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Merzlikins makes 37 saves as Blue Jackets edge Devils 2-1

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:07 GMT

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Boone Jenner and Eric Robinson scored first-period goals and Elvis Merzlikins made 37 saves — including 20 in the third period — as the Columbus Blue Jackets downed the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Friday.Columbus won for the second-straight time after a nine-game losing streak while New Jersey lost its third in a row and for the sixth time in seven games.“We’ve seen him since the beginning of the season. He’s been really good for us,” Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent said of his winning netminder. “Elvis has been through a lot and it’s good to see the team regrouping around him and playing the right way in front of him.”Jenner opened the scoring at 10:04 with his 11th of the season. Johnny Gaudreau had the assist. Jenner has 14 points overall.Devils forward Alexander Holtz tied it at 13:15 of the first, snapping a wrist shot past Merzlikins for his fifth goal of the campaign. Ondrej Palat drew the lone assist.Columbus had a four-minute power play late in the ...

Ducas’ 23 lead Saint Mary’s over Davidson 89-55

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:07 GMT

MORAGA, Calif. (AP) — Alex Ducas scored 23 points as Saint Mary’s beat Davidson 89-55 on Friday night.Ducas added five assists for the Gaels (3-3). Augustas Marciulionis scored 17 points while shooting 6 for 11 (2 for 6 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free throw line. Aidan Mahaney had 17 points and shot 6 for 10, including 5 for 8 from beyond the arc.The Wildcats (3-3) were led by Grant Huffman, who posted 13 points. Angelo Brizzi added 12 points and five steals for Davidson. David Skogman also had nine points.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Ex-officer Derek Chauvin, convicted in George Floyd’s killing, stabbed in prison, AP source says

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:07 GMT

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, was stabbed by another inmate and seriously injured Friday at a federal prison in Arizona, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.The attack happened at the Federal Correctional Institution, Tucson, a medium-security prison that has been plagued by security lapses and staffing shortages. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the attack and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an incarcerated person was assaulted at FCI Tucson at around 12:30 p.m. local time Friday. In a statement, the agency said responding employees contained the incident and performed “life-saving measures” before the inmate, who it did not name, was taken to a hospital for further treatment and evaluation.No employees were injured and the FBI was notified, the Bureau of Prisons said. Visiting at the facility, which has about 380 inmates...

Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat running for president, says he won’t run for re-election to Congress

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:07 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips, who is running for president and challenging Joe Biden in the primary, announced Friday he will not seek reelection to Congress in 2024. “My journey to public service began the morning after the 2016 election, when I faced the reality that democracy requires participation – not observation,” the Minnesota congressman said in a statement.“Seven years have passed, each presenting historic opportunities to practice a brand of optimistic politics that repairs relationships and improves people’s lives. We have met those moments, and after three terms it is time to pass the torch,” he added. While Phillips has been effusive in his praise for Biden, the 54-year-old also says Democrats need younger voices to avoid a scenario where Trump wins another election next fall. Several prominent Democrats — including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — have criticized Phillips’ decision to run against Biden, likening it to a “political ...

RCMP delaying investigation into unit that polices B.C. resource protests: watchdog

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:07 GMT

OTTAWA — The federal agency tasked with reviewing complaints against the RCMP says the police force is causing “significant delays” to an investigation of a unit set up to deal with protests against energy and logging projects. In an investigation update this week, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP says it has received “little information or records” since July from the police force’s E Division, headquartered in Surrey, B.C.The commission says it has made progress in its probe of the controversial Community-Industry Response Unit, but says finishing the investigation will be delayed.It says a recent meeting between the commission and the RCMP outlined “concerns about the delays,” and the force has since provided it with more than 400 files, though “significant” information is yet to be provided. The investigation was initiated in March to look into whether the unit’s policing of protests was consis...

Ranking the swing states: Where is Biden most in danger against Trump?

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:07 GMT

President Biden’s reelection will largely come down to how he performs in six key battleground states in 2024 as he prepares for a rematch against former President Trump.Despite Biden’s considerable pickups in 2020, some Democrats are sounding the alarm about his chances next year and are careful not to be overly optimistic. Recent polling out of the major swing states has only raised fears for the incumbent, as some have shown Biden trailing Trump.Arizona, Nevada and Georgia are shaping up to be particularly tough contests as his poll numbers drop with once-reliable constituencies including Black, Latino and young voters. Meanwhile, full-blown battlegrounds such as Michigan and Pennsylvania are also showing signs of shifting away from Biden, fueling the sense that the Midwest — the bedrock of Biden’s last victory — could be up for grabs next year.Here are the six toughest battlegrounds for Biden in November.ArizonaArizona was one of the states at the center of Biden’s victory in 20...

Prep Bowl roundup: Hutchinson, Eden Valley-Watkins, Minneota win titles

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:07 GMT

Class 4AHutchinson 14, Rocori 6: After falling in the state title game to Simley one year ago, Hutchinson pulled through Friday, avenging a loss from earlier this season in the process.Charles Renner ran in two scores for the Tigers (11-2), including the game-winner with 6 minutes, 36 seconds to play in regulation that broke a 6-6 tie.Rocori (10-3) took its ensuing drive all the way to the Hutchinson 28-yard line before Nathan Thode — who also rushed for 88 yards — secured an interception. Hutchinson then ran for a pair of first downs to milk away the clock.Caleb Maddox had 80 yards receiving and a score for Rocori.Rocori beat Hutchinson 11-0 back in September, but the Spartans mustered just 181 yards of total offense against Hutchinson’s top-tier defense. The Tigers ran 73 plays of offense to Rocori’s 31, and possessed the ball for 34 of the game’s 48 minutes.Hutchinson — which has played in the final in each of the last three years — now h...

How savvy homebuyers use mortgage strategies to cut their interest rates

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:07 GMT

After years of record-low mortgage rates, many homebuyers are frustrated by paying more than 8 percent interest to buy a new home.“Nobody loves rates in the high 7s or 8s,  but they’re not sticker shocked like they were in the beginning,” said Nicole Rueth, senior vice president of The Rueth Team powered by Movement Mortgage.However, using mortgage strategies can reduce monthly payments and save thousands over the loan’s lifetime.Rate buydownsThese strategies include 3-2-1 or 2-1 rate temporary buydowns on fixed-rate mortgages, permanent rate buydowns, adjustable-rate mortgages, cash purchases, and utilizing down payment assistance programs.A 3-2-1 mortgage buydown reduces the interest rate by 3% in the first year, 2% in the second year, and 1% in the third year. After the buydown period ends, the mortgage reverts to the original rate.A 2-1 buydown lowers the mortgage interest rate for the first two years before it rises to its regular, permanent rate.“For most people, it would make...

Chicago family rescued from Greenhorn Mountain in southern Colorado

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:07 GMT

A family of five visiting from Chicago was rescued from Greenhorn Mountain in southern Colorado on Wednesday night after they became fatigued and stranded, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.The family of three adults and two children set out from the Greenhorn Trailhead on Wednesday morning, which is about 35 miles southwest of Pueblo near the town of Rye. Greenhorn Trail is an eight-mile moderate trail that includes 3,880 feet of elevation gain, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The hikers were near the summit when they were hampered by the effects of altitude, unexpected snow and their experience level, according to Pueblo County officials.As the sun started to set, the group realized they had a long way to go with no food and inadequate clothing, and called 911 for help.A Pueblo County Search and Rescue team was flown by Flight for Life to the top of North Peak and found the family via GPS and gave them food, water and warming supplies.The rescue team hiked with...

Broncos seek to improve run defense as they prepare for matchup against Cleveland Browns

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:07 GMT

If the Minnesota Vikings ran the ball the entire game against Denver, the outcome might’ve been different.The Vikings, who had one of the worst rushing attacks in the league, ran the ball all over Denver’s defense, totaling a season-high 175 yards on the ground. Starting running back Alexander Mattison had 81 yards, while Ty Chandler had 73 yards despite rushing for a combined 87 in 10 games prior to Week 11.Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has coached his tail off in recent weeks. Denver has gone from allowing 70 points to the Miami Dolphins to forcing 13 turnovers in four games. However, its run defense remains an issue, which doesn’t bode well against Cleveland on Sunday, as the Browns have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL.“I’m impressed every year when I watch (the Browns),” head coach Sean Payton said. “They’ve always got a good run game plan. We know that heading into this game.”Denver showed signs of improvement as a run defense when it held the Kans...