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Harrison Smith puts in vintage performance to secure Vikings their first victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:47 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The first time head coach Kevin O’Connell chatted with defensive coordinator Brian Flores last winter, veteran safety Harrison Smith came up in conversation. If the Vikings were going to turn things around on defense, O’Connell and Flores agreed it was going to be with Smith leading the charge.“We started talking about the possibilities of that safety group as a whole,” O’Connell said. “It was an exciting conversation that all centered around No. 22 and getting him around the line of scrimmage and getting him involved in the rush and getting his hands on balls in coverage.”That discussion between O’Connell and Flores regarding everything Smith could do for the defense was brought to life on Sunday afternoon as the veteran safety led the Vikings to a 21-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Smith was a terror on defense for the whole game, lining up all over the field, and spooking rookie Panthers quarterback Bryce Yo...

Helping the homeless outside St. Louis City Hall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:47 GMT

ST. LOUIS – This week, the issue of homelessness in St. Louis City was front and center as the spotlight was on a homeless encampment right under Mayor Tishaura Jones’ window at city hall.Our You Paid For It crew spoke with some of the unhoused gathered at city hall, including a wife who is seven months pregnant, and another woman is without a home because no one would accept her service dog.After our initial reporter, Mary Carter and her dog got a huge break.“I got an apartment. A landlord reached out to me. He heard my story, he felt the sentiment to give me an apartment and give me a chance. And I haven’t let him down,” she said. “…It made me feel good. Made me feel like there’s worth out here there’s people with worth in their heart.”But Carter still laments the plight of others who are still unhoused.Those like William Clay and his wife, Erica. She’s seven months pregnant. The couple lives in tents at the encampment in front of city hall. They have three tents here. William has...

Hollywood actors, studios to resume negations this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:47 GMT

On Sunday, a day before negotiations are set to resume between striking actors and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, some actors joined members of Medieval Times Performers United, who have been on strike for seven months, to picket outside one of the restaurant’s locations in Buena Park.  The American Guild of Variety Artists, a sister union to SAG-AFTRA, represents Medieval Times performers.  “It’s incredibly heartening to see the AMPTP finally ready to seriously bargain with the writers and actors,” says Erin Zapcic, a strike captain for Medieval Times Performers United. “And as happy as we are for our union brothers and sisters, the reality is that Medieval Times has never once tried to end our strike and it’s been over seven months. We’re just as fired up as we’ve ever been, and we’re thrilled and honored to have SAG-AFTRA join us on our picket line to show this company we’re not going anywhere.”  As for SAG-AFTRA members, negotiators ...

On an ‘almost perfect’ day for 49ers QB Brock Purdy, one throw stands out

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:47 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Things are going so well for Brock Purdy right now that even his bad throws are yielding positive results.It was in the second quarter of the 49ers’ 35-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday that Purdy tossed up a deep ball that might’ve given instant heartburn to anyone rooting for the home team.Brandon Aiyuk was in the middle of double coverage about 40 yards downfield. If there was any opening to fit a ball in there, it required a telescope to find it. But that didn’t stop Purdy from launching one, a ball that could’ve been described as underthrown, but a ball that Purdy described as an “opportunity ball.”Aiyuk noticed it just in time, darted in front of two defenders and seized the opportunity with a fingertip catch that pushed the 49ers into scoring position.“I was trying to lead him to the right but there was a backside corner who came into the picture,” Purdy said. Aiyuk “did a great job adjusting ...

DC police: Woman fatally shot in SE home, suspect in custody

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:47 GMT

Police in the District say they have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of a woman in Southeast, D.C., early Sunday morning.In a news release, police said officers responding to reports of a shooting on the 4000 block of 13th Street found 52-year-old Patricia Johnson of Southeast, D.C., suffering from gunshot wounds in her residence. She later died on the scene.A suspect, 46-year-old Desmond Thurston of Southeast, D.C., was arrested and has been charged with First Degree Murder while Armed.According to police, detectives believe the fatal shooting was “domestic in nature.”Approximate location of Sunday morning’s shooting in Southeast, D.C.Source

Khalil Mack’s 6 sacks, Justin Herbert’s 3 touchdowns propel Chargers to 24-17 win over Raiders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:47 GMT

INGLEWOOD, Calif (AP) — With their $252.5 million quarterback wearing a splint on his non-throwing hand and down three starters on defense, the Los Angeles Chargers found a way to gut out their second straight win.The Chargers had a 17-point halftime lead, but needed a late stop on defense and a clutch throw from Justin Herbert in the final three minutes to pull out a 24-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.“It was a really tough performance with a bunch of guys out,” coach Brandon Staley said. “Our guys had their best at the end.”Khalil Mack set a franchise single-game record with six sacks and Herbert accounted for three touchdowns in the first half.Herbert got the middle finger in his left hand caught in the helmet of a Raiders player after being intercepted by Tre’von Moehrig. He wore a split on the hand during the fourth quarter.“You guys saw Justin’s toughness today, not that we needed to show anybody how tough he is. He’s a clutch player,” Staley ...

Miguel Cabrera and Terry Francona close careers as Tigers beat Guardians 5-2

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:47 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera made a backhanded stop, stepped on first base and smiled on the final play of his career.The crowd roared, Cabrera’s kids came out on the field and one of the best hitters of all time shed some tears before the Detroit Tigers closed the season with a 5-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday.“They give me a chance to say goodbye,” Cabrera said. “I’m going to appreciate this moment for the rest of my life.”The game also marked the end of Terry Francona’s career. Cleveland’s manager, who led Boston to a pair of World Series titles, is set to retire this week.“I don’t think I need to be eulogized,” Francona joked. “Maybe after my doctor’s appointment tomorrow, you never know.”Francona said the day belonged to Cabrera.It most certainly did.The only player to win the Triple Crown in more than a half-century went 0 for 3 with a walk in his last plate appearance.“I was kind of lost in the game because I can’t focus,” Ca...

Blackmon can earn up to $15 million in 2024 deal with Rockies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:47 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Veteran outfielder Charlie Blackmon can earn $2 million in performance bonuses as part of his 2024 contract with the Colorado Rockies, which would raise his pay to $15 million.Blackmon could earn the bonuses based on plate appearances: $500,000 each for 425, 450, 475 and 500. The deal announced Friday includes a base salary of $13 million.The 37-year-old hit .279 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 413 plate appearances over 96 games this season. He was sidelined between June 10 and Aug. 14 by a broken bone in his right hand, an injury sustained when he was hit by a pitch from Kansas City’s Daniel Lynch on June 3. Blackmon remained in the game and started the next four games.A four-time All-Star, Blackmon has spent his entire 13-season career with Colorado. Only first baseman Todd Helton at 17 seasons played longer for the Rockies.Blackmon was in the final season of a six-year contract guaranteeing $108 million, a deal he agreed to after winning the 2017 NL batting title ...

Playoff-bound Phillies rout Mets 9-1 in Buck Showalter’s finale as New York manager

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:47 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Alec Bohm hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning, sending the playoff-bound Philadelphia Phillies to a 9-1 victory Sunday in Buck Showalter’s final game as New York Mets manager.Bryce Harper and the defending NL champion Phillies will head home to face the Miami Marlins in a best-of-three wild-card series starting Tuesday. Miami went 7-6 against Philadelphia this season.“They won the season series, so they match up well with us,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “We have a lot of prep to do. They can beat you in a lot of different ways.”Brandon Marsh homered and finished with four RBIs for the Phillies (90-72), who won four more games than a season ago, when they qualified as the final National League wild card before reaching the World Series. Bryson Stott, Johan Rojas and Garrett Stubbs each had RBI hits, and Bohm also had a sacrifice fly.Matt Strahm tossed a perfect first inning as an opener before Nick Nelson (1-0) won his season debut with 5 1/3 innings o...

Escuelas públicas de Alexandria lanzan una aplicación para combatir el ausentismo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:47 GMT

Las secuelas de la pandemia aún se sienten en escuelas de la región. El ausentismo crónico es una de las principales causas.El ausentismo crónico en Virginia se define como faltar más de 18 días de escuela. El número de ausencias ha incrementado del 8% en el 2019 al 16% en 2021 y se ha quedado en el mismo nivel los últimos dos años. Para combatir esto, las Escuelas Públicas de la Ciudad de Alexandria lanzaron una aplicación llamada Parent Square para rastrear el ausentismo entre el sexto y doceavo grado en tiempo real. Registra informes al final del primer período, a la hora del almuerzo y después de la escuela. Luego, las notificaciones por correo electrónico y mensaje de texto se envían a los padres en su idioma preferido.Hope Murphy, la especialista en extensión comunitaria sobre la asistencia y absentismo para el distrito escolar, dijo que la aplicación ha sido una herramienta importante para notificar a familias. De acuerdo al Departamento de Educación de EEUU, los estudia...