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How this year’s Knicks compares to the 2012-13 team that fell in the second round

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

For the first time in a decade, the New York Knickerbockers are marching triumphantly into the second round of the NBA playoffs, with eyes toward further glory. While the time between appearances may have dulled some memories of that last hopeful run, there are lessons to take from that team, as this year’s Knicks share much in common with — and have some key advantages over — the team that fell in six games to the Pacers in 2013.For a start, both teams had just broken a long playoff series winless streak of 10+ years entering a series against a team that they should — and are favored to by sportsbooks — beat with reasonable expectations of putting up a fight in the Eastern Conference Finals.That 2012-13 season, the ‘Bockers took three out of four matchups against the powerhouse Miami Heat led by LeBron James just like this year’s team took three from the top-rated team left in the conference the Boston Celtics. Now, a pesky team led by a st...

Newest Jets’ DE Will McDonald IV says football changed his life

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Following a stellar junior season at Iowa State, Will McDonald IV had an opportunity to be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.Instead, McDonald decided to return to school primarily for a specific reason.McDonald wanted to receive his degree from Iowa State in liberal studies as he was the first person in his family to graduate from college. Although he realized he had an opportunity to play in the NFL as a sophomore with the Cyclones, it was important for McDonald to finish what he started and he did last year.After delaying his dream, McDonald was selected 15th overall by the Jets Thursday night.“I didn’t want to go back home empty-handed and the only one that went to college and didn’t do anything with it,” McDonald said. “I think that Year really shaped me, especially after my brother passed away. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t for nothing.“I just wanted to have him see me do that.”McDonald’s journey to the NFL began in Wis...

Ticker: New report blames airlines for most flight cancellations; pot-rich Oregon must prep for US legalization

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Congressional investigators said in a report Friday that an increase in flight cancellations as travel recovered from the pandemic was due mostly to factors that airlines controlled, including cancellations for maintenance issues or lack of a crew.The Government Accountability Office also said airlines are taking longer to recover from disruptions such as storms. Surges in cancellations in late 2021 and early 2022 lasted longer than they did before the pandemic, the GAO said.Much of the increase in airline-caused cancellations has occurred at budget airlines, but the largest carriers have also made more unforced errors, according to government data.Airlines have clashed with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg over blame for high rates of canceled and delayed flights in the past two years. Airlines argue that the government is at fault for not having enough air traffic controllers, while Buttigieg has blamed the carriers.The GAO report was requested by Republican leaders of the ...

Mets Notebook: Justin Verlander inching closer to return, Jose Quintana could be cleared to throw soon

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Justin Verlander continues to inch closer to a return to action and his long-awaited Mets debut.The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner completed what is expected to be the final step in his rehab from a teres major strain Friday, making a rehab start with Double-A Binghamton.The 40-year-old right-hander threw 69 pitches over 4 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out six against the Akron RubberDucks. He struck out the last two batters he faced and his fastball reached 95 MPH, which is standard for the veteran and consistent with his velocity before his late-spring injury.This was the first rehab start for Verlander and should be able to return next week, he would be lined up to start in Detroit against the Tigers, the team he came up with and won his first two Cy Young Awards with.However, the Mets aren’t quite ready to pencil him for a start at Comerica Park. Manager Buck Showalter said the club needs to see how he feels through the weekend before making a...

Massachusetts employers cut workplace death fines by 42% in 2022

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

All but 12 of last year’s 51 workplace deaths in Massachusetts occurred as a result of traumatic injuries, but a new report found those employers were able to cut their safety-inspection-related fines in half through the appeals process.The average penalty issued by Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the 23 inspections that followed 39 workplace fatalities was roughly $38,430. Employer appeals brought the average final penalty down 42.9%, to $21,927, states a new report compiled by Massachusetts AFL-CIO and MassCOSH.Employer appeals brought down final penalties even further when tracking all OSHA inspections that found safety violations, 83.5% of which were “serious, willful or repeat,” the report states. Overall, the average proposed penalty was $9,874, but the appeals process brought final penalties down to $5,020, a 49.2% reduction.“For many companies, absorbing the costs of allowing dangerous working conditions is just the cost of doing business,” a spokesperson fo...

Wendy’s ‘beloved’ chili to be sold in grocery store cans this spring

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Karu F. Daniels | New York Daily NewsWendy’s famous homestyle chili will be coming to grocery store aisles later this spring.The fast food chain announced a partnership this week to package its signature comfort food in a can that will hit shelves across the country.According to the company, each can will contain 29 grams of protein, and be made with “savory all-natural beef, and the perfect mix of peppers, beans and a rich tomato-based sauce.”“Wendy’s Chili has been a beloved menu item since our beginnings in 1969,” marketing chief Carl Loredo said in the announcement. “We’re thrilled about the partnership with Conagra Brands and to have the opportunity to bring our brand’s iconic chili flavor to even more fans. When the Wendy’s chili craving hits, you now have two delicious ways to get your fix — at retail stores or in our restaurants.”Conagra Brands’ portfolio of grocery store brands include Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice and Marie Callender’s.Juliette van de Walle, an e...

Police: 3 dead in Philadelphia neighborhood shooting

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Three people were killed and another injured in a shooting in a Philadelphia residential neighborhood Friday, authorities said.It wasn’t immediately known what spurred the shooting, which was reported around 3:35 p.m., or how many shooters may have been involved.Responding officers found one victim on the front porch of a house and another just inside the home, while the third victim was on the sidewalk, authorities said. All three were pronounced dead at the scene, and their names have not been released. The wounded victim was taken to a hospital by an unknown person, authorities said, and was listed in critical condition. Their name and further details on their injuries were not disclosed.Police found a gun at the scene but did not say if it was used in the shooting.Authorities said they were looking for those responsible for the shooting, but did nor provide further details. No arrests have been made.The Associated Press

Metrolinx in the cross hairs of Toronto mayoral candidates

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Metrolinx continues to be in the line of fire following reports of the delays that continue to plague the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. The news has some Toronto mayoral candidates calling on the province to take responsibility for the transit agency’s inaction especially as construction on the Ontario Line is set to start. “The Crosstown is a disaster that has brought Toronto to its knees and if we see a repeat of that on the Ontario line, it will be a death blow to the city. There’s no accountability or transparency,” said Brad Bradford, who is calling on the province to fire Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster. “I think we have all suffered long enough with the endless excuses on the Eglinton Crosstown.”On Thursday provincial and Metrolinx officials said the latest delays for the 19-kilometre LRT line are due to 260 quality control issues caused by the construction consortium building the line.The latest visible hiccup came on Thursday when a CityNews crew vi...

Montana latest to ban gender-affirming care for trans minors

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana became the latest state to ban or restrict gender-affirming medical care for transgender kids Friday when its Republican governor signed legislation that exiled transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr told fellow lawmakers would leave “blood” on their hands.Montana is one of at least 15 states with laws to ban such care despite protests from the families of transgender youth that the care is essential.Debate over Montana’s bill drew national attention after Republicans punished Zephyr for her remarks, saying her words were personally offensive. House Speaker Matt Regier refused to let Zephyr speak on the House floor until she apologized. She has not.Zephyr decried the bill’s signing, saying “it is unconscionable to deprive Montanans of the care that we need.”“I know that this is an unconstitutional bill. It is as cruel as it is unconstitutional. And it will go down in the courts,” Zephyr said. To trans youth she added: “There’s an understandable in...

California approves rule phasing out big diesel trucks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — New big rigs and buses that run on diesel would not be sold in California starting in 2036, according to new rules approved by state regulators Friday to wean the state off fossil fuels and combat climate change.The rule would tackle pollution from heavy trucks used to transport goods through ports and require companies to disclose their use of these so-called drayage trucks by 2024. The rule cannot be implemented without approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But it’s related to standards the Biden administration already approved last month to phase out diesel-powered box trucks, semitrailers and large passenger pick-ups. If the EPA approves California’s rule, other states could later adopt the same standards.Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom touted Friday’s move as a chance to show “the world what real climate action looks like.”“We’re one step closer to achieving healthier neighborhoods and cleaner air for all Californians,” h...