Maryland
Valkyries waive former Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers in first cut to training camp roster
Less than a month after the 2025 WNBA Draft, the first roster cuts are beginning to fall. On Saturday, the Golden State Valkyries announced that they had waived Shyanne Sellers, the team’s second-round pick.
Sellers, a guard from Maryland, was selected 17th overall by Golden State, but was dropped by the team just a week into training camp.
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In a league where teams are limited to 12 players on the regular-season roster, putting players on waivers will become increasingly common over the coming weeks. But while some undrafted players have already been waived, Sellers is the first player selected in the draft to get cut.
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, who is maneuvering Golden State through its inaugural season, told reporters that Sellers was waived not because of a lack of talent, but simply because of space.
“She picked up everything we asked her to, did everything we asked. It’s just that I have to choose the best 12 that are going to fit. Doesn’t mean it’s the most talented, it means it’s the best 12,” Nakase said, via ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.
Sellers was a star at Maryland, earning three straight Big Ten First-Team selections and putting up an average of 14.1 points per game with the Terrapins. During her time at Maryland, Sellers built up a significant online following: The guard boasts 23.2K followers on Instagram and 94K followers on TikTok. Many of these fans were upset after Sellers was waived.
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For Golden State, the simple answer was that they had too many guards. On the current roster as of Saturday, seven of the the Valkyries’ 18 signed players are guards, including some locks like veteran Tiffany Hayes and fan favorite Kate Martin.
Sellers getting cut marks the beginning of a cutthroat WNBA preseason. After taking 38 total players in the 2025 Draft, plus others who may have signed free agency contracts, the 13 WNBA squads will have to cut down to 12 players by the start of the regular season on May 16. That means some tough choices on players who just began their WNBA journey.
Even players who are stars in their college careers can have a hard time cutting it in the WNBA. Former North Carolina star Alyssa Ustby, one of the more notable undrafted players, was waived by the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday after signing a training camp contract with the team. In the coming weeks, other noteworthy names at the collegiate level are likely to follow.
Maryland
July Brings New Laws Affecting Minimum Wage, Eviction Notices And More
When it comes to tipped individuals, employers are required to pay at least $4 per hour and ensure that the total tipped amount and hourly pay match the county’s minimum wage standards.
Gas Prices To See Slight Spike
A release issued by the Comptroller of Maryland states the gas tax will increase to 46.6 cents per gallon, a roughly six-tenths bump from current levels. For diesel fuel, drivers will see taxes jump to 47.5 cents per gallon.
The spike, which is in addition to the federal tax that amounts to 18.4 cents per gallon, marks the first increase in two years for the state.
Excusing Students For Civic Engagement
Each of Maryland’s county school boards must include provisions that allow for an excused or discretionary absence for any student participating in civic engagement activities, which range from providing testimony to meeting with lawmakers and taking part in a Maryland General Assembly program.
Free Menstrual Hygiene Products
All higher education institutions with on-campus housing will be required to provide free menstrual hygiene products in health centers on or before Aug. 1, 2028.
Maryland
Search underway for missing man in Potomac River near Great Falls Park in Maryland
MONTGEOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Rescue crews were searching early Thursday morning for a person reported missing in the Potomac River near Great Falls Park in Montgomery County, Maryland.
A spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service said a swift water team was called to the Great Falls Park/Potomac River area for a missing person in the water around 6:15 a.m. Initial reports indicated the missing person was with a group when he entered the water and did not resurface.
SEE ALSO | DC closes parts of Potomac, Anacostia waterways for Fourth of July security
Swift water teams were actively searching the area.
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This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Maryland
Maryland’s $48 million purchase of Laurel Park approved by state’s Board of Public Works
Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved the state’s $48.5 million purchase of Laurel Park Race Track.
The acquisition was part of the $383 million state spending that was approved by the board on Wednesday.
State leaders say the investment in the horse track will be vital for the future of horse racing in Maryland, which also owns historic Pimlico Race Course.
The state’s acquisition of Laurel Park was delayed in May after a legislative committee requested a cost-benefit analysis and a 45-day review period. Laurel had previously been slated for demolition.
Maryland’s Stadium Authority approved the plan to buy Laurel Park and redevelop it into a “best-in-class horse training facility,” the governor’s office said in April.
“These investments reflect our commitment to building a stronger Maryland by supporting the infrastructure, institutions, and community resources that residents rely on every day,” Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said. “By investing in projects that strengthen our economy, we are making sure Maryland remains a great place to live, work, and do business.”
Horse racing’s future in Maryland
Laurel Park Race Track hosted the 151st Preakness Stakes in May, as Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore undergoes renovations.
The state purchased Pimlico in 2024 in a transfer of ownership to renovate and turn the race course into the permanent home of Maryland’s thoroughbred racing.
Pimlico will open back up for the Preakness Stakes in 2027. The goal is to make Pimlico a year-round facility and host more than 100 racing days each year.
The redevelopment includes renovating the track surface and grandstand, adding additional stalls and a new training track, as well as redeveloping the surrounding Park Heights neighborhood.
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