Griner, Whelan families to meet Biden amid US-Russia talks

The separate meetings are to be the first in-person encounter between Biden and the families and are taking place amid sustained but so far unsuccessful efforts by the administration to secure the Americans’ release.

Former UN ambassador hopeful for Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan prisoner swap

Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, said on Aug. 9 he was hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap that could result in Russia’s release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.

Cardinals dealing with offseason arrests, Brittney Griner sentenced: top sports stories

First, it was a contract dispute involving their star quarterback, and now, the Arizona Cardinals are dealing with a couple of arrests involving one of their top offensive weapons, and a member of their coaching staff, and a judge handed down a harsh sentence to Brittney Griner after the Phoenix Mercury star was convicted of drug smuggling in Russia – these are the top stories in the world of sports from August 1-7.

What will it take to get Brittney Griner home?

With her court case concluded and her 9-year-prison sentence pronounced, a prisoner swap deal between the U.S. and Russia is Brittney Griner's best chance of being freed early. Here's a look at what's at stake.

In rare contact, US offers Russia deal for WNBA star Brittney Griner

The statement marked the first time the U.S. government has publicly revealed any concrete action it has taken to secure the release of Griner, who was arrested on drug-related charges at a Moscow airport in February and testified Wednesday at her trial.