The Rock Chalkboard

ESPN.com targets three teams on KU’s hoops schedule for improvement
Kansas will be playing three of the six teams that ESPN has targeted as most likely to “exceed expectations” and/or “come out of nowhere” during the 2017-18 college basketball season.

Jayhawks expect explosive plays, offensive variety shown in loss will bolster confidence | KUsports.com
“I’m thinking about not scoring after the first interception. I’m thinking about how we came up dry there at the end,” Leipold said immediately following the 52-33 defeat in Durham, N.C.

Bits o Chalk

Vaccinated NBA staffers concerned about health risks of being exposed to unvaccinated players as season approaches
Though roughly 90% of NBA players are vaccinated as training camp approaches Tuesday, tension exists between those around the league mandated to be vaccinated and the nearly 40 unvaccinated players, league sources told ESPN.

Kansas City Chiefs set to sign newly reinstated WR Josh Gordon to practice squad, sources say
Gordon, 30, had multiple teams contact him and express interest in signing him. But one of the attractions of playing in Kansas City was making it a long-term stop and spending multiple seasons there, according to his agents, Eric Dounn and Matt Leist from LAA Sports.

Golden State Warriors' Andrew Wiggins 'not uncomfortable' with attention of being unvaccinated
Wiggins' current stance on the COVID-19 vaccine was the main talking point throughout news conferences with players and coaches all day. While the organization continues to be outwardly optimistic regarding Wiggins' ability not to miss any regular season games this season, the stance becomes trickier given the restrictions about to be imposed within the city.

Tom Brady previews return to New England ahead of Buccaneers-Patriots showdown
"I know that locker room, I know that home locker room, I know that home tunnel, I know which way the wind blows, I know everything about that [place]," Brady told Jim Gray on their "Let's Go!" podcast on SiriusXM. "I know the way it smells. I know what a night game's like, I know what the fans are gonna sound like. So in some ways, that'll be really unique. I've never had that experience going to, you know -- it'll be a first time for me being on the other sideline.

Eraser Dust

Senate Republicans block bill to suspend debt limit and avert shutdown in key vote - CNNPolitics
Government funding is set to expire on September 30, and the stopgap bill the House approved last week would extend funding and keep the government open through December 3. In addition, the measure includes a debt limit suspension through December 16, 2022. The clock is ticking to address the debt limit and Congress may only have until mid-October to act before the federal government can no longer pay its bills.

Noel Gallagher Would Play With Hologram Oasis, Says Liam Isn't 'Real' - Rolling Stone
“I did say that once, right, in the press, that I was gonna stage the concert with holograms, and I think Liam took it seriously,” Noel said on BBC Radio 2’s Sofa Session. “Liam is a hologram anyway. I don’t know if people know that, he’s not actually real. … But yeah, of course I’d do it. If anything ever changes, trust me, he would be the first to let people know about it.”

Brian Laundrie search: Tipster sends Dog the Bounty Hunter to campground 75 miles from family home | Fox News
Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman is investigating a tip that alleges Brian Laundrie, the fugitive fiancé of Gabby Petito, went into a Florida campground 75 miles away with his parents in early September — but only two of them were seen leaving.

John Hinckley, who tried to assassinate Reagan, granted unconditional release - ABC News
A federal judge approved a plan Monday to unconditionally release John Hinckley Jr., who had shot and wounded former President Ronald Reagan in 1981, from all remaining court-ordered restrictions, if he continues to follow rules and agrees to undergo regular mental health examinations.

Revisions to health department interlocal agreement proposed | Daily Inter Lake
The interlocal agreement that buttresses the Flathead City-County Health Department will be put under the microscope for the first time since 2004 at a Kalispell City Council work session Monday.

R. Kelly found guilty on all counts in sex abuse trial
After decades of sexual abuse allegations, R. Kelly has been held legally accountable for the first time. The 54-year-old R&B singer was found guilty on all counts with a Brooklyn, N.Y. jury of seven men and five women returning the verdict on Monday afternoon after less than two full days of deliberations.