Newsmakers

Appealed The woman convicted of trying to extort University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino asked a federal appeals court to overturn her conviction and seven-year prison sentence. Karen Cunagin Sypher, 51, claims a broad conspiracy involving Pitino, the federal trial judge and Sypher’s former attorney to ensure she would be found guilty. A jury convicted Sypher of extortion, lying to the FBI and retaliation against a witness.

Released New York Rangers player Sean Avery is out on bail after he was arrested in California on allegations he shoved an officer at his Hollywood Hills home. Lt. Jorge Pardo told City News Service that a neighbor’s noise complaint sent police to the home at around 1 a.m. Pardo said Avery answered the front door, shoved an officer and slammed the door.

Resigned Pocono Raceway owner Joseph Mattioli, 87, resigned and turned over all his duties to his grandchildren. Track president Brandon Igdalsky is the new CEO to go along with his title as track president.

Returned Southern Miss football players Tim Green and Deddrick Jones returned to the football field at full strength for the first time in eight months after being shot in an off-campus altercation in November. Green was shot in the neck and Jones was shot in the chest. The players did limited workouts in the spring but weren’t completely cleared until this summer.

Started Florida State football coach Jimbo Fisher and his wife Candi have started a fundraising organization to raise money to help their youngest son and others fight a rare life-threatening blood disease. In Tallahassee, Fla., with a large university auditorium room crowded with friends, media and many Seminole players, the Fishers said 6-year-old Ethan suffers from Fanconi anemia and will eventually require a bone marrow transplant.

Suspended Syracuse receiver Marcus Sales was suspended from the team indefinitely after he was arrested for drug possession last week. Sales and his brother, Michael Sales Jr., were pulled over July 29 for running a red light in Syracuse. Police found an open container of alcohol, several bags of marijuana and a bag of painkillers.