Finalists for Miss Basketball honor include Hamlin's Addie Neuendorf

WAGNER — Wagner High School senior standout Ashlyn Koupal has been named as South Dakota's 2026 Miss Basketballawardwinner by Hansen Anderson Basketball.

Koupal is the all-time leading scorer at Wagner with 2,610 career points to go along with 1,210 rebounds. She averaged 28.3 points per game in her senior season, leading the Red Raiders to thestateClass A tournament for the fourth time in five years.

She is a four-time Class A all-state selection and five-time all-conference player who also earned state Class A all-tournament honors four times.

Other finalist for the honor included Addison Neuendorf of Hamlin, Alyvia Padgett of Brandon Valley, Ashlan Carlow-Blunt of Mahpiya Luta and Sydney Terveen of O'Gorman.

The award is voted on yearly by the state's girls basketball coaches and was presented at a ceremony at Wagner High School on Monday, May 11.

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Hansen Anderson Basketball was founded in 1977 by Richard Hansen and Dave Anderson. The annual publication highlights teams and players from across the state.

Miss Basketball Winners

• 2026: Ashlyn Koupal, Wagner.

• 2025: Taaliyah Porter, Rapid City Stevens

• 2024: Mahli Abdouch, O'Gorman.

• 2023: Kami Wadsworth, Hamlin.

• 2022: Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, Sioux Falls Washington.

• 2021: Haleigh Timmer, St. Thomas More.

• 2020: Emma Ronsiek of Sioux Falls O’Gorman.

2026 ALL-STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS:The South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association's all-state girls basketball teams released

• 2019: Jeniah Ugofsky of Harrisburg.

• 2018: Paiton Burckhard of Aberdeen Central.

• 2017: Myah Selland of Sanborn Central/Woonsocket.

• 2016: Brianna Kusler of Aberdeen Central.

• 2015: Alexys Swedlund of St. Thomas More

• 2014: Macy Miller of Mitchell.

• 2013: Kerri Young of Mitchell.

• 2012: Heidi Hoff of Brandon Valley.

• 2011: Alex Kneeland of Summit.

• 2010: Shaunteva Ashley of Sioux Falls Roosevelt.

• 2009: Sam Ostarello of Stanley County.

• 2008: Alexis Yackley of Sully Buttes.

• 2007: Jill Young of Mitchell Christian.

• 2006: Michelle Amundson of Dell Rapids Public.

• 2005: Jennifer Warkenthien of Willow Lake.

• 2004: Courtney Grimsrud of Sisseton.

• 2003: Jenny Bridge of Hanson.

• 2002: No winner, change in season

• 2001: Lindsay Thomas of Sioux Falls Roosevelt.

• 2000: Megan Mahoney of Sturgis.

2025-26 AREA PLAYERS OF THE YEAR:Eight standouts chosen as the area's best girls, boys cagers in 2025-26

• 1999: Mandy Kappel of Sioux Falls Roosevelt.

• 1998: Mandy Koupal of Wagner.

• 1997: Tamera Oltmanns of Lennox.

• 1996: Sherri Brende of Baltic.

• 1995: Jammie Coyle of Belle Fourche.

• 1994: Becky Hammon of Rapid City Stevens.

• 1993: Courtney Stapp of Newell

• 1992: Holly Sivesind of Sioux Falls Roosevelt.

• 1991: Becky Flynn of Wakonda.

• 1990: Amy Burnett of Huron.

• 1989: Lisa Kannegieter of Willow Lake.

• 1988: Kristi Bruns of Lennox.

• 1987: Dana Nielson of Armour.

• 1986: Steph Schueler of Sioux Falls Lincoln and Carla Allard of Bennett County.

• 1985: Lori Wohlleber of Summit.

• 1984: Lisa Kurtenbach of Brookings.

• 1983: Renae Ruesink of Castlewood.

• 1982: Melissa Olson of Sioux Falls Lincoln.

• 1981: JoElle Byre of Sioux Falls Washington.

• 1980: Kris Holwerda of Brookings and Ann Pancoast of Sioux Falls Washington.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sportsor email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion:2026 South Dakota Miss Basketball winner

byJastin

in

May 12, 2026

Finalists for Miss Basketball honor include Hamlin's Addie Neuendorf

WAGNER — Wagner High School senior standout Ashlyn Koupal has been named as South Dakota's 2026 Miss Basketballawardwinner by Hanse...

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All eyes on Wemby for Game 5 of Spurs-Timberwolves series, after his elbow merited Game 4 ejection

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio'sVictor Wembanyama is playingin Game 5 of the Spurs' Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, after getting ejected early in Game 4 for throwing an elbow.

Spurs Timberwolves Basketball

The Spurs are obviously relieved about that. And if Wembanyama is angry about missing most of Game 4, then even better, Spurs guard Devin Vassell said Tuesday at shootaround.

“I know he was upset not being able to play that game," Vassell said at a shootaround attended by Spurs President Gregg Popovich, Spurs legend Manu Ginobili and former Spurs assistant Brett Brown, among others. "So, I know that he’s going to be ready to go. That’s what we need. We need that upset Vic who’s ready to attack the game for sure.”

It could be easily argued that Tuesday's game — Game 5, playoff series, tied 2-2, with the winner moving one win from a trip to the Western Conference finals — is the biggest of Wembanyama's NBA career.

Vassell wants to see a fiery Wembanyama — within reason, of course.

“We’ve seen it before. We’ve seen when Vic gets upset," Vassell said. "I mean, we just need him to calm his emotions, make sure that he doesn’t let his emotions take over because at the end of the day like I said, he can’t get any flagrants, he can’t get anything like that. So, Vic knows what he's got to do and he’ll be ready.”

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Wembanyama was ejected from theSpurs-Timberwolves game on Sunday nightbecause of the elbow, which he threw early in the second quarter after getting tangled with Minnesota's Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels while grabbing a rebound. Wembanyama swung his arms and his elbow struck Reid in the face.

Officials looked at the play and upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, which comes with an automatic ejection. The NBA, as it always does in those situations, further reviewed the play after the game and decided Monday that the ejection was sufficient. It could have fined or even suspended Wembanyama for Game 5 and beyond if it felt that was warranted.

“I don’t think we even thought about it much at all," Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. told reporters at Minnesota's shootaround session Tuesday. "I think once the ruling came down, it was just like, we expected that and just moved forward. It's one of those things. We don’t want guys to miss games. We want to play against the best. We don't want to have guys missing games like that."

Wembanyama's elbow isn't the Spurs' biggest issue right now. The ankles and knees of two of his teammates are potentially problematic, however.

The Spurs added Dylan Harper to their injury list a few hours before Game 5 on Thursday with left knee soreness. He's listed as questionable, as is point guard De'Aaron Fox — who is dealing with what the Spurs described as right ankle soreness.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

byJastin

in

May 12, 2026

All eyes on Wemby for Game 5 of Spurs-Timberwolves series, after his elbow merited Game 4 ejection

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio'sVictor Wembanyama is playingin Game 5 of the Spurs' Western Conference semifinal series against...

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Benet Higgs named New Mexico State's permanent softball coach

New Mexico State has officially found its next softball coach.

Interim coach Benet Higgs was named as the Aggies' permanent coach on Monday, May 11. She is now the program's 13th head coach in its history.

"From the moment I asked Coach Higgs to step into this role, her leadership, vision, and commitment to our student-athletes stood out," said NM State athletic director Joe Fields in a press release. "She exceeded every expectation and showed exactly what success for our softball program should look like. I’m proud to officially name Coach Higgs our permanent head softball coach and look forward to building a championship program together."

MORE AGGIES SPORTS:From Las Cruces High to New Mexico State, Steve Solorzano's dream is now a reality

Higgs was named interim coach on Oct. 29 after the Aggiesfired Kathy Rodolph. Higgs received a pay raise from $40,000 to $70,000 as part of her temporary elevation. It is unknown yet whether she has received a larger raise now that her interim tag has been removed.

While university leaders have continued to stay silent on why Rodolph was fired (or even publicly acknowledge her departure as a firing), Fields previously told the Las Cruces Sun-News that the reason is separate from Higgs.

"She had nothing to do with any other thing that was happening with the softball program, and she's done nothing but a phenomenal job since being asked to serve in this role," Fields told the Sun-News.

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MORE AGGIES SPORTS:NMSU's Emma Bunch named Conference USA Female Golfer of the Year for the 3rd time in a row

Under Higgs, the Aggies finished 27-27. Their 16-11 Conference USA record during the regular season gave NM State a No. 5 seed in theconference tournament. The Aggies went 1-2 there, defeating Sam Houston in the first round before losing their next two games against Delaware and Louisiana Tech. NM State was picked by CUSA head coaches in its preseason poll to finish No. 8 in the conference and receive the last seed in the CUSA Tournament.

While a record at .500 doesn't seem special on the surface, Higgs is just the third head coach in Aggies softball history to win at least 25 games in her first season. She was also one of four first-year coaches in the nation to post a winning record in the regular season this year, as NM State was 26-25 entering the CUSA Tournament.

"I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to lead New Mexico State Softball, and I’m incredibly thankful to Joe Fields for the trust and belief in me to lead this program," Higgs said in a press release. "Over the last year, I’ve seen the resilience, toughness, and competitiveness of this group firsthand, and I’m excited to continue building a program centered on development, accountability, connection and competing for championships in Conference USA.

"Las Cruces and NMSU mean a lot to me. There’s a lot of pride in this place, and I’m excited for what’s ahead for Aggie Softball."

Higgs had been an assistant under Rodolph in the 2024 and 2025 seasons after assistant coaching tenures at Stony Brook, Bradley and Army.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News:Benet Higgs named permanent New Mexico State softball coach

byJastin

in

May 11, 2026

Benet Higgs named New Mexico State's permanent softball coach

New Mexico State has officially found its next softball coach. Interim coach Benet Higgs was named as the Aggies' permanent c...

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Gaza filmmakers attack BBC after rejected documentary wins Bafta

The BBC was forced to broadcast criticism of its own management after a Gaza documentary it rejected was awarded a Bafta.

Channel 4’sGaza: Doctors Under Attackwon the current affairs category at theBafta TV Awards,a year after the BBC refused to air it.

On stage, the filmmakers launched a scathing attack on the corporation before challenging BBC One to air their remarks.

The film was originally commissioned by the BBC butpulled by managementamid fears that it would damage the broadcaster’s reputation for impartiality, coming soon after a different Gaza documentary failed to tell viewers that its child narrator was the son of a Hamas official.

Gaza: Doctors Under Attack was then picked up by Channel 4 and broadcast in July last year.

In her acceptance speech, Ramita Navai, the presenter, claimed that 1,700 Palestinian doctors and healthcare workers have been killed in Israeli bombing of Gaza’s hospitals, and alleged that a further 400 have been imprisoned.

“These are the findings of our investigation that the BBC paid for but refused to show. But we refused to be silenced and censored, and we thank Channel 4 for showing this film,” Navai said, to applause from the audience.

Ben de Pear, the film’s producer, then said: “Just a question for the BBC: given that you dropped our film, will you drop us from the Bafta screening later tonight?”

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The Bafta ceremony is broadcast on BBC One on a two-hour delay. After consulting its compliance team, the BBC chose not to air Navai’s speech in full but instead presented a carefully edited version which removed her claims about Israel’s actions.

De Pear paid tribute to the two Gazan journalists who filmed footage for the documentary, Jaber Badwan and Osana Al Ashi.

Speaking backstage, he said the team “woke up every day wondering if the two journalists on the ground were still alive”.

He added: “The commissioners at the BBC had a problem engaging with the material. There wasn’t a single complaint [from viewers], there wasn’t a single factual inaccuracy in the film. We have had nothing but praise.”

The BBC paused production of the film last April, saying that it could not broadcast it while areview into a separate documentarywith the child narrator – Gaza: How To Survive a War Zone – was going on.

It pulled out completely after Navai gave an interview in which she described Israel as “a rogue state that is committing war crimes and ethnic cleansing and mass murdering Palestinians”.

At the time, the BBC said: “We have come to the conclusion that broadcasting this material risked creating a perception of partiality that would not meet the high standards that the public rightly expect of the BBC.

“Impartiality is a core principle of BBC News. It is one of the reasons that we are the world’s most trusted broadcaster.”

byJastin

in

May 11, 2026

Gaza filmmakers attack BBC after rejected documentary wins Bafta

The BBC was forced to broadcast criticism of its own management after a Gaza documentary it rejected was awarded a Bafta. Channel...

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Plasier, Tolbert win gold; Niceville girls finish 2nd at state T&F

JACKSONVILLE — Shelby Plasier defended her javelin state title, Saylor Tolbert obliterated the 400-meter hurdles field and the Niceville girls' track and field team celebrated 11 individual medalist efforts and three podium trips by the relays to finish runner-up to Dillard (69-64) in the 3A state meet at UNF's Hodges Stadium.

Paired with Abigail Gunter's sweep of her four events in the Para State Championships, it was a good day to be an Eagle.

Plasier threw 44.27m at state last year as a sophomore to claim gold. This year she kept breaking her own school record, so it was only fitting she did the same at state with a throw of 45.23m to win easily over runner-up Bailey Madsen of Satellite (42.52m).

"She was just super locked in," Niceville throws coach Emily Webb said. "She was very consistent. This whole week she was amazing. She basically threw at her PR her second throw and re-broke her school record on her third row. It was awesome."

STATE CHAMPS:Niceville dominates field events, wins 5th title in 6 years

From the young woman herself, nothing was specifically special about the throw. But mentally, like state champions do, she dialed it in with her parents, Eric and Carrie, looking on.

"I was getting ready to throw and I was like, 'I'm going to do it. This is the one that'll PR and win it all," she said.

Plasier,who picked up the javelin for the first time the summer before her freshman year, had no specific number in mind. Her goal only was to "keep going up, keep PR'ing and keep working on my skill and techniqe, and the numbers would show that progresson."

Mission accomplished.

Webb said her athleticism is off the charts: "She's built different,"

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Asked about her relationship with coach Webb, Plasier said "She's just amazing. She's so much more than a coach. She's a mentor, she's a best friend, she's another mother. She's always there for us. We can tell her anything , and that's just how it is for everyone else. If something's bothering me, I let her know and she figurues out how to help."

"Shelby, along with all the other throwers, we spend so much time with each other outside during the season. My goal for them all, all I want them to do is learn life lessons on and off the field," Webb said. "It's not just about throwing and technical stuff, it's about being the best version of themselves. And they have to trust me, because I'll fight for them. And I have to trust them. We all have this mutual respect for each other, and if we don't have that none of this is possible."

Her teammate, Lily Dennison, was slated to come in seventh in the javelin but threw a PR 38.48m to finish fourth and score five points for the Eagles.

Tolbert, a fourth-place finisher from a year ago, was the lone hurdler in the 400m field to break the minute barrier. Her 59.82 finish easily bested Miami Northwestern's Lamayah Howard (1:02.48) to earn 10 points for the team. She added another four points for the team by finishing fifth in the 100m hurdles in 14.33 seconds.

Kimah Allen contributed 12 points herself with a pair of third-place finishes in the discus and shot put, throwing 44.52m in former and 13.91m in the latter.

Katelyn LaGrosse and Loxley Sheldon also shined in the pole vault with a pair of fourth- and fifth-place finishes, both clearing 3.30m to collect a collective nine points. Staying on the field, Gracie Dennison, finished seventh in triple jump with a leap of 11.53m.

In the relays, Niceville finished just .09 seconds back of state champ Miami Norland in the 4x100m with a 47.22, third-place finish, fifth in the 4x800m with a 9:26.14 finish and seventh in the 4x400m in 3:55.37.

The Niceville boys' track and field team used last year's runner-up finish as motivation to win its fifth title in six years this past weekend. Webb believes her girls can do the same.

"The girls got a taste of what this feels like and they'll channel it next year, 100 percent," Webb said. "But damn did they fight like crazy to get here and it was pretty awesome to watch. I speak for everyone when I say how proud we are of every athlete we have."

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News:Niceville track and field excels at FHSAA state meet

byJastin

in

May 11, 2026

Plasier, Tolbert win gold; Niceville girls finish 2nd at state T&F

JACKSONVILLE — Shelby Plasier defended her javelin state title, Saylor Tolbert obliterated the 400-meter hurdles field and the Nicevill...

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UFC 328 results: Joshua Van swarms Tatsuro Taira for Round 5 TKO

Joshua Vanshowed the heart of a champion.

Van (17-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) overcame Tatsuro Taira's (18-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takedowns and battered him on the feet to notch the TKO finish at the 1:32 mark of Round 5. The flyweight title bout was the UFC 328 co-main event at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Taira started Round 1 with two hard leg kicks. He took a deep shot and landed the double leg takedown. He transitioned straight into full mount then side control. As Van tried to get up, Taira grabbed his neck, but Van broke free. Van landed a jab, followed by a nice combination. Taira connected with another hard leg kick, but Van fired back with a left. Taira level changed and landed another takedown. Van managed to get back up with seconds remaining in the first round, and landed a jab.

In Round 2, Taira pressed forward with a couple of jabs, then shot for the takedown. Van used the cage to defend and disengaged. Van landed a couple of big right hands as Taira shot for the takedown and got the mount position. He was unable to do any damage as he continued to hold Van down. Taira attempted a D'Arce choke, but Van was able to escape. A huge right hand by Van knocked down Taira at the end of the round.

Van tried to capitalize on a hurt Taira as he defended the first takedown attempt of Round 3. He had Taira backing up with several hard shots as he defended another telegraphed takedown. Van continued to find a home for the jab. He landed a big knee as Taira shot for the takedown, and followed it up with a combination. Taira was eating big shots. Van dropped a bloody Taira with a left jab and jumped on his back for a rear-naked choke, but Taira somehow survived. Van continued to stalk Taira. Taira landed a takedown, but Van popped back up as the round came to a close.

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Taira got Van's attention with a big calf kick, but Van fired back. Taira landed his eighth takedown of the fight, and got the mount once again. Van eventually reversed, but got caught in a triangle choke. Van escaped and landed hard shots. Taira attempted another takedown, but couldn't get Van down. Van ended the round with two jabs.

Heading into the final round, two of the three judges had the fight scored two rounds apiece. Both fighters came out swinging. Van landed a jab and a right as Taira shot for the takedown. Van sprawled and started to attack the body. He swarmed Taira with punches as the referee intervened to stop the fight. An upset Taira protested the stoppage.

In his post-fight octagon interview with Joe Rogan, UFC flyweight champion Van was asked aboutAlexandre Pantoja, who was in attendance for the fight.

"Pantoja, you better get your sh*t right," Van said. "We can run it back if you want."

Up-to-the-minute results of UFC 328 include:

• Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira via TKO (punches) – Round 5, 1:32 – to defend flyweight title

• Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

• Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)

• King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:20

• Ateba Gautier def. Ozzy Diaz via KO (punches) – Round 2, 1:10

• Yaroslav Amosov def. Joel Alvarez via submission (arm-triangle) - Round 2, 1:13

• Grant Dawson def. Mateusz Rebecki via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 3, 4:42

• Jim Miller vs. Jared Gordon via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 3:29

• Roman Kopylov def. Marco Tulio via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

• Pat Sabatini def. William Gomis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

• Baisangur Susurkaev def. Djorden Santos via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:12

• Jose Ochoa def. Clayton Carpenter via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie:UFC 328 results: Joshua Van batters Tatsuro Taira to retain title

byJastin

in

May 10, 2026

UFC 328 results: Joshua Van swarms Tatsuro Taira for Round 5 TKO

Joshua Vanshowed the heart of a champion. Van (17-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) overcame Tatsuro Taira's (18-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takedowns and...

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Shania Twain turns heads in lingerie-style dress as she hints at new music

Shania Twainhas fans buzzing after teasing a new single on social media.

The 60-year-old country music superstar first sparked speculation that there would be new music coming soon with a post shared toInstagramon Wednesday featuring her in cowboy boots and a white long-sleeve shirt and skirt with fringe.

The clip features her walking in a field approaching a stack of wood while holding an axe. The screen cuts to black as she raises the axe to chop a piece of wood, with the words, "Don’t touch that dial. I’ll be right back," flashing on the screen.

Fans quickly took to the comments section to express their excitement over the possibility of new music from Twain, with one writing, "I can't wait to hear the new music ❤️❤️ Jumping for joy 😍."

'Yellowstone' Star Lainey Wilson Embraces Cowboy Culture Takeover, Says People Are 'Over The Bulls---'

Another added, "new music from the Queen?!?!?!?🤠," while a third chimed in with, "I just know this album is going to be my favourite."

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It didn't take long for the "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" singer to seemingly confirm a new single was on its way with anotherInstagram post.

In a post shared on Thursday, Twain can be seen wearing the same brown cowboy boots and a nude lace dress reminiscent of lingerie, as she dances in a field in a cowboy hat and jacket singing the lyrics to what fans think is her new song.

"You can drive my Hummer, in the summer / You can drive the ladies in my Mercedes / but you can’t drive my truck," she sang, adding, "You can drive me CRAZY (BUT… You can’t drive my truck!)" in the caption.

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"You've been missed! Welcome back! ❤️🔥✨," one fan wrote in the comments section, while another added, "She’s back to the OG Shania 😍!!!! Love it!!! Catchy and looking amazing!!"

The last time Twain released new music was in 2023 when she dropped her sixth studio album, "Queen of Me," in February 2023.

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When speaking withThe Guardianat the time, she explained that the album was different for her, as she "felt more comfortable" in her skin when working on it.

"I don’t make a lot of albums. I’m definitely not one of those artists or thinkers who do a lot of it, hoping some of it will appeal," she said. "With this album, especially, I’ve feltmore comfortable in my own skin, experimenting a little bit more. I’m just in a less apologetic place in my life. And I think that allows me to worry less, you know?"

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Twain firstbroke through into the musicindustry in 1993 with the release of her debut album, "Shania Twain," and later gained worldwide fame with her second album, "The Woman in Me," in 1995.

Her third album, "Come on Over," made her a household name, going on to sell over 40 million copies and becoming the best-selling studio album by a female artist ever. It featured some of her biggest hits, including "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!," "You’re Still the One," "That Don’t Impress Me Much" and "From This Moment On."

Throughout her decades-long career, she has won fiveGrammy Awards, four Academy of Country Music Awards and was awarded entertainer of the year at the CMA Awards in 1999.

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Original article source:Shania Twain turns heads in lingerie-style dress as she hints at new music

byJastin

in

May 10, 2026

Shania Twain turns heads in lingerie-style dress as she hints at new music

Shania Twainhas fans buzzing after teasing a new single on social media. The 60-year-old country music superstar first sparked sp...

Read More