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Republicans have early edge in new Congress defined by retirements

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:32 GMT

A chaotic year for the House is coming to a close with more Democrats than Republicans deciding to leave the chamber, a disparity that could have major ramifications in next year’s elections.About two dozen Democrats have indicated they won’t seek reelection, with half running for another elected office. Meanwhile, only 14 Republicans have said they are not seeking another term, with three seeking elected office elsewhere.More retirements can be expected after the holidays, when lawmakers have had a chance to spend time with families and make decisions ahead of reelection deadlines. But so far, the numbers don’t indicate the dysfunction in the House is causing a mass exodus for either party.“Members sort of knew that this is what the institution is currently like when they chose to run for office,” said Molly Reynolds, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a think tank that maintains a database of vital statistics on Congress, including retirements. “Some of them...

Paula Abdul accuses ‘American Idol’ producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault in lawsuit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:32 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paula Abdul has accused former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexually assaulting her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the reality competition show, according to a new lawsuit.The lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles also accuses Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lythgoe’s other competition show “So You Think You Can Dance.”A lawyer for Lythgoe did not immediately respond Saturday to an emailed request for comment on the allegations.The Associated Press generally does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault unless they come forward publicly, as Abdul has done. In a statement Saturday, Abdul’s lawyer Douglas Johnson applauded the singer and dancer for speaking out publicly.“It was clearly a difficult decision to make, but Ms. Abdul knows that she stands both in the shoes and on the shoulders of many other similarly situated survivors, and she is determined to see th...

Thieves target victims trying to purchase game consoles advertised on social media

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:32 GMT

CHICAGO Police are offering a warning to the public after two people were robbed on the South Side while trying to purchase game consoles advertised on social media.According to Chicago police, both robberies happened in the 4000 block of South Federal Street in Grand Boulevard in late December. Officers say during each robbery, the victim organized a meet-up to purchase an Xbox console that was put up for sale on a social media site, but when they arrived at the location, they were held up at gunpoint and robbed by one or two men.  Chicago woman facing hate crime charges after allegedly defacing several businesses, apartment building Officers did not provide details on what social media platforms were used to set up the sales. Police say the first robbery happened around 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and the second robbery happened around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29. Police advise the public to remain aware of their surroundings and stay free from distractions. Accor...

Gil de Ferran, Indy 500 winner and Brazilian icon, dies at 56

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:32 GMT

Gil de Ferran, the 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner and holder of the closed-course land speed record, died Friday while racing with his son at The Concourse Club in Florida, multiple former colleagues confirmed to The Associated Press. He was 56. Fellow Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan said de Ferran was with his son, Luke, at the private course in Opa-Locka, Florida, when he pulled over and said he wasn't feeling well. Kanaan said de Ferran apparently suffered a heart attack and could not be revived. When de Ferran won the 2003 Indy 500 for Roger Penske, it was the third-consecutive win in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” for Penske, who has now amassed a record 19 victories in the iconic Memorial Day weekend race. “We are terribly saddened to hear about today’s tragic passing of Gil de Ferran. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke and the entire de Ferran family," Roger Penske said in a statement. "Gil defined class as a driver and as a gentleman. As an IndyCar Champion...

Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder gifts three electric guitars to students

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:32 GMT

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Three lucky students in Hawaii received electric guitars as a gift from Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, earlier this week.Harry Koizumi has been a music teacher at Coconut Grove Music since 1988. He's been there for many first experiences with his students, but none like this. Celebrities who had the worst year in 2023 "Eddie Vedder came into the store… he was wanting my help to pick some electric guitars… he bought the three guitars, he said, 'If I could help them find homes for these guitars for younger students," Koizumi stated.Eddie Vedder gave more than just the gift of music."Some of them had broken guitars and, you know, some couldn't afford it, some needed to be inspired," said Koizumi.Students like Melia Bejder who's played the ukulele for five years. She's waited a year for a guitar to learn something new. Credit card skimming scams: What they are, and how to avoid being a victim "I come into the music room and [Koizumi] tells me I have a story to tell y...

Texas artists take center stage at Lone Star NYE

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:32 GMT

DALLAS (NBCDFW/NEXSTAR) -- In a night set to be filled with fireworks, high energy, and unforgettable music, Bowling for Soup is gearing up to headline this year's Lone Star NYE program. Known for their humor and infectious energy, the pop-punk band from Wichita Falls is poised to bring the house down.The journey of Bowling for Soup, which began in the 90s in Wichita Falls, has seen them rise from a pop-punk fan favorite to topping charts in the 2000s. Despite the challenges of life on the road, the band's friendship has endured for 30 years."We're not like any other band that we've ever toured with. We're always together," said the band's Jaret Reddick.The Lone Star NYE lineup also includes the talented Bri Bagwell, who couldn’t be more excited about gracing the stage with her band. Bagwell, never far from her rescue pup Whiskey, is ready to showcase her country music prowess and the high-energy performances that have become her trademark.Joining the roster are DFW’s own Vandoliers...

Oakland native Jason Kidd on A’s relocation: ‘It’s unfortunate, but business happens’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:32 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Jason Kidd had his Bay Area homecoming for the first time this season with the Dallas Mavericks visiting Golden State on Saturday night. It marks the first time Kidd has return to the Bay with his Dallas Mavericks since the Oakland A’s announced relocation to Las Vegas.The Oakland native and former Cal men’s basketball star had some thoughts on the news.“It’s unfortunate, but business happens,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that Oakland is without a professional baseball or basketball (team).”On top of his day job in Dallas, Kidd has stayed involved in Oakland sports. This October, Kidd became a part owner in the Oakland Roots and Soul, the city’s professional men’s and women’s soccer clubs.“The last professional teams are the Oakland Roots and Soul in soccer,” Kidd said. “So we have something to cheer for. This isn’t the first time a team has been moved from Oakland and not ...

Martin’s 16 lead Marshall past Louisiana-Lafayette 75-61 in Sun Belt opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:32 GMT

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Nate Martin’s 16 points helped Marshall defeat Louisiana 75-61 on Saturday night in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.Martin added 10 rebounds and three blocks for the Thundering Herd (6-8). Obinna Anochili-Killen scored 15 points, shooting 4 for 10 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 5 of 8 from the free-throw line. Kamdyn Curfman had 13 points and shot 3 for 15 (1 for 7 from 3-point range) and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line.The Ragin’ Cajuns (7-6) were led by Joe Charles, who posted 11 points and 13 rebounds. Kobe Julien added 11 points and three blocks for Louisiana. In addition, Blake Butler had 11 points.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Lawrence, Manjon combine for 45 points; Vanderbilt ends 4-game skid with 69-53 win over Dartmouth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:32 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ezra Manjon scored 23 points, Tyrin Lawrence added 22 and Vanderbilt beat Dartmouth 69-53 on Saturday. Vanderbilt (5-8), which nearly defeated then-No. 23 Memphis last Saturday when Manjon’s 3-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer, ended a four-game losing streak. Manjon was 9 of 17 from the floor against Dartmouth and Lawrence was 7-of-16 shooting. The pair combined for five of Vanderbilt’s nine 3-pointers. Lawrence also grabbed eight rebounds and Manjon had five assists. Brandon Mitchell-Day and Dusan Neskovic scored 14 points apiece to lead Dartmouth (4-9). Jaren Johnson added 10 points. Vanderbilt closed the first half on a 14-2 run for a 31-23 lead. Lawrence scored eight points during the surge that included a 3 at the buzzer. Lawrence and Manjon hit consecutive 3s to stretch the lead to 44-27 with 12:49 to play, and the Commodores had a double-digit lead the rest of the way. Vanderbilt is 22-5 against Ivy League opponents. Vanderbilt hosts Alabama on S...

Prince, Connor help No. 23 TCU women beat BYU 81-67, extend win streak to program-record 14 games

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:32 GMT

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Sedona Prince had 25 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, Madison Connor scored 12 of her 21 points in the third quarter as No. 23 TCU pulled away to beat BYU 81-67 Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both teams. TCU (14-0) has won 14 straight to open a season for the first time in Horned Frogs basketball history — men’s or women’s. Jaden Owens added 15 points, 10 assists and six rebounds for TCU. Agnes Emma-Nnopu scored 14 points and grabbed 11 boards. Una Jovanovic and Emma-Nnopu hit back-to-back jumpers before Connor made a layup to cap a 6-2 spurt to close the first half and give the Horned Frogs a 39-31 lead. Connor then scored TCU’s first eight points in a 10-2 run to open the third quarter and push the lead into double figures for good.Kailey Woolston led BYU (10-4) with 15 points and Amari Whiting added 13 points, six assist and five rebounds in the Cougars first conference game as a member of the Big 12. Lauren Gustin added 10 points and 16 reb...