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How Marcus Smart’s trade to Grizzlies was in works long before deal made

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:31 GMT

The shocking trade that sent Marcus Smart from the Celtics to the Grizzlies seemed like it came together in an instant. But in reality, it was a long time in the making.The deal, of course, nearly didn’t happen on June 28, when the Celtics’ initial plans to acquire Kristaps Porzingis that included Malcolm Brogdon, not Smart, broke down. About 90 minutes later, the Celtics pivoted to trade Smart to the Grizzlies. It didn’t just develop spontaneously, though. The Grizzlies have long admired Smart and had expressed their interest in him long before that night last month.As the Grizzlies introduced Smart in Las Vegas on Friday, Memphis general manager Zach Kleiman explained how their acquisition for Smart came together. They targeted the point guard as a potential addition this summer, even if it didn’t seem likely.“When we started putting names on the board, there was no one higher than Marcus,” Kleiman told reporters in Vegas. “This was early on, it was like, ‘Hey, this is the pie in ...

Local leaders voice concern ahead of vote on North County water district separation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:31 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Ahead of next week's controversial vote on the detachment of two North County water districts from the San Diego County Water Authority, several local leaders voiced their concern for how the proposed divorce could impact water rates.The proposal -- submitted to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFC) earlier this year -- is the latest in a years-long fight over whether the utility districts, Fallbrook Public Utility District and Rainbow Municipal Water District, can leave the county's central water agency to switch providers to a cheaper option in Riverside County.During a meeting of the LAFC in June, representatives for the two agencies argued that rising rates for water through the County Water Authority has placed a financial burden on their customers, mostly small farmers, that they cannot afford.“This is all about fairness. Over the last decade, the Water Authority has risen rates on Fallbrook and Rainbow by average of 8% each year. It’s not sustainable and t...

Peter Nero, a Grammy-winning pianist and ex-conductor of the Philly Pops, dies at 89

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:31 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Peter Nero, a Grammy-winning pianist who interpreted pop songs through classical and jazz forms and served as the Philly Pops’ conductor for more than three decades, has died. Nero was 89.Nero died Thursday at Home Care Assisted Living Facility in Eustis, Fla., according to his daughter, Beverly Nero, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Services will be private.Nero colored his renditions of pop songs — from Cole Porter and George Gershwin to the Beatles and Bob Dylan — with classical, swing, Broadway, blues and jazz melodies. He often called his sound “undefinable” and was not offended when others called it “middle of the road.” (He once told a newspaper, “Middle of the road and doing great business.”)Recruited by Philadelphia concert promoter Moe Septee, Nero started the Philly Pops orchestra in 1979, the year Arthur Fiedler died. Fiedler is credited with virtually inventing the modern version of the pops orchestra in B...

National newspaper in Mexico says its reporter was killed in western state

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:31 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The national newspaper La Jornada said Saturday that its staff reporter in Mexico’s Pacific coast state of Nayarit has been found dead. La Jornada reported the body of journalist Luis Martín Sánchez Iñiguez was found on the outskirts of the state capital, Tepic. The Nayarit state prosecutors’ office reported that Sánchez Iñiguez, 59, had been missing since Wednesday, and issued an appeal to find him. But the office did not immediately confirm the identification of the body. The journalist’s wife reported him missing, along with a computer and his cellphone.Sánchez Iñiguez was last seen in Xalisco, a Nayarit town that has long been linked to the smuggling of heroin and opium. He would be at least the second journalist killed in Mexico this year. In February, news photographer José Ramiro Araujo was stabbed and beaten to death in the northern Mexico border state of Baja California.Police later arrested two youths on a beach near the scene of the attack w...

Man shot, critical after argument between shooter and meter maid near Oakwood Beach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:31 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is in critical condition after being shot near Oakwood Beach late Saturday morning, according to the Chicago Police Department.Police said the shooting happened around 11:40 a.m. in a parking lot not far from the lakefront in the 3900 block of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The victim, a 43-year-old man, was shot multiple times and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.A witness, who wanted to remain anonymous, told WGN News that the victim appeared to be trying to de-escalate a confrontation between the shooter and a meter maid when he was shot. 1 dead after fatal structure fire in West Chicago According to the witness, she was walking toward the lakefront when she heard the victim and the shooter arguing. Moments later, she said she heard a series of shots and ducked for safety.When everything was clear, the witness said she called 911 and tried to comfort the man as they waited for first responders to arrive."I called 911—it to...

6 injured after 2 shootings in Rogers Park overnight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:31 GMT

CHICAGO — Six people were injured after two shootings that took place on the same street in the City's Rogers Park neighborhood overnight.According to police, a group of individuals were standing on a sidewalk near the 1600 block of West Howard Street around 11:40 p.m. Friday on the North Side when the incident happened. Police said two vehicles approached the group when an argument broke out and unknown individuals from inside both vehicles fired shots at the group. ‘It’s been hell’: Northwest Indiana family remembers positive spirit of daughter killed in tailgating crash A 37-year-old man was shot in the left arm and transported to Saint Francis Hospital in good condition. Another victim, a 29-year-old man, was shot in the right hip and is also listed in good condition.A 29-year-old woman was shot in the left leg and was also taken to Saint Francis Hospital in good condition. Another 26-year-old woman was shot in the right forearm and leg. She was also transported to the hospit...

Why you should never feed waterfowl bread

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:31 GMT

(WTNH) — As the weather gets warmer, wildlife officials are reminding people not to feed waterfowl bread. While pinching off pieces and tossing it out may seem like a good thing to do, it can cause ducks, geese and swans to develop severe or even fatal health problems.Stratford Animal Control in Connecticut issued a public safety announcement after a goose was rescued from a local pond with a hook in its leg. After the rescue, animal control officers discovered the goose and several others in the pond had a condition called angel wing. IRS warns taxpayers of new ‘unclaimed refund’ scam – here’s how it works Angel wing causes waterfowl’s feathers to grow too fast, making them project away from the bird's body. The waterfowl then lose the ability to fly and protect themselves from predators.A rear close up view of a domestic goose suffering from the condition known as "angel wings", where flight feathers twist upwards, resulting from a high protein diet. (Getty Images)In addition to...

Top Republicans prepare to investigate Hunter Biden case — here's what to know

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:31 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republicans who lead three key House committees are joining forces to probe the Justice Department’s handling of charges against Hunter Biden after making sweeping claims about misconduct at the agency.Leaders of the House Judiciary, Oversight and Accountability, and Ways and Means committees opened a joint investigation into the federal case into President Joe Biden's youngest son days after it was announced last month that he will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement with the Justice Department.Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, James Comer of Kentucky and Jason Smith of Missouri have since issued a series of requests for voluntary testimony from senior officials at the Justice Department, FBI and Internal Revenue Service as they investigate what they claim is improper interference. Republicans have also requested a special counsel review of supposed retaliation against the whistleblowers who came forward w...

Counties with the highest heart disease rates in Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:31 GMT

(Stacker) -- Heart disease has been the #1 cause of death in the United States since 1950.Coronary heart disease, referring to damaged major blood vessels within the heart, is commonly caused by plaque buildup that narrows arteries and restricts blood flow. Lifestyle and genetics are major factors determining the likelihood of coronary heart disease; treatments range from lifestyle changes to surgery. American men in the last decade were twice as likely to die from heart disease than women, according to CDC data.Stacker investigated the counties with the highest heart disease rates in Illinois using data from the CDC. Keep reading to see if your county is among those with the highest rate of heart disease in your home state.#25. Clay- Prevalence of coronary heart disease: 8.6%#24. Schuyler- Prevalence of coronary heart disease: 8.6%#23. Stark- Prevalence of coronary heart disease: 8.6%#22. Hamilton- Prevalence of coronary heart disease: 8.7%#21. Hancock- Prevalence of coronary heart...

After 6 days off...triple digits are back

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Since last Saturday, high temperatures in Austin at Camp Mabry had stayed under the 100º mark, but today ended our 6 day "cooler" stretch. We reached 102º Saturday afternoon and expect similar, if not slightly warmer temperatures for the next week or more as high pressure builds to our west.High pressure in controlWith the higher temperatures, and plenty of humidity, heat advisories have been issued from the National Weather Service for the Austin Metro and our eastern counties where heat index values (feels-like temperatures) may exceed 105º.Heat Advisory from Sunday afternoon through Monday eveningWhile rain chances are almost non-existent, there's been a recent hint in our computer models wanting to pop-up very isolated storms near and east of I-35 on Monday and Tuesday. I'll wait for a bit more agreement among other models before putting higher rain chances on our 7-day forecast, but just know that it's something we're looking at (and hoping for).The area of hig...