WNBA Suspends Alyssa Thomas; New Ransom Note Alleges Video in Nancy Guthrie Case
The WNBA has suspended Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for one game after she drove her fist into the throat of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark during a game on Wednesday, according to Fox News. Meanwhile, a new ransom note in the case of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie — mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie — alleges that video evidence of the kidnapping exists, and a Florida tattoo parlor is facing widespread backlash for refusing service to military veterans.
WNBA Takes Disciplinary Action Against Alyssa Thomas
The incident occurred with 6:52 remaining in the second quarter of the Mercury’s 111-109 victory over the Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. During a scramble for the ball, Thomas drove her fist into Clark’s throat area. No foul was called during the game, but the league reviewed the play and issued a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty, deeming the action a “non-basketball act.”
Thomas will serve her suspension on June 27 when the Mercury visit the Toronto Tempo. The Associated Press via NBC Sports reported that the WNBA has the authority to review games and “classify as flagrant any foul not called as such during a game.”
Fever coach Stephanie White criticized the officiating after the game, calling the no-call “absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful,” as Al Jazeera reported. Clark left the game in the third quarter with a back injury and did not return, finishing with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes.
The incident has reignited debate about how Clark — widely regarded as the WNBA’s biggest draw — is officiated. The Mercury also faced scrutiny after a now-deleted social media post appeared to mock Clark’s injury.
New Ransom Note in Nancy Guthrie Case Alleges Video Evidence
In a separate development, TMZ reported on June 26 that it received a new letter from an individual claiming to have video evidence related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen on the evening of January 31 after a family member dropped her off at her Tucson, Arizona home.
According to USA Today, the person — who used the same email and Bitcoin address as a previous contact — claims that two people are responsible for the kidnapping and that the video shows the “main guy.” The note alleges the phone contains video of Nancy Guthrie on “the day that was probably her last” along with photos and identifying information of those involved. The individual is demanding Bitcoin payment in exchange for the password.
USA Today noted it has not viewed or authenticated the note. TMZ has forwarded the email to the FBI and requested a screenshot of Nancy Guthrie in the video as proof of authenticity.
This latest communication follows a series of unverified ransom notes, including one reported days earlier by NBC News, ABC News, and CBS News that claimed Nancy Guthrie had died. Savannah Guthrie said during a March interview that she believes two of the many notes her family received “were real.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation, with the FBI joining days after the disappearance.
Florida Tattoo Shop Faces Backlash for Refusing Service to Veterans
Revival Tattoo Collective in Largo, Florida, is facing intense public backlash after a Facebook post declared that active-duty military members and veterans are not welcome at the shop. Owner Brady Martinson wrote that his opinion is “that the military is a bunch of war criminals and law enforcement kills babies and unarmed citizens in the street,” according to Fox News.
The post added: “If you are ex military or currently serving just don’t come to the shop. You will be turned away.”
The reaction was overwhelmingly negative, with thousands of critical comments. When contacted by Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the shop said, “Yeah I’m booked up I can’t take any clients military or civilian. Thanks for your interest on my opinion.”
The controversy draws parallels to Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn, which banned Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) over his support for Israel, prompting a Department of Justice investigation into potential discrimination. Federal law prohibits public accommodations from discriminating based on race, religion, or national origin, though the legal status of discrimination based on military or veteran status remains less clearly defined.
The story has received international coverage, underscoring its viral nature and the deep divisions in American society regarding the military and law enforcement.
What to Watch For
The WNBA’s decision to suspend Thomas retroactively acknowledges that referees missed a flagrant foul during live play, raising questions about whether the league will implement policy changes regarding in-game review. In the Guthrie case, law enforcement continues to investigate as new ransom notes surface. The Florida tattoo shop may face legal scrutiny under public accommodation laws, and the backlash could affect the business’s long-term viability.