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Tornadoes strike Arkansas, Illinois; 4 dead, dozens injured

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:24 GMT

By ANDREW DeMILLO (Associated Press)LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A monster storm system tore through the South and Midwest on Friday, spawning deadly tornadoes that shredded homes and shopping centers in Arkansas and collapsed a theater roof during a heavy metal concert in Illinois.At least one person was killed and more than two dozen were hurt, some critically, in the Little Rock area, authorities said. The town of Wynne in northeastern Arkansas was also devastated, and officials reported two dead there, along with destroyed homes and people trapped in the debris.Authorities said a theater roof collapsed during a tornado Friday night in Belvidere, Illinois, and that injuries have been reported. Authorities said a theater roof collapsed during a tornado in Belvidere, Illinois, killing one person and injuring 28. The Belvidere Police Department said the collapse occurred as a heavy storm rolled through the area and that calls began coming from the theater at 7:48 p.m. It said that...

Jalen Brunson leads Knicks past Cavs in potential playoff preview

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:24 GMT

CLEVELAND — If this was a preview of a first-round playoff matchup, expect a mountain of points and a thrilling battle of guards.Jalen Brunson won his matchup against Donovan Mitchell and the Knicks outlasted the Cavaliers on Friday night, 130-116, running away in the fourth quarter in their first game without the injured Julius Randle.Brunson dropped a career-high 48 points and MItchell added 42. The back-and-forth resembled a duel, with exciting finishes and little regard for perimeter defense. In a microcosm of the evening, Mitchell soared for a dunk with about five minutes left that cut Cleveland’s deficit to single digits. And Brunson immediately responded with a 3-pointer to bury the home team at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.“You guys have seen it all year. I think there’s nothing that he does that surprises you, and it’s a testament to how tough-minded he is,” Tom Thibodeau said. “He’s always so mentally tough, particularly when h...

It’s clear players want to play for Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, but he views it as ‘organizational triumph’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:24 GMT

The Miami Dolphins have been on a strong run of reeling in top-tier veteran talent over the past two offseasons.In trades for star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, each indicated Miami was where they wanted to go among teams that could build the framework for a deal. Them and edge rusher Bradley Chubb, acquired at last season’s trade deadline, all signed up for extensions with the Dolphins upon trades.Terron Armstead, the top available left tackle in free agency last offseason, chose the Dolphins. Linebacker David Long Jr. and others probably could’ve made more money elsewhere but wanted to be part of what’s being built in Miami.Sure, even in the last two decades of mostly irrelevance, the Dolphins have landed their share of big-name veterans: Brandon Marshall, Ndamukong Suh, Mike Wallace, Karlos Dansby, etc. But the past 13 months alone probably rival the past 13 years.It shows it’s not just because of warm weather or tax benefits ̵...

After cardiac arrest, NFL’s Damar Hamlin backs Cherfilus-McCormick’s plan for more defibrillators in schools

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:24 GMT

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin joined an effort Wednesday to promote federal legislation to equip schools, and provide training, for administering life-saving treatment to athletes, students and others who go into sudden cardiac arrest.Hamlin’s on-field collapse during an NFL Monday Night Football game in January galvanized viewers. He received immediate, high-quality medical care, and survived.The legislation he endorsed, the Access to AEDs Act, was introduced this week by U.S. Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat who represents Broward and Palm Beach counties, and Bill Posey, a Republican who represents Brevard, Indian River and a sliver of Orange County.The measure would establish grants to elementary and secondary schools that could be used to buy automated external defibrillation devices known as AEDs, batteries and maintenance, replace outdated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED equipment, pay for training and help school athletic departments develop ...

Dave Hyde: Can Miami and FAU shock the basketball world again at Final Four?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:24 GMT

Among the thousand-odd texts filling Miami coach Jim Larrañaga’s phone in the moments after making the Final Four last Sunday, one stood out for its uniqueness.“Congrats, see you in Houston!” Florida Atlantic University men’s basketball coach Dusty May wrote.Larrañaga texted back, “Looking forward to it!”Here they were Friday, too. Practicing in the 70,000-seat NRG Stadium where the NFL’s Houston Texans play. Answering national media questions. Sitting on the biggest stage in college basketball and, well, looking comfortable.“I’m having fun,’’ May said.FAU is the national surprise, a small-name school having a big moment. Miami is so known as a football school Larrañaga was jokingly asked if he feared football coach Mario Cristobal might recruit 6-foot-7 center Norchad Omier.“I hadn’t thought of that,’ Larrañaga said, laughing.The rub-your-eyes aspect for a sports market that̵...

Rams coach Sean McVay says Jalen Ramsey, Mike McDaniel will ‘vibe really well’ with Dolphins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:24 GMT

There may not be a better person in NFL circles to speak on the unique personalities of new Miami Dolphins star cornerback Jalen Ramsey and coach Mike McDaniel than Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay.McVay coached Ramsey the past four seasons with the Rams, and he previously spent time with McDaniel on the same coaching staff in Washington a decade ago.The Rams coach feels McDaniel and Ramsey will mesh in Miami.“I think they’ll vibe really well,” McVay said at the NFL annual league meeting Tuesday morning at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. “You talk about two guys that are refreshingly secure in who they are. They both got a swagger, a confidence, a passion for this game.”McVay got word of McDaniel’s quip with Ramsey that he’s going to try to be the best head coach the cornerback has had, a playful jab at McVay which Ramsey revealed at his introductory press conference in Miami.“I said, ‘He might be that, but he’ll definite...

Several riders rescued from SeaWorld rollercoaster

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:24 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- First responders on Friday rescued several people from a rollercoaster that stopped working at SeaWorld San Diego, fire officials said.The incident occurred around 4:11 p.m. in the 500 block of Sea World Drive, where crews removed the riders, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department tweeted. Firefighters were clearing the scene as of 5:05 p.m.SDFD initially reported 30 were rescued, but SeaWorld San Diego spokesperson Tracy Spahr later confirmed to FOX 5 16 people were helped off the ride. Multi-vehicle crash delays traffic on I-805 Firefighters said there were no injuries.The name of the ride impacted was "Tidal Twister," a rollercoaster that opened in May 2019, Spahr said.Check back for updates on this developing story.

Federal judge temporarily blocks Tennessee’s anti-drag law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:24 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked Tennessee’s first-in-the-nation law placing strict limits on drag shows just hours before it was set to go into effect, siding with a group that filed a lawsuit claiming the statute violates the First Amendment.The decision comes after Memphis-based Friends of George’s, an LGBTQ+ theater company, filed the federal lawsuit Monday against Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and the state.U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker issued the temporary injunction after hearing arguments on both sides Thursday.Parker wrote that the state has failed to make a compelling argument as to why Tennessee needed the new law, adding that the court also agrees the statute is likely vague and overly broad.The word “drag” doesn’t appear in the new law, which instead changed the definition of adult cabaret in Tennessee to mean “adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors.” Furthermore, “male or female impersonators...

1 dead, 28 injured in Illinois theater roof collapse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:24 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Authorities say one person was killed and 28 were injured when the roof collapsed Friday night during a concert at an Illinois theater.Belvidere Fire Department Chief Shawn Schadle said 260 people were in the venue at the time. He said first responders also rescued someone from an elevator and had to grapple with downed power lines outside the theater.Belvidere Police Chief Shane Woody described the scene after the collapse as “chaos, absolute chaos.” THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A monster storm system tore through the South and Midwest on Friday, spawning deadly tornadoes that shredded homes and shopping centers in Arkansas and collapsed a theater roof during a heavy metal concert in Illinois.At least one person was killed and more than two dozen were hurt, some critically, in the Little Rock area, authorities said. The town of Wynne in northeastern Arkansas was also devastated, and officials repo...

Mulkey, LSU women rally in Final Four, reach 1st title game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:30:24 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — Kim Mulkey is back in another national championship game, this time taking the flagship university from her home state there for the first time. It took LSU only two seasons to get there with the feisty and flamboyantly dressed coach, and a big comeback in the national semifinal game that was quite an undercard Friday night.Alexis Morris scored 27 points and had two of her misses in the fourth quarter turned into putback baskets by Angel Reese in a big run as LSU rallied to beat top-seeded Virginia Tech 79-72 in the first semifinal game. “I’m never satisfied. I’m super-excited that we won, but I’m hungry,” said Morris, who jumped on a courtside table and fired up LSU fans after the game. “Like, I’m greedy. I want to win it all so I can complete the story.”Reese finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds for LSU (33-2), which will play in the national title game Sunday against the winner of the highly anticipated matchup between Southeastern Conference foe South Caro...