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First debate looms as 2024 GOP race plays out across two stages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

(CNN) — The 2024 Republican presidential primary is set to enter a new phase this week, but it’s one that will play out across two stages – in Milwaukee, where at least seven contenders will meet Wednesday night for the first GOP debate of the cycle, and in the drama surrounding the legal woes of the front-runner, former President Donald Trump.Trump announced Sunday he’s skipping the first debate, effectively depriving his intraparty rivals of oxygen in a week when his surrender and arraignment in Fulton County, Georgia, will also dominate headlines.Writing on his social media platform, the former president said that the public already “knows who I am” and that “I will therefore not be doing the debates!”Hours before Trump posted, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told Fox News that she was “still holding out hope” that he would participate in the debate.“I think it’s so important that the American people hear from all the candidates,” she said.A Trump adviser ...

Flesh-eating bacteria claims lives of 5 along Gulf Coast in Tampa Bay area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (WSVN) — At least five individuals lost their lives due to a rare flesh-eating bacteria that has emerged along the Gulf Coast. The victims succumbed to infections believed to have been contracted from the warm Gulf waters, known to be a natural habitat for the bacterium.After the summer season arrived, health authorities and experts sounded the alarm over the severity of the situation and cautioned individuals who frequent the Gulf waters to exercise caution. Though infections are rare, health officials said those with open wounds, cuts or scrapes should stay out of the water.Of particular concern are individuals who consume raw seafood, as they are also deemed vulnerable to contracting the disease. The consumption of undercooked or raw seafood potentially exposes individuals to harmful pathogens, making them more susceptible to infections like the flesh-eating bacteria.In 2023, Florida has already recorded 26 instances of this infection. Health officials stres...

Driver dies in Belchertown crash that damaged homes, other cars

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

A 19-year-old man died Sunday after a crash that also damaged multiple cars and homes in Belchertown, state police said. State police in a statement said a trooper first tried to stop the 19-year-old driver of a Nissan Altima around 8:45 p.m. Sunday evening on the southbound side of Route 202. Police said the driver instead sped away.Citing a preliminary investigation, police said the car appeared to have later hit a mulch bed further down Route 202 and launched into the air before hitting a rock wall, a large tree and a light post. Police said the Altima hit another car parked in the driveway of a nearby house and ultimately came to rest outside the house after hitting one of the structure’s outside walls. The crash, police said, ejected the driver from his car and threw the car’s engine block into the second floor of a second nearby home. A third car was also damaged.Police said the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He had not been publicly identified as of ...

Bill Belichick not aware of any Patriots pursuit of Aaron Rodgers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

The Patriots are set to play Aaron Rodgers twice this season now that the four-time NFL MVP plays within the AFC on the New York Jets. But it doesn’t sound like Rodgers ever came close to playing 17 games with the Patriots this season.FS1’s Craig Carton reported earlier this offseason that the Patriots pursued Rodgers before the Jets made a deal with the Green Bay Packers for the 10-time Pro Bowl selection. Belichick didn’t seem aware of the report when asked about it by WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” on Monday morning.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bill Belichick honors Tom Brady even before Patriots’ Week 1 tribute New England Patriots | Patriots coach Bill Belichick updates Isaiah Bolden’s injury, explains cancelling joint practices New England Patriots | Patriots-Packers film review: Mac Jones makes subtle progress and 29 more takeaways New England Patriots | Patriots&...

Bill Belichick honors Tom Brady even before Patriots’ Week 1 tribute

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

Any issues that once existed between Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and retired quarterback Tom Brady appear to be water under the bridge.Belichick was asked Monday on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” about Week 1 when the Patriots will honor Tom Brady during their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bill Belichick not aware of any Patriots pursuit of Aaron Rodgers New England Patriots | Patriots coach Bill Belichick updates Isaiah Bolden’s injury, explains cancelling joint practices New England Patriots | Patriots-Packers film review: Mac Jones makes subtle progress and 29 more takeaways New England Patriots | Patriots’ Isaiah Bolden released from hospital after scary scene in preseason game New England Patriots | NFL Notes: Could this Patriots’ pass rush be the best of the Bill Belichick era? Belichick sounds as excited...

Patriots coach Bill Belichick updates Isaiah Bolden’s injury, explains cancelling joint practices

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden suffered a head injury in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s preseason game at Green Bay, which was suspended shortly after he had to be immobilized and taken off on a stretcher.Pats coach Bill Belichick offered an update on Bolden’s status Monday morning, a day after the Patriots announced Bolden had been released from the hospital and would fly back with the team to New England.“I talked to Isaiah yesterday, and he’s in good spirits,” Belichick said on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” “(He’s) recovering, obviously. So we’ll just take it day to day. Just take it day to day. But certainly (he) seems a lot better today than it looked like Saturday night, so that’s a good thing. It’s good for him to fly back with the team and everyone to see him. He’s got a lot of support here.”A source told the Herald’s Doug Kyed that Bolden has a concussion. According to the NFL Network, Bolden woke up Sunday wit...

Fisherman’s Feast North End Procession

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

Members of the Madonna del Soccorso Society proceed through the North End carrying the statue of the Madonna during the Fisherman's Feast.Members of the Madonna del Soccorso Society raise a toast during a break in the procession of the Madonna in the North End Fisherman's Feast. (Staff Photo Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Members of the Madonna del Soccorso Society attach money to the statue of the Madonna as they proceed through the North End during the Fisherman's Feast. (Staff Photo Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Fisherman's Feast Chairman Lou Strazzullo lifts his son Michael to the statue of the Madonna during the procession of the Madonna through the North End.(Staff Photo Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Members of the Madonna del Soccorso Society proceed through the North End carrying the statue of the Madonna during the Fisherman's Feast.(Staff Photo Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Members of the Madonna del Soccorso Society pause as the National Antemn is played d...

PHOTOS: Tropical Storm Hilary moves through San Diego

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Tropical Storm Hilary pummeled Southern California with heavy rainfall and gusty winds on Sunday, making history as the first storm of its kind to hit the region in decades.The storm, which had downgraded from a Category 4 hurricane about 24 hours before making landfall along Baja California's coast, brought on a steady downpour that caused extensive flooding, power outages, downed trees and mudslides.The unusual storm marked California's first tropical storm to hit in 84 years. Only a handful of storms have managed to bring tropical storm-force winds to the Golden State in the last century.Hilary's center hit San Diego County around 5 p.m. before continuing northeast towards the inland empire in Riverside County. By 6 p.m., the heaviest precipitation subsided, while the back edge of the system continued to drop steady rain on residents into the evening. Hilary moves through San Diego as California’s first tropical storm in decades Some parts of San Diego's mountains ...

AP PHOTOS: Life in Kyiv may seem normal on the surface, but a closer look reveals the burdens of war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Life in the capital of war-torn Ukraine seems normal on the surface. In the mornings, people rush to work holding cups of coffee. Streets are filled with cars, and in the evenings restaurants are packed. But the details tell another story.Numerous buildings across Kyiv bear the scars of Russian bombardment. Sandbags are stacked around monuments, museums and office buildings to protect from possible attack. At nights, streets are empty after the midnight curfew comes into force. In restaurants, diners chat about life, friends and jobs and discuss whether they liked the Barbie or Oppenheimer movie better, or which concert they might attend. But such conversations can suddenly turn to stories about burying loved ones, or how they hid during the most recent missile attack or how they adjusted their schedule to balance sleepless nights and the need to be productive at work.“Death has become a very routine part of our life,” said Aliona Vyshnytska, 29, who works as a ...

WWE’s WrestleMania 40 ticket sales show strength of the brand months before 2-day event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

WWE is flexing its branding muscle, selling more than 90,000 tickets to next year’s WrestleMania about eight months before the premium live event is held and before a single match has been announced.Tickets for WrestleMania 40, which will take place in Philadelphia on April 6 and April 7, 2024, went on sale on Friday. In one day, ticket sales for WrestleMania 40 topped the all-time total gross record of $21.6 million set by this year’s WrestleMania 39.The blockbuster ticket sales come on the heels of this month’s SummerSlam, which had ticket sales of $8.5 million, the largest amount for any non-WrestleMania event ever.WWE’s WrestleMania is the Super Bowl for the sports entertainment company. The company successfully shifted it to a two-day event during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and has kept that model in place. Much like NFL fans with the Super Bowl, wrestling fans will travel from all over to attend a WrestleMania event and make a full weekend of it. Man...