Friday is the official deadline for Maine to comply with President Donald Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order or risk a second referral to the Department of Justice. 

The Maine Principal's Association (MPA) and the Maine Department of Education have already been referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and face a potential second referral by the U.S. Department of Education on Friday. The state has also seen a freeze in funding from the USDA for its continued non-compliance.

The MPA and its president, Kim Liscomb, have come under local scrutiny in recent weeks for failing to amend its policies on trans athlete inclusion in public schools, as one resident, Nick Blanchard, has launched a petition to have Liscomb removed from her position as principal of Cony Middle and High School.

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The MPA released a statement addressing this scrutiny and the association's refusal to change its gender eligibility policy, suggesting it may change the policy if legislation is put in place. 

"For the last year Kim Liscomb, president of the Maine Principals’ Association Board of Directors, has faithfully executed her duties leading our organization. Recently, there has been local attention focused on her, which could be related to the Maine Principals’ Association’s policy on sports participation. If Congress or the State Legislature changes the law, we will adapt our policy accordingly," read a copy of the statement obtained by Fox News Digital.

"In her role as MPA president, Kim has shown leadership, compassion, and commitment to guiding the MPA with her extensive experience in education. When she finishes her one-year term as president this summer, she will be missed."

MAINE RESIDENTS AGREE WITH KEEPING TRANS ATHLETES OUT OF GIRLS' AND WOMEN'S SPORTS, POLL SHOWS

The MPA previously addressed its first referral to the DOJ, citing the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA), which was amended four years ago to add gender identity as a protected class, for its continued reluctance to ban trans athletes from girls' sports. 

"The Maine Principals’ Association is bound by the law, including the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA), which our participation policy reflects," officials said. "We are unable to sign any resolution agreement that would mandate we create a new policy that would violate the law and MHRA." 

The gender identity amendment to the MHRA stated that denying a person an equal opportunity to participate in sports is discrimination against education. The Maine Principals’ Association updated its policy to allow athletes to compete against the gender they identify as last year.

A University of New Hampshire poll released last week showed that most Maine residents agree that transgender athletes should not compete in girls’ and women’s sports.

The poll showed that 64% of Maine residents believe transgender athletes "definitely should not" or "probably should not" participate in girls’ and women’s sports. Only 29% of Maine residents believed that transgender athletes "probably should" or "definitely should" compete against girls and women in sports.

The poll also showed that 56% of Maine Democrats believe that transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in girls’ and women’s sports.

When it came to enacting policies to combat the issue of transgender participation in sports, the poll showed that 50% of Maine residents wanted it at the federal level, while 41% believe policy should be left up to the states.

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Auburn Tigers men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl was named the chairman of the Board of Directors for the U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA) on Thursday.

Pearl is one of the handful of Jewish coaches in college basketball. He has been one of the most outspoken supporters of Israel, which only grew in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack. He was one of three Jewish head coaches who made the NCAA Final Four last weekend.

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"I am deeply honored to be named Chairman of the U.S. Israel Education Association, and hope I can even begin to fill the shoes of outgoing Chair Dr. Phil Roe, former member of Congress and Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee," Pearl said in a news release.

"My experience in Israel was transformative. I felt it was my responsibility to become more involved in the mission of USIEA and educating senior government leaders in America on the importance of supporting Israel. I also shared this important journey with my team. In August 2022, Auburn University became the first Division I basketball team to play a professional Israeli team, marking a historic moment in both college athletics and U.S.-Israel relations. I’m proud to continue advocating for greater understanding and collaboration between our two nations."

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The USIEA has helped build the relationship between U.S. and Israeli leaders and strengthen their communication on key issues.

Pearl’s goal is to amplify the mission.

"I’ve dedicated much of my life to teaching young people about the importance of leadership, values, and understanding different perspectives," Pearl added. "My work with USIEA aligns with those principles, and I’m excited to continue building a bridge of understanding between these two great nations."

Pearl led Auburn to a 32-6 record. The Tigers’ Final Four appearance was the team’s first since 2019. Pearl has led Auburn to its only two Final Fours.

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The college baseball season is winding down and Spring Hill College and the University of Mobile are two schools hoping to get a chance at the postseason in NCAA Division II and NAIA respectively.

The intensity of the last few games of the 2025 season appeared to have added to the pressure of their game on Tuesday as things quickly got out of control between players from both teams.

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In the bottom of the 11th inning, the two teams were tied. Spring Hill was up at bat when Seth Williams popped a foul ball behind the catcher. Pitcher Isidro Jimenez was hyped after the catch and let Williams know about it. 

It did not sit well with the batter.

Williams and Jimenez went nose-to-nose when Mobile players rushed toward the Spring Hill player and bumped him. The Spring Hill players came back to retaliate, and it was on from there.

"These are haymakers being thrown," the broadcaster said. "This is not just a … these are pure haymakers."

The game was suspended in the 11th inning.

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"During Tuesday’s baseball game between Spring Hill and Mobile, play was suspended after the 11th inning following an on-field altercation involving members of both teams," Spring Hill College told WKRG-TV.

"SHC holds all of our student-athletes and coaches to the highest standards of conduct and sportsmanship. What occurred does not reflect the values of our program or institution."

The University of Mobile declined to comment to the station.

Mobile is 22-18 this season and 9-12 in the Southern State Athletic Conference. The team competes in the NAIA.

Spring Hill is 28-9 this season and 21-2 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The team competes in NCAA Division II.

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Joe Flacco is returning to Cleveland, where he won the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023.