JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1153

OpenAI is fielding questions about how to fund $1.4 trillion in data center build-outs and usage commitments this year despite a $20 billion revenue run rate, after CFO Sarah Friar floated, then retracted, a U.S. government backstop for infrastructure loans. Trump’s AI czar David Sacks said there will be no federal bailout, and CEO Sam Altman echoed him on X, saying OpenAI neither has nor wants guarantees for its datacenters. Altman added that loan guarantees have only been discussed in support of U.S. semiconductor fabs, not for OpenAI.

OpenAI scrambled to calm concerns after CFO Sarah Friar suggested the U.S. could backstop its funding, prompting backlash. She later said “backstop” muddied her point about public and private roles in building capacity. The White House’s AI and crypto czar declared there would be no bailouts, and CEO Sam Altman said OpenAI doesn’t want guarantees. Valued at $500 billion, the company has over $1 trillion in infrastructure commitments over the next decade, expects $20 billion in annualized revenue this year, and is exploring revenue sharing with enterprise customers and advertising.

Don Mattingly said he had a strong sense this would be his final year in Toronto, telling a crowd at MLB's Manhattan flagship he was close to that decision before the season began. The Blue Jays bench coach of three seasons, whose contract expired after Toronto's World Series loss to the Dodgers, is open to managing again but ruled out the Rockies and sidestepped a Yankees role. At 64, he's weighing family and travel against staying in the game, saying his feelings could change in a month.

Steph Curry will miss Friday’s game in Denver, the Warriors NBA Cup opener, due to a lingering illness linked to the recent trip to Milwaukee and Indianapolis. He felt symptoms before Tuesday’s home game against Phoenix, still logging 28 points in 34 minutes but fading late, then sat out Wednesday’s loss in Sacramento. Coach Steve Kerr said Curry’s symptoms have worsened; he will not travel and will rest before Sunday night’s home game against Indiana. Draymond Green is listed as probable with a rib contusion.

Week 10 opens with an AFC West meeting as the Raiders visit the Broncos on Thursday Night Football. Denver arrives atop the division for the first time since its Super Bowl‑winning 2015 season and carries a six-game streak fueled by late rallies; Bo Nix and company have scored over 40% of their points in fourth quarters. Las Vegas traded Jakobi Meyers to the Jaguars for fourth- and sixth-round picks; he led the team in receptions and targets. Tre Tucker and Brock Bowers become primary targets for QB Geno Smith. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

On the 37th day of the shutdown, with flight disruptions looming, senators from both parties prepared for a weekend session as Majority Leader John Thune moved to force another vote on a House stopgap. His plan would fund the government into January and advance three bipartisan bills for agriculture, military construction and legislative agencies, but it omits Democrats’ key demand to extend expiring federal health insurance tax credits. Democrats, buoyed by election wins yet wary of prolonging the crisis, debated leverage, while Speaker Mike Johnson refused to promise a House vote on the subsidies.

OpenAI’s dealmaking streak in 2025 got context as CEO Sam Altman used a lengthy post on X to lay out ambitions and numbers. He said the company expects to end the year above a $20 billion annualized run rate, aims for hundreds of billions by 2030, and is looking at about $1.4 trillion in commitments over eight years. Responding to controversy over CFO remarks about government‑backstopped loans, Altman listed new businesses: an enterprise offering, consumer devices and robotics, scientific discovery, and selling AI cloud compute—despite lacking its own data‑center network—and said more equity or loans may fund the plan.

Giants kicker Graham Gano said the abuse he’s faced has escalated into death threats, both online and in person, often linked to sports betting, as injuries threaten to sideline him for a 21st game in three seasons. After missing a 45-yard field goal against the 49ers, he did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of a neck issue. An NFLPA players rep, Gano urged people to reach out to others following news of Cowboys second-year pro Marshawn Kneeland’s suicide. The 38-year-old said he’s proud to be a Giant and wants to play and make every kick.

Democrats notched double-digit wins in New Jersey and Virginia, plus gains in New York City and California, powered by strong Latino support, exit polls show. Two-thirds of Latino voters backed Democratic gubernatorial candidates, including many Latino men, reversing some of Trump’s gains. In New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill beat Jack Ciattarelli by 13 points, flipping Passaic County and winning Hudson County by 50. Some Republicans called it a wake-up call amid concern over immigration enforcement, while others downplayed it. Even so, economy and affordability remained Latino voters’ top focus, pollsters said.

Just over a week after his firing, former LSU coach Brian Kelly issued a statement thanking fans, recalling the roar of Death Valley in a win over Alabama and acknowledging painful losses. Kelly, 34-14 in three-plus seasons and a 2022 SEC title game participant, praised players including Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and 39 SEC Academic Honor Roll honorees. Frank Wilson is interim as the 5-3 Tigers host No. 7 Alabama on Saturday. LSU’s move unfolded amid criticism from Gov. Jeff Landry, who questioned a buyout of about $54 million; the school later cut ties with AD Scott Woodward.