Mike Babcock resigns as Blue Jackets coach amid investigation involving players’ photos

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:38:22 GMT

Mike Babcock resigns as Blue Jackets coach amid investigation involving players’ photos Mike Babcock resigned as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday after just two months on the job, less than a week after his requests for personal photos from players in a bonding effort drew criticism as too invasive.The team announced Babcock’s abrupt departure in the aftermath of an investigation by the NHL Players’ Association into his conduct. Pascal Vincent was named Babcock’s replacement and signed a two-year contract through the 2024-25 season.Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette reported on his podcast Tuesday that Babcock was asking players to show him photos and projecting them for others to see in an invasion of privacy. Babcock and captain Boone Jenner denied the report, saying it was just a way of the new coach getting to know players.Still, the players union launched a review and updated the league Friday on its findings.“This was a difficult decision on everyone’s part, but one we felt necessary to ensure our focus remains on the players and the team’s upcoming s...

Road collision kills 4 Greek rescue workers dispatched to flood-stricken Libya, health minister says

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:38:22 GMT

Road collision kills 4 Greek rescue workers dispatched to flood-stricken Libya, health minister says CAIRO (AP) — Four Greek rescue workers dispatched to Libya following devastating flooding in the eastern city of Derna were killed in a road collision Sunday, Libya’s health minister said. Some 11,300 people died when two dams collapsed during Mediterranean storm Daniel last week sending a wall of water gushing through the city, according to the Red Crescent aid group. A further 10,000 people are missing, and presumed dead.Rescue workers from Greece, Turkey, Egypt and other countries have flocked to the decimated port city to offer help.On Sunday, a bus carrying 19 Greek rescue workers collided with a vehicle carrying five Libyan nationals on the road between the cities of Benghazi and Derna, health minister Othman Abduljaleel said at a news conference. Three Libyans in the oncoming vehicle were also killed.Seven of the surviving Greek rescue workers were in critical condition, the minister said. In a parallel statement, the Greek Foreign Ministry acknowledged the crash but sa...

Chapman hits walkoff double to complete Blue Jays sweep of Red Sox

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:38:22 GMT

Chapman hits walkoff double to complete Blue Jays sweep of Red Sox Matt Chapman’s walkoff double off the centre field wall gave the Toronto Blue Jays a 3-2 win to complete a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.The sweep concluded a 10-game homestand that saw the Blue Jays (83-67) finish 6-4 and eliminate the bad vibrations from the Texas Rangers’ four-game sweep of Toronto earlier in the week.The Blue Jays hold an American League wild-card spot after the Rangers were swept by Cleveland and Seattle dropped the first two of its three-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Chapman’s hit off reliever Garret Whitlock (5-5) gave the Blue Jays their sixth win in a row against Boston (74-76) after dropping the first seven games against their AL East rivals earlier in the season.The game-winning hit scored Cavan Biggio, who reached base with a one-out single before 41,876 at Rogers Centre.CHAPMAN WALKS IT OFF FOR THE JAYS TO COMPLETE THE SWEEP! ???? pic.twitter.com/cUerWvRNUX— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 17, 2023R...

Landslide in northwest Congo kills at least 17 people after torrential rain

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:38:22 GMT

Landslide in northwest Congo kills at least 17 people after torrential rain KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Torrential rain in northwestern Congo caused a landslide that killed at least 17 people overnight, authorities said Sunday, warning the toll could rise as rescuers sift through rubble beneath collapsed homes.The disaster took place along the Congo River in the town of Lisal in northwestern Mongala province, according to Matthieu Mole, president of the civil society organization Forces Vives. The victims lived in homes that were built at the foot of a mountain.“A torrential downpour caused a lot of damage, including a landslide that swallowed up several houses,” he said. “The toll is still provisional as bodies are still under the rubble.”Gov. Cesar Limbaya Mbangisa said machinery was desperately needed to help clear away the debris and try to save any survivors. The governor also offered his condolences to the victims’ families and decreed three days of morning throughout the province.Jean-yves Kamale, The Associated Press

Chicago police officer involved in shooting in West Englewood

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:38:22 GMT

Chicago police officer involved in shooting in West Englewood CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer was involved in a shooting Sunday afternoon in West Englewood, according to police.The shooting happened in the 7300 block of South Hoyne Avenue.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesIt's not clear at this time if anyone was injured, but police said no officers were injured.The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call them at 312-746-3609 or online.Additional details haven't been released at this time.This is breaking news and will be updated.

World War I-era plane flips onto roof while trying to land near Massachusetts museum

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:38:22 GMT

World War I-era plane flips onto roof while trying to land near Massachusetts museum STOW, Mass. (AP) — A World War I-era plane crashed and flipped over onto its roof as the pilot tried to land outside of a military history museum in Massachusetts, authorities said Sunday. The pilot was not hurt.The vintage single-engine Nieuport 28 was attempting to land shortly after 11 a.m. at the American Heritage Museum in Stow when the front landing gear failed, the local police and fire chiefs said in a joint news release.The pilot, the only person on board, had removed himself from the plane before first responders arrived, the news release said. The pilot’s name was not released. Former NFL player missing, mother found dead in Illinois creek “The pilot did not report any injuries but was evaluated at the scene as a precaution,” it said.The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified about the crash.The museum was hosting a WWI and Aviation living history event this weekend, showcasing the 1918 Nieuport 28, billed as the “oldest flying and first American fighter...

Band director who refused to stop music at Alabama high school football game arrested

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:38:22 GMT

Band director who refused to stop music at Alabama high school football game arrested BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — An Alabama high school band director was arrested after refusing to stop his band from performing after a football game in Birmingham Thursday night. The incident took place after a victory from Minor High School at P.D. Jackson-Olin High School. According to the Birmingham Police Department, officers started clearing out the stadium when the game ended and noticed both schools' bands still performing. Officers spoke with both schools’ band directors and asked them to stop playing music so attendees would leave the stadium. According to police, the home band stopped but Minor’s band director instructed his band to continue performing.Police officers accompanied by school security guards went to arrest him for disorderly conduct but he got into a scuffle with them, Fitzgerald said. He said the band director refused to place his hands behind his back and shoved an officer. One of the officers shocked the band director with a stun gun.Birmingham Fire and Rescu...

Austin church holds AI-generated service, uses ChatGPT

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:38:22 GMT

Austin church holds AI-generated service, uses ChatGPT AUSTIN (KXAN) --- From the classroom to the workplace, artificial Intelligence has made its way into several parts of our lives. RELATED COVERAGE: ChatGPT: School districts discuss policies addressing Artificial Intelligence in the classroom But now, it's in the church, as well. The Violet Crown City Church in north Austin hosted a Sunday service entirely created by AI. Pastor Jay Cooper said he used ChatGPT. The technology can respond to questions and create a variety of content like articles, essays and emails. "ChatGPT kicked out about a 15 minute service, like a shotgun sermon, an outline," Pastor Cooper said. "It's very clear that a human element is still needed. I had to fill out the service with additional prompts, and add a couple prompts to the sermon to kind of beef it up."Cooper said he got the idea after reading more about AI and speaking with members of the congregation who are software developers. "There's so many different applications for AI," he said. "I just ha...

From a dry warmth to hot and humid as we wrap summer

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:38:22 GMT

From a dry warmth to hot and humid as we wrap summer AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Only a couple spotty showers formed today, but most of us enjoyed a start in the 60s and highs in the low 90s, which is very normal for this time of year.Puffy clouds will slowly disappear as the sun lowers into the evening. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALS Tonight will be mostly clear with slightly cooler lows in the upper and mid 60s! Tonight's forecastMonday looks mostly sunny and warm, but it will feature the lowest humidity of the week with dew points in the 50s in the afternoon! Delightful!Monday's forecastHumidity builds through the week ushering at least some morning clouds by mid-late week. A spotty shower is possible Thursday and again on Sunday, but generally rainfall chances stay low for the final days of summer.Muggy meter this weekThe extended outlook looks a little more promising for rainfall with odds of wetter than normal for the final days of September. Fingers crossed!Extended rainfall forecast STORY: Central Texas drought ‘top one or two driest’...

Wild sign veteran wing Jujhar Khaira to one-year, two-way deal

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:38:22 GMT

Wild sign veteran wing Jujhar Khaira to one-year, two-way deal The Wild have signed veteran wing Jujhar Khaira to a one-year, two-way contract, the team announced Sunday.Khaira, 29, had a career-high 11 goals and 21 points for in 69 games for Edmonton in 2017-18. A 6-foot-2, 212-pound left wing, he was drafted by the Oilers in the third round of the 2012 entry draft.His deal with Minnesota is worth $775,000 annually for NHL, $300,000 for games with AHL Iowa.Khaira has 33 goals and 80 points in 336 career regular-season games in parts of six seasons with Edmonton (2015-21) and Chicago (2021-23), and has one goal in eight postseason appearances.The Wild’s training camp begins Thursday at TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul.Related ArticlesMinnesota Wild | Serendipity appears set to bring Taylor Heise, Minnesota’s PWHL team together Minnesota Wild | Charley Walters: Winless Vikings could be on the verge of a rebuild Minnesota Wild | Prospects camp the ‘next step’ for Wild draft picks Min...