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MSTCA meet: Peabody’s Alex Jackson shatters discus, shot put records

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:49:31 GMT

WEYMOUTH — Ever since it was first organized, the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association has delivered on its mission to provide the state’s top stars as many opportunities as possible to showcase their impeccable skills.On Saturday, nearly 1,600 up-and-coming athletes flocked to Weymouth High School for the annual Jim Hoar Freshman/Sophomore Invitational, each with high hopes of making a name for themselves.It might be time to start familiarizing yourself with Peabody’s Alex Jackson. The sophomore stole the show, shattering meet records in the discus throw (156 feet, 7 inches) as well as the shot put (58 feet, 6 inches). He was selected as one of the Most Outstanding Boys Athletes of the Meet for his performances.“(It feels) good,” said Jackson afterward. “Lot of hard work, but it finally came together.”Jackson was one of three individuals selected for the honor. Brockton sophomore Lucas Andrade was also chosen after finishing a double winner with victories in the high jump ...

Julius Randle, Knicks struggle in wire-to-wire blowout Game 3 loss to Jimmy Butler, Heat

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:49:31 GMT

MIAMI — Jimmy Butler returned and the Knicks just folded.Saving a terrible time to produce one of their most anemic offensive performances, New York was crushed Saturday afternoon by the Heat, 105-86, falling to a 2-1 series deficit.Butler was a difference maker with a game-high 28 points while appearing to reinjure his sprained ankle in the third quarter. But he wasn’t the Knicks’ biggest problem Saturday.They mostly have themselves to blame for the belly flop in Biscayne Bay.The Knicks, trailing wire-to-wire, shot just 34 percent overall while missing (shield your eyes, children) 32 of their 40 3-point attempts. The misfiring was widespread.Julius Randle, moving at ¾ speed through his abysmal 38 minutes, scored just 10 points on 4 of 15 shooting. Jalen Brunson missed all five of his 3-pointers.The Knicks bench, an issue since the start of the series, was again ineffective, with Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin and Quentin Grimes combining to miss 12 of their 16...

5 'glamping' sites for wary campers near San Diego

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:49:31 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- For those looking to enjoy the great outdoors in style and in comfort, there are several "glamping" sites in and near San Diego County that even the most wary campers would call home for a night.Short for glamorous camping, "glamping" has become more and more popular over the years for people who prefer sleeping on a real mattress and taking showers, yet still want to absorb all that is nature during overnight stays. 5 unique Airbnb stays in San Diego From lakeside luxury suites, desert dens and comfort stays atop Southern California's mountains, the San Diego region and surrounding area is just the place for today's "glamping" society to explore in solace. For those ready to book a cozy adventure, here are five "glamping" sites that are available to rent in San Diego County.Birdsong Backcountry Retreat -- Warner SpringsThis "glamping" site is smack-dab on an 85-acre backcountry property that is located just a couple miles from the North Mountain Wine Trail and ...

California’s Black reparations panel starts historic vote

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:49:31 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — California’s reparations task force began voting Saturday on recommendations for how the state may compensate and apologize to Black Californians for generations of harm caused by discriminatory policies. The nine-member committee, which first convened nearly two years ago, was giving final approval at a meeting in Oakland to a hefty list of proposals that will then go to state lawmakers to consider for reparations legislation.U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, who is cosponsoring a bill in Congress to study restitution proposals for African Americans, at the meeting called on states and the federal government to pass reparations legislation.“Reparations are not only morally justifiable, but they have the potential to address longstanding racial disparities and inequalities,” Lee said.The panel’s first vote approved a detailed account of historical discrimination against Black Californians in areas such as voting, housing, education, disproportionate poli...

In the shadow of 7 horse deaths, party goes on at the Derby

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:49:31 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — As the horses were loaded into the starting gate, Tedi Dietrich whispered a prayer.“Lord, let the horses get all the way around safe,” Dietrich said, watching the race Saturday on a giant screen erected amid the party in Churchill Downs’ courtyard.News had just broken that a sixth horse had died in the days and hours leading into the Derby. A seventh horse died later in the day.But here, in every direction, Derby-goers in fancy dresses and seersucker suits posed for selfies, fluffed the feathers in their hats and sipped mint juleps. It was a jarring contrast to reports of yet another horse being loaded into an equine ambulance in the stable area, just on the opposite side of the racetrack.All Dietrich could think to do was say a prayer before each race that day, and then keep enjoying the famous festivities.“People come for the party, for the experience,” Dietrich said. “Look around, look at all this enthusiasm. I think a lot of people aren’t following the new...

Mexican families get quick reunions with migrant relatives

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:49:31 GMT

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) — Tears flowed amid heartfelt embraces as Mexican families were allowed brief reunions at the border Saturday with relatives who migrated to the United States.As a mariachi band played the popular song “Las Mañanitas,” about 150 families passed over the Rio Grande to meet with loved ones they had not seen for years.Margarita Piña could not hide her emotion as she waited to greet her son, whom she hadn’t seen since he left home two years ago in the middle of the pandemic to seek a better future in the U.S.“It’s very hard because we don’t know what they’re suffering over there,” Piña said.Knowing their meeting would be limited to only five minutes, Piña said she would take advantage of the limited time to tell him “that we still love you very much.”It was the 10th edition of the “Hugs, not walls” event, which was organized by humanitarian groups near the Casa de Adobe Museum in the border city of Ciudad Juárez, which sprawls across the border from El P...

Speed reduction street fixtures installed in the Loop to combat drag racing

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:49:31 GMT

CHICAGO — last summer, drag racers and drifters created big headaches and safety concerns for residents as they took over city streets. Now, the Loop is better equipped to reduce the illegal meet ups, according to city officials.In an effort to curb drag racing and drifting downtown, several new speed reduction fixtures have been installed around the Loop where the incidents happened last year.The fixtures include several speed bumps, along with two detached bumps and a series of eight posts."It's definitely needed," said Fatima Rouf, a resident in the Loop. "You know that the speed bumps will slow them down." Tulips fill vacant lots in Chicago to highlight redlining The speed reduction fixtures are the latest implementation put in place to help address drag racing, drifting and other sideshows throughout the City. Last summer, City Council gave police the authority to tow vehicles and deflate tires of vehicles used in the illegal activities."I think it'll slow it down," said Leon...

Eloy Jiménez of White Sox hospitalized with abdominal pain

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:49:31 GMT

CINCINNATI (AP) — White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jiménez was hospitalized on Saturday due to abdominal pain.“He had some abdominal pain last night and it intensified throughout the night,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “This morning we took him to the hospital for further evaluation and he’s still there. We should know something shortly.”Jiménez is on a season-high eight-game hitting streak after going 1 for 4 with a single and two strikeouts in Friday night’s 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds. He went 3 for 5 with a homer and three RBIs on Thursday. Liam Hendriks gets a step closer to a return to the White Sox “Any time you have to go in with abdominal pain, it is scary,” Grifol said. “I talked to him this morning, and he said it hurt when he moves. It intensified a little bit, so we’re erring on the side of caution to see what it is.”The White Sox (11-22) have won four of their last five games after a poor April. Yasmani Grandal was to be the designated hitter on Saturda...

Isolated to scattered storms possible tonight

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:49:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After another hot and humid day, we're once again watching for the potential for storms this evening and tonight. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALS We're thinking coverage may reach about 30% of Central Texas with rain and storms this evening and tonight, leaving many of us staying very warm and dry.The highest chances for storms and even severe storms will be in the Hill Country.Northern and western San Saba County is under an Enhanced Risk (3 out of 5) for severe storms this evening. Much of the rest of the Hill Country will be under a slight risk (Category 2 of 5), but also parts of western Williamson, Travis and Hays County.Another late-afternoon/evening of strong to severe stormsOur main concerns with severe weather will be very large hail and damaging winds, but a low tornado threat exists for the Hill Country.Isolated to scattered storms will be possible through around midnight before storm chances drop off. Overnight lows drop into the low 70s with mostly clo...

Longhorns baseball evens Kansas series behind strong pitching

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:49:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - After suffering a loss in the series opener against Kansas Friday evening, the Texas baseball team bounced back with an impressive 6-2 victory Saturday to even the series.The Longhorns have been searching for consistency in the starting rotation behind regular Friday starter Lucas Gordon and got a major boost in Saturday's win. Lebarron Johnson Jr. returned to starting after a number of strong outings of the bullpen and made the Texas coaching staff look awful smart for the decision.Johnson went seven strong innings allowing just one run while striking out 12 Jayhawks. That is the redshirt sophomore's third straight outing where he's gone at least five innings and allowed one or zero runs.Coming in after Johnson Jr. was Ace Whitehead who held Kansas scoreless in the eighth before allowing an earned run in the ninth. Andre Duplantier II came in relief of Whitehead with the bases loaded and recorded the final two outs to earn his first save since 2020.The offense provi...