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George McGinnis dies at 73; ABA and NBA star was an Indiana basketball legend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:05 GMT

By Michael Marot | Associated PressINDIANAPOLIS — George McGinnis spent his teenage years sneaking into Pacers games at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.He finished his Hall of Fame career as one of the most popular, revered and decorated basketball players in Pacers history.The groundbreaking power forward, who captivated ABA and NBA fans with his one-handed jump shot, uncanny athleticism and pioneering spirit, died early Thursday. McGinnis was 73.The Indiana Pacers said he died following complications from a cardiac arrest suffered last week at his home. McGinnis also had struggled to walk in recent years after undergoing multiple back surgeries because of a hereditary condition.McGinnis was the consummate Hoosier, listening to high school games from the Hinkle Fieldhouse parking lot, relying on friendly ushers to introduce him to pro basketball and becoming a goodwill ambassador for his home state’s top sport.And it all started with one game in the late 1960s.“It was pro basketball ...

Teacher arrested after allegedly threatening Muslim student

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:05 GMT

By Dianne Gallagher | CNNA Georgia middle school teacher was arrested last week after multiple witnesses told authorities he threatened to behead a 13-year-old Muslim student who said the Israeli flag hanging in his classroom offended her.Benjamin Reese, a 51-year-old seventh grade teacher at Warner Robins Middle School, was arrested on charges of making terroristic threats and cruelty to children in the third degree, according to an incident report from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, which lists more than 20 witnesses.Reese was arrested on December 8 and records show he has since bonded out of jail. CNN has been unable to determine if he has an attorney who would comment on his behalf.In a statement, the Houston County School District said all employees are required to adhere to an educator’s code of ethics, and a violation or accusation of one would prompt an investigation.“While we are not able to discuss specific personnel matters, we can share that Mr. Reese has not been ...

PG&E gets OK to keep open Diablo Canyon nuclear plant: bills will jump

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:05 GMT

OAKLAND — PG&E has won approval to keep operating the aging Diablo Canyon nuclear plant in San Luis Obispo County, a decision that one group warns could trigger higher monthly bills.The five-member state Public Utilities Commission voted 3-0 to approve an extension of the operating license for the Diablo Canyon nuclear complex, perched near Avila Beach next to the Pacific Ocean. One commissioner was absent while another abstained.With the extension, PG&E will be able to keep operating Diablo Canyon’s reactors until at least 2030.Prior to the vote, the state PUC heard from numerous residents of California who urged the PUC to not approve the extension of the operating license.Those who spoke raised issues such as the age of the plant, the integrity of the containment chambers for the nuclear reactors, and the plant’s location near what one speaker called a “latticework” of earthquake faults.Several years ago, PG&E and the PUC determined that ...

Letters: Out of control | Municipal utility | Media ‘click bait’ | HSR debacle | Capital gains | Trump threat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:05 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Out of control PG&Emay need state takeoverRe: “PG&E seeking rate hike — again” (Page A1, Dec. 13).Regarding the latest PG&E rate hike, I have to ask: Who is paying for their cable-burying commercials if we aren’t? These have now been running for almost two years, over and over again, on multiple TV channels, often several times an hour. Why? What’s the purpose, if any, and who has approved such an enormous waste? Is there no oversight?Perhaps the only solution is for the state to take over PG&E since they can’t be left to themselves.Jorg AadahlSan MateoIt’s high time formunicipal utilityRe: “PG&E seeking rate hike — again” (Page A1, Dec. 13).PG&E is at it again. After gaining the CPUC’s approval last month for a 13% rate increase to take effect in January, they’re requesting another rate hike to take effect next March.The CPUC will undoubtedly roll ov...

Here are Spotify's top Christmas songs this holiday season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:05 GMT

(KRON) -- The holiday season is in full swing, and you probably couldn't walk into a store without hearing a Christmas song -- or five. Chances are one of those songs made Spotify's top holiday tunes this year. The top song may not come as a surprise: Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Nonetheless, here is the list of the most-streamed holiday tracks globally that Spotify released on Wednesday. Spotify's 'Soundtrack of the Season'"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey"Last Christmas" by Wham!"Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee"Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms"Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande Mariah Carey’s 1994 hit still dominates the holiday charts Spotify's 'Instant Classics'These are the most-streamed globally for Christmas songs that were released in the past 5 years."Merry Christmas" by Ed Sheeran & Elton John"Santa, Can't You Hear Me" by Ariana Grande & Kelly Clarkson"Christmas Tree Farm" by Taylor Swift"Like It's Christmas" by ...

Beavers released into California wild for first time in 7 decades

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:05 GMT

(KRON) -- A family of seven beavers is thriving this December after spending their first two months exploring the wilderness of Plumas County. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's October beaver release marked the first time in seven decades that the department released beavers into the wild."The new family group of beavers join a single resident beaver in the valley with the ultimate objective of re-establishing a breeding population that will maintain the mountain meadow ecosystem, its processes, and the habitat it provides for numerous other species," state wildlife officials wrote. Two of the yearling beaver kits hitch a ride on the back and tail of one of the larger beavers in Plumas County, California on October 18, 2023. (CDFW Photo/Travis VanZant)The phrase "busy as a beaver" stems from the species' hard work ethic and building skills. Those skills greatly benefit California's landscapes and wildfire resilience, CDFW officials said.Humans have spent millions of d...

Browns’ Garrett is set to chase Bears’ Fields at site of the quarterback’s rough NFL debut

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:05 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Two years ago, Justin Fields made his NFL debut on the road. It was far more miserable than memorable.Blame Myles Garrett.Chicago’s quarterback remembers nearly everything about his first game with the Bears in 2021 — the excitement, playing again in Ohio, the bruises.“And then of course getting sacked, too,” said Fields, who was sacked nine times — 4 1/2 by Garrett — and hit 15 times as the Bears were roughed up by the Browns 26-6. “Hopefully we can change that going back this weekend.”On Sunday, Fields and the improving Bears (5-8) will visit Cleveland for a matchup against the Browns (8-5), who have been hammered by injuries and are leaning on veteran QB Joe Flacco to get them to the playoffs for just the second time since 2002.Fields intends to stay upright more than he did in his first game against the Browns, and that will require his linemen, probably a tight end and maybe a running back or two keeping him safe from Garrett, a chore that’s easier ...

Jets’ defense focused on slowing the speedy Dolphins’ ‘mini track team’ in rematch

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:05 GMT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — C.J. Mosley got a first-hand look at the Miami Dolphins three weeks ago. And the New York Jets linebacker knows if you blink, you might miss their speedy offense.“It’s like a mini track team out there,” Mosley said Thursday. “You see it on film, you watch it on TV, but until you’re out there running around with them, you really don’t know how fast those guys are.”Between running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane and wide receivers Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Braxton Berrios, the Dolphins have perhaps the fastest set of skill players in the league. They have all helped Tua Tagovailoa and Miami’s offense be one of the most productive — and explosive — units in the NFL.That was on full display when Miami romped past New York 34-13 on Nov. 24 in the league’s first game played on Black Friday. The Dolphins — who didn’t even have an injured Achane in that game — ran for 167 yards and rolled up 395 yards total in t...

Stefon Diggs says don’t count out battle-tested Bills as they prepare to host the Cowboys

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:05 GMT

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Count out the Bills as much as you’d like, wide receiver Stefon Diggs is defiant and confident in believing Buffalo is in an ideal spot to make a late-season playoff push.“We battled a lot, been battle-tested. And it’s a big thing being battled-tested,” Diggs said of a team that has spent much of the season lurching from one crisis to another — be it injuries, blown leads or coach Sean McDermott most recently having to publicly apologize for a clumsy remark he made four years ago in crediting the 9/11 hijackers for their communication skills.Now it’s a matter for the Bills (7-6) proving they’re better than the team that has dropped five of eight and is left with little margin for error in opening a final four-week stretch by hosting the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys (10-3) on Sunday.“Is the record a reflection of our team? I don’t think so. But it is the record,” Diggs said. “The only thing we can do is win the next game, win the next play.“Because ...

Falcons have a path to the NFC South title. Ridder has a lot riding on whether they get there

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:05 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Desmond Ridder isn’t going to spend much time contemplating playoff scenarios for the Atlanta Falcons, who are part of a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South with four games remaining.“Obviously for everyone to kind of be right there in that bunch, we know that we have everything in front of us,” the Falcons quarterback said. ”(But) it doesn’t matter about next week, it doesn’t matter about two weeks or what another team does. (It’s about) what we do and what we can do out there on Sunday.”Atlanta is tied with Tampa Bay and New Orleans atop the division. Of the three teams, the Falcons have the easiest remaining schedule — starting Sunday when they visit the division’s also-ran, the NFL-worst Carolina Panthers (1-12).The Falcons’ other remaining opponents are Indianapolis (7-6), Chicago (5-8) and the Saints.The Falcons held a one-game edge in the standings before losing 29-25 to Tampa Bay despite 347 yards passing from Ridder. The S...