Already short on wide receivers as they opened the season against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil, the Kansas City Chiefs lost Xavier Worthy to a shoulder injury on the game’s third offensive play. Then they lost the Chargers’ receivers in coverage. Then they lost containment against Justin Herbert to seal their 27-21 loss.
Top Stories
Ted Cruz returned from Greece trip Sunday amid deadly floods
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
WASHINGTON — As Texans woke up July 4 to the news that flooding in the Hill Country had turned deadly, Sen. Ted Cruz was on a pre-planned vacation in Greece with his family.
The senator arrived back in Texas late Sunday night — the soonest he was able to return, according to a spokesperson for his office.
Cruz was spotted Saturday morning — evening, in Greece — visiting the Parthenon in Athens.
“The Senator was already in the middle of preplanned family vacation travel overseas when the flooding occurred on July 4,” the spokesperson said, noting Cruz spoke with federal and state officials within hours of the flood to coordinate federal resources for the search-and-rescue effort. Cruz and his team also “worked closely with local officials and with families of missing girls throughout that time,” the spokesperson said.
Cruz’s office declined to say when he purchased his flight home. His spokesperson also declined to say when Cruz boarded his return flight or arrived in Texas, specifying only that he left Greece “early Sunday” Central time and landed in San Antonio “late Sunday.”
His flight took off about a day and a half after local officials announced the death toll had reached 24 with many still missing.
Cruz made his first on-site appearance Monday morning, hours before a critical media report detailed the senator’s Athens visit and set off social media backlash, with some invoking Cruz’s 2021 trip to Cancún in the midst of Winter Storm Uri.
During that episode, the senator left Texas after the storm had hit and as many residents lacked power and water, which he admitted was “obviously a mistake.”
From Greece, Cruz helped coordinate the federal response, speaking Friday afternoon Central time with President Donald Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, according to his office.
Meanwhile in Texas, Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, joined emergency officials in Kerrville on Saturday for an on-the-ground briefing and to provide updates alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and state officials.
While in Kerrville, Cruz surveyed the damage, attended a press conference and appeared on Fox News. He noted that his daughters had long attended a summer camp near Camp Mystic — and that he had been in the area last week to pick one of them up.
Shape the future of Texas at the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin! We bring together Texas’ most inspiring thinkers, leaders and innovators to discuss the issues that matter to you. Get tickets now and join us this November.
TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
No. 6 Oregon delivered one of the most lopsided wins in program history Saturday, blasting Oklahoma State 69-3 at Autzen Stadium behind a barrage of explosive plays and a suffocating defense.
The Ducks scored 65- and 59-yard touchdowns on two of their first three snaps, seizing control just 90 seconds into the game. By halftime, Oregon led 41-3 with 473 yards of offense — 230 through the air and 230 on the ground — and an eye-popping 13.1 yards per play.
Quarterback Dante Moore was nearly flawless in his second start, completing 16 of 21 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Noah Whittington emerged as the lead option, rushing for 91 yards and a 59-yard score.
Oregon’s defense matched the dominance. Freshman quarterback Zane Flores struggled in his first start for Oklahoma State, throwing for just 67 yards with two interceptions — both returned for touchdowns by Peyton Woodyard and Jerry Mixon on consecutive plays in the third quarter. The Cowboys managed only 161 total yards, with more than half of Flores’ output coming on a 35-yard completion to Christian Fitzpatrick that set up their lone points.
The 66-point margin marked the third-worst defeat in Oklahoma State history and the most lopsided loss of Mike Gundy’s tenure.
Quick hitters
Key Stats – Oregon
- QB Dante Moore: 16 of 21, 266 yards, T-career high 3 pass TDs.
- Ducks gained more yards on first 3 plays (130) than Oklahoma State had in the 1st half (123).
- Outscored Oklahoma State 41-3 in the first half, with more TDs (6) than OSU had first downs (5).
- 8 plays of 20+ yards in the 1st half (most in any half since 2017 vs. Oregon State).
Key Stats – Oklahoma State
- Failed to start 2-0 for the first time since 2016 (2nd-longest active FBS streak entering Saturday).
- Scored 3 points or fewer for the 6th time in 259 games under Gundy.
- Suffered 10th straight loss vs. FBS opponents (longest streak in program history, 4th-longest active FBS streak nationally).
- Allowed 41 points in the 1st half, most since giving up 44 to Oklahoma in 2015.
- QB Zane Flores (first collegiate start): 6 of 18, 61 yards, 2 pick-sixes.
Season Snapshot – Oregon
- Dante Moore (2025): 77.3% comp, 479 pass yds, 10.9 YPA, 6 TD-0 INT.
- Oregon offense (2025): 22 drives → 16 TDs, 1 FG, 2 punts.
Oregon Active Streaks (FBS Rank)
- Home wins: 17 (3rd)
- Regular-season wins: 20 (1st, program record)
- Wins vs. unranked teams: 33 (T-2nd)
- Nonconference home wins: 36 (1st)
- Home wins vs. unranked teams: 41 (2nd)
Largest Losses in Oklahoma State History
- 1904 vs. Oklahoma: 75 points
- 1907 at Oklahoma: 67
- 2025 at Oregon: 66
- 1946 vs. Oklahoma: 61
- 1970 at Oklahoma: 60
Most Points Allowed in Oklahoma State History
- 1904 vs. Oklahoma: 75
- 1946 vs. Oklahoma: 73
- 1996 at Texas: 71
- 2025 at Oregon: 69
Longest Active FBS Losing Streaks vs. FBS Opponents
- Kent State: 23
- Southern Miss: 14
- UMass: 13
- Oklahoma State: 10 (longest in program history)
Next Week
- Oregon at Northwestern
- Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa (after bye)
Top Stories
Chicago federal intervention latest: President Trump’s immigration enforcement, possible National Guard deployment | Live updates
Despite fear in some Chicago communities over the expected surge in immigration enforcement, Pilsen held its Mexican Independence Parade on Saturday. There were some extra precautions taken in case federal agents showed up.
This year’s Pilsen Mexican independence Day Parade not only looked different, but felt different. A lot of the community and their supporters have concerns over the administration’s continued immigration enforcement.
“I just think we still need to be out here, and so we’re not scared and still show our heritage, and that we’re a proud people, and that we’re not scared of anything that’s going on,” paradegoer Jasmine Martinez said.
For a 24th time, the annual procession headed across 18th Street at noon as heightened security concerns loomed following the Trump administration’s threats to deploy National Guard troops and ICE agents to the city.
“I’m against goons and masked people, that’s like the KKK,” Pilsen resident Tom Sanchez said. “So, I’m here.”
Despite fear in some Chicago communities over the expected surge in immigration enforcement, Pilsen held its Mexican Independence Parade on Saturday.
Bands, colorful floats and dancers marched in the parade to noticeably smaller crowds.
According to the most recent census, Chicago’s Mexican-American community represents 21.5% of the city’s total population. The threat of federal intervention has turned what is usually a time of celebration to one of anxiety in Latino neighborhoods.
“It does seem a little bit less crowded than the last time we were here,” paradegoer Ben Snyder said.
While reports of ramped-up deportation efforts caused other celebrations to be canceled or postponed, organizers of Pilsen’s parade said they did not think their event would be targeted, but still staged safety volunteers armed with warning whistles along the short parade route as a precaution.
“Three continuous whistles, like this, will mean an ICE sighting,” said Vicky Lugo, parade organizer and Pilsen Chamber of Commerce board member. “A continuous whistle like this [means someone is getting arrested by immigration agents.]“
Some of Illinois’ elected official have rejected Trump’s plans.
“This is more than a parade today, this is a show of unity,” Congressman Mike Quigley said. “This is a reminder that there is more than unites us than divides us.”
The actual Mexican Independence Day falls on September 16, but celebrations will continue throughout the week, usually drawing hundreds of thousands of people. Where there were no issues at Pilsen’s parade this year, there are concerns about next weekend. That’s when the Little Village Mexican Independence Day Parade kicks off. There’s concern there could be some enforcement activity there.
What a way to start a season, huh?
It could have been worse — and without quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ hero-ball performance, it likely would have been.
It’s a long flight to Brazil. With emotions high after such a frustrating outcome, the flight home must have been even worse.
Here are a few who stood out as the Chiefs stumbled out of the gate to begin the 2025 season.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: There were plenty of missed opportunities — including some long passes that were just off target. But the two-time MVP did his best to put the team on his back and drag it down the field — and Mahomes’ best is quite a lot. He led the team in rushing, scoring on the ground (and through the air) as he accounted for 315 total yards. Had the Chiefs been able to get the ball back at the end of the game, perhaps we’d remember the spectacular passes Mahomes was able to complete on Friday night, like the horizontal throw and the throw on the run while getting hit. Mahomes Magic is alive and well.
Tight end Travis Kelce: While Ms. Swift’s fiancée only had two catches, one was a beautiful 37-yard touchdown. The broadcast cameras caught what might have been an equally impactful moment where the veteran held the team’s right tackle accountable for his mistakes. This was the type of game we always want Kelce to have: a couple of catches and some veteran leadership.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill: On a night where the linebackers didn’t play very well, Tranquill stepped up — showing fire and leadership against his former team. Recording five tackles (two for a loss) and two sacks, Tranquill was the defense’s most impactful player. And like Kelce, Tranquill did what he could to hold teammates accountable, letting Chris Jones hear it when the All-Pro defensive tackle made a critical mistake.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie: The defense’s other All-Pro was great against the Chargers. He may have been the only member of the secondary who was able to cover anyone. He batted down a pass and had five tackles.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub: It was one of the best moments in an otherwise forgettable game: the “fire drill” 59-yard field goal at the end of the first half. Getting the right squad on the field and lining it up in time for a snap as time expires isn’t easy, but the special team’s execution and timing were perfect. Of course, it’s also impressive that Butker was able to drive home such a long field goal in that situation. Still, the success of the whole unit on this play served to remind us that Toub is still one of the best in the business.
Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor: His blocking wasn’t perfect, but it would have been good enough. The five penalties, however, are another matter. That’s not going to cut it.
The passing defense: Whom should I call out when the entire defense managed so little pass rush, left open receivers on every play and allowed the opposing quarterback to have one of his best games ever? There were struggles at all three levels. If this was a personnel issue, it should have already been solved. If it was just an off game, we should expect to see a huge bounce-back performance against the Philadelphia Eagles on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium next Sunday.
Running back Isiah Pacheco: On the plus side, he gained five yards per attempt. But on the minus side, he only had five carries; the Chiefs couldn’t get anything going on the ground. As a receiver, Pacheco turned three targets into two catches for only three yards. For teams to respect any threat of a running game, Pacheco will need to step up — and the team needs to give him the opportunities to do so. If not, Mahomes might be in for a long year.
Head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo: When motivation and emotion look inconsistent and execution is rough — and the same issues pop up over and over again — that’s on the coaches. They have to adjust their plans, make sure players are ready and put them in a position to win. While Friday’s matchup wasn’t as lopsided a loss as Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, it had some of the same problems: a lack of pass rush, no running game… and no answers.
Note: Applying the labels “winners” and “losers” is not intended to be a judgment on the talent or character of any of these players or coaches. It’s just a simple way to grade their performance in a single game. No disrespect should be inferred.
-
Business1 week agoThe Guardian view on Trump and the Fed: independence is no substitute for accountability | Editorial
-
Tools & Platforms4 weeks ago
Building Trust in Military AI Starts with Opening the Black Box – War on the Rocks
-
Ethics & Policy1 month agoSDAIA Supports Saudi Arabia’s Leadership in Shaping Global AI Ethics, Policy, and Research – وكالة الأنباء السعودية
-
Events & Conferences4 months agoJourney to 1000 models: Scaling Instagram’s recommendation system
-
Jobs & Careers2 months agoMumbai-based Perplexity Alternative Has 60k+ Users Without Funding
-
Education2 months agoVEX Robotics launches AI-powered classroom robotics system
-
Podcasts & Talks2 months agoHappy 4th of July! 🎆 Made with Veo 3 in Gemini
-
Education2 months agoMacron says UK and France have duty to tackle illegal migration ‘with humanity, solidarity and firmness’ – UK politics live | Politics
-
Funding & Business2 months agoKayak and Expedia race to build AI travel agents that turn social posts into itineraries
-
Podcasts & Talks2 months agoOpenAI 🤝 @teamganassi