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Knicks confident about handling games without Julius Randle: ‘We always step up in focus’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:10 GMT

CLEVELAND — Jalen Brunson acknowledged the “terrible timing” of Julius Randle’s injury, but the point guard — along with teammate RJ Barrett — are confident the roster can handle the absence of the All-Star.For Barrett, it’s a belief rooted in the roster’s improvement from last season, specifically the addition of Brunson and the uptick in scoring from Immanuel Quickley.“One hundred percent,” Barrett said. “I think it could be anybody’s night. The way I come in looking at it, I want to make the right plays, whether I’m scoring, facilitating, playing defense. Whenever one guy goes down, we always step up to focus. I think it takes more focus especially being down an All-Star. But I’m very confident in our team and how we can handle things.”Still, a life without Randle for at least the final five games of the regular season — and possibly into the playoffs — brings questions and chall...

Bam Adebayo questionable for Heat game against Dallas Mavericks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:10 GMT

The Heat could be missing key players for their crucial matchup with the Dallas Mavericks this weekend.Center Bam Adebayo (hip bruise) and Kyle Lowry (left knee soreness) are questionable for Miami’s 7:30 p.m. game against Dallas on Saturday.Adebayo suffered the hip injury when he fall during the Heat’s loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday.Adebayo has been one of Miami’s most consistent contributors this year, playing in 72 of 77 games so far this season. The 25-year-old center is averaging 20.7 points and a team-best 9.3 rebounds this season.Lowry did not play in the Heat’s loss to the Knicks, the second game of a back-to-back, after playing in Miami’s previous four games. Lowry has been dealing with nagging knee soreness for much of the season.The Heat will also be without rookie Nikola Jovic (back spasms). Jamal Cain and Orlando Robinson remain with Miami’s G-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. ()

Column: It was a ‘Stropening Day’ to remember for Marcus Stroman and the Chicago Cubs — even at a faster pace

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:10 GMT

Murphy’s Bleachers dubbed it “Stropening Day” on its marquee, and opening day 2023 at Wrigley Field certainly was an eventful one for Chicago Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman.The Stropener was not your grandfather’s opener, but it definitely was in tune with the times.Before the game, the Cubs starter crouched in front of the 400-foot marker at the center field wall to collect his thoughts. He then pitched six shutout innings in a 4-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers and made history on the way by committing the first-ever pitch clock violation in major-league history.Afterward, Stroman wore sunglasses to his postgame news conference and talked about getting “chills” from Cubs fans celebrating opening day. He vowed to let these kind of moments sink in, unlike the past.“There’d be a certain amount of times, you really want to just take it in,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been better about that recently. I feel like in my past,...

Donald Trump has been indicted. Here’s what happens next

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:10 GMT

By JENNIFER PELTZ (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — Every day, hundreds of people are taken into law enforcement custody in New York City. Former President Donald Trump will become one of them next week.Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon after an investigation into payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of an extramarital sexual encounter. The indictment itself remains sealed for now in the first criminal case ever brought against a former U.S. president.Trump — a Republican who assailed the case Thursday as a Democratic prosecutor’s “political persecution” of “a completely innocent person” — is expected to turn himself in to authorities next week, according to three people familiar with the matter but not authorized to discuss it publicly. The people said the details of a surrender are still being worked out.Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Br...

Bruins notebook: Top prospect Mason Lohrei signs ATO with Providence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:10 GMT

The Bruins’ top amateur prospect took the next big step in his career on Friday.After finishing up his sophomore season at Ohio State, defenseman Mason Lohrei signed an amateur tryout contract to play for the Providence Bruins. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound should get some valuable pro experience while playing for the playoff-bound P-Bruins.A late bloomer, the 22-year-old Lohrei had an excellent career in Columbus after the B’s chose him in the second round (58th overall) in the 2020 draft when he was still a member of the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers.The Verona, Wisconsin native spent another season with the Gamblers before moving on to the Buckeyes, for whom he had 4-25-29 totals in 31 games his freshman season. In his sophomore season, which ended on Sunday when OSU was ousted by Quinnipiac from the NCAA tournament, he had 4-28-32 totals in 40 games after starting slowly while bouncing back from a knee injury.It is difficult to see Lohrei — a big, offensive-minded ...

Man sexually assaulted by stranger during massage in North York

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:10 GMT

Toronto police are searching for a man connected to an alleged sexual assault that occurred during a massage at a spa in North York.Officers were called to a spa in the Wilson Avenue West and Keele Street area around 4:30 p.m. on March 21.It’s alleged that a man ordered a massage, and another man sexually assaulted him. The suspect then fled on foot.He is described as being in his 20s, around five-foot-five, with a medium build, black medium-length hair and clean-shaven.He was last seen wearing black pants, a black hoodie, a red toque, a windbreaker with two stripes on each sleeve, and white running shoes.

Jane-Finch restaurant offers Caribbean food, vibes and a feeling of community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:10 GMT

A decade ago, the Mohammed family started Debes Roti and Doubles, a staple for Trinidadian food in Toronto’s Jane and Finch community.The first location, which is now closed, was started by Jenny and her son, Randy Mohammed, at Albion Road and Islington Avenue. That’s where Randy met his wife Sol.A few years later, they opened the second spot in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood, and now they have another location near Steeles Avenue and Weston Road in Woodbridge.“We just really wanted to showcase our family food. All the family recipes and whatnot from my grandmother,” says owner Randy Mohammed.Most dishes are made in-house, including the hot sauce, which has a nice heat to it.“Yeah, it’s freshly made in-house,” adds Randy.“It’s a great spot to meet people. People tend to come here not only for the great food but for the vibe and the personal experiences, and it gives them a sense of home. For some a way to get away and feel like you’re back in the Caribbean....

Baldwin codefendant gets 6 months probation on gun charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:10 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A codefendant in the case against actor Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on a movie set in New Mexico was convicted Friday of unsafe handling of a firearm and sentenced to six months of probation.Safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls also must pay a $500 fine and complete a gun-safety course after agreeing to plead guilty to the charge related to the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western movie “Rust.”Halls appeared briefly by video to waive his right to challenge the negligence charge, as state District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer approved terms of a plea agreement with prosecutors.Defense attorney Lisa Torraco urged the court to not impose a prison sentence — the maximum possible penalty was 6 months behind bars — noting that Halls was “extremely traumatized and “rattled” with guilt. Baldwin and movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter that carry a ...

Beshear signs bipartisan bills, with campaign looming

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:10 GMT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear joined with Republican lawmakers as he signed historic measures Friday that will legalize medical marijuana and sports wagering in Kentucky, calling it an example of divided government working to get the “tough things” done that voters want.Facing a reelection campaign that soon will intensify, the governor celebrated with GOP sponsors of the two bills that won final passage in the waning hours of this year’s legislative session Thursday. Beshear, a long-running advocate for both measures, wasted no time in signing them.Beshear and lawmakers touted the bipartisan support both measures garnered. Democratic support was crucial since Republicans — who hold legislative supermajorities — were divided on the issues. “It was said, can you — with a Democratic governor and a supermajority Republican legislature — get those tough things, important things, things that Kentuckians really want done,” Beshear said. “And the answ...

Probe of deadly Black Hawk crash underway in Kentucky

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:10 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A special military investigative team is on the scene of a deadly crash involving two Black Hawk helicopters that killed nine people in southwestern Kentucky, but weather conditions have slowed the early work, Army officials said.The team of about eight members from Fort Rucker, Alabama, arrived at the scene around 7 p.m. Thursday night but rain and wind have slowed their efforts, said Dawn Grimes, a public information officer at Fort Campbell.“The investigation is active but it has been hampered by weather,” Grimes said Friday.Two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed near Fort Campbell on Wednesday night during a medical evacuation training exercise, killing all nine soldiers aboard the two aircrafts. The crash occurred in Trigg County, Kentucky, about 30 mile (48 kilometers) northwest of the Army post that is home to the 101st Airborne Division. The helicopters crashed in a field near a residential area, but the Army has not said if the two Black Hawks colli...