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Los Angeles faces Washington, looks to end road skid

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:53 GMT

Los Angeles Sparks (9-18, 6-10 Western Conference) at Washington Mystics (13-13, 6-9 Eastern Conference)Washington; Sunday, 3 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK WNBA LINE: Mystics -2.5; over/under is 155.5BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles will aim to end its seven-game road skid when the Sparks play Washington.The Mystics are 9-4 on their home court. Washington is third in the Eastern Conference with 25.8 defensive rebounds per game led by Shakira Austin averaging 6.2.The Sparks are 2-10 on the road. Los Angeles is fifth in the Western Conference with 25.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Nneka Ogwumike averaging 7.3.The teams meet for the second time this season. The Mystics won 79-77 in the last matchup on Aug. 4.TOP PERFORMERS: Brittney Sykes is averaging 14.3 points, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals for the Mystics. Tianna Hawkins is averaging 12.8 points over the last 10 games for Washington.Dearica Hamby is averaging 9.7 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Sparks. Ogwumike is averaging 19.7 points ove...

Billion-dollar ‘Barbie’: Break-out summer blockbuster in rare company

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:53 GMT

Greta Gerwig should be feeling closer to fine these days. In just three weeks in theaters, “Barbie” is set to sail past $1 billion in global ticket sales, breaking a record for female directors that was previously held by Patty Jenkins, who helmed “Wonder Woman.”“Barbie,” which Gerwig directed and co-wrote, added another $53 million from 4,178 North American locations this weekend according to studio estimates on Sunday. The Margot Robbie-led and produced film has been comfortably seated in first place for three weeks and it’s hardly finished yet. Warner Bros. said the film will cross $1 billion before the end of the day.In modern box office history, just 53 movies have made over $1 billion, not accounting for inflation, and “Barbie” is now the biggest to be directed by one woman, supplanting “Wonder Woman’s” $821.8 million global total. Three movies that were co-directed by women are still ahead of “Barbi...

‘Extraordinarily dangerous conduct:’ Driver faces charges for allegedly hitting, attacking pedestrian on Seaport sidewalk

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:53 GMT

A Hyde Park woman is facing multiple charges after a chaotic late night incident involving allegedly driving on a Seaport sidewalk, striking a pedestrian, attacking the pedestrian on foot, hitting a light pole and fire hydrant as she fled the scene, and resisting arrest, the DA’s office said in a release Sunday.“This is extraordinarily dangerous conduct, particularly in a residential and destination area heavy with patrons exiting restaurants and bars,” DA Kevin Hayden said of the July 30 incident. “To place pedestrians who are simply enjoying a Boston summer evening in such imminent danger is beyond irresponsible — it is reckless and, potentially, lethal.”The alleged driver, Emily Verrochi, 28, was arraigned last Monday in South Boston BMC on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, malicious destruction of property over $1,200 and resisting arrest.Judge Michael Bolden set bail at $1,000 and ordered...

House fire and reported explosion in Indiana kills 2 and injures another, authorities say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:53 GMT

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Two people in their 90s died and a third person was injured when a fire and reported explosion destroyed a home in west-central Indiana, authorities said.Crawfordsville Fire Chief Scott Busenbark said crews were called Saturday morning to a house fire and found one person on the home’s front lawn. He said the injured person was flown by helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital in stable condition, WXIN-TV reported.Busenbark said first responders who entered the house after the fire was put out found two people dead. The deceased were identified by the Montgomery County Coroner as Richard Chastain, 90, and Marilyn Fox, 91.WISH-TV reported that neighbors told the fire department they heard an explosion about 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The State Fire Marshal is investigating.R. Martin Umbarger, a retired major general with the Indiana National Guard, told WISH-TV that Chastain was a retired Indiana National Guard general and “the kind of man you expected to live fore...

Man whose body was found in a barrel in Malibu had been shot in the head, coroner says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:53 GMT

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — A man whose naked body was found inside a barrel in Malibu, California, last week was shot in the head, a coroner has determined.The man was identified Wednesday by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office as 32-year-old Javonnta Marshann Murphy but no cause of death was given at the time. The coroner’s case information now lists the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday. The circumstances that led to Murphy being shot and sealed inside a barrel remain under investigation by the Los Angeles County sheriff’s office.The 55-gallon (208-liter) black plastic barrel was first spotted July 30 floating in a Malibu lagoon and brought in with a kayak by a maintenance worker, but it was not immediately opened.The Sheriff’s Department said the barrel was opened July 31 by a lifeguard at Malibu Lagoon State Beach, who had retrieved it after it washed back into the lagoon.It was not known how long the body had been in the...

Days of torrential rains and floods in Austria have left 1 person dead, officials say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:53 GMT

VIENNA (AP) — Torrential rains and heavy floods have ravaged southern Austria for the past three days, killing one person who was swept away by a quickly swelling river on Sunday, officials said. After the person fell into the river, firefighters, divers and water rescuers immediately began rescue operations, according to the press department of the Carinthia province. But rescuers were only able to recover the dead body.Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed condolences on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, saying that “our thoughts are with the relatives” of the person killed.Since Friday, the southern Austrian provinces of Carinthia and Styria have been heavily affected by torrential rains, mudslides and rising rivers, with water surging into buildings. Several villages have been evacuated. Army soldiers are helping emergency personnel in the recovery effort. They are pumping water, evacuating civilians and setting up emergency shelters. In total, 2.500 ...

5 times credit card rewards aren't worth it (and 1 rule breaker)

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:53 GMT

(NerdWallet) - More often than not, using a credit card to pay for things you already budgeted for is the right move. Credit cards offer fraud and purchase protection, and with responsible use, they can build your credit score. They’re also money-saving tools — except when they’re not.Some credit cards reward you for your spending — whether in the form of cash back, points or miles — at rates that can be quite generous. However, those rates can be outdone by interest when you don’t pay off the entire card balance or credit card processing fee: Some merchants impose surcharges on credit card payments to cover the cost of interchange fees that they must pay to the card issuers. These added fees can be hard to spot, but they're becoming increasingly common.Whether a credit card or cash is the most cost-effective payment method depends on your card’s rewards rate, any card processing fee and your ability to avoid interest charges. With a little financial awareness, you’ll know how to us...

Man accused of shooting Austin police officer in 2021 sentenced

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 24-year-old man was sentenced July 25 in connection with a shooting that injured an Austin police officer on April 9, 2021.According to Travis County court documents, 24-year-old Gregorio Sarmiento pleaded guilty July 18 to aggravated assault of a public servant, a first-degree felony. Sarmiento previously faced a charge of attempted capital murder of a peace officer, according to court records. PAST COVERAGE: Man accused of shooting Austin officer and another motorist in April 9 incident As a part of the plea, Sarmiento negotiated a 30-year cap for the sentence, according to court documents. Documents showed Sarmiento was sentenced to 20 years in state prison, with a jail credit of 838 days toward his sentence.

'Fleeing for our lives': Hays County residents, businesses recount escaping 400-acre Oak Grove Fire

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:53 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hays County Office of Emergency Management and several Central Texas agencies continue to respond to the Oak Grove Fire, a 400-acre blaze that's 30% contained as of Sunday morning.The fire began Saturday afternoon and was first reported near Oak Grove Road near San Marcos. On Sunday, officials with the Texas A&M Forest Service said there was no fire growth overnight or current evacuations in place. Neighbors and businesses KXAN spoke with described the moments they saw the plumes of smoke, with others recounting seeing the flames skim parts of their property.Resident Debbie Jackson's sister is located near the Oak Grove Fire. She said her sister had water hoses and was trying to put out the fire as it neared their property. RELATED: Oak Grove wildfire estimated at 400 acres, 30% contained; Kyle mayor said 1 home destroyed "She was very scared," Jackson said. "It came up at the back of their property, and it came from the back and skimmed the bo...

Hot mic catches Gophers coach P.J. Fleck’s ultra-guarded approach in fall camp

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:53 GMT

As usual Saturday, head coach P.J. Fleck wore a portable microphone as he zipped around the Gophers’ open practice at Huntington Bank Stadium.It provided dividends — and a rare, insightful moment.Fleck was able to readily give out coaching tips — in particular teaching a young wideout proper hand placement to reel in a low throw — as well as bursts of praise for standout plays, including one from top cornerback Justin Walley.“Good job, Walley!” Fleck bellowed, and his voice carried throughout the stadium.Later in that same 11-on-11 period, Fleck’s mic became hot.“Not showing Big Ten Network our … offense!” Fleck bellowed toward that unit.The Gophers had stripped down its offensive playbook with the conference’s TV partner, local media members and fans in the building for the first time this preseason.While its not atypical to keep schematic details private, the hot mic situation was a continuation of Fleck’s modus operandi to not share many, if any, details of how his team will look...