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Pelicans star Williamson sitting out with illness as team deals with “bug.” Mitchell out for Cavs

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:54 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — New Orleans star forward Zion Williamson sat out Thursday night against Cleveland because an unspecified illness as the Pelicans deal with a flu bug.Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell also missed his second straight game with an illness.Pelicans coach Willie Green said Williamson did not travel with the Pelicans. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick was one of three players listed as having non-COVID illnesses on the injury report. Jonas Valanciunas and Herb Jones were the others.“It’s that time of year where, you have some illnesses going around all the teams,” Green said. “We got some guys dealing with a little bit of a bit of a bug. That’s kind of where we are.”Williamson was listed as questionable on the injury report before the Pelicans changed his status about two hours before tip-off — even though he wasn’t the team. He’s averaging 22 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 23 games.Williamson scored 13 points in the Pelicans’ 115-113 lo...

No. 2 UCLA dominates in the paint and routs Hawaii 85-46 to go 11-0

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:54 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — No. 2 UCLA cruised undefeated through its nonconference schedule, beating ranked UConn, Florida State and Ohio State on the road.Now, the Bruins are about to face their biggest test yet.They’ll take on No. 6 Southern California after Christmas in the teams’ Pac-12 opener in a game expected to be a sellout at Pauley Pavilion.“It’s going to be a blast,” coach Cori Close said Thursday after the Bruins routed Hawaii 85-46 to finish 11-0 in nonleague play. “We’re not even close to playing our best basketball.”Charisma Osborne scored 17 points and UCLA had over half its points in the paint in the first half.The Rainbow Wahine had no answer inside for 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts, who towered 3 inches over their tallest player. Even when double-teamed, Betts fought through to draw a foul. She finished with 16 points and seven rebounds. Hawaii’s starting center, Brooklyn Rewers, picked up three fouls in the first half.The Bruins led 45-16 at halftime, out...

Coming off surprising win, Panthers look to slow down QB Jordan Love, Packers on Sunday

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:54 GMT

GREEN BAY (6-8) at CAROLINA (2-12)Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox.BETTING LINE: Packers by 4 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.AGAINST THE SPREAD: Green Bay 7-7, Carolina 3-9-2.SERIES RECORD: Packers lead 10-6.LAST MEETING: Packers beat Panthers 24-16 on Dec. 19, 2020, in Green Bay. LAST WEEK: Packers lost to Buccaneers 34-20; Panthers beat Falcons 9-7.PACKERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (18), RUSH (21), PASS (17), SCORING (18-T).PACKERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (23), RUSH (30), PASS (12), SCORING (17-T).PANTHERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (30), RUSH (17), PASS (31), SCORING (29).PANTHERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (3), RUSH (20), PASS (3), SCORING (29).TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Packers even; Panthers minus-6. PACKERS PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Dontayvion Wicks had six catches for 97 yards against Tampa Bay to set career highs in both categories. The fifth-round pick from Virginia has teamed up with second-round selection Jayden Reed to give the Packers a pair of promising rookie wideouts. Wicks has only one touchdown, but he has had a...

Lawyer says Haslam testimony supports Berkshire’s bribery allegations in Pilot truck stop chain suit

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:54 GMT

DOVER, Del. (AP) — Deposition testimony from billionaire Jimmy Haslam supports claims by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathway that Haslam tried to bribe employees at the Pilot truck stop chain amid a dispute with Berkshire over the future of the company, a Berkshire attorney told a judge Thursday.In a deposition Tuesday, Haslam denied offering a “side payment” to Pilot Travel Centers controller David Clothier if the Haslam family exercises its right to sell its remaining 20% stake in PTC to Berkshire, attorney Ryan Stottmann told Vice Chancellor Morgan Zurn.Just minutes later, however, Haslam testified that he has an informal agreement with two dozen PTC employees to reinstate their lucrative executive bonus plan if the Haslams sell their stake in the company, according to Stottmann.Stottmann described Haslam’s admission as “stunning,” given that attorneys for Haslam’s Pilot Corp. have told the judge that Berkshire’s bribery allegations were false, meritless and “wild inventions.”“The...

Gunman opens fire in a Prague university, killing 14 people in Czech Republic’s worst mass shooting

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:54 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — A student opened fire Thursday at a university in Prague, killing at least 14 people, officials said, and injuring more than 20 in the Czech Republic’s worst mass shooting.The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said. The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.Vondrasek said in the evening that 14 people had died and 25 were injured, after earlier reporting that 15 had died and 24 were hurt. He didn’t explain the change. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise. Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier Thursday in his hometown of Ho...

Raiders head to Kansas City on Monday for Christmas Day showdown in AFC West

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:54 GMT

LAS VEGAS (6-8) at KANSAS CITY (9-5)Monday, 1 p.m. EST, CBSOPENING LINE: Chiefs by 10, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.AGAINST THE SPREAD: Raiders 7-6-1; Chiefs 7-6-1.SERIES RECORD: Chiefs lead 73-54-2.LAST MEETING: Chiefs beat Raiders 31-17 on Nov. 26 in Las Vegas.LAST WEEK: Raiders beat Chargers 63-21; Chiefs beat Patriots 27-17.RAIDERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (29), RUSH (32), PASS (22), SCORING (24)RAIDERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (17), RUSH (23), PASS (11), SCORING (T9)CHIEFS OFFENSE: OVERALL (7), RUSH (20), PASS (3), SCORING (T10)CHIEFS DEFENSE: OVERALL (4), RUSH (13), PASS (5), SCORING (3)TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Raiders minus-5; Chiefs minus-8.RAIDERS PLAYER TO WATCH: Running back Zamir White filled in admirably for Josh Jacobs, who was out with a quad injury, by running for 69 yards and scoring his first career touchdown last week against the Chargers. The Chiefs are much better against the pass than the run, so it could be up to White to help the Raiders set the tone on offense.CHIEFS PLAYE...

Alex Verdugo shaves off beard 2 months early to get Yankees feeling after trade

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:54 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Verdugo complied with the New York Yankees’ rule against facial hair by a lot more than a whisker. He clipped off his red beard two months before spring training.“My mom loves it,” he said Thursday, showing off his impeccably shaved cheeks during a Zoom news conference. “My mom thinks I look like her little boy again. She says I look like I’m back in high school.”New York acquired the 27-year-old outfielder from the Boston Red Sox on Dec. 5 for right-handers Greg Weissert, Richard Fitts and Nicholas Judice, part of an offseason makeover that included getting slugging All-Star Juan Soto in a trade with San Diego the following day.Yankees owner George Steinbrenner issued a code in 1976 banning facial hair other than mustaches, lengthy locks that dropped below the collar and long sideburns. Once Verdugo was dealt to New York, he felt razor focused to conform.“It was kind of bothering me, man. That was the biggest thing going to the Yankees, you have to be cle...

Wyatts Towing settles for $1M with Colorado AG for years of illegal tows

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:54 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Wyatts Towing has reached a $1 million settlement with Colorado for thousands of illegal tows and deceptive business practices going back to 2019, the attorney general announced Thursday.A months-long investigation into Wyatts revealed several issues, including unpermitted and unauthorized tows, illegal fees and illegally kept consumer funds, according to the Colorado Attorney General's Office."Wyatts Towing used deceptive practices and broke the law to make a quick buck,” Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement. "They are now taking responsibility and cooperating to resolve this case. While consumers who knew to complain got their money back, those without the time, training or awareness to act as their own lawyers got cheated out of their hard-earned money." Colorado law requires drivers to pay traffic camera citations Wyatts Towing is among a group of companies owned by Towing Holdings. Workers monitor private parking lots to tow improperly parked vehic...

RTD fares are getting cheaper starting Jan. 1

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:54 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Regional Transportation District is implementing a new systemwide fare structure on Jan. 1 to simply and lower fares for all RTD services.The fares and structure were approved by the RTD Board of Directors in July. The change is a result of a yearlong, system-wide study that analyzed fares and equity. RTD will be free on New Year’s Eve The new fare system consolidates fare zones into two categories, local and airport. By reducing the number of fare zones and removing the regional fare, customers will pay a flat standard fare for all travel except for trips originating or ending at Denver International Airport, although airport travel is included in the cost of monthly passes and discount fares. RTD fares starting in 2024RTD's new fares are as follows:RTD PassStandard FareDiscount3 Hour Pass$2.75$1.35Day Pass$5.50$2.70Airport Day Pass$10---Monthly Pass (includes airport)$88$27Fares published by RTD.The fare structure will also allow youths to ride for free, a c...

Boulder police: Move over, slow down and prepare for winter driving

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:20:54 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Numerous agencies are warning drivers to slow down, move over, and stay aware while driving during the busy holiday traffic weekend.Boulder police officers were conducting traffic enforcement throughout the city of Boulder on Thursday, and officers are warning drivers to slow down and move over if they see a vehicle pulled over with its flashers on. Where and when Colorado roads will be most congested this holiday season At the same time, the Colorado Department of Transportation is warning drivers of returning winter weather over the holiday weekend.One Boulder officer clocked a driver going 82 mph in a 60 mph zone coming into town. Under Colorado law, a speeding violation of driving 1-24 mph over the posted speed limit is a Class A traffic infraction. Anything over 24 mph above the posted speed limit enters the range of misdemeanor traffic offenses.The warning comes only a few days after a high-speed residential crash in Broomfield, leaving a mother and her teen...