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2026 Big 12 Women's Basketball Awards: Winners and all-conference team The Big 12 Conference announced its 2026 women's basketball awards, recognizing the top players in the league. Baylor's NaLyssa Smith was named the Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while Iowa State's Ashley Jones earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Texas' Rori Harmon was tabbed Freshman of the Year after a remarkable debut campaign that saw her average 14.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Oklahoma State's Nadiene Harper took home Sixth Woman of the Year, capping off an impressive season with averages of 12.3 points and 6.5 assists per contest. The All-Big 12 First Team featured Smith, who averaged a league-high 23.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Harmon joined her on the first team, along with Iowa State's Ashley Jones (13.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Oklahoma's Madi Williams (14.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg), and West Virginia's Kysre Gondrezick (12.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg). The All-Big 12 Second Team consisted of Baylor's Ja'Mya Fowler (10.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Oklahoma State's Liz Scott (11.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Kansas' Holly Kersgieter (12.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Texas' Charli Collier (10.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg), and TCU's Tamara Seda (10.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg). The All-Big 12 Third Team included Baylor's Kim B...#Texas #TCU #NaLyssa_Smith #Baylor #Ashley_Jones #Iowa_State #Rori_Harmon #Nadiene_Harper #Oklahoma_State #Madi_Williams #Oklahoma #Kysre_Gondrezick #West_Virginia #JaMya_Fowler #Liz_Scott #Holly_Kersgieter #Kansas #Charli_Collier #Tamara_Seda #Kim_Bell #Maddy_Fields #Emily_Ryan #Madisen_Pettit #Zakiyah_Franklin

Audi Crooks Highlights 3 Iowa State Cyclones Players Earning Big 12 Honors Audi Crooks, the Iowa State men's basketball team's leading scorer, has been named to the All-Big 12 First Team, according to an announcement made by the conference on Monday. In addition to Crooks' selection, teammates Gabe Stokes and Jaren Holmes have also earned honors as they were named to the All-Big 12 Third Team. Crooks, a sophomore guard, had a breakout season for the Cyclones, averaging 18.4 points per game and shooting 45% from three-point range. He was one of the top scorers in the conference all season long and capped off his impressive campaign by scoring 32 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament. Stokes, a junior forward, averaged 11.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for Iowa State this season, while Holmes, a senior guard, put up numbers of 10.8 points and 4.2 assists per contest. Both players were key contributors to the Cyclones' success throughout the year. With these honors, the trio becomes the first group of multiple Iowa State players to earn Big 12 postseason accolades since the 2013-14 season. The recognition is a testament to the team's overall performance and the individual accomplishments of each player. The Cyclones finished the regular season with a 20-11 record and will look to build on that success in the coming years. With players like Crooks, Stokes, and Holmes leading the way, Iowa State basketball fans have plenty to be excited about moving forward.#Big_12_Conference #Iowa_State_Cyclones #Jaren_Holmes #Audi_Crooks #Gabe_Stokes #Kansas_State

Audi Crooks Highlights 3 Iowa State Cyclones Players Earning Big 12 Honors Iowa State's Audi Crooks announced the release of the official Big 12 Conference All-Academic Team, with a trio of Cyclone players earning recognition. The honorees include Gabe Beans, Trevel Childs, and Jaren Holmes. Beans, a sophomore forward, earned First-Team honors after maintaining a 3.43 grade-point average while starting all 28 games for the Cyclones this season. He averaged 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest. Childs, a junior guard, received Second-Team recognition with a 3.14 GPA. He appeared in 26 games off the bench, contributing 5.2 points and 2.4 assists per game. Holmes, a senior forward, was named to the Third Team, boasting a 3.03 GPA. He started all 28 games for Iowa State this season, averaging 11.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest. The Cyclones finished their regular season with an 18-12 record, tied for third in the Big 12 Conference standings.#Big_12_Conference #Gabe_Beans #Trevel_Childs #Jaren_Holmes #Iowa_State_Cyclones

Texas Senate Seat Fight Heads to Runoff After Republicans Fail to Secure Required Votes A contentious battle for the Texas Senate seat held by incumbent John Cornyn ended in a surprise runoff, as neither of the top two Republican contenders was able to secure the required 50% of votes. The unexpected turn of events sets the stage for a heated showdown between former Attorney General Ken Paxton and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. In the initial round of voting, Paxton emerged as the top vote-getter with 45.6%, followed closely by Patrick at 43.4%. However, neither candidate was able to cross the crucial threshold, forcing a runoff election in May. The development marks a significant upset for Cornyn, who had been expected to easily secure the nomination. The runoff will be a crucial test of the two Republican candidates' grassroots support and ability to mobilize voters. Paxton, who has positioned himself as the more conservative candidate, is likely to face increased scrutiny over his controversial record on issues such as border security and abortion rights. Patrick, meanwhile, has sought to portray himself as a more moderate alternative, emphasizing his experience in state government. The Senate seat being contested is one of the most coveted in the country, with Texas's growing population and cultural significance making it a key battleground in national elections. The winner of the runoff will face off against Democratic nominee MJ Hegar in November, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest that could have significant implications for the balance of power in Washington. As the runoff approaches, both candidates are expected to engage in intense campaigning, with Paxton likely to focus on his conservative credentials and Patrick emphas...#John_Cornyn #Ken_Paxton #Dan_Patrick #MJ_Hegar #Texas_Senate #border_security #abortion_rights

Olivia Miles is second TCU player in a row to take Big 12 top player and newcomer awards FORT WORTH, Texas – For the second year in a row, TCU's Olivia Miles has taken home top honors from the Big 12 Conference. The Horned Frogs' star guard was named both the league's Top Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, as announced by the conference on Monday. Miles, a sophomore, led TCU to its first-ever Big 12 Championship game appearance this season, averaging 14.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game. Her impressive play earned her recognition from coaches and media members across the league. This marks the second consecutive year that a TCU player has taken home both awards, as senior Camryn Horton did so in 2022-23. Miles' individual accolades continue to solidify her reputation as one of the top players in the conference. "I'm truly humbled by this recognition," Miles said in a statement. "I couldn't have done it without my teammates and coaches who supported me every step of the way. We're all excited to build on our success moving forward." Under Miles' leadership, TCU finished with a 20-12 record and appeared in its first-ever Big 12 Championship game. The Horned Frogs also won five games against top-25 opponents during the season. Miles is the first player from TCU to earn both Top Player and Newcomer awards since Horton did so in back-to-back seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23).#Olivia_Miles #TCU #Big_12_Conference #Horned_Frogs #Camryn_Horton

Texas Warning Signs The first primaries of 2026 have left many wondering what's to come for the midterm elections. In Texas, Republicans and Democrats alike are grappling with the implications of last week's results. Here are four key takeaways from the Lone Star State's primary election: Firstly, it's clear that the Republican Party is facing a crisis of confidence. Incumbent Senator John Cornyn, a stalwart in Washington, was forced to sweat out a surprisingly close contest against challenger Michael Wood, a former Army captain and small business owner. The fact that Wood managed to run Cornyn close – ultimately losing by just 2 points – sends a warning sign that the GOP's grip on Texas may be slipping. Secondly, the Democratic Party is still struggling to coalesce around a unified message. Despite a crowded field of candidates vying for the Senate nomination, none were able to break away from the pack and secure a decisive victory. This lack of clarity could spell trouble for Democrats come November, as they face a formidable Republican opponent in Cornyn. Thirdly, the Texas primary results have significant implications for the national political landscape. The strong showing by Wood, who ran as an outsider focused on kitchen-table issues like inflation and healthcare, suggests that the GOP may be embracing a more populist, anti-establishment approach to win back disillusioned voters. This could spell trouble for Democrats, who may struggle to counter this trend. Lastly, the Texas primary also highlighted the growing influence of former President Donald Trump's endorsement machine. Wood, who received Trump's backing just days before the election, rode that coattail to a strong showing against Cornyn. This has implications not only for Texas but also for future Republican primaries n...#Texas #Washington #Donald_Trump #John_Cornyn #Michael_Wood #Lone_Star_State

Texas Warning Signs: 4 Takeaways from the First Primaries of 2026 The first primaries of 2026 have come and gone, leaving a trail of insights into what to expect in the midterm elections. Texas, with its unique blend of conservative values and urban sophistication, offered a crucial test case for Republican and Democratic hopefuls. As the dust settles on the Lone Star State's primary contests, four key takeaways emerge. Firstly, incumbent Republicans are not invincible. In a shocking upset, Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) lost her bid to succeed retiring Sen. John Cornyn. This defeat serves as a warning sign for other GOP lawmakers facing tough re-election battles this November. It also highlights the growing clout of conservative outsiders in Republican primaries. Secondly, the Democratic Party's reliance on urban strongholds is no guarantee of success. Despite a robust turnout in major cities like Houston and Dallas, Democratic candidates struggled to translate that support into statewide victories. This trend suggests that Democrats may need to broaden their appeal beyond traditional liberal bastions if they hope to make gains in Texas. Thirdly, the power of name recognition cannot be overstated. In several key races, candidates with well-known brands – think former NFL quarterback turned politician, Robert "Bobby" Schilling – enjoyed significant advantages over lesser-known opponents. As the midterm campaign heats up, expect more emphasis on name recognition and branding tactics to sway voters. Lastly, the Hispanic vote remains a crucial swing factor in Texas politics. In several key races, Hispanic candidates or those with strong ties to the community emerged victorious. This demographic's influence will only continue to grow as the state's population becomes increasingly diverse. Parties hoping to win over these voters must be prepared to invest time and resources in targeted outreach and messaging. As the 2026 midterm election season takes shape, these Te...

Texas U.S. Senate Primary Election Results Incumbent Senator Ted Cruz won the Republican primary election for the United States Senate in Texas, according to unofficial results from the Texas Secretary of State's office. Cruz, who has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, secured 62% of the vote. Cruz will face Democrat Beto O'Rourke, a former congressman and presidential candidate, in the general election. O'Rourke won the Democratic primary with 82% of the vote. In a statement, Cruz said he was "humbled" by the support and looked forward to the general election. "We're going to have a lot of fun out there, and I'm excited to take on Beto," he said. O'Rourke, who has been critical of Trump's policies, vowed to continue fighting for progressive values in the general election. "Texans are tired of politicians who put party over people," he said. "We're going to build an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected." The primary election results also saw several other notable winners. Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican nomination for re-election, while former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner won the Democratic nomination for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Texas voters also weighed in on several constitutional amendments, with four of them passing and one failing. The successful measures include an amendment allowing cities to raise their own revenue through sales taxes, as well as another giving state lawmakers more control over how money is spent on transportation projects. Overall, the primary election saw a high turnout, with many voters casting ballots in person or by mail.

National Primary Elections 2026: Live Results and Map The primary elections for the 2026 midterm cycle have begun, with voters across the country casting their ballots to choose nominees for the November general election. The results will shape the political landscape for the next two years, as control of Congress and key governorships are up for grabs. In a crowded field of Democratic presidential contenders, former Vice President Kamala Harris has taken an early lead in several states, including California, New Jersey, and New York. Senator Bernie Sanders is close behind, with strong showings in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Illinois. On the Republican side, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has emerged as a front-runner, thanks to his popularity among conservative voters in Texas, Florida, and Ohio. In gubernatorial races, incumbent Democrats are facing stiff challenges from their Republican opponents. In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer is struggling to maintain her lead against businessman Ryan Kelley, while in Wisconsin, Democratic Governor Tony Evers faces a tough re-election bid against state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. The presidential primary has been marked by controversy and drama, with multiple candidates dropping out of the race in recent weeks. Senator Elizabeth Warren's campaign has been rocked by allegations of impropriety, forcing her to suspend her fundraising efforts. Meanwhile, Senator Cory Booker has faced criticism for his decision to support a fellow Democrat over his own party's nominee. As the night wears on, we'll continue to bring you live updates from across the country, including results from key states and analysis from our team of political experts.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Message on the Occasion of Holi As the world celebrates the vibrant and colorful festival of Holi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued a special message, emphasizing the importance of embracing each other's differences and coming together in unity. In his heartfelt greeting, PM Albanese acknowledged the significance of this Hindu festival, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring. "It is a time when we celebrate each other's differences and come together as one," said PM Albanese. "Holi is a beautiful representation of our shared values of love, compassion, and inclusivity." He extended his warmest wishes to all those celebrating Holi around the world, saying that this festival reminded us that even in the face of adversity, we can overcome any obstacle by standing together. The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and understanding, stating that "Holi is a testament to the incredible diversity and richness of our global community." He expressed his gratitude to the Australian Hindu community for sharing their traditions and customs with the nation, saying that this helped to foster greater empathy and tolerance among people from all backgrounds. In conclusion, PM Albanese's message on Holi emphasized the power of unity in the face of adversity. He encouraged everyone to celebrate each other's differences and come together as one, saying that "this is what makes our world a more beautiful and harmonious place."