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The Miami Marlins have spent decades as an afterthought. Now they’re heading to the playoffs

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:49:46 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kim Ng was well aware of the stakes when she became the Miami Marlins’ general manager in November 2020, stakes that extended well beyond whether she could resuscitate a franchise that’s spent most of its existence fighting for relevance within its own city.The first female GM of a major North American sports franchise understood she was a pioneer. A symbol, too. She embraced the daunting task of taking a franchise with limited support and turning it into a contender while being careful to avoid setting a timetable for success.Timetables invite judgment. Ng simply doesn’t see the world that way.“You’re never sure when it’s all going to come together,” Ng said.So rather than create some arbitrary deadline, Ng focused on the process of drafting and developing talent and sifting through rosters elsewhere in search of pieces she felt might fit.The process gained traction last winter with the hiring of relentlessly upbeat first-year Skip Schumaker, who...

DJ Irie talks annual fundraiser, new additions, and star-studded lineup

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:49:46 GMT

South Florida, get ready for another sensational Irie Weekend as DJ Irie gears up for the 17th annual fundraiser event. In an exclusive interview with 7News’ Mike DiPasquale, DJ Irie shared insights about this year’s Irie Weekend, the event’s evolution, and what to expect.DJ Irie, the man behind the magic, expressed his excitement for this year’s Irie Weekend, highlighting the addition of a tennis tournament alongside the beloved golf event. “It’s like my only chance of the year to get on the greens and hit the balls,” he shared, emphasizing his passion for golf.But this year, the tennis bug has bitten DJ Irie hard. He revealed his newfound love for tennis and his desire to involve the community in this sport. “So, the big, new thing this year is I’m doing a bog tennis tournament, man,” said DJ Irie. “So, I caught the tennis bug. It bit me and it bit me good. I picked up a racket April of last year and haven’t b...

Donald Trump arrives in court for a New York trial scrutinizing his business practices

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:49:46 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump showed up on Monday for a trial in a lawsuit that could cost him control of Trump Tower and other prized properties, after vowing to defend his reputation in a case he calls “a sham.”Trump, who built his political career on his fame as a billionaire real estate ace and master of “The Art of the Deal,” appeared voluntarily for a trial that has high stakes for him.New York Attorney General Letitia James’ suit accuses Trump and his company of deceiving banks, insurers and others by habitually lying about his wealth in financial statements.Judge Arthur Engoron already has ruled that Trump committed fraud in his business dealings. It is a non-jury trial, so Engoron will decide on six other claims in the lawsuit.James, a Democrat, is seeking $250 million in penalties and a ban on Trump doing business in New York. The judge’s ruling last week, if upheld on appeal, could force Trump to give up New York properties including Trump T...

$1.04 billion Powerball jackpot tempts players to brave long odds

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:49:46 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An estimated $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot will be up for grabs Monday night, tempting players to spend a couple dollars on a longshot chance at instant riches.The prize is the world’s ninth-largest lottery prize behind earlier drawings of Powerball and Mega Millions, the other nearly nationwide lottery game. The jackpot is the fourth-largest in the history of Powerball.The prize has grown so massive because there have been 32 consecutive drawings since someone matched all five white balls and the Powerball to win the jackpot, dating back to July 19.That losing streak reflects the stunningly long odds of winning the jackpot, at 1 in 292.2 million.The $1.04 billion jackpot is for a sole winner who chooses to receive the winnings through an annuity, paid annually over 30 years. Winners nearly always pick the cash option, which for Monday night’s drawing would be an estimated $478.2 million.A Powerball ticket cost...

US expands probe into Ford engine failures to include two motors and nearly 709,000 vehicles

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:49:46 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. auto safety investigators have expanded a probe into Ford Motor Co. engine failures to include nearly 709,000 vehicles.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also said in documents posted Monday on its website that it upgraded the investigation to an engineering analysis, a step closer to a recall.The investigation now covers Ford’s F-150 pickup truck, as well as Explorer, Bronco and Edge SUVs and Lincoln Nautilus and Aviator SUVs. All are from the 2021 and 2022 model years and are equipped with 2.7-liter or 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged engines.The agency says that under normal driving conditions the engines can lose power due to catastrophic engine failure related to allegedly faulty valves.The agency opened its initial investigation in May of last year after getting three letters from owners. Initially the probe was looking at failure of the 2.7-liter engine on Broncos.Since then, Ford reported 861 customer complaints, warranty claims a...

Serbia says it has reduced army presence near Kosovo after US expressed concern over troop buildup

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:49:46 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — The Serbian army has cut the number of troops stationed on the border with Kosovo by nearly half, top Serbian military officials said on Monday, denying U.S. and other reports of a mass military buildup in the wake of a shooting over a week ago that killed four people and raised fears of instability in the volatile region.Troop numbers are now at their “regular” level of some 4,500 soldiers, reduced from 8,350 in the wake of violence on Sept. 24 in northern Kosovo between heavily armed Serb gunmen and Kosovo police, the Serbian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Milan Mojsilovic said at a press conference. He said troop numbers in the past had reached 14,000 soldiers and that unlike several times in the recent past, the army had not raised its combat readiness, so “from the military point of view I see no reason for such (critical) comments” by both U.S. and European Union officials.Mojsilovic and Serbia’s Defense Minister Milos Vucevic also denied reports ...

Spain’s women’s team players Putellas, Rodríguez and Paredes appear before a judge in Rubiales probe

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:49:46 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and two of her teammates on Spain’s women’s national team appeared before a judge Monday as witnesses in the investigation of former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales for kissing a player on the lips.Putellas, Irene Paredes and Misa Rodríguez all answered questions from the judge in Madrid. Rodríguez appeared in court in the Spanish capital, while Putellas and Paredes testified via video from Barcelona.Spanish state prosecutors have accused Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the awards ceremony after the Women’s World Cup final in August.Spanish media, citing court sources, said the three players told the judge that Rubiales and other federation members tried to convince players to downplay the kiss. The court has not officially released details of the testimony.Some federation officials and former national team coach Jorge Vilda, who was replaced n...

Beyoncé, like Taylor, is heading to movie theaters with a new film

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:49:46 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A documentary chronicling Beyoncé’s just-concluded 39-city Renaissance World Tour will premiere in North American theaters Dec. 1, AMC Theaters announced Monday. The film adds a second pop star blockbuster to a fall slate of movies that’s been slightly thinned out by the ongoing screen actors’ strike. Like “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” which debuts Oct. 13, “Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé” is being released directly by AMC, the movie theater chain, without studio involvement. Tickets will start at $22 plus tax. The film will run for a minimum of four weeks, AMC said. Beyoncé’s previous films include the acclaimed 2019 Netflix film “Homecoming,” which captured her Coachella performance in 2018. In the deals with AMC, Beyoncé and Swift are both reported to be receiving at least 50% of ticket sales. The film charts Beyoncé’s tour on behalf of her 2022 Gammy-winning album “Renaissance.” It mixes concert footage and elements of a visua...

Man critical, woman injured after being shot while driving scooters

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:49:46 GMT

CHICAGO — Two individuals were injured after they were shot while riding a scooter in McKinley Park Sunday night, police said.According to police, a 21-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were riding scooters near the 3600 block of South Archer Avenue around 10:44 p.m. when someone from a white SUV fired shots.The man sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and is listed in critical condition at Mount Sinai Hospital. 2 killed, 2 injured — including 7-year-old boy — in shooting on West Side The woman sustained a gunshot wound to the face and was transported to Stroger Hospital in fair condition.There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

2 killed, 7-year-old boy injured in shooting on West Side

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:49:46 GMT

CHICAGO — Two men are dead and two others, including a child, are injured after a shooting on the city's West Side, according to Chicago Police.Officers say the shooting happened near West Madison Street and South Sacramento Boulevard in Garfield Park just after 2:30 p.m.Police say the three men and a 7-year-old boy were standing in a vacant lot in the area when a car, which was traveling southbound, pulled up and a person inside opened fire on the group.Officers say a 33-year-old man and a 31-year-old man were both shot in the head and taken to the hospital where they later died from their injuries. According to police, the 7-year-old boy suffered a graze wound to the head and was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition. The boy has been identified as Aden Carothers and will turn 8-years-old next month.The other person involved, a 38-year-old man who was shot in the lower back, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting.No ...