Jamie Pollard, Iowa State's athletic director, announced his retirement effective June 30, 2027, after 22 years, marking him as the longest-serving AD in Cyclones history. Under his leadership, the program flourished with numerous titles and significant facility investments, setting the stage for a national search for his successor in fall 2026.

Authorities in Vinton County, Ohio, arrested Elizabeth and Gary Siders Jr. on 16 counts of child endangerment after 16 children were found in squalid conditions. The case has prompted widespread legal action, with officials seeking $1 million in state aid to cover the children's care and other expenses.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, along with President Trump, is pushing legislation to penalize countries purchasing Russian energy to pressure Moscow over Ukraine. While the White House's stance is unclear, indications of approval suggest sanctions may pass with broad support soon, with Senator Graham communicating U.S. backing to Ukrainian President Zelenskiy.

The North Carolina State Health Plan will adopt a four-tier provider network in 2027 to cut costs by directing members to preferred providers like Novant Health and UNC Health. Amid ongoing negotiations with Duke Health and WakeMed, this plan anticipates a 5% premium rise but promises lower out-of-pocket costs and nearly $1 billion in savings by returning to BCBSNC and CVS Caremark as administrators.

Lyzr utilized its AI agent, SivaClaw, to secure a $100 million Series B at a $500 million valuation, demonstrating its technology's potential to revolutionize fundraising workflows. This innovative approach attracted $400 million in investor interest, showcasing AI's role in streamlining enterprise applications and raising questions about the future of AI-driven due diligence and investment processes.

Ohtani will miss the MLB All-Star Game due to a knee issue, leaving a spot open for potential replacement Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber's strong performance metrics make him a fitting candidate for the DH role.

Google is introducing a new label to clarify if ads are AI-generated, aiming to boost transparency and align with EU's upcoming AI Act. This move extends beyond election content, relying on advertisers to honestly disclose AI usage, and could trigger mandatory labels in certain regions.

Northwestern researchers have developed a cerebellum-inspired memtransistor that detects novelty while ignoring routine data, offering energy-efficient AI for wearables and more. This device, detailed in Nature Communications, processes fewer operations than traditional AI, potentially revolutionizing low-power applications like health monitors and autonomous vehicles.

Open Quantum has launched within qBraid Lab, offering users $50 in free compute to explore quantum computing capabilities. This integration aims to democratize access to quantum hardware, with support from major providers like IBM and Microsoft, enhancing educational and development opportunities.

Gartner names Google a Leader in AI Infrastructure, citing its AI Hypercomputer's efficiency and scalability across cloud, edge, and on-premises environments. Google's advances include a robust Virgo Network and open-source tools that enhance TPU and GPU capabilities, aiming to optimize costs and performance in AI workloads.