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Gary Payton II delivers diploma to mother in sweet surprise

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:42 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gary Payton II beamed as he shared the special news: He’s now a college graduate.The Golden State guard promised his mother he would one day earn his degree from Oregon State, and on Friday morning ahead of Game 6 of the first-round playoff series against Sacramento he presented her with the diploma in person.Monique Payton returned to Payton’s home from getting coffee when he asked her please not to spill. She looked down and there was the diploma for her son’s degree in human development and family science.“I was so surprised!!!” the proud mother said Friday via text message. “I had no idea he was going to complete his degree! I had forgotten all about it! Thank God he didn’t forget or break his promise.!”She did have a little bit of warning this was in the works. Payton had sent his mom a text message with a photo of the paper a couple of weeks ago.“I was like, ‘No freaking way,’” she said of her reaction then. “He said ‘love you, I go...

Falcons trade up in 2nd round to draft Syracuse OL Bergeron

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:42 GMT

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons addressed a need on their offensive line by selecting Syracuse offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron after trading with Indianapolis in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday night.Bergeron was introduced as a guard, an indication he will be given an opportunity to fill the left guard position left vacant when Elijah Wilkinson signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. Wilkinson started nine games at left guard for Atlanta last season.The Falcons acquired the No. 38 overall pick in the draft from the Colts for the No. 44 overall pick in the second round and a fourth-round pick, No. 110 overall, on Saturday.Bergeron, a native of Quebec, played right tackle and left tackle at Syracuse. He said he worked at left guard in one Senior Bowl practice and also talked with Falcons offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford about moving to guard in the NFL.“We talked about my versatility,” Bergeron said, adding “I told them how open I am (to the...

Commanders pick defensive back Quan Martin 47th in NFL draft

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:42 GMT

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Commanders continued bolstering their secondary in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night, taking Illinois defensive back Quan Martin with the 47th pick.They took Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes with the 16th selection in the first round.Martin, whose given name is Jartavius but prefers to go by Quan, was a five-year starter with the Illini and could split his time between safety and nickel back with the Commanders. He made 64 tackles, forced two fumbles and had three interceptions during his final college season.Washington went with Martin over several offensive linemen available in the middle of the second round. Getting protection for quarterbacks Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett remains a priority for the front office, though signing some linemen in free agency was a step toward doing that.The Commanders do not have their own third-round pick as a result of the trade 13 months ago with Indianapolis for Carson Wentz, who went ...

How much snow fell Thursday and Friday?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Another round of showers moved through Colorado Thursday night into early Friday morning.This brought rain showers to the Denver metro, but higher elevations around and above 6,000 feet picked up measurable snow. Is Denver done with snow? It’s possible In the Castle Rock area, 1.6 inches of snowfall were measured. Castle Pines picked up just shy of that amount with 1.5 inches of measurable snow. The Pinery, south of Parker, picked up 1.2 inches of snowfall, and Lone Tree measured 0.5 inches of snow. Higher snowfall totals were reported in higher elevations. Aspen Springs reported some of the highest totals at 9 inches. Genesee and Evergreen reported over 6 inches of snowfall, and 4.5 inches of snow was recorded in Bailey.Some ski areas also benefitted from the snow. Winter Park reported 7 inches of snowfall and a base depth of 90 inches. Loveland and Breckenridge both reported 5 inches of snowfall and Copper Mountain measured 4 inches of fresh powder.

Colorado's free public transit program got a boost

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado's free transit program just got a boost.Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law on Friday that expands the grant program, designed to offer free public transit rides during peak ozone season. The new law allows transit agencies to roll over the money and use it for rider outreach. It also gives transit agencies more flexibility on when to use the money, as Colorado regions experience ozone season differently. Apartment values rise higher than homes in Denver, Boulder "Our bill expands this successful free transit program to save Coloradans money on fares and further reduce the amount of harmful ground-level ozone pollution released," Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, said in a statement when the bill she sponsored passed the House. "Our neighbors along the Front Range deal with some of the worst air quality in the state, and we’re making progress toward cleaning up our air with the free transit program," Bacon said.Air pollution in the Denver metro (KDVR)Zero...

Coast Guard rescues 6 boaters from grounded vessel off Key West

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:42 GMT

A U.S. Coast Guard crew came to the rescue of a group of boaters stuck at sea.The six boaters’ vessel became grounded on Friday about eight miles off Key West.The Coast Guard crew was able to reach the boaters on board the lopsided vessel and transferred them to officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.The captain of the grounded boat is working to refloat the vessel.

Workers describe robberies at knifepoint at Jamaica Plain cell phone stores as police investigate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:42 GMT

An investigation got underway this week after multiple armed robberies along the same street in Jamaica Plain. Security cameras captured some of the crimes, which all took place at cell phone stores. As police search for one man in connection with at least one of two robberies in the area, some of the people working at the targeted stores have described their experiences to 7NEWS. “He said ‘Don’t play dumb man. I’m not having a good day. Don’t do anything stupid. I don’t want to kill you man,’” Emmanuel Sanchez said of a man he said robbed him at knifepoint Thursday afternoon on Centre Street. “I tried to calm down,” Sanchez said. “Don’t do nothing stupid — because he had two knives.”The robbery Sanchez described happened 24 hours after a man showed two knives while robbing a nearby Boost Mobile store. “My employee is left for fear,” said store manager Ashley Cruz. “All the employees I have are in fear now of working. I don’t want myself to risk them.”...

Remains of fetus or infant found in Rochester recycling facility

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:42 GMT

An investigation is underway after the remains of either a fetus or a newborn were found at a regional recycling facility in Rochester, Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois said Friday. The DA said the remains were found Thursday.In his announcement, the DA said the infant’s mother “may live on, have ties to, or recently traveled to Martha’s Vineyard.” The DA asked for the public’s help identifying the remains, asking anyone with information to contact investigators at 508-790-5799.This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Giants draft Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz in response to Eagles’ big first night

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:42 GMT

The Philadelphia Eagles stacked one of the NFL’s best defensive lines with two more studs from Georgia in Thursday’s first round: defensive tackle Jalen Carter and edge rusher Nolan Smith.So the Giants answered in Friday’s second round by beefing up their interior offensive line with Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz at No. 57 overall.The intention is for the first-team All-American to immediately plug and play, help the Giants compete with the beasts of the NFC East and grow long-term in tandem with franchise quarterback Daniel Jones.Schmitz, 24, after receiving the good news at his house in Homewood, Ill., said an offensive line deals with elite offensive lines by “setting the tone from the start.”“You gotta be physical,” Schmitz said. “You gotta set the tone from the start – first quarter to fourth quarter. We always like to say, ‘if you run the ball, you gotta have body blows.’ The body blows turn into 25 and ...

2023 NFL Draft | Second round ends with seven trades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:42 GMT

By The Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It’s Day 2 of the NFL draft! Will Levis has finally come off the board after being picked in the second round by the Tennessee Titans. The standout Kentucky quarterback was the biggest name on the board when the second round kicked off from Kansas City’s Union Station.There were seven trades in the second round, including the Titans moving up eight spots to select Levis.Bryce Young went first overall to the Carolina Panthers followed by C.J. Stroud to the Houston Texans for a 1-2 quarterback combo at the top of the draft Thursday. The second round can be viewed on NFL Network and ESPN. Follow for live updates from Associated Press reporters across the country (all times EST).QB HENDON HOOKER SELECTED IN THIRD ROUNDTennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker had an outside chance of going in the first round, but the second round appeared the likely destination.Until it wasn’t.Hooker’s wait finally ended in the third...