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California girls' field championship gets more big rule changes amid trans athlete outrage, Trump's pressure

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California girls' field championship gets more big rule changes amid trans athlete outrage, Trump's pressure

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California’s high school sports league made a major rule change to its upcoming girls’ track and field state championship for the second day in a row. 

The changes come as the state faces increasing pressure, both internally from its own residents and from President Donald Trump’s administration, due to a growing controversy involving a trans athlete. 

On Wednesday, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced that Saturday’s state title meet will now expand its pool of competitors and even medal recipients to accommodate any female athletes that are displaced by a biological male competitor. 

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The CIF is specifically making this rule change for the long jump, high jump and triple jump events.

“On Friday, May, 30, if necessary, in the high jump, triple jump and long jump qualifying events at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, a biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark will also be advanced to the finals,” the CIF announcement read. 

“Additionally, if necessary, in the high jump, triple jump and long jump events at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, a biological female student-athlete who would have earned a specific placement on the podium will also be awarded the medal for that place and the results will be reflected in the recording of the event.” 

The CIF’s track and field postseason has been rocked by a national controversy involving trans athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley High School competing in those events, and regularly dominating female competition. The athlete took first place in long jump and triple jump at a sectional final and state qualifying round in the last two weeks. 

The CIF’s latest change comes just a day after the federation expanded the size of its competitor pool. 

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“Any biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark for one of their Section’s automatic qualifying entries in the CIF State meet, and did not achieve the CIF State at-large mark in the finals at their Section meet, was extended an opportunity to participate in the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships,” the CIF said Tuesday. 

TEEN GIRLS OPEN UP ON TRANS-ATHLETE SCANDAL THAT TURNED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL INTO CULTURE WAR BATTLEGROUND

AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley competes in the girls’ high jump during the CIF Southern Section Division 3 Track and Field preliminaries at Nathan Shapell Memorial Stadium at Yorba Linda High School on May 10, 2025, in Yorba Linda, California.  (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

Wednesday’s change also comes just a day after the family of a female competitor set to face Hernandez in the championship told Fox News Digital that they believe the CIF expanding the competitor pool was enough. 

CIF’s ‘solution’ to this situation, which allows additional girls to compete at the state championship who otherwise didn’t qualify because the transgender athlete took their spot, isn’t good enough – it’s still an unfair competition and an injustice to the girls competing,” said the family of La Canada girls’ track star Katie McGuinness, in a statement.

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“Allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports is unfair, unjust and defies common sense,” the family added. 

Controversy involving Hernandez has prompted local, state and national outrage by families and activists, while President Donald Trump has shown he is willing to sanction the state over the situation. 

Trump sent a post on Truth Social Tuesday morning warning California and Gov. Gavin Newsom of potential federal funding cuts to the state, and even orders to send local authorities to stop a trans athlete from competing in the girls’ category on Saturday.

Trump did not specifically name the athlete or school he was referring to in the social media post. 

CALIFORNIA GIRLS’ TRACK ATHLETE OPENS UP ON LOSING 1ST-PLACE TITLE TO TRANS COMPETITOR

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AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley competes in the girls’ high jump during the CIF Southern Section Division 3 Track and Field preliminaries at Nathan Shapell Memorial Stadium at Yorba Linda High School on May 10, 2025, in Yorba Linda, California. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

But on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would be launching an investigation into the CIF and California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the state’s law that allows biologically male trans athletes to compete with girls and women. 

A letter of complaint informing of the investigation was addressed to Jurupa Valley High School, the DOJ has told Fox News Digital. Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD) has told Fox News Digital it has not received a letter. 

The DOJ’s announcement lists the school district in the official announcement of the investigation. 

JUSD has previously defended letting Hernandez compete in the girls’ category. 

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“JUSD continues to follow both California law and CIF policy regarding school athletics. Both state law and CIF policy currently require that students be permitted to participate in athletic teams and competitions consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records. JUSD remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of the students we serve, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws,” the district said in a previous statement provided to Fox News Digital.

Other competitors have spoken out throughout the track and field postseason against the CIF and state for allowing the situation to progress to this point.

The second-place finisher to Hernandez in triple jump at a sectional final on May 17, Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School, made it a point to stand on the first-place podium spot for a quick and symbolic photo op. Footage of Hogan taking the top podium spot after the trans athlete stepped off went viral on social media over the weekend.

“It’s just kind of sad just watching. He’s obviously a really talented athlete, we’ve all seen him jump and stuff, and I wish him the best of luck, but in a boys’ division,” Hogan previously told Fox News Digital about competing against the athlete. “It’s pretty obvious the certain advantages that he has, and it’s obviously just sad as a woman to watch that.”

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Brea Olinda student Julia Teven was one of the few female athletes to have beaten Jurupa Valley’s athlete this year, tying for first place in the high jump at the sectional prelims earlier this month, while the trans athlete finished eighth.

“I genuinely believe he doesn’t have a harmful intent towards girls sports. I think it’s the kind of like, CIF allowing him that’s kind of put him in his position,” Teven said. “I think genuinely, he’s just, like, being enabled by the CIF, and he’s just taking his opportunity presented to him.”

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



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West

Las Vegas first responders conduct seven-hour rescue of injured climber stranded 600 feet up rock face

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Las Vegas first responders conduct seven-hour rescue of injured climber stranded 600 feet up rock face

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First responders in Nevada carried out a dramatic seven-hour rescue after a climber was seriously injured while stranded roughly 600 feet up a steep rock face near Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said search and rescue teams were notified around noon Saturday about an injured climber on the “Dream Safari” route along Dark Shadows Wall in Pine Creek.

Authorities said the climber had fallen an estimated 40 to 50 feet, suffering severe head and back injuries.

The victim’s climbing partner and a guide from another climbing party reached the injured climber and controlled the bleeding while awaiting rescue crews.

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Rescuers secured the climber in a titanium litter and lowered the patient in stages down the rock face. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

Four search and rescue officers and a lead climb volunteer were inserted by the department’s AIR3 helicopter several hundred feet above the victim at the top of the route.

Rescuers then rappelled down the rock face, provided medical treatment while suspended mid-face, and secured the patient in a titanium litter.

Crews constructed a lowering system and brought the climber several hundred feet down to the ground through three separate lowering stations, with a rescuer attending to the patient during the descent.

RAFTER VANISHES IN OREGON WILDERNESS, SURVIVES FIVE-DAY ORDEAL BEFORE HELICOPTER RESCUE

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Las Vegas police search and rescue teams spent seven hours lowering an injured climber 600 feet to safety. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

Once at the base, additional volunteers carried the litter to an extraction point where the helicopter returned to airlift the victim to a Bureau of Land Management helipad. 

The climber was then transferred to a ground ambulance and taken to a local hospital.

NORWEGIAN CLIMBER LOOKING TO BECOME FASTEST PERSON TO CLIMB WORLD’S 14 HIGHEST MOUNTAINS

The climber’s helmet was destroyed in the fall but likely saved the person’s life, officials said. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

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LVMPD wrote on Facebook that the entire operation lasted about seven hours from initial insertion to final extraction. 

“Although the victim’s helmet was destroyed during the fall, it likely saved their life,” police said.

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San Francisco, CA

Floats for San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade get finishing touches

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Floats for San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade get finishing touches


SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — ABC7 Eyewitness News got a sneak peak as crews put the finishing touches on the floats you’ll see at Saturday’s San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade.

Since it’s the year of the fire horse, you’ll see a lot of horses and fire symbolism on the floats, housed at Pier 19.

“So Year of the Horse, it’s energy, it’s passion, it’s momentum so a lot of things that we’re really hoping to embody in the new year,” said Stephanie Mufson, owner of San Francisco-based The Parade Guys, which designs and constructs the floats.

She said they’ve been building them for about three months, with the designs starting in November.

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MORE: Bay Area artist brings Year of the Horse statue to life for Golden State Warriors

“We’re in the home stretch,” she said. “We’ve got a couple of days left and we’ve got a nice little team that’s cranking out all the finishing work that needs to go into it.”

Derrick Shavers was sanding some wood that will be painted and become cherry blossom trees on a float.

“It’s exciting,” Shavers said. “I look forward to coming every year and just creating and making things shine and sparkle.”

Bon was painting mountains for a float, making sure everything is perfect in time for the parade.

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MORE: Meet the 2026 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade mascot, Maverick

“It’s one of the few parades that actually happens at night still,” Bon said. “So we got to make sure all the lighting is in check, and people are safe on the float. It’s all in the details, just for it to walk by you for 10 seconds.”

Ten seconds that bring so much joy to those watching the parade.

Here’s how you can watch the parade on ABC7 Eyewitness News on Saturday, March 7.

Coverage starts at 5 p.m. wherever you stream ABC7.

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SF Chinese New Year Parade 2026: How to watch ABC7 Eyewitness News live coverage


If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

Copyright © 2026 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Denver, CO

Grand Junction, Palisade reach Great Eight in Denver

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Grand Junction, Palisade reach Great Eight in Denver


GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The Class 5A Sweet 16 has arrived, and both Grand Junction and Palisade are still standing with trips to the Great Eight in Denver on the line.

At The Jungle, the No. 2 seed Grand Junction Tigers set the tone early against No. 18 Golden. Defense carried the Tigers from the opening tip as they held the Demons to nine first quarter points while scoring 16 of their own.

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Grand Junction added eight points in the second quarter while Golden managed six, sending the Tigers into halftime with a nine point lead.

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Golden responded in the third quarter, outscoring Grand Junction 16 to 11 to cut the deficit to five entering the fourth. The Tigers answered in the final period, attacking the rim and converting key shots to win the quarter 19 to 10. Grand Junction secured a 54 to 41 victory to protect its home court and advance to the Great Eight in Denver.

Top seeded Palisade also defended its home floor with a trip to Denver at stake. The Bulldogs opened with nine straight points to energize a packed gym, but Frederick settled in and closed the first quarter on a run to tie the game at nine.

Frederick continued to respond in the second quarter and took an eight point lead into halftime.

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Palisade shifted momentum after the break. The Bulldogs tightened defensively, holding Frederick to 21 points in the second half while scoring 39 of their own. Palisade completed the comeback to advance to the Great Eight.

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Colorado Mesa University Women Deliver Historic RMAC Tournament Win

In collegiate action, the top seeded Colorado Mesa University women’s basketball team defeated Colorado School of Mines 96 to 51 in the RMAC Tournament, marking the largest margin of victory in the tournament this century.

Olivia Reed-Thyne led the Mavericks with 34 points on 11 of 15 shooting, her third 30 point performance this season. Mason Rowland added 22 points and Hallie Clark contributed 10 as Colorado Mesa matched a program record with its 31st win. The Mavericks will host the semifinals Friday with a berth in the championship game at stake.

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Colorado Mesa University Men Survive Overtime Thriller

The Colorado Mesa University men’s basketball team faced New Mexico Highlands University for the third time this season. The Mavericks scored 36 first half points and led by four at the break.

New Mexico Highlands shot 50 percent in the second half, received 21 bench points and outscored Colorado Mesa 43 to 39 to force a late push. With the season in the balance, Ty Allred hit a game tying 3 pointer to make it 75 and send the game to overtime. Allred scored seven points in the extra period as Colorado Mesa earned a 91 to 90 victory to advance to the next round.

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