Palou has 2nd IndyCar title in sight but Scott Dixon in his rearview mirror with 2 races remaining

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:02:04 GMT

Palou has 2nd IndyCar title in sight but Scott Dixon in his rearview mirror with 2 races remaining PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Alex Palou has been on cruise control all season as he’s chased a second IndyCar championship in three years. He’s had almost no bad luck — save for a pit lane incident that likely cost him the Indianapolis 500 — and has packed four wins into this impressive season.The Spaniard hasn’t had a single mechanical problem, has completed all but two laps this season and hasn’t finished lower than eighth through 15 races.So the math headed into Sunday’s penultimate race of the season is clear: A podium finish at Portland International Raceway secures Palou the title no matter what happens with Scott Dixon, his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate and the only other driver who can claim the championship.With a 74-point lead and two races remaining on the season, if Palou leads Dixon by 54 points at the end of Sunday, he will cruise into next week’s finale in Monterey, California, with his second title already in hand.The problem? It’s D...

Liberty nabs 5 interceptions, including Singleton’s TD, to top Bowling Green 34-24

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:02:04 GMT

Liberty nabs 5 interceptions, including Singleton’s TD, to top Bowling Green 34-24 LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — Kobe Singleton’s pick-6 highlighted a five-interception day by the Liberty defense, Kaidon Salter threw two touchdown passes and the Flames defeated Bowling Green 34-24 in a season opener on Saturday.It was the 100th win for new coach Jamey Chadwell, who had four previous stops, the last at Coastal Carolina.Singleton’s 36-yard return of a Connor Bazelak pass helped stake Liberty, which has moved to Conference USA this year, to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter. Brylan Green and Quinton Reese also intercepted Bazelak in the second quarter. Camden Orth was picked off twice in the second half by linebacker Jerome Jolly Jr. after the Falcons cut the deficit to a touchdown.Billy Lucas had a 2-yard touchdown run and Salter found Vaughn Blue for a 12-yard score before Singleton made it 21-0. After a Liberty field goal, Bowling Green had two quick touchdowns, a 14-yard run by Ta’ron Keith and BG Simms’ 76-yard return of a field goal attempt bloc...

Jefferson’s hot start helps Arkansas overwhelm Western Carolina 56-13

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:02:04 GMT

Jefferson’s hot start helps Arkansas overwhelm Western Carolina 56-13 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — K.J. Jefferson completed his first 12 passes while leading Arkansas to three first-quarter touchdowns, and the Razorbacks methodically put away FCS-level Western Carolina 56-13 on Saturday.Jefferson’s second pass of the game was a wide-receiver screen to the left sideline that turned into a 65-yard catch-and-run by Jaedon Wilson.The last three of five first-half Razorback touchdowns were set up by two interceptions and a fumble recovery, all in Western Carolina territory.Jefferson spread 18 receptions in 23 attempts around eight receivers for 246 yards. He found Isaac TeSlaa, who played for three years at NCAA Division II Hillsdale College, for a 31-yard first-quarter score, ran for a 17-yard touchdown and used AP Preseason Second Team All-American running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders to finish short drives with runs of 3 and 1 yards as the Razorbacks built a 35-3 halftime lead.Sanders, though, found running room rare against the aggressive Catamounts defens...

Police searching for suspects after Lynn shooting leaves 1 dead, 6 injured

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:02:04 GMT

Police searching for suspects after Lynn shooting leaves 1 dead, 6 injured Police are searching for suspects after an early morning shooting at a house party in Lynn left one person dead, two critically injured, and four others hurt.Officers responding to a reported shooting in the area of 189 Essex St. around 2:20 a.m. found seven people suffering from gunshot wounds and assisted in transporting them to area hospitals, according to police.One of the victims later died. His family has identified him as 25-year-old Abraham Diaz. Two others remain hospitalized in critical condition and four others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.In a press conference later in the day, officials said they believe the attack was targeted and came from a vehicle.Family members say the group was throwing a house party for a friend who was about to leave for college.Diaz’s brother, Brian, said he’s still struggling to come to grips with the loss of his sibling.“I just can’t believe this happened, I’m still trying to process it,” ...

Several city councilors calling on health officials to declare emergency over Mass & Cass encampment

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:02:04 GMT

Several city councilors calling on health officials to declare emergency over Mass & Cass encampment Several Boston city councilors are calling on city health officials to declare a state of emergency over the ongoing issues at an encampment near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.In a letter, the four councilors are likening the situation at what’s known as Mass & Cass to life-or-death emergencies like the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic or the influx of migrants who are being brought into the state, saying people living in the area can’t want any longer for the city to act.“What is unfolding at Mass and Cass, and surrounding neighborhoods, is similar in its multifaceted complexity, and no less dire in its threat to human life and well-being.” they wrote, adding, in part, “…we believe that the human cost is too great to delay significant, concrete action any further.”Crime, drug use, and human trafficking are among the issues that have raised concerns at the encampment.Councilor Ed Flynn said, “I support the city’s abil...

Boston police ask for help in search for missing 12-year-old girl

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:02:04 GMT

Boston police ask for help in search for missing 12-year-old girl Authorities are turning to the public for help as they search for a missing 12-year-old girl who hasn’t been seen since Thursday.Natalia Winters was last seen Aug. 31 in the area of 15 Powellton Road in Dorchester.She is described as being 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 140 pounds with brown eyes and short curly hair. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt and silver necklaces. She has been known to frequent Grove Hall, Harambe Park, and the Seaver Street and Humbolt Avenue area.Anyone with information is asked to call 617-343-4700.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Russia, Belarus, Iran disinvited to Nobel Prize ceremonies

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:02:04 GMT

Russia, Belarus, Iran disinvited to Nobel Prize ceremonies The Nobel Foundation on Saturday withdrew its invitation for representatives of Russia, Belarus and Iran to attend this year’s Nobel Prize award ceremonies after the decision announced a day earlier “provoked strong reactions.”Several Swedish lawmakers said Friday they would boycott this year’s Nobel Prize award ceremonies in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, after the private foundation that administers the prestigious awards changed its position from a year earlier and invited representatives of the three countries to attend, saying it “promotes opportunities to convey the important messages of the Nobel Prize to everyone.”Some of the lawmakers cited Russia’s war on Ukraine and the crackdown on human rights in Iran as reasons for their boycott. Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Friday called on the Swedish Nobel Foundation and the Norwegian Nobel Committee not to invite representatives of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s “illegitimate regime t...

Yankees Notebook: Youngsters delighted by chance to reunite at highest level

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:02:04 GMT

Yankees Notebook: Youngsters delighted by chance to reunite at highest level HOUSTON — When the Yankees beat the Astros on Friday night, they did so with five rookies in their lineup. Another came out of the bullpen.With Jasson Domínguez (20), Everson Pereira (22), Oswald Peraza (22), Anthony Volpe (22) and Austin Wells (24) all starting, it marked just the second time since 1971 that the Yankees had five players 24 or younger start the same game. Randy Vásquez, also 24, then delivered two scoreless innings in relief.“It’s very special,” Wells, who debuted alongside Domínguez, said before the game. “I don’t know a lot of guys who can say they debuted with four or five guys from the minors that they played with.”Domínguez, whose MLB debut had been highly anticipated ever since he signed a $5.1 million contract as a 16-year-old, stole the show when the centerfielder homered off Justin Verlander — who is twice his age — in his very first at-bat.Wells, meanwhile, picked up a single in his ...

Patriots great Devin McCourty to be recognized for his off-the-field contributions to New England

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:02:04 GMT

Patriots great Devin McCourty to be recognized for his off-the-field contributions to New England Devin McCourty won’t be suiting up for the Patriots anymore, but the spotlight is still shining on the former team captain’s contributions to the New England community.McCourty, who announced his retirement from the NFL in March, will be recognized in November for his service off the field when he receives the Embracing the Legacy Award from RFK Community Alliance.The Lancaster-based nonprofit that provides all kinds of family support services is specifically placing its focus on what it says is one of McCourty’s “most pivotal moments in his career”: helping free a man serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole.McCourty, teammates and other members of the Patriots organization during the 2021 season partnered with social justice advocates to free Brockton resident William Allen, who was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1997 after committing an armed robbery that killed 42-year-old Purvis Bester in 1994.The advocacy work led to former Gov...

Bill Richardson, former New Mexico governor and UN ambassador, dies in Massachusetts

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:02:04 GMT

Bill Richardson, former New Mexico governor and UN ambassador, dies in Massachusetts Bill Richardson, a two-term Democratic governor of New Mexico and an American ambassador to the United Nations who also worked for years to secure the release of Americans detained by foreign adversaries, has died. He was 75.The Richardson Center for Global Engagement, which he founded and led, said in a statement Saturday that he died in his sleep at his home in Chatham, Massachusetts.“He lived his entire life in the service of others — including both his time in government and his subsequent career helping to free people held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad,” said Mickey Bergman, the center’s vice president. “There was no person that Gov. Richardson would not speak with if it held the promise of returning a person to freedom. The world has lost a champion for those held unjustly abroad and I have lost a mentor and a dear friend.”Before his election in 2002 as governor, Richardson was the U.S. envoy to the United Nations and energy secretary under President Bill C...