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NCAA takes seat on bench in the political game

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

The NCAA has taken a seat on the bench in the political game.The organization that governs college athletics was once at the forefront of hot-button issues such as the Confederate flag and transgender rights.But that stance evolved quickly as one Republican-controlled state after another rushed to pass laws that supporters hail as a war on “wokeness,” even as critics deride them as exclusionary and a step backward in human decency.The NCAA’s new approach came into sharper focus during March Madness as Texas — which has largely banned abortion and was debating a host of proposals that would limit gay and transgender rights — prepares to host both the men’s and women’s Final Four this weekend.Nary a word has been spoken about moving these events out of Houston and Dallas.“It’s just an extraordinary time, which requires extraordinary courage, an uncommon courage,” said Ricardo Martinez, the CEO of Equality Texas. “I’m disappointed that the NCAA is not bein...

Attack on mail carrier in Lakewood similar to others across country

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

LAKEWOOD, Co (KDVR) -- An officer who was injured in a shooting in Lakewood Monday is now back home and resting.He was one of several officers who responded to a call for help where a mail carrier was allegedly being robbed.Turns out attacks on mail carriers, we are learning, are part of a trend across the country.Lakewood police say an armed teenage juvenile female was shot and killed after allegedly robbing a mail carrier in the 400 block of South Oak Street. Juvenile armed robbery suspect dies after gunfire exchange in Lakewood Lakewood police told FOX31 the juvenile had a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic handgun.A second female juvenile escaped but was later detained in the town of Frederick.Police say why they were attempting to rob the mail carrier is not clear just yet.“Anecdotally, in the past, we have seen people trying to steal mail because there might be stimulus checks in there or credit card information or tax refunds," Lakewood Detective Rob Albrets said. "That’s a big thi...

Doja Cat, Harry Styles win big at 2023 iHeartRadio Awards

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

The iHeartRadio Music Awards gave love to the most popular artists from the past year, and for their 10th anniversary show, all the stops had to be pulled out.They honored icons and filled the stage with star-studded performances, and yes, if you think Doja Cat was 90% of what you heard this year, you were right.Pink opened the iHeartRadio Music Awards and Lenny Kravitz handled the hosting.The night was all to honor the most-played artists of the year on iHeartRadio.Doja Cat, was the Most Played of the Year! surprise?Harry Styles won Artist of the Year.Pink accepted her Icon Award.Taylor Swift: “The hundreds or thousands of dumb ideas that I’ve had are what led me to my good ideas. You have to give yourself permission to fail.”Truth from Innovator Award-winner Taylor Swift.

Officials highlight Fenway Park improvements ahead of Red Sox Opening Day 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

Opening Day for the Red Sox at Fenway Park this year will bring with it a series of improvements at the concession stands and beyond. With Opening Day now just around the corner, officials gathered at Fenway Park this week to showcase items including a revamped locker room for the Red Sox, new LED field lighting and expanded artificial intelligence self check-out. “We have definitely turned the page,” Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner said. “It’s been a great vibe in spring training all March and [we’re] really looking forward to getting going here on Thursday.”Mayor Michelle Wu got a walk through Fenway’s improvements on Tuesday. The improvements, officials said, are all aimed at delivering a better experience. New food favorites are also coming to the ballpark, including gluten free pizza, helmet nacho dish and crispy avocado fries.With the first pitch just a few days away, officials said Boston has much to look forward to.“We need to stay healthy, grind at bats, throw st...

New MBTA GM will collect $185K pension from New York on top of $470K Boston salary

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

Incoming MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng will be taking in a roughly $185,000 pension from New York while being paid more than half a million dollars during his first year in Boston.Eng, former president of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road, came out of retirement to work for the MBTA, but remains retired with the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System, which is paying him a gross monthly pension of $15,357.39, according to a spokesperson for the New York State Comptroller’s office.Eng, who stepped down from his MTA post in February 2022, retired from New York’s ERS the following month, March 31, 2022, the spokesperson said. His monthly pension equates to $184,288 in annual compensation, which he can continue to collect while working at the MBTA, where he will be one of the highest-paid transit leaders in the country.“Mr. Eng’s post-retirement employment with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation would not impact his continuing to recei...

Red Sox top prospect Ceddanne Rafaela back in Double-A to start season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

Ceddanne Rafaela will begin the 2023 season in Double-A Portland.It’s a decision that may come as a surprise as the 22-year-old top prospect emerged as a formidable defender when he moved from shortstop to the outfield last year, and draws comparisons to a young Mookie Betts.Rafaela skyrocketed to No. 3 in the Red Sox farm system, and finished the year as the organization’s Minor League Defensive Player of the Year. He also hit .299/.342/.539 with 32 doubles, 10 triples, and 21 home runs, 82 runs scored, 86 RBI, and 28 stolen bases between High-A (45 games) and Double-A (71 games).Added to the 40-man roster last November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, this was Rafaela’s first spring at major league camp. He appeared in 16 Grapefruit League games, going 7-for-32 with no extra-base hits, five runs, four RBI, a walk, and six strikeouts. He also went 1-for-3 in stolen-base attempts before the Red Sox optioned him to the minor leagues on March 13.A small, but underwhelming sample ...

Anthony Volpe caps-off stellar spring with standout performance in Yankees’ exhibition game vs. Nationals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

The Anthony Volpe spring show featured a grand finale with a highly-anticipated encore beginning Thursday.The Yankees fell to the Nationals 3-0 Tuesday at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. in an exhibition matchup as a final tune-up before the regular season kicks off on Thursday.With a lineup that featured most of their likely Opening Day starters — excluding Giancarlo Stanton who had the afternoon off — Volpe was slotted in the No. 9 spot and displayed exactly why his 22 games at Triple-A were deemed enough to make the major league roster.In the bottom of the second, Nationals’ shortstop CJ Abrams ripped a grounder up the middle in which Volpe gathered with a full extension dive and fired to first in time. A few minutes later, the 21-year-old ripped a 101.2 mph single to left field and capped off his performance with a stellar running full-extension catch that knocked him off his feet in the bottom of the fourth.The New Jersey native finished 1-for-2 on the after...

Hingham man indicted on charges in deadly Apple Store crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

The 53-year-old Hingham man accused of slamming his SUV into an Apple Store, killing one person and seriously injuring 22 others, has been indicted on charges in connection to the deadly crash.Bradley Rein on Tuesday was indicted on one count of murder in the second degree and one count of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation in the death of 65-year-old Kevin Bradley, who lived in Wayne, N.J.The Plymouth County grand jury also voted to indict Rein on reckless operation of a motor vehicle; 18 counts of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; and four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for injuring 22 other people in the wreck.Rein allegedly drove his SUV through the Hingham Apple Store’s plate glass storefront window at around 10:45 a.m. on Nov. 21, leaving a gaping hole in the storefront.Hingham Police responded to the crash in the Derby Shops after receiving 911 calls about a vehicle plowing into the store’s window, with multip...

Orioles return Rule 5 pick Andrew Politi to Red Sox as bullpen competition narrows

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

One former Rule 5 pick being put in the Orioles’ rotation opened a potential spot in their bullpen for another. But right-hander Andrew Politi’s time in the organization came to an end Tuesday.Baltimore returned the 26-year-old to the Boston Red Sox after he cleared waivers. Taken in December’s Rule 5 draft, Politi was required to remain on the Orioles’ active roster all season to be guaranteed of staying with the organization, but he was designated for assignment for Baltimore to select the contract of left-hander Danny Coulombe, who the team acquired in a trade for cash with the Minnesota Twins on Monday.When the Orioles decided to give right-hander Tyler Wells their fifth rotation spot over top prospect Grayson Rodriguez, it seemingly created a place in their bullpen that could have gone to Politi. A Rule 5 draft choice before the 2021 season, Wells pitched in relief that year and briefly served as the Orioles’ closer but returned to the rotation in ...

What's the forecast for Padres Opening Day?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Our weather team may sound like a broken record, but here we go again with more rain headed for San Diego.Another storm system on the horizon will bring widespread light rain, strong winds and mountain snow Wednesday and Thursday.Satellite imagery showed a strong low-pressure system off the coast of Oregon and Northern California Tuesday morning. It's expected to take a dive southward and closer to Central California by late Wednesday, but will lose intensity as it moves closer to San Diego County. What to know about Padres Opening Day In Southern California, onshore flow has started to increase. Winds will be consistent over the course of Wednesday with strongest gusts in mountain communities. Rain will move in by late morning Wednesday with widespread showers expected in the afternoon. That is the first round of precipitation with this system. The second round will happen Wednesday night into Thursday and feature showery conditions with chances of thunderstorms...