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Bob Raissman: Hard to make sense of ESPN’s decision to dump top NBA voices Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:51 GMT

While recently going public with their new NBA broadcast teams, ESPN’s Bristol Faculty didn’t add laser beam focus on why they unceremoniously dumped Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson who teamed with Mike Breen for nearly two decades as the network’s No. 1 hoops trio.During that time, the three voices authored a memorable partnership. Historically speaking, they will go down as one of the best microphone combinations in the industry and the best ESPN has presented in any sport.It’s rare for a network to strike this brand of gold. Even rarer to strike gold than flush it down the toilet.Under ESPN’s watch, Van Gundy became a star. Nonetheless, the suits decided their NBA product could do without his unique personality, something that can’t be taught or duplicated. Both JVG and Jax are genuine.Yet the sum of this gang was greater than any individual part. It was a compelling team, in the truest sense. At any moment, the insight — or humor —...

Russian missile attack kills 7 in northern Ukrainian city as Zelenskyy visits NATO candidate Sweden

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:51 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A missile attack in the center of a northern Ukrainian city killed seven people and wounded scores of others on Saturday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Sweden, his first visit to the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year.As Zelenskyy arrived in Sweden, a Russian missile strike killed seven people and wounded 117 others in the city center of Chernihiv, the regional capital of the northern Ukrainian province of the same name, acting mayor Oleksandr Lomako said. A 6-year-old girl was among the dead, while the wounded included 12 children.Zelenskyy condemned the attack, which he said hit buildings including a theater and a university.“This is what a neighborhood with a terrorist state is, this is what we unite the whole world against. A Russian missile hit right in the center of the city, in our Chernihiv,” he wrote on Telegram. “A square, the polytechnic university, a theater. An ordinary Saturday, which Russia ...

Greek authorities rescue nearly 60 migrants on small boats in Aegean Sea

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:51 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities on Saturday rescued nearly 60 migrants in inflatable dinghies trying to cross from Turkey to the nearby eastern Aegean Sea islands in two separate incidents, the coast guard said.In recent weeks Greece has seen a rise in such arrivals, mostly in small unseaworthy boats provided by smugglers.A coast guard statement said a patrol boat located 41 people early Saturday on a drifting inflatable dinghy off the island of Lesbos. All were safely evacuated and taken to a reception center on the island.Following a chase earlier Saturday, a coast guard patrol boat stopped another dinghy carrying 17 people near the eastern Aegean islets of Arkii. The migrants were taken to the island of Patmos, while one of them was arrested on suspicion of belonging to a smuggling ring.Greek officials have blamed the increase in arrivals largely on conflicts in Africa that are adding pressure on the main smuggling routes to Europe, and also on a burgeoning black market i...

Last rodeo for Longhorn Network, the Texas venture with ESPN that once rattled the Big 12

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:51 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — When the Longhorn Network launched in 2011, the 20-year, $300 million partnership with ESPN set up Texas with its own 24-hour television showcase that sent shockwaves across college sports some say can still be felt today.Rivals in the Big 12 Conference bitterly complained the swaggering Longhorns were stomping over the rest of the league, and would reap an unfair recruiting advantage amid that shower of cash. Some worried Texas was about to become a runaway train in college athletics.Twelve years after the studio lights flickered on, the network will soon go dark: LHN will be folded into the SEC Network when Texas joins the Southeastern Conference next summer. This academic year is the last for a pioneering effort that forced new NCAA rules, laid the groundwork for emerging conference networks and played a role in what would be a decade of realignment.“Yeah, it was bold,” said former Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds, the architect of the idea for LHN. “We b...

4 teenagers shot in North Lawndale late Friday night

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:51 GMT

CHICAGO — Four teenagers were shot in the North Lawndale neighborhood late Friday evening, with two of the victims currently in critical condition.According to Chicago Police, two offenders approached a large gathering in the 3500 Block of W. 13th Place at 11:50 p.m. and fired multiple shots into the crowd. All four victims, ages 17 through 19, were transported to Mout Sinai Hospital.A 19-year-old male suffered six gunshot wounds to the left side of his body and is in critical condition along with an 18-year-old female, who was shot in the upper back. Two other victims are in good condition: A 17-year-old male who was hit in the right leg and left arm, and another 17-year-old male who was shot twice in the right buttocks. Police found over 30 shell casings in the area around the shooting. There are currently no suspects in custody as Chicago Police Area 4 detectives continue to investigate.

Hit by 'streamflation'? Here's why media companies are hiking prices

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:51 GMT

(The Hill) – Media companies across the board are jacking up the price of their streaming services in what some have dubbed “streamflation” as they look to turn a profit on streaming after years of losses.Disney announced last week that it plans to increase prices for the ad-free versions of Disney+ and Hulu by at least 20% in October, following a “pretty significant” jump in prices just last year.Netflix also recently axed its cheapest ad-free option, making the $15.49 a month Standard plan the most economical choice for subscribers who want to avoid commercials. Paramount Plus similarly ditched its mid-range, ad-free option in June.Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max, formerly known as HBO Max, increased its monthly rate by $1 in January, while NBCUniversal increased its plans on Peacock by $1 to $2 per month on Thursday.Overall, the average monthly cost of a major streaming service has increased by nearly 25% in a year, according to a recent Wall Street Journal analysis. The Financial T...

Rain chances look best Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Friday's high at Camp Mabry was 106°. There have been 42 consecutive days of a triple-digit high. Yesterday was the 58th day of a high temperature reaching 100° and higher. It's also the 34th day where the high reached 105° and higher. There won't be much of a change today with most highs this afternoon peaking at 102°to 106° along with maximum heat index readings back up to 108°.Today's normal high is 98°Excessive Heat Warnings for 13 of our 15 counties are in effect today from 1:00 to 9:00. Heat Advisories will be in effect for Gillespie and Blanco Counties during that time. These heat alerts will likely be extended to tomorrow and Monday.Afternoon maximum heat index 104° to 108°Tropical system may impact Texas next weekAn area of disturbed weather located near the northwestern and central Bahamas will move into the Gulf by Monday. Low pressure will likely form with further slow development continuing. The National Hurricane Center is continuing to forecast a 50% ...

ATCEMS: 2 dead near Bee Cave after crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:51 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Two people died after a crash near Bee Cave on Friday night, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.Officials said a vehicle rescue call came in at 9:23 p.m. in the 7000 block of Farm-to-Market Road 2244. ATCEMS said it arrived on the scene of a two-vehicle collision with three patients involved.ATCEMS said two adults were pronounced dead at the scene, and one adult was taken to the hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries.  Officials had no other information available, and EMS was no longer on scene as of 10:58 p.m.

Tour highlights artists in Texas border towns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:51 GMT

SAN ELIZARIO, Texas (KTSM) – Just east of El Paso along the border sits San Elizario, where local artists are showing off their works as part of a new art tour.El Paso County and Visit El Paso teamed up to create the new experience called First Friday Tour of Mission Valley. It takes people to several stops throughout San Elizario, Socorro and Ysleta.In San Elizario, guests are welcome to take a tour of the several art galleries for the Art Walk Experience. One of those galleries is Escamilla, owned by Rachel and her husband, award-winning artist Alberto Escamilla. Both said they are excited to welcome new people and their pets to view the artwork."You're going to find not only historical buildings and history but the top artists of El Paso," Escamilla said. Robert Dozal is another local artist guests can visit in a community he said is thriving."We've excelled where others have failed, you know. So many people have been out here and they've tried to m...

Unusual pairing? St. Paul area wine shops offer U-Haul rentals, too

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:51 GMT

U-Haul, the do-it-yourself moving rental company, for years has partnered with local gas stations, used-car dealers and self storage facilities to bring their services closer to their customers.Along with U-Haul of St. Paul on University Avenue, the company has traditional partnerships such as with Rockstar Automotive in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood and Dart Storage on the West Side.Toasted Wine Spirits & Ales in St. Paul has been a neighborhood U-Haul dealer since 2019. Movers can rent trucks, trailers and other moving equipment directly from neighborhood dealers to cut down on unnecessary driving. (Courtesy of U-Haul)And then there are some dealers that stand apart from the crowd like St. Paul’s Toasted Wine Spirits and Ales or Rice Street Tobacco.The latest in a line of unlikely pairings is Sarrack’s International Wine & Spirits in Maplewood. The partnership, announced last month, will allow customers to access U-Haul trucks, towing equipment and other rent...