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Judge says she is ending conservatorship between former NFL player Michael Oher and Memphis couple

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:11 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee judge said Friday she is ending a conservatorship agreement between former NFL player Michael Oher and a Memphis couple who took him in when he was in high school.Shelby County Probate Court Judge Kathleen Gomes said she is terminating the agreement reached in 2004 that allowed Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy to control Oher’s finances. Oher signed the agreement when he was 18 and living with the couple as he was being recruited by colleges as a star high school football player.Gomes said she was not dismissing the case. Oher has asked that the Tuohys provide a financial accounting of money that may have come to them as part of the agreement, claiming that they used his name, image and likeness to enrich themselves and lied to him that the agreement meant the Tuohys were adopting him.Gomes said she was disturbed that such an agreement was ever reached. She said she had never seen in her 43-year career a conservatorship agreement reached with someone who w...

New York City in state of emergency as torrential rain floods subways, roads and basements

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:11 GMT

(CNN) — Flooding closed roads, disrupted subway service and flooded basements in the New York City area as “dangerous and life-threatening” rainfall overwhelmed the concrete expanse during the Friday morning commute.A month’s worth of rain – more than 4 inches – fell over parts of Brooklyn in just three hours Friday morning, as intense rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches an hour fell across the New York tri-state area.The heaviest rainfall began to ease across hard-hit portions of Manhattan and Brooklyn late Friday morning, but another round is expected in the afternoon and could reinvigorate dangerous flooding.“This is a dangerous weather condition and it is not over,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a Friday morning news briefing. “I don’t want those gaps in heavy rain to give the appearance that it is over, it is not.”Happening now:New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the New York City area as torrential rain floods roads, basements and s...

The Patriots’ final practice before Cowboys game brings more good news

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:11 GMT

For the third straight practice, the Patriots took the field with a full roster and practice squad Friday.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Pharaoh Brown recalls Bill O’Brien blocked his workout with Patriots years ago New England Patriots | Patriots mailbag: Could young receiver take snaps from JuJu Smith-Schuster? New England Patriots | Callahan: Bill Belichick can’t beat Cowboys coaching conservatively New England Patriots | Will Grier: Patriots ‘didn’t interrogate me’ about Cowboys New England Patriots | Patriots offseason approach with Matt Judon paying off No player missed a single practice this week, as the team continues to prepare for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. The Pats have listed five players as limited on their injury report, but none have come as a surprise. Cornerback Jonathan Jones (ankle) appears to be trending in the right direction after ...

4 ways the Chicago Bulls can jump-start their offense this season, including moving the ball through Nikola Vučević

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:11 GMT

For the past two seasons, the Chicago Bulls were defined by a smothering defense but a sluggish offense that has kept them from climbing into Eastern Conference contention.The Bulls were 22nd in the league in scoring last season with 113.1 points per game despite finishing fourth in field-goal accuracy (49%). With creative, explosive players such as Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, it’s baffling that the Bulls still can’t get their offense off the ground.When pressed for answers over the last two years, the Bulls have offered the same script for improving the offense: take more 3-pointers, reduce turnovers, get the ball to LaVine and DeRozan more often.The front office attempted to address some of these issues in the offseason, bringing in Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter to improve the 3-point shooting and perimeter options. But there are plenty of other ways for the Bulls to play more interesting basketball this season. Here are four of them.1. Don’t overrely on th...

United Autoworkers strikes spread to Chicago and Lansing as 7,000 more workers join the picket line

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:11 GMT

By DAVID KOENIG and TOM KRISHER (AP Business Writers)DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union says its two-week strike against Detroit automakers will spread to 7,000 more workers at a Ford plant in Chicago and a General Motors assembly factory near Lansing, Michigan.Union President Shawn Fain told workers on a video appearance Friday that negotiations haven’t broken down but Ford and GM have refused to make meaningful progress. Jeep maker Stellantis was spared from the third round of strikes.The GM plant in Delta Township, near Lansing, makes large crossover SUVs such as the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. A nearby metal parts stamping plant will remain open, Fain said.The Chicago Ford plant makes the Ford Explorer and Explorer Police Interceptors, as well as the Lincoln Aviator SUV. The Explorer interceptor is the nation’s top selling police vehicle.“Sadly, despite our willingness to bargain, Ford and GM have refused to make meaningful progress...

Fall-like weather expected in San Diego County this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:11 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego-style sweater weather may sweep the region this weekend, with high temperatures expected to be 10-20 degrees below average.According to the National Weather Service San Diego, the forecast shows cool, breezy conditions the next couple of days with a chance showers for some areas. 5 San Diego beaches for sunset bonfires Weather officials say though rainfall amounts are questionable, "the forecast has been trending wetter." Coastal areas are expected to hover right around 70 degrees on the coast Saturday, with Sunday showing similar expectations. This is also true for inland areas like Escondido, Ramona, Mira Mesa, and El Cajon.In the mountain areas -- like Alpine, Julian, Palomar, and Mt. Laguna -- temperatures should be in the mid to low 60s, with some areas dipping into the 50s. Oktoberfest San Diego: Celebrate Bavarian culture at these events NWS says light rain is possible just west of the mountains over the weekend.The deserts will still feel some h...

San Diego mayor issues statement on Sen. Diane Feinstein's 'legacy of service'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:11 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria issued a statement Wednesday morning to commemorate U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, following the news of her death.The oldest sitting U.S. senator, Sen. Feinstein died at age 90, sources confirmed to the Associated Press.Mayor Gloria issued the following statement on Sen. Feinstein and her impact over her five decades of public service: The top public high schools in San Diego County, according to Niche “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Diane Feinstein.Senator Feinstein was a trailblazer, breaking down barriers for women in politics and serving the public for over 50 years. Her career was marked by a tireless commitment and unwavering dedication to the betterment of our nation. Her advocacy on critical issues such as gun safety, women’s rights, environmental protection and healthcare reform reflected her deep concern for the welfare of her fellow Californians and all Americans.As a former mayor, Senator Fei...

Michigan teen shooter eligible for life in prison, no parole, for killing 4 students, judge rules

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:11 GMT

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A teenager who killed four students at Michigan’s Oxford High School is eligible for life in prison with no chance for parole, a judge said Friday.Judge Kwamé Rowe announced the decision over video conference, weeks after hearing from experts who clashed over Ethan Crumbley’s mental health and witnesses who described the tragic day in 2021 in sharp detail.Rowe said prosecutors had overcome a presumption that life in prison would be unfair to a minor. Crumbley heard the decision with his lawyers while sitting in a room in the county jail.The 17-year-old will be formally sentenced in Oakland County court on Dec. 8, a day when survivors and families can tell the judge about how the shooting affected their lives.First-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence for adults in Michigan. But the shooter was 15 at the time, which gives the judge options: life in prison or a shorter term — somewhere from 25 years to 40 years at a minimum — and an eventual opportuni...

Africa’s Eswatini, one of the last absolute monarchies, holds an election without political parties

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:11 GMT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The small southern African nation of Eswatini held elections Friday to decide part of the makeup of its Parliament, even as its extremely wealthy king retains absolute power, political parties are banned and elected representatives can merely advise a monarch whose family has reigned supreme for 55 years.Eswatini, wedged between South Africa and Mozambique, is the last absolute monarchy in Africa and one of the few remaining in the world. King Mswati III, 55, has been the monarch since 1986, when he became ruler days after his 18th birthday. His father was king for 82 years before him, although Eswatini only gained independence from Britain in 1968.It was formerly known as Swaziland.Parliamentary elections are held every five years. Candidates for the lower chamber, the House of Assembly, and for the Senate cannot belong to political parties, which were banned in 1973, and are nominated at a local level before they face a popular vote.Mswati III appoin...

Russians and Belarusians allowed to compete as neutral athletes at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:11 GMT

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Russians and Belarusians will be allowed to compete as neutral athletes at next year’s Paralympics in Paris after avoiding a full ban from the event following the invasion of Ukraine.The International Paralympic Committee voted 74-65 at an assembly in Bahrain on Friday against suspending Russia’s membership entirely — which would have meant a full ban from the Paralympics — but then voted 90-65 in favor of “partially” suspending the country through 2025.The IPC said Russia’s national Paralympic committee was being partially suspended because of “breaches of its constitutional membership obligations.”Later Friday, the IPC said members similarly rejected a full ban for Russia ally Belarus and imposed a partial suspension.Russians “will be eligible to participate in an individual and neutral capacity” at the Paralympics and other IPC-governed sports events, the IPC said. It didn’t spell out the exact criteria, but said the athletes w...