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SEC coaches are more accepting of youthful mistakes amid roster engagement in the portal era

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:50:48 GMT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier didn’t want to risk keeping receiver Eugene Wilson on the bench.A four-star recruit from nearby Tampa and the shiftiest player on the Gators’ roster, Napier had seen enough of Wilson during fall camp to realize the true freshman could help right away.So Napier and his staff summoned Wilson to the field for an early punt return in Florida’s opener at then-No. 7 Utah. What happened next was a strange and costly error: Wilson forgot to switch jerseys and was penalized for wearing the same number as defensive teammate Jason Marshall. Utah retained possession and scored a few plays later, a significant swing in a 24-11 victory.It’s the kind of youthful mistake Southeastern Conference coaches are enduring on a regular basis in hopes of keeping newcomers involved and out of the transfer portal.“The more players that you can keep engaged the better,” Napier said.The SEC agreed and increased travel rosters from 70 to 74 players for league g...

As Canada evacuates citizens in Israel, some Israeli-Canadians don’t want to leave

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:50:48 GMT

MONTREAL — As Shawna Goodman-Sone spoke to a reporter from a suburb of Tel-Aviv Wednesday, she had to end the call abruptly and seek refuge in her home’s safe room as an air raid warning went off.Before fleeing into the reinforced room, she spoke about moving to Israel from Montreal nine years ago — and why she has decided to stay in the country despite the war with Hamas.“We’re taking a leap of faith that this is where we belong,” Goodman-Sone said. “This is where we chose to live, this is where our home is, our community, our friends, and all of our friends’ kids are serving in the army. I’m so grateful we made this decision.”Global Affairs Canada estimates that roughly 35,000 Canadian citizens live in Israel, which allows people with at least one Jewish grandparent, and their spouses, to quickly obtain citizenship. Since Israel declared war on Hamas on Sunday, more than 1,300 Canadians have left the country on military flights organ...

Hundreds mourn as Israeli family of 5 that was slain together is laid to rest

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:50:48 GMT

GAN YAVNE, Israel (AP) — An Israeli family of five whose bodies were discovered in each other’s arms after being killed by Hamas militants were buried together in a funeral attended by hundreds of mourners.Family and friends bid farewell Tuesday to the Kotz family — a couple and their three children who were gunned down in their home at kibbutz Kfar Azza during the Oct. 7 Hamas invasion of southern Israel. They were buried side by side in a graveyard 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Jerusalem.Aviv and Livnat Kotz, their daughter, Rotem, and sons, Yonatan and Yiftach, were found dead on a bed embracing each other, a family member said.The family had moved to Israel from Boston and built the home four years ago at the kibbutz where Aviv had grown up, his wife’s sister, Adi Levy Salma, told the Israeli news outlet Ynet.“We told her it’s dangerous, but she did not want to move away, as it was her home for life,” Levy Salma said.With Israel simultaneously in a state of war and mour...

Coastal county and groups sue to overturn federal approval of New Jersey’s 1st offshore wind farm

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:50:48 GMT

OCEAN CITY, N.J. (AP) — The government of New Jersey’s southernmost county has joined with environmental and fishing industry groups in suing the federal government in a bid to overturn its approval of the state’s first offshore wind energy farm.Cape May County and the groups filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court against two federal agencies — the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management — seeking to reverse their approval of the Ocean Wind I project. Current plans call for construction of the project in waters off southern New Jersey by the Danish wind power company Orsted.The plaintiffs allege that the two agencies did not follow the requirements of nearly a dozen federal laws in approving the project, which would be built off the coast of Atlantic City and Ocean City — two of the state’s top tourism destinations. They also claim the agencies did not adequately consider potential harm to the environment and...

More traffic agents, AI and QR codes to deal with ‘unprecedented’ Toronto road closures

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:50:48 GMT

The agency that oversees transportation services across Toronto says its congestion management plan needs to be updated given what it calls an “unprecedented amount of construction road closures.”In a report to the City’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee, the general manager of transportation services says construction road closures coupled with “significant demand” for special events across the city post-pandemic require comprehensive traffic management strategies to minimize the impacts for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and transit.The report calls for the use of more police as traffic agents, developing a system of QR codes for each construction project where the user can scan and see the work zone details, and details a plan for third-generation AI traffic signal systems.The report will go before the committee next Wednesday before being considered by City Council at its next meeting on Nov. 8.

2 more arrests announced in shooting that killed a Philadelphia police officer and wounded a second

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:50:48 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with an airport parking garage shooting that killed a Philadelphia police officer and wounded another, authorities announced Wednesday. Alexander Batista-Polanco, 21, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Hendrick Peña-Fernandez, 21, of Pennsauken, New Jersey, were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, First Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said at a news conference.Police on Monday had said at least two other suspects were being sought as they announced the arrest of Yobranny Martinez Fernandez, 18, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He is from Camden County, New Jersey, and was being held in that state on a fugitive warrant.Authorities said Officers Richard Mendez and Raul Ortiz had just arrived at work about 11 p.m. last Thursday when they heard breaking glass and saw several people breaking into a car in the parking lot at Philadelphia International Airport. A confrontation ensued, and the two officers and...

Carjacking suspect robs man at Oak Lawn gas station

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:50:48 GMT

OAK LAWN, Ill. — A carjacking suspect robbed a man of his cell phone and wallet at a gas station in Oak Lawn Wednesday morning.Oak Lawn police responded to a BP station, located in the 11000 block of South Pulaski, at around 8:30 a.m.A man was inside the gas station when he noticed another man enter his vehicle and take his phone and wallet.The man then went to confront the suspect and had a plastic bag pointed at him in a motion that suggested there was a gun, police said.The suspect, described as a Latino mean wearing a neon yellow safety jacket, white hardhat and a mask, then left the gas station in a silver Honda CRV.Authorities believe the silver Honda CRV was carjacked in Chicago. It was later found burnt out in Chicago, Oak Lawn police said.The man wanted in the gas station robbery is also believed to have conducted an armed robbery Wednesday morning in Worth.No one is in custody. Anyone with information can text a tip to 708-613-8477 or by calling police at 708-907-4051.

Arizona QB Kyler Murray activated from PUP list, says he's returning to practice

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:50:48 GMT

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Quarterback Kyler Murray said he's returning to the practice field for the Arizona Cardinals as he works to come back from a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered last season.The Cardinals announced Wednesday that Murray had been activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, about the same time the quarterback posted to social media that he was practicing. Arizona can activate Murray to the 53-man roster at any time during the next 21 days or at the conclusion of the three-week period. Murray got hurt against the New England Patriots on Dec. 12. He was flushed out of the pocket and running to his right when he tried to fake a defender, but tumbled to the grass in obvious pain.The two-time Pro Bowl selection signed a $230.5 million contract in 2022 that could keep him with the franchise until 2028. Also on Wednesday, Arizona's two-time All-Pro safety Budda Baker was designated to return from injured reserve. He's missed five straight games with...

Will the US send troops to Israel?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:50:48 GMT

(NewsNation) — The United States hasn’t sent its military to serve in combat as the Israel-Hamas war continues, but about 2,000 troops are on a “heightened state of readiness” following a prepare-to-deploy order.The order better positions the U.S. Department of Defense to respond to the rapidly evolving security environment in the Middle East, Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement Tuesday.No decision has been made to deploy U.S. forces. Should they take a more involved role, it would likely consist of advising and medical support, the Wall Street Journal first reported earlier this week. 2,000 troops on ‘prepare to deploy’ order amid Israel-Hamas war On Oct. 9, John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, said there was “no intention to put US boots on the ground,” at the time CNN reported.Meanwhile, the U.S. has been in communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken...

A 'beer culture summit' is returning to Chicago for a fifth-straight year

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:50:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Once again, a Chicago museum is giving fans of one of the most popular adult beverages the chance to learn some history about the drink.The Chicago Brewseum is hosting its fifth annual Beer Culture Summit from Wednesday through Saturday, with events taking place both at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 North Clark Street, and virtually over Zoom. Operating with the same mantra as the Brewseum itself, that beer is more than a beverage, the summit offers attendees the opportunity to learn about its history while also discovering its impact on society. "It's really about sharing stories about how beer has shaped humanity past and present," said Chicago Breseum executive director Liz Garibay to WGN News Now about the Beer Culture Summit. "With most history, it's only written by certain people for certain people. Beer is no different, so when our organization started - and really the summit is really a reflection of our organization - it's really focuses on sharing stories that...