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Federal judge blocks Arizona law banning transgender athletes from girls’ sports teams

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:50 GMT

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked Arizona from enforcing a law banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ school sports teams.The judge in Tucson granted a preliminary injunction to allow processing of a lawsuit filed on behalf of two transgender girls against the state’s “Save Women’s Sports Act,” which was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature last year.The lawsuit argues the law violates federal Title IX, the law barring sex discrimination in schools receiving federal funds, and the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, who is a defendant in the case, said the decision will be appealed.“This will ultimately be decided by the United States Supreme Court, and they will rule in our favor,” Horne said in a statement. Arizona is one of several states and some school districts that have passed laws limiting access to school sports teams or other faciliti...

Japanese, US and South Korean officials condemn the North’s weapons plans but urge dialogue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:50 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Senior officials from Japan, the U.S. and South Korea condemned North Korea over its recent ICBM-class ballistic missile launches and vowed to step up their trilateral cooperation to strengthen deterrence and sanctions against the North, while stressing the need for dialogue with Pyongyang.Their meeting Thursday in the central Japanese city of Karuizawa comes days after North Korea’s solid-fuel ICBM launch last week, which landed in the water off the western coast of Japan’s northern main island of Hokkaido and one day after the launch of two missiles on Wednesday. The U.S. special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, also said that the United States was “working hard” to gather information about an American soldier who fled to the North earlier this month. The U.S. was seeking to ensure his safety and return him home, Kim said. Pvt. Travis King, 23, had been held in South Korea on assault charges and was released on July 10 after serving his time. He was taken to ...

Canadian rapper Drake, actor Michael B. Jordan invest in pickleball team

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:50 GMT

The pickleball craze is real, folks.Canadian rapper Drake and Creed actor Michael B. Jordan announced on Thursday they have both invested in the Brooklyn Aces, an organization part of Major League Pickleball (MLP).“We’re thrilled to have this incredible group of investors join the Brooklyn Aces as we continue to grow the team and raise the profile of Major League Pickleball as a whole,” Aces majority owner Rich Kleiman said.“It’s the idea of bringing people in that we could share in this with and utilize resources as the Aces evolve. Our investor group includes some of the savviest entrepreneurs in the business, and having this network on our cap table positions us to be successful.”RELATED: Pickleball popularity continues to grow in TorontoCurrently, MLP consists of 24 geography-based teams and is split between two categories: MLP Premier Level and MLP Challenger Level.Premier Level is described as being home to the top 48 players drafted, while ...

Chicago captain to set sail on Race to Mackinac

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:50 GMT

CHICAGO — This weekend’s Race to Mackinac will be another showcase of strength and endurance. A Chicago captain who’s gearing up for the race and highlighting the importance of representation in the sport of sailing. South Side native David Ward is 68-years-old. His occupation is biologist and his avocation is competitive sailingWard was first introduced to sailing at 12-years-old at summer camp.“It was like being free,” he said. “The freedom of that, just being out there and being able to go where we wanted to on the lake. That was a lot of fun and something I really appreciated.”Decades later, he’s the captain now. “Racing is not easy. It takes a commitment. And if you’re not going to do it right, you’re wasting your time,” he said. “Most of my crew they go to Florida or other places in the winter to race and work on their game.” This weekend, Ward will once again take on the Race to Mackinac. More from Gaynor Hall: ‘Leaders for a New Chicago’ program ho...

Austin FC treating first-ever Leagues Cup match as must-win against Mazatlan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new era of soccer in North America begins Friday.The Leagues Cup, which pits Major League Soccer against Liga MX in a month-long World Cup-style competition, is in its inaugural year and part of an even bigger revamp at the Concacaf level. The Leagues Cup champion, runner-up and third-place teams qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup (formerly the Champions League), but perhaps the most important prize is continental bragging rights.VERDE LIGHTS: Miss the latest show? Watch the replay on Austin FC's website, but remember to tune in for the next show at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays on The CW AustinAustin FC takes on Mazatlan FC on Friday and then FC Juarez on July 29 in group play, and head coach Josh Wolff said while there's a lot of unknown about other Liga MX clubs, the coaching staff has studied their group-stage opponents."We've prepped for Mazatlan and we'll look at Juarez as the week goes, but Mazatlan is a good opponent," Wolff said. "We know it's going ...

Napheesa Collier, rookies rally Lynx to 73-70 victory over Sparks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:50 GMT

For the second time in three days, the Minnesota Lynx again played one dominant half of basketball.A late 12-0 run saved them from an embarrassing loss.Napheesa Collier scored eight of her game-high 22 points during the late surge and Minnesota rallied past Los Angeles 73-70 Thursday to end a three-game slide.“That’s what the greatest players do. Whenever the team needs them, they show up, and Phee’s definitely that person for us,” said Lynx center Dorka Juhász. “… She’s been playing like an MVP.”Minnesota blew a 20-point first-half lead and an 18-point advantage late in the third quarter, finding itself down by seven with 4:07 to play as Los Angeles capped a 31-6 run.Collier said overcoming the bad stretch had to happen in Minnesota’s own end. “We weren’t playing defensively like we needed to. So, we were just, ‘We have to lock down and defend the three, which they were killing us on.’ ”It’s next five times with the ball, Los Angeles missed three shots and turned it ove...

Saints hang on for 6-5 victory over Storm Chasers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:50 GMT

Kyle Garlick hit an RBI double in the ninth inning, bringing in what proved to be a crucial insurance run as the St. Paul Saints just barely held on for a 6-5 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers Thursday night at Werner Park in Papillion, Neb.The Storm Chasers (43-36), trailing 6-2 in the bottom of the ninth, scored three runs off Patrick Murphy before he was able to strike out Nate Eaton to end the game. Murphy picked up the save, and Austin Brice pitched a hitless sixth inning to earn the win.Garlick extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games, finishing the night 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Jorge Polanco, in his third game of a rehab assignment with the Saints (55-37), went 0 for 3 with a walk. Trevor Larnach ended an 0-for-22 skid with a 440-foot solo home run in the sixth inning, and Andrew Bechtold hit his eighth homer of the season on a two-run blast as part of a four-run seventh inning for St. Paul.Simeon Woods Richardson gets the start for the Saints on Friday when ...

Nine animals discovered dead in animal neglect case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:50 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Troy resident was arrested and charged with neglecting his animals after police discovered nine dead animals at his residence. Tyler J. Valentine, 29, is facing nine counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Investigations began when a resident at the Hudson Terrace Apartments on Stow Ave reported a foul smell from a nearby apartment. A Troy Animal Control Officer, Troy Police, and representatives from the Troy Code Enforcement entered the apartment. They discovered nine animals deceased and at least one other animal alive but in terrible health.Police report three dogs, four cats, one ferret, and one bearded dragon were deceased. Valentine was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Troy City Court at a later date for arraignment.

Lake George CSD announces finalists for new mascot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:50 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The search for a new mascot is nearing the finish line. The student advisory committee for the Lake George Central School District has announced four finalists for the district's new nickname. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The selections were reviewed by the committee and the choices are thoroughly explained in the voting process. The finalists are the Lake George Falcons; Lake George Islanders; Lake George Lakers; and Lake George Owls. “We had over 270 suggestions from the community. These are the final candidates from the committee who have worked diligently to incorporate the guiding principles and district values. We have had a thorough process led by our students since last fall and we are excited to find out what nickname will be selected by the community,” said Superintendent John Luthringer. The final survey will close at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23. The nickname with the most...

Noticeable changes in the mosaic at Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis after deep clean

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS - For the first time in nearly a century, a month-long cleaning project inside the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End concluded this week.A month-long cleaning project wrapped up this week inside the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End for the first time in nearly a century."Even the statues of the evangelists that sit on either side and the splendor of their faces," said Monsignor Henry Breier. "The whiteness in the marble, which again I thought was grey marble, is just so much beauty that shines forth."He said he's noticing new details for the first time since the cleaning."The detailing there on the baldacchino—the little lion heads—I saw them for the first time now that they were clean," Breier said. "So you can definitely see the detailing, and it just kind of jumps out at you." Missouri & Illinois players win $1M in record Powerball jackpot He said parishioners are noticing changes too."When we got to cleaning the baldacchino, half of it was clea...