🔥CMA Awards 2025: Lainey Wilson Repeats as Entertainer of the Year as Cody Johnson & Red Clay Strays Shock the Night — Full Winners List

Wilson reclaims Entertainer of the Year; Langley & Green’s breakout duet sweeps major categories; Zach Top wins Best New Artist; Paul Franklin finally ends decades-long drought.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The 59th Annual CMA Awards delivered a night of seismic shifts in country music’s power structure on Wednesday (Last Week), with Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, and Riley Green emerging as the evening’s top winners, each securing three trophies. Wilson closed out the show by reclaiming the Entertainer of the Year title while also hosting the ceremony solo. This double milestone defined a night steeped in both tradition and transformation.

But it was the surprises that electrified the crowd inside Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Cody Johnson toppled long-standing category favorite Chris Stapleton to win Male Vocalist of the Year, while The Red Clay Strays, in their first-ever nomination, dethroned Old Dominion’s multi-year hold on Vocal Group of the Year. Rising talent Zach Top capped his breakout year with a coveted Best New Artist win.

From Moscow’s Collapse to America’s Crossroads: How Putin’s KGB Playbook Now Shapes U.S. Politics

Trained in Cold War tradecraft and forged in the turmoil of the Soviet Union’s collapse, Vladimir Putin spent decades rebuilding his power—now experts warn that his KGB-era tactics of disinformation, division, and democratic sabotage are echoing across American politics.

MOSCOW | When the Soviet Union crumbled in 1991, a young intelligence officer named Vladimir Putin watched from the front row—not as a politician, but as a career KGB operative stationed in East Germany, witnessing a superpower’s collapse from inside its own security apparatus. That experience, former colleagues say, would shape not only his worldview but the strategies he would later deploy to rebuild Russia’s influence—and undermine Western democracy.

For Putin, the fall of the USSR was not just a political crisis. It was, in his own words, “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century.” The chaos, corruption, and national humiliation that followed fueled his determination to restore Moscow’s power—by any means necessary.

Trump Misrepresents Biden’s Job Numbers, SNAP Data to Tout His Own Record

Addressing a meeting of McDonald’s restaurant owners, President Donald Trump distorted his predecessor’s record on employment, falsely claiming that government jobs were increasing while “real jobs” were declining. The number of private-sector jobs increased every year under former President Joe Biden’s term and was up about 12% by the time he left office.

At the McDonald’s Impact Summit on Nov. 17 in Washington, D.C., Trump told the franchise owners and operators, “Government jobs were going up, real jobs were going down. … You are so damn lucky that I won that election.”

The president also claimed later, “In nine months, we’ve lifted over 600,000 Americans off of food stamp[s], and that’s a record.” Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps, declined more than that in the final months of Biden’s presidency.

Government Jobs vs. Private-Sector Jobs

When Trump said that “government jobs were going up, real jobs were going down” under Biden, we assume he meant private-sector jobs when referring to “real” jobs. But the number of private-sector jobs grew every year of Biden’s term.

Senate Confirms Vice Adm. Richard Correll as New STRATCOM Commander Amid Rising Global Tensions

Correll, a veteran submariner and former STRATCOM deputy, steps into the four-star role as U.S. nuclear, electronic warfare, and global strike demands intensify.

U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM)—the nation’s premier combatant command for nuclear deterrence, global strike, and missile warning—is set for a leadership change following the Senate’s confirmation of Vice Adm. Richard Correll. Approved by voice vote on Thursday, Correll will be promoted to four-star admiral as he assumes one of the most consequential posts in the U.S. military.

President Donald Trump nominated Correll for the position in September, and the veteran naval officer completed his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee last month. His elevation places him at the helm of a command critical to America’s nuclear security posture and increasingly central to U.S. global power projection.

A STRATCOM Veteran Returns to Lead

Correll is no stranger to STRATCOM. His previous assignments include serving as deputy commander and director of plans and policy (J5), key roles that shaped U.S. nuclear policy, integrated deterrence strategy, and long-range strike planning.

STRATCOM’s responsibilities extend far beyond nuclear weapons. The command oversees global strike operations—including conventional missions—such as June’s Operation Midnight Hammer, during which B-2 Spirit stealth bombers executed long-range precision attacks against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. More recently, STRATCOM units have been flying B-52 bombers near Latin America amid heightened military presence in the region and escalating tensions with Venezuela.

Correll now inherits oversight of nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3), missile threat assessments, and the strategic bomber fleet—missions that have grown more complex amid rapid modernization by China and Russia.

Marine Corps Launches Major Push for Counterintelligence, HUMINT Recruits Amid Rising Global Threats

New MARADMIN urges Marines to lateral into the 0211 specialty, highlighting heightened demand, elite mission sets, and bonuses up to $105,000.

The U.S. Marine Corps is accelerating efforts to reinforce its counterintelligence and human intelligence (CI/HUMINT) ranks, issuing a new service-wide solicitation for Marines to transition into the highly specialized 0211 military occupational specialty. The call—released Thursday via MARADMIN and approved by Lt. Gen. Melvin “Jerry” Carter, deputy commandant for information—underscores what officials describe as an urgent and enduring demand for skilled CI/HUMINT operators.

According to the announcement, Manpower and Reserve Affairs has formally identified MOS 0211 as a critical specialty area, with requirements projected to remain high for the foreseeable future. The Marine Corps is encouraging both active-duty and reserve Marines to apply for lateral moves into the field.

Deuce Knight Explodes for Six TDs as Auburn Blows Out Mercer 62–17 in Freshman’s Historic First Start

Knight Tallies 401 Total Yards with Four Rushing TDs and Two Passing Scores; Tigers Dominate Second Half Ahead of Iron Bowl Showdown

AUBURN, Ala. | Auburn found its spark — and his name is Deuce Knight. In one of the most electrifying first starts in program history, the true freshman quarterback accounted for six touchdowns and 401 total yards, powering Auburn to a dominant 62–17 win over Mercer on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Knight dazzled from the opening snap, rushing for four touchdowns and throwing for two, showcasing the dual-threat explosiveness Auburn coaches have raved about for weeks. The victory improves Auburn to 5–6 (1–6 SEC) and sends the Tigers into Iron Bowl week with renewed confidence — and a rising star at quarterback.

Interim head coach DJ Durkin praised Knight’s command and poise.

“The game Deuce had, moving the ball with the throws and the runs — he showed everyone what we’ve been seeing at practice,” Durkin said. “A complete game in all three phases.”

Knight finished 15-of-20 passing for 239 yards and rushed nine times for 162 yards, responsible for more than 70% of Auburn’s total offense.

No. 8 Oklahoma Shuts Down No. 23 Missouri, 17–6, as Sooners’ Defense Dominates in Playoff Push

John Mateer Throws Two Touchdowns While Oklahoma’s Defense Allows Just Six Points, Strengthening the Sooners’ CFP Position

NORMAN, Okla. | No. 8 Oklahoma continued its march toward the College Football Playoff with a gritty, defense-first 17–6 victory over No. 23 Missouri on Saturday. Quarterback John Mateer delivered two touchdown passes, but it was the Sooners’ imposing defensive unit that stole the show, holding the Tigers without a touchdown and shutting down one of the SEC’s most physical offenses.

With the win, Oklahoma (10–1) continues to solidify its standing inside the top ten, positioning itself as a legitimate contender for a CFP berth entering the final stretch of the regular season. Missouri (8–3), meanwhile, saw its momentum blunted after failing to reach the end zone for the first time this season.

SOONERS STRIKE EARLY BEHIND MATEER

Oklahoma opened the scoring with a sharp, 74-yard drive capped by Mateer’s precision strike to the back corner of the end zone. The sophomore quarterback maintained steady control from the pocket, mixing intermediate throws with timely check-downs to keep Missouri’s defense off balance.

Mateer’s second touchdown pass came late in the second quarter, pushing the Sooners ahead 14–3 and providing all the cushion the defense needed.

No. 7 Oregon Outguns No. 15 USC 42–27, Handing Trojans Third Road Loss to Ranked Opponent

Dante Moore Throws for 257 Yards and Two TDs as Ducks Tighten Playoff Push; USC’s CFP Hopes Fade Despite Big Night from Maiava and Lemon

EUGENE, Ore. | No. 15 USC Football saw its College Football Playoff hopes all but disappear Saturday night as No. 7 Oregon powered to a 42–27 victory at Autzen Stadium. Despite a strong outing from quarterback Jayden Maiava and star receiver Makai Lemon, the Trojans (8–3, 6–2 Big Ten) were unable to keep pace with the Ducks’ balanced offensive attack and opportunistic scoring.

Oregon (10–1, 7–1 Big Ten) bolstered its CFP résumé behind Dante Moore’s efficient 257-yard, two-touchdown performance, complementary playmaking from tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and a punishing ground effort from Noah Whittington, who ran for 104 yards and a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown.

The loss continued USC’s decade-long drought in Eugene—the Trojans have not won there since 2011—and extended Oregon’s current win streak in the series to four straight.

USC STRIKES FIRST, OREGON ANSWERS IMMEDIATELY

USC opened the game with promise as Maiava found Lemon on an 8-yard sprint toward the pylon to take a 7–0 lead. Lemon, who entered the night ranked second nationally in receiving yards per game, again showed his elite versatility.

But the Ducks wasted no time responding. Freshman running back Jordon Davison tied the game on an 11-yard touchdown run, and Moore soon after connected with Sadiq for a red-zone strike to take a 14–7 lead.

Michigan Crushes Ohio State 8–1 to Secure Historic 100th Victory in Storied Rivalry

Fourteen Wolverines Score as No. 2 Michigan Completes Weekend Sweep; Ivankovic Stops 38 in Dominant Milestone Win

ANN ARBOR, Mich. | The rivalry reached a new milestone on Saturday night as the No. 2-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team delivered a commanding 8–1 victory over Ohio State at Yost Ice Arena, securing the program’s 100th all-time win against the Buckeyes. The Wolverines (13–3, 6–2 Big Ten) erupted offensively—fourteen players recorded points—while freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic turned in a career-best 38-save performance to anchor a decisive sweep of their Big Ten rivals.

With the win, Michigan extended its historic series lead over Ohio State (5–7, 1–5 Big Ten) to 100–53–16 through 169 meetings, reinforcing its dominance in one of college hockey’s most tradition-rich rivalries.

FIRST PERIOD: MICHIGAN ATTACKS FIRES EARLY AND OFTEN

Senior winger Josh Eernisse opened the scoring at 9:01, redirecting a point shot from freshman defenseman Asher Barnett, with Garrett Schifsky adding the secondary assist. Moments later, senior forward Kienan Draper doubled the lead with a high short-side finish off assists from Eernisse and Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen.

Freshman center Cole McKinney drew a slashing penalty at 15:14, and Michigan capitalized immediately. Aidan Park hammered home a one-timer from the left circle, assisted by Jayden Perron and McKinney, pushing the Wolverines to a commanding 3–0 lead after the opening frame. Michigan won the faceoff battle (12–5) and held a slight 10–8 shots advantage.

UC San Diego Dominates Air Force 55–43 Behind Smothering Defense and Early Offensive Surge

Tritons Jump Out to 22–4 First-Quarter Lead, Never Trail as Condron, Rose, and Feiman Power UCSD to Second Straight Home Victory

LA JOLLA, Calif. | UC San Diego women’s basketball delivered its most complete performance of the season Saturday afternoon, defeating Air Force 55–43 inside LionTree Arena. The Tritons (2–3) controlled the game from the opening tip, exploding to a 22–4 first-quarter lead and never looking back as they evened the all-time series with the Falcons (3–3) at 1–1.

Erin Condron led UC San Diego with 12 points, adding three key blocks, while Makayla Rose posted an all-around standout game with 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Lev Feiman reached double digits with 10 points. In her first start of the season, Rosa Smith provided a spark with nine points, five rebounds, and steady defensive pressure.