JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1148

Voter fury over rising electricity costs is shaping next year’s midterms, especially in states confronting fast-rising bills or data center power fights. The issue loomed over contests in New Jersey, Virginia and Georgia, where Democrats ousted two Republican utility regulators as Georgia Power faces scrutiny after six bill increases and a proposed $15 billion expansion. Utilities sought or secured more than $34 billion in 2025 rate hikes, and 36% of adults call power bills a major stress. Regional governors are pressuring PJM to contain looming wholesale costs while communities debate who pays to power Big Tech.

Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York City’s next mayor jolted Israel, where officials and commentators decried his outspoken pro-Palestinian platform and warned of chillier ties with the United States. Critics labeled him antisemitic after he condemned the Gaza war as genocide, floated cutting ties with Israeli institutions, and vowed to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits, though he pledged to fight antisemitism and won about 30% of the Jewish vote. Netanyahu stayed quiet as his office stressed strong U.S. ties and closeness to President Trump, while Palestinians celebrated the result.

USC turned a shaky start into a 38-17 win over Northwestern, pivoting on quarterback Jayden Maiava’s chase-down hit after his own interception, a goal-line fumble that gave the Trojans the ball and momentum. King Miller answered with a 55-yard burst and a short touchdown in a second-quarter 14-point swing, while Lincoln Riley’s staff sprung a fake punt completed by backup QB Sam Huard. Maiava rebounded to go 24 of 33 for 299 yards and two scores plus a rushing TD. Makai Lemon (11 for 161) and Ja’Kobi Lane starred, and USC’s defense allowed only three second-half points.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that quarterback Brock Purdy could suit up Sunday against the Rams for the first time in six weeks, potentially as Mac Jones’ backup, with a decision due Saturday. Purdy is questionable but “further along” in recovering from a toe injury aggravated in Week 4, with increased reps but no full practices. Jones is 5-2 with 1,832 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. The 49ers are 6-3, a half game back in NFC West. Receiver Ricky Pearsall is out; defensive tackle Alfred Collins is questionable; left guard Ben Bartch is expected to return.

Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons is preparing for a pivotal Monday night game against the Philadelphia Eagles while mourning former Dallas Cowboys teammate Marshawn Kneeland, who police say died by apparent suicide Thursday. Parsons remembered the second-round pick as respectful and passionate, and said he has reached out to friends and ex-teammates, urging more appreciation for one another. Balancing grief with expectation, he vowed to honor Kneeland’s No. 94 by playing with the same intensity at Lambeau Field, even as he embraces his emotions and supports grieving teammates.

Rivian awarded CEO RJ Scaringe a new performance-based stock grant worth around $5 billion if targets are met, while doubling his salary to $2 million and giving him a 10% stake in spinout Mind Robotics, a filing shows. The board canceled Scaringe’s hard-to-reach 2021 award and replaced it under the existing 2021 plan. The new package covers 36.5 million options vesting over 10 years through stock price, operating income, and cash flow milestones, starting at $40 per share, with a $15.22 strike on some options. Rivian says he must add $32 billion in value; full goals imply $153 billion.

Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards has left the Wildcats and is expected to enter the transfer portal, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Limited by injuries this season, he appeared in four games with 34 carries for 205 yards. In 2024, he totaled 546 rushing yards at 7.4 yards per carry with seven touchdowns. Edwards began his career in 2023 at Colorado before transferring to K-State. The Wildcats are 4-5 overall and 3-3 in the Big 12 and are off this weekend.

Google’s upcoming Wallet settings tap your purchase and pass history to tailor experiences across its services. If turned on, the data can drive personalized ads, offers, promotions, and recommendations—down to recognizing a preferred airline from a boarding pass or surfacing related suggestions if you download a running app. Controls are granular: you can disable use entirely or choose whether it applies to organic recommendations, ads personalization, and ad measurement. Google says it will not sell this data to third parties, and sensitive information is not used for ad targeting.

USC, ranked No. 20, beat Northwestern 38-17 Friday night after springing a legal fake punt. Third-string quarterback Sam Huard, wearing the same No. 80 as punter Sam Johnson following a quiet roster change, joined the punt team and completed a 10-yard pass to Tanook Hines. The first down extended the Trojans’ second drive, finished by a Jayden Maiava touchdown run. Huard, a former five-star who began at Washington, grinned as he high fived teammates.

After being dealt to the Colts at the NFL trade deadline, Jets All-Pro Sauce Gardner responded to a viral video of two young fans by promising brothers Trey and Bryce two of his first Colts jerseys and sending footballs. In footage filmed by their father, Jets season-ticket holder T.J. Vilardi, Trey calmly asked about the trade while 7-year-old Bryce cried and declared he liked the Colts now. Gardner, 25, even replied online. The Jets traded him to Indianapolis for two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, a move viewed as a shocker given his July $120.4 million extension.