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WNBA All-Star skills competition now features teammates partnering up

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:39 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA is changing its All-Star skills challenge with the new format pitting four sets of teammates against each other in a head-to-head competition.The league announced the two-round competition on Tuesday that will include a timed obstacle course relay competition that showcases players’ agility, dribbling, passing and shooting skills.The four teams are Atlanta’s Allisha Gray and Cheyenne Parker, who are both making their All-Star debuts; Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally; New York’s Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot; and Las Vegas’ Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum.The course includes a 25-foot pass at a target on the baseline, dribbling through four pylons, a short shot in the lane, a corner 3-pointer and finally dribbling to the other end of the court to make a basket. The second player on the team will compete in the same tasks except for the final basket, which now must be a 3-pointer from the top of the arc.The two t...

AP Was There: Cult leader Charles Manson and followers convicted for brutal California killings

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:39 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — EDITOR’S NOTE — On Jan. 26, 1971, Charles Manson and three members of his California cult were convicted for the murders of seven people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate. On Tuesday, one of those three followers, Leslie Van Houten, was released from a California prison after serving more than 50 years for the 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles; and his wife, Rosemary.Van Houten is the only one of Manson’s followers involved in the murders to be let out of prison.The Associated Press is republishing a version of its original report about the conviction by Linda Deutsch, who covered the trial that lasted from late 1969 into 1971.___Charles Manson, shaggy leader of a cult-like clan of hippie types, was convicted Monday of first-degree murder and conspiracy along with three women followers in the savage slayings of actress Sharon Tate and six others.The state said it will ask the death penalty for all.The defendants, who staged wild o...

MLB open to consider increasing time on pitch clock in postseason

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:39 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will consider increasing time on the pitch clock for the postseason but is reluctant to adjust an innovation the sport considers a great success.In the first season of the clock, the average time of a nine-inning game is 2 hours, 38 minutes, on track to be the fastest since 1984. It is down from 3:04 last year and 3:09 in 2021, the last season before PitchCom was introduced.“We’re going to continue to talk to the players,” Manfred told the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Tuesday. “I think you ought to play the postseason the way you play the regular season. There’s exceptions. I’m open-minded on that topic.”The clock is set at 15 seconds with no runners on base and 20 seconds with runners. There also are restrictions on defensive shifts and limits on pitcher disengagements.“I don’t believe there’s any player, nor do I believe there are too many folks that want to have a new rule dramatically affect a game...

Pendants made from giant sloths suggest earlier arrival of people in the Americas

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:39 GMT

New research suggests humans lived in South America at the same time as now extinct giant sloths, bolstering evidence that people arrived in the Americas earlier than once thought.Scientists analyzed triangular and teardrop-shaped pendants made of bony material from the sloths. They concluded that the carved and polished shapes and drilled holes were the work of deliberate craftsmanship.Dating of the ornaments and sediment at the Brazil site where they were found point to an age of 25,000 to 27,000 years ago, the researchers reported. That’s several thousand years before some earlier theories had suggested the first people arrived in the Americas, after migrating out from Africa and then Eurasia.“We now have good evidence — together with other sites from South and North America — that we have to rethink our ideas about the migration of humans to the Americas,” said Mirian Liza Alves Forancelli Pacheco, a study co-author and archaeologist at the Federal University of Sao Carlos...

Sniper-like shots fired at buildings in Broomfield and Denver may be connected

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:39 GMT

BROOMFIELD, Colo. (KDVR) -- An arrest has been made in connection with a shot that was fired at a burrito restaurant in Broomfield.Investigators say there are similarities between that shooting and others that took place in Denver.The Broomfield Police Department arrested 45-year-old Kenneth Fairchild after he allegedly fired a gun at the Jus Burritos Restaurant on U.S. 287 this past weekend. Denver neighbors concerned about sniper after 5 windows shot on 2 occasions Police said Fairchild has been booked on charges of attempted first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, prohibited use of a weapon and DUI. Mary Franco, who has owned Jus Burritos for 23 years, was at the eatery when the shooting happened.There were several workers and customers inside when the shot was fired.“The customers came running in because they saw the shooter,” Franco said.Franco said there is a bullet hole in the window frame.“I thought how could this happen in Broomfield?” Franco said.S...

Jeffco deputy gets new K-9 partner

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:39 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A Jefferson County deputy has been without his K-9 partner since he was killed in the line of duty earlier this year, until now.The K-9's name was Graffit, and he was shot and killed on Feb. 13. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said he loyally served since 2015. Did you know Colorado has one of the world’s best drum corps? Thanks to donations from the community, Graffit's handler, Zach Oliver, does not have to serve alone any longer. The sheriff's office welcomed Ragnar to the team as Oliver's new partner in crime-stopping.Another K-9 was welcomed into the sheriff's office --  Rico will be serving alongside Deputy Christopher Wagner.The dogs have been working diligently with their handlers at Gold Coast K-9 where they have been training to catch the bad guys.How did Graffit die?Graffit was trained in suspect apprehension. The Golden Police Department said that officers approached a driver, and they found the man slumped over his steering wheel and unres...

TikTok sensation, Julien Tshikuna, takes his audience for disco comedy-karaoke Uber ride

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:39 GMT

We spend hours scrolling on TikTok looking for the latest viral video, sometimes they’re funny, sometimes they’re not.But TikTok sensation, Julien Tshikuna, is taking his audience online and in person, along for a comedy ride.The Uber driver turned his wheels into a full-on comedy-karaoke disco party, all for the sake of making others feel good!It’s a ride like no other, whether it’s a few miles away or just around the corner.Julien Tshikuna: “As soon as they get the mic they feel like a light is shining, you know? I shed light on them it’s their moment. “A social media sensation, Julien Tshikuna aka ‘Bantuboy’, is driving his passengers to the destination: ‘Happiness’Julien Tshikuna: “When everything was shut down and everybody’s home wondering what’s going to happen. I had to get creative, I was traveling because I lost my dad in 2019. I was in a place of sadness and questioning like everybody...

Bird Box Barcelona: Moves the action from US to Spain, Georgina Campbell and Diego Calva are excited to share their experience

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:39 GMT

A few years ago, Bird Box had people all over the internet rocking blindfolds and trying to recreate scenes from the hit film.Get ready for a repeat! On Netflix that is, Deco’s Alex Miranda, who’s flyer than any bird, is here. A new Bird Box movie is coming to Netflix later this week and this time, the action and the horror are all going down in Europe!Georgina Campbell (as Claire): “Stay close. Who’s there?”The ‘Bird Box’ universe is going global, and we don’t mean on vacation.Diego Calva (as Octavio): “What are you doing in Barcelona? Georgina Campbell (as Claire): I found her, we’ve been traveling together. I’m trying to find her mother, What about you?”The spin-off sequel, “Bird Box Barcelona,” moves the action from the US to Spain, where mysterious creatures continue to wreak havoc on anyone who looks at them.Georgina Campbell (as Claire): “These things, take our fears, and twist them.R...

Vigil held in Raynham to remember victim of recent murder-suicide

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:39 GMT

Community members gathered in Raynham Tuesday to remember the victim of a murder-suicide in town last week. Officials said Tatiana Tavares, 30, was shot by her boyfriend on July 4 at her home in Raynham. The man, officials said, appeared to have forced his way into the home by breaking through a sliding glass door. Officials said he then likely shot Tavares while she was in bed before turning the gun on himself. Officials last week said Tavares and Scott Swale, 43, had been in an on-again, off-again relationship for the past year. Vigil organizers on Tuesday said they want to call more attention to the victims of domestic violence. “30 years old, Tatiana Tavares, she should be celebrating a beautiful day like this,” said Pat Riley of the Raynham Board of Selectmen. “She should be celebrating the best years of her life and not lying in a casket.” “We mourn the lives and the spirits of those who are no longer with us and we also celebrate the joy and the love ...

Investigators say a broken part in the landing gear prevented a Delta plane from landing normally in Charlotte, NC

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:39 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Investigators say a broken part prevented pilots of a Delta plane from lowering the nose landing gear before landing last month in Charlotte, North Carolina.The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that it sent the fractured part, called a lock link, to its laboratory for examination as it investigates the June 28 incident.The NTSB said when the upper lock link broke, it allowed the lower lock link to swing down and prevent the landing gear assembly from moving.Maintenance records for the Boeing 717 have been “quarantined and will be subject to review,” the NTSB said. The plane was built in 2000, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.The NTSB said the pilots of the flight from Atlanta tried several times to lower the landing gear while they circled the Charlotte airport twice to trouble-shoot the problem. Air traffic controllers told the crew they couldn’t see the nose wheel.The pilots were able to land the plane safely,...