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Caitlin Clark's alleged stalker has contentious 1st hearing with Indiana judge

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Caitlin Clark's alleged stalker has contentious 1st hearing with Indiana judge

A Texas man who was arrested for allegedly stalking and sending sexually violent messages to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark had a disruptive hearing on Wednesday as he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Michael Lewis entered Marion County Superior Court, leaned back in his chair and told Judge Angela Davis he was “guilty as charged,” according to ESPN.

Davis suggested to Lewis that he exercised his right to remain silent and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf as she wasn’t going to accept anything else in an initial hearing, according to the report. 

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark plays against the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

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Lewis was ordered held on $50,000 bail and to stay away from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the Hinkle Fieldhouse – where the Fever and the Butler Bulldogs play, respectively. Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffrey, is an assistant on Butler’s men’s basketball team.

Lewis, 55, was charged with stalking threatening sexual battery or death, FOX 59 reported, citing court documents. The charge is considered to be a Level 5 felony. He could face up to six years in prison if convicted.

Lewis allegedly sent Clark sexually violent messages through his X account. One message said he had been driving around her house multiple times and encouraged her “not to call the law just yet.” He also allegedly spoke of going to a Fever game and sitting behind the bench.

Authorities talked to Lewis about the messages on Jan. 8, according to the station. He reportedly told authorities he was going to Indianapolis for vacation and downplayed the number of messages he sent to the WNBA sharpshooter.

JEMELE HILL QUIETLY DELETES CAITLIN CLARK POST FOLLOWING STALKER ARREST

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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever during her introductory press conference on April 17, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

Lewis told authorities the messages weren’t threatening and called it a “fantasy-type thing” and a “joke.”

Clark reportedly alerted authorities to the messages and said she had become fearful over the words sent to her.

“t takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said, via FOX 59. “In doing so, the victim is setting an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.”

The arrest of Lewis came nearly a month after an Oregon man pleaded guilty to stalking UConn Huskies women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers.

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) signs mini basketballs for fans following in a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.  (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Robert Cole Parmalee, 40, was arrested in August and was found with an engagement ring and lingerie while walking near Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. He said he intended to marry Bueckers.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Detroit, MI

Wenceel Pérez returns home, but when will he return to Detroit Tigers?

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Wenceel Pérez returns home, but when will he return to Detroit Tigers?


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Wenceel Pérez is home.

But when will he return to the Detroit Tigers?

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The 26-year-old outfielder returned to Detroit on Friday, June 19, after spending a couple extra days in Houston awaiting clearance to fly. He suffered an orbital fracture June 16 when a plyometric band struck him below his left eye during his postgame workout routine.

Don’t expect to see him in MLB games anytime soon.

“It’s not injured, from what I understand, where it’s going to be something long term,” manager A.J. Hinch said before Tuesday’s game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park, “but it doesn’t mean it heals itself fast. He’s feeling better and better and reporting progress.”

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The fracture doesn’t require surgery.

“We’ve got to pay attention to the bone healing,” Hinch said. “The eye part of it is, the swelling is the main issue. There were a couple of days there where your eye swells shut and the vision is not there.”

Pérez hasn’t played for the Tigers since June 16.

Before the injury, he hit .180 with seven home runs, 14 walks and 29 strikeouts in 53 games.

Parker Meadows injury update

Center fielder Parker Meadows hasn’t played for the Tigers since April 9.

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The 26-year-old has been on the injured list with a left radius fracture, a concussion and a right mouth laceration, with the left radius fracture requiring surgery. There isn’t a timetable for his return to the Tigers.

“The bone shattered, so it’s not as simple as healing a simple break,” Hinch said. “I say shattered as a non-doctor, so I’m not sure if that’s the actual term, but I know it’s been a work in progress to continue his ability to do everything with that hand and arm and wrist. It’s been slow, and there’s not much we can do.”

Before the injury, he hit .250 with two walks and 10 strikeouts in 12 games while serving as the everyday center fielder.

“He’s not hitting and doing all those things that would lead you to start to wonder when he’s coming back, but it’s progressing,” Hinch said. “The nature of the injury, as we are learning, has been the slowest a bone heals. It’s by no setback or no issue.”

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‘Slow ramp’ for Gleyber Torres

Second baseman Gleyber Torres, who has one of the best on-base percentages in baseball, remains sidelined with a left oblique strain. The 29-year-old received a cortisone shot Friday, but he still hasn’t resumed baseball activities.

It’s his second left oblique strain over the past two months.

Last time, Torres missed one month while recovering on the injured list.

It could be an even longer process this time.

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“He’s doing his normal rehab therapy,” Hinch said. “It’ll be a slow ramp for him.”

Before the latest injury, he hit .280 with four home runs, 29 walks and 33 strikeouts in 43 games while serving as the everyday second baseman.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.





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Milwaukee, WI

Racine’s Greek community reflects on Giannis’ celebration of Greek culture

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Racine’s Greek community reflects on Giannis’ celebration of Greek culture


RACINE — Members of Racine’s Greek community are processing the news of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade from the Milwaukee Bucks — and the timing hits especially hard, just days before Greek Fest at Kimissis Greek Orthodox Church.

Tents are going up in the parking lot, rides are being assembled, and the kitchen is already busy with preparations for the annual celebration of Greek culture in Racine. But amid the excitement, the news of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade from the Milwaukee Bucks is on the minds of some church members.

Joyce Muffoletto, secretary at Kimissis tid Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Racine, said the news took some of the joy out of her Tuesday.

Watch: Racine’s Greek community discusses what Giannis meant to them:

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Racine’s Greek community reflects on Giannis’ celebration of Greek culture

“Yeah, that puts a damper on everything,” Muffoletto said.

Giannis, who was born and raised in Athens, Greece, earned the nickname “the Greek Freak” during his time with the Bucks. For Muffoletto, his Greek heritage made her a fan.

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“Oh, of course,” she said with a laugh.

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“I’m a pretty reserved, quiet person, but my husband had to go to a different level in the house because I’d be screaming at the TV when he was playing, you know, I’d be like, ‘Giannis! Giannis!’” Muffoletto said.

While Muffoletto made it to multiple Greek night games with the Bucks, she said what she will miss most goes beyond Giannis’s performance on the court.

“It’ll be hard to replace him. And more than him the player, kind of, him the person,” said Muffoletto, referring to the impact Giannis had on the Milwaukee community.

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Church member Mary Luccas said she is not a big basketball fan, but she holds Giannis in high regard for the values he represents.

“We will be sad to lose that, but he set a really good foundation going forward,” Luccas said. “And he will be doing the same thing wherever he goes, because it’s just the quality of person that he is.”

Mary Luccas

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Luccas said Giannis and his family have embodied Greek values throughout his time in Wisconsin.

“Family centered. Philoxenia. The friendship, the love. The doors are open. They welcome everybody,” Luccas said.

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“He embraces the Greek culture, like we embrace the Greek culture. And he celebrates Greece and his Greek culture,” Luccas said. “So wherever he is, it will be a celebration of his Greek heritage.”

And while the loyalty to the Bucks remains, Muffoletto acknowledged the bittersweet reality.

“I’ll be loyal, but it’s a bit of a loss,” Muffoletto said.

Racine’s Greek Fest runs Friday through Sunday at 1335 S. Green Bay Road.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Minneapolis, MN

Mayor Frey outlines timeline for selecting next Minneapolis police chief

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Mayor Frey outlines timeline for selecting next Minneapolis police chief


Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has released his timeline for selecting the city’s next police chief following the sudden resignation of former chief Brian O’Hara last month.

Timeline announced

What we know:

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Mayor Frey announced a 16-week timeline on Tuesday for a national search for the next chief that will take place in six phases.

The mayor says the search will begin immediately and will start by gathering feedback from community stakeholders.

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Phase 1

  • Gather feedback from police department employees and hold council focus group.
  • Develop police chief position profile and recruit materials.
  • Community engagement
  • Finalize recruitment strategy

Phase 2

  • Launch recruitment campaign
  • Post listings
  • Accept and review applications

Phase 3: Screening interviews

  • Conduct candidate evaluations
  • Complete initial screening interviews
  • Prepare search report and presentation of candidates

Phase 4: First-round interviews

  • First-round interviews held
  • The interview panel may include: Officer of Community Safety leaders, Minneapolis Police Department leadership, and police labor leadership.

Phase 5: Second-round interviews

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  • Second-round interviews held
  • The interview panel may include: Officer of Community Safety leadership and city council members.

Phase 6: Final interviews and selection

  • Final interviews with Mayor Frey, Office of Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette, and other city leaders held.
  • Finalist selected

Nomination process

What’s next:

The mayor anticipates submitting his nominee to the council sometime in October or November. From there, the council will review the nominee and vote on the selection.

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What they’re saying:

“Selecting a police chief is one of the most important decisions a mayor can make,” said Frey. “We’ve made significant progress to make Minneapolis safer over the last several years, but we still have work to do. This position demands someone who can lead a complex department, support officers, build trust with residents, and continue delivering results – both fighting crime and making reforms. Filling this role is a priority, so we’re going to conduct a thorough search and get this right.” 

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The backstory:

Former Chief O’Hara resigned last month after an investigation into allegations of him carrying on relationships with department employees. While the investigation never substantiated any of the allegations against O’Hara, investigations found O’Hara deleted a contact of one of the employees from his work phone. Investigators also say O’Hara violated requested confidentiality during the investigation process.

Bill Peterson was named interim police chief earlier this month. Peterson told media members that he isn’t interested in seeking the full-time gig.

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Minneapolis Police DepartmentJacob FreyMinneapolis



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