Antonio Spurs edge the Dallas Mavericks 112‑111 on Nov. 5, 2026. The 7‑ft‑4 rookie’s two‑way dominance—blocking shots that seemed unblockable and attacking from the perimeter—turns the game into a near‑space‑age spectacle, prompting the author to joke about broadcasting the performance to aliens. The narrow win underscores Wembanyama’s unprecedented blend of size, skill, and timing.
Getting In The Weeds
In "Getting In The Weeds," Drew Magary reflects humorously on his lifelong aversion to gardening, recounting childhood yard‑work trauma, three back surgeries, and a two‑decade reliance on his wife, mother‑in‑law, and professional landscapers to maintain his yard. He jokes about using his back as an excuse to avoid any manual labor, even recalling the futile effort of mowing with a push mower when he first moved in. The piece serves as a light‑hearted personal essay amid his regular Thursday NFL commentary on Defector.
Jay Feely’s Congressional Dreams Have Doinked Off The Uprights
Former NFL kicker Jay Feely’s bid for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District collapses as voters reject the “MAGA jackass” candidate. The article highlights the broader Tuesday election wave that ousted incumbents like Susan Collins and Greg Abbott, and notes victories such as Virginia’s voting‑rights overhaul. Feely, a 14‑year NFL veteran with stints in Atlanta, Arizona, and the Giants/Jets, leveraged his right‑wing media ties—including a 2009 Sean Hannity appearance—to launch his campaign, but his polarizing rhetoric failed to resonate. The piece underscores the district’s decisive rejection of his conservative platform.
LIV Is Dead
LIV Golf is set to dissolve after its backers withdrew and a revival plan failed. CEO Scott O'Neil’s bid to relaunch a stripped‑down 2027 league collapsed when a potential investor walked away, citing a lack of committed players. Most LIV pros have already returned to the European Tour, which announced it will bar any participant in the rival circuit. With the European Tour’s October ban and public criticism from players like Rory McIlroy, the league’s hoped‑for resurrection looks impossible, sealing its end before the next season.
The Sharks Smell Blood—Ope, Wait, It’s Their Own
The Los Angeles Kings dominate the San Jose Sharks with a 7-2 victory on Wednesday, surging to a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looking back. After a rocky start to the season that saw six straight losses, L.A. finally clicks, with Artemi Panarin threading a long pass to Adrian Kempe for a breakaway goal that launches Kempe on a hat‑trick. The Kings’ smooth performance underscores their recent turnaround, while the Sharks continue to struggle against a variety of opponents.
Tinashe Wants You To Get Off The Computer And Dance
In the latest "Listening Habits" column, Defector reviewer traces Tinashe’s evolution from her 2014 breakout hit "2 On" to her new album Popstar, positioning her as a guide to the shifting pop‑R&B landscape. The piece highlights how Tinashe blends club‑ready beats with post‑modern lyrics that critique our screen‑obsessed lives, urging listeners to ditch the computer and dance. It situates her alongside icons like Britney, The Neptunes, and Frank Ocean, and links to a YouTube preview of the album.
There Is No Place In A Functional Society For Elon Musk
Elon Musk allegedly poured nearly $500 million into the 2026 U.S. elections to keep Donald Trump and Republicans in power, but the midterms produced a historic Democratic wave that flipped both chambers of Congress and numerous state seats. Despite the loss, Musk’s net worth remains around $860 billion, meaning the spent amount is a tiny fraction of his wealth. The article warns that Musk could fund future elections on a massive scale with minimal impact on his fortune, highlighting the potential for continued political spending by the billionaire.
A History Of Pulsar, The (Maybe) ‘Rocky IV’ Robot That Lit Up Philly Night Life
The article spotlights the 50th‑anniversary celebrations of Sylvester Stallone’s 1976 classic Rocky, including a 4K re‑release, the Farrelly‑directed biopic I Play Rocky starring Anthony Ippolito, and Stallone’s new memoir The Steps. Philadelphia leads the festivities with a “Rocky Steps Challenge” up the Museum of Art stairs and a 76ers “Rocky Night” on Nov 2. The piece also notes 2026 marks the 41st anniversary of Rocky IV, reminding fans of the sequel’s own cult status.
Courting Slur-Users Isn’t A Winning Strategy When They Have Slurs For You
Vivek Ramaswamy, the Indian‑American Hindu who quit his lifelong vegetarianism during an Ohio gubernatorial debate, reflects on a strategy that backfired as he courted right‑wing voters who simultaneously disparaged him. The piece traces his rise from biotech exec and 2021 author of *Woke, Inc.* to a 2024 presidential hopeful who framed Hindu values as compatible with Judeo‑Christianism. After suspending his campaign in January 2024, Ramaswamy amplified a controversial podcast with Ann Coulter, who admitted she wouldn’t vote for him because of his ethnicity, and later faced similar rebukes from Laura Loomer and Nick Fuentes. The article argues that pandering to slur‑using conservatives undermines his political prospects.
And Now, A Game Of “Who’s The Saddest Team In Football?”
The Philadelphia Eagles surprise fans by announcing former Patriots one‑game starter Joe Milton will start this Sunday, sparking debate over his merit versus current quarterbacks like the Ravens’ Jacoby Brissett and questioning if the Eagles are now the NFL’s “saddest” team. The episode also covers a wild Week 9 preview, a doctor’s take on Philadelphia’s QB situation, the Jeffery Simmons‑styled Bears, and praise for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ new uniforms. Listeners get a mix of election‑day banter, football speculation, and midseason outlooks.
Not In My Wildest Dreams Did I See A Texas This Blue
Texas political landscape flips dramatically in the November 5 election as Democrats sweep every statewide race. In Denton County, Democrat James Talarico leads with over 53% of the vote, while Gina Hinojosa narrowly wins the governor’s race there. Vikki Goodwin defeats Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Democrats also capture attorney general, comptroller, railroad commissioner and agriculture commissioner offices, even flipping suburban strongholds like Collin County, home of Attorney General Paxton. The results signal an unprecedented voter backlash against Republican candidates across the Lone Star State.
Major League Baseball’s New Salary Cap Proposal Is As Shady As Its Old One
MLB unveils a revised salary‑cap proposal on Nov. 3, pushing the cap’s start from 2027 to 2028 to give teams a full offseason after a looming lockout. The plan projects a $258.2 million cap with a $180.2 million floor—about 70% of the cap—implying a 50‑50 revenue split between owners and players. However, the figures hinge on uncertain league revenues in 2027 and how spending is defined, leaving the core question of whether any cap will exist unanswered.
The World Is Prepared To Boycott Russian Hockey
Canada’s hockey authorities move to bar Russia from upcoming international competitions, prompting a potential boycott of the World Juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer and the May World Championships. Premier Mark Carney urges the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn its clearance for Russian participation, joining nearly half of the 16 nations slated for the German tournament that have threatened to withdraw. The decision follows recent political upsets in the U.S., underscoring growing pressure on Russian hockey amid global tensions.
What Can I Do To Keep My Kids Alive When My Partner Is Traveling For Work?
Welcome back to Minor Dilemmas , where a member of Defector's Parents Council will answer your questions on surviving family life. Have a question? Email us at [email protected] . This week, Dave offers guidance on how to solo parent when your spouse is away.
And Take Your Stupid Hat, Too!
In a shock turn of events, Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers on election day, baffling party insiders and mirroring the Detroit Lions' infamous missteps. The 43‑year‑old, still reeling from her primary loss to Abdul El‑Sayed, offers no clear rationale for the last‑minute switch, leaving Democrats as unwelcome as a Pistons fan at an Artest game. The endorsement fails spectacularly—Rogers loses decisively, and Stevens records zero wins, tying the 2008 Lions' woeful record. Her quirky exit includes a bizarre sidewalk interview while juggling a conspicuous beige hat.
In The Dream House, With Tom Krell
In this off‑beat episode of Nothing But Respect, host Harry and the author chat with Tom Krell of How to Dress Well—who’s even auditioning to sing the National Anthem at a Denver Nuggets game. The conversation roams from James Cameron’s dream‑born Terminator idea to a hot debate on whether Nikola Jokic is past his prime, plus quirky topics like odd ball‑handling moves, a new haircut, German philosopher Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi, and the antics of Keaton Wagler’s “snakes in his boots.” They also critique David Adelman’s coaching style and share tips for watching NBA games on mute at 1.1× speed while staying quiet at home.
If You’re Going To Change Your School’s Mascot, At Least Have The Decency To Get Weird
The University of San Francisco has replaced its long‑standing cartoon mascot, Don Francisco, with a wolf—a shift that sparked debate after a four‑year campaign began with a 2022 student‑government proposal and a 400‑signature petition citing the mascot’s ties to Spanish colonization. While the campus lacks a football program and its men’s basketball hasn't made headlines in decades, the change highlights ongoing cultural sensitivity discussions on campus, with the new wolf set to debut next spring.
Goddamn, That Was Satisfying
In the November 2026 midterms, Democrats sweep the nation in a historic "blue tsunami." Jon Ossoff clinches Georgia’s Senate seat within 18 minutes, and Abdul El‑Sayed wins Michigan’s Senate race at 1 a.m. EST, securing Democratic control of both chambers. Landmark victories include Texas turning blue, a Democratic‑socialist mayor in Washington D.C., the first Muslim U.S. senator, the first openly gay man in New Hampshire, and a transgender woman elected to the House from Alabama. Even a low‑budget sheriff candidate wins in Maryland. Voters cast a clear referendum against Republican rule and former President Trump, rewarding Democrats’ focus on the economy.
The Timeout Bozo Is Gone
The New York Liberty fire head coach Chris DeMarco after just one season, ESPN reports. Despite the eighth‑seeded Liberty shocking top‑seed Minnesota Lynx in the first round, they were swept by the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals, losing 101‑98 in overtime in Game 2 after DeMarco failed to use a reset timeout for a potential game‑tying shot. Both Breanna Stewart and DeMarco blamed a referee error that mistakenly claimed the team had no timeouts left; the league later called it a "misunderstanding" but took no further action. The article argues the firing was justified because DeMarco lacked proper timeout management.
Big, Beautiful, And Bulging
A frog's eyes are the window to a frog's soul.
Hot Honey Is Bullshit
Time for your weekly edition of the Defector Funbag. Got something on your mind? Email the Funbag . You can also read Drew over at SFGATE , and buy Drew’s books while you’re at it . Today, we're talking about democracy, belts, bar soap, optimal diner orders, and more. Happy Election Day, everyone! I hope you voted early and often. I know I did! Your letters:
Critical Support To The Shotputting Free Throw Shooter
South Florida’s freshman Kendall Puryear defies conventional free‑throw technique, halting her shot mid‑rise and launching the ball like a projectile. The unorthodox motion, reminiscent of her high‑school shot‑put background, raised eyebrows after she missed two free throws in her USF debut. While she posted a modest 58.1% free‑throw rate at Purdue, her unique form sparks debate about the influence of shot‑put training on basketball shooting mechanics.
Alison Knowles Made Art That Was Designed To Delight And Disappear
A new retrospective, “by Alison Knowles,” opens at NYU’s Grey Art Museum, showcasing the avant‑garde work of the late Fluxus pioneer. The exhibit highlights her rain‑soaked salad performance on the High Line (2012) and early paintings like “Taxis and Buses” (1959‑60), one of only two surviving canvases after she famously burned the rest. Born in 1933, Knowles abandoned traditional painting after a clash with Josef Albers and spent six decades expanding art’s boundaries with playful, public actions. The show offers a vivid introduction to the 92‑year‑old’s groundbreaking, disappearing art.
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