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McGregor knocks out Heat mascot in bizarre promotion

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:22:15 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Conor McGregor knocked out the Miami Heat mascot in a mid-game bit that went wrong.Burnie — more specifically, the man who occupies Burnie’s costume — briefly sought medical attention Friday night after taking two punches from McGregor during a third-quarter stoppage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Heat and the Denver Nuggets.The Heat said Saturday that the employee, who was not identified, received pain medication and was resting at home.McGregor was there as a promotional gimmick for a pain-relief spray — and was booed by many in the Miami crowd even before the bit started. The flame mascot was wearing oversized boxing gloves and a robe akin to what a fighter would wear entering the ring for a bout.McGregor hit Burnie with a left hook, knocking him down, then punched the mascot again after he hit the floor.McGregor then tried to “spray” the mascot with the pain-relief product, while several members of the Heat’s in-game promotional team dragged Bur...

Bally's holds first Chicago job fair

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:22:15 GMT

CHICAGO — Job seekers went to McCormick Place Saturday, as Bally's hosted its first job fair to staff their future Chicago casino location.A temporary casino is set to open later this summer inside the Medinah Temple in River North, while Bally's plans to build a permanent, nearly-$2 billion casino — including a hotel and theatre — along the river between Grand and Chicago avenue. Judge: Diamond Sports must pay full value of contracts to Diamondbacks, Guardians, Twins, Rangers WGN's Judy Wang reports on the job fair and how prospective employees are looking at the opportunities sitting in front of them.

Billboards in Denver designed to attract birds — here's why

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:22:15 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — There are some billboards in Denver, Colorado, that may be drawing some (feathered) crowds — but why would a billboard be designed to attract birds?It's part of a campaign by the Colorado-based Generation Wild, which aims to remind parents to motivate their kids to love the outdoors, according to the organization. Red Lobster Crabfest back after 4 years — with $5 martinis The project includes several billboards that integrate natural elements relating to the unique billboard's surroundings, and some of them are specifically designed to attract birds."It's going to show kids that this is one of the really cool things that you can do outdoors:to see and to watch birds," Mike Sukle, the founder of the advertising agency said.The billboard blends in with the sky, featuring light clouds and tree branches that are arranged to read the project's theme, "share this wonder-full world."It features actual branch-like perches that stick out of the board and some even have some...

State of Texas: ‘We are not backing down,’ Patrick digs in for special session property tax fight

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:22:15 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Nearly two weeks into the first of a promised several special sessions by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, there are no signs of breaking the impasse on property taxes. In fact, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick appears to be digging in.“That's a negotiation that we are not backing down from ever,” said Patrick at a news conference he called to mark a week into the special session. ‘Priced out:’ Texans fed up with the politics of property taxes The same day, at a separate event, Abbott reiterated his commitment to his competing plan, the same plan supported by Speaker of the House Dade Phelan. The House passed it, and immediately adjourned from the special session a day after the Governor called everyone back.Abbott wants the legislature to spend $17.6 billion on lowering school district property tax rates, “solely by reducing the school district maximum compressed tax rate.” That strategy, known as compression, simply gives school districts more money in return for lower tax rates.“...

Trump blasts federal indictment as ‘baseless’ at first events since charges were unsealed

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:22:15 GMT

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Former President Donald Trump blasted his historic federal indictment as “ridiculous” and “baseless” Saturday during his first public appearances since the charges were unsealed, painting the 37 felony counts as an attack on his supporters as he tried to turn dire legal peril to political advantage.Speaking at Republican state conventions in Georgia and North Carolina, Trump cast his indictment by the Department of Justice as an attempt to damage his chances of returning to the White House as he campaigns for a second term.“They’ve launched one witch hunt after another to try and stop our movement, to thwart the will of the American people,” Trump alleged in Georgia, later telling the crowd that, “In the end, they’re not coming after me. They’re coming after you.”The strategy is a well-worn one for Trump, who remains the front-runner for the 2024 GOP nomination despite his mounting legal woes, which also include criminal charges filed against him in March in New Y...

Kiszla: While first championship will be sweet, Nuggets’ lofty ambition is to win not one, not two …

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:22:15 GMT

MIAMI — The look in Nikola Jokic’s eyes went from murderous to euphoric in the second required for a long jump shot to leave the fingertips of Nuggets teammate Bruce Brown and rip a hole in the heart of the Miami Heat.“When (Brown) did a step-back three, I almost … I wanted to punch him. But when he made it, I was so happy,” Jokic admitted in the early minutes of Saturday morning, after the clock struck midnight on the Cinderella dance by Miami through the NBA playoffs.The Nuggets beat the Heat 108-95 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals and move within one victory of the first championship in franchise history.As Brown put the exclamation point on Game 4 by drilling a 3-point shot with one minute, 21 seconds, remaining in the fourth quarter, the reaction of Jokic was priceless. Standing on the baseline near Denver’s bench, the two-time MVP shrugged his massive shoulders with upturned palms that shouted “What the heck are you thinking?” when Brown launched his...

Report: San Jose man dies while snorkeling during Hawaii honeymoon

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:22:15 GMT

A San Jose man died while snorkeling during his honeymoon on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu, and a thief took advantage of the commotion by stealing his widow’s belongings while others were giving him CPR, according to published reports.The man, identified as 49-year-old Steven Phan, was snorkeling when he suffered medical distress and was brought to shore. While some attempted to resuscitate him with CPR, a thief grabbed a bag containing Phan and his wife’s belongings and ran off, Honolulu news station KHON reported.A GoFundMe page for Phan’s newlywed widow Brittany says the couple was married just three months before Phan died on June 1, and describes him as a “true friend and amazing husband.”“We are all shocked, in disbelief, and heartbroken at the loss of such a great man as Steven. Steven always found a way to be a part of everyone’s lives, no matter the distance,” the page says.Police have not announced any arrests of the bag thef...

Conor McGregor knocks out Heat mascot in bizarre promotion at NBA Finals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:22:15 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Former UFC champion Conor McGregor knocked out the Miami Heat mascot in a midgame bit that went wrong.Burnie — more specifically, the man who occupies Burnie’s costume — briefly sought medical attention Friday night after taking two punches from McGregor during a third-quarter stoppage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Heat and the Denver Nuggets.The Heat said Saturday that the employee, who was not identified, received pain medication and was resting at home.McGregor was there as a promotional gimmick for a pain-relief spray — and was booed by many in the Miami crowd even before the bit started. The flame mascot was wearing oversized boxing gloves and a robe akin to what a fighter would wear entering the ring for a bout. McGregor hit Burnie with a left hook, knocking him down, then punched the mascot again after he hit the floor.McGregor then tried to “spray” the mascot with the pain-relief product, while several members of the Heat’s in-game promotio...

NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:22:15 GMT

SaturdayAt Bristol DragwayBristol, Tenn.Sunday’s first round pairingsTop Fuel1. Leah Pruett, 3.745 seconds, 322.42 mph vs. 16. Spencer Massey, 3.928, 308.50; 2. Brittany Force, 3.747, 334.48 vs. 15. Antron Brown, 3.907, 292.90; 3. Steve Torrence, 3.753, 329.10 vs. 14. Shawn Langdon, 3.842, 323.97; 4. Justin Ashley, 3.755, 327.74 vs. 13. Doug Foley, 3.841, 287.66; 5. Mike Salinas, 3.762, 327.35 vs. 12. Josh Hart, 3.819, 321.12; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.764, 319.22 vs. 11. Clay Millican, 3.808, 327.11; 7. Dan Mercier, 3.768, 317.72 vs. 10. Tony Schumacher, 3.797, 323.58; 8. Austin Prock, 3.787, 326.08 vs. 9. Cameron Ferre, 3.795, 322.11.Did Not Qualify: 17. Lex Joon, 4.095, 248.16.Funny Car1. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.938, 321.35 vs. 16. Alex Laughlin, Dodge Charger, 4.182, 302.08; 2. Ron Capps, Toyota Supra, 3.962, 318.92 vs. 15. Dave Richards, Ford Mustang, 4.160, 294.24; 3. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.969, 322.50 vs. 14. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.125, 297.55; 4. Bob Tasca III, Musta...

Gelof has 4 RBIs, Virginia hits 4 HRs, beats Duke 14-4 to avoid elimination at super regional

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:22:15 GMT

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Griff O’Ferrall led off the game with the first of Virginia’s four home runs Jake Gelof went 3 for 5 with a double, a home run and four RBIs, and the Cavaliers set a program record for runs in a super regional game in their 14-4 win over Duke 14-4 Saturday. The decisive Game 3 is set for Sunday with the winner earning an automatic berth into the College World Series. Connelly Early (12-2) scattered nine hits — and a hit by pitch — over seven innings while allowed three runs, none earned, with eight strikeouts to get the win. Luke Storm hit a two-RBI double and scored and Damon Lux followed four pitches later with another double to pull Duke within a run in the bottom of the fourth inning but Ethan Anthony hit a three-run shot and Anthony Stephan added a solo homer in the fifth to make it 8-3. Gelof hit a two-run double in the sixth and a two-run homer that sparked a four-run eighth that gave Virginia a 14-3 lead. Storm and Lux each had two RBIs for ...