ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A flotilla of sizzling air balloons ascended into a transparent desert sky on Saturday to kick off a colourful mass ascension on the 52nd annual Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Fiesta.

The nine-day gathering attracts a whole lot of 1000’s of spectators and pilots to New Mexico every fall for the uncommon alternative to be inside arm’s attain as the large balloons are unpacked and inflated.

Balloons took flight to screams of pleasure after a short climate delay and have been spirited away by a mild breeze. Propane burners roared and a whole lot of balloons — from conventional globes to cartoonish figures — rose to speckle the sky with shade.

“The mass ascension is simply magical, not like something on the earth actually that I’ve seen,” stated Paul Kluzak, of Phoenix. He’s come twice earlier than and arrived this yr sporting a foot-tall hat resembling a hot-air balloon, with a digital camera slung round his neck.

“Seeing them is simply actually, actually cool.”

Companion Heather Kluzak stated that phrases can hardly specific the fun of the occasion.

“We similar to to be part of it,” she stated. “It’s enjoyable to be out on the sector” the place the balloons inflate and depart.

This yr’s fiesta consists of 106 balloons in particular shapes, 16 of which will likely be making their fiesta debut. That features Mazu, modeled after the ocean goddess of the identical title who’s deeply rooted in Taiwanese tradition and traditions.

Ordinarily, cool morning temperatures at daybreak will help pilots keep within the air longer, or carry extra weight. However the morning air was unusually heat on opening day, with many spectators stripping all the way down to T-shirts.

Morning lows and afternoon highs are anticipated to be above common for days in a metropolis that on Monday recorded its hottest temperature this late within the yr, at 93 levels Fahrenheit (33.8 Celsius), in keeping with the Nationwide Climate Service.

Globally, issues have been trending hotter too. It’s doubtless this yr will find yourself because the warmest humanity has measured, the European local weather service Copernicus reported in early September.

Usually, when the mornings are cool, much less gas is required to get the balloons to rise. Fiesta veterans clarify it’s all about producing elevate by heating the air contained in the envelope to temperatures larger than what’s on the surface.

Nonetheless, ballooning occurs year-round in lots of locations, together with within the simmering Phoenix space, which has seen its share of record-breaking temperatures over latest months.

Troy Bradley, an completed balloon pilot who has been flying for many years, shrugged off the hotter climate in Albuquerque.

“These are actually non-issues from a spectator’s standpoint,” he stated. “I don’t see any distinction aside from they gained’t be freezing within the pre-dawn hours.”

The forecast for Northern Lights has been beefed up in all elements.

NOAA’s Area Climate Prediction Heart (SWPC) has elevated the share possibilities of reasonable, and strong-to-extreme power geomagnetic storms.

SWPC has additionally widened the time interval by which they really feel we may have a geomagnetic storm producing Northern Lights.

The stronger the geomagnetic storm is, the farther south the Northern Lights may be seen. SWPC has additionally elevated the anticipated protection of Northern Lights, with a viewing likelihood farther south.

The brand new forecast of the timing makes it straightforward for us to know when to search for the sky magic. SWPC now says anytime from darkish tonight by dawn Sunday may have Northern Lights.

SWPC nonetheless targets simply after darkish Saturday night time for the best Kp Index and subsequently essentially the most strong Northern Lights. Nonetheless, there’s a drawback with ready till Saturday night time to search for Northern Lights, as it will likely be cloudy over components of Michigan.

Right here is the most recent forecast from SWPC. It has fairly a number of numbers, so I’ll make it straightforward for you.

The part labeled Geomagnetic Exercise Possibilities exhibits a 30% likelihood of a reasonable geomagnetic storm tonight and Saturday night time. It additionally exhibits a 35% likelihood of a strong-extreme geomagnetic storm tonight and a 40% likelihood Saturday night time.

The underside part provides us Kp Index forecasts in three-hour increments. The upper Kp numbers provides us an ideal likelihood of Northern Lights and are a sign of attainable farther south viewing.

With a Kp Index of 6, Northern Lights can be seen south to about central Decrease Michigan. If the Kp Index hits 7 Saturday night, Northern Lights can be seen in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio.

Keep in mind that Saturday night time can have some areas of strong clouds as a swath of rain strikes throughout Michigan.

Whereas Northern Lights could possibly be seen simply after darkish tonight, the SWPC forecast exhibits 11 p.m. tonight as an elevated likelihood of Northern Lights. We could also be up late tonight to see the perfect Northern Lights present.

If you wish to see the Northern Lights tonight, get to a excessive spot with a transparent view wanting north. You’ll need to be there by 11 p.m. however could have to attend till after midnight to see them.

EPA

Earlier this week, I wrote about 4 issues we could be pleased with the Washington Mystics for within the 2024 WNBA season. At present, I’ll write about six issues that we should be involved in regards to the Mystics after the 2024 season, a few of which can nonetheless be on my thoughts in 2026. So let’s go.

The Mystics had a under common offense

Washington had the ninth greatest offensive ranking in 2024, partially as a result of they had been the worst group in turnovers with 15.1 per recreation. Julie Vanloo, Ariel Atkins and Brittney Sykes all averaged over 2 turnovers per recreation, with Vanloo having a turnover charge of 24.6 p.c. Sykes’ and Atkins’ turnover charges had been round 15 p.c.

The Mystics additionally struggled to get to the free throw line in 2024, solely making an attempt 601 such pictures, lowest within the WNBA. In the meantime, they allowed different groups to aim 800 free throws.

The Mystics had been the poorest rebounding group within the WNBA

Turnovers is one factor that drives a coach loopy, which we talked about within the earlier part.. The opposite is a scarcity of rebounds Washington averaged 31.9 rebounds within the 2024 season, worst within the WNBA, whereas giving up 35.4 themselves. It’s one factor if Washington performed at a sluggish tempo, which additionally drives stats down. Nonetheless, the Mystics had been sixth in tempo, so this additional signifies that they clearly weren’t constructed to out-rebound their opponents.

The Mystics are reliant on worldwide gamers to fill of their expertise wants in a league that isn’t so pleasant to such gamers

Basically, I would like the perfect gamers on the earth to play within the WNBA. I’m definitely within the camp that the perfect ladies’s gamers on the earth ought to be within the W. Emma Meesseman is without doubt one of the greatest European gamers in WNBA historical past and wouldn’t be a Prime 5 participant on the earth proper now if she by no means performed for the Mystics from 2013-20.

That mentioned, worldwide expertise, particularly these from Europe, are more and more fickle relating to their dedication to the WNBA, if they’ve them within the first place. The highest European leagues in Turkey, France and Russia will seemingly nonetheless pay greater than the WNBA even after 2026. And but, the Mystics appear to be trying to fill of their expertise gaps, particularly at guard with a global participant who is usually a one-and-done.

Rui Machida was on the Mystics in 2022 and didn’t do a lot contributor. Li Meng was right here in 2023 and had her moments, however she by no means performed in 2024 (and I doubt she’s going to subsequent 12 months). And this previous season, Vanloo and Jade Melbourne have had their moments, however I’m not bought on both being in Washington for very lengthy.

I don’t see Vanloo enjoying for the Mystics subsequent 12 months due to her native Belgium seemingly being in Girls’s EuroBasket. However I’d prefer to be mistaken, after all.

And although Melbourne is Australian — and Opals gamers usually are extra dedicated to the WNBA than Europeans — I’m unsure if Melbourne will nonetheless be a Mystics participant past 2025.

The WNBA is rising and that’s a great factor. Nonetheless, I don’t see the WNBA itself rising that a lot past the USA, Canada and maybe another Anglophone international locations like Australia given issues like prioritization, the basketball season calendar in many of the world and continental tournaments.

The Mystics’ progress as a enterprise this 12 months is essentially as a result of different WNBA groups and gamers, not their very own.

Within the 2024 WNBA season, Washington claimed to have bought out all of their video games on the Leisure and Sports activities Enviornment and Capital One Enviornment. That’s nice. particularly the sellouts at Capital One Enviornment on condition that it holds over 20,000 seats.

Nonetheless, the fact is that the Mystics had been a lottery group within the 2024 season and had been the one WNBA group with out an All-Star. Two of the Capital One Enviornment video games had been towards the Indiana Fever, who had been led by their franchise participant Caitlin Clark. Clark’s presence on the Fever has helped many WNBA groups promote out dwelling video games towards her group. And the Fever after all are actually promoting tickets like they haven’t earlier than on the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

So let’s be sincere. The Mystics’ progress this season is essentially as a result of gamers on different groups, not the gamers they have already got. Will it at all times be this fashion? In fact not. In spite of everything, the Mystics had been a championship group simply 5 years in the past.

The Mystics are near hitting their ceiling for enterprise progress because of the Wizards and Capitals not transferring to Alexandria. That may negatively have an effect on which WNBA gamers wish to come to Washington in 2026 and past.

The Wizards’ and Capitals’ potential transfer to Alexandria was one of many largest information tales within the 2024 calendar 12 months. However the information of the groups staying at Capital One Enviornment was additionally dangerous information for the Mystics. They should keep at ESA for the foreseeable future on the expense of Wizards and Capitals followers who aren’t WNBA followers AND needed their groups to remain in Chinatown. Or extra precisely, they are going to be at ESA for the foreseeable future as a result of some politicians in Virginia and D.C. needed it that manner.

I admit that I needed the Virginia area to go, but it surely’s not due to the Wizards and Capitals transferring to the state I dwell in. Reasonably, as a result of it will permit the Mystics to develop their paid fanbase and stay aggressive towards different groups who might be in newer and larger services.

As you realize, the WNBA will add three new groups within the subsequent two years. The Golden State Valkyries open store in 2025, whereas two groups in Toronto and Portland open store in 2026 when a brand new Collective Bargaining Settlement is prone to take impact. All three of those groups are enjoying in NBA arenas full-time. In the meantime, the Mystics are within the second smallest area within the league regardless of being in on one of many bigger markets. That might ship the mistaken message to gamers who’re on the lookout for new contracts.

---

There’s one factor I didn’t embrace as a priority from the previous season: the Mystics’ late season playoff push. Right here’s why.

If the Mystics did an analogous push in previous seasons, I’d be involved as a result of WNBA championship groups sometimes are constructed with a number of prime draft picks. However the 2026 enlargement and new CBA will flip all of that on its head. Moreover, the Mystics are one of many solely groups to win a WNBA championship (and the one group in latest reminiscence to take action) with out counting on a homegrown lottery draft choose to be a foundational championship piece once they did so in 2019. If something, the Mystics are be higher positioned to do that than most different groups.

So how do you’re feeling in regards to the Mystics’ issues after the 2024 season? Tell us within the feedback under.

Junior working again LeQuint Allen Jr. caught two landing passes and ran for 2 extra, together with the sport winner, and Syracuse (4-1) defeated No. 25 UNLV (4-1), 44-41, in extra time on Friday evening.

The win was the second ranked win of the younger season for the Orange, marking the primary time since 2001 {that a} Syracuse crew has defeated a number of ranked groups within the common season. It was additionally the primary highway win over a top-25 crew because the 2010 crew bested then No. 20 West Virginia.
 

See more

Lure Takeover: Additional time Version‼️🍊🎯 pic.twitter.com/vll8lXrhQk

— Syracuse Soccer (@CuseFootball) October 5, 2024

‘Cuse trailed by seven factors late within the fourth quarter and notched the tying rating with simply 23 seconds remaining on an endzone fade completion by Kyle McCord to Jackson Meeks. The play was setup by an important fourth-down run by Allen to maintain the drive alive.

UNLV bought possession first in extra time. After a Fadil Diggs sack to power a profitable Caddie Crittenden 41-yard discipline purpose, the Orange offense marched to the endzone and game-winning rush by Allen to go away Las Vegas with a win.
 

See more

LeQuint wouldn’t be denied! 😤🎯 pic.twitter.com/66ZjFQb8LF

— Syracuse Soccer (@CuseFootball) October 5, 2024

Allen ran 19 instances for 71 yards and two touchdowns and caught a profession greatest 9 passes for 58 yards and two scores. He moved into sixth all-time on this system’s receiving yards by a working again ledger (553), passing Walter Reyes (550).

McCord, who handed for greater than 300 yards within the fifth consecutive recreation, accomplished a career-high 40-of-63 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns. McCord’s 42 completions represented the third-best complete in Orange historical past, trailing solely Ryan Nassib (45 vs. Northwestern, 2012) and Zack Mahoney (43 at Pittsburgh 2016).

Tight finish Oronde Gadsden II completed with a career-high 10 receptions and 142 yards. He set new Syracuse information for profession receptions by a decent finish (94) and profession receiving yards by a decent finish (1,395). The earlier marks had been held by Nick Provo (92, 2008-11) Chris Gedney (1,334, 1989-92), respectively. 

The Orange offense jumped out to a 14-0 lead within the first quarter on the again of an correct passing assault. McCord accomplished his first 11 throws of the competition. On the opening sequence, he drove the Orange 75 yards in 9 performs on a gap drive capped by a nine-yard landing go to Allen Jr.

Syracuse put collectively a second consecutive nine-play scoring march on its subsequent possession. Keyed by a 39-yard go play from McCord to Gadsden II, the Orange lined 87 yards with Allen ending issues with a three-yard plunge.

UNLV responded to its early two-touchdown deficit by producing 21 unanswered factors. A 42-yard run by Jai’Den Thomas, enhanced by a face-mask penalty on the Orange, gave the Rebels first-and-goal on five-yard line. Two performs later, senior quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams teamed with junior tight finish Kaleo Ballungay on a five-yard landing go to get UNLV on the board.

Williams evened the rating rapidly the subsequent time the Rebels went on offense. He related with Ricky White III for 53 yards and ran the ultimate three yards on the two-play sequence. The Insurgent protection pressured the Orange into punt formation for the third straight possession and the UNLV particular groups strain pressured Syracuse punter Jack Stonehouse to scramble. The outcome was a 13-yard loss and gave the hosts the ball on the Syracuse 9. Williams discovered Casey Cain in the long run zone for a nine-yard landing play and in a matter of 9 minutes the Rebels went from trailing 14-0 to main 21-14.

Syracuse engineered a 16-play, 72-yard march that led to a 21-yard discipline purpose by redshirt freshman Jayden Oh, his first at Syracuse. McCord’s 15-yard go to Gadsden and a 14-yard gainer to Allen had been the massive beneficial properties on the drive and Syracuse went into the intermission trailing, 21-17.

The third quarter began in an analogous method to the opening interval with the Orange retaking the lead with back-to-back touchdowns. Syracuse drove 75 yards in 12 performs and McCord thread the needle on a sideline go that Allen Jr. carried into the tip zone for a six-yard landing. Freshman Yasin Willis helped arrange the rating with a 26-yard run that put the Orange at first-and-goal.

The Orange protection arrange the subsequent rating. again Duce Chesnut picked off a deflected UNLV display go deep in Insurgent territory. On the subsequent play, Willis ran 21 yards for his first collegiate landing.

Willis’ rating was the primary of his profession and his 62 yards on the bottom set a brand new profession excessive.

Chittenden narrowed the rating to 31-24 with a 20-yard discipline purpose and the UNLV punt protection unit helped even issues up. Going through fourth down on the UNLV 49, Syracuse had its punt blocked by White III blocked and Charles Correa recovered the ball in the long run zone. Chittenden’s further level had issues tied up at 31-31.
Syracuse put itself in place to take the lead on its subsequent possession. The Orange moved 68 yards on 13 performs whereas taking 7:19 off the clock. Going through third-and-eight on the UNLV 16, McCord had his throw intercepted by Jackson Woodard on the five-yard line.

Taking on at its personal six-yard-line with 8:05 left in regulation, UNLV took 10 performs to maneuver in entrance once more. Williams teamed with White III on a nine-yard landing go and the Rebels led, 38-31, with 2:58 remaining.

The Orange weren’t completed. Syracuse raced 75 yards in 11 performs and Jackson Meeks hauled in McCord’s six-yard go in the long run zone with 23 ticks left on the clock. McCord had a 17-yard completion to Gadsden II and 18 yards to Meeks on the drive. Oh’s level after created the third tie of the evening, 38-38, and resulted within the recreation going into extra time.

Allen then led the Orange to victory within the extra time interval with plenty of sturdy runs. The Orange proceed a stretch of three consecutive highway video games with a matchup at NC State on Saturday, Oct. 12.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Hollywood star Keanu Reeves made his skilled auto racing debut on Saturday in an occasion wherein “The Matrix” star spun out at famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Reeves spun into the grass with out a collision on the exit of Flip 9 a little bit greater than midway via the 45-minute race. He re-entered and continued driving, signaling he was unhurt.

Reeves, who certified thirty first out of the 35 automobiles, ran as excessive as twenty first and efficiently prevented a primary lap crash in Flip 14. Reeves completed twenty fifth.

Reeves, who’s 60 years previous, is competing at Indianapolis in Toyota GR Cup, a Toyota spec-racing sequence and a help sequence for this weekend’s Indy 8 Hour sports activities automobile occasion. He has a second race Sunday.

Reeves is driving the No. 92 BRZRKR automobile, which is selling his graphic novel “The Ebook of Elsewhere.” He’s teammates with Cody Jones from “Dude Good.”

Reeves has earlier racing expertise as a former participant within the Toyota Grand Prix of Lengthy Seashore within the celeb race. Reeves gained the occasion in 2009.

He’s scheduled to attend a thirtieth anniversary screening of “Pace” on Tuesday in Los Angeles alongside his co-star Sandra Bullock.

___

AP auto racing:

Lakers coach JJ Redick elected to carry out LeBron James towards the Timberwolves after three laborious days of coaching camp, however the 39-year-old high scorer in NBA historical past is more likely to play towards Phoenix on Sunday — which simply occurs to be Bronny’s twentieth birthday.

Bronny James completed with two factors within the Lakers’ 124-107 loss to the Timberwolves, lacking his first 5 photographs earlier than making a layup with 56.9 seconds to play. However the 6-foot-2 guard additionally blocked three photographs, and he picked up one rebound and one help whereas taking part in the primary half of the second quarter and a lot of the fourth.

Earlier than they grow to be the primary father and son to play in the identical NBA recreation, Bronny James is aware of he has loads of work to do. He obtained his first probability to play in Lakers gold when he took the ground to start the second quarter at Acrisure Enviornment outdoors Palm Springs.

Enjoying alongside beginning Lakers level guard D’Angelo Russell, Bronny obtained caught on a decide on his first defensive possession, permitting Rob Dillingham to hit an open 3-pointer. Bronny’s go was then intercepted by Nickeil Alexander-Walker on the opposite finish, however Bronny hustled again and blocked his layup try.

Bronny missed all three of his photographs throughout his first six minutes of motion, together with a 3-pointer. He picked up an help when he discovered Rui Hachimura for a 3-pointer from the nook on a quick break.

Bronny returned for the beginning of the fourth quarter, lacking a jumper and having a layup try blocked. Within the ultimate minute, he obtained a go from fellow rookie Dalton Knecht and looped a layup over a defender for his first factors.

LeBron seemed to be maintaining a conscious distance from Bronny through the recreation, permitting his oldest son to concentrate on his job. However LeBron spoke at size to Bronny throughout a timeout midway by way of the second quarter, explaining one thing with hand gestures whereas Bronny nodded.

Bronny James was the Lakers’ second-round draft decide, and he performed in summer season league in Las Vegas. He’s anticipated to play for the Lakers within the preseason earlier than spending a good portion of the upcoming common season with the G League’s South Bay Lakers.

“In fact there’s nerves,” Bronny stated after the Lakers’ pregame shootaround. “However I’m simply excited to go on the market and study from the folks taking part in in entrance of me, and if I get an opportunity to showcase what I can do, I’m going to try this.”

As is typical for inactive gamers, LeBron largely stayed away from the Lakers’ huddles. He largely stood on the perimeter throughout timeouts with Anthony Davis, who additionally sat out the preseason opener. Each superstars have been at coaching camp in El Segundo.

“We felt like, given every thing they’d this summer season, and their stage of participation over the previous three days, it made probably the most sense for them to get an off day right this moment,” Redick stated. “We advised them at shootaround to simply keep off their ft.”

Redick stated Thursday that each LeBron James and Davis will play in not less than one recreation this weekend. Max Christie and Jaxson Hayes began within the superstars’ place towards Minnesota alongside Russell, Hachimura and Austin Reaves.

Friday’s crowd did not appear disenchanted because it poured into the 22-month-old enviornment that serves on the residence of the American Hockey League’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. Tons of of followers in gold Lakers jerseys representing everybody from James to George Mikan rushed into the constructing and down the steps within the decrease bowl for an up-close have a look at the pregame warmups.

“The gorgeous factor concerning the Lakers is that we have now followers all around the world,” Redick stated. “The desert over right here is an extension, I believe in some methods, of our fan base in LA. It is a fantastic alternative for our group to play in entrance of those followers tonight.”

James and Davis are sitting out the primary of the Lakers’ six preseason video games as they ease again into competitors after a busy summer season. They joined the Lakers earlier than the sport in road garments.

LeBron and Davis had been each on the U.S. workforce that received a gold medal on the Paris Olympics, and so they walked to midcourt proper earlier than tipoff to greet Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, their Olympic teammate.

Reporting by The Related Press.

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]