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Tkachuk sends Panthers to Stanley Cup Final, after topping Hurricanes 4-3 for sweep

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Matthew Tkachuk delivered for Florida, again. Sergei Bobrovsky denied Carolina, again.The wait is over: After 27 years, the Florida Panthers — a hockey punchline no more — are again going to play for the game’s grandest prize.Tkachuk got his second goal of the game with 4.9 seconds left, lifting the Panthers past the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 and into the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 1996.Bobrovsky stopped 36 shots to cap his stellar series — four games, four one-goal wins, three of them basically in sudden death. The first two were in overtime, and this one may as well have been.The Panthers will play either Vegas or Dallas for the Stanley Cup starting sometime next week; Vegas currently leads the Western Conference title series 3-0.The Panthers scored 10 goals in the series, and Bobrovsky ensured those were all they needed. They were the No. 8 seed, the last team in, the longest of long shots.And now, beasts of the East. Tkachuk arrived last summer...

CDC: 2 dead of suspected cases of meningitis after surgeries in Mexico, over 200 patients at risk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Federal officials say more than 200 patients could be at risk of fungal meningitis after having surgical procedures at clinics in a Mexico border city. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday it is collaborating with the Mexican Ministry of Health and U.S. state and local health departments to respond to the outbreak among patients who traveled to Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas. Officials have identified and closed two clinics linked to the outbreak, River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3. The Mexican Ministry of Health sent the CDC a list of 221 U.S. patients who might be at risk for meningitis based on their recorded surgical procedures at either clinic from January to May 13. Three additional patients not on the list have also been identified, bringing the total of people in the United States known to have potential exposure to 224, the CDC said.The CDC is working with more than two dozen state and ...

WGN fixes Taylor Swift ticket trouble for Suburban family

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

It’s not just Ticketmaster struggling to keep up with the enormous demand for Taylor Swift tickets as the superstar brings her shows to Chicago next week.WGN Investigates was contacted by a LaGrange Park family frustrated after spending the past six months trying to secure tickets for seats they purchased via StubHub.“They state: ‘Your order guarantees a ticket valid for entry in the event,’” Diana Finnegan said reading off the confirmation email she received after purchasing four tickets last November. When the electronic tickets didn’t arrive, Finnegan embarked on a six month ordeal that included dozens of phone calls, emails and messages to StubHub customer service.“We’re here to make sure you get your tickets in time for the event” StubHub reps wrote in multiple emails. “We will provide you all the help that you need to receive the tickets for the event.” However, the fine print of StubHub’s “Fan Protect Guarantee” says the company promises to get buyers the tickets they ordered...

Unregulated, candy-like edibles pose threat to children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

There is a troubling rise in children overdosing on edibles.They look like candy. They are unregulated. With names like "Trips Ahoy" in a cookie package, some kids are falling victim to the marketing while others, hungry to experiment, are sharing with their friends. The result, kids are going to the hospital by the dozens while parents, educators and doctors are sounding the alarm. On April 19,  Ebonique Kemp received a phone call from Chicago’s Uplift High School, where her 14-year-old twins are freshman.“The school said they are on the way to send twins off to hospital due to some gummy bears going around that were edible,” she said. “So I’m freaking out a little bit thinking, ‘What is going on?’ ‘How did the kids get a hold of it?’” she said. “I was nervous. I was scared. I was panicking a little bit.”The twins got the gummies from a fellow classmate. In total, five students were transported by ambulance to local hospitals after ingesting what police described as edibl...

One person in custody after incident in southeast Austin, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was arrested after an incident occurred in southeast Austin Wednesday, according to the Austin Police Department.Shortly before 8 p.m., officers responded to a call of shots fired on Sand Dunes Avenue near McKinney Falls Parkway, police said.Police told KXAN a person was in custody but said they could not elaborate on what happened or what the person was charged with. However, police said deadly conduct was a possibility.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Austin FC can't get anything going in 2-0 U.S. Open Cup loss to Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC bowed out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 loss to Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday at Q2 Stadium.The Fire scored a goal in each half, and while Austin FC has plenty of chances of their own to score, they simply couldn't put many of them on goal. Of their nine total shots, Austin put two on goal.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters"It's disappointing," Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff. "This was a competition we wanted to progress in, and we looked fatigued and it was sloppy from the get-go. It was concerning."One of those shots came in the 84th minute and it was a case of being in the right place at the right time. Ethan Finlay put his head on a Diego Fagundez corner kick, and Chicago Fire goalkeeper Spencer Richey stopped the shot with his face in the 84th minute. Two minutes later, Fagundez sent another ball into the mixer and Alex Ring he...

Josh Winder gets job done in long relief appearance for St. Paul Saints

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

Josh Winder went to spring training this season very much in the Twins’ pitching plans. Be it as a long reliever or occasional starter, the 26-year-old right-hander figured to play a key role.Right shoulder soreness changed all that, and Winder began the season on the injured list.Tuesday night at CHS Field, in his second stint with the Saints this season, Wilder had the kind of success that could have him back in a Twins uniform soon.Winder pitched 2 1/3 innings of shutout baseball in relief in the Saints’ 6-5 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers. He allowed only one hit while walking three and striking out four.“We’re heading in the right direction,” Winder said. “Still have to clean some stuff up, throw a little more strikes. But I feel like I’m getting closer and closer to finding a rhythm and putting some good outings together.”Starting the season on the injured list eliminated any hope of Winder’s season getting off to a strong start.“I definitely feel like I’m trying to play catc...

North St. Paul native Carolyn Wiger places third on ‘Survivor’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

North St. Paul native Carolyn Wiger made it all the way to the top three on the current season of “Survivor,” but ended up placing third with no votes from the jury.Early on in the finale, which aired Wednesday on CBS, Wiger explained the importance of playing with emotion.“In the entire game, it’s really been a lot about my gut, like trusting my gut and trusting my heart. I’m emotional, but it helps. It helps with connecting with people, it helps people see that I’m real. So I feel like people trust me because they see I’m just being myself. And that’s exactly what I wanted to do.”The daughter of former state Sen. Chuck Wiger, the 35-year-old Wiger was born in North St. Paul and now lives in Hugo, where she works in substance recovery. On Friday, she celebrated her 14 years of sobriety in a social media post.While many viewers — and her fellow castaways — initially dismissed Wiger as a scattered, goofy non-threat, Wiger’s savvy and st...

Minnesota Aurora off to steamrolling start with 5-0 win over Rochester FC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

In almost every measure, Minnesota Aurora FC’s debut season was a smashing success in the USL W League in 2022. Well, besides its inaugural game, which ended in a 1-1 home draw with Green Bay Glory.Aurora got off to a steamrolling start to Year 2 with a 5-0 romp over Rochester (Minn.) FC in front of 5,187 fans at TCO Stadium in Eagan on Wednesday.After going undefeated until falling 2-1 to South Georgia Tormenta FC in the USL W League championship game, Aurora coach Nicole Lukic promised an attacking style that would light up the scoreboard this season, and Aurora produced out of the gate.Cat Rapp scored two goals to help lead the way, with a goal apiece from Jelena Zbiljic, Maya Hansen and Hannah Addler. Rapp, a sophomore midfielder at Florida International who had three goals for Aurora last season, scored in the fifth and 35th minutes.“It was a really exciting night,” Lukic said. “The team enjoyed being back in this atmosphere with all our wonderful fans and the community behind ...

St. Paul City Council approves Summit Avenue bikeway 6-1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

Following a lengthy and emotional public hearing that drew strong words from more than 90 cyclists, homeowners, historic preservationists and environmental advocates, the St. Paul City Council approved a protected bikeway along nearly five miles of historic Summit Avenue.The 6-1 vote, which unfolded shortly before 10 p.m. following four hours of staff and public testimony, represents the culmination of more than 18 months of planning and public engagement led by St. Paul Public Works and St. Paul Parks and Recreation. The elevated bikeway, which has yet to be funded, would be installed as Summit Avenue is reconstructed in phases, with curb, parking and other features effectively protecting cyclists navigating at sidewalk level.“I really regret that it has gotten so divisive,” said council member Rebecca Noecker, who represents a stretch of Summit Avenue. “Just because an idea is divisive, though, isn’t a sign that it’s wrong. … I think that this plan st...