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Heat wave hits the Southeast, winds whip Southwest 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:45 GMT

Forecasters warned people celebrating Father’s Day to take precautions as triple-digit temperatures prompted heat advisories across much of the southern U.S., triggered thunderstorms that knocked out power from Oklahoma to Mississippi and whipped up winds that raised wildfire threats in Arizona and New Mexico.A suspected tornado struck near Scranton, Arkansas early Sunday, destroying chicken houses and toppling trees onto homes, the National Weather Service said. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries.Meteorologists said that potentially record-breaking temperatures would continue into midweek over southern Texas and much of the Gulf Coast. Storms producing damaging winds, hail and possibly tornadoes could strike the lower Mississippi Valley.Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for north and central parts of his state after strong winds and severe weather caused widespread power outages on Saturday.On Sunday, more than 740,000 people were ...

Div. 1 girls lacrosse: Lincoln-Sudbury girls learn, down Westwood for title

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:45 GMT

WELLESLEY — A few weeks ago, the Lincoln-Sudbury girls lacrosse team played Westwood in the regular season. After falling in a big hole early, the Warriors’ comeback attempt came up a goal short.In Sunday’s Div. 1 title game at Babson College, the Wolverines again had the better start, and maybe just had the formula for beating L-S.Or maybe, this time, things were a little different. L-S was better on the draw, and made the most of its opportunities, as the Warriors earned a thrilling 10-9 victory to claim the state title.L-S finished with a 21-2 mark, while Westwood, the two-time defending D1 state champs, finished at 22-4.“For us, it was like, ‘We’ve been here before. We know we can do it,’ ” L-S coach Kaillie Kelly said of her team’s early 3-0 deficit.The game was tied 8-8 late in the second half, when sophomore Ella Ryan (3 goals) scored off a free position with 7:39 to play. Then, with the benefit of a nifty spin move, Ryan scored...

Chicago Cubs get some nifty defense from Nick Madrigal and others but are held to 3 hits as their win streak ends at 5

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:45 GMT

With Patrick Wisdom going on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a sprained right wrist, Nick Madrigal is preparing to make consistent starts at third base for the Chicago Cubs.After returning last week from a stint at Triple-A Iowa, Madrigal is eager for any opportunities he gets.“I was just excited to get back with the guys,” Madrigal said. “When I got sent down, I was just trying to do everything I could to get back as soon as I could. The body is feeling good right now and I feel like my timing has been coming back with more reps.“This team has been playing some good baseball. The vibes overall are just unbelievable right now.”Madrigal, who had played exclusively second base in his major-league career before this season, showed off his increased comfort level at third Sunday, making a pair of nifty plays in foul territory as the Cubs’ five-game winning streak ended with a 6-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Wrigley Field.“The differen...

Bradley Beal being traded to Phoenix by Washington: AP source

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:45 GMT

Bradley Beal is being traded to Phoenix, set to form a new power trio alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker after the Washington Wizards and the Suns agreed Sunday on the first blockbuster of the offseason, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said.Phoenix has agreed to sending Chris Paul, Landry Shamet and a package of future second-round picks to Washington, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade is pending league approval.Beal — a three-time All-Star — waived his no-trade clause to make the deal happen, said his agent, Mark Bartelstein.ESPN first reported details of the trade.It is the second major acquisition for owner Mat Ishbia in Phoenix. He landed Durant for a massive combination of players and first-round draft picks just days after formally taking over the Suns in February.Starting with 2017-18 — Beal’s first All-Star season — he’s averaged 26.0 points per game. That...

Div. 2 softball: Burlington outlasts Tewksbury to win title in 8 innings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:45 GMT

AMHERST — After seeing a five-run lead slip away in the seventh inning on Sunday in the Division 2 softball final, Burlington coach Kristen Farrell wasn’t worried. One look at her team’s faces confirmed it.The Red Devils shook off Tewksbury’s stunning seventh-inning comeback and used a RBI single from Maddie King in the eighth to take a 10-9 win and the program’s first state championship.“That eighth inning just had a different feel right from the first pitch,” said Farrell, who was a part of a pair of Burlington teams that had lost in state finals. “This is just such a composed group of girls. And this couldn’t happen to a better group.”Leading 9-4 entering the bottom of the seventh, things looked to be on cruise control for Burlington (21-4). But in almost the blink of an eye, it wasn’t.Rebecca Harris tripled to begin the inning for Tewksbury (19-6). Abby Tower then ripped a long blast over the right field fence to cut the lead to 9-6.Sam Perkins’ double was followed by a Whitney ...

Weather cloudy for Juneteenth, showers possible; warm, sunny days to come

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:45 GMT

The weekend’s rain may continue intermittently through the Juneteenth holiday and the following day, but the sun will come out in time for a mostly dry and comfortable close to the short work week, according to the National Weather Service.Kevin Cadima, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the Herald that rain could continue to splutter off and on while the sun stays hidden through much of Monday and Tuesday, but not so much you will need to cancel any outdoor holiday plans.“It looks like this unsettled pattern will continue into Tuesday with a risk of, not a washout, but clouds and a shower here or there,” Cadima said.Monday will see a high of 69 with a light breeze and clouds, before dipping into the upper 50’s early Tuesday morning, when patches of fog are expected until 7 a.m.Chances of rain increase to 30% after 10 a.m. Tuesday, though the high and low temperatures and wind will match Monday’s about 2-degrees-below normal cool. Rain chances dip to 20% but rem...

Hovercraft suffers gash, beaches itself in N.H.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:45 GMT

HAMPTON BEACH, N.H. — A hovercraft traveling from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia became a beachside attraction when it was deliberately run aground after suffering a 3-foot tear in its skirt.The private owner of the retired Canadian Coast Guard vessel told officials that it was not safe to operate the damaged craft, so the decision was made to land on Hampton Beach on Saturday. No one was hurt.The massive craft, an air-cushioned vessel powered by twin fan-like propellers, was a curiosity for passersby as it rested on the beach on a rainy afternoon.Because of the bad weather, few people were on the beach, which is usually swarmed by sunbathers during better weather, when the vessel came aground, said Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno.The craft landed near some piping plover nests, but the endangered seabirds were not disturbed by the activity, he said.By Sunday morning, the vessel had been repaired, and the vessel departed for Portland, Maine. From there, it was to continue to Nova Scotia, Can...

MTS bus drivers strike ends in South Bay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:45 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- An ongoing bus drivers strike that has disrupted service for several weeks in South Bay has come to an end.The Board of Directors for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) held a special meeting Thursday after weeks of negotiations. The board voted 8-6 to set a deadline for MTS contractor Transdev to end the labor dispute by June 23. They even offered an extra $1 million for the current contract in an effort to get services restored.Bus drivers met Transdev at the negotiating table on Friday to discuss their requests. Some of the things they are demanding include access to cleaner restrooms and an end to forced overtime work, among other things. MTS strike continues into 15th day, impacting South Bay routes On Sunday, Lee Fletcher from Teamster Local 683 confirmed to FOX 5 that 143 drivers voted to pass and 121 voted to reject the proposal. Based on the majority, South Bay MTS bus drivers will return to work on Monday, according to Fletcher.As for East Count...

25 unlicensed drivers cited during checkpoint in Escondido

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:45 GMT

ESCONDIDO, Calif. -- A total of 21 unlicensed drivers and an additional four drivers with suspended licenses were cited by authorities in Escondido over the weekend.That's according to the Escondido Police Department who says a checkpoint was held Friday night at West Valley Parkway and Avenida del Diablo.  5 places to watch the sunset in San Diego The checkpoint was conducted between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. EPD says it actually ended early due to a fatal collision unrelated to the checkpoint.During that time, another motorist was arrested on an outstanding DUI warrant, authorities confirmed. Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests, according to EPD. The department stated, "the primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired."Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Admi...

Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events, quiet reflection on end of slavery after Civil War

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:45 GMT

Detroit (AP) — Americans across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively new national holiday with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War. While many have treated the long holiday weekend as a reason for a party, others urged quiet reflection on America’s often violent and oppressive treatment of its Black citizens. And still others have remarked at the strangeness of celebrating a federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the nation while many Americans are trying to stop that history from being taught in public schools. “Is #Juneteenth the only federal holiday that some states have banned the teaching of its history and significance?” Author Michelle Duster asked on Twitter this weekend, referring to measures in Florida, Oklahoma and Alabama prohibiting an Advancement Placement African American studies course or the teaching of certain concepts of race and racism.Monday’s federal ho...