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Springboks set an extra-big ‘bomb’ for New Zealand with unique tactics for Rugby World Cup final

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:42 GMT

Jacques Nienaber said the Springboks considered the more traditional option of 5-3 and the slightly risky 6-2. Then they went 7-1 and all-in for the Rugby World Cup final and Nienaber’s last game as coach of South Africa.Nienaber and coaching compadre Rassie Erasmus — South Africa’s director of rugby — gambled on the high-risk, high-reward strategy of putting seven forwards and just one backline player on their bench for rugby’s biggest game against old rival New Zealand.It’s something that only the Springboks have been brave enough, stubborn enough, or foolish enough to do in top-level rugby. They will roll it out for just the third time on Saturday at Stade de France where there is no room for failed experiments.“The team is not 15 (players), it is 23,” Nienaber said, underlying South Africa’s belief that its reserves are as crucial as its starting players, especially the forwards. “We always say that. When you do squad selection there are a lot...

South Carolina, Texas A&M looking to ease fans frustrated with disappointing seasons

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:42 GMT

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — South Carolina (2-5, 1-4 SEC) at Texas A&M (4-3, 2-2), Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN).Line: Texas A&M by 14,1/2 according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Texas A&M leads 8-1.WHAT’S AT STAKEA momentary period of calm for two angry and frustrated fan bases. Both South Carolina and Texas A&M had hopes of contending in their divisional races, the Gamecocks in the SEC East and the Aggies in the West. But it’s been disappointing starts for each. South Carolina must win its final three starting in College Station to avoid the first losing SEC record in coach Shane Beamer’s three seasons. T exas A&M would need some Western chaos to rejoin the mix for Atlanta. KEY MATCHUPSouth Carolina QB Spencer Rattler vs. Texas A&M’s defense. Rattler, the fifth-year passer, is having a stellar season amid the team’s struggles. He’s thrown for 277 yards a game with 11 touchdowns. But the Aggies are tops in the country wit...

No. 22 Tulane looks for its sixth straight win in a visit to Rice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:42 GMT

No. 22 Tulane (6-1, 3-0 AAC) at Rice (4-3, 2-1), Saturday at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2)Line: Tulane by 10 ½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Rice leads 20-15-1WHAT’S AT STAKETulane is atop the American Athletic Conference standings, but tied with SMU and UTSA, who are also 3-0. The Green Wave are seeking their sixth straight win. Rice needs two wins to become bowl eligible for a second straight season after earning a bowl berth last season. The Owls can remain in the hunt in the AAC with a win.KEY MATCHUPTulane RB Makhi Hughes against Rice’s run defense. Hughes has rushed for a league-high 619 yards, including at least 120 yards in each of the last three games with three touchdowns in that span. The Owls have allowed an average of 141 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns this season.PLAYERS TO WATCHTulane: DB Lance Robinson has a team-high four interceptions this season and had nine tackles, including six solo tackles, against North Texas last week.Rice: WR Luke McCaffrey has...

Federal judge rules that Georgia’s congressional and legislative districts are discriminatory, orders them redrawn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:42 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Federal judge rules that Georgia’s congressional and legislative districts are discriminatory, orders them redrawn.Source

Southwest Airlines adds nonstop flights to Colorado Springs at BWI Marshall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:42 GMT

Southwest Airlines is adding flights to its 2024 schedule.(Courtesy BWI Marshall Airport) Southwest Airlines is adding flights to its 2024 schedule.(Courtesy BWI Marshall Airport) Southwest Airlines has released its 2024 flight schedule, with its most-ever departures, including new nonstop service from BWI Marshall in Maryland to Colorado Springs, Colorado.The daily flights to Colorado Springs will start in June.Southwest previously announced new service from BWI Marshall to Belize, starting in March.BWI Marshall is already the fourth-busiest airport for Southwest Airlines, and its busiest on the East Coast, flying to more than 70 domestic and international destinations. Southwest is, by far, the dominant carrier ...

Springboks starting Pollard in Rugby World Cup final, All Blacks pick Retallick at lock

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:42 GMT

PARIS (AP) — South Africa selected Handre Pollard on Thursday to start at flyhalf in the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand and packed its bench with forwards in a high-risk 7-1 split.Pollard was promoted from the reserves along with scrumhalf Faf de Klerk — the same halves combination that started in the Springboks’ victory in the final four years ago.New Zealand made only one change from the 44-6 rout of Argentina in the semifinals, bringing in Brodie Retallick at lock in place of Sam Whitelock, who drops to the bench. Whitelock is looking to become the only player to win the World Cup three times. The All Blacks went with their usual 5-3 split on the bench.The big surprise from Springboks management Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber was the bench split, with lock Jean Kleyn and No. 8 Jasper Wiese added for an extended ‘Bomb Squad’ of seven reserve forwards to face the resurgent All Blacks on Saturday in the first World Cup final between the two fierce rivals since ...

The suspect in the fatal Maine shootings is still at large. Residents are sheltering in place

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:42 GMT

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Authorities carried out a massive search Thursday for a U.S. Army reservist who they say killed 18 people and wounded 13 at a bowling alley and a bar in a mass shooting that sent panicked patrons scrambling under tables and behind bowling pins and gripped the entire state of Maine in fear.Schools, doctor's offices and grocery stores closed and people stayed behind locked doors in cities as far away as 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the scenes of Wednesday night's shootings in Lewiston.The Lewiston Police Department identified Robert Card as a person of interest in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine, on Oct. 25, 2023. (The Lewiston Police Department)President Joe Biden ordered all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff as condolences poured in from around the nation, including from Maine native and author Stephen King, who called it “madness.” The attacks stunned a state of only 1.3 million people that has one of the country’...

Denver pursues former DoubleTree Hotel for House1000 initiative

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — On Thursday, the City of Denver announced it is pursuing a master lease of the former DoubleTree hotel (the Site) at 4040 Quebec St. The effort is part of Mayor Mike Johnston's homeless initiative to bring 1,000 people without homes indoors and permanently close encampments by the end of the year. According to the city's dashboard, 168 people are currently connected to housing, with 61 of those individuals in leased units and two in shelters. Another 79 are housed in motel/hotel conversions. Worldwide travel advisory issued for US passengers "This milestone marks a critical advancement in our commitment to providing units and services for those experiencing homelessness," the city stated in a release.The master lease, if secured, would be for the third property in this initiative. Earlier this year, the Denver Housing Authority closed on its acquisition of the Best Western Central Park hotel at 4595 Quebec St., for conversion to permanent supportive housing and is ...

Trick-or-treat guide: events in the Denver metro area this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Halloweekend is upon Denver. If you can't wait until Tuesday to grab some candy, there are plenty of events starting Friday and going through the weekend and into Halloween. Will this Halloween’s weather make history? While there are a handful of trick-or-treating events this weekend, there are also a lot of "trunk-or-treating" events. This is when community members bring their cars to a specific location and hand out candy from the back of their cars. Many cars go all out with spooky decorations.Here are some of the candy handout events nearby:ArvadaOlde Town Arvada Trick or Treat, Oct. 27AuroraThe Aurora Highlands Model Home Trick-Or-Treat Event, Oct. 27-29Highpoint Church TRUNK or TREAT 2023, Oct. 28Trunk or Treat, Oct. 28Castle RockFangtastic Festival, Oct. 27Trunk or Treat, Oct. 29CentennialTrick or Treat at IKEA Centennial, Oct. 27Colorado SpringsCommunity Park Trick or Treat, Oct. 27DenverCook Park’s Annual Trunk or Treat, Oct. 27Trick-Or-Treat Trail, Oct. 2...

Suspect in killing of judge who presided over divorce case found dead in rural Maryland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:15:42 GMT

WILLIAMSPORT, Md. (AP) — A man suspected of killing a Maryland judge last week was found dead Thursday, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.Authorities believe Pedro Argote, 49, was angry about losing custody of his children when he shot and killed the judge who presided over his divorce case. The Oct. 19 attack unfolded outside the home of Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson.Law enforcement launched a search for Argote immediately after the shooting. They discovered his Mercedes SUV in a wooded area in Williamsport, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) southwest of Hagerstown, where the judge was shot.Authorities searched the area where the vehicle was found but concluded Argote wasn’t there. But officials said this morning they had returned to the area to conduct “additional evidentiary searches.”Argote’s body was found in a heavily wooded area about a mile from the SUV, officials said. They did not release a suspected cause of death.The Washington Coun...