Turkey wins European playoff, will face USMNT at World Cup

Turkey defeated Kosovo 1-0 in a World Cup playoff on Tuesday, clinching a berth in Group D alongside the U.S. men's national team.

Kerem Aktürkoğlu gave Turkey the lead early in the second half, tapping home on the doorstep after a scuffed shot from Orkun Kökçü.

That was all the visitors needed as they advanced to the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

The USMNT learned at the World Cup draw in December that it would face Paraguay and Australia in the group phase, but has been waiting to find out the identity of its third opponent.

That team will be Turkey, which defeated Romania 1-0 in a semifinal on Thursday, March 26 before victory over Kosovo on Tuesday at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Kosovo.

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Turkey is ranked 23rd in FIFA's world rankings, making it the second highest-ranked team in Group D behind the U.S. (15th).

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, Mexico

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Estadio Akron –Guadalajara, Mexico

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> BMO Field – Toronto

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> BC Place – Vancouver, Canada

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Lumen Field – Seattle

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> NRG Stadium – Houston

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Levi's Stadium – Santa Clara, California

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

MetLife Stadium– East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

The USMNT and Turkey have faced off five times in their history, with each team winning two games and the other match ending in a draw.

Most recently, Turkey defeated the USMNT 2-1 in a June 2025 friendly.

Turkey's win means the USMNT will enter the World Cup having faced all three of its group stage opponents within the last year. The U.S. defeated Australia in October and Paraguay in November.

Turkey World Cup group stage schedule

• June 13 vs. Australia, BC Place - Vancouver, BC.

• June 19 vs. Paraguay, Levi's Stadium - Santa Clara, CA

• June 25 vs. USMNT, SoFi Stadium - Los Angeles, CA

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Turkey to face USMNT at World Cup after playoff win

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 31, 2026

Turkey wins European playoff, will face USMNT at World Cup

Turkey defeated Kosovo 1-0 in a World Cup playoff on Tuesday, clinching a berth in Group D alongside the U.S. men's n...

Read More

Chiefs HC gives update on Patrick Mahomes' injury recovery

When it comes to professional athletes recovering from injuries, no news is usually good news.

That should bode well forKansas City ChiefsquarterbackPatrick Mahomes, who is working his way back from a torn ACL and LCL. WhenChiefshead coachAndy Reidspoke to reporters at the annual league meeting on March 31, he gave something of a there-is-no-update update on his star quarterback.

Asked about Mahomes' timeline to return from injury, Reid said he'll leave it to the medical team to determine whether or not the quarterback is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery.

"I'm going to defer to the experts on that," Reid said when asked if Mahomes would be limited for training camp. "So, if he's good to go, he'll go. If he's not, we'll manage that. So, we'll just cross it as we go. Everybody's different. Everybody heals different. Everybody's injuries are a little bit different. We don't have to put him in a category. We'll see, see where it goes."

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Reid added that it's been all "positive" for the passer during his rehab.

NFL NEWS, TAKES, FANTASY ADVICE:USA TODAY Sports has you covered with our NFL vodcast

1. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Prescott's $60 million AAV makes him the highest-paid player in the NFL. The Dallas quarterback signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the Cowboys on the eve of the 2024 NFL season opener.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow also signed a deal with an AAV of $55 million, however his deal was for five years and $275 million. Burrow agreed to the extension with Cincinnati on Sept. 7, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-2. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lawrence signed his own five-year, $275 million dollar extension on June 13, 2024. His AAV is also $55 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Allen's $55-million AAV ties him with Love, Burrow and Lawrence, however the Bills quarterback's extension was for six years and $330 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

With an AAV of $53.1 million, Tagovailoa barely beats the next few players on this list. The Dolphins signed him to a four-year, $212.4 million extension on July 26, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-7. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

The Lions rewarded Goff with a four-year, $212 million extension before the 2024 NFL season after he helped turn Detroit into a top contender in the NFC. His deal has an AAV of $53 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-7. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft shocked the world after taking over as the 49ers QB and turned his success into a five-year, $265 million contract on May 16, 2025. Purdy will earn an average of $53 million per season.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert earns an AAV of $52.5 million after he signed a five-year, $262.5 million extension with the Chargers before the 2023 NFL season.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson's average salary is $52 million thanks to the five-year, $260 million contract he signed on April 27, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

The Super Bowl LIX MVP earns an average salary of $51 million. He signed a five-year, $255 million deal in April 2023 and has already paid off the Eagles' investment with a Super Bowl win.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers

Parsons became the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history after signing a four-year, $186 million extension following his trade from the Dallas Cowboys to the Packers. His AAV is $46.5 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Murray earns $46.1 million on average after he signed a five-year, $230.5 million deal on July 21, 2022.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Despite playing just 19 games over three seasons with Cleveland, Watson's contract has an AAV of $46 million. He signed a five-year, $230 million contract after the Browns acquired him in a trade with the Houston Texans on March 18, 2022.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-15. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons before the 2024 NFL season. Despite losing the starting QB job to Michael Penix Jr., Cousins earns $45 million on average.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-15. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes' 10-year, $450 million deal is the biggest contract in NFL history, despite his $45 million AAV ranking him 15th on this list.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams signed Stafford to a two-year, $84 million extension for an AAV of $42 million before the 2025 NFL season.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

Watt signed a three-year, $123 million deal on July 17, 2025, to briefly make him the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback before Micah Parson's extension with the Green Bay Packers. Watt earns an average salary of $41 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase became the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver after signing a four-year, $161 million extension before the 2025 NFL season. His average salary is $40.25 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Garrett earns a $40 million AAV. The Browns defensive end signed a four-year, $160 extension on March 9, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

Crosby also earned his big payday in March, signing a three-year, $106.5 million contract just four days before Garrett's extension. Crosby earns a $35.5 million AAV.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension on June 3, 2024 to make him the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback in history at the time. He earns $35 million on average.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-23. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Two months after Jefferson's deal, Lamb signed a four-year, $136 million extension with Dallas. Lamb's AAV is $34 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

Darnold scored a payday with Seattle after a resurgent season with Minnesota in 2024. Darnold earns an AAV of $33.5 million after signing a three-year, $100.5 million contract on March 10, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Highest paid NFL players 2025: See where Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons rank

1. Dak Prescott, Dallas CowboysPrescott's $60 million AAV makes him the highest-paid player in the NFL. The Dallas quarterback signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the Cowboys on the eve of the 2024 NFL season opener.

According to an article published byArthroscopy, recovery from an ACL tear "typically spans 9 to 12 months." The "return to sport" phase ranges from 6-12 months, with the 9-12 month range listed as a likely timeline for return to competition.

Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL on Dec. 14 during a Week 15 game against theLos Angeles Chargers. He underwent surgery to repair the ligaments in his knee the following day.

On March 25 – just over three months after his operation – Mahomes posted a video of himself throwing a football with a compression sleeve on his left leg.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 31, 2026

Chiefs HC gives update on Patrick Mahomes' injury recovery

When it comes to professional athletes recovering from injuries, no news is usually good news. That should bod...

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2026 NCAA tournament picks, predictions: Best bets for the Final Four

We saw the definition of March Madness last weekend, whenNo. 2 UConn stunned No. 1 overall seed Duke with a last-second 3-pointer to win 73-72and complete a historic comeback after being down 15 points at halftime.

UConn is a small underdog against No. 3 Illinois in the Final Four, while No. 1 Arizona is a currently a small 'dog against fellow No. 1 seed Michigan in what should be a fantastic matchup between arguably the two best teams in the country.

Below you'll find the favorite wagers for all the games from our college basketball handicappers — Corbie Craig, Matt Jacob and Matt Russell. We'll update this piece throughout the week with more wagers from our experts.

All odds courtesy ofBetMGM.

Best bets for Saturday's Final Four games

No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan (-1.5, 157.5)

Jacob:First-half scores in Michigan's last five contests dating to the Big Ten tournament championship game: 38-38, 50-46, 48-39, 49-47 and 48-26. All five surpassed 75 points and all five flew over the first-half total, with the Wolverines putting up an average of 46.2 points.

Meanwhile, in its last eight games dating to the regular-season finale at Colorado, Arizona and its opponents have combined for at least 74 first-half points six times. During this stretch, the Wildcats have averaged 37.1 points in the opening 30 minutes of action.

Translation: Both of these No. 1 seeds love to push the pace, particularly early; both can fill the bucket; and both are extraordinarily efficient on the offensive end. I don't expect anything different in Saturday's Final Four nightcap.

In fact, both teams have already shown in the NCAA tournament what happens when facing an opponent that also loves to sprint up and down the court. In the Sweet 16, Arizona beat Arkansas 109-88 (with the teams combining for 97 first-half points), and Michigan thumped Alabama 90-77 (with 96 of those points scored before halftime).

It might take a beat or two for these squads to get used to shooting in a cavernous football stadium, but they'll eventually heat up and easily top 80 points before the first-half horn sounds.

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Bet: First half over 73.5 points (-125)

No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Illinois (-1.5, 139.5)

Jacob:Here's a quick recap of Illinois' NCAA tournament performance to date: Four wins, all by double digits; three straight opponents held to fewer than 60 points on 38% shooting; a cumulative plus-65 rebounding advantage; and four starters averaging at least 12 points per contest. Just flat-out, across-the-board domination.

So, of course I'm fading the Illini in the Final Four.

The main reason: At this point, a bet against UConn in the Big Dance is essentially a bet against the sun rising tomorrow.

The Huskies' record in their last 18 NCAA tournament games overall: 17-1 (including 15 double-digit blowouts). Their record in their last 18 tournament games from the Sweet 16 onward: 18-0 (the most recent being Sunday's miraculous Elite Eight comeback against No. 1 overall seed Duke).

Ranking Duke's worst NCAA tournament losses since its last title

Another reason why I'm backing UConn: It already manhandled Illinois once this season, rolling 74-61 as a 3.5-point favorite in Madison Square Garden back on Nov. 28. Remember those four Illini starters averaging double digits in the NCAA tournament? They combined for 18 points on 6-for-27 shooting (including 2-for-13 from 3-point range) against the Huskies.

Granted, Nov. 28 is a long time ago. But early February is not. I bring that up because that's when Illinois lost 85-82 to Michigan State in overtime — the first of four consecutive overtime losses (by a combined 10 points) that Illinois suffered between Feb. 7-March 13.

In fact, since edging Texas Tech 81-77 in their third game of the season Nov. 11, the Illini have played six games decided by fewer than six points. Their record in those six contests: 0-6. In other words, Illinois is untrustworthy in close games.

Well, I fully expect this one to be a 40-minute dogfight. And I fully expect UConn to do what UConn always does this time of year: come out on top — somehow, some way.

Bet: UConn money line (+115)

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 31, 2026

2026 NCAA tournament picks, predictions: Best bets for the Final Four

We saw the definition of March Madness last weekend, whenNo. 2 UConn stunned No. 1 overall seed Duke with a last-second 3...

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Dustin Milligan Recalls Holding His Dad's Hand in the Final Moments Before He Ended His Life with MAID: 'One Last Gift'

Dustin Milligan shared he held his father's hand as he chose medical aid in dying at the end of his dementia journey

NEED TO KNOW

• Milligan described his father as a physicist and philosopher who faced his diagnosis with curiosity and acceptance

• The Schitt's Creek actor called it a "gift" to be his father's caregiver and advocate during his final years

Dustin Milliganshared that he held his father's hand as he chosemedical aid in dyingamid hisdementiajourney, explaining, "he wanted to go on his own terms."

Milligan, who played kind veterinarian Ted onSchitt's Creek,shared a throwback photo of his father adjusting the kerchief of his Beaver Scout uniform toInstagramon March 31. In the accompanying caption, Milligan, now 40, said that he was with his father as he died, writing, "I held his hand as he drew his last breath. It was a gift. One of many."

He shared that he and his father began their "ongoing dialogue about his Dementia" three years ago, explaining that, at first, it manifested as "moments of confusion, repetition, and memory gaps I'd noticed. They felt like more than just aging. More than just echoes of his stroke from a decade prior."

His father noticed the changes as well, so "we got him tested, diagnosed, and began adjusting to the simple, surreal new reality: his mind was slipping away, and it was never going to stop."

As "a physicist and a mathematician and a dreamer," Milligan said his father "wasn't angry about it. Or in denial. He said he had "a scientific mind with a philosopher's heart. He found it fascinating. He told me when he noticed it getting worse, and would ask me what I was seeing. I told him the truth. And that's how we navigated it. Side by side. Openly and honest."

"He told me he wanted to go on his own terms, using MAiD," Milligan wrote, using abbreviation for medical aid in dying, which islegal in Canada."He told me he didn't want to progress to the point that he couldn't eat on his own or bathe on his own or remember his children. I understood."

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TheHot Frostyactor was hands-on with his father's care, sharing that he would prepare his meals, cut his food, and open his pill bottles "as his dexterity broke down." They would "speak by playing harmonica together, as his language diminished," calling it a gift to be "his caregiver, advocate, and son."

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As his father's health declined, his dad remained "resolute" in his decision, Milligan wrote. "He didn't want to suffer any further. He knew what he wanted. He stood by his choice and was happy to be able to make it," he wrote, adding, "MAiD is a gift."

He shared that he was with his father, holding his hand, when he died: "We sat together, side by side, when he spoke his last words: 'Hold onto me. Hold on tight.'

He ended his post by sharing, "We held each other's hand as tightly as we could. The procedure began, his grip loosened, and he let go. Now I learn to do the same. One last gift."

Read the original article onPeople

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 31, 2026

Dustin Milligan Recalls Holding His Dad's Hand in the Final Moments Before He Ended His Life with MAID: 'One Last Gift'

Dustin Milligan shared he held his father's hand as he chose medical aid in dying at the end of his dementia journey ...

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Nancy Grace slams sheriff’s handling of Guthrie case: ‘The fish stinks at the head’

For Nancy Grace, theNancy Guthriecase is personal.

As a former prosecutor, she knows firsthand how mishandling of a crime scene early on can complicate the case if it ever gets to court — and it can put the search for Guthrie in jeopardy, too, she said in an interview on Sean Hannity's new podcast,"Hang Out with Sean Hannity."

But the 84-year-old's suspected abduction also brought back painful memories from her own past — the murder of her fiancé during summer break from college in 1979.

When Guthrie's daughter, "Today" co-hostSavannah Guthrie,gave her first televised interview with colleague Hoda Kotb last week, the emotional account reminded Grace that "you're never the same" after a loved one is taken away.

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The emotions ran raw, Grace told Hannity, but other aspects of the case pained her, too.

The sheriff released the crime scene back to the family beforebringing the FBIinto the case days later. In the interim, delivery drivers and journalists walked up to the front door, dropping off parcels and taking photographs.

"By destroying the crime scene and by releasing the crime scene too early, they destroyed a lot of evidence," she said.

"People called them 'missteps,' that is certainly putting perfume on the pig, isn't it?" Grace said. "That's a euphemism, 'missteps' — they're screw-ups. The feds wouldn't have done that."

Then, as the special agent in charge of the FBI's Phoenix office was with the Guthrie family filming a video response to a ransom demand that authorities viewed as potentially credible, the sheriff was caught on camera enjoying anArizona Wildcats basketball game.

LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST

Hannity noted that once the FBI did get involved, the bureau worked with Google to obtain imagery from Guthrie's missing Nest doorbell camera that the sheriff's department had not been able to recover.

"I don't like attacking the actual men and women that are doing the work. The fish stinks at the head, Sean," Grace said. "It's Nanos. He stinks. He's gotta go. But that's a distraction to finding Nancy Guthrie."

"When Savannah was talking...when she felt like it was her fault, she said, 'Oh, Mommy, Mommy, I'm sorry. I am sorry,'" Grace said. "It took me right back to that moment — those horrible moments — when I was lying there in the dark, feeling like howling, because there just were no words."

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Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Sparked Harrowing 12-Hour Odyssey For Savannah

Grace's fiancé, Keith Griffin, was killedon his way to work during a break from college — months before they hoped to get married.

The 23-year-old had a summer gig on a construction crew, she said, and his killer had been fired from the same job before his arrival. Griffin went on a run to pick up drinks for his co-workers and bring them back to the rural job site, arriving in the owner's jacket and driving the company truck.

"The guy came up and just opened fire and shot Keith five times in the face, the neck, the head and the back," Grace told Hannity.

Nancy Guthrie Update: Search For Savannah Guthrie's Missing Mother Enters Seventh Week With No Arrests

After his death, Grace dropped out of school. But eventually she returned, she said, motivated to help other crime victims.

"When I would be tired or weary, just as when I was prosecuting, I would think about Keith just looking at me with those big, blue eyes, and I would know it wasmy duty," she said.

"That's your calling," Hannity replied.

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She went on toprosecute violent crimes in Atlantafor a decade before becoming one of the most recognizable true crime hosts in America.

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At one point, Hannity brought up an emotional moment from Guthrie's interview with Kotb — where she acknowledged that her fame and fortune could have provided a motive for the unknown abductors.

"That's not her fault," he said. "Are we supposed to stop living our lives because there's evil in this world?"

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Grace agreed and argued that a victim's family doesn't have a script on how to respond to such a crisis.

Catch the full episode of"Hang Out with Sean Hannity"at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Original article source:Nancy Grace slams sheriff's handling of Guthrie case: 'The fish stinks at the head'

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 31, 2026

Nancy Grace slams sheriff’s handling of Guthrie case: ‘The fish stinks at the head’

For Nancy Grace, theNancy Guthriecase is personal. As a former prosecutor, she knows firsthand how mishandling ...

Read More