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Naughty or nice? How Santa decides which politicians get Christmas gifts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:57 GMT

Guess who’s back?Yes, it’s that time of year again. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas — but this job gets tougher as the years go by: long hours, no breaks and the pay is terrible (milk and cookies! Who gets paid in food these days?). But someone’s gotta do it — these presents won’t magically deliver themselves on Christmas Eve!And it’s not just children who get gifts, the world’s politicians do too — at least the ones I deem to have been nice over the previous year.Speaking of politicians, I’ve kept a close eye on the COP28 negotiations in Dubai, as (between you and me) I’m quite thankful for climate change. Do you have any idea how cold it gets up there in the sky in December as I fly around in my sleigh? The reindeer keep threatening to go on strike if I don’t install some kind of heating system. At least now, the night winter winds are a bit warmer.I know the youngsters are all up in arms about the planet warming, but I am an old ...

Kaprizov scores for the third-straight game; Minnesota holds off struggling Boston 3-2

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:57 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kirill Kaprizov scored for the third straight game, Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Foligno added goals, and the Minnesota Wild held off struggling a Boston 3-2 on Saturday night.Marc-Andre Fleury made 19 saves for career win No. 550, one shy of tying Patrick Roy for the second-most in NHL history.David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie scored, and Linus Ullmark made 32 saves for the Bruins, who are 0-2-2 in their past four. Boston has not lost four in a row since an 0-4-1 skid Dec. 5-12, 2019.Kaprizov has four goals and two assists in his past three games. In addition to Tuesday’s overtime winner against Boston, Kaprizov scored with 4.9 seconds left in overtime in Thursday’s 4-3 win against Montreal.Minnesota, 10-3-0 since John Hynes became coach, took over in the middle stanza, outshooting Boston 19-6 and turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead in 85 seconds.Eriksson Ek netted his team-leading seventh power-play goal of the season almost six minutes into the second perio...

5 things we learned from the Chicago Bears, including Justin Fields and Jaylon Johnson addressing their uncertain futures

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:57 GMT

After Sunday’s devastating 20-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Chicago Bears returned to practice Wednesday. Coach Matt Eberflus has pushed his players to reset and refocus with the Arizona Cardinals coming to town for Christmas Eve. The Bears are home favorites for Sunday’s game but will have to be sharp to get back on the winning track.As the team readies for its Week 16 test, here are five things we learned Wednesday at Halas Hall.1. Quarterback Justin Fields is aware of the amplified talk about his uncertain future.The chatter has been escalating recently — both in Chicago and across the league — as curiosity heightens for how the Bears will handle their quarterback decisions during a pivotal 2024 offseason. Fields still has two seasons remaining on his rookie contract but remains the subject of significant trade speculation with the Bears potentially in line to own the No. 1 pick for April’s draft.Will the team opt to reboot at quarterback by s...

Saturday’s high school roundup/scores: Jesse Peck nets pair, Xaverian skates past Arlington Catholic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:57 GMT

Jesse Peck scored twice as Xaverian (2-0) defeated Arlington Catholic 3-1 in a nonleague boys hockey contest.Anthony Lampasona had a goal and three assists, while Ben Paterson netted a pair as Franklin rallied to defeat defending Div. 1 state champion Pope Francis, 5-4.Senior captain Derek Faia led the way with two goals and two assists as Swampscott (3-0-1) defeated Everett/Revere, 5-1. … Ned Akashian’s fourth goal of the game was the game-winner in overtime as Lowell edged Leominster, 6-5.Aidan Fitzpatrick scored twice as St. Mary’s (4-1) defeated Winchester, 3-2. … Jacob Bateman scored twice as Silver Lake downed Dartmouth 3-1. …Liam Bonner had a goal and an assist as Duxbury (3-2) defeated Boston Latin, 3-2.Girls hockeyMolly Hillier made 27 saves while Cate Sheehan and Junie McCabe each scored as Winchester doubled up Archbishop Williams 2-1 in nonleague play. … Paige Nottingham netted a hat trick as HPNA topped Newburyport 7-3.In a DCL/MVC matchup, Olivia Egirous collected four...

Warmer weather for Santa and his crew gearing up for a So San Diego Christmas flight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:57 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- As rain begins to taper off, cloudy skies will continue to take over into Sunday (Christmas Eve) as Santa and his reindeer gear up for their busiest night of the year. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures Saturday were slightly cooler than Friday along the coastline and for some inland areas. However, temperatures were up to 10 degrees warmer for most parts of the county. We can all continue to expect clouds anywhere west of the mountains through Sunday. Meanwhile, there are some changes to the forecast which should make for easy going flying conditions for good ole St. Nick and his flight crew; at least in our neck of the woods. Where is Santa? Here’s how to track him High pressure will begin to build over California into Tuesday, helping ramp up temperatures back to where they should be or just slightly above it. As we head into Wednesday, weak low pressure will pass north of us, breaking down the ridge and welcoming back cooler conditions for Wed...

Max Strus scores 26 points to lead injury-depleted Cavaliers past Bulls, 109-95

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:57 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Max Strus had 26 points and seven assists to help the injury-depleted Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Chicago Bulls 109-95 on Saturday night.The Bulls lost for just the fourth time in 12 games since Zach LaVine was sidelined because of inflammation in his right foot.DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 21 points, and Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and 12 rebounds. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Jarrett Allen had 19 points, 17 rebounds and Craig Porter Jr. added 19, eight assists and seven rebounds for the Cavaliers, who played without their top four scorers — Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Caris LeVert. The quartet combines to average 78 points.A four-time All-Star, Mitchell missed his third straight game due to an illness, while Garland (jaw fracture) and Mobley (knee surgery) are both expected to be out at least until February. LeVert, who was listed as questionable, missed the game because of left knee tendonitis.Despite the injuries buildi...

Shoppers searching for last-minute gifts flood stores across Chicagoland on 'Super Saturday'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:57 GMT

CHICAGO — Shoppers flooded stores across Chicagoland on Saturday in an effort to snag those last-minute holiday gifts.They are among the 142 million shoppers who are expected to turn out for what the National Retail Federation calls "Super Saturday," the last Saturday before Christmas.It is a day that rivals Black Friday in consumer turnout. 38 migrants dropped off in Fox River Grove after being told they were in Chicago According to the National Retail Federation, this year's turnout is significantly higher than the last time Super Saturday fell on Dec. 23, which was back in 2017, when 126 million shoppers hit the stores.“Everybody is out in full force," said Serge Khalimsky, the Senior General Manager of Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie.Khalimsky said he advises shoppers to pack their patience if they plan on heading out on Saturday.“Get in early, don’t wait till the last minute even though it sort of already is, you know, come as early as you can, beat the midday rush," Khalimsk...

10th annual 'Breakfast with Santa' takes place in Garfield Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:57 GMT

CHICAGO — In Garfield Park, there was a reason to celebrate Saturday.For the tenth year in a row, the Jackson Action Coalition hosted its "Breakfast with Santa" event.Back in 2013 — the event's first year — only about 100 people could come, but in the ten years since, Breakfast with Santa has more than quadrupled in size."Today, we are feeding 550 people," said Marseil Jackson with the Jackson Action Coalition. "This is our biggest one yet and we're excited to bless so many people."Jackson pointed toward the smiles on the faces of the numerous children running around at the event, and the adults who come every year to make memories as reasons why Breakfast with Santa is so enjoyable. More from Sean: Setting physical and mental goals for the new year? "This is my favorite event of the year and I started this because growing up my great-grandmother used to take me to breakfast with Santa at O'Hare," Jackson said. "And when I got older, I realized those memories, I cherished them and...

Man arrested after woman's body found in car trunk in Lancaster

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:57 GMT

A man was arrested for murder after a woman’s body was found in the trunk of a burned vehicle in Lancaster.The suspect was identified as Matthew Switalski, 37, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Switalski is the owner of the home where the victim, Veronica Aguilar, 27, was found, authorities said. Neighbors said the two were believed to be dating at one point.On Dec. 20, emergency crews responded to a fire burning at a home in the 41400 block of 38th Street West around 8:30 a.m.Arriving firefighters found heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage. Two charred vehicles were found inside along with Aguilar’s body in the trunk of a car, said LASD. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.Authorities responded to a garage fire in Lancaster where a woman's body was found on Dec. 20, 2023. (KNN)Emergency responders look inside the trunk of a vehicle after responding to a fire in Lancaster on Dec. 20, 2023. (KNN)Authorities responded to a garage fire in Lancaster wher...

Warriors extend win streak to five, blow out Portland Trail Blazers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:57 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — For a second game in a row, the Warriors found a secure enough lead to pull the regulars in the fourth quarter. Coach Steve Kerr emptied the bench up 19 with four minutes remaining in the Warriors 126-106 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night. Golden State has won five in a row and moved above .500 at 15-14.Klay Thompson’s scorching third quarter helped nullify Portland’s 11-point lead in the first quarter, fueled by the Warriors’ seven first-quarter turnovers. Thompson scored 11 straight points in a 13-point quarter, including a trio of 3-pointers, to flip that 11-point lead to a 12-point advantage by the start of the fourth quarter. He finished with a team-high 28-points shooting 11-for-16 from the field and 6-of-10 from 3.The Warriors outscored the Trail Blazers 34-16 in the third quarter, flipping the script on a tendency to squander big leads after halftime. The team’s 38 assists paints the picture for a complete effort ...