Inside the WNBA's historic push for fair pay | September 22, 2025

Summary

On Monday, September 22nd, Coy Wire kicks off CNN 10 with a variety of headlines, from NATO strengthening its military presence in Eastern Europe to Lithuania's innovative drone training for children. In sports, the WNBA celebrates record growth, though players seek a bigger share of the profits. Meanwhile, Meta's new AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses aim to revolutionize wearables, and a family in Alabama discovers a rare, 32-million-year-old leatherback sea turtle fossil. Throughout, Wire highlights intriguing stories from around the world, blending hard news with lighter, engaging features.

Takeaways

• 🌞 Coy Wire kicks off the news with a cheerful greeting, noting the first official day of fall and sharing Halloween plans.
• ✈️ NATO is increasing its military presence in Eastern Europe, including patrolling Polish and Estonian airspace after Russian drone and jet incursions.
• 🇱🇹 Lithuania is opening schools to teach children and adults how to operate drones as part of its national defense strategy.
• 🏀 The WNBA is experiencing record growth in attendance, franchise value, and media deals, but players still receive less than 10% of total league revenue.
• 📈 Despite WNBA growth, players seek a fairer share of revenue compared to other professional sports leagues.
• 🌽 Iowa leads the U.S. in corn production, with 2.63 billion bushels in 2024, mostly for animal feed and fuel.
• 🎃 A family farm in Maine, Trugi Family Orchards, was voted the best corn maze in the U.S., featuring tall corn plants and themed designs.
• 🕶️ Meta has launched AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses with a neural wristband, allowing users to interact with digital content hands-free while maintaining privacy.
• 🐢 The Coleman family discovered a rare, intact fossil of a new species and genus of leatherback sea turtle, dating back 32 million years, now displayed in a local museum.
• 📚 The video includes viewer shoutouts, highlighting subscribers and followers from various schools, emphasizing community engagement.

Q & A

What is the significance of the NATO operation 'Eastern Sentry' mentioned in the script?

The 'Eastern Sentry' operation is a NATO initiative aimed at strengthening military presence along its eastern flank, particularly in response to Russian airspace violations. It involves patrolling skies over Poland and intercepting Russian aircraft to deter further provocations from Russia.

Why is Lithuania focusing on training children to operate drones?

Lithuania is teaching children as young as 10 to operate drones as part of its strategy to bolster its defense capabilities. The program, which is part of a wider effort to strengthen the country's defense infrastructure, is aimed at preparing future generations for potential threats, especially from neighboring Russia.

How has the WNBA's financial and popularity growth been reflected recently?

The WNBA has experienced record-breaking growth, with franchise values increasing by over 180%. Additionally, attendance for games has surged, and players like Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese have gained significant public recognition. This growth coincided with a new $2.2 billion TV rights deal, boosting the league's annual revenue.

What is the primary concern of WNBA players despite the league's financial success?

Despite the league's financial success and growing popularity, WNBA players are concerned about their compensation, which currently represents less than 10% of the league's revenue. Players argue that this share is disproportionate compared to other pro sports leagues, where athletes typically receive around 50% of revenue.

What recent discovery was made by the Coleman family on a fishing trip?

The Coleman family made an extraordinary discovery during a fishing trip, spotting an intact fossil of a new species of leatherback sea turtle. The fossil, dating back 32 million years, was identified as a rare and significant find, and it is now displayed in a local science museum.

What is the focus of Meta's new Ray-Ban smart glasses?

Meta's new Ray-Ban smart glasses feature a tiny display inside the lens and are designed to reduce the need for users to constantly look down at their phones. These glasses integrate AI and hand gestures via a neural wristband, allowing users to interact with their surroundings, listen to music, make calls, and view messages without distractions.

How does Lithuania’s drone training program aim to improve its defense?

Lithuania's drone training program is designed to enhance its military defense by training both children and adults to operate FPV (first-person view) drones. The program aims to provide the country with a future-ready defense force capable of managing modern threats, especially those posed by Russia.

What is the significance of the Trugi family farm’s corn maze?

The Trugi family farm in Maine has been recognized as having the best corn maze in the U.S. for four consecutive years. The maze, which spans 60,000 corn plants, also features a tribute to Maine's fishing industry, and the farm offers free admission to commercial fishers.

What sets Meta's new Ray-Ban smart glasses apart from previous wearable tech like Google Glass?

Meta's new Ray-Ban smart glasses differ from previous tech like Google Glass by offering a more seamless experience with a high-quality display that users can control via intuitive hand gestures. Unlike Google Glass, these glasses are designed to be stylish, functional, and integrate AI technology for a more private and immersive experience.

How does Lithuania’s proximity to Russia influence its defense strategy?

Lithuania's proximity to Russia, particularly with the Kaliningrad enclave just 20 km away, makes it highly vulnerable to potential threats. This geopolitical situation has led Lithuania to adopt a proactive defense strategy, including the establishment of drone training centers and bolstering air defenses with NATO support.