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Jack Flaherty dominates in debut, Ryan Mountcastle paces Orioles’ offense in 6-1 series-clinching win over Blue Jays

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:28 GMT

Jack Flaherty, in Jordan Hicks’ estimation, is at his best in situations such as Thursday’s sixth inning.Flaherty cruised for much of his Orioles debut, starting against the Toronto Blue Jays two days after Baltimore acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals for three prospects minutes before the MLB trade deadline. But the sixth inning saw his dazzling debut in peril, with Toronto plating a run and threatening for more with the bases loaded and one out.Manager Brandon Hyde had two relievers warming but showed trust in his newest starter. Flaherty rewarded it, retiring the next two Blue Jays to propel the Orioles to a 6-1 series-clinching victory.“They definitely got one of the most fierce competitors I’ve met,” said Hicks, a Toronto reliever who St. Louis also traded away this week. “He’s always gonna go out there every time and leave it all out there.”Flaherty allowed one run over six innings while striking out eight, becoming only t...

Gallery: New England 7v7 championships

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:28 GMT

New England 7v7 championships

Both expelled members of ‘Tennessee Three’ win back their state House seats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:28 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, who became Democratic heroes as members of the “Tennessee Three,” reclaimed their legislative seats Thursday after they were expelled for involvement in a gun control protest on the House floor. The young Black lawmakers were reinstated by local officials after being booted from the GOP-dominated Statehouse, but only on an interim basis. They advanced Thursday through a special election to fully reclaim their positions. Both faced opponents in districts that heavily favor Democrats and easily defeated them according to unofficial results from the Tennessee’s Secretary of State’s office.Jones, who lives in Nashville, was up against Republican candidate Laura Nelson. Meanwhile, Pearson, from Memphis, faced independent candidate Jeff Johnston. “I think if we keep running this race, there will be victory after victory after victory,” Pearson said to supporters on Thursday. He stressed that his victory w...

International pressure mounts on coup leaders in Niger while hundreds rally in support of junta

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:28 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — International pressure mounted Thursday against leaders of the coup in Niger as the American secretary of state said the United States “stands very much” in support of West African leaders who have threatened to use force to restore the nation’s democracy, and Senegal offered troops to help.As hundreds of anti-French protesters rallied in the Nigerien capital in support of the ruling junta, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered general support for the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, though he did not specifically refer to its threat of military action. Blinken told reporters in New York that the U.S. believes the bloc’s efforts to reinstate toppled President Mohamed Bazoum are “important, strong and have our support.”Senegal’s foreign affairs minister said her country would participate in a military intervention if ECOWAS decides to act. “Senegalese soldiers have to go … these coups d’état must be stopped,” Aissata Tall Sall said....

The pride of Peru, Illinois: The Pistol Shrimp

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:28 GMT

PERU, Ill. — If you’ve never seen a “fish out of water,” you just may want to visit Peru, Illinois, where -- on any given afternoon this summer -- you may see four of them.“It’s definitely a big culture change for sure,” said Tobey Jackson, 19, one of four college baseball players who are native Hawaiians, living in Peru to play for the city’s Prospect League team, the Pistol Shrimp. “I didn’t know Peru, Illinois existed,” Xander Sielken, another one of the players, said.Before a game this week, the four went to Baker Lake, to fish. “There’s not much that’s similar to home,” said Cody Kashimoto https://smcgaels.com/sports/baseball/roster/cody-kashimoto/4199, who had caught a blue gill. “The fish are different, too.”Kashimoto, 20, is a student at St. Mary’s College of California. “I want to make it professionally,” he said. “I want to play baseball in the MLB. Especially coming from Hawaii, we look up top guys like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Kolten Wong. we want to be in their spots pla...

CPD issues community alert after multiple armed robberies on North Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:28 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Police Department have issued a community alert after six armed robberies on the city's North Side early Thursday morning.According to the Chicago Police Department, a group of suspects drove up to victims who were walking on foot, exited the vehicle, armed with handguns, and demanded the victim's property.The following locations are where the armed robberies took place:1900 block of North California Avenue at 1:15 a.m.2600 block of North Fullerton Avenue at 1:20 a.m.2000 block of North Milwaukee Avenue at 1:30 a.m.5400 block of West Gale Street at 1:55 a.m.2400 block of North Central Avenue at 2:11 a.m.3400 block of North Knox Avenue at 2:40 a.m.The suspects involved have been described as a group of Black men, between 15 and 25-years-old, 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-10, weighing 140 to 160 pounds, wearing black face masks, dark clothing, and armed with handguns.Anyone with information regarding these incidents are asked to contact the Chicago Police Department at ...

Water restrictions ramp up as drought continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has now seen 27 straight days at 100 degrees or higher, and it looks like those high temperatures will continue.What does that mean for people living in Central Texas?It could mean tougher water restrictions as some places have already added more restrictions."Has it ever been like this hot in Austin before?" asked Henry Pugh as he walked through his grandfather's yard.Gary Pugh is under Travis County Water Control and Improvement District 17, where they are under stage 2 restrictions."We have a lot of dead grass in the yard," said Pugh. "We've got a courtyard area that lost a lot of plants."Pugh can water two times a week, but some areas are cracking down even harder."Mid-June, we moved to stage 2, which limits the amount of time watering," said Jennifer Riechers with the West Travis County Public Utility Agency. "Then July 20, we had to move to stage 3 watering restrictions which is one day per week watering."Reichers says growth in areas like Dripping Sprin...

Train derails in Texas after crash with semi, one person dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:28 GMT

LUBBOCK, Texas -- A train derailment was reported at a railroad crossing near US 84 between Amherst and Sudan after a crash on Monday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. One person was killed.The incident was reported around 10:45 a.m. as a crash between a semi and a train. DPS provided an update and said the driver, who was identified as Brent Michael Spahich, 25, of Borger, passed away while being taken to the hospital.(Nexstar/Staff)(Nexstar/Staff)(Nexstar/Staff)(Nexstar/Staff)(Nexstar/Staff)(Nexstar/Staff)(Nexstar/Staff)(Nexstar/Staff)(Nexstar/Staff)Some of the train cars were carrying a "possible hazardous material," according to DPS. Officials said five cars derailed. A Hazmat response was underway, DPS said.Westbound traffic on the Clovis highway was shut down. Eastbound remained open.

Art, music bring awareness to mental health, suicide prevention

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:28 GMT

WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - Creative artists in Central Texas came together to support one another and raise awareness towards mental health and suicide prevention. The Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network collaborated with the Music + Art = Positive Digital Magazine so more people could hear about mental health and how to combat suicidal thoughts."Tell somebody, it doesn't hurt. It hurts a lot less when we speak out and let someone know," says Verlyn Johson Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network spokesperson. The event was Waco's first-ever 8-way art conference, with music, theatre, dance, poetry, culinary arts, cinema, graphical arts and illustrative arts. "What inspired me to do this was just seeing that everybody stays in their lane for the most part. Nothing wrong with that. But nothing spectacular happens that way. You get some people who aren't normally in the same circle together that's going to draw people together will make a lot of noise and to be a bigger pop," says eve...

Christian Jones' leadership noticed on and off the field, nominated for Wuerffel Award

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Christian Jones has been a pillar on the Texas Longhorns offensive line for the past three seasons, starting in 35 games while playing in 48. Since he decided to use his extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted players due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sixth-year 321-pounder out of Cypress Woods has seen quite a bit during his time on the 40 Acres."I've been here longer than some of the bricks in the building," Jones said. "But this locker room is very special. It's a brotherly bond. People are staying late and getting extra reps in voluntarily. Nobody is telling them to do that.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersIt has been a theme early in fall camp that chemistry is going to take the Longhorns where they want to go this season, and with all five starting offensive linemen returning from last season, that position could perhaps shine the brightest in t...