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Four key questions facing Brad Stevens, Celtics as big offseason begins

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:45:28 GMT

The juxtaposition wasn’t lost on Brad Stevens as he sat at a podium early Thursday afternoon at the Auerbach Center.Game 1 of the NBA Finals was roughly eight hours away. But instead of getting ready to head to TD Garden for it, the president of basketball operations was taking questions about a failed Celtics season.“We were 48 minutes away from doing our pregame shootaround press conference today in the Finals,” Stevens said. “So there was a lot that went right and we can’t lose sight of that. But we also are always going to be thinking about how to best move it forward and pursue what we’re all trying to pursue.”The typically mild-mannered Stevens, expectedly, wasn’t overreacting to a season that fell short of expectations. Certainly, a lot went right for the Celtics this season as they finished on the doorstep of the NBA Finals. But there is certainly work to be done this summer as the Celtics continue pursuing a championship.Will there be major changes for this team? Likely not...

Five Greek police officers in custody pending trial for assisting illegal migrant crossings

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:45:28 GMT

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Five police officers accused of cooperating with human traffickers to facilitate the entry of at least 100 migrants into Greece are being held in custody pending trial.The five officers had been testifying before an examining magistrate since Saturday morning at the border town of Orestiada, in northeastern Greece.Agents from the internal affairs division of the Greek police had been monitoring the five officers, who serve in a special border guard unit, since October 2022. They also listened into their phone conversations, whose transcripts run into over 2,000 pages. The officers had aroused suspicion by volunteering to patrol at certain times, together.Authorities say the offices facilitated at least 12 border crossings, collaborating with four traffickers of undetermined nationality who operated from Turkey.Authorities allege that the accused officers took a cut from the money the traffickers received from the migrants to take them across the border. W...

DeSantis signs Bible, Pence hops on motorcycle at ‘Roast and Ride’ rally in Iowa

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:45:28 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Amid plates of sliced pork, statement-making leather ensembles and piles of political T-shirts, eight Republican presidential hopefuls descended on Iowa on Saturday to pitch themselves to voters and, in Mike Pence’s case, hop on motorcycle.The former vice president and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis were among the White House contenders appearing at a rally at the state fairgrounds near Des Moines hosted by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. Her annual political event, the “Roast and Ride” — a combination barbecue-rally and motorcycle ride — kicks off a busy summer campaign season heading into the state’s first-in-the-nation caucuses early next year.Former President Donald Trump, the leading GOP presidential candidate, was notably absent after spending two days in the state this past week. He has largely avoided any events that have him sharing the stage with his 2024 rivals.DeSantis, with his wife, Casey, and three young kids in tow, chatted with voters, gave out ...

Death toll from Senegal protests rises to 15 as opposition supporters clash with police

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:45:28 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The number of people killed in days of clashes between Senegalese police and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has now risen to 15, including two security officers, the government said on Saturday. While Dakar was calmer on Saturday, clashes continued into the evening. In residential neighborhoods, protesters threw rocks at police, barricaded roads and set tires on fire. The army patrolled the streets as police fired tear gas at the demonstrators, inspecting and detaining people deemed to be causing trouble. Residents peered over the rooftops of buildings, both shielding for cover and watching the clashes.The clashes first broke out on Thursday, after Sonko was convicted of corrupting youth but acquitted on charges of raping a woman who worked at a massage parlor and making death threats against her. Sonko, who didn’t attend his trial in Dakar, was sentenced to two years in prison. His lawyer said a warrant hadn’t yet been issued for his arrest.Sonk...

Federal court reinstates death penalty order for Missouri inmate convicted of killing jailers

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:45:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A federal appeals court has vacated a stay of execution for a Missouri inmate who is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday for his role in the deaths of two jailers.Michael Tisius, 42, was sentenced to death after being convicted of killing Randolph County jailers Jason Acton and Leon Egley during a failed escape attempt.U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough issued the stay on Wednesday and ordered an evidentiary hearing after Tisius’ attorneys argued that a juror in his 2010 resentencing was illiterate, which is not allowed under state law.On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said the lower court did not have jurisdiction to order the stay.Keith O’Connor, an attorney for Tisius, said his team will appeal the decision, the Kansas City Star reported. Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty and the Missouri NAACP have asked Republican Gov. Mike Parson to grant Tisius clemency, citing a history of abuse, that he was 19-years-old at the time o...

Patient air lifted to hospital after wilderness rescue in northwest Austin

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:45:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person suffered a traumatic injury on a bike trail Friday in northwest Austin, Austin-Travis County EMS said on Twitter.Shortly after 3 p.m., medics, STAR Flight and the Austin Fire Department responded to 10800-10825 Dodge Cattle Drive attempting to find the person who was injured, the tweet said.The person, who was not identified by Saturday, was transported via STAR Flight to St. David's Round Rock Medical Center with critical, life-threatening injuries, medics said.There were no further updates about the incident Saturday.

ATF: Minnesota, it remains federally illegal to mix marijuana with firearms and ammunition

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:45:28 GMT

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has clarified that despite the recent legalization of marijuana in Minnesota, anyone who uses the drug is prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition.“Regardless of the recent changes in Minnesota law related to the legalization of marijuana, an individual who is a current user of marijuana is still federally defined as an ‘unlawful user’ of a controlled substance,” under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the ATF noted in its statement issued on Tuesday.“Until marijuana is legalized federally, firearms owners and possessors should be mindful that it remains federally illegal to mix marijuana with firearms and ammunition,” said ATF’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Reed of the St. Paul Field Division in the statement. “As regulators of the firearms industry and enforcers of firearms laws, we felt it was important t...

Man robbed during marijuana drug deal in St. Louis

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:45:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A man was robbed at gunpoint Friday afternoon as he attempted to purchase marijuana in St. Louis. The robbery happened around 4 p.m. in the 4100 block of C.D. Banks Avenue in the Vandeventer neighborhood. St. Louis sheriff offers crime solution. Who’s listening? Investigators say the victim, a 21-year-old man, met the suspect around the area as part of an arrangement to purchase marijuana. During the meetup, the suspect pulled out a gun and demanded the victim's bag. The victim complied, handing over two firearms in his possession and a bag with personal items. The suspect took off in a silver Keep SUV. No suspect information is available at this time. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is handling the investigation.

Woman hurt in I-70 drive-by shooting in St. Louis

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:45:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A woman was hurt in a drive-by shooting Friday afternoon on Interstate 70 in St. Louis. The shooting happened around 5 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of I-70 near Madison Street in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood. Investigators say the victim, a 27-year-old woman, was driving on the highway when someone in a white Nissan Altima was recklessly driving and began to tailgate her. The victim attempted to get away from the driver and sped up. St. Louis sheriff offers crime solution. Who’s listening? The Altima stayed close, and eventually someone in the car pulled out a gun. One person from the car fired shots at the victim's vehicle, striking the driver's side. One bullet shot through the car door and struck the driver in the legs. The Altima drive away from the scene after the shooting. The woman was treated for injuries at a hospital, but is believed to be in stable condition.

Valor Christian wins first Class 5A baseball title, blanking Cherokee Trail 4-0 at All-Star Park

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:45:28 GMT

LAKEWOOD — Valor Christian played the entire state tournament like its path to the championship was never in doubt.That was the case again Saturday at All-Star Park, even after the Eagles had their two aces ruled out earlier in the week due to injuries. The Eagles won their first Class 5A state baseball title anyway, blanking Cherokee Trail 4-0 behind a gem from No. 3 starter Hunter Smith.It gave Valor Christian its 45th all-time team title and fourth in baseball to add to the Class 4A three-peat from 2016-18.“This team is leaving behind a brotherhood that’s been built since this school opened — and this (achievement) is a continuation of that,” said first-year Valor Christian head coach Travis Cruz. “Each class has left something for the next one to take and keep going.“I can only hope this is (the start of a run in 5A). It’s not always in the cards — it’s more about how we’re building our boys for their futures — bu...